Edition XS Full-Size Over-Ear Open-Back Planar Magnetic Hi-Fi Headphones with Stealth Magnets Design, Adjustable Headband, Detachable Cable for Audiophiles, Home, Studio-Black

I am not an audiophile by any stretch of the imagination. I don't know all the ins and outs of music production and sound. I can't tell you about lows, mids and highs. But I do love listening to music, and I have a modest sound system in my office with that allows me to enjoy it. I had purchased a Topping DX3Pro+ about a year and a half ago or so and I also purchased some Sennheiser HD 660 S along with it. I like the headphones, but they don't quite have the kick in the bass department that I like. I have tried using an equalizer to increase the bass output, but due to the setup of my PC and how I put it to sleep, that method inconsistent. So I convinced myself I didn't need the bass in my headphones and I would just use my floorstanding speakers with 12" woofer to listen to music that I want to enjoy some bass (my kids "love" when they are trying to play PS5 in the same room /s). Enter the HIFIMAN Edition XS headphones. After reading more about planar magnetic headphones and knowing that they can reproduce more bass than my Sennheiser's, I was ready to pull the trigger at the $270 price point to give them a shot. And boy am I happy I did. The amount of bass in these headphones is considerable compared to the 660s and it is perfect for my listening preferences. It's not too overbearing that it muddles the sound, but it's just right for what I like. Even on my 12" sub, I have it set around the mid point, maybe slightly less, as I don't enjoy overbearing bass. These are perfect for me, and I enjoy the open back style more than closed back. Less warm on the ears and kind of opens up the soundstage a little bit. In some tracks you feel like the sound might be several feet away, it's quite remarkable. Some songs just sound different in these in that respect and I like it. The music kind of feels like it's around you, not right in your ear hole. I do not have any issue driving these headphones with my DX3Pro+, the volume is quite sufficient at around -20db on the readout with the boosted gain. I have gone louder closer to 0db, but this is higher than I would normally run them so I didn't really listen for distortion at this level or check to see if my DX3Pro+ would crash due to the load. So far I haven't had any issues whatsoever with this DAC and headphone combo working together and I am really happy with the sound quality. The overall size of the headband is quite large. I do have a slightly bigger head, but not gigantic. I adjusted the headband one click from the smallest for my head size. I could see some individuals with a smaller head having issues wearing these comfortably and still have the headband rest on top of their head. If you have a smaller head, you might want to try finding these somewhere to try on before purchasing or knowing that you might have to return them if they are too large. I do want to highlight two issues I have had the headphones, but not issues that I would dock a star for. The first issue is as others have pointed out in other reviews, the cord that comes with the headphone is quite short. I can't lean very far away from my desk without risking pulling my DAC off the desk. Would have been nice to have a longer cable. The second issue is that they are quite heavy compared to other headphones I use, and there's something about the headband that after about a half hour of listening, my head starts to hurt where the headband rests. I have to adjust slightly to relieve the pressure. I have noticed the longer I use these headphones that this becomes less and less of a problem, but I didn't have this issue with the Sennheiser or the Audio Technicas that I have. It's to the point now, though, where I don't notice it and I was listening for several hours recently and when I was finished, I didn't even notice it, so this issue may go away as you get used to the weight. I have seen some reviews on here where people say if you move, you will hear plastic cracks and creaks if you move your head with these headphones on. I don't really notice this myself. Sometimes I wear glasses when using headphones, and they are plastic themselves, so I notice they will creak with any headphone I am wearing, so I might be desensitized to it. I was wearing contacts recently while wearing the headphones and tried moving my head around to see if I could get them to make noicse, and they did a little bit, but not so much that I would say I was annoyed or would notice during normal use when I wasn't actively trying to focus on it. I have also seen some review about the build quality. I feel like the build quality is sufficient for the price I paid, and I'm not throwing my headphones around or dropping them frequently, so I think they will last for a long time with how I treat them. There is nothing about them that makes me feel like they aren't worth the price point I paid. The foam stand that comes with the boxes insert is a little gimmicky, but I'm actually using it as my headphone stand already has my Sennheisers and my Audio Technicas hanging from it, so I do have a place to put them for now, but I won't use it long term. The foam is quite stiff and if not careful, I worry it will cause wear on the headband. I haven't noticed any yet, just a long term concern I have, and I will probably be purchasing a new headphone stand soon. Overall, as you can see from my rating, I am really happy with this purchase. The planar magnetic speakers in these really give a sound that I find quite appealing with great bass for my listening preferences. And at this price point, I have no regrets about buying these headphones whatsoever. These will be my daily drivers for headphone music listening from now on.

