Impedance: 12Ω
Sensitivity: 92dB
Weight: 452g
Total Score
Introduction
Greetings to all Hifitopia readers from the first day of November. Today we will review a new product from Hifiman’s new series that many of you are curious about. Introducing the Hifiman Edition XV!
With its new design and new driver technology, let’s see how good the Edition XV is.
I bought this product myself with the intention of writing an independent review. I started writing my review after using it for about 140 hours (excluding burn-in).
Build & Design
Package
It comes in the usual classic Hifiman box, with that standard cable and the foam stand that we all love. It also comes with a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter. Out of the box transportation bag if it comes out happy happens was I? I would. Important Is it? No.
Design Of Hifiman Edition XV
Edition XV is very different from the previous series. It’s a new meta. The cups and headband have been redesigned with limited bearing points and restricted joints. It’s also very comfortable. Although I’m not sure, the sponges also felt softer than before. But I couldn’t find any official information on this, maybe it’s just perception. Anyway, it’s a very comfortable headset. The Edition XV is about 45-50g heavier than the XS but still very comfortable.
The overall design looks both more monolithic and more modern and sleek than its predecessors. The design of the grille is very nice.
Synergy
Hifiman Edition XV With Hiby RS8
Forget the sound profile that comes to mind when we talk about Hifiman. Edition XV has a very different sound, far from the standard line. So the matching needs are different. It has an average riding difficulty. I would recommend a desktop amp rather than a ported one, except for very powerful minority daps.
However, we have a great match with one of those minority very powerful daps. The Hiby RS8! I know it’s not surprising to get a good match with such an expensive dap, but it’s a match between an R2R dap, which is not really warm, and a planar headphone, which is not really bright. That’s exactly what makes this pairing interesting. It’s a break with convention.
When I listened with turbo mode on at 46-48/100 on the H gauge, the RS8 was in OS mode and on the A Class amp stage. Tonally, the profile of the sound I got from this pairing is tonally quite calm and warm, with a mercifully U-shape. This pairing produced a very realistic sound with a superior lower frequency response, and I was most enamored with the guitar timbre. It’s much more textured and bodied than its predecessors. Technically, there is great separation and layering. The resolution is also great, but not “focused” enough in terms of detail retrieval. I rate this pairing 9/10.
Hifiman Edition XV VS Meze Audio 105 Silva
I’m not writing this comparison to tell you which headphones are better, but for a completely different reason. Both are new headphones and both have transcended their companies’ usual perceptions of sound. Both are open-back, but the Edition XV requires about 10% more power.
Now let me tell you the following from the beginning. The Hifiman Edition XV is a planar driver headphone with open back. The Meze Audio 105 Silva is a dynamic driver with open back. In addition, I assume you can guess the general sound profile favored by both companies.
If you are ready: The Meze Audio 105 Silva has a more analytical sound and a more neutral-mid/vocal-oriented sound profile, while the Hifiman Edition XV has a warmer, fuller and more full-bodied sound. The Edition XV shows an overall U-shape sound profile. The Edition XV focuses more on frontal presentation and general enjoyment, while the 105 Silva focuses more on analysis and soundstaging. As if all this wasn’t enough, the Hifiman Edition XV has better low frequencies and better bass response with a planar driver, while the Meze 105 Silva has better highs and better treble extension with a dynamic driver.
It’s as if they have switched roles. As driver technology advances, the shortcomings of the drivers are made up for. This not only opens new doors for companies but also creates interesting situations like this.
Both headphones are very good and well worth the price. Nothing to say, congratulations on the new metas!
Sound
The Hifiman Edition XV beats the previous generation Edition XS by a wide margin. Although it sounds completely different, it’s more similar in level to the Ananda series.
With the Edition XV, Hifiman eliminates the perception of “bright sound” while maintaining realism and natural sound. In fact, the sound design is all about warmth and balance. Moreover, they have gone very far in terms of lower frequencies, they have improved themselves a lot.
Hifiman Edition XV has a more intimate positioning than both the previous X series and Hifiman headphones in general. It sounds as if the back is “half open”. It does this without sacrificing layering and speed. Technically, it’s definitely a step above the previous versions.
Bass
This is the biggest difference. Almost everything that the planar drive lacks has been addressed. On top of that, the planar speed and resolution are still there. There’s a more extended lower bass response that feels more extended and dynamic, and it now sounds more realistic and dynamic with drums.
Mid
The mid focus has shifted from upper-mid mids to lower-mid mids. This is not a classic Hifiman sound with female vocals and high-pitched strings in the foreground. It’s a more full-bodied sound that puts male vocals and mid-instrument voices in the foreground, with a more balanced overall presentation. The Edition XV produces both a warm and natural midrange without being overbearing. I can’t use the word “transparent”, which I use with every Hifiman, with the Edition XV. Overall, the sound we get in the midrange is warm and soft.
Treble
The treble is what saves this headset’s life. If you’re going to make a warm planar headphone, the treble has to be good, otherwise the overall timbre won’t be right. I’ve seen examples of this before and I’m sure you can think of a few headphones.
The Edition XV has soft and generally retracted highs, without the brightness of the mids. But it gains a slight slope as you go to the end, to a fair extent. This results in cymbals that are pinpoint, natural and in tune with the rest of the sound. This is definitely unorthodox but good.
Edition XV’s Technique
Again, it’s technically far beyond the XS.
Resolution and detail retrieval are excellent, as with any Hifiman. But this time it is not so analytical, not the best at reproducing microdetails. The soundstage is a bit closer and the width is slightly reduced. However, the soundstage is now much deeper. Separation is great and layering is fine. In terms of positioning, it’s significantly more capable than before. Based on that, I’d say there’s a slight improvement in the overall rendering, although the stage has narrowed a bit. Of course, with the changes, there are many more improvements in other areas. There are obvious improvements in accuracy and consistency.
Last Words
It’s warmer, more full-bodied and a bit narrower. But the Edition XV is still a Hifiman. It has an incredible low frequency response, a very balanced and warm tonality, plus a very deep soundstage. Now add the usual Hifiman and planar driver advantages.
What am I saying? If you like warm sound, if you don’t like bright sound, if you like planar drivers but still prefer dynamic drivers, buy this headphone. Hifiman opened a new window. We like this new window, its benefits far outweigh its faults. You still get more for your money.
