Hifiman Comparison: HE1000 Unveiled vs. Arya Unveiled

Not too long ago, we reviewed the two latest editions of the Hifiman Unveiled series: the HE1000 Unveiled and the Arya Unveiled. As expected, we put the two side by side to see how these two headphones compare to each other. Retailing at $2,699 and $1,499 respectively, it will be interesting to find out how similar or different these two products are. 

What Comes In The Box

HE1000 Unveiled – $2,699 Arya Unveiled – $1,449
  • HE1000 Unveiled
  • Magnetic Veils
  • 1.5m single-ended 3.5mm headphone cable
  • 3m XLR balanced cable
  • 3m single-ended 6.35mm headphone cable
  • HIFIMAN Warranty
  • HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled Open-Back Headphones
  • Pair of Magnetic Veils
  • Headphone Cable
  • HIFIMAN Warranty

You’ll see a few key differences in the accessories of the two Unveiled headphones. The HE1000 Unveiled gives you a few different cables, including XLR, 3.5mm, and 6.35mm terminations. These different attachments are great for integrating into any audio setup. The Arya Unveiled also comes with the 3.5mm and 6.35mm terminations, so it can be adapted to a number of setups. 

Aesthetics & Functionality

Design & Style

To start with the look of the headphones, these two fall on pretty opposite ends of the scale. The HE1000 Unveiled sports a silver plating with black details, making it shine and reflect in the light. The exposed drivers are a bit hidden in the design, but the craftsmanship is still stunning and seems too good to be real. The Arya Unveiled goes totally opposite and elects for an all black design, making the drivers on the sides pop out as a feature of the design. It is sleek and practically undercover, which makes the “Unveiled” title pop out even more when the magnetic covers are taken off. 

They both have plenty of flexibility and adjustment with a 360˚ swivel axis and another axis to rotate back and forth to get the right seal on your head. The suspended headband is lightweight and is perfect for extended use, allowing for long listening sessions without any fatigue on the head. The ergonomic ear cup shape is identical on both, fitting completely over your ears seamlessly. 

Build Quality

Where you can start to see some differences is in the construction and material build. Priced at over $1000 difference, you start to see where they may have cut costs. The HE1000 Unveiled sports a stainless steel construction that is easy to maneuver. You get a smooth rotating axis and easy adjustment to find the right seal for your head. The Arya Unveiled, on the other hand, has the same type of fluidity in its construction, but it is a bit stiffer on the axis. It takes a little more force to rotate it around, and you can hear a bit of creaking when you go back and forth through the frame. This could be the case for just this particular unit, but it was noticeable enough upon adjustment to cause a bit of concern. 

Creaking or not, the two headphones maintain a robust feel that promotes their reliability. Once you have the perfect fit and feel, listening can begin in no time. I was using the FiiO K19 desktop amplifier for my listening comparison, as well as the Astell & Kern SP3000T Copper Edition. These two sources were easy to connect to and get a good listening analysis in. 

Tech Specs

HE1000 Unveiled Arya Unveiled 
Type Fully Open Back Fully Open Back
Coupling Over-Ear Over-Ear
Style Wired Wired
Driver Type Planar Magnetic Planar Magnetic
Frequency Response 8Hz – 65kHz 8Hz – 65kHz
Sensitivity 95 dB 94 dB
Impedance 28 Ω 27 Ω

On paper, there isn’t much that separates these two headphones. One decibel of sensitivity and an ohm of impedance hardly seem like it could make a difference in their sound. This chart tells customers that both are easy to drive and have a wide range for sound to be produced in. The real test will be in the listening review. 

Listening Review

Soundstage

Both the HE1000 Unveiled and Arya Unveiled offer expansive soundstages that create a sense of immersion. The HE1000 excels in its three-dimensional presentation, wrapping the listener in a wide and deep audio environment, with highly accurate instrument placement. Tracks like Pink Floyd’s “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” benefit from this immersive quality, making complex arrangements easy to decipher. The depth and width of the soundstage in the HE1000 Unveiled stand out as particularly enveloping.

The Arya Unveiled, on the other hand, also features an expansive soundstage, but with a slight emphasis on the bass frequencies that add to the dynamic nature of the presentation. While it maintains a spacious and airy quality, it lacks the degree of three-dimensionality that the HE1000 delivers. Its open-back design emphasizes the sense of depth, but with less surrounding effect, making it well-suited for quiet, controlled environments.

Low Frequencies

The HE1000 Unveiled’s low end is tight, controlled, and versatile, adapting well across genres. It shines in rock and ballads, where the bass is mellow or punchy as needed, without muddying the mix. Tracks like Nothing But Thieves’ “Impossible” demonstrate how well-defined the bass can be, providing texture without overemphasis.

The Arya Unveiled offers a fuller, more dynamic low end, particularly for genres like EDM and rock, where it delivers rich and smooth bass with added texture and depth. The bass maintains a balanced warmth in slower genres, much like the HE1000, but the Arya brings a bit more power and presence to the lower register, which makes it stand out in bass-heavy tracks like Franz Fernindad’s “Take Me Out”.

Midrange Frequencies

Both headphones excel in the midrange, but with slight differences in presentation. The HE1000 Unveiled’s midrange is natural and detailed, bringing out the intricacies of vocal performances. The headphones reproduce silky smooth vocals and detailed instrumentation, as heard in tracks like Mina’s “Conversazione”. Its ability to bring out emotional dynamics and subtle textures makes it a great choice for those seeking an engaging, realistic listening experience.

The Arya Unveiled also showcases impressive clarity and separation in the midrange, with an emphasis on vocal realism. The wide soundstage allows every layer in a track to shine, like in “NUEVAYoL”, where the vocal harmonies and instrumental details are intricately presented. While the HE1000 offers exceptional realism, the Arya Unveiled’s broader spatial presentation elevates its dynamic range and color in the midrange, offering a slightly richer experience in terms of layering.

High Frequencies

The HE1000 Unveiled’s high frequencies are described as airy and spacious, offering crisp and detailed treble that complements its weighty lows. The treble never becomes harsh and provides a smooth listening experience, suitable for long sessions. The headphone’s open soundstage helps capture the ambience of recordings, such as in Smetana’s “La Moldau”, where flutes, delicate strings, and cymbals shimmer with clarity.

Similarly, the Arya Unveiled’s treble is bright and detailed, with an airy quality that works well alongside the full-bodied bass. The open-back design allows for refined treble reproduction, ensuring it doesn’t become overwhelming or fatiguing. Tracks like Alejandro Sanz’s “Corazón partío” showcase the headphone’s ability to balance the bright, high strings with the power of the horns, offering a harmonious and dynamic high-end performance.

Summary

The Hifiman HE1000 Unveiled and Arya Unveiled both deliver exceptional performance, but they cater to different preferences. The HE1000 Unveiled excels with its three-dimensional soundstage, precise instrument placement, and refined tonal balance, making it the ideal choice for audiophiles seeking unparalleled immersion and detail. Meanwhile, the Arya Unveiled offers a more dynamic bass response, broader spatial presentation, and vibrant midrange, delivering an engaging and energetic sound that excels across genres—all at a more accessible price point. While the HE1000 justifies its premium cost with flagship-level refinement, the Arya provides tremendous value for those prioritizing a rich and dynamic listening experience. Both models showcase Hifiman’s expertise in crafting high-performance headphones, ensuring that either choice delivers extraordinary sound.

The HE1000 Unveiled and the Arya Unveiled are both available at Audio46.

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