Introducing HIFIMAN Ananda Nano

[martel80]

With ”clampy” I mean a tight, snug fit. Like the nano.

When auditioning headphones I also try to imagine what is possible with EQ. In my mind the MM-500’s, with a few adjustments, become a highly accurate headphone with excellent technicalities. At least on par with the Nano’s.

About transient response. One of the thing I’ve been missing with the less expensive Hifiman’s (Sundara, Ananda but even Arya) has been good transient response. I’ve always felt that the Hifiman’s have cut transients short. One of the things that really impressed when trying the Nano’s was how good they are in that regard

P.S. The LCD-5 has better technicalities than both the MM-500’s or Nano’s. I don’t understand why anyone would use such a can for work when 99,9 % of the population is nowhere near that quality. But then again I’m not an engineer.

I had the same observation in regards to the nanos and the transient.

I think I’ll buy the MM-500 based out of your recommendation.

LCD-5 are on a price range I’m not ready to invest for a set of cans.

 

[Lightspeed12]

I had the same observation in regards to the nanos and the transient.

I think I’ll buy the MM-500 based out of your recommendation.

LCD-5 are on a price range I’m not ready to invest for a set of cans.

No offence but don't buy any headphones on souls on someone's recommendations.
There is always conflicting reviews & recommendations about headphones because we all have different likes & dislikes as far as sound is concerned.
If you can listen first then do so otherwise check as many reviews as possible before jumping to purchase.

 

[TheR0v3r]

No offence but don't buy any headphones on souls on someone's recommendations.
There is always conflicting reviews & recommendations about headphones because we all have different likes & dislikes as far as sound is concerned.
If you can listen first then do so otherwise check as many reviews as possible before jumping to purchase.

This is solid advice

 

[TheR0v3r]

I had the same observation in regards to the nanos and the transient.

I think I’ll buy the MM-500 based out of your recommendation.

LCD-5 are on a price range I’m not ready to invest for a set of cans.

Some of my less than stellar buys have been done just like that, buying things after readings someones recommendation on a forum. Take heed of some solid advice from @Lightspeed12 :

If you can listen first then do so otherwise check as many reviews as possible before jumping to purchase.

Take your time

 

[martel80]

Some of my less than stellar buys have been done just like that, buying things after readings someones recommendation on a forum. Take heed of some solid advice from @Lightspeed12 :

Take your time

Oh I’m in no rush but thanks for worrying about my wallet. You are both right.

Its not the first time I hear about the MM-500. I just arrived in Colombia yesterday and will be here until April so I won’t purchasing any new cans until I return home.

Talking about buying under delivering cans, I bought the NDH 30 on the premise that most of the people on the forums I read were raving about them (and was very irritated by their fanboyism so I thought to myself, they have to be something special) and found a very average set of cans. Not bad but nothing special.

 

[Lightspeed12]

This is solid advice

Wonder why instead of being in bold letters its not in your possession if you liked it that much .

 

[TheR0v3r]

Update 20231002

Favorites in bold, in italics are the ones I’d like to revisit:

• Audeze LCD-X (too heavy)
• Audeze LCD-4* (too heavy)
• Audeze LCD-5
• Audeze MM-500
• Hifiman Ananda*
• Hifiman Ananda Nano*
• Hifiman Arya
• Hifiman HE1000
• Hifiman HE1000SE
• Hifiman Sundara*
• Hifiman Susvara
• Meze Elite
• Quad ERA-1*

(*=own/owned)

 

[Phidel]

Update 20231002

Favorites in bold, in italics are the ones I’d like to revisit:

• Audeze LCD-X
• Audeze LCD-4*
• Audeze LCD-5
• Audeze MM-500
• Hifiman Ananda*
• Hifiman Ananda Nano*
• Hifiman Arya
• Hifiman HE1000
• Hifiman HE1000SE
• Hifiman Sundara*
• Hifiman Susvara
• Meze Elite
• Quad ERA-1*

(*=own/owned)

Is Ananda Nano a favorite with or without EQ?

