Is the HiFiMAN Edition Xv worth the upgrade from the Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT?
Verdict
Clear upgrade
Going from the Audio-Technica ATH-SR50BT to the HiFiMAN Edition Xv buys you 29.6 points of HearWiki score - a clear step up that reviewers agree on rather than a marketing refresh. The gains are concentrated in sound (7.4 to 8.6). On paper: driver size 45 mm to 80 mm. Worth checking: weight goes 262 g to 452 g and drivers per side goes 2 to 1. That costs $155 more, or about $5 per point of score - reasonable value for the jump. If your current pair is worn out or the gains line up with how you listen, this one is worth the money.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound7.48.6
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | ATH-SR50BT | Edition Xv | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 262 g | 452 g | |
| Driver size | 45 mm | 80 mm | |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 | |
| Controls | buttons | none | |
| Driver | 2× 45 mm dynamic | 80 mm planar magnetic | |
| Frequency response | 5 Hz - 40 kHz | 8 Hz - 50 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "ATH-SR50BT to Edition Xv". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across over-ear and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.