Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Arya
88Outstanding
$769
Full review dataHiFiMAN Arya vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite: 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
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery7.5
Calls6.5
Value6.0
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN Arya | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $769 | $600 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 68 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2021 | 2025 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Planar | dynamic |
| Driver type | - | Carbon fiber speaker drivers |
| Driver size | - | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 8Hz-65kHz | 10-40000 Hz |
| Sound signature | Bright neutral | - |
| Impedance | 35 Ω | 38 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW | 101 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.3 |
| Codecs | - | AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | - | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 30 h |
| Battery incl. case | - | 60 h |
| Full charge time | - | 180 min |
| Quick charge | - | 15 min = 4 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | - | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | - | both |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 430 g | 380 g |
| Case weight | - | 143 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Balanced connection | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 2 |
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
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is a high-end wireless gaming headset that pairs active noise cancellation with a 40mm dynamic driver for immersive sound. It offers a long 30-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, and an extended frequency response up to 40kHz, making it a versatile choice for both gaming and music. The included carrying case adds extra charge, bringing total playtime to 60 hours.
- Pro:Hybrid ANC with transparency mode
- Pro:Long battery life with charging case
- Pro:Supports high-res codecs like LDAC and LC3
- Con:Premium price point may be steep
- Con:Heavier than some competitors at 380g
- Con:No wired connection option mentioned
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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