HiFiMan Edition XS vs Sennheiser HD 490 PRO

The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO and HiFIMan Edition XS are audiophile headphones with different strengths. The Sennheiser have fewer peaks and dips in the treble range, making them easier to EQ. But they also have a darker sound, so fans of sizzle and sparkle will prefer the HiFiMan. If you like choice, the Sennheiser are the better pick, as they come with two sets of swappable pads, giving you two frequency responses to choose from. In the end, as with most audiophile headphones, the choice comes down to taste.