Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Arya
88Outstanding
$769
Full review dataHiFiMAN Arya vs STAX SR-202: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the HiFiMAN Arya vs STAX SR-202, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
HiFiMAN Arya
Sound9.5
Value8.0
STAX SR-202
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN Arya | STAX SR-202 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $769 | $500 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | Not scored |
| Released | 2021 | 2019 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Planar | electrostatic |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 8Hz-65kHz | 7Hz-41kHz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | 35 Ω | 183000 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW | 100 dB/mW |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 430 g | 295 g |
| USB-C | 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
STAX SR-202
The Stax SR-202 is a wired electrostatic over-ear headphone that delivers a refined, natural sound through its ultra-thin diaphragm, powered by an electrostatic charge rather than traditional magnets. It offers an impressively wide frequency range from 7Hz to 41kHz and can reach a loud 118dB, making it a solid choice for audiophiles seeking detailed, airy audio in a home setup. However, it requires a dedicated electrostatic amplifier and lacks any noise-canceling features, limiting its portability.
- Pro:Exceptional clarity and detail in highs and mids
- Pro:Very low distortion thanks to electrostatic design
- Pro:Wide frequency response for immersive listening
- Con:Requires a separate electrostatic amp, adding cost and setup complexity
- Con:No noise cancellation, so ambient sounds bleed in
- Con:High impedance makes it incompatible with standard headphone jacks
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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