Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Arya
88Outstanding
$769
Full review dataHiFiMAN Arya vs Shure Srh1540: 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
Shure Srh1540
82Great
$549
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
Shure Srh1540
Sound9.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN Arya | Shure Srh1540 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $769 | $549 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 82 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2021 | 2014 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Planar | dynamic |
| Driver size | - | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 8Hz-65kHz | 5Hz-25kHz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | 35 Ω | 46 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW | 99 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Battery | ||
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | No |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 430 g | 286 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
Shure Srh1540
The Shure SRH1540 is a premium closed-back over-ear headphone praised for its balanced, detailed sound and exceptional comfort. It delivers deep, controlled bass and crisp highs without excessive coloration, making it a top choice for critical listening. While its soundstage and build quality are excellent, its average noise isolation means it's best suited for quiet environments.
- Pro:Accurate, balanced sound with deep lows and clear highs
- Pro:Extremely comfortable for long listening sessions
- Pro:Lightweight and well-built with premium materials
- Con:Average noise isolation
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:Requires calibration for optimal performance in some setups
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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