HED Unity has built the world’s first Wi-Fi wireless headphones. Have they succeeded?
HED Unity Wireless Wi-Fi Full-Fidelity™ ANC Headphones Highlights
- The world’s first wireless, true-lossless ANC headphones.
- One of the most beautiful headphones I’ve ever held.
- The sound is velvety yet detailed and engaging.
- UPnP streaming from compatible 3rd party apps and media servers such as mconnect, MyAudioStream, ArkMC, Synology, and Plex.
- Bluetooth codecs SBC and AAC. I was able to stream Apple Music through the AAC Bluetooth connection.
- Active Noise Cancelling –22dB reduction controlled by app or headphone function button. I found the passive noise canceling to be excellent as well. Even without engaging ANC, I heard very little sound; just enough to stay connected to my surroundings.
- The USB-C port on the left earcup is also used for bypassing the electronics to provide passive wired audio using the included USB-C adaptor which I used with an AUX cable (not included).
- Operating time: 6-8 hours of Hi-Res or Bluetooth listening.
- The height adjustable earcups are made from a precision milled single block of 6063 architectural-grade aluminum alloy that is anodized with a smooth, satin-like, Anthracite Gray finish that keeps the earcups cool to the touch even with the Linux dual-core 650 MHz 32-bit ARMv7 processor inside.
- The earcups include microfiber layered memory foam and cooling gel.
- 40mm titanium-coated drivers.
- The carbon fiber-infused nylon chassis is both rigid and strong, but lightweight and designed to dampen vibrations.
- The Mobile Android and Apple iOS Unity app controls the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection as well as providing all the controls that connect to music sources, as well as a 9-band EQ for customizing audio profiles and ANC. The Unity app also provides software updates.
- 90-day free Qobuz trial included with purchase.
- Full Fidelity™ Wi-Fi streaming with true lossless sample rates up to 24bit/96kHz.
The HED Unity are the world’s first wireless ANC headphones that use Wi-Fi in addition to Bluetooth. HED Unity has named this new way of streaming Full-Fidelity™. These wireless headphones stream true-lossless audio over local Wi-Fi through the Unity app on a smartphone or tablet. I am a fan of wired headphones, and no Bluetooth headphone has lured me completely over to the wireless camp. Can the Unity headphones convince me otherwise?
I wrote an Op-Ed for SECRETS that introduced me as a new writer who loved all things headphones, earphones, and mobile audio.
In my op-ed, I made it clear that even though Bluetooth has matured and continues to advance, it will not replace wired headphones for me. A wired headphone has no batteries, no circuit boards, no antennas, and no syncing. Just plug it into the music source; voila! Music every time. So, I was intrigued when I was offered the chance to review the world’s first Wi-Fi, true lossless headphones.
New on the scene, the Unity made their debut at NAMM 2023 in April. These headphones were the result of six years of development by HED Unity, a Swiss company. This is their first product, and it is geared towards both the consumer and professional market. I asked the HED Unity team to tell me a bit about the design philosophy and driver choice behind these beautiful cans. They told me about the co-founder, Tim Degraye, who is a trained professional audio recording engineer and who set strict criteria for their audio design – the sound must first be pristine on its own without any electronic or software processing. This is a principle traditionally applied to wired Pro and Audiophile headphones. Getting the foundation of acoustics with the right audio curve and frequency range first would only improve the sound after adding electronics.
I also asked about the choices that went into the selection of components and I will quote the team here. “We started with a search of the top global driver manufacturers that could build to our size, quality, and material specifications. We put each sample through a series of rigorous tests to whittle it down to a few high-quality 40mm drivers. We then started the tuning process and consulted a network of professional industry “golden ears” to help validate our sound profile. Once we found consensus that our sound was consistent with or better than leading competitors in the high-end audiophile market ($1k – $3k range), Tim worked with our talented scientist and engineers in Switzerland to apply his personal and professional adjustments to create what is uniquely our HED Unity sound signature. Only then did we add the electronics”.
