Thank you to channel patron, Keith, for letting me know that HiFiMan might have permanently reduced the price of the HE1000SE to $1999. If that's the case, I DO think it's still preferable over the Arya Organic, but it's still a very close call!!
Hekse at $2K is unbeatable, so much better than anything in that price range. And yes, at $2k vs $1.3K, hekse all the way. I haven't heard the organic, but coming from the hekse the arya stealth immediately sounds cheap, bright, lean, and peaky.
@TheVeganVicar I only just saw your comment. RUclips's creator app went strange for me a while back and a lot of comments weren't showing up in my notifications. Unfortunately, I don't own the Susvaras anymore to do that comparison. I'm assuming your post is tongue in cheek though because I think we all know the answer there... 😁
Recently I bought the HifiMan Sundara. The cups don't swivel, but that's been a non-issue for me. However, I have to be careful about how I grab them with my hands. Sometimes my fingers get trapped between the sheet-metal yoke and the cups. With familiarity, I'm OK now, but my early experiences were rather painful at times.
I got the Organic and it's the first time I've been happy as it allows me to connect to the music which now sounds so natural. They sound wonderful even with the Questyle M15 and even better with the Holo Bliss. Just magical! The Focal Clear sounds artificial and uninvolving by comparison. I even prefer the Organic to the Warwick Bravura - that is locked to its own DAC/amp with an inability to play loud.
I got a focal clear on sale expecting I would get good dynamics and fast punchy bass but instead I got slow muddy bass and the overall sound was dull. Maybe I got a dud.
Excellent comparison's. Just ordered the Arya Organic directly from HIFIMAN (No Tax)😁. The Organic just seems like it is a great all rounder where HIFIMAN has figured out a way to add better Bass, punch and slam and Soundstage. What's not to like?
@@PassionforSound I got Arya v3 and love it, but in my opinion that was already at the limit. Don't want more treble. ☹ But I can't say anything until I can hear side-by-side of course.
I can understand not wanting more treble. The tricky thing with them (and why I agree with giving both a listen together) is that they're more refined at the same time so it offsets the extra little bit of energy in the treble.
i buyed a second hanf he1000se ...couldn't be more happy, at first as they was barely used (only 6hour of listening form the first owner and closed in their box because too bright) they sounded thin and with too many highs. while the burning in was going on (both cerebral and mechanical) and some inchoerencies were disappearing. timbre now is more convincing, I was becoming confident that it might be the headset I'm holding... and I still have to try it balanced. now I'm sure, I listened again to Diana krall that before was singing only with her nose now I can feel the neck and the piano is more velvet, before was too hammering and I can listen to a sort of clipping on high frequency, now the piano is fuller and woolier. I don't use of course only d.krall also the orchestra instruments before were too metallic (oboe )and now it is disappeared this feeling.Yeah they're burned in🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊welcome mids🕺💃🏻welcome to this marvellous timbre. they worth the price!!!
One very informative review. Much appreciated. The one thing I would really love is if you mentioned your source chain for the headphones detailing what combo worked best. Also, since you actually have a hifiman dac, how do they sound with it. We would get a true inductor of the hifiman house sound. In my experience, the ananda stealth and especially XS sound at their best when I use them with the hifiman ef400. Keep up the good work.
Glad you liked the video! The reason I don't focus on source chains or specific combos is that it's all preferential. I might like the Arya Organic from a smooth, warm tube amp while you might prefer it from something more analytical. Instead, I try to describe the headphone's characteristics so that people can decide for themselves if it's close to the sound they want and then how to tweak it to their own tastes with the source chain. 🙂
I have one question. Is the Soundsstage bigger/same/smaller on the HE1000se than the Arya Organics? Because I'm thinking of upgrading mine, due to a little bit too much trouble for me on the Arya Organics. But I'm scared that It's going to decrease the soundstage to the HE1000se(I'm the soundstage freak😂). I've seen you've replied to all your comments. Everything you say is the same stuff I say. And I never disagreed with you once. That, for me, tells me enough that I'm now joining your Patrion. You have earned it. 🙃
I would need to do a direct comparison to be sure, but I think the SE soundstage is no smaller and probably more naturally placed overall. I think you'll be very happy going from the Organic to the SE (especially as you're happy to have less treble). Hope to see you on Patreon and in the Discord soon! 🙂
GM ☕️ from Toronto. I was looking at the Aria Organic..but I picked up the AUDEZE LCDX 2021 Creators Edition instead. I’m blown away at what higher quality headphones can do 🥹 Just stunning. Great review 👍👍
I have the LCDX too. I want to have a listen to the Orgamic though. I like the Stealth and from what I understand is the Organic is even better in the low end which I found lacking in the stealth
@@MarylandDevinThe LCDX does have a slight recess ( mine is not as noticeable as a friends set ..tho he’s got an older set )..but I have replaced the headband with the carbon fiber one ..not much weight difference..but the 🗜️ clamp force is easier..and I find a little more soundstage ..I guess from not crushing the pads . What the future holds ..I don’t know ..I’d have to beat the AUDEZE. Take care
What do you think of the Ananda Nano vs Arya Non-Stealth? I believe HiFiMan have the Arya Non-Stealth refurb priced just above the Ananada Nano (new). I went with the Nano not wanting to deal with HiFiMan directly, especially a refurb from them, & I'm hoping that the Nano can match that v1.
It's a tough one to answer because it's so long since I tried the OG Arya, but I imagine the Ananda Nano is probably getting pretty close. It's possible that the OG Arya might have some slight advantages in some areas (e.g. detail retrieval), but the Nano's sense of refinement is probably better.
Which HIFIMAN punches the hardest and which one gives the most punch for the dollar? When I say punch I mean quick tight big and deep bass that you can feel on your head.
Great review, as always! Few questions. As I read more about Hifiman, I come across quite a bit of complaints on quality and lacking customer service. Sounds about right? Occasionally, They tend to have a massive sales in B stock and refurbished. Currently you can get a refurbished HEKSE for $1749 vs $1299 Organic. Does refurbished make sense from a value standpoint or too much risk with all concerns around quality? Lastly, would either Nano or Organic pair well with Schiit units? Especially a warmer leaning one. Can their occasional harsh treble be fine tuned with equalizer?
The idea that HiFiMan have bad quality control is vastly overplayed based on my experiences and discussions with people. They sell A LOT of headphones and you don't hear from the thousands of people who have no issues, only from the hundreds who do. I've owned every single model they make other than the XS, HE-6 and HE-560 and I've had just one problem. I can't speak about the customer service because I communicate with them via different channels as a reviewer, but I don't think you should hesitate to buy a refurbished HEKSE. At that price, it's going to be great value! As for the gear, I think Schiit products pair really well with the Hifiman range due to the warmer tonality that you mentioned and then you can definitely use some EQ if you want more adjustment. Finally, I'm glad you liked the review! Thanks for letting me know
in essence Hifiman will need to do a HE1000 organic to bring it up to near Susvara level to make it worthwhile.... then dr. Bian can bring out the new Susvara 2 for $10k
@@PassionforSound oh really? but seems the price change has not arrived here in AU yet.... so based on your video with $3k HEKSE, will you change your conclusion as SE is now only $700 more than Arya?
@@PassionforSound will audition the SE and Caldera soon before i leave for japan to try the Yamaha YH5kSE as I'm still hunting for my ultimate HP for big symphony performance
I've compared the Meze 109 Pro to the Arya Organic & they were very close in sound signature & detail IMO for the short amount of time I had to listen. I think the soundstage was a little bigger on the Arya but maybe the bass was more prominent with the 109 Pro. Both were a little bright in the highs for my taste.
Update: I went back to listen to the Organic & 109 Pro but this time with my Jotunheim 2 - what a difference with the Organic! (making me think it's more amp dependent than the 109 Pro). With my Jotunheim the Organic sounded way better to me - bigger soundstage, more impactful bass & not as shouty in the upper midrange/lower treble region as the 109 Pro.
HE1000SE have been at a lower price recently. They were on sale for $2k or less. So the difference would be less than double now. Also, HE1000 Stealth is only slight more than the Aryas. And I’ve heard some people actually prefer HE1000 Stealth over the SE. I think it’s all down to tonal preference now when they are all priced close together.
I bought a refurbished HE1000 Stealth for 1209$, zero regrets. It's really too bad no other company can match the sound quality in the same price bracket, because I have a feeling the HE1000 isn't going to last very long, my EXS developed channel imbalance on certain frequencies after a year.
@gldphish6907 I don't think you need to worry too much. There are far more pairs of perfectly working HiFiMan headphones in the world than the number that have failed. Every brand has some degree of product failure.
So I should back my ananda stealth to take ananda nano? That’s 150 euros difference, is it worth it? Another thing I noticed is that looking at the store the ananda stealth without discount comes 1000 euros and the ananda nano comes 700, maybe the ananda stealth hifiman places them above the nano? Or does hifiman still have to update prices?
Probably a pricing error somewhere. I believe the Ananda Stealth will be discontinued and the Nano will live on. I'd personally go for the Nano over the Stealth if you can.
Wonderful video Lachlan, very informative and interesting. I just have a question out of curiosity, not a complaint, just curious. I wonder why people lean to other Hifiman products such as the Sundara to compare the Ananda, when the Edition XS is a very close option and maybe more interesting comparison. I remember hearing that the XS was a more interesting choice in the balance of sound quality and price but still very close to the Ananda. Thank you!
