HIFIMAN Edition XS

The Edition XS have been kindly loaned to me by Hifiman in order to evaluate them and create this review. Hifiman has not made any requests, they never have, so the following will be my personal opinions in the usual fashion of being as unbiased and sincere as possible. However, it is always good to consider the fact that it has not cost me anything to try out these headphones.

You can find the official Hifiman Edition XS page here: https://hifiman.com/products/detail/315


Intro…

It’s been a while since I last reviewed a set of over-ear headphones. In fact, I think that the last ones I reviewed were the Hifiman Arya Stealth, back in October last year (which, by the way, are a set of headphones that I like more each time I listen to them).

I will also mention the fact that I am a Hifiman fan and also a big fan of the Ananda. The reason that I mention this is that comparisons with the Ananda will be unavoidable in this review, and although I aim to be as unbiased as possible, my love of the Ananda could create a little bias, although whether that bias could be both positive and negative. I mean, when someone brings out a new model of something that you really like, the usual human reaction is to dislike the new product that may replace it, whether this stance is logical or not.

In this case, I will start out by saying that the Edition XS are a set of headphones that are very similar to the Ananda in my opinion, and have fixed some of the things that people disliked about the Ananda, but are they a better set of headphones for less money?



Presentation…

Apart from the Ananda and the HE1000se, I think that every other set of Hifiman headphones I have received have always been packaged in the same way (except maybe of the plastic insert instead of silk on the HE4000se, but they were still more similar than not).

The usual Hifiman box showing the Edition XS on the front and specifications on the back, opens to reveal the usual warranty card and other documentation laying on top of a foam divider. Underneath the divider, the Edition XS sit in the usual silk covered cut out, with the cable in the allocated center space.

There isn’t really much more to say about it. I have no complaints with the presentation as it is the same as many others by the brand.



Build and aesthetics…

This may actually be the part where the Edition XS differs from the Ananda the most. While the Ananda has the steel headband with the suspension strap underneath, the Edition XS use the headband that Hifiman are using on many of their latest models. The headband is a simple foam and leather covered headband but has one thing that everyone missed on the Ananda, cup swivel.

Well, I say everyone but that is not really true. Personally I have no issue with the fit of the Ananda, it just fits me correctly without hassle, but I do understand that many peoples largest complaint with them was that lack of adjustment to get a good seal. This is something that the Edition XS has fixed and should make a lot of people happy.

But… and there is always a but… I much prefer the suspension strap style headband. In my personal case, the newer headbands create a hotspot on the top of my head and while it is not unbearable, it does cause me to never really stop noticing the headphones on my head. I am obviously a minority in this case but all I can do is share my personal opinion.

The build quality is also very similar to the Ananda, although I do find that the part of the headband that swivels, and its plastic covers, do feel a little flimsy. I can’t say if this particular headband will cause issues over time but seeing that they have used it on many other models and I haven’t seen too many complaints, I can only guess that it should stand up to daily use without issue.

The aesthetics are also very similar to the Ananda, in fact, the only real difference as far as looks is again, the headband. Aesthetics are obviously a very personal thing and everyone has their own opinion, my personal opinion is that I prefer the look of the classic suspension strap headband.

The last thing to mention in this part of the review is the cable. Here I have to say that the cable that is included with the Edition XS is probably the most simple cable I have received with a set of Hifiman headphones, and it is also the best. It is a simple no frills cable that does not tangle, is of a decent length, avoids microphonics and just does its job.



Sound…

When I first listened to the Edition XS, my mind automatically said “Ananda”. Let me just point out that there are a few differences between the sound of the XS and the Ananda, which I will comment on, but the differences I feel are minor and if it wasn’t for listening to them side by side, I am not sure I would be able to spot them easily.

Before getting into the specifics, let me just mention power. Although I have listened to the Edition XS on multiple systems over the past week or so, a lot of that listening time has been in the office using a JDS Labs Atom. In my opinion it powers the XS just fine and to reach my normal listening levels (which are quite low), I have been keeping it around noon or less on low gain.

So, starting off in the subbass frequencies as always, here I feel that there is no difference between the two. The extension down into the subbass realms is neutral and any roll off is more due to our natural hearing roll-off than any drop from the Edition XS. Subass is tight and well controlled, keeping up with literally anything you would like to throw at it.

Putting it through the usual “Chameleon” stress test, and giving it plenty of power to see how it did, subbass is just where I like it. It is not as boosted as some other sets, nor are planar usually my favourite choice for the lows, but gives enough to not feel that anything is missing and does it in a very controlled manner.

Moving into the midbass, it is a continuation of the subbass. It is neutral, balanced and very clean. From hip hop to pop, rock to reggae, I find that the bass is just a great representation of clean and neutral. With the lower end of acoustic instruments, such as the guitar on “Crazy” could maybe benefit with a slightest bit of warmth but that is something that I find with (almost) all planars I have tried. Don’t get me wrong, it sounds great, but is just a little more sterile than on some of the dynamic offerings (or higher end Hifiman models such as the HE1000se or the Arya).

There is absolutely nothing to complain about in the transition from bass to lower mids and the neutral balance continues up until we start reaching the higher mids. Resolve shared a graph of the Ananda vs Edition XS on the Headphones.com forum (here) and his graph shows the Ananda having more presence in the 3 to 4 kHz region.



Now, I am obviously not arguing with a measurement but there is something about this region that strikes me as different and not necessarily smoother on the Edition XS. Let me see if I can explain this in a way that is understandable and not seem like a total fool at the same time

The Ananda does give me the impression of being more “active” in these higher mids. As I have said before, plenty of times, I feel that the Ananda is an exciting headphone that sort of shouts “look what I can do”, where I feel that the Edition XS, while having a very similar (almost identical) FR, does not portray itself the same way. I feel that the Edition XS is slightly smoother in that high mid forward space, but… there is a frequency that can come across as very harsh with certain female vocals.

I have a few theories (looking at the graph) as to why this may be and I am inclined towards the fact that the 3kHZ boost does not irritate me at all (when done correctly). However, as the 3kHz mark is slightly reduced on the XS, it leaves the 5kHz mark as the highest peak and I feel this is something that my ears don’t really like that much.

Now, before anyone gets the impression that this makes the XS unlistenable to me, far from it. The difference between the two is very slight and I am focusing on something that is really only a couple of dB difference on very specific songs by specific artists. As I said at the start, if I wasn’t listening to them side by side I am not sure, in fact I very much doubt, I would notice.

Moving up to the higher ranges, here I sort of feel that the Ananda is slightly smoother while the XS gives a slight increase in perception of space. Again, these are differences so minor that I could not choose between the two and would be more than happy with either of them.

As far as details, layering, dynamics and all those fancy words, I really feel that both are on a very similar level. I get the feeling with some songs that I prefer one, on others I prefer the other and in general, they are both great.



Conclusion…

This review has really turned into a comparison rather than a review of only the Edition XS. I suggest you take a look at my complete review of the Ananda (here) in order to get a more detailed grasp on my opinion of them, that will put this review into context a little better.

I feel that the most important factor for deciding between them will be the headband, in other words, comfort. If you are someone who prefers the swivel and the new headband, then you should have no doubts that you are not giving anything up by choosing the (cheaper) Edition XS over the Ananda.

If you don’t care which headband you use and find them both comfortable, then I would again just choose the Edition XS. It is cheaper than the Ananda, it has a better cable and the sound is just as good. There really isn’t any reason to choose the Ananda over the Edition XS unless you really want that comfort strap (which I really like by the way!).

If you own an Ananda, I really don’t think that there is any reason to move to the Edition XS, again, unless you want the headband/swivel. Both are excellent headphones at their price.

All I can say is that Hifiman has introduced another headphone that I feel sets a level of quality for the price bracket. Where the HE400se is my go to recommendation in the lower budgets, I think that the Edition XS is now a reference mark at the 500€ mark.

As always, this review is also available in Spanish on my blog (here) and on YouTube (here).

Hifiman Edition XS - A Long-Term Review​

Only maybe 3 or 4 times in this hobby have I come across a product that completely upgrades my expectation of the quality that I should expect when listening too music. The Hifiman XS has done that for me for headphones.



It’s been about 6 months now since I upgraded to the XS, so I felt it was a good time to write a long term review. For those holding out on Planar Headphones, it is time to jump on-board as these headphones fulfil an experience that you can’t get with similarly priced and highly regarded dynamic driver headphones.

Before I get into the details I thought it might be useful to provide a little background into my headphone audio journey:

A Headphone upgrade journey​

Having been a Sennheiser fan for many years starting with the iconic ‘yellow’ foam HD-414 (anniversary edition) then moving to the HD-560’s and finally getting the incredible well regarded studio reference HD-600, I had thought I was finished in my search for the best headphone, but then at the start of COVID I found myself working from home and wanting to experiment a little with headphones. From reading the latest research into the Harman Over Ear target curve, I decided to pick up an AKG K371 as this was Dr Sean Olive’s “baby” created to be a reference headphone for that preference curve and while I thought the bass was great (much better than the HD-600) being a closed back it lacked any decent soundstage and the midrange wasn’t nearly as good as the HD-600. I then thought lets go for a headphone with great / wide soundstage, this time trying the AKG K702 and while it has a great soundstage, the bass was lacking, and it wasn’t the most comfortable for long working hours.

And then this is when I realised that I had to get a planar that would provide that ideal ‘goldilock’ headphone with both bass and that wide ‘open back’ soundstage, some experimentation with different models for comfort, and it became obviously that the Edition XS was the most pragmatic choice.

