https://preview.redd.it/z1v0mrv1mb2h1.jpg?width=1300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d0f7c7ed63ffdc1cd72fb66fc1538b6dcce71a43

The classic mid-range closed-back headphones from Hifiman, the Audivina, have for years been a benchmark for those looking for closed-back devices with beautiful wooden earcups in the price range around 700 euros (nowadays often below 650 euros). Well, after quite a long time, a new Audivina has finally arrived. It is still a closed-back model, partially inspired by the concept and design of the original version, but much has changed in terms of materials and technologies. We had the opportunity to test it extensively and here, then, is our review.

Introduction

The LE version, it should be clarified right away, is not an upgrade of the classic Audivina but rather a more affordable variant: shortly after launch, the price hovers around 400 euros or slightly more. As you can see from the images, the appearance has changed considerably: no more wood, but new materials and a slightly different upper headband with a more economical look, featuring the now widespread perforated strap used in many recent Hifiman headphones, similar to the one already present in the classic model but made with new composite materials.

Very well-designed earpads combined with the headband clamp force guarantee remarkable comfort.

The Audivina LE accessory package surprised us: not one but three cables are included — a 1.5-meter cable with 3.5mm jack, a 3-meter cable with 6.35mm jack, and even a fantastic 3-meter XLR cable! Well, what can we say? Truly an exceptional cable selection for a device costing around 400 euros, especially considering that a travel case is also included.

Here are the technical specifications of the Audivina LE:

• Frequency Response: 5Hz–55kHz
• Sensitivity: 96dB
• Impedance: 20Ω
• Weight: 449g

These are very easy headphones to drive and their weight is overall quite good considering that they are closed-back planar magnetic headphones, weighing 21 grams less than the wooden version.

The Audivina LE also implements Hifiman’s Stealth Magnets, as well as the NEO Supernano Diaphragm, the new diaphragm with a thickness between 1 and 2 microns, approximately 80% thinner than the company’s previous versions.

A very important point: comfort. We must honestly say that just by looking at them we had some doubts, but once worn, the Audivina LE turns out to be extremely comfortable, much more than one might think. The dual-band system works well, but what really makes the difference, in our opinion, are the earpads. Thick, soft, yielding in just the right way, they combine perfectly with the clamp force exerted by the headband, creating a compressed cushion effect around the ear that reaches truly surprising levels of comfort. This could result in slightly excessive pressure for those with larger heads, but for everyone else comfort is guaranteed.

An interesting peculiarity of this model is also the Velcro system that keeps the pads attached to the earcups, making them very easy to remove.

As for aesthetics, what can we say: the new model costs 240 euros less than the classic version, and it shows. The appearance is less luxurious, less fancy, and less refined, but for an entry-to-mid-level model this was more than expected.

https://preview.redd.it/antffyf3mb2h1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1aca6a3f30b9bfb70671409328bee8f5164c61c3

Audivina LE: Listening Test

We listened to the new model paired with several Hifiman DAC/headphone amplifiers, from the EF499 to the EF600, favoring for our listening sessions the pairing with the EF600 using the beautiful XLR cable included in the Audivina LE package.

For several weeks now we have been talking about certain changes in the sound signature of the company’s most recent headphones, and here too something different can be noticed. Once again, the difference is noticeable in the high frequencies, which sound less bright, slightly darker than what we had become accustomed to. But let us proceed step by step, because the discussion here is fairly complex and, in our opinion, also very interesting.

After some burn-in, which we always recommend even when not explicitly suggested, it immediately becomes apparent that the Audivina LE excels in terms of soundstage. The width, depth, instrument positioning, separation, and directional imaging are simply off the charts compared to other closed-back headphones in the same price range.

Those who tried the classic Audivina will remember that even in that case the company’s work focused heavily on reproducing a soundstage similar to that of a concert hall, making it particularly suitable for classical music reproduction. Here too, in this more affordable version, enormous effort has been devoted to achieving extraordinary results in terms of soundstage (while obviously considering that this is anything but an easy task in closed-back headphones). This quality does not emerge only with classical music. If you have the chance to try the Audivina LE, put on “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin and you will understand what we mean.

As for the bass, we have a solid and precise presence along with excellent speed, accompanied by a certain fullness. However, texture, depth, and rumble are not exceptional. The bass blends very well with the lower mids and has a non-invasive, non-fatiguing tuning, yet in tracks rich with complex bass passages the limitations in detail and depth become noticeable.

In the mid frequencies there is remarkable clarity, with good dynamism, precision, and detail retrieval. Combined with the excellent soundstage and superb instrument separation, this leaves a very positive impression, along with the natural timbre typical of Hifiman. Vocals are full-bodied and have excellent presence: the company’s engineers found an excellent balance between vocals and instrumentation, with the voices positioned just slightly forward enough to stand out without overshadowing the music too much.