No problems, Carlos. In my case, I don't own the XS and wasn't particularly a fan of their sound because they produce a very flat, left/right soundstage. Tonally I did like them, but had no interest in owning any so I can't use them as a comparison. I can't say why others aren't considering them as a reference though. 🙂
I wanted to buy the Nano but it was nearly double the price of the ananda stealth. Too many people also complain about the nano being far too bright. So i went with the stealth (Ananda V3). What wasn't clear in this review is whether the Ananda Stealth was version 2 or version 3.
@@PassionforSound According to the hifiman store, the specs are different. Ananda V2 (stealth) is 26 ohms and Ananda V3 (stealth) is 16 ohms and weighs less than V2.
Hmmmm... I don't remember having a specific version, but I've got it listed at 27 ohms in my database of products which is either based on what was on the box or what was published on the website at the time I received them.
What's the build quality like on the HiFiMan's? There's been a lot of QC issues in the past on Reddit and other audiophile based forums. It would be great to use them regularly and see if anything breaks a few months down the line.
I own 5 HifiMan: Arya first modell, HE1000se, HE6se V1 + V2 and Ananda BT - I never had any problems with them and use it quiet often. I also had the Sundara, Ananda and Edition XS once , there were no problems with them - except that I didn't like their sound and therefore I sold them again.
I would completely agree with you, I’ve had at some point all the different versions of Arya, and a couple HE1000’s, and Susvara, and haven’t had a single QC issue. They’ve all been built really well actually. Well for Hifiman’s.
The QC is questionable, the Edition XS is creaky, the cable connections are loose and have a bit of give and mine developed channel imbalances after a year. Still, they did sound good for the price.
Just to clarify, the build quality isn't great in terms of the headphones not feeling as nice as other headphones (e.g. creaky headbands, less polished look and feel), but the quality control (i.e. things not breaking) is solid these days. Like some of the other posters here, I've owned lots of HiFiMan headphones (and still do) and have had only one of them have a problem. That's a pretty good strike record given how many of them I've had (probably 15+ pairs).
@@PassionforSound Yes, that's true, unfortunately, they look a bit mediocre if I look at the Sendy Peacock for example! But they are comfortable to wear.
Thank you for your detailed report. I switched from the Nanao to the Arya and I have to agree with you. You get to hear even more comfort for Arya. The details on both are at a very high level and pretty much the same. But as you described, the sound of the Nanao is more mechanical and I was a little stressed by the sound. In contrast, the Arya are sooo smooth. They invite you to enjoy intense music.They can really enhance the songs - "give me your shitty records, we make the best oft it :)
With the right tube amp (e.g. a transformer coupled, hybrid, or powerful OTL) the Aryas will do great and it could definitely give them some smoothness in the treble and extra weight in the mids. That will all depend on the choice of amp and tubes of course too.
The EF600 is nice, but has its quirks (review on the way). They also work really well with a setup like the Geshelli Labs A3 Pro and J2S with AK4499EX chip.
Hey Passion if sound, thanks for the review. I asked already on another video how I could I reduce the treble on the AO. You recommender to get a R2R Dac. Are there other possibilities next to EQ?
I think the only options really are a smoother source chain via an R2R DAC or tube amp and then EQ or convolution filters. Nothing else really springs to mind.
The Organic and HEk Stealth are only $100 difference, and you compare the Organic to the HEk SE... why??? Many in our community are trying to decide between the Organic and HEk Stealth. You did a deep dive into all the HEk group, so we were really counting on you for a good comparison between these two. Which one would you recommend, and why?? Please reply. Love your videos. Thank you!
I sold the HEK Stealth because it was too hot in the treble (IMO) and it's not a headphone I would recommend for that reason. In other words, I'd buy the Arya Organic over the HEK Stealth or take the step up to the HEKSE. Those who will enjoy the HEK Stealth are either fans of bright treble or are using a very smooth, warm sounding source chain (this is not a knock on those people).
@@PassionforSound I know that only too well first hand. Got HE1000 Stealth as my first high-end headphone and ended up getting a Focal Clear too. Funnily enough, now that I have listened to both for a few weeks, I am keeping both, and HE1000 Stealth treble doesn't bother me as much...
It would be useful if you state the date of the review as well as the current prices at the beginning of the review because things keep changing over time. Most low quality reviews don't do this.
It's really at the point where I just assume price information is flat wrong in these reviews. Sad to say, even in the fresh new reviews. But I accept it because I find his channel a very worthy viewpoint.
I own both the LCD X 2021 and the Arya Stealth and Organic No, the Organic does not "blow away" the LCD X lol. Its an extremely different headphone. From comfort, to the note decay, to just tonal differences, neither is better or worse. LCD X is more balanced and neutral, much thicker low end, obviously feels like 2 giant pillows on your head. Arya Organic feels slightly mids and highs focused, with still solid bass (better bass than the Stealth, not as much as the LCD X). You choose for yourself if that sounds better or worse for you lol Ill say the Organic is "better" than the Stealth as a balanced music listening headphone, but as a headphone you turn your amp up for for an airy sound? The Stealth is much better for it. The Organic is extremely similar to the 109 Pro (which I also own), just sounds a little different due to it being planar vs dynamic. I might sell the Organic off since its a little redundant. Hes right about the Organic sounding different than how it graphs though. I think Resolve said it was due to the bass shelf that is has, because it definitely sounds like it has more bass than it graphs (not a ton, but definitely not bass lean)
@@PantsaBear Thanks for nuanced reply. Much appreciated. How is image separation and location on the LCD-X compared to the others. My experience is limited to Grado 325X and Sundara. I am considering an upgrade. I like a balanced presentation and thought the different "house sound" of the Audeze would be a more fulfilling choice.
It will all depend on the amplifier. There's no inherent benefit in balanced vs single ended from the headphone's perspective so it all depends on how well the amp is designed, but it's generally a safe bet that an amp with a balanced output will sound the same or better via balanced output compared to single ended so I'd go balanced for that reason if your amp has a balanced output.
@@phantomplastics6582 Thanks. I haven't done a comparison test. It was noteworthy for me that Andrew another respected reviewer called the Organic an often too bright headphone but its not a criticism just a reviewers opinion on it. Enjoy the music.
I'm assuming your referring to the Arya Organic, Keith? They could be a little bright in the treble for some people, but the Clears also have a bit of edginess in their to end while the AOs deliver their treble very smoothly. I think you'd be fine with the AO because you might be getting a little more treble, but it's delivered with refinement and isn't too peaky.
You know I couldn't deal with the HE1000SEs treble myself since I found it a very sibilant headphone due to its very forward treble. It is partially why I much preferred the Susvara, HE1000 V2, and even the Arya over it. But if the Organic has even more treble I should really avoid it haha.
@@PassionforSound Yeah. Also the HE1000 V2 Stealth (not sure if that is its official name to be honest) has been $1400 recently. Which is a really good deal. I haven't heard the Organic yet but I can imagine based on how great the 1000 V2 sounds the extra $100 is worth it.
I bought a pair of Arya Organics around 5-6 weeks ago and I more or less agree with all the points you made in the review. For me they're phenomenally good headphones and I couldn't imagine picking anything else over them at any price point under the £/$ 2K mark. I did audition them against the Meze 109 pro. Overall my impression was that the 109 doesn't quite have the same massive sound stage, isn't quite as detailed, doesn't reach quite so far down in to the low & sub-bass. That being said, the Organics aren't that far off being twice the price. For anyone with a budget of £/$ 1K or under the 109 Pro are an incredibly easy recommendation - you won't find anything as good at or under the 1K mark. A small point but the 109 Pro also clearly has the best build quality of any headphone under probably the 4K price point.
I agree that the Meze 109 gets much closer than the price suggests. I was sceptical to say the least when I got them and committed to spend less than 600£ for them used. I waited long enough to pay 500 and now that I have them I can say they are worth the brand new price. And note that I could not care less of the perceived build quality that many rave about. I am only judging by their sound and, not least, the ability to perform well with mobile equipment. I do not think the 109 scales much but depending on the points of view it can be a quality. The Arya is no longer as demanding as in the first iterations but still craves more power (not voltage). The sound is not so far in my view and I am a long time fan of Hifiman, while I never particularly appreciated the price/performance ratio of Meze before these.
I sold the HEK Stealth because it was too bright for me. I feel like the AO has a more balanced tonality so the treble doesn't bite in the same way as the HEKS does, but I haven't compared side-by-side.
can you use them without amp and eq treble down a bit? considering getting nano for edm but dunno if the treble is too much.. any other suggestions? also is qc and build quality a big issue still?
Every headphone needs an amp, but if you're referring to them being run from a headphone output of a phone, laptop, etc. then yes you can run them from pretty much anything in terms of power requirements. You can defiantly EQ them if you want to as well. As for the build, Hifiman are unlikely to win any awards for build quality, but QC is fine these days. I've owned every Hifiman headphone except the HE-6 as HE-560. I've only had one problem so that's a pretty good track record. Keep in mind that for every person who complains about quality control (on any product), there are normally 10+ people who aren't saying anything because there products are working perfectly.
Yes, that's a good point. You won't hear anywhere near the best of a headphone at this level if you don't connect it to a quality source chain (DAC and amp)
@@PassionforSoundare the nano worth it on cheap phone dacs, I have a fiio ka11, and at most in the future most id go as far to spend 200usd on a dac or amp if I was going to buy the nano
How would some of your experiences be influenced by applying EQ? I am running my Sundaras with Realphones for mixing and upgrading to Nano for the faster transient response and better imaging. Using both with SMSL dac/amp. Just wondering if Arya Organic is a significant enough step up to be worth the upgrade price?
