It may have its flaws, but this small DAP sounds quite good for the price. Surfans F20 Pro, running on Android 12.
DISCLAIMER: The Intuara team sent us the Impact free of charge for review purposes. We are truly honoured and excited, as this is our first collaboration with INTUARA. We would like to humbly thank the INTUARA team for their generous support of Aural Cafe.
Introduction: -
Today at Aural Cafe, we’re thrilled to present an in-depth review of the Intuara Impact, a single dynamic driver-based IEM from the China-based hi-fi brand Intuara. The Impact features a 10mm High Internal Damping diaphragm dynamic driver implemented with the help of a gold-plated dual-magnet assembly.
Intuara is a Changsha, China-based young Hi-Fi brand, founded by a team of music enthusiasts with the mission to provide refined and high-fidelity audio products led by Mr Tang, the founder. Established in 2021, Intuara initially sold only domestically until 2024; “Intuara” derive its name from the short intonation of Aura. They specialised in Single-DD IEMS and digital signal processing (DSP). INTUAURA focuses on an all-round, down-to-earth approach. Their marketing avoids unnecessary hype, focusing strictly on acoustic engineering, physical build quality, and honest pricing. Intending to make high-quality audio accessible to everyone, Intuara launched its debut product, the Reference 2019, in 2021, at $279. Featuring a 10 mm titanium-plated driver, blending material advantages to avoid harsh tonal colouration and deliver natural, smooth sound reproduction. One of its better-known early international products was the INTUAURA Splendor II, a dynamic-driver IEM priced around $259 and bundled with its Phantasm DAC/dongle. Reviews praised its warm, energetic presentation and bass performance. The brand subsequently developed a fairly broad lineup, including the Luster, Plume, Purple, Lakeview, and other models. The Lakeview was positioned as a much more expensive flagship, around $1,500, while Plume occupied a considerably more affordable segment. Rooted in a philosophy of simplicity, functionality, and sonic purity, Intaura continues to evolve its lineup and strengthen its presence in the audiophile community, emerging as a brand well worth watching. Intuaura’s latest addition to their line-up is Splendor II, released in late 2024; later on, they released Splendor MX, an ultra-limited edition specially dedicated to the community and supporters who helped them during difficult early days.
After coming up with many successful single driver-based IEMs such as the Spendor, Reference and the Balance, Intuaura Impact marks Intuaura’s another entry, but this time in the sub-100$ region. The Impact is a dynamic driver-based IEM with a semi-open back faceplate design that Intuaura called it Future-X faceplate. The Intuaura team have taken the help of a custom full-range 10 mm high-damping Diaphragm dynamic driver along with a gold-plated dual-magnet design. Complementing the dynamic drivers are two Helmholtz resonator systems. Building on this principle, they developed a proprietary H2T dual-chamber absorption system. Using HeyGears 3D printing, acoustic microstructures are integrated into the cavity, acting as efficient ‘energy traps’ to tame peaks at 5kHz and 10kHz, physically eliminating harshness and delivering smooth, warm analogue sound. This technology reflects Intuaura’s continuous acoustic evolution: from early single-chamber absorption in 2022 to the mature H2T dual-chamber system today. It’s impressive to see that the Intuaura team has implemented a precise H2T system within the Impact, which is usually seen on much more expensive sets. This design combines both physical acoustic tuning and electronic signal management for optimal performance. According to the brand, they have used a flagship dynamic driver inside the Impact. Adding to its versatility, the Impact features four pairs of eartips designed for mid-to-high-end products, allowing an audiophile to tailor the sound as per their preference and different music genres. The Black Core, Clear Shell is the standard signature, featuring a balanced sonic profile. The Full Black Shell enhances treble for more sharpness and clarity. The ultra-thin White absorbs high frequencies for a smoother, fatigue-free listening experience (Limited to 500 sets), and lastly, the Liquid Series is a unique and intriguing sonic character.
Intuaura Impact retails for 109.99 USD in the global market at the time of the review.
Specifications: -
Driver: 10mm High Internal Damping Diaphragm Dynamic Driver
Impedance: 19 Ω 1kHz ± 5%
Frequency Response: 5Hz - 30kHz
Sensitivity: 123dB@1kHz ± 3dB
Connector: 0.78mm 2-Pin
Wire: 1.2m SPC Cable
Plug Type: 3.5mm Single-Ended
Unboxing Experience, Design & Build: -
Unboxing the Intuaura Impact is a clean and calm experience that reflects the brand’s philosophy of simplicity, functionality, and sonic purity. As you can see from our unboxing video (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/q2vaX8GmTLU), the Intuaura Impact arrived in a fairly large jet-black cardboard box wrapped in a printed paper sleeve. The front of the sleeve displays a heavily zoomed image of the Intuaura Impact IEM, offering a subtle preview of its CNC-machined aluminium faceplate. The “Intuaura” branding is positioned cleverly with the shell image, while the model name “Impact In-Ear Monitor” is printed at the top right corner in clean white English text. The back side of the sleeve features the technical specifications of the Impact, both in English and Chinese dialects. Sliding off the sleeve reveals a jet-black cardboard box with Intuaura branding right at the centre in grey colour, subtly visible elegantly. Upon opening the box, we are greeted by the IEM carry box neatly nestled in the right half of the box with the help of a custom foam insert; the box is lightweight and textured with a leather-like finish. The remaining left half of the box consisted of an Intaura waifu card, a silicone ear-tip box and the stock cable in a transparent pouch. It was quite satisfying to see that Intuaura Impact arrived with two different types of silicone ear tips in standard S, M, and L sizes. Upon opening the IEM carry box, we expected to find the IEM shells, but we were pleasantly surprised to find them inside an IEM carry pouch, which we usually see on higher-end IEMs. On opening the pouches, we finally came across the Intuaura Impact IEM shells. Overall, everything inside depicts the value system of the brand with a sense of providing functional and quality accessories. Overall, the unboxing of the Intuaura Impact is an understated yet satisfying experience that aligns perfectly with the brand’s mission of providing a value-centric experience.
When it comes to design, the Impact’s metallic shells showcase the Intuaura Audio team’s strong focus on practicality and craftsmanship. Each shell is meticulously crafted from lightweight aviation-grade aluminium alloy using high-precision 5-axis CNC machining with a combination of resin. The faceplate is machined from a solid block of aluminium into a meticulously calculated and acoustically verified ‘X’ cut-out structure, inset with a precision-grade stainless steel acoustic mesh. Despite being made of resin combined with metal, the shells remain exceptionally lightweight; specifically, they are one of the lightest IEMs we’ve experienced in recent times. The shells and faceplates share a unified jet-black finish, with a clean white colour “Intuaura” logo placed on the top of the shell, adding a touch of minimalism. The precisely angled nozzles are a bit longer and secure a fit without any noticeable ergonomic issues in our case. According to Intuaura, the acoustically verified ‘X’ cut-out structure not only provides an aesthetic look but also optimises airflow to enhance bass impact and texture and expands the soundstage for a more open, out-of-head listening experience.
The Impact comes bundled with a silver-coloured, basic silver-plated copper (SPC) cable. The cable is very thin and lightweight and complements the weight management of the IEM, making it really useful when commuting. We at Aural Café would love to have a better stock cable in the package; something with a modular plug would be welcoming. The Intuaura Impact comes equipped with 6 pairs of silicone ear tips, thoughtfully organised in a storage case. The case houses two different ear tip styles in S, M, and L sizes, offering a range of fits and tonal variations. The case features black-core, clear-shell tips that maintain the standard signature, featuring a balanced sonic profile. The other option is full Black Shell tips, which enhance the treble for more sharpness and clarity.
When it comes to fit, we were pleasantly surprised by the Impact’s metal and resin shells, which strike an ideal balance in weight and size. The well-angled, optimally sized nozzles played a key role in ensuring a secure fit and delivering decent passive noise isolation.
We also appreciate that, instead of spending on flashy packaging, Intuaura has focused on what truly matters, delivering outstanding value through thoughtful design and practical, high-quality accessories.
