Right now, Louis evaluations the HIFIMAN HE1000 UNVEILED, the corporate’s second open-back planar headphones utilizing a singular totally open driver design. They’re priced at $2699.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in alternate for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or standing. I thank the group at HIFIMAN for his or her help.
Click on right here to learn extra in regards to the HIFIMAN merchandise we’ve got beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This text follows our present scoring guidelines which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.
On this 12 months’s Black Friday evaluate, I’ll assess HIFIMAN’s second set of headphones that includes its radical UNVEILED idea. This time, they expanded the idea into their HE1000 lineup of open-back planar headphones.
HIFIMAN’s UNVEILED expertise was first launched some months again with the introduction of the flagship SUSVARA UNVEILED which obtained a really excessive rating from Marcus within the 2024 High Gear award race.
It appears they’re working their means from the highest to the underside with this platform. I already obtained information that the ARYA line can even obtain the UNVEILED therapy so keep tuned.
Within the meantime let’s speak in regards to the $2699 HIFIMAN HE1000 UNVEILED and the way it compares to the corporate’s extra ‘common’ headphone designs such because the HE1000 Stealth and the ARYA Organic in my full evaluate beneath.
Options
On paper, the HIFIMAN HE1000 UNVEILED is a set of high-end open-back planar headphones utilizing the traditional teardrop design of its predecessors with the identical HE quantity.
The principle distinction is the totally open again and grillless Planar magnetic driver idea. HIFIMAN ditched the rear mesh safety and grille, permitting the HE1000 UNVEILED driver membrane to breathe freely to acquire an ‘unveiled’ tonality.
It’s a scary thought to have a planar magnetic diaphragm open to the weather. Fortuitously, the magnet construction locations the magnetic strips shut collectively, sufficient to offer some safety.
The added breathability also needs to enhance, in principle, responsiveness, enhance transient response and supply faster-perceived assault and decay.
Idea
I’ve stated many occasions earlier than that the upper you go throughout the HIFIMAN headphone lineup, the much less veil there will probably be, and maybe that phrase influenced HIFIMAN.
Nevertheless, to provide the credit score the place credit score is due, HIFIMAN has been tinkering with enhancements in driver venting for a very long time now.
An ideal instance is the ARYA line first launch which used a tightly knit, restrictive rear metallic mesh that additionally reacted with the motive force’s multi-magnetic construction.
On the second run, HIFIMAN switched to a much less restrictive fabric mesh. That launched some advantages. For one, the material didn’t have an effect on the magnetic area of the magnet construction plus it additionally improved driver breathability. The third model included the stealth magnet design, decreasing refractions.
This UNVEILED design concept did rear its head from throughout the modding group. Many homeowners have posted their HIFIMAN cans with customized open grills to extend venting.
I do know. I modded a pair of HE4xx myself and the mod did make a optimistic distinction on this mannequin however not so on others, for instance, on the HE400se.
HIFIMAN appears to have taken this idea to the subsequent stage by designing a free-air driver from the bottom up as a result of you possibly can’t throw any driver in any shell and count on good outcomes. This dish comes with a particular sauce.
Driver
The HIFIMAN HE1000 UNVEILED driver has all of HIFIMAN’s patented designs, together with the Stealth Magnet therapy, the Core expertise, the Nano Thickness Diaphragm, and the Window Shade design.
Simply on specs and options alone, one would assume these drivers are off the shelf, however the magnetic construction alone ought to show in any other case.
The big driver is a dual-sided stealth magnet Planar magnetic driver and appears to be the identical dimension as their previous iterations inside this line. It measures round 160mm lengthy and is probably one of many largest headphone driver sizes commercially out there as we speak.
Design
Cups
The Asymmetrical cup design carried over and I’m comfortable about that. Simply as different Asymmetrical cup HIFIMAN cans, the HE1000 UNVEILED can be delicate to the place it sits on the aspect of your head.
I discovered them to sound greatest when up excessive or when the ear sits on the useless heart of the motive force. A change in place can lower the scale of the soundstage and is the one adverse trait that takes place.
The totally open-back design is a scary design implementation as a result of the membranes are totally uncovered. Nevertheless, HIFIMAN throws within the field backplates to make use of as protecting covers. However these appear giant and will not be fitted.
