Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
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473
reviews
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Style: Over-ear, open-back, circumaural design
- Driver Size / Transducers: 66 mm planar magnetic
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – beyond audible range
- Impedance: 29 Ω
- THD (Total Harmonic Distortion): < 0.1%
- Weight: 550 – 615 g (dependent on materials and finish)
- Earpads: Oversized, sustainable leather-free with soft fabric inner face
- Cable: 8 ft (2.44 m), 1/4 in termination
- Case: Pelican-style hard shell case with EVA foam insert and additional space for accessories
Description
The 473 is an open-back over-ear planar magnetic headphone featuring large 66 mm drivers, very low distortion (<0.1% THD), moderate impedance at 29 Ω, and premium build materials including sustainable leather-free oversized earpads. It includes an 8′ 1/4-inch cable and a rugged hard-shell case.
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Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
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MPL-0
- Positioning: An affordable planar magnetic headphone that offers a unique maple wood enclosure and refined acoustic performance.
- Description: Features a proprietary diaphragm tensioning technique with damping that delivers a warm, detailed sound ideal for small rooms and casual listening. Compared to the other models with nearly identical core specs, it targets buyers looking for budget-friendly design with distinct maple aesthetics rather than extra high-end functionalities.
386
- Positioning: A high-end model in the series that presents advanced planar performance in a classic open-back design.
- Description: Uses 66mm planar magnetic drivers housed in a pelican-style hard shell case that enhances sound accuracy. When compared to the MPL-0 and others, it appeals to buyers who favor robust build quality and detailed audio performance.
431
- Positioning: A premium option that integrates the same planar technology in a uniquely styled series offering.
- Description: Maintains the standard 66mm driver and open-back configuration in a design that emphasizes a balanced blend of technical precision and visual appeal. In contrast to the earlier models, it is aimed at users who desire a compromise between affordability and a more distinct build style.
528
- Positioning: A premium model featuring the familiar 66mm planar magnetic system with subtle design refinements.
- Description: Its optimized driver implementation ensures consistently detailed sound reproduction in everyday and specialized use cases. Compared to the 386 and 431, it caters to buyers looking for reliable performance with high functionality, balancing premium build quality with standard technical features.
473
- Positioning: The flagship option in the lineup that embodies the ultimate planar magnetic experience with refined details.
- Description: Incorporates the same 66mm planar magnetic technology and meticulously selected materials to deliver superior sonic clarity for critical, spacious listening situations. Relative to the other models in the series, it represents the pinnacle of build quality, soundstage, and performance capabilities.
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Avg. Product Price
$2,501-$5,000
Used For Sale
0
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
790
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
16
Founding Year
2019
Our take on the brand
Rosson is a boutique hifi headphone brand that hand-builds everything in-house in California. Customers can commission fully custom looks and request personalized sound tuning. The brand also offers an uncommon modular upgrade path for existing owners, including resin ring swaps and conversion kits.
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Rosson
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What if you spend more?
HIFIMAN
Susvara Unveiled
8000
8000
/
12
Reviews
HIFIMAN is a hifi brand known for its planar magnetic headphones that use extremely thin diaphragms and acoustically transparent "Stealth Magnets" to reduce sound distortion. The company pioneered high-resolution portable audio players and creates electrostatic headphones that bring high-end sound quality to more accessible price points, as well as widely renowned flagship models such as the Susvara.
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Product Strengths
- Outstanding sound quality with clarity, texture, and detail
- Natural sound provides a you-are-there presence
- Improved microdynamics make them quick and fast
- Easier to drive than the original Susvara due to a changed metal trace on the diaphragm
- Very comfortable, with good weight distribution
- Driver is exposed, making it vulnerable to damage
Product Considerations
- Can be unforgiving on poor recordings
- Lacks soundstage depth and layering compared to some competitors
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Mesa Elite: The Mesa Elite offers greater bass weight and depth in the soundstage
- Vs Audeze LCD-5: The LCD-5 provides more insight into the music, but the Susvara Unveiled excels in reproducing the attack and energy of plucked strings and in bass reproduction
- Vs Focal Utopia 2022: The Utopia balances everything well—tonality, punch, detail, staging—however both have a little edginess from the treble
- Vs HiFiMan HE1000 Unveiled: The HE1000 is brighter and seems a little faster and more detailed, but the Susvara Unveiled is smoother
- Vs Original Susvara: The Unveiled model is more agile and lively, with added energy, clarity, and upper-treble extension, and the original is more laid back
Takeaway: The Susvara Unveiled provides detail and resolution that one has likely never heard before, making them astonishing headphones. If the priority is a reference-style tuning for orchestral music with excellent balance, scale, and tonal response, these headphones can provide a massive sonic treat.
