Disclaimer:
Hifiman provided me with a review sample of the Hifiman Deva Pro, for which I am grateful!
I’ve been extremely slow in reviewing them this time, but stuff keeps coming to me every week.
After testing some of their TWS, in-ears, and He400s, it’s finally time for the Deva Pro.
I’m going to be as objective as possible, and being a common audio enthusiast, I will use simple words in this review.
I will highlight what I liked and what I didn’t, without any fear.
My review won’t be the most technical you will find online, but I hope you like it.
Tech Specs:
Deva PRO:
- Driver: Planar Neo Supernano Diaphragm
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 93.5db
- Impedance: 18 ohm
- Weight: 360 g
- Input: Standard 3.5 mm TRS. Balanced on Left only when Bluemini inserted in 3.5 mm TTRS)
Bluemini R2R:
- Qualcomm QCC5124
- Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.0
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz
- THD+N (DAC Module): 0.0025%
- SNR: USB 118dB, Bluetooth 97 dB
- Battery Life: 6-7 hours
- Net Weight: 25g
- Codecs: LDAC, aptX-HD, aptX, AAC, SBC
- Transmission: Bluetooth/USB Type C
Packaging:
The packaging for the Hifiman Deva Pro is similar to that seen on the He400Se. It has a more refined appearance, but the shape and layout remain unchanged. Headphones are well nestled in the packaging, lying on the velvet-like fabric. Significantly more premium presentation.
We also find:
- Bluemini R2R 3.5 TTRS (if you buy this version)
- A nice type C to USB A cable (You can use the Bluemini as a wired dongle.)
- Cable with 3.5mm TRS terminals
- Manuals and warranty
I must admit that the standard equipment is correct for the price, although on similar products, I would like to see at least a case or bag included. Being a wireless product, it can easily be used outside the home, and once you stop using it, a rigid case in which to store it safely would be extremely necessary. I think anyone planning to use them outside will definitely need a hard case. However, keep in mind that, being open-back, they do not isolate you from the sounds and above all, those around you listen to the music with you.
Design/Build Quality:
In terms of construction quality, I must admit that the Hifiman Deva Pro does not look much different from the Hifiman He400se. The materials appear to be similar in terms of weight and overall solidity. What changes are the shapes, and I must say that the comfort level is noticeably higher when compared to the He400Se. The oval-shaped pads follow the shape of the ear, enveloping it more effectively.
As we can see, the pads are internally made of fabric where they come into contact with the skin (for better breathability) and externally made of synthetic leather. I must say that it is extremely comfortable and soft.
The Hifiman Deva Pro has 3.5mm TRS inputs on both sides (the He400Se’s connectors appear to be of higher quality). On the left pavilion, we also have the TTRS, which allows the connection of the Bluemini R2R DAC or a balanced cable.
As for the headband, it is identical to the one on the He400se. Personally, I find it comfortable but others do not consider it so.
Built-in Technology:
Let’s start with the Bluetooth adapter and dongle, namely the Bluemini R2R. The highlight is him, this small object contains an R2R Himalaya DAC.
I bring you what Hifiman said about it.
“The Bluemini R2R Bluetooth Dongle is an update of the original Bluemini that enhances detail and overall performance through the HIMALAYA DAC, which features an R2R architecture. A chip composed of an array of resistors with a new algorithm reduces power usage between the chip and peripheral components. As a result, signal-to-noise ratio, total harmonic distortion, and energy consumption are at their most efficient and cost-effective.
Currently compatible with HIFIMAN’s DEVA Pro and R10D headphones – with additional models to be introduced in Q4 ‘21 — the Bluemini R2R combines true hi-res. audio, out-of-band noise, and low energy consumption to create a high-performance match for in-ear monitors at any price point. The internal HIMALAYA DAC module supports the common PCM signal transmitted by the most common IIS (Integrated Interface of Sound) audio interface, with a maximum 24Bit resolution.”
HIFIMAN
Bluemini R2R:
I’ll tell you right away that it costs at least 160 USD or more just for him. Aesthetically, I think it is a successful product, even if it is unfortunately not universal. The connection and shape are specific to Deva Pro; with an adapter, it could be made with a female output and used on other headphones or IEMs but the connection must be kept balanced.
If you use LDAC, I have to admit that the difference is audible; the higher compression affects the quality.
The Bluemini has only a very slight background noise, audible only for a few seconds when you stop a song.
The battery lasts a maximum of 6 hours but if you turn up the volume, it could even last less.