But it wasn’t all plain sailing from them on, read on to find out why:

Give the Edition XS the power it deserves​

So initially I was using the Edution XS a few different amplifiers around my house but also using it with an older Macbook Pro and with my iPhone (using an Apple Lightning adapter sadly the underpowered European one). And while it sounded amazing from say my Volumio ‘Integro’, and even my Denon AVR the bass wasn’t quiet right on the Macbook Pro or the iPhone or even the cheap desktop headphone amp I had tried as an alternative to the Macbook Pro’s headphone socket.

I was curious and the Edition XS while realatively not that hard to drive can soar, especially in bass response when given enough power. I immediately bought a FiiO K7, and I was astonished how well it sounds, this combination has become my evening goto setup for listening to music. I also upgraded my Macbook Pro and found the latest models have much better audiophile headphone support and while it’s far better than before it is not the equal in power to the FiiO K7.

So how does it sound in practice?:

Sound quality​

Rather than give a list of my subjectively impressions of songs I will just focus on 4 areas where I think the Edition XS shines:

Bass worthy of a subwoofer​

It not just the bass is deep and natural with the Edition XS (as say the AKG K371 also has excellent bass) but the combination of bass with an open back headphone that is incredbile. It is like being in a room with no “room modes” because of well-placed subwoofers. The amount of tracks where I was in awe from the physical bass response in my ears (sometimes even ’textured’ bass which I have never heard in a room), it totally satisfied my need to listen late at night but not annoy the rest of the house with thumping bass.

Massive Soundstage​

Planars have a flat diaphragm and Hifiman Planars especially have extra thin diagphram’s providing much more sound from a larger surface in each ear. Further the earpads on the Hifiman XS are angled which enhances that sense of listening to music presented in front of you.
This together with the open back mean they sound much more like I can in a room than with other headphones (including the AKG K702) with different instruments / vocals in clearly separately distinct places in 3D space.

Midrange Clarity​

The midrange is a high point of these headphones. It’s transparent and natural, capturing the intricate nuances of vocals and string instruments with striking clarity. This makes the Edition XS ideal for genres that rely heavily on vocal accuracy and instrument detail. While I would say the Sennheiser HD600 has slightly better midrange tonality, the midrange on the Edition XS massively benefits from that wider soundstage. I have watched Movies late at night with the XS and have not missed my surround sound system and found the vocals clear while still having that bass punch when required by the movie.

Realistic Treble and Imaging​

Poeple sometimes complain about planar treble sounding metalic and maybe that is the case with cheaper planars but I think Hifiman have the right treble tuning with the Edition XS to give a nice ’edge’ or ‘air’ but still sound natural to me. I actually found the AKG K702 was slightly too bright (a bit sibiliant at times) and I was a bit worried that the Edition XS might be similar but I think the better bass evens out the treble response providing a perfect balance with percussive tracks with symbals and high hats and lots of details to the imaging.

Specs and Measurements​

Specifications:​

• Impedance: 18 Ω
• Drivers: Planar Magnetic
• Frequency range: 8 Hz – 50 kHz
• Sensitivity: 92 dB
• Weight: 405 grams
• Cable length: 1.5 meter (straight)

Measurements:​

It is problematic doing graph comparisons between planar’s especially with large angled ear pads and dynamic drivers, the headphone measurements rigs do not accurately represent the bass response and angled drivers cause other inaccuracies.

More details in this issue are described on diyaudioheaven here but a small quote:

The dip between 1kHz and 5kHz is smaller in reality than how it measures because of the so-called concha gain. This is because the drivers are angled (only 6 degrees) and thus makes slightly more use of the concha which ‘boosts’ certain frequencies that arrive under an angle.

Click to expand...

With that said here is a comparison from rtings.com between the Sennheiser HD-600 (in green) and the Hifiman XS (in blue) showing the a much stronger bass (in reality for me its even nearer that dotted line target):

Build quality and Accessories​

The Hifiman Edition XS inherits a mature design from previous models like the Edition and Ananda and is the build is both lightweight and durable. This ergonomic design ensures that even during extended listening sessions, fatigue is kept to a minimum.

However, it does have large oval ear cups so may not suit everyone, I have large ears so I appreciated the shape (say compared to the Hifiman Sundara which has massive circular shaped pads).

The Hifiman XS comes with a clever “stand” built into the box and a short 3.5mm to dual 3.5mm cable.





I have since upgraded my cable with a 2m one and given it a nice stand:

Alternatives​

There are alternative Planars both from Hifiman and others at various price points, for example the Sundara is typically a little cheaper but for me, it wasn’t as comfortable and while Planars are a fairly new technologies I believe other competitors (like the recent Moondrop Para) do not have the experience that Hifiman have in building Planars. Obviously there are many more expensive Planars but the Edition XS seems to me to have that correct balance of price versus performance.

Summary​

Priced moderately in comparison to other planar magnetic models, the Edition XS offers considerable value for the money. It provides a balanced combination of sound quality, comfort, and practicality, making it a compelling choice for those unwilling to compromise on either front.

I believe with the Edition XS, Hifiman succeeded in bridging the gap between high-end audio fidelity and pragmatic daily usage and have made an astonishing headphone that is a worthy upgrade for those seeking headphone nirvana.

Introduction​

Hifiman has been implementing its “Stealth Magnets” technology into every single new model released in the last few months. The only models that haven’t got this significant update have been the mighty popular Ananda and Sundara.
While the newly released Edition XS isn’t exactly an updated Ananda, it surely shares many similarities to its older sibling.
The implementation of Stealth Magnets in all the new releases is a great thing about Hifiman in recent years. They surely are all about improving what’s already great, and considering the fact that the prices stay the same (or even they are significantly lower), it is simply hard not to appreciate what they’re doing. The technology itself is a magnificent show of technology to ensure the highest possible audio quality, and I’ll be covering more of it in the “Tech” paragraph.
Back to the hero of today’s review, the Edition XS. While it might look like the Ananda with a different headband, it’s really more of an upgraded Edition X, which Hifiman has released back in 2016. With its price set at $499, it sits right in the middle between the Sundara and Ananda, entering a new market segment for an open-back, planar magnetic headphone by Hifiman. Considering the fact that both the Sundara and the Ananda have been hugely successful in the past few years, it should come as not a surprise, that the Edition XS has a lot to prove to threaten its older rivals.

Packaging​

I love reviewing Hifiman products, but this paragraph makes me feel like I was repeating myself over and over again after reviewing a majority of Hifiman open-back headphones. Well, the unboxing experience of the Edition XS is…the same as most of their products.
The headphone comes packed in a basic box with good-looking graphics. Inside the packaging, the only two things that you’ll find is the headphone itself and the included cable. Nothing more, nothing less. Hifiman has been pushing the value to the extreme lately, so you’re getting no accessories, as they would have simply raised the price of the final product. Would you really like it in exchange for some fancy accessories that you’ll probably never (or rarely) use? I definitely would not.
Having that in mind, you simply can’t criticize the kind of approach that Hifiman took with their modern lineup. You’re paying for the performance, not the experience, and considering the retail price, you surely want just that.

Design, Build and Comfort​

Same story. The Edition XS is basically the Ananda with HE400i 2020 type of headband. The overall build quality is flawless, I have absolutely nothing to criticize. Yes, I know, the cups are plastic, and it might feel a little flimsy in hand. However, here comes the comfort, where the Edition XS completely destroys many headphones on the market, including the TOTL ones.

You see, I’ve been playing with the Abyss Diana Phi lately, and while its materials and the overall build are absolutely astonishing, the design of this headphone is just unacceptable. A pair of $4000 headphones that you MUST mod to be able to use properly just sounds questionable. Why did I bring that topic to this review? Well, the Build Quality (in terms of materials, finish and design) of the Diana Phi is miles ahead of that of the Edition XS, yet it is becoming totally irrelevant the moment you put them on. This is not a well-designed headphone, it’s literally broken.

On the other hand, the Edition XS (or almost every headphone by Hifiman) is not really impressive in terms of the materials used and overall finishing, but it’s just a masterpiece when it comes to the design. A headphone must be comfortable and convenient to use, and every single Hifiman headphone is just that. Audio equipment can be a piece of jewelry, but it has to be paired with a proper, comfortable, and convenient design (Meze Empyrean/Elite is the best example of that). Hifiman doesn’t design audio jewelry, but they do design headphones that are a joy to use and which you’ll be able to use the whole day, every day. That’s the winner in my book, and it should be in yours.


Let’s dive into the comfort a little bit more. While I’m a huge fan of suspension-style headbands, the solid one found on the Edition XS is a great choice. It’s plushy enough to allow you to use them for many hours without any discomfort (been there, done that), and is simply pleasant to the touch. The only other thing worth mentioning is the clamping force, or rather lack of it. It might be a hit or miss for some people, as the XS sits on your head rather loosely, and I know some people are not really into that type of design. However, it further improves the comfort, creating a feeling of a soft pillow sitting around your ears, rather than having two earcups clamping your head like the Sennheiser HD650 for example. I don’t really mind a loose fit with my open-back headphones, so I’d definitely call it a great feature.

Lastly, the cable is one of the best cables that Hifiman has included with their headphones ever. Fair, it is a plain black cable, far away from anything fancy, but at the same time it’s very comfortable and it doesn’t tangle at all, creating a very comfortable and stress-free performance. Way to go Hifiman.

Tech​

Let’s cover the elephant in the room…again, the Stealth Magnets. Once again I can’t stress enough how good of a technology this is, so I’d simply paste our description from the Arya SE review:

Stealth Magnets are what sets the tone for the current generation of HiFiMan cans. They came up with a new shape, that makes it easier for sound to pass through it. Conventional, rectangular in cross-section magnets create a resonance between them. That resonance will color the sound in an unwanted manner. Having the edges trimmed at a 45-degree angle strongly reduces the resonance, allowing air (and sound) to move freely. Being all technical it goes like this: moving air changes its volume as it encounters the flared magnets. The changing volume also changes the speed. Less speed means a flatter Q of the resonance. How it’s possible that nobody else does it if it’s so simple? Well, it’s not easy to make magnets in that shape that are repeatable and have very good parameters suitable for planar headphones. So you either pay a ton of money for them, or you order a train of those at a bit less outrageous price. Then you put them in every product you have.


