Hifiman Edition XV

Neo Supernano Planar With a More Relaxed Tuning — Hifiman’s Most Approachable New Mid-Fi Headphone

By releasing four new headphones late last year, Hifiman has done something very interesting with their complete midrange lineup. These new models provide meaningful upgrades in sound, comfort, and especially build quality to the classics they sit above. But before getting into the details of this particular headphone, it is worth a quick mention that in typical Hifiman fashion they also reduced the prices of the models being replaced — the Edition XS, Sundara, and Ananda have all received meaningful price reductions with these new introductions. Overall, it is a great time to be getting into headphones with so many compelling options available at every price range.

But let’s get into what I have been calling “the normal one” in this new lineup, the Edition XV.

These four headphones arrived together roughly three months ago, and I owe Hifiman an apology for the delay in getting these published. That extended window, however, turned out to be a genuine gift — the kind of time that shifts your perspective from first impressions to something more considered and settled. Over those months these four became something like a group of friends in rotation on my evening listening table, and the Edition XV is the one I would describe as “the normal one.”

The reference is deliberate. When Jürgen Klopp arrived at Liverpool — my football club — in October 2015, he introduced himself as “the normal one,” a direct and characteristically self-aware contrast to Mourinho’s “special one” persona. He turned out to be one of the most special managers in the club’s history, but it took time to see that. The Edition XV is a bit like that: it does not immediately grab you the way the HE600 does, but over weeks and months it earns a different kind of appreciation — something more sustainable and less dependent on initial excitement. I tested it primarily through the JDS Labs Element IV and Topping DX5 II. But first, let’s take a look at what’s in the box.

Unboxing and Packaging

The Edition XV arrives in Hifiman’s familiar clean outer box, with specifications printed on the side panel — practical and immediately useful:

Inside, the headphone is nested in shaped foam, with the cable accessories box tucked alongside it. The cable box includes a QR code linking to further documentation:

The headphones sit snugly in the foam insert before removal:

As with the rest of this Hifiman lineup, the foam insert does double duty as a headphone stand once the headphone is removed — a simple but genuinely useful touch that is consistent across all four new models:

The contents are minimal: the Edition XV itself, a 1.5m 3.5mm headphone cable, and a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter. At $399 the absence of a carry case is less surprising than at the HE600’s price point, but the cable is worth noting separately — more on that shortly.

Design, Build Quality, and Driver Technology

The Edition XV follows the Hifiman egg-shaped earcup geometry that defines this new model family. Up close, the build quality is convincing — well-machined grille work, solid cup construction, and a finish that feels appropriate for the price:

The large interior volume of the earcup — visible in the deep egg-shaped geometry — is a defining characteristic of this headphone family. More internal space means more ear-to-driver clearance, which is part of what gives Hifiman planars their characteristic spacious, uncongested sound:

The planar driver is visible through the grille. Two close-up angles show the consistency and precision of the grille work as well as a direct view of the driver membrane underneath:

A further zoom shows the planar driver clearly through the grille — a satisfying piece of visible engineering:

The earpads are generously sized and comfortable, with material that is pleasant against the skin during extended sessions:

The new headband mechanism — shared across all four new Hifiman models — is a genuine step forward. The composite headband adjusts smoothly, feels more premium than the older click-and-slide system, and distributes the 452g of the Edition XV well enough that I had no fatigue across multi-hour sessions. In my opinion, the new design removes any need for aftermarket comfort straps that older Hifiman headbands sometimes required. Two images show the headband at full extension and the visible improvement over the previous generation design:

The one area where the Edition XV falls short of expectations for its price is the cable. It is functional but unremarkable — the kind of braided 3.5mm cable that does the job and no more. Compared to the cables included by FiiO, Aune, or other brands at similar or lower price points, this is a clear downgrade:

Planar Magnetic Driver Technology

The Edition XV uses Hifiman’s Neo Supernano planar magnetic driver — a design that is fundamentally different from conventional dynamic headphone drivers in several key ways. Where dynamic headphones drive only select areas of the diaphragm, leaving a large portion undriven, the planar magnetic approach distributes conductive layers evenly across the full surface of the diaphragm. The entire membrane is driven simultaneously by the magnetic force, which produces significantly lower distortion and better micro-detail retrieval than a conventional dynamic driver can achieve at the same price.

