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

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.

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.

Tengo 1 año con ellos y son mis audífonos favoritos he tenido Sennheiser HD 599, Beyerdynamic DT 990 600ohms, hifiman he400se y estos son mis favoritos, me gusta su sonido (no soy audiofilo así que no se expresar la firma de sonido y todo eso) el único detalle es que si necesita un buen amplificadorde audífonos (aprox. De 4 watts a 32 ohms) para que les saques el jugo a estos audifonos; si ya cuentas con este amplificador adelante te llevarás una buena experiencia

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.

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.