HiFiMAN HE1000 Vs HE1000 Unveiled Comparison Review

When it comes to premium planar magnetic headphones, HiFiMAN is a name that consistently stands out. The HE1000 series has long been celebrated for its exceptional sound quality and innovative design. Now, HiFiMAN has introduced the HE1000 Unveiled, an iteration that promises to push boundaries even further with its exposed driver and magnetic veil technology. But how does the HE1000 Unveiled compare to its predecessor, the HE1000, in terms of design, soundstage, and performance? In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at these two audiophile favorites, exploring their unique features, build quality, and sound signatures to help you decide which one deserves a place in your audio setup.

What You Get

Look & Feel

It’s no secret that you should give HiFiMAN headphones more attention and care than most other headphones out there. However, the Unveiled design lends itself to being higher maintenance due to the exposed driver. Using the magnetic veils is integral to the design of the Unveiled. When it comes to looks though, the Unveiled is much more sleek and modern than the HE1000. I like the HE1000’s silver exterior and metal frame, but the wood outlining always looked artificial to me. Both headphones are still well-crafted products, but the HE1000 Unveiled appears much more refined and aesthetically unique with the exposed grille. In terms of fit though, I find that the HE1000 and the Unveiled feel similar. The Unveiled has a bit more of a pinch to it, but ultimately the circumaural fit of these headphones brings about the same level of comfort.

Design

HiFiMAN’s Stealth magnet design has been around for a few years now, which the HE1000 and Unveiled both use in their planar designs. Other similarities in design include the nanometer diaphragm meant to enhance the transient response of the signal. It does the most to inform HiFiMAN’s signature tuning, but the Unveiled uses its exposed magnets to change its configuration. The most immediate effect of this design, aside from its sound signature might be their impedance, since they are slightly different. The HE1000 is known to be hard to drive, but I wouldn’t consider the difference to be that considerable. I’d recommend good amps and DACs with both the HE1000 and Unveiled.

Soundstage

HiFiMAN is always at the top of their game regarding their open-back soundstages. However, it’s hard to combat the Unveiled, as the whole concept of the magnetic veil is to naturally expose the spatial imaging to more open air than any other headphone. While the HE1000 is still wonderfully wide and dimensional, the Unveiled undoes whatever small barriers the original had. There’s a chance you might be looking for a more intimate soundstage though, in which case, the HE1000 does more than enough to position the sound in a studio-like proximity. However, if you’re looking for a soundstage that appears more live and directional, the Unveiled is one of the best on the market.

It gives you a better understanding of the angle and distance of sounds within its layers, and it feels truly cavernous with its depth.  The HE1000 is also cavernous, the placement of the sound is more directly in front of you. Both headphones have a spherical presentation that has the mix encasing your head, the difference here is how much that bubble expands.

Low End

Everything about the bass on the HE1000 is tight and exceptionally defined. Bass instruments are clearly articulated in the mid-bass and sub-bass, offering balance and depth to the sound signature. There is a ton of frequency content to sift through, even if the timbre of the frequencies doesn’t call attention to them consistently. That’s where the Unveield comes in, with its more grounded foundation that delivers a more dominant tone. The sound signature still keeps its impeccable balance though, which puts both headphones on equal footing. Both the HE1000 and Unveiled are able to resonate with a detailed bloom that adds delectable vibration to the frequency response, but it happens more often with the Unveiled. This might make the original a bit more pointed in its response, prioritizing flavor over dynamism.

Mids

Midrange frequencies across the HE1000 and Unveiled are excellent. They both feature vibrant performances from a variety of different instruments and vocal ranges. While the HE1000 and Unveiled have great transparency, the main difference I can make is linearity vs non-linearity. When A/B testing these headphones I feel like the Unveiled presents its midrange detail with a more lush, front-facing display that heightens the finesse on individual notes. The HE1000 is flatter in comparison, offering similar clarity, but without the sense of separation that the Unveiled gives you. With that said, I preferred how acoustic performances sounded with the HE1000, calling back to the more intimate display it possesses.

Highs

If you prefer your highs to have a ton of smoothness and control, the HE1000 might possess more of the character you’re looking for compared to the Unveiled. Neither headphone has a harsh treble performance, but the Unvieled is definitely less shy. I tend to prefer more expressive highs that have height and sparkle, which leads me towards the Unveiled. The HE1000 has good detail and clarity, but the response feels a lot more plain when compared to the more defined brilliance of the Unveiled.

Summary

Choosing between the HiFiMAN HE1000 and HE1000 Unveiled ultimately comes down to personal preference and listening priorities. The original HE1000 delivers a more intimate soundstage, linear midrange, and controlled treble response, making it ideal for those who value precision and studio-like accuracy. On the other hand, the HE1000 Unveiled offers a more open, dynamic soundstage with expressive highs and a lush midrange presentation, appealing to listeners who crave a live, immersive audio experience. Both headphones showcase HiFiMAN’s signature craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology, ensuring that either option will elevate your listening sessions.

The HiFiMAN HE1000 & HE1000 Unveiled are available at Audio46.