HIFIMAN ANANDA NANO

Welcome to critica actual written review.
In this review we are going to talk about the Hifiman Ananda Nano. A new headset from the Ananda family that breaks the price-quality ratio... or that's what the brand seems to sell..."a massive improvement." I seem to remember that breaking the quality/price ratio was something that we have seen in models like the Sundara, Ananda Original, Edition XS...it is another matter if they really did it.
Let me be clear, I don't understand Hifiman. I think neither me nor anyone. For just over €600 you are likely to get one of the best headphones for under €1000. I understand that Hifiman wanted to show its strength and capacity with this Hifiman Ananda Nano but I do not understand that it competes with itself and with open models that they have released relatively recently such as a Hifiman Sundara, Ananda Stealh, Edition Xs and even the Arya Original itself .
Who wins by doing this maneuver? Hifiman. He knows that the audiophile will want novelty and in this case, improvement. But what improvement compared to others?
I invite you to continue watching the video.

The packaging is very simple. A subtle cardboard box where the headset comes. The hard foam for Hifiman headphones for example no longer comes. We have a semi-rigid transport bag where the product comes.
On the other hand, and almost to finish we have a long rubbery cable that complies along with the classic 6.3mm adapter. The cable is not bad but I don't think it is anything out of this world either.
In short, we have a very similar package in terms of accessories compared to the R9 but with a carrying case. A case that is not comparable to that of a Focal Clear or a Sivga SV023 but I think it performs very well and is appreciated.


DESIGN, weight and comfort
In terms of comfort, the Ananda Nano feels the same as the previous Ananda models. The earbuds do a great job of encompassing the entire ear regardless of size, and the earpads rest comfortably on the head. The suspension headband hasn't changed much, but still offers good support. For me it is a better headband than the Edition Xs since it distributes the weights better. Its opening is more than enough and unless you have a monstrously large head there will be no problems.
In general I had no comfort problems, in fact, I consider it very comfortable but not as comfortable as a Sivga Sv023, Clear, Elegia...
The design does seem much more beautiful and neater than the original Ananda or the Edition Xs. The new silver aluminum frame gives it a different touch...which reminds me of the He1000. I really like its large and arched supports...in general I would say that it is the most beautiful Hifiman I have ever tried.

The Ananda Nano has the stealth magnet of the ananda stealth or edition xs, Arya… This allows the signal to pass through the magnets with less interference, reproducing cleaner and more accurate representations of its source.
The main reason for this new edition of the Ananda is its new nanometer diaphragm. That is, the new driver. This is a build based largely on HiFiMAN's ultra-high-end Susvara model, which incorporates a similar diaphragm design. What this appears to confer is significantly lower noise, better transient response, and improved dynamic range reproduction and detail recovery. Like all other HiFiMAN headphones reviewed, I will talk about isolation.
Isolation
We have passive isolation quite similar to that of an edition xs, ananda original...that is, null. Forget about using them if you have noises around you like traffic...why do you want a good sound if it will mix with unwanted noises?
As for the leakage or sound that it expels to the outside, I consider that it expels a little less compared to the Edition For me it is not a problem because its use is in quiet places and alone but it may be important for you and it depends on the use you want to give it. Do you intend to take them to work? Your surrounding colleagues will hear everything and possibly your boss will end up firing you...

Will a powerful amplifier be needed?
There is nothing dramatic about amplification. The drivers are 14Ω and 94dB, making it easy to move even with a cell phone. I have tried it with a Red Magic and it moves relatively well. Obviously as soon as we switch to dedicated amplification we notice that its sound improves. It is a headset that scales very very well.
It is true that such a low impedance is good for amplifiers to give their peak power but it can lead to slight hiz... However, it is nothing dramatic.

SOUND SECTION – TECHNIQUES
Before starting the sound analysis, it must be made clear that this headset is intended to enjoy music in the tranquility of your home, play games and see yourself immersed in movies.
I don't consider its timbre to be the most realistic for editing or working with audio. But be careful, just because I don't consider its tone to be the most realistic and coherent does not mean that its tone is bad...not at all...it sounds natural and quite fun since it is quite close to the harman profile...which I like. Savor each earphone and don't always look for the same profile... It is possible that what you don't want one day you want to listen to another day.
HiFiMAN headphones never fail in the soundstage department. I don't remember any Hifiman saying it had a small soundstage. This Ananda nano is very technical and they do it quite well here.
The Ananda has already had some revisions, and the spatial imaging, along with the width of the soundstage has always been modified through these new editions. This latest Nano version is no different. Since HiFiMAN started incorporating stealth magnets into their planar designs, I've always felt that there was more emphasis on precision than stereo imaging. This made the soundstage seem closer but less diffuse. However, I miss that almost ethereal setting in the headphones.
The Ananda Nano are probably the closest to bringing the two worlds together, balancing tight positioning with a spacious soundstage. Its treble gives an airy sound to the entire sound, making it even sound a little wider.
It must be said that the instruments do not reach very great heights and there is a slight elevation throughout the presentation, raising the voices slightly above the ears.
So, while it's not a particularly large stage, the image is impeccably well laid out and the distant instruments retain their rich resolution. Variations in placement along the horizontal axis feel precise and nuanced. In depth, that is, in the Z axis, I consider it to be better than the Edition
In short, the soundstage is quite expansive and extends beyond your head, feeling a good immersion. The experience is holographic and, frankly, it's one that's hard to get for under $1000.

