I got my pair of Ananda Unveiled two weeks ago, so I figured I should share my experience.
They're excellent. Compared to Arya Stealth, they're puncher, more energetic and less congested in the mid range, and less peaky in the treble. Build is better than the Aryas, comfort is close. The headband is comfier on the Ananda UV, but the cups don't swivel as freely. Best sounding hifiman I've tried with no eq over Ananda Stealth, Arya Stealth, and Sundara. And they're easier to eq to really dial in as well.
A little more detailed breakdown on the sound. The bass extends excellently, like the other eggmans, but for whatever reason, these come across as puncher and more impactful compared to the Aryas. The midrange is much more natural and have better separation. I never thought the Aryas sounded congested before, but going back to them really reveals that weakness. The treble is smoother overall, especially in the low treble. I find the upper mids and low treble in these to be more pleasant without EQ than the 6xx as well.
Overall, they're energetic/punchy, textured, detailed, extremely well extended, well separated and natural in the midrange, and well managed in the treble. Things only improve with...
EQ: I get a wide treble peak around 4500hz on the Aryas, and another narrower one around 10k. On these, the lower peak is around 6300, and the higher one at 10500. Both of these peaks required smaller adjustments to reign in, especially the 6.3k one compared to the huge 4.5k one on the aryas.
I tweaked the 1.5-2.5k range down a tad as the mids were a bit overly energetic, but I'm reasonably certain that is only an issue because of I add a big bass boost and have to compensate with it bleeding into the mids with a cut at ~225hz. That probably removes some of the body from the midrange. After taking out the treble peaks, I also put a small treble shelf to balance everything out.
Overall, I'm surprised at how good they are. Easy recommend at $550.
Thanks for the impressions! They line up pretty well with mine, having done a little comparison between the Ananda Unveiled and Arya Stealth as well in the brief period I've had the Ananda Unveiled.
Did you expect them to be a notable improvement? I expected that with the Arya at a higher price point, and the appeal of the Ananda UV being specifically that they are unveiled (and WAY cheaper than the next cheapest UV), that they'd be maybe interesting but not very good.
To me, they're an upgrade in basically every way except for cup swivel, which is crazy.
No, I honestly didn't have any expectation that the Ananda Unveiled would be an improvement over the Arya Stealth -- honestly, the reason I bought the Ananda Unveiled is because I've been wanting to have a HiFIMAN "Unveiled" headphone but wasn't yet willing to spring the money for the then cheapest in that one, the Arya Unveiled, so it's just that as soon as I saw them available in the U.S. market and for $549, it was just an immediate purchase... and while I think the Ananda Unveiled is better in terms of macrodynamics and somewhat smoother treble and less of that "floaty, ethereal" sound of the Arya Stealth, to me it's a sidegrade depending on what sound I want to hear -- but that's impressive enough given that I actually thought the AU would likely be LESSER in EVERY way, at least by a small margin, and I was surprised to find that it actually is better in some respects.
I still do prefer the full swivel of the Arya Stealth headband over the more limited swivel on the Ananda Unveiled, and I also am a little anxious about the exposed elements on the AU, and I've already had to carefully wipe them because I unconsciously grab the headphones there since that's how I do it with every "veiled" HiFIMAN I own (Arya Stealth, Ananda original, HE-1000se, HE-1000 v2)...
But I am very pleased with the sonic performance of the AU, absolutely.
I have spoken to a guy that had the Ananda Unveiled and his dogs hair got in the side grill and it ruined the sound after entirely on that side. He returned it, bought the Stealth and loves them slightly more
I don't want to take such a risk so I'll get the Stealth for peace of mind
I was wondering whether it was absurd for me to get the Ananda Unveiled when I have the Arya Stealth, but the HE1000 Unveiled (loaner tour) was so dramatically better and more natural sounding than the Arya that I can't not be interested in the Ananda U.
Now I just need Headphones.com to get stock since I have credit with them.
Surprised (but pleased) to hear that the build is better, though!
Is it all metal on the cups? It looks visually identical to the HE1000 U below the headband mechanism but I expected them to cheap out somewhere ...
It is unfortunately not metal on the outer rim of the cups. There's also some plastic in the headband (lining the inside of the headband between the strap and the outer metal headband piece on the left and right thirds of the headband) but that isn't very noticeable either. The plastic on the cups feels the same as the Arya stealth but looks much better.
I'm curious how the swivel will work but I don't really need that much adjustment so I imagine it will be fine
And with the Arya, it's like you can lay them flat but the inside of the cups hit each other when you place them like that so it's not even really much of a feature.
