A quick look at the HiFiMan Edition XS and Arya ( which I misread / mispronounced every time ;)

I pushed the boat out and got in some of the slightly more expensive HiFiMan headphones to see what they are all about. Probably not the best video as I am not great at reviewing headphones and the design of these is pretty simple but it was nice to have a listen and see what all the fuss is about
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[@hartyewh1]

HE6se V2 and XS are the best value I've found so far. The QC issues are there, but they're not as bad as one might gather from online comments. Just buy from a place with free returns and you're set. I actually prefer the XS over the Arya once EQ'd. Arya has airier bass and some timbre issues while the XS is simply great.

[@CustomCans]

We sold the Aryas just a few hours after shooting the video so I have not had a good listen to them but will have a proper listening session with the XS as a lot of people really seem to love them. I am looking forward to seeing how easy it is to swap headbands on them

[@hartyewh1]

@@CustomCans Yeah, I wish the Sundara headband wasn't so pricy. They would be much more comfortable assuming the clamp works fine.

[@freddycely9580]

I agree with most people about hifiman having QC issues. Would be interesting to see a bit of the process of changing the XS headband with the Arya headband, im pretty sure many people are interested in this. Thank you for the video

[@Hijynx87]

@@CustomCans should be as easy as a few screws.

[@CoffeeGameMovie]

Good vid man, but the "soundstaging could be wider" sentence was a little funny to me, as according to the whole community the Arya has one of the biggest soundstage, only maybe the HD800s bigger, but even thats debatable.

[@CustomCans]

It can always be wider ;) That is my challenge this year - making something with a really wide sound stage

[@accbecky]

I've been always a bit skeptical about hihiman , but that might be changing. Interesting video.

[@CustomCans]

They seem to have something good at every price point

[@Grrrr3FKAGrrrrGrrrrGrrrr]

I have the HE400i from when they still came with the same headband as the Arya (they now have the chunky padded style). They are really comfortable, but that headband often produces very annoying creaky noises when I move my head.

[@CustomCans]

Interesting - I purchased all the different headbands so will have to check for creaks and stuff when I test them

[@danielhuang7751]

@@CustomCans can you do a review on Nobsound Mini FU32 its a pretty fun looking amp and interesting I think😉

[@FeyaElena]

Thank you for the first review of the new model! We are waiting for the frequency response schedule. Well, HiFiMan, how is it, for such a price and such a headband in the xs model? Check it after wearing it for a couple of hours, will it have the same painful effect as on 400se?

[@CustomCans]

Yes - I purchased some spare headbands for the sundara and arya so I am going to see how easy it is to swap them over and make the XS more comfortable

[@SteveHuffer]

@@CustomCans Looking forward to this, as I find the XS headband uncomfortable. Otherwise, they are perfect for my large lugs.

[@Hijynx87]

I ended up just putting a geekria hook and loop over my headband and it helps quite a bit. Ugly as sin but it works.

[@CustomCans]

Good idea. I a thinking of making some kind of leather strap like on the higher end ones that will fit that headphond

[@1derment]

Just got the Ananda's a couple weeks ago. Same headband as the Arya and supposedly wider soundstage than the xs, so may be a better option at $200 more. Rather than cost of replacing headband on xs. Ananda also has the thinner Neo supernano Diaphragm used in the much more expensive Arya.

[@CustomCans]

I will have to check them out at some point

[@1derment]

@Custom Cans It would be fun to see what customisation can be done to these egg shaped Hifiman series. Maybe even wooden cups to make them more attractive and aesthetically more natural look. Keep up the great work.

[@petervanvalderen9136]

Edition XS has Neo too.

[@iamwoteveriwanttobe]

Don't feel too bad about mispronouncing Ayra. I saw the word Ayra and somehow read Ananada. Only realised my mistake when you said they cost 1200!

[@besenkammerdisko4414]

Hey Jason, just wondering if you're planning to play around with some Sennheiser HD560s at some point? They are very popular and affordable but still there are zero mods for them, although they sure aren't perfect

[@CustomCans]

Yeh - we will probably take a look at them at some point but I have to many other things to finish off first at the moment

[@calvinshing-bl1zc]

Could you tell me how do you take off the screw from sundara to swap the headband？ There is no cross on it. Thank you.

[@CustomCans]

There must be a proper tool out there somewhere but we used some pliers to grab it and un-do it - I am not sure I would recommend that as you can mark the screws

[@DavidHorth]

The Ananda would be a good middle ground. Its a little more than the Edition XS with the same shape and the Arya headband.