SOUND SECTION – BASS
Although the bass is not the main star or the differentiating element of the Ananda's sound... it has excellent clarity. You don't feel like you're losing much of its frequency response, but it doesn't shower you with excessive noise either.
The bass feels lively, dynamic and powerful, if the track calls for it, the Nano is there to provide it. The entire bass range feels coherent with no audible imbalance. Additionally, the texture and timbre of the bass notes sound accurate to my ears. The transition from the bass range to the midrange is seamless and feels very coherent.
For me the bass range of the Ananda Nano is practically perfect, despite its neutral-slightly bright characteristics, the Nano does a great job of reproducing the bass punchy and fast. With good amplification it is easy to hear and feel the vibration less than half a centimeter from your ears. The length is excellent, neither overstated nor understated. The presence of subwoofer is evident and I don't think much more extension is necessary.

SOUND SECTION – MIDS
The midrange is lively again, but at the same time I consider it to be also neutral and natural. The Ananda Nano does a great job of reproducing both male and female voices. The voices feel articulate, realistic and uncolored. Fundamentally mid-based instruments, like guitars, feel organic and clean. The body of the instruments feels precise, nor is it as thin as on the Edition Xs. The recovery of details is excellent...as for the dynamic range, it is preserved as is...it does not exaggerate giving an extra dynamic range that makes you end up tiring...I don't look at anyone...The midrange feels realistic and coherent and never boring. You can tell that it has another driver because in general I like it more than the Edition Xs.
As if that were not enough...I barely notice that hifiman veil. You can't really say anything bad. It feels like Ananda Nano is doing everything right here. The upper midrange feels spacious with plenty of air. The midrange resolution is quite impressive and leaves you wanting more.

SOUND SECTION – TREBLE
The attack and bite of the treble is defined. The Hifiman Ananda Nano's excellent PRaT also shows its excellence here, as the entire treble range feels extended, airy and open. Resolution is also very very good here, with the treble complementing the upper midrange and the rest of the spectrum. The high range doesn't feel as coherent...but you end up forgiving because after a song to get used to it it seems to work in harmony to create a realistic reproduction of any genre you throw at the Nano.
Admittedly, the treble on most HiFiMAN headphones has a somewhat colorful timbre. In Ananda nano it is never an overtly bright profile, since the highs always feel pleasant...at least for me...but I understand that there are people who may find this too much. Hifiman added some sparkle in this region to almost every track I listened to through the Nano thanks to this high-range expansion. Curiously, it was something I would have liked them to do in the Edition Xs. By the way, I didn't get any fatigue with them on long listens.
Sharp treble artifacts always hover around the outside of the forehead and sometimes even beyond. Some instruments have a slight sizzle to their consistency and are super smooth.

I've always liked the HiFiMAN Ananda, and the new Nano version does everything better.
In a way, it consolidates the Ananda as one of the best planar headphones...this Nano improves the aspects that I criticized about the edition xs...it seems that hifiman has heard me.
It has more treble, more dynamics and a little more resolution...which also translates into a better image.
Recommending this headset is easy...For me it is one of the best headphones to enjoy music since it combines a fairly natural sound, a timbre...which, although not purist, is quite good and fun, spatial capabilities that are more than good for the price...Hifiman this one yes...
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So.... these and the Arya Organic just came out of nowhere. It's been half a year already, but when I first heard about them, I really thought it was like some sort of joke, like somebody parodying the, at times, insane speed that Hifiman updates its products at. In addition to that, I was skeptical at how much of an improvement they could be. I had just bought the Ananda Stealth, and didn't want the honeymoon phase to end so soon. But I had to try the new thing down the road, so here I am.

To start off, immediately apparent is how speedy the sound is. Notes are presented cleanly, finish on a dime and almost never slur or lose composure. The attack of notes is extremely well-defined and quick. I would say it's coming very close to the HD 800 in this sense. Some Hifimans, and many headphones in general, present a lot of notes with a lack of distinction, in how overtones are represented and in how precisely the sound is imaged. The Ananda Nano does not match the HD 800 or headphones of similar stature in terms of minor details at the edge of the stage or fine transients you'd hear in tracks with a lot going on, but it is an absolute monster in the clarity and distinctiveness when it comes to the more macro-side of sound reproduction, i.e. obvious notes and vocals meant to be front and center.

