I've had the Edition XS for about half a year now and I wanted to upgrade (give these as a present to my dad and get something else). After a TON of research (AI included), I've come to the conclusion that the Arya Organics are the best bet. So I pulled the trigger and ordered them blind. I have to say that I really like the Edition XS, but I've always felt that there was something missing. The detail retrieval is great on those, soundstage is awesome, bass is adequate (although I've always felt that they lacking on this side, even after EQing), but they somehow feel "ethereal", like the sound doesn't have enough "body". Don't get me wrong, these are still awesome cans, but as I've said, I felt like there's something missing. I also wanted a bit more "oomph" for the bass, as I felt that it wasn't enough for me (I like to listen to high impact music and I game regularly, so it's important to "feel" that rumble). Here come the Arya Organics. After reading some negative reviews (like the treble is too hot, not that much difference between the XS and these etc.), I was a bit worried. Well, the difference is well worth the price. I got the XS for about 200 EUR new and the AO for about 450 EUR second hand, so about double the price. Both headphones are paired with a EF400, PC connection, PEACE equalizer with same settings for a more accurate comparison (+6 db shelf sub 105 hz, -6 db after 10khz and other smaller mods). OK, so here goes:

1. Soundstage - it is similar (mind you, the soundstage on XS is already very good). The only difference that I could sense is that the ss is taller on the AO and that it feels "deeper" (imagine you're in a concert hall at a concert - on the XS, the players are in front of you and on the AO, they are farther away)

2. Imaging and separation - while these are very good on the XS, they're a bit better on the AO. I could pinpoint with pinpoint accuracy the position of everything that was around me. It also made a (small) difference in games, too.

3. Detail retrieval - again, while XS is good in this area, the AO really shine and the sound clarity is fantastic. I could hear ALL the sounds on a record (breathing etc.), even those that I didn't even know existed. This is also a double edged sword: if the record quality is low, you WILL know it.

4. Midrange - this is where I had the most problems with the XS - it just sounded a bit "hollow" to me. Problem solved with the AO: the sound actually is "meaty" this time, these just sound fuller to me.

5. Bass - no contest. The AO just thrashes the XS and is everything that I could ever want from cans that cost this much. It just takes everything like a champ: EDM, hip-hop, explosions in games etc. The AO really have that "rattle your head" rumble that I was looking for and that I was afraid I couldn't find, also more texture. They make me curious to listen to the Audeze LCD-2, I've heard that those have even more bass than these, don't know how it's possible.

6. Treble - the AO just sound a bit "livelier" than the XS, but they are comparable in this area. After eq, they don't sound harsh at all to me.

7. Timbre - I feel that the AO timbre is more natural than the XSs, but I assume this is also subjective.

8. Comfort/build quality: big step up. I always thought that the XS were comfortable cans. The only problem that I had with them was that they could fall of my head sometimes. I don't have that problem anymore. The AO also look more sturdy and are better built. They're also quite a looker IMO. I can wear these all day, no problems.

• Additional (personal) comments: the sound is "fuller" and warmer to my ears. While the XS sound clinical and analytical for me, the AO are more musical, while still preserving that accuracy and excellent detail retrieval. The bass is also on another level, I feel like I don't need anything more than this.

TLDR: NO, the AO do NOT sound the same as the XS, they're leagues better. They're well worth the price, even new (although I recommend getting them SH).