There are so many variations to headphones from hundreds of companies that’s often difficult to say which is best. It is something subjective, just like art and fashion, yet the Deva from Hifiman is still something to seriously consider. Here’s why:
Versatility
We are often faced with the difficult decision of wireless or hardwired when it comes to sound quality and convenience. Both have their own pros and cons, but it shouldn’t be the only deciding factor. Comfort, isolation, and sound quality all contribute to a premium product. The Deva headphones ($299) are at the lower end of the price spectrum from Hifiman, yet they are one of the most compelling headphones to consider. Sure they aren’t the life changing ($6,000) SUSVARAs, but these will still sound incredible.
What makes the Deva’s special is the input design. There is a fully modular Bluetooth system that attaches to the traditional headphone jack on the left ear cup. This Bluetooth module and amp combination supports LDAC, aptX-HD, aptX, and AAC codecs with incredible sound quality.
If you do not want to use Bluetooth, this module also supports a direct connection to your phone or computer via USB-C. This allows you to have a good, high quality connection, but still benefit from the amp inside the module. This kit includes a much better amplifier than what your phone or laptop will ever come with, so I love that you can go down this route for the best sound quality on a budget.
If you have invested into a high end headphone amplifier and have the juice to get the most out of your source, you can still use the traditional TRRS 3.5mm headphone jack.
Performance
Specs never tell the full story when it comes to audio. Speaker materials, enclosure materials and design, audio characteristics, and more, all play a big factor in the uniqueness of a headphone or speaker. With that being said, here are the baseline specs for the Devas:
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- THD: <0.1% @1W/1KHz
- SNR: 95dB
- Amp Output: 230mw (RMS) / 1125mw (Peak)
- Battery Life: 7-10 Hours
- Weight: 25g
Conclusion
Although we haven’t been fortunate enough to get hands on use with this headphone, as a gadget geek I love headphones that offer excellent sound quality but also add modern day conveniences like the connection versatility this pair has. If you like the style enough to consider these headphones, this company’s reputation basically ensures you are getting an incredible sounding pair of headphones. You can buy them direct (ships from NY) on the Hifiman store HERE.
Lastly, here’s a store image sample below that helps to explain the headphone design and features in greater detail:
