HIFIMAN Edition XS vs OLLO Audio X1
The OLLO Audio X1 scores 0.2 higher; the HIFIMAN Edition XS costs $280 less. Going by the two reviews, the Edition XS is stronger on soundstage and value and the X1 on comfort.
By Jakub Charkiewicz · Published · Updated
On score and price OLLO Audio X1 The X1 scores 0.2 higher, two steps, which is worth more than the $280 the Edition XS saves. The Edition XS still does better than the X1 on soundstage and value.
When to choose the Edition XS over the X1The short version
The HIFIMAN Edition XS scores 8.7/10 (Highly Recommended) and the OLLO Audio X1 8.9/10 (Highly Recommended). At $269 against $549, the Edition XS saves you $280 over the X1. On soundstage, the Edition XS review notes "Fantastic, wide soundstage with great image separation" and the X1 review "Soundstage is realistic, not impressively wide". The X1 has the edge over the Edition XS on comfort: "Hybrid velour + perforated leather pads, user-replaceable" against "Solid headband (no suspension strap) creates a hotspot after a few hours". Weighing score against price, the X1 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
OLLO Audio X1
Which one to buy
The X1 is the better buy unless its soundstage or value would put you off, in which case take the Edition XS.
| At a glance | HIFIMAN Edition XS | OLLO Audio X1 |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.7/10, Highly Recommended | 8.9/10, Highly Recommended |
| List price | $269 | $549 |
| Lowest tracked US price | $209 at Apos Audio and 2 other stores on Oct 7, 2026 | not tracked at US stores |
| Better choice for | soundstage and value | comfort |
| Less suited to | comfort | soundstage and value |
HIFIMAN Edition XS
Choose it instead if:
- You care more about the Edition XS's soundstage and value than the X1's comfort.
- Keeping $280 matters more to you than the X1's two-step lead over the Edition XS, 8.9 against 8.7.
Not ideal if:
- You need the X1's comfort more than the Edition XS's soundstage and value.
- The X1's 8.9 against the Edition XS's 8.7 is worth $280 more to you.
OLLO Audio X1
Picked on score and price. Choose it if:
- You care more about the X1's comfort than the Edition XS's soundstage and value.
- You would pay $280 more than the Edition XS costs for the X1's higher score, 8.9 against 8.7.
Not ideal if:
- You need the Edition XS's soundstage and value more than the X1's comfort.
- Every dollar counts: the Edition XS costs $280 less than the X1.
What matters most to you?
| What matters | HIFIMAN Edition XS | OLLO Audio X1 |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | 8.3 | 8.8 |
| Technical performance | 9.0 | 8.8 |
| Build & comfort | 8.4 | 9.1 |
| System fit | 8.9 | 9.1 |
| Value | 9.0 | 9.0 |
The widest gap is build & comfort: 8.4 for the Edition XS against 9.1 for the X1. The Edition XS column is worked out from its review's 11 pros and cons and the X1 column from 14, and each adds back up to its overall score, 8.7 and 8.9. How a score is built
Where they differ
Three topics the Edition XS and X1 reviews both discuss, the most decisive first.
Only the Edition XS
Only the X1
Soundstage and imaging
Here the Edition XS review is the more positive of the two and the X1 review finds fault:
- Edition XS, praised: "Fantastic, wide soundstage with great image separation"
- X1, criticized: "Soundstage is realistic, not impressively wide"
Price and value
Here the Edition XS review is the more positive of the two and the X1 review finds fault:
- Edition XS, praised: "Truly exceptional sound for the price"
- X1, criticized: "Not the cheapest at this price point"
Comfort and fit
Here the X1 review is the kinder of the two and the Edition XS review has reservations:
- X1, praised: "Hybrid velour + perforated leather pads, user-replaceable"
- Edition XS, criticized: "Solid headband (no suspension strap) creates a hotspot after a few hours"
Only the Edition XS review praises its bass but faults its treble and mids; only the X1 review praises its driver technology and cabling but faults its tonal balance and is mixed on its in-box accessories.
What they have in common
The Edition XS and the X1 are both open-back headphones, the Edition XS with a planar magnetic driver and the X1 with a dynamic one. The Edition XS and the X1 are both praised for their amp matching and build.
Sound signature, overlaid
The Edition XS review describes its energy and stage size and the X1 review its tonal balance, presentation, and bass weight, so no axis is described in both reviews and each dot is one review's own reading, not a comparison.
On paper
The Edition XS ranks #8 and the X1 #5 of the 30 headphones reviewed here; on value the Edition XS rates Excellent and the X1 Fair. To reach 110 dB peaks the Edition XS needs about 63 mW (most dongle DACs) and the X1 7.9 mW to 248 mW (a phone jack or any dongle at the low end, a desktop headphone amplifier at the high end).
The Edition XS and X1 figures are the makers' own; IEC 60268-7 defines how they are measured.
| Spec | HIFIMAN Edition XS | OLLO Audio X1 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | Planar magnetic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 18 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 92 dB/mW | 101 dB |
| Frequency response | 8 Hz - 50 kHz | 5 Hz - 22 kHz |
Only the Edition XS review lists weight; only the X1 review lists connector.
How these verdicts were reached
The Edition XS review was published on Jun 1, 2023 and the X1 review on Aug 1, 2025, just over two years later, on one reference chain and rubric. The Edition XS review never mentions the X1, nor the X1 review the Edition XS: two separate sessions. The Edition XS and X1 reviews were both last checked on Oct 3, 2026.
Sources
Further reading for the Edition XS and the X1: the Edition XS's Stealth Magnets and the two driver types.
Questions about the Edition XS and X1
What is the difference between the HIFIMAN Edition XS and the OLLO Audio X1?
On score, the OLLO Audio X1 is ahead of the Edition XS, 8.9 against 8.7. The Edition XS does better on soundstage and value, the X1 on comfort. The Edition XS and the X1 have similar sound signatures on every axis.
Which should you buy, the HIFIMAN Edition XS or the OLLO Audio X1?
The X1: its 8.9 against the Edition XS's 8.7 is two steps, enough to justify the extra $280.
How do the Edition XS and the X1 compare on soundstage and imaging?
The Edition XS: its review is positive about soundstage, while the X1 review is critical.
Which is the better value, the Edition XS or the X1?
The Edition XS: its review is positive about value, while the X1 review is critical.
Is the X1 worth $280 more than the Edition XS?
Yes, on score and price: the X1 leads the Edition XS by 0.2, two steps, which outweighs the $280. What the extra money gets you, going by the reviews, is the X1's comfort and driver technology over the Edition XS's.
Where they rank
In Best Open-Back Headphones the X1 ranks #5 and the Edition XS #9; only the Edition XS makes Best Headphones Under $500 (#4) and Best Planar Magnetic Headphones (#7).
Edition XS #4 - Best Value X1 not listed 8 picks
X1 #5 Edition XS #9 - Best Budget 14 picks
Best Planar Magnetic Headphones
Edition XS #7 - Best Budget X1 not listed 11 picks