Synergy
Efficiency & Sensitivity
Again, every year HIFIMAN makes their headphones more efficient, and the Edition XV is no exception to the rule. More than likely, they will play along with whatever you have.
With moderate sources, the Edition XV would work with moderate listening volume levels, but a low-power combination would not produce optimal performance.
What is also observable is that with a small amount of power, the bass is not as tight as if you were to use a high-current amplifier.
The 12Ω impedance can also present problems with certain amplifiers that carry a high output impedance rating.
I didn’t run into any issues running opamp-powered amps like the SMSL SU-X, or any of the iFi audio line, such as the ZEN CAN 3, and certainly not with any HIFIMAN gear. NFCA modules didn’t present issues either.
Pairings
With most of the HIFIMAN headphone lineup, I recommend their DAC amplifier combos because they tend to produce a warm sonic product that counterbalances the bright signature of some of their headphones.
I personally used the EF400 and the EF600 and obtained lots of warmth and body from this combo. But if you decide to use a bright combo unit like the Topping DX5 II, the Edition XV will not enter saturation; on the contrary. You could always PEQ as an alternate fix.
The Monolith THX, for example, was another unit that would make this headphone shine, but that combo might bring back the excessive brightness into the mix if you like bright sonic signatures.
The Topping A90 was a better choice over the amplifier within the DX5 II, and others.
It made a good companion with the Edition XV because of its neutrality, ample amount of power, and low noise levels. Low noise and a good transient response seem to be the key here.
Select Comparisons
HIFIMAN Edition XS
Technical
The HIFIMAN Edition XS was the least expensive introductory way to delve into HIFIMAN’s asymmetrical earcup design, which ensures a large sonic panorama, but I would only say that with any model before the introduction of the Stealth Magnet design.
Somehow, HIFIMAN employed this new headband, claiming a weight reduction benefit. However, the Edition XS weighs in at 405 grams versus the Edition XV, which weighs 452 grams, so we went up in weight here.
HIFIMAN seemed to address some of the Edition XS complaints, including comfort, and addressed them with a new headband. The Edition XV improves comfort level versus the Edition XS by a small margin, even though there’s a weight gain of 47 grams.
Design
The Edition XS employs HIFIMAN’s Window Shade backplate design, which, on the surface, looks less restrictive, but the Edition XV only uses a perforated backplate and has no cloth that could potentially reduce airflow.
I didn’t like the Edition XS headband assembly much because it tends to create a pressure spot on the top of your head. The Edition XV, however, uses the new style headband that incorporates the headstrap, which evenly distributes weight and takes care of this issue.
Another twist in design was that the Edition XS is mostly black with some silver accents. The Edition XV, on the contrary, is dressed in lots of silver. If it weren’t for the innards of the headband and the pads, they would be monotone in color scheme.
Performance
My general impression of the Edition XS is that they were one of the first HIFIMAN headphones that could produce an ample amount of bass, enough to rattle your cheeks. And although efficient, they needed power for that to occur.
Now, when it comes to soundstage, HIFIMAN headphones, again, started shrinking in size when the Stealth Magnet was implemented.
We have the same situation here. Both headphones produce a sound stage that is accurate and that is capable of producing isolated pockets of sound, but they’re not the largest HIFIMAN headphones have produced.
The XV has improved on soundstage by producing a soundstage that, although shrunken in size compared to previous asymmetrical cups from HIFIMAN, can do improved positioning, and each element is in better focus.
What was also improved in the HIFIMAN Edition XV in a major way was in tonal accuracy. The overall tonality is more realistic, plus the high frequencies of the Edition XV are more refined, sharper, and cleaner.
HIFIMAN Ananda Nano
Technical
The Nanos, as I affectionately call them, are one of HIFIMAN’s latest headphones that use the Nano thin diaphragm along with their asymmetrical cup design.
These silver bullets are designed for a speedy sonic delivery. Equipped with HIFIMAN’s Window Shade system, a redesigned headband assembly, and Stealth magnets.
The Ananda line sits on top, tier-wise, of the Edition X line, but these two iterations blur that line, and both these models offer something different, sonically speaking.
Design
The Ananda Nano headband assembly applied too much clamping force, in my opinion, and the Edition XV improves on this aspect.
The headstrap was also cut short, and the headband assembly would refuse to open beyond a certain point. This headphone is not made for people with large heads.
What’s funny about this is that the Sundara came with the same headband and only half as much clamping force. That was one of my only complaints about the Nano, besides the extra lean sonic character. Edition XV doesn’t display either issue.
One thing about the accessories that I found peculiar is that both these headphones appear to be for home use, but I say not exclusively.
The Nano comes with a carrying case, denoting that it’s a travel companion, while the Edition XV comes with a headphone stand.
Performance
The HIFIMAN Ananda Nano is a speed demon that sounds closer to an electrostatic, but the problem with that is that it reverts to the older, traditional HIFIMAN bright signature due to the bass sounding clinical. It is one of their brightest headphones.
The Edition XV certainly produces the juicier low end, although the tone sweep demonstrated that the Ananda Nano can hit lower notes.
I think most people in an AB test will complain about the forwardness of the Nano’s bright top end and pronounced midrange, and prefer the Edition XV.
The Nano is a headphone that needs warm amplification if you’re top-end sensitive or just want a warmer sonic experience, not so with the Edition XV.
HIFIMAN Ananda Unveiled
Technical
We recently reviewed the Ananda Unveiled, and it reminded me a lot of the high-tier HE1000 unveiled in appearance and tonal character.
The Unveiled feature is HIFIMAN’s boldest design yet. It opens up the back so that the driver can breathe freely, and that translates into a timbre that is more accurate and realistic, especially within the midrange area of the frequency range.
Design
Both these models sport the same headband assembly, and both these headphones are equally comfortable. HIFIMAN just switched up the colors on the headband and the cups.
The major change here was the cup design, which is of a unique design on the HIFIMAN Edition XV. Not so much on the Ananda Unveiled, which borrows the Arya Unveiled and the HE100 Unveiled’s wardrobe.
Performance
The one area the Ananda Unveiled excels is midrange production, which is almost at the HE1000 Unveiled level, with a minor loss in detail, of course.
This scenario is reversed when comparing the HIFIMAN Edition XV with the Ananda Unveiled. The XV lacks some of the detail, and although the Ananda Unveiled produces a more forward midrange, it still wins in realism and smoothness.
To be honest here, I like the high frequencies on the HIFIMAN Edition XV over the Ananda Unveiled.
Perhaps it’s the Edition XV high-frequency restraint, or a loose nut in my head, but I find them to be cleaner. The rest of the ribbons I give to the Ananda Unveiled.
My Verdict
Of all the headphones that HIFIMAN has released recently, the Edition XV planar driver headphones are unique in design style and sonic characteristics.
They will fare well with those who are sensitive to bright-sounding sonic signatures and are looking for something different from the company’s normal house tuning.
The Edition XV is tuned to be the one headphone that offers something sonically different from HIFMAN, and that is its niche.
It also addresses a few of the previous version’s complaints and raises comfort levels, besides including some sonic improvements.
HIFIMAN Edition XV Technical Specifications
- Frequency response: 8Hz to 50kHz
- Sensitivity: 92db
- Impedance: 12Ω
- Weight: 452g