Video review
Our take on the brand
HIFIMAN is a hifi brand known for its planar magnetic headphones that use extremely thin diaphragms and acoustically transparent "Stealth Magnets" to reduce sound distortion. The company pioneered high-resolution portable audio players and creates electrostatic headphones that bring high-end sound quality to more accessible price points, as well as widely renowned flagship models such as the Susvara.
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RAAL-requisite
Immanis
9460
9460
/
7
Reviews
RAAL-requisite pioneered the world's first full-range true-ribbon headphones with their SR1a, which uses corrugated aluminum ribbons clamped only at the ends and floats freely outside the ear without cups to create a speaker-like soundstage. The brand's extreme low-impedance ribbons require specialised interface units to be run inbetween the amplifier and headphones.
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Product Strengths
- Offers a combination of electrostatic resolution with dynamic timbre and planar bass extension, delivering the 'best of all worlds'
- The build quality is superb, with premium materials and craftsmanship that surpass competitors
- Delivers perfectly extended bass with a planar-like slam, with detail, texture, and physicality
- Has a wide soundstage with excellent imaging that creates a holographic feeling of voices and instruments, with a true 360-degree experience
- Very comfortable to wear, despite being somewhat heavy, with good weight distribution and no hot spots
Product Considerations
- Requires a powerful headphone amp to get the most out of it, due to the need for a current drive interface/transformer
- The weight (610g) may be a concern for some users, though the weight is distributed well
- Some vocalists, particularly some female vocalists, may sound more distant than desired
- Bad mastered songs tend to immediately show problems
- Frequency response is dependent on synergy with the amplifier
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs HIFIMAN Susvara, it combines the weight of the original Susvara with the soundstage and resolution improvements of the Susvara Unveiled—more power is needed
- Vs Abyss 1266, it has more body of sound, smoother highs, and tighter, more natural bass, while the Abyss has a wider soundstage, better positioning, and more bass impact
- Vs Dan Clark Audio Stealth, it has a wider soundstage and feels more effortless, and is more open, while the Stealth is closed, has more bass quantity, and a more pleasing treble
- Vs RAAL-requisite CA-1A, it improves upon the CA-1A in terms of body of sound, bass, and timbre, while remaining comfortable, and the CA-1A has a lighter and more forward soundstage
Takeaway: The Immanis is an exceptional headphone that blends various sonic qualities together, boasting great build quality and an immersive sound experience. With the right equipment to support it, one can enjoy a detailed and spacious sound that makes it a top contender in the flagship headphone market.
Video review
Our take on the brand
RAAL-requisite pioneered the world's first full-range true-ribbon headphones with their SR1a, which uses corrugated aluminum ribbons clamped only at the ends and floats freely outside the ear without cups to create a speaker-like soundstage. The brand's extreme low-impedance ribbons require specialised interface units to be run inbetween the amplifier and headphones.
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Spirit Torino
Pulsar
6000
6000
/
2
Reviews
Spirit Torino is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered the Twin Pulse Isobaric System, which uses two synchronized drivers working as one to deliver speaker-like dynamics and weight uncommon in headphones. The brand follows an "inertial frame" philosophy with heavy, mass-loaded aluminum shells and user-tunable mechanical filters that allow listeners to adjust sound signatures without EQ.