They also excel in soundstage. Both width and height are impressive and a step up from the Ananda SE. Especially impressive is depth, and they sometimes give off the impression of more depth than height, a rare and perhaps very valuable trait to some. I think that also contributes to the imaging, and in general the stage is much more circular than most headphones around and images are placed fairly cleanly in the stage, but not to the precision of an Arya or an HD 800.

In terms of tuning, I think that it's good, but not a home run like say, the edition XS was. I don't mind even more treble energy than normal (for Hifiman) but this headphone has the tendency to come off as dry. It's not so much so, but it won't give you much in the way of warmth. Another part of this is that the decays on the end of notes are somewhat shortened, or even cut off, and that exacerbates it's deficiency in this regard. As for the treble, it teeters on the edge of sibilance and rarely if ever crosses it, but this is a certainly a bright listen. There is never any doubt, in nearly any track, that the Nano's FR is tilted upwards.

Coming full circle now, the quality and dynamics of this headphone on the attack are the most noteworthy thing about it. It punches very hard, even harder than the Arya Stealth, which I have listened to on occasion, and in general has a very robust bass that extends deep, slams in the sub-bass and rumbles well. It's the biggest upgrade over the Ananda SE, which on tracks that needed this quality, could come across as thin and brittle. Talking about the Ananda SE, let me summarize the differences between the Nano and it:

• Nano images more precisely and more evenly
• Nano has a bigger stage in every dimension, especially depth
• Nano punches far harder, same for dynamics across the whole range
• Nano has a much more distinct center image and can do intimacy better
• Nano has much better bass technicalities
• Ananda SE is a smoother, warmer and sweeter listen. Vocals, jazz and other easy-going tracks benefit from this, and I think that the Nano is just not in its element here.

I like to be thorough, so let me give a word on non-audio things. The headband system that's been around since the first Ananda and the Sundara is still used here and I think it's a good one. It molds well to the shape of my egg-ish head. It clamps hard, though, nearly as much as an out of the box HD 600. You get used to it in time, but some might not like that. Also, I think it's slightly tweaked on the Nano as compared to before in that the strap is a touch longer and has more slack. Fixes the issue of the SE's bending inwards whenever I'd widen it to pass over my hair and ears when taking it on/off. A minor issue, though, is that my Nano's headband creaks pretty badly every time I open it up. The SE's didn't do that at all. When it comes to accessories, the Nano came the kind of cable my bottom drawer loves to eat, and a case which is serviceable if you want to take it somewhere safely.

I underline this review with the conclusion that the Nano is very impressive. When it comes to technicalities, dynamics and general clarity, it can't be beaten in its price bracket. However, it is not for everybody, with it being an unashamedly bright set.

It’s almost into the summer of 2018 and the Ananda is presented at the High End 2018 show in Munich, Germany. Until that day both the HE-1000 and the Edition X already had their second revision, both hugely popular series living through the ages in the same or different form until this day with the HE1000 Stealth and the Edition XS. Back then something was still missing though. A headphone of a great caliber that would also be flowing right into the DAP push that set the mobile audiophile world ablaze and started a new era of colossal mobile players with tightly integrated tech. This headphone should be easy to drive for everyone, a high quality base right from the start, so to say, no power scaling needed like the HE-1000 and Aryas. Huge oval cups with big drivers pushing a lot of sound and stage right onto your ears, or shall we say, onto almost half your head, adding to a great sense of spatial quality and realism. Born was the Ananda - an instant hit.


Since then we saw a few revisions, from the integration of dust filters directly onto the cups n addition to minor improvements to the overall sound (in 2020). until the inevitable stealth upgrade that would take over the Hifiman lineup from top to bottom and especially improve clarity, imaging precision and thus the perception of finer details.


If we look back at history, Hifiman always lets improvements, technical advancements, lessons learned trickle down from their world contenders unto their entry line. No prisoners taken, no excuses made. Does Hifiman’s evolutionary approach devour its own children? Not quite, but they have to make their choices too. Evolve and adapt. A bloated portfolio with multiple revisions would only be a nightmare for production and parts service/support. I am also not sure if having to make a choice out of such a broad palette wouldn’t lead to a slight paralysis.

The Ananda Nano​

Out of the all black batsuit right into a shining knight’s armour comes the Ananda Nano in front of Hifiman’s latest and greatest lineup charging with improved technicalities and finesse onto the front.


There’s not a world’s difference in the tonality in contrast to the Ananda stealth but Hifiman would never release a headphone without a good reason and given the technical merits, the sound surely changes for a different take. Let’s get into the details:

General sound impressions​

The Ananda falls into the bright-neutral side of headphones with very far and deep extension into both directions, especially impressive as this headphone is as open as it gets. It’s plenty airy, open and stages big enough to fit an orchestra without any feeling of claustrophoby.


Driver control, start/stop is exceptional and defines the ziptight nature of the overall presentation. Bass, Midrange, Treble enjoy fast, slightly zippy transients, delineation, resolve of finer details and overall: transparency and clarity. The sound is more on the drier side than let’s say a HE1000v2 but can be matched accordingly with a warmer amp or a lusher tube.


