- HiFiMan has just presented two new headphones
- HE1000 and Arya are open Wi-Fi wireless devices with integrated DAC
- The improvements to the drivers are what set them apart, as is the price.
Open-back headphones are the kind of indulgent tech I’d always buy if money were no object (and neither was my roommate), and reputable audio brand HiFiMan has two new pairs of headphones for us to ogle.
HiFiMan has introduced the HE1000 WiFi and Arya WiFi, two new open headphones that, as the name suggests, can use your home Internet to send wireless signals with better quality (and something we might have expected Sonos to take advantage of and implement, with its Sonos Ace headphones… but alas, no).
Before you start putting together this year’s Christmas list, though, know that they’re expensive: the Arya has an MSRP of $1,449 (around £1,080, AU$2,040, although the HiFiMan isn’t sold in Australia), while the HE1000 is priced at $2,699 (around £2,000, AU$3,800).
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After all, they are part of the brand’s premium range. The company also sells affordable open-ear and in-ear design options for those who like the sound of the new models, but don’t have a small fortune to spend.
Justifying the price
So what do you get for your money? A big selling point here is that both headphones have a built-in DAC, a custom HiFiMan chip, and an amplifier in the earcups to reduce signal length.
The battery life is a bit surprising and has between 6.5 and 7.5 hours of Wi-Fi streaming, so you’re basically getting The master singers of Nuremberg. But that increases to 23 hours if you decide you’re fine with Bluetooth listening (LDAC, aptX HD, and AAC should be a consolation).
There is also wired listening on both, with a USB-C port, but no mm connector of any kind. You can listen up to 32-bit if you play your cards right, with DSD512 and 44.1kHz-768kHz PCM response.
The main difference between the two is in the driver department. The HE1000 has a more advanced nanodiaphragm, designed to deliver fast response speeds, and combines with the brand’s Stealth Magnet technology to deliver excellent sound. The brand says that this combo allows “the sound output to be clear and not tiring.” The Arya has a Neo Super Nano diaphragm, which is thin but not HE1000.
Weighing in at 452g each, they’re not exactly lightweight, but HiFiMan has put attention (or at least marketing focus) into the improved headband design, keeping your head comfortable while listening to tunes.
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