Edition XS vs Hifiman Sundara

[@HobbyTalk]

EQ + XS = endgame for many, it really does sound good… Sundara with EQ sounds quite good as well, just not as good to my ears as XS.

[@Accuracy158]

When you EQ do you sacrifice at all on the separation of instruments, seeming size of the sound stage, or clarity? Hifiman clearly goes for a signature sound and a lot of their headphones have the same identifiable "weaknesses" but at the same time it's not accident that a lot of them have similar sounds (1~2K slight dip, treble a hair bright in spots, and etc). You notice other popular headphones like the Sennheiser 600 series would never do this. They do practically the opposite elevating that mid and rolling the really sharp highs off a little but the strengths of their headphones are completely different. The headphones become very intimate and the vocals are pumped straight into your ear but they don't have the same type of sound stage, separation, or unforgiving detail of many Hifimans. I feel like every change in frequency response is some sort of trade off used to create the over all image of a headphone... And it why it's fun to have a collection of headphones with different sounds.

[@ca77721]

Are your Aeon 2 Noir open or closed?Im trying to decide which ones to order?

[@HobbyTalk]

@@ca77721 Noire only comes closed

[@ca77721]

@HobbyTalk I thought I saw an option for open on their website.Maybe it was another model.

[@HobbyTalk]

@@ca77721 that’s not a Noire tho. Noire is referring to a specific headphone in the Aeon 2 line up.

[@Microfire69]

You got straight into it with no BS. You have respect for people's time and I hope you never lose that quality.

[@HobbyTalk]

I try my best to treat others how I want to be treated and make content I’d want to watch… short, sweet, and to the point. Thank you :)

[@DistortedDan_]

Damn I’m so glad I found this channel. Pure, straightforward honesty. I will take advice from your videso in the future

[@HobbyTalk]

@@DistortedDan_ I do my best, thank you!

[@Levisrad]

The XS blew my mind! Listening to "Past Life (Apple Music Home Session)" by Arkells felt like the band was in the room with me, which was a very cool experience in hearing the 'depth' of a recording. The (lack of) bass on the Sundara definitely removed that feeling of having a live band right in front of me. The Sundara had impressed me before, but after listening to the XS I was like "this is a game changer". The XS is a bit addicting to listen with.

[@HobbyTalk]

Ya, and it’s really not a bad price either in Canadian dollar, especially on sale… same price as a name brand Bt set really…

[@saucyg6371]

I agree on the comfort for the sundara. It’s a little heavy, the headband compared to my Clears are not as comfortable. And the earcup shape just isn’t for me. Aside from size, weight, comfort; the soumd is great imo for all genres. However, i mainly listen to bassy music so I kept my Focal Clears. I’m glad they’re so good tuning wise for my library and taste because I didnt spend $1k for nothing😅

[@HobbyTalk]

OG clear are pretty dang good

[@curlyfries3449]

Straight to the point, Love it!

[@ca77721]

Did Hifiman get any headphones right by ticking all the boxes under $1000?

[@HobbyTalk]

Not for me

[@Chebka_]

Big thanks for not yapping for 15 minutes before getting to the point

[@HobbyTalk]

I do my best to just getting to it, I don’t care about intros or outros lol

[@dexteralukard1303]

hi. i gonna buy one of them but can't decide. i can get sundara for 300$ and xs for about 370$. my 1st planar headphones... should i get xs?

[@HobbyTalk]

Dang, only $70 apart? Maybe XS then…

[@towsifshahriarshovo]

What kind of driver you prefer in oem planar or dynamic?? Do planar have weaker punch and slam than dynamic driver headphone?

[@HobbyTalk]

Planar I guess.. but it all depends

[@introvertguy11]

XS sounded so good. I gave the XS to my father. And he thinks it's the best set. Even after listening to the dca staff

[@HobbyTalk]

The bass slams! Haha it’s fun

[@HungryEatNow]

Yup the 2k cut bothers...

[@HobbyTalk]

Same…

[@viciogamergd8061]

Now xs is cheaper than sundara's... I guess sundara's no longer make sense?

