HIFIMAN, founded in China in 2007 by Dr. Fang Bian, has made quite a splash among audiophiles since its establishment. The company’s signature development has been high-quality planar magnetic headphones, which provide an open, detailed sound. Like planar magnetic speakers, such headphones use a very thin diaphragm – rather than a cone – to produce sound, a construction that among other things, aids spaciousness and reproduction of fine detail. (See our reviews of the Magnepan MG2.7i and Magnepan LRS+ speakers for more on planar magnetic technology.) In a relatively short time, HIFIMAN has gained wide recognition for that innovation and for its growing line of fine-sounding headphones. The firm also produces earphones, headphone amplifiers, and portable music players for the audiophile.
The HIFIMAN Edition XS (MSRP $499, at time of writing widely available at $269) is a full-sized, over-the-ear pair of wired headphones that sits toward the lower-priced end of HIFIMAN’s product line. (The higher-priced end would be the Shangri-La SR Electrostatic Headphone and Amplifier, at a cool $50,000.) Like most, though not all, headphones using planar drivers, the Edition XS uses an open-back design, rather than a closed back that would isolate the listener from the surrounding ambiance. HIFIMAN calls the Edition XS “a major upgrade of the popular Edition X” and claims it “puts the listener in the best seat in the house.” That sounds appealing to this reviewer, a longtime concertgoer who is fussy about where he sits in the hall. Please join me as I get to know the HIFIMAN Edition XS …
What Makes the HIFIMAN Edition XS Headphones Special?
- Being a HIFIMAN product, the Edition XS headphones use planar-magnetic drivers, rather than traditional headphone drivers. Among the frequently mentioned advantages of this technology are great transient response, excellent reproduction of details, low distortion, and an enveloping, wide soundstage. Such qualities can help a pair of headphones sound more natural and help put you more firmly in the sonic picture.
- The Edition XS headphones use HIFIMAN’s NEO Supernano Diaphragm, which is thinner than previous HIFIMAN designs. One would expect a thinner diaphragm to have better transient response and thus greater transparency.
- Another improvement in the Edition XS is the use of HIFIMAN’s Stealth magnets. From the drawings on HIFIMAN’s website, Stealth magnets seem to be rounded to reduce diffraction, compared to rectangular-profile magnets. The manufacturer claims that the new configuration results in lower distortion.
- Reported specs of the Edition XS include a wide frequency response: eight Hz to 50 kHz, though no tolerance is specified. Impedance is relatively low at 18 ohms, and sensitivity is moderate at 92 dB. The Edition XS should be compatible with most audiophile equipment on the market, though not every smartphone might have enough juice to drive it well.
Why Should You Care About HIFIMAN Edition XS Headphones?
I suspect a wide range of audiophiles will find the Edition XS attractive. Listeners who are picky about sound quality will enjoy the planar magnetic drivers for their excellent clarity, detail, and wide soundstage. Those stepping up from inexpensive headphones will find that the Edition XS, with their natural, involving sound and moderate price tag, represent a good balance of price and performance. Likewise, the Edition XS should appeal to those just starting in audio who want a pair of audiophile-grade headphones but don’t want to mortgage the house to get it.
Because of their open-back design, the Edition XS will be most appealing to audiophiles who have a quiet place for listening, whether that’s the living room after the mate has gone to bed or a quiet home office. The open back, after all, means that the audiophile hears any extraneous sounds in the listening room, while others in the room also hear the music playing. Another factor to consider is that the relatively large size of the Edition XS makes them most practical for use at home or another fixed location. In summary, the HIFIMAN Edition XS headphones are an excellent choice for the audiophile who wants high-quality reproduction at an affordable price, and who expects to use them at home or in another quiet place, not at the gym, on the subway, or on an airplane.
Things You Might Not Like About the HIFIMAN Edition XS Headphones
- The open-back design adds spaciousness, but it isn’t suitable for every listening situation. As mentioned above, not only will you hear what is going on around you while you listen, others will hear your chosen music. Will those other people enjoy overhearing your music? In my experience, not as often as you might think.
- Don’t throw these headphones around! I’ve worked in radio stations, where a pair of monitoring headphones is a tool and is expected to be rugged and withstand abuse. I can’t say how much abuse the HIFIMAN Edition XS can take, but my impression from their construction is, not very much. Not that they seem flimsy at all – it’s just that these are audiophile-grade headphones, and I’d advise you to treat them with care and respect. If you want to beat on some headphones, then look at some Sony Professional models like those used on movie sets and in many a recording studio.
- At a bit over 14 ounces, these aren’t super lightweight headphones, though hardly the heaviest on the market. Will you find them comfortable for long listening sessions? Only you can tell, and fortunately, HIFIMAN offers a 30-day return policy, detailed on their website. You won’t need 30 days to see if you love these headphones.
