Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Arya
88Outstanding
$769
Full review dataHiFiMAN Arya vs HiFiMAN Edition Xv: 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 Edition Xv
78Great
$399
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
HiFiMAN Arya
Sound9.5
Value8.0
HiFiMAN Edition Xv
Sound8.0
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN Arya | HiFiMAN Edition Xv |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $769 | $399 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2021 | 2025 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Planar | planar |
| Driver size | - | 80 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 8Hz-65kHz | 8Hz-50kHz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | 35 Ω | 12 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW | 92 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | No |
| Controls | - | none |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 430 g | 452 g |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | No | - |
| Balanced connection | Yes | Yes |
What reviewers said
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
HiFiMAN Edition Xv
The HiFiMAN Edition Xv is an open-back planar headphone that leans toward a warm, smooth sound with gentle treble and lush bass/mids, making it easy to listen to for extended sessions. It offers spacious, immersive staging and pairs well with modest gear, though its midrange can feel veiled or overly warm and its accessories and ergonomics don't match the sonic quality.
- Pro:Warm, forgiving tuning that's easy on the ears
- Pro:Spacious, immersive soundstage
- Pro:Comfortable for long listening despite weight
- Con:Midrange can sound veiled or less defined
- Con:Headband stiffness can affect fit
- Con:Build and accessories feel less premium than price suggests
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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