Sound Analysis: -
We would like to state here that the sound impressions are based on testing IMPACT with stock black-stem ‘Balanced’ silicone ear tips, along with the stock cable. The effect of the other supplied silicone ear tips on Intuaura Impact’s sound impressions will be dealt with separately in the Synergy section, so we would request our fellow readers and audiophiles to go through that section for sure. We would also like to state here that we have kept the Intuaura Impact under a 50-hour burn-in period before listening to and analysing the sound quality.
· Tonality: - After listening to Intuaura Impact for weeks, we at Aural Cafe can conclude that the Impact embraces a unique reference sound signature, which we have previously experienced while testing premium IEMs. The 10mm Dynamic Driver has been thoughtfully implemented by the team at Intuaura to impart an ample amount of musicality as well as detail to the overall neutral sound signature. Overall, the signature is leaning towards a soft V-shaped sound, totally free-flowing and yet detailed at the same time. Thanks to the 10mm custom high-damping diaphragm full-range DD and dual Helmholtz Resonance System, the overall sound presentation is both deeply engaging, immersive, and effortlessly spacious, which makes us forget whether we are listening to an IEM or an open-back headphone. The transient response is top-notch, which adds to the fun quotient of the Impact. At Aural Cafe, we believe that one of the clearest indicators of a truly capable in-Ear monitor is its ability to retrieve micro-details effortlessly at low volumes, just as it does at higher levels. We’re pleased to report that the Impact delivers on this with ease. Intuaura Impact shows top-notch clarity across the sound frequency, due to which micro details are retrieved organically. Every part of the frequency, whether it’s the lows, mids or highs, is given equal importance, with the lows being really special when we compare the Impact’s lows with other IEMs in this price range. There is a boost in the treble area, which also adds up, adding a subtle amount of clarity to the upper-mids. The midrange on Impact is open and spacious, along with top-notch clarity. The warmth of the lows does help by adding soul and texture to the vocals, which is a pleasant experience in itself. When it comes to timbre, the timbre of string-based musical instruments such as acoustic guitar and violin is very sublime and real. We feel this kind of reference tonality will go with all genres of soundtracks, but it will sound its best with Blues and Progressive Rock genres of soundtracks, such as Comfortably Numb by the legendary band Pink Floyd, which we thoroughly enjoyed while using Impact with a neutral source, such as the iBasso DX320 in our case.
· Lows: - The lows on Intuaura Impact are tuned by keeping the tonality of the IEM in mind. The lows on Impact stay clean and tight with a solid amount of body, which is fun to enjoy. The role of the full-range 10mm Custom High Internal Damping Dynamic Driver comes to the forefront, as dynamic drivers are said to do a better job in this part of the frequency range in comparison to other types of drivers. The mid-bass speed is top of the line and very engaging, all thanks to the dynamic driver. Overall, the clarity and dynamics are very good in this part of the frequency range on the Impact. When it comes to Sub-bass, the Sub-bass on the Impact stays even ahead of the Mid-Bass in terms of body and the rumble we really enjoyed at Aural Cafe. The layering in the bass is very good, which we felt while listening to ‘Jean du Voyage – Nakshatram’ on the Aune M1p. When it comes to mid-bass, the mid-bass on Intuaura Impact is clean and tight. While the mid-bass speed is very precise, the mid-bass punch is decent and well textured, considering the price. We at Aural Cafe just enjoyed listening to ‘Angel’ by Massive Attack and ‘Mombasa’ by legendary composer Hans Zimmer from the movie Inception due to the precise speed and dynamics of Impact’s sub-bass. When it comes to the timbre of the instruments in Lows, we at Aural Cafe just loved the way the Impact presented the bass guitar with full authority while listening to Billie Jean by Michael Jackson.
· Mids: - The mids on the Impact are neither forward nor laid back. They sit mostly on the central stage. The mids showcase good clarity while staying effortlessly spacious. What makes the mids on the Impact a bit special is its reference tonality, as the vocals are very rich with decent texture and soul, but when it comes to Vocals’ note weight, it is just average at best. The lower mids on Impact are quite refined and stable, as a result of which it is beautifully complemented while listening to the complex metal and rock numbers. When it comes to the upper mids, the upper mids on the Impact are quite rich and a bit forward; one can say it is sharper, which we usually see in budget IEMs. We at Aural Café love relaxed, soulful tuning as it really aids listening to blues and Progressive Rock genre soundtracks. So, in this scenario, Intuaura Impact does a good job. When it comes to vocal texture, both the male and female vocals showcase a solid texture, but we can say it is the male vocals that edge out the female ones. We thoroughly enjoyed this while listening to ‘You Know My Name’ by legendary grunge vocalist Chris Cornell. When it comes to instruments, the timbre of the instruments is just right. The string/percussion-based instruments, such as Piano, do showcase decent texture on Intuaura Impact at the helm. It is certainly not too organic, but it is precise, on the other hand.
· Highs: - The highs on the Intuaura Impact align with their tonality and are detailed and airy without being too much dry or harsh. The micro details are not on the face, but plenty are coming your way while listening to different genres of music. With numerous intricate details emerging, uncovering even more sophisticated textures. The highs have a solid transparency and definition to highlight notional attacks on instruments and vocal articulation without being fatiguing, thanks to its Dual-Chamber Helmholtz Resonator system. The lower treble showcases a good amount of detail on the Impact while listening to well-mastered rock soundtracks such as ‘Whole Lotta Love’ by Led Zeppelin. The highs have a great amount of energy and sparkle at the helm. Additionally, Impact’s excellent transient response adds to the realism of string instruments and cymbals, allowing them to sound more natural, lively, and engaging, something we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to “Californication” by Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
· Soundstage & Imaging: - The Impact delivers a holographic presentation, with slightly better soundstage width in comparison to soundstage depth. Thanks to the semi-open back design, Impact creates a uniquely open, spacious, yet immersive stage, something we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin. The technical performance of Impact is solid considering the price. It does a stellar job when it comes to retrieving micro details, which are refined and analytical. The instrument separation quotient of Impact is decent and stable, while the imaging is just pinpoint accurate. All in all, we at Aural Cafe are highly satisfied with the technical accuracy of Intuaura Impact, considering its price. We also enjoyed listening to ‘Hotel California’ by the legendary Rock Band, the Eagles, while assessing the technical proficiency of the Intuaura Impact.
· Synergy: - We at Aural Cafe like to state that we do believe in burn-in and would suggest at least 50 hours of burn-in period to get the best out of the IMPACT. After the burn-in, the overall dynamics of the lows became more fun and engaging. When it comes to driving ability, even though it is a dynamic driver-based IEM, we are happy to communicate that Intuaura Impact is quite easy to drive and can be driven with the help of a dongle, but we would suggest using it with a hi-fi source to get the best out of Impact, as it has a high internal damping driver.
Although it is a 110 USD IEM, we tried it with several sources. We tested Impact with a number of hi-fi DAPs and desktop sources such as iBasso DX320, Astell and Kern SP1000M, Aune M1p, Surfans F20 Pro, Dethonray DTR1+ LE, Listening M1, and Clarinet and felt that it matches really well with the neutral sources such as Aune M1p and iBasso DX320 as it complements the unique tonality of the of the Impact and also improves the note-weight in the mids, whereas layering, soundstage and overall sound transparency improved a lot making us feel that we are listening to more expensive IEMs when Impact is driven by hi-end desktop sources such as Dethonray Listening M1 and Aune S17 Pro. Entry-level Desktop sources such as the iFi Audio Zen DAC 3 also add organic tonality to the Impact, as the DDs are getting enough power. When it comes to the portable sources, which are so much in trend, we tested Impact with a line of dongles such as iFi Audio GO Link Max, Aune Yuki, Celest CD-20 and Dethonray Clarinet and felt that Impact sounded best with Dethonray Clarinet. We also tested Impact with several budget and expensive cables across different brands, from PW Audio, Kinera, to Linksmith and Lavricables and felt that Impact performs at its optimum level with a high-quality SPC cable, which was Han Sound Audio Kula in our case. The copper makes the overall sound a bit more organic and adds a solid amount of thickness in the mids while keeping the clarity in the upper region intact. We at Aural Cafe do know that it doesn't make sense to match a 1000 US$ cable with a 110 US$ IEM, but we at Aural Cafe are always curious to test the optimum capability of the transducer in hand, and it is due to this curiosity that we tested the Impact with most of the cables we had in our cable bank. When it comes to ear tips, we would like to add here that ear tips play a big role in overall sound quality and sound isolation. The Impact fits at its best with stock balanced ear tips. The sound tonality remains reference, and the note weight, especially in the upper mid area, becomes a bit more stable. The full-black shell ear tips make the sound even brighter, which many will feel is harsh, as we felt at Aural Cafe. The narrow-bore tips make a sound a bit more fun and engaging, with a solid, punchy bass, and the highs become a bit more tamed down. Also, the black-stem transparent narrow-bore tips help get a wider soundstage; although the vocals sound a bit underwhelming in comparison to the black-shell silicone ear tips. When it comes to aftermarket ear tips, we felt that Impact performed at its best with Spinfit CP145.