It is wonderful to see that great idea coming at such well-priced products nowadays and having that in mind, the Edition XS should be a brilliant value in the headphone market around $500. Let’s see if it’s true.

Sound​

Hifiman has its own “house sound” that they are sticking with for years now. It is all about the speed, clarity, and sublime technicalities at the prices that only a couple of years ago would have been called a steal of the century. The Edition XS continues this kind of approach, focusing mainly on neutral tuning with an amazing detail retrieval. Let’s dive into it.

The bass is fast, extended, and has a great texture to it. It’s a planar driver, so the dynamic slam and attack are both somewhat limited, but nothing too extreme. While the Edition XS is definitely not the hardest-hitting headphone you’ll hear, they do create that sensation of seeing the actual shape of the bass notes.
Low frequencies are extended all the way down to the deepest parts of the subbass, creating a thick and natural bass presentation, with a slight hint of relaxation. This is a kind of bass that makes you dig into it and analyze different textures and timbre, not hit you in the face and take you dancing, definitely. The double bass playing in the “Abraham” by Miles Mosley is a great example here. While it might sound a little relaxed, the amount of reverberation and its texture is just so natural and high-quality sounding that it’s very pleasant to listen to. Every natural instrument that does bass sounds just about perfect when it comes to timbre accuracy and the amount of details. Electronic music enthusiasts should look into some dynamic rivals (Focal for example) to get that physical kick and the feeling of energy on the low-end. While the Edition XS might lack in these two departments, they’ll surely pay you off with detail and texture. Did I just describe a rather standard planar-magnetic type of bass response? Yes, but it is just that…a great planar bass with brilliant technicalities, especially considering the $499 asking price.

The midrange is once again – a Hifiman type of midrange. A lot of details, great resolution, forward and neutral sounding. However, the XS also has a slight touch of warmth to it, resulting in somewhat warmer and fuller sounding voices than the Ananda for example. It is a great marriage of technicality and musicality, offering a midrange that is both enjoyable and tonally accurate. Male vocalists sound really good, the likes of Mariusz Duda, SYML, or Ozzy Osbourne are represented in a natural and enjoyable way, without hiding any little details that are present in the mix. While there’s a hint of warmth throughout the lower midrange, the upper mids around 3kHz might sound a bit too hot from time to time. Listening to some poorly mastered albums gave me an occasional sibilance, so I definitely wouldn’t call the Edition XS a forgiving pair of headphones, as it requires a careful pairing with the rest of the system. While most Hifiman headphones pair well with just about everything, especially those great, modern SS amplifiers from Topping or SMSL, the Edition XS might be better off with something more tamed and less clinical sounding, like the Little Dot MK III SE, with its full Class-A, hybrid construction.

While the Ananda comes with a more focus around 3kHz-4kHz, its lesser boost of the upper treble gives it a slightly more neutral sound signature.


The treble is full of details, very extended and forward sounding, but it has that slight boost to the upper-treble that I mentioned in the midrange paragraph. Because of that, the treble of the Edition XS could be a hit or miss, depending on your preferences. If you’ll be okay with that occasional hot-sounding upper-treble, you’ll be rewarded with the amount of detail and resolution never found in this price bracket. This is the type of performance that lets you rediscover your favorite tracks in search of sounds that you’ve never heard before. If you’ll ever listen to the Edition XS, play the song called “Evil Dub” by Trentemoller and you’ll be amazed by the amount of micro-details throughout the whole track. That kind of crispy, hyper-detailed sound performance really does wonders for this kind of music, so if you’re a fan of artists like that, this is definitely the headphone for you.
Other than that, the rest of the treble performance is very solid, with a very neutral 7kHz to 10kHz spectrum, which gives you that detailed and insightful type of experience.
At the end of the day, it is an open-back, planar-magnetic Hifiman, so you should definitely expect it to be neutral and vibrant sounding, instead of a dark or muffled type of sound signature.

The soundstage is pretty standard for the latest Hifiman releases. It is big, but not artificially too big. Both width and depth are presented in a natural and impressive way, giving you an absolute “out of your head” type of experience. The imaging is flawless as well and paired with that fantastic detail retrieval, you can use the XS as an audio microscope, getting inside music and pinpointing the smallest details with ease. The album “Hell Freezes Over” by the Eagles is a brilliant example of a record that has a great soundstage. It is a live performance after all, with a lot of musicians on the stage, and the Edition XS does a great job showing each of them with perfect accuracy. There’s really nothing more to it, the Edition XS is a great staging pair of headphones with a lot of air, accurate imaging, and realistic size. Hifiman got to the point where I don’t really know how they could improve their headphones staging capabilities, it’s just that good.

Comparisons​

Hifiman Deva Pro

If we remove the Bluemini R2R from the equation, the Edition XS would be about two times more expensive than the Deva Pro. This comparison is actually quite interesting, as I find the tuning of both headphones to be fairly similar, with the Edition XS being a little more pronounced in the upper-mid to the lower-treble region as well as in the upper treble frequencies, maybe a little too much. Because of that, the XS comes as a less relaxed and more extreme sounding of the two, with the Deva Pro being more musical and romantic sounding. It is not only about the tuning though, as the Edition XS is an upgrade to our awarded Deva Pro in terms of raw technical performance. The detail is slightly better, it has a better sense of dynamics and its soundstage is wider. If you don’t care about the Bluetooth functionality, simply treat the Edition XS as a more unforgiving, more detailed successor to the Deva Pro. Something to please different types of people.

Hifiman Ananda


The Edition XS is cheaper, as well as more intense, and warmer sounding than the Ananda. In terms of its raw technical performance, I would say these are quite similar, so it’s really a matter of preference. The Edition XS has a thicker note throughout the bass to the midrange and a slightly shoutier upper treble. They both stage just about the same, with only the imaging being even so slightly more accurate on the Edition XS (Stealth Magnets!). While I definitely won’t be calling the XS as the Ananda V2, nor the Ananda SE, it is significantly less expensive, offering basically the same technical level. While the Ananda is a touch more aggressive in the upper-midrange frequencies, the XS is tilted more towards the upper treble region, which results in a slightly more aggressive and less forgiving performance.
Speaking about the bass, these two perform very similarly, with the Edition XS being very slightly more pronounced in the sub-bass region. This gives the new model a touch more vigorous and dynamic low frequencies that will be a better choice in most modern music releases.
Having all that in mind, I’d call the Edition XS as a better value than the Ananda, even though it is NOT a better headphone, which many of you would have expected, considering the technical improvement. For half the price though, it is simply a better buy, and you can invest the rest in a better system.

Little Dot GYFU


These two have a vastly different approach to their technology, yet they do sound significantly similar in terms of their tonality. Both are fast, detailed, and slightly hot sounding in the upper regions. It is in the technicalities though, where the Edition XS arises as a clear winner. It has more detail, its resolution and accuracy are better and it stages more naturally as well. The Gyfu is a more boutique type of experience, with a far superior unboxing experience and more luxurious materials used, yet it falls short in terms of ergonomics to the wonderfully comfortable Edition XS. If you’re all about the sound quality and comfort, and you don’t really care about the presentation and craftsmanship, the Edition XS is a rather easy choice here.

Summary​

Hifiman just doesn’t disappoint. Their new Edition XS is a wonderful addition to the current market of +/- $500 open-back planar headphones. With its fantastic technical capabilities, great comfort, and neutral sound signature with a touch of spiciness on the top it will surely become one of the best selling headphones in their current lineup. While this might get repetitive, they simply deliver great audio quality at prices that are constantly lower and lower. You can’t get bored of that.
Recommended.
Gear used during this review for the sake of comparison and as an accompanying equipment:

• Headphones – Hifiman Susvara, Final D8000 Pro, Audeze LCD-X 2021, Hifiman Deva, Hifiman Ananda, Hifiman HE1000se, Meze Elite, Little Dot GYFU, Hifiman Arya SE
• Sources– Topping D90se + A90, Ferrum OOR, EarMen Tradutto, Musician Pegasus, JDSLabs Atom DAC+/AMP+, Cayin N3Pro, Pro-Ject Debut Carbon PRO + iFi Zen Phono, xDuoo TA-26, XI Audio Broadway S

Big thanks to Hifiman for providing the Edition XS for this review. I wasn’t paid or asked to say anything good or bad about this product, all of the above is just my personal, unbiased opinion.

hifiman edition xs​

Hifiman edition xs:
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Edition XS is a tribute from the hifiman to audiophiles with a slightly smaller budget. Their pedigree goes back to the excellent he1000s. On the other hand, the price of USD 449 puts them lower than the much more expensive Ari. Recently, I tested, among others, sundare and its closed version, they made a very positive impression on me. It was similar in the case of devy pro or r9 and he400se. Thus, having an idea of the quality and class of the sound presented by hifiman, I could confidently start testing the slightly more expensive headphones, which are the XS edition. This is an improved model of the great edition X and in this case the changes are significant. So I invite you to read.