The Bass presentation takes a middle-ground between how much is really needed according to the mix and when it’s time to slam and punch, it can absolutely push for a bit more. It’s no headphone for those who want a club around their heads and have their heads shaken and rattled. It doesn’t slam like the HE1000 Stealth or the Arya Stealth, but it improves upon its sneaky brother.


The Midrange is open, breathing, transparent, revealing. It’s not full and lush but on the slightly leaner athletic side. It stays in character so instruments are rendered tactile, palpable, quite precise with a good level of microdynamic balance as in different instruments, not being “linearized” in volume but instead having their own place, time and composition. Acoustic instruments are easily separated in the mix, not blended or homogenized at all if two of the same play. The Nano packs technical prowess into a never before seen price bracket. It almost makes you just listen to it because of that.


The Treble is very well extended on the Nano giving a sense of good reach into the depths and heights of the stage and how objects are placed within. There’s plenty of air and illumination overall with a notable incisiveness leading to the neutral-bright impression . Again, pairing is important. An amp with a slight romantic touch of warmth makes for a good pairing with these and balances out the accentuation of the treble character.

Comparison with the Ananda Stealth.​

The Nano sports a new driver/magnet constellation that improves the density of force applied per square inch and you can feel it both in pressure and the tactility of transients, as well in tightening of the overall sound. It adds more physicality to the usually more delicate appearance of the Ananda sound and approaches the weightier sound of the latest Arya, the Organic and the HE1000 Stealth. Not quite at their levels, but not far from their heels, for sure.


With uplifting the technical foundation, the Nano feels both more forceful and more direct, intrusive in a good way. It’s not a relaxed listen at all, it’s a little show of force, a barrage of details, resolving power and illumination. The Nano certainly is a bit brighter than the Stealth but it is its own overall vibrancy that leads to this perception, not just a mere treble elevation. The Nano is a bit more transparent, a bit more open, lit up than its Stealth predecessor, it accumulates for a brighter listen and in that it’s impressive how technical it sounds contrasting itself with the warmer, more intimate Stealth. It’s remarkable that each iteration opens up more and is also quite open just through the window shade system, yet the unfolding reaches new heights each time. And in that context alone does the Stealth feel more intimate and less outreaching.


Staging, Imaging and composure go the Nano with it imaging sharper, more accurate, a bit bigger, a bit deeper, a better followup of the trails of sounds thanks to its technical flex. Composure is “measured” in the control and tightness of the overall sound when music gets more complex, more busy, both involves a lot of tension of the driver and yet is able to present finer nuances and delicacies. Here’s where the Nano again jumps ahead of the Stealth. It’s more nimble here, more unfathomed and in the end, almost flying away. Just for itself, not away from the Stealth. They are both close but the Nano manages to outdo it just a bit more everywhere.

The Ananda Nano is the latest version of the popular HIFIMAN headphones, following the success of the Ananda in 2018. It retains the stealth magnets from the previous models, but now features a thinner diaphragm based on the renowned Susvara design. This new diaphragm offers improved sound quality with lower distortion, faster response, and enhanced dynamics and details.

For those unfamiliar with the HIFIMAN Stealth magnets, they have a unique shape that allows sound waves to pass through without causing any interference. This innovative design reduces wave diffraction turbulence, resulting in a more accurate and immersive audio experience.

With an impedance of 14Ω and a sensitivity of 94dB, the Ananda Nano is compatible with a wide range of portable audio sources. It is also the easiest to drive among all the Ananda models released so far. To provide a comparison, the Ananda Stealth is available in two versions: V2 with 26Ω/93dB and V3 with 16Ω/93dB.

Non Audio stuff

The new Ananda Nano looks almost the same as the Stealth version of the headphone, except for the ear-cups and connecting yoke which now have a sleek silver finish that matches the window-shaped grills. The ear-cups are still made of plastic, while the grills, holders, and outer part of the headband are made of metal.

The Ananda Nano has HIFIMAN's hybrid headband design, with a metallic upper frame and a leather strap that helps distribute the weight. The strap is black in color. In terms of weight, the Ananda Nano sits in between the lighter V3 (398g) and the heavier V2 (440g), weighing 419g. The detachable ear-cups are oval-shaped and asymmetrical, completely covering the ears without touching the inner mesh.

The Ananda Nano is lightweight and incredibly comfortable, thanks to its even weight distribution. However, it does have a slightly tight initial clamping force, and its large size may not provide the best fit for people with smaller heads, even at the minimum adjustment length.

The build quality of the Ananda Nano is typical of HIFIMAN headphones, with no significant changes from previous generations. It is a well-made headphone that appears to be durable, but the overall craftsmanship and materials used may not be on par with similarly priced headphones from other brands.



Power stuff

The HIFIMAN Ananda Nano is a breeze to power, just make sure you have a source with decent power output. Forget about the rumors of needing tons of power or excessive current, it's all urban legends. However, it does shine when paired with higher quality sources. Despite being a mid-range headphone, it's incredibly transparent and precise, capable of bringing out the best in high-end sources. Feel free to use your top tier ear, like the iBasso DX240, FiiO M17, EarMen Angel, Aune S9c Pro etc.

Audio stuff

The HIFIMAN Ananda Nano stands out for its exceptional transparency and ability to adapt to high-quality sources. It faithfully reproduces the audio without adding any personal touch, reflecting the true quality of the audio chain and recording. It has a revealing and unforgiving nature, requiring careful matching to meet your listening preferences.

In terms of frequency response, the Ananda Nano follows the typical HIFIMAN signature with balanced and neutral bass, a nearly linear mid-range, and slightly boosted treble.

The treble is sharp but it doesn't become overly bright unless your audio source is also bright. It's important not to mistake its energetic and sparkling nature for negative qualities like harshness or excessive brightness, as the Ananda Nano doesn't possess these traits. The headphone offers excellent treble extension, crystal-clear and highly detailed sound reproduction, surpassing expectations in resolution and refinement. It rivals more expensive headphones like the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth in terms of resolving power.

The overall sound is refined and articulate, capturing even the finest details within the recording and bringing the music to life. However, in the higher frequencies, there is a lean and dry texture, along with a hint of metallic timbre, particularly noticeable with acoustic instruments. It's not that the sound is out of tune or inaccurate, but at times, a touch of artificiality can be detected.

The mid-range of the HIFIMAN Ananda Nano is exceptional, offering transparency, clarity, and resolution. It provides an open and spacious sound with excellent definition and deep detail retrieval. Both voices and instruments are accurately reproduced with a realistic timbre and natural harmonics. The tuning is almost neutral and balanced, resulting in lifelike and tonally accurate sound. However, there is a slight emphasis on the upper-mids that may be bothersome for those with extra sensitivity in that area.

Despite its lean texture, the low-end of the Ananda Nano is punchy and impactful. It offers excellent dynamic contrast, although it may not sound as weighty or visceral. The sub-bass extension is great, and the bass is neutrally and linearly tuned without any mid-bass emphasis or coloring. The transition from the low-end to the mid-range is seamless, without any overlapping or bloating. The clarity remains phenomenal, and the bass is textured and well-defined. It is also agile, lightning-fast, and perfectly controlled even with demanding material. In summary, the HIFIMAN Ananda Nano delivers outstanding technical performance in the low-end.

The original Ananda was well-known for its expansive and open sound, and that reputation continues with the HIFIMAN Ananda Nano. These headphones have a wide soundstage that extends both horizontally and vertically, while still maintaining a strong center image focus. The imaging is precise, and the Nano excels at capturing subtle ambient details. The soundstage feels tall rather than deep, creating a grand yet intimate listening experience.

The HIFIMAN Ananda Nano is versatile and can be enjoyed with a wide range of music genres and personal preferences. While it may not be the best choice for EDM or classic rock songs with poor recordings, it shines with classical music, jazz, acoustic rock, and many other genres.

Vs Ananda Stealth

The HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth is similar to the Nano, but it has a slightly thicker diaphragm. It used to cost $999, but now you can buy it for as low as $399 from HIFIMAN's official store. The build quality, materials, and fit are the same as the Ananda Nano, except that the Stealth is completely black and doesn't come with a carrying case. The Nano is a little easier to drive, but nothing too extraordinary.

The sound of the Stealth and Nano versions of the Ananda is slightly different, but they both have a similar sonic character. The main distinction is that the Ananda Nano has a more powerful and dynamic bass, giving a fuller and weightier sound with stronger impact. The sound pressure levels are also more intense. In terms of frequency response, they sound more or less the same to me.

I think the Ananda Stealth is already a pretty fast and controlled headphone, but the Nano takes it up a notch. The Nano is more detailed and refined, with better transparency and fidelity. It also has a more crystalline and bright sound. On the other hand, the Stealth has a bit less emphasis on the upper-mids, giving it a warmer and more organic sound. The timbre realism is better and there's less artificiality in the treble. The Stealth also creates a more spacious and deep soundstage, while the Nano is more intimate and closer sounding, but with incredibly precise imaging.

In my opinion, the Ananda Stealth is still a great choice and hasn't been overshadowed by the technically superior Ananda Nano. Many people might prefer it not only for its slightly different sound signature, but also for its unbeatable price.

Conclusion

The HIFIMAN Ananda Nano is a fantastic option if you're looking for top-notch sound and improved technical features compared to previous Ananda models. And the best part? It comes at a slightly lower price, making it even more affordable. These headphones offer incredible value for their mid-range price range, delivering an audio performance that surpasses expectations.

