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

Product Information

HiFiMAN Arya Stealth — HEDDphone ONE — ZMF Auteur OG Zebrawood LTD — AKG K340 — Stanton Dynaphase Sixty (modded) I like both the Arya and LCD-X. They have their own strengths and weaknesses. But I’ve been using the Arya more since it is more comfortable to wear. Sometimes I switch between the two depending on the music I listen to or the mood. Arya vs LCD-GX Do you want a proven, reliable build? Then take the HD800S for Sennheiser’s legendary build quality. Nonetheless, even if i'm gratefull to have the chance to test and review such high end planar Headphones, it doesn't inflict on my critical listening impressions, which are subjective and stubbornly independent minded. Both the metallic and plastic parts are of higher quality than the Ananda, the metal is thinner and better finished while the overall construction is much better.

The tonal timbre is mostly natural and the Arya can easily convey all the harmonic wealth and the diversity of the multicolored overtones.

When it comes to its bass performance, the Arya Stealth delivers quite well with a good amount of extension all the way down to the sub-bass region. However, the bass on the Arya is not for the bassheads. I think it sounds clean and precise but without the (over) emphasis that we usually hear on some warm-sounding headphones or bassy headphones. The good thing is, you can give the bass region a little bit of a bump using an EQ to suit your taste. Mids and Highs Are Its Forte In fact, I don't think I have find the perfect DAC-AMP to pair with those, yet can confirm 1W and up is minimal amping needed for fully blossom dynamic and headroom openess… The suspended dynamic driver is offering some of the best dynamics ever heard with a rumbling, thundering performance while the bass is considerably more visceral and full bodied with excellent technicalities at the same time. Putting the Arya right after the HEDDphone gives us a feeling that a slight voal has just been removed. The lower-midrange in the HEDDphone might come as slightly veiled and dull for some, but honestly…I really like it, it gives male vocal that magic and warmth that I crave.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s get into what makes the Arya and what this new Stealth Magnet version is all about. The Arya is a planar magnetic headphone and an excellent example of why audiophiles love planars so much. Planars, when designed and tuned correctly, are capable of delivering exceptional clarity across a wide frequency response. The frequency range on the Arya is an expansive 8Hz to 65kHz and it’s tuned impeccably well. If there is distortion, you’re not going to hear it under any normal listening scenario. Clarity, thy name is Arya. Let’s start off with the things I think Hifiman should improve with the Arya, or perhaps some of their top-tier headphones in general. I think the Arya has an excellent design overall and it looks aesthetically pleasing and a head-turner. I like how it looks and the color. However, I wish Hifiman also used a leather headband support instead of pleather. Similar to what they use on the HE1000 V2 or Susvara. The perforated headband support would look nice on the Arya in my opinion.This pairing show how clean, crisp and detailed can go the Arya but affect the bass heft and this sens of lively airyness. Vocals are also outstanding. Female vocals tend to cut forward like Rihanna in Love the Way You Lie , but there’s a sweetness and realistic timbre. Male vocals are lush and enjoyable, like Ed Sheeran, 50 Cent, and Eminem in Remember the Name . Claudio Sanchez in Pearl of the Stars and Wake Up was particularly evocative when heard through the Arya Stealths. The Arya has a slightly more extended bass, whereas the HD800S has a slightly wider soundstage, but without A/B'ing them I don't think most people would even notice. I also think the Arya might have a slightly flatter mid range, but the difference is so minimal that it might just be in my head.

I can forgive the other parts being plastic since Hifiman may be targeting a certain weight and comfort. And yes, it is undeniably one of the most comfortable headphones I have tried. Not only in weight, but the clamping force and feel on the head as well, minus the polyester surface of the ear pads. The good thing is the earpads are replaceable. Although I can’t find a leather replacement for the headband suspension (yet). I hope the company would sell its leather headband suspension as well.The build quality is really good. Even though the earcups are made of plastic, the whole headphone feels solid and really well-made. As usual with high-end Hifiman products, I have to point out one, very important thing. I can’t rate the build quality and comfort separately, since one is dependant on the other. Having in mind that the Arya SE is significantly lighter and more comfortable than the Audeze LCD-X, and WAY more comfortable than the HEDDphone, I can’t do anything else as rating the build quality superb. It’s just an engineering approach to the design, where functionality and comfort are most important, and that’s how it should be. Instruments and voices are reproduced with an earth-like quality, almost organic, there is an increased sense of musicality combined with great lucidity, you can hear behind the lines, this is a highly convincing and atmospheric musical experience. HiFiMan designed the Arya's high-quality metal headband with extra strength and a special high-grade plastic for lightweight comfort and rugged durability. A sturdy 3.5 mm user-replaceable connector design allows easy cable-swapping, giving both maximum durability and enhanced customizability. Arya Stealth Magnets is constructed from metal and high-grade plastic, which lends both sturdiness and light weight to the headphone (it's 404g, or about 14 ounces). The head strap is perfectly comfortable but the fabric on the underside is slightly bunchy, which seemed odd to me, but that's a minor detail. How good is the Arya Stealth?! Waw! It isn’t cheap or available to everyone but the performance for the price is highly remarkable.