HiFiMAN isn’t shy about dropping multiple headphones at once, and July’s CanJam London 2025 was no exception. Three new open-back planar magnetic models — the ANANDA Unveiled, HE600, and Edition XV — made their global debut with freshly developed ultra-thin diaphragms, upgraded comfort-focused headbands, and a familiar sense of déjà vu for anyone who’s tracked the brand’s release cycle. eCoustics UK Headphone Contributor James Fiorucci was among the first to get ears on all three, and his early impressions dig into both the tuning and the design details that set them apart.
All of them arrive with a redesigned headband and comfort strap, a clear step up from the clunky padding used on the cheaper lines. The fit feels more refined, the adjustment smoother, and longtime HiFiMAN owners will recognize it as a long-overdue fix.
James’ first impressions put the ANANDA Unveiled ($549) and Edition XV ($399) in the spotlight as the most convincing of the bunch. Their tuning came across as balanced and clean, with a smoother treble than older HiFiMAN designs — clearly taking notes from the Arya Unveiled. The ANANDA Unveiled edged ahead on technical performance, but both models left a strong impression in short sessions. The HE600 ($799), on the other hand, landed as the outlier: solid, but not nearly as engaging as its more affordable siblings.
With pricing and early impressions on the table, it’s worth digging a little deeper into what each of these three new open-back planars brings to the lineup — starting with the ANANDA Unveiled.
HiFiMAN ANANDA Unveiled: Third-Generation Planar Headphone with Upgraded Components and New Grill Design
Like other top-tier HiFiMAN designs, the ANANDA Unveiled ($549) uses the brand’s signature open grill structure to reduce reflections that can interfere with its nanometer-thick diaphragm. The result is a cleaner, more natural movement pattern for better overall performance. “ANANDA models are in high demand by music lovers who appreciate a sensitive headphone that performs impeccably when paired with nearly any device, from a smartphone to a desktop amplifier,” notes Dr. Fang Bian, HiFiMAN’s President and CEO. He adds that the Unveiled combines the company’s latest developments with the expansive soundstage and detailed presentation that made earlier ANANDA models so popular.
Following the original ANANDA and the more recent ANANDA-BT, the new ANANDA Unveiled keeps the wide-open sound signature but layers in a series of meaningful HiFiMAN upgrades. A removable back panel, called Magnetic Veils, protects the cups from absorbing stray magnetic objects when not in use. Inside, HiFiMAN combines its Stealth Magnet system with a newly developed “enhanced magnet,” built from rare-earth-free materials but designed to deliver sensitivity on par with rare-earth drivers. Both magnet types are acoustically transparent, cutting down diffraction and preserving sonic accuracy.
The driver itself uses a new NEO Supernano diaphragm, now 40% thinner than the previous generation, for faster, more natural full-range performance. Comfort also sees a boost with a lighter composite headband that sheds up to 30 grams compared to earlier builds, plus rotatable hinges for a better fit. On paper, the ANANDA Unveiled measures 93dB sensitivity, 22 ohms impedance, and a frequency range of 5Hz–55kHz, with total weight listed at 449 grams (15.8 oz).
HiFiMAN Edition XV: Third-Generation Open-Back Planar Headphone with Upgraded Components
HiFiMAN’s Edition XV (SRP: $399) is the latest model in the Edition series, available this month through select dealers, HiFiMAN’s online store, and Amazon. Following the Edition X (2015) and Edition XS (2022), the XV delivers a natural, precise soundstage for accurate music reproduction.
The headphone incorporates an enhanced magnet system for improved dynamics and a second-generation lightweight headband designed for comfort and durability. “The Edition series is proving to be one of our most popular lines of headphones,” says Dr. Fang Bian, HiFiMAN’s President and CEO. “The Edition X and Edition XS both exceeded expectations to become two of our most successful models. The Edition XV is poised to continue the tradition, with improvements and performance that rise above anything in its price class.”
The XV uses a new NEO Supernano diaphragm, 40% thinner than the previous Supernano driver, along with an enhanced Stealth Magnet that reduces wave diffraction and improves sonic accuracy. The “enhanced magnet” is built from rare-earth-free materials while maintaining sensitivity comparable to rare-earth drivers.
The composite headband weighs up to 30 grams less than typical designs and includes rotatable hinges and high-grade memory foam. The headphone supports standard, upgradeable cables, with an impedance of 12 ohms, sensitivity of 92dB, a frequency response of 8Hz–50kHz, and a total weight of 16 oz (452 grams).
HiFiMAN HE600: Third-Generation Open-Back Planar Headphone with Improved Sensitivity and Comfort
HiFiMAN has introduced the new HE600 open-back planar magnetic headphone (SRP: $799) to North America. The HE600 is the third edition of the original HE6, following the HE6se (2018), and continues the series tradition of combining high sensitivity with a lightweight, comfortable design suitable for nearly any source, from dedicated desktop amplifiers to smartphones.
“High sensitivity headphones are perfectly suited to portable devices, but the trick is creating a model that is simultaneously notable for its detailed sonics and expansive soundstage, no matter the source,” says Dr. Fang Bian, HiFiMAN’s President and CEO. “The HE6 set such a standard for the market, and now the HE600 is taking it to an all-new, even higher level.” The HE600 replicates the sonic characteristics of the original HE6 when driven by a high-power amplifier, while its improved sensitivity allows it to perform well with a wider range of devices.
The headphone uses a combination of HiFiMAN’s Stealth Magnet system and a new “enhanced magnet,” both acoustically transparent to reduce diffraction and preserve sound accuracy. The enhanced magnet uses rare-earth-free materials but achieves sensitivity comparable to rare-earth designs. The driver features a new NEO Supernano diaphragm, 40% thinner than the previous Supernano version, delivering improved full-range performance.
Comfort and usability are upgraded with a composite headband that reduces weight to 13.7 oz (389 grams) from the original HE6’s 17.7 oz (502 grams). The HE600 also includes HiFiMAN’s FocusPad ear pads with memory foam, pleather, and soft velour, plus angled 3.5mm inputs to reduce cable strain. The headphone measures 94dB sensitivity, 28-ohm impedance, and a frequency response of 8Hz–65kHz.
The Bottom Line
HiFiMAN continues to innovate, dropping multiple open-back planar headphones that showcase their latest tech in one go. The ANANDA Unveiled ($549 at Amazon) impresses with its NEO Supernano diaphragm, Magnetic Veils, and a hybrid magnet system for smoother treble and accurate, full-range performance.
The Edition XV ($399 at Amazon) brings the same thin diaphragm technology, an enhanced Stealth Magnet, and a lighter, more comfortable headband at a very approachable price.
The HE600 ($799 at Amazon) maintains the legacy of the original HE6 while improving sensitivity, reducing weight, and pairing a NEO Supernano diaphragm with dual magnet systems for a wider range of source compatibility. For anyone tracking planar innovation, HiFiMAN’s trio proves the brand isn’t resting — and it rarely launches just one at a time.
Related Reading:
- HiFiMAN Susvara Unveiled Review: $8K Headphones That Might Just Be Worth The Madness
- HiFiMAN Isvarna Headphones Review: Our Second Listen Confirms Something For Closed-Back Planars To Brag About
- HiFiMAN HE1000 Unveiled Review: The Planar Flagship Returns—Because V2 And SE Still Weren’t Enough
- HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled Review: Stunning Planar Magnetic Sound That Demanded A Second Listen
- HiFiMAN HE1000 Unveiled Review: Removing The Veil Between You And The Music?