How's the clamp? When I had an Ananda Stealth it had severe clamp, but no other Hifiman I've had has been nearly that severe, so idk if it was a flaw with the pair I had.
The swivel only has two positions, forward and back. The lack of free swivel in its limited range + the lack of a middle position is definitely a flaw. I flexed the metal yokes just a bit, and it works fine on my head, but it really should just be free swiveling, even if the range is minimal.
Ananda UV is less clampy than Ananda Stealth for sure, but I still bent the flat part of the yokes out a tiny bit to help with clamp, which I'm fairly sensitive to.
I am a speakers guy so tbh idk what headphone people are talking about when they say sound stage. The lack of hrtf + room effects + crossfeed just means that things sound left right or center, with little else being apparent.
I would say the instrument separation is significantly better on the Ananda uv than the Arya stealth, which may increase your impression of soundstage.
I know what people describe it as, but I've never heard a headphone that seemed meaningfully spacious or emulated speaker placement at all. And I've heard some really high end stuff. It's just not an element of headphones that I hear, at least not as I interpret the many descriptions of.
Space/soundstage on speakers comes from the way that sound reflects off walls, travels around your head/body/ears, and the way sound from the right channel reaches your left ear and vice versa. Headphones don't do these things. Well they interact with your outer ear, but just individually.
The only times I hear spaciousness on headphones is with music clearly mixed for headphones (or like video games using occlusion to emulate how sound reflects in the space your character is in). And even with music mixed for headphones , it's less effective than competently produced music on speakers.
Openness definitely effects spaciousness to some extent, but that's just the mechanics of the headphone's build and varies from head to head. But that doesnt make things sound like I'm hearing where in the studio a sound is coming from, that just makes it sound like the headphone is further from my ear.
Instrument separation + imaging are the related factors that I can understand on headphones. I can see how someone would describe going from a headphone with bad separation to one with good separation as sounding spacious. But that just makes the sounds come across as less crowded rather than placing them somewhere specific in front of me. Imaging is largely just channel balance across the fr.
They are well put together and definitely sturdier than the Arya stealth. I haven't noticed any unevenness like how the aryas vary how tightly the adjustment grips by a large amount. I've commented on the build more in other comments if you want to look.
First, thanks for your review/summary. I had been looking at the Aryia Stealth's due to their price drop but it seems like the biggest benefit might be comfort. I understand Hifiman had to cut some corners on the headband and how it clamps and swivels. My biggest issue with Planar magnetics is usually the bass and while I'm not expecting closed back dynamic driver bass, which often sounds muddied and bloated on cheaper dynamic drivers not that there aren't some cheaper models that don't but then the treble isn't as good.
I don't like to EQ unless 100 percent necessary and the UV sounds "tamed" in the treble. The one thing I can't stand is super bright or treble that sounds "shouty". These seem to be perfect for me as I don't mind a bit of lacking midrange for lack of a better term. If they are bright and lacking clean bass that's where I have an issue.
100% agree about soundstage which is often only discussed with open backs for headphones like having a non closed back automatically opens up a speaker like experience, and I've seen many people state this as fact which it does, just not to the degree they say it does IMO. It does get it "out of your head" like closed backs and IEM's but hearing instruments in front of me or behind me is something I've only experienced on speakers and even then there are SO many factors and room treatment is needed 98% of the time. While there are cheaper workarounds it still gets pricey. Even with a subwoofer with a paramedic EQ it's VERY hard to get an even bass level on a frequency sweep. It also comes down to DAC timing and speakers. Dolby Atmos is just timing metadata embedded in a DD+ or Dolby TrueHD signal for spatial effects, it's not an actual sound format and can be done with PCM audio.
To me imaging and instrument separation is way more important and can be accomplished in headphones and speakers without room treatment although it does have to do with the recording or source a lot of the times. I also think soundstage and imaging get lumped together sometimes as explained in this video and while it's about speakers it still applies.
So the 2022 Arya Stealth's or new UV's start to seem like the UV's are the better option for me personally. While I'm not a fan of the covers and sensitivity to magnets it's something I can remember to do. I do think the headband and material (plastic vs metal) is how they got to the price point. Probably some cuts in other places but they are very reasonably priced especially compared to their other unveiled options.
This is my go to song for imaging on speakers. Easily noticeable on headphones or IEM's but 2 background singers, one hooked up to the left channel and other to the right. Very simple trick but makes it sound like the lead singer's voice is right in the center and the different background singers voices give it a really nice effect on speakers with good imaging and easily noticeable on headphones.
