Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
83Outstanding
$1,400
Full review dataHiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth vs ZMF Auteur: 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
ZMF Auteur
63Good
$2,430
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
- ZMF Auteur
HearWiki score
83
63
Sound
9.3
8.6
Value
8.8
5.2
Price (USD)
$1,400
$2,430
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 6 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 6 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- HE 1000 Stealth20236 yr newer
- Auteur2017
Specifications
HE 1000 StealthAuteur
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $1,400
- $2,430
- HearWiki score
- 83
- 63
- Released
- 2023
- 2017
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- planar magnetic
- 50 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver size
- -
- 50 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 8 Hz - 65 kHz
- 10 Hz - 25 kHz
- Sound signature
- neutral
- neutral-bright
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 300 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 93 dB/mW
- 97 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- 458 g
- 470 g
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- No
- Connector
- 6.35 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
ZMF Auteur
The ZMF Auteur is an open-back, wired over-ear headphone from ZMF that pairs a 50mm dynamic driver with a handcrafted wooden design for a distinctive, musical presentation. It delivers a wide, spacious soundstage with intimate vocals and a neutral-bright tuning that emphasizes tonal richness and engaging dynamics. While not purely analytical, its 300-ohm impedance requires a capable amplifier, and its 470g weight makes comfort a consideration for long sessions.
- Pro:Engaging, musical sound with excellent tonal quality
- Pro:Wide soundstage and intimate vocal presentation
- Pro:Beautiful artisanal wooden build and craftsmanship
- Con:Requires a powerful amplifier due to 300-ohm impedance
- Con:Relatively heavy at 470g for extended wear
- Con:Neutral-bright tuning may not suit listeners preferring a warmer signature
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.