Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
83Outstanding
$1,400
Full review dataHiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth vs ZMF Ori 3.0: 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 Ori 3.0
69Good
$2,400
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 Ori 3.0
HearWiki score
83
69
Sound
9.3
9.0
Value
8.8
7.7
Price (USD)
$1,400
$2,400
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
- Ori 3.02017
Specifications
HE 1000 StealthOri 3.0
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $1,400
- $2,400
- HearWiki score
- 83
- 69
- Released
- 2023
- 2017
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- planar magnetic
- 80 mm planar magnetic
- Driver type
- planar
- planar
- Driver size
- -
- 80 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- -
- Frequency response
- 8 Hz - 65 kHz
- -
- Sound signature
- neutral
- -
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 60 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 93 dB/mW
- 95 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- 458 g
- 540 g
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- -
- Connector
- 6.35 mm
- XLR
- 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
ZMF Ori 3.0
The ZMF Ori 3.0 is a premium closed-back planar headphone delivering a deep, powerful, and warm sound signature with substantial bass weight. It offers notable flexibility through its tuning plug system and swappable pads, though its soundstage is more intimate than some of ZMF's other flagship closed-back models. The build quality is exceptional, matching its high price point with flagship-level craftsmanship.
- Pro:Rich, warm, and engaging sound with strong low-end punch
- Pro:Tuning plug system and pad options provide versatile sound customization
- Pro:Outstanding build quality and premium materials
- Con:Soundstage is not as expansive as other top-tier closed-back models
- Con:Heavy weight at 540g may be uncomfortable for long sessions
- Con:High price point limits accessibility
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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