In any case, I am surprised that this small adapter can make full-size planars play almost to their full potential. The Deva Pro has an 18-ohm impedance and a relatively high sensitivity of 93.5 decibels.
On my Redmi Note 7 (an older phone), LDAC also caused some stability issues, which did not occur when LDAC was disabled. If you remove the adaptive bit rate and replace it with the balanced one, you will notice some improvement.
While with my POCO M4 Pro (more recent but not top of the range), it behaves decidedly better with LDAC, and it seems to me to sound even better.
It should support multiple codecs, including LDAC, aptX-HD, aptX, AAC, and SBC, but I only see a few with my devices, namely LDAC, AAC, and SBC. I am not sure if the others are present, but my phones use either the best or the poorest codec available.
There are no buttons for volume or track change. The single button available works as on/off, pair, and play/pause.
The volume achieved via Bluemini is very high, which is decidedly surprising. The soundstage and the dynamics of the drivers are maintained very well and do not make you regret the presence of a cable (at least not completely). Honestly, the loss of quality isn’t earth-shattering but you are free from cables. Is fantastic!
USB Mode:
Honestly, here comes the second sore point. The internal DAC connected via USB reaches a maximum of 16 bits and 48 kHz, which for a similar product is not enough. It definitely sounds fuller due to the extra current it has but I would have liked to see at least 24 bits at 96 kHz.
However, if, by chance, the battery runs out, you can continue to use it by connecting it via USB.
Fit & Comfort:
Comfort significantly improved compared to the He400Se. The pavilion is made of similar materials but the shape wraps around and follows the shape of the ear more precisely. I must say, apart from the classic heat that all headphones create around your ears, the materials of the pads breathe well and are not too hot (but we are still in winter). I don’t feel any heaviness in my ears or head even after 3 hours of continuous listening.
As regards stability on the head, there are certainly more stable headbands, but for my use, these are fine too. Being open-back, noise penetrates easily and is therefore not very suitable for listening in noisy places.
Practical Consideration:
After a bit of practical testing, I can say that they are absolutely fantastic in use and would also be perfect outdoors but being open-back, you share the music with everyone close to you and obviously you can hear the noises (like a transparency function but not all they want it). Basically, they are not suitable for outdoor use that much, despite the Bluemini.
Charging the Bluemini is a little long compared to other similar devices but if it is needed to preserve the battery for a long time,it’s fine, and I accept it.
Equipment used for testing above.
Device:
- Redmi Note 7
- Poco M4 Pro
- iMac
Software:
- Amazon music UHD 24bit 96kHz
- Tidal Hifi Plus
Dac:
- Fiio Ka11 (warmest presentation + deepest bass)
- iBasso DC04Pro (slightly more neutral presentation + lush on mids)
- Fosi Sk02 (brightest performance + air and sparkle + most powerful)
- Moondrop Dawn Pro
- Hidizs S9 Pro Plus
Sound impressions with Bluemini:
With the Bluemini, they have a completely different soul. The mids are a bit recessed; they seem like a sort of very calm V-shape. The bass has an emphasis as well as the highs, which, however, are always tolerable. I have to say that, as a headphone wireless solution, it is one of the best I’ve ever heard of. The soundstage remains wide and the planar driver maintains excellent dynamics.
The difference with the cable remains; it is not excessive but in any case, it is present. The freedom of being cable-free must be paid for by sacrificing a bit of quality.
Hifiman Deva Pro with cable:
Since they are also sold without Bluemini, it seemed right to try them wired, i.e., in their original form.
First and foremost, I attempted to wire them immediately using a balanced cable in my possession, the same one I use with the He400se. What was the result? A failure! I am not sure why only the left headphones play; I tried different balanced cables and got the same result. Absolute panic! I assumed the Fosi SK02 was broken, so I tried the He400se again with the balanced cable, and it worked. So I believe one input on the Deva Pro has issues. I reconnected the original cable, and everything works. At this point, I am unsure whether a specific cable is required (in the meantime, I emailed support).
After a brief search on Aliexpress, I found the cable I needed—a sort of balanced 4.4mm with a single 3.5mm TTRS termination. I will see if I can get it cheaper, and if so, I will order it!
Then I continued the test with the original cable included, and I believe that with 18 ohms even on SE output, there should be no problem.
I connect the most talked-about DAC of the moment, the Fiio KA11, expecting nothing miraculous, but my jaw drops.
The Hifiman He400Se has 25 ohm and 91 bd sensitivity but the Hifiman Deva Pro are significantly easier to drive. The Fiio KA11 manages to completely transform them into a totally different headphone.