The Hifiman Edition XS are as good as you have been reading about online, though there are a some things to be aware of before you drop some serious cash. The first time I ordered this headphone from amazon, it was listed as new and I received them in a previously returned box that was already open and used, though in like new condition, even smelled like new. The box still had the return label on it and partially ripped. That was the first thing. The second thing was the right driver on the headphones was defective. It was rattling at lower frequencies and buzzing at higher frequencies. So I received an item that was listed as new, but was open box/returned and then defective on top of that. I was beyond highly irritated. I returned them within hours of listening to them after running headphones tests and frequency sweeps. The point I'm trying to make is please make sure the item you receive is in complete working form because there have been numerous complaints about rattling and buzzing coming from some pairs. Moving on. Now that I have ordered them a second time, I was willing to give Hifiman a second chance even though I was thoroughly frustrated the very first introduction I had with them. I am pleased to say I will most likely become a long term customer of their brand and that this new pair passes the headphone tests and frequency sweeps with flying colors. They are highly pleasant to listen to. I am definitely likely to buy more headphones from their line up, specifically the HE1000 (unsure which variant), maybe the Ananda SE (though I've been hearing they are very similar to the Edition XS) and very likely the Arya SE. I am not sure if I will go higher than the HE1000's, mostly because of diminishing returns. We shall see. They have complete bass reproduction going all the way down to the sub bass region and minimal roll off, well controlled. The mids and highs are enjoyable as well, vocals in music come out very well and the highs are not too harsh or bright. Comparing them to my Sennheiser HD600's, they are well balanced and neutral type headphones. I have heard that some use them with EQ, which make them an even more outstanding headphone than it was before. In fact, I even further more recommend them with EQ. When using peace EQ interface and oratory1990's settings, these headphones become near perfect. They react very well with EQ. The cable is too short for my liking. 1.5m or around 5ft, I would highly prefer a much longer cable, closer to 10ft since it gives me more options. If I need to shorten it, I can tie it up, but I cannot lengthen it and now I need to shop around for another cable. The clamp force of the earcups is pretty low, you lean your head back and they start sliding. You lean your head forward and interestingly, they do not fall off though, so I guess it's ok, no big problems with either the clamp force or cable, though I would still change them. A lot of people like to talk about sound stage, but honestly, soundstage in any headphone can never compare to speakers properly setup in a room. Crinacle likes to say that even the best headphones can only reproduce about 15% max of the sound stage presentation of a speaker system placed in a room. With that aside, I would say that the sound stage presentation is good enough, I do not feel claustrophobic at all and I would say they are wider than the HD600's. Overall, I definitely recommend the Edition XS. The cable quality is fine, though I would make it much longer, twice as long. The build quality is ok, though as I mentioned before, you should do a frequency sweep to check for any defects as it is not uncommon to happen with these. I have been using these with a Modi/Magni 2 DAC/Amp stack, which they work very well with. Switching back and forth comparing them to my HD600's, I would go so far as saying the Edition XS will probably be used as much or more than the HD600's. I consider them a worthy contender. Highly recommended The highest recommendation when used with EQ settings from oratory1990

I really wanted to love these headphones. The sound was incredible and they were easy to drive, too. They were just way too uncomfortable to be a daily driver, and so I couldn't justify the cost. Even with the usual aftermarket addons, they had way too much clamp force after trying to make them work for two weeks and I would be left with a headache after about 30 minutes of use. I feel like I have a decently large head, but these proved too big for me I guess. If you fit the physical profile for these they're a steal - excellent sound quality for a great price. If you're not, maybe you'll have better luck with the aftermarket solutions.

