Hifiman Edition XS Launched

[SirIppo]

Just got the Dekoni Elite Velour pads. Took them a while to get to Australia but finally here they are and it's worth the wait. Sonically I would call these a very good complementary option to the original pads for modern genres and vocal-oriented music. Overall speaking warmer and fuller than the default pads.

The Dekoni ELVLs tame down the treble between 2-8khz by about 3-4 dbs, making them richer sounding and more mid-focused, while still maintaining the XS's linear bass extension. The 12khz treble peak remains about the same, but the region between 10-11khz is narrowed by about 3 dbs This I think will be welcomed by those sensitive to upper treble.

Fit wise the ELVLs are also quite comfortable, and breathable.

Measurements to come, along with those of a few other Chinese made third-party pads.

Got the elite velours as well. These are a definite must for comfort. I hated the scratchy feel of the stock pads. The foam is better on the dekonis as well.

 

[cycloverid]

I'm just going to make an update on my comfort experience with these headphones. I have never felt the need to adjust a headphone this much, it frequently just feels slightly wrong and most of this has to do with the slightly loose clamp. Some days I wear them without issue for hours on end and they feel great, and others I'm adjusting them every 15 minutes.

I get an extremely good clamp at one notch below fully unextended, but the bottoms of my ears are just slightly uncomfortable and touch the bottom of the pads (and my ears are basically at the bottom-most part of the cups). One notch below this (where one of the grooves is visible) is the most comfortable in terms of clamp/ear position. However, some days this feels a bit too loose and others it feels pretty secure - it's weird.

I'm really wondering how I can correct this issue. So what are you guys doing or have done to help with this if you were having problems initially - and how is that holding up? I feel like Hifiman just slightly missed the mark on these and many will have similar issues as I'm having after enough time with them, if not immediately. It's my ONLY complaint, but I'm also not sure if there is going to be a great solution.

 

[gzbaga]

Here are the measurements for the Elite Velours, along with the stock remeasured for consistency.

How thick are they compared to stock? If the Dekoni hybrids don't change the sound and are thicker than stock, I absolutely would consider getting a pair. I've been totally spoiled by higher clamp phones and just can't get used to the looseness of the XS - not to mention they slide around my head if I move it too fast

They are slightly thicker than the stock pads however my set are midly worn. Overall dimensions are quite close only the dekonis are a bit plusher, so they might add a bit of clamp. But it won't be night and day difference.

 

[jasswolf]

I'm just going to make an update on my comfort experience with these headphones. I have never felt the need to adjust a headphone this much, it frequently just feels slightly wrong and most of this has to do with the slightly loose clamp. Some days I wear them without issue for hours on end and they feel great, and others I'm adjusting them every 15 minutes.

I get an extremely good clamp at one notch below fully unextended, but the bottoms of my ears are just slightly uncomfortable and touch the bottom of the pads (and my ears are basically at the bottom-most part of the cups). One notch below this (where one of the grooves is visible) is the most comfortable in terms of clamp/ear position. However, some days this feels a bit too loose and others it feels pretty secure - it's weird.

I'm really wondering how I can correct this issue. So what are you guys doing or have done to help with this if you were having problems initially - and how is that holding up? I feel like Hifiman just slightly missed the mark on these and many will have similar issues as I'm having after enough time with them, if not immediately. It's my ONLY complaint, but I'm also not sure if there is going to be a great solution.

Ensure you're getting the top of the headband back as far as possible while still sitting stably (i.e. angling it back) and adjust the cup swivel.

 

[jasswolf]

Here are the measurements for the Elite Velours, along with the stock remeasured for consistency.






They are slightly thicker than the stock pads however my set are midly worn. Overall dimensions are quite close only the dekonis are a bit plusher, so they might add a bit of clamp. But it won't be night and day difference.

I can see the tonality is more neutral, but how is the detail level with the change, particularly through the mids and lower treble?

 

[Kentajalli]

Hard case for Editions
In case anyone was looking for one, this one with a little efforts fits snugly.
39.69US $ |V MOTA TDC Headset Tragen Fall Boxs Für Audeze LCD 2 LCD4 LCD3 LCD X LCD XC HiFiMAN HE 400i HE560 I Felsen Edition X V2 (Koffer)|box

The EDX cups only fit perfectly if the cups are together in the centre. The case has a raised centre section, otherwise the sides of the case are too shallow.
My best fit:

 

[scarfacegt]

They finally got the xs in stock here in norway.But im probably going to wait.Yesterday i listened to my sundaras (havent listened to them for an while) with ifi xdsd,and the sound was really great.I had the xbass and 3mode on.Really great bass.For the price,the sundaras is really a great value

 

[Dredgpoet]

They finally got the xs in stock here in norway.But im probably going to wait.Yesterday i listened to my sundaras (havent listened to them for an while) with ifi xdsd,and the sound was really great.I had the xbass and 3mode on.Really great bass.For the price,the sundaras is really a great value

I'm also from Norway and got the XS a couple of days ago(Duet Audio) and I'm really impressed by them. I got rid of my Sundaras a couple of months ago because i thought they were a bit sterile and boring. Clear and detailed yes, but just not a headphone i would reach for if I'm going to enjoy my music.

The XS offer the same detail and clearity but with warmer and more enjoyable (imo) tonality and a more impactful bass.

