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HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth vs STAX SR-007 (Mk2.5): 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.

  • HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
  • STAX SR-007 (Mk2.5)
HearWiki score
83
80
Sound
9.3
9.2
Value
8.8
5.5
Price (USD)
$1,400
$1,950

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

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
  • SR-007 (Mk2.5)Year unknown

Specifications

HE 1000 StealthSR-007 (Mk2.5)
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$1,400
$1,950
HearWiki score
83
80
Released
2023
-
Availability
Still sold new
Availability unknown
Driver
planar magnetic
2× 106 mm electrostatic
Driver type
planar
electrostatic
Driver size
-
106 mm
Drivers per side
1
2
Frequency response
8 Hz - 65 kHz
6 Hz - 41 kHz
Sound signature
neutral
neutral-warm
Impedance
32 Ω
170000 Ω
Sensitivity
93 dB/mW
100 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling
No
No
Weight
458 g
365.7 g
Detachable cable
Yes
-
USB-C
No
-
Connector
6.35 mm
-
Balanced connection
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

STAX SR-007 (Mk2.5)

The STAX SR-007 Mk2.5 is a premium electrostatic headphone known for its warm-neutral tuning and smooth, refined presentation. It excels in delivering natural timbre, textured bass, and quick detail retrieval, though its sound can vary noticeably with fit. Built to a high standard, it offers a relaxed, non-fatiguing listen for those with a dedicated electrostatic amplifier setup.

  • Pro:Refined, natural sound with smooth highs
  • Pro:Deep, textured bass extension
  • Pro:Fast and detailed transient response
  • Con:Sound quality is highly sensitive to fit
  • Con:Requires specialized electrostatic amplifier
  • Con:Bass may lack punch for some listeners

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

Compare something else

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New comparisonHiFiMAN HE 1000 StealthSTAX SR-007 (Mk2.5)