HIFIMAN Edition XS vs HIFIMAN Sundara
The HIFIMAN Sundara scores 0.3 higher at about the same price as the HIFIMAN 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 · Published · Updated
On score and price HIFIMAN Sundara The Sundara scores 0.3 higher for about the same money as the Edition XS.
When to choose the Edition XS over the SundaraThe short version
The HIFIMAN Edition XS scores 8.7/10 (Highly Recommended) and the HIFIMAN Sundara 9.0/10 (Highly Recommended). The Edition XS and Sundara cost about the same ($269 against $299). Weighing score against price, the Sundara is a better buy than the Edition XS, and the cards below say when the Edition XS makes more sense.
HIFIMAN Edition XS
Higher score
HIFIMAN Sundara
In the reviewer's words
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.
Which one to buy
On score and price the Sundara is the better buy, and the cards below say who should still choose the Edition XS.
| At a glance | HIFIMAN Edition XS | HIFIMAN Sundara |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.7/10, Highly Recommended | 9.0/10, Highly Recommended |
| List price | $269 | $299 |
| Lowest tracked US price | $209 at Apos Audio and 2 other stores on Oct 7, 2026 | $179 at Apos Audio and 2 other stores on Oct 7, 2026 |
| Better choice for | amp matching and value | tonal balance |
| Less suited to | tonal balance | amp matching and value |
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.
Not ideal if:
- You are buying for tonal balance, which the Sundara review praises and the Edition XS review does not cover.
- You want the higher score at about the same price: the Sundara's 9.0 against the Edition XS's 8.7.
HIFIMAN Sundara
Picked on score and price. Choose it if:
- You want the Sundara's tonal balance, which its review praises and the Edition XS review does not cover.
- You want the Sundara's higher score, 9.0 against 8.7, at about the Edition XS's price.
Not ideal if:
- You are buying for amp matching and value, which the Edition XS review praises and the Sundara review does not cover.
What matters most to you?
| 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 | 9.0 | 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
Where they differ
The Sundara has a suspension strap and the Edition XS does not.
Comfort and fit
The Edition XS review and the Sundara review 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 praises its amp matching and value but faults its treble and mids; only the Sundara review praises its detail and tonal balance but faults its driver technology.
What they have in common
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
On energy, the Edition XS stays near neutral while the Sundara sounds energetic. 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
The Edition XS ranks #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 driver (Planar magnetic) and sensitivity (92 dB/mW).
The Edition XS and Sundara figures are the makers' own; IEC 60268-7 defines how they are measured.
| Spec | HIFIMAN Edition XS | HIFIMAN Sundara |
|---|---|---|
| Impedance | 18 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Weight | 405 g | 342 g |
Only the Edition XS review lists frequency response; only the Sundara review lists connector.
How these verdicts were reached
The Edition XS review was published on Jun 1, 2023 and the Sundara review on Jul 14, 2023, on one reference chain and 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
Further reading for the Edition XS and the Sundara: the Edition XS's Stealth Magnets and what both reviews say about tonality.
Questions about the Edition XS and Sundara
What is the difference between the HIFIMAN Edition XS and the HIFIMAN Sundara?
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.
Which should you buy, the HIFIMAN Edition XS or the HIFIMAN Sundara?
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
In Best Headphones Under $500 the Sundara ranks #1 and the Edition XS #4; in Best Open-Back Headphones the Sundara ranks #4 and the Edition XS #9; in Best Planar Magnetic Headphones the Sundara ranks #4 and the Edition XS #7; only the Sundara makes Best Reference-Grade Audio Gear (#10).
Sundara #1 - Best Overall Edition XS #4 - Best Value 8 picks
Sundara #4 - Best Value Edition XS #9 - Best Budget 14 picks
Best Planar Magnetic Headphones
Sundara #4 - Best Value Edition XS #7 - Best Budget 11 picks
Best Reference-Grade Audio Gear
Sundara #10 - Best Value Edition XS not listed 10 picks