Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
84Outstanding
$1,200
Full review dataHiFiMAN Arya Unveiled vs HiFiMAN Edition X V1: 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
HiFiMAN Edition X V1
59Average
$1,800
Full review dataScore 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.
- HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
- HiFiMAN Edition X V1
HearWiki score
84
59
Sound
9.4
8.0
Value
8.0
-
Price (USD)
$1,200
$1,800
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled is 8 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 8 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Arya Unveiled20248 yr newer
- Edition X V12016
Specifications
Arya UnveiledEdition X V1
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $1,200
- $1,800
- HearWiki score
- 84
- 59
- Released
- 2024
- 2016
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- planar magnetic
- 131.2 mm planar magnetic
- Driver type
- planar
- planar
- Driver size
- -
- 131.2 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 8 Hz - 65 kHz
- 8 Hz - 50 kHz
- Impedance
- 27 Ω
- 25 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 94 dB/mW
- 103 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- 413 g
- 399 g
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- Connector
- 6.35 mm
- -
- Balanced connection
- Yes
- Yes
What reviewers said
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
HiFiMAN Edition X V1
The HiFiMAN Edition X V1 is a large open-back planar magnetic headphone designed for serious audiophiles seeking a spacious, natural sound. With its low 25-ohm impedance and high sensitivity, it pairs easily with portable players while delivering a smooth, slightly warm tonal balance. Its open-back design offers an airy soundstage but comes with significant sound leakage and minimal isolation, making it best for quiet listening environments.
- Pro:Spacious, open soundstage with a balanced, slightly warm presentation
- Pro:Low impedance and high sensitivity make it easy to drive from portable sources
- Pro:Detachable cables and balanced connection option included
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound heavily and offers poor isolation
- Con:Not suitable for travel, office use, or noisy environments
- Con:Premium price point limits accessibility
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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