Each tier of the HiFiMan range brings technical improvements that can't be recreated with EQ. Additionally, EQ damages the signal by introducing timing errors and small signal errors that reduce the maximum fidelity of the system. I'm not saying EQ is inherently bad or that people shouldn't use it - it's a choice each person should make for themselves. My point is more that, EQ won't turn one headphone into another, particularly if it requires increasing its technical performance in areas like detail/resolution, soundstage presentation or refinement
@@PassionforSound though differences such as warmth and brightness should be addressable by eq. And if the eq is broad and not too deep the phase distortion should be quite minimal.
Yes, brightness and warmth (or any tonal balance) IS addressable by EQ, but it comes at a cost. Unfortunately, no matter the settings, changing any frequency by any amount will be enough to reduce sound quality (audibly) so fixing the tonality means inevitably reducing technical performance in other ways.
I am from Germany, I bought my HE1000se for 1,999 € from the official store.hifiman in China. It was delivered 3 days later from Poland, without VAT. USA and Canada ships from the USA. Other regions will be delivered from China.
Awesome review. I absolutely love the Nano. What do you think of the Focal Clear OG/MG vs Ananda Nano? In terms of technicalities. I chose the Nano over the OG but I still have an itch to get them. Or maybe the MG
That's a very tough call. I haven't compared them directly so can't say what's better/worse. What I would say is that they would be good complementary headphones because they have quite different sounds and presentations.
I have both clear og (but with zmf lambskin pads) and the nano. Nano has bigger soundstage, images better, has more sub bass and is much brighter. Clears are much more dynamic, punches a lot harder and is warmer. The nanos sound 10/10 on certain tracks but can 4/10 on others. Clears sound 9/10 to 7/10 at worst. I find they both present detail on a different way but i find the clears i hear more tiny details but the nanos sound more prestine.
The comfort of the Ananda Stealth was terrible for me, otherwise it is the best Hifiman I have heard, Ananda with Arya headband would be a winner for sure.
Canjam Socal answered the question for me. Got my end game cans. Your channel is like light morning drizzel on a humid summer day! Thank you for your informative takes and helping expand my music collection!@@PassionforSound
Apparently, HiFiMan have reduced the price of the HEKSE so see just how much it is before deciding. It's definitely the better headphone if it's priced well.
@@PassionforSound I had the HE1000se for a year and a half, then sold it because I switched to the Abyss PHI TC. I also have an Audeze LCD-XC, which always amazes me, plays well above its price range. But I miss the big and airy Hifiman sound. So sell the LCD-XC or supplement it with another headphone is my primary question.
@@Think-Tank_Denkfabrik I don't doubt the HEKse is awesome, but when you say it's worth 700 over the Arya Organic, it assumes you've spent time with the Organics, and can specify the exact qualities that 700 shekels is getting you, and can explain how that's worth it. Otherwise you just look like a buyer of the HEKse whose pride and joy of ownership are spilling over noncritically.
@@PartyMusic775 No, I don't own the Organics because I'm happy with my current inventory of headphones and I'm not a particularly rich person. When I bought the HE1000se, Organics didn't even exist. I also didn't claim anywhere that the HE1000se justifies 2,700 shekels more? That's always a matter of opinion. Pride and joy of ownership certainly doesn't make me uncritical. I'm not that type at all. PS: But if people think that about me, I can live with it 😄
I still want to know the difference between arya organic and he1000v2 stealth since now they're just a 50$ difference (he1kv2s is 1350$ here now), it's really hard to choose when they're no demo unit here
I sold the HEK Stealth because it was too hot in the treble. I don't find the Arya Organic to cause me the same troubles. In other words, if you like a brighter, edgier sound then the HEK Stealth is the better option. I think it's detail retrieval might be slightly better than the AO, but the AO is the preferable tuning to my ears.
😅Its harsh and unmusical sound makes everything sound but I hardly enjoy it...Many say it's very technical but honestly I don't find it to be anything special. It's true that its dynamics, stage and separation are good but nothing “wow” as some reviews or Hifiman's own advertising tell you (“massive upgrade”). The resolution is sometimes muddy on certain classical music tracks. Not to mention the holding strength of the headband...even with 3 weeks of adaptation I find it has too much strength. Do you recommend any option? I listen to everything.
Does the arya organics scale up with better gear? Im using a hifiman ef400, if i go up to something like a schiit jotunhiem 2 paired with a bifrost 2/64 will the arya organic scale up or have i reach its ceiling with the ef400?
From my understanding, I thought the he1000se was supoosed to be a bit brighter than what the organic was offering, but your findings are making me question if I should get the he1000se instead. The he1000se is only $2000 nowadays so its hard for me to come to a final conclusion after this video. Thanks for broadening my considerations. With how expensive these headpones are it's scary not knowing how they truly sound until ordering a pair, so I appreciate reviewers such as yourself helping me ballpark the right gear. I would love to see a more in-depth video comparing the two headphones if that day ever comes.
I would definitely get the HE1000SE based on that pricing. I think Hifiman are leaning a touch too hard into the treble with the new tunings. The HE1000SE is definitely their best tuned headphone IMO.
I had the Arya Stealth. I enjoyed them very much but I had certain tracks that were too hot in the treble more often than I'd like. I moved up to the HE1000SE and I could not be happier. That hot treble is 90% gone and all that is left is a stunning presentation of detail and a very well balanced sound with much better (you can hear every note) bass than the Arya Stealth. They are still second in the HiFiman chain after Susvara and I think they are still relevant even though HiFiman has gotten the lower models closer and closer to their top models sound quality. And with the new lower price for HE1000SE I think it's absolutely worth it. So happy I made the upgrade. Cheers
The HE1000se is my endgamer. Meets my taste exactly, not a bit harsh, pleasant bass, well balanced, very detailed, really fun! Highly Recommended :) Then I just swapped perforated sheepskin pads from Dekoni (I hate the HifiMan pads!) and a good headphone cable et voila
@@PassionforSoundWhy not do some recommendations of which DAC amps work best with which headphones. For example if Hifiman is a bit bright they could easily be calmed down using the mojo 2 EQ adjustment.
I agree that the HEKSE is an endgame choice for many people. Apparently, the price seems to have been permanently reduced now too so they're even more accessible. As for recommendations of amps to go with headphones, that's all personal preference so I can't really say what's best. That's why I try to describe and contextualised each headphone so that people can then decide for themselves based on a clear understanding.
I could please explain difference between Ananda nano vs Arya stealth. Price difference between them is 400 euros. Do you think that certainly worth the price difference or even though Arya stealth is better, but they are very close each other. Thank you for all these great videos!
Each level of Hifiman headphone has a bit more refinement in the sound as well as didn't tunings (up until the Arya Organic and Ananda Nano started to become similar). This means that the Arya Stealth is still the better headphone compared to the Nano when it comes to refinement of the sound. Beyond that, it comes down to which tuning you'd prefer based on the descriptions and measurements.
Did I not discuss that in the video? I thought I did. From memory, the Nano is quite similar to the Arya Stealth, but IIRC the Stealth was still slightly better
@@PassionforSoundI get it. I'm looking for a significantly better headphone than my Edition XS. They seem to lack soul and body, plus the build quality is not great.
What about the Arya Stealth vs the Ananda Nano - there's only £180 price difference now. I produce / mix and listen to predominantly electronic bass heavy music like house and techno
@@PassionforSound Turns out I didn't really like the Arya stealth I found it a bit boring / tame - I liked the Nano and Organic. The Organic soundstage is much better but the transient response of the nano is more emphasized. I've heard the nano is amazing for mixing low end. I liked both and the LCD-X too. The organics seemed noticably more trebly but I quickly got used to it and it didn't seem to matter.
I don't currently own a 109 Pro (but still considering a purchase). What I can say is that the 109 Pro is the headphone I would buy between the two, but it's also more expensive.
@@PassionforSound Love the channel. One mote question.....was thinking about paying a little extra and getting the Arya Stealth. Worth it over the Nano? Sure the upgrade would be huge from the Classic 99s!
You just got a potential endgame headphone👍. If compared to the Arya Organic or HE1K stealth. Those headphones are better. But if you compare the Ananda Nano to headphones like the Meze 109 pro, Focal Clear OG/MG, Audeze LCD-X 2021/M500, HEDDphone V1/V2..... Personally the Ananda Nano is my pick. I compared all of them, and it was the Nano that I walked out with. Insanely good stuff. Happy listening 😁👍
FYI...its already had its price reduced to $499 USD. At that price point, NOTHING else comes close. Just be aware that the highs are bright, and on certain recordings can be a bit much. But, for me, they did settle down some after about 30 hrs.
I am one of those people who got an Ananda Stealth right at the end when the Nano was coming out (but I was not aware it was coming). Taking your advice and reaching out to HiFiMan to see what could be possible.
if you ever wanteds to listen to the detail whee nano is better than stealth just simply listen electronic like "yello" specialy Wabadub.. the first 15seconds show the superority of the nano BUT the stealth is not as bright and close enugh that some prever it specialy in less electronic music
@@PassionforSound ah now i get the question; i would listen to the precision of the bass and clarity ; had both here to listen to and every time i was a while convinced the stealth can keep up - that simply confinced me otherwise
I know reviewers are simply required to address Hifiman's latest models, but in the case of the newer Anandas, Hifiman have completely ruined the balanced sound quality of the original version. Three fellow headphone enthusiasts, two bricks and mortar retailers agree with me, not to mention wiser forum posts! Of course, many other forum posters love the Stealth and Nano versions, but I think they've drunk the marketing Kool-Aid; in both cases these newer models do very strange things to the upper frequencies, while in an effort to make dynamics 'clearer' and 'faster' the midrange and overall timbre sounds sharp and unnatural. I wish Hifiman and headphone brands in general would STOP 'upgrading' their models every year or two, and have the confidence to stand by their original designs. I implore them to do so!