The mass advantage is equally important. Because both the diaphragm and conductor traces in a planar design are far lighter than the equivalent in a dynamic driver, the upper frequency bound — the point at which the driver begins to lose control of the membrane — extends much further. The result is a headphone that handles complex high-frequency passages with notable precision, and produces soundstage imaging that is consistently accurate:

At 120Ω and 92dB sensitivity, the Edition XV requires a bit more voltage to drive well than the 28Ω HE600. Most dedicated DAC/amps — including the JDS Labs Element IV and Topping DX5 II I used throughout this review — will have no difficulty, but it is worth noting that low-powered portable gear or phone outputs may not get the most from this headphone.

Fit and Comfort

The egg-shaped earcups sit wide and deep on the head, with enough internal volume that my ears had clear driver clearance throughout. The 452g weight is on the heavier side, but the new headband distributes it across a larger surface area of the crown than older Hifiman designs managed. After three months of regular evening use, I had no discomfort issues with this headphone. The earcup geometry within the broader Hifiman egg-shaped family is shown here with some of the other models from the same design era:

Sound Impressions

All listening impressions were formed using the JDS Labs Element IV and Topping DX5 II, with no EQ applied. The Edition XV was in regular rotation over a three-month period alongside the HE600, Ananda Unveiled, and Audivana LE.

Bass

The Edition XV’s bass is clean, extended, and well-controlled — characteristic planar linearity without mid-bass bloom. Interestingly, the bass subjectively feels slightly more present than on the HE600, not because there is more of it in absolute terms, but because the more relaxed treble of the Edition XV shifts the perceived tonal balance toward the lower frequencies. On “Enjoy the Silence” by Depeche Mode, the driving bass line has real weight and authority without overstaying its welcome into the lower midrange — precisely controlled and satisfying without demanding attention. As with the HE600, a sub-bass shelf via PEQ is easily applied if you want more weight, and the driver handles it without strain.

Midrange

The midrange is where the Edition XV begins to differentiate itself most clearly from the Edition XS it replaces. The XS — like many Hifiman designs — carries a degree of upper-midrange recession that can make the soundstage feel slightly pulled back or less forward in vocal-heavy music. The Edition XV has a more direct, present midrange character that puts vocals and instruments closer to the listener without feeling aggressive. On “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman, the voice is immediate, the guitar body is present and convincing, and there is none of the slightly ethereal quality that sometimes makes the XS feel more “audiophile” than simply natural.

Treble

The treble is the Edition XV’s defining characteristic and the source of both its main strength and its main trade-off. It is noticeably more relaxed than the HE600 — less energetic in the upper frequencies, smoother through the cymbal range, and considerably more forgiving of recordings that were mastered hot in the highs. Where the HE600 will tell you plainly when a 1980s recording was too bright, the Edition XV handles the same track with more composure. On “She Said She Said” (2022 mix) by The Beatles, the Edition XV renders the electric guitar and drum cymbals with real texture and presence, but without the occasional edge the HE600 can introduce on vintage recordings. The trade-off is that this relaxed treble tuning makes the Edition XV slightly less immediately exciting than its sibling — it takes time to appreciate what it is giving you, which is effortless long-session listening across any genre.

Soundstage and Imaging

The soundstage sits slightly wider than the HE600’s more intimate presentation, though it does not approach the genuinely expansive stage of the Ananda Unveiled or the Edition XS. What the Edition XV offers is a well-proportioned, consistent stage with reliable imaging — instruments sit in stable positions, layering front-to-back is clean, and nothing blurs or wanders. On “Private Investigations” by Dire Straits, the guitar, bass, and vocal each have a defined home within the mix, and the spatial organisation of the ensemble comes through clearly. It is not a wide-stage headphone, but within its frame the imaging precision is not something you need to look hard to find.

