The Best Deal in Audio... Period.

The Hifiman Edition XS got a massive price drop and is now the best deal in the headphone world. Edition XS is just $269 (Affiliate link) - amzn.to/3CCjmXX
Arya Stealth Also on sale! - amzn.to/4eBoAjX
RECOMMENDED HEADPHONES!
$0-$100 Recommendations
SHP9600 - amzn.to/3GeKBq7
K361 - amzn.to/3QLut48
HD569 - amzn.to/49U9JQL
Zex Pro - amzn.to/49U9y83
Truthear Red - amzn.to/46tAw3l
Aria (now aria 2) - amzn.to/46K16pb
$100-$200
Airpods Pro 2 - amzn.to/47peqQX
HD560S - amzn.to/47szXb8
PC38X - amzn.to/47KsZOA
$200-$500
AR5000 Here - amzn.to/449xVvV
Audeze Maxwell - amzn.to/49TX8x0
HD600 - amzn.to/3uswN8N
Sundara - amzn.to/3QVUD4k
$500 - $1000
Stealth Arya - amzn.to/40QK1sc
109 Pro - amzn.to/3GfpEeQ
LCD2C - amzn.to/3uvveqI
$1000 - $2000
Arya Organic - amzn.to/40UXW0m
MM500 - amzn.to/3Reatsu
HE1000SE - amzn.to/3sTkl1m
Focal Clear MG - amzn.to/3MXOraQ
$2000 +
Empyrean 2 - mezeaudio.com/....
Diana MR - abyss-headphon....
Fir M5 - www.firaudio.c...
AB1266 - abyss-headphon....
HE-1 - www.sennheiser....
RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIERS
$0-$10
Apple Dongle (Lightning)- amzn.to/3QSYZte
Apple Dongle (USB-C) - amzn.to/47ucMgS
$10-$100
Dawn Pro - apos.audio/pro....
Magni + - amzn.to/3uwfdRr
Fulla 4 (now fulla E)- amzn.to/3RgkFAT
$100 - $200
Fiio K7 - apos.audio/pro....
DX3 Pro + - apos.audio/pro....
$200 - $500
TA-22 - apos.audio/pro....
A90D - apos.audio/pro....
A70 Pro - apos.audio/pro....
$500 +
Fiio R7 - apos.audio/pro....
WA7 - wooaudio.com/a...
HPA-4 - benchmarkmedia...
WA-23 - wooaudio.com/a....
These are my genuine recommendations in various categories. They are affiliated links that help pay for this KZbin channel at no additional cost to you.
📫SENDING FOR REVIEW??📫
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*As an Amazon, Drop and Apos Associate I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
I use this money back towards the quality of video of this channel. To see how, watch this video

[@kbar11]

Highly recommend 2 mods to these if you get them. The first which I think it mandatory is getting HD600 headband foam from amazon or aliexpress or wherever. Use two or three velcro cable management straps to attach it to the Edition XS headband. It is much more comfortable for hours of use with the extra padding. The second mod which is more preference but still good to try is getting a pair of velour hybrid pads for the XS, especially if you wear glasses it'll stop the constant squeaking from the pads. I also just find them more comfortable with no noticeable or negative impact to sound IMO, tho Im sure there some affect. I also bent the yolk inwards a bit to get more side pressure from the pads. That along with the HD600 headband pad really help remove any hotspots the XS gave me and now I use them for hours every day.

[@sidfuel]

custom cans in the uk have modded this headphone. they make extra grills for the xs and a headband strap.

[@TH-lo8mq]

I recommend the comfort strap from Capra Audio. I use them on my Sennheisers.

[@MinsideE]

I got a 3d printed suspension strap attachment for my xs on etsy and it works pretty nicely

[@VeeHausen]

Imho, I'd abandon the headband asap. Because the faux leather deteriorates quite fast after a year or two.

[@WiIza_]

Agreed, I didn't like these headphones purely because of the headband, it was so uncomfortable after only like an hour or so of wearing

[@Kal8719]

I bought them for $500 after watching the review...and loved them ever since. It's a fantastic deal.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

Mine were the equivalent of USD$320.

[@JošJedan-j2y]

Mine arrived few days ago.With sale price and all coupons I paid 190$ 😊 Incredible value indeed.

[@chrisjames654]

Same!

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

@@JošJedan-j2y WOW! Bargain! I suggest you get a pair of THICK earpads for them.

