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frontpage Posted by f12_26 | Staff • Sep 9, 2023
frontpage Posted by f12_26 | Staff • Sep 9, 2023

Hifiman Ananda Over-Ear Planar Magnetic Headphones

+ Free Shipping

$399

$999

60% off
Amazon
153 Comments 68,977 Views
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Deal Details
Update: This popular deal is still available.

Hifiman via Amazon has Ananda Over-Ear Full-Size Planar Magnetic Headphones w/ Stealth Magnet on sale for $399. Shipping is free.

Hifiman via eBay has Ananda Over-Ear Full-Size Planar Magnetic Headphones w/ Stealth Magnet on sale for $399. Shipping is free.

Hifiman has Ananda Over-Ear Full-Size Planar Magnetic Headphones w/ Stealth Magnet on sale for $399. Shipping is free.

Thanks to staff member f12_26 for finding this deal.

Features:
  • Acoustically Invisible Stealth Magnet
  • High Sensitivity
  • NEO "supernano" Diaphragm (NsD)
  • Unparalleled Portable Audio Performance
  • Window Shade Grill Design
  • Asymmetrical Ear Cups
  • Hybrid Headband Design
  • Updated 3.5mm connectors
  • Frequency Response: 8 Hz – 55 kHz
  • Sensitivity: 92 dB
  • Impedance: 16 Ω
  • Weight: 398g

Editor's Notes

Written by powerfuldoppler | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This is $150 lower than the previous FP deal.
  • About this product:
    • 30-day refund and 1-year warranty
  • About this store:

Original Post

Written by f12_26 | Staff
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Update: This popular deal is still available.

Hifiman via Amazon has Ananda Over-Ear Full-Size Planar Magnetic Headphones w/ Stealth Magnet on sale for $399. Shipping is free.

Hifiman via eBay has Ananda Over-Ear Full-Size Planar Magnetic Headphones w/ Stealth Magnet on sale for $399. Shipping is free.

Hifiman has Ananda Over-Ear Full-Size Planar Magnetic Headphones w/ Stealth Magnet on sale for $399. Shipping is free.

Thanks to staff member f12_26 for finding this deal.

Features:
  • Acoustically Invisible Stealth Magnet
  • High Sensitivity
  • NEO "supernano" Diaphragm (NsD)
  • Unparalleled Portable Audio Performance
  • Window Shade Grill Design
  • Asymmetrical Ear Cups
  • Hybrid Headband Design
  • Updated 3.5mm connectors
  • Frequency Response: 8 Hz – 55 kHz
  • Sensitivity: 92 dB
  • Impedance: 16 Ω
  • Weight: 398g

Editor's Notes

Written by powerfuldoppler | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This is $150 lower than the previous FP deal.
  • About this product:
    • 30-day refund and 1-year warranty
  • About this store:

Original Post

Written by f12_26 | Staff

Community Voting

Deal Score
+74
Good Deal
Get Deal at Amazon

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Top Comments

Yes. Significantly more.

Here: an image of my HE-400i and Ananda cups.
https://imgur.com/opZOhTx
Regular price clearly stated on Amazon page as $549, not $999

Slickdeals posters need to stop inflating the "original" price in their title. It's bad form.
To everyone asking which one is better between XS and Ananda Stealth, I have both.

They are both amazing headphones. Both offer mind blowing Soundstage, clarity and bass (for an open back). Anandas are a little bit more higher frenquency focused and the XS have a little better bass response. Other than that, sound quality is really good on both and you can barely tell the difference. For gaming, the Anandas are superior since they are easier to drive with the ps5 controller (although I use Qudelix amp/dac plugged to the console and it sounds way better.)

The real big difference is comfort and build quality which the Ananda wins by a pretty big margin. I pick up more my Anandas just because of that. Comfort in headphones is something that alot of people take for granted, but using a headphone for 2-6 hours straight, really plays a big role.

At this price, the Anandas are the superior end game headphones for the price. I wouldn't think it twice..

152 Comments

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Sep 11, 2023
95 Posts
Joined Mar 2016
Sep 11, 2023
lionel.vargas
Sep 11, 2023
95 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank lionel.vargas

Quote from FenixDown :
I see these have an oval ear cup, but is the opening actually taller than the circle hifiman headphones?
Yes. Significantly more.