Unboxing and making:
The Edition XS came to me in a classic black hifiman package, where on the fabric we find only headphones and a black classic cable with a large jack adapter. I missed at least the simplest transport case this time. However, it is possible to buy such an accessory on the hifiman website, so this is only a marginal note. The headphones are very light and kept in a black style. The headband is quite large, but in my case it was not a problem because it firmly stuck to the head and did not oppress it. The headphones are made of plastic, but the grill is made of metal which is a good move. The earphones themselves feature large and versatile earcups along the lines of those of the Ari. The whole looks neat and very elegant. The earmuffs are hybrid and made of high quality materials.




Sound:
During the tests I used xDuoo mt602 and ta01b amplifiers, in the DAC section I used xDuoo mu601 and in the mobile version I used xDuoo xd05plus and iBasso DX170. I used files from tidal, apple music and my own music library. I used a conical cable because I wanted to maintain the consistency of the music reception.
The Edition XS sound mature and clean, which puts them much higher than the Deva Pro or Sundara. However, their sound very much depends on how much power we give them and what quality it will be.


Bass: Moving on to the low frequencies, they are very well shown despite the open design of the headphones. We can feel strong and pleasant bass hits, which are aerated and full of various layers. Its structure is not intrusive, it is set in such a way as to perfectly complement the whole presentation and not dominate it. Despite a slight increase in the midbass, it is a pleasant and very entertaining way of presentation.

Midrange: Mid musical frequencies are smooth and very resolving with lots of space and air. The Edition XS tend to have a very wide soundstage which is impressive in this price range and evokes a great sense of communing with music. In addition, the midrange is very natural and engaging, placing us in the center of the musical experience. The amount of details and instruments is huge, which allows us to hear each instrument or melody line exactly as at the concert.

Treble: The Trebles are boosted and slightly brightened, but not as much as in the Ari, so it’s easier to find synergy with the SX edition. The treble is very resolving and full of details, which we will appreciate especially in the case of instrumental music. The high tones, despite the amplification and noticeable participation in tuning, are still very natural and smooth, which makes them a great musical treat for lovers of more spectacular playing.


Comparison:

1.Hifiman edition xs(449USD) VS hifiman sundara(299USD):
The Sundara sits more securely on the head, while the XS edition construction provides a more comfortable and less compressive position on the head. Edition XS also have larger earcups for slightly more comfort. Both pairs of headphones sound great. Edition XS is more resolving and wider sound. While the sundara has less treble and a bit more warmth.
2.Hifiman edition xs (449USD) VS DEVA PRO (280USD):
Dev pro has great bluetooth functionality associated with bluemini, but sonically it sounds a class lower than the XS edition, which has more details and less bass transmission. When it comes to comfort, both pairs are on the same level in my opinion. Deva is more entertaining tuning and the XS edition focuses on the technical side of the presented content.


Summary:
Edition XS are very interesting headphones, because for a fraction of the Ari price we can enjoy its truncated version. Of course, the aria will be better at every step, but the price will also almost double. In addition, the XS edition won me over with a lot of comfort and an excellent musical and smooth presentation. The stage turned out to be extremely wide and selective. The amount of details and the quality of the music presented can delight, and more importantly, this delight not only does not disappear over time, but also remains at the same level. Thanks to the smooth and clean presentation, we can enjoy the music. This type of tuning is needed on the market and should not be underestimated. As for the treble boost, it is indeed audible, but this is not a disadvantage because it allows it to be picked up more details and overall is consistent with the musical presentation of the XS model. By creating the XS model, Hifiman once again showed that he knows how to design and tune headphones. The Planarne XS are mature, great-sounding, and well-made mid-priced headphones.



MatAudiophiles

The HIFIMAN Edition XS was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don't use affiliate links.
The price of the Edition XS is $499 and you can buy it from directly from HIFIMAN.



HIFIMAN Edition XS

The HIFIMAN Edition XS is the new updated version of the popular Edition X that was introduced back in 2016.
The new Edition XS expands on its predecessor's achievements with several essential upgrades.
First of all it features the company's NEO supernano diaphragm which is 75% thinner than the original version, resulting in lightning-fast response for detailed sonic output without discernible distortion.
Then it is upgraded with the new Stealth Magnets design which unlike the sound waves created by a conventional magnet, the special shape of Stealth Magnets enables the waves to pass through the magnets without generating interference.
HIFIMAN's advanced magnet design is acoustically transparent, dramatically reducing wave diffraction turbulence that degrades the integrity of the sound waves. The reduced distortion yields pure sonic output that is accurate and full-range.



Build quality and appearance

The new Edition XS much resembles its predecessor as it has the same, oval shaped ear-cups that engulf the whole ear offering great wearing comfort.
The exterior is made from a refined matte black material with metallic grilles and the hybrid ear-pads feature high-grade memory foam for the most comfortable fit and elasticity.
The headband adopts the new design with the cushioned interior instead of the plain leather strap that was previously used.
Some users may find this type more comfortable but I have to admit that I prefer the suspended design.
Clamping force is medium and although the adjustable, metal made, yokes don't swivel the fit is actually good.
Build quality is typical HIFIMAN, not bad but you can find better made and more luxurious looking headphones for the same price.
The overall assembly is very good, there is no cracking noise during headband adjustment or when you try to fit the headphone at your head.
The headphone is lightweight and very comfortable, even after extended use but the ear-cups together with the headband are quite huge.
So people with smaller heads might have trouble achieving a good fit, even at the lowest setting of the headband there is still the chance that the headphone will feel too big and loosely fitted.



Cable

The HIFIMAN Edition XS features an interchangeable cable system with 3.5mm plugs on the headphone side that allows for easy cable swapping.
The stock 1.5m long cable is too short for home use and is of typical quality with a rubberized sheathing that looks durable and it doesn't induce any microphonic noise.



Accessories

There are no accessories except for a 6.35mm audio adapter, no carrying case or a simple storage pouch.
The new package includes a foam headphone stand.



Power requirements and associated gear

The nominal impedance of the HIFIMAN Edition XS is 18Ω with a rated sensitivity of 92dB so they are not that hard to drive and a powerful USB DAC dongle like the iBasso DC04 Pro or the FiiO KA5 will do the trick for portable use.
Real user experience though proved that they scale pretty well and require plenty of current to get the best out of them so something more powerful is highly recommended.
Not necessarily stationary, like the EarMen ST-Amp or the HIFIMAN EF400 that I have used but also something more portable like the FiiO Q7 and the Mojo 2 that yielded excellent results.
Except for the stock cable I have also used the Lavricables Ultimate, pure silver cable.



Listening impressions

This section includes brief comparisons with the HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth (V2), Arya Stealth and Sundara (2020 edition).

The tonal balance of the HIFIMAN Edition XS is exceptional, this is one of the best tuned HIFIMAN headphones with the usual neutral sound signature of the company but this time with a warmer tilt and less brightness.
The tuning is very close to that of the Ananda but with less energy in the upper treble, a difference that makes the Ananda sound cleaner and more detailed than the Edition XS which in contrast is smoother and less bright.
On the other hand it is not as smooth and warm as the Sundara but it has deeper bass extension, greater transparency, it is more resolving and refined with better overall technicalities.
In this regard the Edition XS is a step up in performance from the Sundara and is positioned closer to the Ananda and the Arya when the Sundara is the culmination of HIFIMAN's entry level category.



The HIFIMAN Edition XS is even and coherent with great tonal accuracy, all instruments of the symphony orchestra and voices sound correctly pitched, from the fundamentals to the overtones, and are reproduced in a realistic manner.
The bass extends deep enough and has a perfectly neutral and linear frequency response all the way to the mid-range without any given emphasis.
There are no signs of bleeding into the mids and absolutely not a trace of mid-bass or higher frequency masking.
This is a reference tuning so people who like over-emphasized bass should better look elsewhere although this doesn't necessarily exclude the Edition XS from sounding fun and enjoyable with modern beats and electronic tunes.
The bass is tight, fast and controlled with excellent definition and great layering precision.
The texture is typical planar, more lean than visceral and not that full bodied, crystal clear and well defined but not too dry while it retains the same weight intensity throughout the whole frequency range without becoming thinner in the treble like some budget HIFIMAN headphones do.
Macro dynamics are very satisfying, the Edition XS is not that physically impactful as the Ananda, the Arya or dynamic drivers of the same category but it still has plenty of punchiness and force for a realistic and highly contrasted listening experience.



The mid-range is balanced and evenly tuned, not as prominent as in the Sundara but it does have a touch of extra upper-mids emphasis that adds clarity and energy without leading into edginess or sharpness.
The timbre is natural and realistic with plenty of harmonic variety while the presentation is lively and airy with good transparency and clarity.
The listener can easily focus on solo instruments and voices as they emerge through the orchestra and while the Edition XS is not as lush and rounded as the Sennheiser HD650, it is sweeter and warmer than other HIFIMAN headphones.



The treble is not as extended and resolving as in the Ananda or the Arya but it is not lacking in transparency while it is relatively smoother and less bright with a more easy going nature.
The HIFIMAN Edition XS has plenty of energy and luminosity on tap, it is airy and lively with good detail retrieval without sounding analytical and boring.
It is a rather revealing and exposing headphone but definitely more forgiving than the Ananda and the Arya although not as much as the Sundara.
Going back to the comparison with the Ananda or the Arya, the truth is that the Edition XS can't resolve as well and could use some more refinement but on the other hand it edges the Sundara in these aspects.



The soundstage of the HIFIMAN Edition XS is wide and spacious, easily surprising all the Sennheiser HD6xx series of headphones and by a tiny margin the Sundara.
The presentation is open and quite holographic, not that deep but with plenty of air around the performers and a sharp positioning.
The listener is placed closer to the performers and not as far away as in the Ananda or the Arya but it doesn't get too intimate as to become oppressed by large symphony orchestras.
Truly enough, listening to works, like the Brahms 4th symphony, the listener feels like he is conducting the orchestra.



