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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The HifiMan Edition XS provides superior overall sound quality and soundstage, making it ideal for audiophiles seeking an immersive experience, and is better suited for TV and video with a higher score than the Sundara. However, they may not be as comfortable for longer listening sessions as the Sundara, which scores higher in comfort. If you prioritize comfort and a lower price while still receiving high-quality audio and versatility across different content, the Sundara may be the better option for you. Neither model includes active noise cancelling or wireless features, so consider your need for noise isolation and convenience against their open-back design, which offers a more expansive sound but less isolation. 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 HifiMan Edition XS
- Best in class for TV and video
Advantages of the HifiMan Sundara
- Excellent for music
Key differences
TV and Video
9.5
8.8
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class for TV and video, while the HifiMan Sundara is very good.
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Key similarities
Music
8.8
9.3
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HifiMan Sundara to be excellent for music, while the HifiMan Edition XS is very good.
Gaming
7.4
7.2
The HifiMan Edition XS and HifiMan Sundara are both good for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.0
4.9
The HifiMan Edition XS and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
7.8
The HifiMan Edition XS and HifiMan Sundara are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The HifiMan Edition XS and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for noise reduction.
Cost
$269
$279
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Edition XS has a price of $269 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
Build Quality
8.5
8.2
The HifiMan Edition XS and HifiMan Sundara both have very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Edition XS and the HifiMan Sundara compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Edition XS | HifiMan Sundara |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$269 | $279 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.5/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 4.5/10 | |
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 | No | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 421 Grams | 394.6 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
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."
HifiMan Sundara
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | July 2023
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Edition XS or the HifiMan Sundara
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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