 

[TheR0v3r]

Is Ananda Nano a favorite with or without EQ?

Without.

 

[Phidel]

Without.

Ups! Okey.

 

[martel80]

Without.

Ok I definitely need to have a listen to the MM-500 before buying them.

 

[TheR0v3r]

This is an amazing headphone for €699. If there is a headphone with it’s technical chops AND coherence at anywhere near its price I’d be surprised!

This is an excellent review:

For everyone interesting my review of this impressive headphone is now online:
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/hifiman-ananda-nano.26739/reviews#review-31823

It leans bright and is energetic so audition before buying.

 

[HardstyleLoco96]

Ok I definitely need to have a listen to the MM-500 before buying them.

The M500 is a great headphone, but if technicalities is what you are looking for. It's in the same ballpark of the LCD-X 2021. The M500 has a more harmen like tuning with mids being pushed forward. Too forward for some people. The soundstage is a little more narrow and in your face, but presents music a little more in front of you compared to the LCD-X 2021. It has a more snappy and instant feel to the LCD-X 2021 and bass slam is a touch less.

The LCD-X 2021 is a slightly warmer and more laid back tuning. Details and resolution is slightly less but that could due to tuning. The width of the stage is wider but front presentation is brought closer to you. It's slightly more fluid and less snappy, but in result, makes music that bit more fun and warm to listen. Bass has a bit more impact and rumble. But it's slightly slower and smoothened. This could be a pro or con depending if you like the bass to linger a touch, or be instant, hitting but vanishing just as fast.

LCD-X 2021/M500 Vs Ananda Nano.

While they all are in different price categories. Technicalities are all similar but different. When it comes to value. The Ananda Nano wins hands down.

The Ananda Nano has the largest stage of the bunch. Imaging is like the M500 but more precise. It's kind of a in your face tuning. But the Ananda Nano has a touch more air and separation. The LCD-X 2021 and M500 present a little more slam in the low end, mids and treble. They have the feeling of more punch. But the speed of thw dynamics, the Ananda Nano has an edge. Dynamic swings from going left to right, centre to bottom, things like that. The Ananda Nano has a grab that is intense and energetic. Music playing slow feels slow. But once it speeds up. It really carries you with that speed. Bass quality is a tie with the M500. The Audezes may rumble more. But separation and detail is on par with M500.

Low mids, the LCD-X 2021 is the warmest, then comes the Ananda Nano and the M500. The M500 has the most forward mids considering mids as a whole. But again, it can be too forward for some. The Ananda Nano, has forward mids and slight recession on the low mids. It's not lacking, but lower mids do take a very slight step back. High mids are upfront but not as upfront as the M500. Due to the Ananda Nano also having a more forward treble. It makes the high mids sound smoother and a touch more refined. The M500 on the other hand make the high mids stand out due to the treble not being as forward. This could be a presentation you like or may not like. But when it comes to detail, again. The Ananda Nano is the one that has the edge. Can it be too much detail? Yes. Can it make things a little less enjoyable? Yes. But if you love clarity, separation of instruments and vocals and too hear all that background info. The Ananda Nano does it superbly and easily.

Treble. Ananda Nano is the most detailed, but also the brightest. Again, it can be in your face and a little too much. A lot of info is being presented to you at times maybe too much. But it is highly technical, heaps of air and layers of info being presented. The LCD-X 2021 and M500 are warmer here. The M500 has a touch more treble under 10k. But the LCD-X 2021 has a boost above 10k. So it makes things sound more airy and energetic.

