HiFiMan Edition XS vs Truthear Hexa (IEM)

A spec-by-spec look at two of the gaming headphones competitive players cross-shop. HiFiMan Edition XS is open-back — the wider, more accurate stage images footsteps and gunfire in space better than the iem Truthear Hexa (IEM). For pure positional audio it's the competitive pick; the iem wins on isolation (noisy rooms, LAN). The full breakdown — and which to buy for your style — below.

Specs compared

Which should you buy?

• ▸HiFiMan Edition XS is open-back — the wider, more accurate stage images footsteps and gunfire in space better than the iem Truthear Hexa (IEM). For pure positional audio it's the competitive pick; the iem wins on isolation (noisy rooms, LAN).
• ▸Truthear Hexa (IEM) needs only ~4.9 mW for clean 110 dB peaks vs ~63.1 mW for the HiFiMan Edition XS — easier to run loud and clean off a modest amp or even a dongle. The HiFiMan Edition XS rewards (or needs) a real amp.
• ▸HiFiMan Edition XS grades higher for footstep imaging (5/5 vs 3/5) — the one axis that's a real competitive edge. But it saturates: any clean open-back clears the bar, so a higher score above baseline buys little. General-use and music grades are comfort/preference, not advantage.
• ▸Truthear Hexa (IEM) is the more affordable class — Budget vs Premium. Put the saving toward an amp that drives it properly before jumping a price tier.

Specs are sourced (each product carries a source + verified date in our catalog); buy links are affiliate links to your regional store — AimBench may earn a commission at no cost to you. Live pricing shows on the retailer page.

Compare other headphones