Hifiman Ananda Stealth Magnet Version
Jan 2, 2022 at 6:44 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 271

Fegefeuer

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You know it's coming. It's the last missing piece in the big stealth puzzle alongside the Sundara.

What do you expect? What changes do you wish from the original Ananda?

paging @bagwell359 to set the baseline.
 
Jan 2, 2022 at 6:59 AM Post #2 of 271
I expect the stealth Ananda to have a much better sense of fundamentals and harmonics in the correct balance. I expect less thinness and a richer more melodic presentation (think .75 Ananda 1 and 25% HE-500) I hope treble omits the hot spot at 7-8k and bass has more impact - but I'm not sure if we get it. The cable will suck.

And once they have been out 6 months XS goes to $449, and the stealth Sundara debuts. Still wondering what they do from $599 to $1599? Budget stealth HEK? HE-6se v3 with the missing bass impact of OG included?
 
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Jan 7, 2022 at 8:02 AM Post #3 of 271
599 to Arya Stealth will be this headphones territory along with he-r9 if that one's any good.
 
Jan 7, 2022 at 10:18 AM Post #4 of 271
I have a feeling (not having heard it) that there isn't a LOT separating the Edition XS from the Arya Stealth. So if they made an Ananda Stealth, that margin of difference would get ridiculously small.
 
Jan 7, 2022 at 10:38 AM Post #5 of 271
Do you have the Edition XS? Is there a post comparing it to the Arya Stealth?
 
Jan 7, 2022 at 10:48 AM Post #6 of 271
Do you have the Edition XS? Is there a post comparing it to the Arya Stealth?

That would be weird if I had it but had never heard it.
 
Jan 7, 2022 at 11:06 AM Post #7 of 271
That's the point. A premature claim.
The Edition XS hype train is in full motion, and unless someone has properly compared both there is no base to claim the delta is overly narrow to fit in the Ananda Stealth.
 
Jan 7, 2022 at 11:18 AM Post #8 of 271
That's the point. A premature claim.
The Edition XS hype train is in full motion, and unless someone has properly compared both there is no base to claim the delta is overly narrow to fit in the Ananda Stealth.

I'm not making that claim. To those that can read competently, my post clearly indicates I'm speculating.
 
Jan 7, 2022 at 11:28 AM Post #9 of 271
good, baseless speculation then.
 
Jan 7, 2022 at 11:35 AM Post #10 of 271
good, baseless speculation then.

No, not completely. I own the Edition XX and there's quite a few comparisons between that an the XS, and being able to extrapolate the level of improvement people have described (because I have reading comprehension), and having the Arya Stealth and compared it to the XX, and knowing the areas that Stealth Magnets tend to enhance, I can safely say the gap between the two headphones that I own has been narrowed, which means there isn't a lot of room for an Ananda Stealth.
 
Jan 7, 2022 at 11:48 AM Post #11 of 271
Personally I'm not speculating based on impressions on gear that I am not familiar with and based on a hype train. The XS thread elevates the headphone now to almost 6SE bass slam levels while not even the HE1000SE is and that one already batters the Arya Stealth - on quite powerful amps like the Liquid Crimson, Niimbus and V590 Pro.

What matters most is real and proper comparisons, but you do you.
 
Jan 7, 2022 at 1:22 PM Post #13 of 271
There's a slight chance that they discontinue the Ananda altogether. Ananda replaced HEXv2 and now HEXS replaces Ananda.
 
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Mar 25, 2022 at 9:31 AM Post #15 of 271
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