HiFiMAN Ananda Unveiled vs. Ananda: Ultimate Comparison Review

The HiFiMAN Ananda series has long been a favorite among audiophiles for its balance of performance and accessibility in the planar magnetic headphone market. Now, with the arrival of the Ananda Unveiled, listeners have a chance to experience a new twist on the Ananda’s proven design. Priced around $549, the Unveiled offers HiFiMAN’s latest acoustic refinements, while the original Ananda remains a reliable option for those who want a more traditional, balanced sound. Let’s look at the two side by side, exploring their differences in design, comfort, sound signature, and overall value.

What You Get

Both versions of the Ananda come with similar cables that can be easily interchanged with one another. They both have dual 3.5mm headphone connectors that terminate into 3.5mm, which you can attach a quarter-inch adapter to. Of course, the Ananda Unveiled comes with key items that are essential to its design, such as the magnetic veils and drawstring bags they are packaged in.

Look & Feel

The Ananda Unveiled takes clear inspiration from the flagship HE1000 Unveiled, adopting HiFiMAN’s new “Unveiled” design philosophy. Instead of relying on a traditional grille structure, the headphones expose the drivers more directly, which reduces internal reflections and allows for greater openness. The original Ananda sticks with HiFiMAN’s proven enclosed grille design. This offers greater durability and a sturdier sense of construction. You get a more lightweight build with the Unveiled, though, with a composite suspension headband that improves comfort over long sessions. There’s also no earcup swivel on the original Ananda, and thus, the headphones feel sturdier. The build feels solid, stable, and well-suited for extended listening sessions, making it a dependable choice for users who want something more rugged.

Design

Inside, the Unveiled makes use of HiFiMAN’s Gen-2 NEO Supernano diaphragm, designed to deliver faster response and finer detail retrieval. The original Ananda still uses an older diaphragm(unless you go with the Nano version), but it’s still made to give the output a lift in precision. The Ananda Unveiled benefits greatly from strong amplification. Portable DAC/amps like the Chord Mojo 2, iFi Go Link, or FiiO QX13 unlock their full detail and soundstage potential. It is also highly responsive to burn-in, with its treble smoothing out and its overall tonal balance becoming warmer and more natural after extended use. In contrast, the original Ananda is far more forgiving when it comes to source pairing. The Nano version, in particular, feels efficient and delivers strong results even from modest desktop setups. This makes it a more approachable choice for listeners who don’t want to invest heavily in amplification.

Soundstage

The Ananda Unveiled is one of the most immersive soundstage performers in its class, but the original is spacious in its own right. Both headphones have great separation, but the Unveiled makes a huge difference in terms of scale. Its horizontal width is expansive, stretching well beyond the head, and its verticality provides an unusual sense of height that makes recordings feel holographic. Imaging benefits greatly from this design, with instruments appearing in well-defined layers and occupying precise positions across the stereo field. The original Ananda still excels in providing a wide, natural space, but the changes in headspace and dimension when A/B testing with the Unveiled are quite stark.

Low End 

In the low end, the Ananda Unveiled delivers bass that is clean and dynamically articulate. It emphasizes clarity and control rather than weight, so while there is respectable depth, the impact is lean compared to headphones tuned for warmth. Listeners who enjoy tight, precise low frequencies will appreciate the Unveiled’s approach, though bass-heads may find it lacking in sheer punch. By contrast, the original Ananda offers a fuller and slightly warmer low end. Sub-bass extension is solid, and while the bass never overpowers the mix, it provides a satisfying foundation for genres like electronic and rock.

Mids

In the midrange, the Ananda Unveiled leans toward a slightly forward presentation, offering strong vocal articulation and instrument separation. Vocals sound crisp and transparent, though they can feel more clinical than lush. This makes the Unveiled particularly good for analytical listening, as every detail in the mix stands out with precision. The Ananda, on the other hand, emphasizes balance and naturalness in the mids. Instruments sound realistic, and vocals carry a touch more presence and warmth than on the Unveiled. The Nano especially highlights vocal textures and instrument tones, making it an excellent choice for listeners who value musical expression as much as accuracy.

Highs

The Ananda Unveiled introduces a brighter coloration with noticeable sparkle, while the regular Ananda are extended but smooth. High frequencies on the Unveiled are detailed and airy, though they can take on a metallic edge depending on the recording and source equipment. With proper amplification and burn-in, however, the treble smooths out and maintains its lively, revealing character. The Ananda keeps the highs extended but smoother, offering an airy top end without excessive sharpness. The result is a presentation that remains detailed and crisp, yet more forgiving than the Unveiled. This makes the Nano especially well-suited for long listening sessions where fatigue is a concern.

Summary

Both the HiFiMAN Ananda Unveiled and the original Ananda (including the Nano revision) represent excellent values in the planar magnetic headphone space, but they serve slightly different audiences. The Unveiled is ideal for listeners who crave a massive, holographic soundstage and sparkling treble detail, provided they have the amplification to support it. It’s a headphone designed for analytical listening and immersion. The original Ananda, particularly the Nano, leans into balance, warmth, and accessibility. Its natural mids and fuller bass make it a more versatile daily driver, and its forgiving pairing requirements make it an easier fit into a wider range of setups.

Ultimately, choosing between the two depends on your priorities. If you want maximum space, transparency, and treble excitement, the Ananda Unveiled is the way to go. If you prefer warmth, balance, and comfort with less demand on your gear, the original Ananda/Nano remains a fantastic option.

The HiFiMAN Ananda and Ananda Unveiled are available at Audio46.