Over-Ear
Dan Clark Audio Ether 2
59Average
$2,200
Full review dataDan Clark Audio Ether 2 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.
- Dan Clark Audio Ether 2
- HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
HearWiki score
59
84
Sound
8.0
9.4
Value
5.0
8.0
Price (USD)
$2,200
$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 6 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 6 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Ether 22018
- Arya Unveiled20246 yr newer
Specifications
Ether 2Arya Unveiled
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $2,200
- $1,200
- HearWiki score
- 59
- 84
- Released
- 2018
- 2024
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 71 mm planar magnetic
- planar magnetic
- Driver type
- planar
- planar
- Driver size
- 71 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 8 Hz - 65 kHz
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 27 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 92 dB/mW
- 94 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- 289 g
- 413 g
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- Pad material
- protein-leather
- -
- Connector
- -
- 6.35 mm
- Balanced connection
- -
- Yes
What reviewers said
Dan Clark Audio Ether 2
The Dan Clark Audio Ether 2 is a premium open-back planar magnetic headphone designed for audiophiles seeking a reference-grade listening experience. Its ultra-light 289g frame and 71mm TrueFlow driver deliver a linear, intimate sound with strong separation and imaging, while the low 16-ohm impedance makes it easier to drive than many planars. This wired, passive model prioritizes comfort and refined tonality over features like ANC, positioning it as a top-tier choice for critical listening at home.
- Pro:Exceptionally lightweight at 289g for extended comfort
- Pro:Highly linear and refined sound signature with excellent imaging
- Pro:Low impedance makes it easy to drive from a variety of sources
- Con:No active noise cancellation or wireless functionality
- Con:Intimate soundstage rather than expansive or airy
- Con:High price point limits accessibility
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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