Over-Ear
AKG K872
67Good
$2,000
Full review dataAKG K872 vs HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled - Outstanding overall at around $1199.
Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
84Outstanding
$1,200
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled leads on 4 of 4 measures.
- AKG K872
- HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
HearWiki score
67
84
Sound
8.2
9.4
Value
3.5
8.0
Price (USD)
$2,000
$1,200
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled is 8 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 8 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- K8722016
- Arya Unveiled20248 yr newer
Specifications
K872Arya Unveiled
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $2,000
- $1,200
- HearWiki score
- 67
- 84
- Released
- 2016
- 2024
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 53 mm dynamic
- planar magnetic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- planar
- Driver size
- 53 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 5 Hz - 54 kHz
- 8 Hz - 65 kHz
- Impedance
- 36 Ω
- 27 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 109 dB/mW
- 94 dB/mW
- Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
- 112
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- 390 g
- 413 g
- Foldable
- No
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- -
- Connector
- -
- 6.35 mm
- Balanced connection
- -
- Yes
What reviewers said
AKG K872
The AKG K872 is a premium closed-back studio headphone that combines a wide frequency response with a 53mm dynamic driver, delivering detailed and accurate sound. It's designed for professional use, offering strong isolation and ease of driving from modest sources, though it benefits from a dedicated amplifier for optimal performance. While it presents a versatile and refined tuning compared to earlier models, its high price and specific studio focus may limit its appeal to general consumers.
- Pro:Wide frequency response and detailed sound reproduction
- Pro:Strong passive isolation suitable for studio environments
- Pro:Easy to drive from portable devices and modest sources
- Con:High price point limits accessibility
- Con:Requires a quality headphone amplifier for best sound
- Con:Not foldable, reducing portability
HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
The HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled is a high-end open-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers exceptional detail, tonal accuracy, and a balanced soundstage, making it a strong contender for audiophiles. Its grill-less design reduces reflections for cleaner audio, and it offers easy drivability for its class, though the exposed drivers require careful handling. With a neutral-to-warm tuning and broad frequency extension, it provides a compelling blend of technical performance and musicality.
- Pro:Excellent detail retrieval and tonal accuracy
- Pro:Spacious and well-defined imaging
- Pro:Comfortable for extended listening sessions
- Con:Exposed driver design requires careful handling
- Con:Limited connectivity options out of the box
- Con:Ear-cup material may not appeal to everyone
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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