Welcome to a Christmas Eve edition of Golden Ears. Today, we're looking at what some people consider to be the gold standard for high-end headphones with the HIFIMAN HE-1000 V2 Stealth. Coming in at $1,399 (down from $1,999), they're a prime candidate for a Golden Ears review, so join us as we explore this especially interesting pair of headphones and discover exactly what makes them so special.
Specifications
Current Price: $1,399 (Amazon, Headphones)
A Quick Introduction to Golden Ears…
Welcome back to Golden Ears! This is our semi-regular column dedicated to the world of high-end audio. In this series, we look at premium audio products that all promise a next-level listening experience. But what exactly do you get when you spend a little, or sometimes a lot, more? That’s what we aim to discover, helping you to find out just what’s worth investing in to upgrade your listening experience for music and gaming alike.
For this article in particular, we’re looking at the HIFIMAN HE-1000 V2 Stealth, a product that currently retails for $1,999. At this price, it exists in the flagship, halo audio market. As such, discussions of value are more subjective than ever. For many listeners, that pricing is simply out of reach, and no matter how good they are, they will seem like a terrible value. For others, passionate audiophiles with plentiful expendable income who consider audio their primary hobby, may have a different opinion. For products like this, ideas of value are very subjective; one person’s steal might be another’s exorbitance, so we’ll largely be leaving that to the side today.
On the topic of scoring, it’s important to note a couple of things. First, while we wish we didn’t have to do it, it’s a reality in today’s search-driven publication space. Second, when dealing with “golden ears” caliber products that often cost great deals of money, we expect these products to be at least Good (7) but hopefully Great (8), Amazing (9), or even Masterpiece (10) level. Though there are certainly products tha aren’t very good at every price range, a quick review of web publications shows that the score range is usually a bit tighter with these next-level listening products. Fittingly so — they should sound great!
Given that expectedly tighter score range, it’s more important than ever to explore the nuances of what sets these products apart. What is their goal? Who are they for? How are they built? What are the intricacies of their listening experience? All of these things matter more and the number matters less. We are always going to be honest and forthright in all of our content, but take the time to hear the story each product is trying to tell, and you’ll understand it that much better.
Thanks for joining us again, and enjoy the article!
HIFIMAN HE-1000 V2 Stealth - First Impressions and Key Features
At this point, I've been lucky enough to explore many different HIFIMAN headphones, and if you've been following our coverage, you might find that the HE-1000 V2 looks quite a bit like a number of the company's other headphones. It utilizes the company's egg-shaped earcup design but if you look close, you'll see a number of small differences that set it apart.
Taking it out of the box (which is cardboard for sustainability), it's clear right away that these are built with a premium touch. The headband is hand-polished spring-steel. The headband appears to be genuine leather. The earcups are trimmed in real hardwood. The pads are big and deep and dual surface with leather outers and fenestrated inners for enhanced breathability. You get it in your hands and it feels fancy, just as a pricey pair of headphones should.
The cables are also quite good, which is nice to see. Over the years, HIFIMAN's lower-cost headphones have oft been critiqued for feeling of lesser quality than the cans themselves. That's not the case here. There aren't many details about their composition, but they're nicely wrapped with a semi-translucent plastic, allowing you to see some of the wiring inside. One cable includes a 6.35mm single-ended termination while the other ends in a full-size XLR balanced connector to match with a wide range of source gear.
The cables are also detachable. The cable connects to the headphones with dual 3.5mm jacks, a style which is widely accessible should you choose to upgrade.
Internally, the HE-1000 V2 uses the latest technologies in HIFIMAN's roster. This includes nanometer thickness diaphragms for its planar magnetic drivers. The conductive filament is sub-micron thickness.
Why? This design is part of HIFIMAN's secret to such a detailed, high-resolution sound. This thickness allows the drive to move (and move air, generating sound) with incredible finesse and vanishingly low levels of distortion. Their tremendous sensitivity allows the HE-1000 V2 to deliver clarity mainstream consumer headphones can only dream of. That's not conjecture either — this is one of the most highly esteemed pairs of headphones on the market today for precisely this reason.
HIFIMAN also applies a tremendous level of consideration for every single aspect of its sonic design.
Take, for example, the magnetic structure of the headphones. Typically, planar magnetics utilize rows of symmetrical magnets on either side of the drivers, holding it taut in the magnetic field. It's a common, tried and true design that's used across the headphone industry.
