Audio-Technica Awas 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.

Audio-Technica Awas
HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled

HearWiki score

Sound

8.4

9.4

Value

6.1

8.0

Price (USD)

$1,500

$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 3 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 3 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.

Awas2021
Arya Unveiled20243 yr newer

Specifications

AwasArya Unveiled

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $1,500; $1,200
HearWiki score: 71; 84
Released: 2021; 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 - 42 kHz; 8 Hz - 65 kHz
Impedance: 40 Ω; 27 Ω
Sensitivity: 99 dB/mW; 94 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling: No; No
Weight: 395 g; 413 g
Detachable cable: Yes; Yes
Connector: 6.35 mm; 6.35 mm
Balanced connection: Yes; Yes

Specification comparison of Audio-Technica Awas vs HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
Spec	Audio-Technica Awas	HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$1,500	$1,200
HearWiki score	71 / 100 Good	84 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2021	2024
Audio
Driver	53 mm dynamic	planar magnetic
Driver type	dynamic	planar
Driver size	53 mm	-
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	5 Hz - 42 kHz	8 Hz - 65 kHz
Impedance	40 Ω	27 Ω
Sensitivity	99 dB/mW	94 dB/mW
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	No
Design
Weight	395 g	413 g
Detachable cable	Yes	Yes
Connector	6.35 mm	6.35 mm
Balanced connection	Yes	Yes

What reviewers said

Audio-Technica Awas

The Audio-Technica AWAS is a premium closed-back headphone with Japanese cherry wood housings and a warm, musical sound signature. It features a large 53 mm dynamic driver, is easy to drive, and comes with both standard and balanced cables, though its high price and wired-only design limit its appeal to dedicated audiophiles.

Pro:Beautiful cherry wood build with premium feel
Pro:Clear, detailed sound with strong separation
Pro:Easy to drive despite large driver

Con:Very expensive for a wired-only headphone
Con:Bass is restrained, not for bassheads
Con:Sound can feel serious rather than playful

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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