UPDATE 10/8/2025 went from 4* to 5* These have grown on me in the past year or two since I bought them. I have changed my opinion and I appologize to anyone who bought the HD 600 over these because of my earlier review. Now the HD600 sound cheap by comparison (but they are more expensive - mine are aging so maybe the new ones are better IDK I bought mine used and never had an issue listening to them but my friend recommended the XS and when they went on sale, I bought a pair and now I am glad). The HD 600's comfort are lighter and don't slip on my head (they cling to the head better without hurting my head or ears) but in terms of sound quality, having used these instead of the Sennheiser HD 600 for over a year, going back to those, I prefer the sound of these quite more. The bass is punchier, the mids are cleaner and the highs are more pronounced. By contrast, the HD 600 sound a little shouty, reserved and like a bit is missing - not just details but headspace and imaging. I assume this would be because the HFM have larger planar (lightweight) drivers, they can spread music out wider, deeper and I can literally hear kickdrums coming from the bottom at times. The 600 are good but these are 50% better and cheaper. HFM has made me a fan. I honestly can't go back to Sennheiser without feeling it is much less of a positive experience - although the 600 are good and easier to wear. To address what I have read about the XS "lacking bass": I am not a basshead but I do like bass and I understand that pleasure - of slightly immoderate bass-heaviness (I do not like insane bass levels). I prefer well-controlled and articulated bass and the XS has it. For my taste (mostly hard rock), there is plenty of bass to these for anyone who wants to feel like they are clearly hearing the music and not looking for bass to over-power clarity. I have JBL studio 580 speakers and SkullCandy Smokin' Buds earbuds that lean towardss bass-richness and those are fun but less detailed. These are much clearer. Still, I have no problem recommending those for cheap, heavier bass options, so long as clarity isn't the main goal. The SkullCandy Smokin' Buds are a best value IMO and plenty good enough for working and I would heavily endorse them for $15-$20 buds. Anyway..back to the XS. The biggest issue I have with the XS is the weight on the head, the slippage (can't bend over very much with these on, and can't work easily wearing these if work has much bending) and on some songs you can hear reflections on the earcups, or that's how it sounds to me. This is mostly noticable on tracks that are lower quality where the bass is more pronounced and highs and upper-mids are less pronounced (more of a recording issue than headphone issue) then I hear some reflections on the earcups (I think). Now I notice a forwardness to the HD 600's mid-range (I thought those were perfect mids before) that the HIFiMan does not have. I find the 600 slightly bothersome now. I think for most, even those with critical listening ears like audiophiles (I am), the XS is the way to go. It would be hard to say you need anything more. I listen to the XS plugged straight to my phone. I am curious what higher end HFM offer but I can't say it would be necessary and I am pleased 100% with these. Recommended 10/10. ORIGINAL THOUGHTS: I own Sennheiser HD600. Without EQ I prefer the Sennheiser. With the treble turned down, I prefer the HFM ed XS. There is too much treble. If I had it to do over, I would probably wait and try the more expensive Ananda Nano for $499. I have not went back to my Sennheiser HD600 since I have owned the XS. But, they aren't the cleanest sounding headphones. They are good but still at $269, I think it is priced all it is worth. The cable is nice and I like the 3.5mm ( jacks that release at the headphones. My favorite thing is the comfort. My mom said they are too large for her head and she had difficulty keeping them on her head. The HD600 are comfortable but I think these are more so. Also, keeps my ears cooler than the Sennheiser's. The best part of these over the HD600 is the bass. The mids are cleaner on the Sennheiser, IMO. The highs are overbearing and make the phones sound thin if left unequalized. The HD600 never required equalization IMO. It's a good headphone and I have thoroughly enjoyed them but they have clarity issues and are not the best balanced with a rather harsh and sibilant treble. If you are looking to upgrade headphones in this price range like the Sennheiser HD600 (probably the most popular rival of these) you can probably get better comfort, a nice cable and 3.5mm jacks instead of the proprietary Sennheiser junk (at the headphones). Also, the sound has more bass but at the expense of mid clarity and maybe instrument separation. It is very close but 5% better IMO. Not as much better as I hoped but I did keep them and haven' gone back but I am not blown away so to speak.

I have these running through a Schiit stack and they sound spectacular. Sound is subjective and all that, but for $200, in my opinion, these are a no brainer and you’d be hard pressed to find better for that price. They’re great for music, great for gaming. Good soundstage and imaging for positional cues in games. If you are just starting, get an Apple dongle at the very least for these, but they’re better with more power. The only thing I think is going to be make or break for people is comfort. The headband does not bother me, but the common complaint is that the design of the headband, without the typical hifiman strap, is not comfortable, or causes issues for people with small heads. If you’re worried about that, get a Capra strap, or create your own solution if you enjoy modifying things. The pads feel comfortable to me though and I like how big they are. Nothing comes close to touching any part of my ear. I can’t really comment on QC. The build quality feels fine to me, nothing spectacular. I have no issues so far. Hifiman does have a reputation for poor QC. I was worried, because this is my first Hifiman, but I have no complaints for now. We’ll see how they hold up over time. Overall, these are my new favorite. I definitely think they’re worth trying.

