HiFiMAN DEVA Pro Review
HiFiMAN DEVA Pro Review
Introduction:
HiFiMAN was founded by Dr. Fang in New York – USA and is one of the most well-known personal audio companies in the audiophile word.HiFiMAN has a wide variety of Hi-Fi, Reference and Premium class products like Portable Audio Players, Planar Magnetic Headphones, Desktop Amplifiers, Earphones, IEM’s and True Wireless Monitors and Headphones like the DEVA Pro that I will now review for you.
The HiFiMAN DEVA Pro is the successor of the original DEVA, a full sized Open-Back headphone with Planar Magnetic Driver technology that can be used both wired and wireless.
The DEVA Pro comes with some major upgrades, like the new BlueMini Bluetooth DAC/AMP module that features now HiFiMAN’s self developed Himalaya DAC with R2R Architecture. This architecture offers” Low Power Consumption” at “Higher Sound Sampling Rates”. The second major upgrade is the New Planar Driver with Stealth Magnet Design that we have seen before on the Flagship Planar Headphone Arya V3, which has been released recently.
Disclaimer:
The HiFiMAN DEVA Pro was provided to me by the company HiFiMAN for review purposes. I am not affiliated with HiFiMAN beyond this review and these words reflect my true and unaltered opinions about the product.
Price & Availability:
The actual price of the HiFiMAN DEVA Pro is 329.00 US$. More details can be found under the link bellow;
Package and Accessories:
The HiFiMAN DEVA comes in a relative big cardboard box in black color with the illustration of the Headphone and BlueMini R2R module together with some product related brandings such as the New Stealth Magnet Design on the top.
This box of the DEVA Pro contains the following items;
- 1 piece x HiFiMAN DEVA Open-Back Planar Headphone
- 1 piece x Bluemini R2R Bluetooth DAC/AMP Module
- 1 piece x USB Type-C Cable
- 1 piece x 3.5mm to 3.5mm Headphone Cable
- 1 piece x 3.5mm to 6.35mm Adapter
- 1 piece x User Manual
- 1 piece x Advertising of the Stealth Magnets Technology
- 1 piece x Warranty Card
Design, Build Quality, Comfort:
The HiFiMAN DEVA Pro looks very similar to the original DEVA with exception of the color that has been used for the headband and ear pads, which are now black instead of brown color.
The DEVA Pro is a pretty esthetic looking full-sized Open-Back headphone, which shows a color combination of silver and black. The build quality of the DEVA is fairly good, which is a combination of lightweight materials such like plastic and aluminum in combination with synthetic leather (pleather) and fabric material.
The grid and the shell of the ear cups are made of plastic material in grey color, while the ear cup holders are made of aluminum material in with the same matt grey color. This combination makes the DEVA Pro to a relative lightweight full sized Planar Headphone with about 360 grams (same like the original DEVA) without the BlueMini R2R BT Module, which weights another 25grams.
The ear pad and the headband surface are made from synthetic leather (protein leather = pleather) in black color, which is a synthetic (protein) leather material that is often used for headphone parts.
The left ear-cup features the 3.5mm TRRS headphone input that can be used with a balanced cable.
Both ear cups have the classical HiFiMAN brand logo near the bottom which looks quite esthetic.
The top of the headband has a pretty soft padding and offers a pretty comfortable wearing experience even after some long listening periods, thanks to the relative low clamping force.
The headband adjusting mechanism is showing the size of the headband with small notches.
Both ends of the headband have plastic parts in the same silver matt color and do sport Left and Right markings on the inner surface while the left outer surface has the HiFiMAN brand logo and the right outer surface the DEVA Pro logo in black color.
The ear cup holders can be slightly rotated but doesn’t offer any folding mechanism.
The ear pads are user replaceable and do have a nice fabric surface in black color which is more comfortable material compared to leather or pleather material especially in hot summer conditions, while the sweat rate is at acceptable levels.
