Hifiman Arya Review (headphone)

[jody2k]

I have received the Arya Organic for couple of days now and I deliberately waited for couple of days to write my impressions because I have done alot of AB.

I have my Hifiman Edition XS for 1 year now which I compared a lot to the Arya stealth and eventually returned the Arya stealth because back then the difference and price ratio wasn't "worth" it for me.

So now I'm directly comparing to my edition XS with the Arya Organic and the main differences I noticed immediately:

A very meaty and warm/smooth mid presentation which I only remember my older Audeze LCD-2 and LCD-3 could do. (and in no way I remember the Arya stealth was doing this, it sounded bit more cold, more thin and similar to the edition XS in tuning). also don't remember a Hifiman sounding like this in "smoothness" also the highs and lows share same smoothness and refinement in sound. I tried also the HE1000 V2 non stealth last weekend, which was okay but it doesn't sound in any way like the Arya Organic. I'm not saying the HE1000V2 was worse or better, more equal but the arya organic was having that timbre more of my taste. While I liked the HE1000 V2, compared to the edition XS again the difference wasn't big, they sharing the same timbre, same housesound. Arya organic is very difference which in my case was a good thing I guess haha

The Arya Organic's high's are elevated yes and no ( or call it more like extended?) but don't sound sibilant at all and I'm someone who's normally very sensitive in this area because I suffer from severe tinnitus in my left ear, i'm especially sensitive in the 5k-10k sibilance. So I was scared in the first place when I read a lot of people had mixed reviews about the sibilance for the Arya organic, in my case it turned out well.

Arya Organic sounds smooth while still remaining incredible detailed, revealing, and having much better instrument separation compared to the Edition XS a BIG step up in clarity too. When I quick compare with the Edition XS, my edition XS suddenly started to sound veiled and thin, congested (which is crazy right? I loved this headphone for 1 year).

Soundstage: About the same width like the edition XS (which was already a very wide sounding soundstage). Arya organic soundstage height feels like bigger, more holographic. More is happening also in the big ranged soundstage, you're getting more (zoomed?) into the music but still the music sounds like you're in a big concert. The overall soundstage signature or shape is more rounded around you while the edition XS has a more oval shaped soundstage. Might sound weird but this is how I could describe the soundstage.

For those who are interested to read this is my direct comparison to the edition XS which I haven't found much people on the internet who have directly compare it so this is why i'm sharing this with you. I hope you enjoy the read and my experience as much as i'm doing right now

 

[Glaurung]

I get the Arya Stealth to replace my 3y+ Sundara and HD800. Out of the box I get the impression that something is wrong.
The highs are just screaming and I cannot put these to the ears. Is hard to describe the sound but seems to be heavily distorted, screechy. Fortunately after some hours with heavy metal on at a loud level, they come to a more listenable sound. I don't believe in the bun-in process, but something happen with the highs after this treatment. I can just suppose that is related to the material of the planar driver.

Compare with the Sundara both ends are significantly extended; more bass and sub-bass, more highs. Also the mids seem to be more forward (Sundara have a somehow recessed mids). The details are far better and the sound stage significantly larger. Still the Sundara has better tonality in my opinion with a more neutral sound.

Compared with the HD800 I found some interesting things. Obvious the bass is significantly better not only in terms of quantity but especially quality. The details are very similar and this is a good news for me. Basically the planars that I listen until now lacking badly in terms of the detail retrieval (LCD -2/C, 3, X and Meze Empyrean). Is not the case with Arya SE. The sound stage is similar, with HD800 taking the edge but by a very small edge. Arya SE is brighter than HD800 and this is something that I don't really like. While the purity of the highs is great, the presentation is a bit harsh, shooty. HD800 highs are a bit diffuse and more refined.

While in the show-room, I get the chance to try some other planars and compare these against Arya SE and HD800S (my reference). LCD-2C, 3 and X has a better bass extension and somehow a more relaxed sound. But the sound-stage is basically missing on these HPs (I'm a bit biased on this as HD800 are my references). The details retrieval is not on par with Arya and HD800 and this become very obvious when I try some classical music. Empyrean was the biggest surprise. They look far better than is sound. Bass is going to abyssal deeps but that's all. Details are missing and the highs are very recessed.

Overal these are bright headphones with a tendency to amplify the defects of the record prety much in the same maner like HD800/S. Can be the planar replacements of the HD800/S and will bring back the "missing piece" of 800s, the bass.

