HiFiMAN Arya Full-size Over Ear Planar Magnetic Audiophile Adjustable Headphone

Product Information

In fact, I don't think I have find the perfect DAC-AMP to pair with those, yet can confirm 1W and up is minimal amping needed for fully blossom dynamic and headroom openess… It’s also a headphone that is easy to use. This is one of those headphones like the Amiron Home that can do everything (but at a higher level). Movies, online meetings, gaming, audiophile listening, etc. You name it, the Arya Stealth has you covered. I do advise to use the Arya Stealth in balanced mode if possible. In balanced the technical performance increases making the headphone even more impressive. Does this spoil the review a bit? Well, to a good degree, yes. Naturally, as the topic of stealth magnets comes up, the changes can almost be guessed 100% right. The lower midrange of the HiFiMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version has a moderate level of depth and intensity that is sufficient to show a good sense of warmth and fullness, which is a must have while listen to male romantic male vocals such like Barry White and Isaac Hayes. Other male voices such like Elton John, Sting and David Bowie do sound pretty natural, emotional and with an impressive sense of clarity and resolution. As Hifiman says – and you can see it from the specs – the Arya Stealth is fairly easy to drive. No matter the source used, it will sound good. Hook it up to a more powerful DAP or desktop am however, and you will be even more impressed with the technical level boost.

The ease of which Arya compliments any system makes it a perfect addition to anyones headphone solution. Powered just as well from a Chord Mojo or through a dCS Bartok, the Arya will provide a fun and involving sonic experience that will be sure to impress. Features Soundstage wise the Arya Stealth is really good in both wide and depth, especially when in balanced mode. You get impressive layering and the decay and note extension is remarkable. The Arya Stealth sounds spacious and airy but it always remains realistic and natural. By going balanced, you will even increase the sound stage both in width and depth and you will get an even better level of separation and spaciousness between the notes. The Arya Stealth comes in a very simple box. As we have seen before, the box also is the storage case. The Arya doesn’t come with a carrying case, but then again, it’s not really a portable headphone.I can forgive the other parts being plastic since Hifiman may be targeting a certain weight and comfort. And yes, it is undeniably one of the most comfortable headphones I have tried. Not only in weight, but the clamping force and feel on the head as well, minus the polyester surface of the ear pads. The good thing is the earpads are replaceable. Although I can’t find a leather replacement for the headband suspension (yet). I hope the company would sell its leather headband suspension as well. The HiFiMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version has a very lively, pretty energetic and highly detailed treble tuning that fulfills my expectations from a headphone at this price level. The lower treble region is able to produce an excellent sense of clarity and resolution, while the level of extension that has shown in this area when I do listen to organs, organs or guitars is in one word outstanding. The EarMen Colibri which we looked at a week or two ago in balanced mode sounds very fast, precise, and energetic with the Arya Stealth. The most remarkable thing here is that the Colibri struggles a bit with complex passages. For the rest you get a sound which is lighter in body and bass presence, with more forward vocals. You can turn on the Bass Boost function, but it just doesn’t sound natural to me with this headphone. This isn’t the very best combo for my ears, and that’s quite remarkable as I absolutely love the Colibri which I gave a recommended buy award.

But apparently there are people who like these for whatever reasons I can not understand. Certainly not because they play instruments and/or know how they sound in real live. But being the "baby brother" means that the Arya Stealth Magnets has much of what the HE1000V2 has, but not as much. The Arya Stealth Magnets is detailed, but those details don't come through with quite the level of clarity and crispness as they do on the HE1000V2. While the low end is impactful on both headphones, I think it's more controlled on the HE1000V2, and I get more sub-bass with the HE1000V2. It's not a bass-heavy headphone, but it goes deep. The HE1000V2 also boasts the bigger soundstage. I have try the Arya on this DAC-AMP duo above as well as Xduoo XD05plus, Nobsound Q5pro, bunch of DAC+ JDS Atom, and even some powerful DAP like Hiby RS6 and Tempotec V6.Instruments such like acoustic guitars or violas are reproduced with a nice sense of body and fullness. Pianos and violins on the other hand are represented with a gorgeous level of extension and resolution, which tended at the very beginning to sibilance and sharpness, which for the most part disappeared after some intensive burn-in, especially after the first 100 hours. Delicate, yet never too relaxed, the highs add a sens of dynamic lightness too, that benefit woodwind instrument holographic layering. In fact, this is near analytical treble, but that doesn't feel forced or in your face. This pairing show how clean, crisp and detailed can go the Arya but affect the bass heft and this sens of lively airyness.

All in all this makes the Arya Stealth also more universal than before giving you a nice high end gaming and movies experience next to “just” opening itself up to far more music genres.If you’re familiar with the Arya, this is pretty much the same exact design. It also comes with the same cable as well, so if you already have the Arya, now you have an extra cable. I’ve always liked the super-lightweight feel of the Arya, so I’m glad they didn’t feel the need to change much here. Design