
HiFiMAN HE 1000 Unveiled vs Ultrasone Edition 15: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the HiFiMAN HE 1000 Unveiled vs Ultrasone Edition 15, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Score 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
- Ultrasone Edition 15
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?
The HiFiMAN HE 1000 Unveiled 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 Unveiled20246 yr newer
- Edition 152018
Specifications
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $2,300
- $3,000
- HearWiki score
- 82
- Not scored
- Released
- 2024
- 2018
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- planar magnetic
- 40 mm driver
- Driver type
- planar
- -
- Driver size
- -
- 40 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 8 Hz - 65 kHz
- 5 Hz - 48 kHz
- Impedance
- 28 Ω
- 40 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 94 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- 450 g
- 320 g
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- No
- Balanced connection
- 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
Ultrasone Edition 15
The Ultrasone Edition 15 is a premium wired, semi-open headphone built with a gold-titanium composite driver that delivers a warm, musical low end and crisp treble. Its handcrafted cherry wood cups, aluminum frame, and detachable LEMO cables emphasize a high-end, durable design for audiophiles. With a 40-ohm impedance and 94 dB sensitivity, it pairs well with quality headphone amplifiers.
- Pro:Rich, warm bass with detailed highs
- Pro:Premium cherry wood and aluminum construction
- Pro:Detachable LEMO cables for easy replacement
- Con:High price point
- Con:No noise cancellation or wireless features
- Con:Requires a separate 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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