About the build quality, this is very Chi-Fi. Plastic and some metal. For me, Sundara are better build with their metal cups. Cable is a crap and keeps coil itself (fortunatelly can be replaced as has the standard 3.5mm Jacks).

I'm going now into the "equlization farandole". With HD800 was just a partial succes. I hope to get better results, as these cans share the same character with the 800s, bright and merciless with bad records.

 

[Svperstar]

I get the Arya Stealth to replace my 3y+ Sundara and HD800. Out of the box I get the impression that something is wrong.
The highs are just screaming and I cannot put these to the ears. Is hard to describe the sound but seems to be heavily distorted, screechy. Fortunately after some hours with heavy metal on at a loud level, they come to a more listenable sound. I don't believe in the bun-in process, but something happen with the highs after this treatment. I can just suppose that is related to the material of the planar driver.

Compare with the Sundara both ends are significantly extended; more bass and sub-bass, more highs. Also the mids seem to be more forward (Sundara have a somehow recessed mids). The details are far better and the sound stage significantly larger. Still the Sundara has better tonality in my opinion with a more neutral sound.

Compared with the HD800 I found some interesting things. Obvious the bass is significantly better not only in terms of quantity but especially quality. The details are very similar and this is a good news for me.

I'm going now into the "equlization farandole". With HD800 was just a partial succes. I hope to get better results, as these cans share the same character with the 800s, bright and merciless with bad records.

I find the Arya Organic has a similar soundstage to the OG 800, the bass slams a lot harder with the right amp.

My SMSL SP200 and Schiit Midgard both have enough power to drive the Organic with authority. My Schiit Asgard 2 has enough power for mids and highs but bass is weak/flabby and uncontroled.

 

[x360720x]

Hi all,

About to pull the trigger on purchasing the Stealth. 2x questions I already have the LCD-X do you think these will compliment them or be a waste of money and second I don't own a desktop amp (deliberately) as I like to be able to listen to music anywhere in the house, I presume the Moondrop dawn is sufficient as an amp? 230mw vs the ~40mw per headphonesty calcs?

 

[staticV3]

I presume the Moondrop dawn is sufficient as an amp?

Which Moondrop Dawn?
3.5, 4.4, or Pro?

 

[x360720x]

Which Moondrop Dawn?
3.5, 4.4, or Pro?
View attachment 347229 View attachment 347228 View attachment 347227

4.4

 

[x360720x]

Alternatively I see the Fiio KA13 (4.4 output) has quite a bit more power (550mw) comparative to the moon drop. Failing that happy to get a desktop amp, it's just if I can avoid it I will...

 

[staticV3]

4.4

Hey sorry for the late response.

WolfX-700's measurements of the Dawn 4.4 show that the output is limited to about 170mW @32Ω (1% THD+N):

Source

We can use a Curve fit program to predict that at 23Ω (DCA Stealth), the Dawn 4.4 will output about 1.9Vrms, or about 150mW:


That's enough to drive the DCA Stealth to about 105dB SPL Peak, which is pretty loud.

Spoiler: Formula

94+20*log10(1.874352/.549)=104.7

For reference, that's about 600% of my usual listening volume.

 

[vadwiser]

I've sold my Sundara (2021) and got the Arya V3 and recently got also the Arya Organic. For me its a good match, using an old Fiio M11pro as DAP, I always felt its kind of weak amp even on balanced. Now with the low impedance of Arya Organic, the Fiio feels stronger. My desktop setup is the Topping Dx9.

 

[Thermionicon]

Hi all,

About to pull the trigger on purchasing the Stealth. 2x questions I already have the LCD-X do you think these will compliment them or be a waste of money and second I don't own a desktop amp (deliberately) as I like to be able to listen to music anywhere in the house, I presume the Moondrop dawn is sufficient as an amp? 230mw vs the ~40mw per headphonesty calcs?

I bought Arya SE and sold my LCD-X the next day-- never really noticed the treble harshness in the LCD-X until hearing the Arya SE! no going back I just hooked up the Arya's to my Qudelix-5K little blue tooth amp-- dang it drives the Arya's nicely! this is a great little portable setup!
Arya SE also much lighter feeling and cooler in the earcups than LCD-X.

