Since its creation in 2006 by Dr. Fang Bian, the HiFiMAN brand has marketed a wide range of in-ear monitors, headphones and amplifiers, including our star of the day: the HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth Magnet. With their unique magnetic system and Planar Magnetic transducers, these headphones aim to deliver detailed, accurate and crystal-clear sound, all at an unbeatable price.
Included accessories
The HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth Magnet headphones come in well-designed packaging. In fact, the wedges that keep the headphones firmly in place inside the box also act as a headphone stand! A 1.50m double 3.5mm mini-jack to 3.5mm mini-jack cable and a 6.35mm adapter complete the package. However, we would have appreciated a balanced cable and a storage/carrying pouch.
Presentation
This is the third version of the HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth Magnet headphones, with an impedance of 16 ohms (compared to 26 and 27 ohms for previous versions), a sensitivity of 93 dB and a weight of 398g (compared to 440 g previously).
Retro design
The HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth Magnet headphones feature a sophisticated retro look. The lines of the HiFiMAN Sundara for the headband and those of the HiFiMAN HE-1000 for the earcups are clearly visible. The oval shape of the earcups perfectly covers the ear without pressing on the temples. This model has an elegant, timeless design.
The Ananda Stealth Magnet feature a suspended headband system designed for optimum fit and comfort. There are two parts: a metal headband and a soft, leather headband that is pleasant to the touch and rests gently on the user’s head, adding a touch of luxury to the listening experience. The asymmetrical ear cups follow the natural shape of the ear, while the pads are thick for optimum comfort. Weighing in at just 398g, you quickly forget that you are wearing the headphones once the music starts, enabling extended fatigue-free listening.
Planar Magnetic transducers
In terms of sound, the HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth Magnet headphones are an open-back model. This means that sound can flow freely through the ear cups, offering a wider soundstage and more natural audio reproduction than with closed-back headphones. However, this open design also lets outside sounds interfere with your music, making it unsuitable for noisy environments. Note also that those around you will also be able to hear the music being played.
At the heart of the headphones are Planar Magnetic nanometric NsD (Neo supernano Diaphragm) transducers that cover a very wide bandwidth, from 8Hz to 55kHz! Being extremely thin, these diaphragms offer optimum responsiveness and precision. This guarantees a rich, dynamic sound, while distortion is minimized thanks to the Stealth Magnet system.
Versatility
Unlike most headphones with Planar Magnetic transducers, the HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth Magnet (V3) have a high sensitivity of 93 dB at 1mW and a low impedance of 16 ohms. They can therefore be used with low-power DAPs and sources. Of course, we still recommend pairing them with a mid-range headphone amplifier such as the FiiO K9 or iFi Audio ZEN CAN 3 to take full advantage of their qualities.
Connectors
The HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth Magnet hi-fi headphones come with a 1.5-meter cable. It features a double gold-plated mini-jack plug for connection to each ear cup. At the end is a 3.5mm mini-jack plug, angled to prevent kinks. The 3.5mm mini-jack to 6.35mm jack adapter further expands the number of compatible sources, although we would have preferred a cable rather than an adapter. The conductors are effectively shielded to ensure clear, interference-free signal transmission.
Key specifications
- Type: open-back, over-ear
- Transducer: planar magnetic nanometric NsD (Neo supernano Diaphragm)
- Stealth Magnet system
- Impedance: 16 ohms
- Sensitivity: 93 dB @ 1kHz / 1mW
- Frequency response: 8–55,000Hz
- Headphone stand included
- 3.5mm mini-jack cable (angled, 1.5m) + 6.35mm jack adapter
- Weight: 398g
Listening conditions
To test the HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth Magnet (V3) headphones, we paired them with the FiiO R7 headphone amplifier and the Audioquest DragonFly Red DAC. After several hours of break-in, the music was listened to in Hi-Res on Qobuz.
Our impressions
From the very first notes, we enjoyed a natural, balanced reproduction with a beautiful openness. On Ella Fitzgerald’s “Moonlight in Vermont”, all we had to do is close our eyes to get the impression that the singers were standing right in front of us. The reproduction was crisp and precise, allowing each instrument to be clearly distinguished. The piano was a perfect accompaniment at the beginning of the song, with deep bass that didn’t overpower the vocals. The sound was well-defined, and even the highest trumpet notes remained clear. The sound was rich in micro-details and never tiring.
Overall, the HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth Magnet headphones were analytically faithful to the original recording. Each frequency was well rendered, without one overpowering the other. On Eminem’s “Business”, the bass was deep and responsive, giving body to the music. The soundstage remained very wide, making the listening experience immersive and natural.
HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth Magnet VS Sivga Luan
Although built differently, both headphones are very comfortable. Inside, the Planar Magnetic transducers of the HiFiMAN model offer a wider frequency response, from 8Hz to 55kHz, compared to 20Hz to 41kHz for the Sivga. The HiFiMAN’s sound signature is more analytical and faithful to recordings, while the Sivga Luan offer a warmer musicality. As for accessories, the Sivga Luan come with a hard leather carrying case and cable storage pouch, while the HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth Magnet have a headphone stand.
Who are the HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth Magnet headphones designed for?
The HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth Magnet hi-fi headphones are for audiophiles who want to get the most out of their Hi-Res files. With their Planar Magnetic nanometric transducers and open-back design, they are ideal for those who appreciate a wide soundstage, great clarity and precise reproduction of detail. They offer a sound that remains true to the original recordings, something that will also appeal to audio professionals. However, this model requires a quiet environment to take full advantage of its qualities, otherwise ambient noise could interfere with your music. What’s more, they are comfortable to wear, even during extended listening sessions, making it perfect for music lovers who spend long hours listening to music.
Conclusion
The HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth Magnet headphones are the perfect answer to the needs of discerning audiophiles! Beautiful spatialization, wide soundstage, precise reproduction of details, sound balance… They have many qualities that will enable you to fully enjoy your Hi-Res files. It’s hard to find Planar Magnetic headphones at this price and of this high quality!
We liked
- The value for money
- The comfortable retro design
- The great clarity
- The width of the soundstage
- The included headphone stand
We would have liked
- A balanced cable
- A storage pouch
