cycloverid
100+ Head-Fier
Is there no comfort strap accessory available for the Edition XS to swap out (it only lists the he400i one)? I too am not a huge fan of that headband design.
Hifiman Edition XS Launched
- Thread starter kamikazeing
- Start date
Is there no comfort strap accessory available for the Edition XS to swap out (it only lists the he400i one)? I too am not a huge fan of that headband design.
blorg
100+ Head-Fier
It's definitely this. I had squeezed the headband in now to the point it was is exactly contoured to my head, it wasn't possible to squeeze that bit in any more- and that only made the looseness worse.
Bending the stems inwards has helped a lot, it's a lot more secure now, thanks for that.
Beware
Swapping headband a yoke on hifiman is problematic !
The bolt and barrel-nut they use to connect the yokes to earcups has locking glue in the nut.
Since it is fragile , if you try to force them open, you end up snapping the bolt!
AT Khan
100+ Head-Fier
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@Kentajalli
I hope you didn't damage anything.
Yeah @pokrog and I witnessed it.
He had trouble putting it back in as the nut is less of a nut really and a stupid round disc.
I didn't take it apart as I knew I'd have to replace it after and it would be a trouble to put the stock screw and nut/disc back in.
I do need to play around with the headband soon. I think I may even consider and alternate nut and screw before I do though. At least the nut anyhow.
Also, the screw is a stupid head type. As of yet I can't find the right toolhead. What do you call this one anyhow?
Last thing I want is to grind it down and wear it off with a random pair of pliers, after which it will be of no purpose, either functionally or aesthetically.
I hope you didn't damage anything.
Yeah @pokrog and I witnessed it.
He had trouble putting it back in as the nut is less of a nut really and a stupid round disc.
I didn't take it apart as I knew I'd have to replace it after and it would be a trouble to put the stock screw and nut/disc back in.
I do need to play around with the headband soon. I think I may even consider and alternate nut and screw before I do though. At least the nut anyhow.
Also, the screw is a stupid head type. As of yet I can't find the right toolhead. What do you call this one anyhow?
Last thing I want is to grind it down and wear it off with a random pair of pliers, after which it will be of no purpose, either functionally or aesthetically.
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cycloverid
100+ Head-Fier
Curiosity got the best of me and I ordered a pair of these just to compare to my Stealth Arya and Sundara. I'm having some weight issues with my Arya, so this might be a good compromise at 25g less. The really exciting aspect of this headphone to me is that it might represent a new value benchmark for Hifiman if it's anything like the Stealth Arya.
It's weird to me that they didn't go with the Edition X V2 / Arya suspension strap on this though. I think if a mod were possible this could fix all the potential build issues with this headphone (wouldn't this also reduce weight?). The Arya headband is immaculate imo.
It's weird to me that they didn't go with the Edition X V2 / Arya suspension strap on this though. I think if a mod were possible this could fix all the potential build issues with this headphone (wouldn't this also reduce weight?). The Arya headband is immaculate imo.
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I've fiddled with setting the Headphone Gain setting on the AE-7 to see if it would make any difference...surprisingly, it did a bit! It was previously set to "Normal" (32-149 ohm) but after putting it down to "Low" (16-31 ohm), which corresponds to literally all my headphones, the passages that were loose before appeared to tighten up a bit and have more definition. Now, some of this may be due to just getting used to listening to the XS (or maybe even burn-in?), but I'm still going back and forth between it and the Ananda and there does seem to be an improvement.
Interestingly, the Ananda sounds the same with either setting, the only difference being volume.
I was previously under the impression that this gain setting just scaled the digital signal amplitude rather than actually changing the output pre-voltage (?), but I guess it might actually do the latter. Whatever it is, the XS seems to perform better this way. However, the bass definition is still not on-par with the Ananda's. Not to say that it isn't as good, just...different. The best way to describe it is the XS bass is typically fuller, more natural sounding, harder hitting, while the Ananda's is more articulate/faster and for me, easier to determine the actual pitch of bass note. I feel like for music with a lot of electronic instruments (EDM, etc...) the Ananda's bass is super fun - especially in songs where non-percussive bass is a key component in the rhythm. But for music with real instruments/drums, the XS bass is more true-to-life with its longer decay and larger soundstage.
But that's all observed with the AE-7. I've put in an order for a Topping DX3 Pro+ for comparison's sake. Curious to see what a better-measuring and more powerful amp (at least on its high gain setting) will do for the XS. Unfortunately, I probably won't have the Ananda by the time the Topping arrives since its return window is closing soon (got the Ananda for Xmas), so it's going to be hard to make comparisons to the Ananda from memory. But as I'm continuing to test both, personally, I can't see myself keeping the Ananda due to its discomfort. There's really no point in keeping it if I dread wearing it, no matter how good it sounds.
