HIFIMAN ANANDA NANO

Welcome to critica actual written review.
In this review we are going to talk about the Hifiman Ananda Nano. A new headset from the Ananda family that breaks the price-quality ratio... or that's what the brand seems to sell..."a massive improvement." I seem to remember that breaking the quality/price ratio was something that we have seen in models like the Sundara, Ananda Original, Edition XS...it is another matter if they really did it.
Let me be clear, I don't understand Hifiman. I think neither me nor anyone. For just over €600 you are likely to get one of the best headphones for under €1000. I understand that Hifiman wanted to show its strength and capacity with this Hifiman Ananda Nano but I do not understand that it competes with itself and with open models that they have released relatively recently such as a Hifiman Sundara, Ananda Stealh, Edition Xs and even the Arya Original itself .
Who wins by doing this maneuver? Hifiman. He knows that the audiophile will want novelty and in this case, improvement. But what improvement compared to others?
I invite you to continue watching the video.

The packaging is very simple. A subtle cardboard box where the headset comes. The hard foam for Hifiman headphones for example no longer comes. We have a semi-rigid transport bag where the product comes.
On the other hand, and almost to finish we have a long rubbery cable that complies along with the classic 6.3mm adapter. The cable is not bad but I don't think it is anything out of this world either.
In short, we have a very similar package in terms of accessories compared to the R9 but with a carrying case. A case that is not comparable to that of a Focal Clear or a Sivga SV023 but I think it performs very well and is appreciated.


DESIGN, weight and comfort
In terms of comfort, the Ananda Nano feels the same as the previous Ananda models. The earbuds do a great job of encompassing the entire ear regardless of size, and the earpads rest comfortably on the head. The suspension headband hasn't changed much, but still offers good support. For me it is a better headband than the Edition Xs since it distributes the weights better. Its opening is more than enough and unless you have a monstrously large head there will be no problems.
In general I had no comfort problems, in fact, I consider it very comfortable but not as comfortable as a Sivga Sv023, Clear, Elegia...
The design does seem much more beautiful and neater than the original Ananda or the Edition Xs. The new silver aluminum frame gives it a different touch...which reminds me of the He1000. I really like its large and arched supports...in general I would say that it is the most beautiful Hifiman I have ever tried.

The Ananda Nano has the stealth magnet of the ananda stealth or edition xs, Arya… This allows the signal to pass through the magnets with less interference, reproducing cleaner and more accurate representations of its source.
The main reason for this new edition of the Ananda is its new nanometer diaphragm. That is, the new driver. This is a build based largely on HiFiMAN's ultra-high-end Susvara model, which incorporates a similar diaphragm design. What this appears to confer is significantly lower noise, better transient response, and improved dynamic range reproduction and detail recovery. Like all other HiFiMAN headphones reviewed, I will talk about isolation.
Isolation
We have passive isolation quite similar to that of an edition xs, ananda original...that is, null. Forget about using them if you have noises around you like traffic...why do you want a good sound if it will mix with unwanted noises?
As for the leakage or sound that it expels to the outside, I consider that it expels a little less compared to the Edition For me it is not a problem because its use is in quiet places and alone but it may be important for you and it depends on the use you want to give it. Do you intend to take them to work? Your surrounding colleagues will hear everything and possibly your boss will end up firing you...

Will a powerful amplifier be needed?
There is nothing dramatic about amplification. The drivers are 14Ω and 94dB, making it easy to move even with a cell phone. I have tried it with a Red Magic and it moves relatively well. Obviously as soon as we switch to dedicated amplification we notice that its sound improves. It is a headset that scales very very well.
It is true that such a low impedance is good for amplifiers to give their peak power but it can lead to slight hiz... However, it is nothing dramatic.

