HIFIMAN Edition XV Planar Magnetic Headphone Review - HomeTheaterHifi.com

HIFIMAN has released the newest version of the Edition X series, the Edition XV. This version appears to be reaching out to those head-fi folks who are not fans of the bright highs found in many planar magnetic headphones. If you find planar magnetic headphones to sound a bit analytical and “serious”, the Edition XV invites the listener to kick back and have some fun.

The Edition XV features recently developed technology, such as the Neo Supernano Diaphragm Gen 2, which is 40% lighter than the previous version (in planar drivers, the thinner the diaphragm, the greater the responsiveness, dynamics, and detail). The magnets use the Stealth Magnet technology which reduces diffraction and turbulence and results in lower distortion. In addition, the Edition XV, which in previous generations was a single headband, features the new Gen 2 dual-strap system, which is about 30 grams lighter.

The tuning appears to have been refined to a warmer, more lush sound with a softening of the treble region. My first impression was that the headphones are smooth and relaxed; the detail and full spectrum from low to high is cohesive and clear, yet in a rounded way that says to sit back and enjoy the music.

Highlights

HIFIMAN Edition XV Planar Magnetic Headphone

Warm, easy sound with gentle treble.

The new Gen 2 dual-strap headband is self-adjusting and lightweight.

Very nice reach into the bass and mids that adds to the warm and lush sound.

The earpads are soft and quite comfortable.

The egg-shaped HIFIMAN earcups are large and roomy.

They are quite handsome with a striking new grill design.

They punch way above their price point in both sound and construction.

Easy to drive. They sound great on portable DAC/amps.

At $399.00 they are an incredible value.

Introduction

HIFIMAN, known for its exceptional headphones, IEMs, and headphone amplifiers, is also known for its path of innovation and refinement that continually evolves its products. That innovation, which appears first in their flagship models is then passed down the rest of the line. For example, the Edition X series was introduced in 2015 as an easier-to-drive and more budget-friendly version of the flagship HE1000. Over the last decade, there have been five releases of the series, with the Edition XV being the fifth. Our Editor-In-Chief, Carlo Lo Raso reviewed the first Edition X back in 2016.

The history of planar magnetic headphones is interesting. Though first developed in the 1960’s and 70’s, and favored by audiophiles, they fell out of fashion when companies like Sennheiser refined dynamic driver technology for the growing consumer audio market. Dynamic headphones were also, in general, lighter and smaller, since a dynamic driver voice coil weighs less than an array of metal magnets. In 2007 Dr. Fang Bian founded the HIFIMAN brand and developed portable audio devices, amplifiers, in-ear monitors, and planar magnetic headphones. His doctorate in Nanotechnology served in the development of coatings for planar diaphragms that were light and responsive, and his research produced a new generation of planar magnetic headphones that incorporated nanometer-thin diaphragms and a “stealth” magnetic design that reduced unwanted reflections to produce a clear, low-distortion sound. Audiophiles looking for a more refined sound than some dynamic-driver headphones produced, rediscovered the airy and detailed sound of planar magnetic, open-back headphones. Though not the only company to reintroduce planar magnetic headphones, HIFIMAN is a dominant headphone company known for its continuing research on new technology and production techniques, including some of the most highly regarded audiophile-level headphones.

Just as there are fans of the detailed airy sound planar headphones are known for, there are those who find the bright details in the treble region to be the reason they don’t care for planar headphones and prefer the generally fuller, and darker sound of dynamic headphones, especially those who love a strong bass presence. With the introduction of the Edition XV, HIFIMAN seems to be reaching out to that group with a planar headphone that sounds more, to my ears, like a dynamic driver headphone in its warm and dense sound. The Edition XV seems to combine the best of both worlds. While retaining the open, airy clarity and three-dimensional soundstage of an open-back planar headphone, they have a relaxed, more rounded treble, a dense and warm mid-range, and a rather impactful bass that can produce the sub-bass (albeit still less weighty than some dynamic headphones can produce) that some music lovers crave.

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HIFIMAN Edition XV Planar Magnetic Headphone Specifications

Wired planar magnetic headphones

Open-back

Over-ear

Self-adjusting headband

Frequency response:

8 Hz to 50 kHz

Sensitivity:

92 dB

Impedance:

12Ω

Weight:

452g

Finish:

Silver and Black

MSRP:

$399.00

Websites:

Company:

HiFiMAN

SECRETS Tags:

HIFIMAN, planar magnetic, open back, headphones, audiophile

Design

HIFIMAN headphones may be cutting edge in their driver technology, but in my opinion, compared to some stunning looking headphone brands, they put their design genius on the inside of the earcups, and less on how they look. Not so with the Edition XV. I think it’s downright sexy looking. The new Gen 2 self-adjusting headband design is a welcome evolution of the classic dual band metal and pleather headband seen on the majority of the upper-end models for years. The curved silver metal with its suede-like perforated inner band follows the curve of the head and is quite comfortable. The metal arms that attach to the earcups have a graceful curve and simple satin metal that matches the satin finish of the headband. The satin finish matches the earcup and the grill. The grill has a new look for HIFIMAN grills, and it is a stunner. Large hexagonal holes in the center grow smaller and transform into circles as they move to the outer edge. It reminds me of an M.C. Escher drawing. The earcups have a modest lateral swivel, which allows for adjustments, however, they won’t swivel enough to lay down flat.

