We had the opportunity to extensively test the Ananda Unveiled, one of the new models in Hifiman’s Unveiled series. We were quite curious, having previously talked about the previous Ananda version years ago, and we must say that the many innovations introduced have radically changed the model’s sonic performance, not just its appearance. The test, as you can already guess, turned out to be very interesting.Let’s start by placing the new model in context. We are talking about an entry/mid-level device, with a price currently around 570 euros in Italy, and we can’t help but notice how time, at least in audio technology, brings significant advantages: roughly the same price as the previous version, but a much more modern and technologically advanced device.
We are dealing with planar magnetic headphones, and as always with this type of device, weight is a factor, although in this case not excessively high: 449 grams. The headphones have a sensitivity of 93 dB, with a frequency response of 5Hz–55kHz.
Hifiman immediately makes it clear that the model has been refined, presenting it in a very refined way: the open-back headphones come in a classic box but, in addition to the usual stock cable (of good quality), we also get beautiful velvet pouches—four in total—two covering the earcups and two containing the earcup covers (called magnetic veils). What are these covers for? A fair question. They are used to protect the Ananda Unveiled drivers when not in use, shielding them not so much from dust as from other magnetic fields that may be present in the environment.
From an aesthetic standpoint, the new Ananda are truly spectacular. The outer shell of the earcups is made of finely perforated silver-gray metal, with the central section showcasing the new technical-architectural solution developed by Hifiman for the Unveiled line. The company’s products have always been well built, but here it feels even better than usual for this price range: finishes and details are top-notch, and the new perforated headband (lighter than the previous one—which is always welcome) placed before the arch fully convinced us. Not so much visually, but practically: it’s comfortable. Very comfortable, and that’s crucial for long listening sessions with headphones of this weight.
Hifiman has worked on its nanometer diaphragm, already a strong point in past years, and in this model introduces the second-generation Neo Supernano, which further reduces thickness by 60%. The new Unveiled technology, first used in the Susvara, aims to reduce reflections and refractions of sound waves to deliver a purer sound.
In addition to the many differences from the previous model already mentioned, there is also the use of Enhanced Magnets, meaning new magnets without rare earth materials—another feature of the company’s latest headphones.
In short, compared to the Ananda Nano, there are many new features, and they are very evident. But with an impedance of 22 Ohms—higher than the previous model but still easy to drive—are these headphones different only visually, or also sonically? You can guess the answer, but let’s analyze them in detail.
How the Ananda Unveiled sound
The implementation of next-generation technologies is clearly noticeable. The difference from the Ananda Nano, as anticipated, is truly substantial, even in terms of sound performance. What has improved? Well, basically everything.
We tested the headphones with several Hifiman amp/DACs, but the ideal companion was the EF600.
To begin with, the sound signature is typical Hifiman: a natural sound, more than neutral, very well balanced across frequencies. Right from the first listen, what stands out most is the level of detail retrieval and the soundstage, both significantly improved.
The soundstage is not as wide as in some higher-end models from the brand (such as the latest Arya), but the impression is of a good amount of space in every direction, with excellent handling of sound directionality and instrument placement within the scene.
This, combined with a pronounced but not excessive dynamism, and an excellent level of detail retrieval, especially in the upper mids and highs, results in a sound that could be described in one word: musical. We could also add pleasing and engaging. Not fatiguing either, thanks to the absence of spikes in the high frequencies.
How about the bass? Very good. We noticed what seems like a slight but very welcome boost in some of the company’s latest models (we’ll talk about others in the coming weeks). In “Bury a Friend” by Billie Eilish, the Ananda Unveiled seem to understand when to push, delivering deep, well-detailed, fairly extended bass that maintains a certain smoothness despite initially appearing energetic. They are not overly prominent: they blend well with the rest of the frequencies, which come through faster, tighter, and always detailed.
In the midrange, the improvement in detail retrieval is most noticeable, with a sense of a clear and clean sound, perceived slightly more forward than the bass; the highs, as mentioned, are free of spikes and lean toward a crystalline character, very detailed and capable of rendering vocal nuances well. Vocals are reproduced very nicely but are not particularly forward; in tracks with isolated vocals, performance is excellent, with the voice taking center stage, while in more complex mixes with many instruments and wide frequency use, the impression is that the instrumental aspect stands out more. And this instrumental side is presented very well, thanks to excellent instrument separation, solid positioning on a fairly wide soundstage, dynamism, and the already mentioned musicality of these headphones.
We had fun putting them through their paces, and the new Ananda are not afraid of being tested; on the contrary, they show a lot of energy when fed with hard rock or bass-heavy electronic music, demonstrate their dynamism in complex instrumental tracks, and prove capable of handling vocals when someone (like Freddie Mercury) takes center stage. This versatility and responsiveness is one of the reasons we were so impressed by this “update,” which honestly feels like much more than just an update.
As for pairings, we strongly recommend the EF600 or also the EF400, with which they also sound excellent for their category, although they do not struggle even with slightly less expensive or more analytical DAC/amp setups.
If you own the previous model and are considering upgrading to the Ananda Unveiled, we can confirm that yes, it is absolutely worth it. If instead you are undecided between the Nano and the Unveiled, the price difference is significant (the Nano currently sits around 330 euros), so it depends on your budget. If you can afford the Unveiled, we recommend making the effort, as they are worth it and will remain satisfying for years.
In conclusion, these new Ananda, the entry point in price for the new Unveiled series, offer an excellent value for money, are musical, lively, and versatile, perform well across many genres, are built with great care, and also look fantastic. Our final verdict? Highly recommended.
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