I actually discussed in this video the fact that the Nano has departed in tuning from the previous Ananda OG & Stealth versions. Whether that's good or bad is up to the individual, I think because some will prefer the new tuning vs the old tuning.
I forgot to thank you for your video review. And I really appreciate your reply: you did indeed discuss the differences in tuning between models. But I feel that a certain diplomacy, bordering on neutrality, is preventing a clearer picture for headphone enthusiasts seeking guidance. Even for experienced enthusiasts, it helps to hear personal opinions on whether someone likes or dislikes a headphone. At least I know I do - but maybe I'm asking too much! Personally, I think in the case of the Ananda 'upgrades' that the inherent advantages of planar designs have become skewed; instead of embracing and respecting these sound characteristics Hifiman have tried to do the impossible. I suppose I have the licence to say so!
I think what you're perceiving as neutrality is more about the fact that I don't believe it's my job to say which is better or worse - that's a very personal decision. However, I did declare in here that I think the Nano is the better version, I think. That said, I do also believe that many people will prefer the OG and Stealth tunings.
I have bought them.... when arrived, I connected them to McIntosh, to MAC, To NAD ampliers, TO EVO150...... Nothing magic at all. I listened to LCD-X one week ago, no comparasion at all.
the 109Pro are a POS! I own a unit and their timbre is a catastrophy, not to mention the awful thin vocals both male and female. To make things worst, a tiny bit fall made their drivers totally unbalanced and destroyed them completely. Not exactly what you expect from a 800 dollars cans. So, stop drooling over that wreck, they're utter crap!
Your selection of music is off. Why live? What does this tell you about micro details, stage depth or width. It is also does not relate to any of your other test tracks you have sued over the years. Surly there needs to be consistency of your source material in order to maintain continuity in your comparisons between products.
I use lots of different tracks when forming my opinions and conclusions about headphones. I just happen to make notes on a couple per review to share some extra music examples and potentially introduce people to some new music.
hard to pinpoint, something is off, one guy was explaining it to me before I bough it, but I dont remember what he was saying, basically something is seriously off with frequence response, I dont enjoy them , even 30 min session is too much, I dont use them, they are only good probably for gaming when you just need to hear all details and you dont care much for coherent sound, I use Grado 325x as my main headphones now, HD600 and Neumann NDH 20, unfortunalely I forget to return HD660s2 and now they are in dust, and I dont play games so I dont have a use case for them, but I agree during short listening sessions HD660s2 will beat any ANY!!!! headphones in A/B testing@@PassionforSound
😅Its harsh and unmusical sound makes everything sound but I hardly enjoy it...Many say it's very technical but honestly I don't find it to be anything special. It's true that its dynamics, stage and separation are good but nothing “wow” as some reviews or Hifiman's own advertising tell you (“massive upgrade”). The resolution is sometimes muddy on certain classical music tracks. Not to mention the holding strength of the headband...even with 3 weeks of adaptation I find it has too much strength. Do you recommend any option? I listen to everything.
Thank you to channel patron, Keith, for letting me know that HiFiMan might have permanently reduced the price of the HE1000SE to $1999. If that's the case, I DO think it's still preferable over the Arya Organic, but it's still a very close call!!
Unbeatable headphone at that price. It's the only headphone I've heard that makes lesser recordings sound better.
Lachlan, is there any chance you can compare the Arya Organic and the Susvara, with the goal of ascertaining which is the better value for money?
Hekse at $2K is unbeatable, so much better than anything in that price range. And yes, at $2k vs $1.3K, hekse all the way. I haven't heard the organic, but coming from the hekse the arya stealth immediately sounds cheap, bright, lean, and peaky.
@TheVeganVicar I only just saw your comment. RUclips's creator app went strange for me a while back and a lot of comments weren't showing up in my notifications.
Unfortunately, I don't own the Susvaras anymore to do that comparison. I'm assuming your post is tongue in cheek though because I think we all know the answer there... 😁
@daniluzzu yep. At 2k, the HEKSE is stupidly good value.
Recently I bought the HifiMan Sundara. The cups don't swivel, but that's been a non-issue for me. However, I have to be careful about how I grab them with my hands. Sometimes my fingers get trapped between the sheet-metal yoke and the cups. With familiarity, I'm OK now, but my early experiences were rather painful at times.
Yes, that's a challenge with all their models. My Susvaras used to pinch me occasionally too, until I got used to it.
I got the Organic and it's the first time I've been happy as it allows me to connect to the music which now sounds so natural. They sound wonderful even with the Questyle M15 and even better with the Holo Bliss. Just magical! The Focal Clear sounds artificial and uninvolving by comparison. I even prefer the Organic to the Warwick Bravura - that is locked to its own DAC/amp with an inability to play loud.
I'm so glad you're enjoying the AOs, phantom. I can imagine they'd be tonally brilliant with the M15.
I got a focal clear on sale expecting I would get good dynamics and fast punchy bass but instead I got slow muddy bass and the overall sound was dull. Maybe I got a dud.
@dangerzone007 Just make sure you burn them in & give them some power. Although they are efficient they need power to sing.
@@deanw2847 ok
@@dangerzone007 they really depend on dac/amp combination, got really nice punch but low end is not rly tight so it all depend on personal preferences
Excellent comparison's. Just ordered the Arya Organic directly from HIFIMAN (No Tax)😁. The Organic just seems like it is a great all rounder where HIFIMAN has figured out a way to add better Bass, punch and slam and Soundstage. What's not to like?
Definitely true! When I think of my old Ananda - there is no comparison
Yep, they've worked some magic. I just hope they stop pushing the treble in their future offerings because it's at the limit now, I think.
@@PassionforSound I got Arya v3 and love it, but in my opinion that was already at the limit. Don't want more treble. ☹ But I can't say anything until I can hear side-by-side of course.
I can understand not wanting more treble. The tricky thing with them (and why I agree with giving both a listen together) is that they're more refined at the same time so it offsets the extra little bit of energy in the treble.
i buyed a second hanf he1000se ...couldn't be more happy, at first as they was barely used (only 6hour of listening form the first owner and closed in their box because too bright) they sounded thin and with too many highs. while the burning in was going on (both cerebral and mechanical) and some inchoerencies were disappearing. timbre now is more convincing, I was becoming confident that it might be the headset I'm holding... and I still have to try it balanced.
now I'm sure, I listened again to Diana krall that before was singing only with her nose now I can feel the neck and the piano is more velvet, before was too hammering and I can listen to a sort of clipping on high frequency, now the piano is fuller and woolier. I don't use of course only d.krall also the orchestra instruments before were too metallic (oboe )and now it is disappeared this feeling.Yeah they're burned in🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊welcome mids🕺💃🏻welcome to this marvellous timbre. they worth the price!!!
Yes, the HEKSE are a wonderful headphone. I'm so glad you're enjoying them so much.
One very informative review. Much appreciated. The one thing I would really love is if you mentioned your source chain for the headphones detailing what combo worked best. Also, since you actually have a hifiman dac, how do they sound with it. We would get a true inductor of the hifiman house sound. In my experience, the ananda stealth and especially XS sound at their best when I use them with the hifiman ef400. Keep up the good work.
Glad you liked the video! The reason I don't focus on source chains or specific combos is that it's all preferential. I might like the Arya Organic from a smooth, warm tube amp while you might prefer it from something more analytical. Instead, I try to describe the headphone's characteristics so that people can decide for themselves if it's close to the sound they want and then how to tweak it to their own tastes with the source chain. 🙂
The Focal Elegia is on sale in Australia for $329. That must be pretty competitive at the moment especially if you can use EQ.
I haven't tried the Elegiac, but I imagine it would be a strong consideration at that price.
I have one question. Is the Soundsstage bigger/same/smaller on the HE1000se than the Arya Organics? Because I'm thinking of upgrading mine, due to a little bit too much trouble for me on the Arya Organics. But I'm scared that It's going to decrease the soundstage to the HE1000se(I'm the soundstage freak😂). I've seen you've replied to all your comments. Everything you say is the same stuff I say. And I never disagreed with you once. That, for me, tells me enough that I'm now joining your Patrion. You have earned it. 🙃
I would need to do a direct comparison to be sure, but I think the SE soundstage is no smaller and probably more naturally placed overall. I think you'll be very happy going from the Organic to the SE (especially as you're happy to have less treble).
Hope to see you on Patreon and in the Discord soon! 🙂
A refurbished HEKSE is 1.75k vs 1.3k for the Organic. That's a 400 dollar gap (funny how all the gaps keep adding up)
Yes, the pursuit of perfection is endless. 🙂
GM ☕️ from Toronto.
I was looking at the Aria Organic..but I picked up the AUDEZE LCDX 2021 Creators Edition instead.
I’m blown away at what higher quality headphones can do 🥹
Just stunning.
