HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth

The pragmatic pick in the Ananda lineup

I’m a huge fan of HIFIMAN’s Edition XS — it’s been my go-to recommendation in the ~$200–$250 range for its comfortable earpads, open presentation, and very competent technicalities. HIFIMAN suggested the Ananda Stealth as a natural step up, and after living with it, I think they were right: it keeps a familiar balance but adds a touch more bass weight and definition, and uses a different headband that some will prefer.

Even more impressive is the pricing: the Ananda Stealth can often be found around $289, with the Edition XS about $239. With the new Ananda Unveiled at $549 and the Ananda Nano near $369, the Ananda Stealth lands in a “just right” goldilocks zone.

I have been enjoying both the Ananda Stealth (and the Ananda Nano - review also available ) and doing some deep comparisons between them and the Edition XS. I have also been comparing both these Ananda to a few other headphones in my collection and trying these headphones with various nice new headphone amplifiers like the Aune N7, Topping DS5 II and Burson Playmate 3. In other words, I have been in “headphone heaven”, really enjoying myself with headphones this past month:

In my pragmatic opinion, the Ananda Stealth is now the best value in Hifiman range for most listeners — hence you will have noticed the 5/5 rating.

But before I get into the sound details, let’s look at the unboxing:

Unboxing and Build Quality

Packaging is typical Hifiman functional and secure:

The back of the box and the specifications:

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Opening the box:

Note: Accessories in the box are minimal with a cable, an adapter, and some documentation.

The cable is ok, but there are much better cables available:

I do like how many Hifiman boxes will provide a neat way of using the packaging as a headphone stand and the Ananda Stealth is one of those models:

Build quality is solid with the stealth magnet array behind the grille, soft pads, and the distinctive HIFIMAN oval cups:

Overall, the Ananda Stealth is a solid build, with a nice, clean finish:

Fit and Comfort

The Stealth is light and easy-wearing, with a stable clamp and breathable pads.

As I mentioned, the headband design is a bit different from the Edition XS and may actually be more comfortable for some head shapes:

IMO, This design is definitely better for multi-hour sessions to reduce heat and fatigue, though the new Edition XV and Ananda Unveiled have possibly an even better design. I know many people use Capra Straps with their Edition XS to improve this area of comfort with those headphones.

Here is what the Ananda looks like on a head:

	ananda_stealth_onhead

Overall: Similar comfort to the Edition XS, great for larger heads but with a subjectively better headband.

Sound Impressions

I listened to the Ananda Stealth with several different sources including the FiiO K17, Topping DX5 II, Burson Playmate 3, and the Aune N7. While the K17 was my primary source for this review due to its neutral transparency, I’ll be referencing the Ananda’s performance with these other amplifiers in upcoming reviews.

Bass

A small but meaningful bump in weight versus Edition XS. Sub-bass is present and controlled; mid-bass carries punch without bloom. The Stealth’s bass is what nudges it into “better than XS” territory for many genres.

The real achievement of the Stealth’s bass response is how it adds just enough extra weight and impact without sacrificing the planar speed and control that HIFIMAN is known for. The “Stealth Magnet” design seems to deliver on its promise of reducing turbulence, as bass notes have a remarkably clean attack and decay. This gives rhythm sections a satisfying solidity while maintaining excellent definition between bass guitar and kick drum, even in dense mixes.

When listening to electronic music with complex layered bass elements, the Stealth reproduces the subtle textural differences between synthesizer patches that can sometimes get homogenized with lesser headphones. The sub-bass extension is particularly impressive for an open-back design, delivering those lowest octaves with authority but never overwhelming the rest of the frequency range. There’s a natural warmth to the bass that makes acoustic instruments like double bass and cello sound rich and resonant rather than thin.

Tracks:

• Massive Attack – Angel: the drop has more authority than XS while staying tight. The layered bass textures in the intro build progressively without bleeding into one another, and when the beat drops, there’s satisfying impact without any bloat.
• Hans Zimmer – Why So Serious?: low synth textures are well layered without smear. The gradual intensification throughout the track remains coherent even as the bass energy increases dramatically.
• Billie Eilish – Oxytocin: The throbbing electronic bass line maintains its rhythmic drive and impact throughout, with excellent tactile sensation on the deeper notes that many headphones miss entirely.

Midrange

Open, neutral-leaning mids with natural vocal positioning. Instruments have good body and separation; there’s no shoutiness. Compared to Nano, the Stealth is a touch warmer through the presence region, which many will find more forgiving across varied masters.

The Stealth’s midrange strikes a delicate balance that manages to be both revealing and forgiving simultaneously. Male vocals have just enough chest resonance to sound full-bodied without becoming congested, while female vocals maintain clarity without thinness or stridency. This is where the Stealth differs most noticeably from the Nano – it has a slightly more relaxed upper midrange that makes longer listening sessions effortless across a wide range of recordings.