The black pleather and fabric earpads are sumptuous and highly compressible. The clamping force is a bit stronger than previous HIFIMAN headphones I’ve worn. Out of the box, I found the pressure on the back of my jaw a bit tight. I thought this might be a problem for long listening sessions, but over a few hours of listening it eased up. The fit was still grippy in a good way, but more comfortable. Perhaps the cushy earpads contributed to the better fit. I’ve heard some comments from men that they wish the fabric inner headband was a bit longer, but for me, as a woman with a smaller head, it is perfect.

They arrived in HIFIMAN’s standard cardboard box with the foam interior that doubles as a headphone stand, which I think is a great idea, and I appreciate the dual use of packing material. The rubberized cable has a 3.5mm jack with a 6.3mm adaptor. I would love to see a cable with a 4.4mm jack included, since most players these days that have a 3.5mm port also have a 4.4mm port.

Setup

When choosing what gear to run the Editon XV from, I kept in mind that these are $400.00 headphones, and so I kept my gear along the lines of what I think the average user might have. For the desktop, I had two set-ups. The FiiO K17 DAC/Amp/Streamer, and the FiiO M21 digital audio player, which I used as both a desktop DAC/Amp in Desktop Mode which bypasses the battery and allows Super High Gain, and as a regular DAP. If I listened to music with either my iPhone or iPad, I used two portable DAC/Amps, the EarMen Colibri and the iFi Go Bar Kensei. Unlike dynamic driver headphones, planar magnetic headphones need more current to sound their best. However, at 12Ω the Edition XV are relatively easy to drive, and they sounded detailed and dynamic when I listened to either the portable Go Bar Kensei or the battery powered EarMen. The Edition XV makes for an excellent portable headphone, keeping in mind that like all open-back headphones, portable doesn’t mean suitable in public settings. The Edition XV really sparkled when I used them in a desktop setting. They benefited from the extra power and a better DAC. There was more clarity and dynamic punch, and the bass became more refined and distinct, however, I think that might be a credit to the Edition XV that they scale up so well, rather than needing that extra power to shine.

In Use

Most of the headphones I usually listen to are planar magnetic headphones. Primarily the HIFIMAN Arya Organic, Arya Unveiled, and the HE1000 Unveiled. These all possess the “classic” planar sound; wide dynamic range that reaches well into the highs to pull out the sparkling detail. I happen to love that reach into the highs. However, there is a segment of the audio world that cannot tolerate those highs, which is unfortunate because planars bring a beautiful spaciousness and soundstage that I’ve not heard in dynamic driver headphones. I’m thinking HIFIMAN is reaching out to those people and offering them the best of both worlds. The Dynamic range goes deep and high as planars can do, but there is a velvety smoothness that has rounded off the treble while keeping it a little sparkly, which is needed to give liveliness to the music. The warmth of the mids makes for luscious female vocals and the bass is dense without ever being muddy. I think that if someone is an EDM fan, they would love these headphones. I listened to a lot of classic jazz and acoustic music, and I had a lot of fun exploring the Bluegrass world. The Edition XV handled the haunting high tenor of male Bluegrass voices beautifully; letting them soar without every crossing into the piercing territory. And finally, these headphones are fun and remind me not to get too precious about how I think audio should sound.

Holly Cole Trio, Don’t Smoke In Bed, CD 16-Bit, 41.1 kHz-Stereo, Qobuz

Holly Cole has been the darling of the Toronto jazz scene since the 1980’s. The Holly Cole Trio is known for exploring music genres beyond the jazz standards, as featured in their second album “Don’t Smoke In Bed” which won the 1993 Juno Award for Best Contemporary Jazz album. It included their rendition of Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now”. The Edition XV, with its rich and warm mids, provided an intimate stage for Holly Cole’s smoky vocals. The placement of the trio was well separated by the fairly wide soundstage, which both provided an up-close sense of the performers, while giving each instrument its own space. Though the treble presentation in the Edition XV is more rounded, there was excellent detail and texture, minus the sibilance that female vocals can sometimes present.

