The HiFiMan Arya V2 are open-back, planar magnetic headphones designed with fans of neutral sound in mind. They have a very neutral, though slightly bright sound profile, and thanks to their open-back design, their soundstage is perceived as wide and spacious. They're also very comfortable and have a great build quality. That said, they won't be the best choice if you're looking for a pair of versatile headphones, since they leak a lot of audio and don't block out ambient noise. However, they excel in neutral audio reproduction, which should please audiophiles.
Our Verdict
The HiFiMan Arya aren't designed for sports and fitness use. While the headphones are quite comfortable, they aren't particularly stable, and the headband will likely slip off your head during vigorous exercise. The HiFiMan are also fairly bulky, and their wire can be a snagging hazard.
- Comfortable and well-built.
No included 1/4" to 1/8" adapter limits base compatibility.
Unstable during intense motion.
The HiFiMan Arya are bad for travel. They don't isolate you from noise by design, and their open design leaks audio, which can disturb neighboring passengers. The headphones also have a bulky design and don't come with a carrying case, so they're more susceptible to damage when hastily stored in your backpack or carry-on.
- Comfortable and well-built.
- Leak a lot of audio at high volumes.
- Don't isolate you from background noise.
No included 1/4" to 1/8" adapter limits base compatibility.
The HiFiMan Arya are bad for office work. If you share your space, these headphones are not a good option. They don't isolate you from neighbors' keyboard clacks or conversations, and nearby coworkers will hear the contents of private meetings leaking from the headphones. They also don't come with a microphone, so you'll need to use your devices' built-in mic or purchase a standalone option. On the upside, they're comfortable to use for long durations, and you won't encounter battery issues, so they're a viable option if you can work in a quiet, controlled environment.
- Comfortable and well-built.
- Leak a lot of audio at high volumes.
- Don't isolate you from background noise.
No included 1/4" to 1/8" adapter limits base compatibility.
The HiFiMan Arya are wired-only headphones and aren't suitable for wireless gaming.
The HiFiMan Arya are alright for wired gaming. They don't have an integrated mic, so you'll need an alternative solution like a standalone microphone if you want to chat with friends or shotcall. That said, the headphones are quite comfortable, even over extended gaming sessions. They also have solid bass extension for open-backs, so your favorite cinematics won't miss out on too much rumble, and explosions will sound full-bodied. Thanks to their analog connection, they also introduce virtually zero latency to your system, so you won't notice any lip sync issues during cutscenes. However, the headphones are difficult to drive, and you might need an amp if you plan to use them with your volume cranked up.
- Comfortable and well-built.
No included 1/4" to 1/8" adapter limits base compatibility.
The HiFiMan Arya have good audio reproduction accuracy. Their score is primarily brought down by their group delay measurements, though, in practice, there aren't any audible issues, besides a minor loss of impact in transient snare wires and guitar strums. That said, these are also partly attributable to localized stereo matching issues in both phase and frequency response, causing these elements to bias to the right in the stereo image. Aside from the asymmetric dip in the high-mids, the headphones have great peaks and dips performance, adhering to their slightly bright sound profile. That said, peaks in the treble can give the perception of detail and clarity, or be perceived as a little bright and piercing, depending on your tastes. The headphones also interact with your pinna in a way that resembles an angled reference speaker, improving your sense of immersion.
The HiFiMan Arya don't isolate you from noise by design. Their open-back enclosure type leaks a lot of audio, and allows most background noise in. This includes everything from the low rumble of thunder during a storm to the chirps of birds outside your window.
The HiFiMan Arya don't have an integrated microphone. That said, you can likely find an aftermarket cable with a built-in mic.
The HiFiMan Arya have impressive frequency response consistency. Once you've seated the headphones on your head, your listening experience should match our frequency response measurements.
Performance Usages
Changelog
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Updated Feb 06, 2026:
We've added a mention of the HiFiMan Arya Organic in the Popular Headphones Comparisons section of this review.
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Updated Jul 31, 2025:
We updated this review to make it clearer that this is the V2 version of the HiFiMan Arya. We added this information to the Introduction and Popular Headphones Comparisons sections.
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Updated Jul 21, 2025:
This review has been updated to Test Bench 2.0, which adds the following tests: Stereo Mismatch, Group Delay, Cumulative Spectral Decay, PRTF, Harmonic Distortion, and Electrical Aspects. In addition, we've added updated results for Isolation, including Noise Isolation - Full Range and Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios. We've added new performance usages and updated the text throughout the introduction, comparisons, and Sound tests and side-by-sides.
- Updated Jul 10, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 2.1, which features minor updates to our sound tests.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The HiFiMan Arya V2 come in one color variant: 'Black'. An updated variant of these headphones is the HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version. The difference between this model and the updated variant are the addition of Stealth Magnets. The manufacturer advertises that these magnets improve the headphones' sound quality by lowering distortion and increasing transparency. However, their look, fit, and feel are the same.
If you encounter another variant, please let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The HiFiMan Arya V2 are planar magnetic headphones with an open-back design and a bright sound profile. Although their sound still lacks some thump and rumble, they're able to reproduce a bit more low-bass than other headphones from the same brand, like the HiFiMan Sundara 2020. They also outperform the third iteration of the same 'Arya' moniker, the HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version, in frequency response consistency, delivering audio more consistently between reseats and between individuals. Those looking for slightly improved bass extension and natural wood accents can also take a look at the HiFiMan Arya Organic. That said, if you're looking for equally comfortable headphones that are more stable, consider the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO, dynamic driver open-backs that have a slightly bassier balanced sound signature.
Check out our recommendations for the best audiophile headphones, the best headphones for music, and the best studio headphones.
The HiFiMan Arya and HiFiMan Ananda are open-back, audiophile headphones. While both headphones have a similarly great build and feel comfortable, the Arya come with additional cables with 1/8" terminations and a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter.
The HiFiMan Edition XS and the HiFiMan Arya are both excellent audiophile headphones with slight differences. Both headphones have a similarly bright sound profile, but the Arya have a ski-band headband design, are more comfortable, and feel better built. On the other hand, the Edition XS have a more standard headband, and a 1/8" cable and an included 1/8" to 1/4" adapter, while the Arya only have a 1/4" cable.
The HiFiMan Arya are similar to the HiFiMan Sundara 2020. Both models have an open-back design, but the Arya have slightly more bassy and treble. They also have a better build quality, with faux-leather padding and a different hinge design. On the other hand, the Sundara come with a 1/8" TRS cable, while the Arya come with a 1/4" TRS cable, so you need your own adapter to use them on devices like smartphones or consoles.
The HiFiMan Arya Organic is a modified version of the original HiFiMan Arya. While both are over-ear, open-back cans with planar magnetic drivers, they have some subtle differences in their sound profile that set them apart. The Organic have a touch more low end, bringing out the meat in kick drums and basslines, as well as a slightly accentuated high-end, which adds air to acoustic guitars and strings. Still, the sound profiles are largely very similar. Both headphones are similarly comfortable and well-built, though the Organics' use of natural wood accents help them stand out a little bit.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
Test Results
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