The HiFiMan Ananda Stealth review sample was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links. The catalog price of the HiFiMan Ananda Stealth edition is $999 but you can buy it as low as $699 directly from the HiFiMan store
HiFiMan Ananda Stealth edition
Recently, HiFiMan has been updating some of their headphones by incorporating the innovative stealth magnet technology, which was first introduced in their flagship model, the Susvara.
Not too long ago, the Arya headphones received the new stealth magnets, and now it’s time for one of the company’s most popular models, the renowned Ananda.
According to HiFiMan, the unique design of the Stealth Magnets allows sound waves to pass through them without causing any interference, unlike traditional magnets. This acoustically transparent magnet design significantly reduces wave diffraction turbulence, which can negatively impact the integrity of the sound waves.
As a result of this advanced magnet design, the distortion is greatly minimized, leading to a pure and accurate sonic output that covers the entire range of frequencies.
The HiFiMan Ananda Stealth boasts the same remarkable feature as its forerunner – the HiFiMan’s Super Nano Diaphragm. However, the all new NSD takes it a step further by being 80% thinner than previous designs. This groundbreaking advancement allows for a quicker and more intricate response, while still maintaining the rich musicality that was previously unattainable.
With a thickness ranging from 1 to 2 micrometers, the NSD diaphragm sets a new benchmark in diaphragm manufacturing. Additionally, the innovative window shade grill design significantly diminishes sonic reflections, resulting in a clearer and more immersive sound experience.
Build quality, appearance and fit
The original model and the Ananda Stealth share the same appearance, materials, and build quality. The Ananda, in its all black design, features spacious and comfortable oval-shaped ear cups that provide an excellent user experience. Its relatively light weight of 440g and medium clamping force contribute to its comfort.
The ear cups are asymmetrical and crafted from a combination of plastic and aluminum grilles. However, they lack the ability to swivel horizontally. The yokes and hybrid headband are constructed using a mix of metal and plastic, with a leatherette strap rest for added comfort on the head.
The ear pads, which can be easily replaced by the user, are made of memory foam and have an asymmetrical design that conforms to the shape of the ears and face. They feature a hybrid construction, with a leatherette surface on the outer perimeter, perforated leatherette on the inside, and fabric on the surface that touches the face. The stitching on the ear pads is precise and they appear to be durable.
While the overall build quality of the headphones is satisfactory, it falls short of the current market standards. Many competitors offer a more luxurious feel and are better constructed.
Cable
HiFiMan is known for providing cables that are often considered average in the industry, and regrettably, this trend continues with their latest offering. However, it must be acknowledged that the new cable is an improvement over its predecessor.
Nevertheless, it remains a basic detachable cable featuring 3.5mm plugs on the headphone side and an angled 3.5mm jack with a 6.35mm adapter on the other end. It is a straightforward, mass-produced cable measuring 1.5m in length, which is quite thick and tends to stay bent despite attempts to straighten it. Fortunately, it produces minimal microphonic noise.
Accessories
Apart from the cable and adapter, there are no additional items included, not even a basic fabric carrying pouch. However, you can utilize the provided protection foam insert as a convenient headphone stand.
Driving Efficiency
The HiFiMan Ananda Stealth underwent a thorough 150-hour music playback session to ensure optimal performance before any listening sessions took place.
With a sensitivity rating of 103 dB/mW and an impedance of 27Ω, the Ananda is considered relatively easy to drive and portable-friendly. However, it is capable of much more than that.
To truly unlock its full potential and experience its brilliance, the HiFiMan Ananda Stealth requires a substantial amount of current. Using a regular DAC dongle may not suffice if you want to fully utilize its capabilities, unless you’re content with just achieving high volume levels.
For instance, when listening to classical music through the balanced output of the FiiO K7 (set at low gain), I had to set the volume to more than ¾, whereas the Focal Clear Mg only required ½ of the volume for a satisfactory listening experience.
Listening impressions
Prior to delving into the customary frequency response analysis, it is crucial to highlight and emphasize the exceptional transparency exhibited by the headphone. The HiFiMan Ananda Stealth boasts unparalleled fidelity, effortlessly reflecting the original source with utmost clarity directly into your ears, devoid of any alteration from the headphone itself.
