HiFiMAN Model Comparison

August 27, 2026

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Ananda series – Ananda Stealth, Ananda Nano & Ananda Unveiled
• Edition XV – the affordable flagship heritage
• Arya series – Arya Stealth, Arya Organic, Arya Unveiled & Arya WiFi
• HE600 – the accessible classic
• HE1000 series – V2 Stealth, SE, Unveiled & WiFi
• HE6 Remastered – the legend returns
• Susvara series – Susvara & Susvara Unveiled
• Shangri-La Jr. – the electrostatic system
• Buying recommendations at a glance

Introduction

HiFiMAN is one of the most influential names in modern headphone design. Founded in 2007 by Dr. Fang Bian, the company took the planar magnetic driver out of its niche and brought it to virtually every price point – from entry-level models under €400 to the uncompromising Susvara flagship. If you're struggling to make sense of the many model names and suffixes, here's your guide.

A few terms worth knowing beforehand:

• Planar magnetic driver: instead of a point-source voice coil like dynamic drivers, the conductive trace sits flat across an extremely thin diaphragm and is driven evenly over its entire surface. The result is fast, low-distortion, precise reproduction – the foundation of virtually every HiFiMAN headphone.
• Stealth magnets: specially aerodynamic magnet structures that let sound waves pass through almost unobstructed. This reduces diffraction and resonance between magnet and diaphragm – for a more transparent, uncolored sound.
• “Unveiled” models: here HiFiMAN removes the protective grille in front of the driver entirely, sometimes paired with removable, magnetically-attached “veils” for transport protection. Without a grille, there's even less reflection and diffraction – for maximum transparency.
• Neo Supernano Diaphragm (Gen. 2): a newly developed, even thinner diaphragm generation for faster transients, more microdynamics, and higher resolution. Used in the Edition XV, HE600, and the Ananda/Arya Unveiled lineup, among others.
• WiFi series: fully wireless headphones with a built-in DAC and amplifier. Instead of Bluetooth, HiFiMAN uses WiFi-based transmission with significantly higher bandwidth – for lossless high-res streaming without an external chain.
• Naming scheme: the suffix added to a model name (Stealth, Organic, Nano, Unveiled, WiFi) usually describes the magnet technology or feature variant on the same base platform – not necessarily a completely new driver.

Ananda series – Ananda Stealth, Ananda Nano & Ananda Unveiled

The ultra-nearfield monitor among the entry-level models

The Ananda was originally positioned at a much higher price and quickly established itself as serious competition for headphones well above its class. With its lasting price cut, it's now one of the strongest offerings in its segment: neutral, round mids, balanced treble, and unusually authoritative bass presence for an open headphone, plus excellent separation and a clearly rendered soundstage.

The Ananda Stealth version adds the aerodynamic Stealth magnets – bringing extra bass foundation, more treble definition and micro-dynamics, alongside improved efficiency. The Ananda Nano uses the same Stealth technology but is tuned for particularly low impedance (14 Ω), making it even easier to drive – ideal for sources with limited power headroom. The Ananda Unveiled goes a step further: a completely open design with no protective grille (with a removable magnetic cover panel) and the new Neo Supernano Gen. 2 diaphragm deliver even more transparency, micro-dynamics, and resolution.

→ Ananda Stealth in the shop → Ananda Nano in the shop → Ananda Unveiled in the shop

Edition XV – the affordable flagship heritage

Newly developed technology at entry-level pricing

The Edition XV is the successor to the popular Edition XS and, despite its refined magnet design and new Neo Supernano Gen. 2 diaphragm, stays in the same entry-level price bracket as the Ananda family. The diaphragm, reduced to just 60% of the original thickness, enables faster transients and greater micro-dynamic resolution. New permanent-magnet materials achieve sensitivity on par with classic rare-earth drivers – without actually using rare earths. At just 12 Ω impedance, it's among the easiest headphones to drive in the entire lineup. A new composite headband with rotating hinges also saves 20–30g of weight.

→ Edition XV in the shop

Arya series – Arya Stealth, Arya Organic, Arya Unveiled & Arya WiFi

The classic HiFi planar, in four flavours

The Arya line has long been a favourite among HiFi enthusiasts: no bass monster, plenty of treble detail, a huge, wide soundstage – sometimes even called a “planar HD800S”. Bass separates cleanly and stays controlled relative to the rest of the mix, while instruments and voices are cut razor-sharp from one another.

The Arya Stealth is the classic, balanced variant with the aerodynamic Stealth magnets. The Arya Organic keeps the same soundstage but tames the sometimes overly forward treble of the Stealth version – and at just 16 Ω and 94 dB efficiency, it's also significantly easier to drive. The Arya Unveiled drops the protective grille entirely for even fewer reflections, and ships with a monocrystalline copper cable. The Arya WiFi, finally, brings the proven Arya planar technology into a completely wireless concept: built-in DAC and amplifier, WiFi streaming instead of Bluetooth for lossless high-res playback with no external chain.

