HiFiMan Unveils Hi-Res-Capable Bluetooth Speaker

HiFiMan has announced a wireless version of its popular Ananda planar-magnetic headphones and unveiled its first wireless speaker — a portable model that supports high-resolution streaming.

The battery-powered BA1000 speaker ($599) is based on aptX HD-enabled Bluetooth, which supports 24-bit/96 kHz wireless streaming, and packs a 30-watt amplifier in an oblong enclosure 8 inches wide, 3.3 inches tall, and 3.4 inches deep. The BA1000 has a line input and is rated for up to 72 hours of play time when its battery is fully charged. Two speakers can be connected for true stereo sound.

“With Bluetooth technology finally reaching audiophile standards, it is the perfect time for us to introduce a selection of products that take advantage of all that the new codecs have to offer,” said Dr. Fang Bian, HiFIMan founder and CEO. “This includes a speaker that not only exceeds what is expected from streaming models, but many high-fidelity bookshelf models as well.”

The new wireless Ananda-BT headphones ($1,199) also incorporate aptX HD-enabled Bluetooth for high-resolution streaming and deliver the same performance as their wired counterpart, the $999 Ananda, according to the company. Rated battery life is 13.5 hours and the headphones are compatible with smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices thanks to a rated sensitivity of 103 dB.

“From the moment it was released last summer, our Ananda headphone rose to become one of our most successful models,” Bian said. “We were humbled by the attention, but we also took it as a challenge to create a wireless version that extends the Ananda’s natural, transparent sound to wireless listening.”

The BA-1000 speaker and Ananda-BT headphones are slated to ship in late March.

For more information, visit hifiman.com.

X