The HiFiMan is a Chinese electronics brand including headphones, earphones, amplifiers, DAC, and portable audio players, founded by Dr. Fang Bian in late 2005. They’re specialists in high-fidelity planar magnetic and electrostatic headphones.
They’ve always been one of the most popular brands for high-end audio products with high-fidelity full-size over-ear audiophile headphones in both wireless and wired technology.
So if you’re looking to upgrade your headphone system and thinking of buying from a reliable brand for audiophiles? — If yes, you’re in the right place to choose the right HiFiman headphones for your needs.
In this guide, you’ll find the Top 5 HiFiMan headphones review and comparison to pick the one you were looking for today.
So let’s get started to find the best. 🎧
Top 5 Best HiFiMan Headphones
1. HiFiMan SUSVARA: Best Headphones for Audiophiles
View on HiFiMan’s Official Shop
The Susvara is not only the best HiFiMan headphones for audiophiles, but It’s also a great choice for mixing and mastering tracks and mixes.
And there are not many headphones available that are better than SUSVARA in terms of price and sound quality, excluding the HiFiMans’ SHANGRI-LA senior + Amp and Sennheiser HE 1 + Amp. Both of these cost you over 50 grand.
So, if you’re looking for the best planar magnetic headphones from the earth you can consider HifiMan’s flagship premium headphones Susvara, which would cost you about $6000 and can be purchased both on the HiFiMan official store and on Amazon.
Their big competitors are Audeze LCD-4, Focal Utopia, and their own SHANGRI-LA jr Electrostatic headphones, available at a $4000 price range. So you can imagine how expensive Susvara is and the overall quality? Brilliant!
Headfonics owner Marcus has written a complete review of Susvara for an in-depth review, and you can see their official independent review sponsored by HiFiMan.
Closer look on HiFiMan SUSVARA:
After testing from our side, It’s an audiophile’s dream headphones; however, they’re expensive!
The exhaustless sound quality and straightforward bass. The overall sound is slightly lighter than the Audeze LC-4 with a Schiit Modi 3 D/A Converter – Delta-Sigma pure DAC, but it touched so much deeper inside the head in its instrumental tone vocal pitch. Otherhand Susvara is 2 times more lightweight than Audeze headphones, especially for LCD-4/4z.
Pure, stronger & sharper soundstage is the fundamental thought before picking a perfect pair of audiophile headphones for an expensive budget. I highly recommend you buy the “HiFiMan top headphones SUSVARA” If you’re on the same budget as value.
Let’s see the YouTube video review:
HiFiMAN Susvara Review
Top HiFiMan Headphones
The Verdict:
If you want to buy the best HiFiMan headphones, the SUSVARA is for you. The best planar magnetic headphones worldwide for their sound, not for the price. Otherwise, If you’re looking for the best HiFiMan headphones on a budget Arya should be your choice.
2. SHANGRI-LA jr: Best HiFiMan Electrostatic Headphones
SHANGRI-LA jr is the best electrostatic headphones from the HiFiMan brand worldwide. Great looking and powerful sound quality headphones with ultra-comfort earcups for listening to a long duration of rock, jazz, instrumental, classics, electronics, and trance music. Also great for studio recordings and music production labels.
HiFiMan SHANGRI-LA jr is still better than Focal Utopia and STAX SR-009S for $4000 budget headphones. However, in this budget, the Audeze LCD-4z is slightly better for its gaming sounds and listening to music without any DAC or amplifier, as they’re built with 16 ohms, and the SHANGRI-LA jr has 32 ohms. Lastly, It sounds great with their SHANGRI-LA jr hybrid amplifier or any other good quality DAC/Amp.
A closer look at HiFiMan SHANGRI-LA jr:
The Shangri-La jr. electrostatic headphones, including a cylinder amplifier, come near the best sound frameworks I have heard by my friend’s pair, including HiFiMan’s own Shangri-La and Sennheiser’s HE 1.
