Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled
84Outstanding
$1,200
Full review dataHiFiMAN Arya Unveiled vs STAX SR-4070: 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
STAX SR-4070
59Average
$1,700
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
- STAX SR-4070
HearWiki score
84
59
Sound
9.4
7.6
Value
8.0
-
Price (USD)
$1,200
$1,700
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 23 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 23 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Arya Unveiled202423 yr newer
- SR-40702001
Specifications
Arya UnveiledSR-4070
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $1,200
- $1,700
- HearWiki score
- 84
- 59
- Released
- 2024
- 2001
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- planar magnetic
- 2× electrostatic
- Driver type
- planar
- electrostatic
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 2
- Frequency response
- 8 Hz - 65 kHz
- 7 Hz - 41 kHz
- Sound signature
- -
- mid-forward
- Impedance
- 27 Ω
- 145000 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 94 dB/mW
- 97 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- ANC type
- -
- none
- Transparency mode
- -
- No
- Companion app
- -
- No
- Custom EQ
- -
- No
- Wear detection
- -
- No
- Controls
- -
- none
- Weight
- 413 g
- 480 g
- Water resistance
- -
- none
- Foldable
- -
- No
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- No
- Connector
- 6.35 mm
- -
- Balanced connection
- 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
STAX SR-4070
The STAX SR-4070 is a premium electrostatic over-ear headphone designed for audiophiles seeking a wired, reference-grade listening experience. With a mid-centric sound signature and exceptional technical performance, it delivers detailed, high-fidelity audio across an extended frequency range. Ideal for critical listening, this headphone requires a dedicated electrostatic amplifier and offers no modern conveniences like ANC or wireless connectivity.
- Pro:Exceptional technical performance with detailed sound reproduction
- Pro:Wide frequency response from 7 Hz to 41 kHz
- Pro:Mid-centric tuning ideal for vocals and instruments
- Con:Requires a dedicated electrostatic amplifier, limiting portability
- Con:No active noise cancellation or wireless features
- Con:Heavy at 480 grams, potentially uncomfortable for long sessions
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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