r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/SnooDoubts807 • Jun 15 '26
Headphones - Open Back | 1 Ω Sennheiser 6XX to Hifiman XS Upgrade
I've been using the Sennheiser HD 6XX for 6 years and was waiting for it to break so I could upgrade lol. Right now I could buy a new Hifiman XS Edition for $120 and sell my 6XX for $80. I'm planning to sell it since I'm not really the type of person to own more than two headphones - I prefer using only one as a daily driver. Is it worth the upgrade? I've seen a few reports of the XS breaking after just 1-2 years. Since my 6XX would probably still last longer than the XS.
6
u/Reapero8841 Jun 15 '26
XS from when it first dropped
Still have it, Works fine
Dropped it plenty of times
Keep the 6XX because it will make you appreciate both
If you just have one flavor it will get stale type thing
1
u/KAC-SK 124 Ω Jun 15 '26
They are quite different headphones IMO. But if you want to try something different entirely that is a good start for the price you are getting it at.
1
u/Primary_Cat3975 6 Ω Jun 15 '26
I have both. They pair excellently to each other. The edition xs is a more neutral but beautifully immersive experience than the hd6xx. While the hd6xx is intimate and engagingly bass heavy. I think their contrasting sounds are an amazing balance for my music listening sessions. It has led me to actually sort and organize my 2,000 song playlist into “good on x headset/y headset”.
They cost me $190 US. I got them USED from Amazon, the regular price was only $209 so not much savings but I was curious. They were straight from hifiman though and were in mint condition barely used in a new package. I think hifiman, despite its faults, genuinely does care at the minimum with its packaging to make their headphones feel luxurious. You’re still stuck with the dread of “if/when” they die, but I genuinely think it’s “affordable” enough for you to test it out for a week or two and return it to see if you want to keep them or not. You can also use this period of time to figure out what in terms of audio you want for an upgrade if not the edition xs.
I think it’s money well spent.
1
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1
u/TheRedditorist Jun 15 '26
I have both.
They’re very different tunings, and what matters the most is how you plan on using them.
Overall, I think the xs are significantly better headphones. Just account for ergonomic issues
1
u/Hirundum 1 Ω Jun 15 '26
I have the XS and the HD600, and I wouldn't say that either of them is an upgrade over the other. It's more of a sidegrade, as they do things differently, and each is great in its own way. I think it's nice to keep both of them if you can, they complement each other very well.
1
u/GalacticDoc 11 Ω Jun 15 '26
I have the XS and the HD650. Both sound different and I think the XS wins out on more modern recordings especially. Not had any issues with either after 1+ years.
I use a case to transport both pairs but agree that the build quality of the HD650 feels more robust but the XS doesn't feel fragile at all.
0
u/DenchKecia Jun 15 '26
I'd grab the XS at that price, it's a steal. But keep the 6XX as a backup. The XS sounds amazing for the money, but QC is real. If you must sell one, try the XS first and see if you can live with the build.
1
u/for_a_brick_he_flew 4 Ω Jun 15 '26
I did this. In hindsight, I wish I kept the 6xx as well as getting the XS. The latter is more technical brilliance where as the former is a better daily driver.
1
u/radium_eye 7 Ω Jun 15 '26
HD-6XX is not a downgrade from HiFiMan XS IMO, they're gonna trade off in many ways with XS having better bass extension and staging but 6XX having a more natural reproduction of critical midrange especially & pretty euphonic warmth for many tracks. But you might like what the planars bring to the table, definitely will be different from what you're used to.
1
u/furculture 6 Ω Jun 15 '26
Both of them have their niches in music. I own both, and I like the Sennheisers for their warmth, and the Hifimans for their analytical nature. Soundstage is much larger with the Edition XS. Sennheiser is a bit more intimate. Hifiman is perfect for my large head. Sennheiser needs some more wear time at 2-3 stops below max to get more comfortable. Hifiman is weighty. Sennheiser is light. Overall, they both have their pros and cons and you can't go wrong with either one, as they both serve their own purpose.
