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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The EPOS PC38X, being significantly less expensive, offers great value, especially if you plan on using headphones for gaming or calls, thanks to its excellent mic and low latency—perfect for clear communication and timely audio feedback. It is also lighter in weight compared to the HifiMan Edition XS, which may enhance comfort during extended use. On the other hand, the HifiMan Edition XS boasts a slightly better sound quality and soundstage, lending itself to an immersive music and TV experience—if budget allows and these are your priorities. Both have detachable cables, but neither supports wireless connectivity or active noise canceling, and both are open-back, meaning they won't isolate noise well. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
Advantages of the HifiMan Edition XS
- Best in class for TV and video
Key differences
Music
9.5
8.8
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the HifiMan Edition XS is very good.
Gaming
10.0
7.4
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the HifiMan Edition XS is good.
Phone Calls
10.0
5.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Cost
$139
$269
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the HifiMan Edition XS costs $269.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
7.9
The EPOS PC38X and HifiMan Edition XS are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
9.0
9.5
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HifiMan Edition XS to be best in class for TV and video, while the EPOS PC38X is excellent.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The EPOS PC38X and HifiMan Edition XS are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The EPOS PC38X and HifiMan Edition XS both have very good build quality.
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How the EPOS PC38X and the HifiMan Edition XS compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | HifiMan Edition XS |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $269 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | December 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 7.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 4.4/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 421 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
EPOS PC38X
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Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
HifiMan Edition XS
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Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
Get a great deal on the EPOS PC38X or the HifiMan Edition XS
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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