Both of those are strong contenders that cost over $50k for best-in-class audiophile systems around the world. You can’t find any better than these pairs. However-
My particular recommendation to you is, If you’re going with an amplifier, the SHANGRI-LA JR Electrostatic Headphone and Tube Amplifier (Official Build) is for you; it costs you eight thousand bucks and saves you a lot! These are the dream combinations for a new audiophile setup for under $10000.
HiFiMan SHANGRI-LA jr Audiophile Setup Review from CanJam show
Bes-Budget High-End Audiophile Setup
My Opinion:
Now it’s your turn to upgrade your audiophile system with the new and improved technology of Shangri-La jr. electrostatic headphones for highly musical and pure audiophile headphones and amplifiers. The Junior’s headphones are available for $4000 and the amplifier for $5000. You can buy these separately, and the combo pack is now available for an $8000 deal.
3. HiFiMan ARYA: Best Headphones For Mixing & Mastering
HiFiMan Arya is the best and most popular planar magnetic headphone in the audiophile industry for its best-sounding capability for an affordable budget, under the $2000 price range. Extremely fast and premium open-back headphones designed with metal, high-quality plastic, and pure leather ear cups ensure a comfortable environment for listening to powerful music on every music player.
They’re designed for clear sound and are disappointing for mixed-use because of their open-back and larger size plan. Not suitable and uncomfortable for online activity, commuting, or office use as they don’t have a built-in mic and are not easy to drive—only great for audiophile listening and HiFi audio reproduction with well-balanced sound and a spacious soundstage.
A closer look at HiFiMan Arya:
Excellent design with noticeable impressive soundstage, who loved the in-depth, real-world surrounding sound performance. While I discovered its recurrence reaction sensibly pleasing generally, I had a few minor issues that I wound up needing to EQ out for too much energy and more sounds.
The sound and precision would be much better with the HM1000 Portable and the amazing TOPPING D70s DAC. These imparted an extra sense of energy and clarity for pure audiophile experience and studio recordings, but this was right on the edge of being too hot after an hour of listening.
Finally, HiFiMan Arya is the priority in building a new audiophile system for mid-range buyers under $3000 with a DAC or amplifier. Josh Valour completed his brilliant audiophile system for $2,700, including Arya.
HiFiMan Arya Audiophile System Review
The complete audiophile system for $2700
Final Thought:
If you’re looking to buy the best HiFiMan headphones for mixing with a good quality DAC, the Arya is for you. It’s the most critically acclaimed planar magnetic headphones with state-of-the-art driver technology and a breathtakingly open soundstage—highly recommended HiFiMan headphones on a budget.
4. ANANDA-BT: Best HiFiMan Wireless Bluetooth Headphones For Music Listening
The HiFiMan ANANDA-BT is the Bluetooth version of the HiFiMan Ananda, with new and improved technology than the wired version including high-performance dedicated amplification, and it supports aptX SBC as well as aptX HD, which is integrated for high-quality lossless audio.
They sound clear, have punchy bass and detailed sound, and are familiar with fair warmth. The headset does heaps of things accurately, and I, for one, couldn’t track down an undeniable shortcoming in its introduction, considering it being a remote headphone.
A closer look at HiFiMan Ananda Bluetooth:
They’ve one more good quality cheap HiFiMan headphones with good quality, which are called HiFiMan Deva, for advanced active wireless Bluetooth audiophile headphones with Bluemini for $300 when I’m writing. Wired HE400i and Drop + HIFIMAN HE4XX are solid at low prices.
Overall, Ananda-BT has unbiased and well-balanced audio reproduction sound suitable for audiophiles listening to most music genres. Like most, the planar magnetic wireless Bluetooth lacks a built-in DAC and balanced amplifier technology. The best planar magnetic headphones for $1000.
They also have a detachable boom microphone for communicating with your teammates, gaming, or office use, but remember this can make your voice thin, distorted, or unnatural when connected.