Only thing i would be worried about is the fit of them. I have a pretty big head and they are still huge for me.

 

[scarfacegt]

I'm also from Norway and got the XS a couple of days ago(Duet Audio) and I'm really impressed by them. I got rid of my Sundaras a couple of months ago because i thought they were a bit sterile and boring. Clear and detailed yes, but just not a headphone i would reach for if I'm going to enjoy my music.

The XS offer the same detail and clearity but with warmer and more enjoyable (imo) tonality and a more impactful bass.

Only thing i would be worried about is the fit of them. I have a pretty big head and they are still huge for me.

Cool, cheers Now i got even more interesting in the xs Was on duet.no i also saw them in stock.And oslohificenter.Would you say they are more musical/fun sounding? I like my bass ( but not basshead ),and a little warmth.I dont like to bright/clinical/sterile and piercing sound.Like the original hd800.I'll have to wait buying these.But hopefully i might try these in duet bergen next time im in the town For now im enjoing the sundaras.But the xs is so tempting

Ps: How is the build quality?

 

[Dredgpoet]

Cool, cheers Now i got even more interesting in the xs Was on duet.no i also saw them in stock.And oslohificenter.Would you say they are more musical/fun sounding? I like my bass ( but not basshead ),and a little warmth.I dont like to bright/clinical/sterile and piercing sound.Like the original hd800.I'll have to wait buying these.But hopefully i might try these in duet bergen next time im in the town For now im enjoing the sundaras.But the xs is so tempting

Ps: How is the build quality?

The headphones i currently own and enjoy are the HD6xx, Elex, LCD-GX, 900ProX, K371. I enjoy vocal forward headphones with a warm sound and a clear but impactful bass. The only other HFM headphones I've owned are the 4xx and the Sundara. Both were a bit to thin sounding for me. The XS nails the sound i enjoy. Clear and forward vocals, slightly warm tonality and a slamming bass.

The build isn't stellar, cheap plastic on several parts. If you shake em abit they sound like a children's toy.
Some squicking when i swivel the cups and one of the ports moves if you press the cable connection. The Sundara is much more well build. That being said they feel great when they are on my head(big head). Comfortable, sturdy and no unwanted noise when i move my head.

 

[cycloverid]

Ensure you're getting the top of the headband back as far as possible while still sitting stably (i.e. angling it back) and adjust the cup swivel.

Hey, thanks for the reply. I tried positioning it differently and adjusting the swivel a ton, unfortunately without much avail.

I will share what adjustment I think fixed the problem for me yesterday (please excuse the quick MS Paint drawing haha):

I noticed that, atleast for my headband, the shape itself didn't contour well on my head out of the box in my preferred adjustment setting. I applied force with the headphone on my head until the headband comformed more like in the right diagram here. I now seem to get closer to the ideal comfort that was more hit or miss previously. The clamp now feels more solid and I'm not getting those feelings of instability that caused me to keep adjusting all day sometimes. I feel like the headband making contact in as many places along the head as possible is the most important factor here.

Just thought I'd share in case it works for anyone else, even if this seems fairly obvious now in retrospect.

 

[Mr Trev]

Hard case for Editions
In case anyone was looking for one, this one with a little efforts fits snugly.
39.69US $ |V MOTA TDC Headset Tragen Fall Boxs Für Audeze LCD 2 LCD4 LCD3 LCD X LCD XC HiFiMAN HE 400i HE560 I Felsen Edition X V2 (Koffer)|box

The EDX cups only fit perfectly if the cups are together in the centre. The case has a raised centre section, otherwise the sides of the case are too shallow.
My best fit:

I bought one of the Brainwanz cases a while ago, turns out the XS will fit in it: https://www.brainwavzaudio.com/collections/cases/products/dj-gaming-headphone-case

It's a snug fit and initially I didn't think it'd zip up, but there is plenty of slack in the zipper to close

 

[tudedude]

Hey, thanks for the reply. I tried positioning it differently and adjusting the swivel a ton, unfortunately without much avail.

I will share what adjustment I think fixed the problem for me yesterday (please excuse the quick MS Paint drawing haha):


I noticed that, atleast for my headband, the shape itself didn't contour well on my head out of the box in my preferred adjustment setting. I applied force with the headphone on my head until the headband comformed more like in the right diagram here. I now seem to get closer to the ideal comfort that was more hit or miss previously. The clamp now feels more solid and I'm not getting those feelings of instability that caused me to keep adjusting all day sometimes. I feel like the headband making contact in as many places along the head as possible is the most important factor here.

Just thought I'd share in case it works for anyone else, even if this seems fairly obvious now in retrospect.

Bend the stems of the yoke to make the fit tighter.

 

[iFi audio]

Yesterday i listened to my sundaras (havent listened to them for an while) with ifi xdsd,and the sound was really great.I had the xbass and 3mode on.Really great bass.For the price,the sundaras is really a great value

Agreed, these are great cans for the price and one chap at our office uses them with xDSD plus settings just like yours.

 

[MaiLam]

For any UK people, I’ve temporarily lowered the asking price for my pair listed in the classifieds - https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/hifiman-edition-xs.16646/

They’ll be going up on eBay today/tomorrow, I’m expecting them to sell quickly but would prefer to sell here after a recent sour eBay experience.