Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
83Outstanding
$1,400
Full review dataHiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth vs Meze Poet: 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
Meze Poet
62Average
$2,000
Full review dataScore 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.
- HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
- Meze Poet
HearWiki score
83
62
Sound
9.3
7.3
Value
8.8
4.5
Price (USD)
$1,400
$2,000
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 Meze Poet is 2 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.
- HE 1000 Stealth2023
- Poet20252 yr newer
Specifications
HE 1000 StealthPoet
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $1,400
- $2,000
- HearWiki score
- 83
- 62
- Released
- 2023
- 2025
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- planar magnetic
- hybrid
- Driver type
- planar
- hybrid
- Driver size
- -
- 92 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- -
- Frequency response
- 8 Hz - 65 kHz
- 4 Hz - 96 kHz
- Sound signature
- neutral
- -
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 55 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 93 dB/mW
- 101 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- ANC type
- -
- none
- Transparency mode
- -
- No
- Companion app
- -
- No
- Custom EQ
- -
- No
- Wear detection
- -
- No
- Controls
- -
- buttons
- Weight
- 458 g
- 405 g
- Foldable
- -
- No
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- No
- Connector
- 6.35 mm
- 3.5 mm
- Balanced connection
- Yes
- Yes
What reviewers said
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
Meze Poet
The Meze Poet is a premium open-back planar headphone that pairs a lightweight, comfortable build with a technically impressive hybrid driver array. Its tuning is smooth and balanced, offering strong resolution and a wide soundstage, though it adds a touch of treble sparkle that may not suit everyone. It's an easy-to-drive, well-rounded choice for critical listening at a high price point.
- Pro:Excellent build quality and comfort
- Pro:High resolution with a wide, open soundstage
- Pro:Easy to drive despite its advanced driver design
- Con:Upper treble can be intense for sensitive listeners
- Con:Very expensive
- Con:No included carrying case or accessories beyond basics
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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