Before you flood the inbox with nasty messages about the price of high-end headphones and “affordability” — you need to consider the new HiFiMAN Mini Shangri-La Electrostatic Headphone System from a different perspective.
There are very few electrostatic headphones/amplifier combinations right now that are priced at this level and that is important to remember.
HiFiMAN has announced its third series of Shangri-La electrostatic headphone and amplifier systems at its most affordable price point yet — $2,300 USD.
HiFiMAN’s new Mini Shangri-La is a direct descendent of the original Shangri-La ($50,000), introduced in 2016, and the Shangri-La Jr. ($8,000), which was introduced in 2018. The Mini Shangri-La is a complete headphone system that features an audiophile-grade electrostatic headphone that can be purchased alone ($1,100) or with outboard amplifier ($1,500) at a combo price of $2,300.
“From trade shows to casual conversations, the Shangri-La family is one of the most asked-about series in the HIFIMAN line,” says Dr. Fang Bian, Founder and CEO, HIFIMAN. “The new Mini Shangri-La is the newest member of the family, with benefits that include unbeatable electrostatic performance from a compact form factor, with technology updates that are unique to this model.”
HiFiMAN claims the Mini Shangri-La epitomizes electrostatic speed and performance. The headphone features nano-thickness diaphragm that enhances frequency response and overall sound quality, thanks to its light vibration characteristics, enhancing frequency response and overall sound quality.
A nano particle coating on the headphone’s diaphragm ensures accurate conductivity and stability, even in varying temperatures and environments, with a soundstage that is deep and expansive.
Another of the Mini Shangri-La headphone’s unique characteristics is a nanometer protection layer that guards against humidity, dust and other pollutants, while remaining transparent to sound waves.
The matching all solid state amplifier eschews the transformer that commonplace models use to boost low voltage output but invariably distorts details and sound quality as a whole. Instead, the Mini Shangri-La voltage is directly sent from the power output transistors for a path that is clean and uncluttered.
Rounding out the amplifier is a linear power supply and a discrete filter system for further filtering of distortion and other anomalies, and a fully balanced design in both the input and output stages.
Comparison
| Mini Shangri-La (2024 model) | Shangri-La Jr. (2018 model) | Shangri-La Sr. (2016 model) | |
| MSRP | $2,300 | $8,000 | $50,000 |
| Frequency Response | 7Hz – 90kHz | 7Hz – 120kHz | 7Hz – 120kHz |
| Bias Voltage | 550V-650V | 550V-650V | 550V-650V |
| Headphone Weight | 320.2 g (11.3 oz.) | 374 g (13.2 oz.) | 374g (13.2 oz.) |
| Amp Weight | 5.82 kg (12.8 lbs) | 11 kg (24 lbs) | 16 kg (35 lbs) |
| Amp Dimensions | 255 x 251 x 93 mm (10″ x 9.9″ x 3.7″) | 400 x 265 x 108 mm (15.7″ x 10.4″ x 4.2″) | 437.8 x 458.9 x 335.8 mm (17.32″ x 18.11″ x 13.39″) |
Price & Availability
The HiFiMAN Mini Shangri-La electrostatic headphone ($1,100) and amplifier ($1,500) will be available separately or as a combo for $2,300 from HIFIMAN dealers and the company’s online store this month (June 2024).
The Shangri-La Sr. and Shangr-La Jr. remain in the line at $50,000 and $8,000, respectively, for the complete headphone and amplifier systems.