I’ve a sense these are the identical covers that include the SUSVARA UNVEILED. The cups appear to be constituted of light-weight Aluminum and it is suggested to maintain them on whereas the headphones will not be in use which is a small inconvenience I’m not used to.
Headband
HIFIMAN is sticking with what works on this headphone utilizing the identical headband meeting design they’ve all the time used on the HE1000, the ARYA sequence, and the latest Audivina.
The metallic headband itself appears to be constituted of cold-rolled stainless-steel. The yokes are additionally metallic however appear to be constituted of aluminum. So are the sliders that additionally maintain the top strap which is constituted of a perforated thick fabric that assimilates a suede texture.
I wanted these straps have been simple to switch. HIFIMAN might capitalize on the need for replacements, and customization, and the market is empty of producers fulfilling this market.
Consolation
I discover that the clamping drive is good on this set. The scarf strap conforms to your head and is barely felt. You largely really feel the pads, barely.
The pads are softer in comparison with different Asymmetrical design headphones, not excluding any mannequin. The froth used inside these pads appears to be reminiscence foam however one which compresses simply. This additionally helps to acquire a greater seal across the ear.
Inventory Pads
Top-of-the-line traits of the HIFIMAN line of Asymmetrical cup design headphones is the extra-large pads. I like that they caught with the black shade and the 9-point clip-on system as a result of it makes these pads simple to search out and exchange.
The pad is a hybrid sort with a perforated inside strip and they’re tremendous comfortable. I want that HIFIMAN improved the standard of those and most of their pads as they appear to come back aside on the seams too shortly.
I recall the primary HE1000 and the ARYA had an identical, however stiffer pad. These look like HIFIMAN’s UltraPads however these are softer and use a foam with much less resistance. In time they flatten out a bit permitting the motive force to take a seat nearer to the ear which is one thing I consider is purposefully designed that means.
There’s a skinny fabric between the ear and the motive force’s diaphragm that’s a part of the pad. It is a good factor as a result of the magnets on the entrance and the half closest to the ear are spaced wider aside and wish that further safety.
Inventory Cables
The HIFIMAN HE1000 UNVEILED comes with three cables which can be an enchancment in high quality over most different HIFIMAN cables I’ve beforehand used. The cable meeting appears to be Rayon cloth-covered and versatile sufficient.
The innards are composed of a two-core implementation. There are two parallel wires, a crystalline copper wire, and a crystalline silver wire for every connection level.
It appears HIFIMAN went with Neutrik connectors on this cable set that are generally identified to be a few of the greatest round, domestically talking.
The three cables are terminated in a 4-pin XLR connector, a 6.35mm connector, or a 45-degree angled 3.5mm connector. My solely want that wasn’t fulfilled was a scarcity of 4.4mm connectivity which is a extremely widespread connector these days.
Packaging & Equipment
The HE1000 UNVEILED is available in a lavish HIFIMAN hardcase field with metallic hinges, a metallic flip lock, and a badge up entrance.
The innards are stuffed with a customized foam mildew and lined with a Charmeuse-like material. The middle stealthily homes the three cables below a T-shaped foam piece.
The headphone cups come with out the covers put in and as an alternative come individually wrapped in fabric sacks. The magnetic backplates come individually inside smaller fabric sacks.
You get the three cable assemblies and one of many nicest proprietor’s manuals I’ve seen. It’s a hard-cover e book with plenty of details about HIFIMAN and the origin of their design ideas, together with the UNVEILED expertise.
Once you open the field for the primary time, you’ll find a printout of your set’s measurements, additional personalizing the general package deal. That, and the e book add worth to this set.
Sound Impressions
I love to do comparisons utilizing the home sound every time potential, so I pulled out my two favourite HIFIMAN DAC amplifier items; the EF400 and the EF600, with a shocking EF400 desire. I additionally used SMSL’s SU-X and SH-X combo.
Abstract
Anybody who has listened to the HE1000 sequence headphones will acknowledge the brilliant facets of their presentation. Nevertheless, the HE1000 UNVEILED produces a extra balanced sound signature with a flatter frequency response in sure areas in comparison with previous iterations inside this sequence.
