Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Arya
88Outstanding
$770
Full review dataHiFiMAN Arya vs Sennheiser HD 600: 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
Sennheiser HD 600
82Great
$440
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
Sennheiser HD 600
Sound8.5
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN Arya | Sennheiser HD 600 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $770 | $440 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 82 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2021 | 1997 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Planar | dynamic |
| Driver size | - | 42 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 8Hz-65kHz | 12Hz-40.5kHz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | Neutral |
| Impedance | 35 Ω | 300 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW | 97 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | - | 97 |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | No |
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 430 g | 260 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | No | 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
Sennheiser HD 600
The Sennheiser HD 600 is a wired, open-back over-ear headphone celebrated for its neutral, accurate sound signature and natural midrange. It offers a comfortable fit, replaceable cable, and balanced output, but its design prioritizes home listening over portability or isolation, with a notable lack of sub-bass. Despite its higher price, it remains a benchmark for purists seeking a truthful, uncolored presentation.
- Pro:Accurate, neutral tuning with excellent midrange clarity
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
- Pro:Detachable cable and replaceable parts for longevity
- Con:Limited sub-bass extension
- Con:Open-back design offers no isolation and leaks sound
- Con:Not portable or travel-friendly due to size and wired-only connection
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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