(Edit) *This is a slightly altered version of review from my first submission - I forgot a few very important items. I edited it from within rather than having a separate section. The Hifiman Edition XS IS BY FAR the best value in headphones that planet earth has ever seen. Hands down. The original price was a great deal. The mark down price(s) were even better. The current deal is a give away. They blow my $500 -$800 range headphones out of the water when it comes to sound quality. Now sure - there are some non-sound issues that I'll mention later - but none of those issues are a problem for me (I'll explain.) These are so so so underrated that I'm dumbfounded. A combination of comfort / weight conditions, plus picky views from brainwashed Audiophiles, have kept the XS from being a 5.0 rating. I do consider myself an Audiophile - except I'm really an Audiophile Rebel. I'm different. To me, these are 5.0 rating headphones once you fix the comfort situation I'll mention later. *** CAUTION: RANT (lol) - skip if you want - This rant doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the Edition XS...I just fealt compelled to say something. As for the Edition XS, I dont have any major complaints whatsoever (just an issue that I fixed.) If regular Audiophiles praise the XS - I agree (although I may not exactly agree on how they decided to praise them...but that's just me.) If they trash the XS (on sound quality) - I staunchly disagree. Beyond these particular headphones...generally speaking - here's my 2 cents I want to get out (and again, this may not have anything to do with these particular headphones.) I disagree with many Audiophile fundamentals because of real life reality (and science) that Audiophiles have no clue about. They think they know everything and yet don't understand things like the Fletcher-Munson effect (and how humans hear and perceive certain frequencies differently than test equipment...not taking the F-M effect into account) and also how small drivers push certain frequencies easier than others, causing a need for balancing and equalization...and don't understand the point of the Harmon Curve and why V / U shape exist in the first place. They also usually don't understand the true definition of sound balancing either (they think a "neutral tuned" pair of headphones is always balanced - when that's usually far from the truth - it really depends...there are caveats and exceptions. Drives my bonkers! * I will say this ---> the Edition XS does have good sound balancing - this is extremely rare for a fairly neutral sound profile. From my experience, neutral tuning is almost never actually balanced (which is why the Harmon Curve and other sound shaping exists in the first freakn' place - Hello!!! *THIS IS NOT OPION - ITS FACT! I could argue (and win) for hours, days, and weeks on end about how wrong most Audiophiles are when it comes to their arguments on quality headphones. Anyway, I just wanted to throw out some elementary and obvious points while I was here (without getting too detailed... I'll save that for a video I'm going to do one day about all this). Last thing here - music is supposed to sound "fun and exciting" - yet audiophiles trash headphones that are "fun sounding" and preach that more neutral, lean bass, articulate headphones are more realistic and proper...Whatever! Have they even been to a concert of any type? If a pair of headphones don't sound fun and exciting, then they aren't best for music. MUSIC IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN! As for the XS - although they are more neutral in response, they DO have a fun impact. They are an EXCEPTION. Although they do not have a deep v shape that many regular people consider to be super fun - these do have a true hi-fi quality about them...with an immense soundstage, lush openness and good ability to go with the flow of the music (you just have to hear what I'm talking about) • I've had these a year. As far as sound quality, they beat the vast majority of headphones I've ever tried. I'm in my mid 40s. Of course, a lot of that is opinion. Personal audio / sound is extremely personal and it's hard for one to truly gauge something unless they try it themselves. As I always say "Audio is very personal. It's as personal as ones toilet behavior - very personal" At $209 - they're practically giving them away. I thought the same when they were 269 - when I bought them. The original 500 or so price tag was still a screaming deal imo. Based on sound, I would think they are way more expensive - maybe even pushing $1k. Of course, the Arya variants are also priced nicely, so I guess that's the boundary (meaning these are worth up to the price of an Arya - which at that point, you'd probably buy an Arya.) The only drawbacks are how they fit some people and weight (but it's not a problem if you get the Dekoni Nugget - cube cushions - I'll mention this again later.) I know I may be repeating myself here, but it's warranted imo --- They have an extremely wide soundstage, and are very open (it's like you are sitting between a set of full range speakers, several feet apart - a truly awesome experience. They are not closed-in sounding) The openness is as if you're not