HIFIMAN just announced a new closed-back headphone designed for professionals and hobbyists who demand detailed, accurate representations of their music, podcasts, and other sound recordings.
The new HIFIMAN AUDIVINA (SRP: $1,999) is a closed-back planar headphone that relies on HIFIMAN’s Stealth Magnets to enable sound waves to pass through the magnets without generating interference. The advanced magnet design is acoustically transparent, dramatically reducing reflections that degrade the integrity of the sound waves, yielding only pure sonic output that is accurate.
“When we first developed Stealth Magnets, I knew the design holds tremendous value for the pro audio market,” said Dr. Fang Bian, President, and CEO, HIFIMAN Electronics. “The complete lack of interference guarantees accurate reproduction, so crucial when recording and mixing music. Of course, audiophiles will appreciate listening to music on AUDIVINA for exactly the same reason.”
AUDIVINA features a resonance chamber inspired by the acoustical architecture of the Beyreuth Festival Theater in Germany, famous for multi-stage attenuation that contributes to the listener hearing a wide, detailed soundstage in a small, enclosed space. Sound takes a circuitous route through the chamber, creating a wide soundstage beyond what is typically associated with similarly priced products.
AUDIVINA’s ergonomic headband is constructed of high-precision CNC (computer numerical control) metal that is hand-polished for the ideal combination of comfort and durability. The cable socket is designed to ensure contact resistance remains low with no audible effect on the signal path. Earpads are manufactured from eco-friendly, silky leatherette material. Sonics and comfort are maximized for hours-long listening sessions.
Included with AUDIVINA are a single-end 3.5mm cable (1.5m), XLR balanced cable (3m), and a single-end 6.35mm cable (3m).
AUDIVINA features a frequency response of 5Hz-55kHz. Impedance is 20 ohms, sensitivity is rated at 97dB, and the weight is 470 grams/16.57 ounces.
AUDIVINA will be available in March at a suggested retail price of $1,999.
The History of HIFIMAN Headphones
HIFIMAN was born out of one man’s obsession with better sound. In 2005, Dr. Fang Bian, an audio enthusiast and electrical engineer, set out to change the way people experience music. His fascination with personal audio began during his youth in China, when he tinkered with cassette players and headphones. That curiosity stuck with him through his academic journey and ultimately became the driving force behind one of the most respected names in audiophile headphones.
At first, Dr. Bian started small. He launched an online audio gear retailer called Head-Direct, offering IEMs and headphone amplifiers. But as he immersed himself in the community and interacted with audiophiles, he realized something was missing in the marketplace. Most headphones available at the time were based on dynamic driver designs—convenient and affordable, but not always capable of the kind of detail, resolution, and transparency that audiophiles crave. Planar magnetic technology, long seen as impractical due to size, cost, and inefficiency, was ripe for reinvention.
That challenge sparked the beginning of HIFIMAN. In 2007, the brand officially launched with the goal of bringing high-end sound to headphone listeners by pushing the limits of planar magnetic driver technology. Just two years later, in 2009, HIFIMAN unveiled its first planar magnetic headphone: the HE-5. With its beautiful wood ear cups and open-back design, the HE-5 made an immediate impression in the audiophile world. It delivered a soundstage and level of detail that simply weren’t possible with conventional dynamic headphones at the time.
But the HE-5 had issues. The wooden construction, while aesthetically pleasing, proved fragile. Some units cracked or warped over time. HIFIMAN responded quickly by releasing the HE-5LE—a more robust version with reworked materials and improved tuning. It was clear that the company was not only innovating but listening to its customers and refining its products with real-world feedback.
From there, things moved quickly. The HE-6 came next, raising the bar for clarity and transparency. This headphone became legendary not just for its sound quality but also for its demanding nature. With extremely low sensitivity, the HE-6 required serious amplification—often the kind typically used for powering speakers. While this limited its appeal to more hardcore audiophiles, it cemented HIFIMAN’s reputation for pushing sonic boundaries.
