Review of Hifiman HE1000 Stealth

A refinement of the original HE1000 sound?

Intro:

The HE1000 series has been a mainstay in the high-end planar market for quite some time now. While I’ve been impressed by their treble clarity and technical prowess, I’m not particularly fond of the bright tuning. The Ananda, a more affordable model that shares a similar design, strikes a more balanced tone in my view.

Hifiman is known for rolling out their ‘stealth magnet upgrade’ across most of their headphones, and the HE1000 is no exception. I’ve previously reviewed the Arya Stealth and appreciated its improved tonal balance. However, the upper treble can still feel a bit splashy, with an enhanced peak at 11-12kHz, typical of stealth magnet models thus far .

But with the new HE1000 Stealth, the story seems to have taken an unexpected turn…

For the full suite of measurements, see the final section of the article.

Specs & Comfort

Price: US$ 1399, AU$ 2399
Transducer size: N/A
Effective area: 80-100*65 mm approx.
Transducer type: planar magnetic
Earpad size: 135*95*30-20mm
Earpad fitting mechanism: clipped-on
Sensitivity: 93 dB/mw @1kHz
Impedance: 31.5Ω @1kHz (measured)
Connector: dual 3.5mm TRS
Weight: 457 grams
Clamping force: medium
Headband swivel: 270° approx.
Comfort: 7.5/10 (slightly heavy)

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Mesurement & Sound

link to the frequency response measurement & more comparisons

Tonal balance:

Overall, the new HE1000 Stealth presents an expansive and commendably well-balanced sound. I would argue this is one of the best-tuned models in Hifiman’s egg-shaped series so far. This change took me by surprise: rather than the typical boosted upper-treble associated with earlier stealth magnet models, the HE1000 Stealth features smoother, more linear highs. There’s also a noticeable increase in warmth from the bass, lending an ‘organic’ feel to the sound, if you like.


The Bass, typical of the Hifiman egg-shaped series, has a subtle warmth than being completly flat. There’s a touch of added bloom, evidenced by a lift around 50-120Hz. Beyond this, it remains very linear, extending down to 10Hz with minimal roll-off. In terms of quantity, it is comparable to the Edition XS but cleaner. It’s not as flat and tight as the original HE1000 V2, though.

Compared to the Arya Stealth, the HE1000 Stealth offers a slightly more bass presence, resulting in a more impactful delivery. Personally, I like the HE1000 Stealth’s presentation for sounding more flavourful and substantial, while never overwhelming. This is particularly valuable given that egg-shaped Hifimans tend to sound bright. Added bass bloom is therefore a welcome counterbalance.


The Midrange strikes a fine balance between body and clarity. It exudes that typical Hifiman mids – while generally natural, it’s slightly reserved and polite in terms of presence. However, it does feel warmer and fuller compared to the HE1000 V2, while smoothing out some of the peakiness in the upper treble, resulting in a more pleasant listen. Compared to previous egg-shaped models, it is not as delicate as the Ananda, nor as somewhat edgy as the Arya Stealth.

When compared to headphones with ‘dead-flat’ tuning like the HD600 or the Sundara, sibilant tones may be slightly more pronounced. But it rarely sounds aggressive or harsh, unless the track is mastered particularly bright. Compared to the HE1000 V2 and the Arya Organic, the HE1000 Stealth is better controlled in this regard. While I still won’t consider it ideal for ‘vocal heads’ as it doesn’t produce the most lush or engaging midrange, it remains realistic and vivid, just not specifically tuned to romanticise vocals (like the LCD-3 does, for example). In many ways, the midrange quality reminds me of Hifiman’s flagship, the Susvara, albeit with a more coloured touch.


The Treble sounds crisp and airy, while remaining smooth overall. Instruments sound realistic and natural, avoiding harsh or grating qualities. In the highest octaves of the treble extension, the HE1000 Stealth may not sparkle as much as the original HE1000 V2 or the Arya Stealth. Nevertheless, the highs maintain an excellent porportion with the mids and lows, presenting a well-rounded sound.

As such, this is arguably the most unfatiguing treble rendition I’ve encountered yet in the Hifiman egg-shaped lineup, a genuine surprise given some contrasting measurement results on the internet. It’s important to note that these measurements often come from non-standard rigs. The frequency response measured on this unit aligns much more closely with that provided by Oratory1990, who uses the same industry-standard rig as this site does. It remains uncertain whether this is due to unit variation, silent revisions, or simply measurement rig differences. Do note that my unit was produced in mid-2023 with the latest packaging and black stock cable.

Other qualities:

• Soundstage and Imaging:
  
  The soundstage of the HE1000 Stealth is expansive and has a decent depth. While the horizontal expansion isn’t significantly larger than previous models, the spatial presentation feels more natural, probably due to a more linear response in the upper treble. Unlike the HE1000 V2, which tends to concentrate energy around a 12kHz peak, the HE1000 Stealth offers a more even-handed stage, avoiding the sense of ‘two walls on the sides’ some have noted with the V2. While lateral stage may be wide, the V2 feels somewhat less diffused – imagine that you are sitting in a large concert hall.
  
  The sense of depth remains comparable to earlier models like the V2 and Arya Stealth. It may feel a little less ‘transparent’ as the bass takes up more space in the room. Yet it still sounds airy and well-defined, whereas the Ananda can come across as a bit ‘fuzzy’ here. Imaging might be slightly less precise than the original HE1000 V2, a trade-off for the improved tonal balance with richer bass and lower mids presence.
  

