Abyss Joal vs HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 83. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth - Outstanding overall at around $1399.

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth leads on 4 of 4 measures.

Abyss Joal
HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth

HearWiki score

Sound

9.3

Value

6.0

8.8

Price (USD)

$1,970

$1,400

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

Abyss Joal (2024) against HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth (2023). These are the same generation of hardware - nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price.

Joal20241 yr newer
HE 1000 Stealth2023

Specifications

JoalHE 1000 Stealth

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $1,970; $1,400
HearWiki score: 71; 83
Released: 2024; 2023
Availability: Discontinued; Still sold new
Driver: 63 mm planar magnetic; planar magnetic
Driver type: planar; planar
Driver size: 63 mm; -
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 5 Hz - 55 kHz; 8 Hz - 65 kHz
Sound signature: -; neutral
Impedance: 30 Ω; 32 Ω
Sensitivity: 93 dB/mW; 93 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling: -; No
Weight: 390 g; 458 g
Detachable cable: -; Yes
USB-C: No; No
Connector: 4.4 mm balanced; 6.35 mm
Balanced connection: Yes; Yes

Specification comparison of Abyss Joal vs HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
Spec	Abyss Joal	HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$1,970	$1,400
HearWiki score	71 / 100 Good	83 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2024	2023
Audio
Driver	63 mm planar magnetic	planar magnetic
Driver type	planar	planar
Driver size	63 mm	-
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	5 Hz - 55 kHz	8 Hz - 65 kHz
Sound signature	-	neutral
Impedance	30 Ω	32 Ω
Sensitivity	93 dB/mW	93 dB/mW
Features
Active noise cancelling	-	No
Design
Weight	390 g	458 g
Detachable cable	-	Yes
USB-C	No	No
Connector	4.4 mm balanced	6.35 mm
Balanced connection	Yes	Yes

What reviewers said

Abyss Joal

No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.

HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth

The HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth is a wired, open-back planar magnetic flagship that delivers a neutral, highly detailed sound signature. It's easier to drive than typical planars thanks to its 32-ohm impedance and 93 dB sensitivity, yet still rewards quality amplification. With its relatively lightweight build for a large headphone and detachable balanced cable, it offers strong technical performance and comfort, though its size and price may not suit everyone.

Pro:Refined, neutral sound with excellent detail
Pro:Easier to drive than most planar headphones
Pro:Comfortable for its large over-ear design

Con:Still relatively heavy at 458 grams
Con:Large fit may be awkward for smaller heads
Con:Treble can sound uneven on bright recordings

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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