Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
83Outstanding
$1,400
Full review dataHiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth vs Ultrasone Edition 8: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth vs Ultrasone Edition 8, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Over-Ear
Ultrasone Edition 8
Not yet scored
$1,200
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 3 of 4 measures.
- HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
- Ultrasone Edition 8
HearWiki score
83
-
Sound
9.3
-
Value
8.8
-
Price (USD)
$1,400
$1,200
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
- Edition 82018
Specifications
HE 1000 StealthEdition 8
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $1,400
- $1,200
- HearWiki score
- 83
- Not scored
- Released
- 2023
- 2018
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- planar magnetic
- 40 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver size
- -
- 40 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 8 Hz - 65 kHz
- 6 Hz - 42 kHz
- Sound signature
- neutral
- -
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 30 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 93 dB/mW
- 96 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- 458 g
- 260 g
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- No
- Pad material
- -
- leather
- Connector
- 6.35 mm
- 3.5 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
Ultrasone Edition 8
The Ultrasone Edition 8 is a premium closed-back wired headphone aimed at audiophiles, using a 40mm titanium-coated dynamic driver and S-Logic spatial processing to deliver a broad, open soundstage. Its lightweight 260g frame, plush leather ear pads, and detachable cable make it a comfortable, high-end choice for critical listening, though it lacks wireless or noise-canceling features.
- Pro:Excellent soundstage and imaging for a closed-back design
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable with soft leather padding
- Pro:Detachable cable adds versatility
- Con:No active noise cancellation or wireless support
- Con:High price point for a wired-only headphone
- Con:Sensitivity of 96 dB may require a dedicated amplifier for best performance
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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