The HE-1000 V2, however, had adopted an asymmetrical “stealth magnet” design. The magnet array closest to your ear is much smaller and rather than use standard rectangular magnets, the edges are rounded off, allowing them to be acoustically invisible. According to the company, the lack of hard edges removes wave turbulence diffraction, allowing the sound waves to reach your ears without any physical interference from the magnet system.
You might have also noticed that these are open-back headphones but aren't your average open-back. They're designed with a “window-shade” system that essentially provides only what's necessary to protect the driver to provide the most spacious sound possible.
Here's the thing: on paper, the HE-1000 V2 is quite similar to a number of other HIFIMAN headphones, such as the Arya, we looked at recently. But, make no mistake, there's a noticeable difference once you're actually listening to these headphones, so let's dive in to fit and sound.
HIFIMAN HE-1000 V2 Stealth - How Do They Sound?
First things first: I have to applaud HIFIMAN for the efforts it has made with the fit of its headphones. The egg-shaped earcups are very large, such that they extend down to the jaw. This is part of how it creates its uniquely large sound, but in the past it could be difficult to find a proper secure fit and seal. But in all of its recent revisions, there have been strides made and the HE-1000 V2 Stealth is no different. This model includes additional notches on the headband to better dial in the fit, as well as being 60 grams lighter, and also featuring thinner earcups. I was able to find a very comfortable fit with these, even as a smaller 5'8” listener.
Another thing to note about these headphones is that you really need an amplifier to do them justice. They have an impedance of 32 ohms and a sensitivity of only 93dB, so you'll need a source to really open them up. For my listening tests, I used the Fiio K9 Pro ESS and the HIFIMAN Serenade (review forthcoming of this outstanding product). These are both very expensive, which isn't necessary, but you'll need to plan on using something which has some extra driving power. Your PC's headphone jack or Apple dongle won't cut it on this one.
When you do have it properly driven, these are simply some of the best headphones I’ve ever heard. The sound tuning is reference grade — they’re balanced with a slight emphasis in the treble to bring to make detail more audible. The presentation though… it’s as if the music wells up around you. It’s as close to a live performance as I’ve heard in a pair of headphones and these absolutely shine with orchestral music. You can close your eyes and slip away as if your own personal symphony were playing to you. This isn’t an exaggeration… it’s enrapturing.
On the Nature of Daylight by Max Richter inspired me to sit back in my chair and close my eyes. I never do this, especially since I often listen while working. Wandering II by Eydis Evensen is another beautiful example of what these headphones can do. They’re sweeping, evocative, true-to-life.
This isn’t limited to just classical music, though live performances are where these headphones truly shine. I took a tour through my childhood with a soundtrack that included Tuesday’s Gone by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Soulshine by Warren Haynes, Appetite for Destruction and Use Your Illusion II by Guns N’ Roses… there is precious little these headphones don’t bring to life in a brand new way.
If there were one criticism I could levy, it would be that they can tend to be a bit too bright at some points forcing me to roll back the volume a touch. It doesn’t mar the experience in a meaningful way because that brightness is part of its special sauce but is part of the quality they bring. They have just enough bass to sound full and lend impact to kicks but they’re not a low-end-centric pair of headphones. You’ll need to add EQ for that, though I didn’t find it necessary because the presentation is so true to life.
All of this is the culmination of truly superb technical performance from the driver and all of the touches HIFIMAN has built into its design. The soundstage is wide and deep. The layering is widely spaced and exceptionally articulate. You will hear everything that makes up your favorite music. They hide nothing.
These same qualities make them stellar for gaming. Truly holographic and with outstanding positionality. You’ll hear enemies before you see them virtually every time. But would I recommend buying them just for gaming? Certainly not. These are expensive enough where gaming is a side benefit to elevating your listening experience for music first. They’re audiophile headphones through and through that also happen to elevate your gaming experience to new levels.
Fantastic.
Final Thoughts
Taken as a whole, the HE-1000 V2 Stealth is absolutely stellar. A bit bright but magnificent and worth hearing even if that means taking a drive to your local headphone dealer. Trust me, it’s worth it. These aren’t headphones for everyone at their current pricing. They’re a halo product. At the same time, in the field these are operating in, headphones extended well over $4,000. So if you’re looking for something next level, looking to become a “golden ear” yourself, the HE-1000 V2 Stealth is an outstanding pair of headphones that’s destined to impress.
The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes. Some articles may contain affiliate links and purchases made through this will result in a small commission for the site. Commissions are not directed to the author or related to compensation in any way.
