--- title: "HIFIMAN Edition XS vs HIFIMAN Sundara: Which to Buy?" description: "HIFIMAN Edition XS vs Sundara: open-back planar magnetic headphones compared. The Sundara scores 9.0/10 to 8.7/10. They differ most on comfort and treble." url: "https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-edition-xs-vs-hifiman-sundara/" type: "article" section: "Headphones comparison" author: "Jakub Charkiewicz" published: "2023-07-14T00:00:00.000Z" modified: "2026-10-10T00:00:00.000Z" --- > Markdown rendering of https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-edition-xs-vs-hifiman-sundara/ > Canonical URL to cite: https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-edition-xs-vs-hifiman-sundara/ > 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 Sundara # HIFIMAN Edition XS vs HIFIMAN Sundara The HIFIMAN Sundara scores 0.3 higher at about the same price as the Edition XS. The Sundara review puts the choice against the Edition XS this way: "Sound separation is at a decent level. Sounds aren't getting blended in with each other, which leads to a clean and pleasant presentation." By [Jakub Charkiewicz](https://theaudiostuff.com/authors/jakub-charkiewicz/) Published Jul 14, 2023 Updated Oct 10, 2026 On score and price **HIFIMAN Sundara** Higher score than the Edition XS, at a similar list price. When to choose the Edition XS over the Sundara ![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) ## [HIFIMAN Edition XS](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-edition-xs/) Score **8.7** -0.3 Verdict Highly Recommended List price **$269** -$30 [HIFIMAN Edition XS review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-edition-xs/) ![HIFIMAN Sundara ear cup from the side, its honeycomb grille set in a matte cast frame](https://theaudiostuff.com/images/sundara-open-back-ear-cup-1152w.avif) Higher score ## [HIFIMAN Sundara](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-sundara/) Score **9.0** +0.3 Verdict Highly Recommended List price **$299** +$30 [HIFIMAN Sundara review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-sundara/) 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 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/) - [Compare the Edition XS with HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth scored 8.5 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-edition-xs-vs-hifiman-he1000-stealth/) Keep the Sundara - [Compare the Sundara with HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth scored 8.8 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-ananda-stealth-vs-hifiman-sundara/) - [Compare the Sundara with HIFIMAN Ananda Nano scored 8.6 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-ananda-nano-vs-hifiman-sundara/) - [Compare the Sundara with Meze 105 Silva scored 8.7 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-sundara-vs-meze-105-silva/) ## In the reviewer's words {#words-heading} The Sundara review compares it with the Edition XS directly, verbatim below. > Sound separation is at a decent level. Sounds aren't getting blended in with each other, which leads to a clean and pleasant presentation. It's not as good as something like an Edition XS - with Sundara you can't differentiate all the instruments in the mix as easily. You can absolutely still tell that there are drums, strings, and all that - it just doesn't scream at you with the sound separation. *HIFIMAN Sundara review, from the section "Separation trails the Edition XS". [Read it in context in the Sundara review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-sundara/#separation-trails-the-edition-xs)* ## Which one to buy {#guidance-heading} On score and price the Sundara is the better buy, and the cards below say who should still choose the Edition XS. **Who the Edition XS and the Sundara are each for, side by side** | At a glance | HIFIMAN Edition XS | HIFIMAN Sundara | | --- | --- | --- | | Score | 8.7/10, Highly Recommended | 9.0/10, Highly Recommended | | List price | $269 | $299 | | Lowest US price now | [$209 at Apos Audio and 2 other stores on Oct 20, 2026](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-edition-xs/#rv-price-heading) | [$179 at Apos Audio and 2 other stores on Oct 20, 2026](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-sundara/#rv-price-heading) | ### HIFIMAN Edition XS Choose it instead if: - You want the Edition XS's amp matching and value, which its review praises and the Sundara review does not cover. [HIFIMAN Edition XS review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-edition-xs/) ### HIFIMAN Sundara Choose it if: - You want the Sundara's tonal balance, which its review praises and the Edition XS review does not cover. [HIFIMAN Sundara review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-sundara/) ### What matters most to you? {#cmp-ax-title} **Rubric axes out of 10: Edition XS and Sundara.