WIRED HEADPHONES

While wireless earbuds grab the limelight, don't overlook these expressive wired headphones

Austrian Audio Hi-X15

₹11,600

WHAT HI-FI? AWARDS 2021 ***** BEST WIRED ON-EAR HEADPHONES UPTO ₹15,000

Austrian Audio, born of ex-AKG employees, has hit the ground running with its first-ever range of wired headphones. The Hi-X15 is the first model we have heard from the brand that we would consider a proper budget offering.

These wired over-ears look and feel anything but cheap though, from the use of proper metal hinges to the matt plastic on the arms. In each earcup is a 44mm driver and ring magnet system with a copper-clad aluminium voice coil. The grip level is nicely judged, with just enough pressure applied to keep them from sliding around your head. The soft, 'slow retention' memory foam earpads are also comfy.

Any rough and ready recordings are mirrored in how the sound is fed into your ears, and this transparency gives them a huge advantage over rivals, especially when you take into account the closebacked design. This sense of openness allows an immense amount of detail to be served up to feast on, without having to worry about sound leakage.