The highs are very well tuned: we have great precision, dynamics, and detail, and to our ears no annoying spikes whatsoever. On the contrary, as we anticipated earlier, we seem to perceive a deliberate search for a less bright tone in these frequencies. There is also noticeable extension and a pleasant resonance of notes within the soundstage during tracks featuring solos. Overall, we are talking about highs that are clear yet also soft, delicate, not overly piercing nor excessively sharp.

Ultimately, because of its characteristics, this is a headphone that can offer a great deal relative to its price to those seeking a device with an excellent soundstage capable of recreating the sensation of a concert hall. The musical genres you listen to will greatly influence the level of satisfaction you can obtain from the Audivina LE: if you mainly use it for classical music, singer-songwriter music, or tracks with a large number of instruments, it will perform at its very best. For genres and tracks with a strong bass presence or requiring powerful low-frequency energy, great fullness, and impact, the device is less suitable.

As for DAC/amp pairings, without necessarily stepping up to the EF600, we recommend the EF400, an excellent device whose price today is around 370 euros.

Here you can read our full review, including our final verdict.

They're very good looking...

The HiFiMan Edition XV is the latest evolution of the “Edition X” series headphones from the well-known Chinese company.

HiFiMan Electronics is a Chinese company founded in 2007 by Dr. Fang Bian. HiFiMan has gained great popularity with its line of advanced planar magnetic headphones, which have won numerous awards in recent years and are considered among the best in their respective price ranges. In addition to headphones, HiFiMan also produces other high-end audio electronics: DACs, headphone amplifiers, and portable music players. The Chinese company’s “X” line was introduced to the market in 2015 with the “Edition X” headphones and later developed with the “Edition X V2”, and in 2021 with what is perhaps the most popular and well-known model in the series, the “Edition XS“, introduced in 2021. The headphones in this series follow the principles introduced by the revolutionary HE-1000, starting with the large asymmetrical egg-shaped ear cups and ultra-thin diaphragm drivers, while aiming to reduce the price and improve ease of use and drivability to appeal to a wider audience.

Overview

Recently released on the market, the HiFiMan Edition XV is the latest addition to the HiFiMan “X” series. Compared to the previous Edition XS, the XV features upgraded magnets, a new and lighter ergonomic headband, and a new diaphragm with “Neo Supernano” technology, 60% thinner than that of the Edition XS.

Here are the technical specifications:

• Frequency response: 8Hz – 50KHz
• Impedance: 12 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 92dB
• Weight: 452g

The Edition XV is available at a price of around 400 euros.

The Edition XV looks exactly like all other HiFiMan headphones: it comes in a standard cardboard box, protected by a foam damping material that can also be used as a stand for the headphones. The only accessory included is a 1.5-meter unbalanced cable, with an adapter for connection to a 6.35 mm headphone output.

Once taken out of the box, the Edition XV reveals itself as a planar magnetic headphone of large size, elegant and solid. The new headband and the new hexagonal grille give the Edition XV a much more robust look compared to similar previous-generation HiFiMan headphones, such as the Edition XS or the Ananda Nano, which appear rather fragile in comparison.

Once worn, the Edition XV is quite comfortable despite its weight (450g) being far from light. The new ergonomic headband, heavily criticized on the HE600 for not adapting well to particularly large heads, is in this case perfectly adequate in length thanks to the larger ear cups of the Edition XV. The pressure on the head remains medium-high, probably due to the rather short leather strap, and some may find it uncomfortable. In this case, as with many other HiFiMan planar magnetic headphones with “giant” drivers and teardrop-shaped ear cups, talking about pressure on the ears is inappropriate since the ear cups fully surround the ears with minimal contact.

Sound

Let’s move on to the listening tests: we had the opportunity to test the Edition XV for weeks, pairing it with HiFiMan’s own DAC/headphone amplifiers EF400, EF500, and EF600, as well as the Fosi Audio ZH3 and ZD3, and comparing it with other HiFiMan planar magnetic headphones and the Fosi Audio i5.

Having tested numerous HiFiMan headphones in the past, after just a few minutes of listening to the Edition XV it becomes clear that the sound of this headphone is not a simple “refinement” of the Edition XS, nor another variation of the typical HiFiMan tuning, but rather a true shift by the Chinese company toward a warmer and smoother sound. In fact, HiFiMan has almost consistently adopted in its recent models a rather bright sound signature, with slightly emphasized highs and upper mids, especially in their “Stealth” headphone series. This is a tuning that is widely debated in the headphone hi-fi community: many love it, while others more sensitive to high frequencies feel that these headphones require equalization to perform at their best.

