So for me, I was chasing what’s better. The order I listed the set ups in wasn’t linear. I kept going up. I was looking for something that was an all around amazing experience. I like to feel my music. This will sound maybe weird, but I generally know I like a headphone/IEM if I start dancing, singing and “feeling” the music. I also didn’t keep all of them, because I’m sort of that guy, who doesn’t like to have a lot of stuff hanging around. I understand that there are headphones that are great for certain genres, I didn’t want to switch to another pair if I wanted to listen to classical vs. hip hop or something like that.
The experience of them all was great! would I buy them again, absolutely. I simply prefer the set up I have now as it meets my “all around needs” and minimalism.
Now onto your question about the Odysseys.
I didn’t list the couple of IEMs I started with The Moondrop Katos, then the Blessing 2s. They were great, but I wanted “more”. I did a TON of reading and watching reviews on the odysseys, and I found someone who sold them to me for a great price. I have no regrets. They are quite literally the best imho. I haven’t even changed my stock cable, but pairing it with my SP3000, listening to music is literally a studio/in person concert experience. They are worth the price of admission to me. I’ve listened to every genre of music I could find in my playlists with them, rap, hip hop, country, jazz, smooth jazz, classical, downtempo, soundtracks, rock, smooth rock, hard rock, punk and on and on and it sounds incredible to my ears. If I had to say one thing I don’t like, for my ears, they will start to come out on my left ear after long listening sessions. It’s probably me though, but I love them and they look cool as heck too!
So I would say an all around comparison with the HE 1000v2s, the V2s will win. That’s assessing all of the aspects of sound, bass, mids, highs, detail retrieval. With that being said, I’d say the bass is a bit better on the Edition XS, but it’s a bit “muddier”. Not glaringly so, but from an overall song prospective. It’s still a great headphone overall and I would recommend it, but in my humble opinion comparing these two is like comparing a Ferrari to a mustang GT, they both go faster, but one does it a heck of a lot better. If you’re a bass head, I’d go IEM with bone conduction personally (check out the odyssey or the Legend EVOs by Empire Ears), but if it’s between these two and which has the best enjoyment, for me, hands down its the HE 1000 V2s.
Hope that helps.