HIFIMAN dropped four big updates to their headphone lineup right at the end of summer 2025: the HE600, Ananda Unveiled, Edition XV, and Audivina LE. Each of these headphones is either a new version of an existing headphone, like the Ananda Unveiled, or a new entry into an existing series, like the Edition XV. Does this new slate of headphones bring anything new to the table?

Build, Design, and Sound

In terms of build and design, these new headphones all have quite a bit in common, featuring some of the same components like the headband assembly, and cushion style. HE600, Ananda Unveiled, and Edition XV also have the same packaging and accessory kit. Those three come with a single rubber-coated headphone cable with a 3.5mm termination and a 6.3mm adapter. The packaging inside the box also transforms into a headphone stand for easy storage on your desk. Audivina Unveiled has a better set of cables, with a 4-pin XLR cable, along with separate 3.5mm and 6.3mm cables in the box. It also comes with a case instead of the headphone stand.

The new headband and design presents a noticeable improvement in comfort and build quality over previous HIFIMAN headphones under $1000. The headphone adjustment has a better feel to it, and the new build is lightweight and more comfortable as well.

While each of these headphones has sonic strong performance, and its own unique character, outside of the Audivina LE, they all generally stick with HIFIMAN expectations for sound and performance. While Audivina LE has a somewhat warm sound, with punchier bass and a little more color, the others all maintain a largely linear bass, large soundstage, and strong treble characteristics. 

HIFIMAN HE600 - $799

HE600 is an open-back planar magnetic headphone that uses HIFIMAN’s 2nd Generation NEO Supernano diaphragm and a new enhanced magnet system that reduces distortion without sacrificing efficiency. The core design and tuning is based on the classic HIFIMAN HE6 headphones. In terms of technical specs, you get:

• Weight: 389g (14 ounces)

• Impedance: 28 Ω

• Sensitivity: 94 dB

HE600 is the strongest technical performer of the bunch, with a better presentation of fine detail, and the most cohesive imaging presentation. The tuning delivers crisp highs, general clarity, and accurate bass with linear extension. The soundstage is large and three-dimensional without compromising the natural presentation of the spatial features in the music. Some aspects of the treble, and the strong upper extension in absence of any noticeable warmth or bass emphasis might make these a little more fatiguing to treble sensitive ears than the rest of the lineup.

HIFIMAN Ananda Unveiled - $549

HIFIMAN Ananda Unveiled is the latest update to the Ananda series and the cheapest entry so far to feature HIFIMAN’s Unveiled design, featuring planar magnetic drivers that are completely open in the back to eliminate even the small reflections caused by the grille in open-back headphones. The technical specs are as follows:

• Weight: 448g (16 ounces)

• Impedance: 22 Ω

• Sensitivity 93 dB

Ananda Unveiled has a similar tuning, but with a little more focus on clarity and resolution over balance. Ananda Unveiled has slightly more rolled off bass than HE600, but similar treble presentation. The soundstage is massive, but the imaging isn’t quite as precise and holographic as HE600. Ananda Unveiled is the best in this lineup for treble extension, air, and pure spaciousness.

HIFIMAN Edition XV

Edition XV is using the same basic driver technology as the HE600, but with changes to the tuning and acoustic design. Edition XV follows up on the popular Edition XS and maintains the same sort of price to performance ratio. For specs you get:

• Weight: 452 g (16 ounces) 

• Impedance: 12 Ω

• Sensitivity 92 dB

Edition XV maintains the core elements of HIFIMAN’s signature sound, but has a little more warmth and slightly more impact and extension through the bass than the HE600 or Ananda Unveiled. There’s also just a little bit of extra spice in the upper treble which, in comparison to the rest of the lineup, can provide a hint of a “v-shaped” tuning. The tuning overall remains more of a reference, neutral sound though.

HIFIMAN Audivina LE

Audivina LE is the reduced price version of the original Audivina, which replaces the more premium elements of the original Audivina, like the wood cups, with more economical design elements. Audivina LE is a closed-back, but designed to provide a more open feeling than typical closed-backs. In terms of specs:

• Weight: 449g (16 ounces).

• Impedance: 20 Ω

• Sensitivity 96 dB

Audivina LE comes with a totally different sound than the open-back HIFIMAN lineup. Audivina LE has more warmth, stronger midrange presence, and a bigger sense of punch in the bass without the same level of subbass extension. Audivina LE provides solid clarity, separation, and spaciousness for a closed-back headphone – especially considering the price – but it doesn’t match up the rest of HIFIMAN’s lineup in terms of those characteristics.

What’s the Best One for Me?

Among the open-back headphones, there’s some sense that each one simply provides slightly stronger imaging and detail than the last, but there are some differences in the sound signature that might be a key element of your decision. Audivina LE, of course, is the only closed-back option here, giving you a warmer sound that still maintains some HIFIMAN DNA. For the overall price/performance ratio, and for the sound signature that’s most balanced for rock, pop, hip hop and similar genres, Edition XV is the best choice. Ananda Unveiled also provides excellent performance for the price, and could also be a good pick if you want a brighter, more incisive headphone. HE600 has the strongest overall performance, and the best general adherence to target tunings. It’s not quite the budget steal that Edition XV is, but it’s certainly competitive with headphones that cost well over its $799 price point. Whichever you decide, you’re getting some of the best technical performance available for the price.