Hifiman’s HE600 and Ananda Unveiled are two full-size planar magnetic headphones that both launched in August of 2025. Both use double-sided magnet drivers and the new Neo Super Nano Generation 2 diaphragm, along with the Generation 2 headband. The drivers are not identical, though, and the two models differ in cup shape and design.
The HE600 typically costs 799 USD, while the Ananda Unveiled costs 549 USD.
HIFIMAN ANANDA UNVEILED SPECIFICATIONS
- Exposed/Unveiled open-back full-size headphones.
- Driver: planar magnetic with dual-sided magnets
- Driver size: oval 100mm tall
- 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
- Covers for storage included (magnetic veils)
- Weight: 449g (headphone only)
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: Ananda Unveiled
- AliExpress: Ananda Unveiled
HIFIMAN HE600 SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: full-size open-back
- Driver: Planar magnetic (97x76mm)
- Driver: planar magnetic with dual-sided magnets
- Diaphragm: Neo Supernano Gen.2 (<600nm)
- Impedance: 28 ohms
- Sensitivity: 94 dB/mW
- Frequency response: 8Hz-65kHz
- 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
- Weight: 389g
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: Hifiman HE600
- AliExpress: Hifiman HE600
BUILD AND COMFORT
CUP DESIGN
The two headphones have different cup designs. The HE600 has a circular design similar to all the other circular headphones from Hifiman, and it can also use the same pads as previous generations.
The Ananda Unveiled and feature Hifiman’s oval, egg-shaped cup design. Their pad attachment system, however, is not compatible with older designs. See below.
HEADBAND
The HE600 and the Ananda Unveiled both feature the same headband design, which consists of an arc and a strap. It is called the Gen. 2 headband, and I find it works very well, while also being quite compact.
PADS
Typical of Hifiman, both the HE600 and the Ananda Unveiled use hybrid pads. They have memory foam, with fenestrated leather on the inside, textile on the face towards your skin, and unfenestrated pleather on the outside. They are similarly comfortable. The Ananda Unveiled is larger and more ear-shaped, so if you have large ears, you might prefer it over the less spacious HE600.
It is important to note that the Ananda Unveiled uses Hifiman’s new attachment system for its egg-shaped headphones, which is not compatible with previous generations. The new system was introduced with the Edition XV and the Unveiled series.
The HE600 uses the same attachment system as other circular Hifiman headphones, with the classic plastic attachment ring glued to the pad. This system is used on models such as the Sundara and HE400SE, and it goes all the way back to the original Hifiman headphones like the HE6 and HE500.
CABLE
Hifiman has not spent excessive resources on the cable. It is simple and utilitarian. However, the headphones use 3.5 mm sockets on the cups, and replacement cables in all lengths and with all types of terminations are widely available.
COMFORT
Both are comfortable to me. The Ananda Unveiled is larger and more ear-shaped, while the HE600 is smaller and circular. Another thing to consider is that the Ananda Unveiled has exposed drivers, which requires you to be more careful when handling the headphones. Protection discs are supplied for storage, but this is more hassle than with the HE600, which has built-in protection grilles.
LISTENING – COMPARISON
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC/Amp: Ferrum Erco mk2
Maggi by Hvalfugl
Starting out with some contemporary Danish jazz: the Ananda Unveiled is airier and has a larger soundstage, while the HE600 is more intimate with more bass. The HE600 feels more grounded, the Ananda Unveiled more ethereal. I like both, but prefer the warmer tuning of the HE600.
In the Mountains by Espen Eriksen Trio
The bass is quite similar here; the Ananda Unveiled has a more polite presence in the mids. Again, it has a larger soundstage, but the difference is smaller than on the previous track.
The Saint by Berke Özcan
The saxophone in the intro is a bit meatier with the HE600 and brighter with the Ananda Unveiled, but the general timbre is quite close. The bass is pretty similar. The Ananda Unveiled is again a bit more spacious and generally brighter, while the HE600 is a bit warmer and more intimate.
Re-Melt by Tord Gustavsen Trio
The Ananda Unveiled is very snappy. It is also very spacious sounding. The HE600 is more intimate, with a richer timbre.
Teardrop by Massive Attack
Both are very good, with tigh bass and clear vocals. With the HE600 the soundstage is more intimate; with the Ananda Unveiled, things are a tad brighter.
The Hidden Camera by Photek
They are both very good. Again, the Ananda Unveiled is a tad brighter and more open, while the HE600 is slightly smoother with the percussion.
Escape Route by Boris Blank
I like the HE600 better here; it is more organic and richer sounding. The Ananda Unveiled isn’t bad, but feels a bit “light.”
Vicarious by Tool
Same here: the HE600 sounds fuller and meatier. The Ananda Unveiled is a tad dry in direct comparison, and the vocals and general midrange feels a bit recessed.
Sunrise by Norah Jones
The HE600 has notably more forward vocals and mids general here as well.
Rambling Man by Laura Marling
The Ananda Unveiled is good and the HE600 is quite similar here.
Summer 3 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
Both are nice. The Ananda Unveiled airier and a bit brighter, the HE600 a bit darker and meatier.
Young Vivaldi by Modo Antiquo
Both have nice string timbre. The Ananda Unveiled is a bit brighter and sharper, while the HE600 is slightly darker and smoother.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The Hifiman HE600 and Ananda Unveiled are both fairly neutral-sounding headphones with a very flat bass response. Both have somewhat polite upper mids. The HE600 is a bit fuller, while the Ananda Unveiled is a bit brighter.
Treble
The Ananda Unveiled has more treble presence and feels more airy, and is generally a bit brighter. The HE600 feels smoother and a bit more precise.
Midrange
Both have a somewhat polite upper-midrange presence, but the HE600 feels warmer and more upfront in the midrange than the Ananda Unveiled. On many tracks, however, they can sound quite similar.
Bass
The bass quantity and quality are very similar between the two. The HE600 often feels a bit meatier, but that is probably more because of the overall tuning and tonal balance rather than significant differences in the bass response.
Soundstage and Imaging
The soundstage always feels larger and airier with the Ananda Unveiled. The imaging is often on par between the two, although the HE600 often feels more focused, helped by its more intimate character.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
The general detail level is quite comparable, but I tend to find that the HE600 is a notch better. I find it presents detail in a smoother and more natural way. However, other listeners might prefer the Ananda Unveiled for its more airy delivery.
With regards to dynamic contrast, they are not too different, but the HE600 feels stronger, probably mostly because of the tuning.
Timbre is often relatively close but there are some general differences and on certain tracks the difference can be more significant than on others.
While both fell slightly laid-back in the midrange the Ananda is often more so than the HE600 but it can also be brighter. It depends on the track and the frequencies that dominate.
What is very consistent is that the treble has a more airy quality with the Ananda Unveiled, which feels more ethereal. The HE600 is a bit smoother and more natural to me. The bass is very similar in character and feels very neutral.
CONCLUSION
In the big picture, the HE600 and Ananda Unveiled are not extremely different. After all, they have similar drivers and very similar pads.
They are, however, certainly not identical, and I find the differences to be very consistent. The HE600 sounds more intimate; it is slightly fuller and meatier. The Ananda Unveiled is airier and a bit brighter.
With regard to technical performance, the difference is not very large, but I generally tend to find the HE600 to sound cleaner and smoother.
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