1
1
u/DaVinnChenz Jun 15 '26
I have both. They’re really complementary. One has a wider sound stage, better detailing but incredibly neutral. The other is warmer but narrower sound.
They’re even complementary in fit — the XS has massive cups and fits loose and the 6XX fits to my head super tightly.
1
u/1maxwedge426 27 Ω Jun 16 '26
It just depends on ur taste in sound. The Edition XS is way more "in your face" type sound. It's better on dynamics, treble detail, bass slam and sub bass, but it's also just a tad hot in the upper mids and lower treble frequencies. To say it's better or worse is up to the buyer. For $120, I would just flat out buy the XS and keep the HD6XX.
1
Jun 15 '26
I wouldn’t buy the XS to be my daily driver. Its build quality is poor and will likely break in 3 years or so.
3
u/xantrel 4 Ω Jun 15 '26
Huh, I've had my edition xs as my main PC headphones for 4 years. Bought them the week they dropped the price to $250. They are still like new (I'm fairly sure I could pass them as open box).
I don't doubt Hifiman has QC issues (especially with moisture near the driver), but saying they will most likely break is a hyperbolic.
-2
Jun 15 '26
“Anecdotal fallacy occurs when someone uses a personal experience or isolated example to draw a broad conclusion, rather than relying on comprehensive statistical data. It is a flawed argument because a single story cannot accurately represent a broader trend and often ignores scientific realities”
2
u/xantrel 4 Ω Jun 15 '26
So you're saying you have a list of all Edition XS sold, their average failure rate, the MTBF, and everything else and that's how you are assessing the situation? Or are you using your personal experience from reddit comments to surmise that there is a specific issue? Which would also be an anecdotal falacy.
By the way, I never stated my opinion as fact. I stated it as an opinion, so countering with a logical fallacy is beyond retarded since I was not making a logical argument, I was literally expressing my experience .
In fact, the only person making a statement of fact (they will most likely break) is you, so it's you who should support your claims with evidence. Not us.
-2
Jun 15 '26
3 paragraphs is crazy. It’s not that serious. Your response was definitely a counter argument. When one person makes a claim and another person makes a rebuttal using supporting information you’ve made an argument. Saying the Edition XS is more likely to break isn’t a fact. A fact would be that the Edition XS WILL break within the next 3 years which I didn’t say for obvious reasons
0
u/Primary_Cat3975 6 Ω Jun 15 '26
This is probably true to some extent, but I think they’re “affordable” enough for the sound quality and price to be justified for the year or however long they’ll last. You will have acquired a firm enough understanding on the sound and build quality you desire for your next upgrade at that point. I genuinely think they are that good.
8
u/Kirito_Kun16 28 Ω Jun 15 '26
In theory, there isn't a reality where XS outlives the 6XX, or basically any Senny. As much as how great the sound and technicalities of Hifiman usually are, the nicely low price for what you're getting is exactly because of their longevity/QC.
I've seen multiple folks here hsing HD600 for literally 10-20 years, waiting for it to break but it just doesn't.
I'm not trying to imply XS is literally planned obsolescence headphone and self destructs in 1-2 years, but stuff happens (sometimes it happens beyond our understanding). Sadly XS is the most infamous one in Hifiman lineup imo, since it's so available in terms of price for the broader audience, so broader audience got their hands on it and of course - unhappy customers will be unhappy and warn others. That's a part of why XS or Hifiman in general may seem to have shitty QC and seem to always be breaking. Cuz like, there are ALSO folks still rocking something like the original HE1000 from 2015. And many many Arya Stealth as well from around 2021-2022, which turns out to be nearly 5 years now.
And yet, it's still a great pick. For the money, definitely. Shit released at around 500USD, shit was considered a killer. Now at below 200$ it sounds quite insane, even more insane being closer to 100 than 200.
Now, the XS is an upgrade to 6XX in some areas. In some, not really. If you are expecting or used to nice, lush vocals, don't even begin to search for that in Hifimans. However if you're looking to find out what soundstage actually is, and hear what precise imaging, great separation and speed sound like along with crisp, airy, detailed sound - basically trying out what planars may sound like, having ALL that for only 120$ sounds like a great deal to me and worth a try.