HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth vs HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth
The HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth scores 0.3 higher and costs $760 less than the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth. The reviews favour the Ananda Stealth on amp matching, and the HE1000 Stealth on soundstage.
By Jakub Charkiewicz, updated .
Our pick HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth The Ananda Stealth is 0.3 ahead on score and costs $760 less than the HE1000 Stealth: nothing to trade. The reviews favour the HE1000 Stealth over the Ananda Stealth on soundstage, which is its case.
When to choose the HE1000 Stealth over the Ananda StealthThe short version
The HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth scores 8.8/10 (Highly Recommended) and the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth 8.5/10 (Highly Recommended). At $359 against $1,119, the Ananda Stealth saves you $760 over the HE1000 Stealth. On amp matching, the Ananda Stealth's review lists "Easy to drive (16Ω, 93dB sensitivity)" where the HE1000 Stealth's lists "Revealing - unforgiving of poor recordings or cheap sources". On soundstage the HE1000 Stealth has the edge over the Ananda Stealth: "Wide, open, out-of-your-head soundstage with strong imaging" against "Soundstage isn't the widest". The published pick rule chooses the Ananda Stealth over the HE1000 Stealth.
Higher score
HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth
HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth
Which one to buy
Our pick is the Ananda Stealth, unless its soundstage would be a dealbreaker; then the HE1000 Stealth.
HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth
Our pick. Choose it if:
- The Ananda Stealth's amp matching matters more to you than the HE1000 Stealth's soundstage.
- You want the Ananda Stealth's higher score (8.8 against 8.5) and $760 back against the HE1000 Stealth.
- You want the Ananda Stealth's warmer sound, where the HE1000 Stealth runs brighter.
HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth
Choose it instead if:
- The HE1000 Stealth's soundstage matters more to you than the Ananda Stealth's amp matching.
- You want the HE1000 Stealth's brighter sound, where the Ananda Stealth runs warmer.
What matters most to you?
| What matters | HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth | HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | 9.1 | 8.5 |
| Technical performance | 8.4 | 8.6 |
| Build & comfort | 8.8 | 9.0 |
| System fit | 8.9 | 8.4 |
| Value | 8.8 | 7.8 |
The widest gap is value: 8.8 for the Ananda Stealth against 7.8 for the HE1000 Stealth. Each column comes from its own review's pros and cons, 13 for the Ananda Stealth and 14 for the HE1000 Stealth, and recombines to its headline score, 8.8 and 8.5. How a score is built
Where they differ
Three topics the Ananda Stealth and HE1000 Stealth reviews both discuss, the most decisive first.
Only the HE1000 Stealth
Amp and source matching
The Ananda Stealth review lists one strength here, the HE1000 Stealth review one flaw.
- Ananda Stealth, strength: "Easy to drive (16Ω, 93dB sensitivity)"
- HE1000 Stealth, flaw: "Revealing - unforgiving of poor recordings or cheap sources"
Comfort and fit
The Ananda Stealth review lists two strengths and two flaws here and the HE1000 Stealth review two strengths and two flaws, with no clear edge.
- Ananda Stealth, strength: "Suspension-strap headband - distributes weight well"
- HE1000 Stealth, strength: "Excellent comfort despite 458g"
Soundstage and imaging
The HE1000 Stealth review lists one strength here, the Ananda Stealth review one strength and one flaw.
- HE1000 Stealth, strength: "Wide, open, out-of-your-head soundstage with strong imaging"
- Ananda Stealth, flaw: "Soundstage isn't the widest"
Only the HE1000 Stealth review discusses treble (one flaw), mids (one flaw), build (one strength), and cabling (one strength), and the Ananda Stealth review does not.
What they have in common
The Ananda Stealth and the HE1000 Stealth are both open-back planar magnetic headphones from HIFIMAN, and both have Stealth Magnets, a suspension-strap headband, and dual 3.5mm cable sockets. The Ananda Stealth and HE1000 Stealth reviews both praise bass, tonal balance, and driver technology, and both fault detail.
Sound signature, overlaid
On tonal balance the Ananda Stealth sounds warm where the HE1000 Stealth sounds bright, on presentation the Ananda Stealth sits near neutral where the HE1000 Stealth sounds analytical, on energy the Ananda Stealth sits near neutral where the HE1000 Stealth sounds energetic, and on stage size the Ananda Stealth sits near neutral where the HE1000 Stealth sounds wide-staged. The HE1000 Stealth review reads bass weight and the Ananda Stealth review does not, so the two go uncompared there.
On paper
The Ananda Stealth ranks #6 and the HE1000 Stealth #12 of the 30 headphones reviewed here; on value the Ananda Stealth rates Strong and the HE1000 Stealth Steep. To reach 110 dB peaks the Ananda Stealth needs about 50 mW and the HE1000 Stealth about 50 mW, which puts both in reach of most dongle DACs. At 400 g against 458 g, the Ananda Stealth is 58 g lighter than the HE1000 Stealth. The Ananda Stealth and the HE1000 Stealth both take Dual 3.5 mm cables, so one upgrade cable fits either. The Ananda Stealth and HE1000 Stealth spec sheets match on driver (Planar magnetic), sensitivity (93 dB), and connector (Dual 3.5 mm).
The Ananda Stealth and HE1000 Stealth figures come from HIFIMAN's official site.
| Spec | HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth | HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth |
|---|---|---|
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Frequency response | 8 Hz - 55 kHz | 8 Hz - 65 kHz |
| Weight | 400 g | 458 g |
How these verdicts were reached
The Ananda Stealth was reviewed in June 2024 and the HE1000 Stealth in June 2026, two years later, on one reference chain and rubric. The Ananda Stealth review never mentions the HE1000 Stealth, nor the HE1000 Stealth review the Ananda Stealth: two separate sessions. The Ananda Stealth and HE1000 Stealth reviews were both re-checked in September 2026.
Questions about the Ananda Stealth and HE1000 Stealth
What is the difference between the HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth and the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth?
On the rubric the HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth leads the HE1000 Stealth, 8.8 to 8.5. In the reviews' own lines, amp matching goes to the Ananda Stealth and soundstage to the HE1000 Stealth. Where they really split is voicing: the HE1000 Stealth runs noticeably brighter, the Ananda Stealth warmer.
Which should you buy, the HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth or the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth?
The Ananda Stealth: it leads the HE1000 Stealth on both counts, 8.8 against 8.5 and $760 less.
Which is easier to drive, the Ananda Stealth or the HE1000 Stealth?
The Ananda Stealth: its review lists one strength on amp matching, the HE1000 Stealth review one flaw.
How do the Ananda Stealth and the HE1000 Stealth compare on soundstage and imaging?
The HE1000 Stealth, narrowly: its review lists one strength on soundstage, the Ananda Stealth review one strength and one flaw.
Is the HE1000 Stealth worth $760 more than the Ananda Stealth?
Not on score: the HE1000 Stealth costs $760 more than the Ananda Stealth for 0.3 less on the rubric. In the reviews' own lines, it buys the HE1000 Stealth's soundstage and build over the Ananda Stealth.
Where they rank
In Best Planar Magnetic Headphones the Ananda Stealth ranks #5 and the HE1000 Stealth #9; in Best Open-Back Headphones the Ananda Stealth ranks #6 and the HE1000 Stealth #11; only the Ananda Stealth makes Best Headphones Under $500 (#2).
Ananda Stealth #2 HE1000 Stealth not listed 12 picks
Best Planar Magnetic Headphones
Ananda Stealth #5 HE1000 Stealth #9 11 picks
Ananda Stealth #6 HE1000 Stealth #11 14 picks