[@WeBuild4Life]

I bought them for $500.... twice... had to return both because the first one broke in 1 day and the other had rattle. please hifiman :(

[@SuperReview]

I also like Edition XS better than Arya.

[@SteveHuffer]

Thank-you for saving me from myself.

[@vainxler]

really? o_0

[@SuperReview]

@ Arya treble is not compatible with my ears.

[@Rei-gy3eo]

I feel like you should mention Hifiman's refurbished store as well. I bought these with a carrying case earlier this year for $269 when it was stilled listed for $500 new. It felt like I got a brand new product in a sealed box. It comes with the same warranty as their new products as well.

[@exactom6320]

There are some killer deals in their refurb/open box stores.

[@Tai-y1d]

is it better than the aune ar5000? I'm deciding between the two, thank you for the wonderful video.

[@JagsP95]

1 thing for sure is that ar5000 will be more comfortable

[@chillstep4life]

I also am deciding between this and ar5000. I can't make up my mind 😅

[@KiraGaerled]

Once upon a time, upon reading a lot and being qutie convinced by traditional XS, i went and checked them out among many headphones, anticipating them to be a clear win. Meanwhile they didnt fit my head, sounded colored to my ear, and technicalities of planars completely didn't fit my expectations. It's important to check stuff out and have best comparion with similiar models!

[@lonelyone69]

Edition XS is the perfect daily desktop driver for quiet space listening. They take eq extremely well, pads are very common and you can even do headband swaps on them. 1 of the only big negatives is the centre stage presence which becomes a big problem in competitive FPS.

[@AliArghavan]

They are complementary headphones IMO. AR5000 is mid focused, Edition XS is brighter and reaches lower. There is no better between these. You need both 😁

[@MurphysFilm]

Would love to see your take on the FiiO ft1 pro and compare to the XS

[@afraza5946]

Bro answered my Edition XS query in the best headphones for $300 video with a WHOLE NEW VIDEO?? Aright you my fav Ytber :D

[@SpookySkeletonGang]

FT1 Pro is the only thing keeping me from jumping on the XS. I've been hearing good things from the few people who have it in hand but I'd really like to hear from you if you think it's worth picking up over the XS or not!

[@calvinyip364]

Agree. If the Fiio ft1 pro is half as good I rather buy the ft1 pro. I own the ft1 it's so comfortable

[@YuhNinja]

@@calvinyip364 Why do you say if its half as good as XS you would rather have the ft1? That sounds backwards.

[@jonathanng138]

Friendly reminder these are over ear headphones so comfort is going to be way way better

[@CoffeeGameMovie]

and the new aune AR5000 is an interesting option too

[@calvinyip364]

@CoffeeGameMovie I already own that it's amazing

[@timschwarze1739]

I would love to see you compare the XS to the new Fiio FT1 Pro! Got mine in the recent AliExpress sale for 160€, so 100€ cheaper :)

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

Which did you get? It is unclear.

[@Bootrosgali]

My for kicks conspiracy idea is that this is a last minute HiFiMan hackjob before the Pros take over..

[@znoozaros]

I only see ft1 pro for 200+ and the regular ft1 closed for 160 ? got a link ?

[@tentend321]

@@Bootrosgali 269$ edition xs definitely isnt a last minute hackjob, it's been like this for the past few months on their official website, and refurbished has been for 239$

[@AlumarsX]

I got the FT1 because I needed closed and comfy. The XS seems wildly uncomfortable, especially if youre a baldy

[@jackintoshvids]

I've slowly been getting into headphones and Hi-Fi audio - Started with some Beyredynamic DT770 Pro's, followed by Meze 99 Classics, Sennheiser HD 560S, and my latest are some Grado SR80e's. My next goal was to pick up some planar magnetics - What a perfect time for these things to lower in price! Excited to try em out!

[@Joniyah444]

You’ll be hooked on planars 🎉

[@kenhuang4697]

planar is hard to beat. clean clear and open sound...

[@Skelig]

I was strongly considering the XS at this price until about a week ago when I decided to just go the extra mile and buy the Arya Stealth instead, which at its current price is an unbelievable deal.

[@portalhead95]

The gap between Arya and XS is actually huge. Such a good decision going for Arya.