Comparisons

The Edition XV is Hifiman’s intended evolution of the Edition XS, and the comparison bears that framing out. The XS — now available for around $209 — still has a slight edge in perceived “audiophile” detail thanks to its more energetic treble character, and for someone encountering Hifiman planars for the first time, that extra treble bite can feel exciting and revealing. The Edition XV is better in almost every other respect: build quality, headband comfort, midrange balance, and long-term listenability. The XS remains an easy recommendation at its new lower price; the Edition XV is the right second Hifiman purchase, or the right first purchase for anyone who already knows they prefer a balanced, forgiving sound signature:

The Ananda family — including the Hifiman Ananda Stealth and the new Ananda Unveiled — remain excellent headphones with a slight soundstage and imaging advantage over the Edition XV, particularly in how far they can throw the stage width. The Unveiled in particular has a drop-dead gorgeous open grille design that also delivers acoustic benefits. Both are strong alternatives if soundstage width is the primary priority:

Against the Hedd Audio HEDDphone D1, the Edition XV holds up well. The D1 has the stronger midrange in absolute terms — perhaps the best midrange clarity of any headphone I have reviewed in this price range — and its treble is arguably even more neutral than the Edition XV’s already relaxed presentation. In the bass, I gave the slight edge to the Edition XV, which felt more controlled and linear in the low end. Both headphones are excellent and comfortable recommendations at their respective prices:

The Edition XV alongside the HE600 and several other headphones from this review period shows the breadth of the company comparison here:

The Meze 105 AER deserves a mention as one of the more compelling open-back alternatives in this price range. It is extremely comfortable — one of the most comfortable headphones I have used — and carries a warmer, slightly more relaxed sound signature that many listeners will find immediately appealing. I prefer the Edition XV for technical performance and imaging precision, but the Meze’s fit and its warm character make it a genuinely competitive alternative, particularly for listeners who know they prefer warmth over neutrality:

Specifications

Measurements

The Edition XV’s stock channel matching is consistent and clean — left and right tracking reliably across the frequency range:

Across multiple measurement positions the response remains consistent, which speaks well of both the driver and the headband fit repeatability:

Against the Harman OE 2018 target, the Edition XV shows a linear bass region and a well-behaved midrange, with a treble that sits below the target’s recommended energy level — confirming in measurements what is immediately apparent in listening: this is a relaxed, easy-to-live-with tuning:

The direct comparison with the HE600 shows the treble difference clearly — the HE600 carries more upper-frequency energy than the Edition XV across the critical 5–10kHz region, which maps directly to the listening impressions:

With both plotted against the Harman target the picture becomes even clearer — the HE600 sits above the target in the treble while the Edition XV sits below it, with their bass and midrange characters largely aligned:

The Edition XS comparison confirms the upgrade. The Edition XV has better bass extension and a more balanced overall signature, while the XS’s more forward treble character is visible in the upper frequencies:

Against the Sundara, the Edition XV shows a similar midrange character but more extended bass — the Sundara was always a neutral-midrange headphone, and the XV continues that tradition while building on it:

Two comparisons with popular IEM-tier reference points — the FiiO JT7 and FiiO FT1 Pro — show how the Edition XV’s tuning places it in context against headphones many listeners will already be familiar with:

Distortion performance is excellent throughout the frequency range — clean, well-controlled, and consistent with what the planar magnetic driver technology promises:

Rating Explanation

The Pragmatic Rating of 5 reflects a headphone that delivers outstanding performance at $399. The build quality, headband comfort, and driver engineering are all operating well above what this price point usually delivers, and the sound signature is mature enough to work across every genre without special consideration. It is a different kind of 5 from the HE600 — less immediately impressive, more durably satisfying — but a 5 nonetheless.

The Price Rating of 5 is straightforward: at $399 with this level of build, driver technology, and measurement quality, the Edition XV represents clear value. The Features Rating of 4 reflects the genuinely improved headband alongside the disappointingly ordinary cable and the absence of a carry case. The Measurements Rating of 5 reflects excellent channel matching, exemplary distortion figures, and a frequency response that — while more relaxed in the treble than some will want — is exactly what was intended and executes that intention consistently.

Conclusion

Jürgen Klopp arrived at Liverpool calling himself “the normal one.” It was modest, self-aware, and ultimately a poor description of what he turned out to be. The Edition XV is something similar: it will not immediately overwhelm you the way the HE600 does, and it does not have the visual drama of the Ananda Unveiled. What it does have is a kind of sustainable, genre-agnostic excellence that you come to appreciate more the longer you spend with it — a quality that is genuinely rare at $399 and that most two-week reviews will not have enough time to find.

The Edition XS at $209 is still a great entry point. But if you know what you are looking for — or if you are buying your second Hifiman and want something you can live with long-term without reservation — the Edition XV is the right answer. Normal, in this case, turns out to be rather special.