Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Arya
88Outstanding
$769
Full review dataHiFiMAN Arya vs Meze STRADA: 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
Meze STRADA
72Good
$799
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
Meze STRADA
Sound7.0
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN Arya | Meze STRADA |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $769 | $799 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 72 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2021 | 2026 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Planar | dynamic |
| Driver size | - | 50 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 8Hz-65kHz | 5Hz-30kHz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | 35 Ω | 40 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW | 111 dB/mW |
| Features | ||
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 430 g | 330 g |
| USB-C | No | No |
| Balanced connection | 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
Meze STRADA
The Meze STRADA is a wired, closed-back over-ear headphone that delivers a lively and spacious sound with strong detail and bass, wrapped in a sturdy, comfortable design. It's easy to drive but performs best with quality amplification or light EQ, as it can sound brittle or peaky when underpowered. While praised for its build and engaging character, it has notable tradeoffs like cable noise and a fit that may not suit smaller heads.
- Pro:Solid and premium build quality
- Pro:Spacious, detailed soundstage for a closed-back
- Pro:Strong bass response and good clarity
- Con:Can sound brittle or peaky without proper amplification
- Con:Cable may transmit noise
- Con:Fit may not work well for smaller heads
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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