[@juice23]

So happy to hear this as I just picked up the Arya stealth. :)

[@smooth245]

Did the same thing. Arya at $599 was a steal

[@DanClem]

How is the Arya for PC gaming? Looking to upgrade from Fidelios

[@NRobbi42]

​@@DanClemGodlike for its price

[@fernandotous9567]

I don’t want to pile on Hifiman QC like everybody else... but I’ve had four pairs of these RMA’d, and the last one still had driver buzzing.....which they made me keep. They do sound great, even at $500 compared to the competition, but you can easily find countless reports of people having issues with the XS. All three of my first pairs had horrible driver buzzing around 400-500 Hz, noticeable even at low volumes. Hifiman insisted that I was either imagining it or that this behavior was “normal” for the headphones, even though it was incredibly distracting when listening to music. To make things worse, in my first two pairs, one of the drivers just completely died after 6-12 months. The third “pair” they sent as an RMA replacement literally arrived with a dead driver straight from the factory. Now, I have my fourth pair, and honestly, I’m just waiting for it to fail too. Maybe I’ve just had extremely bad luck, but plenty of anecdotal evidence from others in the community agrees with how shaky Hifiman’s quality control is. This is just my experience, though. They are a good set of headphones, so I hope you don’t have the same bad luck as I did.

[@eliasbergstrom5300]

Mine have started doing the same thing on the right channel now after 2 years of active use. Super annoying and I'm kinda sad because of it, they used to be my go-to choice for everyday use in front of the computer.. Now I use my Audeze maxwells instead, and although they are decent enough, they aren't even close in basically every single sense.

[@timothylai8483]

might be ur amp.

[@Stand_Tall]

i bought a pair of ananda nanos, and the headband is rubbing on the earcups extremely hard, i just gave up on RMAing this one after my last one had a driver failure

[@scottieb1]

Even if it's only .01% - for headphones that cost this much (or as much as these used to) they should either have better quality control, better/more generous customer service (like repairs, for example), much longer warranties, or ideally all of the above. Broken/failed headphones is unlikely to happen (I suppose), but with HiFiMan it is still FAR more likely than with any other brand I've ever used. I had a pair of Shure SH940 which was notoriously easy to break - and Shure was AMAZING in comparison to HiFiMan when it came to service.

[@Cons2911]

How'd the QC of hifiman? I've been hearing some concerns. I mean, everything breaks but if it's happening too often too soon.. And if you're spending 500 upwards.. Man

[@jakubjanicki9148]

Ive had to fix my sundaras 5 times now and had to resolder connectors. They still break sometimes and i dont know why. Edit: I also rma'd my first pair. Had trouble with hifiman service as they refused repair. Then hifiman themselves intervened and sent me another pair with faulty drivers and a faulty headband on top of that.

[@Cons2911]

@jakubjanicki9148 I'm not super picky but man, if it's expensive.. I don't want the pain. The expensive ones I have had so far is durable enough

[@RaindancerAU]

Have four Hifiman headphones since 2022, all four are still in perfect condition.

[@michaeljbus]

I bought a second hand OG Ananda 3 years ago and it's still going strong despite frequent use, it's only now the bottom of the pads are starting to degrade in one spot. Will just replace the pads when they get bad enough. And they're slightly creaky. But imo that's not a bad track record for probably 5 or 6 years of use overall.

[@ivanaviNiebla]

My Edition XS squeak a bit (apparently from the metal pieces/screws that hold the cups) when moved around, but only that, and it's really a non issue, it doesn't happen when using them. I guess it can be easily fixed, but I don't want to do anything to them until it's actually necessary, just in case, don't want to mess the best headphones I've ever owned xP

[@SMShoaibBD]

Please do a comparisn review between Arya Stealth and XS

[@noahm5705]

I hate the comfort on these, that’s my only complaint. Capra audio strap saves it

[@JoshuaValour]

Fair. Seems to vary a lot user to user. 😢

[@stubborn.turtle]

I just pressed the headband firmly to conform by head. It fixed the sore spot i experience with this

[@nazibkhan775]

Can you please link the strap? I wanna try it. For sound quality my Edition XS is easily the best out of all of my headphones, but the comfort....Man, this headphone is uncomfortable to wear. I got the CustomCans comfort strap for this and it did little to help. Because of the comfort I end up reaching for my 6XX more than my XS, but man do I want to use my XS more. So yeah

[@noahm5705]

@ just google Capra audio strap

[@Camride]

Meze 105 or XS? The 105 is not that much more, curious which is the better performer.