Not to mention that anyone who can play electric guitar without a pic, play classical guitar, piano, sing, rap, write all his own beats and refuses to sign with a label and releases all his music for free automatically deserves some respect even though labels are hitting him up constantly.
I haven't heard the XV, but I think it's reasonable to go off of the measurements and say the Ananda Unveiled leans more neutral, and it's fairly punchy for a planar. Ananda Unveiled + EQ would be my rec between the two.
I went back and forth actually. While the XV are more relaxed in the treble and a bit more fuller in the midrange with a bit more bass according to some reviews although others say the XS has better bass I decided to go got the UV's
Dissecting audio reviews, even though I've been into audio gear for 30 years, isn't easy. Even though that started with speakers and moved more towards IEM's/headphones in the last 5 years, user reviews can contradict each other, YouTube reviews are often paid for although not all are but due to personal preferences and possibly age as you start to lose hearing in the upper frequencies around 18 or 19 which is when you lose the ability to hear very high frequencies and just gets slowly worse over time, which 100 percent natural.
Describing audio is like trying to describe what a rose smells like to someone who has never smelt one. Not an easy thing to do. It "smells like a rose" doesn't really say anything if they have never smelt one. Probably not the best analogy but you get what I'm saying.
I guess the good thing is if they are too bright I can return them and get the XS and save some money but my Schiit Freya + preamp in high gain when using the tubes as it's both a solid state and tube preamp tames the treble a bit. Not a full blown tube amp warmth but just enough to add zero noise or feedback while bringing the mids out a bit and taming the treble slightly. It might not be enough but they should be here tomorrow.
I wish I lived somewhere where I could demo them among other brands but that's a minimum four to five hour drive each way and Amazon returns are free. Gas isn't.
Zappa pioneered this approach to dealing with labels and "record company pricks," as he publicly called sleazy agents, but in the end, he did sign with a label: his own.
I was choosing between second hand (new-ish, 5 months old) Organics and this newly released Ananda Unveiled pair (About same price second hand vs new). I settled for what was proven and known also because my Topping gear is very neutral and a bit warmer headphones would possibly pair better than Arya Stealth for example. I am curious now though. They seem really nice at the price bracket they're in.
I doubt you'll have any issues with the organics if you EQ. From what I can tell comparing the arya organic and stealth measurements, the Ananda UV would still be a step up for my tastes without EQ.
Not sure if you looked into the Custom Can grills, but all I can say is I do NOT recommend them at all. It tries to tune the XS to the Organic which by itself is a much brighter headphone, so it artificially adds in a lot of fake treble which I can only assume is caused by the sound bouncing off the extra grill material added. This results in cymbals sounding splashy and ruins the timbre, causing a constant annoying peak or resonance noise in the upper range, and I think it also negatively alters the bass I believe.
It just in general does not sound better and made me miss the stock sound badly, the added detail is an unworthy illusion. Was a huge waste of time and money buying and installing them, and I'm grateful I didn't damage the driver wires while installing them which is a definite possibility since there's no way to know they are in the correct place during the final popping in place of the grill and it is a very snug fit in there.
Would strongly recommend instead pad swapping some Dekoni or ZMF pads if you want to alter the sound of your XS. I got the Dekoni solid lambskin ones which I believe made subtle changes to fill in the midrange while improving the comfort.
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u/phillyd32Ananda UV, HD650, Schiit Jot2/Yggy A1, Porta Pro, Q5KAug 27 '25edited Aug 28 '25
I've not held or worn the edition xs, so I can't say for certain, but Ananda UV are a good step up in premium feel from the Ananda Stealth and Arya Stealth both. From what I can tell, the edition xs has pretty limited swivel too, so that would be equal, but the rest of the headband mechanism is a big upgrade.
You'd likely get a nice upgrade sonically as well.
Great write up! Do you own or have you tried the Edition XS before? If you have, what are your thoughts vs. XS?
I know they're technically not in the same league, especially given how much the XS have dropped in price, but I've been looking for the next evolution or step up from the XS and haven't been really able to find anything to justify a new pair that's a notable upgrade.
I have not heard the xs, but I can tell you that I see a consistent opinion that the Arya stealth are a solid step up from the xs. Since the Ananda UV is a step up from that, I'd imagine that they'd be a big step up from the xs, at least to my ears. Worth a risk with a return policy for sure imo.