Instrumental reproduction is particularly impressive with acoustic instruments. Guitar strums have natural body and proper string-to-string separation, pianos maintain their complex harmonic structure, and woodwinds convey the right amount of breathiness without becoming harsh. This midrange performance makes the Stealth exceptionally versatile across genres – classical orchestral pieces benefit from the clear separation between sections, while rock bands sound cohesive rather than disjointed.

What’s particularly noteworthy is how the Stealth handles dense, complex arrangements. Even with multiple vocal harmonies layered over a full band, you can follow individual elements without them becoming muddled together. This midrange clarity contributes significantly to the Stealth’s impressive soundstage, creating a sense of space between instruments that feels natural rather than artificially etched.

Tracks:

• Adele – Hello: vocals sit forward enough without edge. Her powerful dynamic shifts maintain their emotional impact without becoming uncomfortable during crescendos.
• Fleetwood Mac – Dreams: guitars and vocals balance cleanly. The multiple layers of Lindsey Buckingham’s guitar work remain distinct, while Stevie Nicks’ voice floats perfectly above the instrumental backing.
• London Grammar – Hey Now: Hannah Reid’s haunting vocals retain their full emotional resonance and texture, while the delicate instrumental backdrop maintains perfect separation rather than congealing into an indistinct wash.

Treble

Smooth, extended, and detailed, with a slightly softer “air” than the Nano but zero grain. Cymbal sheen is convincing, and long sessions are fatigue-free. If you want maximum sparkle, the Nano has a hair more top-end air; if you want easy listening, the Stealth’s treble is perfect.

The Stealth’s treble presentation represents perhaps its most pragmatic tuning decision. It delivers excellent detail and extension without ever becoming aggressive or fatiguing. This makes it particularly well-suited for longer listening sessions where more energetic treble tunings might eventually cause listener fatigue. Cymbals and hi-hats have natural metallic sheen and realistic decay without any artificial emphasis of their initial transients.

Where the Stealth really shines is in its handling of complex high-frequency content. Orchestral string sections maintain their harmonic richness without tipping into harshness during intense passages. Similarly, massed brass instruments retain their characteristic bite without becoming strident. This forgiving yet detailed treble allows you to listen deeper into recordings without being distracted by any treble peaks.

The slightly more relaxed treble (compared to the Nano) also has practical benefits for everyday listening. It’s more forgiving of less-than-perfect recordings and streaming compression artifacts, making the Stealth an excellent all-purpose headphone that can handle your entire music library rather than just your audiophile test tracks. This doesn’t mean it’s dark or rolled off – there’s still plenty of sparkle and air when the recording contains it.

Tracks:

• Bill Evans – Waltz for Debby: cymbal decay sounds natural and unforced. The brushwork and delicate cymbal touches have lifelike texture and dimensionality that create a convincing impression of the recording space.
• The Police – Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic: hi-hats are crisp without splash. Stewart Copeland’s intricate cymbal work remains articulate throughout without dominating the mix or becoming fatiguing.
• Diana Krall – Peel Me A Grape: The delicate brush work and subtle cymbal accents have proper weight and texture, revealing the fine details of stick articulation without overemphasizing them.

Soundstage & Imaging

Stage is wide and stable with good depth layering. Imaging is precise with excellent center lock. Versus XS, there’s a sense of more solidity and control; versus Nano, the Stealth trades a sliver of “air” for a touch more body.

The Stealth creates an expansive, three-dimensional soundstage that extends comfortably beyond the physical boundaries of the headphone. What’s particularly impressive is how it maintains precise instrument placement within this large space – instruments and vocals occupy specific, stable positions rather than vaguely existing somewhere in the stereo field. This precise imaging contributes significantly to the Stealth’s ability to handle complex musical arrangements.

The depth layering is particularly noteworthy. With well-recorded material, you can easily perceive the front-to-back positioning of different elements, creating a convincing illusion of three-dimensional space. This is especially apparent with orchestral recordings, where the different sections maintain their proper spatial relationships. The center image is rock-solid, with vocals and centrally-panned instruments appearing precisely between your ears rather than vaguely floating somewhere in the middle.

Compared to the Edition XS, the Stealth’s imaging is more precise and controlled, with better definition of individual sound sources within the stage. Compared to the Nano, the Stealth sacrifices a small amount of extreme top-end “air” in exchange for a more coherent, embodied presentation. This trade-off contributes to the Stealth’s more natural, relaxed listening experience without significantly compromising its technical performance.

Binaural recordings and well-mixed live albums particularly showcase the Stealth’s spatial capabilities, creating a convincing sense of being present at the performance. Gaming and movie watching also benefit from the precise directional cues and expansive stage, making the Stealth a versatile all-rounder for various media beyond just music listening.

