HiFiMan Ananda
Technics EAH-A800
What Buyers Say
HiFiMan Ananda
The HiFiMAN Ananda is widely praised for its exceptional sound quality, offering a huge soundstage, excellent detail retrieval, and a warm yet fast planar signature. Users highlight its value at current sale prices, especially compared to pricier models, and note it is relatively easy to drive for a planar. However, some find it less relaxing than the Sennheiser HD6xx for casual listening, and the build quality, while improved, still has minor criticisms regarding the cable and plastic design. Overall, it is considered a top-tier headphone for critical listening and gaming.
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality and detail
- Huge and immersive soundstage
- Excellent value at sale prices
- Relatively easy to drive for a planar
- Warm yet fast planar sound signature
Cons
- Less relaxing than Sennheiser HD6xx
- Stock cable feels flimsy and delicate
- Plastic design feels cheap for the price
- Lacks deep sub-bass without EQ
- Bright treble can be fatiguing for some
Technics EAH-A800
The Technics EAH-A800 headphones receive overwhelmingly positive feedback for their exceptional sound quality, which many users compare favorably to wired headphones, especially when using the LDAC codec. Reviewers praise the comfortable fit, effective ANC, and the ability to create an immersive soundstage with clear stereo separation. However, a few users report durability concerns, such as the headband material loosening within a month and faulty components after a year, while others suggest minor improvements like larger ear cups and more EQ bands.
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality
- Effective active noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit
- Immersive soundstage with stereo separation
- LDAC codec support for high-quality audio
Cons
- Durability concerns with headband material
- Faulty components after a year
- Ear cups could be slightly bigger
- Headband feels hard on scalp
- Only 5 EQ bands (wants more)
Scores
Specifications
| HiFiMan Ananda | Technics EAH-A800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | open | closed |
| Foldable | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.40 kg | 0.30 kg★ |
| Ear Cushion | — | super-soft earpads |
| Headband | metal | — |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | planar magnetic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | — | 40 mm★ |
| Drivers | — | 1★ |
| Freq Min | 8 Hz | 4 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | 55 kHz★ | 40 kHz |
| Impedance | 27 Ω | 34 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB | 105 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | — | ✓★ |
| Codecs | HIFIMAN Ananda Over-Ear Full-Size Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones with Stealth Magnet, Comfortable Earpads, Detachable Cable for Home and Studio | AAC, LDAC, SBC |
| Surround | — | Technics - Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones with 2 Device Multipoint Connectivity - EAH-A800-K Black | Technics - Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-Ear | Technics | Black | Over Ear | Over E |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✗ | ✓★ |
| ANC Type | — | Dual Hybrid |
| Transparency | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Bluetooth | — | 5.2★ |
| Profiles | — | A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP |
| Multipoint | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cable Length | 1.5 m | 1 m |
| Range | — | 10.100000381469727 m★ |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Life | — | 50 hrs★ |
| Charge Time | — | 3 hrs★ |
| Fast Charging | — | 15 Minutes for 10 Hours |
| Charging | — | USB-C★ |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Mic Count | — | 8★ |
| NC Mic | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Boom Mic | ✗ | ✗ |
| Detachable Mic | ✗ | — |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | — | Siri, Alexa |
| Touch Controls | ✗ | ✗ |
| App | — | Technics Audio Connect |
| Gaming Mode | ✗ | — |
Pros & Cons
HiFiMan Ananda
- Strong build (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong user sentiment (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong social proof (71st percentile)
- Below average comfort (10th percentile)10th %ile
- Below average mic (18th percentile)18th %ile
- Below average anc (33rd percentile)
Technics EAH-A800
- Strong mic (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong connectivity (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong sound (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong anc (95th percentile)95th %ile
Pricing
Technics EAH-A800 offers 1.5x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 91 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 19 of 40 specs.
