Over-Ear
Grado Rs1x
82Great
$750
Full review dataGrado Rs1x 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.
Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Arya
88Outstanding
$769
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Grado Rs1x
Sound8.5
Value6.5
HiFiMAN Arya
Sound9.5
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Grado Rs1x | HiFiMAN Arya |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $750 | $769 |
| HearWiki score | 82 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2022 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | Planar |
| Driver size | 50 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 12Hz-30kHz | 8Hz-65kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 38 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 99.8 dB/mW | 90 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| Controls | buttons | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 320 g | 430 g |
| USB-C | No | No |
| Balanced connection | - | Yes |
What reviewers said
Grado Rs1x
The Grado RS1x is an open-back dynamic headphone that delivers a highly transparent, spacious, and musical sound with strong dynamics and easy drivability. Its open design and distinct tuning offer an immersive experience, but it comes with practical limitations like significant sound leakage and comfort that may not suit long listening sessions. Overall, it's a solid choice for audiophiles who prioritize sound quality over isolation and build polish.
- Pro:Excellent transparency and detail retrieval
- Pro:Punchy, musical sound with strong dynamics
- Pro:Easy to drive from most sources
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound heavily
- Con:Comfort is limited for extended wear
- Con:Build quality feels modest for the price
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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