Sweet review! I own multiple HiFiMan headphones and actually have an Arya v3 (stealth) on the way. I enjoy the Deva series a bit more for music enjoyment than the Sundara. The Sundara is pretty cold and analytical to my ears, you really want (imo) to pair it with a chain that's complimentary to that sort of cooler, less emotional sound signature. The original Deva had very light and airy highs, it was great for atmospheric music, synths, those sort of dreamwave genres. But it could also be harsh and metallic in the top-end and there was a fair bit of grain as well. The Pro is a lot tighter, phenomenal mid-range especially in the dynamic contrast, very punchy, and very engaging, borderline aggressive at times but not shouty imo. It doesn't have the airiness of the original, it's much smoother in the top end but they've eliminated the grain and those dynamics are just so snappy and plucky and punchy, it's frigging addicting. It's a great value headphone, the BlueMini 2 doesn't lack for power or drive and provides a really tall soundstage, though if depth, or what people term as "3Dness", is your thing then the Pro wouldn't be the recommendation. While they're wide and very tall they're also shallow in their presentation. Also folks should be aware that you do no want to turn on the BlueMini when connected to the headphone while it's on your head. It will make a blaring BEEP that is completely unnecessary. Especially since they're programmed a voice to tell you "power on". The power off-beep is no where near as jarring as the power-on one. Not sure HiFiMan spends a lot of time testing the user experience with their products. Also the cheaper headband can create hotspots. Their suspension strap headbands (like the Sundara and Arya) are the superior system for comfort but.. cost savings. The Deva Pro does punch a bit above it's weight for the pricing. It's not as "natural" a listen as the 6XX but it has considerably more detail and the convenience of high quality Bluetooth connectivity. The Sundara provides more resolution, more extension in the low and highs, and a deeper soundstage.. but I'd take the Deva Pro in terms of frequency tuning, dynamics, and timbre. Curious to see what the Arya experience is like. Love the headphone reviews mate, keep 'em coming!
Thank you so much for sharing! I appreciate hearing from some with HiFiMan experience. 😁 I totally forgot to mention the loud BEEP and voice when the Bluemini is turned on. A user should not be wearing the headphones when the Bluemini powers on. Yea I prefer the Sundara for comfort and sound quality as I like t gets additional image depth but it’s definitely personal preference. I’d love to hear the Arya V3! Maybe I can get a pair in. 😁 Again thanks for commenting and watching! 🙏🏾
I really appreciate this comment. I have my pair of Deva Pros on the way. Can't speak for it directly as it hasn't arrived yet, but I'm curious since your input was so detailed and insightful; What would be your recommendation for the best accurate, immersive and large soundstage at a reasonable price? I'm looking forward to finally getting into open-backs as a musician with pretty acute hearing who's just now taking the plunge. I'm still in the boat of "I've never heard a pair of headphones I truly love" and I think open-backs will be the answer. Essentially, wondering where to go from here when I inevitably fall in love with the tech and want the next level of immersion. In short, what would bring Journey to the Island from the Jurassic Park OST by John Williams truly to life without costing 4 figures? One day I may spend that much, but I'm very curious what your opinion is.
@@ryo-kai8587 Well I have an answer, but the problem is it's 4 figures. The good news is it sits at a new price point of 2k USD and for that cost it is unbeatable. That headphone is the HiFiMan HE1000se. It is incredible, it has has no deficiency in my usage other than the cost of entry and it's pretty planar standard when it comes to a sense of impact from percussion. It has my favorite tuning of any headphone I've heard, no issues with timbre, can be (well) driven from a dongle, has oodles of resolution and detail, is smooth as silk, nice low end warmth, lovely extension in both directions, some treble emphasis but in the air region. It also has the trait of being resolving without making a poorly recorded track sound worse. There's a smoothness to its delivery that makes even overly compressed recordings more than tolerable. I do think the Aeon Noire by DCA rivals it for tuning quality, but the Noire is difficult to drive imo and is sub-par when it comes to any sense of impact, either the macro or micro. The HEKse also has plenty of instrument separation and a very commanding soundstage, very much a concert hall experience where the sound is huge. Now if you don't want to spend that kind of money I could also recommend the Meze 109 pro though I recommend them with pad swaps. You don't have to, but I personally