[@bren.r]

XS without question. I’d even consider them more enjoyable than my HE1000 v4 Stealth. If you can get past the build quality of the XS, get it.

[@bklynrickel]

Don't know about the 105. Happy with my 109. I must say XS is simply a very exciting listening experience. Not ordinary in the least.

[@arturtarnowski4023]

Is it better than Aune AR5000 in your opinion?

[@CoffeeGameMovie]

Im curious about this too, AND the fiio FT1 pro is in the corner it will be a monster in this 250-400$ range.

[@cziperlan1374]

I've picked the XS up on a summer sale a few months back and have been daily driving them since simultaniously with the HD600s. I would say that I've found my endgame with these two and don't really know if there is even worth in chasing the hifi cloud even further. Though I'm wondering if I should pull the trigger on a tube amp just to see what it's like with my gear.

[@rafaml]

Hey! How do you think those two compare? Which do you prefer?

[@michaeljbus]

For a tube amp to play nicely with the XS you'd need to get either a hybrid or a high end amp with plenty of current, not an OTL amp or high voltage / low current amp. I have a TA-26S which sounds great on my HD560S/6XX/800S, but distorts to high hell with any Hifiman planar (tested Sundara, Ananda, Arya Stealth). Can use it as a tube preamp for a solid state amp but I don't notice much difference in sound. Could be worth looking at something like a schiit Lyr+, TA22 or similar. Truthfully though the differences with amps are subtle, if you have a good enough amp your money is probably better spent on a different sounding set of headphones.

[@xDRhein74]

I bought the Edition XS at the updated price a month ago, I was waiting for this exact video to come out, its absolutely the best deal for less than 300 dollars bar none.

[@dhiaoshaish]

I like techno and electronic music, i also love synth. will these do well with this type of music

[@griper00]

not really. unless you eq them. so i guess yes and no but the eq is basically mandatory. they are also kinda treble heavy so keep that in mind.

[@MadelnMachines]

Me too - I like the Ananda Nano and Ayra Organic and LCDX - didn't like the Ayra Stealth or Focal Clear. Haven't heard the XS though.

[@jumpman1213]

I got the Ananda Nano for $320 from AliExpress on 11.11 sale. The Arya Stealth for 500 bucks looked like a mighty deal as well.

[@tksamac]

What is the microphone you recommend for the gaming hybrid setup? Please

[@Nick-ep8ij]

Ive owned 2 of these and they both had audible driver defects. Disappointing but I do love how these sound. A buddy of mine also owns one of them and his left driver died entirely. Im not trying to be a downer here, but Amazon reviews reflect god awful QC too. If you get a good one, you're a winner because they sound awesome.

[@willielast]

The whole bad QC stuff is totally overblown. I've bought several Hifimans over the years and never had a single issue, but I have had to return many other brands.

[@yehieldavid]

What is the Boom Mic that you showcased on the video with the XS? I'm trying to find it online but can't. They make a great pair and thinking of getting it.

[@Ilyin_Ivan]

Thanks for the review, Joshua. These headphones are really great and give maximum detail and sound for their price. I bought them in March 2023, along with the Hifiman EF400. I can say that it's not a bad combination, but these headphones can sound much better. Together with the Hifiman EF400, some of the musical material sounded quite tedious and even painful. But relatively recently, I replaced the amplifier with the Aune S9c pro. And my God, they played 200% better than the Hifiman EF400. One of the decisive factors in buying Aune was your review of it.

[@Alex-oj8po]

Sad to hear this cause I just bought these headphones (still waiting for them to arrive) and I have a EF400. I'm wondering did you have them plugged into the 3.5mm or the 4.4mm ports? Because for some reason Hifiman decided to have quite a high output impedance on those ports and I find pretty much everything I plug into those specific outputs sounds quite bad.

[@Ilyin_Ivan]

@Alex-oj8po I connected to 4 pin XLR.

[@BoneDaddy3309]

What's your choice between Edition XS and AR5000 for gaming/music?

[@angelOcrisu]

Maybe Ananda V3 is the deal to consider. They costs 360 usd/euro depending the region with BF deals and sound fantastic.

[@lawrencewang3327]

I LOVE my Ananda

[@angelOcrisu]

@lawrencewang3327 Me too. It's end game for me. Let's hope they won't break after 2yrs. I also have the hd660s which has better mids but Ananda is an all rounder.

