Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000 Unveiled
82Outstanding
$2,300
Full review dataHiFiMAN HE 1000 Unveiled vs Meze Elite: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN HE 1000 Unveiled comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 82. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: HiFiMAN HE 1000 Unveiled - Outstanding overall at around $2299.
Over-Ear
Meze Elite
76Great
$3,400
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
HiFiMAN HE 1000 Unveiled leads on 4 of 4 measures.
- HiFiMAN HE 1000 Unveiled
- Meze Elite
HearWiki score
82
76
Sound
9.5
8.9
Value
6.8
5.4
Price (USD)
$2,300
$3,400
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 Unveiled is 3 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 3 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- HE 1000 Unveiled20243 yr newer
- Elite2021
Specifications
HE 1000 UnveiledElite
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $2,300
- $3,400
- HearWiki score
- 82
- 76
- Released
- 2024
- 2021
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- planar magnetic
- hybrid
- Driver type
- planar
- hybrid
- Drivers per side
- 1
- -
- Frequency response
- 8 Hz - 65 kHz
- 3 Hz - 112 kHz
- Impedance
- 28 Ω
- 32 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 101 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- 450 g
- 433 g
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- No
- Connector
- -
- XLR
- Balanced connection
- Yes
- Yes
What reviewers said
HiFiMAN HE 1000 Unveiled
The HiFiMAN HE 1000 Unveiled is a premium open-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers an exceptionally wide and precise soundstage with rich, engaging vocals. It offers flagship-level resolution, dynamics, and a spacious presentation that pushes the boundaries of its price class, though its exposed cup design demands careful handling. With a lightweight 450g build and balanced connectivity, it's a high-end choice for audiophiles seeking top-tier wired performance without active noise cancellation.
- Pro:Exceptional soundstage width and precision
- Pro:Outstanding resolution and dynamic range
- Pro:Engaging and detailed vocal presentation
- Con:Exposed cups require careful handling
- Con:No 4.4mm connector included in the box
- Con:Premium price point may not suit all budgets
Meze Elite
The Meze Elite is a premium open-back planar headphone that builds on the brand's flagship heritage with a refined, spacious, and highly musical sound. Its aluminum construction and updated driver array deliver strong technical performance, excellent detail retrieval, and a comfortable fit, making it a top-tier choice for audiophiles seeking a luxurious listening experience. While its price point is steep, the combination of craftsmanship, ergonomics, and sonic maturity positions it as a standout in the high-end segment.
- Pro:Exceptional build quality with premium aluminum materials
- Pro:Spacious and immersive soundstage with excellent separation
- Pro:Smooth, musical tuning that remains detailed and dynamic
- Con:Very high price tag limits accessibility
- Con:No ANC or wireless features for a wired-only design
- Con:Potential bass roll-off may not suit bass-heavy listeners
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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