HIFIMAN Shangri-La Sr Headphone
The HIFIMAN Shangri-La Sr Headphone is a full-size electrostatic headphone.
Features:
- Open-back electrostatic headphones
- Frequency range: 7 Hz - 120000 Hz
- Headphone connector: 5 pin
- Lightweight design - 370 grams
The comfortable Shangri-La headphones are very lightweight (374 g) and packed with advanced technologies. For example, HiFiMAN uses what they call a "nanotechnological" driver in the headphones, featuring a diaphragm made of nanomaterial with a thickness of just 0.001 mm (and no, this number is not a typo). The diaphragm is coated with conductive nanoparticles arranged in a clear grid pattern on the surface. HiFiMAN then developed thin metal stators with micro-channels made from wire just 50 µm thick, where the stators are held in place by a frame crafted from a "special metal alloy chosen specifically to ensure sound stability and minimize distortion."
The result of these technical efforts is a driver with an incredibly low moving mass, delivering exceptional transparency - as noted by its freely flowing stators and ultra-thin dust covers - and, as claimed, providing "lightning-fast response practically free of distortion." The driver's stated frequency response ranges from 7 Hz to 120 kHz.
In terms of external design, the Shangri-La headphones closely resemble a lighter, high-end version of the HiFiMAN HE 1000 v2 headphones, which have received critical acclaim, but with the HE 1000 v2's satin-finished silver metal housing swapped for Shangri-La's luxurious black anodized finish. Like the HE 1000 v2, the sides of the Shangri-La ear cups are tastefully covered with exotic wood veneer. The touch surfaces (i.e., ear cushions and adjustable headband) are made from soft, luxurious black leather.
Package includes:
- Headphones
- Cable
- Documentation
HIFIMAN Shangri-La Sr Amplifier
The HIFIMAN Shangri-La Sr Amplifier is a tube headphone amplifier.
Features:
- Durable aviation-grade aluminum alloy with contrasted tempered glass top panel
- Relay attenuator with 23 separate resistors provides 24-step volume adjustment
- Eight electronic tubes - four 6SN7 and four specially developed and custom-made 300B - are located on top of the amplifier.
Shangri-La is a specially designed electrostatic amplifier based on a quartet of 6SN7 tubes that drive a set of four specially designed and custom-made 300B output tubes. It is important to note that the amplifier's topology allows the 300B tubes to directly drive the headphones, so, as HiFiMAN puts it, "there are no capacitors or transformers between the tubes and the headphones."
The amplifier uses exclusively high-quality components, and the 24-step relay volume regulator attenuator boasts a total of 23 individual low-noise resistors. On the rear panel of the amplifier, there are unbalanced and balanced analog inputs with an input switch, while the recessed front panel features two 5-pin electrostatic headphone jacks and a power on/off switch with color-coding (flashing red indicates the amplifier is warming up, while steady white indicates the amplifier is ready for use). The amplifier's visually sharp angular design stands out and is executed with obvious attention to build quality and details.
Package includes:
- Headphone amplifier
- Power cable
- Documentation