[@brandothemando7140]

I’ve been following you since you had like 10k subs. Love seeing the growth! 😊

[@prodantech]

The Arya Stealth is only $600 now. That’s a crazy deal too!

[@aj8ky]

Just picked up the Organics for 890, and they were 11-1200 about 2 months ago. Seemed like a good deal too!

[@TBombz]

If it's the absolute max for your budget, yeah they sound pretty incredible. Amazing with gaming, especially movies. Possibly the most expansive soundstage on Hifimans under $1000 except maybe the early Arya V1/V2 models. Expect them to start really falling apart in about 2 years. Unless you get different earpads and a headband cover, that pleather crap absolutely crumbles away.

[@madmatt151]

I had gotten these a few years ago refurbished for 279 and thought i got the greatest deal ever! This is the headphone I tell everyone to get. I just watched this and your Bokeh review and those are my two daily drivers!!

[@VisionCrys]

So I might finally pull the trigger into the Hifi headphone game with this. If so, what other gear/stack would I need to actually run these and take advantage of their sound. I assume you wouldn’t just plug right into an iPhone or MacBook Pro. Looking to stay cost conscious for my entry into the space. Follow up: I have a pair of Audeze Maxwells, that I bought off your link 👊, for my gaming headphones. How do these compare musically? Another level? I assume so as I’ve never owned a pair of open back and imagine I would fall in love with the soundstage advantage Been following you for years man. Thanks for this!

[@QuinnRiley-w2i]

What cable are you using at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="489">8:09</a>? i want headphones that I can use with a mic, but I don't want to get gaming headphones that have one attached to an earpiece 24/7, so having an option like a cable would be really nice :)

[@kaos_4043]

How is it compare to Arya? I have Arya for reference

[@marley720]

I upgraded from Hifiman Sundaras to OG Focal Clears, and would like another Hifiman headphone to compliment it. It would either be the XS or Arya stealth (which is also heavily discounted). Do you think that the soundstage and technicals of this headphone would make it worth purchasing, or would it sound bad in comparison?

[@CalmlySith]

Arya has the better build quality, if that matters to you. XS feels Super cheap really, imagine when you shake the cans, it sounds plasticky... Both sound amazing though. (Arya is Brighter, better separation and technicality.) To me XS build is not good…just ok 😅, I wouldn’t keep it for collection. But if for daily drive at 245$ is insane deal.

[@thomassh2o]

I got these when they came out. using them for this video. Already tried telling my friends to get this deal. I was blown away when I first got into the hifiman planars

[@TheDigitalcrack]

easily and whole heartly agree. XS is one of the most overlooked greatness of headphones

[@AutoGibbon]

Hey Joshua, just letting you know your videos are to blame for my pockets being a grand lighter! 🤣 Been using ok-ish gaming headsets for years, with the last pair being the PC38X. Now I have my first big boy sound setup Edition XS and Fiio K9 Pro ESS. The presence, or substance maybe, of these things is unreal. If I may recommend something, try Borders by Kalandra. Such an ethereal song, with the waves washing over the background, the singer's chalky voice gliding above, and thick, dense harmonies taking center stage. Just beautiful on these headphones.

[@raver-um3iu]

Great video, I like your reviews. I have watched a few reviewers in the past but you are the one where what you describe actually matches with what I (believe to) hear. Because of your videos I considered buying Hifiman in the first place. Started with the HE400se up to the Sundara. In case the price will drop for the Sundara in the future I am happy that I already sold it - to buy an Arya Stealth II. Never paid more for a headphoen, never was happier with how they sound. I love the Sundara and I like my Arya Stealth II even more.

[@glssjg]

IDK man we'll have to see what the Fiio FT1 Pro brings to the table

[@jacktaylor8308]

appreciate the videos! I am looking to get my first hi-fi setup (purely for music listening) and the sundara just went on sale for $180! For someone just getting into this hobby, is the moondrop dawn pro plus the magni+ a good enough dac and amplifier combo or is there a cheaper but still quality option I'm better starting off with?

[@Igor-ol5kz]

What do you think when you compare then with the Audio-Technica R70X?

[@Accuracy158]

I feel like Hifiman has been selling these as refurb or open box at this price for a couple years now but it's cool that it's just the official price now.

