HIFIMAN HE-1000 Planar Magnetic Headphones Review
Many thanks to samma3a.com for providing me with a Hifiman HE-1000 to review.
Hifiman is a relatively young producer of audio gear. The company was started by Dr. Fang Bian in 2005 and started selling under the HiFiMAN brand since 2007. The company was founded in New York, USA, but moved the head quarter to Tianjin in China in 2011 where their two factories are located as well.
They design and manufacture high performance headphones, portable players and amplifiers. The HE-1000 is HiFiMAN’s flagship headphone.
The headphone under review here was awarded the Audio Excellence Award (2015) and the CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award in 2015. Hence I am pretty excited to be able to listen to it.
Manufacture’s Specifications:
- Type: Over-Ear (Circumaural) open back
- Drivers Size: NA
- Drivers Type: Planar Magnetic
- Frequency Response: 8- 65,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 90 dB @1mW
- Impedance: 35+/-3 Ω
- Microphone sensitivity: NA
- Maximum Input: NA
- Weight with cable: 480 g
- Connecter: 3.5mm, 6.3 mm , 4 pin XLR
- Warranty: 3 years
Design
They look like nothing else. Large and with lots of metal, leather and wood, these scream sound quality. The ear cups are oval shaped and large, they cover your ears completely no matter how large. They are using the slimmest diaphragm (and largest) in any headphone and this is a good thing as to create sound you need to move air, effectively and quick.
Style
Over the ear design with a suspension leather strip (headband) for long wearing comfort and adjustable sliders to adjust the length of the headband.
Build quality
They are build to last. These are no DJ headphones though, so treat them carefully. If you do, these will last a lifetime.
Comfort
Awkward looking headband is very comfortable on your head since it wraps around the shape of your head instead of creating a “hot spot” at a specific location. A very comfortable headphone I was able to wear for hours.
Sound
Usually I split these in Bass/Mids/Treble then Soundstage and Instrument separation but for the HE-1000 this is going to be a combined review. And a short one, here is why:
It’s exceptional. These headphones sound like nothing else I have heard. They are the best you can buy at the moment. Bass/Mids/Treble as well as Soundstage and Instrument separation, it’s all exactly where it should be. Everything sounds lush, full, impactful, musical, lifelike. The power and energy this headphone transmits as well as the layers and details from down (very) low to the upper treble. It’s planar-magnetic magic.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- The best headphone money can buy
- extremely comfortable
- replaceable cable and ear-pads and headband
- high quality cable with 2.5mm connectors
- good build quality
Cons:
- disappointing accessories (headphone with cable, box, that’s it)
- The price might ruin you.
Conclusion
Nearly $3000 for a headphone? Can this price ever be justified? Yes. This headphone can justify this price. It’s that good. If you want the best money can buy, get the HE-1000. However be aware that this kind of headphone while sounding good from nearly every driving device, really needs a good amp and DAC to shine. The better your equipment – the better the HE-1000 will sound. Unfortunately this headphone is beyond my budget, but I listen to it every chance I get. Be aware though that going back to your own headphones is a bit of a letdown after you listened to these – you have been warned.
