HIFIMAN - Edition XS

I can only speak to the Edition XS, but the build quality is indeed meh. But the sound is absurdly good for the money.

The Arya is a vast improvement over the XS in fit. The XS comes off with even the slightest movement unless you mod it.

I'd probably recommend Drop/ Sennheiser PC38x for multiplayer/ directional audio and HiFiMan Edition XS (or perhaps Sundara if you have small ears; not comfortable for me) for cinematic single player games for fairly affordable headsets within a few hundred bucks. I've read good things about the Audeze Maxwell. Going much higher will probably require an amp and get MUCH pricier. For PC and listening to music, I use an HE1000SE, which will challenge your statement about budget not mattering. It's by far the best set of headphones I've ever used for gaming (including the also excellent Sennheiser HD 490 Pro, which I also own) or music but definitely not low budget.

Enjoy them! They are a solid closed back option. I wanted a bit more in the low end...and I pad swapped to find what I wanted. Do be careful when looking for pads. They do dramatically alter the sound of the headphone (regardless of EQ) Open backs can do bass...Have heard the Sony MDR-MV1 is a pretty solid open back bassy headphone. The new hotness from HiFiMan Edition XV ia supposedly a departure from their bright house sound. Just from reviews... they're supposedly quite warm. EQ can and will do wonders for planar headphones. I have the EdtionXS...and they can definitely deliver on the low end when EQed properly.

opinions🤷🏻‍♂️ HiFiMAN would make it now that the EdXS is around that $200 level...but people forget those were a $500 headphone. What I mentioned in my comment... literally none of those broke $200 (well maybe the HD6xx)

I use the best tuned models possible and add my own personal touch with EQ. my current preferred set is Crinear Meta tough I dial down the bass sometimes. I also really loved the Truthear pure as well. as headphone I use sennheiser hd560s and Hifiman edition XS. both has some tweaks: a 4 db subbas boost and some treble tweaks here and there. for reference I recommend you to use a proper speaker setup on a proper room. or use something that has similar sound character to a setup like this. Pure is pretty close, Hexa also a great choice, these 2 are most neutral sets you can find. as headphone sennheiser is known for its studio grade sound, they are the best for analytical listening. as for something with bass boost look at headphones like Auribus acustics sierra.

Audeze Maxwell is a good all-in-one gaming headset. Otherwise you can get a good headphone then get a boom mic or an attachable mic for it, eg. Antlion modmic. Some good headphones are: Audio-technica ATH-R70x, HiFiman Sundara, HiFiman Ananda, Hifiman Edition XS

I mean my HIFIMAN Edition XS are my most detailed and most comfortable headphones I own (with Capraaudio comfort strap, OG strap is trash). They're amazing for listening to my music.

I've got HIFIMAN Edition XS with Capraaudio comfort strap. They're openback planars. I absolutely love mine.

I love my HIFIMAN Edition XS. Thyre around $250ish. They're also openback.

Do yourself a favor and pair them with a tube amp. The 109s are great using a solid-state amp, but they truly shine with a high-current tube amp. I bought mine back in April and was using them with my K11 R2R and Hiby R6 III. I recently got a Fosi GR70 tube amp unit for a review and found they open up and are more dynamic compared to running them from a solid-state amp. I have a Hifiman Edition XS and they are the least comfortable headphones I own. They are more detail-oriented but the lack of comfort keeps them off my head.

Hifiman Edition XS have to be considered at $260. They will sit low on your ears. They are designed that way as Fang Bian believes most listen with their headphones too high and too far back. Special padded straps ($24) are available to bring them up higher. You can make your own with little effort. I have the Mojo2 and I am considering the iBasso DX180. Mojo2 interface takes a little practice. Mojo2 has no wifi, but the iBasso does. Mojo2 does sound warm and enticing.

I have the edition xs and like bass as well. I find them perfect after a bit of EQ. I honestly find it eye opening how much better open backed headphones are compared to my closed backs.

These are probably the best if you're dead set on closed back headphones and want the inbuilt mic. Still would recommend open-backed if possible though. I have both the Audeze Maxwell and Hifiman Edition XS.

I can only recommend what I have and use as a producer. Mobile use -Sony 1000 xm4’s. In ear mobile use Airpod pro3. Producing closed backs- Steve slate vsx, audio technica m50x. Open back ( more holographic 3D sound) audeze lcd 2c( eq’d and paired with a headphone tube amp) and hifiman edition XS( not unveiled) . If you have never heard dnb on open backs you’re missing out.