Great review 👍👍
Glad you're enjoying your LCD-XC and that you liked the review too 🙂🙂
I have the LCDX too. I want to have a listen to the Orgamic though. I like the Stealth and from what I understand is the Organic is even better in the low end which I found lacking in the stealth
@@MarylandDevinThe LCDX does have a slight recess ( mine is not as noticeable as a friends set ..tho he’s got an older set )..but I have replaced the headband with the carbon fiber one ..not much weight difference..but the 🗜️ clamp force is easier..and I find a little more soundstage ..I guess from not crushing the pads .
What the future holds ..I don’t know ..I’d have to beat the AUDEZE.
Take care
@@carminedesanto6746 yeah they are tough to beat. And I love bass.
You only paid for build quality
What do you think of the Ananda Nano vs Arya Non-Stealth? I believe HiFiMan have the Arya Non-Stealth refurb priced just above the Ananada Nano (new). I went with the Nano not wanting to deal with HiFiMan directly, especially a refurb from them, & I'm hoping that the Nano can match that v1.
It's a tough one to answer because it's so long since I tried the OG Arya, but I imagine the Ananda Nano is probably getting pretty close. It's possible that the OG Arya might have some slight advantages in some areas (e.g. detail retrieval), but the Nano's sense of refinement is probably better.
Which HIFIMAN punches the hardest and which one gives the most punch for the dollar? When I say punch I mean quick tight big and deep bass that you can feel on your head.
I think the Edition XS is probably the punchiest. I don't think I can say which is best bang for buck
Edition XS but if you have a powerful amp. The HE-6 line has the hardest hitting low end
Great review, as always! Few questions.
As I read more about Hifiman, I come across quite a bit of complaints on quality and lacking customer service. Sounds about right?
Occasionally, They tend to have a massive sales in B stock and refurbished. Currently you can get a refurbished HEKSE for $1749 vs $1299 Organic. Does refurbished make sense from a value standpoint or too much risk with all concerns around quality?
Lastly, would either Nano or Organic pair well with Schiit units? Especially a warmer leaning one. Can their occasional harsh treble be fine tuned with equalizer?
The idea that HiFiMan have bad quality control is vastly overplayed based on my experiences and discussions with people. They sell A LOT of headphones and you don't hear from the thousands of people who have no issues, only from the hundreds who do. I've owned every single model they make other than the XS, HE-6 and HE-560 and I've had just one problem. I can't speak about the customer service because I communicate with them via different channels as a reviewer, but I don't think you should hesitate to buy a refurbished HEKSE. At that price, it's going to be great value!
As for the gear, I think Schiit products pair really well with the Hifiman range due to the warmer tonality that you mentioned and then you can definitely use some EQ if you want more adjustment.
Finally, I'm glad you liked the review! Thanks for letting me know
in essence Hifiman will need to do a HE1000 organic to bring it up to near Susvara level to make it worthwhile.... then dr. Bian can bring out the new Susvara 2 for $10k
Apparently, they've dropped the price of the HEKSE now so it's already worthwhile 😁
@@PassionforSound oh really? but seems the price change has not arrived here in AU yet.... so based on your video with $3k HEKSE, will you change your conclusion as SE is now only $700 more than Arya?
When SE is closer in price, I would absolutely choose it over the Arya Organic.
@@PassionforSound will audition the SE and Caldera soon before i leave for japan to try the Yamaha YH5kSE as I'm still hunting for my ultimate HP for big symphony performance
I've compared the Meze 109 Pro to the Arya Organic & they were very close in sound signature & detail IMO for the short amount of time I had to listen. I think the soundstage was a little bigger on the Arya but maybe the bass was more prominent with the 109 Pro. Both were a little bright in the highs for my taste.
I'm glad you got to try them for yourself! Thanks for sharing your impressions
Update: I went back to listen to the Organic & 109 Pro but this time with my Jotunheim 2 - what a difference with the Organic! (making me think it's more amp dependent than the 109 Pro). With my Jotunheim the Organic sounded way better to me - bigger soundstage, more impactful bass & not as shouty in the upper midrange/lower treble region as the 109 Pro.
System synergy is always a thing. The Jot 2 has a thicker and weightier sound than some other amps so what you've heard makes complete sense.
HE1000SE have been at a lower price recently. They were on sale for $2k or less. So the difference would be less than double now. Also, HE1000 Stealth is only slight more than the Aryas. And I’ve heard some people actually prefer HE1000 Stealth over the SE. I think it’s all down to tonal preference now when they are all priced close together.
Yes, the new HEKSE pricing makes it interesting. It's definitely the headphone I would choose if budget permits.
I bought a refurbished HE1000 Stealth for 1209$, zero regrets. It's really too bad no other company can match the sound quality in the same price bracket, because I have a feeling the HE1000 isn't going to last very long, my EXS developed channel imbalance on certain frequencies after a year.
Love the SE. I think paying a little bit more gets you a lot in this case
@gldphish6907 I don't think you need to worry too much. There are far more pairs of perfectly working HiFiMan headphones in the world than the number that have failed. Every brand has some degree of product failure.
The added benefit is the HE can almost run off an apple dongle DAC.
So I should back my ananda stealth to take ananda nano? That’s 150 euros difference, is it worth it? Another thing I noticed is that looking at the store the ananda stealth without discount comes 1000 euros and the ananda nano comes 700, maybe the ananda stealth hifiman places them above the nano? Or does hifiman still have to update prices?
Probably a pricing error somewhere. I believe the Ananda Stealth will be discontinued and the Nano will live on. I'd personally go for the Nano over the Stealth if you can.
Wonderful video Lachlan, very informative and interesting. I just have a question out of curiosity, not a complaint, just curious. I wonder why people lean to other Hifiman products such as the Sundara to compare the Ananda, when the Edition XS is a very close option and maybe more interesting comparison. I remember hearing that the XS was a more interesting choice in the balance of sound quality and price but still very close to the Ananda. Thank you!
No problems, Carlos. In my case, I don't own the XS and wasn't particularly a fan of their sound because they produce a very flat, left/right soundstage. Tonally I did like them, but had no interest in owning any so I can't use them as a comparison. I can't say why others aren't considering them as a reference though. 🙂
Just ordered the ARYA ORGANIC
Nice choice. Enjoy!
good, order for me too, for now I will stay with Nano - a poor man's Organic
Very nice video. Is the Hip Dac 2 sufficient to drive the Ananda Nano with balanced cables?
Yes, it should do fine 🙂
I wanted to buy the Nano but it was nearly double the price of the ananda stealth. Too many people also complain about the nano being far too bright. So i went with the stealth (Ananda V3).
What wasn't clear in this review is whether the Ananda Stealth was version 2 or version 3.
I'm not sure there was ever a sonic revision was there?
@@PassionforSound According to the hifiman store, the specs are different. Ananda V2 (stealth) is 26 ohms and Ananda V3 (stealth) is 16 ohms and weighs less than V2.
Hmmmm... I don't remember having a specific version, but I've got it listed at 27 ohms in my database of products which is either based on what was on the box or what was published on the website at the time I received them.
@@PassionforSound That's V2. V3 is supposed to be better.
What's the build quality like on the HiFiMan's? There's been a lot of QC issues in the past on Reddit and other audiophile based forums. It would be great to use them regularly and see if anything breaks a few months down the line.
I own 5 HifiMan: Arya first modell, HE1000se, HE6se V1 + V2 and Ananda BT - I never had any problems with them and use it quiet often. I also had the Sundara, Ananda and Edition XS once , there were no problems with them - except that I didn't like their sound and therefore I sold them again.
I would completely agree with you, I’ve had at some point all the different versions of Arya, and a couple HE1000’s, and Susvara, and haven’t had a single QC issue. They’ve all been built really well actually. Well for Hifiman’s.
The QC is questionable, the Edition XS is creaky, the cable connections are loose and have a bit of give and mine developed channel imbalances after a year. Still, they did sound good for the price.
Just to clarify, the build quality isn't great in terms of the headphones not feeling as nice as other headphones (e.g. creaky headbands, less polished look and feel), but the quality control (i.e. things not breaking) is solid these days. Like some of the other posters here, I've owned lots of HiFiMan headphones (and still do) and have had only one of them have a problem. That's a pretty good strike record given how many of them I've had (probably 15+ pairs).
@@PassionforSound Yes, that's true, unfortunately, they look a bit mediocre if I look at the Sendy Peacock for example!
But they are comfortable to wear.
Thank you for your detailed report. I switched from the Nanao to the Arya and I have to agree with you. You get to hear even more comfort for Arya. The details on both are at a very high level and pretty much the same. But as you described, the sound of the Nanao is more mechanical and I was a little stressed by the sound. In contrast, the Arya are sooo smooth. They invite you to enjoy intense music.They can really enhance the songs - "give me your shitty records, we make the best oft it :)
I'm so glad you're enjoying the upgrade. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Thank you for this comparison. How do you think the Organic pairs with a tube amp? Do you think it will pair well and reduce that treble bite?
With the right tube amp (e.g. a transformer coupled, hybrid, or powerful OTL) the Aryas will do great and it could definitely give them some smoothness in the treble and extra weight in the mids. That will all depend on the choice of amp and tubes of course too.
What do you suggest to pair with the Arya Organic?
I"m currently using the EF-400 but feel like upgrading
The EF600 is nice, but has its quirks (review on the way). They also work really well with a setup like the Geshelli Labs A3 Pro and J2S with AK4499EX chip.
Hey Passion if sound, thanks for the review. I asked already on another video how I could I reduce the treble on the AO. You recommender to get a R2R Dac. Are there other possibilities next to EQ?
