HiFiMan has come up with a solution to bypass Bluetooth's limited bandwidth. The new HE1000 WiFi and Arya WiFi receive music signals wirelessly via WiFi, which offers a much higher bandwidth and range than Bluetooth. If WiFi isn't available, there's also Bluetooth and a USB-C port.
Starting next month, HiFiMan will be supplying the open-back HE1000 WiFi headphones and the also open-back Arya WiFi model, both of which feature a built-in WiFi receiver that allows the listener to enjoy full-resolution audio wirelessly.
“The HE1000 WiFi and Arya WiFi headphones combine wideband wireless technology with our premium Hymalaya DAC for sound as detailed and full-bodied as any other headphone in their price range,” said Dr. Fang Bian, founder and CEO of HiFiMan Electronics. “The combination of our proprietary streamer, full-bandwidth Wi-Fi, and the Hymalaya DAC puts them on the same level as complete personal audio systems, offering the freedom to move around without being tethered to a cable.”
Traditional wireless audio is limited by Bluetooth's inherently narrow bandwidth, which is lower than the bitrate of a WAV file, making lossless transfer impossible. HiFiMan's Wi-Fi headphones utilize Wi-Fi technology to transfer music at speeds of up to 633 MB/s, supporting all common lossless formats.
The in-house developed R2R D/A converter is a key component of the headphones' performance. The Himalayan DAC chip delivers truly high sound quality without requiring much power, enabling fast, lossless, full-resolution audio playback in various formats with popular smartphones and tablets.
In addition to WiFi connections, both models also feature Bluetooth 5.1 and a USB-C port for wired connections and charging.
When using both models for the first time, users simply need to open the Wi-Fi network menu on a smartphone or tablet and connect the device to the headphones' dedicated network to enjoy full-resolution audio over the local Wi-Fi network. The sound quality over Wi-Fi is comparable to that of a wired connection. Leading streaming platforms such as Spotify, Qobuz, and others are supported by the HE1000 Wi-Fi and Arya Wi-Fi.
The two models incorporate a host of HIFIMAN's technological innovations, including the Hymalaya R-2R digital-to-analog converter, an integrated chip with 24-bit high-resolution stereo that delivers ultra-low distortion, lightning-fast transient response and a demonstrable improvement in overall sound quality.
Typical of many of the company's recent high-end models, such as the flagship Susvara, the planar drivers of the HE1000 WiFi and Arya WiFi both feature HiFiMan-developed diaphragms, namely the Nano Diaphragm and the Super Nano. These drivers also incorporate HiFiMan's Stealth Magnet technology.
A specially developed Class AB amplifier in the earcups works in tandem with these drivers to produce the headphones' signature high-fidelity sound quality and detailed audio reproduction. The result is acoustically transparent reproduction, drastically reducing wave diffraction and turbulence that can compromise the integrity of sound waves.
“The HE1000 WiFi and Arya WiFi represent a significant new step in the evolution of headphone design,” Dr. Bian added. “Until now, Bluetooth has been the best option for wireless audio, but it's far from perfect. With this new design, music lovers will experience sound quality comparable to component systems, but with the convenience of wireless headphones.”
