Over-Ear
Grado PS500e
78Great
$600
Full review dataGrado PS500e 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.
Grado PS500e
Sound8.5
Value7.5
HiFiMAN Arya
Sound9.5
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Grado PS500e | HiFiMAN Arya |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $600 | $769 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2020 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Dynamic | Planar |
| Driver size | 44 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 14Hz-29kHz | 8Hz-65kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99.8 dB/mW | 90 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Controls | none | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 230 g | 430 g |
| USB-C | - | No |
| Balanced connection | - | Yes |
What reviewers said
Grado PS500e
The Grado PS500e is an open-back, wired dynamic headphone that delivers a clear, lively, and well-balanced sound with strong technical detail. It leans toward a studio-oriented character, offering realism and engagement, though it sacrifices comfort and isolation for its open-air design. Overall, it's a compelling choice for audiophiles seeking a refined, old-school sound with modern finesse at a mid-to-high price point.
- Pro:Detailed and balanced sound with strong clarity
- Pro:Engaging, studio-leaning character for realistic playback
- Pro:Lightweight build at 230g
- Con:No active noise cancellation or sound isolation due to open-back design
- Con:Comfort and ergonomics are weaker than sonic performance
- Con:No onboard controls or multipoint connectivity
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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