Short answer: the Aune AR5000 MK2. Both are rated 3.9/5 for sound quality (#136 and #137 of 481 over-ear headphones), and the Aune AR5000 MK2 costs $339 against $399 for the HIFIMAN Edition XV, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
Why pick the Aune AR5000 MK2: Hobbyist measurements give it a Harman preference score of 80.3 with only 2.0 dB of deviation from target, so the overall balance is close to what most listeners prefer. The tradeoff: The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise, so it is a home headphone rather than one for commutes or shared offices.
The case for the HIFIMAN Edition XV: Its open back planar driver scores 79.8 for preference in the median of 8 squig.link measurements, a strong result for an open headphone. The tradeoff: An 8.7 dB dip near 9.7 kHz dulls cymbal shimmer and sibilance, and sub-bass falls about 4 dB short below 60 Hz, as open planars often do.
Buy the Aune AR5000 MK2. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $60 less than the HIFIMAN Edition XV.
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Hobbyist measurements give it a Harman preference score of 80.3 with only 2.0 dB of deviation from target, so the overall balance is close to what most listeners prefer.
Amazon $339.00 eBay
Its open back planar driver scores 79.8 for preference in the median of 8 squig.link measurements, a strong result for an open headphone.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Aune AR5000 MK2 | HIFIMAN Edition XV | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $339.00 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #136 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #137 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 80 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 79 (median of 9 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.02 dB standard deviation | 2.18 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.47 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.44 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 28 ohms | 12 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB SPL at 1kHz/1Vrms | 92 dB |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 43.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 8Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | - | 1 lbs (452 g) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the Aune AR5000 MK2 from aden, elrics, kr0mka and sai; the HIFIMAN Edition XV from aden, audioamigo, capraaudio, daemonxar, dl, gadgetrytech, kuulokenurkka, listener and sai, all via squig.link.
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