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Video review
Our take on the brand
Spirit Torino is a hifi headphone brand that pioneered the Twin Pulse Isobaric System, which uses two synchronized drivers working as one to deliver speaker-like dynamics and weight uncommon in headphones. The brand follows an "inertial frame" philosophy with heavy, mass-loaded aluminum shells and user-tunable mechanical filters that allow listeners to adjust sound signatures without EQ.
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RAAL-requisite
Magna
7569
7569
/
1
Reviews
RAAL-requisite pioneered the world's first full-range true-ribbon headphones with their SR1a, which uses corrugated aluminum ribbons clamped only at the ends and floats freely outside the ear without cups to create a speaker-like soundstage. The brand's extreme low-impedance ribbons require specialised interface units to be run inbetween the amplifier and headphones.
Expand Details
Video review
Our take on the brand
RAAL-requisite pioneered the world's first full-range true-ribbon headphones with their SR1a, which uses corrugated aluminum ribbons clamped only at the ends and floats freely outside the ear without cups to create a speaker-like soundstage. The brand's extreme low-impedance ribbons require specialised interface units to be run inbetween the amplifier and headphones.
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What competes at this price?
Austrian Audio
The Composer
2699
/
Released
2024
The Composer is a premium reference headphone designed for connoisseurs and professionals to hear their music in its finest form. These headphones deliver spacious yet precise high frequencies and faithful and swift bass impulses at remarkably low THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) levels, ensuring an incredibly revealing listening journey that sets new standards in high-end listening.
Austrian Audio, founded by the former AKG Vienna core team, manufactures its own ceramic CKR12 capsules and Hi-X headphone drivers in-house in Vienna. Their capsule consistency is so precise that any two microphones can be used as a stereo pair without matching. The brand's microphones feature unique tech, including dual-output mode for reshaping polar patterns in post-production, and real-time wireless polar pattern control via Bluetooth.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Built with premium, high-quality, sturdy materials with a solid feel
- Very comfortable and relatively lightweight, suitable for long listening sessions
- Easy to drive with low impedance and reasonable sensitivity
- Delivers a reference-grade sense of clarity, balance, and vast soundstage
- Excellent instrument separation and imaging
- Easy to drive with low impedance and reasonable sensitivity
Product Considerations
- Some reviewers found the range of headband adjustment limited, making it potentially unsuitable for those with smaller heads
- The banana plug cable connectors are proprietary, limiting third-party cable options
- The stock cable is acceptable, but not particularly premium feeling
- The bass is a little lightweight and might require EQ adjustment for some listeners
- A dip at 2kHz was noted by some reviewers
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Sennheiser HD800S: The Composer has better bass extension, but the HD800S has better resolution and detail
- Vs HIFIMAN Arya/HE1000 series: The Composer sounds more natural than some HIFIMAN planars, and it may have greater bass depth
- Vs Meze Audio Empyrean II: The Composer goes deeper in the soundstage, with better layering and more sub-bass presence, but the Empyrean II is softer and more relaxed
- Vs ZMF Outure Classic: The Composer has better bass response but is smoother and more tame in the treble
Takeaway: The Austrian Audio Composer is a well-built, comfortable, and easy-to-drive headphone with a balanced, clear, and detailed sound signature. It offers a reference quality that can be great for critical listening and casual enjoyment.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Austrian Audio, founded by the former AKG Vienna core team, manufactures its own ceramic CKR12 capsules and Hi-X headphone drivers in-house in Vienna. Their capsule consistency is so precise that any two microphones can be used as a stereo pair without matching. The brand's microphones feature unique tech, including dual-output mode for reshaping polar patterns in post-production, and real-time wireless polar pattern control via Bluetooth.
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Abyss
Diana MR
2995
/
Released
2023
DIANA MR headphones are designed to connect those who appreciate top shelf headphone sound with a minor focus on midrange and vocals. ABYSS developed this highly refined full-range planar headphone with ultra low distortion and smooth addictive clarity to sound. A relatively low 30 ohm impedance works well with low voltage portable battery operated gear as well as higher power desktop electronics, extracting excellent resolution while still sounding lush in the bass.