Cheers
Alex
sunny Texas

 

[Rayman30]

I bought Arya SE and sold my LCD-X the next day-- never really noticed the treble harshness in the LCD-X until hearing the Arya SE! no going back I just hooked up the Arya's to my Qudelix-5K little blue tooth amp-- dang it drives the Arya's nicely! this is a great little portable setup!
Arya SE also much lighter feeling and cooler in the earcups than LCD-X.

Cheers
Alex
sunny Texas

Interesting take, personally having owned both, I found the LCD-X, specifically but not limited to using EQ, to have much more “meat on the bones”with superior bass (quality and quantity) but I like the Arya SE, they have great soundstage and imaging, but can come across as overly thin at times.

 

[Mr Swing King]

I tried the Organic here the other day. Sounded like an eggshaped Hifiman, surprisingly enough….with lots of sparkle - too much for me.
I still vastly prefer my Sundara and HE500 though.
I hope Hifiman focuses more on round cup headphones vs the eggs in the coming future. Never heard an eggy can beat out a round one…other than in price.

 

[Thermionicon]

Interesting take, personally having owned both, I found the LCD-X, specifically but not limited to using EQ, to have much more “meat on the bones”with superior bass (quality and quantity) but I like the Arya SE, they have great soundstage and imaging, but can come across as overly thin at times.

Hey Rayman-- I have so far resisted the whole EQ world though I see I might be forced to explore it at some point. I found a deal on Audeze MM-500 at Headphones.com and they show up today-- I'll do a comparo between Arya SE, Ananda Nano and them later tonight. From what I've been able to find out about the upper freq response of the MM-500 they don't have the issues the LCD-X I could easily hear and I'm 63 yrs old with less than perfect hearing!

I don't listen at high levels so I've never heard any of the claimed distortion and buzzing people claim about any of the Ananda versions and I've owned them all. I'm mostly listening to Mark Knopfler/Dire Straits, Colter Wall and other well recorded acoustic oriented music or older remastered 'rock'/Americana stuff.

Cheers
Alex

 

[sYndro]

Has anyone been able to compare the Arya V2 with the Organic? I’ve been thinking of upgrading as I want a headphone that’s easier to drive. I’m not sure how much of an upgrade it would be in terms of sound quality. Hifiman charges $665 for the upgrade, so I’m inclined not to do it.

 

[Svperstar]

Has anyone been able to compare the Arya V2 with the Organic? I’ve been thinking of upgrading as I want a headphone that’s easier to drive. I’m not sure how much of an upgrade it would be in terms of sound quality. Hifiman charges $665 for the upgrade, so I’m inclined not to do it.

The Arya V2 was my main daily driver headphone for years......till I got into electrostats more and then my V2 died. I got the Organic at a reduced cost since my Arya V2 had no warranty left.

Anyway the Organic is like a more refined V2. Everything is just the next level. It doesn't nothing worse then the V2.

 

[NDRQ]

Has anyone been able to compare the Arya V2 with the Organic? I’ve been thinking of upgrading as I want a headphone that’s easier to drive. I’m not sure how much of an upgrade it would be in terms of sound quality. Hifiman charges $665 for the upgrade, so I’m inclined not to do it.

All egg shaped Hifiman headphone are somewhat broken, the Arya organic most likely just another variation for the same theme, so i would try out stg from the Dan Clark Audio or Audeze if you want a planar.

 

[mrbungle]

All egg shaped Hifiman headphone are somewhat broken, the Arya organic most likely just another variation for the same theme, so i would try out stg from the Dan Clark Audio or Audeze if you want a planar.

I would say the Aryas are objectively a good bang for the buck at current prices. I upgraded from v2 to Arya Stealth and they are indeed much easier to drive. I do EQ a little bit and maybe the bass is a bit more impactful in the Stealth, but overall very similar sound. If that’s worth almost $700 I’m not sure. Hifiman has a refurbished Arya Stealth for less than that on sale.

 

[Dz1]

The Arya is quite good and is much better than the trash Ananda Stealth V3 but it's not as good as the much cheaper Aune AR5000.

 

[majingotan]

The Arya is quite good and is much better than the trash Ananda Stealth V3 but it's not as good as the much cheaper Aune AR5000.

Surprised you haven't posted on the Susvara thread and claim that it's trash compared to your Aune AR5000 . Its distortion figures are at astonishingly bad

 

[staticV3]

Surprised you haven't posted on the Susvara thread and claim that it's trash compared to your Aune AR5000 . Its distortion figures are at astonishingly bad

For the price? Absolutely.
In practice? Not at all.