Pros
-
Smoother and less fatiguing than other Hifiman headphones -
Decent comfort for long listening sessions -
Very good detail, imaging, and an engaging sound scale
Cons
-
Lack the spark and bite of some other Hifiman models -
As ever, not suitable for normal portable use
Key Features
-
Review Price: £359 -
Sensitivity
‘Loudness’ of 92dB -
Frequency response
Wide response from 8Hz – 50kHz
Introduction
The Hifiman Edition XV are large planar magnetic headphones made mainly for use at home. Like all the best-sounding headphones, they have an open back design.
Already know all that? The Edition XV are a direct follow-up to the Hifiman Edition XS, one of the best-value hi-fi headphones in the known universe right now.
The Hifiman Edition XV mix things up a little, with a thicker, warmer style that brings something a little new and unexpected to the Hifiman range.
They are not a simple, uncomplicated upgrade for Edition XS and Sundara owners, but as usual Hifiman basically wipes the floor with the more popular wireless headphone competition selling for similar money on pure sound quality.
Design
- Near-zero sound isolation
- Large ear-engulfing pads
- Fairly heavy, but well balanced
Hifiman broadly uses two shapes among its core ranges. There are round cups and massive egg-shaped ones. The Hifiman Edition XV has the latter, plus-size ovoid cups intended to fully enclose almost all but the largest of ears.
These headphones are a successor to/relative of the classic Hifiman Edition XS, and now have a different headband style. Where the last model has a standard padded headband, the Edition XV have a synthetic felt leather-style hammock that rests on the top of your head. And a structural metal band sits above your head.
The Hifiman Edition XV are huge headphones, the kind that might attract the odd comment from partners, family members or housemates. But you aren’t likely going to be wearing them out and about anyway.
These — to state the obvious to most — are open-back headphones that are no use for most kinds of portable wear. They don’t block out significant amounts of sound, and leak a lot of what you’re listening to. Wear them in a traditional open office and your colleagues may complain. On the train? Don’t even consider it.
The Edition XV are part of a refreshed Hifiman range that embraces raw aluminium. Where the cups of the Edition XS are black, most of the outer shell here is silver.
Inside black, outside silver — a two-tone style that works for me.
Hifiman has attracted criticism for its patchy quality assurance and fragile designs. I’ve never had major problems, having owned its pairs for almost 15 years now, and there’s only one potentially eyebrow-raising bit here.
The hammock part of the headband attaches to one of the few plastic parts, each side connecting to two little plastic rings. Will they stand the test or time or go brittle and break? It’s a case of: call back in 3-5 years.
These headphones are comfy enough for all-day wear, despite being fairly heavy. Hifiman says they weigh 452g, my kitchen scales say 457g, without cable.
The Hifiman Edition XV use familiar pads, with synthetic leather on the sidewalls and fabric on the part that sits on your face. This style helps avoid excess sweating in warmer climes.
As with other Hifiman headphones, don’t come expecting an Apple-like unboxing experience. The packaging is basic, you don’t get a carry case and Hifiman seems to use the same basic cable for everything from the budget HE400SE up to at least the £720 Hifiman HE700 these days.
I have no issue with this. It tells you more of the money goes into the actual headphones. They are also reasonably sensitive for a planar pair. You’ll find yourself having to up the volume at the source more than with most dynamic pairs, but don’t necessarily need a dedicated headphone amp.
Sound Quality
- Lush presentation
- But no clouding excesses of bass or mid-bass
- A softer sound than what Hifiman is known for
The Edition XV see Hifiman blend some of the core characteristics that have made its headphones so appealing over the years, with something a little different — deliberate warmth.
Like all of Hifiman’s best, the Edition XV are planar magnetic headphones, with a diaphragm only 60% the thickness of the original design of the Edition XS, says Hifiman.
These headphones have a large and engaging soundstage with great imaging and admirable positional clarity across the stereo field.
I wasn’t initially blown away by the sheer scale of the sound field, but only because it’s just somewhat bigger-sounding than the Hifiman Sundara pair I use most days.
The key difference in the Hifiman Edition XV, though, is an altogether thicker and warmer sound than I’ve heard in an open-back Hifiman pair to date.
Hifiman headphones are often described in terms of their highly revealing treble or, in a few cases, their sheer slam. But the Edition XV aren’t about either of those elements.
They are softer-edged without trading away too much in the way of detail or separation. Vocals have a smoother presentation than in the Hifiman Sundara, but are still well-textured.
Don’t get the idea these are some sort of bassy Hifiman pair, though. I find the general fatter sound actually leads to a more reserved-sounding sub-bass, if only because the less lean sound character makes the fairly confident ultra-low frequencies stand out a little less. Those deep bass tones are still well-represented.
One of the key benefits of the Hifiman Edition XV approach is something that may sound a little dull. I am happier listening to the XV at lower volumes than the Sundara, whose narrower, more spare character invites me to bump up the volume often — which you can do so all too easily with these low distortion planar magnetic headphones.
As such the Edition XV are among the best Hifiman headphones for casual long-term listening while, say, working. They aren’t remotely fatiguing or harsh.
The question is whether this is what you want from a Hifiman pair. I’ve never thought of the brand as producing relaxed-sounding headphones, and the Edition XV is at least bordering on that.
I think I still prefer Hifiman’s longer-standing house styles of greater aggression or brightness for active music listening. But Edition XV are a fantastic answer to the most commonly recurring complaint about many of my favourite Hifiman pairs: that people just find them a bit tiring, a bit much.
As someone who loved the very first Hifiman HE5 — perhaps their harshest headphone of Hifiman’s history — the Edition XV are not made for me. But even I can appreciate their top-drawer sound.
Should you buy it?
Buy if you want a more relaxed-sounding planar headphone
The Edition XV have a more soothing, less sharp sound than the other Hifiman headphones at this level, which is great for those more sensitive to pronounced treble.
Don’t buy for portable use
Open-back headphones like this have functionally no isolation and leak sound, making them poor for public transport and even open-plan offices.
Final Thoughts
The Ediiton XV are yet another top-class planar magnetic headphone from Hifiman. They take the series into calmer waters, attempting to make a smoother, fuller and more relaxed sounding pair without diluting the technical elements Hifiman is well-known for nailing.
They are a delight, although thanks to the strength of the existing Hifiman lineup are largely only an unqualified recommendation for those who are sensitive to brighter-sounding headphones. Find some detailed-sounding pairs a bit harsh? You’re likely to love the Hifiman Edition XV.
But in 2025, it’s also hard to ignore quite what a bargain the existing Hifiman Edition XS Stealth are these days too.
Trusted Score
How We Test
We test every pair of headphones we review thoroughly over an extended period of time. We use industry-standard tests to compare features properly. We’ll always tell you what we find.
We never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Find out more about how we test in our ethics policy.
- Tested for more than a week
- Tested with real world use
FAQs
These are cabled headphones only.
Yes, they have an open-back design.
Like most Hifiman pairs, they use planar magnetic drivers.
Full Specs
| Hifiman Edition XV Review | |
|---|---|
| UK RRP | £359 |
| USA RRP | $399 |
| EU RRP | €399 |
| Manufacturer | HiFiMAN |
| IP rating | No |
| Weight | 452 G |
| ASIN | B0FM2CKWKM |
| Release Date | 2025 |
| Connectivity | 3.5mm |
| Frequency Range | 8 50000 – Hz |
| Headphone Type | Over-ear |
| Sensitivity | 92 dB |
Trusted Score
The post Hifiman Edition XV Review appeared first on Trusted Reviews.