And that sound signature? I will agree; it has a unique quality. The first word that came to mind was velvety. It sounds like the earpads feel. By velvety I don’t mean veiled or damped down. More like being wrapped in cashmere, sitting next to a cozy fire with a lovely snifter of cognac. I’ll speak more about that later, but I thought I would set the stage.
Til Brönner “Nightfall”
There is a perfect piece of music by the German jazz trumpeter Till Brönner on the album “Nightfall” that has that cashmere quality. The song is “A Thousand Kisses Deep”. Herr Brönner on trumpet with double bass player Dieter Ilg plays so intimately and in perfect balance with each other. It would be easy for the trumpet to dominate with its sparking highs, but the double bass fills and balances the space the two of them inhabit. Their sound is lush and full, while spacious. The vibration of the bass strings and the breaths that Dieter takes on his solo brings a living presence to the space. The playing is much like the sound of the headphones in how they present music; equal weight to the highs and lows while being warm and intimate.
Since the HED team said that the engineers first built a wired headphone and only added the electronics after getting the Unity sound the way they wanted, I thought I would start out listening to them as passive wired headphones. Unlike Bluetooth headphones that I’ve listened to that are also wired, these headphones stand on their own as passive headphones.
Electronic Specifications
Processor:
Dual-core 650 MHz 32-bit ARMv7 Processor
RAM:
1GB 800 MHz DDR3L Memory
Onboard Storage:
16GB eMMC
Wireless:
2.4GHz Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n + BT /BLE 4.2
Motion Sensor:
9-axis motion sensor (accelerometer, gyro, magnetometer)
USB Type:
C – Charging and wired audio
Battery:
Lithium-ion 3.8V. 1680mAh. 6.38W
Charging:
USB 5V, 500mA / 1A adapter for faster charging
Operating time:
6-8 hours of Hi-Res or Bluetooth listening
Charging Time:
15min = 20% 1h = 80%; 1h:30min. = 100%
Software Update:
Over the air (OTA)
Audio
Drivers:
40mm Titanium coated
Impedance:
24 ohms
Frequency Response:
20Hz – 22kHz
Sensitivity:
102 dB/mW @1kHz when connected via a cable with the headset off.
105 dB/mW @1 kHz when connected via a cable with the headset on.
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
Passive wired <0.2% Active <1% @1kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR):
at 1kHz full scale – 74 db
Wi-Fi:
24bit /96kHz lossless
Microphones:
12 (8 digital 4 analog)
Premium Headset Functionality
Bluetooth:
SBC and AAC
Noise Cancelling
Programmable function button:
For quick or frequently used functions
EQ:
Presets and user-customizable
Passive listening:
Wired
Phone Call Clarity:
Beamforming noise cancelling microphone
App:
iOS and Android companion mobile
MSRP:
$2,199.00
Website:
SECRETS Tags:
hed, wireless, headphones, wifi, Bluetooth, anc
The HED Unity arrived in a textured, simple black carton. The theme from “2001 A Space Odyssey” began playing in my head as I looked at them on my dining table.
Opening the carton, I found a rather unusual-looking case. According to Unity, it is a “state-of-the-art, military-grade protection technology custom engineered by SKYDEX. The company’s proprietary, geometry-based matting shelters Unity from even the most extreme elements”.
Secrets Sponsor
Inside that formidable futuristic-looking zippered case is a simple layout of the headphones encircling a circular zippered soft-fiber case and an information packet.
The small, zippered case contained all the included accessories: a USB-C to Aux adaptor, and a USB-C to USB-A charging cable. I was impressed with the quick-start manual. Printed on accordion-folded card stock, it opened to a well-diagrammed, easy-to-read (yay! Finally, someone really gets it) set of instructions with the basics to get up and running. The headphones came mostly charged, so I put them on the charger to top them off.
I started out by listening to them wired, without Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. At 24 ohms the impedance was low and easy to drive. I plugged the Unity into my AudioQuest Dragonfly Red DAC/amp dongle which was plugged into my iPhone through a Lightning to USB adaptor. They played loud and clear; they just loped along easily. I would not wear these while traveling, but they are clearly portable, and you wouldn’t have to be tethered to a headphone amp to enjoy music. Mostly I had them plugged into a Topping Dx7 Pro DAC/Amp. I used a 1/8th to ¼ adaptor to plug into the Topping.
