Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Ananda
78Great
$340
Full review dataHiFiMAN Ananda 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
$770
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
HiFiMAN Ananda
Sound8.0
Value7.0
HiFiMAN Arya
Sound9.5
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN Ananda | HiFiMAN Arya |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $340 | $770 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | - | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Planar | Planar |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 8Hz-55kHz | 8Hz-65kHz |
| Sound signature | Neutral | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 26 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 93 dB/mW | 90 dB/mW |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 399 g | 430 g |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | No |
| Balanced connection | Yes | Yes |
What reviewers said
HiFiMAN Ananda
The HiFiMAN Ananda is an open-back planar headphone that offers a neutral, highly detailed sound with a wide, airy soundstage. It is notably easier to drive than many other planars, making it a practical choice for use with lighter or portable gear, while also providing long-lasting comfort for extended listening. Its balanced tuning and technical refinement make it a strong contender for critical listening, though its basic cable and mediocre gaming performance hold it back slightly.
- Pro:Easy to drive for a planar design
- Pro:Spacious and well-defined soundstage
- Pro:Comfortable for long listening sessions
- Con:Stock cable feels cheap and basic
- Con:Not ideal for gaming use
- Con:Slightly bright treble can be fatiguing at high volumes
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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