This is a short comparison between the Hifiman Edition XS stock version and the Focal Elex/Elear with Dekoni fenestrated sheepskin pads.
The Hifiman Edition XS is one of Hifiman’s most popular headphones and was launched in 2021 as the third generation of the Edition X-series. It’s the most affordable of the oval “egg-shaped” headphones from Hifiman that started with the HE1000. It is a planar magnetic headphone and uses a dual-sided magnet driver with aerodynamically shaped “stealth magnets” and the thin “Neo Super-Nano Diaphragm”.
The XS has very large ear cups and is just not too large for my head. It is built out of metal and plastic and the quality feels fine. It has a padded headband. The padding might be a bit stiff for some heads, but since the headband fits my head very nicely the weight is well distributed and I find it very comfortable. The Edition XS has a list price of $499, but has been selling for as low as $350 lately.
Check the current price on Amazon here: Edition XS
My Elex/Elear has Dekoni fenestrated sheepskin pads, which tightened up the sound considerably. The bass gets tighter, the midrange more present and the treble sounds clearer. Focal Elex is an Elear with different colours and different pads, but for this comparison, I use 3rd party pads so it doesn’t matter.
Link to Focal Elex on Amazon: Focal Elex
HIFIMAN EDITION XS SPECIFICATIONS
- Open back circumaural type
- Planar Magnetic Drivers with Stealth magnets and NEO Supernano Diaphragm
- Dual-sided magnet driver
- Impedance: 18Ω
- Frequency response range: 8Hz-50kHz
- Sensitivity: 92 dB
- Weight: 405 grams
- Detachable cable with 3.5 mm TRS connectors on headphones
- Included cable: 1.5m single-ended 3.5mm with 6.35mm adapter
FOCAL ELEX SPECIFICATIONS
- Open-back circumaural design.
- 40mm full-range dynamic driver with aluminium-magnesium “M”-shaped dome.
- 20mm-thick perforated microfiber memory foam ear pads.
- Perforated microfiber headband with length adjustment and cup rotation.
- Aluminium yoke.
- Impedance: 80 ohms.
- Sensitivity: 104 dB SPL / 1 mW at 1 kHz.
- THD: < 0.3% at 1 kHz / 100 dB SPL
- Frequency response: 5 Hz–23 kHz
- Weight: 450 g
- Cables: 6 ft (1.8 m) cloth-wrapped single-ended cable with ¼ in (6.35 mm) plug and 6 ft (1.8 m) cloth-wrapped balanced cable with 4-pin XLR plug
- Storage box
COMPARISON
For this comparison, I use the Topping A90 amp and the RME ADI-2 DAC FS as a source.
Rotten Apples by Alice in Chains
They are remarkably similar. Both the tuning, soundstage and detail level seem to be pretty much the same, broadly speaking.
No Excuses by Alice in Chains
Here, there’s more of a difference between them. The bass drum in the intro hits a bit heavier and sounds fuller with the Elex. They both sound very good. The XS generally sounds a bit more effortless, the Elex a bit more energetic. Both have a wide soundstage.
As Before by Olga Konkova
The Elex sounds very open, but not as spacious as the XS. The Elex is a bit more punchy with the cajôn drum and generally a tad warmer. The XS sounds a bit more polite and relaxed in the midrange.
Be Good to Me Poly by Youandewan
There’s a bright drum loop on this track that can sound quite dry and sometimes harsh. The XS definitely handles this with more elegance. The bass has a bit more warmth with the Elex, but sounds better with the XS.
Cold, Cold Heart by Norah Jones
This great cover of Hank Williams’ old classic sounds good on both headphones. Again, the Elex is slightly more energetic sounding with a slightly warmer tone, but they are quite close.
Winter I – Vivaldi 4 Seasons by The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra
Both headphones sound really good with this piece. They are both nice and airy with good detail and the strings have nice amounts of texture. The Elex is a bit meatier, the XS a bit lighter on the strokes and more delicate.
Don’t Panic by Coldplay
The XS has a very neutral, spacious and detailed presentation. The Elex is a bit thicker sounding, but not much – it’s closer to the XS and much more spacious than e.g. the Sennheiser HD660S2 and its siblings.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
Both the XS and the Dekoni fenestrated sheepskin pad equipped Elex/Elear are fairly neutral and well-balanced. The Elex is a bit thicker and slightly warmer sounding, with a more pronounced mid-bass and midrange.
The sound signature is actually not that different. Generally, though, the XS is more neutral and polite, the Elex/Elear sounds bolder, a bit thicker and more articulate. The differences between them vary from track to track. Sometimes they are quite different, sometimes they are similar.
Treble
The Elex/Elear has more treble energy. It’s not brighter, but has more tonal weight and dynamics. The XS is a bit more detailed and nuanced.
Midrange
The Elex/Elear is warmer sounding and a bit thicker in the midrange. The midrange is good on the XS, but definitely on the leaner side.
Bass
The XS has the most linear and precise-sounding bass, is more neutral and has better texture and definition. It’s a planar magnetic headphone and as you probably know, they usually have a very good bass performance. The Elex/Elear is also very good, but I’m a different way: The bass is a bit more elevated but not quite as tight and defined. However, there’s more slam and punch with the Elex/Elear.
Dynamics and Detail
Even though they both can sound punchy, the Elex/Elear generally is perceived as more dynamic. This is especially noticeable in the bass, but also the midrange and the treble are more articulate with the Elex.
The difference in microdynamics is harder to describe. The Elex/Elear feels more as if details are more strongly articulated, whilst the XS has better transparency and clarity. The XS is exceptional at its price point in this regard. The Elex/Elear is also impressive but a bit less transparent in direct comparison. They both have lots of detail, but the XS is better at conveying the finer nuances.
In Conclusion, the Elex/Elear equipped with Dekoni fenestrated sheepskin pads excels at dynamics and a warmer tonal character, the XS has a slightly clearer and cleaner presentation and excels at soundstage and imaging as well as bass quality.
For more info here are links to Amazon:
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