Hifiman Ananda Nano Review - Bridging the Gap

The Hifiman Ananda Nano is a new $599 (US) headphone that, thanks to a price cut, fills in the spot between the Sundara and the more expensive Arya models. Even considering the Edition XS, the Ananda Nano has some unique tricks up it sleeve to still be worth of consideration.
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Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:56 - Packaging and Accessories
02:56 - Comfort and Build
06:01 - Objective Sound Quality
08:18 - Subjective Sound Quality
12:32 - vs Many Other Headphones
16:58 - Gaming and Movies
19:03 - Source Gear
21:03 - Final Thoughts
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DISCLAIMERS:
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[@pbasparta]

Always a wonderful review when i come to joe's keep it up man

[@GadgetryTech]

Thanks!

[@S.G54321]

With the Ananada Nano, you get 90% of what the Arya Organic has to offer. With a little eq, it bumps up to 92%. The Arya Organic has that little more soundstage, that bit better separation and imaging. That touch more detail and raw resolution. But does that extra 10% - 8% justify an extra $700 USD... Ananda Nano at $599 USD. Arya Organic at $1299 USD. Considering the Nano is performing at a high price, when you compare it to other headphones like the Audeze LCD - X 2021, Focal Clear/MG, Fostex TH909, HD800s, Meze 109 Pro and others costing more. The price to performance is insane. For me personally, I'd take it over most of those headphones. Truly a great treasure what Hifiman done here. Hopefully it pushes companies to give much more for less.

[@LandsPlanes]

Arya Stealth IS better overall than Ananda Nano?

[@alexaxy3328]

How would you eq Ananda nano? I'm thinking of upgrading my Sundara in the future.

[@LandsPlanes]

@@alexaxy3328 natural upgrade of Sundara IS Edition Xs, Ananda Stealth or Arya Stealth. Ananda Nano isnt an Ananda. IS more an "He1000 se lite"

[@Simon_Hawkshaw]

Thank you as always for this 'just-in-time', for me, review. I have been waiting to pull the trigger on the XS, but maybe I need consider this model instead. I have also been waiting for the MM100, but it seems this model is probably the way to go. Your time and efforts are much appreciated, and this set may enhance my COD with EQ over the VZR.

[@ElCid_86]

Same here. What did you decide?

[@Simon_Hawkshaw]

@PShawnFaherty I have put my purchase on hold at the moment. I am enjoying my VZR Model One just fine for Gaming at present and my Dan Clark Aeon for music, so will continue to wait for the MM100s and keep the XS and Ananda on the radar.

[@7in1]

It's an amazing head phone, my heat melts with a joy every time I listen to it

[@falcon7370]

How does something like this compare to the Meze 109 Pro for single player immersive gaming? I do 70% gaming and 30% music , mostly listening hard rock and metal.

[@Ford-wt8rn]

hey found your channel recently and its fantastic, great mix of objective and subjective analysis. What would you recommend as a good mix of sound quality and ANC to double as a gaming headset and something for work? I WFH in a noisy apt and actually have the Barracuda Pros which are great with the ANC but sound like crap when gaming so that feature is pointless with that.

[@user-wv8nn2se6v]

hello mate great vid i was just wondering how does this compare to anando stealth v3 regarding movies and gaming. also could you please suggest some higher end dac/amp

[@thiagotrevisandesouza6895]

A good competitor to the Nano is the Sivga SV023 ( dynamic berilium).

[@dustinmihalcheon5013]

You mentioned different headphones benefiting from high gain despite being lower impedance. I have a Schiit Hel Plus and the Audeze MM-100 primarily for gaming. Would those benefit from high gain?

[@user-qf7bm7wp8i]

Awesome review! Late to the party but can you give me more details between the nano and the Fiio ft5 comparison ? I want to move on from my DT900 pro x because of the clamp pressure and treble, so I’m afraid about picking the nano I’m searching for good bass impact and texture, I think for open backs the planars are the best.

[@chrisbianchi8876]

This is actually the fourth version. There was the original Ananda and two stealth versions

[@GadgetryTech]

I appreciate the callout. I knew of two variants prior to this, but definitely misspoke. Thanks!

[@jeremizii92]

hello Hello, do you have any new settings for the sonar of the nova pro wirlesse?

[@dranek]

How does the sound quality of Ananda Nano compare to the Maxwell? Specifically for listening to more bass-heavy genres.

[@lavxll]

hey oddly specific question but im trying to use my scarlett 2i2 and at2020 xlr mic to talk to my stream but i want to stream from my ps5. im going to be getting an elgato hd60 x capture card as well. hope i explained right so u can answer my question 😂 thank in advance

[@zzinsanezz]

Amazing content! I have a question regarding the Fiio K11. Is it worth getting it while having the Zen Dac 2? Thanks!

[@GadgetryTech]

Thanks so much! To be honest, I don't think you'll hear a massive change in sound quality. The K11 does not color the sound at all, and sounds excellent, but the Zen Dac 2 isn't that bad either.

[@DenofLeos]

Which has more resolution and detail, Stax L300 or Amanda nano ?

[@traaaaan]

This is the 3rd revision. Ananda, Ananda stealth, now Ananda nano.

[@chrisbianchi8876]

There were two versions of the Ananda stealth

[@tgmwright]

4th.

[@alexaxy3328]

​@@chrisbianchi88763 actually

[@mykalmatters8322]

I just ordered the Edition XS to play single player, Open World games with after watching your videos about it. Do you feel there’s a noticeable difference, as far as gaming is concerned, between the Nano and Edition XS? I seem to remember you mentioning that the law of diminishing return kicks in after the Edition XS price point.

