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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The HifiMan Edition XS offers superior sound quality, an expansive soundstage, and they are traditionally wired over-ear headphones suitable for critical listening at home. Despite their higher price and open design that leaks sound and provides little isolation, they are excellent for music and TV. On the other hand, the Moondrop Nekocake is more affordable, portable, and offers wireless convenience with moderate sound quality. These earbuds are better for calls, meetings, and use during exercise with features like active noise cancelling and sweatproof certification. 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
Advantages of the Moondrop Nekocake
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
5.7
The HifiMan Edition XS is very good for music, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Gaming
7.4
4.6
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for gaming, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
6.1
The Moondrop Nekocake is only fair for phone calls, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
TV and Video
9.5
5.0
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class for TV and video, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
7.0
The Moondrop Nekocake is good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Battery
N/A
3.0 Hours
The HifiMan Edition XS does not have a battery. The Moondrop Nekocake has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$269
$39
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The HifiMan Edition XS has a price of $269 and the Moondrop Nekocake costs $39.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
7.7
The HifiMan Edition XS and Moondrop Nekocake are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The HifiMan Edition XS and Moondrop Nekocake both have very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Edition XS and the Moondrop Nekocake compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Edition XS | Moondrop Nekocake |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$269 | $39 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Moondrop | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.5/10 | 4.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 12 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 421 Grams | 5.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
HifiMan Edition XS
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Dig into reviews and images
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."
Moondrop Nekocake
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonics
Jarvin | January 2022
"What sets the Nekocake apart from its competition at this price point is the Moondrop Link app that allows the user to change the tonal balance of the Nekocake. This makes sure that it’s versatile enough to suit different sonic preferences while allowing some customization of controls."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Edition XS or the Moondrop Nekocake
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.
About Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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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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