The earcups are fixed in place. It would be nice if they swiveled, however, I’m guessing that they need to be fixed to house all the electronics. The sliding adjustment on the headband is an infinite-size slider. They are well-executed and should fit a broad range of head sizes. A good test of headphone fit is how they fit me. As a woman, my head is smaller, and some headphones just don’t notch down short enough and the bottoms of the earcups end up hanging below my ears. Here is a comment to headphone manufacturers. Women are a growing segment of the headphone market. Make sure you build a product that we can wear comfortably.
Secrets Sponsor
The look and feel of the Unity headphones are unique and sumptuous. They have heft and a solid feel that reminds me of what closing a Mercedes door sounds like. The outside of the earcups has a satin finish that conveys the fact that you are holding a luxury set of headphones. The earpads are a suede-like microfiber that covers cooling gel and memory foam layers. The outside of the headband has the same anodized finish and material as the earpads. The underside is lightly padded and covered with a velvety/satiny smooth material that was exquisite to the touch. I found myself wishing they had a bit more padding; they are firm in a no-nonsense Swiss way. They became a little warm against my head when listening for extended sessions. The Unity branding is only displayed on the headband in discreet raised metal lettering the same color as the headband. A touch of class.
The power button, which also is used to connect to Bluetooth, is on the left earcup and the mode and volume buttons are on the right earcup. I found it took a bit of practice to feel the subtle differences in the buttons for such actions as volume vs pause.
The clamping force was just right. Along with the firmly padded earpads, they created a seal that provided excellent passive noise-canceling. The oval earpads were roomy enough to give space to my ears so that I didn’t feel closed inside a chamber; something that can happen with some closed-back headphones.
The mode button activates the ANC feature. At this point, the ANC is basic on and off, which I liked. Some ANC headphones can have so many choices they get a bit fussy. HED Unity has a lot of features to be brought on board over time, including more ANC functions. Unique features that are custom programable since there is a Linux computer on board. Those many features will be announced as they are released. Having said that, the engineers made sure that these headphones came with what I consider some of the most important features including Wi-Fi. The ANC can be activated through both the mode button and through the Unity app, where the same screen also contains access to the EQ, Wi-Fi, and battery level.
When I first saw the battery capacity was 6-8 hours, I was a bit taken aback. I’m used to seeing ANC headphones with 50-plus hour capacity. However, there is a lot of computing power running in the background, and I’m guessing that the HED engineers wanted to keep the battery size manageable to keep the headphones as compact as they are. What I found, however, is that I never once ran the battery down to where it needed to be charged. Since these are not really headphones I would wear on a flight, I don’t think they need a huge amount of capacity. I can’t imagine listening for more than a couple of hours at best, so it was a non-issue. I like that HED Unity is taking its own path; clearly not trying to compete with the “Bose’s” of the Bluetooth ANC wireless headphones.
![HED Unity Wireless Wi-Fi Full-Fidelity™ ANC Headphones headphone app screen ANC HED Unity Wireless Wi-Fi Full-Fidelity™ ANC Headphones headphone app screen ANC](/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Image-8-HED-unity-app-screen-ANC.jpg)
As I mentioned, the Unity headphones can be used as passive, wired headphones without being turned on. However, turning them on is a bit of a process. The initial start-up is really booting up a computer and it takes about a minute and a half to come on board. The app will ask to be paired to Bluetooth, which may or may not be connected already. After that, the Unity headphones finish logging on to the local Wi-Fi network that was previously set up. The final step takes the Wi-Fi to Hi-Res-24bits/96kHz. A box within the Qobuz music page will tell you whether the feature is on or off. All these steps are clearly outlined in the start-up guide; the version that is online at HED Unity is periodically updated, so I recommend the online start-up guide.