I think the only options really are a smoother source chain via an R2R DAC or tube amp and then EQ or convolution filters. Nothing else really springs to mind.
Would you recommend the HiBy FC6(NOS mode), or the Cayin Ru6 or do you recommend the Ef400/600?
If you're not needing a portable solution, the EF400 & EF600 will both beat the dongles comfortably. The EF600 is also a better DAC than the EF400.
The Organic and HEk Stealth are only $100 difference, and you compare the Organic to the HEk SE... why??? Many in our community are trying to decide between the Organic and HEk Stealth. You did a deep dive into all the HEk group, so we were really counting on you for a good comparison between these two. Which one would you recommend, and why?? Please reply.
Love your videos. Thank you!
I sold the HEK Stealth because it was too hot in the treble (IMO) and it's not a headphone I would recommend for that reason. In other words, I'd buy the Arya Organic over the HEK Stealth or take the step up to the HEKSE. Those who will enjoy the HEK Stealth are either fans of bright treble or are using a very smooth, warm sounding source chain (this is not a knock on those people).
@@PassionforSound I know that only too well first hand. Got HE1000 Stealth as my first high-end headphone and ended up getting a Focal Clear too. Funnily enough, now that I have listened to both for a few weeks, I am keeping both, and HE1000 Stealth treble doesn't bother me as much...
Glad you're enjoying both!
It would be useful if you state the date of the review as well as the current prices at the beginning of the review because things keep changing over time. Most low quality reviews don't do this.
It's really at the point where I just assume price information is flat wrong in these reviews. Sad to say, even in the fresh new reviews. But I accept it because I find his channel a very worthy viewpoint.
The date of recording is on every single review I ever produce. It will be in the description area.
@@PassionforSound ok now I see. Very good.
No one is talking about the LCD-X. Do today's offerings blow it away?
I own both the LCD X 2021 and the Arya Stealth and Organic
No, the Organic does not "blow away" the LCD X lol. Its an extremely different headphone. From comfort, to the note decay, to just tonal differences, neither is better or worse. LCD X is more balanced and neutral, much thicker low end, obviously feels like 2 giant pillows on your head. Arya Organic feels slightly mids and highs focused, with still solid bass (better bass than the Stealth, not as much as the LCD X). You choose for yourself if that sounds better or worse for you lol
Ill say the Organic is "better" than the Stealth as a balanced music listening headphone, but as a headphone you turn your amp up for for an airy sound? The Stealth is much better for it. The Organic is extremely similar to the 109 Pro (which I also own), just sounds a little different due to it being planar vs dynamic. I might sell the Organic off since its a little redundant.
Hes right about the Organic sounding different than how it graphs though. I think Resolve said it was due to the bass shelf that is has, because it definitely sounds like it has more bass than it graphs (not a ton, but definitely not bass lean)
Thanks for the detailed reply, GS. I can't access Audeze easily so I'm unable to respond to the OP's question.
@@PantsaBear Thanks for nuanced reply. Much appreciated. How is image separation and location on the LCD-X compared to the others. My experience is limited to Grado 325X and Sundara. I am considering an upgrade. I like a balanced presentation and thought the different "house sound" of the Audeze would be a more fulfilling choice.
@@martinfox2244I went from the Sen’s 650 to the LCDX 2021 Creators edition…a quantum leap in quality and resolution.
I didn’t think I can go back 🥳
will the nano benefit with a balanced cable? or it will kill its bass due to its so low impedance? thanks
It will all depend on the amplifier. There's no inherent benefit in balanced vs single ended from the headphone's perspective so it all depends on how well the amp is designed, but it's generally a safe bet that an amp with a balanced output will sound the same or better via balanced output compared to single ended so I'd go balanced for that reason if your amp has a balanced output.
@@PassionforSound thank you very much.
I heard that it can be a little too bight in the treble. Is this your experience? I have the Focal Clear Professional og.
The music sounds real and enjoyable via the Organic but not at all from the Clear. That's my experience.
@@phantomplastics6582 Thanks. I haven't done a comparison test. It was noteworthy for me that Andrew another respected reviewer called the Organic an often too bright headphone but its not a criticism just a reviewers opinion on it. Enjoy the music.
I'm assuming your referring to the Arya Organic, Keith? They could be a little bright in the treble for some people, but the Clears also have a bit of edginess in their to end while the AOs deliver their treble very smoothly. I think you'd be fine with the AO because you might be getting a little more treble, but it's delivered with refinement and isn't too peaky.
@@PassionforSound Many thanks Lachlan. Cheers for that.
You know I couldn't deal with the HE1000SEs treble myself since I found it a very sibilant headphone due to its very forward treble. It is partially why I much preferred the Susvara, HE1000 V2, and even the Arya over it. But if the Organic has even more treble I should really avoid it haha.
Yep, if HEKSE is too much, the Organic will be way too much! 🙂
@@PassionforSound Yeah. Also the HE1000 V2 Stealth (not sure if that is its official name to be honest) has been $1400 recently. Which is a really good deal. I haven't heard the Organic yet but I can imagine based on how great the 1000 V2 sounds the extra $100 is worth it.
So you like the HEK Stealth, but find the HEKSE too sibilant? If so, that's some good data about where your specific treble sensitivity lies.
I bought a pair of Arya Organics around 5-6 weeks ago and I more or less agree with all the points you made in the review. For me they're phenomenally good headphones and I couldn't imagine picking anything else over them at any price point under the £/$ 2K mark. I did audition them against the Meze 109 pro. Overall my impression was that the 109 doesn't quite have the same massive sound stage, isn't quite as detailed, doesn't reach quite so far down in to the low & sub-bass. That being said, the Organics aren't that far off being twice the price. For anyone with a budget of £/$ 1K or under the 109 Pro are an incredibly easy recommendation - you won't find anything as good at or under the 1K mark. A small point but the 109 Pro also clearly has the best build quality of any headphone under probably the 4K price point.
I agree that the Meze 109 gets much closer than the price suggests. I was sceptical to say the least when I got them and committed to spend less than 600£ for them used. I waited long enough to pay 500 and now that I have them I can say they are worth the brand new price. And note that I could not care less of the perceived build quality that many rave about. I am only judging by their sound and, not least, the ability to perform well with mobile equipment. I do not think the 109 scales much but depending on the points of view it can be a quality. The Arya is no longer as demanding as in the first iterations but still craves more power (not voltage). The sound is not so far in my view and I am a long time fan of Hifiman, while I never particularly appreciated the price/performance ratio of Meze before these.
Thanks for sharing the impressions on the Arya Organic and 109 Pros, folks. I completely agree that both are excellent headphones.
The 109 pro is more of a competitor with the Ananda nano.
I think (from memory) that it sits squarely between the two in price, but is also a different sounding headphone from both.
@@PassionforSound Yes, the 109 Pro is around £700 so is possibly more of a competitor for something like a DT1990.
I’ve really been looking forward for this one. Well done! 👍🏾
Thank you! Glad you liked it.
In uk currently the Organic and the HE1000v2 Stealth are the same price. Very tempting, just which one.
That's a tough one!
How does the organic compare to the he1000 stealth?
I sold the HEK Stealth because it was too bright for me. I feel like the AO has a more balanced tonality so the treble doesn't bite in the same way as the HEKS does, but I haven't compared side-by-side.
just saw a non stealth ananda for 200 usd, surely a buy right?
I thought the Arya Organic is too bright for my taste, even brighter than the previous Arya.
It's a no go for me.
I can definitely understand that. Hifiman risk leaning too far into the treble with their current tunings I think.
can you use them without amp and eq treble down a bit?
considering getting nano for edm but dunno if the treble is too much.. any other suggestions? also is qc and build quality a big issue still?
Every headphone needs an amp, but if you're referring to them being run from a headphone output of a phone, laptop, etc. then yes you can run them from pretty much anything in terms of power requirements.
You can defiantly EQ them if you want to as well.
As for the build, Hifiman are unlikely to win any awards for build quality, but QC is fine these days. I've owned every Hifiman headphone except the HE-6 as HE-560. I've only had one problem so that's a pretty good track record. Keep in mind that for every person who complains about quality control (on any product), there are normally 10+ people who aren't saying anything because there products are working perfectly.
For the love of god, do not spend this much on a headphone if you’re not going to be bothered to amp them properly.
Yes, that's a good point. You won't hear anywhere near the best of a headphone at this level if you don't connect it to a quality source chain (DAC and amp)
Did you buy them and did edm sound great particulary with this headphone ?
@@PassionforSoundare the nano worth it on cheap phone dacs, I have a fiio ka11, and at most in the future most id go as far to spend 200usd on a dac or amp if I was going to buy the nano
How would some of your experiences be influenced by applying EQ? I am running my Sundaras with Realphones for mixing and upgrading to Nano for the faster transient response and better imaging. Using both with SMSL dac/amp.
Just wondering if Arya Organic is a significant enough step up to be worth the upgrade price?
Each tier of the HiFiMan range brings technical improvements that can't be recreated with EQ. Additionally, EQ damages the signal by introducing timing errors and small signal errors that reduce the maximum fidelity of the system. I'm not saying EQ is inherently bad or that people shouldn't use it - it's a choice each person should make for themselves. My point is more that, EQ won't turn one headphone into another, particularly if it requires increasing its technical performance in areas like detail/resolution, soundstage presentation or refinement
@@PassionforSound though differences such as warmth and brightness should be addressable by eq. And if the eq is broad and not too deep the phase distortion should be quite minimal.
