Jade II
Jade II
An "entry level" electrostatic system, headphone + energizer, that lets you hear every last detail within your music.
HiFiMAN Jade II
Electrostatic headphone & energizer system with a wide stage and superb detail
A well-balanced package
If you want to dive into the world of electrostats, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Electrostatic headphones only work with specific amplifiers—often called energizers—and it also matters which one is the right match for the headphone you choose.
That’s why manufacturers often bundle headphones and energizers. The problem: most packages quickly end up in “money no object” territory. Not so with the Jade II: a full system under €2000 that even includes a second headphone output—so you can run a second Jade headphone or another compatible electrostatic model.
Anyone who has heard a good electrostatic headphone knows the strengths of this driver technology: insanely fast, precise, and so revealing that the first listen often leaves you wondering how it’s even possible.
Jade II delivers exactly that: an open, spacious presentation with a wide soundstage and an impressive level of detail—yet tuned gently enough to avoid sibilance or listening fatigue. If you’re unsure: feel free to borrow a Jade from me. You might just find the system that’s perfect for you.
What the press says:
If you want an open sounding and very spacious performance with bags of detail and a clever top-end tuning that saps any potential edginess and heat then the Jade II headphones are nigh on perfect in that regard. Definitely a tasty choice for the hi-fidelity ranks.
The clean and detailed listening experience that the HiFiMAN Jade II offer is superb. In general, I find the HiFiMAN Jade II to be quite exceptional – they offer a truly comfortable, detailed, relaxing yet accurate portrayal of music which is hard to come by.
The Jade II “threads the needle” between being true to life, accurate and uncolored, while also being relatively forgiving toward not-so-good recordings.
Technical Specifications
Headphone
| Type | Electrostatic, open-back, over-ear |
| Weight | 365 g |
| Bias Voltage | 550 – 600 V |
| Frequency Response | 7 Hz – 90 kHz |
| Efficiency | 101 dB/100 VRMS @ 1 kHz |
Amplifier (Energizer)
| Weight | 6.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 27.6 cm × 27 cm × 11.6 cm |
| Inputs | 1 × RCA and 1 × XLR |
| Outputs | 2 × Stax Pro Standard |
| Maximum power draw | 60 W |
| Standby power | No standby draw; switching it off fully disconnects from mains power |
Measurements
What does this mean?
The black line is something that could be called the “ideal” curve of what a headphone should sound like. The Harman Research Group has a range of scientific studies around audio and human perception—one of which asked: How should a headphone sound to be favored by a majority of people, regardless of age or other demographic variables? This result is called the Harman target.
From left to right we have sub-bass, bass, mids, and then the curve finally tilts upward where the treble begins—this part of the frequency spectrum gets amplified naturally by the shape of the human ear.
As an open-back electrostatic headphone, it does not have endless oomph in the sub-bass region, but it still offers a sufficient amount. It is extremely neutral in the mids, with a slight emphasis between 3–4 kHz.
Harman Research:
The Perception and Measurement of Headphone Sound Quality – What Do Listeners Prefer?
Specific References
- ean13
- 6925624201869