• Clarity:
  
  Clarity remains a defining feature of the HE1000 series. The resolution in the HE1000 Stealth is outstanding, about on par with the Arya Stealth. While it may be slightly less ‘detailed’ than the original HE1000 V2, the trade-off for improved tonal balance is, IMHO, well worth it. The original HE1000 V2’s upper-treble spike often felt excessive, and the mids could seem somewhat distant and lacking presence. In contrast, the HE1000 Stealth strikes a better balance in this regard. While the Arya and the HE1000 V2 are often celebrated as exemplars of ‘detail monster’ headphones, the HE1000 Stealth takes a different path. It’s commendable that Hifiman chose not to go down that direction uncritically.
  

• Dynamics and Impact:
  
  Dynamics are very good, though not the strongest feature. The contrast between loud and soft notes is satisfying, comparable to top dynamic headphones like the Sennheiser HD800 or the Audio Technica ADX5000. The attack and decay of notes are slightly less incisive, a trait I observe in most egg-shaped Hifimans. By comparison, the Audeze LCD-5 offer exemplary snappiness in transients. Some electrostatic headphones, such as the Stax L700, also perform very well at lower price points. Compared to the original HE1000 V2, the dynamic contrast has softened slightly, but not significantly.
  
  In terms of impact, it surpasses the HE1000 V2 providing more authoritative sense of punch. However, there are still better headphones in this respect. While the scale of impact benefits from the large driver size, it’s not the most hard-hitting. Headphones like the Focal Utopia and the Audeze LCD-4 deliver a more robust sense of slam. The egg-shaped series may not specialise in dynamic qualities, although I haven’t reviewed the HE1000se in depth. If dynamics are a priority, there are more affordable alternatives that excel in this area.

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Conclusion and value:

Overall, I am pleased with the changes Hifiman has made to the HE1000 Stealth. Contrary to my initial expectations of a brighter, more ‘technical’ sound, the HE1000 Stealth offers a rounded presentation with fuller bass and refined highs. The shift towards a less ‘esoteric’ and more easily enjoyable sound is welcomed, particularly for those who appreciate the large driver design and expansive sound.

Among the current egg-shaped lineup, the HE1000 Stealth stands out as the most balanced and thus the easiest to recommend for newcomers to the series (with a deep pocket). While the Ananda OG may still be a tad smoother in the highs, but it doesn’t quite match the performance of the HE1000 Stealth in terms of clarity and bass impact.

However, if all you want is a unique addition to your lineup, then you might consider the original HE1000 V2 or the new Arya Organic. Mind you, though, I find the tuning of the Arya Organic doesn’t quite live up to its name. This is not neccessarily a criticism, but to me the HE1000 Stealth more fittingly deserves the label ‘organic’.

Priced at US$ 1399 / AU$ 2399, the HE1000 Stealth is probably not the go-to option for those seeking cost-effectiveness. Indeed, the Edition XS and Ananda offer excellent sound at a fraction of the price. However, if you’re after the very last bits of improvement, the HE1000 Stealth justifies its higher price within its competitive tier. For those attracted to the expansive, airy presentation of large planar drivers, I believe the HE1000 Stealth will deliver satisfactorily.

Pros: airy, balanced and well-rounded tuning; expansive soundstage; fuller bass and mids compared to previous models; excellent all-rounder

Cons: the midrange dip may not please everyone; good dynamic qualities but not the best among competitors in its price bracket; highs can still be slightly bright for those sensitive to treble;

Value Grade (assessment on value, NOT sound quality)

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Notes on EQ

While not mandatory, the HE1000 Stealth could benefit from some EQ adjustments. Those who prefer a more linear midrange might consider filling in the dip around 1-3kHz. Additionally, if you’re sensitive to treble, reducing it by a few decibels could improve listening comfort over extended sessions. Personally, I find these tweaks sufficient, an extra bass shelf can also be enjoyable when you’re in the right mood.

My personal EQ setting for this headphone:

Preamp: -4.1 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 1900 Hz Gain 4.5 dB Q 1.500
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 2800 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 3.000
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 4900 Hz Gain -2.5 dB Q 3.000
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 7300 Hz Gain -2.5 dB Q 3.000
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 12200 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 3.000

If your goal is to EQ the HE1000 Stealth to match the Harman Target, consider the AutoEQ function provided by Squiglink as a convenient starting point. I personally recommend customising the filters to better suit your own hearing, especially in the treble. While the AutoEQ provides a useful baseline, individual adjustments can opften significantly improve your listening experience.

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MEASUREMENTS

Frequency Response Average (unsmoothed):

Bass extension cutoff is 10hz so as to fully capture frequencies which though outside of the ‘audible range’, may be felt by our bones and muscles. The response is obtained by an average of 5-6 positional variations. The graph is unsmoothed.

Positional Variation:

This graph illustrates how headphone placement on the head affects perceived tonal balance: with the ear positioned at the front (blue), centre (green), and back (red) of the driver.

Leakage Test:

This graph demonstrates how a small leakage (simulated using thin-armed glasses) can result in FR change.

Impulse Response:

An impulse response graph illustrates a headphone’s ability to respond to sound signals.

Channel Matching:

Channel matching graphs do not relate to the sound profile. A specialised configuration is used to capture differences between channels, mitigating interference from positioning on the rig and the asymmetry in the GRAS pinnae design, a legacy of KEMAR. The left (blue) and right (red) channels are measured using a flat plate coupler with an IEC60318-4 ear simulator.

Electric Phase & Impedance:

The above graph shows the measured impedance (green) and electric phase (grey).

END OF THE ARTICLE

Disclaimer: This review is not sponsored or endorsed by any business or related entity. The headphones reviewed are my own unless stated otherwise. Any links or recommendations included are purely informational and do not involve any financial affiliation or endorsement on my part.