The Ananda Nano was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

HIFIMAN ANANDA NANO​

HIFIMAN ANANDA NANO:
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PRELUDE:
Those of you who follow me and read my reviews probably know that there are brands that have become legendary. One of such manufacturers is undoubtedly HIFIMAN, whose philosophy and tuning have become a point of reference for many. While testing models of open headphones such as edition xs, sundara, HE400SE, or the slightly more expensive Arie organic, it was time to check out the latest version of one of the more popular models in the mid-price range, Ananda nano. So I invite you to read my review of open planar headphones with a nanometer diaphragm and stealth magnets currently costing USD 599.



Unboxing:
Classically for HIFIMAN, regardless of whether we spend 100 or 2000 USD, we receive practically the same packaging made of ecological material, but inside we will find some variety – instead of the classic foam stand, we have a hard and nice transport case for our headphones, identical to the one in Audivana model. Additionally, unfortunately, there is only one cable with classic 3.5mm plugs on the headphones side and the connector is quite long, so it is intended for stationary use. They are standard for virtually all hifiman headphones. Personally, I think this is a good move because standardizing the connectors on all models makes it easier to replace the cable. The stock cable is the same one found in other HIFIMAN headphones models. It’s not the worst, but it’s far from good, so I’d classify its quality as average and acceptable. However, the headphones themselves retained the form and design of the previous generation. Only the graphic design was changed to a bright one, similar to that of the he400se model. Although privately I prefer the color black, such a color refresh brings some variety to the home collection. The ear cups are large and the set includes hybrid pads.



Sound:
For testing, I used the HE600 DAC/AMP from HIFIMAN and a stock cable from an Audivan with an XLR plug. It is practically the same as the one in the ANANDA NANO box, only differing in its balanced design and XLR socket. As test material, I used high-resolution music from Tidal and Apple Music. So let’s move on to the sound itself:

BASS: Please remember that ANANDA NANO are open headphones, so the lower bands will not be as strong and precise as in the case of closed headphones and models such as Sundara closed back or Audivan. However, despite the open back, the bass is very technical, I didn’t miss it in any song, and its presence was felt and perfectly realized. Although it is rather a monitor sound, strongly focused on the technical layer, the bass quality is at a very high level. The bass is slightly above the midrange line because it is recessed, but this does not cause any discomfort or loss of quality in other bands. The amount of bass was always adequate to my expectations and well above the level expected in open headphones. The speed and tonal accuracy were truly phenomenal

Midrange: The midtones have been slightly moved, but this does not generate an artificial V-shaped effect, rather it slightly enlarges the soundstage, which impresses not only with its considerable width, but also with its excellent depth. Although it is not the width of the zanans from the XS edition, it makes the whole thing sound more realistic. Mid tones are strongly brightened and colder in presentation. The whole thing sounds very sterile and clean – these are definitely headphones that are closer to the analytical side than pure musicality. In return, they compensate us for a certain musical compromise with an excellent technical layer and beautiful and rich details. To put it simply, here is the classic HIFIMAN tuning known from previous, older editions of the headphones. I like this presentation, but remember to avoid pairing ANANADA NANO with excessively cold amplifiers. However, the midrange was not lacking in naturalness and very high resolution. The vocals were not only very engaging, but also colorful and authentic in sound.

Treble:The high tones represent a really high level, although they are also clearly enhanced at the edges of the band, which does not exceed the listenability limit. The entire presentation is very clear and allows us to break down the music we listen to. Despite the boost at the edge of the treble, it did not exceed the listenability limit and remained consistent with the tempo and overall sound. This brightening of the high tones allowed for an increase in the resolution and emotionality of the sound, which I personally liked very much and found it to be a much more interesting presentation than in the case of excessive softening of the upper bands.



Comparisons:


HIFIMAN ANANDA NANO ($599) VS HIFIMAN ARIA ORGANIC ($1299)
Comparing headphones is never easy, especially when we compare such extreme models, and I don’t just mean the price aspect. Aria orgaic is a charming, intimate headphone with much higher resolution and mature tuning. Aria organic is much closer to HE1000 V2 and therefore has an even higher technical layer. However, ANANDA NANO impresses with better bass, which is due to the greater extension of the band edges and a wider soundstage. Overall, is Aria Organic better? Of course it is, if you can afford to spend more and pay extra, then do it. Honestly, if you can, go ahead and invest in both pairs, because their tuning is completely different and allows both pairs to complement each other perfectly. Aria organic is supposed to impress with its speed and accurate hitting the point, and that’s exactly what it does, its natural sound is slightly different from the one we get in the more technical and cooler ANANDA NANO literature. So whether it is worth paying extra USD 700 for the Higher model depends on our expectations and the amplifier we have, because in my opinion the Aria Organic is a bit more difficult to drive.

