HIFIMAN EF499 vs HIFIMAN EF500
The HIFIMAN EF500 scores one step higher, 8.2 to 8.1, and the HIFIMAN EF499 costs $250 less. Going by the two reviews, the EF499 is stronger on features and the EF500 on measured noise and circuit design.
By Jakub Charkiewicz · Published · Updated
On score and price HIFIMAN EF499 The EF500 leads 8.2 to 8.1, the smallest gap the scale records, and the EF499 costs $250 less, so most buyers should take the EF499. Spend the extra $250 on the EF500 if measured noise and circuit design are what you care about most.
When to choose the EF500 over the EF499The short version
The HIFIMAN EF499 scores 8.1/10 (Recommended) and the HIFIMAN EF500 8.2/10 (Recommended). At $299 against $549, the EF499 saves you $250 over the EF500. On measured noise, the EF500 review notes "117dB SNR, <0.0025% THD" and the EF499 review "THD+N of 0.008% isn't a measurement chart-topper". The EF499 has the edge over the EF500 on features: "Doubles as a vertical headphone stand" against "Filter differences are subtle". Weighing score against price, the EF499 is the better buy for most people, even though the EF500 scores higher, and the cards below say when the EF500 makes more sense.
Higher score
HIFIMAN EF500
In the reviewer's words
The EF500 review mentions the EF499 in passing, verbatim below.
The HIFIMAN EF499 may look virtually identical to the EF500 - but these DAC/amps are more different than they seem.
Which one to buy
Most buyers should take the EF499, and the EF500 is the one to buy if measured noise and circuit design matter most to you.
| At a glance | HIFIMAN EF499 | HIFIMAN EF500 |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.1/10, Recommended | 8.2/10, Recommended |
| List price | $299 | $549 |
| Lowest tracked US price | $269 at Bloom Audio on Oct 7, 2026 | $459 at Apos Audio and 1 other store on Oct 7, 2026 |
| Better choice for | features | measured noise and circuit design |
| Less suited to | measured noise and circuit design | features |
HIFIMAN EF499
Picked on score and price. Choose it if:
- You care more about the EF499's features than the EF500's measured noise and circuit design.
- Keeping $250 matters more to you than the EF500's one-step lead over the EF499, 8.2 against 8.1.
Not ideal if:
- You need the EF500's measured noise and circuit design more than the EF499's features.
- The EF500's 8.2 against the EF499's 8.1 is worth $250 more to you.
HIFIMAN EF500
Choose it instead if:
- You care more about the EF500's measured noise and circuit design than the EF499's features.
- You would pay $250 more than the EF499 costs for the EF500's higher score, 8.2 against 8.1.
Not ideal if:
- You need the EF499's features more than the EF500's measured noise and circuit design.
- Every dollar counts: the EF499 costs $250 less than the EF500.
What matters most to you?
| What matters | HIFIMAN EF499 | HIFIMAN EF500 |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | 8.3 | 8.2 |
| Technical performance | 7.7 | 8.2 |
| Build & comfort | 8.3 | 8.5 |
| System fit | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Value | 8.1 | 7.9 |
The widest gap is technical performance: 7.7 for the EF499 against 8.2 for the EF500. The EF499 column is worked out from its review's 14 pros and cons and the EF500 column from 14, and each adds back up to its overall score, 8.1 and 8.2. How a score is built
Where they differ
Five topics the EF499 and EF500 reviews both discuss, the most decisive first.
