Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
88Outstanding
$1699
Full review dataHiFiMAN HE 1000se vs XK Audio Serene: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the HiFiMAN HE 1000se vs XK Audio Serene, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Over-Ear
XK Audio Serene
Not yet scored
$965
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
XK Audio Serene
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN HE 1000se | XK Audio Serene |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1699 | $965 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | Not scored |
| Released | 2018 | 2025 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | planar |
| Driver size | - | 90 mm |
| Frequency response | 8Hz-65kHz | 5Hz-80kHz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | 35 Ω | 45 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB/mW | 85 dB/mW |
| Features | ||
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 440 g | - |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | - | No |
| Balanced connection | Yes | 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
XK Audio Serene
No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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