Conclusion: -
The moment we put on INTUAURA IMPACT and turned on the music, we knew it was different and good. The Dynamic Drivers and Dual Helmholtz Resonators have been thoughtfully chosen and implemented by the Intuaura team with the open-back design, as a result of which an audiophile will feel that he or she is listening to a solid IEM without guessing its actual cost. The unique reference tonality, class-apart sub-bass response and the solid and lightweight build quality of Intuaura IMPACT make it stand out ahead of the other IEMs in this price range. The speed and precision of the Impact not only improve dynamics but also contribute to a more immersive and engaging sound, where every note feels articulate and well-defined. Despite this technical prowess, the Impact rarely comes across as sterile; it strikes a striking balance between analytical capability and musicality. We at Aural Cafe would have preferred a touch more mid-bass punch, alongside a more organic mid-range. However, it delivers top-tier clarity alongside an effortlessly open, spacious, and immersive sound presentation. If anyone is willing to purchase, it is available for purchase globally through the following links (Non-Affiliated link is given below).
Meet the Intuaura Impact — a single dynamic driver IEM engineered with advanced acoustic technology to deliver powerful bass, natural vocals, and an engaging listening experience.
10mm high‑internal‑damping dynamic driver
- Proprietary H2T Dual Helmholtz Resonator System for smoother, more natural sound
- Future‑X faceplate design optimised for airflow and soundstage expansion
- Medical‑grade resin shell with CNC‑machined aluminium faceplate
Sound? Dynamic and engaging — Full Review is Coming Soon
Packaging feels surprisingly premium, featuring multiple eartips, a carrying case, and a thoughtful accessory set.
#IntuauraImpact #IEMCommunity #AudiophileGear #AudioEnthusiast #HiFiAudio #PortableAudio #SoundUnboxed #UnboxingAudio
The room is warming up, Kolkata. Following the grand success of the last year, the most exclusive audiophile gathering of the year is about to begin.
We, Aural Cafe, in proud partnership with HiFikind, proudly present our Annual Meet-up — a whole day where pure sound, premium gear, and a passionate community converge under one roof.
Save The Date: 27th September The Experience: Premium gear showcases, flagship auditioning, community bonding Location: To be revealed soon
More details about the cover charge and hospitality are forthcoming. Seats are strictly limited.
I rarely take them outside, but as I celebrated a small, major 'Throwback Thursday', I took them out today. Had a great session with coffee.
SV3 comes with a magnetostatic driver, which is not a regular planar driver but more closely resembles ribbon-style headphones. SV3 is a class leader in detail presentation; pairing it with H2 is fun, with improved slam.
Rhapsodio Supreme V3 + Dethonray Honey H2
DISCLAIMER: The generous team at HiFiMAN graciously provided the HiFiMAN HE-R9 full-sized over-ear headphones with the wireless Bluemini R2R bundle to us at no cost for review. We’re genuinely honoured and excited to review another full-sized pair of headphones from HiFiMAN. Our heartfelt thanks to the HiFiMAN team for this opportunity and their generous support to Aural Cafe.
Introduction: -
Today at Aural Cafe, we are reviewing the HiFiMAN HE-R9, a dynamic driver-based full-sized closed-back headphone from the famous Hi-Fi brand from China, HiFiMAN Electronics. At the heart of the HE-R9 lies a distinctive 50mm Topology Diaphragm dynamic driver, engineered to deliver a chunky V-shaped tuning.
HiFiMAN is a renowned China-based hi-fi audio brand that has earned a distinctive place for itself in the world of high-end full-sized headphones, especially. HiFiMAN was officially founded in 2007 in New York City by Dr Fang Bian, an engineer with a background in nanotechnology and a passion for high-fidelity audio, evolving from his earlier venture Head‑Direct, which started in 2005. Founder Dr Bian was an avid childhood electronics hobbyist who moved from China to the United States to pursue his PhD in inorganic chemistry and nanomaterials. His background in nanotechnology later heavily influenced his precision acoustic driver designs. Before launching the company, Dr Bian was active in the online audiophile community, modifying and improving audio equipment. This early focus on customisation quickly gained attention and led to the official registration of the brand. The brand quickly became known for pioneering planar magnetic headphones and high‑resolution portable audio players. In 2009, HiFiMAN disrupted the personal audio market by launching the HM-801. This was the world's first true high-end, brick-sized portable digital audio player (DAP), establishing the concept of audiophile-grade music playback on the go. The success of HM-901 was closely followed by the offering of an affordable Planar Magnetic Headphone, the HE-5, in 2009. It demonstrated that planar magnetic technology could deliver excellent sound quality at a lower price than many competitors. As the industry evolved, HiFiMAN continued to push boundaries by integrating advanced technologies into its designs. To scale production and tightly manage manufacturing quality, Dr Bian moved the company’s core operations back to China. He opened dedicated production facilities in 2010 and officially established the company headquarters in Tianjin.
Throughout the 2010s, HiFiMAN released several influential headphone models, such as the HE400, HE500, Sundara, Ananda, Arya, HE1000 and Susvara. Sundara became one of the highest-selling headphones from HiFiMAN due to its strong price-to-performance ratio. While Arya is widely praised for its expansive soundstage and detail retrieval. Through the HE1000, they’ve introduced advanced "window shade" grilles and nanometer-thickness diaphragms and the Susvara is considered one of the world's top-performing planar magnetic headphones. Today, HiFiMAN continues to expand globally with dedicated distributors across Asia, Europe, and North America. Cementing their status at the peak of the audio industry, the company developed the Shangri-La, an ultra-premium electrostatic headphone system paired with a dedicated custom vacuum tube amplifier, retailing around $50,000 USD. We at Aural Café had the opportunity to review the HE400se, all thanks to the HiFiMAN Electronics team; one can read it here,
- https://www.reddit.com/r/auralcafe/comments/1vb1o0j/hifiman_he400se_iconic_entry_point/
The HE-R9 is the third entry in HiFiMAN's "closed-back R-series" lineage, sitting beneath the original HE-R10D (wood cups, dynamic driver, launched 2021 at ~$1,299) and the HE-R10P (wood cups, planar magnetic driver, $2,499 at launch). Both R10s are big, heavy, beautifully built headphones with a distinctive wooden-cup aesthetic. The R9 takes the R10D's basic architectures, those are, closed-back, 50mm dynamic driver, swappable acoustic modules and puts it in a lighter, mostly plastic shell at a much more accessible price.
The HE-R9 launched in January 2022 at 599 USD. HiFiMAN cut the price hard, twice, and now the R9 floats at a much lower price, which changes the whole conversation. At the time of review, it is available at just 79 USD for the regular version and 179 USD for the Wireless Bluemini R2R bundle.
