Grado Signature S950 vs HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled - Outstanding overall at around $1199.

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled leads on 4 of 4 measures.

Grado Signature S950
HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled

HearWiki score

Sound

8.7

9.4

Value

5.8

8.0

Price (USD)

$2,200

$1,200

Specifications

Signature S950Arya Unveiled

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $2,200; $1,200
HearWiki score: 76; 84
Released: 2025; 2024
Availability: Sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 52 mm dynamic; planar magnetic
Driver type: dynamic; planar
Driver size: 52 mm; -
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 3.5 Hz - 51.5 kHz; 8 Hz - 65 kHz
Impedance: 38 Ω; 27 Ω
Sensitivity: 117 dB/mW; 94 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling: -; No
Controls: buttons; -
Weight: 395 g; 413 g
Detachable cable: Yes; Yes
USB-C: No; -
Connector: 6.35 mm; 6.35 mm
Balanced connection: -; Yes

Specification comparison of Grado Signature S950 vs HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
Spec	Grado Signature S950	HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$2,200	$1,200
HearWiki score	76 / 100 Great	84 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2025	2024
Audio
Driver	52 mm dynamic	planar magnetic
Driver type	dynamic	planar
Driver size	52 mm	-
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	3.5 Hz - 51.5 kHz	8 Hz - 65 kHz
Impedance	38 Ω	27 Ω
Sensitivity	117 dB/mW	94 dB/mW
Features
Active noise cancelling	-	No
Controls	buttons	-
Design
Weight	395 g	413 g
Detachable cable	Yes	Yes
USB-C	No	-
Connector	6.35 mm	6.35 mm
Balanced connection	-	Yes

What reviewers said

Grado Signature S950

The Grado Signature S950 is a premium open-back dynamic headphone with a neutral-leaning, highly detailed sound signature. It offers a spacious, immersive soundstage and crisp treble, though its bass is not especially deep and its midrange can be slightly recessed. With a lightweight build, detachable cable, and high sensitivity, it's easy to drive from a variety of sources, making it a polished choice for critical listening.

Pro:Excellent detail retrieval and transient response
Pro:Wide, immersive soundstage with precise imaging
Pro:Easy to drive thanks to high sensitivity (117 dB)

Con:Bass lacks depth and weight
Con:Midrange can sound recessed on some tracks
Con:Treble can be sharp during extended listening

HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled

The HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled is a high-end open-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers exceptional detail, tonal accuracy, and a balanced soundstage, making it a strong contender for audiophiles. Its grill-less design reduces reflections for cleaner audio, and it offers easy drivability for its class, though the exposed drivers require careful handling. With a neutral-to-warm tuning and broad frequency extension, it provides a compelling blend of technical performance and musicality.

Pro:Excellent detail retrieval and tonal accuracy
Pro:Spacious and well-defined imaging
Pro:Comfortable for extended listening sessions

Con:Exposed driver design requires careful handling
Con:Limited connectivity options out of the box
Con:Ear-cup material may not appeal to everyone

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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