HiFiMan Ananda-BT Review
BEST sounding Bluetooth headphones
The Decision:
Suppose you’re looking for an ergonomic design, dependable build quality, portable audio, and the best wireless Bluetooth connection headphones from HiFiMan with solid bass and premium quality sounds. In that case, the Ananda-BT makes a lot of sense. The world’s highest audio quality planar magnetic Bluetooth headphones at an affordable price.
5. SUNDARA: Best HiFiMan Headphones For Gaming
Sundara is one of the best planar magnetic headset for gaming for under $500 budget. The great-looking and gaming-optimized open-back design with a highly comfortable headband and overall lightweight headset without any hassle of moving. They’re not only good for gaming but also great for listening to music.
The best option for those under the $350 budget on the planet, both in dynamic and planar drivers. But they didn’t provide many accessories with this model, just the connecting wires and a quarter-inch adapter to go with it. Maybe they change their policy anytime. However, it is still worth getting for gaming and is better than other gaming headsets I’ve reviewed.
The final look on HiFiMan Sundara for Gaming:
For gaming, you need to consider open-back or open-air headphones for real-world gaming sounds because air can flow through the earcup, and the sound is lighter, more natural, has better stereo imaging, and is more transparent than closed-back headphones. So you know how Sundara is perfect for gaming.
The best thing you can drive it with your PC, iPhone /Android, PS4, and Xbox One controllers by connecting a compatible balanced cable (3.5mm connectors / 1/8” with a 1/4” adapter). The bad thing is you can’t use an in-line remote/microphone when connected with a 1/8TRS audio cable as they only support audio output. To solve this, follow the method below If you’re serious about gaming.
You need an extra boom mic, recommended V-MODA BoomPro Microphone for Gaming & Communication. I think that only has a single 3 channel 3.5mm plug for both audio channels and mic, with a mic and audio splitter that comes with it hope the 2-3 channels enough for you.
Headset Guides
Otherwise, you may consider other gaming headphones, including:
- Best Beyerdynamic Gaming Headphones
- Best HyperX Headsets for PC Gaming
- Best Audio-Technica Gaming Headsets
Alternatively, the HiFiMan Ananda Wireless Bluetooth is also great for gaming with any platform as it already has a detachable boom microphone and supports maximum compatibility. You may think about it if you want to keep with it for Gaming and Music.
HiFiMan Sundara Review
Open-back planar magnetic headphones
Finished-Up:
They have excellent sound quality for listening and audiophile gaming than their HE series headphones at the same budget. Lastly, I would recommend you to buy it on a budget.
Compare HiFiMan Headphones
Let’s see the comparison between HiFiMan Susvara vs. SHANGRI-LA jr vs. Arya vs. Ananda-BT vs. Sundara headphones.
| SUSVARA | SHANGRI-LA jr | ARYA | ANANDA-BT | SUNDARA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Headphones Type: | Open-Back Planar | Open-Back Electrostatic | Open-Back Planar | Open-Back Planar | Open-Back Planar |
| Weight: | 450 grams (15.9 oz.) | 374 grams (13.19 oz.) | 404 grams (14.25 oz.) | 460 grams (including microphone & cable.) | 372 grams (13.12 oz.) |
| Sensitivity: | 6Hz-75kHz | 7Hz-120kHz | 8Hz-65kHz | 8Hz-55kHz | 6Hz-75kHz |
| Impedance: | 60 ohms | 32 ohms | 35 ohms | 35 ohms | 37 ohms |
| Cable & Connections: | 3.5mm/6.35mm and 4-pin XLR connector | 5-pin male connector (Stax 5 pin connector and uses pro bias (580V) so SHANGRI-LA jr and any STAX amplifier will work) | 3.5mm male & 6.35mm adapter to 2x 3.5mm jack male | Bluetooth, a type C to type C nylon cable and 2 USB cables | TRS 3.5mm male & 6.35mm adapter to 2x 3.5mm jack male |
| Special Features: | Top-of-the-line sound. (Transparent & detailed) | Headphone and Amplifier (Discount available on bundle pack) | Best Value Headphones (Best for mixing and mastering) | No need extra AMP, DAC or Cable as it Bluetooth (Excellent design for outdoor) | Best for gaming (Lightweight & comfortable) |
| Our Ratings: (By price & features) | |||||
| Check Prices: | Buy on HiFiMan Buy on Amazon | Buy on HiFiMan | Buy on Amazon Buy on HiFiMan | Buy on Amazon Buy on HiFiMan | Buy on Amazon Buy on HiFiMan |
Are HiFiMan headphones good?
