The HiFiMan Ananda are great critical listening headphones and a good redesign of the HiFiMan Edition X. They sound practically the same as the Edition X but with a tad better mid-range and harmonic distortion. They also have the headband design and metal yokes of the HiFiMan Sundara, so they have a lower profile and should be a bit more durable. Unfortunately, HiFiMan doesn't have the best track record with durability, and like most open-back over-ears, they're only designed for critical listening.
Our Verdict
The HiFiMan Ananda are great for neutral sound and are some of the best sounding headphones we've tested. They have a well-balanced sound that caters to all genres, with a good amount of bass and an accurate representation of the instruments and vocals in the mid-range. They also have an excellent soundstage that will feel large and open. They're comfortable to wear for hours, although they're not quite as breathable as other open-back over-ears. They're a great choice for any neutral listener. If you don't mind a bit less bass, check out our review of the Stax SR-L300. They have a similar performance for neutral listening, and some may prefer their sound thanks to their Electrostatic drivers, although the slight lack of bass does mean they won't be ideal for all listeners and genres.
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Excellent audio reproduction.
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A better headband than the HiFiMan Edition X.
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Poor isolation, by design.
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Bulky and cumbersome ear cups.
The HiFiMan Ananda aren't suitable for commuting. The open-back ear cups don't block ambient noise and leak a lot. Also, they're not portable and don't have a control scheme for mobile devices.
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Excellent audio reproduction.
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A better headband than the HiFiMan Edition X.
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Poor isolation, by design.
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Bulky and cumbersome ear cups.
The HiFiMan Ananda aren't for sports. They're heavy, bulky, and not designed for physical activity.
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Excellent audio reproduction.
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A better headband than the HiFiMan Edition X.
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Poor isolation, by design.
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Bulky and cumbersome ear cups.
The HiFiMan Ananda are sub-par for office use. Unless you work alone or in an isolated office, the leakage level will be too bothersome for those around you. Also, the open-back design doesn't block any noise, so you will hear your environment fairly easily, even when listening to music at higher-than-average volumes.
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Excellent audio reproduction.
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A better headband than the HiFiMan Edition X.
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Poor isolation, by design.
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Bulky and cumbersome ear cups.
The HiFiMan Ananda are mediocre for gaming. They're comfortable, sound great, and have a low latency wired design. However, they don't have a microphone for voice chat and no customization options, which are typical for most gaming headsets. Also, they don't have the convenience of a wireless design or multiple connection options for an optimized experience on Xbox One or PS4.
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Excellent audio reproduction.
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A better headband than the HiFiMan Edition X.
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Poor isolation, by design.
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Bulky and cumbersome ear cups.
- 8.4 Neutral Sound
- 3.7 Commute/Travel
- 5.3 Sports/Fitness
- 4.4 Office
- 4.7 Wireless Gaming
- 6.8 Wired Gaming
- 1.6 Phone Calls
- Updated May 05, 2022: When these headphones were converted from a previous test bench to TB 1.5, their graph results changed and the text no longer matched it. We updated the sound-related text of our review.
- Updated Jun 29, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Feb 11, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Aug 31, 2018: Review published.
- Updated Aug 29, 2018: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Aug 29, 2018: Early access published.
- Updated Aug 27, 2018: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Aug 21, 2018: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Compared To Other Headphones
The HiFiMan Ananda are an excellent option for critical listeners and deliver a balanced and satisfying sound quality. They're a redesign of the HiFiMan Edition X and measure slightly better overall for sound, although it's not noticeable even for trained ears. On the upside, they have the new yoke design of the recent HifiMan lineup, so they should be a bit more durable. They're great-sounding critical listening headphones, but they're pricier than similar models, which may be better value for some.
See our recommendations for the best studio headphones, the best open-back headphones, the best wired headphones, and the best audiophile headphones.