![HED Unity Wireless Wi-Fi Full-Fidelity™ ANC Headphones headphone qobuz app screen herbie hancock HED Unity Wireless Wi-Fi Full-Fidelity™ ANC Headphones headphone qobuz app screen herbie hancock](/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Image-11-HED-unity-qobuz-app-screen-herbie-hancock.jpg)
![HED Unity Wireless Wi-Fi Full-Fidelity™ ANC Headphones headphone app screen full-fidelity HED Unity Wireless Wi-Fi Full-Fidelity™ ANC Headphones headphone app screen full-fidelity](/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Image-12-HED-unity-app-screen-full-fidelity.jpg)
The Unity app, which can be found on both Apple iOS and Android app sites is well laid out. The first startup of the headphones requires a syncing of your mobile device through Bluetooth followed by connecting to your Wi-Fi network through the start-up page. The Unity will remember the settings.
![HED Unity Wireless Wi-Fi Full-Fidelity™ ANC Headphones headphone app screen start-up page HED Unity Wireless Wi-Fi Full-Fidelity™ ANC Headphones headphone app screen start-up page](/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/image-9-HED-unity-app-screen-start-up-page.jpg)
![HED Unity Wireless Wi-Fi Full-Fidelity™ ANC Headphones headphone app screen settings HED Unity Wireless Wi-Fi Full-Fidelity™ ANC Headphones headphone app screen settings](/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Image-10-HED-unity-app-screen-settings-.jpg)
Once everything is up and running, the Unity are playing through the Wi-Fi connection if the music service is part of Unity’s music streaming partners, like Qobuz. I was able to play Apple music through AAC Bluetooth or wired, which is how to listen to music streaming services that aren’t on board yet.
The Bluetooth connection sounds very good. I could easily listen to Apple Music, for example, and still be impressed with the audio quality. But wow, when I was listening to Qobuz with the Wi-Fi Hi-Res-24bit/96kHz Full-Fidelity connection, I was impressed. I kept A-B switching between wired and Wi-Fi and I don’t think I could hear a difference. Occasionally (but rarely) I encountered stuttering or break-up as the headphones seemed to lose then found the Wi-Fi again.
I’ve been playing a wide variety of music tracks to explore the range of these headphones. I’ve also given both wired and Wi-Fi equal listening. My music source was Qobuz, and I played each song at its highest resolution, which varies depending on the recording.
Soundtrack “Inception”
I mentioned the velvety quality of the sound. Another track that exemplifies that feel is Hans Zimmer’s “Time” from the film “Inception” which begins like a whisper; piano and rhythmic soft strings so intimate and close, I wanted to lean in, then slowly builds with percussion and a full orchestra until that whisper becomes a powerful storm. On the right headphones, it is breathtaking and deeply emotional, but on lesser cans, this piece could be muddy and confusing. The Unity presented the extreme dynamics from the soft quiet to the explosive orchestral climax with ease; all instruments shone throughout and even the wild full force ending was easy to listen to. Again, on lesser cans, the music could have distorted and become a harsh mess. I think this is a challenging piece of music.
Pink Floyd “Dark Side of the Moon”
Another piece that tests dynamic range is Pink Floyd’s“The Great Gig in the Sky” off the 50th Anniversary 2023 Remaster of Dark Side of the Moon, which also begins with a rather quiet solo piano played by Richard Wright, (who wrote the piece), but quickly builds as bass played by Roger Waters and David Gilmour’s electric guitars join in. Then drums, cymbals, and Hammond organ are added and then the powerful voice of British singer Clare H. Torry comes in and improvises with soaring wordless vocals. At this point, all hell breaks loose. Nick Mason’s pounding drums help drive the music to a powerful crescendo which then falls back into Clare’s quieting voice and delicate piano and cymbals. At this point, the music is airy, spacious, and almost quiet. The Unity’s carried the extreme dynamics with ease. I forgot I was listening wirelessly through Wi-Fi. The details, clarity, and power were not in any way diminished as they would have been through Bluetooth. I did notice the left earpad was getting a bit warm on the outside; like putting my hand on the Topping Dx7 Pro, though to a lesser degree. Not uncomfortable, but noticeable. These cans are working hard!
