HIFIMAN Edition XS VS ASUS ROG Kithara

Hey everyone,

A question I’ve been getting a lot over the last few months:
“I’m torn between two headphones.”
The first: HIFIMAN Edition XS
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c439BNUL

The second: ASUS ROG Kithara
https://link.amazon/B0iWfxZtM


I used to give a short answer,
so today I decided to write this article and give you my full breakdown of the difference between them.
Keep in mind I haven’t tried the ASUS ROG Kithara,
so what I say about it is based on the specs and its frequency response measurements.

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Contents

First: specs

HIFIMAN Edition XS
– Impedance: 18 ohm
– Sensitivity: 92dB
– Driver type: Planar Magnetic
– Magnets: Stealth Magnets
– Diaphragm: Neo Supernano Diaphragm
– Weight: 405 grams
– Frequency response: 8Hz – 55kHz
– Type: open back

ASUS ROG Kithara
– Impedance: 16 ohm
– Sensitivity: not officially listed. I looked around and found two people who measured it, one got 91.88dB and the other 94dB
– Driver type: Planar Magnetic
– Magnets: Stealth Magnets
– Diaphragm: Neo Supernano Diaphragm
– Weight: 420 grams
– Frequency response: 8Hz – 55kHz
– Type: open back

The specs are almost identical.

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Second: frequency response comparison (Graph)

Blue line = HIFIMAN Edition XS
Red = ASUS ROG Kithara with the Leatherette with Mesh Fabric pads it comes with. On the graph they’re called hybrid pads because they mix Leather and Mesh Fabric

I think it’s clear to everyone, even if you don’t read graphs, how similar these two are in frequency response.
So about 95% of the time they’ll give you the same sound, and I don’t need to have tried the Kithara to say that, since they have the same driver (I mean the same specs).

But I still have 3 main notes on the graph, and I marked where they are in the image. They gave me what I needed. I’ll explain them and you decide based on what suits you:
1: The mids between 1000 and 1500 Hz:
On the Edition XS, the balance there is better than on the Kithara, and stage depth will also come through more clearly on the Edition XS.

On the Kithara:
this area is clearly more forward, about 2dB higher, so the sense of depth will be weaker.


2: The lower treble between 5000 and 5500 Hz:
On the Edition XS, detail will be clearer and more forward than on the Kithara

3: The upper treble, or the start of the top end, between 10,000 and 12,500 Hz:
air, sparkle and detail are clearer and more forward on the Edition XS


Now, the ASUS ROG Kithara also comes with a second set of pads called Velour.
Don’t worry, I got you their measurement too, compared with the HIFIMAN Edition XS

Blue line = HIFIMAN Edition XS
Red = ASUS ROG Kithara with the Velour pads

Notes:
1: Between 1000 and 2500 Hz:
so most of the mids. Same thing, the Edition XS is more balanced, and for stage depth there’s no comparison, it’s miles ahead of the Kithara, where everything in this area is really, really clearly forward

2: Between 2500 and 4000:
the XS is more forward with clearer detail, but that doesn’t mean the Kithara is bad or weak here. Actually, in this area and on this graph in particular, I prefer the Kithara’s response over the xs (that’s just my personal taste), it might not suit you

3: The lower treble between 5000 and 5500 Hz:
On the Edition XS, detail will be clearer and more forward than on the Kithara

4: The upper treble, or the start of the top end, between 10,000 and 12,500 Hz:
air, sparkle and detail are clearer and more forward on the Edition XS

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Third: what comes in the box

HIFIMAN Edition XS
headphone + cable

ASUS ROG Kithara

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Fourth: price, with no discounts or offers

HIFIMAN Edition XS price at the time of writing = 630 riyals (= $168)
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c439BNUL


ASUS ROG Kithara price at the time of writing = 1249 riyals (= $333)
https://link.amazon/B0iWfxZtM

My take

Spec-wise, the two headphones are nearly identical,
and I showed you the performance differences above, but they’re still really, really close.
So here’s where the confusion ends: if you get the ASUS ROG Kithara,
you’re paying double just for the accessories, the looks and the mic on the cable.

If you think that’s worth it, that’s a fair view and I respect it.
But my opinion: get the HIFIMAN Edition XS without any hesitation.
And if you need a mic on the cable, here’s a solution that works with the headphone, for 123 riyals:
https://link.amazon/B0icTcCAx

So the headphone and cable together: 630 + 123 = 753 riyals
Let’s say the headphone price doesn’t include tax:
630 riyals plus 95 riyals tax = 725 riyals
then add the cable with the mic: 123 riyals

Total: 848 riyals (= $226) for the HIFIMAN Edition XS
And in a few days the 11.11 sales are coming, and it should drop to around 500 riyals

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Fifth: the most important part, driving them

Both headphones use planar drivers.
This type of driver doesn’t need a lot of power in terms of watts or milliwatts. Most sources can give it the watts it needs.
At their most demanding, both need: 200mW

They need voltage, which also isn’t a big problem, plenty of devices, even dongles, can provide it.
At their most demanding, both need: 1.90V

But they need current:
and this is a problem most people with this type of driver run into. They don’t take its need for current into account and plug it into a dongle, an interface, a PlayStation controller or a computer, and all of that weakens the headphone’s performance, even if the source covers the first two.

At their most demanding, both need: 109mA of current,
which is hard for the devices I mentioned.

So if you care about getting the best out of the headphone, you need a source that gives it what it needs.
The cheapest option I can recommend is the Fiio K11 R2R DAC/amp
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4LGEPv9

It’s currently 667 riyals, not including tax, which is 100 riyals,
so 767 riyals (= $205) in total.
Same thing, it’ll go on sale in a few days

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Sixth: some quick math, then you decide

You need a headphone + a device that drives it properly.
The prices below include tax and shipping, as I explained a moment ago.

Fiio K11 R2R + HIFIMAN Edition XS + cable with mic =
725 riyals for the headphone + 767 riyals for the DAC/amp + 123 riyals for the cable with mic
Total = 1615 riyals (= $431)

Fiio K11 R2R + ASUS ROG Kithara =
1249 riyals for the headphone + 767 for the DAC/amp =
Total = 2016 riyals (= $538)

Total difference between the two setups = 400 riyals (= $107)

And if you don’t need the mic with the Edition XS, the difference becomes 523 riyals (= $139)

That’s it.
The decision is yours now.

Good luck,
Best regards,
IEM World

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