HiFiMAN HE1000 Unveiled Planar Magnetic Open-Back Headphones

The HiFiMAN HE1000 Unveiled is a fully open-back planar magnetic headphone with no grille over its drivers. It is named Unveiled because, with the back of the driver uncovered, the depth and inherent beauty of the music are unveiled to the listener; the technology comes from HiFiMAN’s flagship Susvara Unveiled. A nanometer-thickness diaphragm, Stealth Magnets, magnetic Veils to protect the drivers and three single-crystal copper and silver cables complete it.

Why unveil the driver?

A diaphragm only nanometres thick weighs mere micrograms, so it is easily disturbed by sound waves reflected and refracted back to it, which harms the sound. Ordinary headphones use a mesh grille with a low opening ratio, which causes exactly these reflections. HiFiMAN’s window-shade grille increases the opening rate and reduces them, dramatically improving the sound, but even a window shade cannot avoid reflection and refraction completely: only by removing the grille altogether can near-lossless sound be achieved. That is the inspiration for the HE1000 Unveiled’s removable back panel.

Magnetic Veils

Specially designed magnetic Veils clip over the fully open drivers to protect them. Because the drivers are magnetic, always cover the earcups with the Veils when the headphones are not in use, so they cannot attract metal objects that could damage them.

Nanometer thickness diaphragm

The diaphragm is less than a millionth of a metre thick. It is extremely light, giving very fast response and outstanding dynamic range and frequency characteristics, for low distortion, a high transient response and better dynamics and detail. Combined with the Stealth Magnets, it gives a clear, non-fatiguing sound even after hours of listening.

Acoustically invisible Stealth Magnets

The streamlined cross-section of HiFiMAN’s Stealth Magnets reduces air turbulence and diffraction between the magnets, so sound passes between them almost unaffected, rather than being degraded as it is by traditional magnets: they can be thought of as disappearing in front of the sound wave. Conventional planar headphones lose quality as the magnets get in the way of the sound wave, electrostatic headphones as the stator interferes, and dynamic drivers through distortion across the diaphragm surface.

Comfortable ear pads

The elegant asymmetrical ear pads conform to and fit around the ear, spreading the weight evenly while giving a secure grip, and their gently bevelled shape moulds to the head for superb comfort over long sessions.

Three cables

The cables combine single-crystal copper and single-crystal silver wires, and the highly reliable sockets keep contact resistance extremely low without affecting the signal. Three are included: a 1.5m cable with a 3.5mm jack, a 3m cable with a 6.35mm jack and a 3m balanced cable with an XLR plug.

Good to know

• Always fit the magnetic Veils when the headphones are not in use: the open drivers attract small metal objects.
• In the box: HE1000 Unveiled, magnetic Veils and three cables (3.5mm, 6.35mm and balanced XLR).