The Edition XV is a headphone that will be loved by those who do not enjoy bright highs and find other HiFiMan planar magnetic headphones too analytical: the XV’s upper midrange is tuned so that it is never overly emphasized compared to the rest of the spectrum, resulting in an overall sound that is very “dense” in the low and low-mid frequencies, never fatiguing and at times truly engaging. The midrange is perhaps the highlight: clear yet never too light, very melodic. Vocals are quite full-bodied and realistic, never harsh or sibilant.

The soundstage is not as wide as in higher-end models, but the spatial organization is good, creating the impression of listening in a small room, with slower passages that feel pleasantly intimate and close. The trade-off for this smoother, slightly warm tuning is a less “airy” sound compared to other planar magnetics, with the perception of slightly reduced micro-detail and a narrower stereo image.

Pairings

We particularly liked the pairing with the Fosi Audio ZH3, and in general, given the headphone’s tuning, we see good synergy with amplifiers that have a transparent and detailed sound, such as many common DAC/headphone amp combos based on ESS or AKM chips. The Edition XV is very easy to drive with any modern desktop amplifier. Given the headphone’s very low impedance and moderate sensitivity, even some portable devices should be able to handle it properly; however, in our opinion, trying to use such a large and heavy headphone—clearly not designed for on-the-go use—with a portable device does not make much sense.

It goes without saying that we also achieved good performance with the company’s own DAC/amps, so expect solid results when pairing it with the EF400 or the EF500.

Here you can read our full review, including our final verdict.

https://preview.redd.it/uhd2ldj2xi1h1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=407075e4f89717ff3f0ca730dda2fdf8114f9e27

Hi guys!
Me and my brother had the opportunity to test the Ananda Unveiled, one of the new models in Hifiman’s Unveiled series. We’re talking about an entry-to-mid-level device with a price of around €570.

Since these are planar magnetic headphones, the weight is significant, although in this case not excessively so: 449 grams. The headphones have a sensitivity of 93 dB and a frequency response of 5 Hz–55 kHz.

Hifiman presents them in a refined way: a classic box, but in addition to the usual good-quality cable, we also get some velvet pouches—two that cover the earcups and two that hold the magnetic veils. What are these veils for? A fair question. They are used to protect the AU drivers when not in use, shielding them from other magnetic fields present in the environment.

From an aesthetic standpoint, the new Ananda are stunning. The outer part of the earcups is made of finely perforated metal, with a central section showcasing the new solution developed by Hifiman for the Unveiled line. Finishes and details are top-notch, and the new perforated headband (lighter than the previous one, thankfully) fully convinced us.

Among the many differences from the previous model, we should also mention the use of Enhanced Magnets and the second-generation Neo Supernano diaphragm, which further reduces thickness by 60%.

Compared to the Ananda Nano, there are many innovations—but how do the Unveiled sound? The implementation of next-generation technologies is clearly noticeable. The difference compared to the Nano is significant, also in terms of sound performance. Virtually everything has improved.

We tested the headphones with various Hifiman amp/DACs (from EF499 to EF600), but the ideal pairing was the EF600.

To begin with, the sound signature is typical Hifiman: natural, more than neutral, and well-balanced across the frequency range.

The soundstage is not as wide as in some of the company’s higher-end models, but the impression is of having a good amount of space in every direction and a good instrument placement within the soundstage. This, combined with strong dynamics and a very good level of detail retrieval in the upper-mid and high frequencies, results in a sound that could be described, in one word, as musical.

As for the bass, performance is good. In “Bury a Friend” by Billie Eilish, the Ananda Unveiled seem to understand when it’s time to push, showing readiness with deep, well-detailed, fairly extended bass that is not overly prominent.

In the midrange, the level of detail retrieval stands out, giving the impression of a clear and clean sound; the highs are free of spikes and tend toward a crystalline quality, with good vocal reproduction. In tracks with isolated vocals, the performance is truly excellent—the voice really takes center stage. In songs where there is a blend of instruments and vocals, the impression is that the instrumental side comes through more strongly.

We had fun putting them to the test, and the new Ananda are not afraid of being challenged. They deliver plenty of punch when fed with hard rock or bass-heavy electronic music, showcase their dynamics in tracks with many instruments, and prove capable of handling vocals when someone like Freddie Mercury takes the spotlight. This versatility and responsiveness is one of the reasons why we were so impressed by this “updated” model.

For pairings, we strongly recommend the EF600 or also the EF400.

These new Ananda, the entry point into the new Unveiled series, offer an enviable quality-to-price ratio. They are musical, lively, and versatile, capable of shining across many genres, built with great care, and also visually appealing.

Here you can read our full review