even wearing anything - very transparent. Although I usually like a little bit more low end Bass response - I'm perfectly happy with these. Since these do have great low end extension, do a good job with replicating the recorded audio and push bass when it's needed (in my staunch opinion) - I'm perfectly fine with the more neutral bass. This is because it will push pretty far when it needs to...I really don't think they are too lean. It's hard for me to explain: it's like the XS starts at neutral, but will push farther in peak response when the bass drops then most other headphones that have a neutral start - especially for a planar driver. Matter of fact, these headphones are at my lower limit for bass. But since they sound so, so good - and do have some bump and thump (again, they will push some air when needed) I'm perfectly happy. Keep in mind - I have 3 variants of Skullcandy Crusher headphones...and other bassy headphones...I love my bass...but these sound so good that I really don't need more - not in this particular situation anyway. The Edition XS is a true piece of engineering artwork.) Also - some people think the bass should be dialed back... so they definitely aren't too lean by any major metric. To my ears - the sound profile is fairly neutral / flat...but not boring flat. These seem to flex quite well according to what's being played, moving the driver where it needs to be to play back whatever you're listening to. If I ever "need" to add bass (rarely - only if I'm using a very clinical, analytical, lean low end DAC / Amp set up) - it's a very little amount that I add (I mean a small or even micro turn on my EQ, depending on which DAC / Amp I'm using) Lows go deep. Nice Sub-Bass extension. Mid and High Bass is there when you need it. Sounds pretty accurate (no area of the low end is pushed to high, nor is it too recessed.) Bass isn't muddy or bloated. It doesn't bleed into the Mids. Bass section is flatter than most open back headphones. The XS doesn't have a severe sub-bass roll off like most open backs and there isn't a sizable bump in Mid Bass or High Bass that many open backs have to compensate. This keeps things sounding nice across the board imo. Bass is punchy, AND still has some decent weight and prominence as well (I say this because in many cases, when the word "punchy" shows up, Bass can be extra lean with no weight or true slam. This tricks people into thinking there's more power to the Bass then there actually is. I really don't like the term "punchy" because it can be misunderstood, causing disappointment. That's not the case here. It does certainly punch in the Audiophile term, but isn't thin or lightweight like many other so-called Audiophile headphones that are considered to be punchy headphones. It has slam, but also isn't too flabby either. Full without being too full. It's not one dimensional Bass either - it's plenty layered. My overall point is - the Bass is of good quality while also having enough quantity (in most cases, depending.) I think most people will be ok with the Bass amount. You have to remember what type of driver this is as well. If you're a bass lover, you may (maybe - maybe not) want to add a tad more thru EQ depending on what equipment you use (again- depending...if it's a musical DAC / Amp situation, probably not...if your DAC and or Amp results in a very clinical sound - then maybe.) On the flip side, if you are a bass hater, it may be a tad too much (I'll never understand how these could possibly have too much Bass - that's crazy imo) So basically --- Hifiman somehow hit a sweet spot with the Low End. I say that because people complain both ways...so it's definitely in a good spot - especially for a planar. There's also many who compare the bass to other Hifiman models and usually miss the Bass of the XS (most other models are more lean.) And how about the fact these are planars - you must take in account... the XS isn't a dynamic driver - yet it almost acts like it at times with raw impact...while still retaining its quick response time & punch...and layer. Some say the treble has extra brightness, but it's definitely not too bright...it has a wonderful sparkle in imo - perfect amount of sparkle to get a great amount of detail, without getting fatigued. It's certainly not too dull or too mello. The XS is considered to be a "neutral - bright" headphone by many - I agree with the neutral part, but wouldn't say they are super bright. Maybe a tad bit of brightness... But - saying "bright" can be a bad word to use. Those who are Treble sensitive should be ok - unless they are super sensitive and prefer a more dull / subdued top end. In that case, just use EQ - don't overlook these. I really don't think it would be a problem. Rare if at all. I'd consider these to be borderline bright or "Slight-Bright" These should be ok for most. They aren't as Bright as say a Beyerdynamic DT 1990 or something. Those are a lot Brighter. Personally, I believe the Edition XS is in the Goldie Locks Treble zone. There's enough Treble to pick out extra detail and nuance, without giving you a headache or being siblant. No issues with S's or screeching of any kind. Just right. Midrange is just right for me. It's not too