Over-Ear
Focal Elex
84Great
$440
Full review dataFocal Elex vs HiFiMAN Arya: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN Arya comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: HiFiMAN Arya - Outstanding overall at around $769.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Focal Elex
Sound9.0
Value8.5
HiFiMAN Arya
Sound9.5
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Focal Elex | HiFiMAN Arya |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $440 | $770 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2020 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 40mm aluminum-magnesium M-shaped dynamic driver | Planar |
| Driver size | 40 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 5Hz-23kHz | 8Hz-65kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 80 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB/mW | 90 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 450 g | 430 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | - | No |
| Balanced connection | - | Yes |
What reviewers said
Focal Elex
The Focal Elex is a wired, open-back over-ear headphone that delivers a wide, detailed soundstage with strong imaging and dynamic punch, making it a standout value near its price point. Its 40mm aluminum-magnesium driver and efficient 80-ohm/104dB design mean it pairs well with modest amplifiers, while the comfortable fit and attractive build add to its appeal. However, its substantial weight and occasional quality-control issues are worth noting before purchase.
- Pro:Excellent detail and imaging for the price
- Pro:Easy to drive with most sources
- Pro:Comfortable and well-built design
- Con:Heavy at 450 grams
- Con:No carrying case included
- Con:Potential quality-control concerns
HiFiMAN Arya
The HiFiMAN Arya is a premium planar magnetic headphone known for its exceptionally fast, detailed, and airy sound. Its bright-neutral tuning delivers a highly resolving, spacious presentation with excellent technical performance, making it a strong choice for critical listening, though it requires a good amplifier to shine. With a comfortable open-back design and a relatively affordable price for its class, it balances high-end performance with accessibility.
- Pro:Excellent detail retrieval and transparency
- Pro:Wide, open soundstage with precise imaging
- Pro:Fast and articulate planar driver response
- Con:Bright treble can be fatiguing for sensitive ears
- Con:Needs a powerful amp to reach full potential
- Con:Open-back leaks sound and offers little isolation
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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