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HiFiMAN Ananda Open-Back Planar-Magnetic Headphone

HiFiMAN Ananda Open-Back Planar-Magnetic Headphone

HiFiMan is arguably the most prolific producer of high-quality headphones in the world with several new designs introduced each year. In the Ultimate Headphone Guide (Summer 2018), I had the pleasure of reviewing the manufacturer’s stunning Shangri-La Junior electrostatic headphone system and was very impressed with its overall performance—most notably its outstanding clarity, coherence, and transparency. I wondered how good a much more affordable HiFiMan headphone that uses planar-magnetic technology would be.

Like the Shangri-La Junior, HiFiMan’s open-back Ananda uses an extremely thin, lightweight driver membrane. However, the Ananda’s technology is derived from the company’s highly regarded Susvara headphone, which costs six times more. Unlike the Shangri-La Junior, the Ananda uses planar-magnetic drivers instead of electrostatic ones. Its “supernano” diaphragm is 80% thinner than its previous designs in this price category and is only 1 to 2 microns thick. What this means sonically is that the driver is faster and more detailed. The leading edges of transients, such as drum rim shots, strummed strings on a guitar, or the ping on brass instruments are reproduced with startling clarity, as they are in real life.

Additionally, since the driver is evenly driven, the Ananda’s tonal balance is fundamentally neutral, smooth, and undistorted. Some may be surprised by its ability to reproduce deep bass with extension, power, and articulation. It gives a solid foundation to all types of music but this is particularly noticeable on deep synth, piano, and pipe organ pedal tones.

Mercifully, fine details emerge clearly and cleanly but without any added brightness. There is a touch of warmth that encourages long-term listening and helps minimize listener fatigue. You’ll also hear subtle nuances that draw you into the performance. Ambient cues from the recording venue are reproduced as in real life. For example, when listening to a choir in a church on an Opus 3 recording like Musica Sacra, you’ll hear the echo in the hall after the choir stops singing. It’s all very natural and engaging.

The Ananda captures the excitement and energy of the live performance. Listening to Alison Krauss and Union Station on SACD, the Ananda makes you feel like you’re part of the audience. Krauss’ voice is detailed with no hint of stridency, and the picking and strumming are detailed, lively, and present.

One of the limitations of headphones with planar-magnetic drivers is that you typically need a powerful headphone amplifier to drive them. However, the Ananda is one of a new generation of planar-magnetic headphones that are much more sensitive and easier to drive. Its high sensitivity (103dB) enables the Ananda to be used with most any smartphone or portable audio device. Here’s a planar-magnetic headphone that is both portable and at home on a desktop.

Many high-performance headphones can become uncomfortable during long listening sessions, but not the Ananda. While it is not light—weighing about 14 ounces—its advanced headband design distributes its weight evenly to enhance comfort. I also found the Ananda’s padded earcups quite comfortable, fitting my ears nicely. The earcups are user-replaceable, too.

Is the Ananda better than the Shangri-La Junior electrostatic headphone? No, it is not quite as refined, detailed, and transparent, but there is definitely a family resemblance with the Ananda coming surprisingly close on these important sonic attributes, as well as in deep bass extension and top-to-bottom coherence. That the Ananda achieves this level of performance at a fraction of the price of the ’stats is quite an achievement.

As its Sanskrit name implies, Ananda produces sonic “bliss.” With its advanced planar-magnetic technology and ultra-thin diaphragm, the Ananda sounds similar in many respects to the company’s more expensive offerings. Better still, it can be used “on-the-go” with a smartphone or portable audio device. The Ananda is a top performer in its price class and a great value.

Specs & Pricing

Type: Open-back, circumaural, planar-magnetic headphone with very low-mass, “supernano” diaphragms
Frequency response: 8Hz–55kHz
Sensitivity: 103dB
Impedance: 25 ohms
Weight: 14.07 oz. (399g)
Price: $999

HIFIMAN CORPORATION
(201) 443-4626
hifiman.com

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