HIFIMAN Edition XV Planar Magnetic Headphones – Song Of Open Skies
HIFIMAN Edition XV is a $399 USD pair of Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones with a large planar magnetic driver at the core, a theoretical successor of the Edition XS but in a different tuning and flavor. Today we will review the new Edition XV and also compare it with other headphones in the same price segment, including Kiwi Ears Atheia (349 USD), Fosi Audio i5 (549 USD) and HarmonicDyne Baroque (559 USD).
Introduction
HIFIMAN is one of the most popular names in the audiophile hobby, if not even the most popular brand and name, having produced headphones for all pockets, all with outstanding price performance ratio. The way HIFIMAN tackles the market is by offering the best sound at a relatively affordable price point. It is good to keep in mind that Edition XV is around double the price of Edition XS and based on improved technologies.
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Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/45fXiOh
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3XndoFx
Build Quality And Design
HIFIMAN Edition XV is considered by the company an Evolution of a Masterpiece, with an Enhanced Magnet, Headband Gen 2, and a Neo Supernano Diaphragm Gen 2. Although HIFIMAN themselves have the Edition XV quoted on the main website as a direct update to the edition like, with 2015 having been the year of Edition X, 2021 the year of the Edition XS and 2025 being the year of Edition XV, you can see that Edition XV has a diaphragm thickness just 60% that of Edition XS, enhanced magnets and a different composite headband.
The composition of the headphones is actually rather simple, with the headband, attachment mechanism and a lot of the cost and space being occupied by the Neo Supernano Diaphragm Gen 2. The new enhanced magnets use rare-earth-free permanent magnetic materials with a comparable sensitivity to the magnets using rare earth elements. HIFIMAN has also been improving the diaphragm making it 50% thinner than the first-gen, Supernano Neo Diaphragm.
For your comfort, the new Headband Gen.2 is 20 to 30 grams lighter, and has rotable hinges for increased comfort. Stock cables are connected to the headphones using a standard 3.5mm socket, and the cable is user replaceable. Technically, HIFIMAN Edition XV has an impedance of 12 OHMs (as confirmed by my measurements), a SPL or Sensitivity of 92 dB and a weight of 452 grams.
Subjective Usage
A large number of users reported that Edition XS was a bit too tight, small and generally not quite comfortable for them, so HIFIMAN designed the Edition XV with a different headband, and I can happily report that it is more comfortable, with far less tightness, better angle of how the earcups grasp your head, and with a far improved overall comfort. The new Edition XS also allows for more size variation, although for my medium head I am using them at maximum and I am getting a comfortable fit.
Edition XV is quite open-back with almost no passive noise isolation, around 2-3dB at most, and they leak all your music to the room, sharing what you’re listening to. Default cable is ok, but happily you can easily replace it with a cable that is around 50 USD for an improved comfort and quality, or a ddHIFI BC150B if you want to be mindful of the price and yet get a significant upgrade.
Overall, Edition XV is quite well made, has no creaking noise, feels comfortable and is an excellent pair of over-the-ear headphones. Although in the marketing materials the weight is quoted to be rather high at 452 grams, the headband together with the cups, and the medium-high clamping force distribute that weight nicely, making Edition XV a comfortable pair of headphones.
Sound Quality
Pairings – To test and drive the HIFIMAN Edition XV I have paired it with a large number of sources including FiiO K17, Audioengine HXL, Shanling Onix Beta XI2, Surfans F35 Music Player DAP, iBasso D17 Atheris, Burson Playmate 3, Rose Technics RT-5000, and Luxsin X9.
HIFIMAN made the Edition XV to not be incredibly hard to drive, but still they have a very low SPL of 92 dB, which means that you will be pumping far more power and current into them than you’d expect. In fact, Edition XV is likely the hardest to drive pair of headphones around this price point and you need a fairly powerful source to really get a proper performance out of them. I am running Luxsin X9 at -19 dB, which is quite high. Also, because Edition XV has a low impedance, it places a high strain on the source, as most affordable sources will struggle to really drive the Edition XV, but you will be more than fine with an EF600 or EF500, so you can rely on a whole HIFIMAN setup.
Overall Signature – At its core, HIFIMAN tuned the Edition XV to be enjoyable for all, a bit vocal, a bit warm, open and extended in the treble. I would call them just natural instead of anything more specific, because the bass is deep, and can reach down to 30 Hz, while treble extends to 20 Hz, but they’re super free from particular colorations, making all music sound natural. This type of tuning works well for everything usually, but not metal, where a V-Shaped tuning is more desirable.
Bass – You start hearing the bass of Edition XV with about 30 Hz, which is exceptional for the price range and headphone type. Most bass energy is focused between 35 Hz and 80 Hz, which makes them deep and non-boomy, with very little bass bloat. In fact, Edition XV renders bass a bit more neutral in the upper bass, and lower midrange, which takes away thickness and warmth from male voices, giving female voices a bit more extra oomph, and all songs a somewhat bright tuning and sound.
Midrange – Most HIFIMAN headphones are mid centric and vocal, with Edition XV following a somewhat similar path. This might be the first pair of headphones I would not pair with metal in general, although Edition XV works well for rock. Their best styles are EDM, Pop, songs with a female voice, and dubstep, even electronic, or classical. Edition XV has more upper midrange presence than lower midrange,e and upper midrange sounds sweeter, smoother, more fluid, which makes male voices sound a bit rough and harsh, especially in metal styles. This being said, they are revealing in the midrange and create the feeling of micro details well. Sweeter male voices sound nice, like Sunrise Skater Kids, but metal like black or death is a bit too aggressive.