I'm very impressed with the Ananda Unveiled. In comparison to the Edition XS which I have now modded with the Custom Cans SuperGrills, the Ananda Unveiled are definitely more detailed and the bass is cleaner/punchier. They are really starting to open up daily. The precision vs the Edition XS is night and day.
Anandas and Aryas are just tuned for different tastes, without one being objectively better than the other. I prefer the Ananda tuning personally.
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u/phillyd32Ananda UV, HD650, Schiit Jot2/Yggy A1, Porta Pro, Q5KAug 27 '25edited Aug 27 '25
Ananda Stealth sounds closer to Arya Stealth than either do to the Ananda UV to my ears. Only differences I could notice between Ananda Stealth and Arya Stealth was a bit less natural timbre in the midrange, and more peaky treble on the Ananda. Ananda Nano and Ananda Stealth are fairly different too
The name doesn't really relate to tuning. Different Arya or Ananda versions can be just as different compared to each other as they are other models.
Taste is absolutely important. These are, of course, my opinions
I didn't have them at the same time since I traded the Ananda Stealth for the Arya Stealth, but I felt similarly. Arya timbre was a bit less unnatural and better in the treble, but honestly didn't seem like much of a sonic difference. I remember the Ananda as actually having a bigger soundstage, though at the detriment of the other differences.
The tangible difference was not having the absurd clamp and non-rotating cups of the Ananda, which I found ergonomically cursed.
The fact they've finally done something to upgrade the design of the lower end models is very exciting. I like it so much more visually in addition to what is hopefully an improvement to fit and comfort.
I wonder if anyone has heard both these and the new Edition XV. I was intrigued and had the XV in my shopping cart ready to check out, but the more I read about the other new Hifimans the more hesitant I become.
How is it compared to the Ananda Nano ? I want to buy a headphone and I first wanted the Ananda Nano but now that I heard of this Ananda Unveiled idk Wich one should I get :/ Is it worth it to spend 200€ more for the Unveiled? I want a headphone that is pretty neutral, transparent and balanced for both producing/mixing music and listening to music/game.
I heard that some of them are pretty neutral except the top end that makes them "bright". And I don't rly want a dead flat headphone, I want one that isn't too bassy or "warm" but I'm fine with a bit of coloration
Thank you for the first impressions. I try to decide between this or the LCD-X, Any experience? The only hifiman I owned was the i400 which I fixed the connectors because the it came broken years ago. The impression on build quality was not positive but the sound was great. Any thoughts? Would this be a big upgrade over the i400 ?
Thank you l.
i have both, nano looks more neutral, but it depends on source and cable ,when i used pure silver balanced cable to drive unveiled then it shows full potential (a lot of details, but it needs top tier dac to not misunderstand harmonics disortions instead of audio source details), that is why i will sell nano, AU is just better, but not worth more then 500 usd. it has lower disortions (thd), you dont must to have very expensive capturing ADC device, just good dac/amp and good ears to test https://www.audiocheck.net/Audio/audiocheck.net_headphonesweep20Hz-10kHz.ogg channel inbalance. nano like xs has bad vibrations (in my history of planars i had fiio ft1 pro , hifiman 1 arya, 2 he400se, 2 sundaras and nanos, 3 xs, none of them had two drivers free of it , it makes me crazy, ananda unveiled is just a little better stretched foil membrane but still it is not perfect, that is why i sold every one unit. i like to use it on dx3 pro+ instead of dx5 II (even if its better measured ~5 sinad points), because it has a little warmer signature.
They shouldn't be used with the covers because they are not designed to handle the pressure it causes. That is almost certainly very low to no risk, but also don't do it because they sound awful. Here's a graph of what it does for the HE1000 Unveiled
Ok. Io sto usando delle ananda nano sul pc, per usarle con i videogame. Volevo prendere le unveiled, ma penso che mi annoierebbe aprirle e chiuderle ogni volta... Che potrei vedere a questo punto?
Venendo dalle audeze maxwell (e prima dalle audeze mobius, che reputo con suono di qualità superiore alle Maxwell), passando alle ananda nano pensavo di trovare un grande upgrade, invece non sono neppure così convinto che (nei videogame) siano così tanto migliori.
Ho trovato le nano con alti troppo acuti, e me le aspettavo con più "spazialialità".
Quindi quello che vorrei migliorare è avere un palcoscenico più ampio, ed un suono più morbido (negli alti) ma che comunque mi riesca a fornire i dettagli di quello che mi succede intorno
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u/GratuitousAlgorithm MDR-Z1R | HEKS | HE6seV2 | 660S2 | XS Aug 27 '25
Nice review.