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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're seeking excellent sound quality with expansive soundstage for immersive listening at home, the HifiMan Edition XS is a superb choice, but they're open-back headphones, less portable, and need a cable. They won't suit exercise, travel, or noisy environments due to their size, lack of noise isolation, and being wired. Conversely, the Skullcandy Dime 2 earbuds are affordable, offer good sound quality, are extremely portable, and wireless, making them suitable for exercise, travel, and casual use. They can handle calls better and come with a charging case for extended battery life, but won't match the audio fidelity of the HifiMan Edition XS. 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 Skullcandy Dime 2
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
6.0
The HifiMan Edition XS is very good for music, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is only fair.
Gaming
7.4
4.7
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for gaming, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
5.2
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is poor.
TV and Video
9.5
5.1
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.5
The Skullcandy Dime 2 is only fair 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 Skullcandy Dime 2 has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$269
$30
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The HifiMan Edition XS has a price of $269 and the Skullcandy Dime 2 costs $30.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.0
4.8
The HifiMan Edition XS and Skullcandy Dime 2 are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The HifiMan Edition XS and Skullcandy Dime 2 both have very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Edition XS and the Skullcandy Dime 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Edition XS | Skullcandy Dime 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$269 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.5/10 | 4.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 6.8/10 | |
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 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 8.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 421 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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."
Skullcandy Dime 2
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2022
"With the low price, it’s a low-risk investment. The Dime 2 is a decent set of backup buds for those times when you don’t want to risk your more upscale buds. If it weren’t for the lackluster battery life, I’d say everyone should have a pair as a spare for music."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Edition XS or the Skullcandy Dime 2
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 Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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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