Head to head
D'Addario EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic vs D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic
The short answer is that only one of them is coated, which is what decides how long it lasts. Below, every specification we hold for both is lined up, with the 9 rows that actually differ marked out.
EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic
Light .012-.053, three sets
The default acoustic string, and the one to buy if you are not sure
XS Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic
Light .012-.053
A coated string that does not feel or sound like a coated string
As an Amazon Associate we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through our links, at no additional cost to you. We do not publish prices, because Amazon prices change constantly and a stale figure helps nobody. Follow the link for the current price and availability.
Score profile
The editorial axes for strings, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where it gains ground.
- D'Addario EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic7.3
- D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic7.8
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Specification by specification
| EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic | XS Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | D'Addario | D'Addario |
| Model | EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic | XS Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic |
| Type | Strings | Strings |
| Fretline score | 7.3 / 10 | 7.8 / 10 |
| Value for money | 9 / 10 | 7 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.7 / 5 (38,577) | 4.7 / 5 (3,294) |
| Price | $15 - $30 | $15 - $30 |
| Gauges | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 | .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053 |
| Alloy | Phosphor bronze | Phosphor bronze |
| Winding | Roundwound | Roundwound |
| Core | Hexagonal high-carbon steel | Hexagonal high-carbon steel |
| Coating | Uncoated | Ultra-thin film on the wound strings, with treated plain strings |
| Strings in the set | 6 | 6 |
| Sets included | 3 | 1 |
| Brightness | 7 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
| Sustain | 7 / 10 | 7 / 10 |
| Durability | 6 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Feel | 7 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
| Tuning stability | 8 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
| Suits | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Professional | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Professional |
A marked row is one where the two differ. A highlighted cell is the stronger figure where one can be judged objectively — which, for most accessory attributes, it cannot be. Empty cells are specifications the manufacturer does not publish, never estimates.
Which one should you buy?
Computed from our editorial scores for these two only. It is not a general ranking.
Best brightness
D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze Coated AcousticHighest editorial brightness score of the 2 compared.
Best sustain
D'Addario EJ16 Phosphor Bronze AcousticHighest editorial sustain score of the 2 compared.
Best durability
D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze Coated AcousticHighest editorial durability score of the 2 compared.
Best feel
D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze Coated AcousticHighest editorial feel score of the 2 compared.
Best tuning stability
D'Addario EJ16 Phosphor Bronze AcousticHighest editorial tuning stability score of the 2 compared.
Best for beginners
D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze Coated AcousticStrongest overall score among those we consider suitable for a first instrument.
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Other comparisons
Phosphor Bronze Acoustic vs EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic
Belfort · D'Addario
Phosphor Bronze Acoustic vs XS Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic
Belfort · D'Addario
EJ11 80/20 Bronze Acoustic vs EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic
D'Addario · D'Addario
EJ11 80/20 Bronze Acoustic vs XS Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic
D'Addario · D'Addario
EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic vs Pro-Arte Nylon Classical
D'Addario · D'Addario
EJ16 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic vs EJ27N Student Nylon Classical
D'Addario · D'Addario