Audeze MM520 vs HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Audeze MM520 vs HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

Over-Ear

Audeze MM520

Not yet scored

$1,700

Full review data

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 MM520
HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled

HearWiki score

Sound

9.4

Value

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 Audeze MM520 is 2 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.

MM52020262 yr newer
Arya Unveiled2024

Specifications

MM520Arya Unveiled

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $1,700; $1,200
HearWiki score: Not scored; 84
Released: 2026; 2024
Availability: Sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 90 mm planar magnetic; planar magnetic
Driver type: planar; planar
Driver size: 90 mm; -
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 5 Hz - 50 kHz; 8 Hz - 65 kHz
Impedance: 18 Ω; 27 Ω
Sensitivity: 102 dB/mW; 94 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling: -; No
Weight: 555 g; 413 g
Detachable cable: -; Yes
Connector: XLR; 6.35 mm
Balanced connection: -; Yes

Specification comparison of Audeze MM520 vs HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
Spec	Audeze MM520	HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$1,700	$1,200
HearWiki score	Not scored	84 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2026	2024
Audio
Driver	90 mm planar magnetic	planar magnetic
Driver type	planar	planar
Driver size	90 mm	-
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	5 Hz - 50 kHz	8 Hz - 65 kHz
Impedance	18 Ω	27 Ω
Sensitivity	102 dB/mW	94 dB/mW
Features
Active noise cancelling	-	No
Design
Weight	555 g	413 g
Detachable cable	-	Yes
Connector	XLR	6.35 mm
Balanced connection	-	Yes

What reviewers said

Audeze MM520

The Audeze MM520 is an open-back, wired over-ear headphone built around a large 90mm planar magnetic driver, aimed at both monitoring and audiophile listening. It delivers a highly efficient, linear sound signature with notably deep bass extension, thanks to its SLAM technology. Priced at around $1699, it offers a transparent and precise presentation for critical listening sessions.

Pro:Excellent bass depth and extension
Pro:High efficiency for a planar magnetic design
Pro:Linear and accurate sound reproduction

Con:No active noise cancellation, limiting portability
Con:Heavy at 555 grams, potentially uncomfortable for long sessions
Con:Wired-only with XLR connection, requiring a compatible amplifier

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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