In the end

The HIFIMAN Edition XS is a truly excellent headphone both in terms of sound quality and comfort that easily surpasses much of the competition at this price point.
It has a tuning that is well suited for people who love the typical HIFIMAN sound signature but always wanted something more smooth and forgiving while it is technical enough to successfully bridge the gap between the mid and the upper tier offerings by the company.
HIFIMAN was always about excellent price for performance ratio but this time they have raised the bar even higher making the Edition XS one of the best value headphones in the market right now.

Test playlist

Copyright - Petros Laskis 2023.

General/Build/Comfort/Packaging
The Hifiman Edition XS that I have with me today, shares some resemblance with its bigger brother, the Arya, the earcups in particular. The packaging of the Edition XS is similar to the HE-R9, HE400SE that i have tested, they came bundled with the same foam type headphone stand, even the cable is the same as well, considering the price is higher for the Edition XS, i do have a certain expectation in terms of better packaging as well as bundled accessories. The build quality is pretty good overall, it's just that the earcup itself is quite huge and it might be an issue for people with smaller heads. For me personally, it fits just fine without the need to adjust the headband, but the clamping force is a little weak to my preference and it feels as if the whole headphone is sitting on top of your head, although the headband’s cushion does a great job relieving the strain.



Gears used for this review

• Earmen Angel Dac/Amp
• Earmen ST-Amp
• Earmen CH-Amp
• iFi Gryphon
• Hifiman Edition XS stock cable and earpads

Foreword
My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far

Sound Impression
Edition XS’s tonality is quite neutral to my ears, there’s a hint of planar timbre but other than that, the bass has good slams and surprisingly, the sub bass extension is pretty good considering its an open backed headphone. Technicalities are very impressive as well.

Bass

• Bass is fast and precise with sufficient quantity and good quality
• The sub bass has very good extension, although it doesn’t extend that deep, but considering it being an open backed, it is really impressive
• The bass response is not basshead kind of presentation, but to my ears, they are sufficient and will present themselves well when the track calls for it
• Bass has good texture overall and doesn’t sound thin

Mids

• The mids are quite detailed and lush
• Vocal for both male and females has good enough textures
• Female vocal has a bit more energy compared to male
• Upper mids are generally safe to my ears and not shouty

Treble

• Treble response has plenty of energetic yet it is not harsh nor sibilant, but do bear in mind that everyone has got different level of tolerance for treble, to my ears, they are not harsh nor anywhere near sibilant
• Fast and snappy transient response
• Very good resolution
• Good detail retrieval, micro details can be picked up easily
• The overall technicalities are impressive and definitely a few steps above the models that i have tested previously (HE400SE)

Soundstage/Imaging

• Soundstage is slightly out of your head, not exceptionally wide considering this is an open backed headphone
• Good height and width perception for the soundstage
• Instruments can be picked up easily where it is coming from
• Excellent separation and layering
• A little disappointed by the soundstage as i expect it to be “bigger” sounding since it is as open backed, but then this is just nitpicking as the overall performance is quite good

Driveability

• The Edition XS is not that hard to drive, i am using it with the Earmen’s ST-AMP with 1.8w from 4.4 headphone out, the Edition XS sounds like it is being pushed to its optimum performance
• When i switch over to ST-Amp’s bigger brother, the CH-AMP, i am greeted with a more spacious sounding Edition XS, better control on the bass, and much more dynamics
• Overall, i find it to scale very well with amp as with several Hifiman headphones that i have tested

Final Thoughts
The Hifiman Edition XS is my 2nd planar magnetic headphone that i have tested, and I'm really surprised by its capability in terms of the sonic performance as well as its technicalities. Not to mention that the price is highly competitive as well given what it has to offer. It doesn't require a beefy amp to sound good, it is quite smooth to my ears, the only downside is that the earcup might be a little too big for some. Other than that, Edition XS is a fine headphone that has some serious sonic capabilities within it.

*The Hifiman Edition XS was sent over by Hifiman for the purpose of this review, I received no monetary compensation nor was I influenced in any way to produce this review.



If you are interested in getting a pair, head over to their official store to grab one now! It is currently available for 449$ instead of the usual 499$
Hifman Edition XS- Non affiliated

In 1996 right around the time I was graduating high school a young kid was drafted 13th by the Charlett Hornettsby the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe was the first Guard to be drafted out of high school and it seems an insane decision at the time. People were in shock and awe as others were calling it a crazy decision as the Los Angeles Lakers eventually came out to be one of the greatest players of all time with 20 years at the Lakers having 5 nba champions, multiple career awards and being a staple in basketball for years. Easily ranking in most people’s top 10 of all players to ever play the game. He was a legend in his first year, and we recently lost him. He didn’t win rookie of the year or a championship in his first year, but eventually became a champion over time. I feel the Hifiman Edition XS will continue to grow clout and gain legendary status in the years to come.




I bought this iem with my own money. My opinions are my own.
You can buy this in most places. I got mine at Hifiman, but you can get it almost everywhere. Most stores sell Hifiman for a reason, they are excellent.



Product Features

Song Choice: Tidal list here:
I listen to a wide variety of music. I pick the songs because of various reasons. But I picture myself locked away like Andy Dufresne from Shawshank blasting music and shut off from the world. It’s a blissful image.
The Marriage of Figaro -The opera song from Shawshank Redemption, terrible recording but fun and gets me in the mood to listen to music.
O mio Babino caro -This is a modern less operatic version but a song with great female vocals.
Video Rigoletto - “La donna e mobile” Sung by one of the three Tenors, great song for high-performing male vocals. Pavarotti is the greatest classic singer maybe ever. Fight me!
Iron man - The sound at the beginning is hard to make sound great, great drums, and cymbals, and if done right it feels like an old-school band.
I Will Survive (1981 recording, I like her voice, and the old vocals, the drums, and various natural instruments really make this a favorite for me.
There is a light That never goes out - Smiths ( A classic, I just love it. It’s mellow, and I can tell a lot of the tuning if this song is done right.)
Jump (I like how the sound effects are in this!)
Star Child Someone recommended this song to me, and I like how funky it sounds and has nice vocals and a mix of music and things going on.
Dicke Titten Ramstein The beginning is amazing and the bass hits hard. Great song. I love rock and metal. The German language fascinates me
Master of Puppets: Very fast song. Helps me determine if the driver can keep up.

Cable- I am not a huge fan of the stock cable. I replaced it with an aftermarket cable. I love my aftermarket cables, but I don’t feel they change the sound. I do find them enjoyable and fun.

Ear Pads - I got some cheap earpads from ebay called Real Leather Ear Pads Foam Cushion For Hifiman Edition Xs. They were cheap at only 20 dollars. I really love how soft the ear pads are, and I find them to be a minor sonic improvement but a monster comfort improvement.

Quick-Fire Comparisons

In this section, I'll quickly compare the edition XS to other Headsets near this level.

Highfiman Edition XS Hifiman Sundara
Overall Tuning: Highfiman Edition XS
Details: Highfiman Edition XS

Highfiman Edition XS VS. 660 s2
Overall Tuning: Tied
Details: Highfiman Edition XS

Highfiman Edition XS VS. Hifiman Ananda
Overall Tuning: Highfiman Edition XS
Details: Highfiman Edition XS

Highfiman Edition XS VS. Arya
Overall Tuning: Highfiman Edition XS
Details: Arya

Highfiman Edition XS VS. Meze 109 Pro
Overall Tuning: Meze 109 Pro
Details: Highfiman Edition XS


Value: I find solid Value in this headset. To me, it competes with the Arya, destroys the Ananda, and is just overall very nice for the value.

Graph:


Bass

The edition XS bass is fun but is improved with a slight base boost. Besides being powerful, the bass is well-controlled. The midrange is clean and detailed, and not messed about by the treble. When I get my


Midrange

The Midrange and timbre of this headset are just mint. It’s so perfect and wonderful. It feels like I am there for me, and it really gets me enjoying what I am listing to in a clear fun atmosphere. Sometimes I do sense a bit of muddiness on this headset, yet I find it just overall very strong and lovely. Vocals and podcasts are just mint on the Edition Xs, they sound natural and wonderful.

There is almost a magic factor that I can’t explain in headphones and the Edition XS. It’s something where I just think…. You wouldn’t get it. It’s nice. I’m sure you do in fact get it if you are actually reading this, but I am having trouble explaining it. It’s magical and lovely.


Treble

The treble is sparkly and airy, and delightful to listen to. Details are out of the box very good for me on this headset. My music sounds very good. It doesn’t sound shrill or cut. But I find when I eq the base, sometimes I do miss out on some details and it’s difficult to get the right sound out of the gate for this headphone. But it’s magical Treble, and extremely enjoyable. I have found other headsets that pull a slight bit more detail but lack in the soundstage.

Comfort: The comfort of this headset is debatable for some. I originally tried multiple pads, and even switched the headband of this headset, but went back to the original headband and find it comfortable on my head. I think it can take some adjustment, and it can be frustrating as it can fall off your head, but it’s good after some physical and mental adjustment. (Think of getting used to balancing something on your head, but not nearly as bad as this)



Recommended EQ: I do recommend a slight boost of a base raise in the lower 64Hx and 125 Hz of about 3-5 DB. When I give the Edition XS a base, I feel it needs a boost to the treble of 6 db on the 4kHz, 9kHZ, and 15KHz. I am crazy but love an overall huge boost to the Trebble on this headphone and feel it sounds great and really brings up wonderful detail and makes it fun. But overall the Hifiman Edition XS is pleasant tuning-wise.

Gifting/who is it for: This is an expensive headset, but it’s a great headset for anyone who loves audio and wants to see what the latest and greatest headset is. It does need a reasonable amp to really get more out of it in my opinion.

