--- title: "HIFIMAN Edition XS vs HE1000 Stealth: Which to Buy?" description: "HIFIMAN Edition XS vs HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth: open-back planar magnetic headphones compared. The Edition XS scores 8.7/10 to 8.5/10 and costs $850 less." url: "https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-edition-xs-vs-hifiman-he1000-stealth/" type: "article" section: "Headphones comparison" author: "Jakub Charkiewicz" published: "2026-06-27T00:00:00.000Z" modified: "2026-10-10T00:00:00.000Z" --- > Markdown rendering of https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-edition-xs-vs-hifiman-he1000-stealth/ > Canonical URL to cite: https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-edition-xs-vs-hifiman-he1000-stealth/ > Generated from the published page. Text and links only; see the HTML for layout. Breadcrumb: [Home](https://theaudiostuff.com/) > [Comparisons](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/) > HIFIMAN Edition XS vs HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth # HIFIMAN Edition XS vs HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth The HIFIMAN Edition XS scores 0.2 higher and costs $850 less than the HE1000 Stealth. Going by the two reviews, the Edition XS is stronger on amp matching and the HE1000 Stealth on comfort. By [Jakub Charkiewicz](https://theaudiostuff.com/authors/jakub-charkiewicz/) Published Jun 27, 2026 Updated Oct 10, 2026 On score and price **HIFIMAN Edition XS** Higher score and lower list price than the HE1000 Stealth. When to choose the HE1000 Stealth over the Edition XS ## Is the HE1000 Stealth worth $850 more than the Edition XS? {#cmp-qa-title} Not on score: the HE1000 Stealth scores 0.2 lower than the Edition XS. Going by the two reviews, what the HE1000 Stealth adds for the money is its comfort and tonal balance, and the Edition XS keeps the edge on amp matching. ![HIFIMAN Edition XS side-on on a speckled stand, horizontal silver slats across the egg-shaped cup](https://theaudiostuff.com/images/hifiman-edition-xs-open-back-egg-grille-1152w.avif) Higher score ## [HIFIMAN Edition XS](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-edition-xs/) Score **8.7** +0.2 Verdict Highly Recommended List price **$269** -$850 [HIFIMAN Edition XS review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-edition-xs/) ![HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth on a curved headphone stand, its black pads framed by silver and wood-accent rims](https://theaudiostuff.com/images/hifiman-he1000-stealth-full-headphone-1152w.avif) ## [HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-he1000-stealth/) Score **8.5** -0.2 Verdict Highly Recommended List price **$1,119** +$850 [HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-he1000-stealth/) Keep the Edition XS - [Compare the Edition XS with HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled scored 9.1 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-arya-unveiled-vs-hifiman-edition-xs/) - [Compare the Edition XS with HIFIMAN Sundara scored 9.0 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-edition-xs-vs-hifiman-sundara/) - [Compare the Edition XS with OLLO Audio X1 scored 8.9 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-edition-xs-vs-ollo-audio-x1/) - [Compare the Edition XS with HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth scored 8.8 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-ananda-stealth-vs-hifiman-edition-xs/) - [Compare the Edition XS with Meze 105 Silva scored 8.7 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-edition-xs-vs-meze-105-silva/) - [Compare the Edition XS with HIFIMAN Ananda Nano scored 8.6 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-ananda-nano-vs-hifiman-edition-xs/) Keep the HE1000 Stealth - [Compare the HE1000 Stealth with HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth scored 8.8 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-ananda-stealth-vs-hifiman-he1000-stealth/) - [Compare the HE1000 Stealth with HIFIMAN Arya Stealth scored 8.7 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-arya-stealth-vs-hifiman-he1000-stealth/) - [Compare the HE1000 Stealth with HIFIMAN Ananda Nano scored 8.6 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-ananda-nano-vs-hifiman-he1000-stealth/) ## Which one to buy {#guidance-heading} The Edition XS is the better buy unless its comfort would put you off, in which case take the HE1000 Stealth. **Who the Edition XS and the HE1000 Stealth are each for, side by side** | At a glance | HIFIMAN Edition XS | HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth | | --- | --- | --- | | Score | 8.7/10, Highly Recommended | 8.5/10, Highly Recommended | | List price | $269 | $1,119 | | Lowest US price now | [$209 at Apos Audio and 2 other stores on Oct 21, 2026](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-edition-xs/#rv-price-heading) | [$949 at Apos Audio and 3 other stores on Oct 21, 2026](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-he1000-stealth/#rv-price-heading) | ### HIFIMAN Edition XS Choose it if: - You care more about the Edition XS's amp matching than the HE1000 Stealth's comfort. [HIFIMAN Edition XS review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-edition-xs/) ### HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth Choose it instead if: - You care more about the HE1000 Stealth's comfort than the Edition XS's amp matching. [HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-he1000-stealth/) ### What matters most to you? {#cmp-ax-title} **Rubric axes out of 10: Edition XS and HE1000 Stealth.** | What matters | HIFIMAN Edition XS | HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth | | --- | --- | --- | | Sound | 8.3 | 8.5 | | Technical performance | 9.0 | 8.6 | | Build & comfort | 8.4 | 9.0 | | System fit | 8.9 | 8.4 | | Value | 9.1 | 7.8 | The widest gap is value: 9.1 for the Edition XS against 7.8 for the HE1000 Stealth. The Edition XS column is worked out from its review's 11 pros and cons and the HE1000 Stealth column from 14, and each adds back up to its overall score, 8.7 and 8.5. [How a score is built](https://theaudiostuff.com/about/#rubric) ## Where they differ {#diff-heading} The HE1000 Stealth has a suspension strap and the Edition XS does not. Only the HE1000 Stealth - Flagship ### Amp and source matching Here the [Edition XS review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-edition-xs/#a-v-shaped-sound-that-runs-from-a-dongle) is the more positive of the two and the [HE1000 Stealth review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-he1000-stealth/#easy-to-drive-specs-better-with-a-proper-amp) finds fault: - Edition XS, praised: "Easy to drive - works fine from a dongle or cheap amp" - HE1000 Stealth, criticized: "Revealing - unforgiving of poor recordings or cheap sources" ### Comfort and fit Here the [HE1000 Stealth review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-he1000-stealth/#comfortable-and-well-made-but-very-large) is the kinder of the two and the [Edition XS review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-edition-xs/#roomy-cups-a-build-held-back-by-the-headband) has reservations: - HE1000 Stealth, praised: "Excellent comfort despite 458g" - Edition XS, criticized: "Solid headband (no suspension strap) creates a hotspot after a few hours" Only the [Edition XS review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-edition-xs/#worth-269-for-a-sound-rarely-found-elsewhere) praises its value; only the [HE1000 Stealth review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-he1000-stealth/) praises its tonal balance, driver technology, and cabling but faults its detail. ## What they have in common {#common-heading} The Edition XS and the HE1000 Stealth are both open-back planar magnetic headphones from HIFIMAN. The Edition XS and the HE1000 Stealth are both praised for their bass, soundstage, and build, and both criticized for their treble and mids. ## Sound signature, overlaid {#sig-heading} The Edition XS and the HE1000 Stealth both sound wide-staged. ## On paper {#specs-heading} The Edition XS ranks joint #8 and the HE1000 Stealth #12 of the 30 headphones reviewed here; on value the Edition XS rates Excellent and the HE1000 Stealth Steep. To reach 110 dB peaks the Edition XS needs about 63 mW and the HE1000 Stealth about 50 mW, which puts both in reach of most dongle DACs. At 405 g against 458 g, the Edition XS is 53 g lighter than the HE1000 Stealth. The Edition XS and HE1000 Stealth figures are the makers' own; [IEC 60268-7](https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/86573) defines how they are measured. **Specifications for the HIFIMAN Edition XS compared with the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth** | Spec | HIFIMAN Edition XS | HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth | | --- | --- | --- | | Impedance | 18 Ω | 32 Ω | | Sensitivity | 92 dB/mW | 93 dB (reference not stated) | | Frequency response | 8 Hz - 50 kHz | 8 Hz - 65 kHz | | Weight | 405 g | 458 g | Only the [HE1000 Stealth review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-he1000-stealth/#specs-heading) lists connector, which