think they sound better with thicker suede pads. I use a pair of ZMF Auteur suede pads (which don't fit but I make them fit) and have enjoy them with the Xenon Pads from Mod House, both the suede ones and the protein leather. But I've also used Brainwavz and Wicked Cushions pads on them to positive results. For me closed suede pads bring out more of the low end and mid range which balance some of the high end frequencies. Not as resolving or as vast as the HEKse but a lot cheaper, more sense of dynamic impact, even easier to drive, and exceptional build quality. I love all the headphones in my collection but those would probably be the last to go if I had to sell my cans. Even over my ZMFs. The HEKse is the best all-rounder I've heard for both tuning and genres of music. The 109 Pro is a fair bit V-shaped but with stock pads it leans (imo) more towards treble than bass. With pad swaps I lean it more towards bass than treble. And superior comfort for my disgustingly disproportionately large head. Hope this helps ✌️
Generally a good review! I'm a big fan as well! (Though obviously more than you are haha. As in my 2020 Sundara's are currently for sale as we speak! 🤣 Everything they do wired, the $500 Edition XS [which I got not long after the Deva Pro's] does WAAAAAAY better, and for pure enjoyment listening the Deva Pro's are just more warm & fun. 🤷♂️) I've gotta disagree with your take on their tuning vs the Sundara's though. IMO what the Deva Pro's lose in terms of raw detail/resolving ability, they gain in terms of deliciously warm lushness that's found basically NOWHERE ELSE in HiFiMan's lineup (outside the OG Deva's that is lol). This makes for an IMO MUCH more "fun" , "laid-back", and enjoyable for truly extended listening sound vs the IMO hyper-analytical to the point of being almost grating after a while of listening (>≈1hr) Sundara's. In terms of overall general driver quality I actually consider them both to be VERY similar but just with very, VERY different tuning! And at 3:30 You REALLY should have mentioned that the driver grills aren't plastic like the rest of the enclosure but made of solid rigid & ACTUALLY protective stainless steel!!! With fragile planar magnetics that's a much, MUCH bigger deal than you might think! (I've seen COUNTLESS HE400i's & HE400se's die from driver damage bc of the flimsy ass plastic grills that don't protect for SHIT!)
I'm big on wireless. I am constantly moving around the house doing chores. One thing I do use my headphones for are audiobooks. Have you tried listening to an audiobook with the Deva Pro? Oh and you have a wonderful mic. Even though you were talking low your voice came in crystal clear.
Ho comprato la versione wired dopo aver visto questa recensione. Avevo voglia di provare queste magneto planari aperte. Premetto che sono un "vecchio" audiofilo e possiedo ancora un paio di Koss Technician VFR che come suono mi hanno sempre soddisfatto , ma pesano un po' ed alla lunga , se non sei disteso su un divano , sono stancanti. Per questo motivo cercavo delle nuove cuffie leggere , di nuova tecnologia e con un buon rapporto qualità prezzo e le deva pro rispondono a queste caratteristiche. Purtroppo , per quanto mi riguarda, da un punto di vista sonoro le Deva mi hanno veramente deluso. Suonano bene a bassi volumi ma appena gli dai un po' di corrente la musica si impasta , non si riconoscono gli strumenti musicali , insomma diventano inascoltabili. Il mio errore più grande è stato quello di acquistare , direttamente , da casa madre sul sito ufficiale e non da Amazon (dove le avrei restituite immediatamente). Avevo grandi aspettative su questo prodotto , ma già all'acquisto sono nati i primi problemi . Aperto il pacco trovo un cavo di 1.5 m , ma stiamo scherzando ? Ma che ti costa un metro di cavo in più?. Inserisco le cuffie e noto che il lato destro è spento. Per restituirle ho dovuto dimostrare alla loro assistenza (tester alla mano) che l'amplificatore (un Anthem MRX 740) avesse l'uscita cuffie che funzionasse regolarmente ed in più ho dovuto pagare anche le spese di spedizione. Alla fine, a conti fatti, tutta questa qualità (che traspare nella recensione) non viene fuori ne nel prodotto e nemmeno nel produttore. Per il momento torno , tranquillamente, alle mie "vecchie" Koss ( oltre 40 anni di onorato servizio alla quali ho dovuto sostituire solo i padiglioni) che ancora oggi se giri un po' la monopola del volume è più facile che ti rompono i timpani prima di far distorcere la musica.
I haven't played around with the comparable Sennheisers but the Sundara from HIFIMAN is a good place to start because of the level of detail and comfort it provides at a relatively affordable price.
These. If you've never experienced them before, planar magnetics will blow your mind WAY more as a "first hifi headphones pair" than any decent Senny's (ala HD 600 class). And the Deva Pro's included R2R Bluemini means you don't have to buy a separate DAC + amp so you can use them!
