Hifiman continues its impressive run in the open-back headphone market with the new HE1000 Unveiled. Building on the success of their Susvara Unveiled, Hifiman has brought similar technology to their beloved HE1000 line, often considered one of the best values in high-end audio. At $2,699, the new HE1000 Unveiled takes a radical approach to open design, significantly altering the HE1000 SE's architecture. This evolution represents Hifiman's commitment to pushing technical boundaries while maintaining accessibility for serious audiophiles.

Initial Impressions and Packaging

Hifiman includes a comprehensive package with the HE1000 Unveiled that reflects its premium positioning. Inside the elegant wooden presentation case, you'll find three cable options: a 1.5m single-ended 3.5mm cable, a 3m XLR balanced cable, and a 3m single-ended 6.35mm cable. The inclusion of magnetic veils for dust protection proves essential given the exposed driver design. These protective elements demonstrate Hifiman's understanding of long-term ownership considerations, though they add an extra step to the handling process.

The unboxing experience creates a sense of occasion appropriate for a flagship product. Each component sits in precisely cut foam, protecting the delicate drivers during shipping and storage. The included warranty documentation and manual provide comprehensive guidance for caring for these sophisticated headphones.

Design and Technical Specifications

The HE1000 Unveiled demonstrates impressive technical capabilities with its 8Hz – 65kHz frequency response, 95dB sensitivity, and 28Ω impedance. Weighing 450g without the magnetic cover and cables, it strikes a reasonable balance between durability and comfort. Although the open-drivers are delicate, the build of the rest of the components are flush well-built. The implementation of Hifiman's Stealth Planar Magnetic Drivers provides exceptional definition that maximizes the expansive soundstage.

One significant advantage over the Susvara lies in its amplification requirements. While the Susvara demands specific and powerful amplification, the HE1000 Unveiled proves far more versatile, partnering well with a wide range of amplifiers. This flexibility makes it a more practical choice for many listeners, even at its premium price point. During testing, everything from modest desktop amplifiers to high-end equipment drove the HE1000 Unveiled effectively, though better equipment naturally extracted more performance.

The engineering approach showcases Hifiman's trickle-down philosophy, where innovations from their ultimate flagship find their way into more accessible products. This strategy benefits consumers across their product range, as technologies refined in premium models eventually enhance more affordable options.

Comfort and Ergonomics

The HE1000 series has always excelled in comfort, and the Unveiled version maintains this tradition. The distinctive oval "egg" shape provides ample space for ears of all sizes, creating a fatigue-free listening experience even during extended sessions. The well-designed headband offers easy adjustment and good weight distribution, adapting to different head shapes without creating pressure points.

Though it might not quite match the comfort of Dan Clark Audio or Meze's premium headbands, it comes remarkably close. The clamping force strikes an excellent balance between stability and comfort, while the weight distribution prevents any single point from bearing too much pressure.

However, the ultra-open design introduces some practical concerns that prospective buyers should consider. Handling these headphones requires careful attention due to the exposed drivers. The ritual of removing cables and attaching dust covers before storage might frustrate users seeking a more practical solution. While the enhanced soundstage justifies this design choice, it makes these headphones better suited to careful enthusiasts than casual users. Those seeking similar sound with greater durability might prefer the HE1000 SE or Stealth models.

Sound Quality

Expansive Soundstage

The HE1000 Unveiled creates a truly remarkable soundstage that ranks among the best in personal audio. The presentation offers exceptional width rivaling the legendary Sennheiser HD800s, while surpassing it in height thanks to the larger drivers. Unlike the HD800s, however, the HE1000 Unveiled maintains better bass balance and crisper detail retrieval without that model's characteristic mid-frequency emphasis.

The ability to place instruments precisely within this vast soundstage creates an immersive listening experience that approaches speaker-like presentation. This becomes particularly evident with well-recorded classical and jazz material, where the spatial relationships between instruments contribute significantly to the musical experience.

Testing with "Tu Jhoom" by Naseebo Lal and Abida Parveen reveals the headphone's exceptional spatial capabilities. The track's samples and drums spread across an ultra-wide soundscape, while vocals maintain precise layering and separation. Each element occupies its own space without bleeding into others, creating a coherent yet detailed presentation that few headphones can match. Compared to the Susvara Unveiled, it offers slightly less width but similar height, though with somewhat less natural cohesion. The HE1000 SE comparison shows similar accuracy and height but slightly reduced width and not as holographic.

