HIFIMAN

Quick answer: Start with the HIFIMAN EF400 ($247.99), a desktop DAC and headphone amp rated at up to 4.4 W per channel, or the HIFIMAN Svanar Wireless 2 ($318.99), noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds; both are built around the company's in-house R2R DACs. FiiO K11 R2R vs K13 R2R shows where the EF400 fits among R2R desktop DAC/amps and whether it can drive planar headphones.

HIFIMAN did more than any other company to make planar magnetic headphones affordable. The house character is speed, treble extension and a very even midrange — a different presentation from the warmer dynamic drivers most people arrive from. New to the technology? Planar vs dynamic, explained covers the trade-offs.

Two practical notes. HIFIMAN planar headphones generally want more power than their sensitivity numbers imply, so budget for an amp with real headroom if you're going open-back — our HE400SE amp guide shows how much is actually enough. And the open designs leak sound freely in both directions — glorious in a quiet room, a bad idea in a shared office.

We carry 36 genuine HIFIMAN items, from the closed-back HE-R9 to the HE600 and the EF500 DAC/amp stand. If you've been curious about planar sound, this is the shortest path in.

Genuine stock. Free shipping on every order, 45-day returns, 1-year warranty.