Yes, brightness and warmth (or any tonal balance) IS addressable by EQ, but it comes at a cost. Unfortunately, no matter the settings, changing any frequency by any amount will be enough to reduce sound quality (audibly) so fixing the tonality means inevitably reducing technical performance in other ways.
Cant you find the HE1000SE for like $2000 nowadays though? And close to $1500 preowned. I dont see it sold for $3000 often at all
I am from Germany, I bought my HE1000se for 1,999 € from the official store.hifiman in China. It was delivered 3 days later from Poland, without VAT. USA and Canada ships from the USA. Other regions will be delivered from China.
Awesome review. I absolutely love the Nano. What do you think of the Focal Clear OG/MG vs Ananda Nano? In terms of technicalities. I chose the Nano over the OG but I still have an itch to get them. Or maybe the MG
That's a very tough call. I haven't compared them directly so can't say what's better/worse. What I would say is that they would be good complementary headphones because they have quite different sounds and presentations.
I have both clear og (but with zmf lambskin pads) and the nano. Nano has bigger soundstage, images better, has more sub bass and is much brighter. Clears are much more dynamic, punches a lot harder and is warmer. The nanos sound 10/10 on certain tracks but can 4/10 on others. Clears sound 9/10 to 7/10 at worst. I find they both present detail on a different way but i find the clears i hear more tiny details but the nanos sound more prestine.
Overall I definitely prefer the clear og.
what is the most comfortable headphones for you in the 1500$ and under range?
There are plenty of good options. The Meze 109 Pro are probably a sweet spot.
Thank you for such a thorough review, Lachlan.
Always a pleasure, Rhino.
Hi! How is compared Ananda Nano vs Arya Stealth?
Both are less than 850€ on my country.
I don't have both here anymore, but I think the Arya Stealth is still the better headphone by at least a small margin.
The comfort of the Ananda Stealth was terrible for me, otherwise it is the best Hifiman I have heard, Ananda with Arya headband would be a winner for sure.
Yes, the rigid yolk design isn't wonderful
agree, main problem when lying down movie watching
So if you can buy the Organic around $1K it should be a must buy?
Unless you're allergic to treble, I'd say yes. 🙂
Canjam Socal answered the question for me. Got my end game cans. Your channel is like light morning drizzel on a humid summer day! Thank you for your informative takes and helping expand my music collection!@@PassionforSound
@benlee1035 I've never had my channel compared to drizzling rain. Thank you 😉😁
Cheers mate!@@PassionforSound
The Arya Organic is at the top of my list, but of course it is a valid and legitimate question as to whether the HE 1000se is worth the extra €900.
Apparently, HiFiMan have reduced the price of the HEKSE so see just how much it is before deciding. It's definitely the better headphone if it's priced well.
I bought my HE1000se for 1,999 Euro. It's absolutely worth it
@@PassionforSound I had the HE1000se for a year and a half, then sold it because I switched to the Abyss PHI TC. I also have an Audeze LCD-XC, which always amazes me, plays well above its price range. But I miss the big and airy Hifiman sound. So sell the LCD-XC or supplement it with another headphone is my primary question.
@@Think-Tank_Denkfabrik I don't doubt the HEKse is awesome, but when you say it's worth 700 over the Arya Organic, it assumes you've spent time with the Organics, and can specify the exact qualities that 700 shekels is getting you, and can explain how that's worth it. Otherwise you just look like a buyer of the HEKse whose pride and joy of ownership are spilling over noncritically.
@@PartyMusic775 No, I don't own the Organics because I'm happy with my current inventory of headphones and I'm not a particularly rich person. When I bought the HE1000se, Organics didn't even exist. I also didn't claim anywhere that the HE1000se justifies 2,700 shekels more? That's always a matter of opinion. Pride and joy of ownership certainly doesn't make me uncritical. I'm not that type at all.
PS: But if people think that about me, I can live with it 😄
Another well done review, thank you!
My pleasure 🙂
How do we know how the Arya is supposed to be pronounced? I don't know the details
It's a Sanskrit word so it has a specific pronunciation in that language.
@@PassionforSound Ohhhh, cool! Thanks for the info.
I still want to know the difference between arya organic and he1000v2 stealth since now they're just a 50$ difference (he1kv2s is 1350$ here now), it's really hard to choose when they're no demo unit here
I sold the HEK Stealth because it was too hot in the treble. I don't find the Arya Organic to cause me the same troubles. In other words, if you like a brighter, edgier sound then the HEK Stealth is the better option. I think it's detail retrieval might be slightly better than the AO, but the AO is the preferable tuning to my ears.
The He1000 stealth is the better buy
😅Its harsh and unmusical sound makes everything sound but I hardly enjoy it...Many say it's very technical but honestly I don't find it to be anything special. It's true that its dynamics, stage and separation are good but nothing “wow” as some reviews or Hifiman's own advertising tell you (“massive upgrade”). The resolution is sometimes muddy on certain classical music tracks. Not to mention the holding strength of the headband...even with 3 weeks of adaptation I find it has too much strength.
Do you recommend any option? I listen to everything.
Which headphone are you talking about here?
@@PassionforSound Ananda Nano.
And what are you currently using that you're looking to upgrade?
Nano is currently sold at $499 and Arya stealth at $759. Do you think the additional $260 is worth the investment?
From memory, the Arya is still the clearly better headphone, but whether it's worth it is a very personal decision.
Does the arya organics scale up with better gear? Im using a hifiman ef400, if i go up to something like a schiit jotunhiem 2 paired with a bifrost 2/64 will the arya organic scale up or have i reach its ceiling with the ef400?
The Organic has lots more to give. Your suggested step up is going to be great and you can go further still if you want to in the future.
Thanks Much !.......Passion for Sound
My pleasure
From my understanding, I thought the he1000se was supoosed to be a bit brighter than what the organic was offering, but your findings are making me question if I should get the he1000se instead. The he1000se is only $2000 nowadays so its hard for me to come to a final conclusion after this video. Thanks for broadening my considerations. With how expensive these headpones are it's scary not knowing how they truly sound until ordering a pair, so I appreciate reviewers such as yourself helping me ballpark the right gear. I would love to see a more in-depth video comparing the two headphones if that day ever comes.
I would definitely get the HE1000SE based on that pricing. I think Hifiman are leaning a touch too hard into the treble with the new tunings. The HE1000SE is definitely their best tuned headphone IMO.
I had the Arya Stealth. I enjoyed them very much but I had certain tracks that were too hot in the treble more often than I'd like. I moved up to the HE1000SE and I could not be happier. That hot treble is 90% gone and all that is left is a stunning presentation of detail and a very well balanced sound with much better (you can hear every note) bass than the Arya Stealth. They are still second in the HiFiman chain after Susvara and I think they are still relevant even though HiFiman has gotten the lower models closer and closer to their top models sound quality. And with the new lower price for HE1000SE I think it's absolutely worth it. So happy I made the upgrade. Cheers
The HE1000se is my endgamer. Meets my taste exactly, not a bit harsh, pleasant bass, well balanced, very detailed, really fun! Highly Recommended :)
Then I just swapped perforated sheepskin pads from Dekoni (I hate the HifiMan pads!) and a good headphone cable et voila
@@PassionforSoundWhy not do some recommendations of which DAC amps work best with which headphones. For example if Hifiman is a bit bright they could easily be calmed down using the mojo 2 EQ adjustment.
I agree that the HEKSE is an endgame choice for many people. Apparently, the price seems to have been permanently reduced now too so they're even more accessible.
As for recommendations of amps to go with headphones, that's all personal preference so I can't really say what's best. That's why I try to describe and contextualised each headphone so that people can then decide for themselves based on a clear understanding.
For music listening, Ananda Nano, or go for the 109 Pro?
Both are amazing, but I'd personally choose the 109s for sonic enjoyment and comfort.
I could please explain difference between Ananda nano vs Arya stealth. Price difference between them is 400 euros. Do you think that certainly worth the price difference or even though Arya stealth is better, but they are very close each other. Thank you for all these great videos!
Each level of Hifiman headphone has a bit more refinement in the sound as well as didn't tunings (up until the Arya Organic and Ananda Nano started to become similar).
This means that the Arya Stealth is still the better headphone compared to the Nano when it comes to refinement of the sound. Beyond that, it comes down to which tuning you'd prefer based on the descriptions and measurements.
Thank you for detailed explanation! Still this is one of my favorite channel!
What's better out of the Nano and the Arya Stealth?
Did I not discuss that in the video? I thought I did. From memory, the Nano is quite similar to the Arya Stealth, but IIRC the Stealth was still slightly better
Did you get a chance to compare the nano to the xs edition? Worth the purchase if you did?
I didn't because I don't own the XS. I wasn't a fan of the XS in general
@@PassionforSoundI get it. I'm looking for a significantly better headphone than my Edition XS. They seem to lack soul and body, plus the build quality is not great.
What about the Arya Stealth vs the Ananda Nano - there's only £180 price difference now. I produce / mix and listen to predominantly electronic bass heavy music like house and techno
That's a tough call, but I think the Arya Stealth might still be slightly better.
@@PassionforSound Turns out I didn't really like the Arya stealth I found it a bit boring / tame - I liked the Nano and Organic. The Organic soundstage is much better but the transient response of the nano is more emphasized. I've heard the nano is amazing for mixing low end. I liked both and the LCD-X too. The organics seemed noticably more trebly but I quickly got used to it and it didn't seem to matter.
