HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled Vs HE1000 Unveiled Comparison Review

When it comes to high-end planar magnetic headphones, HiFiMAN has long been a leader in delivering immersive, audiophile-grade experiences. The HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled and HE1000 Unveiled take this to the next level, stripping away traditional grilles for a completely exposed driver design that maximizes openness and detail. But with both headphones promising an unfiltered, unrestricted soundstage, how do they compare? Whether you’re considering an upgrade or deciding which model best fits your listening preferences, this head-to-head comparison will help you make the right choice.

What You Get

Look & Feel

Both the HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled and the HE1000 Unveiled offer the same typical construction with a few key differences. It comes down to the look here, as the Arya and HE1000 Unveiled present a black or silver finish respectively. When I first saw the Arya Unveiled, it stuck out to me more, having already listened to the HE1000 and the Susvara Unveiled. The black finish is more my speed aesthetically, but there’s one key factor that has a much bigger effect regarding how the overall designs compare with each other.

The frame of the HE1000 Unveiled is much sturdier than the Arya. Its suspension headband had a more ridged feel, keeping the cups better than the Arya, which feels flimsier in comparison. It might set off some red flags if you’re familiar with HiFiMAN’s quality control in the past. This also has a big effect on how the headphones feel on your head. The HE1000 Unveiled has a better grasp over your head, as the Arya feels a bit looser in comparison.

Design

The HiFiMAN Arya and HE1000 Unveiled are both open-back headphones with planar magnetic drivers. These are the Unveiled editions of these headphones, meaning they both contain a driver that is completely exposed without any grilles. They require the attachment of magnetic veils while sitting idle, as to protect the drivers from accumulating dust or anything that can harm them over time. In terms of impedance, the HE1000 Unveiled is slightly higher than the Arya, but you should be able to drive both from the same DAC/Amp combo you’re using. HiFiMAN headphones have never been too hard to drive in the first place unless they’re named Susvara, so even lower budget amps should work. An iFi Zen DAC 3 was able to run both headphones sufficiently.

Soundstage

This is one of the hardest areas to compare for these headphones. The whole idea of the Unveiled series is to be completely unrestrictive, and the HE1000 and Arya both succeed here. Both headphones deliver exceptional, breathable spaces that extend the soundstage and imaging with impeccable depth. Switching back and forth between the two provided some insight into the advantages one had over the other, but I wouldn’t say this is the most conclusive area to base your purchase.

After much time judging the HE1000 and Arya, I sensed that the Arya might have been slightly narrower. While the amount of headspace presented through both headphones feels limitless, the HE1000 appears to have the larger wingspan of the two. Within that space, the Arya and HE1000 both offer similar amounts of dimension and spatial accuracy.

Low End

The bass frequencies on the Arya and HE1000 Unveiled are a bit more distinct from one another. Both headphones share a grounded depth to their bass, with a smooth timbre that emanates throughout the mix in a blooming pattern. Where they differ is in their technical ability. You get a satisfying texture with the Arya, as the shape of the notes propel themselves with a nice groove. However, the tone itself is a bit soft compared to the more impactful aspects of the HE1000 Unveiled. Bass instruments have more finesse to them, which enhances the overall movement of the frequency response. Both headphones have a clear, separated sub-bass depth, but the HE1000 Unveiled does better service to its frequency content by arriving at it quicker.

Mids

You can expect similar transparency and detail with both the Arya and HE1000 Unveiled. With the Arya, the midrange is balanced well in the mix, but vocals extend outward and appear a bit more lively than the HE1000. However, the whole of the midrange on the HE1000 Unveiled is given more natural properties and pushes instruments to the front of everything. You get more microdetail with the HE1000, making certain artifacts more amplified than what you hear over the Arya Unveiled.

Highs

Comparing the highs on the Arya and HE1000 Unveiled is a lot like the soundstage. Both headphones have a lot of sparkle and airiness to them. These are both HiFiMAN headphones after all, and that is what they tend to do. This airiness is a characteristic that helps smooth out the treble without dulling it in any fashion.

The Arya and HE1000 Unveiled appear crisp without being too bright or fatiguing, however, if there was one out of the two that you could consider less shy, it would be the HE1000 Unveiled. The way it pitters off the edge, gives the frequencies a little more bite than the Arya Unveiled, adding a touch of brightness, but all adding more height and brilliance. This makes the highs a bit more resolving than what you hear on the Arya Unveiled, but it also might not be the tone you’re looking for.

Summary

Both the HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled and HE1000 Unveiled embody the essence of open-back, planar magnetic sound, offering breathtaking clarity, depth, and spaciousness. While the Arya Unveiled impresses with its engaging midrange and slightly warmer tonality, the HE1000 Unveiled pushes the boundaries with a grander soundstage, refined bass response, and more detailed treble. Ultimately, the choice comes down to your sonic preference—do you favor a more textured, lively presentation, or do you seek the ultimate in spatial openness and precision? No matter which you choose, both headphones deliver an uncompromising audiophile experience worthy of HiFiMAN’s reputation.

The HiFiMAN Arya Unveiled and HE1000 Unveiled are available at Audio46.