Treble – Top end of the Edition XV is vivid, sharp and extends up to 20 kHz, higher than what I can hear, but I can confirm that the peaking range is between 11 kHz and 18 kHz, which makes Edition XV sound open, sharp without sounding hot and metallic or harsh. A slightly wet and splashy character in the treble makes each cymbal crash enjoyable and resonant rather than dry and sandy. There’s an excellent amount of details and clarity.
Dynamics And Textures – Edition XV has a wide dynamic range and they sound dynamic, vivid. Especially at higher volumes, they come alive, while textures are always detailed, organic and a bit juicy, with a bit of wet character to make up for the good extension both ways. Edition XV works well with all music styles, classical, EDM, Pop and Electronic. Overall, this presentation gives music a live feeling, brings both voices and instruments in foresight, gives them a central space to play, but also the wide soundstage allows for a holographic presentation that is fun.
Loudness Saturation Gradient – HIFIMAN made Edition XV with a low impedance, but that doesn’t quite fulfill the power needs, so you will need a TON of power, and most portable dongle DAC AMPs will struggle to provide that power. This being said, HIFIMAN’s own EF500, even EF4990 will be more than enough for Edition XV, so it is not a matter of price necessarily. Edition XV sounds best at medium and high volumes, at least for me, but overall they handle all volume levels really well. With a pinpoint precision at all volumes, low THD at all volumes, they are great regardless how loud you enjoy your music.
Soundstage – HIFIMAN gave Edition XV a truly wide and holographic soundstage, they extend indefinitely laterally, creating a truly big soundstage that I like a lot. They feel and sound far larger and more holographic than other models like Edition XS or Sundara, and get quite close to the size and presentation of HE1000 Stealth soundstage-wise. You can expect to hear individual layers beautifully, excellent definition for each layer, and also an excellent stereo imaging, where you can reliably tell where each sound is coming from.
Comparisons
HIFIMAN Edition XV vs HarmonicDyne Baroque (399 USD vs 559 USD) – Baroque is a larger pair of headphones with a more relaxed fitting, less clamping force, but they end up feeling a bit heavier than Edition XV. Default cable of the Baroque is of a higher quality, but both use replaceable cables with a 3.5mm connector at the headphone size. Baroque isolates a bit more from the outside noise, while Edition XV does not isolate at all. Sonically, Edition XV is more vocal but has better extension both in the bass and the treble, has a lower distortion in the bass, improved resolution and clarity, and a much wider soundstage. For sonics alone, Edition XV feels like an upgrade from the Baroque, with a fairly similar tuning, a bit more neutral and less warm, less muddy than Baroque.
HIFIMAN Edition XV vs Kiwi Ears Atheia (399 USD vs 349 USD) – Atheia is similar in size when compared to Edition XV as both feel a bit small. Atheia feels heavier, and has thicker earpads, but they are closed-back so they offer a fairly good passive noise isolation and far less leakage than Edition XV. The default cable of the Edition XV is of a much better quality, as I noted in my review of the Atheia that I really did not enjoy their cable. This being said, sonically, Edition XV sounds far more natural, as atheia is quite colored, and has a V-Shaped signature that makes them less universal and less versatile. Both headphones have an excellent resolution and clarity, but Edition XV renders more micro details, better soundstage size, and a more versatile, natural sound.
HIFIMAN Edition XV vs Fosi Audio i5 (399 USD vs 549 USD) – Fosi i5 is a much larger pair of headphones that feels looser on my head, but also heavier. The default cable of i5 is more ergonomic, but they are also open-back and have below 10 dB of passive noise isolation. I5 is easier to drive than Edition XV, but not easy to drive by any means. Sonically, i5 is warm, smooth, thick and heavy, with a lush and pleasing signature that takes the stress away, giving music body, and lushness. Edition XV sounds more open, more neutral and natural, has a better detail and resolution, and also sounds wider and more holographic. Both headphones are good details, but Edition XV is a better deal for voices, details and soundstage, while i5 is a pretty traditional warm and lush sounding headphone.
Value and Conclusion
HIFIMAN gave Edition XV a really strong performance, low price, and heavy improvements over the Edition XS, making them more of an alternative to ananda Nano with a different shape and different sound. This is one of the most powerful pairs of headphones you can purchase around this segment, if you have the power to really drive them.
Award – Edition XV is an instant “Yes” in my list of purchases, and HIFIMAN made them super enjoyable, both comfort and sound, so they are worth a palace in our Hall Of Fame, offering both an excellent sound and comfortable, ergonomic fit.
At the end of the day, if you’re looking for a new pair of over-the-ear planar magnetic headphones to enjoy music, movies, gaming, with an excellent soundstage, impactful bass, but also a clean, vivid voicing, if you want to check out what HIFIMAN’s latest drivers sound like and how fast the impulse response can get with improved magnets and thinner diaphragms for the drivers, you have to check out the XV, one of the best headphones I can recommend for you to get around this price point.
PROs
- Comfortable and well made
- Detachable cables based on an universal standard
- Sweet and vivid vocals
- Extremely large soundstage, with minimum scattering
- Strong instrument separation and excellent stereo imaging
- Deep bass with strong impact
- Overall an excellent deal and price performance ratio
Cons
- Very hard to drive
- Headband is at max for my medium sized head, might not fit lager heads
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/45fXiOh
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3XndoFx
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Full Playlist used for this review
We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5
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