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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for superior sound quality and an immersive audio experience, the HifiMan Edition XS with its open-back design and planar magnetic drivers excels, especially for music and movies. However, its bulkiness and open design may leak sound and provide little noise isolation, making it less suitable for noisy environments or commuting. Conversely, the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is a budget-friendly option with a closed-back design, delivering decent sound, clear conversations with its high-quality mic, and effective passive noise isolation, which is better suited for gaming, calls and meetings, and portable use in varied environments. Keep in mind that neither of these options are wireless, and neither supports active noise cancelling. 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
- Best in class for TV and video
Advantages of the Turtle Beach Recon 70
- Best in class for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.1
The HifiMan Edition XS is very good for music, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good.
Gaming
7.4
8.4
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is very good for gaming, while the HifiMan Edition XS is good.
Phone Calls
5.0
9.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is best in class for phone calls, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
TV and Video
9.5
7.5
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class for TV and video, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 and HifiMan Edition XS are both poor for noise reduction, though the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is somewhat better.
Cost
$269
$40
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The HifiMan Edition XS has a price of $269 and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 costs $40.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
7.6
The HifiMan Edition XS and Turtle Beach Recon 70 are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The HifiMan Edition XS and Turtle Beach Recon 70 both have very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Edition XS and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Edition XS | Turtle Beach Recon 70 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$269 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Turtle Beach | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | May 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 4.3/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 421 Grams | 309 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof 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."
Turtle Beach Recon 70
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Sound Guys
Sam Moore | September 2022
"There aren’t many considerations to make here. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 sounds decent, offers solid chat audio, feels good to wear over long periods, and it works everywhere. If you’re in the market for a simple plug-and-play option, you could do a whole lot worse (and spend a whole lot more money). Regardless, if getting something cheap that works well is the only thing you care about, this is a great option."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Edition XS or the Turtle Beach Recon 70
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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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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