This is what music should sound like. The Edition XS delivers so effortlessly. The constructions feels sturdy, it takes a little getting used to the open back idea: your music will be heard on the outside from a few meters away, conversations can be heard and understood word for word by your neighbour, so not suitable for office use at all. It works the other way around as well: you hear everything from outside, if it gets through the music playing volume of course.
However, for working from home, relaxing on the sofa, enjoying some Dire Straits or equivalent master pieces of music, these are excellent. My Pioneer AV receiver in the livingroom has a hard time driving them, but my vintage SA-608 in my home office brings out the best in them. For the living room, I'm looking at a Topping DX3 Pro + to drive them, so I can listen to Bluetooth (LDAC) and wired sources.
The sound is excellent. Bass is very nicely controlled, the mids are clearly distinguishable and the highs are as crisp as they get. What worried me a bit before I received them, was that planars have a reputation of being tiring. I am happy to say that for me, a 46 year old man who took care of his hearing and never listened at ridiculous volume levels, that is not the case. I actually think the Edition XS sounds almost warm, especially when paired with my vintage Pioneer SA-608.
They are quite comfortable to wear as well, although again, I had to get used to the huge ear shells that have ample clearance from your ears. I am used to headphones that require a bit of a seal around the ear and you don't get that feeling with the Edition XS.
