Audeze LCD-X 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

Score 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.

Audeze LCD-X
HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled

HearWiki score

Sound

9.0

9.4

Value

7.8

8.0

Price (USD)

$1,700

$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 11 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 11 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.

LCD-X2013
Arya Unveiled202411 yr newer

Specifications

LCD-XArya Unveiled

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $1,700; $1,200
HearWiki score: 76; 84
Released: 2013; 2024
Availability: Still sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 106 mm planar magnetic; planar magnetic
Driver type: planar; planar
Driver size: 106 mm; -
Drivers per side: -; 1
Frequency response: -; 8 Hz - 65 kHz
Impedance: 20 Ω; 27 Ω
Sensitivity: 103 dB/mW; 94 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling: -; No
Weight: 612 g; 413 g
Detachable cable: -; Yes
Connector: -; 6.35 mm
Balanced connection: -; Yes

Specification comparison of Audeze LCD-X vs HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
Spec	Audeze LCD-X	HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$1,700	$1,200
HearWiki score	76 / 100 Great	84 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2013	2024
Audio
Driver	106 mm planar magnetic	planar magnetic
Driver type	planar	planar
Driver size	106 mm	-
Drivers per side	-	1
Frequency response	-	8 Hz - 65 kHz
Impedance	20 Ω	27 Ω
Sensitivity	103 dB/mW	94 dB/mW
Features
Active noise cancelling	-	No
Design
Weight	612 g	413 g
Detachable cable	-	Yes
Connector	-	6.35 mm
Balanced connection	-	Yes

What reviewers said

Audeze LCD-X

The Audeze LCD-X is a premium open-back planar magnetic headphone built for critical listening and professional audio work, featuring large 106 mm drivers that deliver exceptional detail and accuracy. Its wired-only design and high weight are trade-offs for its studio-grade transparency and dynamic range.

Pro:Large 106 mm planar drivers for superb detail
Pro:Open-back design offers natural, spacious soundstage
Pro:High sensitivity for a planar, easy to drive

Con:Heavy at 612 g, can cause fatigue over long sessions
Con:No active noise cancellation or wireless options
Con:Open-back leaks sound and offers little isolation

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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New comparison Audeze LCD-X HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled