[TeamHiFiMAN]

Mini Shangri-La: Third Model in the Esteemed Electrostatic Headphone/Amp Series
Compact Solid State System Brings Shangri-La Performance to its Most Affordable Price Point Yet
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We're excited to formally introduce the latest addition to the Shangri-La family: Mini Shangri-La!

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The Mini Shangri-La is a direct descendent of the original Shangri-La, introduced in 2016, and the Shangri-La Jr., which was introduced in 2018. The new Mini Shangri-La, like its predecessors, is an advanced desktop combo that features a technologically superior electrostatic headphone that can be purchased alone or as part of the full system with an outboard amplifier. Suggested retail prices are $1,100 and $1,500, respectively, for the headphone and amplifier. The suggested retail price of the full system is $2,300.

“From trade shows to casual conversations, the Shangri-La family is one of the most asked-about series in the HIFIMAN line,” says Dr. Fang Bian, Founder and CEO, HIFIMAN. “The new Mini Shangri-La is the newest member of the family, with benefits that include unbeatable electrostatic performance from a compact form factor, with technology updates that are unique to this model.”

The Mini Shangri-La epitomizes electrostatic speed and performance. The headphone features nano-thickness diaphragm that enhances frequency response and overall sound quality, thanks to its light vibration characteristics, enhancing frequency response and overall sound quality.

A nano particle coating on the headphone’s diaphragm ensures accurate conductivity and stability, even in varying temperatures and environments, with a soundstage that is deep and expansive.

Another of the Mini Shangri-La headphone’s unique characteristics is a nanometer protection layer that guards against humidity, dust and other pollutants, while remaining transparent to sound waves.

The matching all solid state amplifier eschews the transformer that commonplace models use to boost low voltage output but invariably distorts details and sound quality as a whole. Instead, the Mini Shangri-La voltage is directly sent from the power output transistors for a path that is clean and uncluttered.

Rounding out the amplifier is a linear power supply and a discrete filter system for further filtering of distortion and other anomalies, and a fully balanced design in both the input and output stages.

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Specifications:

Headphone
Frequency Response: 7Hz-90kHz
Bias Voltage: 550V-650V
Weight: 320.2g

Amplifier
Weight: 5.82kg
Dimensions: 255 x 251 x 93mm

Stay tuned for pre-order details. Mini Shangri-La is arriving soon!

 

[Leto Dal]

Heard it in Munich, I think prefer it to Bravura, amazing value.

 

[mochill]

Would be cool to see iem or earbuds with electrostatic driver without the need for big amps

 

[DonAudio]

Are the heaphones any different than the Jade II's? Look to be the same.

 

[bflat]

Would be cool to see iem or earbuds with electrostatic driver without the need for big amps

Both Shure and Stax offer portable options.

 

[BlueA]

Both Shure and Stax offer portable options.

Beware of autonomy, 4h for Stax.

 

[crion]

How does this improve from Jade II specifically?

 

[brudav]

Beware of autonomy, 4h for Stax.

I have also seen Kingsound M-03.
This looks like a better option. Someone reports battery life is 13h, but this is hard to believe for such a small (though heavy) device

 

[kid vic]

@TeamHiFiMAN Can we get a tour of this like what was done for the jade 2?

 

[RogueCrusher]

@TeamHiFiMAN and @iFi audio - I had one question specific to the voltage bias settings on my iFi, iESL Pro for use with your Mini Shangri-La headphones. I just ordered them and on their spec sheet it states that this headphone has a Functional Bias Voltage of 550-650 VDC.

What setting would you recommend that I set my iESL to? I listen to my Stax on 580V Pro. But I also have the setting options of 600, 620 and 640. Should I set the iESL to the upper range of 640 while using the Mini Shangri-La? Is it optimal to run the iESL at the maximum setting of functional bias voltage range for this particular headphone? If so why and if not why? Will I “eke out” better performance out of an eStat headphone by consistently driving it at a higher voltage (within its functional bias range)?

Thank you in advance

 

[RogueCrusher]

Here is answer I received…
When setting the bias voltage for your HiFiMan Mini Shangri-La's, the goal is to stay within the functional bias voltage range specified by the manufacturer (550-650 VDC in this case). Running at the higher end of the range (e.g., 640-650 VDC) may slightly improve dynamics, transient response, and perceived clarity due to the increased charge density on the diaphragm. However, the difference is often subtle and not universally noticeable.

Running your Pro iESL closer to the upper end of the range (e.g., 640 VDC) is reasonable and may provide slight performance benefits. However, consistently maxing out the bias voltage (650 VDC) isn't always optimal due to potential stress on the headphone components. Stay within the range, and choose a setting that balances performance with long-term reliability.

So from this, I think not only will it be safe and not stressing the headphone (since I will be staying within the specified bias voltage range), I will experiment then and use 600, 620 and 640 to see if I can hear any differences as far as improvement in clarity, dynamics and transient response.