Specifications: -
· Driver Type: 50mm Topology Diaphragm Dynamic Driver
· Impedance: 60Ω ± 5%
· Freq Response: 15Hz-35Khz
· Connector Type: Dual 3.5mm TS
· Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW
· Weight: 328 g
· Wireless Module (optional): Bluemini R2R Bluetooth dongle
Unboxing Experience, Design & Build: -
As you can see from our unboxing video (https://youtube.com/shorts/n1QPaAcUHsc?feature=share) the unboxing experience is identical to the HE400se. The HiFiMAN HE-R9 arrived in a compact brown colour cardboard box. On the front, we can see a black printed portion in the middle along the length of the box. We saw a small photograph of the headphone itself, offering a subtle preview of its massive design before unboxing. The back of the box displays the same headphone photo at a different angle, highlighting various features of the headphones. On the bottom, we can see the key specifications of the headphones in both English and Chinese. Similarly, at the top, we can see the company details and address again in both English and Chinese. Upon opening the top part of the box, we encounter a small grey cardboard box that covers the headphones partially. Upon removing the box, we are greeted by the HiFIMAN HE-R9 closed-back headphones, finished in red and black, inside a foam cutout. We found the black detachable cable inside the grey cardboard box alongside a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter. Since we got the wireless bundle, we found the Bluemini R2R Bluetooth module inside the accessories box. All in all, the unboxing experience is minimalist and simple. It's a well-rounded package that reflects HiFiMAN’s commitment to providing a complete, no-nonsense experience for audiophiles while saving on some unnecessary costs, which reflects its price. But we at Aural Café would love to have a carry pouch for the headphones inside.
The HiFiMAN HE-R9 features a premium-designed shell crafted from lightweight yet durable CNC‑machined aluminium frames, finished in ABS plastic materials. However, the use of plastic is noticeable, as this is a budget set. The plastic doesn't feel cheap, but it doesn't feel premium either. There's a faint hollow resonance when you tap the cups. The cup shape resonates with the R10D's wood-cup silhouette, which is wider at the top, tapering toward the bottom, which is a nice design touch that makes the R9 read as "smaller R10" rather than the usual HiFiMAN look. The aluminium yokes and frame components further improve the build quality while managing the weight comfortably. The headband has a properly suspended-strap design with a metal core. The HiFiMAN HE-R9 comes equipped with a detachable stock cable, which we have seen before in the budget HiFiMANs, made from standard OFC and covered with a black rubber coating. Oxygen-free copper (OFC) ensures low-resistance signal transfer with minimal distortion and natural, detailed sound. It connects via dual 3.5mm TS connectors and terminates in a single-ended 3.5mm TRS connector, giving us the option to change the cable. The cable was both flexible and lightweight, which would surely help while listening to music on the go. When it comes to the ear pads, HiFiMAN gave Hybrid ear pads. The inner ring touching the ear is made with soft velour fabric. This provides a breathable surface against your skin to minimise heat and sweat. The outer ring is made with PU leather. This seals the edges, which helps maintain the headphone's bass response and acoustic seal, while both rings are internally filled with standard memory foam.
In terms of fit, the HiFiMAN HE-R9 feels featherweight for a full-sized closed-back headphone, weighing just 328g, offering a comfortable and secure fit with better weight management, as the earpads create a larger contact area with the skin to disperse the weight. The headband uses the same suspended-strap design as the rest of HiFiMAN's modern lineup, and the clamping force is light.
Overall, we at Aural Cafe are somewhat satisfied with the material choice and the overall build quality of the headphones, considering their current price. Combined with the light clamping force and its weight distribution, it's one of the more comfortable closed-backs we've worn for multi-hour sessions.
Sound Analysis: -
The sound impressions of HiFiMAN HE-R9 are based on our usage with stock cable and stock pads, along with neutral desktop and portable sources, after a 50-hour burn-in period as suggested by Sivga’s team. For insights into how the HE-R9 matches with different types of sources, including the Bluemini module, aftermarket ear pads, and cables, please refer to the Synergy section of the review.
· Tonality: - After listening to various genres of soundtracks across different setups for weeks with the HiFiMAN HE-R9 at the helm, we at Aural Cafe feel that it embraces a warm, rich, bass-heavy sound signature. The overall tonality tries to emulate the classic V-shaped sound signature. The result is a sound that's bass-forward, mid-recessed, treble-present-but-controlled. It is not a reference headphone, and it is not trying to sound like HiFiMAN’s more balanced planar models. Instead, it delivers a rich, thick, smooth, bass-forward presentation that will appeal most to listeners who enjoy powerful low-end and relaxed musicality. It's the kind of tuning that accepts genres with strong rhythmic content and big production like hip-hop, EDM, modern pop, electronic, cinematic orchestral, and modern rock and is less kind to acoustic music, vocal-centric tracks, and anything that lives in the midrange. The bass is thick, prominent, and full of sub-bass rumble. The mids are rich with occasional push-back. The highs are soft and relaxed. It provides a smooth, fatigue-free experience that is highly forgiving of lower-quality recordings. The transient response is on the faster side, while the timbre of the instruments leans towards a dark and musical presentation. The HiFiMAN HE-R9 Headphone is forgiving towards poorly recorded soundtracks due to its tuning; therefore, one can enjoy retro songs and old recordings without losing their souls. We at Aural Café just loved listening to classic rock, jazz and acoustic music and thoroughly enjoyed listening to ‘You Make Loving Fun’ by the audiophile’s one of the favorite albums ‘Rumours’ by Fleetwood Mac. Old classic recordings like Bob Dylan’s ‘Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door’ sound soulful.
· Lows: - The lows of HiFiMAN HE-R9 are the standout quality of the headphones. The lows of HE-R9 are big, thick, authoritative and powerful. The sub-bass extension is genuinely excellent for a closed-back dynamic driver, reaching down with weight, texture, and a real sense of physical impact. We are Aural Café, genuinely love listening to ‘Angel’ by Massive Attack; one can hear the individual bass notes underneath the drone with HE-R9 at the helm. The mid-bass is elevated and slightly soft. It has weight and body but loses a little tightness compared to the sub-bass. Mid-bass is on the quicker side of things, but still retains a solid definition and Punch for an immersive experience, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘Bury A Friend’ by Billie Eilish. When it comes to the timbre of musical instruments in this part of the frequency range, the timbre of the musical instruments, such as kick and snare drums feels big and impactful. When it comes to the bass guitar, it also sounds full and physical, with the body of the instrument emphasised over the attack. We would also like to add here that the topology diaphragm dynamic driver of the HE-R9 really scales at its best with capable hi-fi sources and would strongly suggest pairing the headphone with a high-end dongle, DAP, or DAC/Amp.
· Mids: - HiFiMAN has tuned the mids of the HE-R9 using the same dynamic driver with the topology diaphragm, keeping the overall sound signature the same. The punchy and elevated mid-bass ends up bleeding into the mids, as a result of which the HiFiMAN HE-R9 delivers a warm and thick midrange. At Aural Cafe, we also feel that the mids of the headphones are not the cleanest we have experienced. When it comes to the positioning of the mids, we feel the mids are a bit recessed and sit behind the bass and the treble in the mix, which is a classic V-shape behaviour. The lower mids are heavily influenced by warmth, alongside the upper mids. That said, while the vocals exude soulful texture, the note weight stays thick and smooth. When it comes to the timbre of musical instruments in this part of the frequency range, the timbre of the musical instruments such as electronic and acoustic guitar, piano, saxophone and percussion instruments showcase body but lack presence and detail. The acoustic guitar doesn't have the "snap" we'd get from a more neutral headphone. Although male vocals got the benefits from the tuning with a solid body and presence, the female vocals suffer from a lack of clarity at some point. That said, while both the vocals exude good texture, the note weight stays above average. We love listening to ‘Strong Man Holler’ by Taj Mahal, the baritone voice articulated with absolute authority. The mid-range is not weak; it's just their tuning preference and not in focus.
