HiFiMAN ANANDA-NANO Open-Back Stealth Magnets Planar Hi-Fi Headphones for Audiophiles, Home and Studio, Silver

Product Information

When it comes to bass performance, both the Edition XS and Ananda Nano have their unique strengths. The Edition XS delivers punchy and impactful bass that feels both natural and effortless, thanks to its Ultra-Thin Diaphragm. The bass quantity is sufficient for a wide range of genres, providing a sweet bass that hits and rumbles just right. On the other hand, the Ananda Nano reproduces a spot-on bass range that is impactful and blazing-fast despite its neutral characteristics. The infrasonic frequencies are easily felt, and the bass feels alive, dynamic, and powerful. The bass range is coherent with no audible imbalance, and the transition from the bass range to the midrange is seamless. Testing Equipment: FiiO K9 PRO ESS, Topping E70V & L70, Chord Mojo 2, Topping G5, Lavricables Master Line, DHC Peptide Extreme Why do planar magnetic headphones often sound better than traditional dynamic headphones? Since the conductor layer (voice coil) on the diaphragm of the planar is evenly distributed on the surface of the diaphragm, the electromagnetic force that drives the diaphragm to vibrate and produce sound acts much more uniformly than the voice coil acts on the surface of the cone-type diaphragm on a dynamic headphone. Ultimately, the phase distortion is lower, and the spatial information of sound reproduction suffers less loss than dynamic headphones, while providing a much larger sound stage and better positioning.

I am in two minds about that because whilst I recognize the 3.5mm TRS plugs are a setup in quality over the 2.5mm mono plugs it does mean aftermarket cables previously used on the likes of the Edition X et al are now redundant on the Ananda. HIFIMAN has also reworked the fit of the Ananda, and I think it’s an improvement, though will certainly vary in how its received. Historically, the company’s egg-shaped earcups have all been quite large, which results in a loose fit. It’s good for long-term comfort but was challenging if you also had a small head. At 5’ 8”, I always found them to be a bit looser than I would prefer, though wasn’t especially bothered by that quality. I had a few weeks to spend with Ananda Nano and they’ve been some of the best sounding weeks I’ve had in a long while, so I also had the time to pair them with a good number of sources, including HIFIMAN’s own EF400 DAC AMP, but also FiiO K9 PRO, iBasso DX320 MAX TI, Astell & Kern ACRO CA1000T, Palab M1 Mini, Aune S9C PRO and Hiby R6 III. Although the somewhat low SPL of 94 dB makes it feel hard to drive, I had excellent experience with affordable sources too, and you only need a JDS Labs Atom Hevi AMP to have an excellent experience, and you could do really well with a high quality portable DAC AMP like Shanling UA5 too, so no need to panic. If there’s anything I would add to Ananda Nano is a balanced cable to use all the power available with all the sources out there. Overall, my favorite sources with Ananda Nano have been HIFIMAN’s own EF400 and FiiO K9 PRO, both of which provide a really wide and powerful sound with it. I just wonder if Hifiman will be tempted to go down the 4.4mm balanced route with their optional cables. Given this is a headphone that prides itself on sensitivity from portable sources a 4.4mm balanced cable option might actually be very useful and interesting to try out. The HIFIMAN Ananda Nano are a relatively easy headphone to drive, so you won’t need more than a basic dongle DAC to drive these to an acceptable volume (though, as is often the case, they benefit from more power with improved bass response). For my listening, I used a mix of my Fiio KA3 and the Fiio K9 Pro ESS . The KA3 was able to provide more than enough power, so it’s safe to say that you don’t need to invest in special portable gear to take this headphone on the go.It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with HIFIMAN, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. I’d like to thank HIFIMAN for providing the sample for this review. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it. The purpose of this review is to help those interested in the HIFIMAN Ananda Nano Planar Magnetic Headphones find their next music companion. And like the Sundara, this is not exactly an aesthetic upgrade, there are sonic differences also that, for me, improve on the Edition X V2. The Ananda Pitch Price Point HIFIMAN, a leading manufacturer of high-end audio products, today announced two new headphones: the Arya Organic and the Ananda Nano. Both are the third iterations of popular HIFIMAN planar magnetic headphones, promising improved detail and frequency response. Experience a powerful and immersive sound with the Hifiman Ananda Nano headphones, taking your audio experience to new heights. These hi-fi headphones feature a convenient over-ear design that ensures exceptional comfort, allowing you to enjoy extended listening sessions without any discomfort. Prepare to be captivated by superior sound quality, thanks to their planar magnetic drivers that deliver an amazing soundstage and impressive dynamics. A Generational Leap Forward