Vince Gill, Souvenirs, CD 16-Bit, 41.1 kHz-Stereo, Qobuz

Ah, Vince Gill…. a 22-time Grammy winner, and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, has, to me, the perfect Bluegrass tenor voice that just breaks your heart. An American singer, songwriter, and master of multiple instruments, Vince Gill first’s breakthrough hit was “When I Call Your Name” which earned him his first Grammy. I thought this soulful song would be a lovely match for the Edition XV and I was right. The whole tonal feel of this Country Western heart-break song is dense and sweet, from the Honky Tonk piano, slide guitar and Vince Gills soaring tenor. The ¾ time waltz-like rhythm invites the listener to move in close and the Edition XV, with its sweet tonal warmth presents the song with detail and tonal accuracy and Vince Gill’s haunting tenor without ever moving into piercing highs.

Alison Krauss + Union Station, New Favorite, CD 16-Bit, 41.1 kHz-Stereo, Qobuz

Enjoying my Bluegrass wanderings, I listened to Alison Krauss and the Union Station. They first became known for their wildly popular performance on the soundtrack of the film “O’ Brother, Where Art Thou?” Known for their classic fiddle and Dobro sound, they brought Bluegrass music to a wide audience. On the album New Favorite, the band ventured into a more “modern” pop music sound, and the title song New Favorite was a chance to explore how well the Edition XV could reproduce deep bass notes while the crisp metallic sounds of Jerry Douglas’s Dobro played along with Alison’s sweet soft soprano vocals. The bass was tight and musical while also being weighty. The Edition XV provided good detail and tonal accuracy while retaining a nice touch of warmth.

SuperBass (Live at Sculler’s Jazz Club, Boston, MA/October 17-18, 1996)

Since the Edition XV seems to have an affinity for the lower bass notes, I couldn’t think of better music to explore than the recordings of cello bass player Ray Brown. He had been a feature bass player since 1945 when he played with Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. He then recorded with an early version of the Modern Jazz Quartet before becoming a permanent member of the Oscar Peterson Trio from 1951 to 1966. After leaving Oscar Peterson he worked as a studio musician and manager of several recording artists including Quincy Jones.

SuperBass was recorded live during a two-night performance at Sculler’s Jazz Club. It is an exceptional recording. The all-acoustic, three-bass performance featured Ray Brown collaborating with John Clayton Jr., former bassist with the Count Basie Orchestra and Christian McBride. The trio performed 10 popular jazz pieces which showcased the broad capabilities of cello and upright bass playing as melody instruments: sometimes plucking and bowing as well as more traditional time-keeping bass notes.

One of the striking effects of the recording is its almost binaural, three-dimensional presentation of both the players and the audience and space of the club. The Edition XV, in open-back, planar fashion, has a wide and spacious soundstage which gives a surround-sound experience to the live recording. In addition, the planar drivers are fast and responsive. They may be warm and lush, but they keep up with every note and crack of the snare drum.

On Sculler’s Blues, Benny Green on piano and Gregory Hutchinson on drums bring an almost orchestral sound to the three bassists who play a more traditional rhythm support to the performance. It is a brilliant and joyful piece and the Editon XV did a great job bringing a life-like quality to the sound from the deep resonating basses to the crisp strike of the cymbals and snare drums to the thump of the bass drum. I think anyone who loves traditional jazz might want to consider the Edition XV as a great addition to their collection.

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Conclusion:

At only $399.00 the Edition XV hits it out of the park. HIFIMAN has built a beautiful headphone that gives buyers on a budget the opportunity to own an audiophile-level headphone without breaking the bank. The fact that it is easy to drive, and sounds great on portable DAC/amps, means a simple and affordable set-up is all that is required to enjoy music at a level that is anything but budget.

Likes

This is a fun headphone. It got me to lighten up and simply enjoy the music.

The warm and lush signature makes for relaxed listening, while still managing to preserve the details and clarity.

I think the Edition XV might introduce a whole new group of listeners to planar magnetic headphones.

The Edition XV is easy to drive and doesn’t require a desktop set-up, though it benefits from one.

The new headband style is modern and classy.

The squishy earpads are extremely comfortable.

The full-size egg-shape earcups are roomy.

The Edition XV provides much of the warmth and deep bass of a dynamic headphone while keeping the qualities that make planar magnetic headphones so loved in the audiophile world.

The 452 grams are well distributed, and the headphones feel light and comfortable.

Would Like To See

I would like to see a 4.4mm balanced cable be included in the box.

I’ve been a fan of the HIFIMAN “house sound” which is known for clarity, soundstage, dynamics, and the sparkling highs that magnify the details. To me, this puts many of the HIFIMAN planar headphones close to electrostatic headphone territory. However, those sparkling highs that I love, are what has kept some listeners reaching for dynamic headphones instead of planars. The Edition XV’s velvety overall warmth and luscious mids and its ability to present treble with an alive sparkle while taming the sharp edges, makes for a compelling planar headphone that just might convert an entire new group of listeners. It converted me from thinking a warm sounding headphone would somehow take away from the neutrality I associate with an analytical headphone. I realize that warm headphones don’t mean I have to give up enjoying detail, and that a bit of warmth is actually quite lovely.