[@HobbyTalk]

@@viciogamergd8061 yeah… I guess

[@justhuman1681]

Thanks, I think I decided 😊

[@HobbyTalk]

Glad I could help somewhat :)

[@edenight893]

Nice video :) thx to you to share your opinion

[@HobbyTalk]

Appreciate the comment :) thanks. Ya, just speaking my truth, others opinions will differ haha

[@NamTran-xc2ip]

In your tier list sundara is green but edition xs is blue. Watching this feels like it should be the opposite

[@HobbyTalk]

Comes down to price is all there… haven’t bought XS but I bought sundara

[@NamTran-xc2ip]

@@HobbyTalk How would you describe the soundpeats engine 4 to $20 iem like Truthear Hola? Is the engine 4 better?

[@HobbyTalk]

@@NamTran-xc2ip they play in a similar league… engine 4 has in app eq… I like hola stock tuning pretty good… both are good

[@emjay9733]

Sounds like Sundara isn’t going to work for library. Bass gets no respect haha.

[@HobbyTalk]

It EQ’s nicely, but it’s quite the roll off

[@tx_reaper5973]

I want XS in IEM.....

[@HobbyTalk]

P1 max maybe the closest? Maybe…

[@tx_reaper5973]

@@HobbyTalk I've listened to 400SE, and XS. XS was on another level

[@HobbyTalk]

@@tx_reaper5973 absolutely it is compared to the stuff bellow… the extension alone

[@SzymonSaysStuff]

XS vs HD600? 😏

[@HobbyTalk]

Haven’t heard 600, own 6xx… I kept my 6xx, selling Sundara, and am not buying XS… haha all comes down to, 6XX tuning has a place in my collection… I’m not sure I can do Hifiman a without EQ….

[@FabioKasper]

@@HobbyTalk interesting. Don't you find the 6XX a bit too dark?

[@justanobody4983]

600 are really good specially with the price now. The xs gives you a different sound. Its basically dynamic vs planar. If i have to describe, dynamic have more slam engagements. Planars are more precise, soundstage, and nothing will jump at you. 600 are still my favorite dynamic drivers. Its better than the 660s in my opinion. Edtion xs are may favorites for planars. Have them both and enjoy them both.

[@SzymonSaysStuff]

@@justanobody4983 thanks. I haven't tried Edition XS, but I really want to. The thing that scares me about it is that all the Hifiman planars I tried have had horrible bass. Not talking quantity, even if there was more bass than on my HD600, it didn't slam nearly as much. Is the XS better in that regard?

[@justanobody4983]

@@SzymonSaysStuff basically i dont think planars are for you. The slam that dynamic drivers cant be replicated by planars. Planars have the extension to really dig deep in the bass region but not give you that “umph”. Its very bass polite if i have to describe it.

[@realaudioreviews]

First 🔥

[@HobbyTalk]

Ya you are! Haha

[@bradhuskers]

At $499, NOTHING is as good as the edition xs. Period.

[@HobbyTalk]

Seems like it so far… haven’t heard a headphone I like more than it for under $700

[@justanobody4983]

@@HobbyTalk a lot would argue the anandas are better at 700 but when i heard both the anandas and the xs, i prefer the xs. The vocals on the anandas are a little too pulled back for me but the refinement of the anandas are just beautiful.

[@CoffeeGameMovie]

@@HobbyTalk but u like 6xx more, its your open back endgame u said in another "my best gears" video.

[@HobbyTalk]

@@CoffeeGameMovie I hardly listen to it tbh… lol like 99 times out of 100 I grab noire

[@CoffeeGameMovie]

@@HobbyTalk I wrote it against the XS, not the noire. Its not just u, like many reviewer say the XS IS the best under 500$, but after some time, when they make a tierlist video or a "my home gear" video, they always prefer the HD6x0 series. (600, 6xx, 650) Thers a megagiga tierlist breakdown video with DMS and others, and the XS not even on S or A tier, (as i remember its B or C) but the HD600 is almost like S they say. I just cant understand these self-opposite opinions.

[@jcap8391]

Still think the super nova with yaxi pads is the best 🤤🫶

[@HobbyTalk]

I know right?! It’s so good!