Here: an image of my HE-400i and Ananda cups.
https://imgur.com/opZOhTx
3
Sep 11, 2023
135 Posts
Joined Mar 2007
Sep 11, 2023
FenixDown
Sep 11, 2023
135 Posts
Quote from lionel.vargas :
Yes. Significantly more.

Here: an image of my HE-400i and Ananda cups.
https://imgur.com/opZOhTx
Oh man, thanks for the reply and pic. The opening on my he5se pair being just a smidge too short for me is my only complaint about them. I might spring for this Ananda set
Sep 11, 2023
152 Posts
Joined Feb 2018
Sep 11, 2023
ww2style
Sep 11, 2023
152 Posts
Reviews say these are extremely easy to drive. Would an Astro TR Mixamp Pro be suitable to run these, or does anyone have any recommended amps for someone getting into audiophile level headphones?
Sep 11, 2023
1,257 Posts
Joined Aug 2009
Sep 11, 2023
bhazard
Sep 11, 2023
1,257 Posts
Quote from ww2style :
What was the repair cost? Curious what upkeep would be for these.
$120 Out of Warranty. They replaced my XS with a new one. Excellent Customer Service.
1
Sep 11, 2023
1,441 Posts
Joined Mar 2007
Sep 11, 2023
butter123
Sep 11, 2023
1,441 Posts
Is this the lowest price ever?
1
Sep 11, 2023
13,448 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
Sep 11, 2023
Peerless_Warrior
Sep 11, 2023
13,448 Posts
Quote from linkin24 :
I am using Spotify. I also have Tidal for another 2 months but I also heard absolute no difference between Spotify and Tidal using the same songs after many hours of going back and forth. I prefer Spotify due to the music discoverability (discover weekly and release radar). I know Spotify has gotten heat for not offering hifi even though they have promised it for past 3 years. If you can tell a difference can you recommend me a specific song and particular timeframe in the song I should pay more attention too?

I am not equalizing either of the headphones during my testing but I have tried it using Equalizer APO and prefer the stock sound.

I have not tried the Ananda or Ananda Stealth.
I usually test FLAC 16/24bit 96khz for new headphones.

https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/discover
Sep 11, 2023
55 Posts
Joined Nov 2021
Sep 11, 2023
UniqueMint2287
Sep 11, 2023
55 Posts
Quote from linkin24 :
I am not equalizing either of the headphones during my testing but I have tried it using Equalizer APO and prefer the stock sound.

I have not tried the Ananda or Ananda Stealth.
I highly recommend some type of equalizer, especially for the Hifiman headphones. This is a really nice system and is portable; https://www.qudelix.com/products/...5k-dac-amp

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Sep 11, 2023
213 Posts
Joined Nov 2008
Sep 11, 2023
tomatoshoe
Sep 11, 2023
213 Posts
Picked one up from their Amazon store. Thx
1
Sep 11, 2023
12 Posts
Joined Aug 2017
Sep 11, 2023
DanielR9615
Sep 11, 2023
12 Posts
The XS is definately better than the original Ananda I know they have improved the Ananda but I wonder if it is enough to make it better than the XS .
Sep 11, 2023
97 Posts
Joined Jun 2011
Sep 11, 2023
linkin24
Sep 11, 2023
97 Posts
Quote from UniqueMint2287 :
I highly recommend some type of equalizer, especially for the Hifiman headphones. This is a really nice system and is portable; https://www.qudelix.com/products/...5k-dac-amp
Thanks! I'm definitely going to pick this up as I don't have a portable DAC yet and I have seen this exact model touted on several FB Headphone/Audio groups and Reddit.

My RME ADI-2 DAC is coming tomorrow which has lots of built in EQ and PEQ options built into the unit itself. Excited to try it to see if it's a good replacement for my Schiit Modius/Magnius.
Sep 11, 2023
244 Posts
Joined Jul 2012
Sep 11, 2023
inter4ever
Sep 11, 2023
244 Posts
I got the Hifiman HE-400 nearly 10 years ago now, and they've been fantastic! I've been out of the loop for a long time now, but are those considered a huge upgrade from the old HE-400?
Sep 11, 2023
47 Posts
Joined Nov 2016
Sep 11, 2023
vladtherus
Sep 11, 2023
47 Posts
I have been wanting to jump onto planar for a while now.