forward, nor is it too recessed. Mid range instruments and vocals are clear and present. I have zero issues hearing details and naunces. Personally, I don't like Mids that are too forward. Mid ranges are the easiest sound frequencies for humans to hear anyway. It's best for overall sound quality to have Mids in check (as long as they don't get buried or muffled, which isn't the case here.) By not having the Mids too forward, it also helps with the soundstage. As I hinted to before, these act as if you're listening to a home stereo...filling a room... rather than a pair of headphones on your head. I think the Mids are just right. Plenty of detail and nuance. I don't feel like I'm missing out on any instruments. Everything is there and placed well. More of a 3d soundscape than most headphones. Goldie Locks Mids for sure. * NOTE - These need plenty of power to fully engage and reach their potential. An amp is an absolute must. They may be low impedance, but they are also low sensitivity - that matters big time. You don't need a super powerful amp, but don't under power them either. Like anything else - but especially these - whatever DAC and or Amp (or combo) you have the XS hooked up to - it could be a good degree of difference in both the low and high end depending on the equipment used. The soundstage and openess seem to be fairly constant between different equipment (because it truly is wide and open...also has great vertical and depth imo). As for Bass and Treble - it will absolutely depend on your DAC / Amp situation. My main headphone stack --- SMSL DL100 --> Douk Audio T8 (7) Band EQ (Tube hybrid) --> Douk Audio H2 (Tube hybrid) - all connected via balanced XLR cables ----- the Edition XS sounds like an audio masterpiece (which reminds me - I need to update my DL100 review - I slammed it hardcore...it's great as a DAC (not using its built in amp) - I prematurely trashed it (although I still have some negative opinions regarding the amp portion...and it also depends highly on what amp you pair it with - it sounds great paired with a tube amp - after the tubes get burned in - that's a whole other thing) Anyway, pairing the Edition XS with a fairly analytical DAC that's connected to a warm, musical amp - WOW! This way, the XS's planar bass can really come thru and shine - definitely not too lean, nor too much. Plus, all the detail and nuance in Mids and Highs come thru - with some musical warmth. Of course, you don't need that exact combination of equipment type for these to shine. It's just what works best for my taste. My point with this is: be mindful of your DAC / Amp situation before judging these in a bad way if something seems off. Chances are, these will be great regardless. Bottom line - the sound is incredible and punches way higher than it's price. It's definitely one of my favorite headphones...if not my very favorite. (I have a collection of many headphones and earbuds... so that's saying something... including sets that are way more expensive.) Comfort - ok, here's a possible snag. I don't have a huge head - 7 3/8. Pretty average size head. It seems that most people who love headphones have massive, gigantic heads (I say this because I see headphone reviewers always complaining about their giant head...or heaphones being too small...that's a very strange anomaly in life lol.) The Edition XS is built for those people. Even on the smallest setting, the XS sits on top of my ears to where the top of my ears are almost starting to bend down - way too big. This is 100% fixable. I bought a package of black Dekoni Nuggets - cube shaped cushions for headbands. I used 3 of them on the headband (the pack comes with 4 nuggets) Problem solved. I did have to extend the headband one notch on both sides because the cubes slightly overcorrected the height. With the cubes installed, and extending the headband one notch, my ears are perfectly centered inside the massive earcups. Those nugget cushions are very comfortable. Even with the heavier weight of the XS, I can wear them for hours and have absolutely no issues. So the size and comfort is now perfect. The Dekoni Nuggets cost around $25 a pack. I actually bought a couple more packs of Dekoni Nuggets and used them on other heaphones. My other heaphones only required 2 nuggets each. Only on the XS did I feel that I needed to use 3 instead of 2 (because they are big and heavy.) As an FYI - I used those nuggets on my Hifiman Deva Pro, Hifiman HE9 and HE10 (the closed back models that use the Bluemini R2R DAC) Sivga P2 Pro and Fiio FT1 closed back. It's absolutely worth the extra $25. *If you actually got this far and read all this, and considering buying the XS (just do it...dont miss out on the craziest deal ever in audio history) - definitely order the Dekoni Nuggets with it - even if you have a large head... without them, the crown of your head may start to hurt after a while. My head did start to hurt wearing them after a short period of time without the nugget cushions. * I had zero QC problems. Matter of fact, I haven't had any issues with Hifiman headphones. The only issue that came up, was with one of my Bluemini R2R DAC units - only one of them had issues... got it replaced. I do understand