I've heard a lot of good things about the XS from fellow enthusiast. I went with the Arya v3 and have 0 regrets. I'm not a fan of HiFiMan's cushioned headband. They're no doubt saving money by not offering the suspension style one but it's a reasonable cost savings as compared to the Ananda and the Arya. The Sundara can be a bit sterile, relatively cold and lacking impact so I think the XS is likely the alternative for folks that was to squeeze a bit more energy and emotion out of a listening session. Great to see you covering these kinds of cans, keep up the great videos!
The Edition XS and the Drop THX 786 amplifier is an amazing match. Also, Custom Cans makes a leather headband add on that really bumps up their wearability. Before the upgrade, I hardly wore these.
I highly recommend a cheap fiio ka3 for anyone wanting to power these through their phone or tablet. It is super clean sounding and it works SO well with these headphones. The edition xs are literally the perfect headphones, they sound phenomenal whatever they’re playing. Add a huge soundstage and precise imaging they’re also exceptional for gaming, be that competent fps or single player. Seriously amazing headphones
@@bradhuskers it should be more than adequate. A PS5 controller, Xbox elite 2 controller, apple lightning to 3.5 and the apple usb-c to 3.5 all get these headphones loud. They just sound even better on the ka3, and the hip DAC 2 should be even better
@@millenwagon Thank you! Just bought the hip dac 2. My logic is that I listen thru my samsung galaxy ultra 22 smartphone, and the hip dac 2. Has an internal battery, so my phone won't get drained as quickly.
Recently ordered the hifiman edition xs from amazon at $379 new. Coming from a HD600, modi/magni schiit stack, I'm looking forward to the new experience 👍
It's interesting to hear they have a "V-like curve" on them, as I was actually looking them up right now because according to my go-to review site (rtings), they're the highest-rated pair of "neutral sound" headphones from what they've tested, comparing against the harman curve. Interestingly enough, they actually rated higher than the Arya, HD 800 S, Sen's HD 6XX, etc. Just figured I'd share that since, from what I've seen, they seem like they'd make great "under $500" reference headphones. Plus if they're rated as more neutral than the HD 800 S, at least as far as my go-to site suggests, then dang that's not bad at all.
I bought the XS recently and I use them alongisde my Genelec 8331A studio monitors with Genelec room correction. Needless to say, the Genelecs are my actual reference (and they go down to 35 Hz in my room). I think the 'problem' with Edition XS is the dip in the upper mids coupled with a little bit of midbass boost. There is tons of detail in the lower mids and bass as well as treble, but the dip in the 1-2k region reduces shoutiness/grit and is the primary cause of the V-scoop 'hollow' feeling. The Edition XS are like a pair of speakers strapped to your head. Very natural soundstage and practically zero ambient noise isolation. Very pleasant to listen to, but can hardly be called a proper reference unless you EQ out the ≈170 Hz bump and that 1.7 kHz dip.
Probably better not to Rob a bank. Chances are they won’t let you take it into jail with you so you would be counting the days until you were free to go and dig it up. 🕳
It's a real shame the build quality is so poor on these, I've had two of which the height adjustment on the headband broke within a week, the sound is absolutely fantastic though.
Does anyone drive the Edition XS with ifi Zen stack (dac + can) using the balanced cable ? It seems on the can with gain +6db if I pass after 12-13 mark on volume it starts to lag and interrupt the sound in headphones... does this happens to others too ?
Man great vid as always bro. Hope your doing well. But man these are awesome looking. I've always liked the way that hifiman's headphones 🎧 looked. Maybe I'll be able to get a pair one day. Be easy bro, keep up the good work.
Have the HD58x and just got these. Will keep the HD58x as it is still awesome and different. The two complement well, so the HD6xx should also complement the XS
@@ptshotsun my 58x gets much much less use these days. The XS are all round more pleasing daily drivers for me with music, movies, games and TH-cam. There are specific situation that I will still reach for the 58x, especially with vocals or if I really want to listen to a spoken dialogue in detail. Some music is also nice for something different. Ultimately I love the XS so much now. They have more bass, are more comfortable to me, sound huge and have a crispness to them that is stunning.
@@RaindancerAU Thanks so much for letting me know! I primarly listen to edm/hiphop and plug my 58x into a 4700h reciever. Once I save up some more I will definetly get the XS. For me $500 is definetly a ton for headphones, yet am excited to enter the more "higher end" of headphones. Hearing they have more bass is sweet since I feel 58x have great bass.
Dude you need a DAC and AMp ..not only a Amp. You haven't really seen the best this can do ...no xlr connection or balanced set. This headphone is way more than what you decribe.
I bought these and the most worst thing is the treble, there is too much loudness, the hi S-is very hissing and spoils a lot.. bass is great and so is soundstage.. I also have hd600 from sennheiser to compare. Works fine with acoustic music and movies and games.