Pairing: I only used Topping DX1 dac through an SMSL SH-8s AMP. I find this headset a challenge to drive and needs a fair amount of power and I typically push my amp up to high gain, compared to most of my other headphones and iems.

Summary-
Someday we will look back at older headsets and remember the insane quality of iems of 2022 and how iems became better as time progressed. I think we will remember it also as the year the Highfiman Edition XS came out. This headset has become a benchmark for many Midfi headsets, and in doing that a benchmark for more expensive headsets as the bar has now been set. We see the Sony MDR-MV1 and the Audeze M-100 coming out to compete in this market. Midfi is coming for the normies, it’s becoming the benchmark. Expect to see more Mid fi iems of high quality creep up on us. Hifi has a new benchmark at the midfi level.

Overall I am giving this an A+ for tuning and an S- for technical abilities. With Eq, it’s just a mint headphone with great sonic characteristics. I would give it two Value stars out of three. It’s not perfect, but It’s a wonderful set. I may date or make a fool of myself in a few months when I get the Audeze M-100, but I think despite a very strong showing in 2022 the Edition XS will continue to be a benchmark for many in detail, price, and other factors. It will be a slow-growing legend and continue to be a staple in many people’s headphone collections.

Thanks for reading. Any feedback is welcome. I’ll be posting my preference list of dacs, and headphones soon. It’s in process.

***The Hifiman edition XS is an open back over-ear headphone with planar drivers currently available for $379 (normally $500). I purchased the product myself to write an independent review.

Specs

->Impedance - 18Ω
->Frequency response range - 8Hz-50kHz
->Sensitivity - 92dB
->Weight - 405grams
->Cable termination - 3.5mm



Foreword

Considering the price, it's a good value for money, but it's not perfect. It's a high-end headphone killer if you ignore some flaws. Among headphones with planar magnetic drivers, these headphones have a very competitive position compared to dynamic driver headphones.

Build

Plastic and aluminum.

The box contains the product itself, the cable and some papers. Hifiman's eye-catching box design is very nice, but I'm not going to let it fool me. It's a shame there's no case. The cable is pretty standard. The "family tree" in the user manual is very nice.

When we come to the product itself, we see the same standards of material. It's not bad, it's durable and usable, but there's nothing eye-catching or with a very good feel. The ear pads are very good, thick and soft. The headband is also thick and comfortable but not as soft.

Xs can make things difficult for small heads. Otherwise, it's very comfortable and suitable for long listening sessions. The fact that it doesn't make you sweat is another nice feature.

In fact, we can see from all of this, they spent most of the budget on the drivers. Some frills can be sacrificed for good sound.



Sound

Let's get to the part we're really gonna focus on. sound.

First of all the resolution is excellent considering the price. The XS has a detailed and analytical sound. Although it's a relatively easy headphone to drive, a good amp is required to bring out the microdetails. When you give the XS what you want, it gives you what you want, and it produces very good detail reproduction.

The soundstage is perfect. It is wide and consistent. Separation is good for the price and layering is excellent. The distance between the instruments could be wider, but that's not a big deal considering the price.

Hifiman Xs is a headphone that plays hard to be natural, natural to be hard. It's quite resolute in this character and punishes you with a little distortion when you want to hear more of that wonderful bass. The fundamentally natural tone hardens as the highs shine, resulting in a sometimes tight, sometimes relaxed analytical presentation. This headphone can give you more than one sensation in a row. I can understand the reason for this brightness because there is a treble that extended quite well.

Bass

One specific thing I observed in the low frequencies is that most of the bass goes out. I know this is normal, but a lot more goes out than comes in. You can try this by leaning your ear against the back of the headphones. I think this is a sacrifice for that wonderfully refined bass. The Xs' bass has good extension, resolution and not dissipate. I'm not a basshead but I wish there were more of them, I think if there were more they wouldn't be as good. When comparing to high end headphones, of course the bass is weak compared to dynamic drivers but very good around the planar driver.

Other than that, the bass response is deep and effective. The drums are the most beautiful part of all these low frequencies. Natural, full and realistic.

Mid

The details and texture are satisfying. Female vocals dominate over male vocals. The strings are a bit unfocused and the woodwinds feel very good. The mids have an overall clean and transparent presentation. Considering the staging capabilities and resolution of the Xs, you can see that it does well in this area. Just like that, the mids give you everything you want, almost without makeup, unlike the treble. Apart from a little bit of adjustments and a little bit of extension, the mids are quite natural. This is the "too natural to be hard" part, I'll get to the other part in a moment. I would like to point out that there is no extreme depth in this area, come on, it's only 500usd (380usd now).

Treble

There is no flawless soul

The trebles have a very good extension and great detail, as well as a full "planar brilliance". There is a sharp structuring in the very center of the treble. This gives a slight metallic flavor to the overall tone. While technically excellent, the physical comfort of the headphones does not match the listening comfort. No, this is not a headphone to enjoy music mindlessly. This is a headphone that wants you to focus and feel the details. At this point, the highs are "too hard to be natural". But don't let that put you off. There are clear, well-extended cymbals and well-tuned whistles that are pleasing to the ear. They're just a bit bright.

As a result

The sound is fantastic for the price. For $500, it's hard to get a headset like this. Xs is a headphone that puts its more expensive competitors in a difficult situation. It provides a very similar experience to high end headphones 2-3 times more expensive.

Final Words

The Hifman Edition Xs is a true price/performance beast with sound and potential. It has no faults other than a slightly bright tone and the lack of a bag. If you don't have an xs size head, you can buy it with peace of mind Jokes aside, this headphone plays according to the nature of the planar driver, and the pros clearly outweigh the cons.

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank Mr. Mark and HIFIMAN for providing a review unit of the Edition XS. Rest assured that my impressions written in this review are my own personal thoughts and opinions and in no way influenced by outside parties.

I am not an expert in this hobby nor claim to be an audiophile. I just love listening to music and am fond of writing articles.


Introduction:

The Edition XS was released to serve as the middle ground between the cheaper Sundara and the more expensive Ananda. It utilizes “Stealth Magnets” and a “NEO Supernano Diaphragm,” with the former becoming a shared characteristic across a few models in their headphone line. Sensitivity is at 92dB while impedance is rated at 18 ohms. The Edition XS is sold for 499 USD, which puts it in mid-tier or budget-tier price range, depending on who you ask.



Phone/laptop -> Zen Blue V2/HUD100 MK2 -> Topping L50 -> Edition XS

I am glad to say that the Edition XS does not require a desktop amplifier to be satisfactory to listen to. With slow music that does not utilize lower bass to sub-bass frequencies, there is no significant difference to warrant the need to “amp” the headphone, given that your listening volume is relatively close to mine. However, if the music you listen to is not as stated and your listening volume is higher, amping the Edition XS would result in modest improvements across the frequency region and its technicalities.

Topping L50 at high gain, between 8 and 9 o’clock (main amplifier used). HUD100 MK2 at 18/100 (for testing efficiency)



Build and Comfort: The cup is basically the same design as the Ananda, with the only difference being the headband used, similar to the Deva and HE400se. Everything except the grill and the cup holder that swivels thingy is plastic. There, my dear folks, is where I have a problem with the Edition XS. I’ve tried two other budget HIFIMAN models, namely the HE400se and the Deva (wired). Those are essentially built the same as the Edition XS, whilst being ~350/300 USD cheaper respectively. The Edition XS feels the same as the other two. When you shake the cans themselves, there are squeaks here and there, particularly in the part where it swivels.

However, while the build is rather mediocre for its price, it does allow for godly comfort, at least against the five total headphones that I’ve tried. The cup, and in extension the earpad, is egg-shaped. The earpad, when looked at directly, would appear flat. But, the front-end has a very subtle contour. Add that to the fact that the earpad hole does not touch my ears, and it’s like the headphone isn’t even there. The swivel is satisfactory to adjust to your head’s shape. The headband is well-padded and does not hurt the top of your head even with longer sessions (YMMV). Length can be adjusted in a multitude of steps. And lastly, it is surprisingly light for a rather big headphone. Clamping force is light though, so do take note.

Cable is dual 3.5mm to 3.5mm. Length is standard and is rubber-sheathed. It is very supple, does not tangle and no microphonic is heard. This is the best stock cable from the four total HIFIMANs I have/had.


Package: ¼" adapter. Paperwork. Stock cable.


Now, onto sound:

For this review, the headphone was left stock, without mods, with a listening volume of low-medium to medium.

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Bass: neutral. Extension bests the HF580 (same driver as Aiva), and while isn’t as abundant quantity-wise, is satisfactory for most music. With rap/hip-hop, it does leave you wanting for more physicality. The quality, meanwhile, is the most phenomenal of the headphones I’ve tried – IF you want to analyze every minute detail, reverb if present and change with the bass note. It reproduces bass in its purest form, laying it bare for your ears to critique. There is no “blur” along the edges nor does it struggle with control in fast/consecutive hits, thereby avoiding intruding into the succeeding frequency region. This basically just makes it sound like what a planar driver can do, for those that have tried a headphone with such LOL. I won’t deny, I remember using similar descriptive statements in my past planar headphone reviews. And while that is truly the case, with how the Edition XS articulates bass is how a neutral planar headphone sounds like, it does so in the most exquisite manner. Now, if you desire that engaging tuning, do stay away from the Edition XS. It cannot, in any way, provide that energetic and fun bass without any form of EQ.

