Planar magnetic headphones used to be the kind of thing you’d spend $500 or more to get into. The HIFIMAN Ananda changed that conversation when it launched, and at $249, it moves that conversation further still. That’s $150 off its $399 list price for a full-size open-back planar magnetic headphone that competes with options costing considerably more, and it’s the deal I’d point any serious listener toward right now.
The driver technology is what sets the Ananda apart at this price. Planar magnetic drivers use a thin membrane suspended between magnetic arrays to produce sound, which results in lower distortion, faster transient response, and a more detailed presentation than conventional dynamic drivers typically offer at this price point. HIFIMAN’s Stealth Magnet design takes that further by shaping the magnets to reduce acoustic interference, giving the sound a cleaner, more open quality than earlier planar designs.
The presentation is wide and airy in the way that only open-back headphones deliver, with imaging precise enough to place instruments and vocals in a convincing three-dimensional space. The low end is controlled rather than exaggerated, the midrange is detailed without being fatiguing, and the high frequencies extend naturally without the brightness that plagues some competitors in this bracket.
The earpads are generously sized and comfortable enough for extended listening sessions, which matters more than it might seem for a headphone you’ll want to spend hours with. The detachable cable keeps things practical for home and studio use, and the build is light enough that the over-ear fit never becomes a burden.
At $399, the Ananda was already one of the better value propositions in planar magnetic audio. At $249, it’s in a different conversation entirely. The Audeze LCD-1 and Monoprice Monolith M1570 occupy similar territory, but neither delivers the combination of Stealth Magnet refinement, open soundstage, and build comfort that the Ananda brings at this price. For anyone already running a decent amp or DAC setup, this is an upgrade that will be immediately noticeable.
The HIFIMAN Ananda at $249 is one of the more persuasive audiophile headphone deals available right now. The planar magnetic drivers, Stealth Magnet technology, and open-back soundstage add up to a listening experience that has no business being this affordable, and the $150 discount makes it an easy recommendation for anyone ready to hear what serious headphone audio actually sounds like.
The OnePlus Buds Clip are a new pair of open-ear earbuds built around a simple convenience. They join Sony’s LinkBuds Clip in the growing ear-cuff category, but either OnePlus bud can go on either ear.
Sensors recognize how the earbuds are being worn and route the audio channels accordingly. There’s no label to check before putting them on, and the feature also works when only one bud is used.
We buy fitness bands and activity trackers to keep tabs on our exercise, but it is easy to forget to start tracking or switch modes when moving between different activities. For Fitbit and Pixel Watch users, that could soon become a lot less annoying, as Google is rolling out a major upgrade to automatic activity tracking that can recognize more than 100 types of exercise, up from just 10 before.
Google first showed off the improved tracking earlier this month alongside the Fitbit Edge. It is now coming to Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch 3, 4, and 5, and Google claims the added context behind the system makes workout detection nearly twice as accurate while cutting missed activities by more than half. Fitbit Edge will support it too.