Focal Hadenys vs HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth

Short answer: the Focal Hadenys. Both are rated 4.2/5 for sound quality (#31 and #30 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Focal Hadenys costs $749 against $949 for the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.

The case for the Focal Hadenys: In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 87 with only 1.73 dB of deviation, so its tonal balance is among the closest to what most listeners prefer. The tradeoff: A 9.6 dB dip near 9.7 kHz softens cymbal shimmer and sibilance, so the top end can sound slightly muted.

What the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth does well: Planar magnetic drivers deliver a preference score of 87 with bass from 60 to 200 Hz about 1 dB above target and sub-bass only about 2 dB light, so low end has solid weight and extension. The tradeoff: The treble is uneven, with an 8 dB dip near 9.4 kHz followed by a 7 dB peak near 11.9 kHz and air above 10 kHz about 5 dB over target.

Buy the Focal Hadenys. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $200 less than the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth.

Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

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How HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth compares with other leading options:

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• Audeze LCD-XC vs HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth
• HEDD Audio D1 vs HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth
• HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth vs HIFIMAN HE6se V2
• HIFIMAN HE600 vs Focal Hadenys

Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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The Two Headphones In Full

Focal Hadenys: $749.00 B&H Photo Video eBay

Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement it earns a preference score of 87 with only 1.73 dB of deviation, so its tonal balance is among the closest to what most listeners prefer. Every band from sub-bass to treble stays within about 1 dB of target, with sub-bass just 1.1 dB short at 30 Hz, giving full, extended bass without bloat. At 26 ohms and 100 dB/mW it plays loud from a phone or dongle, and 294 g is light for an open-back over-ear.

Cons: A 9.6 dB dip near 9.7 kHz softens cymbal shimmer and sibilance, so the top end can sound slightly muted. The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise, which rules it out for commuting or shared offices. The Audeze LCD-XC is rated a step higher, though it costs more.

Full Focal Hadenys review and specifications →

Released	May 2024 (2 years ago)
Back	Open
Built-in Microphone	No
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	1.73 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 40mm dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	25Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	87 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	26 ohms
Sensitivity	100 dB/mW
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.1 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-0.37 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.6 lbs (294 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -3.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+6.3 dB	0.70
Peak	53 Hz	-6.4 dB	0.50
Peak	432 Hz	+1.5 dB	2.45
Peak	2,376 Hz	+3.1 dB	3.04
Peak	3,557 Hz	-3.5 dB	4.37
High shelf	10,000 Hz	+0.4 dB	0.70
Peak	1,095 Hz	-0.9 dB	2.21
Peak	4,998 Hz	+2.0 dB	5.07
Peak	6,125 Hz	-2.2 dB	6.00
Peak	654 Hz	+0.5 dB	2.56

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Focal Hadenys (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Focal Hadenys vs HEDD Audio D1
  • Focal Hadenys vs HIFIMAN HE600
  • Focal Hadenys vs HIFIMAN HE6se V2
  • Focal Hadenys vs HIFIMAN Arya Organic

HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth: $949.00 Amazon eBay

Pros: Planar magnetic drivers deliver a preference score of 87 with bass from 60 to 200 Hz about 1 dB above target and sub-bass only about 2 dB light, so low end has solid weight and extension. A 32 ohm impedance is easy to drive, although the 93 dB sensitivity still rewards a capable amp. Its rating matches the Sennheiser HD 800 S at a lower price.

Cons: The treble is uneven, with an 8 dB dip near 9.4 kHz followed by a 7 dB peak near 11.9 kHz and air above 10 kHz about 5 dB over target. That gives a sparkly, somewhat bright top end that can sound splashy or sibilant on certain recordings. At 458 g it is heavy for long sessions, and the open back leaks sound.

Full HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth review and specifications →

Back	Open
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.10 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Planar magnetic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	87 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	32 ohms
Sensitivity	93 dB
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.0 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	+0.04 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	1 lbs (458 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -5.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+5.7 dB	0.70
Peak	1,887 Hz	+5.8 dB	2.36
Peak	74 Hz	-2.9 dB	0.36
Peak	2,903 Hz	-4.1 dB	3.38
Peak	5,261 Hz	-2.4 dB	4.29
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-5.5 dB	0.70
Peak	994 Hz	-1.1 dB	2.91
Peak	646 Hz	+0.7 dB	2.43
Peak	244 Hz	-0.4 dB	1.71
Peak	135 Hz	+0.3 dB	1.72

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth vs HEDD Audio D1
  • HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth vs Audeze LCD-XC
  • HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth vs HIFIMAN HE6se V2
  • HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth vs Dan Clark Audio Noire X