The HiFiMan Edition XS and the HiFiMan Ananda are both great headphones for neutral sound and depending on your preferences, you may enjoy either one. The Edition XS have a typical headband design and can reproduce sound more consistently. However, the Ananda are better built and have a ski-band headband design that's more comfortable. Their passive soundstage creates a more out-of-head audio experience too.
The HiFiMan Sundara 2020 and the HiFiMan Ananda have different strengths, and you may prefer either one, depending on your needs. The Sundara follow our target curve a bit closer, which some listeners may like. On the other hand, the Ananda are much more breathable, have significantly better build quality, and come with an extra audio cable. They also have a much better passive soundstage performance.
The HiFiMan Arya are better planar magnetic headphones for neutral sound than the HiFiMan Ananda. While both headphones have a similarly great build and feel comfortable, the Arya are a bit more neutral-sounding and deliver bass and treble more consistently. However, the Ananda are still a great pair of headphones for neutral sound.
The HiFiMan Ananda are slightly better critical listening headphones than the HiFiMan Edition X, although they sound practically the same for most listeners. The Ananda benefit from the new HiFiMan headband design, so they have stronger metal yokes that should be more durable. They also have a slightly better-measured performance in bass, mid, and harmonic distortion, although it's not very distinguishable even for trained ears. On the other hand, the Edition X have a slightly better treble response, but it's above 20KHz and won't be audible to most. The Edition X are also slightly more comfortable for some since they have swiveling hinges but since the ear cups and pads are practically the same on the Ananda, there isn't much difference in the overall comfort level.
The HiFiMan Ananda are better critical listening headphones than the Focal Elear. Their sound quality follows more our target curve with excellent mid and treble ranges. They also interact more with the pinna and create a more open soundstage than the Focal. On the other hand, the Focal are better-built headphones and feel sturdier.
The HiFiMan Ananda are better critical listening headphones than the Audeze LCD2-Classic/LC2C. The Audeze look and feel more durable than the HiFiMan. They're a bit more compact, with thicker, softer pads, and are more forward on instruments and vocals. This is something some may prefer, although it may get a bit fatiguing during longer listening sessions. The HiFiMan, on the other hand, have slightly better bass, a more neutral mid-range, and a better soundstage. They're also slightly lighter despite their bulkier design.
The HiFiMan Ananda are very close in performance to the Sennheiser HD 800 S. The Sennheiser have a better, more durable build quality, although not by much. They also look more premium and deliver a slightly more open-sounding audio reproduction. On the other hand, the HiFiMan have a somewhat subdued top-end, which you might prefer. They also offer a slightly better value than the Sennheiser, but HiFiMan headphones can be prone to durability issues.
The HiFiMan Ananda are higher-end planar magnetics than the budget-friendly HiFiMan HE400se. While both headphones are comfortable, the Ananda have a better build quality, a significantly better passive soundstage performance, which feels more out of head and natural, and their sound profile is more neutral overall. That said, if you're on a tighter budget, the HE400se still offers good value for sound, although they don't feel as durable.
The HiFiMan Ananda are better headphones for neutral sound than the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO. They deliver a much more immersive soundstage thanks to their planar magnetic drivers. They're also slightly more comfortable than the Beyerdynamic and deliver a more balanced frequency response throughout, which will not sound as sharp on S and T sounds as the Beyerdynamic. On the upside, the Beyerdynamic have a better more durable build quality that feels premium and come with more extra accessories. They also have a bit more bass overall.
The HiFiMan Ananda are better headphones for neutral sound than the HiFiMan ANANDA-BT Wireless. The wired Ananda have a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box and a better peaks and dips performance. Their soundstage is more elevated, too, and so audio sounds more like it's coming from all around you instead of inside your head. That said, the wireless Ananda-BT are more versatile headphones. They're Bluetooth and USB audio compatible. They have a detachable boom mic, and they have on-ear controls and a carrying case, unlike the wired Ananda.