Eye-catching ‘window shade grilles’ give these headphones aesthetic appeal. More than that, though, the grilles perform a practical purpose in greatly reducing sonic reflections. Reduced reflection means a less muddled sound and greater clarity. The Ananda adopts the same headband system as the Sundara. It is simpler in functionality than the older swivel system of the Edition X V2 but it does feel more durable with fewer moving parts. Does switching to the Nano Diaphragm really bring such a big sound boost? I can answer this question with a resounding yes. I already ended the comparison with a Sundara or HE-400SE after a short time. The Anando Nano is in a completely different class, and the two Hifiman entry-level models cannot compete in any discipline. Therefore, I used my Hifiman Susvara as a comparison. All of this leads us to the Ananda Nano, and all I have to say is wow. But I guess you’re looking for more words than that. For readers not familiar with the HIFIMAN Stealth magnets design, let’s remember that unlike the sound waves created by a conventional magnet, the special shape of Stealth magnets enables the waves to pass through the magnets without generating interference. This advanced magnet design is acoustically transparent, dramatically reducing wave diffraction turbulence that degrades the integrity of the sound waves.The Ananda Nano is an interesting pair of headphones. When I reviewed the original Ananda two years ago, I found it to be excellent. The value proposition was very good for the sound quality it delivered. Overall, I think the Nano is an improvement in both sound quality and fit, so “Ananda to Ananda,” I would suggest the Nano every time. Both headphones feature user-replaceable earpads, and the SR3’s earpads undergo a massive change in its sound signature depending on the type of earpad used. It comes with two different material earpads, one offering a warm, rounded signature, and the other offering an airy, balanced, and detailed signature. This effectively makes the SR3 a 2-in-1 deal of a headphone. Fans of the Arya often ask for a next-gen model that with an even ‘fuller sound signature,’ which translates to greater detail and overall frequency response,” said Dr. Fang Bian, President, and CEO, HIFIMAN Electronics. “Arya Organic is our response, with a soundstage and sonic output that will satisfy the most demanding audiophiles and music lovers.”

Bass is mostly neutral, with decent extension which however doesn’t cover the lowest notes with the same authority. There’s a very good amount of detail and layering is great as well. Midrange is more towards the bright side than anything, with a clear rise starting in the middle and going up with frequency; this sometimes creates a bit of thinness, but in general manages to give more energy and vivacity to the sound without compromising its overall tonality. Treble is where the rise that started in the midrange tops off, only to then go down quite rapidly in the upper area. It can sometimes be a bit aggressive, but it’s also quite detailed and overall pleasant in the mix. Final Thoughts I cant count times, when I had it not charging, since YOU HAVE TO PRESS A SPECIAL BUTTON TO CHARGE THEM. That’s a bad joke. Hybrid Headband Design: This design disperses weight evenly along the strap, for unmatched comfort over extended listening sessions. The openness and stage imaging really surprised me. It sounds so open, transparent and lively that you feel as if you were right in the middle of live concert recordings. The stage is very wide and deep with instrument separation that acts razor sharp. One of the strongest features of the Ananda Nano.

TL;DR: recap

ANANDA NANO weighs 14.8 oz. Frequency response is 5Hz – 55kHz, sensitivity is rated at 94dB, and impedance is 14 ohms. While there are some surprising similarities to go over when it comes to balance, the Ananda, Ananda Nano, and Edition XS all have rather distinct staging and imaging characteristics. Hifiman has consistently impressed me with its offerings, and the Ananda Nano is no exception. I’ve always held Hifiman’s planar headphones in high regard, considering them the last stop before the electrostatics. Having used the Edition XS daily for a year, I’ve had ample opportunity to experience a variety of equipment alongside it. Before delving into the Nano’s sound, I’d like to elaborate on this point. Planar headphones indeed have a unique sound, distinct from dynamic driver headphones. The sensation I first experienced with the HE-6 was replicated when I switched from a dynamic driver headphone to a Hifiman with planar drivers.