Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Arya
88Outstanding
$769
Full review dataHiFiMAN Arya vs STAX SR-404: 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.
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-404
Sound8.5
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN Arya | STAX SR-404 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $769 | $395 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2021 | - |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Planar | Electrostatic |
| Drivers per side | 1 | - |
| Frequency response | 8Hz-65kHz | 7Hz-41kHz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | Neutral |
| Impedance | 35 Ω | 145000 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-404
The STAX SR-404 is an electrostatic over-ear headphone known for its exceptionally transparent and neutral sound, delivering remarkable detail and speed. Its lightweight build and wide frequency response make it a solid choice for critical listening, though it demands a dedicated electrostatic amplifier to function.
- Pro:Outstanding clarity and micro-detail retrieval
- Pro:Very fast transient response typical of electrostatics
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
- Con:Requires a specialized electrostatic amp, adding cost
- Con:Very high impedance limits portability and source compatibility
- Con:Bass extension is present but can feel lean to some listeners
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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