[@CinemaDemocratica]

I listen almost exclusively to what might be described as "hotel bar jazz" -- for example, Cyrus Chestnut's "Blues for Nita" : Small ensemble, piano-dominated, accessible. Mostly trios and quartets, at very low volume. (I also need to add a microphone.) For me it's down to this set, or the new Meze 105. They're roughly price-appropriate and this seems to be a more even-across-the-full-spectrum offering, but I worry a little about Josh's comment regarding these being "thin in the lower midrange." That doesn't sound like the best con to find in a headset that's going to be playing a lot of piano music. So what does the room think? For my use-case, these or the 105's? (TIA)

[@danjones7561]

I just tried "Cyrus Chestnut's "Blues for Nita"". A few notes later, I put it in my favorites :)

[@hrmny_]

Might want to consider running a deesser on your video The S sounds pretty harsh

[@BigWig-f6d]

Sold! Couldn't use your link cause Im in Canada but I was just about to buy hd 600 and this video popped up. Bought them immediately. Can't wait to hear them. Thanks for the heads up!

[@CalmlySith]

Please get a cushion headband too. thicker one does help with hot spot by A LOT!

[@ComradeNevidimka]

Legitimate question from someone that doesn't understand technical details or explanations well. How do the Arya Stealth and Hifiman Edition XS compare to the beyerdynamic 1990 pro (original)? Those are my daily drivers now, is it worthwhile to upgrade?

[@mikekreeki]

Newbie question: Would these make good music production/monitoring headphones? Compared to those specifically marketed as monitoring headphones?

[@Greeaf69]

are these worth the upgrade from the sundara? mostly looking for a little more bass and comfort

[@underby2483]

ordered! thanks joshua i totally trust your judgement after buying sundara

[@bren.r]

You won’t be disappointed. I found the XS more enjoyable than my HE1000 v4 Stealth.

[@koolthing18]

When the Edition XS dropped in price there first time, I figured somebody would make this video eventually. Nobody did for kind of a long time. I thought maybe that reviewers quietly took back their praise? Glad to hear somebody bringing this headphone up again. I was considering paying wayyy more for another planar. I figured this would be my next headphone when it came out. Feels like a steal now. thx

[@areitz1962]

How's the comfort?

[@awsan111]

Wanted to get the r70x refine, should I skip it for this?

[@robertarmstrong3305]

What are the best headphones for metal music

[@freundchenrecords]

As always great video. Thanks for your work. How is your opinion compared to the Hd490 pro for studio work?

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

I was *THAT* close to buying a used HD490 on Sunday night, but I managed to tame my audio addiction and save my cash.

[@Justin-bm7zn]

I'd like to know this as well. Joshua can you chime in sir?

[@calvinyip364]

The headband looks like the same for the he400se. I got an issue with the he400se headband. The hotspot in the middle is a deal breaker. I cant wear them long. It looks the same though. Also i did read some user comments about channel imbalance etc. Has their qc improved?

[@bakakafka4428]

Headband is indeed crap. And yes, they're QC is still the same. As is their customer service. Get it from a store that takes it back without restock fee if you must try this.

[@calvinyip364]

​@@bakakafka4428Cant I buy all my headphones blind buy

[@ROCCATEER92]

Is this a better headphone than the Sennheiser HD600?

[@jakeanddar]

I just bought these a month ago for the price you mentioned. However returned them not due the sound quality but I found them uncomfortable due to their massive sized frame and weight. Sucks cause I did find them very clean and detailed. Mids > awesome ,Highs > great but I stuggled to hear lows well running off my Yamaha Receiver. I love the bass my Beyer Dynamic DT770's produce ,but different style ,I know. Maybe I my try different HIFiman's in the future that adjuct smaller on the head. and I don't have a small head! LOL Cheers! Great video!

[@matt-dw]

Cool to see this video pop up when mine are arriving tomorrow! Purchased a barely-used pair off amazon for £175, which is equivalent to $180 + tax. My current best set of headphones are the 15-year-old AKG K702, with notoriously weak bass and, to me, a bit of a honky/tinny sound unless EQ-ed so I'm excited to experience these Hifimans and compare the two.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

I ordered a pair of custom-made earpads for my Edition XS. They are far thicker than the whimpy stock pads. Incidentally, Mr. Valour, there are no long vowels in "Sundara", nor in "Susvara".

[@stevehunter7402]

What’s up with that bike? What are you riding?

