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HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth vs Shanling Hw600: 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 3 of 4 measures.

  • HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
  • Shanling Hw600
HearWiki score
83
73
Sound
9.3
8.4
Value
8.8
6.7
Price (USD)
$1,400
$1,100

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

Shanling Hw600 (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.

  • HE 1000 Stealth2023
  • Hw60020241 yr newer

Specifications

HE 1000 StealthHw600
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$1,400
$1,100
HearWiki score
83
73
Released
2023
2024
Availability
Still sold new
Still sold new
Driver
planar magnetic
110 mm planar magnetic
Driver type
planar
planar
Driver size
-
110 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
8 Hz - 65 kHz
12 Hz - 40 kHz
Sound signature
neutral
neutral-warm
Impedance
32 Ω
30 Ω
Sensitivity
93 dB/mW
104 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling
No
-
Controls
-
none
Weight
458 g
480 g
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

Shanling Hw600

The Shanling HW600 is a premium open-back planar headphone featuring a large 110mm driver that delivers a neutral-warm signature with strong vocal emphasis and detailed, energetic presentation. Its high sensitivity and relatively low impedance make it easy to drive despite its wired-only design, while the detachable cable and balanced support add flexibility for audiophile setups. The main trade-offs are a somewhat confined soundstage and sparse accessory package, but it stands as a compelling high-end debut from Shanling.

  • Pro:Large 110mm planar driver offers impressive detail and clarity
  • Pro:Easy to drive with high sensitivity and low impedance
  • Pro:Neutral-warm tuning suits vocal and acoustic music well
  • Con:Soundstage feels somewhat constrained for an open-back model
  • Con:Limited accessories included in the box
  • Con:Bass response can be slightly uneven at times

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

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparisonHiFiMAN HE 1000 StealthShanling Hw600