Hifiman Arya Unveiled Review

We’ve talked a lot this year about Hifiman and their unveiled stealth drivers. To refresh, first came the top of the line Susvara Unveiled, which introduced the fully open driver design to the world. Then, more recently, came the HE1000 Unveiled, with which we were extremely impressed. Now, only shortly after the HE1000 Unveiled was released, we have the Arya Unveiled. With the unveiled design reaching the $2,699 price bracket, I was surprised at what Hifiman was able to offer at a significantly lower price than the Susvara Unveiled. Naturally, I couldn’t help but compare the Arya Unveiled, which stands at $1,400, to the HE1000 Unveiled, as this one was half the price. So we’ll get into all of that and more in this review. 

What’s in the Box:

• HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones
• Pair of Magnetic Veils
• Headphone Cable
• HIFIMAN Warranty

Build:

The HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled follows the same design convention as its Arya predecessors. But its grille-free, fully open-back design is the obvious difference maker. To refresh for those who haven’t read about the previous unveiled models here, Hifiman says the removal of traditional grilles not only enhances acoustic performance by removing obstacles and reflective surfaces from the outside of the headphone. The Arya Unveiled is constructed using lightweight materials, though they do feel noticeably more fragile than the previous unveiled releases. With their glossy black ear cups, they do attain their own visual identity, unique from previous Arya iterations.

As with the previous Unveiled models, the headphones come with protective magnetic veils. These covers provide added security for the planar magnetic drivers when the headphones are not in use. But unlike the metallic finished veils found in the Susvara and HE1000 Unveiled, the Arya Unveiled goes for a more understated, and lighter weight material. 

Overall, the Arya Unveiled has a unique look while maintaining the Arya’s original overall structure. And on top of all of that, I think the contrast of the metal ear cups to the silver driver is a really nice look. 

Design:

At the core of the Arya Unveiled are planar magnetic drivers, renowned for their quick response and detail retrieval. The grille-free architecture continues to be a defining innovation for Hifiman, eliminating the acoustic barriers posed by traditional grilles. By doing so, the Arya Unveiled enhances soundwave clarity and reduces distortion. With a sensitivity of 94dB and an impedance of 27 ohms, the Arya Unveiled is not too difficult to drive. But as always with a headphone of this nature, a DAC/amp setup is definitely recommended for the Arya Unveiled to reach its true potential. 

Sound Impressions:

Low End:

The overall sound of the Arya Unveiled is on the dryer and more laid back side, which allows for a detailed and refined listening experience. This starts in the bass response, which features a timbrally warm low end, but is a bit more restrained in terms of dynamic punch. Rather than go for a more rigorous response, it keeps things more neutral. This allows for a more delicate presentation of low end detail, keeping things musical and pleasant, without making it rambunctious or commandeering. I wouldn’t call these headphones for bass lovers who might prefer a bit more energy from the bass response. But for an audiophile who wants a more detailed sound that speaks for itself without adding distracting flare, then this could be a great option. 

Mid Range:

The midrange is clear and present, and continues the linearity of the overall response of the headphone. Vocals are clear and uncolored. This allows for an unbiased and detailed presentation, but again, falls on the dryer side. Just like with the bass, the mids look to present as much detail as possible in a non-distracting way. That said, there is a nice bit of energy in the upper mids, which gives life to percussive hits like snare drums or guitar strums. But still, you’re not going to get a mid-forward, overly warm feeling from this headphone. It’s relentlessly neutral, which makes for a great headphone for fans of resolution without fanfare. 

Top End:

Continuing on the energetic upper mids, the treble presents a bit more of a zing to the sound. This is where the headphone looks for that wow factor. And I’d say it pretty much succeeds. The top end manages to be tactile but easy to listen to; detailed but without sibilance. The Arya Unveiled does a great job at presenting detail while resolving in a liquid-y smooth fashion. If I had to say, I’d call it a neutral-warm headphone overall, with the treble working to make for a more present and resolving headphone. The headphone doesn’t beat you over the head with energy or detail, but rather presents an accurate image of music for the listener to parse through as they engage with the sound. 

Soundstage:

Soundstage continues to be a winner for these unveiled headphones. Without any restrictions in the back of the earcups, these headphones feel as open as they look. Imaging is extremely precise and the perimeters stretch horizontally as well as laterally. This may be one of the best options in terms of soundstage in this price range. 

Compared to Hifiman’s other Unveiled headphones

Hifiman themselves say of the Arya Unveiled: “While the Arya Unveiled draws inspiration from the Susvara’s design and tonal balance, it is a more accessible entry point into HIFIMAN’s high-fidelity lineup, offering its own unique open, immersive sound signature.” I find this to be true. My initial expectations were that this may be a mini-HE1000 Unveiled. But rather, and as I probably should have surmised, this is truly an update to the Arya. And so the Arya Unveiled should be seen within that context, and there, the value of the Arya Unveiled becomes more apparent. The unveiled approach is not going away, and Hifiman is using the technology to push forward all of their headphones without changing the original character of the headphones getting the unveiled treatment. 

With that, I think the Arya Unveiled is a worthy successor to the previous iterations of Arya’s. It widens the soundstage while giving it a more polished and sophisticated sonic palette. And while it introduces features like wider soundstage with the HE1000 Unveiled and even the Susvara Unveiled, it still sounds like an Arya, rather than a mini version of either of those. 

Final Thoughts:

The Arya Unveiled really gave me some perspective on what the unveiled design that Hifiman has come up with really means. It’s an approach that can enhance the character of any individual headphone, but don’t figure that all unveiled headphones sound the same. So with all that said, if you’re interested in an ever so slightly warm and smooth headphone with great detail retrieval and exceptional soundstage, while also getting a taste of the power of unveiled drivers, the Arya Unveiled may be a great place to look. 

The Hifiman Arya Unveiled is available at Audio46.