[@Brian_Romska]

Crap, do I buy these, I’ve been considering them since they came out, or do I keep saving up for the zmf bokeh open backs? I assume they don’t necessarily compare to each other, and I just want one really good pair of headphones and I heard the bokeh open at axpona and I can’t stop thinking about them, what a time to be a wannabe audiophile!!! Thanks Josh!

[@j.concepcion9168]

Got this with the Fiio K11 R2R for gaming and music. No complaints. Using the Capra suspension strap I can wear these for hours without fatigue.

[@Diamond_Eyes_24]

How do the Edition XS fit on your head? Are they loose?

[@Rsalmond83]

For those of you complaining about the fit, just bend the metal yokes for more clamp. Easy fix, better bass response. Treble will still be HOT tho.

[@Tripokaridos22]

Hifiman ? I got 3 of them over the years and all of them had Problems .( They did fix them under warranty to be honest)

[@5enna0ne]

Grab it for 219$ and free shipping. Thx for advice. Very incredibly sound. Use with AK 70MKII and Fiio K11.

[@Larkinzzz]

How are these in cup size compared to the Sundara?

[@mattrismatt]

Unlike the circular cups and pads of the Sundara, the Edition XS has HIFIMAN's ear-shaped cups and pads... so only larger/protruding ears will make contact with the headphone.

[@RarePotions]

Since they are both around the same price but one is wireless, how does the Audeze Maxwell compare music and gaming wise to these headphones?

[@adams.555]

Does iPhone have enough power to run them?

[@Disco_Potato]

Refurb(both of mine were brand new) Ananda Stealth is just $259 straight from Hifiman. Same tuning/bass bump as XS, much better headband.

[@bklynrickel]

Headband easily modded on the XS.

[@abdultariq3457]

@@bklynrickelwhat would you recommend in terms of modding for a smaller head? I’ve seen some custom straps you can attach, wasn’t sure what to go for.

[@bklynrickel]

@@abdultariq3457 Capra Audio. Also, Geekria headband sold on Amazon.

[@trunkstypingonakeyboard]

Is this a significant upgrade if i’m using dt 900 pro x ?

[@Steadybeheady]

I'm not sure what they go for, but I was thinking of selling my K 712 Pro recently.. then I used them again, and am not so sure. I went from 5 planars to none, so seeing this makes me reconsider selling them and buying the XS.

[@malikmusic5593]

I really wanna pick these up but I’ve heard of some quality control issues, have you experienced this Josh? Thanks man!

[@byversus8227]

how is it compared to arya stealth? I noticed that u never mentioned this headphones since its review

[@kingstoler]

HD650/ 600 remain the best bang for your buck. For planars I'd much rather pick something like the Audeze MM-100 than any Hifiman.

[@therazmatazz732]

Are they good with metal?

[@artursspade7429]

Pretty decent, I'd say. As a metalhead who never had a good enough over ear - this is the best one. But I've only used Beyer DT880, DT990 and Monoprice M1070, Sundara CB. XS currently winner, DT990 2nd place.

[@Demactus]

How would you compare these against the new Sennheiser 490 pro? the Sennheiser also had a price drop and I can get them around 360 here whereas the Edition XS costs me 330 so would be good to know

[@WrathOfTheGoth]

The Sundara headband is its biggest weakness for me. I have a big head and the design of the Sundara puts all the stress point on the weakest components of the headband. I went through 3 headbands over 3 years with mine. Love the sound. The price was good...until you factor in that each replacement headband from Sundara was in the neighborhood of $125. Now, you also have to understand that I put my headphones through a lot. I work remote and game a lot. I pretty much use my Sundaras (with an Antlion ModMic) 10 - 16 hours a day, 7 days a week. Since my third headband just snapped at the joint between the leather strap and the plastic housing (again) last week, this video could not be more timely. Going to give these a try. Visually, the headband design looks a lot stronger. Combine that with equivalent/better sound and it makes the most sense to me out of the options I have looked at (I feel like my next jump in headphones after this is going to go over the $500 range and into some of the more eye watering $1K+ stuff). My only hesitation are the comments about having a warmer sound. I prefer very neutral headphones. But excited to try these out.

[@BoomerPlusUltra]

I love the sundara and wore them a lot and had the headphone snap thanks to my big head. These have a headband that hurts my head. Go ahead and try them, but be warned.

[@WrathOfTheGoth]

@@BoomerPlusUltra thanks! I have seen similar warnings elsewhere. Was it the band across the top of your head or the clamping force or both?

