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Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is your top priority and you don't mind a higher price, the HifiMan Edition XS might be the way to go, as they offer superior overall sound quality and remarkable soundstage, making them great for music and movies. However, they're bulkier and less portable, not to mention they don't isolate noise well, so they're not the best for noisy environments or travel. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more affordable and portable option with good noise isolation for everyday use, KZ ZSN Pro could suit you, though they won't match the HifiMan's immersive audio experience and are less ideal for critical listening. Both are wired and lack features like Bluetooth or active noise cancelling, and neither has a built-in microphone, so neither is ideal for calls or gaming. 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
Very good for music
Good for gaming
Best in class for TV and video
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the KZ ZSN Pro
The KZ ZSN Pro has no clear advantages over the HifiMan Edition XS.
Key differences
Music
8.8/10
7.7/10
The HifiMan Edition XS is very good for music, while the KZ ZSN Pro is good.
Gaming
7.4/10
6.0/10
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for gaming, while the KZ ZSN Pro is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.0/10
3.1/10
The HifiMan Edition XS and KZ ZSN Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the HifiMan Edition XS is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9/10
4.9/10
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the KZ ZSN Pro is poor.
TV and Video
9.5/10
7.4/10
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class for TV and video, while the KZ ZSN Pro is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
5.3/10
The KZ ZSN Pro and HifiMan Edition XS are both poor for noise reduction, though the KZ ZSN Pro is somewhat better.
Cost
$269
$21
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The HifiMan Edition XS has a price of $269 and the KZ ZSN Pro costs $21.
Build Quality
8.5/10
9.0/10
The KZ ZSN Pro has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Edition XS has very good build quality.
"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."
"Undoubtedly the focus and the star of the show, the ZSN Pro’s bass is big, bold and bangin’. The amount of gusto in the low end should satisfy anyone who likes a large lick of bass and even certified bassheads will probably get a kick out of this."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Edition XS or the KZ ZSN Pro
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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