HIFIMAN Deva Pro Review: Open-Back Planar with Optional Bluetooth

Disclaimer: I received this product in exchange for my honest review. The Metalverse is an independent website, and all opinions expressed are our own with no monetary incentive. We thank the team at HIFIMAN for giving us this opportunity.

HIFIMAN Electronics was founded by Dr. Fang Bian in 2007. Since then, they have grown a reputation for their advanced audiophile technology at affordable price points, although they also have reputable premium flagship models.

HIFIMAN Deva Pro

Following the original Deva release, the Deva Pro is the second generation model which was launched in 2020 as a more affordable alternative to the pricier Ananda BT wireless headphones. This Pro version brings several meaningful upgrades and was originally priced at $329, but has since dropped down to $160 for the headphone only or $190 for the Deva Pro and Bluetooth adapter.

At its core, the Deva Pro is an open-back planar magnetic headphone that can operate fully wired with the included 3.5mm cable or Bluetooth via the included adapter.

The signature feature distinguishing the Pro from the original Deva is HIFIMAN's Stealth Magnet technology. These specially shaped magnets allow sound waves to pass through with minimal interference, reducing distortion that can degrade audio quality and instead allowing for a more accurate sound reproduction. The driver also uses HIFIMAN's "supernano" diaphragm, which is reportedly 80% thinner than previous designs, enabling faster transient response and greater detail retrieval.

Build Quality and Design

HIFIMAN switched from the original Deva's tan and silver color scheme to a more flashy black and silver design that looks and feels sleek. The yokes and outer grills are metal, the cups are sturdy plastic, and the headband uses spring metal wrapped in padding covered with pleather. The Deva Pro’s feels durable, and the majority of it is made of metal, feeling sturdy and long-lasting.

The Deva Pro uses dual 3.5mm jack connectors, with the left socket supporting both standard TRS cables and TRRS balanced connections when using the Bluemini adapter.

Sound Quality

These headphones deliver a natural sound signature that comes across flat, clear, and reveals detail that certainly feels audiophile-grade. Compared to the original Deva, the sound presentation comes across with more clarity and a brighter, more accurate sound signature.

Bass Response

The bass on the Deva Pro is where planar magnetic technology shows both its strengths and its limitations. What you get is fast, controlled low-end that feels precise with some moderate punch, but it rolls off noticeably below 55-60Hz. This is normal for open-back designs, but it means true sub-bass rumble and physical impact are going to be lesser than a dynamic driver or closed-back alternative.

Wired listening appears to give slightly less bass response but also a slightly tighter sound. Wired listening also offers the option of a personalized EQ via a specialized DAC, adding more bass to the tuning. The overall bass seems to be relatively flat, although it doesn’t feel lacking in low end, it is more of a reference level bass rather than being boosted in quantity.

Midrange

Vocals and instruments are rendered with impressive clarity, warmth, and presence. Female voices sound rich and emotive, while male vocals have sufficient body in the lower midrange. There's a slight push in the high mids that brings vocals forward without becoming too shouty.

Instruments have natural timbre; instruments sound realistic and life-like. The midrange has excellent clarity while still having a touch of warmth, adding color to the sound. Mids feel strikingly accurate yet not unforgivingly so.

Compared to the HE400SE, the Deva Pro's mids are more refined, though the HE400SE has a bit more tonal weight and body that some listeners prefer.

Treble

The treble tuning is classic HIFIMAN—subtly bright with excellent extension and detail, while remaining non-fatiguing. Cymbals, hi-hats, and other percussive elements have crisp articulation with good separation. There's just enough sparkle to add airiness and openness without tipping into sibilance or harshness.

Detail retrieval in the treble is impressive. You'll hear some subtle textures and micro-details that get lost on lesser headphones. The speed and immediacy of HIFIMAN's planar drivers really shine here—highs sound crisp and immediate without becoming aggressive.

The treble refinement is noticeably better than the original Deva, which had a tendency toward brightness that some found excessive. The Pro version smooths out those rough edges while maintaining the detail and extension that make HIFIMAN treble so appealing.

Technical Performance

The Deva Pro's soundstage is genuinely special for a headphone at this price point. It's wide, tall, and remarkably deep—easily competing with headphones costing significantly more. Music doesn't feel trapped between your ears; instead, instruments and voices occupy distinct positions in the space around you.

Imaging is excellent, with instruments well-separated and positioned. You can easily track individual elements in complex mixes, and there's a convincing sense of layering from front to back. The open-back design contributes significantly to this effect, allowing sound to breathe naturally without the compressed feeling that is more common in closed-back headphones.

