Today we check out the new Hifiman Deva Pro wired/wireless open headphone which goes for $329.
Disclaimer: The Hifiman Deva Pro sample was provided to me directly by Hifiman. This review reflects my honest opinions as always. The no-sound sections of this review share similarities with the Hifiman Deva Review since they have the exact same design and user experience.
Intro
When I reviewed the Hifiman Ananda BT back in 2019, it basically changed my prejudice about wireless technology. Before the Ananda BT, I’ve never heard of a wireless headphone that wowed me about sound quality. Sure, wireless is cool and all, but the pure sound quality is always my main concern, and believe me, the Ananda BT sounds excellent.
About Hifiman
If you’re into personal audio, then you probably have some knowledge about the Hifiman brand. It was founded in 2007 by Dr. Fang in New York to produce high-end personal audio products. Hifiman was the first brand to release a high-end portable audio player, the HM-801, which was like a catalyst for Reference Audio Players that we know today.
Hifiman Deva Pro (the photo is representative since we didn’t receive the full box of the Deva Pro)
Their HE-500 and HE-6 models are still in use today. A very close friend of mine is still using the original HE-6 headphone. Of course, Hifiman didn’t stop there. They’ve been on full speed with models such as the HE-1000SE, HE6-SE, the R2R2000 DAP/streamer, the Arya, Sundara, Ananda, and now Deva.
Hifiman also has super-high-end headphones like the Susvara, HE-R10P, and Shangri-La electrostatic.
About Deva Pro
This simply is an affordable open-back planar magnetic headphone from Hifiman. The headphone can be used directly with its included 3.5mm cable. However, you can turn it into a fully wireless headphone with Hifiman’s new Bluetooth module, the “Bluemini R2R”, which is supplied. You can check out the original Deva video about this module below.
The Bluemini connects to the headphone via its 3.5mm input, and right after that, it’s fully ready to use as a wireless open-back. This is an all-in-one package overall with a competitive price point.
Like its predecessor, ANANDA-BT, the DEVA raises the bar for wireless audio but at a moderate price point.”
Similar to Ananda BT, this module is equipped with the latest wireless technologies. You can utilize all of the widely-known aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC codecs. I used LDAC directly from my phone for this review. Once again, Hifiman uses its Ultra-Thin Diaphragm inside for the lowest distortion, fast response, and high level of detail.
In addition, there are two more improvements over the original Deva. First is the “acoustically invisible stealth magnet”. These magnets allow the soundwaves to pass through without interference. This results in reduced distortion. The second development is Hifiman’s “supernano” Diaphragm. This new NsD is claimed to be %80 thinner than the previous designs. This allows a better imaging and fast response.
For the BT module, Hifiman put their own R2R DAC inside, which is another major difference from the original Deva. This is a NOS DAC from Hifiman, designed in-house. The DAC is ultra-small and energy-efficient than many DACs and performs similar to the widely-known PCM1704, claims Hifiman.
Hifiman Deva Pro (the photo is representative from the original Deva, since we didn’t receive the full box of the new Deva Pro)
Package
The Hifiman Deva Pro arrives with a black cardboard box. Inside is covered with a shiny black cloth and the headphone sits in their place tightly. In the middle, there is the Bluemini module in a bubble wrap.
You also get a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable, a 3.5mm to 6.35 mm converter, a USB-C cable, and user manuals. There’s no carrying case unlike the Ananda BT, probably for reducing the cost.
Design & Build Quality
The design of the new Deva Pro is more professional and somewhat “colder”. It is stylish, sharp, and cool. Compared to the more elegant and “luxury mid-size sedan” look of the original Deva, the Pro is serious and sportscar-like looking. It certainly is an eye-pleasing headphone with its silver and black color scheme. Yet, some might say that this Pro version looks a bit pale compared to the luxurious brown-silver color combination of the original. Once again, there’s no accounting for tastes.
Hifiman Deva Pro
The build quality is impressive. The headphone consists of aluminum and faux leather, which combine beautifully together and feel premium in the hand. There’s plastic material on the connection points between the headband and the metal yokes, but those parts also feel very premium and rigid. All of the other parts of the headphone are metal. Overall, I have no doubt that this headphone will last with normal usage, and I couldn’t find any weakness in its build, particularly for the price.
The article continues on the second page.
Page 2: Comfort, Operation, General Usage
Page 4: Wired vs. Wireless, Comparison to Ananda BT, Conclusion
Cooe
IMO, this review sells this very, VERY special product rather short…
Even if you consider just the headphones themselves only a 4/5 in terms of quality (which I’d still argue isn’t particularly fair/accurate, but it’s definitely way, WAAAAAAY less so), this is EASILY a 4.5/5 product as a TOTAL PACKAGE!
The normally $150 if bought ala-carte R2R Bluemini adds absolutely freaking RIDICULOUS LEVELS OF VALUE to this just $330 “kit”!!! (Aka, making the wired planar open-back cans themselves basically just “$180″… O___O…)
IMO, these are wired planar magnetic open-back, over-ear headphones that are damn near the $330 price of admission ALONE! (Having roughly similar overall quality drivers to the 2020 Sundara’s but with a very, VERY different, more warm + “fun” & less cold + “hyper-analytical” tuning job, plus a not quuuite as nice build w/ more plastic).
But throw in the straight up “Swiss Army Knife” levels of use case flexibility provided by the pack-in combo R2R DAC + shockingly powerful amp + proper “high-res” [full LDAC & aptX HD support] Bluetooth wireless receiver w/ 2x device multipoint, “R2R Bluemini”?
(Aka ↓
1. As good of BT wireless as exists atm.
2. Wired over USB-C w/ basically ANYTHING.
3. And even both wired & wireless w/ literally ANY other headphones using a 1x female 3.5mm TRRS to 2x male 3.5mm TRS [or other needed input] cable/adapter.)
Well then… That’s IMO essentially a total “game-over” for basically EVERYTHING under $1000 for a first time hifi cans buyer whom doesn’t ALREADY have a suitable DAC + amp setup for driving them… And ESPECIALLY so for the ENTIRE so-called “entry level”.
(Why buy $130 HE400se’s if you’ll still need to spend at LEAST ≈+$100 on the DAC + amp setup you need to use them, when $330 gets you an “all-in-one” kit AND w/ BT wireless!)
And even for everyone else? IMO, it basically invalidates everything under the new $500 Edition XS.
Why get $350 2020 Sundara’s when the $330 hybrid wired & wireless Deva Pro’s are INFINITELY more flexible (+ WAY more fun & easy on the ears for extended listening) for slightly less $, & for only +$150 more the $500 & also wired only Edition XS’ absolutely CRUSH THEM in terms of sound quality???