[@jo54763]

Hey, I was able to buy an HE1000 headband and modify it to fit my Sundara. The original headband broke just in the same way you described. It cost me $25 on Aliexpress and took about an hour to trim down and fit into the Sundara. However, I will say, it was quite stressful taking apart the headband the first time.

[@TechLion420]

I might have to get these and upgrade. I have the Hifiman HE 400SE and Love them with a dac. This looks like a killer upgrade.

[@MightyTubbyTuba]

Just a question, i have the hd600 , would these be a good addition to the start of my collection? Are they different enough to the 600s?

[@Jacksndaie]

Do these run well from the recent MacBook Pro dac/amp?

[@Juke_The_Fluff]

For anyone curious, because I know I was, you can eq SO MUCH bass into these without distortion, it's ridiculous. I'm talking amounts that cause amps to clip before the headphones start stressing out (I'm running them off of my RME ADI-2 DAC amp on high power mode). I adore these for their clarity and bass potential, and I have the Anandas! Those have even less bass to start with than the Edition XS!

[@MatthewDiFazio]

Edition XS has been a favorite of mine for a while, and I think at under $300, it’s a no brainer. I commend HiFiMan realizing when prices need to be adjusted across their lineup. Also, great video!

[@aj8ky]

They had a big 11.11 sale on, but it appears they’ve now just kept that pricing going. I picked up some new Organics for 890.

[@MatthewDiFazio]

@ love the organics. Until I hear Arya Unveiled some more, those are by far my favorite Aryas. Nice pickup!

[@s18018]

I know they're different prices, but LCD-X (2021) vs Edition XS ?

[@matteo4413]

If these pop up as open box at refurbished, they are also a great deal. I picked these up for $240 as refurbished from Hifiman earlier this year, and as far as I could tell, it was brand new. I have been very impressed with them, as my previous headphones were in the sub $200 price point. This is noticeabally superior in every way. They're also surprisingly easy to drive, I have a DAC/Amp to improve the sound a bit, but even without one, they still sound great.

[@grd_]

I just got these with a Fiio K11. Absolutely loving them. I thought they were too big since I was used to the Focal clamp force but they are extremely comfortable, can wear them for hours.

[@shayeinge9932]

Josh, does it make any sense to buy this if i own 2020 sundaras and the focal elex? Our likes for sound are very similar so a yes or no could be really helpful.

[@delicrux]

it is important to note most planars and estatic headphones measure very flat in comparison to dynamic drivers, but the clarity separation and sound stage most estat and planars offer allow th bass to be present without clashing or distortion

[@georgygasparyan5522]

I guess we're all waiting for the comparison between this one and 6xx. Thanks for the video :)

[@pcaming]

I was going to get the AR5000 on your recommendation and now this drops, thankful I waited. Would the schiit gunnr pair well with this?

[@D1N02]

Watch IIWI's review on the Aune SR7000

[@JoshuaValour]

Yup, used that a lot the last couple days!

[@anonamouse5917]

I see they have an 18 ohm impedance. What amp would you recommend to drive these at concert levels?

[@YuhNinja]

Ive had the Maxwell, and even though i want to eventually have a "headphone collection" some day, i find it hard to ever justify getting a new headphone when the Audeze Maxwell's are so universally great.

[@EnsoReloaded]

How is timbre compared to Sundara?

[@EZpZeero]

Isn't the build quality of these headphones really bad ? I hear alot of people say they break. which is probably why they are so cheap right now.

[@DarknessessB11]

The simple headband, too. I had the Ananda stealth for a day, and I could not deal with the pressure it put on the top of my head.

[@paulwest3905]

While great for headphone amps at 18 ohms, I was rather disappointed that HiFiman don’t make many high impedance sets anymore. I wore out my HE-560s after three head straps and at least 7 ear pads. Nice that the Doc has made these XS affordable now. I had nothing but good experiences with their return department. I ended up buying Sennheiser 6XX and love them. Thanks.

[@SamuraiGuy]

I was literally telling my friend the other day about how the supposed "best headphone under $500" was being sold for $270. This video is perfect timing to confirm whether I should go with it or now.

[@MadLadsAnonymous]

How are these against Aune AR5000, SR7000?

[@mrew42]

Bought these like 3 weeks ago. 229. Paired with an smsl c200.. simply excellent