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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For an immersive, high-quality audio experience and if budget is not a constraint, the HifiMan Edition XS would be an excellent choice. They are known for their wide soundstage and detailed sound, ideal for audiophiles. However, if you're looking for good value for money and still want a quality listening experience, the Philips Fidelio X2HR offers great performance at a more affordable price point. They also have a wide soundstage, though not as expansive as HifiMan's, and robust build quality. Both are comfortable for long listening sessions, but the HifiMan typically has better resolution and detail due to its planar magnetic drivers compared to the dynamic drivers of the Philips. Neither is particularly suited for activities that require portability or noise isolation, as they are both open-back headphones. If you need a pair of headphones for critical listening at home and can afford the higher price, the HifiMan Edition XS may be the better choice; otherwise, the Philips Fidelio X2HR will still provide an enjoyable listening experience at a lower cost. 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 Philips Fidelio X2HR
- 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 Philips Fidelio X2HR is very good.
Cost
$269
$148
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Edition XS has a price of $269 and the Philips Fidelio X2HR costs $148.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Philips Fidelio X2HR has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Edition XS has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.8
9.3
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Philips Fidelio X2HR to be excellent for music, while the HifiMan Edition XS is very good.
Gaming
7.4
7.0
The HifiMan Edition XS and Philips Fidelio X2HR are both good for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.0
5.0
The HifiMan Edition XS and Philips Fidelio X2HR are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
7.9
The Philips Fidelio X2HR and HifiMan Edition XS are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The HifiMan Edition XS and Philips Fidelio X2HR are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the HifiMan Edition XS and the Philips Fidelio X2HR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Edition XS | Philips Fidelio X2HR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$269 | $148 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | September 1, 2014 | |
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 | 7.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
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 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 421 Grams | 390 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."
Philips Fidelio X2HR
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Liquid Audio
Stefan | May 2022
"This piece is a fantastic option for music lovers searching for premium sound and a snug fit. You should get these headphones if you care about sound quality and want to hear music in a new light. This technology is a great option for high-quality headphones with superb sound reproduction."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Edition XS or the Philips Fidelio X2HR
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 Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate and electronics manufacturer with over 130 years of history. Philips makes the Fidelio audio line which includes several models of full-sized wired and wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds. soundbars and wireless speakers.
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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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CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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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