[@CustomCans]

I may get some in on the next batch

[@Hijynx87]

That’s an interesting looking cable. I’m guessing custom, considering the channel name?

[@CustomCans]

Yes, one of the perks of being a product designer is that I have to do a lot of testing and playing with expensive toys. That means I can have one of our ultimate cables, which are well out side my budget, on "long term testing" ;) I have been testing it for nearly a year now but still think I need to test it for a bit longer just to make sure. jfunk.org/wpc/product-category/home/cables/ultimate-cables/

[@denis4072]

Hello - How do you tell if the headphone had stealth magnic instead of the regular one. I thinking of buying use but I saw your other video where someone from fleebay swap out the stealth with chepaer one. Thanks mate.

[@CustomCans]

The stealth magnets have rounded edges and the normal ones are square cut. You have to look at the magnets to be able to tell

[@denis4072]

@@CustomCans Thank you mate. The Deva pro just arrived few minutes ago and I compared to my cheap skull candy aviator that i bought nearly a decade ago and tbh cheap avaitor sound better. LOL

[@Tripokaridos22]

Do u think it worth going from SUndara to any of these? Also Will u Get the HD660s2 ?

[@thisjustanother]

The Arya has better sonic performance overall. It is faster, has better resolution and a cleaner sound overall. The bass extension is also better on the Arya. But is this worth the cost? That really depends on your financial situation and what you are expecting to get for the money. also if you can find arya's on sale, even better

[@Tripokaridos22]

@@thisjustanother thank u for taking time to reply

[@rlanger]

I want from Sundara to XS and don't regret it for a minute. Wonderful upgrade.

[@TrueBlade-1889]

Anyobe tell me the inner dimensions of the XS ear cups ... ? I have enormous jugs 😂

[@marcp.1752]

Please create the final mod for the HifiMan HE 400se. 🙂

[@CustomCans]

Nearly there now. The current mod can be downloaded on the link below, the new mod will not be quite as extreme but much easier and safer to do. www.thingiverse.com/thing:5155882 I have 20 pairs of HE400se next to my desk waiting for the new mods to be finalised so I am very motivated to get it done so I can get some money back on them. I am on holiday for a week now but I promise I will finish have a new mod for them by the end of the month.

[@marcp.1752]

@@CustomCans Very cool, Jason! I hope you can mod the sh%t out of these cans, to get the best sound quality. I am really unhappy with their stock sound, compared to my HD 650...ok, this is perhaps an unfair comparsion. ;) I had forgotten to say - happy holidays, i'd love to see a new video anytime soon about the latest HE-400se mod, and i guess many ppl also, because it's the entry level drug into HiFiMan cans 🙂 Thanks much for your efforts.

[@PinePizza]

If it only wasn't for Hifiman QC. Otherwise I am pretty interested in any of their cans that are open back.

[@CustomCans]

I have not had my hands on enough pairs to know the consistency of the QC. But... I now have 22 pairs of HE400se sat next to my desk waiting to be modded so I will see how it goes ;)

[@willusishere]

On my pair of Edition XS the left driver stopped working after about 3 weeks, turns out the solder pad that joins the driver to the cable port was dry and had come away. I fixed it by holding the solder pad in place with a bit of cardboard. They do sound great but I'd recommend caution if you buy from a place you can't return them

[@pierrefornallaz364]

No valuable info on the sound qualities and differences between these 2 headphones. So, what's the point doing this video ??

[@CustomCans]

You are right.. Sometimes I just get over excited by new toys and then realise I am in way over my head ;) After xmas I will be modding / re-tuning the XS and have ordered some Arya organic as a reference which should be a bit more interesting

[@picklewiickle.1583]

headphone are rip off

[@CustomCans]

I suppose it is all about knowing what genuinely makes you happy. If you have the money and buying pair of £1000 headphones will bring you £5000 worth of joy and pleasure then it is a bargain. If travel is your thing then you could have an adventure for the same money and have stories to tell and re-live for the rest of your life. Find something that brings you joy and you won't regret throwing some spare money at it..... but never spend more than you can afford or more than you think it is worth.

[@kevinchoi8076]

I used the arya first. But the peak in 3,5 and 10 khz bothered me. But edition xs has no peak in treble. Therefore, I bought edition xs and arya is not in my hand.

[@CustomCans]

Yes, I have ended up keeping the edition XS but mainly because I could not afford to keep the Aryas :)

[@ca77721]

So the Sundara headband fits the XS?

[@CustomCans]

Maybe ; ) i will be giving it a go today

[@ca77721]

@@CustomCans Great👍🏻Goodluck.Let us know how it fits.