that a small percentage of people have had QC issues with some headphone units. Just swap them out if you have an issue. These are worth a try for sure. I don't think it's that prolific of a problem. The supplied cable is decent imo. I did buy a balanced cable, but I can't really tell a difference. Maybe if you have a cable that costs more than the headphones themselves, then sure - maybe it will make a difference...but the supplied cable is just fine. I'm happy with all my Hifiman cables (which are all essentially the same.) The stock earpads are comfortable and provide a good seal. No issues. The only con is the headband - without extra cushion, the top of your head will start hurting after a while. That's due to its weight. I can't say enough - after sticking on the Dekoni Nuggets, any issues go away (and yes - you simply stick the nuggets to the headband. It has 3M heavy duty double sided mounting tape installed on the nuggets. That's the same tape I used professionally when I worked a job that requires that type of thing. First - just lightly stick the nuggets where you think you want them - don't apply full pressure yet. Then, you can move them around slightly - fine tune your placement. Once the nuggets are exactly where you want them, apply pressure on the nuggets for a moment and that's it. Done. I haven't had any issues with the nuggets coming off. I do have the XS resting on a headphone stand when not in use. The middle nugget, situated under the direct center of the headband, has not lost its "memory" from sitting on the stand for long periods of time between uses. That's good to know. I was worried the foam would start to lose its memory and not rebound after sitting on the stand for long periods of time - but it doesn't. At least not yet. After a year and light use (I have a bunch of headphones and earbuds as I mentioned. I rotate them out. So I don't use any one pair all the time. So that means the headphones are on its stand for most of the time.)...the nuggets are holding up well in this condition after a year. Even if I had to replace them, I'd gladly do it since they work so well. Although I may not use the XS all the time, I have used them more than most of my headphones because I really do like them (just wanted to clarify that.) So with all that said...with all of the repeating of the same points over and over (sorry...I tend to beat a dead horse) - the Edition XS is truly a great set of headphones. Sounds awesome, great deal, and become comfortable once you get the Dekoni Nuggets (or whatever you decide.) I truly can't think of a better deal in headphones. Buy them. Don't wait until they are discontinued.

Ok on the 5th pair of theses. 2 RMA's, an out of warranty replacement at cost, and returns.... First ones, the left was 2-3 db louder than the right. Doesn't sound like a lot, but its gets to you very quickly and causes you to feel strange listening to the sound. Then the replacement had the right ear die completely. Then the replacement to the replacement died 8 months later after daily use. Now the 1/2 priced out of warranty replacement (Which were horrible experience to get paid for) has a horrific 8000hz buzz in the left earcup inside of 1 month of light use. Some part of the diver is vibrating against itself. Every return is at my cost, normally about 40 bucks USD shipping, to have them sent to California for RMA. I think its safe to say HiFiMan doesn't know the meaning of the word quality. One bad product is a fluke, 5 bad products is catastrophic flaw in their manufacturing process. Not smart enough to know where that is however. These are very, very well designed garbage. Basically from what I can tell US engineers design these headphones and they are manufactured in China. And they have very poor QC oversight apparently, or are using substandard materials. The DO sound wonderful when they work. A rich, mellow sound that reaches deep into the bass without distortion, at least utill the buzz presented itsself. Its one of the best sound profiles ever. And they were comfortable. The reviews were all spot on. Thing is the reviewers use them for a day and then move on. Actually using them, its when not if, they have issues. The problem is they either don't work, or they will not stay working very long. I'm going back to Sennheiser. I am not fan of paying good money to take the tofu dreg roulette with HiFiMan anymore. I don't have enough money to be a HiFiman customer and replace my headphones constantly.

I will say the sound stage is larger than the closed-back headphones I have used. Without an EQ these are really flat and lifeless headphones. However, with an EQ these come to life. After EQing they sound pretty good. For the price I guess they are okay. Was hoping for more. A minor annoyance with the cord is that the visual Left/Right indicator is just a depression in the plastic with no color coding so it's a bit difficult to see. If you don't unplug them, then it isn't a big deal. This could also be considered a positive if you want a completely black coord. Overall, I find them comfortable to wear and they sound pretty good (after adjusting EQ). However, they seem more expensive than they should for how they sound.