HIFIMAN ANANDA NANO (599USD) VS HIFIMAN EDITION XS (380USD)
At the time of writing this review, the price of the Edition XS has dropped significantly. Personally, I had no problems with the ergonomics in the XS, but I know that many people prefer the body used in the Ananda NANO. Edition XS have a wider and less natural soundstage, while Ananda NANO has a brighter and more resolved tuning. Currently, EDITION XS is at a phenomenal price of under 400 USD, which is a great deal for me because these are one of the best, if not the best, headphones under 500 USD. However, ANANDA NANO has several significant advantages worth the extra 200USD. First of all, these are much more comfortable headphones and I can boldly say that they are the most comfortable ones I have ever used. Additionally, the technical layer and recovery of details in ANANDA NANO are at a level dedicated to headphones costing $1000, not $600. Brightened character of the sound with a boost at the edge of the bands.



Summary:
HIFIMAN ANANDA NANO is, in my opinion, the leader in the world of open headphones, perfectly filling the gap of up to USD 1000 in HIFIMAN’s portfolio. Personally, I consider this model to be extremely successful, and the comfort it offers is one of the best on the market. I will even go so far as to say that these are one of the best headphones under 1000USD! Excellent dynamics, technical layer and above-average details. All this is decorated with a beautiful, bright presentation with excellent bass and emphasized treble, which in general did not turn out to be an Achilles’ heel, but rather a great development of resolution. All this means that, at a price of USD 599, ANANDA NANO would be my first choice if I was looking for value for money. These are completely complete headphones and their strong points include extremely good reproduction of details, natural and still very technical sound and extremely good comfort… What’s not to like? I think that for people sensitive to high tones, ANANDA NANO may seem a bit harsh, but a lot depends on the amplifier or DAC system. These are not particularly difficult headphones to drive, but they scale very well and really like an additional boost of power, so I recommend something more powerful. HIFIMAN is one of those brands that you can’t help but talk about, because they constantly show that the leading position is hard work and they have no intention of giving up the throne. Keep it up. HIFIMAN is a great direction and worth following!

General/Build/Comfort/Packaging
I don’t think anybody needs any introduction for Hifiman, in case if you need, you may read about it here. Ananda Nano is using both the stealth magnets and also the nanometer thickness diaphragm that is based on their top of the line Susvara’s.
The Ananda Nano that I have with me today, shares some resemblance with its bigger brother, the Arya, the earcups in particular. The packaging of the Ananda Nano is similar to the HE-R9, HE400SE, and Edition XS that I have tested, with the exception that the Ananda Nano came with a storage case instead of a headphone stand. The cable remains the same across the models that I have tested. The build quality is pretty good overall, it's just that the earcup itself is quite huge and it might be an issue for people with smaller heads. For me personally, it fits just fine without the need to adjust the headband, the clamping force is also just nice, i wear glasses sometimes and i don’t have any issue with the fit or clamping force. Very comfortable throughout the listening session, the earpads are also soft and don't really cause my ears to feel warm nor hot even when I'm not listening in an air conditioned room.

Gears used for this review

• Earmen Tradutto DAC + Earmen CH-Amp
• Hiby R6 II DAP Mid/High Gain
• Earmen Colibri
• Hifiman Ananda Nano Stock cable and Earpads

Foreword
My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far

Sound Impression
Ananda Nano has a slight emphasis on the upper treble based on my listening impression, hence it has a very detailed sound and at the same time, contributes to a fairly large and airy soundstage. In terms of tonality, Ananda Nano is definitely on the brighter side, and in no way it is harsh. Let’s take a look at the break down below:



Bass

• Starting with the bass, it’s safe to say the bass has very good speed, very very fast and tight, and punchy as well, Slipknot’s People = crap!, especially during the intense drumming during the opening, Ananda Nano has no sweat in keeping up
• The sub bass has very good extension, although it doesn’t extend that deep, but considering it being an open backed, it is really impressive
• The bass response is not basshead kind of presentation, but to my ears, they are sufficient and will present themselves well when the track calls for it
• Bass has good texture overall and doesn’t sound thin
• The bass doesn’t bleed into the mids at all

Mids

• The mids are quite detailed and lush
• Vocal for both male and females has good enough textures
• Female vocal has a bit more energy compared to male
• Upper mids are generally safe to my ears and not shouty

Treble

• Treble response has plenty of energetic yet it is not harsh nor sibilant, but do bear in mind that everyone has got different level of tolerance for treble, to my ears, they are not harsh nor anywhere near sibilant
• Fast and snappy transient response
• Very good resolution
• Good detail retrieval, micro details can be picked up easily

Soundstage/Imaging

• Soundstage is very wide and has good depth and height perception
• Instruments can be picked up easily where it is coming from
• Excellent separation and layering
• Very good soundstage and imaging overall

Driveability

• The Ananda Nano is not hard to drive, i am using it with the Earmen’s ST-AMP with 1.8w from 4.4 headphone out, the Ananda Nano sounds like it is being driven to its optimum performance
• When i switch over to ST-Amp’s bigger brother, the CH-AMP, i am greeted with the Ananda Nano that has better control on the bass, and much more dynamics
• I would say it does scale with amplification as well as source

Final Thoughts
The Ananda Nano is definitely one of my favourite planar magnetic headphones that i have tested from Hifiman, and I'm really surprised by its capability in terms of the sonic performance as well as its technicalities. Not to mention that the price is highly competitive as well given what it has to offer. It doesn't require a beefy amp to sound good yet it does scale with better source and amplification, the only downside is that some might find the lower treble a little too forward which can then be perceived as bright on certain tracks, but other than that, at 599$, this is a highly recommended headphone from me!