Some Technical Specifications:
a) DEVA Pro Headphone:
- Driver Type : Planar Magnetic Driver with Stealth Magnet Design
- Frequency Response : 20-20kHz
- Impedance : 18Ω
- Sensitivity : 93.5dB
- Weight : 360g
- Socket : TRRS 3.5mm Balanced Socket
b) BlueMini R2R Module:
- DAC : HiFiMAN Himalaya
- DAC Architecture : R2R
- Frequency Response : 20Hz-20kHz
- TDH : 0.022%
- SNR : -114dB
- Battery Life : about 8 Hours
- Weight : 25g
- Bluetooth Codecs : LDAC, aptX-HD, aptX, AAC, SBC
- Transmission : Bluetooth/USB Type C
BlueMini R2R Bluetooth DAC/AMP module:
The New BlueMini R2R is the updated version of the original BlueMini, which was a decent Bluetooth DAC/Amplifier solution specifically created for the DEVA. It comes with the same design and chassis material made of plastic material in black color. The main visual difference is the R2R Branding on its surface.
The device features a built-in microphone that is located at the bottom. Here is also a LED status indicator, a multifunctional USB Type-C port and Button (power on/off, pairing, play/pause etc.).
The 3.5mm headphone jack is a TRRS balanced plug, and near the plug is guide with a moving spring mechanism that sport the HiFiMAN brand logo.
The BlueMini R2R module is pretty lightweight with about 25 grams.
The new BlueMini R2R can also be used as USB DAC/AMP device. When using a computer as the audio input device, there is no need to install drivers when the OS is WIN10 or MacOS. For WIN 8 and older, you need to download the suitable driver.
If connected to portable devices including mobile phones, the lack of a power supply may result in faster than usual battery drainage. Not all devices can be connected by USB mode. In order to connect BlueMini R2R to an iPhone via USB cable, an Apple-certified converter is necessary. Please note that the iPhone does not supply enough power to support charging
a) Bluetooth Codec’s and USB/DAC Formats:
The HiFiMAN BlueMini R2R supports all mainstream HD music transmission protocols, including, LDAC™, aptX™,aptX-HD™ and more, ensuring it is fully compatible with the majority of HD playback devices on the market.
The USB DAC mode of the BlueMini R2R supports sampling rates up to 24bit/192kHz which is a nice features for an all-in one device.
b) Battery Life:
The BlueMini R2R BT DAC/AMP module has a built-in battery that offers a playback time up to 7.5 hours with SBC/AAC codec activated and volume set to 50%, while it drops to around 4.5 – 5 hours if you use it with the LDAC codec.
c) Pairing, Navigation, Signal Strength/Latency & Call Quality:
The pairing process of the HiFiMAN BlueMini R2R is quite easy for that you can find a detailed description in the user manual of the DEVA Pro. Once you have pair the Bluetooth Module with a source such like as a Smartphone, Tablet or PC, etc. the next pairing action will be done automatically after power on of the device.
The operating distance of the BlueMini R2R Bluetooth DAC/AMP module is around 10 meters and is quite stable even If you use it indoors with up to two walls between the device and your source.
The voice transmission quality of the built-in microphone paired with my Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ was on a moderate level.
The BlueMini R2R module is also a pretty successful Bluetooth transmitter in terms of BT latency performance. I didn’t have notice any significant lip sync issue, while I have watched to some Netflix Movies or YouTube videos with my Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ or Apple iPad Air2 tablet.
Equipment’s used for this review:
- Headphones : HiFiMAN DEVA Pro, HiFiMAN Deva
- Wireless Sources : HiBy RS6, Samsung Note 10+, Apple iPad Air2
- Wired Sources : iBasso DX220 MAX, Soncoz QXA1, xDuoo XA-10
Albums & tracks used for this review:
- Adele – My Little Love (Spotify)
- Randy Crawford – On Day I Will Fly Away (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Hayley Westenra – Odyssey Album (Dezzer HiFi)
- Dionne Warwick – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Sarah McLachlan – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
- Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Payer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Elton John – Rocket Man ((Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Barry White – Just The Way You Are (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Sting – Englishman in New York – (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- B.B. King – Riding With The King (Tidal Hi-Fi)
- Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
- U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
- Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Really Slow Motion – Deadwood (Deezer HiFi)
- Jo Blankenburg – Meraki (Spotify)
- Lorde – Royal (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
- Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Spotify)
- Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Deezer HiFi)
- Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove it) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
- Rush’s – Leave That Thing Alone (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Slayer – Angel of Death (Spotify)s
- Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
- Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Spotify)
The Sound:
The HiFiMAN DEVA Pro offers pretty open/spacious presentation and has a mildly warm tonality. The bass response is fast, nicely textured and very controlled thanks to the Planar Magnetic Driver Technology in combination with the new Stealth Magnetic Design. The midrange is pretty transparent and detailed, while vocals and instruments do sound quite realistic and natural, especially for a product at this price range. The treble rage of the DEVA Pro is able to produce a good sense of clarity, resolution and extension.