· Highs: - The HiFiMAN HE-R9 offers generally relaxed, smooth, and slightly elevated above the mid-range. We can call it smooth and decently extended at best. Following the overall dark sound tonality, the HE-R9 in the treble section is not particularly refined or detailed. The micro details are smoothly retrieved with the HE400se at the helm, considering the price at the moment. The overall highs are average in resolution and refined, with a decent amount of air, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘The Moon Cave’ from the album The Mountain by Gorillaz. The upper treble exudes extended, soulful tones with lovely texture and body, which works well with the tuning of HE-R9. As for the timbre of instruments in this frequency range, instruments like Piano and Cymbal, especially Cymbal hits, have presence and air but lose some of the fine detail and decay we'd get from a more neutral headphone. The treble is forgiving rather than analytical, which helps the treble-sensitive have a long, fatigue-free experience. We love listening to ‘Marooned’ by the legendary progressive rock band Pink Floyd.
· Soundstage & Imaging: - The HiFiMAN HE-R9 surprisingly exhibits an open and spacious soundstage, vis-à-vis delivering a highly immersive and engaging listening experience, which is rare with any average closed-back headphones. The soundstage width comfortably surpasses the depth, adding to the overall sense of wideness. We at Aural Café notice that the soundstage dimensions of the headphones reach to another level when they are driven by solid hi-fi DAPs and desktop sources. The HE-R9 demonstrates solid layering capabilities, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘Something Just Like This’ by Coldplay and The Chainsmokers. The separation between instruments is very distinct for the current market price, as a result of which instruments are easy to locate even in busy tracks like ‘Time’ from the movie Inception, composed by Hans Zimmer. The bass weight adds to the cinematic feel. At Aural Cafe, we’re impressed by how the headphones perform technically against the competitors at this price point, despite being closed-back ones. When it comes to imaging, the imaging capability of the HE-R9 is precise, considering the price and becomes quite handy while listening to rock-genre soundtracks such as ‘To Whom the Bell Tolls’ by Metallica, which we thoroughly enjoyed with HiFiMAN HE-R9 at the helm.
· Synergy: - Being a single dynamic driver IEM, we would strongly suggest at least 50 hours of burn-in period to truly unlock the HE-R9’s full potential. Being a DD-based headphone, the burn-in really helps, after which the lows of the headphones become a bit more dynamic and elastic. The overall soundstage also becomes a lot more spacious and airier, along with better separation between instruments, after the burn-in period. We also would like to state that we at Aural Cafe give absolute priority to source-matching. The HE-R9 comes with a fairly easy 100dB of sensitivity, which makes it comparatively easy to drive. On paper, it can be driven by any low-end sources, including basic dongles and mobile phones, but if you want to see the true colours and experience, we suggest listening to the HiFiMAN HE-R9 with a powerful and clean-sounding source. At Aural Café, we tried the HE-R9 with many portable and desktop sources we have, and we loved it a lot with the neutral portable sources like iBasso DX320, Dethonray DTR1+ Limited Edition, Dethonray Clarinet, and Astell and Kern SP1000m. In terms of desktop sources, it matches really well with the Dethonray Listening M1 and the Aune S17 Pro Amplifier. The Listening M1 adds dynamics and clarity, making the upper-mids alive, which is missing with warm sources. Here, we can confirm that pairing it with a neutral source will give you the best result for HE-R9 at the helm. Also, a high-quality custom high-purity OFC balanced cable made the sound better overall, instead of the stock cables in our case. With the wireless Bluemini R2R module, it sounds slightly different from the wired R9 through a good source, but not in a way I'd describe as a downgrade. The bass is a touch softer, the mids open up marginally, and the treble loses a tiny bit of air. But the fundamental character of the headphones, the bass weight, and the imaging stay the same.
Conclusion: -
At the given price point of $79, the HiFiMAN HE-R9 delivers an impressively value-centric listening experience, which was missing with the inaugural price. With its warm and V-shaped tonality, open and wide soundstage, and tasteful sub-bass, the HE-R9 stands out as a unique closed-back headphone that could be a basshead’s dream. The topology dynamic diaphragm reflects HiFiMAN’s founder, Dr Fang’s, own research and gives its customers a true taste when paired with a properly matched source. While it may not have the best resolution, HiFiMAN HE-R9 compensates with fun, weird, and bass, with excellent comfort and a surprisingly large soundstage. All at its pocket-friendly price point. At Aural Café, HiFiMAN HE-R9 still earns a solid recommendation for headphones if you’re looking for a relaxing, comfortable sound for long music or movie sessions. It is available for purchase locally as well as globally through the following links (Non-Affiliated links are given below).
Minimal design, Lightweight, easy to carry
Same power output on both 3.5mm and 4.4mm
Crazy value proposition
Multiple sound profile over firmware, pick your suitable one
Meet the HiFiMAN HE‑R9 — a distinctive closed‑back headphone that takes HiFiMAN beyond its planar roots with a dynamic driver built for fun, impact, and immersion.
Closed‑back over‑ear design for focused listening
Dynamic driver with HiFiMAN's proprietary Topology Diaphragm technology
Lightweight construction with large, comfortable ear cups
Striking crimson finish that stands out from the crowd
Sound? Big, energetic, and bass‑focused with a warm presentation that makes every track feel engaging and fun.
Packaging is clean and straightforward, keeping the spotlight firmly on the headphones themselves.
#HiFiMAN #HER9 #AudiophileGear #HeadphoneCommunity #AudioEnthusiast #HiFiAudio #HeadFi #UnboxingAudio
DISCLAIMER: The Sivga M260 was kindly provided to us free of charge by Sivga Audio for review purposes. We’re genuinely honoured and excited to review another flathead earbud. Our heartfelt thanks to the Sivga Audio team for this opportunity and their generous support to Aural Cafe.
Introduction: -
Today at Aural Cafe, we are reviewing the Sivga M260, a dynamic driver-based flathead earbud from the Dongguan, China-based Hi-Fi brand, Sivga Audio. At the heart of the M260 lies a distinctive 14.2mm bio/copper-composite diaphragm dynamic driver, engineered to deliver clean and detailed sound.
Sivga Audio is a hi-fi audio brand under the umbrella of Dongguan, China based Dongguan Sivga Electronic Technology Co. Ltd. Founded in 2016 by two childhood friends and audio industry veterans, Jian Zhou and Rongchun Pan, the company operates as a vertically integrated enterprise, managing the entire production cycle from research and development to design, manufacturing, and after-sales support all from its facility in Dongguan’s Hi-Tech Industrial Park. The company is led by Jian Zhou, who has brought over 20 years of R&D experience, having previously served in the Research & Development team of renowned hi-fi audio brands such as Sennheiser, Bose, and Sony. Together with his co-founder, Rongchun Pan, who is a dedicated audiophile himself, they lead a team of engineers with deep expertise in electronic and acoustic engineering, laying a strong foundation for Sivga’s pursuit of high-fidelity sound and artisanal craftsmanship. From its inception, Sivga has embraced a unique philosophy of blending modern acoustic engineering with traditional craftsmanship. The brand is especially known for its signature use of solid wood earcups and CNC-machined metal components, creating headphones that not only sound musical but also exude a handcrafted, premium feel. Their consistent use of wood and metal rather than plastic, combined with clean aesthetics and no flinching on quality control, even in budget models, has earned them a strong reputation among audiophiles.
Dongguan Sivga Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. manages two distinct hi-fi audio brands under its umbrella: Sivga Audio and Sendy Audio. Sivga Audio targets the affordable segment of the audiophile market, offering outstanding value with its range of wooden dynamic-driver headphones, including popular models such as the SV007, SV021 (Robin), Oriole (SV023), and newer planar options like the P2 PRO. In recent years, Sivga has also expanded into the in-ear monitor category. Offerings like the Nightingale Pro, Que UTG, and SV021 Pro V2 have been well received by the audiophile community for their sound quality and craftsmanship. Renowned for their refined wood-and-metal designs, Sivga products are engineered to deliver high-fidelity audio with premium aesthetics, all at accessible price points. In contrast, Sendy Audio serves as the company’s high-end premium brand, tailored for the upper echelon of the hi-fi market. Sendy is celebrated by models like the AIVA, which incorporate high-performance planar magnetic drivers, exotic hardwood housing, and luxurious finishes, delivering a top-tier listening experience for discerning audiophiles. They have also recently come up with a fully integrated 𝗗𝗔𝗖 + 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗿, KYLIN, designed to serve as the heart of a serious listening system. We at Aural Café had the opportunity to review some of the renowned offerings from SIVGA, such as Nightingale Pro, M300 and SV021 Pro V2. One can read the reviews from the following links,
- https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/sivga-sv021-pro-v2.29140/reviews#review-43618
- https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/sivga-nightingale-pro.28749/reviews#review-41977
The Sivga M260 is the latest earbuds release from Sivga Audio, featuring a single dynamic driver unit. Powered by a newly developed 14.2 mm composite bio-cellulose diaphragm, copper-ring reinforcement, a CCAW voice coil, and N50 neodymium magnets. Which is a bit smaller than their predecessor, M300.