It's good you were able to try them for yourself because we all have different preferences and even hearing.
Which has more resolution and detail , Stax L300 or Ananda nano ?
I haven't compared them. Sorry.
Can you please review camerton audio binom-er? Its a german planarmagnetic headphone.
I'll see what I can do. It all depends on what I can get access to because I can't afford it buy all the gear.
@@PassionforSound unfortunately i dont know if there are any dealers in Australia, i wish i could provide that info.
Yes, that's sometimes the challenge. I can try emailing them directly, but some companies just don't reply.
I have Ananda Stealth. Very happy with it.
So what good, affordable cable do you recommend
I use the Flow Cables from Apos. There are lots of other brands out there though and it depends a bit on where you live as to what's the best option.
meze 109 pro vs ananda nano?
I don't currently own a 109 Pro (but still considering a purchase). What I can say is that the 109 Pro is the headphone I would buy between the two, but it's also more expensive.
@@PassionforSoundstill consider better the meze than the Clear og?
That's a tricky one too. I like the 109 Pro more, but it will come down to personal preferences.
@@PassionforSoundso for you Ananda Nano IS better overall than Clear Og?
I have Meze 99s. Do the Nanos blow them away?
Yes. The 99s are great, but they're not at the level of the Nanos.
@@PassionforSound Love the channel. One mote question.....was thinking about paying a little extra and getting the Arya Stealth. Worth it over the Nano? Sure the upgrade would be huge from the Classic 99s!
@tcolemanii1971 the Arya Stealth is amazing and I would personally choose it over the Nano, especially if the price difference is small.
£200 difference on the SE and Organic and mainly for studio use... I prefer to hear the horrible truth... which would you pick?
I have the option of just under £1000 on the organic and just over £1200 on the SE
Is £200 difference a no brainer to go with the SE in your opinion?
I would go with the SE for sure.
@@PassionforSound nice one!
How exciting!!!!!!!!!
Classic P4S, very nice. The good old days.
Just bought the Ananda Nano and it is amazing! Finally a less expensive Hifiman with excellent transient response.
Your review is totally spot on 👍
Glad you liked the review and that you're loving your Nanos!
You just got a potential endgame headphone👍. If compared to the Arya Organic or HE1K stealth. Those headphones are better. But if you compare the Ananda Nano to headphones like the Meze 109 pro, Focal Clear OG/MG, Audeze LCD-X 2021/M500, HEDDphone V1/V2..... Personally the Ananda Nano is my pick. I compared all of them, and it was the Nano that I walked out with. Insanely good stuff. Happy listening 😁👍
Can't believe I missed this video. I'm decided, when the Ananda nano goes on sale I'm picking one up.
It's a wonderful headphone!
FYI...its already had its price reduced to $499 USD. At that price point, NOTHING else comes close. Just be aware that the highs are bright, and on certain recordings can be a bit much. But, for me, they did settle down some after about 30 hrs.
@@edwinramos4910 thank you, Aye just noticed the Arya stealth is up for 600 as well, now I'm not sure if Ananda nano or Arya stealth XD
@bigjalapeno5347 that's a tough one! Both are brilliant
I am one of those people who got an Ananda Stealth right at the end when the Nano was coming out (but I was not aware it was coming).
Taking your advice and reaching out to HiFiMan to see what could be possible.
I returned the stealth and got the nano. The nano wasn't comfy at all.
Glad you got to swap it over. Yes, they're not the most comfortable of headphones.
So, Nano vs Arya stealth?
FYI, I have the 109s, Edition xs, and just ordered the Verum 2.
I'd say the Arya Stealth is still a little better than Nano.
@@russellnedland4569Do you find the 109 Pro better than the Edition XS?
HifiTrembleMan..The best Hifiman headphone is Sundara but they didn t get that yet..An upgraded Sundara will sell millions
I do agree that a new version Sundara - if they keep to roughly the same tuning - would be killer
@@PassionforSound yes.Lets hope they do it.Hd 600 keeps selling since 1997..
What about $600 Ananda Nano x $1000 Arya Stealth? 🤔
Stealth is still clearly better in refinement and it's a bit less bitey in the treble.
I first bought the Ananda Nano but after a few weeks I bought the Arya Organic.
Nice upgrade!
if you ever wanteds to listen to the detail whee nano is better than stealth just simply listen electronic like "yello" specialy Wabadub.. the first 15seconds show the superority of the nano BUT the stealth is not as bright and close enugh that some prever it specialy in less electronic music
What exactly are you hearing the Nano do better than the Stealth?
@@PassionforSound The Hu YuveYuve Yu is one where the Nano shows real quality
@Reaper-kf4yb yes, but what specific qualities are you suggesting people should listen for?
@@PassionforSound ah now i get the question; i would listen to the precision of the bass and clarity ; had both here to listen to and every time i was a while convinced the stealth can keep up - that simply confinced me otherwise
Using Nano with Topping E30 II and L30 II presently. Just flexing. 🤭
I know reviewers are simply required to address Hifiman's latest models, but in the case of the newer Anandas, Hifiman have completely ruined the balanced sound quality of the original version. Three fellow headphone enthusiasts, two bricks and mortar retailers agree with me, not to mention wiser forum posts! Of course, many other forum posters love the Stealth and Nano versions, but I think they've drunk the marketing Kool-Aid; in both cases these newer models do very strange things to the upper frequencies, while in an effort to make dynamics 'clearer' and 'faster' the midrange and overall timbre sounds sharp and unnatural. I wish Hifiman and headphone brands in general would STOP 'upgrading' their models every year or two, and have the confidence to stand by their original designs. I implore them to do so!
I actually discussed in this video the fact that the Nano has departed in tuning from the previous Ananda OG & Stealth versions. Whether that's good or bad is up to the individual, I think because some will prefer the new tuning vs the old tuning.
I forgot to thank you for your video review. And I really appreciate your reply: you did indeed discuss the differences in tuning between models. But I feel that a certain diplomacy, bordering on neutrality, is preventing a clearer picture for headphone enthusiasts seeking guidance. Even for experienced enthusiasts, it helps to hear personal opinions on whether someone likes or dislikes a headphone. At least I know I do - but maybe I'm asking too much! Personally, I think in the case of the Ananda 'upgrades' that the inherent advantages of planar designs have become skewed; instead of embracing and respecting these sound characteristics Hifiman have tried to do the impossible. I suppose I have the licence to say so!
I think what you're perceiving as neutrality is more about the fact that I don't believe it's my job to say which is better or worse - that's a very personal decision. However, I did declare in here that I think the Nano is the better version, I think. That said, I do also believe that many people will prefer the OG and Stealth tunings.
everyone speaks about soundstage......please please please...
I have bought them.... when arrived, I connected them to McIntosh, to MAC, To NAD ampliers, TO EVO150...... Nothing magic at all. I listened to LCD-X one week ago, no comparasion at all.
I absolutely hate the fake wood! Just had to say that...
That's fair enough. 🙂
thanks!
18:00 that happens every day
Yes. It's like that 🙂
♥
15:59 same curve
Very nearly, but they still sound different
the 109Pro are a POS! I own a unit and their timbre is a catastrophy, not to mention the awful thin vocals both male and female. To make things worst, a tiny bit fall made their drivers totally unbalanced and destroyed them completely. Not exactly what you expect from a 800 dollars cans. So, stop drooling over that wreck, they're utter crap!
So you damaged your headphones and now they're not working well? Your fault 😂
did this guy seriously plug the low asf impedance nano's into a high impedance amp for testing it????
lmao
Your selection of music is off. Why live? What does this tell you about micro details, stage depth or width. It is also does not relate to any of your other test tracks you have sued over the years. Surly there needs to be consistency of your source material in order to maintain continuity in your comparisons between products.
I use lots of different tracks when forming my opinions and conclusions about headphones. I just happen to make notes on a couple per review to share some extra music examples and potentially introduce people to some new music.
@@PassionforSound Well that is good to know, I was hoping you were basing your opinions on more than just these two albums.
Thanks for the review.
plz dont call hd660s2 good headphones, I own them and they are trash................................
What makes you say that they're trash?
hard to pinpoint, something is off, one guy was explaining it to me before I bough it, but I dont remember what he was saying, basically something is seriously off with frequence response, I dont enjoy them , even 30 min session is too much, I dont use them, they are only good probably for gaming when you just need to hear all details and you dont care much for coherent sound, I use Grado 325x as my main headphones now, HD600 and Neumann NDH 20, unfortunalely I forget to return HD660s2 and now they are in dust, and I dont play games so I dont have a use case for them, but I agree during short listening sessions HD660s2 will beat any ANY!!!! headphones in A/B testing@@PassionforSound
Feels like these headphone companies. Just do a small tuning and shove it together and give it a cool name with a ridiculous price. 😂
Whilst I don't agree with the speed of revisions, each one has been a significant improvement.
Really detailed thanks so much!
My pleasure!
😅Its harsh and unmusical sound makes everything sound but I hardly enjoy it...Many say it's very technical but honestly I don't find it to be anything special. It's true that its dynamics, stage and separation are good but nothing “wow” as some reviews or Hifiman's own advertising tell you (“massive upgrade”). The resolution is sometimes muddy on certain classical music tracks. Not to mention the holding strength of the headband...even with 3 weeks of adaptation I find it has too much strength.
Do you recommend any option? I listen to everything.
Which has more resolution and detail , Stax L300 or Ananda nano ?