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Dan Clark Audio Ether C Flow 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.

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.

  • Dan Clark Audio Ether C Flow
  • HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
HearWiki score
53
83
Sound
7.4
9.3
Value
3.9
8.8
Price (USD)
$1,800
$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

The HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth is 7 years newer, but it is 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. For 7 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.

  • Ether C Flow2016
  • HE 1000 Stealth20237 yr newer

Specifications

Ether C FlowHE 1000 Stealth
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$1,800
$1,400
HearWiki score
53
83
Released
2016
2023
Availability
Discontinued
Still sold new
Driver
71 mm planar magnetic
planar magnetic
Driver type
planar
planar
Driver size
71 mm
-
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
8 Hz - 65 kHz
Sound signature
-
neutral
Impedance
23 Ω
32 Ω
Sensitivity
92 dB/mW
93 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling
No
No
Weight
390 g
458 g
Detachable cable
Yes
Yes
USB-C
-
No
Connector
-
6.35 mm
Balanced connection
-
Yes

What reviewers said

Dan Clark Audio Ether C Flow

The Dan Clark Audio Ether C Flow is a premium closed-back planar magnetic headphone that refines the original Ether C with greater immediacy, detail, and musicality. It offers a neutral-to-slightly-U-shaped tonal balance with controlled deep bass and high-resolution performance, packaged in a well-built, comfortable design. While it impresses with its speed and accuracy, its dynamics and imaging are good rather than exceptional, and bass punch could be stronger for some listeners.

  • Pro:Refined, detailed, and musical sound
  • Pro:Neutral-to-slightly-U-shaped tonal balance with controlled deep bass
  • Pro:Excellent build quality and comfort
  • Con:Bass lacks a bit of punch and speed
  • Con:Dynamics and imaging are good but not exceptional
  • Con:Premium price point

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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