The HiFiMan Ananda are better critical listening headphones than the HiFiMan Sundara 2018, although not by much. The Ananda have a slightly more premium design and feel a bit more durable. However, the Sundara are a bit more compact and the price tag is noticeably lower, which offers a better overall value for most. The Sundara also have a slightly more accurate mid-range reproduction, although it's barely noticeable. These headphones are very similar overall, but there are multiple reports of quality control issues with the Sundara drivers.
The HiFiMan Ananda are better headphones for neutral sound than the Beyerdynamic T1 2nd Generation 2016. The HiFiMan are open-back, planar magnetic headphones that are very comfortable but slightly bulkier than the Beyerdynamic. Their sound profile is more neutral, which some users may prefer, and they have a remarkable soundstage. Unfortunately, they don’t come with a case like the Beyerdynamics to protect them while you’re on the move.
The HiFiMan Ananda are better critical listening headphones than the Stax SR-L300. These planar magnetic headphones are more comfortable and have a great sturdy design. The HiFiMan also pack more bass while still having great mid and treble ranges. They also seem to be more open-sounding. On the other hand, the Stax are more lightweight and have less distortion, for a cleaner audio reproduction.
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Test Results
The HiFiMan Ananda have the same look and feel as the HiFiMan Edition X but with the same yoke redesign as the HiFiMan Sundara. It gives them a lower profile since the headband doesn't protrude as much as the Edition X's headband. They also look a bit more premium since the yokes are now a solid metal frame that feels more durable but lacks swiveling joints. However, like most critical listening headphones of this caliber, they're somewhat cumbersome to wear even if you're just walking around in your house. They're also not meant or designed to use outdoors.
The HiFiMan Ananda are about as comfortable as the HiFiMan Edition X but have a slightly different yoke design that makes them feel tighter on the head. They still have large, well-padded ear cups that will easily fit all ear sizes, and since the cups have a fairly large surface area, they somewhat reduce the clamping effect of the tight headband. Unfortunately, they're still fairly heavy and bulky headphones, and the cups will be a bit too large for some heads and will extend past the jaw, which may become uncomfortable for some during longer listening sessions.
These headphones don't come with any control schemes, which is normal for open-back critical listening headphones.
The HiFiMan Ananda are open-back headphones that should be more breathable than most closed-back over-ears. However, the larger size of their planar magnetic drivers obstructs airflow quite a bit, which means the HiFiMan will make your ears warmer during long listening sessions than similarly designed open-back models. The large ear cups are spacious enough that your ears do have a little breathing room, but they won't be the ideal headphones to listen in really warm conditions or for very long continuous listening sessions. They're also not made or designed for physical activity and won't be suitable for that use.
The HiFiMan Ananda are slightly more compact than the HiFiMan Edition X. The redesigned headband doesn't protrude as much as the previous model, saving space. However, like most open-back critical listening over-ears, these headphones aren't meant to be portable and are still too bulky to carry around on your person. They don't come with a dedicated carrying case, although the packaging box is well made and could be a good substitute.
Unfortunately, like the HiFiMan Edition X, the HiFiMan Ananda don't come with a dedicated case. You can use the box that they're packaged in as a case, but it adds a lot of bulk and won't be practical to carry around unless you have a really big bag or suitcase. As expected, these aren't headphones that you will be carrying around often.
The build quality of the HiFiMan Ananda is a little better than that of the similarly designed HiFiMan Edition X. They have the same dense and durable ear cups with a metal grill for the open-back design. The rest of the build, however, is a little different. The headband is now more similar to that of the HiFiMan Sundara, with metal yokes that should be a lot more durable than the plastic ones of the previous model. The cables provided are also different. The new cables are transparent and coated with a rubber-like sleeve that should be sturdy enough for most uses but doesn't feel as durable as the braided ones of the Edition X. Also, like other HiFiMan headphones we've tested, quality control is not always the best, so we will be monitoring these headphones for any significant issues that may require a score change. However, for now, they're one of the better-built open-back headphones we've tested so far. They're made with premium materials and look very high-end.