*The Hifiman Ananda Nano was sent over by Hifiman for the purpose of this review, I received no monetary compensation nor was I influenced in any way to produce this review.

If you are interested in getting a pair, head over to their official store to grab one now! It is currently available for 599$

Hifiman Ananda Nano - Non Affiliated

Hifiman's Ananda is one of the company's most popular models. The latest iteration, the Ananda Nano offers concentrated technology at a small price. For the first time, stealth magnets and a nanometer diaphragm are used for the price of 699€! Visually, the Ananda Nano resembles the HE-1000 series with its oval shape and silver color scheme.



The scope of delivery includes a soft case and a cable with a length of 3m with 3.5mm jack and a 6.35mm adapter. Too bad that no shorter cable for portable operation as well as balanced plug is included.

The workmanship is absolutely top. I still remember the first series of the HE-1000, where Hifiman still had to fight with processing problems in the finish. These problems have been put to rest in recent years. Absolutely valuable and fantastic finish! In addition, the Ananda Nano appears very robust. The use of the new Hifiman headband and the very soft large oval ear pads make for a very comfortable wear. This is one of the most comfortable headphones I have ever had on my head.




For the test, I run the Ananda Nano balanced to my large stationary system consisting of Topping D90SE and Niimbus US4, and portable to the terrific iBasso DX320 MAX Ti. The balanced cabling lifts the Ananda Nano up a league. The whole sound image gains in fullness and contour.



The Ananda Nano has an impedance of only 14 ohms, but due to the sensitivity of 94dB, it's not quite as easy to drive as one would expect. On the DX320 MAX TI, I use gain 3 and the 9 to 12 o'clock position. The Ananda Nano scales with the power it is given. On the Niimbus US4, the bass hits come in even harder and more controlled. However, these are not worlds apart between the DX320 MAX Ti and Niimbus US4. You have to compare very carefully to find the small but existing differences.

Does switching to the Nano Diaphragm really bring such a big sound boost? I can answer this question with a resounding yes. I already ended the comparison with a Sundara or HE-400SE after a short time. The Anando Nano is in a completely different class, and the two Hifiman entry-level models cannot compete in any discipline. Therefore, I used my Hifiman Susvara as a comparison.

The clear advantage of the Ananda Nano over the Susvara is that it can be driven portably very well. While the Susvara also works on the DX320 MAX Ti, it scales so much on the Niimbus US4 that you can hear it directly without effort and then there is no turning back. Tonally, the Ananda Nano plays on the brighter side with a high-energy presentation. The Susvara, on the other hand, plays more dignified and restrained. Of all 3 models Sundara, HE-400SE and Ananda Nano, the Ananda Nano offers the most natural reproduction. Here I have to pull out the Susvara to find that it plays even more earthy and has the absolute most natural sound of all my headphones. However, it's amazing how well the Ananda Nano holds its own, and for the price!

Resolution-wise, the Nano Diaphragm delivers an impeccable performance, and it also really pushes the Ananda Nano up a notch when it comes to speed. Detailed, fast transients are the result, which leads to the fact that even power metal is reproduced effortlessly and controlled.

The bass range reaches deep and offers a springy detached as well as tight punch. Quantity is about on par with the Susvara. The Ananda Nano has to admit defeat in quality, but it clearly outplays the smaller Hifiman models.

The openness and stage imaging really surprised me. It sounds so open, transparent and lively that you feel as if you were right in the middle of live concert recordings. The stage is very wide and deep with instrument separation that acts razor sharp. One of the strongest features of the Ananda Nano.

Voices and instruments are reproduced very naturally and the entire midrange is neither too full, which can sometimes be a problem when the bass range presses in here, nor too thin.

The trebles are energetic and absolutely finely resolved. Although it seems tangy, you have to listen very loud for this to become a problem. And I mean really loud! With my usual listening volume and a bit above, I get an ingeniously playing transparent sound that never drifts into sibilance.

With the Ananda Nano Hifiman is in my opinion unrivaled in the range up to 699€. I have yet to hear a pair of headphones in this price range that can hold a candle to the Ananda Nano. The gradual integration of technologies from Hifiman Susvara into the lower price ranges has really paid off and I can recommend everyone to listen to the Ananda Nano. I am now really curious what is still possible in the next higher price range, which is currently filled by the Arya Organic and the gap to the Hifiman Susvara will certainly become even smaller.