HIFIMAN’s Unveiled series continues to impress with the Arya Unveiled, an open-back, grille-free headphone designed to elevate your listening experience. Priced at $1,449, this is the most affordable model in the Unveiled lineup, offering audiophiles a chance to experience the signature Arya sound—reimagined and enhanced. But does it live up to its promise? Let’s dive in.
What’s In The Box
- HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled Open-Back Headphones
- Pair of Magnetic Veils
- Headphone Cable
- HIFIMAN Warranty
Design and Build Quality
The Arya Unveiled features a sleek, all-black design that stands out from the sea of metallic, silver-finished headphones. The grille-free earcups are protected by magnetic veils, which safeguard the drivers when the headphones are not in use. Textured plates add an elegant touch while helping to keep dust at bay.
Comfort is a key strength of the Arya Unveiled. The lightweight frame, adjustable headband, and 360˚ swivel earcups ensure a perfect fit for extended listening sessions. However, the build quality could be improved. The swivels feel stiff, and the earcups emit a faint creak when adjusted, detracting slightly from the premium feel expected at this price point.
For testing, I paired the Arya Unveiled with the FiiO K19 desktop DAC/amplifier and a Strauss & Wagner upgrade cable with 4.4mm balanced termination. This setup was more than adequate, delivering excellent synergy and making the headphones easy to drive.
Technical Specifications
- Type: Fully Open-Back
- Coupling: Over-Ear
- Style: Wired
- Driver Type: Planar Magnetic
- Frequency Response: 8Hz – 65kHz
- Sensitivity: 94 dB
- Impedance: 27 Ω
Listening Review
Soundstage
The Arya Unveiled boasts an expansive soundstage that transforms your listening space into an immersive audio environment. True to its open-back design, the sound feels spacious and dynamic, allowing layers of instruments to breathe. Frequencies are well-balanced, with a slight emphasis on the bass, while the treble remains airy and non-fatiguing.
While the open design offers a remarkable sense of depth, it also means minimal noise isolation and sound privacy. These are not for public use but excel in quiet, dedicated listening spaces.
Lows
The Arya Unveiled builds on the original Arya’s bass response, delivering a fuller, more dynamic low end. The bass is rich, smooth, and controlled, adapting effortlessly to different genres. Tracks with prominent bass elements, such as Rammstein’s “Puppe,” benefit immensely—the deep vocals of the lead singer resonate with newfound texture and depth.
Genres like EDM and rock shine, with punchy kick drums and driving basslines offering a visceral listening experience. At the same time, slower, more delicate tracks maintain a mellow warmth that supports the overall mix without overpowering it.
Midrange
The midrange is where the Arya Unveiled truly excels. Thanks to the wide soundstage, every layer in a track is rendered with impressive clarity and separation. Vocals, in particular, are reproduced with stunning realism, blending seamlessly with surrounding instruments.
Take “Ella Baila Sola” by Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma as an example: the intricate drum patterns, vibrant horns, and vocal harmonies are delivered with precision and depth. The dynamic color and texture of each element are fully realized, making for an engaging listening experience.
Highs
The treble range benefits greatly from the open-back design, offering an airy, refined quality that contrasts beautifully with the thick, full-bodied bass. High frequencies are bright and detailed without veering into harshness, ensuring long listening sessions remain enjoyable.
Orchestral tracks are especially immersive, with every instrument given room to shine. Listening to Mina’s “Il cuore si sbaglia,” I was captivated by the interplay between her midrange-dominant vocals and the lush orchestral arrangement. The high strings soared, while the horns grounded the track with a powerful presence—each element distinct yet harmonious.
Summary
The HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled delivers an exceptional listening experience, blending comfort, style, and high-performance sound. While minor build quality concerns slightly detract from its overall appeal, the sonic capabilities more than make up for it. With its expansive soundstage, robust low end, and detailed mids and highs, the Arya Unveiled is a worthy contender for audiophiles seeking an upgrade.
Whether you’re rediscovering old favorites or exploring new music, the Arya Unveiled offers a masterclass in immersive, detailed audio. At $1,449, it’s a serious investment, but one that pays off in spades for those who value precision and depth in their listening experience.
The HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled is available today at Audio46.