The HiFiMan headphones are fabulous for critical listening and hi-fi audiophile sound reproduction and used with a professional DAC/amp. They’re one of the best planar magnetic headphones brand for exceptional sound quality with high fidelity design. But their earphones are not suitable as it’s expensive and most of the buyers can’t afford their high-end tier audiophile, but Sundara is ideal for beginners.
Electrostatic vs. planar magnetic headphones
Electrostatic headphones are very similar to planar magnetic headphones in high speed, neutral sounds, sensitivity, and transient response. The difference in planar magnetic drivers is more potent in the low-end department. As a result of the better strength of attractive power over friction-based electricity, the attractive planar diaphragm can move with significantly more force and hammer, likely offering the pack’s best bass reaction.
Other hand, electrostatic drivers offer high accuracy and strikingly low distortion because of the specialist’s straightforwardness. It can be light similar to elements. The seal is vital for electrostatic; without it, they lose sub-bass affectability rapidly.
Are Accessories available for HiFiMan headphones?
Yes, these HiFiMan headphones have accessories available on the HiFiMan accessories page and the Amazon store. Including original model & hybrid headband, earpads, earpad mounting rings, serenity pads, grills with grill retention rings, all types of USB cables, S/P DIF Input/RCA Line in-out cables, 3.5mm/6.3mm cables, and travel case.
Best HiFiMan headphones deal right now:
There are many saving options available to grab the best HiFiMan headphones deals as your needs instead of buying an amplifier and headphones separately from other third-party stores or products.
So let’s take a deeper look.
Amazon.com 
These official bundle packs and some great expensive alternative budget picks make you happy, and they always allow you free returns and free shipping.
- SHANGRI-LA JR Electrostatic Headphone and Amplifier (Combo) — Normal price:
$9000, discount price: $8000 at HiFiMan - Jade II Electrostatic Headphone and Amplifier (Combo) — Normal price:
$1800, discount price: $1700 at HiFiMan - SUNDARA — Normal price:
$499.00, discount price: $279.00 at HiFiMan
Conclusion:
Hopefully, you’ve found the next audiophile headphones today you want that will work best for you. I tried to help to find your right HiFiMan headphones for different budgets and purposes.
If you think so, please let me know by leaving a comment below and giving me a star rating to better my next update.
Consider HiFiMan SUSVARA If you need the best one.
If money is the priority, Sundara and Ananda-BT are excellent choices for listening to music and gaming on a budget.
Furthermore, If you want to pick your complete audiophile setup, then HiFiMan SHANGRI-LA jr or Arya with recommended DAC or amplifier is the priority.
Which HiFiMan audiophiles headphones are you already used to, and which will you try next? Maybe HiFiMan Arya or what.! 😇
Make sure you added it with your bookmark, as I will be updating it regularly to reflect the times. 🤞
Thanks for being with “Headset Guides” today.
I hope we’ll see you again. Best wishes to you always. 🙏
Reference/Credits:
Head-Direct (Kun shan) Corporation.
#2001, C1, 2F. Yingbin Road, Bacheng county,
Kunshan city, Jiangsu Prov. 215300, China
0512-50190018.
Contact info:
Phone: 1-201-HIFIMAN
(1-201-443-4626)
Product Registration on HiFiMan:
By registering your purchased items on HiFiMan Store.
After-sales service:
Warranty Information/ FAQ/ Technical Support/ Manuals.