→ Arya Stealth in the shop → Arya Organic in the shop → Arya Unveiled in the shop → Arya WiFi in the shop

HE600 – the accessible classic

The iconic HE-6 heritage, made everyday-friendly

The HE600 is the refined evolution of the legendary HE-6 – with the new Neo Supernano Gen. 2 diaphragm, a magnet system free of rare earths, and a redesigned, lighter aluminium headband with FocusPad cushions. The new magnet construction reaches sensitivity on par with classic rare-earth drivers. Unlike its demanding namesake, the HE6 Remastered, it's noticeably easier to drive from common amplifiers at 28 Ω and 94 dB – the ideal entry point into the classic HiFiMAN character without needing a powerful headphone amp right away.

→ HE600 in the shop

HE1000 series – V2 Stealth, SE, Unveiled & WiFi

HiFiMAN's reference lineup

With the HE1000 V2 Stealth, HiFiMAN takes its legendary HE1000 series to a new technical level: Stealth magnets for near-unobstructed sound passage, combined with an extremely thin nanoparticle diaphragm for fast impulse response, low distortion, and impressive dynamics – while also being easier to drive.

The HE1000 SE takes a different focus: with the highest sensitivity in the whole series (96 dB), it emphasises midrange, speed, and micro-dynamics. The HE1000 Unveiled consistently pursues the grille-less path – reflections and diffraction are minimised on both sides of the driver, making it in many ways the most mature version of the HE1000 to date. The HE1000 WiFi, finally, transfers the proven HE1000 platform into a fully wireless system with a built-in DAC and amplifier – WiFi streaming instead of Bluetooth, closer to a stationary setup than to a typical wireless headphone.

→ HE1000 V2 Stealth in the shop → HE1000 SE in the shop → HE1000 Unveiled in the shop → HE1000 WiFi in the shop

HE6 Remastered – the legend returns

A faithful driver concept, for powerful amplifiers

With the HE6 Remastered, HiFiMAN says it returns to the driver design of the original HE6: classic round earcups, an open build, and the characteristic driver architecture remain, while modern 3.5 mm connectors and a new composite headband add everyday comfort. The extremely light, nanometer-thin diaphragm allows fast acceleration and controlled deceleration – fine transients, cymbal decay, and string texture come through in correspondingly fine detail.

Unlike the easier-to-drive HE600, the HE6 Remastered is explicitly aimed at listeners after the demanding character and sonic authority of the classic HE6: at just 83.5 dB sensitivity into 50 Ω, it calls for a powerful, stationary headphone amplifier.

→ HE6 Remastered in the shop

Susvara series – Susvara & Susvara Unveiled

The uncompromising flagship

The Susvara is widely regarded as the planar magnetic headphone every other one gets measured against – introduced back in 2017 as HiFiMAN's uncompromising statement piece, and a fixture on top-tier lists from nearly every major reviewer ever since. It only reaches its full potential with a genuinely adequate amplifier: at 83 dB sensitivity into 60 Ω, it's among the most demanding headphones out there to drive.

The Susvara Unveiled is the next evolutionary step: its most striking feature is the complete removal of the protective grille – for transport, HiFiMAN includes removable, magnetically-attached “Magnetic Veils”. The proven nanometer diaphragm technology, combined with Stealth magnets, remains the heart of the design; at 45 Ω and 86 dB, it's somewhat easier to drive than the original Susvara.

→ Susvara in the shop → Susvara Unveiled in the shop

Shangri-La Jr. – the electrostatic system

A completely different technology

Unlike every other model listed here, the Shangri-La Jr. isn't a planar magnetic headphone – it's an electrostatic one, and is sold exclusively as a complete system consisting of the headphone and its matching tube energizer (amplifier unit), since electrostatic drivers require a special high-voltage supply (550–650 V bias voltage) and cannot be run from ordinary headphone amplifiers. It's the more affordable variant of the full Shangri-La system, but still plays in the upper class sonically – including an impressive frequency range of 7 Hz to 120 kHz, only achievable with electrostatic technology.

→ Shangri-La Jr. in the shop

Buying recommendations at a glance

All models at a glance

Ananda Stealth

€399

Ananda Nano

€399

Ananda Unveiled

€549

Edition XV

€399

Arya Stealth

€650

Arya Organic

€749

Arya Unveiled

€1199

Arya WiFi

€1500

HE600

€799

HE1000 V2 Stealth

€1200

HE1000 SE

€1850

HE1000 Unveiled

€2399

HE1000 WiFi

€2900

HE6 Remastered

€1899

Susvara

€6000

Susvara Unveiled

€8999

Shangri-La Jr.

€8800