The Hifiman HE1000 Stealth 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 launch price of the HE1000 Stealth was $2999 but you can now buy it for $1399 from the Hifiman online store.
Hifiman HE1000 Stealth
The Hifiman HE1000 is renowned for its legendary status in the audio community. This near-flagship model, introduced several years ago, continues to be regarded as one of the finest planar magnetic headphones available. It has recently been enhanced with the latest Stealth magnets, similar to other models from the brand, such as the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth and the HiFiMan Ananda Stealth.
Technical highlights
The latest edition of the HE1000 incorporates Hifiman’s acoustically invisible stealth magnets, which are uniquely shaped to enable sound waves to traverse the magnets without causing interference. This innovative magnet design is acoustically transparent, significantly minimizing wave diffraction turbulence that can compromise the quality of the sound waves.
The driver diaphragm is constructed from a film with a nanometer thickness, representing a significant technological advancement pioneered by Hifiman, making it the first of its kind in headphone applications. Additionally, the design incorporates an innovative asymmetrical magnetic circuit along with a patented “window shade” system, which effectively addresses the requirements for driver protection while enhancing the open-back design.
Design, build quality and wearing comfort
The Hifiman HE1000 Stealth features oval-shaped ear cups that rotate freely and come with asymmetrical ear pads that can be easily replaced by the user. These ear pads are notably spacious and deep, allowing the entire ear to fit comfortably without making contact with the driver. The design is hybrid, incorporating a fabric interior and synthetic leather around the edges, which enhances breathability.
The headband frame, attachment yokes, and protective grills of the ear cups are constructed from hand-polished, CNC-machined aluminum. The section of the headband that rests against the head features a genuine leather strap, which is both soft and sufficiently wide, though it lacks any internal padding. Height adjustments can be made effortlessly through the two aluminum slides, which are secured to the frame using a clicking mechanism.
The construction and assembly of all components are of high quality, giving the headphones a robust and durable feel, with no audible noises during adjustments or use. The HE1000SE exhibits superior craftsmanship and instills greater confidence compared to the Arya Organic and other more affordable Hifiman models.
The headphone weighs a manageable 458g, but its size may pose a challenge for individuals with smaller faces or heads, even when the headband is adjusted to its smallest setting. However, for those who do not fall into this category, the HE1000 Stealth offers exceptional comfort, allowing for extended wear without the need for breaks.
Stock cables and accessories
The headphones are equipped with a common dual-3.5mm connector interface, facilitating convenient cable changes. The package comes with two average-quality cables featuring rudder sheathing: one 6.35mm single-ended cable and one 4-pin XLR balanced cable. Rather than a premium carrying case, a basic foam stand is provided. Overall, the cables and accessories do not align with the headphone’s price point.
The stock cable is good to boot up but nothing special so as per usual practice i switched to Lavricables pure silver cables to ensure maximum transparency and the best sonic performance.
Power requirements
The Hifiman HE1000 Stealth features an impedance of 32Ω and a sensitivity of 93dB, making it easier to drive than commonly believed. I achieved impressive performance using high-quality portable sources such as the iBasso DX320 and the FiiO M15S. However, I observed noticeable enhancements, including deeper bass and improved driver control, when using more powerful amplifiers. Therefore, it is beneficial to explore options like the Flux Lab Acoustics Mentor for optimal results.
Listening impressions
The Hifiman HE1000 Stealth features a neutral to bright sound profile, delivering outstanding technical performance that surpasses its price point. This positions it as one of the top contenders in terms of transparency and audio fidelity. Additionally, the HE1000 Stealth offers a musical and engaging listening experience, particularly with acoustic genres, provided that the audio source and equipment are of superior quality. Its revealing and precise nature demands careful pairing to ensure it aligns with individual listening preferences.
The bass response is exceptionally accurate, featuring a reference-neutral tuning that ensures precise tonal fidelity. Every fundamental and overtone from each instrument is rendered with impeccable pitch. These headphones effectively encompass the lowest octave, delivering bass without excessive emphasis or tonal alterations. The HE1000 Stealth is particularly suited for discerning listeners, as it avoids the prevalent bass-boosted tunings that many headphone brands employ to appeal to casual listeners.
The technical performance is exceptional, with bass that is remarkably tight and well-controlled, responding swiftly to the tempo of the music. It delivers a punchy and impactful sound without any noticeable cup reflections. However, do not anticipate overly heavy or visceral textures, as the low-end of the HE1000 Stealth leans towards a more precise, clear, and defined presentation rather than sheer power and mass.
The resolution and layering are among the best in the industry, and the bass remains neither dry nor sterile, provided you pair it with the appropriate source. Using discrete amplifiers and R2R DACs will enhance the fullness, warmth, and organic quality of the sound, while high-quality D/S and op-amp setups will yield a highly technical performance that may come off as slightly sterile. Ultimately, the choice depends on your personal listening preferences.
