HIFIMAN is a renowned and trusted brand for planar magnetic headphones. So, our HIFIMAN Audivina Review will look into one of its latest products.
The Audivina headphones feature stunning, closed-back wooden earcups meticulously crafted to offer an expansive and intricate soundstage. HIFIMAN has marketed these as studio headphones, emphasising precision and equilibrium as their defining characteristics.
But based on observation, there is one question that arises: is this essentially a closed-back HE1000? Let us delve into the details and discuss its features, design, functions, and how it performs.
HIFIMAN Audivina Packaging
Our headphones for this HIFIMAN Audivina Review ship in a recycled cardboard box. On its cover, you will see a sleek black strip featuring an illustration of the product with various branding elements. These include NEO Supernano Diaphragm and Stealth Magnets Design.
Inside the box are the following items:
- Audivina Closed-Back Planar Headphone
- 3x Detachable Cables (1x 6.35mm, 1x 3.5mm, and 1x XLR cable)
- Protective Storage Case
- Print Materials
HIFIMAN Audivina Review- Design and Functionality
One of the highlights we noticed while writing this HIFIMAN Audivina Review is its wood-grain-designed ear cups.
These headphones feature a luxuriously smooth and polished finish, giving a premium aesthetic. The ear cups accommodate a unique curved resonance chamber design. HIFIMAN took inspiration from the acoustic architecture of the celebrated Bayreuth Festival Theater in Germany.
At the heart of each ear cup surface is the company logo rendered in a silver metallic hue. Furthermore, the base of each ear cup features 3.5mm female sockets. These ensure a secure connection with the help of detachable cables.
The Audivina headphones feature detachable brown ear pads. These are designed with a protein leather outer layer, while the inner surface that makes contact with your head is fabric.
The plush padding on the ear pads provides a comfortable listening experience, even during extended sessions. Thanks to the hook and loop design, removing and replacing these is a hassle-free task.
Upon removing the ear pad, you will see the HIFIMAN NEO Supernano Diaphragm Planar Magnetic Driver units. These are behind a distinct star-shaped plastic component and adorned with a thin layer of fabric. It protects the delicate NEO Supernano Diaphragm against dust and debris.
Its headband combines plastic, spring steel, and leather, giving the Audivina a sturdy and premium feel.
When we wore it for this HIFIMAN Audivina Review, it was comfortable and had enough clamping force without causing discomfort. Even when wearing it longer, everything felt comfy.
Its headband uses plastic, spring steel, and leather, giving the Audivina a sturdy and premium feel. It also allows it to bend according to your preferences.
When we wore it for this HIFIMAN Audivina Review, it was comfortable and had enough clamping force without discomfort. Everything was comfy even when using it for long hours.
On the right side, near the headband, you will notice the Audivina branding. At the top of the left side, you will see the HIFIMAN Logo. Inside the headband holders, you will find clear markings for the left and right sides.
The brown leather headband features a perforated surface, adding a unique touch to its design.
Key Features of the HIFIMAN Audivina
What makes Audivina an excellent pair of closed-back headphones? We will discuss its features and unique technologies in our HIFIMAN Audivina Review. Learning these details will help you determine if the headphones will meet your needs.
Closed-Back Planar Magnetic
Audivina delivers the excellent broad soundstage of a concert hall with the intimacy and detail of a jazz club. It uses the Stealth Magnet Design, NEO Supernano Diaphragm, and a curved resonance chamber that completes the cutting-edge acoustical design.
The hardwood cavity has an exquisite lacquer, making it feel like jade. Plus, it has naturally formed pores visible through the varnish surface.
Resonance Chamber Design
The resonance chamber draws inspiration from the renowned acoustic architecture of the Bayreuth Festival Theater in Germany. This design incorporates multi-stage attenuation, enhancing listener experience by delivering a broad, detailed soundstage. It retains the audio quality, even within a compact, enclosed space.
The sound follows a circuitous path through the chamber. As a result, this design and travelling sound in an expansive soundstage.
Uniquely Shaped Acoustically Invisible Stealth Magnet
Stealth Magnets, unlike traditional magnets, have a distinctive shape that enables sound waves to pass through without causing interference. The advanced magnet design is acoustically transparent to minimise wave diffraction turbulence that can compromise integrity. With reduced distortion, the Audivina delivers a pure sonic output with accuracy and full range.
NEO Supernano Diaphragm (NsD) – Hear More Details
The new NsD is 80% thinner than the older designs, allowing you to enjoy a more detailed response. It also retains the lush musicality, which was impossible before. What makes this audio quality possible is the nanomaterial used, which is less than 2 microns thick.
Combining the Soundstage of Open-Back Headphones and Precision of Studio Headphones
Many headphones employ a Diffuse-Field design, often resulting in insufficient bass, limiting their use primarily to playback situations.
The full-range output of Audivina removes inward sound and resonance. As a result, it is an excellent alternative to speakers for mixing and mastering.
Recording a chamber string quartet poses significant challenges in the studio. The volume disparity between violins and cello, with the unpredictable nature of the viola, makes achieving a balanced mix challenging. This feature made our recording experiences more enjoyable during our tests for this HIFIMAN Audivina Review.
Fortunately, the broad frequency response and superior dynamics of Audivina make it well-equipped for evaluating mixes. The headphones also aid engineers in achieving precise equalisation and overall presentation of a string quartet.
Specifications
- Headphone Type: Close-Back
- Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 50 kHz
- Impedance: 20Ω
- Sensitivity: 97dB
- Driver Type: Planar Magnetic Driver with NEO Supernano Diaphragm
- Connector Interface: 3.5mm TRRS
- Weight: 470g
Hands-on with the HIFIMAN Audivina
We will share our hands-on experience with the product in this HIFIMAN Audivina Review. We used it for two weeks to see how well it performs.
Since it is an open-sounding and detailed planar headphone, we were impressed by its spacious and expansive presentation. We did not expect this aspect from closed-back headphones, so we appreciate it greatly.
Its stealth magnets technology lives up to its reputation. Its bass response is excellent, while lower tones were strong to maintain linear precision and character.
Because of its closed planar structure, you can enjoy these low tones with exceptional clarity and presence.
What makes this product stand out is how it delivers a level of purity and complexity. These are often present in a closed headphone design.
The midrange offers excellent detail while maintaining a neutral timbre. Although the layers of music are distinct and well-defined, there are instances where Audivina compromises the blending of instruments. It creates a more expansive sense of space, leading to an occasional lack of cohesion.
The midtones are velvety and crisp, conveying plenty of detail. These headphones render natural-sounding instruments beautifully, with remarkable separation and quality.
The classic HIFIMAN signature shines through in the treble of Audivina. It has a top-end that slightly asserts its presence over the bass. As a result, it offers a tonal balance leaning towards the treble.
The Audivina stands out as one of the closed-back headphones with the best soundstage performance and imaging.
These headphones deliver an expansive, detailed, and realistic presentation that enhances the sense of air and space between instruments.
HIFIMAN Audivina Review Summary
The Audivina is another pair of superb headphones from HIFIMAN. During our tests for this HIFIMAN Audivina Review, we enjoyed the pleasant listening experience it delivered. We loved the high level of detail, broad soundstage, and realistic tonality.
One of the best things about these headphones is its unique and stylish design. It offers a rare sonic combination of refinement, openness, and balance. Aside from being stylish, it is comfortable when worn, reflecting the innovation and craftsmanship of HIFIMAN.
We highly recommend this product for anyone wanting a closed-back pair of headphones with a detailed and open sound profile. Learn more about Audivina when visiting the official product page of HIFIMAN.