In voices but in general,the mids take a leap forward, the basses become of a completely different thickness and definition and even the treble part undergoes a notable touch of refinement. I would have to do two separate reviews for how it changes.
Treble
In both cases, I don’t find the trebles tiring. They are perfect for my personal tastes. Perhaps they lack that extra touch of sparkle but overall they are very smooth and full of detail, as you would expect from a planar.
Mids
The mids are those that undergo the greatest variation. With the cable, the mids take a kick and come in front of you. The change is noticeable immediately and I’m using the Fiio KA11 with a slightly warm tone; in fact, they go together perfectly as it adds a bit of body to the voices. Instruments sound natural and vivid; thumbs up for stringed instruments that sound fantastic.
Bass
The cable also benefits the low range, perhaps also thanks to the Fiio KA11, but the bass literally takes on thickness, authority, and kick. The definition improves but the separation is decidedly clearer. Compared to the He400Se, the bass has a much more satisfying impact. However, I don’t consider them headphones suitable for dance or electronic music but more for relaxed music
Soundstage & Imaging:
These aspects are also influenced by the source. With the Bluemini R2R, you have a large soundstage and a very good image, considering data transmission without Bluetooth. I’m not a fan of wireless and I don’t have this whole collection of Bluetooth headphones and IEMs. I don’t go out of my way to give evaluations or make comparisons in the wireless field but I am satisfied.
With the cable, everything takes on a different shape; the soundstage is wider and higher, and the separation and image have much more accurate precision. It’s surprising how much everything changes; the Bluemini R2R certainly has some customization in terms of sound.
Fast Comparison:
The Hifiman He400Se remains a miracle for what it costs. They are slightly flatter, and the bass is much less full-bodied unless you use a balanced cable; but they are still quieter than the Deva Pro. In terms of performance, we are a step below; the comfort of the earcups is also slightly lower but for less than 100 USD, they are perfect.
I decided to include Hifiman Svanar Wireless in the comparison as they also have the integrated R2R Himalaya Dac and, above all, Bluetooth. Obviously, here we are talking about non-planar IEMs but in terms of operation, the Deva Pro fares better. The Svanars have less punch in the bass and, in my opinion, more brilliant tuning. Honestly, for the same price, Hifiman’s full size headphones are on a completely different level.
Conclusion:
I have never been a huge fan of wireless earphones or headphones. This is partly because the audio quality is not as good, but it is also because I typically do not listen to music in traffic because it prevents me from feeling what is going on around me.
I don’t have the opportunity to make many comparisons, so my opinion may not be 100% accurate, but I think the Deva Pro+Bluemini R2R combination is still a good choice.
The new price at which they are offered, being a somewhat dated product, is now very interesting. Despite some problems with older smartphones, with my newer one, the LDAC transmission is much more stable and doesn’t cause me any problems. The audio quality of the Bluemini R2R is not the most neutral experience but for being wireless, it is definitely excellent. The only real problem is the static “pop” that you hear when you first turn it on and connect.
They bring out their best with the right amplification; unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to test them with a balanced cable but only with an SE cable with sufficiently powerful sources. The Fiio KA11 adds thickness and depth and is capable of driving them, in my opinion, to their full potential despite everything.
Open-backs are unfortunately not suitable for “outdoor” use or even in places where one is not alone. Open Hifiman headphones have high sound dispersion. What is now clear to me is Hifiman’s skill with planar headphones. Compared to my Fidelio X2HR, the He400se are definitely superior but these Deva Pros are definitely closer to my tastes than the previous ones.
The overall result also takes into account the Bluemini R2R. The Deva Pro alone, in my opinion, deserves a 9 out of 10, especially when paired with the Fiio Ka11 (best pairing in my opinion).
Considering the new price for the complete bundle, which is 199 USD, my personal rating is higher. It seems right to me to take into account the current price.
8/10
Pros:
- Build quality and materials are good
- Bluemini DAC R2R Himalaya
- Good battery
- Versatility (Wireless, wired and OTG)
- Excellent separation and imaging
- Improved bass and sub bass (Compared to He400SE)
- Really wide and immersive soundstage
- Macro & micro details
- Improve based on sources (better amplification)
- 18 ohm, pretty easy to drive
- Many codecs
Cons:
- You can feel the sound a little bit compressed through BT
- Pop Static noise on BT ( during BT module prompt command power on / connection)
- No volume adjustment
- As a dongle, you can reach a maximum of 16 bit 48 kHz.
- Needs a specific Balanced cable 4.4mm to 3.5 TTRS
- No travel bag or case
