HiFiMan HE1000se
The nanometer-thickness diaphragm and acoustically invisible stealth magnets deliver a 8Hz-65kHz response with 35Ω impedance, making this open-back planar magnetic headphone a precise tool for critical listening. Its patented Window Shade system and asymmetrical ear cups improve spatial imaging, while the user-replaceable 3.5mm connector adds durability. Best for studio engineers and audiophiles who need accurate, detailed sound for mixing or reference work, though its 440g weight and open design suit stationary use.
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Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
A $1,699 USD microscope for your music. Stunning detail, zero practicality, and comfort that'll make your ears file a complaint.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Incredibly detailed, fast planar magnetic sound 80th
- Open-back design gives a huge, natural soundstage 76th
- User-replaceable 3.5mm cables are a practical touch
- Relatively light at 440g for a full-size planar
Cons
- Comfort score is a disaster, 2nd percentile in our database
- No wireless, no ANC, no mic, forget calls entirely
- Sound is so neutral it can feel boring for casual listeners
- Price is brutal at $1,699 USD
What owners think
The Word on the Street
The proof
Performance
The specs are wild on paper: 8Hz to 65kHz frequency response, 35Ω impedance, and a nanometer-thickness diaphragm. In practice, that translates to a sound that's fast, airy, and incredibly resolving. The 'Stealth Magnets' aren't just marketing fluff, they genuinely reduce distortion. But here's the surprise: for a headphone this expensive, the sound score sits at just the 46th percentile in our database. It's not that it sounds bad, it's that it's ruthlessly neutral. If you're coming from a bass-heavy consumer headphone, you might find it thin. It's a scalpel, not a subwoofer.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | open |
| Weight | 0.4 kg / 1.0 lbs |
| Ear Cushion | Comfortable Earpads |
Audio
| Driver Type | planar magnetic |
| Freq Min | 8 |
| Freq Max | 65000 |
| Impedance | 35 |
| Sensitivity | 96 |
Connectivity
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | Yes |
| Cable Length | 1.2 |
Microphone
| Microphone | No |
vs Competition
Stacked against the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 or the Sony ULT WEAR, the HE1000se is a different animal entirely. Those are wireless, ANC-equipped, and built for commuting. The HE1000se is a wired, open-back desk headphone. The Sennheiser HDB 630 is closer in spirit but still more of a consumer product. If you need portability, the Sony or B&W are the obvious picks. If you want the most resolving sound and don't care about anything else, the HiFiMan wins. The Technics EAH-A800 is a nice middle ground if you want some of that HiFiMan clarity without giving up Bluetooth.
| Spec | HiFiMan HE1000se | Sennheiser HDB 630 | Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | Sony WH-1000XM6 | JBL Tune 670NC | TOZO HT3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | on-ear | over-ear |
| Driver Type | planar magnetic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | - | 42 | 40 | 30 | 32 | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | 35 | 480 | - | 48 | 32 | 16 |
| Wireless | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | open | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 60 | 30 | 30 | 70 | 90 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HiFiMan HE1000se | 32.1 | 14.9 | 75.8 | 46.3 | 46 | 2.5 | 39.8 | 80 |
| Sennheiser HDB 630 Compare | 98.2 | 82.7 | 75.8 | 98.1 | 91.3 | 44.5 | 98.4 | 95.1 |
| Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Compare | 98.2 | 99.3 | 94.3 | 99 | 76.6 | 52 | 97.7 | 95.1 |
| Sony WH-1000XM6 Compare | 98.2 | 89.4 | 90.8 | 91 | 76.6 | 80 | 99.9 | 83.6 |
| JBL Tune 670NC Compare | 98.2 | 64.2 | 75.8 | 84.9 | 94.3 | 87.1 | 99.2 | 98.7 |
| TOZO HT3 Compare | 89.8 | 82.7 | 94.3 | 98.6 | 97.8 | 52 | 96.8 | 95.1 |
Price
Value & Pricing
This is not a value buy. At $1,699 USD, you're paying for a very specific kind of performance. If you're a mixing engineer or a detail-obsessed audiophile with a quiet room and a good amp, it's worth every penny. If you want something to wear on the bus or take calls with, this is a terrible use of money. The value proposition is razor-thin for most people.
Read more
Overview
The HiFiMan HE1000se is a statement piece. It's a full-size, open-back planar magnetic headphone that costs $1,699 USD, and it's built for people who want to hear every microscopic detail in their music. The one thing to know? This is a specialist's tool, not an all-rounder. It's wired, it leaks sound like a sieve, and it has no mic to speak of. But for pure, uncolored listening at a desk, it's a serious contender.
Common Questions
Q: Do I need an amplifier for the HE1000se?
Yes, realistically. At 35Ω and 96dB sensitivity, it's not impossible to drive from a phone, but you'll be leaving a lot of performance on the table. A decent desktop amp or a powerful DAP is the way to go.
Q: Can I use these for gaming or movies?
You can, and the soundstage is great for it. But there's no mic, and the open-back design means everyone in the room hears what you hear. For solo gaming in a quiet space, it's actually pretty fun.
Q: Are the cables really user-replaceable?
Yep, they use standard 3.5mm connectors into the cups. That's a huge plus for longevity. You can swap in aftermarket cables or just replace a broken one without sending the whole headphone in.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a wireless headphone with ANC, a built-in mic, or something you can wear for hours without noticing, this isn't it. Go get the Sony ULT WEAR or the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 instead. If you want planar magnetic sound but need some comfort and a lower price, check out HiFiMan's own Sundara or Edition XS. The HE1000se is for the person who already knows they want it.
Verdict
The HiFiMan HE1000se is a brilliant, uncompromising headphone for a very specific person. That person has a quiet room, a good amplifier, and a deep love for analytical listening. If that's you, buy it and don't look back. If you need anything resembling versatility, look elsewhere. This is a one-trick pony, but it's a hell of a trick.
