Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
83Outstanding
$1,400
Full review dataHiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth vs Sennheiser HD 820: 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
Sennheiser HD 820
65Good
$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
- Sennheiser HD 820
HearWiki score
83
65
Sound
9.3
8.0
Value
8.8
3.8
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 HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth is 5 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 5 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- HE 1000 Stealth20235 yr newer
- HD 8202018
Specifications
HE 1000 StealthHD 820
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $1,400
- $2,000
- HearWiki score
- 83
- 65
- Released
- 2023
- 2018
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- planar magnetic
- 56 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver size
- -
- 56 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 8 Hz - 65 kHz
- 6 Hz - 48 kHz
- Sound signature
- neutral
- -
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 300 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 93 dB/mW
- 103 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- 458 g
- 360 g
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- No
- Connector
- 6.35 mm
- 4.4 mm balanced
- Balanced connection
- Yes
- Yes
- Model code
- -
- 507435
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
Sennheiser HD 820
The Sennheiser HD 820 is a flagship closed-back headphone that aims to deliver open-back-like soundstage and detail in a sealed design. It excels in critical listening with strong bass control, wide imaging, and solid build, but demands a high-quality amplifier and a hefty investment. While praised for its technical performance, some find its comfort and value questionable at the premium price point.
- Pro:Excellent detail retrieval and clarity
- Pro:Wide, immersive soundstage for a closed-back
- Pro:Precise bass control and punch
- Con:Very expensive for the performance offered
- Con:Requires a powerful, high-end amplifier
- Con:Heavy weight can cause fatigue over long sessions
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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