I wouldn't be so quick in blaming the headphones. Based on the frequency response, the treble actually seems pretty tamed. Your issue could be from several other variables. A colored dac/amp, ear treble sensitivity, and music source can ruin the sound of a good headphone.
@@KTT94 I can confirm that different dacs can sound wildly different on this setup. I use the K5 Pro and its a little warmer, it tames the cold analytical top end down. I have slightly more expensive balanced Dac/amp combos that are far more abrasive. On top of that I use the Dolby Atmos app on windows to EQ it when I want to. There is a warm eq setting in that ap that is my default.
@@RaindancerAU How do you like the 58X? I have only heard 560S and none of the 6x0 headsets which I am curious about. I really hate dual cable exit design which is only thing keeping me from buying those. I kinda want to downgrade from the XS tbh. Sound quality is great for what it does well which is EDM and Gaming and Rock/Guitar type genres. I think they are flat out bad for hip hop.
When you run your mouth on a topic but don't know anything about it, it becomes painfully obvious and you look like a fool 😅 Judging a headphone's quality purely on if it is wireless oh wow
Nice review. They are down to $270 on Amazon. Just ordered and can’t wait to try them out.
I've heard a lot of good things about the XS from fellow enthusiast. I went with the Arya v3 and have 0 regrets. I'm not a fan of HiFiMan's cushioned headband. They're no doubt saving money by not offering the suspension style one but it's a reasonable cost savings as compared to the Ananda and the Arya. The Sundara can be a bit sterile, relatively cold and lacking impact so I think the XS is likely the alternative for folks that was to squeeze a bit more energy and emotion out of a listening session. Great to see you covering these kinds of cans, keep up the great videos!
Listening to this on the edition xs
Me too, K5 Pro and the Dolby Atmos app on Windows makes for a killer combo.
The Edition XS and the Drop THX 786 amplifier is an amazing match. Also, Custom Cans makes a leather headband add on that really bumps up their wearability. Before the upgrade, I hardly wore these.
I highly recommend a cheap fiio ka3 for anyone wanting to power these through their phone or tablet. It is super clean sounding and it works SO well with these headphones.
The edition xs are literally the perfect headphones, they sound phenomenal whatever they’re playing. Add a huge soundstage and precise imaging they’re also exceptional for gaming, be that competent fps or single player. Seriously amazing headphones
Are you sure?
Is there a dac amp dongle on the market today, that's sufficient to drive my edition xs headphones?
@@bradhuskers I have the ka3 with my XS and I only have it at 55% volume. If the ka3 doesn’t get them loud enough then you have damaged hearing
@@millenwagon
Quick question.
Would the ifi hip dac 2, be sufficient as well?
@@bradhuskers it should be more than adequate. A PS5 controller, Xbox elite 2 controller, apple lightning to 3.5 and the apple usb-c to 3.5 all get these headphones loud. They just sound even better on the ka3, and the hip DAC 2 should be even better
@@millenwagon
Thank you!
Just bought the hip dac 2.
My logic is that I listen thru my samsung galaxy ultra 22 smartphone, and the hip dac 2. Has an internal battery, so my phone won't get drained as quickly.
I haven't had a chance to try them yet but these look dope!
Recently ordered the hifiman edition xs from amazon at $379 new. Coming from a HD600, modi/magni schiit stack, I'm looking forward to the new experience 👍
It's interesting to hear they have a "V-like curve" on them, as I was actually looking them up right now because according to my go-to review site (rtings), they're the highest-rated pair of "neutral sound" headphones from what they've tested, comparing against the harman curve. Interestingly enough, they actually rated higher than the Arya, HD 800 S, Sen's HD 6XX, etc.
Just figured I'd share that since, from what I've seen, they seem like they'd make great "under $500" reference headphones. Plus if they're rated as more neutral than the HD 800 S, at least as far as my go-to site suggests, then dang that's not bad at all.
I bought the XS recently and I use them alongisde my Genelec 8331A studio monitors with Genelec room correction. Needless to say, the Genelecs are my actual reference (and they go down to 35 Hz in my room). I think the 'problem' with Edition XS is the dip in the upper mids coupled with a little bit of midbass boost. There is tons of detail in the lower mids and bass as well as treble, but the dip in the 1-2k region reduces shoutiness/grit and is the primary cause of the V-scoop 'hollow' feeling.
The Edition XS are like a pair of speakers strapped to your head. Very natural soundstage and practically zero ambient noise isolation. Very pleasant to listen to, but can hardly be called a proper reference unless you EQ out the ≈170 Hz bump and that 1.7 kHz dip.
@@piotrgraniszewski8544 I use the Dolby Atmos windows app with my and I have at least five eq sets I use.
Great video. Where did you get that glowing headphone in your background? That looks so cool!
are they better than DT 1990 PRO?
thank you i bought one its perfect for me !!! gaming helped me a lot !
Gamesky your cool down to earth keep it up want to see more
Awesome! These are huge tho lol!
