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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Grado GT220 earbuds offer great overall sound quality and are more portable than the HifiMan Edition XS headphones, also working well for calls and meetings and being suitable for use during exercise thanks to their sweatproof design. In contrast, the HifiMan Edition XS provide a superior immersive music and TV/video experience with top-notch sound quality and soundstage but are less portable, not sweatproof, and lack features for calls. Grado GT220 is fully wireless and includes a built-in microphone and controls, useful for on-the-go listening and communications, whereas the HifiMan requires a cable and lacks a microphone, targeting audiophiles who prioritize sound over convenience. 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 Grado GT220
- Good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the HifiMan Edition XS
- Very good for music
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.3
8.8
The HifiMan Edition XS is very good for music, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
7.4
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for gaming, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.9
5.0
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
7.9
The Grado GT220 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Edition XS is good.
TV and Video
5.5
9.5
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class for TV and video, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Grado GT220 and HifiMan Edition XS are both poor for noise reduction, though the Grado GT220 is somewhat better.
Battery
5.5 Hours
N/A
The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Edition XS does not have a battery.
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Key similarities
Cost
$259
$269
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Grado GT220 has a price of $259 and the HifiMan Edition XS costs $269.
Build Quality
8.8
8.5
The Grado GT220 and HifiMan Edition XS both have very good build quality.
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How the Grado GT220 and the HifiMan Edition XS compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Grado GT220 | HifiMan Edition XS |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$259 | $269 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Grado | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | December 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 7.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 36 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 421 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
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 Grado GT220 or the HifiMan Edition XS
About Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
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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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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