The M260 earbuds are priced globally at 40$ to 45$ depending on the model.
Specifications: -
Unboxing Experience, Design & Build: -
As you can see from our unboxing video (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oAe2M6UN5jE), the Sivga M260 arrived in a compact black colour cardboard box. The brand name SIVGA is printed in the top left corner of the box using bold, golden-coloured letters, and the model’s name M260 is at the bottom left corner. On the right half of the box, the back side of the earbud is engraved with the same golden colour. The back of the box displays the technical specifications of the Sivga M260, being presented in both English and Chinese dialects. Upon opening the top part of the box, we encounter a pitch-black cardboard cover with the brand name SIVGA printed boldly in golden-coloured letters at the centre front of the box. On removing the cover, we are greeted by the grey-textured carry case inside. On opening the carry case, we are greeted by the Sivga M260 flathead earbuds with the detachable MMCX cable. The spacious carry case also includes a pouch of earbud foam covers and the usual instruction manuals and documentation, everything one needs to get started right out of the box. All in all, the unboxing experience is minimalist and functional at the same time. At Aural Cafe, we were genuinely impressed to see that, despite its $45 price point, the Sivga team has thoughtfully included a high-quality stock cable and a premium carrying case with the M260. It's a well-rounded package that reflects Sivga’s commitment to providing a complete, no-nonsense experience for audiophiles. We have also noticed that the unboxing and accessories are the same with M300 but with a lower price.
The M260 features a premium-designed shell crafted from lightweight yet durable CNC‑machined aluminium frames. The M260 incorporates smooth edges, no pressure points, and can be worn for long periods, just like its predecessor, the M300. The M260 feels more premium than its price suggests. The aluminium alloy frame of M260 also contributes to smoother decay and reduces resonance. The M260 comes equipped with a high-quality stock cable, made from high-purity up to 4N oxygen-free copper braided cable. This time, the cable is detachable and MMCX type to secure the attachment. The cable was both flexible and lightweight, which would surely help while listening to music on the go. When it comes to foam covers, the M260 comes with three sets of foam earbud covers in standard sizes. When it comes to the quality of the foam, there is nothing much to say, as it is the standard covers that generally come bundled with this range of earbuds. Sivga Audio gives the audiophiles options for choosing the termination for both Type-C and 3.5mm. In our case, the earbuds come with the 3.5mm variant.
In terms of comfort, fit depends heavily on ear shape, which is true for all flathead earbuds. But with M260, due to its smaller size, it can fit easily in most cases. By design, the isolation is minimal, so these are not meant for noisy environments. If flatheads usually fit you well, the M260 is considered comfortable, better than its predecessor M300.
Overall, we're pleased to see that Sivga Audio chose to prioritise function over flash, opting for minimalist packaging to help reduce costs. Instead of spending money on an elaborate presentation, we at Aural Cafe are pleased by Sivga’s team's decision to include a high-quality cable, a spacious carrying case, and an impressive aesthetic look for an item priced at just $45.
Sound Analysis: -
The sound impressions are based on our usage of Sivga M260 with stock earbud foam cover and stock cable, along with a neutral DAP, after a 50-hour burn-in period as suggested by Sivga’s team. The effect of aftermarket cables and sources on sound impressions has been dealt with in the Synergy, so we would request our readers and fellow audiophiles to go through that section for sure.
Conclusion: -
The Sivga M260 showcases the brand’s commitment to delivering high-quality sound tailored for audiophiles at such a price. It actually improved the value proposition over the M300. The Sivga M260 is impressively rich and exciting, combining a neutral-leaning sound profile with just the right amount of warmth to keep every genre interesting. It's a 14.2 mm composite bio-cellulose diaphragm driver that is easy to drive through anything literally, providing a clean and tight mid-bass that never intrudes on the mids. While the mids are tastefully tuned, the treble is detailed, airy, and rich, which allows you to enjoy the energy of rock and metal. The Sivga M260 is one of the most interesting budget earbuds currently available because it doesn't try to imitate an IEM. Instead, it embraces everything that makes classic earbuds special: comfort, openness, natural vocals, and expansive staging. If you want a comfortable, open, vocal-friendly, wired earbud under $50, the Sivga M260 is an easy recommendation.
Non-Affiliated Links:-
Meet the SIVGA M260 — a modern flat‑head earbud that blends classic styling with contemporary audio engineering. Designed for listeners who love natural sound and all‑day comfort.
🔹 14.2mm dynamic driver with copper‑ring composite bio‑diaphragm
🔹 Balanced tuning with smooth vocals and fatigue‑free listening
🔹 MMCX detachable cable with silver‑plated OFC construction
🔹 Retro flat‑head design with modern 3.5mm and USB‑C options
🎧 Sound? Natural, spacious, and engaging — Review is coming soon.
📦 Packaging keeps things practical with multiple ear covers, a detachable cable, and a compact carrying case for everyday use.
#SIVGA #SIVGAM260 #EarbudCommunity #AudiophileGear #AudioEnthusiast #PortableAudio #HiFiAudio #UnboxingAudio
Sometimes, after a whole day of brainwork, you seek out a homely atmosphere to find bliss. Sivga Nightingale Pro would give you just that.
Accompanied by Surfans Audio F20 Pro, tiny, pocketable, and moreover, the slightly warm blanket over the neutral sound.
CLR is DITA’s Latest prototype. Dual magnets and a triple baffle—a offshoot of Ventura’s quad baffle technology, encased in a stainless steel chamber and once again externally vented through mechanical filters. CLR brings a slice of the Ventura sound to a new price point and a tantalising form factor.
DISCLAIMER: The generous team at HiFiMAN graciously provided the HiFiMAN HE400se full-sized over-ear headphones to us at no cost for review. We at Aural Cafe are super excited about our collaboration with HiFiMAN and would also like to thank HiFiMAN for their kind support to Aural Cafe.
Introduction: -
Today at Aural Cafe, we’re taking a closer look at the HiFiMAN HE400se, the iconic entry-level full-sized headphones from the renowned China-based hi-fi audiophile brand, HiFiMAN. The HE400se boasts a Planar Magnetic Driver featuring HiFiMAN’s proprietary Stealth Magnets design.
HiFiMAN is a renowned China-based hi-fi audio brand that has earned a distinctive place for itself in the world of high-end full-sized headphones, especially. HiFiMAN was officially founded in 2007 in New York City by Dr Fang Bian, an engineer with a background in nanotechnology and a passion for high-fidelity audio, evolving from his earlier venture Head‑Direct, which started in 2005. Founder Dr Bian was an avid childhood electronics hobbyist who moved from China to the United States to pursue his PhD in inorganic chemistry and nanomaterials. His background in nanotechnology later heavily influenced his precision acoustic driver designs. Before launching the company, Dr Bian was active in the online audiophile community, modifying and improving audio equipment. This early focus on customisation quickly gained attention and led to the official registration of the brand. The brand quickly became known for pioneering planar magnetic headphones and high‑resolution portable audio players. In 2009, HiFiMAN disrupted the personal audio market by launching the HM-801. This was the world's first true high-end, brick-sized portable digital audio player (DAP), establishing the concept of audiophile-grade music playback on the go. The success of HM-901 was closely followed by the offering of an affordable Planar Magnetic Headphone, the HE-5, in 2009. It demonstrated that planar magnetic technology could deliver excellent sound quality at a lower price than many competitors. As the industry evolved, HiFiMAN continued to push boundaries by integrating advanced technologies into its designs. To scale production and tightly manage manufacturing quality, Dr Bian moved the company’s core operations back to China. He opened dedicated production facilities in 2010 and officially established the company headquarters in Tianjin.
