Our Verdict

The HIFIMAN Edition XV is a headphone with a striking, alien-eye aesthetic, and a grown up sound that offers detail without sounding like a shrieking banshee. It's well built, and if it were released 5 years ago, it'd probably cost twice its $400 retail price. Bassheads need not apply, but what the Edition XV lacks in low end quantity and slightly recessed vocals, it makes up with bass quality, one of the smoother, non-fatiguing treble profiles around, while still retaining a decent amount of detail.

For

Balanced throughout

They look cool

Detail without punishing treble

Against

Taking off ear pads is traumatic

Vocals are a tad recessed

Why you can trust Creative Bloq

Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

Choosing a headphone is an exercise in trade-offs. Want that 'hi-fi detail'? Get ready for a truck load of fatiguing treble. Looking for an impressive sound stage?…