Midrange: again, neutral. What is interesting, however, is that with every genre I have listened to using the Edition XS (I go from KPOP to Alternative and Electro; basically everything under the sun), it never sounded thin, even with the lack of midbass warmth to add body to the sound. With string instruments, every tiny detail is heard by the ear without specifically looking for it. I just have one gripe – it decays too fast for my liking. You know that feeling of getting hooked into the playing of Carlos Santana? That caressing touch? That, does not happen with the Edition XS for me. Notes just sound too abrupt in a sense, more so than the other planar headphones I have listened to. Now, I do understand it is all preference but I had to get this out for everyone reading this review. Regarding vocals, there is no bias with both genders so no problem there. It sounds like what a neutral pair of headphones should sound like. Not much to talk about. Both are placed comfortably – not too forward where it becomes shouty nor too far back and becomes difficult to hear. It is worth mentioning that the pre-to-upper midrange dip isn’t as apparent as what the graph suggests, even when compared to something like the Sundara. There is, however, an “almost there” sibilant voice as how I would describe it (read: gives out the start of the ssss but doesn’t go all the way), most present with poorly mixed tracks.

Treble: exhibits brightness but is relatively neutral. Couple that with the technical prowess of the planar driver, the neutral bass response, and the detailed midrange and we have ourselves a headphone made for analysis of music. To avoid an overly clinical or “sterile” presentation, what I would do is pair it with an amplifier that can be subjectively described as velvety or warm. However, at the time of writing this review, I only have the HUD100 MK2 and Topping L50, both of which have been described to be bright-neutral. The Edition XS reproduces the treble region with clarity, thanks in part to the previously mentioned tuning. All the characteristics of a planar headphone regarding treble still do apply with this headphone.

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Timbre: Like what I’ve mentioned, compared to the other four planar headphones I’ve tried, this noticeably has the fastest note decay of them all, making it sound less natural than it should be.

Soundstage, Imaging, and Separation: If you’ve tried the Deva or have read reviews of it, imagine if its soundstage was perfected. That, is how the Edition XS does staging. Exceedingly lifelike presentation, thanks in part to its tuning, imaging prowess and separation capabilities. Wherever any sound comes from, you will notice it in a very hyper-focused manner. I have never encountered any track that gave the Edition XS trouble with imaging and separation. It's a can't miss in terms of technicalities.

Detail-retrieval: Most detailed transducer I’ve listened to. The combination of the tuning and the technicalities bring out every macro and microdetail in the music, thus providing a hyper-realistic listening experience, excluding the occasional brightness of the headphone. It made me hear detail that I never have obviously noticed in songs I thought I knew by heart.

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Conclusion:

Transparent – that’s the word that best describes the HIFIMAN Edition XS. Is it the best headphone sub-500 USD? I cannot say as I have only tried four others apart from the Edition XS and all of them are at the very least a hundred USD cheaper. This is also the first transducer I’ve tried that crossed the 400 USD mark. However, if you really want a neutral headphone that is able to reproduce sound in a lifelike manner, albeit with the occasional brightness and almost sibilance, then the Edition XS is for you. Using the HIFIMAN Edition XS is like consuming music in a very discerning manner – you taste and appreciate all the good parts but at the same time perceive the undesirables.

Ah the Edition XS, a full-sized beast. These were sent to me by Hifiman for review but all words are my own so here's my quick summary.





Build:
Plastic fantastic apart from the slider, yoke and grille, but the headband pad feels like a pool noodle wrapped in Won Hung Lo leatherette, more so the headphones exhibit all sorts of creaks and rattles when you fit them and they overall didn't fit me very well, tho I must say the pads are quite spacious.

Sound:
Well-extended bass with decent texture and average dynamics, Smooth and detailed mids tho the upper mids have a scoop to give an illusion of a wider stage. I must say the treble is a bit on the zingy side which is not unusual for a planar.

Summary:
Overall I think it's probably the best headphone in the price range today, if they fit you then great, but if not. I think dekoni nuggets would fix the comfort issue.

Here is the accompanying video for this review, I go into more detail. YouTube Video

I received tonight my highly anticipated pair of Hifiman Edition XS.
For those who are not familiar with these large over-the-ears headphones, they are rumoured to be the successor to Edition X V2, with a more up to date thinner diaphragm and stealth (rounded) magnets. But since I have never had nor heard the Edition X V2, I can not confirm or refute that rumour.
Currently they are only available in China, priced at about $500.
These are priced between Sundara and Ananda, look like Ananda, do not have the efficiency of Ananda.
Efficiency is a little higher than Sundara, and sound very similar too.
They are light on the ears, very comfy as the ears are completely engulfed inside the pads, not too much pressure on the temples.
Here are couple of sample pictures.



Built, Look, Comfort
The ear cans seem to be made from Aluminium all around, similar to Sundara (Sorry that's all I have to compare), that includes the louvered grill and the yokes, which are also aluminium.
It is pretty light on the head and very comfy. They completely swallow your ears, which also means a good seal, but not too much pressure on the temples.
They have the new wedge earpads with perforated inner sides (Fenestrated? funny word), just a standard foam inside and NOT memory foam (Cheap Hifiman!).
Headband is the new type which nobody apart from Hifiman likes! Sundara type headband is better, feels better, looks better!

Amps
I used a Chord Mojo and a Chord Hugo2 DAC/Amp + my Android phone, USB connected to the DACs.
Music was standard and Hi-Res flac material from internal storage.
I enjoy, Classical, 70's Rock, Blues and Jazz and a little Pop.

The cable
Crap! just throw them out of window, first chance you get.
Don't get me wrong, they look the part, nice and rubbery, nice looking plugs and all, BUT they ruin the sound so much, they are not worth it.
When I first tried the headphones, I didn't like them, sounded a bit Hollow and nasal, with sibilants on vocals. I then swapped the cables for some Focal Clear standard short cable (obviously they fit) and it transformed the sound!
Now technically, Hifiman Planar headphones have constant impedance over the frequency, so cables shouldn't affect the tone, but believe me "They Do"!
The better cable from Focal opens up the sound, extends the bandwidth and takes away the sibilants.
I measured the cables:
- Hifiman cables have 0.3 ohms resistance per conductor, meaning the amp must go through 0.6 ohms to get to the headphones. they also have 90pF of capacitance and a little inductance.
- Focal cables have 0.15 ohms resistance per conductor and 50pf of capacitance.
So they measure resonably similar, but they do not sound the same. Bear in mind, I am one of those who believes fancy cables are mostly snake-oil!
I have pure silver, solid core headphone cables in the works, when ready I shall try them on Editions and report back

Sound quality and tone
After changing the cables to better ones, they sounded good out of the box. They are very listenable without any EQ.
But they can sound a little bright on high treble, and hollow on midrange and a little woody on upper bass.
Bandwidth is fairly extended, bass has a certain Ear-Thumping effect some may like, they may even call it SLAM, perhaps, I am not praising nor complaining, it is there. Upper bass is a little bloomy and boxy sounding.
Midrange is lacking some energy in the typical Hifiman 2kHz region which causes hollow sounding effect. Upper treble is a little too over-excited.
Resolution is quite good, you get to hear everything that's going on, distortion is low, and just like the Sundaras, the Edition XS does not loose the plot when things get heavy. On orchestral pieces and multi-layered tracks Editions keep their composure, which is a very good thing.
Over all , so far they are keepers.
They do need EQ more than Sundaras do, that's next.

EQ
Before I get to that, let me say that neither the Mojo nor Hugo2 had any trouble driving the Editions to uncomfortable loud levels what so ever!
The bright nature of the Editions meant the Mojo sounded more organic, since its darker nature tamed the over zelous treble of the Editions.
- To tackle the bass woodiness (by ear) I applied the following setting:
120Hz Q=2 level= -1.5dB
- For midrange:
2100Hz Q=0.9 level= 3dB
and that's all, didn't touch the treble, cable replacement and midrange EQ balances the sound.
It is still early days though, I probably play with settings a bit more.
Generally I believe EQ when needed , is a necessary evil - so I am hesitant to over use it, less is more to me in this case.
Compared to Sundaras, they are a little more efficient, so if your current amp can drive Sundaras, it can drive Editions.
Sound is a little more open, bandwidth and stereo (left and right) are wider, resolution a little better. They are definitely brothers!
Are Editions better? yes they are after EQ, without EQ ? I don't know.
I am keeping them.

Update:
I rechecked my data on the cables , last night I was quoting from memory (bad idea), here are correct values:
Edition XS bundled cable -
full length resistance Lead=0.15R Ground=0.2R ground to ground @ earjacks=0.5R
Capacitance ground-lead L=160pF R=190pF left-right leakage=140pF



Focal Clear bundled cable
full length resistance Lead=0.15R Ground=0.15R ground to ground @ earjacks=0.3R
Capacitance ground-lead L=70pF R=70pF left-right leakage=20pF



Revise and correction:
Perhaps I was too hasty to declare that Edition XS was more efficient than Sundara - my mistake was that at same volume setting, Editions sounded louder! which is true, however Editions have lower impedance than Sundara ( 18R vs 30R), and since efficiency is measured aginst Power, then impedance enters the equation to tip the balance. Overall it turns out that Editions have a slightly lower efficiency than Sundaras - my mistake - but we are talking small figures here.