Comparisons

I mainly compared the Stealth to the Ananda Nano, but I also included a comparison to the Edition XS and Meze 105 Silva:

Ananda Stealth vs. Ananda Nano Detailed Comparison

1. Driver and Magnet Assembly

   • Ananda Stealth
     • Uses HIFIMAN’s “Stealth Magnet” design, which has rounded edges to reduce turbulence in airflow.
     • Diaphragm is slightly thicker than the Nano’s.
   • Ananda Nano
     • Uses an updated “Nanometer” diaphragm — thinner than the one in the Stealth.
     • Employs a conventional magnet array (not stealth magnets).

   → The diaphragm and magnet structure are the primary internal physical difference.

2. Weight

   • Stealth: ~440 g
   • Nano: ~419 g

   The Nano is marginally lighter (about 20 g), mainly due to the thinner diaphragm and slightly different magnet assembly.

3. Pads and Headband

   • Both share the same “window shade” grilles, hybrid pads (leatherette with fabric face), and the newer-style headband with a wider strap.
   • Pad thickness, shape, and attachment method are essentially identical.

4. Cups and Frame

   • Cup shape and dimensions are the same.
   • Finish differs slightly:
     • Stealth: subtle metallic sheen on the yokes and grille.
     • Nano: more matte, slightly darker accents.

5. Cables and Accessories

   • Both use 3.5 mm dual-entry connectors at the cups.
   • The Nano comes with a nice carry case while the Stealth has that foam headphone stand.

Both of these headphones are mostly identical as far as the physical design and comfort:

Other Comparisons

• Edition XS ($239): similar balance and comfort; Stealth adds a bit more bass presence and slightly tidier transients. If you loved XS and want a gentle upgrade without altering the core sound, Stealth is the move.
• Meze 105 Silva ($499): Far better build quality, similar comfort but the Ananda has the Silva beat in bass and treble performance.

Specifications and Measurements

Specifications

Measurements

These measurements were taken on my KB501X soft ear pinna and are availalbe here.

Let’s start with the Frequency Response, and it is an almost perfect match for the Harman 2018 target with linear bass:

I highlighted (1) the typical FR trick to enhance the soundstage that many Hifiman headphones and the Sennheiser HD800s do to enhance the soundstage.

Next, let’s compare the frequency response between Ananda Stealth and Ananda Nano:

So, in this graph, even though the headphones are very similar, I did highlight some features which I thought might be interesting. So (1) shows that my stealth has slightly more linear bass than the Nano and then the Nano has slightly more treble in some areas (2) than the Stealth.

Adding the Edition XS to this graph shows some other telling differences:

I hightlighted a few more areas of interest in this graph. So the subbass (1) on both the stealth and the nano is slightly better than the XS. The Stealth and the XS have more linear bass than the Nano (2). The midrange is very subtly different between these headphones (3), which I feel is interesting for those subjective differences. The treble (4) is slightly more on the Nano than either the Stealth or the XS. Then finally, the upper treble is very similar on these headphones (5).

Since I was also listening to the Meze 105 Silva during this review period I thought it was interesting how similar some aspects of the Frequency Response between the Ananda Stealth and the Meze 105 Silva are:

The 105 Silva being a dynamic driver, does lack some of the linear bass of the Ananda and the XS. But shares some of that “soundstage” tuning of both headphones (2) and (3) but ultimately the Silva also lacks the more refined treble of both Hifiman headphones (4).

Next, some distortion measurements for Ananda Stealth:

Nothing to see as far as distortion goes as it is excellent.

Also, just looking at the distortion percentage for Ananda Stealth it less than 2.0% so nothing to worry about and easy to EQ should you want to:

Rating Explanation

I have given the Stealth a very pragmatic rating of 5/5 as I feel it is exceptional value at the now new price. The different headband and the slightly better bass response compared to Edition XS make the Stealth an outstanding alternative if you’re shopping in this price range. If you already have an Edition XS I would not buy it as the differences are subtly but if you were interested in wondering why audiophiles love the ‘Egg shaped’ Hifiman headphone I think the Stealth is a great first choice.

It balances musicality, comfort, and price better than almost anything near $300.

Ideal for:

• Listeners who want a touch more bass authority than Edition XS without losing balance
• Long-session listeners who value comfort and smooth treble
• Buyers looking for an “endgame” sound under $300

Trade-offs:

• Basic accessories
• If you crave maximum treble air, the Nano has a slight edge
• if you crave a more relaxed treble, the new Edition XV might be the better choice

Conclusion

The Ananda Stealth is the perfectly pragmatic middle ground between the Edition XS and the Ananda Unveiled. It keeps the Ananda house sound, adds a hint more low-end weight, and arrives at a sensational price. For most people considering the HIFIMAN lineup in 2025, this is the one to buy.

Both the Ananda Stealth and Ananda Nano are incredible headphones, like their sibling the Edition XS, but I feel the Ananda Stealth is now the most pragmatic headphone in the range. It still has that amazing soundstage of the Edition XS (possibly even slightly better) but with arguably more comfortable earpads and headband and better subbass.

It will be interesting to ultimately compare these headphones with the newer Edition XV and Ananda Unveiled, but at the current pricing I think the Ananda Stealth is the best choice for those on a budget.