The Hifiman Edition XS: Soundstage Wizardry Let's be honest, we've all chased that "high-end" sound, often with wallets weeping. But then, HIFIMAN dropped the Edition XS, and suddenly, the goalposts moved. This isn't just a good headphone; it's a game-changer that proves you don't have to sell a kidney for true planar magnetic magic. The Experience: Where Does the Music Go? Slap these big, beautiful, egg-shaped cans on, hit play, and immediately, you forget you're wearing headphones. The first thing that grabs you is the sheer space. HIFIMAN is the undisputed king of soundstage, but the XS takes that crown and runs with it. It doesn't just sound wide; it sounds holographic. Close your eyes, and the band isn't just in front of you; they're ten feet away, in their own perfectly mapped-out room. That drummer in your favorite classic rock track? They're not a blob of sound anymore—they're positioned five steps behind the lead guitarist, and you can hear the reverb decay off the back wall. It genuinely gives you that thrilling, "out-of-body" feeling where the music truly leaves your skull. It breathes new life into tracks you thought you knew inside and out. It's an event, not just listening. The Sound: The Planar Punch This is the sound of speed and control. Planar drivers are inherently snappy, and the XS capitalizes on that. The Bass: It’s a physicist's bass: tight, controlled, and perfectly linear. No artificial boom or woolliness here. But when that sub-bass note hits in a cinematic score or a heavy track, the driver moves with such effortless velocity that it hits you fast and retreats just as quickly. You get texture, definition, and depth—the kind of bass that lets you feel the vibrating strings, not just the low frequency. The Detail: Thanks to those "Stealth Magnets", which trust me are more than just marketing—the sound is unbelievably clean. The noise floor just vanishes. You start hearing the tiny things: the singer taking a breath, the subtle brushwork on the snare, the faint studio effects you never knew were there. It’s ruthlessly revealing but manages to do it without being aggressive or tiring. You can happily disappear for hours. The Trade-Off: Where They Saved a Buck Look, if a headphone sounds this good for the money, they had to cut a corner somewhere. And with the Edition XS, it’s the fit and the finish. The Fit: They are huge, and the headband is the definition of functional, not fancy. If you don't have a large head, getting them to sit securely can be a struggle. They also have a light clamp, which is great for comfort but means you should treat them like delicate desktop statues. Do not plan on walking around in these. The Feel: The sound drivers are flagship-grade, but the rest of the chassis is just... okay. It feels like HIFIMAN had $100 for the frame and $400 for the tech, and they allocated their budget wisely. The hinges and plastic parts are sturdy enough, but they don't have that reassuring thunk of premium metal. And honestly? I don't care. I'd take this sound in a cardboard box. The Final Word The Hifiman Edition XS is a technical titan. It’s the headphone that allows enthusiasts to punch way above their weight class. If you value a mind-blowing soundstage and sonic clarity above all else, and you have a quiet listening space, this is a must-own. It's the sound of the high-end, made accessible.

Impresionante, mucha claridad y ciertos detalles que no se pueden escuchar en un senhaiser 660, un monolith 1070 o un Sony MDR-Z7M2. No requieren amplificador por lo regular. Los uso con un FIIO BTR3 y es suficiente, también con un DAP sony en modo DAC para conectarlo a Qobuz y suenan geniales. Con el DAP es suficiente el volumen que les puedes sacar, aunque hay albumes que requieren de amplificador si o si, por ejemplo algunos de los Doors en HR requieren de amplificación. Espero escucharlos con otras cosas. Excelente elección.

The sound is really good. The only thing I find annoying is that it's rather large on the ears and the head area can be uncomfortable sometimes. It's better if they use some form of headbands like some of their other models. They should be more consistent in their design.

Ses kalitesi cozunurluk guzel fakat malzeme kalitesi ve ergonomisini begenmedim.

I will cut to the chase. Fantastic detail, soundstage and resolution for the price. Maybe the best. However there are a few concerns that need to be addressed. I run these with eq, but stock tuning is well done. Firstly, these headphones are huge. I require an aftermarket headphone headband to position my ears in the centre of the cup. This also helps comfort issues as well. Secondly, these require amplification. Testing desktop and mobile setups, I have concluded 4Vs and around 220mw is the sweet spot. They do get loud enough off 2vs but I do feel for headroom especially if you run preamp to avoid clipping 4Vs is worth it. Quedlix 5k (in balanced) can drive the edition xs easily. Tube amps do not sound good on this headphone. Build quality is an achilles heel for hifiman. No complaints so far but will update if they do fail and the subsequent warranty claims. All in all, at this price ($449 AUD) it is a no brainer buy. End game for most users.