Bass:
The DEVA Pro is equipped with HiFiMAN’s latest Planar Magnetic Driver with the brand new Stealth Magnet Design. The DEVA Pro is an open-back headphone so that you shouldn’t expect an ear shaking bass experience. However, the area where the lows of the DEVA Pro stand out is the sense of speed, control and resolution.
The DEVA Pro offers a moderate level of subbass depth due to its open-back nature, while the planar magnetic driver shows a great response to EQ that I have tested with the HiBy RS6, which has shows how capable the drivers are. The subbass decay is very good and the level of clarity is outstanding for its price especially if you listen to the DEVA Pro with a good DAP (iBasso DX220 MAX) DAC and Amplifier (Sonocz QXD1 DAC and QXA1) in wired mode. The BlueMini R2R however performs pretty well for such a tiny size in this area.
The midbass region of the HiFiMAN DEVA Pro shows a higher level of intensity compared to the subbass area both in wireless and wired mode. The midbass region shows good sense of body and depth for open-back headphone standards and stands out with it decent level of quickness and control, when I do listen to percussion instruments such like drums violas or to stings like cellos or guitars.
The BlueMini R2R is a pretty capable device in the lower frequency area, especially with respect to its size. But it shows even a better level of authority when you us it with the stock cable and a good/powerful source.
Midrange:
The DEVA Pro offers pretty natural and spacious midrange atmosphere with decent levels of transparency and detail retrieval when I do listen to instruments and vocals. The general tonality of this area is mildly warm.
The lower midrange is produced with a moderate grade of depth and body, when I do listen to male vocals like Sting or Dave Gahan or to listen to my favorite instruments like acoustic guitars, trumpets or pianos. The DEVA Pro shows a slightly better level of lower midrange intensity and clarity in wired mode compared to the otherwise surprisingly well performing BlueMini R2R BT Module.
Female vocals are reproduced by the HiFiMAN DEVA Pro with better sense of clarity and resolution compared to male vocals since the upper midrange is more highlighted and detailed, especially with in wired mode paired with the QXA1 Amplifier. Female voices like Aretha Franklin, Adel or Diana Krall do sound pretty natural, emotional and are shown with a good level of liveliness and resolution.
Instruments on the other hand such like side flutes, violins and pianos do have a pretty natural timbre and decent sense of extension thanks to the well adjusted Planar Magnetic Driver with its “New Stealth Magnet Design”. The BlueMini R2R offers a pretty good performance as source. However, the DEVA Pro truly shines when you hook it to a more powerful source such like a desktop Amplifier or DAC/AMP (Soncoz QXA1, xDuoo XA-10, etc.)
Treble:
The HiFiMAN DEVA Pro has a pretty bright, crisp and dynamic treble tuning that shows an above average resolution, which is quite impressive for a headphone at this price range, especially if you pair it with a wired source such like the iBasso DX220 MAX or Soncoz QXA1.
The transition from the upper midrange towards the lower treble area is energetic yet pretty controlled in most situations. However, you have to be careful with the choice of your source that shouldn’t be in my opinion very bright and sharp, which may negatively affect the successfully adjusted balance of the DEVA Pro.
The lower treble shows a good sense of presence and above average level of clarity and definition when I do listen to string instruments and pianos or to soprano voices such like Sertap Erener and Hayley Westenra. The BlueMini R2R offers a decent performance in this regarding, while it shows its true potential when I hook it to my DX220 MAX or to a Desktop Amplifier.
