HiFiMAN Arya Full-size Over Ear Planar Magnetic Audiophile Adjustable Headphone

Product Information

Hi Louis, The Ether 2’s will need more power than the Arya. Also, it is generally warmer and more relaxing through the upper mids and treble. Physically, the Ether 2 is lighter but both are very comfortable. Personally, I think the Ether 2 has the better build quality. HiFiMAN Arya vs HiFiMAN Ananda: the Ananda and the Arya are somewhat similar, but the differences are enough to justify saying that they’re also quite different. The Arya have better bass extension as well as better layering and detail, plus they also have more bass in general; speed is better on the Arya as well, while physicality is comparable. Midrange is much brighter on the Ananda, where it has less presence in the lower region as well as more in the upper one – save for the peak in the upmost region of the Arya, where it is in fact brighter than the Ananda’s. Detail is slightly better on the Arya, which also has the upper hand when it comes to speed. Apart from the peak in the lower area on the Arya, the Ananda have more emphasised treble, although extension appears to be better on the Arya which also have better resolution. All technical aspects – soundstage, imaging and especially instrument separation – are better on the Arya.

These are good headphones and probably the best at this price. Fingers crossed they last a lot longer this time. I'm listening via iTunes Lossless -> iPad Pro 2019 -> RME ADI-2 DAC FS -> XLR -> Topping A90 -> Hart Audio Cables -> Arya(s). I have EQ'd according to Oratory1990s Harmon 2018 index for the OG Arya just to give it competitive bass at times, but have also listened to both with no EQ.

Sundara is almost a legend when it comes to value for money, these are warmer, slightly bassier headphones. While the Aria Organic is a more mature headphone with more panache and much more holography. It all depends on the budget, because although it is undoubtedly worth it, you still need to add USD 1000 to Aria organic. In case you receive the HiFiMAN - Arya (Stealth Magnet Version) with a manufacturing defect, please raise a The Arya Stealth treble coloration is probably best described as finely balanced with a default clean quality. Slip it some brighter mixes or a bright hard-edged sounding source and chances are you will hear that come through. Seriously, do yourself a favor and put on your best set of headphones and listen to this. You will thank me later.)

Disclaimer: The HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version was sent to us as a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at Hifimanfor giving us this opportunity. It takes a few hours for Arya to break-in. In the beginning It needed 110 on the volume dial, after a 9-10hrs it was playing at the same level with 92~95 on volume wheel. [DX220 with AMP8EX module] ThComparison to Sundaras - If Sunadara's are 1080p then Arya is 4K. I approximate them to be 38% better than Sundaras. I tend to mix and match a smooth solid-state amp or a tube amp with a solid-state rectifier such as the Feliks Envy combined with an R2R DAC like the Pegasus from Musician Audio to delicately soften percussion and vocal note leading edges. The resulting timbral performance is still very precise but smoother in its delivery. Staging & Dynamics Up until the launch of the Meze Empyrean and Elite, I would have said the Arya Stealth form factor is one of the most comfort and well-balanced headphones you can get. It still is, though at 430g there are lighter in the market. This is a song I’ve loved for years. It sounds better on the HD800S than I’ve ever heard it sound anywhere else, including the Arya. But this song sort of has a “bubble of sound” effect built in that is very synergistic with the 800.

Hello, great review! How do you think it compares to a Dan Clark Ether 2. In my country (spain) is difficult to compare them side by side at the same shop, and they are similarly priced (around 300€ more the Ethers) Although I must admit that bass always seems to be the low point in the Arya lineup’s overall sound tuning, no pun intended. snare. Lots of the low-end vocals as well, because male vocals are going to have the fundamental below 200Hz in What exactly does a stealth magnet do, and what are its advantages? These magnets allow the signal to pass through the driver while avoiding interference. With less wave diffraction impacting the quality of the output, the signal flow is allowed to be purer than originally before. Soundstage

Design, Build and Comfort​

A lover of music, audio gear, and a Computer geek. I have an eclectic taste in music and a particular passion for great sound. I've spun vinyl as a DJ in New York City and New Jersey, worked in electronics manufacturing and sold There is no carry case for the Arya Stealth but rather you get the foam and satin overthrow from the original Arya box with the headphones firmly inserted in the center. To the top, there is a manual, warranty card and just underneath (though still above the headphones), is the cable.