Sweet review! I own multiple HiFiMan headphones and actually have an Arya v3 (stealth) on the way. I enjoy the Deva series a bit more for music enjoyment than the Sundara. The Sundara is pretty cold and analytical to my ears, you really want (imo) to pair it with a chain that's complimentary to that sort of cooler, less emotional sound signature. The original Deva had very light and airy highs, it was great for atmospheric music, synths, those sort of dreamwave genres. But it could also be harsh and metallic in the top-end and there was a fair bit of grain as well. The Pro is a lot tighter, phenomenal mid-range especially in the dynamic contrast, very punchy, and very engaging, borderline aggressive at times but not shouty imo. It doesn't have the airiness of the original, it's much smoother in the top end but they've eliminated the grain and those dynamics are just so snappy and plucky and punchy, it's frigging addicting. It's a great value headphone, the BlueMini 2 doesn't lack for power or drive and provides a really tall soundstage, though if depth, or what people term as "3Dness", is your thing then the Pro wouldn't be the recommendation. While they're wide and very tall they're also shallow in their presentation.
Also folks should be aware that you do no want to turn on the BlueMini when connected to the headphone while it's on your head. It will make a blaring BEEP that is completely unnecessary. Especially since they're programmed a voice to tell you "power on". The power off-beep is no where near as jarring as the power-on one. Not sure HiFiMan spends a lot of time testing the user experience with their products. Also the cheaper headband can create hotspots. Their suspension strap headbands (like the Sundara and Arya) are the superior system for comfort but.. cost savings. The Deva Pro does punch a bit above it's weight for the pricing. It's not as "natural" a listen as the 6XX but it has considerably more detail and the convenience of high quality Bluetooth connectivity. The Sundara provides more resolution, more extension in the low and highs, and a deeper soundstage.. but I'd take the Deva Pro in terms of frequency tuning, dynamics, and timbre. Curious to see what the Arya experience is like.
Love the headphone reviews mate, keep 'em coming!
Thank you so much for sharing! I appreciate hearing from some with HiFiMan experience. 😁 I totally forgot to mention the loud BEEP and voice when the Bluemini is turned on. A user should not be wearing the headphones when the Bluemini powers on.
Yea I prefer the Sundara for comfort and sound quality as I like t gets additional image depth but it’s definitely personal preference. I’d love to hear the Arya V3! Maybe I can get a pair in. 😁 Again thanks for commenting and watching! 🙏🏾
I really appreciate this comment. I have my pair of Deva Pros on the way. Can't speak for it directly as it hasn't arrived yet, but I'm curious since your input was so detailed and insightful; What would be your recommendation for the best accurate, immersive and large soundstage at a reasonable price? I'm looking forward to finally getting into open-backs as a musician with pretty acute hearing who's just now taking the plunge. I'm still in the boat of "I've never heard a pair of headphones I truly love" and I think open-backs will be the answer. Essentially, wondering where to go from here when I inevitably fall in love with the tech and want the next level of immersion.
In short, what would bring Journey to the Island from the Jurassic Park OST by John Williams truly to life without costing 4 figures? One day I may spend that much, but I'm very curious what your opinion is.
@@ryo-kai8587 Well I have an answer, but the problem is it's 4 figures. The good news is it sits at a new price point of 2k USD and for that cost it is unbeatable. That headphone is the HiFiMan HE1000se. It is incredible, it has has no deficiency in my usage other than the cost of entry and it's pretty planar standard when it comes to a sense of impact from percussion. It has my favorite tuning of any headphone I've heard, no issues with timbre, can be (well) driven from a dongle, has oodles of resolution and detail, is smooth as silk, nice low end warmth, lovely extension in both directions, some treble emphasis but in the air region. It also has the trait of being resolving without making a poorly recorded track sound worse. There's a smoothness to its delivery that makes even overly compressed recordings more than tolerable. I do think the Aeon Noire by DCA rivals it for tuning quality, but the Noire is difficult to drive imo and is sub-par when it comes to any sense of impact, either the macro or micro. The HEKse also has plenty of instrument separation and a very commanding soundstage, very much a concert hall experience where the sound is huge.
Now if you don't want to spend that kind of money I could also recommend the Meze 109 pro though I recommend them with pad swaps. You don't have to, but I personally think they sound better with thicker suede pads. I use a pair of ZMF Auteur suede pads (which don't fit but I make them fit) and have enjoy them with the Xenon Pads from Mod House, both the suede ones and the protein leather. But I've also used Brainwavz and Wicked Cushions pads on them to positive results. For me closed suede pads bring out more of the low end and mid range which balance some of the high end frequencies. Not as resolving or as vast as the HEKse but a lot cheaper, more sense of dynamic impact, even easier to drive, and exceptional build quality. I love all the headphones in my collection but those would probably be the last to go if I had to sell my cans. Even over my ZMFs. The HEKse is the best all-rounder I've heard for both tuning and genres of music. The 109 Pro is a fair bit V-shaped but with stock pads it leans (imo) more towards treble than bass. With pad swaps I lean it more towards bass than treble. And superior comfort for my disgustingly disproportionately large head. Hope this helps ✌️
Got the HE-560 V4 recently. First time having a pair like them. It is amazing. Good review.
