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)
Measurement & 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.
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 price performance ratio. 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)
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.
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.
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD% 2nd-9th) & Excess Group Delay (94 dB):
These measurements are conducted in quiet, normal room conditions (as opposed to an anechoic chamber), meaning there may be some influence from ambient room and external noise. These results should be considered a preliminary assessment of performance, primarily for identifying major issues, and do not reflect the best-case performance scenario. Any peaks/dips around 9 kHz are most likely artifacts from pinna interaction/phase cancellation, rather than inherent features of the device under test.
Comment: These are excellent results. Nothing to worry about here.
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.
So , about a week and a half since I received the HEKS , upgrading from the Edition xs , and so far why I have found is that they act pretty strange when EQ is applied , bass shelf sound a bit bloated , and they feel like closed back as if there’s a closed chamber pressure which I don’t know what to attribute that to , the only thing I can think about is the clamp pressure that is stronger , in addition they feel a bit heavier as well , and the biggest reason I haven’t racked up hours of listen is that I find them fatiguing , because of the reasons mentioned. As I can see how technical ability might be a good tool for critical listening I now question the need to have a pair like this if the goal is a more enjoyable easy listening. I’m gonna give them a few more weeks to get used to the sound perhaps but I can definitely live with letting them go. The good news is is to those who wonder , the experience of getting into this world of planars , at least for me was stellar , when I got the EXS for what today would be 200-250$ , while the experience of getting the HEKS was not even close , for 2 reasons- they are not that different so it wasn’t a new type of sound , and obviously the much higher price.
I will admit though that without EQ , the HEKS have a better bass and over all balance , but the way I want to listen is with bass rumble that the EXS can provide in a better fashion , being able to take 6-7 db of low shelf , which in turn lowers the highs. Will be interesting to see if I change my opinion if my ears get used to the HEKS , as it took me a couple of months to find the sweet spot for the EXS. I don’t use pin point EQ setting and mostly use shelves or wide band , so nothing complicated. Wonder if anyone else found the EXS more pleasing
Cheers
Hey man. I get where you’re coming from. I’ve heard similar things from others who made that same jump (or similar upgrades within the Hifiman lineup)). The Edition XS was legendary for its value when it launched so at today’s prices it’s even crazier. Once you’re at that level of performance, the law of diminishing returns hits hard, especially since the Edition XS “cheats” by using such a large driver and tech similar to the high-end models. The HE1000 definitely has a more rounded tuning and better overall performance, but value-wise, it’s no contest.
I’m not entirely sure about that closed-in feeling you mentioned, but I can see why you may find them fatiguing. Hifiman sets often have a bit more upper treble that can get grating for some over long sessions. It could also be the seal or the sub-bass impact.
Otherwise, maybe it’s the EQ? I’m not sure which profile you’re using, but I’ve found myself leaning towards a Harman-style bass lately (where there’s a mid-bass cut to reduce bloat) on these egg-shaped Hifimans. I realised the EQ preset I included in the review doesn’t actually have a bass boost, so maybe try a Harman-style shelf versus a flat boost to see if that cleans things up for you?
E.g.
Harman-style bass boost:
Preamp: -5.0 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 25 Hz Gain 5.0 dB Q 0.500
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 260 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 2.000
Linear bass boost:
Preamp: -5.0 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 25 Hz Gain 5.0 dB Q 0.500
Thanks for the response man , I use mostly low shelf but also have gone down to 80 from 125 and can tell there’s more room for the rest of the frequencies to come out that way , so now I see what you mean by bloat.
Hind sight should have expected the HEKS to be similar to the EXS , same shape same tech , so perhaps a new experience should be a totally different HP.
For me and my hearing , I had to work hard to find the differences between the two sets , and if I did think I heard it , by the time I switched back and forth I started doubting myself , I’ll have to add that I used different setting of EQ to make them as close as possible so I can see if there’s anything else beside the FR that’s different. Considering all that and the fact that I’m in the minority who feels the EXS are actually comfortable, I can’t justify keeping the HEKS.
I’m leaning towards an open back dynamics maybe , with a reputation for being laid back and non fatiguing whatever they may be , I’ll look into that , maybe that will give that different flavor I was looking for ,
Thanks is again
Sam.
Totally makes sense, Sam. I’ve said from day one that the Edition XS is an absolute value monster. And yeah, if the fit works for you (it actually works for me too guess I’ve got a big head haha) then it’s really hard to justify the price jump to the HE1000s.
As for laid-back, non-fatiguing dynamic sound, the Focal Clear is one of my personal favourites. Some people find it a bit bright in specific spots, but overall it’s warm-leaning, punchy, and has a nice laid-back presentation. The Audio-Technica R70x also fits your description almost perfectly. It’s super easy-going and smooth, though it might lack a bit of that wow factor. The Aune AR5000 is another solid option with a similar easy-listening vibe.