I hope this can give you an idea of the differences. The Ananda Nano is already giving you so much. The LCD-X 2021 and M500 will be drastically different and you have to ask yourself. Is jumping up in price worth it. The main gains will be more dynamic slam. And smoother tunings. But if detail, imaging, soundstage, layering separation of sounds is what you are looking for. The Arya Organic, He1k may be your upgrade path. But the LCD-X 2021 and M500 may also be great side grades for different moods. A little eq on any Audeze and that bass slams and can be very fun. Hope this helps a bit

 

[martel80]

The M500 is a great headphone, but if technicalities is what you are looking for. It's in the same ballpark of the LCD-X 2021. The M500 has a more harmen like tuning with mids being pushed forward. Too forward for some people. The soundstage is a little more narrow and in your face, but presents music a little more in front of you compared to the LCD-X 2021. It has a more snappy and instant feel to the LCD-X 2021 and bass slam is a touch less.

The LCD-X 2021 is a slightly warmer and more laid back tuning. Details and resolution is slightly less but that could due to tuning. The width of the stage is wider but front presentation is brought closer to you. It's slightly more fluid and less snappy, but in result, makes music that bit more fun and warm to listen. Bass has a bit more impact and rumble. But it's slightly slower and smoothened. This could be a pro or con depending if you like the bass to linger a touch, or be instant, hitting but vanishing just as fast.

LCD-X 2021/M500 Vs Ananda Nano.

While they all are in different price categories. Technicalities are all similar but different. When it comes to value. The Ananda Nano wins hands down.

The Ananda Nano has the largest stage of the bunch. Imaging is like the M500 but more precise. It's kind of a in your face tuning. But the Ananda Nano has a touch more air and separation. The LCD-X 2021 and M500 present a little more slam in the low end, mids and treble. They have the feeling of more punch. But the speed of thw dynamics, the Ananda Nano has an edge. Dynamic swings from going left to right, centre to bottom, things like that. The Ananda Nano has a grab that is intense and energetic. Music playing slow feels slow. But once it speeds up. It really carries you with that speed. Bass quality is a tie with the M500. The Audezes may rumble more. But separation and detail is on par with M500.

Low mids, the LCD-X 2021 is the warmest, then comes the Ananda Nano and the M500. The M500 has the most forward mids considering mids as a whole. But again, it can be too forward for some. The Ananda Nano, has forward mids and slight recession on the low mids. It's not lacking, but lower mids do take a very slight step back. High mids are upfront but not as upfront as the M500. Due to the Ananda Nano also having a more forward treble. It makes the high mids sound smoother and a touch more refined. The M500 on the other hand make the high mids stand out due to the treble not being as forward. This could be a presentation you like or may not like. But when it comes to detail, again. The Ananda Nano is the one that has the edge. Can it be too much detail? Yes. Can it make things a little less enjoyable? Yes. But if you love clarity, separation of instruments and vocals and too hear all that background info. The Ananda Nano does it superbly and easily.

Treble. Ananda Nano is the most detailed, but also the brightest. Again, it can be in your face and a little too much. A lot of info is being presented to you at times maybe too much. But it is highly technical, heaps of air and layers of info being presented. The LCD-X 2021 and M500 are warmer here. The M500 has a touch more treble under 10k. But the LCD-X 2021 has a boost above 10k. So it makes things sound more airy and energetic.

I hope this can give you an idea of the differences. The Ananda Nano is already giving you so much. The LCD-X 2021 and M500 will be drastically different and you have to ask yourself. Is jumping up in price worth it. The main gains will be more dynamic slam. And smoother tunings. But if detail, imaging, soundstage, layering separation of sounds is what you are looking for. The Arya Organic, He1k may be your upgrade path. But the LCD-X 2021 and M500 may also be great side grades for different moods. A little eq on any Audeze and that bass slams and can be very fun. Hope this helps a bit

When you say bass slam, do you mean lower frequency transient response or you mean there’s more dynamics in the lower range ?

 

[HardstyleLoco96]

When you say bass slam, do you mean lower frequency transient response or you mean there’s more dynamics in the lower range ?

More dynamics of the lower range and the impact you feel. That physical feeling of the lows