Throughout the 2010s, HiFiMAN released several influential headphone models, such as the HE400, HE500, Sundara, Ananda, Arya, HE1000 and Susvara. Sundara became one of the highest-selling headphones from HiFiMAN due to its strong price-to-performance ratio. While Arya is widely praised for its expansive soundstage and detail retrieval. Through HE1000, they’ve introduced advanced "window shade" grilles and nanometer-thickness diaphragms and the Susvara is considered one of the world's top-performing planar magnetic headphones. Today, HiFiMAN continues to expand globally with dedicated distributors across Asia, Europe, and North America. Cementing their status at the peak of the audio industry, the company developed the Shangri-La, an ultra-premium electrostatic headphone system paired with a dedicated custom vacuum tube amplifier, retailing around $50,000 USD. We at Aural Café had the opportunity to review HE1000se courtesy of a good audiophile friend, one can read it here,
Today at Aural Cafe, we’re deep diving into the world of HiFiMAN HE400se, the entry-level planar headphones from the house of HiFiMAN introduced in 2021. At the heart of HE400se lies the in-house developed full-range planar magnetic diaphragm. But it's not just the diaphragm that makes the HE400se special. The ‘se’ marks in the model’s name represent the ‘Stealth Edition’, which eventually denotes the patented ‘Stealth Magnet’ technology. It means the magnets on either side of the diaphragm are specially shaped with rounded edges. This allows sound waves to pass through them without creating destructive acoustic interference or diffraction. It also uses a dual-sided magnet array (magnets placed on both the front and back of the diaphragm), which gives the driver high control and a very linear, low-distortion output.
Priced at just USD 149, the HE400se stands out not just for its highly-regarded planar driver and redesigned magnet array, but also for its position at the entry point of HiFIMAN’s expansive planar headphones lineup—a range that stretches from the USD 149 to the flagship Susvara Unveiled, which commands a hefty USD 8,000 and showcases the epitome of HiFIMAN’s cutting-edge unveiled technology.
Specifications: -
· Driver Type: Planar Magnetic Driver with Stealth Magnet Technology
· Impedance: 32Ω ± 5%
· Freq Response: 20Hz-20Khz
· Connector Type: Dual 3.5mm TS
· Sensitivity: 91 dB/mW u/1Khz
· Weight: 385 g
Unboxing Experience, Design & Build: -
As you can see from our unboxing video (https://youtube.com/shorts/\_3f1rX-KC58?feature=share), the HiFiMAN HE400se arrived in a compact brown colour cardboard box. In the front, we can see a black printed portion in the middle along the length of the box. We saw a small photograph of the headphone itself, offering a subtle preview of its ergonomic design before unboxing. The back of the box displays the same headphone photo at a different angle and points out different features of the headphones. While on the bottom, we can see the key specifications of the headphones in both English and Chinese. Similarly, at the top, we can see the company details and address again in both English and Chinese. Upon opening the top part of the box, we encounter a small grey cardboard box that covers the headphones partially. On removing the box, we are greeted by the HiFIMAN HE400se open-back headphones in black and silver finish, inside the foam cutout. We found the black detachable cable inside the grey cardboard box alongside a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter. All in all, the unboxing experience is minimalist and simple. It's a well-rounded package that reflects HiFiMAN’s commitment to providing a complete, no-nonsense experience for audiophiles while saving on some unnecessary costs, which reflects its price. But we at Aural Café would love to have a carry pouch for the headphones inside.
The HiFiMAN HE400se features a premium-designed shell crafted from lightweight yet durable CNC‑machined aluminium frames, finished in ABS plastic materials. Beyond its visual appeal, each earcup has an open-back feature. The magnet array is protected by the aluminium grill colour in black, while the outer ring is finished with ABC plastic in Silver, and ends up looking aesthetically complementary. However, the use of plastic is noticeable, as this is a budget set. The aluminium yokes and frame components further improve the build quality while managing the weight comfortably. The HiFiMAN HE400se comes equipped with a detachable stock cable, made from standard OFC and covered with a black rubber coating. Oxygen-free copper (OFC) ensures low-resistance signal transfer with minimal distortion and natural, detailed sound. It connects via dual 3.5mm TS connectors and terminates to the 3.5mm TRS single-ended one, giving us the option to change the cable. The cable was both flexible and lightweight, which would surely help while listening to music on the go. When it comes to the ear pad, HiFiMAN gave Hybrid ear pads. The inner ring touching the ear is made with soft velour fabric. This provides a breathable surface against your skin to minimise heat and sweat. The outer ring is made with PU leather. This seals the edges, which helps maintain the headphone's bass response and acoustic seal while both rings are internally filled with standard memory foam.
In terms of fit, the HiFiMAN HE400se headphones feel slightly heavier than standard dynamic headphones, weighing at 389g, offering a comfortable and secure fit with better weight management, as the earpads create a larger contact area with the skin to disperse the weight.
Overall, we're pleased to see that HiFiMAN chose to prioritise functionality and quality of the headphones, opting for minimalist packaging to help reduce costs, instead of spending money on an elaborate presentation. We at Aural Cafe are somewhat satisfied with the material choice and the overall build quality of the headphones, considering it’s price of $149.
Sound Analysis: -
The sound impression of HiFiMAN HE400se is arrived at after pairing it with the stock cable and stock ear pads, in the company of solid, neutral and resolving desktop and portable sources. For insights into how the HE400se matches with different types of sources, aftermarket ear pads, and cables, please refer to the Synergy section of the review.
· Tonality: - After testing the HE400se with a range of hi-fi desktop and portable sources across various music genres, we would like to state that basic dongles fall short in driving the HE400se to its full potential. To truly experience what the headphones have to offer, we recommend pairing it with a high-end dongle, DAP, or DAC/Amp. With proper hi-fi amplification, the HE400se truly comes alive, revealing its full character. Tonally, it leans towards a neutral sound signature with a touch of brightness. This results in a clean and reference-leaning sound signature, versatile enough to handle a wide spectrum of music genres. Although it falls short for heavy, bass-dependent electronic genres due to its neutral tuning. Its fast planar magnetic driver allows it to handle busy tracks easily, though its bass presentation limits its appeal for true bassheads. The mid-bass takes the lead over the sub-bass both in quantity and quality. The mid-bass remains tight and in tempo, which becomes quite handy while listening to popular pop tracks such as ‘Cry for Me’ by The Weeknd. We at Aural Cafe would have appreciated a warmer overall tonal presentation. The transient response of the HE400se reaches new heights with high-end amplification, clearly indicating that its planar magnetic driver scales well with better sources. The mids take centre stage and are the stars of the show as HE400se ends up delivering a natural mid with superb timbre and emotion. The mid-section of HE400se showcases top-notch clarity, due to which the Vocals are natural with a life-like tone and texture. High frequencies are airy and sparkly, but some individuals may notice an extra level of energy, which can limit the duration of a longer session for them. The timbre of the musical instruments from the mid region, such as electronic and acoustic guitar, piano, saxophone, showcases life-like timbre and texture, while the timbre of the musical instruments from the low section, such as snare and kick drums and bass guitar, is just average at best. When it comes to the detail retrieval ability of HE400se, the micro details come out more smoothly and effortlessly. Although HiFiMAN HE400se showcases a unique clean sound signature that can go with a vast genre of soundtracks, when it comes to us, we at Aural Cafe enjoyed listening to Western Classical, Jazz and Rock with HE400se at the helm, such as ‘Echoes’ by the legendary Progressive Rock band, Pink Floyd.
