Hifiman HE1000 Stealth Review

In this review we look at the Hifiman HE1000 Stealth headphone. It is selling for $1,399 USD at this moment.

Disclaimer: Hifiman directly sent us the HE1000 Stealth for this review in exchange for our honest opinion.

Hifiman

It is simply impossible that you have not heard of Hifiman. They are China-based personal audio company led by Dr. Fang Bian and they have been around for easily 15 years.

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.

One of the many points that make Hifiman stand out is that they are a very innovative company, and they are constantly chasing the better, in every price range. They create different flavoured headphones, warm, neutral, and balanced, for every kind of audiophile out there. We’ve reviewed many Hifiman gear in the past at Headfonia, and each time we get excited as if it’s the first time. Just type Hifiman in our search box.

For those of you who’d like to know more about Hifiman and their founder, there’s always this interview we did with him.

In this new Hifiman review, we’re looking at their HE1000 headphone. Hifiman recently launched a number of new products, and before ze get to those, this is the last review from the “old” Hifiman product badge.

Let’s get started!

Hifiman HE1000 Stealth

We’re on the later side with this review but that also means I got to listen to it for hundreds of hours. I have to admit already that I have enjoyed every single minute of it.

The open-back planar magnetic HE1000 headphone is not new at all and it was launched many years ago already. 2015 if I’m not mistaken. What is new is that this version now uses Hifiman’s Acoustically Invisible Stealth magnet system. Again, that’s nothing new and we have seen and discussed this technology before, but it is the first time we see it in the HE1000-series.

If you check online there’s a bit of confusion on the naming of this headphone. While Hifiman calls it the HE1000 Stealth, others are naming it the HE1000 V2 Stealth (which it is), or even the HE1000 V3. I’m sticking to the Hifiman name and we’ll be comparing to the V1, V2 and SE (also a V2) later in this article.

For the rest, the HE1000 Stealth features the same technology as before:

• Nanometer thickness diaphragm
• Advanced Asymmetrical Planar driver
• Patented “Window Shade” system

I do like Hifiman’s User Replaceable Connector Design this headphone uses. When there before were some issues with the 3.5mm connectors you had to send the headphone back. Now it is much easier to repair, though I have to admit that I never had the connectors fail on me with any of the four HE1000 models I have with me here. So I really don’t have any experience with it, but it seems like a good idea. Let us know in the comments section if you’ve had connector issues with this headphone.

You can find the HE1000 Stealth’s dedicated web page here and you can directly buy it from Hifiman here.

Box & Delivery

Where the original HE1000 headphones came in a very nice box, the new HE1000 Stealth comes in Hifiman’s regular shipping box. It’s a very basic box really and for the original asking price of this headphone, the box is not up to level at all. At the new price it’s just acceptable in my opinion, but for a +$1K headphone, I do expect more.

The only advantage of this box is that the foam protection works well to protect the unit. The foam protection also doubles as a headphone stand. That said, it looks pretty cheap and not sturdy at all. Personally I would never use it, and I have been putting the HE1000 Stealth on my Sieveking stands instead.

All-in-all a very basic package which for me isn’t ok at this price level.

Build Quality & Design

I can’t say anything bad about the build quality of the headphone itself. It’s nicely finished and the pads, connectors, headband, labels and cables are all perfect.

“The metal structure is created via CNC milling and hand polishing. To meet the critical standard set out by Hifiman, the surface finishing is handled and refined by meticulous craftmanship”

Design-wise there really isn’t anything new. We’re already familiar with the cups, grills, ear pads, headband, etc. It’s a large headphone in size but that’s nothing to worry about. That said, it – while it does look stylish and high-end – does draw a lot of attention to it when you’re in a videocall. Non headphone people aren’t used to seeing the high-raided headband system, but it works wonderfully as we all know already.

BQ and design: Approved!

Comfort, Usability & Isolation

Comfort-wise we already know that the HE1000 with this headband system and earpads is very comfortable. The system with its many “clicks” allows you to set the height of the ear cups just right, and the headband perfectly spreads the weight of the headphone evenly over the top of your head. With a headphone of this weight (458g), this is very important. I use the HE1000 Stealth for very long sessions without any discomfort at all.

“Ergonomic and comfortable headband system with greater reliability and durability.”

With the open cups, the HE1000 Stealth is not a headphone to use on-the-go. At home or at the office you best use it in a silent environment as a lot of sounds leaks in and out. No surprise there. What I do like about the HE1000 Stealth is that you can use it for many different things. I even use it for conference calls and watching tv straight from my laptop. The Stealth is fairly easy to drive (Impedance 32Ω & Sensitivity 93dB ) and though it performs best with an amplifier (more on this later), you really can plug it in to anything and enjoy it. It’s not one of those high-end setup, music only kind of headphones.

Price & Accessories

Originally the HE1000 Stealth was selling for $2,999 USD but its price has been reduced to a more acceptable level. It’s now available for only $1,399 USD, which makes it super interesting from a price/quality point of view.

Accessory-wise you don’t get a lot however. We already mentioned the simple box with the integrated foam headphone stand, and besides that you’ll only find a small box inside, holding a 6.35mm as well as a 4-pin XLR cable. That’s all. It’s simple but at the same time I do am pleased to see both a single-ended as well as a balanced cable being supplied.

Even though you get a safe storage box, a headphone stand and double cables, I am not fully pleased with the package. For the price it’s going for, and knowing how the original HE1000 was delivered, I do expect a bit more. Let us know in the comments if you agree or not.

The part on sound continues on the second page. Click here or use the easy jumps below.

Page 1: Hifiman, HE1000 Stealth, Box & Delivery, Build Quality & Design, Comfort & Usability & Isolation, Price & Accessories

Page 2: Sound Intro, Sound General, Sound Synergy Desktop, SS Mobile

Page 3: Sound comparisons, Conclusion