More listening impressions
The mid-range exhibits a nearly neutral character, featuring a slight emphasis in the upper mid-range typical of Hifiman’s design, which may be appealing or off-putting depending on personal preference. Some listeners might view the mid-range as conservatively tuned due to its slight recession. Nevertheless, I find it to be well-balanced, although I would prefer a bit less emphasis in the upper mids. The sound remains non-piercing and non-fatiguing, characterized by an exceptionally fast, clean, and transparent presentation.
It offers impressive tonal accuracy and a natural timbre, ensuring that both instruments and vocals receive equal representation. While the textures may lean towards the lighter side, the resolution and refinement are outstanding, significantly exceeding that of many competitors. Ultimately, the quality of your audio setup will influence whether the HE1000 Stealth delivers a harmonious and vibrant sound or comes across as dull and flat.
The treble is vibrant and bright, yet it remains exceptionally refined and well-resolved, featuring top-notch textures that contribute to a remarkably smooth listening experience, free from any harshness or listener fatigue. Among all the Hifiman headphones I have evaluated (nearly all of them), the HE1000 Stealth offers the finest and least fatiguing treble, second only to the Susvara. This treble is not only incredibly airy and transparent but also possesses an almost ethereal quality, with textures that evoke the image of a delicate yet robust spider web.
The timbre is notably authentic and lifelike. Although certain overtones may appear somewhat thin and slightly bright or synthetic, they lack the metallic luster often found in many other Hifiman models. The depth of detail retrieval is exceptional, yet it is structured and delivered in a manner that avoids the sensation of an overly analytical or artificial sound.
And more
The Hifiman HE1000 Stealth offers a remarkable level of insight, with its detail retrieval appearing more natural and effortlessly compared to the often exaggerated presentation of the renowned Sennheiser HD800S. Additionally, it exhibits a softer kind of brightness and improved tonal accuracy in the upper frequency range. The HE1000 Stealth maintains a bright character and can be quite revealing, it necessitates thoughtful pairing based on individual listening preferences, and then again it may not suit every listener.
The soundstage of the Hifiman HE1000 Stealth is broader than average, though it does not reach the expansive levels of the Sennheiser HD800S. A key distinction is that the soundstage of the HE1000 Stealth is organized in a more realistic and proportionate manner, resulting in a natural sound that feels less diffuse and offers a more defined center image.
Additionally, it excels in depth layering, creating an impression of a taller soundstage. The imaging is remarkable, with performers positioned with precise accuracy and excellent separation, although there is slightly less space around them compared to the HD800S. The sound projection tends to be more intimate, placing the listener closer to the stage without feeling overly personal. Overall, the HE1000 Stealth delivers an immersive listening experience, capable of producing impressive holography while effectively conveying the grandeur and ambiance of large symphonic works, as well as adapting to the dimensions of smaller ensembles.
Vs the Hifiman Arya Organic
The current $1400 pricing of the Hifiman HE1000 Stealth should not mislead you; it is truly a high-end headphone, originally priced around $3,000. Consequently, it is expected that the Hifiman Arya Organic ($999) operates at a significantly lower technical standard. While frequency response graphs may suggest similarities in sound, the Arya Organic actually presents a brighter tone with less impactful bass, though it offers a slightly more organic mid-range, as its name implies. The HE1000 Stealth clearly outperforms in terms of tonal balance and technical capabilities, justifying the additional $400 cost, unless you have a preference for a warmer and more lush mid-range sound.
Vs the Hifiman Susvara
The tuning, technical performance, resolution, and refinement of the Hifiman HE1000 Stealth closely resemble those of the Susvara, making it an impressive contender in its own right. While it cannot fully replicate the performance or timbre of the flagship model, the Hifiman HE1000 Stealth offers an excellent opportunity to experience a taste of the Susvara’s sound at a significantly lower price point, and it does not require a high-powered amplifier to deliver its full potential.
In the end
The Hifiman HE1000 Stealth stands out as one of the premier planar magnetic headphones on the market, particularly for those who favor a neutral-bright sound profile combined with outstanding technical performance. It delivers a flagship-level auditory experience, making it an excellent choice for both critical listening and reference use, among other applications.
An outstanding flagship headphone that would still represent excellent value at its original launch price of $2999. Now available for $1399, the Hifiman HE1000 Stealth is an incredible deal, a remarkable find in the audio market. If you are in search of a flagship headphone and appreciate the sound signature of the Hifiman HE1000 Stealth, do not hesitate—purchase one promptly.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2024.
+ Neutral-bright reference tuning
+ High quality bass with excellent technicalities
+ Class leading fidelity and transparency
+ Crystalline clarity and deep detail retrieval
+ Ethereal and layered textures
+ Very resolving and refined
+ The treble is actually smooth and not sharp
+ Great tonal precision across the frequency range
+ Spacious and immersive soundstage
+ Comfortable and relatively lightweight
+ Comes with balanced and unbalanced cables
+ Well made and assembled
+ New lower price makes it an ultra bargain
- The bass is not as impactful as with dynamic driver headphones
- The treble is still bright so consider before buying
- Very revealing and unforgiving nature
- Requires careful matching with top quality gear
- Not ideal for casual listening
- Too large for small heads
- The cables are of average quality
- Lack of a carrying case and other accessories
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