Hifiman Ananda Stealth V2 Headphone Review

[CedarX]

Just got the latest Ananda Stealth because I wanted a really big soundstage (like music not coming from your head), but I'm not particularly impressed with it and I'm starting to think that all headphones will be about the same in this regard.

What does soundstage mean for you?Soundstage is commonly discussed in audiophiles forums but the term is very loosely defined. It appears to relate to some type of treble profile, but is mostly subjective. Getting what you characterize as soundstage from others’opinion is going to be a lottery.

 

[Cote Dazur]

What does soundstage mean for you?Soundstage is commonly discussed in audiophiles forums but the term is very loosely defined. It appears to relate to some type of treble profile, but is mostly subjective. Getting what you characterize as soundstage from others’opinion is going to be a lottery.

Particularly for HP, for a well installed 2 speaker stereo system, soundstage is self explanatory, but for HP, I cannot say that I ever experience anything close to it.

 

[dogmamann]

Just got the latest Ananda Stealth because I wanted a really big soundstage (like music not coming from your head), but I'm not particularly impressed with it and I'm starting to think that all headphones will be about the same in this regard.

Now after reading the reviews, is there any reason not to return them and get the Sundaras and save money?

If you try akg k701 or Senn hd 800, 700, they sound damn wide - I had the Arya stealth and I too felt they were not as wide as the ones I mentioned but I prefer the sound of Arya over the others I mentioned

 

[Slave IV]

There is that whole thread about soundstage

How do you hear headphone 'soundstage'

Waves Abbey Road studio 3........ I hated it. only could it make kind of enyoible turning "circumference" and "ear to ear" down to the lowest values: Shannon Pierce's BRIRs are the best there is. tested many others

www.audiosciencereview.com

I thought I was trying the wrong headphones until I started reading this thread. Seems like most people don’t hear anything outside their head with headphones unless dsp or something else is involved.

That said, I’m considering XS, XV, Anandas or ATH-R70x/a someday to see how much better it might be able to get.

 

[Ste_S]

I think soundstage for headphones is not something that really projects much beyond your head - it’s more about clarity for different instruments and their position in the space.

Which Ananda Stealth’s seem to do pretty well, at least in my limited listening experience so far. This in particular, sounded great https://fabianodonascimento.bandcamp.com/album/vila

 

[lopez40]

What does soundstage mean for you?Soundstage is commonly discussed in audiophiles forums but the t
There is that whole thread about soundstage

How do you hear headphone 'soundstage'

Waves Abbey Road studio 3........ I hated it. only could it make kind of enyoible turning "circumference" and "ear to ear" down to the lowest values: Shannon Pierce's BRIRs are the best there is. tested many others

www.audiosciencereview.com

I thought I was trying the wrong headphones until I started reading this thread. Seems like most people don’t hear anything outside their head with headphones unless dsp or something else is involved.

Thanks, that is helpful.

I will see if I can try a different set of open headphones to see if I find any differences. Anyways, the Ananda sound nice with eq. They are just more expensive than the Sundara, the quality of the materials is not very good, and they are big and awkward, albeit comfortable.

 

[Mr Yod]

Thanks, that is helpful.

I will see if I can try a different set of open headphones to see if I find any differences. Anyways, the Ananda sound nice with eq. They are just more expensive than the Sundara, the quality of the materials is not very good, and they are big and awkward, albeit comfortable.

Their awkwardly bigness is what makes them extremely comfortable. =)
After using them, all the other circumaural headphones I tried seem to crush my ears. =(

HE400se or TYGR 300R (but more open back) sound signature, with Ananda Stealth form factor, imaging and soundstage (or even better) at max the same cost of the Ananda (now, not when they came out) would be the perfect headphones for me (and add a bit more impedance since I don't like to keep the volume too near the minimum, but that's more of a psychological preference).

 

[lopez40]

I'm finally keeping the Sundara because I find them good enough (once equed, with a massive bass boost) and they are much cheaper, but I would say that these Ananda are a better headphone and they are the better option if you don't mind the size and the price difference.