Abyss is a hifi headphone brand that uses a patented single-sided planar-magnetic driver architecture and machines all-aluminum chassis with foamed-aluminum acoustics in their New York facility, targeting a "speakers-in-room" sound rather than typical headphone presentation. The brand offers granular fit adjustments through magnetic pad systems and interchangeable acoustic pads that allow owners to intentionally shift tonal balance, supported by a 10-year warranty and vertical integration from driver production to final assembly.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers a beautifully smooth and refreshingly beefy tuning compared to previous Diana headphones
- The most comfortable planar magnetic set of cans ever worn
- Build quality is very impressive
- Good mid-range
Product Considerations
- Needs additional padding for optimal scalp comfort
- Treble can become problematic
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Diana MR most remind reviewer of a super version of the HIFIMAN Edition XS
- Spatial presentation is better from the HIFIMAN HE1000SE, and the midrange is better balanced as well
Takeaway: The Diana MR is the most accessible set of high-end open-back planar headphones to date from Abyss. It is a fun and impressive listen.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Abyss is a hifi headphone brand that uses a patented single-sided planar-magnetic driver architecture and machines all-aluminum chassis with foamed-aluminum acoustics in their New York facility, targeting a "speakers-in-room" sound rather than typical headphone presentation. The brand offers granular fit adjustments through magnetic pad systems and interchangeable acoustic pads that allow owners to intentionally shift tonal balance, supported by a 10-year warranty and vertical integration from driver production to final assembly.
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final
D8000 Pro Edition
4799
/
Released
2019
Introducing the D8000 Pro Edition high end headphones bestseller. Leaving the delicate sound quality intact, we have tuned D8000 using the Air Film Damping System (AFDS) exclusively for professional use upon the request of recording engineers who wish to listen at louder sound volumes than ordinary consumers. The human auditory characteristic by which low frequency range becomes easier to hear as sound volume increases has also been taken into consideration. As a result, in comparison to the D8000 which is suitable particularly for classical music and other selections featuring a wide dynamic range, the D8000 Pro Edition provides sound quality perceived to be of higher clarity when listening to rock, pops and other selections that feature a narrow dynamic range.
Final is a hifi audio brand known for deep in-house manufacturing control by designing and building its own diaphragm-forming machines and assembly jigs, while engineering products like their D-series headphones for longevity through screw-fastened parts that enable user repairs and future upgrades.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent bass reproduction with well-textured low tones, exceptional definition, articulation, and clean, nuanced deep sub-bass extension.
- Detail retrieval and image clarity are remarkably good, competing with some of the very best headphones in the summit category.
- Outstanding build quality, featuring a precisely machined aluminum-magnesium alloy chassis, conveys sturdiness and care in assembly.
- The new pads are made from Toray Ultrasuede and are deeper and marginally firmer than the original memory foam cushions.
- Easy to drive, with 60-ohm impedance and 98 dB sensitivity.
Product Considerations
- A bit scooped out in the two kilohertz to three kilohertz range, almost like the ear gain has been taken and moved upwards in the frequency spectrum a bit.
- Comfort can be an issue, due to the circular earcups not fitting larger ears well and the headband lacking sufficient padding for the headphone's weight.
- The stock cable with the quarter-inch termination is heavy, potentially dragging the headphone down uncomfortably.
- The proprietary 3.5mm connectors with locking mechanisms can make finding aftermarket cables difficult.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the HIFIMAN Susvara, the Susvara is lighter, more comfortable, and also has better detail retrieval.
- Compared to the Audeze LCD4, the Final Audio D8000 Pro competes in many of the technical aspects that really matter, like detail.
Takeaway: The D8000 Pro is a well-built, detailed headphone with exceptional bass and a unique planar sound signature, perfect for audiophiles who want something different from standard planar sound profiles. Its high level of detail and solid dynamics create an engaging listening experience for those who appreciate nuanced sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Final is a hifi audio brand known for deep in-house manufacturing control by designing and building its own diaphragm-forming machines and assembly jigs, while engineering products like their D-series headphones for longevity through screw-fastened parts that enable user repairs and future upgrades.