Whether paired with a tube source, it produces a warm and organic sound with a captivating holographic soundstage, or when connected to a THX amplifier, it delivers a more technically-oriented audio performance. This remarkably versatile headphone empowers users to freely combine and customize their gear, enabling them to construct their perfect audio system.
The overall sound profile remains quite similar to the original Ananda, as it maintains the renowned HiFiMan reference – a neutral tuning with exceptional bass technicalities, harmoniously balanced midrange, and a subtle touch of treble emphasis that is tastefully executed.
The low end tuning is exemplary, at least if you like a reference frequency response that stays faithful to the recording without emphasizing any part of the bass range.
The HiFiMan Ananda Stealth will produce all the sub-bass extension whenever needed and at the same time it will offer the most neutral bass response without emphasizing mid-bass and with a linear transition to the mids.
Clarity, layering and definition are truly remarkable for the category while the texture is a balance between good body weight and superb technicalities.
The bass line gets resolved in the most refined way without a single trace of overlapping and masking, with the HiFiMan Ananda Stealth you are going to hear every last note no matter how many bass instruments are playing at the same time.
Mahler always comes to mind when testing a headphone for bass technicalities and tuning accuracy and the Ananda Stealth passed the test with flying colors.
The bass does not possess an overwhelmingly deep and heavy quality, yet it cannot be described as excessively thin and lacking in richness either. It maintains a pleasing level of intensity while also exhibiting a controlled, precise, and rapid response without compromising on the decay and reverb details.
Although it may not deliver the same level of impact and force as competing dynamic drivers, the dynamic contrast offered by the planar magnetic driver is highly satisfying, providing a commendable amount of punchiness and strength.
The mid-range of the HiFiMan Ananda Stealth is well-balanced and neutral, offering a pleasant overall presence. It is transparent and highly articulated, showcasing the typical HiFiMan leaner texture without sounding dry or artificial. While it is slightly recessed, the mid-range maintains a natural and realistic sound, exhibiting good timbral coherency, accurate tonality, and a wide range of harmonics.
The presentation is slightly warm and organic, providing a holistic musical experience where vocals and instruments are reproduced in a lifelike manner. This creates a sense of musicality and emotional depth for the listener. Unlike boring or clinical sounding headphones, the HiFiMan Ananda Stealth successfully connects the listener with the music, evoking the same immersive experience as listening to Carl Nielsen’s second symphony.
The HiFiMan Ananda Stealth exhibits a typical treble response that is consistent with other HiFiMan models, including the non-Stealth Ananda. The upper presence area is emphasized, resulting in enhanced clarity, spaciousness, definition, and detail retrieval. This tuning gives the headphone a mildly bright and luminous character, while avoiding any harshness.
The headphone delivers a sparkling and fast sound with ample energy and luminosity, without being piercing or fatiguing. However, it should be noted that there is a slight loss of weight in the treble texture, making it sound leaner and drier compared to the other frequencies. Depending on the recording and the rest of the audio chain, there may be a touch of metallic hue present.
While the HiFiMan Ananda Stealth is not completely unforgiving, its ultimate transparency combined with the luminous treble will not be forgiving towards poorly recorded material. It will undoubtedly highlight every sound characteristic of your audio chain, both the good and the bad.
The Ananda OG headphone had a notably spacious sound, but the Stealth edition takes it up a notch by delivering a more robust center image, enhanced layering, precise positioning, and an even greater sense of holography.
The soundstage is naturally expanded, avoiding any artificial stretching, allowing ample breathing space for the performers and creating a soundscape that seems to be positioned slightly ahead of the listener’s head. When indulging in grand symphonic and choral compositions, the experience becomes truly immersive and lifelike.
Compared to the original Ananda
It may seem like they are indistinguishable, but discerning between them in a blind listening test is not as challenging as it may appear. The Ananda and the Stealth edition may look similar, but they possess distinct characteristics in terms of sound quality.
