Field Test · Studio Gear Review
HIFIMAN Edition XV
Technical analysis of HIFIMAN Edition XV open-back headphones performance
HIFIMAN
- Hi-Fi Headphones
- This is what customers who viewed this product bought
- Accessories & matching items
- 6Customer ratings
- Compare options
- Smart Navigator
Spec Sheet
- Circumaural
- Open-back design
- Magnetostatic
- Frequency range: 8 – 50.000 Hz
- Impedance: 12 Ohm
- Sound pressure level: 92 dB
- Driver: NEO Supernano Diaphragm Gen. 2
- Two-sided cable routing
- Colour: Silver
- Weight: 452 g (without cable)
- Edition XV headphones
- Interchangeable 1.5 m, 3.5 mm stereo mini jack (angled) to 2 x 3.5 mm stereo mini jack
- Adapter 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm jack
Studio Log
| Available since | September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Item number | 626465 |
| Sales Unit | 1 piece(s) |
| Design | Over-Ear |
| System | Open |
| Impedance | 12 Ohms |
| Frequency range | 8 Hz – 50000 Hz |
| Adapter | Yes |
| Replacable Cable | Yes |
| Marrone/Argento | Silver |
| Sensitivity | 92 dB |
| Type Of Connector | Mini Jack |
| Weight | 452 g |
Demo Footage
Field Photography
QC Pass — Field Test
Customer Review Summary
Introduction to HIFIMAN Edition XV
The HIFIMAN Edition XV is an open-back, over-ear headphone featuring a magnetostatic driver technology with a Neo Supernano Diaphragm Gen. 2. Launched in September 2025 and priced at £349, this model aims to provide an intricate, warm sound experience. It weighs 452 grams without the cable and utilises a 12 Ohm impedance, making it relatively easy to drive from conventional sources such as smartphones and laptops.
Design and Build Quality
The Edition XV adopts a circumaural, open-back design with silver metal grille earcups that allow visual transparency to the drivers. The headphones include interchangeable cables: a 1.5-metre, angled 3.5mm stereo mini-jack cable splitting into two 3.5mm connectors, plus a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter.
- Weight: 452g without cable
- Build materials: metal grille, plush ear pads
- Headband: Uses a leather strap but offers limited comfort on larger heads
Users have noted robust construction overall. The metal grilles are visually appealing and robust compared to other models from HIFIMAN, such as the Arya. Conversely, the swivel mechanism raises some concerns about long-term durability. The headband’s design and pressure distribution show mixed results; the clamping force can feel substantial and may cause heat buildup during extended listening sessions, particularly around the skull’s crown.
Comfort and Fit
The circumaural ear pads are soft and plush, providing good cushioning and a secure fit around the ears, though some users reported mild contact between the ear and the metal grille behind the diaphragm depending on ear shape. The open-back nature aids ventilation, but the relatively firm clamping force and tighter leather band on the head can create discomfort after about an hour. Large-headed listeners might experience this restriction more noticeably.
Sound Signature and Performance
The Edition XV features a frequency response spanning 8 Hz to 50,000 Hz with a sensitivity rating of 92 dB. It delivers a clear, highly detailed sound with an expansive soundstage typical of open-back headphones. The system’s 12 Ohm impedance allows for easy pairing with portable devices without significant loss of volume or detail.
- Soundstage: Wide and airy, particularly effective for live recordings and classical music
- Imaging: Excellent, with precise instrument placement
- Bass response: Full-bodied yet controlled, though slightly recessed compared to closed-back headphones
- Midrange: Clean and neutral, with a slight dip around 1.6 kHz that some listeners quickly adapted to
- Treble: Detailed without harshness, avoiding the brightness common to planar headphones
This warmth-neutral sonic balance results in a pleasant listening experience that reveals new nuances even in familiar tracks. The headphones are capable of producing a thick bass extension without compromising tone, making them suitable for a variety of genres. However, some users found that studio recordings can sometimes sound thin or slightly faded due to the open-back character.
Usability and Accessories
Included accessories feature a replaceable cable and a foam headphone stand, which adds convenience and protects the headphones during storage. The dual cable routing supports left/right flexibility. The headphones’ low impedance means they can reach satisfactory volume levels even with unamplified consumer electronics, increasing their versatility.
Potential Drawbacks
Some concerns arise around the headband’s comfort on larger heads and a relatively high clamping force causing heat after prolonged use. The earcups’ open-back grille design requires gentle handling to avoid damage to the diaphragm. The lightweight design balances sturdiness and fragility, calling for careful care in everyday use. A minor quibble is the dip around 1.6 kHz in the frequency response, which can influence vocal presence but is generally unobtrusive once familiar.
Conclusion
The HIFIMAN Edition XV offers an impressive open-back headphone experience at its price point, delivering a warm yet detailed sound signature with excellent soundstage and imaging. It is surprisingly easy to drive and performs well across music genres, inviting listeners to rediscover their music collection with fresh detail. While the build quality is solid and the overall presentation elegant, users should be aware of comfort considerations for extended listening and handle the headphones with care due to their open-back construction.
For those seeking an immersive audio experience with a refined and balanced presentation, the Edition XV represents a compelling choice within the mid-tier planar magnetic headphone market.
