Over-Ear
Grado Rs2x
78Great
$550
Full review dataGrado Rs2x 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 Rs2x
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling1.0
Value6.5
HiFiMAN Arya
Sound9.5
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Grado Rs2x | HiFiMAN Arya |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $550 | $769 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2022 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | Planar |
| Driver size | 44 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 14Hz-28kHz | 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 | none | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 230 g | 430 g |
| USB-C | No | No |
| Balanced connection | - | Yes |
What reviewers said
Grado Rs2x
The Grado RS2x is a premium open-back headphone that combines striking wood craftsmanship with a remarkably wide and precise soundstage, making it a favorite among audiophiles who value natural, detailed audio. It's easy to drive from a variety of sources thanks to its efficient design, but its open nature offers little isolation and its feature set is intentionally minimal. While the tuning is excellent for critical listening, measurements reveal some response quirks that may not suit everyone.
- Pro:Excellent, detailed sound quality
- Pro:Very wide and precise stereo imaging
- Pro:Easy to drive from most sources
- Con:Minimal isolation from outside noise
- Con:No built-in controls or features
- Con:Response irregularities in measurements
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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