I not often get a set of headphones that after I’ve heard them I can’t put them down. The HIFIMAN HE1000 UNVEILED did precisely that to me. Evidently the uncovered driver implementation permits the motive force to breathe freely and this in flip produces a pure timbre that’s sonically correct.
Timbre
The general attribute you get with the HE1000 UNVEILED is a clear, quick, and pure timbre that’s well-extended each methods, particularly within the higher areas. It’s a well-balanced signature that efforts itself largely within the midrange and higher frequencies.
If I have been to place it inside a musical and analytical chart it could sit very near the middle line and a sliver throughout the musical class. A lot of element is produced on this presentation which is among the highlights of this headphone’s sonic talents.
The HE1000 UNVEILED produces a ahead, shiny presentation with a realistic-sounding midrange part, clear, quick bass, and treble response that appears to haven’t any finish so far as their high-frequency extension.
Bass
The HIFIMAN HE1000 UNVEILED bass response has a small dip that cabinets the decrease portion beneath the 40Hz mark, however the dip drops at a really sluggish and gradual descent and isn’t a perceived one till you search for it and begin exploring the bass area.
The bass is medical within the sense that it’s going to allow you to hear each bass be aware distinctly however won’t impress you with head-slamming visceral bass.
The HE1000 UNVEILED produces deep notes with vitality however much less so by way of impactfulness. I’d nonetheless price the bass response of the HE1000 UNVEILED to be certainly one of HIFIMAN’s greatest makes an attempt at bass tuning outdoors of the Susvara vary.
The bass is taut, and well-controlled, with some wiggle room for enhancing. Nevertheless, the monitor-like presentation of the bass response doesn’t reply properly after a certain quantity of user-defined bass elevation. Nevertheless, most occasions modding will not be wanted.
The pace of the motive force permits this headphone to supply bass with a excessive stage of technicality, producing a clear interpretation of the enter sign with out shedding management, even with advanced recordings or musical passages.
Midrange
The mids are the place the magic occurs as a result of the general HE1000 UNVEILED tonality is pleasantly clean, tuned to sound pure, and highlights most of what’s in a recording with out sounding too sterile.
A excessive quantity of nuanced particulars are produced throughout the mids on this set that reveal a number of what’s behind the frequent headphone veil.
There’s an space round 4kHz that may be a few decibels above the flat line, and if the quantity ranges are set excessive, this peak can present itself not with irksome, shriek tones, however as a ahead tone that calls for your consideration.
On varied events, I tried to impress the HE1000 UNVEILED to supply harsh tones with sure recordings that generally current points on inferior cans, and each time, it carried out formidably sustaining composure and coherence.
I just like the HE1000 UNVEILED vocal presentation. I contemplate the timbre, and realism to be top-shelf with instrument presentation following swimsuit. Vocals are to die for on this set.
Treble
The HE1000 UNVEILED highs are well-pronounced, precisely tuned, and supply a ton of headroom. The high-frequency extension right here is off-the-charts.
It isn’t shy about producing excessive frequencies that prefer to strut their stuff as they are saying. Every be aware is delivered with weight and presence. Anybody searching for a headphone that produces glorious highs want look no additional.
What amazes me is the perceived pace from the highs. Regardless that most will contemplate the HE1000 UNVEILED shiny sounding, they continue to be properly managed with any overt harsh or shrill traits. I really like these highs.
Staging & Dynamics
The whole HIFIMAN Asymmetrical cup designs produce a larger-than-life soundstage that paints an correct 3D panorama apart from a few their early Stealth Magnet fashions that shrank of their soundstage dimension manufacturing a bit in favor of a smaller, extra exact one.
The HE1000 UNVEILED provides you one of the best of each worlds with an enormous soundstage and correct placement. It delivers a number of exact or nuanced spatial cues inside a sonic 3D panorama that retains you drawn in alongside the balanced, modestly-musical sonic traits.
It will possibly produce vocals in a correctly positioned phantom heart channel, alongside plenty of width, top, and micro staging alongside the frontal aircraft and sides. It is a targeted presentation.
Alongside that, add a dynamic character that whereas quick with a little bit impactfulness, doesn’t lack any perceived efficiency or depth when low notes should be produced. Transients are off the charts as properly.
Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.
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