SOUND SECTION – TECHNIQUES
Before starting the sound analysis, it must be made clear that this headset is intended to enjoy music in the tranquility of your home, play games and see yourself immersed in movies.
I don't consider its timbre to be the most realistic for editing or working with audio. But be careful, just because I don't consider its tone to be the most realistic and coherent does not mean that its tone is bad...not at all...it sounds natural and quite fun since it is quite close to the harman profile...which I like. Savor each earphone and don't always look for the same profile... It is possible that what you don't want one day you want to listen to another day.
HiFiMAN headphones never fail in the soundstage department. I don't remember any Hifiman saying it had a small soundstage. This Ananda nano is very technical and they do it quite well here.
The Ananda has already had some revisions, and the spatial imaging, along with the width of the soundstage has always been modified through these new editions. This latest Nano version is no different. Since HiFiMAN started incorporating stealth magnets into their planar designs, I've always felt that there was more emphasis on precision than stereo imaging. This made the soundstage seem closer but less diffuse. However, I miss that almost ethereal setting in the headphones.
The Ananda Nano are probably the closest to bringing the two worlds together, balancing tight positioning with a spacious soundstage. Its treble gives an airy sound to the entire sound, making it even sound a little wider.
It must be said that the instruments do not reach very great heights and there is a slight elevation throughout the presentation, raising the voices slightly above the ears.
So, while it's not a particularly large stage, the image is impeccably well laid out and the distant instruments retain their rich resolution. Variations in placement along the horizontal axis feel precise and nuanced. In depth, that is, in the Z axis, I consider it to be better than the Edition
In short, the soundstage is quite expansive and extends beyond your head, feeling a good immersion. The experience is holographic and, frankly, it's one that's hard to get for under $1000.

SOUND SECTION – BASS
Although the bass is not the main star or the differentiating element of the Ananda's sound... it has excellent clarity. You don't feel like you're losing much of its frequency response, but it doesn't shower you with excessive noise either.
The bass feels lively, dynamic and powerful, if the track calls for it, the Nano is there to provide it. The entire bass range feels coherent with no audible imbalance. Additionally, the texture and timbre of the bass notes sound accurate to my ears. The transition from the bass range to the midrange is seamless and feels very coherent.
For me the bass range of the Ananda Nano is practically perfect, despite its neutral-slightly bright characteristics, the Nano does a great job of reproducing the bass punchy and fast. With good amplification it is easy to hear and feel the vibration less than half a centimeter from your ears. The length is excellent, neither overstated nor understated. The presence of subwoofer is evident and I don't think much more extension is necessary.

SOUND SECTION – MIDS
The midrange is lively again, but at the same time I consider it to be also neutral and natural. The Ananda Nano does a great job of reproducing both male and female voices. The voices feel articulate, realistic and uncolored. Fundamentally mid-based instruments, like guitars, feel organic and clean. The body of the instruments feels precise, nor is it as thin as on the Edition Xs. The recovery of details is excellent...as for the dynamic range, it is preserved as is...it does not exaggerate giving an extra dynamic range that makes you end up tiring...I don't look at anyone...The midrange feels realistic and coherent and never boring. You can tell that it has another driver because in general I like it more than the Edition Xs.
As if that were not enough...I barely notice that hifiman veil. You can't really say anything bad. It feels like Ananda Nano is doing everything right here. The upper midrange feels spacious with plenty of air. The midrange resolution is quite impressive and leaves you wanting more.

SOUND SECTION – TREBLE
The attack and bite of the treble is defined. The Hifiman Ananda Nano's excellent PRaT also shows its excellence here, as the entire treble range feels extended, airy and open. Resolution is also very very good here, with the treble complementing the upper midrange and the rest of the spectrum. The high range doesn't feel as coherent...but you end up forgiving because after a song to get used to it it seems to work in harmony to create a realistic reproduction of any genre you throw at the Nano.
Admittedly, the treble on most HiFiMAN headphones has a somewhat colorful timbre. In Ananda nano it is never an overtly bright profile, since the highs always feel pleasant...at least for me...but I understand that there are people who may find this too much. Hifiman added some sparkle in this region to almost every track I listened to through the Nano thanks to this high-range expansion. Curiously, it was something I would have liked them to do in the Edition Xs. By the way, I didn't get any fatigue with them on long listens.
Sharp treble artifacts always hover around the outside of the forehead and sometimes even beyond. Some instruments have a slight sizzle to their consistency and are super smooth.

I've always liked the HiFiMAN Ananda, and the new Nano version does everything better.
In a way, it consolidates the Ananda as one of the best planar headphones...this Nano improves the aspects that I criticized about the edition xs...it seems that hifiman has heard me.
It has more treble, more dynamics and a little more resolution...which also translates into a better image.
Recommending this headset is easy...For me it is one of the best headphones to enjoy music since it combines a fairly natural sound, a timbre...which, although not purist, is quite good and fun, spatial capabilities that are more than good for the price...Hifiman this one yes...
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So.... these and the Arya Organic just came out of nowhere. It's been half a year already, but when I first heard about them, I really thought it was like some sort of joke, like somebody parodying the, at times, insane speed that Hifiman updates its products at. In addition to that, I was skeptical at how much of an improvement they could be. I had just bought the Ananda Stealth, and didn't want the honeymoon phase to end so soon. But I had to try the new thing down the road, so here I am.

