For audiophiles, wired headphones have always been king. Sure, technology has progressed where wireless active headphones and IEMs sound good, but do they sound better? Most would say no. There is a special quality to a high-end wired headphone with an amplifier that just can’t be replicated in the bluetooth sound. Hifiman, the innovative company behind some of the most beloved wired headphones of the past decade, has created two new headphones, the HE1000 WiFi and the Arya WiFi, to try to bridge that quality gap between the casual bluetooth experience and the wired audiophile experience. For this review, I will be focusing on the HE1000 WiFi.
What’s Special about the HE1000 WiFi?
This headphone attempts to replicate the incredible sound of the HE1000 series and make it wireless. To this day, the HE1000 Unveiled remains as my favorite overall sounding headphone at any price point. The HE1000 attempts to get over the compromise in sound associated with bluetooth wireless connectivity by actually using a WiFi connection (hence the name) to achieve its wireless capabilities. WiFi actually has a higher resolution than Bluetooth signals, lending itself better for an audiophile experience. USB wired connection is also an option and can be used with something as basic as an iPhone.
However, it should be noted that just because the HE1000 is wireless does not mean that it is an on-the-go headphone. It is still an open-back headphone like the rest of theHE1000 series with lots of bleed and is intended for at home use on a personal WiFi network. The advantage of the HE1000 WiFi is that you don’t need an amplifier or any sort of desktop setup to drive it. This is a high-fidelity active headphone that you can just turn on and start jamming with no setup required.
What Comes In the Box?
- HE1000 WiFi headphones
- USB-C cable (for charging + wired audio mode)
- Protective storage case or presentation box
- Quick start guide / documentation
The HE1000 WiFi comes with everything you’ll need for it to function at peak performance: the headphone. No cables are included or necessary for that matter with the exception of one USB C cable for charging and wired connection. It also comes in a very nice, premium box that is great for storage and a booklet that shows off its specs and guides you on the setup process. Do pay attention to that booklet; a complaint I have with the WiFi is that its setup is not very intuitive, but it’s easy after you figure it out for the first time.
Technical Specifications
- Operating Modes : Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/USB Audio
- Frequency Response : 8 Hz – 65 kHz ± 0.5 dB
- Channel Separation : 105 dB @ 1 kHz
- Net Weight : 452 g
- Battery Life (Wi-Fi Mode) : 6.5-7.5 hours
- Battery Life (Bluetooth Mode) : 23 hours
- Charging Time : 3-4 hours
- Standby Time : 30 days
- Audio Formats : PCM 44.1 kHz – 768 kHz, 32/24/16 bit; DSD native 64-512
- Bluetooth Codecs : SBC/AAC/aptX/aptX HD/LDAC
Build and Comfort
Hifiman is known for their open-backed headphone designs and comfort and I would say the WiFi is yet another success. It gives the luxury feel it deserves, the materials are great, and the headband is extremely comfortable. If you’ve worn a Hifiman open back, you know what you’re getting into. However, I would say that the 1000 WiFi has one thing going against it in this department: weight. With active headphones, materials are needed under the hood of the headphone to drive it. It doesn’t show in the look, but it does in the feel.
You can definitely feel the headphone on your scalp and I noticed some minor discomfort after long listening sessions. Other Hifi Man open backs are not like this. I barely notice they’re on my head after a while. With the 1000 WiFi, this is not the case. However, I would still say in terms of look and feel, this headphone stands nicely in the Hifiman lineup, and in the premium headphone landscape in general.
Sound Review
Sound-Staging
The staging on the WiFi has that same great wideness as other headphones in its series. It’s exactly what I want out of an open back. Each song feels elevated in scope just by wearing these. Your ears are surrounded in a beautiful sonic landscape that can only be experienced by wearing one.
Bass Frequencies
While the 1000 WiFi does have a brighter sound, as does the entire series, the bass is far from neglected. You can definitely feel the rumble on bassier tracks and the kick drums really hit. The bass has a nice color to it without stepping on other frequencies in the spectrum.
Midfrequencies
The mids on the 1000 WiFi are great all round. Vocals sound full and intimate. The guitars, strings and pianos are clear and crisp. This is where the coloring of the 1000 WiFi pops out and breathes life into just about any track you throw at it. This section is also where the width of the 1000 WiFi shines. Even in busier tracks, nothing feels out of place. Every instrument has a place and has a great deal of wiggle room to show its strengths.
Highs/Treble
The treble is also phenomenal on this headphone. Hifiman consistently nails this category in their open backs, especially in the 1000 series, and the WiFI is no exception. Higher-pitched vocals do not sound grading or distorted but soothing to the ear. Violins sound fantastic with a great deal of brilliance. That great Hifiman sparkle is as present as ever here.
Comparison to Other Wireless Headphones
The 1000 WiFi is the best sounding wireless headphone I’ve ever heard. That’s not to say that other top-of-the-line wireless headphones don’t sound good, they do. However, when comparing the 1000 WiFi to the likes of the Bowers and Wilkins PX8 S2, the Focal Bathys MG, or even the Dali 12, the 1000 WiF comes out on top. The sound that this headphone achieves is a commendable feat by all metrics.
Comparison to Others In the 1000 Series
The WiFi stands toe-to-toe with its wired companions. It sounds just as full as they do with a wire and premium amplifier with no cables at all. It is a true-to-life replication of a passive headphone in a wireless active package. The only exception I would make is that it is not quite on par with the 1000 Unveiled in terms of soundscape and overall fullness. It’s close, but there is a definite edge to the unveiled especially with a good amplifier. Overall, I would say that the 1000 WiFi sounds as good if not a little bit better than the wired HE1000se.
Who is it for?
This is the question that I’ve been asking myself a lot while listening to the HE1000 WiFi. Yes, the wireless sound that these headphones achieve is very impressive and commendable, but what does it amount to? It’s not an on-the-go headphone that you could use in the library or plane ride since it’s open back, and it is a thousand dollars more expensive than the most expensive headphones in that market at $2700. It’s sound is impressive, but if it’s comparable to the wired HE1000 which is a thousand dollars less ($1700), why not just buy that? Even the Unveiled, which remains as my favorite headphone, is $400 cheaper ($2300).
Sure, the 1000WiFi is wireless, but you can only use it in your home’s WiFi connection anyway. How much mobility do you need if you’re only listening in your home? However, if you deeply despise wires or want to get into the audiophile world without bothering with amplifiers or accessories, this is a great place to go. The convenience is there, it’s just in a weird spot between putting convenience as the top priority and putting sound as the top priority. However, this technology is only in its infancy. I’m interested to see how HiFi Man continues to bridge the gap between the wired audiophile experience and the compromised but convenient wireless experience.
Final Thoughts
The HE1000 WiFi is a huge leap forward in the world of wireless audiophile headphones and proves that they can sound comparable to their wired counterparts. It is the best wireless headphone I have ever heard in terms of sound quality and I was impressed with its capabilities. The only drawback is its audience and price tag. At $2700, it is possible to get a wired setup that sounds just as good or better for less money. However, if you’re a wireless purest and want that audiophile sound in your home, this headphone just might be your endgame.
You can buy the HE1000 Wifi at Audio 46 along with other Hifiman products.
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