The Ananda exhibits a more raw and unrefined sound, lacking the polished nature of the Stealth edition. On the other hand, the Stealth edition offers a higher quality resolution, presenting a more rounded and less coarse sound, particularly in the treble. It also boasts a more natural timbre and better frequency cohesiveness compared to the slightly metallic and artificial perception of the original.
While the frequency response of both is nearly identical, the Stealth edition has a touch of warmth, providing a fuller texture in the bass and a pleasant sweetness in the mids. In contrast, the original version sounds harder, with a hint of shoutiness in the vocals, especially in female voices, which can potentially induce fatigue over extended periods of listening.
Compared to the Arya Stealth ($1299)
The HIFIMAN Arya Stealth shares the same HiFiMan neutral-bright tuning as the Ananda Stealth, but it offers a slightly more balanced tonal quality. Both headphones provide similar levels of detail retrieval, but the Arya Stealth takes it a step further with its refined, resolving, and nuanced sound.
In terms of bass technicalities, the Arya Stealth outperforms the Ananda Stealth, and it also excels in soundstage, offering a more solid center image and precise imaging. Additionally, the Arya Stealth delivers a more holographic and immersive listening experience.
Overall, the Arya Stealth is a more refined and technically comprehensive version of the HiFiMan Ananda Stealth, making it a natural upgrade choice for those who have the budget and prefer a similar sound signature.
On the other hand, the HiFiMan Ananda Stealth offers a great percentage of the Arya Stealth’s performance at almost half the price, making it a real bargain worth considering.
Compared to the Meze 109 PRO ($799)
The Meze 109 PRO comes at a higher price point, but it is definitely worth the additional $100 investment. This extra cost is justified by the enhanced aesthetics, superior quality materials, impeccable craftsmanship, improved stock cables, and the inclusion of a premium carrying case. Moreover, the 109 PRO is designed to be effortlessly driven by portable sources, making it a convenient choice for on-the-go audio enthusiasts.
In terms of sound quality, the primary distinction lies in the lower range. The 109 PRO boasts a deeper sub-bass extension, emphasizing the bass and mid-bass. This results in a more enjoyable and warmer tuning, albeit not as tonally accurate as the strictly neutral and reference bass tuning of the Ananda. However, this makes the 109 PRO more versatile and suitable for casual listening.
When it comes to dynamics and impact force, the 109 PRO has the undeniable advantage. It delivers a more imposing and hard-hitting sound with a weightier and more visceral texture. On the other hand, the HiFiMan Ananda Stealth takes the lead in overall technicalities, offering better definition, layering, and clarity. It also exhibits tighter and more controlled sound.
As a whole, the 109 PRO has a slightly darker and grainier sound compared to the Ananda Stealth. It is not as clear and transparent, whereas the Ananda Stealth provides superior fidelity and source mirroring. It is also more resolving and refined in the treble, despite both headphones having almost identical higher frequency responses.
The 109 PRO excels in the mid-range, offering a fuller, more engaging, and musical experience. It has a sweeter and lusher sound, creating a more harmonious and rich listening experience. The vocalists feel closer to the listener, resulting in a more seductive and realistic sound.
There is also a difference in the sound stage proportions and allocation. The 109 PRO has a narrower and more intimate sound stage, but with equally excellent positioning and imaging accuracy.
From a sonic perspective alone, both headphones are well worth their price and can provide hours of endless pleasure. It all comes down to choosing the right one based on your music listening preferences.
In the end
The HiFiMan Ananda Stealth edition stands out as an exceptional pair of headphones within the sub $1K range, offering superior sound quality compared to the original model.
If you prefer a neutral, reference-style tuning with a touch of brightness and remarkable technical capabilities for this category, the HiFiMan Ananda Stealth should undoubtedly be your top choice.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2023.
+ Lively and airy presentation + Neutral - bright tuning + Excellent technicalities + Crystal clear and transparent + Resolving and refined + Wide soundstage + Accurate imaging + Comfortable and lightweight + Relatively easy to drive
- Build quality and materials - Mediocre cable - No accessories - Not that impactful and dynamic - Lean and dry - Quite sharp - Unforgiving
Leave a comment