the Edition XS review leaves out. ## How these verdicts were reached {#deepdive-heading} The Edition XS review was published on Jun 1, 2023 and the HE1000 Stealth review on Jun 27, 2026, just over three years later, on one [reference chain](https://theaudiostuff.com/about/how-we-test/) and [rubric](https://theaudiostuff.com/about/#rubric). The Edition XS review never mentions the HE1000 Stealth, nor the HE1000 Stealth review the Edition XS: two separate sessions. The Edition XS and HE1000 Stealth reviews were both last checked on Oct 3, 2026. ## Sources {#cmp-sources-heading} Further reading for the Edition XS and the HE1000 Stealth: what both reviews say about tonality and [soundstage](https://theaudiostuff.com/glossary/soundstage/). - [Olive (2022): The perception and measurement of headphone sound quality: what do listeners prefer?](https://acousticstoday.org/he-perception-and-measurement-of-headphone-sound-quality-what-do-listeners-prefer-sean-e-olive/) - [NYU perception lecture notes: Auditory pathways and sound localization](https://www.cns.nyu.edu/~david/courses/perception/lecturenotes/localization/localization.html) ## Questions about the Edition XS and HE1000 Stealth {#compare-faq-heading} 1. ### What is the difference between the HIFIMAN Edition XS and the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth? {#compare-hifiman-edition-xs-hifiman-he1000-stealth-faq-what-is-the-difference-between-the-hifiman-edition} On score, the HIFIMAN Edition XS is ahead of the HE1000 Stealth, 8.7 against 8.5. The Edition XS does better on amp matching, the HE1000 Stealth on comfort. The Edition XS and the HE1000 Stealth have similar sound signatures on every axis. 2. ### Which should you buy, the HIFIMAN Edition XS or the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth? {#compare-hifiman-edition-xs-hifiman-he1000-stealth-faq-which-should-you-buy-the-hifiman-edition-xs} The Edition XS beats the HE1000 Stealth on both counts, scoring 8.7 to 8.5 and costing $850 less. 3. ### Which is easier to drive, the Edition XS or the HE1000 Stealth? {#compare-hifiman-edition-xs-hifiman-he1000-stealth-faq-which-is-easier-to-drive-the-edition-xs} The Edition XS: its review is positive about amp matching, while the HE1000 Stealth review is critical. 4. ### Which is more comfortable, the Edition XS or the HE1000 Stealth? {#compare-hifiman-edition-xs-hifiman-he1000-stealth-faq-which-is-more-comfortable-the-edition-xs-or} The HE1000 Stealth, narrowly: both reviews are mixed on comfort, the HE1000 Stealth's less so than the Edition XS's. ## Where they rank {#ranks-heading} [Best Headphones Under $500](https://theaudiostuff.com/guides/best-headphones-under-500/) Edition XS **#4** - Best Value HE1000 Stealth not listed 8 picks [Best Planar Magnetic Headphones](https://theaudiostuff.com/guides/best-planar-magnetic-headphones/) Edition XS **#7** - Best Budget HE1000 Stealth **#9** 10 picks [Best Open-Back Headphones](https://theaudiostuff.com/guides/best-open-back-headphones/) Edition XS **#9** - Best Budget HE1000 Stealth **#11** 14 picks ## Tools for this decision {#compare-tools-heading} Calculator ### [Headphone Power Calculator](https://theaudiostuff.com/tools/headphone-power-calculator/) Test ### [Speaker & Headphone Test](https://theaudiostuff.com/tools/speaker-test/) ## Related comparisons {#related-heading} Nearby headphone matchups without the Edition XS or the HE1000 Stealth. [HIFIMAN Arya Organic 9.2 HIFIMAN HE1000se 9.3](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-arya-organic-vs-hifiman-he1000se/) [HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled 9.1 HIFIMAN HE1000se 9.3](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-arya-unveiled-vs-hifiman-he1000se/) [HIFIMAN Arya Organic 9.2 HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled 9.1](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-arya-organic-vs-hifiman-arya-unveiled/) [HIFIMAN Arya Organic 9.2 HIFIMAN Arya Stealth 8.7](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-arya-organic-vs-hifiman-arya-stealth/) [HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth 8.8 HIFIMAN Sundara 9.0](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-ananda-stealth-vs-hifiman-sundara/) [HIFIMAN Arya Stealth 8.7 HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled 9.1](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-arya-stealth-vs-hifiman-arya-unveiled/) [All headphone matchups](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/#cat-headphones) [All headphone reviews](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/headphones/)