Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
88Outstanding
$1699
Full review dataHiFiMAN HE 1000se vs Meze 109 PRO PRIMAL: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN HE 1000se comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: HiFiMAN HE 1000se - Outstanding overall at around $1699.
Over-Ear
Meze 109 PRO PRIMAL
84Great
$999
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
Sound9.5
Value6.5
Meze 109 PRO PRIMAL
Sound8.5
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN HE 1000se | Meze 109 PRO PRIMAL |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1699 | $999 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2018 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | in-house dynamic driver |
| Driver size | - | 50 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 8Hz-65kHz | 5Hz-30kHz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | 35 Ω | 40 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB/mW | 112 dB/mW |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 440 g | 375 g |
| Balanced connection | Yes | - |
What reviewers said
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
The HiFiMAN HE1000se is a high-end planar magnetic headphone that delivers exceptional detail retrieval and a spacious, airy soundstage. Its bright-neutral tuning offers strong bass and treble extension, though the prominent treble can become harsh with lower-quality recordings. While its 35-ohm impedance and 96 dB sensitivity make it moderately easy to drive, it still benefits from quality amplification to perform at its best.
- Pro:Outstanding resolution and micro-detail clarity
- Pro:Wide, airy soundstage with excellent instrument separation
- Pro:Strong extension at both frequency extremes
- Con:Bright, peaky treble can fatigue on poorly mastered tracks
- Con:Requires a decent amp despite moderate sensitivity
- Con:Midrange lacks warmth and body for some tastes
Meze 109 PRO PRIMAL
The Meze 109 Pro is an open-back, over-ear headphone from the Romanian brand, featuring a custom 50mm dynamic driver and a lightweight 375g frame. It's designed for easy pairing with most sources thanks to its 40-ohm impedance and high 112dB sensitivity, delivering a spacious and engaging soundstage. While not a purely neutral reference, it offers a warm, musical tuning that excels across genres and is praised for its comfort and build quality at a premium price point.
- Pro:Easy to drive with any source
- Pro:Spacious and immersive soundstage
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
- Con:Not a strictly neutral or analytical listen
- Con:High price point limits accessibility
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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