Over-Ear
Fosi I5
76Great
$550
Full review dataFosi I5 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.
Fosi I5
Sound7.5
Value8.0
HiFiMAN Arya
Sound9.5
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Fosi I5 | HiFiMAN Arya |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $550 | $769 |
| HearWiki score | 76 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2025 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | Planar |
| Driver size | 97 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 10Hz-50kHz | 8Hz-65kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 28 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW | 90 dB/mW |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 550 g | 430 g |
| USB-C | - | No |
| Balanced connection | Yes | Yes |
What reviewers said
Fosi I5
The Fosi I5 is an open-back planar headphone that offers solid technical performance and a warm, engaging sound signature at a competitive price. It is relatively easy to drive, though it performs best with adequate amplification, and its build quality and comfort are generally praised despite its substantial weight. The tuning may not suit everyone due to some emphasis in the upper frequencies, but it remains a strong value for those seeking a capable planar option.
- Pro:Solid technical performance for the price
- Pro:Comfortable and well-built despite being heavy
- Pro:Easy to drive with modest sources
- Con:Heavy weight may be tiring over long sessions
- Con:Treble can sound brittle or emphasized
- Con:Benefits from a good amplifier to reach full potential
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.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.