Timbre is very good overall; the presentation feels organic, though the slightly thinner tonal balance means instruments don't have quite the heft and body of the Sundara or more expensive planars. Still, though, nothing sounds unnatural or too colored, and it exceeds expectations for the price range. Dynamics are solid across the board, with micro-dynamics revealing subtle variations in volume and intensity.

Comfort and Isolation

The Deva Pro's comfort is above average. The lightweight design, combined with the low clamp force, makes these headphones stay comfortable during extended listening sessions. The large earpads accommodate big ears without creating pressure points, and the mesh fabric against your skin feels more breathable than pure pleather.

While the looser fit contributes to comfort, it also means the headphones won't stay put during physical movement. The minimal clamp force also means the bass response is mildly sensitive to positioning; shifting the headphones can alter the sound slightly.

As for isolation, there effectively isn't any. The open-back design means you'll hear everything happening around you, and everyone nearby will hear sound leakage. This is a feature, though, as open-back headphones are designed for critical listening in quiet to medium noise environments. You're getting a superior soundstage and natural, expansive sound at the expense of noise cancellation.

Bluemini R2R

The Bluemini R2R wireless adapter is a very useful feature included in the $199 bundle. This module attaches to the left earcup's 3.5mm jack and houses HIFIMAN's miniaturized Himalaya R2R DAC chip. It supports high-resolution Bluetooth codecs, including LDAC, aptX-HD, aptX, AAC, and SBC, and delivers approximately 200mW per channel—more than enough to drive the Deva Pro to loud volumes.

The sound difference between Bluetooth and wired modes is remarkably small. While wired connection via a quality DAC/amp does sound slightly better—with more defined staging boundaries, tighter bass, and better resolution—the Bluemini R2R gets surprisingly close. For casual listening around the house, the wireless performance is excellent, making these genuinely viable as everyday wireless headphones and a significant improvement over more expensive non-audiophile Bluetooth headphones.

Battery life ranges from 5.5 to 8 hours, and Bluetooth 5.0 provides stable pairing that's quick and automatic. The connection range is pretty great at around 20-30 feet before experiencing dropouts. The BlueminiR2R includes a built-in microphone for phone calls and a multi-function button for playback control and power.

How the Deva Pro Compares

HIFIMAN HE400SE ($109)

The HE400SE is HIFIMAN's budget champion, and it remains impressive even against its pricier sibling. The HE400SE is slightly brighter and airier, with more forward treble and upper mids that some find energizing. It has a similar sub-bass roll-off but offers tighter, more defined bass overall. The HE400SE also provides excellent detail retrieval despite its lower price. The HE400SE is also harder to drive and needs more powerful amplification to reach intended volumes.

Where the Deva Pro pulls ahead is in the midrange refinement—it's smoother and more effortless, making it less potentially fatiguing. The Deva Pro also has a larger, more spacious soundstage and adds wireless functionality.

Philips Fidelio X3 ($349)

The Fidelio X3 represents a different approach to open-back design. These use dynamic drivers rather than planar magnetic technology and have a distinctly warmer, more relaxed sound signature. The X3 offers better bass quantity and a more forgiving, laid-back presentation.

The Deva Pro is more detailed and revealing, with better treble extension and a more spacious soundstage. Resolution and clarity favor the planar drivers in the Deva Pro, while the X3 trades detail for a more easy-going sound.

Final Verdict

The HIFIMAN Deva Pro occupies a special niche in the headphone market. It’s designed to bridge mainstream Bluetooth convenience with audiophile-level audio, being a single product you can use for daily wireless or wired listening.

For $199 with the Bluemini R2R module (or $159 wired-only), this is a great headphone for the price. The sound quality is excellent—natural, detailed, and highly enjoyable. The wireless functionality works surprisingly well and without significant audio loss, which is rare in this space.

Overall, the HIFIMAN Deva Pro brings convenient Bluetooth hi-fi audio at an affordable price. HIFIMAN brings their impressive technology with their stealth magnets, nano-technology, and wireless capability down to affordable prices that would've previously cost much more.

Technical Specifications

Driver Type: Planar Magnetic with Stealth Magnet Design

Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz

Impedance: 18 Ohms Sensitivity: 93.5dB

Weight: 360g (12.7 oz)

Cable: Detachable dual 3.5mm (TRS), 1.5m length with 6.35mm adapter

Balanced Input: Single-sided 3.5mm TRRS on left cup (for Bluemini connection)