Audio Video News

HiFiMan has introduced an open-back, planar-magnetic headphone that boasts a remarkable 103 dB sensitivity, enabling them to be driven by a smartphone and other portable devices.

Dubbed Edition X, the lightweight headphone—it weighs 14 ounces—sells for $1,799 and is said to leverage much of the same technology used in the company’s $3,000 flagship HE1000 headphone, including asymmetrical ear cups, beveled velour ear pads that contour to the shape of the user’s head for comfort, HiFiMan’s patented “window shade” grille design, and an ergonomic headband with perforations to help dissipate heat.

To achieve an optimum balance between high efficiency and high sound quality, the company said it had to design a special double-sided Advanced Asymmetrical Magnetic Circuit. The Edition X includes a “single crystal silver” cable with two plug-in connectors—a 3.5mm mini jack and a phone plug.

“Following up on the wonderful success we have had with HE1000, I wanted to offer a headphone with similar features and performance yet one that would be more portable and not require a large expensive amplifier,” said HiFiMan founder and president Dr. Fang Bian. “With Edition X, we reduced the weight and greatly increased the sensitivity so that it sounds very good off a smartphone.”

For more information, visit hifiman.com.