HIFIMAN EF499 vs HIFIMAN EF500
On score and price HIFIMAN EF499 One step behind the EF500, for a much lower list price.
The HIFIMAN EF500 scores one step higher, 8.2 to 8.1, and the 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
When to choose the EF500 over the EF499Is the EF500 worth $250 more than the EF499?
For most buyers, no: the EF500 leads the EF499 by 0.1, the smallest step the scale records, and one step is not worth the price difference. Going by the two reviews, what the EF500 adds for the money is its measured noise and circuit design, and the EF499 keeps the edge on features.
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 US price now | $269 at Bloom Audio on Nov 6, 2026 | $459 at Apos Audio and 1 other store on Nov 6, 2026 |
HIFIMAN EF499
Choose it if:
- You care more about the EF499's features than the EF500's measured noise and circuit design.
HIFIMAN EF500
Choose it instead if:
- You care more about the EF500's measured noise and circuit design than the EF499's features.
What matters most to you?
| What matters | HIFIMAN EF499 | HIFIMAN EF500 |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | 8.3 | 8.2 |
| Technical performance | 7.6 | 8.2 |
| Build & comfort | 8.3 | 8.5 |
| System fit | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Value | 8.2 | 7.9 |
The widest gap is technical performance: 7.6 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. 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.
Where they rank
In Best Headphone Amplifiers the EF500 ranks #2 and the EF499 #3.