Then there are the usual suspects like the Sennheiser HD6 series, which are basically the benchmark for that relaxed, natural sound. If you don’t mind digging a bit, the Focal Elear is also great, though you’d probably want to swap to Elex or Clear pads to get the best out of it (and just be aware of the potential QC issues there).
Let me know if you want more candidates!
That’s wild , I was just reading about the R70x as the perfect candidate and they are harder to come by but the R70xa are available I wonder if it just a tweaked newer model ?
As far as fatigue go , it’s pretty puzzling to me as even the Meze 99 noir which are pretty bass heavy use to have their limit , I would guess by spl meter I used is that I listen at 60-70 db so not too loud , at times the EXS have about an hour or two before I get tired , and for a while thought it might be the nature of the planars ?
Brasses like sax and trumpet would be the culprits and I used to think it’s the mids that bother me , so I toned them down , difnt quite help. I should mention that while working I use the AirPods Pro 2 which are just incredible and I recently discovered they are very close to Harman , also at very comfortable levels of 60-65 never a bother , probably 5-6 hrs a day.
Now as for the 70x/70xa – I now wonder if HP are designed for studio use – fatigue free would be ideal so I’m intrigued.
One more interesting point – I’ve read that separation and wide sound stage achieved by 2 channels on headphones might contribute to fatigue as the brain interprets spatial cues with both ears that’s where crossfeed comes in, tired it with Roon when I had it for trial , couldn’t tell much of a difference, maybe it’s DSP so not true crossfeed ?not sure just a guess. Oh man the task of trying to do an A/B test on headphones seem almost impossible , as I remember trying different EQ settings where a 1 second DSP delay would cause audio memory loss , so taking off a set putting another on seem like a life time ,hats off to you that’s painstakingly difficult!
Hey , sometime you gotta try a few pairs to realize what you already had was just great and take some time off of searching for the next pair..
Haha yeah for a fatigue-free sound the R70x is honestly one of the best you can get. You’re right about the xa – it’s more of a V-shaped sidegrade rather than a direct upgrade. If the R70x is hard to find, the HD6XX/650 or the Aune AR5000 are great alternatives.
Regarding the fatigue, I suspect it’s the upper treble above 10kHz that’s bothering you on the XS. You could try setting a peak filter at 13000Hz, -5 dB, with a Q of 1 on Roon (you can also use a shelf filter if you want). While brass instruments don’t usually sit that high fundamentally, Hifiman planars are known to have a lot of energy up there, and the higher-order harmonics can still have a big influence.
That point about crossfeed is interesting. I haven’t experienced that myself, but it could be true to some people. When it comes to headphones there’s really not that big of a difference between DSP and analog crossfeed (like done through cabling). Large open-backs like the eggshaped Hifiman do allow you to physically hear more from the other channel though. And you’re right about A/B testing. our audio memory is bad, so don’t sweat it too much!
I read a very interesting comment by a user here about the Harman curve that is basically mimicking a treated room , so a headphone that follows that would be a great tool for mixing and mastering – basically a professional tool. That made me think a lot as I well enjoy a pretty substantial low shelf on my planars. Not sure why they are mostly just flat in the bass section I would guess a physical limitation , but then again , if it makes the headphone sound more natural then where’s the harm ? Possible distortion of a kind ? So perhaps a really good set would be a pair that does not distort with a bass shelf since it’s the most demanding part of the spectrum , and it’s seems that in the world of head-if it’s more about an experience rather than replicating reality or else all makers would chase the same exact sound. In fact I have yet to meet a consensus from audio pros about a perfect pair and I would think that a good pair would be one you know really well , so it might help by being a reference. (Like the NS-10)
Got the stealth on order. Very excited about them upgrading from EXS. I will write a follow up in a while..
Yeah that’s the whole idea behind the Harman curve. In reality the Harman listening room is still a little different than a typical studio monitor setup (mainly in the bass and treble amounts). But it represents a great approximation to flat response of speakers in a room, and people have been EQing their headphones to match that.
Open-back planars tend to have flat bass just because of how they’re physically designed with that large thin membrane (which gives you a relatively linear response). Some use analog/digital devices to boost the bass, but most are naturally flat.
That said, you can still easily EQ them to have more bass, similar to Harman. If it’s done well there’s really no harm at all (as long as the headphone itself is well-designed: no sharp peaks or dips, phase issues, distortion under high volume, excursion limits, etc.). There’s already a ton of info on how to EQ (like with EqualizerAPO on Windows).
So yeah, I absolutely recommend trying EQ. The HE1000 Stealth is an excellent EQ platform for that, since it’s got clean bass and no distortion/phase issues.