They benefit from EQ for sure! that missing midrange is bothersome, Hollow Sounding is as good a description I could have given, I let someone(s-plural) come up with a valid frequency response curve to determine correct EQ values, but still by ear put it at about 1500Hz to 2.2kHz @ 2 or 3dB. Also there is a something at about 5.5kHz (very approx.) that can shout a tiny bit on some recordings specially with my Chord Mojo. With Hugo2, because of greater clarity it is less of an issue.
The stereo image (specially on Hugo2) is super wide! to the point you may get an out-of-phase effect! a little crossfeed fixes that. On Mojo, no problem. But the phones scale well with Hugo2. It clearly resolves if it is Mojo playing or Hugo2
I still believe my system is cable sensitive - be it the amps, the headphones or both, which is frusterating to me, as I come from that campaign that Coat-Hangers are as good as $1000 cables, and so far I was not proven wrong, till now.
My DIY Solid-Core pure Silver cable defenitely sounds better, over all it is a warmer sound, no hardness in bass, cleaner high hats . . . .
Next to that was the bundled cable that came with my Focal Clears, but this one can add a slight hardness to bass at times.
Bear in mind that I have not spent any tangible money on cables, just tried different ones, none were expensive. Of course it works with coat-hangers too, if you could make a cable out of them .
Still very comfy for long sessions.
Can anyone suggest a good fitted hard shell case for these?
That wouldn't cost the earth. . . .

DISCLAIMER:
The Hifiman Edition XS was sent to me by HIFIMAN in exchange for an honest review. No monetary exchange took place. This is 100% my honest opinion.


Sub-bass:
The sub-bass has a good rumble and reverb. The sub-bass extension is good.
And the sub-bass is done pretty well, as it provides good rumble, but not too much of it.

Mid-bass:
The mid-bass has a good punch and is well-detailed which i loved. The punch although got me wanting for more. The bass region possesses a good amount of warmth. The bass has good texture and is just overall good. The drums sounded punchy and had a good presence in tracks.

Mids:
The mids are amazing on this headset, super detailed, spectacular clarity and resolution is just amazing. The female vocals sound realistic just angelic with good clarity. The male vocals are also good as it has a good timbre and warmth. The guitars are highly detailed, and all the microdetails of the strums can be heard.

Treble:
The treble is a little bright and is forward. The treble gives the female vocals the energy to project itself. The treble does not sound harsh or sibilant. The treble has that sparkle which is always pleasant. The cymbal crashes and electric guitars sound detailed with a good decay. The treble region overall is good.

Soundstage/Imaging:
The soundstage is huge, and spacious. It has that layer of air which makes it feel realistic and the stealth magnets makes this sound even more realistic. The imaging is excellent, the instruments are accurately positioned. The sound separation is also excellent, due to the imaging and soundstage. The instruments can be accurately distinguished and don't sound crowded on busy tracks.

Detail retrieval and Resolution:
As I have been saying throughout my review, the detail retrieval of this headset is excellent and resolution is amazing, just like viewing a video at 4K.
The microdetails can be heard which is amazing. This headset has good clarity.

Verdict:
This headset has excellent details, resolution and imaging. vocals sound amazing on these, and the soundstage is spacious. I think that his headset is a good buy as it has most of the things you could ask for.

For reference, check out my video:

Hifiman Edition XS is highly regarded since it first came out in 2021 and one of the most recommended headphones under 500$. With the MSRP of 499$, it is mostly compared to Hifiman’s own Sundara and Ananda. You can also read the full review here at mobileaudiophile.com

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Pad and Mesh of Edition XS

Disclaimers​

Without boring you too much, I don’t necessarily have a sound preference. I tend to enjoy different sound profiles as long as they do well at what they intend to do. I’m not very sensitive to treble so I can enjoy the most notoriously bright headphones, however I’m somewhat sensitive to upper mids area. Please keep these in mind. Also, I bought Hifiman Edition XS as well as other headphones mentioned here with my own money. If a unit I reviewed is given or loaned to me in the future, I will say so here.

Build, Comfort and Trivia​

Hifiman is a brand I think every Audiophile is familiar with. They have their bright leaning neutral sound signature which almost all of their planar magnetic headphones have. Edition line of Hifimans was discountinued until Edition XS came out which is revised with Hifiman’s latest Stealth Magnet technology.


Edition XS is not built well. Actually, build quality is ridiculous in this price range. Even cheaper Sundara is build better, feels more rugged and I rate Sundara’s build quality as only decent or fine for the price. Seemingly only yolks and mesh on the drivers are made out of metal on these. Plastic is not necessarily a bad material but the plastic used here is one of the worst I’ve seen and paint on mine began to chip already. They are not dents or scratches mind you because these chipped areas don’t touch anywhere when I put them on the desk.


Headband is although comfortable, it is not my favorite design. It looks cheap like rest of the headphones and I can imagine the faux leather on the headband flaking soon. Also, they don’t clamp enough on my normal sized head and if I tilt my head they move and barely stay on my head. I don’t necessarily have a problem with the seal but I can see it breaking easily.


Packaging and accessories are modest to say the least. Only a 3.5 mm terminated cable and a 3.5 mm to 6.35 mm adapters comes with the headphones. Cable is better than what came with the Sundara’s but still not very good. Box looks like environment friendly, which I think reduces costs even more. If there were more accessories like another cable or replacement pads, I would believe Hifiman was trying to be more environment conscious but no, I don’t but that.

Paint is Already Chipping on Plastic Parts
Technical Specifications:


Frequency Response: 8 Hz – 50 kHz


Impedance: 18 Ohms


Sensitivity: 92 dB (not specified, I assume per mW)


Weight: 405 g

Sound​

Sound Signature of Edition XS is bright leaning neutral like most of the planar magnetic headphones in Hifiman’s line up.

Bass​

Edition XS has a neutral and well extended bass. Being planar, this neutral signature come as lean for some and definitely not enough for genres like EDM and hip hop. Bass quality is exceptional devoid of muddiness of boominess. Transience is fast as expected from a planar.

Midrange​

Mids are kind of a mixed bad in Edition XS. While mostly neutral, there is a dip around 2k which helps the perception of soundstage. However, this dip comes with some consequences. Some vocals take step back and lose their intimacy when other instruments are come into play. Also, Sudden rise around 3k can cause unevenness in some instruments like pianos, violins or xylophones. I came across this phenomenon just a handful of times but still wanted to mention. If the points I made left a bad impression, I want to assure you again these are very rare and small gripes.

Treble​

Treble in Edition XS is both it’s strongest suit and downfall. As I mentioned earlier, these are bright leaning. Therefore, sounding very clear and perceived detail is very high. However above at the air region (above 10k) there is some excessive energy which causes some unwanted zing. If I were to EQ these, I would reduce this region a few dBs before I touch the bass. If you mostly listen to Jazz or Classical music, you might not mind it but with genres like J-Pop, Edition XS can be fatiguing after a while. Although these are not particularly sibilant, it is at the edge of being sibilant. Depending on the source, recording or maybe cable as some people report, you may come across some sibilance.

Left: Stock Cable, Right: Tripowin GranVia Cable

Technical Performance​

I may as well name this part: “Why should you buy Edition XS?” Because these are highly technical headphones. When I tried these first, they wowed me with their expansive soundstage. Edition XS might be the widest headphones below 500$. Imaging is also decent, not the best, but good enough. It definitely benefits from the soundstage size.


Thanks to being a planar magnetic, these are highly resolving headphones. Resolve from headphones.com says their resolving capability is more or less the same with 2021 Ananda (that review is here), which I cannot comment on since I haven’t heard them. And as I mentioned above, being bright leaning perceived detail is also very high.


I didn’t notice Edition XS losing its composure during complex parts. Big stage size and high resolving capability really helps instrument separation too. Timbre is not the most natural, but decent for a planar, it didn’t offend me until now. In short, I’d say only imaging is average on these. Everything else is above average or superb.

Quick Comparisons​

Edition XS vs. Sundara​

Bass rolls off on Sundara earlier than Edition XS, therefore weaker. Well, most of the Sundara users only complain about its bass. Timbre is more natural on Sundara too. Male vocals take a step back on Edition XS and sound nasally somehow compared to Sundara. On the contrary, female vocals come closer on Edition XS and they become more similar than different. They are clearer and more emotional on Edition XS, more neutral on Sundara. Sundara is a little warmer, also hazier. Sundara is not necessarily a warm headphone. In comparison Edition XS is leaner but clearer. They are also, as you would guess, brighter, airier but more fatiguing. Staging is noticably better on Edition XS. Sundara is no slouch but these are that good. Sundara is a little harder to drive. Edition XS clearer and more detailed across the frequency range. Sundara’s imaging was a little better in my opinion but they are both decent. Layering and instrument seperation are better on Edition XS with the help of its resolution capability and the size of its soundstage.

Edition XS and Sundara

Edition XS vs. HD600​

These two although both can be counted as neutral, are more different than similar. You can check out my HD600 review here. HD600 sounds more veiled. Edition XS clearer and much more detailed across the frequency range.


Timbre is more natural on HD600. Bass is a little more tactile on HD600 because of the Dynamic Driver. Transience is faster on Edition XS but not very slow on HD600 either. Bass on HD600 just lingers enough. Edition XS extends much better into subbbass and is rumblier. The unevenness I mentioned is more noticable against HD600. Presentation is usually closer and more intimate in HD600 but the unevenness mentioned can cause sudden shouts on Edition XS. Treble is brighter, zingier and can be fatiguing on Edition XS during longer listening sessions. Soundstage is much wider on Edition XS. As you would imagine, these are is clearer, more resolving, more detailed etc. etc.

Conclusion​

If you skipped to the conclusion, I want to reiterate that Hifiman Edition XS is a highly technical headphone, which also happens to be decently balanced in its frequency range. Especially soundstage in these is one of the widest I’ve heard so far. They might really be best headphones under 500$. Some people say you don’t have to pay for the tuning, which I agree to some extent. Minor problems can be forgiven or remedied with EQ after all. For the sound signature of these, some people say they are close to V-shape. Although I understand the sentiment, I don’t necessarily agree. Dip in midrange may cause a V-ish perception but, lack of bass shelf keeps me from calling them close to V-shape. In any case, I try to be critical in my reviews. For the Edition XS, I highly recommend them with a few caveats.