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final
D8000 Pro Limited Edition
4499
/
Released
2022
Introducing the Limited Model of the highly acclaimed flagship planar magnetic headphones, D8000 Pro Edition. To mark the year when we entered a new phase in our ongoing efforts for research and development, and in the pursuit of sound quality with the latest technologies, we are releasing a Limited Model of our flagship D8000 Pro Edition headphones, with a new stylish finishing concept and further upgrades.
Final is a hifi audio brand known for deep in-house manufacturing control by designing and building its own diaphragm-forming machines and assembly jigs, while engineering products like their D-series headphones for longevity through screw-fastened parts that enable user repairs and future upgrades.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Natural sound, evoking a dynamic driver sound but with planar magnetic performance
- Excellent resolution, while maintaining smooth treble
- Holographic stereo image, which contributes to its lifelike character
- Good layering and separation of instruments
- Incredibly wide and tall soundstage, providing a very dynamic experience
Product Considerations
- Bass extension is not spectacular, with noticeable roll-off below 50Hz, and can be a bit soft without great impact for some listeners
- Can tend towards sibilance on some signal chains
- Overall presentation is amp sensitive, and can vary the experience significantly
- The D8000 Pro Limited Edition can be finicky, and requires careful signal chain pairing to achieve the best sound
- May slightly lack the charisma that one looks for in a more expressive or musical headphone
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs. Dan Clark Audio Expanse: The D8000 Pro LE has a more natural sounding bass and tighter attack on drums, while the Expanse has more bass emphasis and a wider soundstage
Takeaway: The Final Audio D8000 Pro Limited Edition provides a thrilling and engaging listening experience with its natural sound and incredible detail. It could be a worthwhile addition to a collection for listeners who appreciate acoustic music and a highly immersive soundstage.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Final is a hifi audio brand known for deep in-house manufacturing control by designing and building its own diaphragm-forming machines and assembly jigs, while engineering products like their D-series headphones for longevity through screw-fastened parts that enable user repairs and future upgrades.
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HIFIMAN
HE1000 Unveiled
2699
/
Released
2024
HE1000 UNVEILED — HIFIMAN’s flagship planar magnetic headphones with grille-free transparency and revolutionary sound purity
HIFIMAN is a hifi brand known for its planar magnetic headphones that use extremely thin diaphragms and acoustically transparent "Stealth Magnets" to reduce sound distortion. The company pioneered high-resolution portable audio players and creates electrostatic headphones that bring high-end sound quality to more accessible price points, as well as widely renowned flagship models such as the Susvara.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Improved vocal timbre and texture qualities of certain instrument tones come forward
- Very well-balanced, natural, and surprisingly smooth-sounding
- One of the most consistent headphones in terms of measurements
- Bass is fully extended, almost perfectly flat down to 20Hz, providing all the bass information
- Mid-range is better, with less of a dip around 2kHz compared to previous models
Product Considerations
- Removing the grill exposes the driver, exposing the membrane, which is not ideal, still requiring great care when handling to prevent damage
- There's an excess around 4kHz, which can focus the treble and compress it a little
- It is not as good as what you find with the best planar magnetic headphones for harmonic distortion
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs other HE1000 series: Vocals timbre is significantly improved
- Vs HIFIMAN Arya Stealth: Unveiled's treble response is not quite as peaky
- Vs HIFIMAN HE1000SE: The mid-range is no longer dry, the treble region is no longer peaking
- Vs HIFIMAN Sysvara OG: HE1000 Unveiled's soundstage is more open, more 3D, and deeper
- Vs T+A Solid Therapy: HE1000 Unveiled provides slightly more mid-range energy and a sweeter mid-range in general
Takeaway: The HE1000 Unveiled has great sound and build, and it's more natural and balanced than older models. It’s a great headphone for detail, soundstage, and imaging.
Video review
Our take on the brand
HIFIMAN is a hifi brand known for its planar magnetic headphones that use extremely thin diaphragms and acoustically transparent "Stealth Magnets" to reduce sound distortion. The company pioneered high-resolution portable audio players and creates electrostatic headphones that bring high-end sound quality to more accessible price points, as well as widely renowned flagship models such as the Susvara.
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