HiFiMAN Edition Xs vs Verum 2: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Verum 2 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Verum 2 - Great overall at around $499.

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Neither pulls ahead overall - they trade wins across the measures.

HiFiMAN Edition Xs
Verum 2

HearWiki score

Sound

8.5

8.9

Value

9.3

9.0

Price (USD)

$270

$500

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

The Verum 2 is 3 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 3 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.

Edition Xs2022
220253 yr newer

Specifications

Edition Xs2

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $270; $500
HearWiki score: 74; 84
Released: 2022; 2025
Availability: Discontinued; Sold new
Driver: 80 mm planar magnetic; 105 mm planar magnetic
Driver type: planar; planar
Driver size: 80 mm; 105 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 8 Hz - 50 kHz; -
Impedance: 18 Ω; 8 Ω
Sensitivity: -; 96 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling: No; No
ANC type: -; none
Transparency mode: -; No
Companion app: -; No
Custom EQ: -; No
Wear detection: -; No
Controls: none; -
Voice assistant: -; No
Weight: 405 g; 450 g
Foldable: No; -
Detachable cable: Yes; Yes
USB-C: No; No
Pad material: -; fabric
Connector: -; 3.5 mm
Balanced connection: Yes; Yes
Call noise reduction: -; No

Specification comparison of HiFiMAN Edition Xs vs Verum 2
Spec	HiFiMAN Edition Xs	Verum 2
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$270	$500
HearWiki score	74 / 100 Good	84 / 100 Great
Released	2022	2025
Audio
Driver	80 mm planar magnetic	105 mm planar magnetic
Driver type	planar	planar
Driver size	80 mm	105 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	8 Hz - 50 kHz	-
Impedance	18 Ω	8 Ω
Sensitivity	-	96 dB/mW
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	No
ANC type	-	none
Transparency mode	-	No
Companion app	-	No
Custom EQ	-	No
Wear detection	-	No
Controls	none	-
Voice assistant	-	No
Design
Weight	405 g	450 g
Foldable	No	-
Detachable cable	Yes	Yes
USB-C	No	No
Pad material	-	fabric
Connector	-	3.5 mm
Balanced connection	Yes	Yes
Calls
Call noise reduction	-	No

What reviewers said

HiFiMAN Edition Xs

The HiFiMAN Edition XS is a budget-friendly planar magnetic headphone that delivers impressive soundstage width, strong detail retrieval, and solid bass response for the price. It's best enjoyed in a stationary setting, as its open-back design leaks sound and the fit can be inconsistent, while its bright treble may not appeal to all listeners.

Pro:Excellent value for planar performance
Pro:Wide, open soundstage with good imaging
Pro:Strong detail and fast transient response

Con:Comfort can vary due to headband design
Con:Bright upper treble may cause fatigue
Con:Significant sound leakage; not portable-friendly

Verum 2

No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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