In the early 2010s, the company released the HE-500, which balanced the sonic virtues of the HE-6 with a more approachable efficiency and slightly warmer tonal profile. This model gained a strong following and helped broaden HIFIMAN’s audience. Around this time, the company also began producing headphone amplifiers to pair with their gear, such as the EF5 and EF6. These efforts were part of a larger strategy to offer complete listening systems—from source to amp to headphone—all designed to work in harmony.
Then came the era of true flagship innovation. In 2015, HIFIMAN launched the HE1000, a groundbreaking headphone that introduced an incredibly thin nanometer diaphragm and a “window shade” grille to reduce reflections and enhance clarity. It was a showcase of technical mastery, offering a stunningly open, detailed, and lifelike soundstage. The HE1000 wasn’t just good—it was competitive with the best headphones in the world, and it put HIFIMAN squarely in the conversation with legacy high-end brands.
HIFIMAN continued refining and evolving its designs with models like the Edition X and the Arya, which borrowed technology from the HE1000 and repackaged it at more accessible price points. The Arya, in particular, became a favorite among audiophiles for its balance of price, comfort, and sonic excellence.
Despite their continued success in the high-end space, HIFIMAN never lost sight of the need to offer products for newcomers and value-conscious listeners. That philosophy led to the creation of the Sundara in 2017. This headphone became one of the brand’s most popular models, thanks to its slimmed-down diaphragm, improved build, and excellent performance-to-price ratio. At under $500, the Sundara brought planar magnetic sound to the masses and introduced a whole new generation to HIFIMAN’s house sound.
As personal audio moved increasingly into the wireless space, HIFIMAN adapted with creativity. In 2020, they launched the DEVA—a hybrid headphone that could be used wired or wirelessly via a detachable Bluetooth module. For many listeners, the DEVA offered the convenience of Bluetooth without sacrificing the detail and resolution that HIFIMAN was known for.
While HIFIMAN was expanding its reach, it was also refining its core technology. One of its most significant developments was the creation of Stealth Magnet technology. Traditional planar magnetic headphones had to contend with sound wave interference caused by the magnets themselves. With Stealth Magnets, the magnetic structures were acoustically transparent, reducing diffraction and allowing sound waves to pass through with minimal distortion. This innovation debuted in several newer models and helped set the stage for even higher levels of performance.
The culmination of this progress was the SUSVARA, HIFIMAN’s ultimate expression of planar magnetic excellence. Designed for the most discerning audiophiles, the SUSVARA combined ultra-thin diaphragms with Stealth Magnet arrays, resulting in astonishing resolution, realism, and dynamic range. With a price tag north of $6,000, the SUSVARA wasn’t for everyone—but those who heard it often considered it among the finest headphones ever made.
Alongside these headline-grabbing flagships, HIFIMAN continued to iterate on its entry-level and mid-tier lines. Models like the HE400i, HE400S, and eventually the HE400SE offered incremental improvements in tuning, comfort, and value. At each level, HIFIMAN aimed to provide an upgrade path—something for beginners, enthusiasts, and die-hard audiophiles alike.
Beyond headphones, the company also explored in-ear monitors, portable music players, and desktop audio systems. While not every experiment hit the mark, these side projects underscored the company’s drive to create a full ecosystem of personal audio gear. Portable players like the HM-901 were praised for their sonic performance, though they faced stiff competition from brands with more polished user interfaces. Similarly, HIFIMAN’s desktop speaker concepts attracted attention, though they never overtook the company’s dominance in the headphone space.
One challenge that has followed HIFIMAN throughout its journey has been consistency in build quality. Early models were sometimes plagued by issues like cracking ear cups, faulty cables, or inconsistent materials. Over time, however, the company has worked to improve manufacturing, particularly as more of its operations moved to China. While some users still report occasional quirks, the general consensus is that modern HIFIMAN headphones are more durable and better built than their predecessors.
Today, HIFIMAN stands as one of the most influential companies in high-end personal audio. Its innovations have helped bring planar magnetic technology from the fringes into the mainstream. By constantly pushing performance boundaries while also catering to listeners at all price points, the company has achieved something rare: audiophile credibility and commercial success.
At the heart of it all remains Dr. Fang Bian, whose love of music and dedication to innovation continue to guide the company. From a small online storefront to a global audio powerhouse, HIFIMAN’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, engineering, and the relentless pursuit of better sound.
