Synergy
Impedance: 25 ohms
Gear used:
- xDuoo XA-2
- Dita Navigator
The HI-X20 is fairly sensitive with a low mechanical impedance (below the average of 32 ohms). It’s by no means an IEM, still requiring more juice to achieve a comfortable listening volume.
However, because most recording engineers will have (at minimum) a soundcard with a modestly built-in amplifier, the HI-X20 is intelligently constructed for all setups, no matter how modest.
From personal experience as an audio enthusiast, the HI-X20 responds well to power fed into it, with a tauter bass response and better staging performance. However, please steer clear of ‘brighter’ pairings to avoid pushing the upper bounds of its bright-leaning signature.
A Brief Comparison
Austrian Audio HI-X20
Price: 200 AUD
+ Excellent build and modern design
– Hotspot below headband causes discomfort during prolonged wear.
+ Bright-leaning headphone with exceptional detail-retrieval
+ Highly resolving with sharp transient attack and decay
– Strange timbre-related quirks with an abrasive and cold nature (on occasion)
– Can be ‘too forward’, resulting in bouts of discomfort
Moondrop Horizon
Price: 199 USD
+ Aesthetically luxurious design and excellent build
– Uneven clamp and thin felt headrest with a loose fit
+ Warmish-neutral leaning tuning with a cleanly-rendered lower midrange
+ Voicings are energetic enough whilst retaining a softer edge
– Peculiar lack of mid or sub-bass, resulting in a drier and softer presentation
– Upper-treble roll-off results in a dark signature that’s neither dark nor bright
Conclusive Remarks
The Austrian Audio HI-X20 was conceived to be a guiding light for both aspiring and reputable musicians, squeezing out hidden details at a modest price. The HI-X20 does so incredibly well. It’s a tool for analysis, picking apart detail in a microscopic fashion. It’s fast and highly resolving in a magical way.
However, this presentation comes with a cost. It can be shouty and unapologetic with badly recorded music. As an audiophile, there is a lot of ‘wows’ to be enjoyed with the HI-X20, spotlighting and unearthing things that I’ve never heard of in my music, even on higher-end headphones. But be prepared for some moments of displeasure now and again, for it reveals truths about the music we adore.
