Is the HiFiMAN Edition Xv worth the upgrade from the HiFiMAN Edition Xs?
Verdict
Meaningful upgrade
The HiFiMAN Edition Xv scores 9.2 points above the HiFiMAN Edition Xs. That's a real improvement, though not the kind you'd notice on every track. None of the shared sub-scores move by more than half a point, so the two behave very similarly on the things reviewers measure. Worth checking: weight goes 405 g to 452 g. That costs $6 more, or about $1 per point of score - reasonable value for the jump. Worth doing if you're replacing anyway; harder to justify as a pure upgrade if what you have still works.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound8.58.6
- Value9.39.2
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Edition Xs | Edition Xv | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 405 g | 452 g |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Edition Xs 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.