Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
88Outstanding
$1699
Full review dataHiFiMAN HE 1000se vs STAX SR-007A: 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
STAX SR-007A
84Great
$1296
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
STAX SR-007A
Sound9.0
Value6.0
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN HE 1000se | STAX SR-007A |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1699 | $1296 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2018 | 2018 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | electrostatic |
| Frequency response | 8Hz-65kHz | 6Hz-41kHz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | 35 Ω | 170000 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB/mW | 100 dB/mW |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 440 g | 512 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
STAX SR-007A
This electrostatic headphone delivers a beautifully effortless and highly transparent sound, with impressive clarity, speed, and a surprisingly robust low end for its type. It stands out for its natural tonal coherence and wide, immersive soundstage, all while offering excellent comfort and fit thanks to its rotating earcups and light build. However, it requires a dedicated amplifier and has a few practical limitations that may give some buyers pause.
- Pro:Exceptional transparency and low distortion
- Pro:Lightweight and very comfortable for long sessions
- Pro:Open, natural soundstage with strong imaging
- Con:Requires a special energizer or amplifier to operate
- Con:Non-detachable cable limits upgradeability
- Con:Bass weight is still somewhat limited compared to dynamic flagships
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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