Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Arya
88Outstanding
$769
Full review dataHiFiMAN Arya vs STAX SR-L500: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the HiFiMAN Arya vs STAX SR-L500, 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-L500
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN Arya | STAX SR-L500 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $769 | $830 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | Not scored |
| Released | 2021 | 2016 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Planar | electrostatic |
| Drivers per side | 1 | - |
| Frequency response | 8Hz-65kHz | 7Hz-41kHz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | 35 Ω | 145000 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW | 101 dB/mW |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 430 g | 339 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
STAX SR-L500
The STAX SR-L500 is an open-back electrostatic headphone that delivers exceptionally detailed and transparent sound, thanks to its ultra-thin diaphragm and precision-engineered electrodes. Its lightweight frame and adjustable headband provide a comfortable fit for extended listening sessions, while the high-quality cable ensures minimal signal interference. However, it requires a dedicated electrostatic amplifier, making it a significant investment for audiophiles seeking reference-grade clarity.
- Pro:Exceptional transient response and micro-detail retrieval
- Pro:Comfortable, adjustable headband with lightweight build
- Pro:Low-capacitance cable for clean signal transfer
- Con:Requires a separate electrostatic amplifier (not included)
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
- Con:High impedance limits compatibility with standard gear
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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