Currently running Sennheiser HD660S.

Thoughts on upgrade?
1
Sep 11, 2023
2,029 Posts
Joined Oct 2004
Sep 11, 2023
prismx
Sep 11, 2023
2,029 Posts
Rocking my Sundara now with Peace configured for them and my D50 with a Atom amp. Wondering how much better these would be.
Sep 11, 2023
351 Posts
Joined Jun 2017
Sep 11, 2023
rafoyon
Sep 11, 2023
351 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank rafoyon

To everyone asking which one is better between XS and Ananda Stealth, I have both.

They are both amazing headphones. Both offer mind blowing Soundstage, clarity and bass (for an open back). Anandas are a little bit more higher frenquency focused and the XS have a little better bass response. Other than that, sound quality is really good on both and you can barely tell the difference. For gaming, the Anandas are superior since they are easier to drive with the ps5 controller (although I use Qudelix amp/dac plugged to the console and it sounds way better.)

The real big difference is comfort and build quality which the Ananda wins by a pretty big margin. I pick up more my Anandas just because of that. Comfort in headphones is something that alot of people take for granted, but using a headphone for 2-6 hours straight, really plays a big role.

At this price, the Anandas are the superior end game headphones for the price. I wouldn't think it twice..
Last edited by rafoyon September 11, 2023 at 06:33 AM.
1

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Sep 11, 2023
514 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
Sep 11, 2023
truth.xbl
Sep 11, 2023
514 Posts
Quote from chesser :
Is it better than Edition XS? There's a refurb one going for $329 - which one is a better value for money?
tl;dr:
If you like a "fun" sound (bass/ treble shelf, recessed mids... harman target) go for the XS
If you want accurate reproduction of a recording (and you don't mind a lack in overall bass reach) go for the Ananda Stealth.


It really depends on your listening preference. The XS is much closer to the Harman target. They're *fun* sounding (for a hifiman planar... most of which tend to be bass lean and slightly clinical) The Ananda Stealth, to my ear, is fairly neutral. If you've never listened to the non-stealth Ananda you won't really have a reference point... but I would say they're as close to a "reference" (ie tonally neutral, not overly cold or warm... no real shelves or dips that you'll "feel" while you're listening to them). They are however, lacking bass compared to the XS. Both offer a very similar soundstage, and imaging. Both have better than avg timbre for vocals and strings. Despite the v-shaped tuning of the XS, the extra warmth in the bass and sub bass do not improve their ability to resolve drums. Drum timbre is average at best on both sets.

Quote from rafoyon :
To everyone asking which one is better between XS and Ananda Stealth, I have both.

They are both amazing headphones. Both offer mind blowing Soundstage, clarity and bass (for an open back). Anandas are a little bit more higher frenquency focused and the XS have a little better bass response. Other than that, sound quality is really good on both. For gaming, the Anandas are superior since they are easier to drive with the ps5 controller (although I use Qudelix amp/dac plugged to the console and it sounds way better.)

The real big difference is comfort and build quality which the Ananda wins by a pretty big margin. I pick up more my Anandas just because of that. Comfort in headphones is something that alot of people take for granted, but using a headphone for 2-6 hours straight, really plays a big role.

At this price, the Anandas are the superior end game headphones for the price. I wouldn't think it twice..
Comfort is very subjective as is sound. I too believe that the suspension bands are better, but that is frankly an interchangeable component.

I'm not sure that... based on comfort alone, the Ananda Stealth should instantly be the blanket answer.

Beyond power demands (which you covered), they are very very similar (which you lightly touched on) except for their tuning targets. The *latter* should, in my opinion, be the deciding factor when picking a headphone. Tonal preference.

*Most* people don't have 4+ hours to dedicate to a single listening/gaming/viewing session, and the padded band on the XS is perfectly fine up to that point. In fact if properly broken in the padded band rivals the comfort of the suspension (I recommend taking 2 or 3 velcro cable ties... putting them side by side in the center of the band, tightening them down and leaving them that way for a couple of days.... this removes the hotspot from the center of the band, and makes them basically disappear on your head after)
Last edited by truth.xbl September 10, 2023 at 07:29 PM.
2

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