This is a comparison of the Hifiman HE-560 and the Hifiman Edition XS.
The HE-560 was launched in 2014. It was in many ways representing a new direction for Hifiman. Most importantly, It was the first single-sided magnet driver, it had a completely new headband design, and it represented a new type of “house sound” for Hifiman.
The HE-560 was released in a total of 4 versions over the years. At the time of writing, it is still possible to get hold of a new pair on Amazon. According to Hifiman, there are no differences between the various versions except for the headband, and colour scheme. I would add that they possibly changed the pads a little over the years, which might be the reason why there are claims to be differences. My personal pair has got third-party pads on them so which version it is should be irrelevant, but as you can see from the pictures it is the second version that has the wood veneer cups and 2.5 mm connectors.
A lot happened between 2014 and the launch of the XS in 2021. Most important was the launch of the HE1000, the first asymmetrical oval/egg-shaped headphone. In its footsteps followed the more reasonably priced Edition X-line and the Arya-line. The Edition XS is the 3rd version of the Edition X.
HE-560 SPECIFICATIONS
- Frequency Response: 15 Hz to 50 KHz
- Single-sided magnet driver
- Sensitivity 90 dB
- Impedance 45 Ohms
- Detachable cable. Connectors depend on the version. The latest version has 3.5 mm TRS connectors on the headphones
- Cable Length 6.6′ / 2.01m – 6.35mm plug
- Weight 13.2 oz / 374.21g
EDITION XS SPECIFICATIONS
- Planar Magnetic Drivers with Stealth magnets and NEO Supernano Diaphragm
- Dual-sided magnet driver
- Impedance: 18Ω
- Sensitivity: 92 dB
- Frequency response range: 8Hz-50kHz
- 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
You can check out the individual reviews here
COMPARISONS
Magnetic North by Todd Sickafoose
In this track, the XS sounds airier with a bigger soundstage. The HE-560 is a bit warmer sounding in the midrange and the treble isn’t as clear. The bass is quite similar.
Lovers on the Sun by David Guetta
Here, the difference is quite big. The HE-560 is significantly warmer sounding, the XS might be too revealing, this is a bright and harsh-sounding track that sounds much better with a warmer-sounding headphone like the HE-560.
Limit to Your Love by James Blake
The XS sounds extremely open and highly detailed. The immense bass is handled wonderfully. The HE-560 also has a great bass performance. The soundstage is quite a bit more intimate and the presentation is generally warmer but they also have a lot in common.
Midnight City by M83 ss
The XS offers a neutral presentation, the usually large soundstage and excellent separation. The HE-560 sounds similar but with a smaller stage and generally a bit warmer sound.
Mood by Jennifer Koh
This modern classical piece with a violin and piano sounds great on the HE-560. With the XS, the soundstage is much larger, and the midrange has less body but it still sounds great.
All For Us by Labrinth
The bass is very full-bodied and linear with the HE-560. The vocals are clear and natural sounding. The treble is articulate but not too bright. With the XS, there’s a lot more air; the soundstage is bigger. The bass is good, but not as full-sounding. The vocals are a bit brighter and less organic. The treble is also brighter and sharper.
Bored by Deftones
This track is a lot more satisfying with the HE-560. It sounds a bit thin and anaemic with the XS in comparison. Everything is a bit fuller and warmer sounding with the HE-560. The XS has a much larger soundstage, although the HE-560 isn’t especially small. Unfortunately, or rather it is two sides of the same coin, the XS also sounds brighter, this time too much so.
Black Crow by Cassandra Wilson
I like the HE-560 a lot here. Nicely warm, yet with great detail and separation. The XS sounds quite different, but it’s also great. The vocals have a nice presence, the bass still has a good punch and rumble. It’s generally brighter and thinner sounding, but it’s not in a bad way.
WRAPPING IT UP
Bass
My favourite part of the HE-560 is the bass. It’s basically flat as a stick, rich and tight and not excessive. The XS has less body but is still basically linear and sounds similar.
Midrange
The midrange is a bit warmer with the HE-560 but otherwise quite similar. It feels warmer also because of the fuller bass. The XS and the HE-560 have relatively similar frequency response curves. Compared to many headphones they have less energy between 1.5 and 2 kHz, which makes the midrange a bit (too) neutral and a bit polite sounding.
Treble
The treble is mostly perceived as a little darker with the HE-560, although it isn’t a dark-sounding headphone. If you look at the charts you will see that it has enough energy in the upper regions. However, which headphones will be perceived as having the most treble energy will depend on the music played and the ears that listen.
The treble of the HE-560 doesn’t feel quite as clear as the XS. However, to me, it feels more easygoing and natural sounding. There is more upper treble energy with the XS contributing to the extreme amount of air.
Soundstage
In terms of soundstage, the HE-560 is good. The XS is better. It’s actually phenomenal. Imaging is good on both.
Dynamics
They both have decent dynamic capabilities, but to me, the HE-560 is better at macrodynamics. It punches a bit harder in a fuller-sounding way. In terms of microdynamics, which might be defined as the articulation of detail, I find the XS better, but they’re in the same ball-park.
Sound Signature
The HE-560 is fuller, meatier and warmer sounding, yet at the same time it feels like it is sharing much DNA with the XS. Taking a look at some frequency response charts you can see that they are quite similar – so it makes sense. I think the third-party pads I am using make the HE-560 warmer sounding than the original pads.
Please take this with a big grain of salt, however I find that it might help illustrate the differences: The Edition XS reminds me more of the HD800S, the HE-560 gives me more of an LCD-X-vibe.
Detail
Both are detailed-sounding headphones. The way they present detail is a bit different, though. A thinner-sounding headphone like the XS will feel generally feel more detailed than a fuller-sounding headphone. This is cc also the case with these two cans. Again I suspect that my third-party pads have I say in how I perceive the HE-560.
AMPLIFICATION
So far I have been using the Topping A90 in the comparison. It is not the warmest-sounding amplifier in the world. Also, it is powerful but I often find that certain amplifiers can deliver more quality current/voltage where and when it counts and make headphones come more to life.
Now, the HE-560 is harder to drive to its full potential than the XS, and the Mytek Liberty THX Amp is more able than the Topping A90. Using the Liberty certainly makes the HE-560 open up and sound more detailed and spacious.
The XS, on the other hand, can need some help to bring out the desired warmth and organic liquidity to the sound. The Sparkos Labs Gemini hybrid tube amplifier certainly does some good in this regard.
Comparing the HE-560 on the Liberty THX Amp to the Edition XS on the Sparkos Gemini, I found exactly what I was expecting. Both sound like a better version of themself. The HE-560 becomes tighter, clearer and more spacious. The XS becomes warmer, smoother and more organic sounding. The differences between them remain in broad terms as described above but the gap has definitely narrowed.
CONCLUSION
These are two great headphones. The Hifiman HE-560 is still fabulous sounding, especially if you open up those grills. Hifiman has done a similar thing with their “window shade system” design on all the newer models, including the XS. The HE-560 thrives with powerful amplification.
Both the HE-560 and the Edition XS offer extremely good and detailed bass, a textured mid-range and crisp but not edgy highs. The soundstage is large, and the instrument separation is very good. The Hifiman Edition XS has an exceptionally large soundstage. I find it to be lacking a bit of warmth and body but that is a personal preference.
All in all, I find both these headphones very enjoyable. The XS sounds very neutral and puts the detail more upfront, the HE-560 is a little bit more subtle and has a fuller-bodied presentation.
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