Bass Performance

Hifiman wisely maintained their successful bass tuning from previous models. The HE1000 Unveiled delivers impressively flat bass response with minimal sub-bass roll-off, achieving impact levels usually associated with closed-back designs. For bass enthusiasts, these headphones respond exceptionally well to EQ adjustments, though many listeners will find the stock tuning perfectly satisfying.

The low-frequency performance combines authority with nuance, allowing these headphones to handle everything from electronic music to acoustic jazz convincingly. This becomes particularly evident when listening to "Have You Met Miss Jones" performed by Ray Brown, Mickey Roker, and Gene Harris. The recording captures subtle dynamic variations in Brown's bass playing, matching quieter melodic passages to full-volume accompaniment. The HE1000 Unveiled reproduces these changes with outstanding clarity and naturalness, surpassing the HE1000 SE in dynamic range and timbre accuracy.

There's enough information that the bass region provides body without overwhelming the midrange, creating an engaging yet balanced presentation that works well across genres. The speed and control of the planar magnetic drivers prevent bass notes from bleeding into each other, maintaining clarity even in complex passages.

Midrange Focus

The midrange emerges as the HE1000 Unveiled's strongest suit, demonstrating Hifiman's mastery of this crucial frequency range. Vocals sound clear, full, and forward without becoming overwhelming or artificial. A subtle lower midrange shelf provides body without introducing boxiness, while the flat response through 2.5kHz maintains excellent tonal balance. Think of it as a "Baby-Susvara" tuning – not quite matching the flagship's naturalness but offering similar vocal presentation with enhanced width.

Fog Lake's "Almost Fantasy" demonstrates these qualities beautifully. The droning lo-fi synths and layered guitars create a perfect backdrop for the vocals, while the headphone's separation capabilities and airy highs produce an engaging, sophisticated presentation that ranks among the best in its price range. The ability to maintain clarity with multiple overlapping elements showcases the technical capabilities of these headphones.

Treble Refinement

The treble response strikes an excellent balance between detail and comfort. A calculated peak around 4kHz enhances presence without introducing sibilance, while the overall tuning creates an airy, sparkly quality that never becomes harsh. This tuning choice allows cymbals and high-frequency details to shine without causing fatigue during long listening sessions.

Wizkid and Brent Faiyaz's "Piece of My Heart" showcases this balance perfectly – the punchy drums and bass integrate seamlessly with the layered, reverb-heavy vocals, each element maintaining clarity without stepping on others. The treble presentation adds air and space to the recording without drawing attention to itself, serving the music rather than dominating it.

Value Proposition

At $2,699, the HE1000 Unveiled represents Hifiman's commitment to bringing flagship technology to more accessible price points. While certainly not cheap, it delivers much of the Susvara Unveiled's magic at a significantly lower price point. The easier amplification requirements add to its value proposition, potentially saving money on associated equipment.

The included accessories and build quality justify the premium price point, while the performance competes with headphones costing significantly more. For many listeners, this might represent the sweet spot in high-end audio, offering near-summit-fi performance without the extreme costs associated with ultimate flagship models.

Conclusion

The Hifiman HE1000 Unveiled successfully brings cutting-edge technology to a more accessible price point without severe compromises. Its exceptional soundstage, refined frequency response, and easier amplification requirements make it a compelling option for serious audiophiles. While the exposed driver design demands careful handling, the sonic benefits justify this trade-off for dedicated listeners.

For those seeking summit-fi performance without stretching to Susvara pricing, the HE1000 Unveiled offers an excellent compromise. It maintains Hifiman's house sound while pushing technical boundaries, creating an engaging listening experience that competes with headphones well above its price point. Just remember – this isn't a casual-use headphone, but rather a sophisticated instrument that demands careful handling to deliver its best performance.

The HE1000 Unveiled represents another triumph for Hifiman, demonstrating their ability to innovate while maintaining the musical engagement that has made their products so popular among audiophiles. For listeners willing to adapt their habits to accommodate its design peculiarities, it offers a sublime listening experience that few headphones can match at any price.