HIFIMAN - ANANDA NANO

I have Senn Momentum 4’s which are great wireless, but I just got the Hifiman Ananda Nano’s and they are fantastic. They are open back, so better for listening in a quieter setting. My headphone testing tune is the Opening jam —> China—> Mind left body jam —> Rider on Dick’s Picks 12 (Providence Civic Center 6/26/74 and Boston Garden 6/28/74 . It’s my absolute favorite China Riders partially because it is so crystal clear. The soundstage on the Ananda nano’s is outstanding— you can hear the position of the band on stage, and the clarity is amazing. It’s alot of headphone for 319 right now on Amazon. They are a few years old, but they were 800 or so when they were initially released. They are my end game over the ears (at least for now). I specifically looked for headphones that had the most soundstage because I listen to so much Dead. My listening set up is: ALAC or FLAC from iPhone/iPad/MacBook Pro— Qudelix 5k DAC— Douk audio preamp— Douk audio headphone amp — Ananada’s.

This is a very interesting list. I wonder if some of this has to do with the purpose in which they listen? The susvara is constantly rated high, but I would put that close to the bottom of my list. It just sounded way too dry. The best hifiman I've heard was the nano and arya unveiled.

At that price you can get the Ananda nano from hifiman and you are rolling, they are some of my favorite headphones.

Yeah. Yesterday I listened to my brand new Hifiman Ananda Nano, and my goodness it's a monster when it comes to anything metal related, and it's also good for the rest of my music. The soundstage, bass, and detail is incredible. I just wish the earpads were better shaped, and softer.

I've always listened to my music in other ways, and my headphones were more for on the go, so BT and noise cancelling. My car and home audio setups have always been where I invested. Recently, my old Sony WH1000MX2 headphones I used for gaming fell and broke. So I invested in some Hifiman Ananda Nano's and a Fiio K13 R2R and have been attached to my desk every night for the last week.

The HD 600 aren't great on the bass side of things and you need an amp to run them.

They're not built too well though and the Ananda series has an awkward fit IMO because the earcups don't swivel. Besides, you need an amp to get the most out of them.

You got lucky then, I liked the Ananda Nano a good bit but just couldn't get a proper seal with them. The headband design of the Arya just is a lot better in that regard, if you want to stay within the Hifiman family :)

Ananda Nano or Edition XS to get you into something special with endgame characteristics.

I think the best bang for your bucks might be the Fiio FT1. It is one of the best closed backs overall and it is worth every penny. Open backs that might be worth considering are in the ~200 price ranges. Mostly Sundara, HD600, Edition XS and the Ananda Nano. They differ from technical and tonal perspectives but they are all very good. Among these the HD600 might be the less appropriate for your interests, as it is more of a studio gear must-have rather than an enjoyable product of daily use.

Ananda nano is the correct answer

So last night me and the wife were drinking.. music pumping from my speakers and out kid decided it was bed time.. I gave her some iems to keep the music going, and I busted out my Ananda Nanos.. she had never seen me wear them...and let me tell you.. I must have looked like some type of moron lmfaaaao... the look on her face.. it was almost like dread ahahahah.. but I let her borrow them to try them out, and she immediately was smiling jamming out... she loved the sound.

Hifiman Ananda Nano. I never tire of them. I love the detailed sound. Plenty enough bass for me too. I can listen to them for hours. I find them comfortable too.