These headphones aren't designed to be most stable for physical activity. The ear cups have a large enough surface area that they'll maintain their position during casual listening sessions, and the redesign of the yokes, without swiveling hinges, makes them slightly more stable on the head than the HiFiMan Edition X. However, they aren't meant and won't be suitable for sports or any use that involves a lot of movement. On the upside, their audio cable is detachable but will most likely yank the headphones off your head if hooked by something.
The frequency response consistency is excellent. Assuming you get a good fit, positioning, and seal, you should achieve consistent audio delivery each time you use them.
The bass accuracy is very good. They lack low-bass, but this is to normal from open-back headphones. The headphones also lack punch, but they have a touch of extra high-bass to add warmth and boom to audio. If you're looking for a pair of audiophile headphones with better bass accuracy, try the HiFiMan Arya.
The mid accuracy of the HiFiMan Ananda is excellent. The response throughout the range is noticeably more even than the mid-range of the HiFiMan Edition X. Their mid-range is very well-balanced, which results in a clear and accurate reproduction of vocals and lead instruments. However, the dip in the high-mid weakens vocals and lead instruments.
The HiFiMan Ananda's treble accuracy is great. The response is slightly underemphasized across the range, so vocals and lead instruments are slightly veiled. Sibilants like cymbals are present in your mixes, but are a touch dull.
The HiFiMan Ananda have outstanding imaging performance. The group delay falls below the audibility threshold. This results in a tight bass and a transparent treble reproduction. Also, the L/R drivers of our test unit were exceptionally well-matched in frequency, amplitude, and phase response, which results in an accurate placement and localization of objects (voices, instruments, video game effects) in the stereo field.
The HiFiMan Ananda's soundstage performance is fantastic. Just like the HiFiMan Edition X, these headphones show a high and accurate amount of interaction with the pinna. It results in a natural and large soundstage that feels like audio is coming from speakers placed in the room around you rather than from inside your head. Additionally, the open-back design of these headphones contributes to them having a more open-sounding soundstage compared to closed-back headphones.
The HiFiMan Ananda's noise isolation is bad. Just like the HiFiMan Edition X and HiFiMan Edition XS, these headphones barely provide any isolation, which is normal and part of their open-back design. They don't provide any isolation in the bass and mid-ranges and barely cut down the high-pitched hum of AC units.
The HiFiMan Ananda's leakage performance is bad. This is normal for open-back planar magnetic headphones and part of their design. Just like the HiFiMan Edition X, the drivers of the Ananda perform more like bi-directional speakers and leak sound at a high intensity, even up to the high-treble. Leakage is spread across a very broad range. The overall level of their leakage is quite loud too. If you're listening to audio at a high volume, people around you will hear it, even if you're in a moderately noisy environment like a busy office.
The HiFiMan Ananda don't have a microphone, so the recording quality hasn't been tested.
The Hifiman Ananda don't have a microphone, so the noise handling hasn't been tested.
These headphones don't have any active components and don't require a battery.
The HiFiMan Ananda don't come with an app or software for added customization options. However, if your audio source has an EQ, you can customize them that way.
These headphones are wired and don't have a Bluetooth connection. If you want a good-sounding wireless headset, then consider the Bose QuietComfort 35 II or the wireless version of these headphones, the HiFiMan ANANDA-BT Wireless.
The wired connection of these headphones has negligible latency, which is suitable for gaming and home-theater use.
The HiFiMan Ananda have a simple 1/8" TRS audio cable with no in-line remote/microphone, so they'll only provide audio when connected to your PS4, Xbox One, or PC.
These headphones don't have a base, dock, or dongle since they're completely passive. If you need a headset with a dock that also has a wired connection for gaming or watching movies, consider the SteelSeries Arctis 7.