Patricia Barber Quintet “Companion”
Delving into jazz and the Patricia Barber Quintet’s “Companion” live album recording of a three-night performance in 1999 at the Green Mill jazz club in Chicago. It has the wonderful spacious liveliness of a live recording with the technical finesse of a studio recording. This was partly due to the audience’s promise to remain quiet during the songs. I recommend the entire album enthusiastically, but the song I highlight here is “Black Magic Woman”. If there was ever a piece of music to celebrate a good audio system or headphones, it was this performance. In fact, it is so powerful, that you can hear the audience break their promise to keep quiet at both the beginning and towards the end. The music? Holy cow! It begins with a brief sound of the welcoming clapping followed by organ and Patricia Barber’s warm smoky vocals layered instrument by instrument delicately joining in, from the airy wind chimes and John McLeans’s electric guitar’s spare notes, followed by Michael Arnopol’s upright bass. It feels like church; reverential and quiet. And then, in comes Ruben P. Alvarez’s and Eric Montzka’s percussion; bongos, conga drums, drum set, cowbells, and more. Carlos Santana meets Brazilian Carnival. Each band member has a solo moment or two which showcases the vibrant talents of each member.
The Unity held each instrument clearly and accurately; perhaps reflecting Tim Degraye’s recording engineer background. These are great headphones for listening to live recordings. They present what can be a sometimes too-bright sound with a warm, slightly rounded timbre that made me feel like I was in the room without needing to cover my ears.
Sir Ray Davies “Our Country: Americana Act 2”
For a bit of fun, Sir Ray Davies’s “The Getaway” from his country-infused album “Our Country: Americana Act 2” rocks with the rhythm of the train in his getaway. I always smile when I play this song. It is a rollicking piece with a bit of everything. Lead vocals, piano, guitars, spoken word, and backing vocals by Sir Ray Davies. Bill Shanley and Gary Louris on acoustic and electric guitars, John Jackson on mandolin and fiddle, Karen Grotberg on piano, keyboard and vocals, Mick Talbot on Hammond organ and, vocals and bass by Marc Perlman. Again, the Unity handles a wide range of instruments and vocals with both punch and clarity.
The HED Unity wireless, truly lossless, ANC Wi-Fi headphones hold a unique place in the world of headphones. Their price puts them in the category of high-end wired headphones, with a sound to match. Their elegant and solid design reflects their luxury appeal. The HED Unity has succeeded in showing me that wireless headphones can match the detail and fidelity of wired headphones.
- Wi-Fi Lossless wireless sound that matches wired
- Beautiful
- Well-made solid construction
- A very protective case
- Highly adjustable headband that fits smaller heads
- USB-C AUX adapter for wired listening with Aux cable
- USB-C port
- Simple easy to reach function buttons
- A detailed warm sound that handles a wide dynamic range with ease
- Excellent printed instructions
- Apple iOS and Android app
- Easier, less complicated steps for activating Wi-Fi and Full Fidelity™ Hi-Res streaming music
In my opinion, the HED Unity headphones have taken a bold step by taking on the challenge of creating the first wireless, ANC Wi-Fi headphones. The technical challenges are daunting and the vision for the multi-purpose execution of an onboard computer is ambitious. These headphones are entering a crowded field. Their MSRP puts them in the $2K to $3K marketplace, which is the domain of wired high-end headphones, and well above most wireless ANC headphones. It is early in the HED Unity’s entry into the headphone market, and I can only evaluate them with the current slate of features, which don’t reflect all that these headphones are designed to do. They have proven one thing to me. Wireless can be as good as wired if transmitted by Wi-Fi rather than Bluetooth. However, the complexity (at least in version 1 of the software) of execution to enjoy that Wi-Fi feature, takes a bit of practice to master. At this point, as luxurious, and refined as these beautiful worthy-of-a-place in the Museum of Modern Art headphones are, for me, I would rather have my quick-to-start-up and instantly sync Bluetooth wireless headphones or my high-end wired headphones for the simplicity and flexibility they provide. I look forward to seeing how these unique, one-of-a-kind headphones evolve. They have achieved something special, with a sound signature to match, and I look forward to hearing more from this new and very innovative company.