Head to head

D'Addario EJ27N Student Nylon Classical 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, and the alloys differ (Silver-plated copper wrap on the bass strings against Phosphor bronze). Below, every specification we hold for both is lined up, with the 15 rows that actually differ marked out.

D'Addario

EJ27N Student Nylon Classical

Normal tension, full size, three sets

The same idea as Pro-Arte, sorted less tightly and sold three at a time

6.8/104.5 (22,877)

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D'Addario

XS Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic

Light .012-.053

A coated string that does not feel or sound like a coated string

7.8/104.7 (3,294)

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Score profile

The editorial axes for strings, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where it gains ground.

D'Addario EJ27N Student Nylon Classical6.8
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

D'Addario EJ27N Student Nylon Classical compared with D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic
	EJ27N Student Nylon Classical	XS Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic
Brand	D'Addario	D'Addario
Model	EJ27N Student Nylon Classical	XS Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic
Type	Strings	Strings
Fretline score	6.8 / 10	7.8 / 10
Value for money	9 / 10	7 / 10
Amazon rating	4.5 / 5 (22,877)	4.7 / 5 (3,294)
Price	$15 - $30	$15 - $30
Gauges	—	.012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053
Alloy	Silver-plated copper wrap on the bass strings	Phosphor bronze
Winding	Wound basses, clear nylon trebles	Roundwound
Core	Multifilament nylon	Hexagonal high-carbon steel
Coating	Uncoated	Ultra-thin film on the wound strings, with treated plain strings
Tension	Normal	—
Strings in the set	6	6
Scale length it fits	Tie-end, full-size classical	—
Sets included	3	1
Brightness	6 / 10	8 / 10
Sustain	6 / 10	7 / 10
Durability	7 / 10	9 / 10
Feel	7 / 10	8 / 10
Tuning stability	6 / 10	8 / 10
Suits	Beginner, Intermediate	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.