** | What matters | HIFIMAN Edition XS | HIFIMAN Sundara | | --- | --- | --- | | Sound | 8.3 | 9.0 | | Technical performance | 9.0 | 9.3 | | Build & comfort | 8.4 | 8.6 | | System fit | 8.9 | 8.7 | | Value | 9.1 | 9.2 | The widest gap is sound: 8.3 for the Edition XS against 9.0 for the Sundara. The Edition XS column is worked out from its review's 11 pros and cons and the Sundara column from 12, and each adds back up to its overall score, 8.7 and 9.0. [How a score is built](https://theaudiostuff.com/about/#rubric) ## Where they differ {#diff-heading} The Sundara has a suspension strap and the Edition XS does not. ### Comfort and fit The [Edition XS review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-edition-xs/#roomy-cups-a-build-held-back-by-the-headband) and the [Sundara review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-sundara/#an-all-metal-build-with-a-suspension-strap) both have something to say here, and the Sundara review compares the two on it directly, quoted above: - Edition XS, criticized: "Solid headband (no suspension strap) creates a hotspot after a few hours" - Sundara, criticized: "Inner pad diameter likely too small for many ears" Only the [Edition XS review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-edition-xs/) praises its amp matching and value but faults its treble and mids; only the [Sundara review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-sundara/) praises its detail and tonal balance but faults its driver technology. ## What they have in common {#common-heading} The Edition XS and the Sundara are both open-back planar magnetic headphones from HIFIMAN. The Edition XS and the Sundara are both praised for their bass, soundstage, and build. ## Sound signature, overlaid {#sig-heading} The Edition XS and the Sundara both sound wide-staged. For presentation, the better guide is the Sundara review's own comparison with the Edition XS, quoted above. ## On paper {#specs-heading} The Edition XS ranks joint #8 and the Sundara #4 of the 30 headphones reviewed here; on value the Edition XS and the Sundara both rate Excellent. To reach 110 dB peaks the Edition XS needs about 63 mW and the Sundara about 63 mW, which puts both in reach of most dongle DACs. At 342 g against 405 g, the Sundara is 63 g lighter than the Edition XS. The Edition XS and Sundara spec sheets match on sensitivity (92 dB/mW). The Edition XS and Sundara 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 Sundara** | Spec | HIFIMAN Edition XS | HIFIMAN Sundara | | --- | --- | --- | | Impedance | 18 Ω | 32 Ω | | Weight | 405 g | 342 g | Only the [Edition XS review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-edition-xs/#specs-heading) lists frequency response; only the [Sundara review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-sundara/#specs-heading) lists connector. ## How these verdicts were reached {#deepdive-heading} The Edition XS review was published on Jun 1, 2023 and the Sundara review on Jul 14, 2023, on one [reference chain](https://theaudiostuff.com/about/how-we-test/) and [rubric](https://theaudiostuff.com/about/#rubric). The Sundara review compares it with the Edition XS directly, quoted above. The Edition XS and Sundara reviews were both last checked on Oct 3, 2026. ## Sources {#cmp-sources-heading} Further reading for the Edition XS and the Sundara: the Edition XS's Stealth Magnets and what both reviews say about tonality. - [HyperPhysics: Diffraction of sound](https://hyperphysics.gsu.edu/hbase/Sound/diffrac.html) - [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/) ## Questions about the Edition XS and Sundara {#compare-faq-heading} 1. ### What is the difference between the HIFIMAN Edition XS and the HIFIMAN Sundara? {#compare-hifiman-edition-xs-hifiman-sundara-faq-what-is-the-difference-between-the-hifiman-edition} The HIFIMAN Sundara scores higher than the Edition XS, 9.0 to 8.7. The Edition XS's review praises its amp matching and value and the Sundara's its tonal balance, each on ground the other review leaves alone. For voicing, the better guide is the Sundara review's own comparison with the Edition XS, quoted above. 2. ### Which should you buy, the HIFIMAN Edition XS or the HIFIMAN Sundara? {#compare-hifiman-edition-xs-hifiman-sundara-faq-which-should-you-buy-the-hifiman-edition-xs} The Sundara, which scores 9.0 to the Edition XS's 8.7 for about the same money. Choose the Edition XS instead if its amp matching is what you are buying for. The Sundara review's own take on the Edition XS is quoted above. ## Where they rank {#ranks-heading} [Best Headphones Under $500](https://theaudiostuff.com/guides/best-headphones-under-500/) Sundara **#1** - Best Overall Edition XS **#4** - Best Value 8 picks [Best Open-Back Headphones](https://theaudiostuff.com/guides/best-open-back-headphones/) Sundara **#4** - Best Value Edition XS **#9** - Best Budget 14 picks [Best Planar Magnetic Headphones](https://theaudiostuff.com/guides/best-planar-magnetic-headphones/) Sundara **#4** - Best Value Edition XS **#7** - Best Budget 10 picks [Best Reference-Grade Audio Gear](https://theaudiostuff.com/guides/best-reference-grade-audio-gear/) Sundara **#10** - Best Value Edition XS not listed 10 picks ## Tools for this decision {#compare-tools-heading} Calculator ### [Headphone Power Calculator](https://theaudiostuff.com/tools/headphone-power-calculator/) Finder ### [Help Me Choose: Audio Gear Finder Quiz](https://theaudiostuff.com/tools/help-me-choose/) ## Related comparisons {#related-heading} Nearby headphone matchups without the Edition XS or the Sundara. [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 Arya Stealth 8.7 HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled 9.1](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-arya-stealth-vs-hifiman-arya-unveiled/) [HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth 8.8 HIFIMAN Arya Stealth 8.7](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-ananda-stealth-vs-hifiman-arya-stealth/) [All headphone matchups](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/#cat-headphones) [All headphone reviews](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/headphones/)