Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Arya
88Outstanding
$769
Full review dataHiFiMAN Arya vs STAX SR-X1: 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
STAX SR-X1
78Great
$885
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
STAX SR-X1
Sound8.5
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN Arya | STAX SR-X1 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $769 | $885 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2021 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Planar | electrostatic |
| Driver size | - | 30 mm |
| 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 |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | No |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 430 g | 234 g |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| 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-X1
The STAX SR-X1 is an electrostatic headphone that delivers a spacious, neutral, and highly detailed sound signature, making it a compelling budget-friendly entry into the brand's lineup. It excels in clarity, speed, and transparency while maintaining a lightweight and comfortable fit, though it requires an external energizer and is not suited for portable use. Its bass is less punchy than typical dynamic headphones, but it offers strong overall value for those seeking electrostatic performance without the top-tier price.
- Pro:Exceptional detail and transparency
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended listening
- Pro:Balanced, neutral tonal character
- Con:Requires a separate electrostatic amplifier or energizer
- Con:Bass impact is less forceful than dynamic models
- Con:Very open design offers minimal sound isolation
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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