[@ramon5914]

Yeah, definetely would like to hear about the difference in gaming between Ananda Nano and Edition XS.

[@chrisasmith75]

The Nano is too bright for gaming. I think the edition xs sounds more organic in games.

[@mykalmatters8322]

@@chrisasmith75 Thank you for the info. The Edition XS are the most expensive headphones I own for gaming at the moment and, I love them. I know high price doesn’t necessarily equate to a better pair of headphones for gaming. At least that’s what I hear from guys like Joe on the Gadgetry Tech KZbin channel. However, one pair im itching to try for gaming are the Meze 109 Pro. $799 is a lot, but I’m considering it. I heard lots of great things about them for both music and gaming. Maybe one day soon. I’ll see. Hope u have a great day. If u have any info on the Meze’s, please feel free to let me know. Thanks.

[@chrisasmith75]

@mykalmatters8322 I did a bit more testing. The nanos are better for gaming hands down for imaging and directional ques. Xs is better balanced with a bit larger soundstage. The nano is really good but really bright

[@mykalmatters8322]

@@chrisasmith75 You’ve pretty much convinced me to add the Nano’s to my list. Joe from Gadgetry Tech has also convinced me to pick up the Audeze MM-100’s for gaming. Although I have the Maxwell’s, I’d like to give the MM-100’s a shot as well. Again Chris, thanks for all the info. I truly appreciate it. Have a good night.

[@wesleyleigh4063]

The OG Ananda for me was perhaps the biggest dissappointment of all the headphones I bought, it was an insta sell after about 2 hours of listening. That said I'm sure Hifiman are capable of a high resolving planar, I do wonder how close this gets to the standard in anything above $1000 these days. Would be good to finally be able to recommend a sub $1000 planar bc right now the field is chalked, deliberately dumbed down even - the only redeemable one I ever did find was the Verum 1.

[@joshuapascoe9139]

I currently have the sounblaster g6. Do you think that would work with it? I’ve read it works better with lower impedance headphones than the gc7 but don’t have any experience with low impedance.

[@belphegor_dev]

Pretty much anything can drive these

[@vittoriojedi]

Arya Stealth or Ananda Nano if I ca get them for the same price? I would use them for games too so I'll need the best imaging and soundstage

[@belphegor_dev]

Arya

[@chrisasmith75]

Can you share your eq?

[@iiag3ntii]

Topping DX3 Pro+ or FiiO K11?

[@GadgetryTech]

That's super tough! Topping gain settings are easier to use. So if you switch between IEMs and Headphones, I would go Topping. If you're okay with one gain setting, I like the K11 a lot!

[@chrisasmith75]

Ananda Nano or Meze 109 pro to compliment Focal Clear OG?

[@GadgetryTech]

Clear OG is SO good. Nano has the ultimate detail retrieval, but is brighter in the treble area. Meze 109 Pro is the most comfortable/gorgeous headphone, with decent bass dynamics too. It too has a stronger treble. I think most people would like all three, but they are different flavors

[@SHORTY-NI]

I hope its ok for me to ask here, but can someone please help me decide on headphones to buy????!!!!! I currently have Logitech G Pro X and I want to upgrade but should I go for: Logitech Pro X V2 Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Astro A50 X Price between these are not an issue. Its just they all have Pros and Cons, but at this point I just want the best headset for gaming (mostly fps but a good amount of story etc) Also please not that Logitech G Hub is hit or miss and Razer Synapse seems to keep improving. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[@Robin-ou1gg]

I think you know these headphones better from the reviews you’ve watched than most people. Personally i would recommend epos as they have clearance sales and great sound quality, audeze maxwell is the best of the best at a really good price. there are of course tons of other options if you’re not limited to gaming headphones. Don’t think you’ll get an answer for your specific options

[@SHORTY-NI]

@Robin-ou1gg I think you might be right. I just have issues on making these decisions and look towards communities, for help to decide. But thanks for the reply and your input!

[@Robin-ou1gg]

@@SHORTY-NI you’re welcome, i know the feeling. I get too caught up in reviews as well, I’m currently unemployed and have been looking at reviews for a month for stuff for a new pc and my setup. Had i just worked for a month longer instead i could’ve bought a prebuilt 4090 pc. Remember that stuff is just stuff and there are other things you would prefer to do than watch reviews :)

[@xVintag3x]

$599? That's wild.

[@GadgetryTech]

Considering it sounds closer to the $1300 Arya Organic, it's actually a decent value lol.

[@xVintag3x]

@GadgetryTech I'm sure. What budget headphones would you recommend for FPS? I feel like all gaming headsets sound the same.

[@znoozaros]

I needed wireless headphones and after a bunch of hifi/studio headphones I've been extremely happy with the hyperx cloud 3 wireless @@xVintag3x

[@Robin-ou1gg]

⁠@@xVintag3xwell what type of games do you play? What do you expect from the headphones? How important is music listening? There are great options at many price points

[@xVintag3x]

@@Robin-ou1gg Shooters.

[@Barnsey87]

It's not cheaper on eBay. ananda is £300-400 nano is £500

[@jeremyoconner603]

*Promo sm*

[@nickdual]

I don't believe in Chinese products. Do you?

[@taidee]

Yes

[@GadgetryTech]

Absolutely. Good products can come from any country or company, big or small.

[@belphegor_dev]

Most of the electronics you buy are made in China.