HiFiMAN Edition XV vs Edition XS: Which Planar Headphone Should You Choose in 2025?

HiFiMAN continues to dominate the planar magnetic headphone market with models that balance affordability and high-end performance. The HiFiMAN Edition XS became a fan favorite for its clean, powerful sound and approachable price, while the new HiFiMAN Edition XV refines the formula with subtle design updates, thinner diaphragms, and a smoother tonality. Both models offer tremendous performance for under $500, but which is the better buy for 2025?

Let’s break down the design, comfort, amplification needs, and most importantly, sound performance across bass, mids, treble, and soundstage. Whether you’re upgrading from the XS or choosing between them for your first planar headphone, this review will help you decide which one best suits your listening style.

What You Get

HiFiMAN’s packaging is usually very simple. Both the Edition XS and XV include detachable 3.5mm cables with a quarter-inch adapter.

Look & Feel

The HiFiMAN Edition XS introduced a more accessible design language to the brand’s planar lineup, drawing inspiration from the larger Ananda while trimming down its frame and simplifying the headband assembly. Its metal yokes and wide earcups give it a substantial but lightweight feel, making long sessions surprisingly comfortable. The HiFiMAN Edition XV, on the other hand, refines nearly every aspect of the XS’s build. It shares the same general chassis but features a new headband with softer padding and an updated grille pattern that feels more premium and modern. The earcups remain large and breathable, with a similar clamp and weight distribution, making it just as comfortable for marathon listening sessions.

Design

HiFiMAN’s latest Neo Supernano Gen 2 diaphragm, now 60% thinner than previous generations, brings faster reaction speed and improved efficiency, though the XV’s lower sensitivity means it benefits greatly from pairing with a capable amplifier. Overall, the Edition XV’s upgraded materials and sleeker aesthetic give it a subtle edge in both design and comfort, while the XS retains its robust simplicity.

Despite both being open-back planars, the Edition XS and Edition XV differ in how demanding they are to drive. The Edition XS has moderate sensitivity and performs well from portable DAC/amps and desktop interfaces alike, delivering full dynamic range even from mid-power sources. By contrast, the Edition XV maintains a low impedance rating but exhibits lower overall sensitivity, which means it performs best with dedicated amplification.

Soundstage

Both models deliver the wide, cinematic soundscapes HiFiMAN fans have come to expect, but the Edition XV stretches that stage even further. It creates an immersive, three-dimensional image that makes orchestral and ambient recordings feel grand and spacious. While it sacrifices a bit of pinpoint imaging precision compared to some reference-tuned models, the sense of scale is undeniably impressive, enveloping the listener in a smooth and natural acoustic field.

The Edition XS, meanwhile, offers slightly more intimate imaging. Instruments feel closer and better anchored within the stereo field, providing a sense of realism and direct engagement. The stage isn’t as vast as the XV’s, but it compensates with stronger focus and layering accuracy. Those who prefer a more immediate presentation, ideal for vocal or rock music, may find the XS more satisfying, while those chasing atmospheric depth will gravitate toward the XV.

 Low End

In the low end, the Edition XS impresses with its tight, articulate bass that reaches deep without overwhelming the mix. The Edition XV maintains similar control but opts for a more balanced and measured presentation. Its bass is slightly less aggressive but more integrated, contributing to a cohesive and natural tonal balance. Rather than focusing on impact, it prioritizes detail and tonal realism, delivering a smooth, layered response that complements acoustic and orchestral genres beautifully. Bass lovers may prefer the punchier response of the XS, while analytical listeners will appreciate the XV’s refinement.

Mids

The Edition XS delivers a warm and full midrange with slightly forward presence, giving vocals and guitars a lively, engaging tone. This warmth enhances intimacy in vocal performances and smaller ensembles, though it can occasionally push low mids forward, adding a touch of thickness. Still, the midrange clarity is excellent, and instruments feel tangible and lifelike.

The Edition XV, by contrast, takes a smoother and more reserved approach. Its mids sit slightly behind the bass and treble, resulting in a cleaner but less forward sound. This tuning lends itself well to long listening sessions, as it avoids harshness and fatigue. While it lacks some of the XS’s midrange immediacy, it compensates with a more open, transparent quality that helps complex mixes breathe. For those who prefer relaxed listening or spacious presentation, the XV’s midrange will be the more natural choice.

Highs

Treble response is where the Edition XV truly distinguishes itself. The highs are clean, detailed, and well-extended, yet never harsh or sibilant. The Edition XS takes a more energetic approach, delivering a lively and slightly more pronounced treble. It enhances perceived detail and brilliance, but it can verge on sharpness in certain tracks or recordings. While that extra energy can make high-frequency elements pop, some listeners may find it fatiguing over time. Ultimately, the XV’s treble tuning feels more mature and balanced, while the XS’s added edge provides a sense of excitement and immediacy.

Summary

Both the HiFiMAN Edition XV and Edition XS deliver outstanding performance for their price, each catering to a slightly different listener profile. The Edition XV offers a more spacious, natural, and fatigue-free sound, ideal for those who appreciate detail and balance. The Edition XS counters with a stronger presence, tighter bass, and a livelier tonal character that grabs your attention from the first note.

If your setup includes a capable DAC/amp and you prefer relaxed, expansive listening, the Edition XV is the smarter buy for 2025. If you favor immediacy, warmth, and a more assertive presentation, the Edition XS remains a classic. Either way, both prove why HiFiMAN continues to set the standard for affordable planar magnetic headphones.

The HiFiMAN Edition XS and XV are available at Audio46.