The upper treble region of the HiFiMAN DEVA Pro is one of the highlight that offers a solid performance in terms of airiness and sparkle. Strings and percussion instruments such as hi-hats and cymbals are reproduced with a good level of extension and overall resolution that will even satisfy with both the BlueMini R2R Bluetooth DAC/AMP Module.
Soundstage & Imaging:
The HiFiMAN DEVA Pro offers a pretty open and spacious soundstage atmosphere with decent grade of separation of instruments and vocals. The soundstage has an above average wideness and height, while the depth is on an efficient level, when I do pair it with the BlueMini R2R module, that shows an audible improvement with a desktop setup (Amplifier, DAC/AMP) when I use it with cable that was included inside the package.
Comparison:
HiFiMAN DEVA Pro versus HiFiMAN DEVA:
The DEVA Pro and the original DEVA do look very similar to each other. The main difference of the appearance is the color of the headband and ear cups, which are in brown on the original DEVA and now black on the DEVA Pro.
When it comes to the sound I can say that the DEVA is slightly warmer in tonality compared to the DEVA Pro, which sounds slightly more bright and neutral at the top end.
The subbass of both the DEVA and the DEVA Pro is pretty similar in terms o depth and intensity, however I have heard a minor but fairly audible difference when it comes to the authority and resolution of this area. The midbass region of the original DEVA is slightly denser but not as transparent compared to the DEVA Pro, which sounds a bit tighter in this area.
The midrange of the DEVA Pro sounds a bit more transparent and airy than those of the original DEVA that shows a slightly warmer tonality. The lower midrange of both headphones is pretty similar in terms of body and depth. The main difference is audible in the upper midrange and treble regions where the DEVA Pro sounds more highlighted and detailed. The upper midrange and lower treble area of the DEVA Pro shows a slightly better sense of clarity and resolution, while the upper treble region of the original DEVA is smoother and a bit more forgiving.
The soundstage of both headphones is pretty similar in terms of depth and wideness; however the DEVA Pro has slightly more headroom compared to the original DEVA thanks to the slightly more pronounced upper register that creates an additional sense of airiness.
Conclusion:
The DEVA Pro is another solid open-back headphone from HiFiMAN that deserves a big praise. It offers a great value for your money with its decent overall sound performance, both wired and attached to the BlueMini R2R Bluetooth DAC/AMP Module. So, If you can spend 30 USD$ more, I would recommend you to get the new DEVA Pro and it’s new R2R BT Module instead of the original DEVA, since it shows an audible improvement in the sound department.
Pros & Cons:
- + Overall Clarity & Resolution
- + Technical Performance from the Highs to the Lows
- + New BlueMini R2R BT Module is a decent addition
- + Signal Strength & Battery Life (for Planar Headphone Standards)
- + Comfort
- + High Value for your Money
- – Treble sounds a bit bright compared to the original DEVA
- – HiFiMAN should change the cable (very thick cable insulation makes it bulky)
- – No Carry Case
Thank you for the Read!
The Deva & Deva Pro’s “grid” (aka “grill” or “grate” to native English speakers) covering the drivers isn’t actually made of plastic like you seem to think! But rather is properly made out of 100% metal, and specifically in this case stainless steel (which is SUPER important w/ planar magnetic cans in particular, as driver enclosure grills are absolutely CRITICAL for protecting the super fragile planar magnetic drivers within!).
It’s only the outer housings of the driver enclosures that are made of hard plastic. The rest of the headphones are made out of metal + a little pleather (with the yokes & frame being made of aluminum [aluminium to your Europeans lol], while the grills as stated before are made out of good ol’ stainless steel).
Also, you are getting SIGNIFICANTLY worse battery life than you should be getting… You’re supposed to get about ≈8-9 hours of battery life w/ low-res codecs like SBC, AAC, or aptX & ≈6-7 hours w/ high-res codecs like LDAC or aptX HD. (Which is almost exactly what I get myself too).
If you are ACTUALLY only getting a mere ≈4-5 hours of battery life while using LDAC or aptX HD then something is legitimately WRONG with your R2R Bluemini. Just saying. It should be lasting for like +2 hours longer than that on a charge if working properly.