GAMESKY have you seen the new EDIFIER STAX SPIRIT S3 headphones EDIFIER just released?
Another video which I enjoyed very much. It’s a delight to learn about the different products. Blessings on your day.
Have you tried the Sundara or the Susvara yet? They are both great planars.
The Susvara I haven’t tried yet but the Sundara I have. And again, it’s another pair from HiFiMAN that I love the tuning of
@@OfficialGamesky Sundara is great bang for the buck. 👍🏻
I'm sure Susvara is great if you rob a bank first.
Probably better not to Rob a bank. Chances are they won’t let you take it into jail with you so you would be counting the days until you were free to go and dig it up. 🕳
@@GadZookz On the other hand, I might could get away with it. After all, no one suspects the blind. :) All of this is, of course, a joke.
Gamesky 4 President!
It's a real shame the build quality is so poor on these, I've had two of which the height adjustment on the headband broke within a week, the sound is absolutely fantastic though.
Does anyone drive the Edition XS with ifi Zen stack (dac + can) using the balanced cable ? It seems on the can with gain +6db if I pass after 12-13 mark on volume it starts to lag and interrupt the sound in headphones... does this happens to others too ?
Man great vid as always bro. Hope your doing well. But man these are awesome looking. I've always liked the way that hifiman's headphones 🎧 looked. Maybe I'll be able to get a pair one day. Be easy bro, keep up the good work.
Would it be a mistake to get these and the 6xx?
I don't see why not, great references for highfi.... Have you picked out a amp and dac?
Have the HD58x and just got these. Will keep the HD58x as it is still awesome and different. The two complement well, so the HD6xx should also complement the XS
@RaindancerAU How do these differ from the 58x? I have them and want to know if you reccomend getting the XS. What is better/different? Thanks
@@ptshotsun my 58x gets much much less use these days. The XS are all round more pleasing daily drivers for me with music, movies, games and TH-cam.
There are specific situation that I will still reach for the 58x, especially with vocals or if I really want to listen to a spoken dialogue in detail. Some music is also nice for something different.
Ultimately I love the XS so much now. They have more bass, are more comfortable to me, sound huge and have a crispness to them that is stunning.
@@RaindancerAU Thanks so much for letting me know! I primarly listen to edm/hiphop and plug my 58x into a 4700h reciever. Once I save up some more I will definetly get the XS. For me $500 is definetly a ton for headphones, yet am excited to enter the more "higher end" of headphones. Hearing they have more bass is sweet since I feel 58x have great bass.
Great review as always, this headphones looks like a good product, but a little bit expensive 🤷♂️
Try electrostatic headphones!
Sennheiser HE-1
Dude you need a DAC and AMp ..not only a Amp. You haven't really seen the best this can do ...no xlr connection or balanced set. This headphone is way more than what you decribe.
The Mayflower Arc Mk2 in the video is actually a DAC/AMP combo in one. I have the same :)
Or a fio m15 or 17
Is there a dac amp dongle on the market today, that's sufficient to drive my edition xs headphones?
@@bradhuskers fiio btr 5
@@fullweezy3553
Ok
And what's your opinion on the ifi hip dac 2?
If you need new custom pads can contact me.
I bought these and the most worst thing is the treble, there is too much loudness, the hi S-is very hissing and spoils a lot.. bass is great and so is soundstage.. I also have hd600 from sennheiser to compare. Works fine with acoustic music and movies and games.
I wouldn't be so quick in blaming the headphones. Based on the frequency response, the treble actually seems pretty tamed. Your issue could be from several other variables. A colored dac/amp, ear treble sensitivity, and music source can ruin the sound of a good headphone.
@@KTT94 I can confirm that different dacs can sound wildly different on this setup. I use the K5 Pro and its a little warmer, it tames the cold analytical top end down. I have slightly more expensive balanced Dac/amp combos that are far more abrasive. On top of that I use the Dolby Atmos app on windows to EQ it when I want to. There is a warm eq setting in that ap that is my default.
Got the XS and HD58x. No hissing or treble problems for me with the XS.
@@RaindancerAU How do you like the 58X? I have only heard 560S and none of the 6x0 headsets which I am curious about. I really hate dual cable exit design which is only thing keeping me from buying those. I kinda want to downgrade from the XS tbh. Sound quality is great for what it does well which is EDM and Gaming and Rock/Guitar type genres. I think they are flat out bad for hip hop.
@@drewmorg. I do enjoy the 58x but I think that if you want a good hip hop headset, it is probably not the right choice
I have the 4xx and love it. Awesome review & learned some new stuff 👍
Send these over to Dankpods 🙂
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Goat🐐💯
First!
$500 for wired headphones?! they look ones youd find at the dollar store
What a dumb comment. A little extreme don't you think?
wired is ojectively better...
When you run your mouth on a topic but don't know anything about it, it becomes painfully obvious and you look like a fool 😅 Judging a headphone's quality purely on if it is wireless oh wow