The Ananda Unveiled is the latest headphone in the Ananda series from Hifiman. It’s a full-size planar magnetic headphone that launched in 2025 and is currently priced at 549 USD.
The first Ananda was launched in 2018, and I reviewed it here. The Ananda Stealth (aka V2) came in 2021 and the Ananda Nano in 2023. There was also a semi-silent but official revision of the Stealth in 2023, referred to as the Ananda V3. According to Hifiman, the weight was reduced and the impedance changed from 26 ohms on the V2 to 16 ohms on the V3, while the sensitivity stayed at 93 dB/mW. With the Unveiled, the sensitivity still stays at 93 dB/mW, but the impedance increases to 22 ohms.
They all use dual-sided stealth magnets (except for the first version). The V2 and V3 use the first-generation Neo Supernano diaphragm, while the Unveiled uses the second generation, which is 60% thinner.
HIFIMAN ANANDA UNVEILED SPECIFICATIONS
- Exposed/Unveiled open-back full-size headphones.
- Driver: Planar magnetic with dual sided stealth magnets
- Diaphragm: Neo Supernano Gen.2 (<600nm)
- Impedance: 22 ohms
- Sensitivity: 93 dB/mW
- Diaphragm thickness: < 600 nm
- Frequency Response: 5Hz-55kHz
- Cable connectors: 3.5mm sockets on headphone
- Cable: 1.5m black
- Cable termination: 3.5mm with 6.35mm adapter
- Headband: Gen 2 strap design
- Pads: hybrid 6 clip
- Covers for storage included (magnetic veils)
- Weight: 449g (headphone only)
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: Ananda Unveiled
- AliExpress: Ananda Unveiled
HIFIMAN ANANDA STEALTH V3 SPECIFICATIONS:
- Full size open back headphone
- Driver: Planar magnetic with dual sided stealth magnets
- NEO Supernano diaphragm Gen.1
- Impedance: 16 ohms
- Sensitivity: 93dB
- Frequency Response: 8Hz-55kHz
- Cable connectors: 3.5mm sockets on headphone
- Cable: 1.5m black
- Cable termination: 3.5mm with 6.35mm adapter
- Headband: Gen 1 strap design
- Pads: hybrid 9 clip
- Weight: 398g
BUILD AND DESIGN
The Ananda Stealth V3 looks almost identical to the first Ananda from 2018, with a window shade design and a simple strap headband. The Unveiled is different, with a new headband and new grill-less cups.
GRILLS – The V3 has the traditional “window shade” design, while the latest version, the Unveiled, has its drivers totally exposed to optimize the acoustic conditions of the driver. Magnetic shields that you can put on for protection in storage are supplied.
The V3 offers much better protection of the drivers, so if you throw your headphones around a lot, you might want to choose the old version over the new one, or go for something else entirely, like the Edition XV.
PADS – Both use hybrid pads with pleather on the outside, fenestrated pleather on the inside, and textile on the face, the part that touches your skin.
Although the pads and cups are very similar in design, the Ananda Stealth V3 and the Ananda Unveiled have different pad attachment systems. The V3 uses the old 9-clip attachment system, while the Unveiled uses the new 6-clip attachment system (introduced with the Unveiled series and Edition XV)
HEADBAND – The new headband, called Gen 2, is much more comfortable than the old one, especially because it offers much better swivel action.
CABLES – Both headphones use dual 3.5 mm cable connector sockets. The supplied 1.5 m cable terminates in a 3.5 mm plug. It isn’t very impressive, but third-party cable options are readily available.
LISTENING IMPRESSIONS
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: Ferrum Erco mk2
Proving Lights by Greene Serene
Explosive improv jazz. Both the Stealth and the Unveiled sound excellent, with a great balance across the frequency range, impressive dynamics, and a large soundstage. On this track, they are extremely similar.
Maggi by Hvalfugl
This sounds excellent on the Stealth V3, very spacious and snappy. The Unveiled is equally impressive. There are subtle differences between them, but I cannot say that one is better than the other, just that the Unveiled feels a tad brighter.
In the Mountains by Espen Eriksen Trio
They’re very similar, but the Stealth V3 has a bit more low end and feels a tad warmer.
Re-Melt by Tord Gustavsen Trio
The Stealth V3 is again a bit warmer, but otherwise they’re very similar.
Teardrop by Massive Attack
The Unveiled is very tight and snappy, with an excellent soundstage size. The bass is controlled and linear, but polite. The Stealth V3 has a bit more bass and a slightly darker tint, but more than anything, they are very similar in a very good way.
The Hidden Camera by Photek
Again, they are very similar, with the Stealth V3 slightly warmer and having a bit more bass. I also think it has more precise imaging, while the Unveiled sounds a bit airier.
Escape Route by Boris Blank
The richer lows of the Stealth V3 make this more engaging. It sounds more fun and organic.
Eye of The Day by Marta del Grandi
They’re very similar but not identical. I find both good, but the vocals feel even more natural with the Unveiled, slightly more upfront and less laid back. It’s a small difference, but consistent.
Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
Again, very similar. The vocals are a bit more forward with the Unveiled, but the difference is subtle.
Spontaneous Compositorius by Thomas Agergard
Very similar but not identical. The Unveiled has a brighter tint on the percussion, and the saxophone sounds a bit airier.
Young Vivaldi by Modo Antiquo
They both offer excellent string timbre, nicely upfront and energetic. The Unveiled is, again, slightly brighter. The Stealth V3 is a tiny bit warmer.
Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
Here the difference is larger. The Stealth V3 sounds darker and a bit fuller. The Unveiled sounds brighter and airier, but also slightly less focused.
Vicarious by Tool
Again, very similar, but the Stealth V3 is a bit fuller in the bass, which suits this track well.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The Ananda Unveiled and Stealth V3 are, more than anything, very similar. The bass is very linear, the midrange is nicely present, and the treble is bright without being piercing. The mids and highs are a bit brighter with the new version, but the difference is very small.
Treble
Both have excellent treble, with the Unveiled being a tad brighter and airier.
Midrange
The midrange is mostly very similar, but the Stealth V3 can sound a bit darker, while the Unveiled sounds a bit more forward and brighter. It depends on the track whether the difference is significant.
Bass
The bass quality and presence are also very similar, but the Stealth V3 has more bass quantity on several tracks.
Soundstage and Imaging
The soundstage and imaging capabilities are very similar, but when there is a difference, the Unveiled feels airier while the Stealth V3 feels more focused. Again, the difference is small.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
In terms of general detail level, I must admit I don’t really find a lot of significant differences. There are variations from track to track, but all in all I find them to be very similar in technical performance. This includes dynamics, although the Stealth V3 might feel a tad more dynamic, mainly because it has more bass.
When it comes to timbre, they are very similar. The most important part is the midrange, where I tend to feel the Unveiled is a tad more natural and true to life, with a slightly more upfront character. However, I prefer the slightly smoother treble of the Stealth V3 and its slightly more pronounced bass.
CONCLUSION
In my setup and with my playlist, the Ananda Stealth V3 and the Ananda Unveiled sound very similar. There are, of course, small differences, and how significant they are varies from track to track. In general, the Stealth V3 is a bit warmer with more bass presence and slightly softer highs, while the Unveiled is a bit brighter across the frequency range and gives an even greater sense of air. In terms of technical performance, I find them very comparable.
In conclusion, both the Ananda Stealth V3 and the Ananda Unveiled are great headphones that sound very similar, albeit with small differences. On some tracks, they’re almost indistinguishable, while on others, there’s enough difference to prefer one over the other.
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