Glad you like them!
Generally a good review! I'm a big fan as well! (Though obviously more than you are haha. As in my 2020 Sundara's are currently for sale as we speak! 🤣 Everything they do wired, the $500 Edition XS [which I got not long after the Deva Pro's] does WAAAAAAY better, and for pure enjoyment listening the Deva Pro's are just more warm & fun. 🤷♂️)
I've gotta disagree with your take on their tuning vs the Sundara's though. IMO what the Deva Pro's lose in terms of raw detail/resolving ability, they gain in terms of deliciously warm lushness that's found basically NOWHERE ELSE in HiFiMan's lineup (outside the OG Deva's that is lol). This makes for an IMO MUCH more "fun" , "laid-back", and enjoyable for truly extended listening sound vs the IMO hyper-analytical to the point of being almost grating after a while of listening (>≈1hr) Sundara's.
In terms of overall general driver quality I actually consider them both to be VERY similar but just with very, VERY different tuning!
And at 3:30 You REALLY should have mentioned that the driver grills aren't plastic like the rest of the enclosure but made of solid rigid & ACTUALLY protective stainless steel!!! With fragile planar magnetics that's a much, MUCH bigger deal than you might think! (I've seen COUNTLESS HE400i's & HE400se's die from driver damage bc of the flimsy ass plastic grills that don't protect for SHIT!)
I'm big on wireless. I am constantly moving around the house doing chores. One thing I do use my headphones for are audiobooks. Have you tried listening to an audiobook with the Deva Pro? Oh and you have a wonderful mic. Even though you were talking low your voice came in crystal clear.
Thanks 🙏🏾! I did listen to podcast and they worked well. Voices were quite natural.
Lol what up Reddit dude! 🤣 Just buy with confidence already!
Cool shirt.
😁 Thanks!
Deva is better for the convenience of being able to go wireless
Ho comprato la versione wired dopo aver visto questa recensione. Avevo voglia di provare queste magneto planari aperte. Premetto che sono un "vecchio" audiofilo e possiedo ancora un paio di Koss Technician VFR che come suono mi hanno sempre soddisfatto , ma pesano un po' ed alla lunga , se non sei disteso su un divano , sono stancanti. Per questo motivo cercavo delle nuove cuffie leggere , di nuova tecnologia e con un buon rapporto qualità prezzo e le deva pro rispondono a queste caratteristiche. Purtroppo , per quanto mi riguarda, da un punto di vista sonoro le Deva mi hanno veramente deluso. Suonano bene a bassi volumi ma appena gli dai un po' di corrente la musica si impasta , non si riconoscono gli strumenti musicali , insomma diventano inascoltabili. Il mio errore più grande è stato quello di acquistare , direttamente , da casa madre sul sito ufficiale e non da Amazon (dove le avrei restituite immediatamente). Avevo grandi aspettative su questo prodotto , ma già all'acquisto sono nati i primi problemi . Aperto il pacco trovo un cavo di 1.5 m , ma stiamo scherzando ? Ma che ti costa un metro di cavo in più?. Inserisco le cuffie e noto che il lato destro è spento. Per restituirle ho dovuto dimostrare alla loro assistenza (tester alla mano) che l'amplificatore (un Anthem MRX 740) avesse l'uscita cuffie che funzionasse regolarmente ed in più ho dovuto pagare anche le spese di spedizione. Alla fine, a conti fatti, tutta questa qualità (che traspare nella recensione) non viene fuori ne nel prodotto e nemmeno nel produttore. Per il momento torno , tranquillamente, alle mie "vecchie" Koss ( oltre 40 anni di onorato servizio alla quali ho dovuto sostituire solo i padiglioni) che ancora oggi se giri un po' la monopola del volume è più facile che ti rompono i timpani prima di far distorcere la musica.
Love the shirt
Thanks 🙏🏾
interesting review, ive always wanted to try one of these or a sennheiser for my first high end pair of headphones
any recommendations?
I haven't played around with the comparable Sennheisers but the Sundara from HIFIMAN is a good place to start because of the level of detail and comfort it provides at a relatively affordable price.
These. If you've never experienced them before, planar magnetics will blow your mind WAY more as a "first hifi headphones pair" than any decent Senny's (ala HD 600 class). And the Deva Pro's included R2R Bluemini means you don't have to buy a separate DAC + amp so you can use them!