Hifiman is not universally known for their build quality, but the sound for what you pay...TOP DOLLAR! They have respect for neutral, correct tuning without sounding cold and lifeless. Just like Arya or Ananda those can play any type of music without lacking definition or bass presence. And is fantastic that you can get into good quality audio regardless of price bracket. We have brands like Hifiman or Audeze to thank for this. Planar Mafia, as you used to call them is GOOD Mafia! THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK!
They cant punch like dynamic driver, timbre is dry not natural, overall less musical more analytical. Cant say what can do Hifimans from their top 3 just because I wont pay that ridiculous price. Their headphones need really good source to push some life into them
@@soulfulfool Well, you know what, maybe XS are far from being the punchiest headphones out there, BUT THE STRONGEST MOST POWERFUL DETAILED BASS I'VE HEARD CAME FROM A PLANAR NOT DYNAMIC DRIVER!
That is new to me. They are known for recessed bass and pushed upper mids to make everything sound as clear and detailed as possible and give female vocals some glitter. The last thing they are is neutral and they are everything but correct. I could never imagine any musician or audio engineer using them for any serious work. Every 300€ monitor is more neutral and more correct
It should be noted that the Moondrop Venus is a 615g headphone which is almost 1.5lbs of weight on your head. The Edition XS is not light by any means, but at 405g it's far lighter and much more comfortable (IMO).
The best (IMHO and others' too) DAC/amp for these would be the Hifiman EF400, it goes beautifully with the XS. I wanted something more mobile so I bought the iFi Gryphon which is a wonderful device that I'm very happy with. If you're on a tighter budget, the Qudelix 5K is amazing for the money, tiny, has a great EQ and Bluetooth.
I m. Gonna order ed xs this week driving them with a fiio k9.. Already used for sundara(sold becouse fatiguing) but i perfectly remenber i was shocked how the sundara scales from fiio k5 pro ess to fiio k9.. Get a k9 and you wont regret
Can the M6 ultra (that you also reviewed a while ago) drive these edition Xs? The M6 ultra has 720mW max at balance output. I have heard that people use Schiit and Atom stack to power these (with output of 2-3W). I want to know if the M6 Ultra are enough to drive these. Thanks, and best reviews :)
Yaaay, comparison, yaaay, Hifiman! Me loves comparisons and Hifiman, me loves Soundnews! Does that sound too childish or fanboyish? SHUT UP, I don't care, I have good tastes! Probably best headphones below 500.
@@soulfulfool Looks better is subjective. What isn't subjective is the massive weight of the Venus, and that alone is a no-go for me. At 615g it makes it very hard to disappear into your music. You are very much aware at all times that you have a massive/heavy piece of audio equipment sitting on your head.
Will you review the latest Hifiman Ananda (Ananda Stealth)?
Hifiman is not universally known for their build quality, but the sound for what you pay...TOP DOLLAR! They have respect for neutral, correct tuning without sounding cold and lifeless. Just like Arya or Ananda those can play any type of music without lacking definition or bass presence. And is fantastic that you can get into good quality audio regardless of price bracket. We have brands like Hifiman or Audeze to thank for this. Planar Mafia, as you used to call them is GOOD Mafia! THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK!
They cant punch like dynamic driver, timbre is dry not natural, overall less musical more analytical. Cant say what can do Hifimans from their top 3 just because I wont pay that ridiculous price. Their headphones need really good source to push some life into them
@@soulfulfool Well, you know what, maybe XS are far from being the punchiest headphones out there, BUT THE STRONGEST MOST POWERFUL DETAILED BASS I'VE HEARD CAME FROM A PLANAR NOT DYNAMIC DRIVER!
That is new to me. They are known for recessed bass and pushed upper mids to make everything sound as clear and detailed as possible and give female vocals some glitter.
The last thing they are is neutral and they are everything but correct.
I could never imagine any musician or audio engineer using them for any serious work. Every 300€ monitor is more neutral and more correct
@@Flavius7
At that price, NO dynamic driver comes close to the edition xs
@@soulfulfool keep both planar and dynamic driver headphones in your collection
Nice review Sandu 👌
So do you think Topping E70 Velvet and L70 are good for Hifiman Edition XS?
i have them , yes - good power
It should be noted that the Moondrop Venus is a 615g headphone which is almost 1.5lbs of weight on your head. The Edition XS is not light by any means, but at 405g it's far lighter and much more comfortable (IMO).
Oh geez, a pound and a half (1.35). Thanks, I hadn't thought of that. (I'm in my first headphone shopping) 🔈🔉🔊
my current main, they are awesome for prog metal because of fast transients like you said 😊
Is this worth the extra price over the Sundara? Valuewise which os better?
Sundara sounds so distant and weird to me. I would go XS
The xs destroys the sundaras
Soundnews Thanks Much!
Great reviews , thx... What dac/amp cambo would you recomand? Smsl c200 would be enough?
The best (IMHO and others' too) DAC/amp for these would be the Hifiman EF400, it goes beautifully with the XS. I wanted something more mobile so I bought the iFi Gryphon which is a wonderful device that I'm very happy with. If you're on a tighter budget, the Qudelix 5K is amazing for the money, tiny, has a great EQ and Bluetooth.
I m. Gonna order ed xs this week driving them with a fiio k9.. Already used for sundara(sold becouse fatiguing) but i perfectly remenber i was shocked how the sundara scales from fiio k5 pro ess to fiio k9.. Get a k9 and you wont regret
Very cool, Sandu
How do they pair with Shanling M7? Which sounds better with that DAP?
Is Ananda any good?
Can the M6 ultra (that you also reviewed a while ago) drive these edition Xs? The M6 ultra has 720mW max at balance output. I have heard that people use Schiit and Atom stack to power these (with output of 2-3W). I want to know if the M6 Ultra are enough to drive these. Thanks, and best reviews :)
Yaaay, comparison, yaaay, Hifiman! Me loves comparisons and Hifiman, me loves Soundnews! Does that sound too childish or fanboyish? SHUT UP, I don't care, I have good tastes! Probably best headphones below 500.
rather to buy venus at least it looks better not like cheap crap with fat headband
@@soulfulfool Looks better is subjective. What isn't subjective is the massive weight of the Venus, and that alone is a no-go for me. At 615g it makes it very hard to disappear into your music. You are very much aware at all times that you have a massive/heavy piece of audio equipment sitting on your head.
@@BobbyDigital6411 didnt know they are so heavy xD even heavier than Audeze