Hifiman Ananda Headphones Review

by: Russell Huq
June 30, 2018 | Press Ctrl+D to bookmark this page Link copied to clipboard https://audio46.com/blogs/headphones/hifiman-ananda-headphones-review

Hifiman hasn’t been around for too long, but they’ve certainly made a splash with their planar magnetic headphones, especially with the famous Sundara. The Ananda has been a while in the making, and Hifiman fans have been waiting for its release with bated breath. Hifiman advertises the Ananda as super easy to drive with superior clarity. Let’s see if this claim holds true in this Hifiman Ananda Headphones Review.

IN the BOX

3.5mm Y cable with 3.5mm connector

3.5mm Y cable with ¼” connector

Warranty card and info packet

FIT

I found Hifiman’s characteristically egg-shaped cups comfortable, but because of their length, they lightly press on the jawline. Still, I easily wore them for a couple of hours and didn’t feel like I needed to see a dentist.

DESIGN

As previously mentioned, the Ananda is supposed to be very easy to drive. I found that not to be true at all. Don’t be fooled by the low impedance and high sensitivity. These cans take some power, and the iPhone is certainly not enough to drive it. Even portable amps that claim to handle up to a 250 Ohms didn’t provide enough juice. I ended up using the Chord Mojo. In general, we reviewers find that planar magnetic headphones take more to power than the impedance and sensitivity suggest. So, it would be a good idea to invest in a decent portable or desktop amp to get the most out of these headphones.

SOUND

Rich, warm and well balanced.

Lows

The bass is not huge, but significant. It’s got a great balance between grip and resonance. The lows sound luxurious and warm. And they drive the low mids slightly. It’s also quite a punchy headphone, so pop, hip-hop and EDM are fun to listen to.

Mids

The midrange is nicely balanced. I sensed almost no harshness even in songs that emphasized the upper mids. The separation is good, but not as impressive as it is on the Sundara. That being said, it’s a more cohesive sound. And it’s got a lot of fullness for a planar magnetic headphone. I wouldn’t call these cans incredibly detailed. But what it lacks in transparency, it makes up for with its rich character. Rock choruses have a ton of body, and there’s also enough clarity in these headphones to enjoy acoustic guitars as well.

Highs

The highs passed the Miles Davis test. That is, there was minimal piercing with a restrained amount of roundness. Again, not a mind-blowing sense of transparency. Whitney Houston, for example, sounded a little less breathy than I’ve heard on other headphones of this caliber. But still, there was a decent amount of detail in brass and string instruments.

Soundstage

While this isn’t the broadest soundstage I’ve heard in this price range, the Ananda definitely conveys dimension. I sensed a good amount of width, and there was a definite feeling of height and depth.

SUMMARY

I love these. I wouldn’t call the Ananda a critical listening headphone. However, it’s an easy and extremely enjoyable listening experience. And it’s definitely one of the fullest sounding Hifiman’s out there. Rock and pop-rock work especially well with these headphones, but because of their evenly balanced profile, they work great across all genres. Certainly, these cans are not only my favorite among all the models, but they’re also the best bang for your buck.