HiFiMan Edition XS

Incredible sound, questionable everything else. Buy it for the audio, not the comfort.

The sound here is the star, no question. That Stealth Magnet design and the supernano diaphragm do real work. The soundstage is wide and holographic, and the bass is detailed and well-controlled, not just a muddy thump. It responds beautifully to EQ if you want to tweak things. But the comfort score sits at the 10th percentile, which is brutal. The headband creates a pressure point on top of your head, and the large earcups slide around if you don't have a big enough skull. The build feels cheap too, with plastic parts that don't inspire confidence.

Against the Sennheiser HDB 630, the Edition XS wins on pure soundstage and detail, but loses badly on comfort and build. The Sony ULT WEAR and Technics EAH-A800 are more practical daily drivers with better ergonomics and connectivity, but they can't touch the HiFiMan's open-back planar magic. If you want a headphone you can wear for hours without thinking about it, get the Sony or Technics. If you want a dedicated listening session headphone and have the head for it, the Edition XS is the pick.

At $209 USD, the Edition XS is a screaming deal for the sound alone. You're getting planar magnetic performance that competes with headphones costing twice as much. But value is about more than just audio. If you have to buy aftermarket pads or a new headband to make it wearable, the math changes fast. For big-headed listeners, it's a steal. For everyone else, it's a gamble.

The HiFiMan Edition XS is a weird beast. It delivers genuinely stunning sound for the money, with a soundstage that makes you feel like you're in the room with the band. But the comfort and build quality are so rough that we can't give it a blanket recommendation. If you've got a big head and don't mind some plastic, this is one of the best audio deals around. If you've got a smaller noggin, you might hate wearing it.

If you have a small head or need something comfortable for all-day wear, skip these. The headband pressure and sliding earcups will drive you nuts. Go get the Sony ULT WEAR or Technics EAH-A800 instead. They're not as magical sonically, but you'll actually want to wear them.

The Edition XS is a specialist's headphone. It's for people who care about sound above everything else and are willing to put up with mediocre comfort and build quality. If that's you, buy it and don't look back. If you need something you can wear all day, this isn't it.