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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prefer an immersive music listening experience with a wide soundstage, the HifiMan Edition XS would be an excellent choice, but they are open-back headphones, which means they leak sound and offer no noise isolation. They're not suitable for noisy environments or for use during exercise. On the other hand, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are closed-back, offering great noise isolation with active noise cancelling, making them ideal for air travel and use in noisy places. They also have a microphone for calls and meetings, wireless capabilities with long battery life, and additional features like an app equalizer. Their build quality and comfort are on par with the HifiMan, but they may not match the HifiMan in overall sound quality. 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
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.8
8.2
The HifiMan Edition XS and Sony WH-1000XM5 are both very good for music, though the HifiMan Edition XS is somewhat better.
Gaming
7.4
5.6
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and HifiMan Edition XS are both poor for phone calls, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
6.0
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
TV and Video
9.5
5.8
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Battery
N/A
40.3 Hours
The HifiMan Edition XS does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$269
$398
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Edition XS has a price of $269 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and HifiMan Edition XS both have very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Edition XS and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Edition XS | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$269 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 421 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Sony WH-1000XM5
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Edition XS or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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