· Lows: - The lows of HE400se are tastefully tuned using the custom Planar diaphragm driver known for its clarity and transient response. The lows of HE400se are tuned keeping in mind its neutral sound tonality, which leans a bit into the brighter zone. Essentially, the lows remain neutral. The mid-bass takes the lead over the sub-bass both in quantity and quality. When it comes to subbass, the subbass is rolled off early, exuding average rumble and resonance at best. The layering is also average, which we felt while listening to ‘Hills’ by The Weekend. We at Aural Cafe would love to see a touch more boosted subbass exuding a better rumble, which would also add a touch more warmth and musicality to the overall sound tonality. When it comes to mid-bass, the HE400se showcase a tight and clean mid-bass with top-notch dynamics and speed without any hint of mid-bass bloat. Mid bass is on the quicker side of things, but still retains great definition and Punch for an immersive experience, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘Rolling in the Deep’ by Adele. When it comes to the timbre of musical instruments in this part of the frequency, the timbre of the musical instruments, such as kick and snare drums, and bass guitar, is just average at best. We would also like to add here that the in-house Planar Driver of HE400se really scales at its best with capable hi-fi sources and would strongly suggest pairing HE400se with a high-end dongle, DAP, or DAC/Amp.
· Mids: - The midrange is undoubtedly the star of the show for the headphone’s sound and stands out as its strongest attribute. HiFiMAN has skillfully tuned the mids using a chemically deposited voice coil as an ultra-thin layer directly onto the lightweight diaphragm film, achieving an open and engaging presentation. The tight and clean mid-bass doesn’t end up bleeding into mids, as a result of which the HE400se delivers a clean midrange. When it comes to the positioning of the mids, the mids are neither recessed nor overly forward, maintaining a perfectly balanced presence. The lower mids stay stable but lack body, while the upper mids of the HE400se are a bit forward and end up being one of the strongest points of the headphones. The upper mids of HE400se add a soulful energy and excitement to the overall sound frequency, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘Sultans of Swing’ by the Dire Straits. Although treble sensitives can find it a bit more energetic. When it comes to vocals, the HE400se evince a very textured and clean vocals with lots of soul and feel, both in the case of male and female vocalist but we at Aural Cafe feel that the female vocals take a comfortable lead against male vocals when it comes to vocal texture, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘Zombie’ by the Cranberries. That said, while the vocals exude soulful texture, the note weight stays average at best. When it comes to the timbre of musical instruments in this part of the frequency, the timbre of the musical instruments, such as electronic and acoustic guitar, piano, saxophone and percussion instruments, showcases life-like timbre and texture.
· Highs: - The HiFiMAN HE400se offers sparky, refined, and airy highs. We can call it energetic but not harsh at all. Following the overall neutral sound tonality, HE400se takes a step up in the treble and provides a very crisp and detailed listening experience. The micro details are excellently retrieved with HE400se at the helm considering the price. The overall highs are quite resolved and refined with a good amount of air, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘Whole Lotta Love’ by Led Zeppelin. The upper treble exudes well-extended, soulful sparkle with lovely texture and body, all thanks to the stealth magnets of the planar diaphragm. As for the timbre of instruments in this frequency range, instruments like Piano and Cymbal, especially Cymbal hits, showcase exciting shimmer, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘Hotel California’ by the Eagles and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by the Queen. The stealth magnet design minimises distortion, helping to maintain brightness, although those with very sensitive ears might prefer a warmer source for extended listening sessions.
· Soundstage & Imaging: - The HiFiMAN HE400se exhibits an open and spacious sound stage, vis-à-vis delivering a highly immersive and engaging listening experience. The sound stage width comfortably surpasses the depth, adding to the overall sense of wideness. Since the HE400se has the power-hungry planar driver, the soundstage dimensions of the headphones reach to another level when they are driven by solid hi-fi DAPs and desktop sources. The HE400se demonstrates solid layering capabilities, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘Something Just Like This’ by Coldplay and The Chainsmokers. The separation between instruments is just brilliant, as a result of which, instruments are easy to locate even in busy tracks like Slipknot’s ‘Duality’. At Aural Cafe, we’re impressed by how the headphones perform technically against the competitors at this price point. When it comes to imaging, the imaging capability of the HE400se is precise, taking price into consideration and becomes quite handy while listening to rock genre of soundtracks such as ‘To Whom the Bell Tolls’ by Metallica, which we thoroughly enjoyed with HiFiMAN HE400se at the helm.
· Synergy: - We here would like to state that we at Aural Cafe give absolute priority to source-matching. The HE400se comes with a fairly low 91dB of sensitivity, which makes it comparatively harder to drive in real life. On paper, it can be driven by any low-end sources, including basic dongles and mobile phones, but if you want to see the true colours and experience, we suggest listening to HiFiMAN HE400se with a powerful and clean-sounding source. At Aural Café, we tried the HE400se with many portable and desktop sources we have, and we loved it a lot with the portable sources like iBasso DX320, Dethonray DTR1+, Dethonray SG1 Gold, and iFi Go Bar Kensei. In terms of desktop sources, it matches really well with the iFi ZEN 3 Stack and the Aune S17 Pro Amplifier. The iFi ZEN 3 Stack adds up the lower-end warmth a lot, making the sub-bass rumble alive, which is missing with neutral sources. Here we can confirm that pairing with a warm source will give you the best result for HE400se at the helm. Also, a high-quality custom high-purity OFC balanced cable made the sound better overall, instead of the stock cables in our case.
Conclusion: -
At the given price point of $149, the HiFiMAN HE400se delivers an impressively refined listening experience that justifies its value. With its rich and neutral tonality, open and wide soundstage, and tasteful mid-range, the HE400se stands out as a unique entry-level headphone that’s both technically sound and emotionally resonant. From its raw metal-plastic build and state-of-the-art Planar driver to its precisely implemented stealth magnets, the HE400se reflects HiFiMAN’s commitment to give its customers a no-nonsense treatment. While it may not be the basshead’s dream or it has the best resolution, it more than compensates with tasteful mids, clean bass, and superb clarity, a sound signature that complements a wide range of genres. All at its pocket-friendly price point. However, one can look for a bit more sub-bass at the lower end region and add warmth towards the overall tonality. At Aural Café, HiFiMAN HE400se still earns a solid recommendation for headphones, whether you’re a budding audiophile or a seasoned enthusiast with a tighter budget. It is available for purchase locally as well as globally through the following links (Non-Affiliated links are given below).
Meet the HIFIMAN Electronics HE400se — one of the most iconic entry points into the world of planar magnetic headphones, built for listeners who crave detail, space, and realism.
🔹 Open‑back planar magnetic design for a spacious presentation
🔹 HiFiMAN's planar driver technology with exceptional resolution
🔹 Stealth Magnet design for reduced distortion and improved clarity
🔹 Lightweight, comfortable build for extended listening sessions
🎧 Sound? Detailed, airy, and remarkably spacious — with fast transients, textured bass, and the signature openness that planar headphones are loved for.
📦 Packaging is simple and straightforward, letting the headphones take centre stage from the moment you open the box.
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#HiFiMAN #HE400SE #PlanarMagnetic #AudiophileGear #HeadphoneCommunity #HiFiAudio #AudioEnthusiast #UnboxingAudio
A happy Sunday evening travel with best travelling Companion, music.
To accompanying the mood, came the Muxicbox Steranko Traveller.
Groove on the go with its state of the hand painted faceplate design. Truly unique approach to the luxury sonic experience.
A happy Sunday evening travel with the best travelling Companion, music.
To accompany the mood came the Muxicbox Steranko Traveller.
Groove on the go with its state of the hand painted faceplate design. Truly unique approach to the luxury sonic experience.
A budget-oriented offering from Kefine, priced only at 30$ featuring a PU-Titanium Diaphragm Dynamic Driver with dual magnetic chamber. We have very recently received our unit. Give it a try.
Non-Affiliated Links are below,
Throwback to a rare gem in my collection. HUM Audio TT. Hum Audio is a boutique brand from Hong Kong. TT was a unique single-DD IEM that has deep bass, lush mids and extended highs.