To start off, immediately apparent is how speedy the sound is. Notes are presented cleanly, finish on a dime and almost never slur or lose composure. The attack of notes is extremely well-defined and quick. I would say it's coming very close to the HD 800 in this sense. Some Hifimans, and many headphones in general, present a lot of notes with a lack of distinction, in how overtones are represented and in how precisely the sound is imaged. The Ananda Nano does not match the HD 800 or headphones of similar stature in terms of minor details at the edge of the stage or fine transients you'd hear in tracks with a lot going on, but it is an absolute monster in the clarity and distinctiveness when it comes to the more macro-side of sound reproduction, i.e. obvious notes and vocals meant to be front and center.

They also excel in soundstage. Both width and height are impressive and a step up from the Ananda SE. Especially impressive is depth, and they sometimes give off the impression of more depth than height, a rare and perhaps very valuable trait to some. I think that also contributes to the imaging, and in general the stage is much more circular than most headphones around and images are placed fairly cleanly in the stage, but not to the precision of an Arya or an HD 800.

In terms of tuning, I think that it's good, but not a home run like say, the edition XS was. I don't mind even more treble energy than normal (for Hifiman) but this headphone has the tendency to come off as dry. It's not so much so, but it won't give you much in the way of warmth. Another part of this is that the decays on the end of notes are somewhat shortened, or even cut off, and that exacerbates it's deficiency in this regard. As for the treble, it teeters on the edge of sibilance and rarely if ever crosses it, but this is a certainly a bright listen. There is never any doubt, in nearly any track, that the Nano's FR is tilted upwards.

Coming full circle now, the quality and dynamics of this headphone on the attack are the most noteworthy thing about it. It punches very hard, even harder than the Arya Stealth, which I have listened to on occasion, and in general has a very robust bass that extends deep, slams in the sub-bass and rumbles well. It's the biggest upgrade over the Ananda SE, which on tracks that needed this quality, could come across as thin and brittle. Talking about the Ananda SE, let me summarize the differences between the Nano and it:

• Nano images more precisely and more evenly
• Nano has a bigger stage in every dimension, especially depth
• Nano punches far harder, same for dynamics across the whole range
• Nano has a much more distinct center image and can do intimacy better
• Nano has much better bass technicalities
• Ananda SE is a smoother, warmer and sweeter listen. Vocals, jazz and other easy-going tracks benefit from this, and I think that the Nano is just not in its element here.

I like to be thorough, so let me give a word on non-audio things. The headband system that's been around since the first Ananda and the Sundara is still used here and I think it's a good one. It molds well to the shape of my egg-ish head. It clamps hard, though, nearly as much as an out of the box HD 600. You get used to it in time, but some might not like that. Also, I think it's slightly tweaked on the Nano as compared to before in that the strap is a touch longer and has more slack. Fixes the issue of the SE's bending inwards whenever I'd widen it to pass over my hair and ears when taking it on/off. A minor issue, though, is that my Nano's headband creaks pretty badly every time I open it up. The SE's didn't do that at all. When it comes to accessories, the Nano came the kind of cable my bottom drawer loves to eat, and a case which is serviceable if you want to take it somewhere safely.

I underline this review with the conclusion that the Nano is very impressive. When it comes to technicalities, dynamics and general clarity, it can't be beaten in its price bracket. However, it is not for everybody, with it being an unashamedly bright set.

It’s almost into the summer of 2018 and the Ananda is presented at the High End 2018 show in Munich, Germany. Until that day both the HE-1000 and the Edition X already had their second revision, both hugely popular series living through the ages in the same or different form until this day with the HE1000 Stealth and the Edition XS. Back then something was still missing though. A headphone of a great caliber that would also be flowing right into the DAP push that set the mobile audiophile world ablaze and started a new era of colossal mobile players with tightly integrated tech. This headphone should be easy to drive for everyone, a high quality base right from the start, so to say, no power scaling needed like the HE-1000 and Aryas. Huge oval cups with big drivers pushing a lot of sound and stage right onto your ears, or shall we say, onto almost half your head, adding to a great sense of spatial quality and realism. Born was the Ananda - an instant hit.


