If you walk into our shop and ask for the most realistic, neutral, or accurate headphones for listening to music, there is little doubt you’ll walk away with a pair of wired headphones. In the audiophile world, not only does having a cable matter but the quality of that cable matters- a lot.

However, our younger tech-oriented customers have grown up enjoying wireless headphones and appreciate the portability and flexibility a wireless set of cans allows. We understand. And while we have some surprisingly good wireless Bluetooth headphones from very heady brands like Bowers & Wilkins, they don’t rival what a great wired set can deliver.

HIFIMAN, a leading audiophile headphone brand, has a novel approach with their Deva Pro Hybrid-Wireless headphone design. They are planar magnetic headphones (super-thin ribbons, as opposed to dynamic drivers) that excel at reality, intimacy, and accuracy and are widely sought by headphone aficionados worldwide.

The Deva Pro is a traditional open-back, wired headphone that can be (and should be) used via a standard 3.5 mm jack for the cable. But the Deva Pro is unique because it also allows the listener to connect a Bluetooth receiver, called a BlueMini, right to the earcup. In addition to Bluetooth, the BlueMini incorporates a small amplifier and digital-to-analog converter (DAC).

The Deva Pro is lightweight and highly comfortable for those long listening sessions. And while the large earcup creates a seal around the ear, we are describing an open-back headphone- expect others sitting near you to hear some of your music. The sound is tight, accurate, and unbiased, precisely what you’d expect from similarly wired headphones at their price. Unfortunately, there isn’t any noise-canceling capability, so you might not want to drag them on your next flight. And don’t expect the most extended battery life compared to the wireless ANC models from Bowers & Wilkins or Sony.

Use them wired with your laptop or wirelessly with your mobile device. Stream your favorite tracks in high-res and bask in the music, or combine the Deva Pro, a more powerful portable amplifier/DAC, plus a cable for the best portable sound possible.

With portability when you need it and great sound when you want it, the Deva Pro Headphones offer you the advantages of a high-end audiophile wired headphone in a whole new way.

HiFiMAN, founded by Dr. Fang in New York, is considered one of the most established audio companies, designing and producing True Wireless Monitors and Headphones like the DEVA Pro. Their Susvara model, at over $6,000, is considered one of the world’s finest headphones.

We’ve enjoyed the Deva Pro, listening for many hours, putting them through their paces, and listening to Diana Krall, U2, Van Halen, Kenrick Lamar, Frank Sinatra, Weather Report, and Snarky Puppy. In every instance, the Deva Pro delivers an open, almost soft sound to them that you don’t hear from traditional Bluetooth headphones. Their imaging and placement are excellent, with a round, tight bass.

The Deva Pro is an excellent headphone valued at well under $500. Sure, we have headphones that can outperform the Deva Pro, but the Deva Pro is an exceptional headphone choice at this price and function.