Hifiman Edition XS Launched

[Light - Man]

^ For what it is worth!

My first XS was made early January 2022 which was very loose and I was not sure what I thought of the overall sound. The bass was a bit lumpy and the highs subdued.

I since have got another XS made in early March 2022 and I have bonded much more with it. It has a noticeably tighter headband and the sound has a better overall balance to me.

It seems like there could be a batch variation or perhaps later manufactured models have a slightly different spec?

 

[ksb643]

^ For what it is worth!

My first XS was made early January 2022 which was very loose and I was not sure what I thought of the overall sound. The bass was a bit lumpy and the highs subdued.

I since have got another XS made in early March 2022 and I have bonded much more with it. It has a noticeably tighter headband and the sound has a better overall balance to me.

It seems like there could be a batch variation or perhaps later manufactured models have a slightly different spec?

Kinda typical of Hifiman

 

[SemiAudiophile]

so what can i expect compare to those headphone i have? also i saw some people said that yeah XS is really good but not $150 more good if already own sundara?

I still think the Sundara is amazing value at $300 now. But after hearing the Edition XS I have a hard time going back to the Sundara as good as it is.

My problem with the Edition XS is it's loose headband and build quality. But the sound is quite addicting and they're fairly easy to drive.

I've got the Arya V2 incoming, so we'll see how much better it is compared to Edition XS soon.

 

[Mr Trev]

^ For what it is worth!

My first XS was made early January 2022 which was very loose and I was not sure what I thought of the overall sound. The bass was a bit lumpy and the highs subdued.

I since have got another XS made in early March 2022 and I have bonded much more with it. It has a noticeably tighter headband and the sound has a better overall balance to me.

It seems like there could be a batch variation or perhaps later manufactured models have a slightly different spec?

Had a issue with the first one? Or just sellers remorse?

 

[Light - Man]

Had a issue with the first one? Or just sellers remorse?

Because of the very loose headband and the less than compelling sound of the first unit, I decided to take advantage of Amazons return policy.

I took a gamble of a second unit a month later and the headband is much tighter and seems to sound better.

In the end, I had both at the same time and I was able to do a direct comparison between the two. Then I shipped the looser version back to Amazon.

Are you happy with yours?

 

[Kentajalli]

I still think the Sundara is amazing value at $300 now. But after hearing the Edition XS I have a hard time going back to the Sundara as good as it is.

My problem with the Edition XS is it's loose headband and build quality. But the sound is quite addicting and they're fairly easy to drive.

I've got the Arya V2 incoming, so we'll see how much better it is compared to Edition XS soon.

I wouldn't say build quality is lacking, more like quality control.
Their subcontractors make a quick job of it. I suppose it comes under build quality.
I do not know of any headphones at EDXS prices that beats it, but then again I have not tested everything.
Touch wood, mine is going strong (hope I have not jinxed it by saying so).

 

[SemiAudiophile]

I wouldn't say build quality is lacking, more like quality control.
Their subcontractors make a quick job of it. I suppose it comes under build quality.
I do not know of any headphones at EDXS prices that beats it, but then again I have not tested everything.
Touch wood, mine is going strong (hope I have not jinxed it by saying so).

I meant the plastic and the cups just feel cheap. For $500 I want to have something that feels premium and worth keeping. Not feeling like a cheap plastic toy. I know that's just something you deal with for HiFiMan products but I feel like the Sundara at $300 felt more premium than the new Edition XS.

 

[Kentajalli]

I meant the plastic and the cups just feel cheap. For $500 I want to have something that feels premium and worth keeping. Not feeling like a cheap plastic toy. I know that's just something you deal with for HiFiMan products but I feel like the Sundara at $300 felt more premium than the new Edition XS.

What plastic?
Cups are metal, back grill is metal, yokes are metal ...
The only plastics are the headband end pieces, and the cushions.
I know, I ripped it to its components.

 

[pokrog]

What plastic?
Cups are metal, back grill is metal, yokes are metal ...
The only plastics are the headband end pieces, and the cushions.
I know, I ripped it to its components.

i've taken the paint off the cups and can tell you definitively they are plastic.

 

[Kentajalli]

i've taken the paint off the cups and can tell you definitively they are plastic.

So have I, there is a picture of it here somewhere - look it up - it is 100% aluminium.
I bet any amount you care to name.

 

[Mr Trev]

Because of the very loose headband and the less than compelling sound of the first unit, I decided to take advantage of Amazons return policy.

I took a gamble of a second unit a month later and the headband is much tighter and seems to sound better.

In the end, I had both at the same time and I was able to do a direct comparison between the two. Then I shipped the looser version back to Amazon.

Are you happy with yours?

Sound wise yes. I don't like the headband in the least. Unfortunately the place I purchased from didn't have a return policy (and buying through Amazon.ca would've been more expensive).
I think I might fire an email off to HFM and see what the official story about the headband is. If there has been a change, I'll see if they'll let me exchange mine

What plastic?
Cups are metal, back grill is metal, yokes are metal ...
The only plastics are the headband end pieces, and the cushions.
I know, I ripped it to its components.

Dunno, the earcups on mine certainly aren't metal. The grills, yes. But the rest doesn't look/feel/sound like any kind of metal I know of

 

[Kentajalli]

Dunno, the earcups on mine certainly aren't metal. The grills, yes. But the rest doesn't look/feel/sound like any kind of metal I know of

Powder coated aluminium or some other white metal, but it feels and weighs like aluminium.

 

[sr1432]

Powder coated aluminium or some other white metal, but it feels and weighs like aluminium.

Earcups are most definitely plastic. I've had 3 units.

 

[Abrahans]

so currently my setup is sundara, hd600, lcd2c with topping e50/a90 .... and now WFH kinda ended , and need to go back to office and i need 1 headphone to use in office but sadly me sundara and lcd2c isnt really comfortable for long term listening because of their fits .... at first plan to use hd600 in office but i found quite good deal for XS with warranty and only 1 month usage , and i actually can sold hd600 at higher price than i bought (bought it really cheap because of discount + coupon)

so what can i expect compare to those headphone i have? also i saw some people said that yeah XS is really good but not $150 more good if already own sundara?
and when i work i mainly listen easy listening genre like pop, rock .... but i heard almost all genre at home

also is there any dongle that can doing quite well to drive XS under $100, dont plan to spend much on it cause who knows if i need WFH again

thx b4

Mmm, the fit on the XS is a little loose, not so much pressure on head, think if you are gonna move so much. This needs plenty of power, though the inexpensive lg hifi plus is good, it won't squeeze all the sq. And one personal important thing to me, It is not engaging headphone to me, does not touch me, I only pay attention to how detailed it sounds yeah, revealing, information, but no feelings... Well you have Sundaras, must know sound signature of hifiman, I didn't know it...

 

[pokrog]

Powder coated aluminium or some other white metal, but it feels and weighs like aluminium.

white metal? dude....it's plastic. it's the same plastic as basically every plastic hifiman... tap it. tap it with something metal and then tap something metal with that piece of metal. the arya is plastic. every circle can except the sundara is plastic. ananda is plastic. edition x is plastic. the only thing that's metal on all of those mentioned is the grills, yokes, screws, and headband frame. it's just not even debatable.