HD 600 vs Edition XS: the classic reference or the modern planar thrill?

Sound quality and tuning

Winner: Sennheiser HD 600

The HD 600 remains one of the most trusted reference tunings in headphones for a reason. Its 300 ohm dynamic driver delivers a beautifully even midrange, with vocals, guitars, pianos, and strings sounding natural rather than exaggerated. Frequency response is widely regarded as gently neutral with a slight mid-bass warmth and a controlled treble that avoids glare, which makes long listening sessions remarkably easy. The Edition XS, by contrast, uses a planar magnetic driver with Stealth Magnets and a much larger diaphragm area, giving it faster transient response, deeper sub-bass extension, and a more expansive presentation. It can sound more impressive at first listen, especially with electronic music and cinematic tracks, but its tuning is less universally natural than the Sennheiser’s. If you want the most believable timbre, the HD 600 wins.

Soundstage and imaging

Winner: HiFiMAN Edition XS

This is where the Edition XS pulls ahead decisively. Its planar design and large earcups create a wider, more open soundstage than the HD 600, which is famous for intimacy rather than width. The Edition XS gives instruments more space to breathe, and positional cues in live recordings, orchestral works, and gaming are easier to place. The HD 600 images very precisely in a compact stage, but it does not create the same sense of scale. If you want a headphone that sounds bigger, more holographic, and more “speaker-like” in width, the Edition XS is the clear winner.

Bass, dynamics, and detail retrieval

Winner: HiFiMAN Edition XS

The Edition XS has the stronger technical performance on paper and in practice. Planar magnetic drivers typically offer lower distortion and better control across the bass and lower midrange, and the XS shows that with cleaner sub-bass extension and quicker attack on drums and synth lines. It also handles complex passages with more ease, separating layers more distinctly than the HD 600. The Sennheiser’s bass is accurate and well-behaved, but it rolls off earlier and has less physical impact. The HD 600 can sound more organic and cohesive, yet the Edition XS is the more revealing and technically exciting headphone overall.

Build quality and design

Winner: Sennheiser HD 600

The HD 600 has the edge for reliability and long-term ownership. Its design is simple, proven, and easy to service, with replaceable pads, a robust headband structure, and a lightweight 260 g chassis that disappears on the head. The Edition XS is also comfortable, but HiFiMAN’s build reputation is more variable, and the larger frame feels less refined in the hand. The Sennheiser’s open metal earpiece covers and understated finish look timeless rather than flashy. If you value a headphone that feels like a tool built for decades of use, the HD 600 wins.

Comfort and wearability

Winner: Sennheiser HD 600

Both are open-back and suitable for home listening, but the HD 600 is still the safer all-day choice for many listeners. Its clamp force is firm at first yet becomes secure and unobtrusive, and its low weight helps reduce fatigue. The Edition XS is also light for a planar at around 405 g, but the larger cups and headband can create a more noticeable presence on the head. If your priority is marathon listening with minimal distraction, the Sennheiser’s ergonomics are hard to beat.

Power requirements and amp matching

Winner: Tie, with different needs

The HD 600’s 300 ohm impedance means it benefits from a capable desktop amp, especially one with good voltage swing; it can sound restrained from weak dongles or basic interfaces. The Edition XS is easier to drive in terms of impedance, but it still likes current and quality amplification to show its full bass control and staging. In practice, both reward a proper amp, but the HD 600 is more demanding on voltage, while the Edition XS is more sensitive to amplifier quality than many buyers expect. If you already own a decent desktop amp, either works well; if you do not, the Edition XS may be slightly easier to get loud, though not necessarily easier to make sound its best.

Price and value for money

Winner: HiFiMAN Edition XS

At £189.00, the Edition XS undercuts the HD 600 by £140.99, which is a huge gap in this category. For that lower price, you get a planar magnetic design, wider soundstage, stronger bass extension, and excellent technical performance. The HD 600 at £329.99 is not overpriced in absolute terms given its status and longevity, but it is clearly the more expensive route to a more traditional, midrange-focused sound. On raw feature-per-pound value, the Edition XS wins convincingly.

Overall user experience

Winner: Sennheiser HD 600

The HD 600 is the safer, more universally satisfying headphone for critical music listening. It is less flashy, but it is also less divisive: superb midrange, natural tonality, easy-to-love timbre, and proven comfort. The Edition XS is the more exciting headphone for listeners who want scale, bass depth, and a more modern technical presentation, but it can be a little less consistent in fit and finish. If you want a headphone that disappears and simply lets the music speak, the HD 600 has the more mature user experience.

Overall summary: the HiFiMAN Edition XS is the better value and the more technically impressive headphone, especially if you want a wide soundstage, planar speed, and stronger bass for £140.99 less. But the Sennheiser HD 600 remains the more refined all-rounder, with superior tonal naturalness, better build confidence, and a presentation that flatters vocals and acoustic music. If your heart is set on absolute musical realism and long-term ownership, buy the HD 600. If you want the most headphone for the money and prefer a bigger, more spacious, more modern sound, buy the Edition XS.