Dan Clark Audio Noire 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 3 of 4 measures.

Dan Clark Audio Noire X
HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled

HearWiki score

Sound

8.7

9.4

Value

7.6

8.0

Price (USD)

$1,100

$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

Both shipped in 2024. These are 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.

Noire X2024
Arya Unveiled2024

Specifications

Noire XArya Unveiled

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $1,100; $1,200
HearWiki score: 79; 84
Released: 2024; 2024
Availability: Still sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 62 mm planar magnetic; planar magnetic
Driver type: planar; planar
Driver size: 62 mm; -
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: -; 8 Hz - 65 kHz
Impedance: 13 Ω; 27 Ω
Sensitivity: 90 dB/mW; 94 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling: No; No
Weight: 403 g; 413 g
Detachable cable: Yes; Yes
Connector: 6.35 mm; 6.35 mm
Balanced connection: Yes; Yes

Specification comparison of Dan Clark Audio Noire X vs HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
Spec	Dan Clark Audio Noire X	HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$1,100	$1,200
HearWiki score	79 / 100 Great	84 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2024	2024
Audio
Driver	62 mm planar magnetic	planar magnetic
Driver type	planar	planar
Driver size	62 mm	-
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	-	8 Hz - 65 kHz
Impedance	13 Ω	27 Ω
Sensitivity	90 dB/mW	94 dB/mW
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	No
Design
Weight	403 g	413 g
Detachable cable	Yes	Yes
Connector	6.35 mm	6.35 mm
Balanced connection	Yes	Yes

What reviewers said

Dan Clark Audio Noire X

The Dan Clark Audio Noire X is a premium closed-back planar headphone that delivers a refined, detailed, and dynamic sound with notably strong imaging for its design. It pairs a lightweight, sturdy build with a neutral-ish, versatile tuning that benefits from a capable amplifier to reach its full potential. While it offers excellent treble control and overall clarity, it may require careful system matching and has minor ergonomic quirks.

Pro:Detailed and resolving planar sound
Pro:Excellent imaging for a closed-back design
Pro:Lightweight and robust construction

Con:Needs a capable amplifier to sound its best
Con:Potential treble peak for some listeners
Con:Finish and folding mechanism could be improved

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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