Listening to the HIFIMAN Edition XS Headphones …
I evaluated the Edition XS with a variety of associated gear. DAC and amplifier combinations included the iFi Diablo 2 portable headphone amplifier (currently under review), which has its own DAC; the Classé CP-800 DAC-preamp in my office system; and the headphone amplifier in a NAD M66 preamp. At times, I tried using the model-specific OPRA equalization curves available in Roon (and elsewhere), which boosted the deep bass a few decibels and slightly moderated the treble, but that did not seem to be an improvement on every track. All in all, I found the tonality of the Edition XS quite enjoyable without equalization as well.
American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish has had a steady run of hits and awards, including nine Grammies, since the release of her first single in 2015. Listening to “Wildflower” from the 2024 album Hit Me Hard and Soft turned this old curmudgeon into a Billie Eilish fan. The breathiness of Eilish’s voice on this number was beautifully conveyed by the Edition XS, without excess sibilance. Lyrics were easily understood, and the song’s emotional longing came through in spades. The sonic picture was spacious, with reverb smooth and prolonged. All in all, this is a good commercial recording, reproduced exceptionally well by the Edition XS.
The haunting “Nana” used by Manuel de Falla in his Seven Popular Spanish Songs, would be perfect in a film score, though I’m not sure whether it’s been used in one yet. I particularly enjoy the recording by Andrew Smith (cello) and Alfredo Oyágüez Montero (piano) on their album Spanish Music for Cello and Piano, which benefits from the Delos label’s excellent sonics. It’s also a beautiful performance. Through the Edition XS, the slightly nasal tone of Smith’s cello came through perfectly, along with the subtle and moody piano accompaniment by Oyágüez. The tonality of both instruments sounded real, not exaggerated in any way, and I heard a nice ambience. Though the piece is less than two-and-a-half minutes long, when played through such good gear and by such wonderful musicians, it can cast a spell that lasts far longer.
The opening bars of “Moon River” on Holly Cole’s album Dark Moon make a great demonstration of how well the Edition XS can present the string bass. The bass line I heard was deep, impactful, very musical, and outstanding for a pair of headphones costing less than $500. Cole’s voice was pleasingly natural, with her subtle inflections and phrasing exceptionally clear. The piano tone presented by the Edition XS was mercifully free of the tinkly quality, due to excess brightness, that often can mar reproduced piano sound.
Will the HIFIMAN Edition XS Headphones Hold Their Value?
HIFIMAN is a widely known and very well-respected audiophile headphone brand, which will be a positive factor on resale. However, HIFIMAN also updates their product line frequently, which may mean that one winds up selling a legacy product, rather than one currently in the catalog. But let’s be frank: a pair of headphones costing less than $300 is not bought with the expectation of holding financial value – it’s bought for the pleasure it can provide. If someday you move up from the Edition XS, you are likely to give them to a young audiophile or keep them around as a spare.
What is the Competition for the HIFIMAN Edition XS Headphones?
In this part of any review, I remind audiophiles to listen for themselves before buying. For although I can tell you what appeals to me, and I can do my best to explain why, only your ears can tell you if a piece of gear is right for you. I like to identify possibilities rather than pick winners, and that is especially true of headphones, which are very much individual choices.
That said, let’s look at some competing products at under $400 or so. To start with HIFIMAN, their DEVA Pro-wired headphones ($199) also offer HIFIMAN’s NEO Supernano diaphragm and Stealth magnets. For the HIFIMAN sound on a tighter budget, these might be the ticket.
No list of comparables could omit the classic Sennheiser HD 650 ($399.95; buy at Crutchfield).The HD 650 is one of the best-known open-back headphones ever made and has remained in the Sennheiser line for decades. I find my pair detailed and natural, though I do think the HIFIMAN Edition XS has better bass: stronger, more even, and more solid. Sennheiser also offers the less expensive HD 600 ($349.95; buy at Crutchfield).
In this price range, one also might try the Audeze MM-100 ($399.95; buy at Crutchfield), another open-back design using planar magnetic drivers. Audeze has won many fans among headphone aficionados.
Through the years, I have known many audiophiles who were enthusiastic owners of Grado products. (In the early 2000s, I enjoyed a Grado phono cartridge on my AR ES-1 turntable.) The Grado SR325x headphones ($345; buy at Crutchfield) have garnered much positive attention, and an audiophile looking for headphones would be well-advised to see if the Grado sound appeals to them. At a lower price point, Grado offers the SR225x ($225; buy at Crutchfield).
Finally, I should mention the Sennheiser HD 620S (buy at Crutchfield), a closed-back design intended to approach the sound of an open-back model ($299.95). I tried a pair recently and enjoyed the sound very much, but they were a poor fit for my head shape. (Remember what I said about headphones being very individual choices?) They might fit you fine, and if so, you could find them a treat.
Final Thoughts on the HIFIMAN Edition XS Headphones …
I think that HIFIMAN has a real winner with the Edition XS, especially at the current price of $269. The use of planar-magnetic technology in an open-back headphone provides an open, detailed, non-irritating sound that is quite appealing, and not just for one genre of music.
Often, when I listen as an audiophile through even some of the best headphones, I miss my speakers. In this case, I really enjoyed what the Edition XS had to offer. These are a true luxury audiophile product at a price that real-world audiophiles can actually afford. That is both refreshing and commendable.