Since then we saw a few revisions, from the integration of dust filters directly onto the cups n addition to minor improvements to the overall sound (in 2020). until the inevitable stealth upgrade that would take over the Hifiman lineup from top to bottom and especially improve clarity, imaging precision and thus the perception of finer details.


If we look back at history, Hifiman always lets improvements, technical advancements, lessons learned trickle down from their world contenders unto their entry line. No prisoners taken, no excuses made. Does Hifiman’s evolutionary approach devour its own children? Not quite, but they have to make their choices too. Evolve and adapt. A bloated portfolio with multiple revisions would only be a nightmare for production and parts service/support. I am also not sure if having to make a choice out of such a broad palette wouldn’t lead to a slight paralysis.

The Ananda Nano​

Out of the all black batsuit right into a shining knight’s armour comes the Ananda Nano in front of Hifiman’s latest and greatest lineup charging with improved technicalities and finesse onto the front.


There’s not a world’s difference in the tonality in contrast to the Ananda stealth but Hifiman would never release a headphone without a good reason and given the technical merits, the sound surely changes for a different take. Let’s get into the details:

General sound impressions​

The Ananda falls into the bright-neutral side of headphones with very far and deep extension into both directions, especially impressive as this headphone is as open as it gets. It’s plenty airy, open and stages big enough to fit an orchestra without any feeling of claustrophoby.


Driver control, start/stop is exceptional and defines the ziptight nature of the overall presentation. Bass, Midrange, Treble enjoy fast, slightly zippy transients, delineation, resolve of finer details and overall: transparency and clarity. The sound is more on the drier side than let’s say a HE1000v2 but can be matched accordingly with a warmer amp or a lusher tube.


The Bass presentation takes a middle-ground between how much is really needed according to the mix and when it’s time to slam and punch, it can absolutely push for a bit more. It’s no headphone for those who want a club around their heads and have their heads shaken and rattled. It doesn’t slam like the HE1000 Stealth or the Arya Stealth, but it improves upon its sneaky brother.


The Midrange is open, breathing, transparent, revealing. It’s not full and lush but on the slightly leaner athletic side. It stays in character so instruments are rendered tactile, palpable, quite precise with a good level of microdynamic balance as in different instruments, not being “linearized” in volume but instead having their own place, time and composition. Acoustic instruments are easily separated in the mix, not blended or homogenized at all if two of the same play. The Nano packs technical prowess into a never before seen price bracket. It almost makes you just listen to it because of that.


The Treble is very well extended on the Nano giving a sense of good reach into the depths and heights of the stage and how objects are placed within. There’s plenty of air and illumination overall with a notable incisiveness leading to the neutral-bright impression . Again, pairing is important. An amp with a slight romantic touch of warmth makes for a good pairing with these and balances out the accentuation of the treble character.

Comparison with the Ananda Stealth.​

The Nano sports a new driver/magnet constellation that improves the density of force applied per square inch and you can feel it both in pressure and the tactility of transients, as well in tightening of the overall sound. It adds more physicality to the usually more delicate appearance of the Ananda sound and approaches the weightier sound of the latest Arya, the Organic and the HE1000 Stealth. Not quite at their levels, but not far from their heels, for sure.


With uplifting the technical foundation, the Nano feels both more forceful and more direct, intrusive in a good way. It’s not a relaxed listen at all, it’s a little show of force, a barrage of details, resolving power and illumination. The Nano certainly is a bit brighter than the Stealth but it is its own overall vibrancy that leads to this perception, not just a mere treble elevation. The Nano is a bit more transparent, a bit more open, lit up than its Stealth predecessor, it accumulates for a brighter listen and in that it’s impressive how technical it sounds contrasting itself with the warmer, more intimate Stealth. It’s remarkable that each iteration opens up more and is also quite open just through the window shade system, yet the unfolding reaches new heights each time. And in that context alone does the Stealth feel more intimate and less outreaching.


Staging, Imaging and composure go the Nano with it imaging sharper, more accurate, a bit bigger, a bit deeper, a better followup of the trails of sounds thanks to its technical flex. Composure is “measured” in the control and tightness of the overall sound when music gets more complex, more busy, both involves a lot of tension of the driver and yet is able to present finer nuances and delicacies. Here’s where the Nano again jumps ahead of the Stealth. It’s more nimble here, more unfathomed and in the end, almost flying away. Just for itself, not away from the Stealth. They are both close but the Nano manages to outdo it just a bit more everywhere.