Only the EF500
Noise and measurements
Here the EF500 review is the more positive of the two and the EF499 review finds fault:
- EF500, praised: "117dB SNR, <0.0025% THD"
- EF499, criticized: "THD+N of 0.008% isn't a measurement chart-topper"
Circuit and chips
Here the EF500 review is the more positive of the two and the EF499 review finds fault:
- EF500, praised: "First Himalaya R2R DAC chip at this price point"
- EF499, criticized: "Not the typical HIFIMAN Himalaya R2R architecture"
Features and formats
Here the EF499 review is the more positive of the two and the EF500 review has reservations:
- EF499, praised: "Doubles as a vertical headphone stand"
- EF500, criticized: "Filter differences are subtle"
Build and controls
The EF499 review and the EF500 review both have something to say here, and the EF500 review compares the two on it directly, quoted above:
- EF499, praised: "All-metal chassis, no QC issues"
- EF500, praised: "All-metal chassis with industrial design"
Placement
Here the EF500 review is the kinder of the two and the EF499 review finds fault:
- EF500, praised: "Vertical tower form factor saves desk space"
- EF499, criticized: "Primarily designed for vertical placement"
Only the EF499 review praises its bass but faults its detail; only the EF500 review faults its value.
What they have in common
The EF499 and the EF500 are both DAC/amps from HIFIMAN, and both have a USB input, a coaxial input, RCA outputs, balanced XLR outputs, a built-in network streamer, an R2R conversion stage, NOS/OS filter selection, a vertical tower form, and a balanced headphone output. Neither the EF499 nor the EF500 has an analog input. The EF499 and the EF500 are both praised for their system matching, and both criticized for their connectivity and soundstage.
On paper
The EF499 ranks #3 and the EF500 #2 of the 4 headphone amps reviewed here; on value the EF499 rates Strong and the EF500 Fair. Into 32 Ω, the EF499 is rated at 4.35 W balanced / 1.28 W single-ended and the EF500 at 4.5 W balanced. Inside, the EF499 uses Philips R2R chip (NOS/OS) and the EF500 Himalaya R2R, PCM up to 24-bit / 768 kHz. The EF499 and EF500 spec sheets match on topology (R2R ladder), inputs (USB-B, USB-C, Coaxial, Ethernet (network streaming)), and outputs (XLR + RCA line out, 4-pin XLR, 6.35 mm).
The EF499 and EF500 figures are the makers' own; IEC 60268-3 defines how they are measured.
| Spec | HIFIMAN EF499 | HIFIMAN EF500 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Philips R2R chip (NOS/OS) | Himalaya R2R, PCM up to 24-bit / 768 kHz |
| Power output | 4.35 W balanced / 1.28 W single-ended into 32 Ω | 4.5 W balanced into 32 Ω |
| THD+N | 0.008% | <0.0025% |
| SNR | 99 dB (A-weighted) | 117 dB |
| Channel separation | 95 dB | 131 dB |
How these verdicts were reached
The EF499 review was published on Feb 9, 2025 and the EF500 review on Jun 3, 2025, 4 months later, on one reference chain and rubric. The EF500 review mentions the EF499 in passing, quoted above. The EF499 and EF500 reviews were both last checked on Oct 3, 2026.
Sources
Further reading for the EF499 and the EF500: what both reviews say about sample rates and soundstage.
Questions about the EF499 and EF500
What is the difference between the HIFIMAN EF499 and the HIFIMAN EF500?
The HIFIMAN EF500 scores 8.2 and the EF499 8.1. The EF499 does better on features, the EF500 on measured noise and circuit design.
Which should you buy, the HIFIMAN EF499 or the HIFIMAN EF500?
The EF499, for most buyers: the EF500 scores 8.2 to the EF499's 8.1, the smallest gap the scale records, and that step is not worth $250 more.
Which measures quieter, the EF499 or the EF500?
The EF500: its review is positive about measured noise, while the EF499 review is critical.
How does the engineering differ between the EF499 and the EF500?
The EF500: its review is positive about circuit design, while the EF499 review is critical.
Is the EF500 worth $250 more than the EF499?
For most buyers, no. The EF500 costs $250 more than the EF499 for a score 0.1 higher, the smallest step the scale has. What the extra money gets you, going by the reviews, is the EF500's measured noise and circuit design over the EF499's.
Where they rank
In Best Headphone Amplifiers the EF500 ranks #2 and the EF499 #3.
EF500 #2 EF499 #3 - Best Value 4 picks