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AT Khan
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I have the he400i v2 2016/7 with the suspension strap band, same as the Edition X one - honestly, I prefer this newer headband (even over the legacy one, like on the he4XX).
Hotspots on that one were really too much for me - also I think that headband accelerated most of my balding on my head in that area.
The padding on the XS band is a slight issue - that could be fixed with some internal pad mod (like Jason from customcans does on the he400SE ) here, who cut it out in the middle, made it more like the HD6xx headband (countered inside, in the middle section). I would look into that, or I would put a strap on it (I think the pad's foam is a bit protrusive and sits on the dead center of the head which may create some discomfort, and it doesn't sit flat or properly contour the head). But personally, the yokes seem more solid on this band that all the others - and the failure points are also lesser (the OG headband always worries me whenever adjusting the slider if it will pop off every time I do it - I hope it won't). Still sits more snug for me nonetheless.
Also this looks least dorky, to say the least.
A New Value Benchmark - yes indeed, that's just the right term to use here. This may hold true, especially in the mid-fi and even lower hi-fi categories, if I say so myself.
hey, can anyone help me with this decision?
I trialed the Hifiman Ananda out of curiosity and got kind of hooked to it, particularly the comfort. My favourite overall was the Sundara but its comfort was terrible and nothing that aftermarket pads could fix, and I thought the soundstage was a little bit too small than what I would've liked. The Ananda sounds pretty similar with a much wider soundstage--a little too wide but not in a problematic way but not exactly my preference. It also sounds a little less detailed than the Sundara, perhaps because of the size of the soundstage as it's far from being anywhere near intimate
The review threads for the Hifiman Edition XS don't seem very organised here or elsewhere so far; there are lots of pages with lots of posts including side discussions, and a lot to shuffle through to get to even one review that doesn't necessarily tell much about how it compares to the Ananda or Sundara.
From the impressions I've gotten so far from reviews, the Edition XS seems like it's in the middle of an Ananda and a Sundara in terms of both price and quality, but leaning closer to the Ananda. Personally what I'm looking for is something pretty much like the Ananda but with a little bigger soundstage than the Sundara (if the Ananda is rated S- in terms of soundstage size, and the Sundara is rated B-, I'm looking for the XS to be approximately rated about A-) and the comfort of the huge pads that the Ananda have. I'd even be content with it basically being a Sundara in terms of sound with Ananda-sized pads.
To anyone who thinks they can help, what would you suggest? Keep the Ananda or the Edition XS?
I can still return the Ananda and get the Edition XS
I trialed the Hifiman Ananda out of curiosity and got kind of hooked to it, particularly the comfort. My favourite overall was the Sundara but its comfort was terrible and nothing that aftermarket pads could fix, and I thought the soundstage was a little bit too small than what I would've liked. The Ananda sounds pretty similar with a much wider soundstage--a little too wide but not in a problematic way but not exactly my preference. It also sounds a little less detailed than the Sundara, perhaps because of the size of the soundstage as it's far from being anywhere near intimate
The review threads for the Hifiman Edition XS don't seem very organised here or elsewhere so far; there are lots of pages with lots of posts including side discussions, and a lot to shuffle through to get to even one review that doesn't necessarily tell much about how it compares to the Ananda or Sundara.
From the impressions I've gotten so far from reviews, the Edition XS seems like it's in the middle of an Ananda and a Sundara in terms of both price and quality, but leaning closer to the Ananda. Personally what I'm looking for is something pretty much like the Ananda but with a little bigger soundstage than the Sundara (if the Ananda is rated S- in terms of soundstage size, and the Sundara is rated B-, I'm looking for the XS to be approximately rated about A-) and the comfort of the huge pads that the Ananda have. I'd even be content with it basically being a Sundara in terms of sound with Ananda-sized pads.
To anyone who thinks they can help, what would you suggest? Keep the Ananda or the Edition XS?
I can still return the Ananda and get the Edition XS
cycloverid
100+ Head-Fier
Only you really can make the final evaluation for yourself here. The lack of any bigger reviewer looking at this headphone also makes it difficult. Based on your description, it sounds like the XS will be fine for you - both really.
For me, this headphone looks to be a revision of the Edition X V2, which Crinacle already rated higher than the Ananda in both tone and technical grade. I'm a basshead, so this headphone is also more appealing to me over the Ananda in this category and why I skipped over it all together. I just ordered mine though, so can't confirm any of this personally yet. It's either going to be the XS or Arya, so it'll be interesting to see how they stack up next to eachother. It's obvious the Arya will be better, but by how much?
