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HiFiMAN Edition XvImage © Amazon

HiFiMAN Edition Xv

84/ 100
Outstanding
HearWiki score

Exceptional value

$280
typical price, USD
Sold newupdated
Buy now onAmazon

At a glance

Brand
HiFiMAN
Type
Over-Ear
Fit
open
Connection
Wired
Noise cancelling
No
Released
2025

Score breakdownoutstanding overall

Sound8.6
Value9.2

The HearWiki takeAI-condensed

The HiFiMAN Edition Xv is an open-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers a warm, smooth, and easy-going sound signature with impressive treble extension and a lush bass response. Its 80mm drivers and low impedance make it easy to drive with affordable gear, though its stiff headband and slightly veiled midrange may not appeal to everyone. It's a solid choice for listeners seeking a relaxed, non-fatiguing planar experience at a budget-friendly price.

What works

  • Warm, smooth tuning with excellent treble for an over-ear
  • Easy to drive with low impedance and high sensitivity
  • Spacious, immersive soundstage with good technical performance
  • Comfortable fit and decent build quality for the price
  • Detachable cable and balanced output support

What doesn't

  • Stiff headband reduces long-term comfort
  • Midrange can sound veiled or overly warm
  • Accessories feel less premium than expected
  • Not perfectly neutral; leans warm rather than reference-flat

Paraphrased from published reviews & specs - not an original hands-on test. Our AI disclosure.

Specifications

Audio - HiFiMAN Edition Xv
Driver80 mm planar magnetic
Driver typeplanar
Driver size80 mm
Drivers per side1
Frequency response8 Hz - 50 kHz
Impedance12 Ω
Sensitivity92 dB/mW

Where to buy

Retailers we matched to this exact model. Prices are periodic snapshots - the link always opens the retailer's current listing.

What the reviews said

6 source(s) feeding this product's score.

headfonics.com

86

Headfonics characterizes the Edition XV as an open-back planar that suits listeners who prefer a smoother, less bright signature, with very good comfort and an updated design. Their main drawbacks are weaker detail retrieval and accessories that do not feel especially premium.

Read the full review

soundphilereview.com

90

This review describes the Edition XV as a warm-neutral planar headphone with strong treble, good build quality, and solid technical performance. The main criticisms are a stiff headband and midrange that can lean too warm.

Read the full review

headphones.com

The reviewer says the Edition XV has exceptionally impressive treble for an over-ear headphone and a bass presentation that feels newly shaped compared with earlier HIFIMAN tuning. They also note it is not perfectly neutral, can sound a little warm, and the headband ergonomics are less ideal than the sound.

Read the full review

hometheaterhifi.com

HomeTheaterHiFi describes the Edition XV as warm, easy to listen to, and lush through the bass and mids, with gentle treble. The review also highlights the new diaphragm technology and presents the headphone as an accessible planar model at its price.

Read the full review

majorhifi.com

MajorHifi finds the Edition XV spacious and immersive, with natural treble, comfortable wear, and strong pairing potential with affordable DAC/amps. The review notes that the midrange can sound a bit veiled and less sharply defined.

Read the full review

What YouTube reviewers say

Video reviews we found, each condensed to its verdict. They do feed the HearWiki score, at a measured weight below what a published written review carries.

21:35

Testing ALL Hifiman's new Headphones! - HE600, Edition XV, Ananda Unveiled & Audivina LE

The Headphone Show67.3K viewsSep 2025

The reviewer gives initial impressions of the HiFiMAN Edition Xv, highlighting its improved build quality with a new suspension headband and revised grille. They note that the tuning is more relaxed and less bright than typical HiFiMAN models, which they find enjoyable and more natural, though it sacrifices some airiness and bass tightness. Overall, they consider it a very good sounding headphone at its $400 price point.

7:11

Edition XV - First Impressions

Joshua Valour41.9K viewsNov 2025

The reviewer gives first impressions of the HiFiMAN Edition Xv, noting a significant tuning shift toward a darker, mid-focused sound compared to previous Hifiman models. He finds the build and comfort improved, but notes the soundstage and detail retrieval are not as strong as the Arya Stealth, making it a distinct option for those who prefer a smoother, less bright presentation.

Summaries are AI condensations of each video's own conclusion, not transcripts. Titles, thumbnails and view counts belong to their channels.

What owners say

A sample of buyer reviews, quoted as written. They aren't verified and they don't feed the HearWiki score - that comes from published reviews only.

Like better than Sennheiser HD650

Saw the great reviews and how these were HIFIMAN s answer to classic Sennheiser sound. Took a chance and ordered. Wow. Very impressed. Has larger and more open sound than the Senn s while having cleanRead more

Slightly More Bass Than Ananda Unveiled

The size and build make for a solid and comfortable wear. This would get a 5/5 if the ear pads were thicker. Clamp force is noticeable and causes fatigue after long use. Sound is treble forward withRead more

Good headphones with detailed sound, just a bit dark

Very good sound with lots of detail but they are on the “dark” side a little too much for me. They fit great and look cool just a warm to dark sound.

These are truly special.

There’s something really special about these headphones. I can’t get enough of them. My one word for them: Grand TL;DR – Love these headphones! Much less spicy in the treble than other HifimanRead more

via Amazon customer reviews

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Mentioned in articles

Where the HiFiMAN Edition Xv comes up in our guides and explainers.

Alternatives in the $140–$550 range

Other over-ear models at a comparable price, ordered by HearWiki score.

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Where it sits in our rankings

The data-driven guides this model qualifies for.