Packaging and Accessories

HIFIMAN operates a web shop, and this sample shipped directly from the company, so we begin with the shipping packaging since this is how paying customers would receive the Edition XS. The shipping box is appropriately sized, although with HIFIMAN stickers on multiple sides and one mentioning the contents inside. I would rather see a stealthier approach, especially knowing these are expensive headphones. Inside is the product box, which comes in a shaped-to-fit bubble wrap and foam sheets on all sides for further protection from overzealous couriers.


The product box is thick cardboard and again feels well-sized for the contents inside. It adopts a primarily black color scheme to go with the headphones, and I have to give props to the designer for coming up with clean and attractive packaging. On the front is the company logo and product name with a sticker confirming this uses HIFIMAN's stealth magnets, as well as a large render of the headphones. Product specifications are on the back, as is another preview of the headphones, HIFIMAN contact information, and a useful reminder that registration will net you an additional 3 months of warranty—well worth it for a product that comes with the usual 12 months only. Seals on the sides keep the contents inside in place.


Removing the seals, we notice HIFIMAN is using a two-piece packaging with the top simply lifting off. In a continuation of the typical HIFIMAN unboxing experience, all relevant paperwork has been placed on top of a foam sheet that separates these from the headphones while adding further protection to the product. A card informs us about the use of stealth magnets, effectively acting as a primer on the technology itself. There is also a warranty card with the serial numbers for both drivers, which is an interesting move I can get behind, as opposed to one serial number for the set of two. The QR code takes you to a PDF copy of the owner's guide, which also comes as a printed, colored booklet. It includes a welcome note from company founder Dr. Fang Bian and more relevant information about the Edition XS design, specifications, and some glamour shots both inside and out. I recommend going through it because this guide also describes best practices for maintaining these headphones, including pad replacement and using the provided cable correctly. The headphones do not come inside a case of any sort, so stowing these away isn't as conveniently done as with other such headphones we have recently seen. HIFIMAN instead provides a soft cloth-wrapped foam piece with a cutout to hold the headphones. There is a cutout in the middle where the provided headphone cable is seen.


I had teased this before, but finally have the Dekoni Audio x SKB Hero case that is custom-made for headphones. I do love SKB cases and think they make for excellent alternatives to Pelican ones for the money. I use them for my own photography equipment storage and transportation. In addition to being the usual heavy-duty construction and airtight courtesy a thick O-ring seal, Dekoni Audio worked with SKB to create a foam sheet machined to accommodate headphones of pretty much all shapes and sizes. There's also where that foam sheet actually comes off the case to make for a headphone stand. This makes the case excellent for those wanting to take their headphones to events without worrying about a separate stand, and the cutout in the middle is deep and large enough to even accommodate some portable sources in addition to headphone cables.