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bagwell359
Headphoneus Supremus
Really like the HEX v2 head band. Probably costs $3.80 more to make than the XS. Nice if it was an option but probably they'll get more if they sell aftermarket
bagwell359
Headphoneus Supremus
Or the HEX v2, XX, HE-6se*, HE-560, HE-500, ETC.
I'm hoping it's better than that. IMO the 6se, HEX v2, 500 are all better than the Ananda.
I'm only a medium fan of the Sundara and Ananda. I think you may be limiting yourself with this timeline and digital choice.
Good luck.
I'm in the same boat, except I have both at the moment and am listening back and forth frantically before the Ananda's return window closes. I'm likely going to return the Ananda, but for different reasons. It's just not comfortable for me. I've never tried the Sundara, instead I went from a HE400i 2020 to the Ananda.
I'll precursor these comments with the fact that my amp might be underpowered for the XS. But since I've suspected that, I've done my A/B testing at lower volumes to try and rule out that possible deficiency. Also, while I've been an avid headphone enthusiast for a while, I don't often describe what I'm hearing, so take this all with a grain of salt.
I gave some impressions about the XS just a couple posts earlier, at least regarding the bass response. But I guess overall, in my opinion, compared to the Ananda, the XS is:
- More comfortable (same pads, but with some swivel and less clamp force)
- Roughly same soundstage, maybe better front/rear depth
- Better front/rear imaging (vocals are more in front)
- Less articulate bass (particularly noticeable in tracks with sub-bass)
- More quantity bass (more impact in kick drum region & louder in general up to around 200 Hz)
- Smoother treble (less analytical but also less fatiguing)
- Vocals stepped forward a bit
- Slightly more detail retrieval in mid-range
- Generally slower response (relaxed)
For context, this is just what I think vs. the Ananda. The differences in sound aren't huge in any aspect (I'd say 20% at most, probably relating to bass and speed). If put against the HE400i 2020, the Ananda and XS are both better in almost every way and are more similar to each other than different. If deciding between the two, I'd say it's less about objective technical merits and more about sound preferences. Ananda sounds more analytical and precise, XS sounds more natural and relaxed. I had a lot of fun picking out different interesting parts of songs and bass lines with the Ananda, but each listening session was somewhat intense, auditorily and physically (clamp force). But for the past 2 days, I've found myself wearing the XS longer than I would ever wear the Ananda and just enjoying music in the background without fatigue. I'm also still able to pick out those same interesting details, at least 80% of it, but without as much strain, if that makes sense.
In any case, hope this helps. I'm not sure how all this factors into the definition of "intimate" since given roughly the same soundstage, they could both be considered just as intimate if physical distance to the sound source is the criteria. Personally, I think the Ananda is more so - using the room analogy: given the same size room, speakers playing in a treated studio sounds more intimate to me than a typical room.
bagwell359
Headphoneus Supremus
Very nice job TalonFyre. Sounds like the XS may tend towards the 500 personality wise and the Ananda as most agree is in the HEX v2>Ananda>Arya school (less like the v2 than the Arya).
Sure seems like a close review to the HE-6sev2 is in order with the $550 open box price vs both cans
Sure seems like a close review to the HE-6sev2 is in order with the $550 open box price vs both cans
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Thank you for your review. Upon advice I did order it just out of curiosity since there's no other way for me to tell really which one I like more (if that) without hearing the XS myself, it will be coming in a week or so.
In regards to the Ananda being uncomfortable, I 100% understand your pain. Common methods online say to stretch the pads between a book or two/the box the Ananda came in for some hours, but I did that for over 48 hours while I was on holiday and it did nothing useful. I found a lone reddit post that was ignored that suggested to do the same thing you would on HD6x0's to alleviate the clamp force and that is what worked. I also bent mine at the bottom of that section outward (e.g. the bottom of the left side more to the left, to alleviate the clamp force). Just by design of the headband and how the retracting portion of the metal bars are curved, it's just naturally uncomfortable. Similar discomfort on the Sundara. I haven't trued the XS obviously, but I did try the He400se which has the same headband and it was much better because of how it was designed; the retracting metal portion is shaped in a way that I essentially had to bend the Ananda's metal portion to be like.
Shame to hear the soundstage is about the same size. I knew it'd be close, but was hoping it'd be said to be a little bit smaller, which is what I was looking for. All in all though, it seems interesting. That 20% or so is basically what I'm looking to see in the XS to see if it's that missing "je ne sais quoi" that I'm looking for since I'm kind of set on the Ananda, but if the XS is better in the ways that I am hoping, then I may just go to that instead.
bagwell359
Headphoneus Supremus
I think that maybe an issue of the newer models
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