Intro:
The Arya lineup has been around for some time, known as the trickle-down version of Hifiman’s HE1000 series. Like those headphones, the Arya boasts a large, egg-shaped planar magnetic driver with what they call “nanometer thickness” diaphragm.
Sonically, the Arya family has leaned brighter than the HE1000 series, with extra articulation in the upper mids and treble. For some, that emphasis can come across as unpleasant. Later models pushed this trend further — the Arya Organic, for instance, is one of the brightest headphones Hifiman has ever released. It has its strengths, but its tuning is simply too bright for me, even though I usually get along well with Hifiman headphones. On one hand, I understand this is product differentiation. On the other, I find the increasingly radical tunings a bit concerning.
That’s why the Arya Unveiled came as such a pleasant surprise. What do I mean by this? Let’s dig in.
For those who want to jump right into detailed measurements, check out the final section of this article.
Disclaimer: This unit comes from HIFIMAN’s official loaner tour organised on Head-Fi. Many thanks to them for offering this demo program. There were no strings attached – we simply get to try them out, and all they ask for is an honest review. So here it is.
Specs & Comfort
RRP: $1,449 USD/ $2,449 AUD
Driver size: ~130*100 mm (chasis); ~80*60 mm (active area)
Driver type: Planar Magnetic
Sensitivity: 108 dB/Vrms @1kHz
Impedance: 28 Ω at 1kHz
Connector: dual 3.5 mm TRS
Weight: 413 grams (excl. cable)
Clamping force: light
Comfort: 7.5/10 (good)
Accessories: 1.8M cable; magnetic covers; drawstring pouches.
Note: As with the rest of Hifiman’s new Unveiled series, the Arya Unveiled has its driver exposed on the outer side. This means the magnets can attract metallic or allow sharp objects to get through, which could potentially damage the driver. Hifiman includes protective covers for when the headphone is not in use. The design itself is a bit polarising — some may appreciate the exotic design, while others might not — but in any case, these should be handled with extra care.
Measurement & Sound
For more comparisons, visit my squiglink database.
Tonal balance:
Overall, the Arya Unveiled feels very different from its predecessors. Where earlier Aryas often leaned toward brighter, more stylistic tunings, the Unveiled comes across as clean and well-balanced. Not the thin, clinical type of clean — but one that’s full in the fundamentals while staying even across the spectrum.
Bass
The Arya Unveiled delivers classic planar bass: linear and well-extended. It’s a textbook example of what “dead flat” bass response means. That doesn’t mean it’s dull or lacking in weight — just that it isn’t doing anything artificial to draw attention to itself.
In terms of performance, it’s about on par with previous Arya models, though with a slightly fuller presence. Still, don’t expect the dense, heavy low end of something like the Audeze LCD-4. With well-mastered tracks, the bass comes through fast, dynamic, and tight, offering all the speed and control planars are known for.
And if you want more? The Arya Unveiled takes EQ very well. You can boost the bass significantly without introducing distortion or clipping, which makes it a versatile platform depending on your preferences.
Midrange
The midrange here is, quite simply, just right. It sounds clear, articulate, and well-placed, without ever sounding shouty. There’s still a touch of the classic “Hifiman dip” in the 1-2 kHz region, which puts vocals and midrange instruments slightly back in the mix. But it’s far less noticeable than in earlier Arya/HE1000 models. In fact, the Arya Unveiled may have the most realistic midrange of any Hifiman to date.
One nitpick is that there’s a subtle lift around 4-5 kHz, a range that shapes texture and grit in the mids. Previous Aryas often exaggerated this region, leading to some edginess/sharpness. On the Unveiled, it’s much more restrained. The result is an added sense of texture and grain, without spilling over into harshness or sibilance.
Would it be ideal to eliminate that bump entirely? Probably. But it’s subtle enough here that it doesn’t detract from the presentation as a whole.
Treble
The treble continues in that neutral style: clean, airy, and smooth. It steps back from the extra brilliance that defined the Stealth and Organic versions. Even so, extension remains strong, giving the Unveiled an open and spacious feel. The smoother overall presentation adds an almost silky quality to the highs, making them easy to listen to over long sessions.
Percussion in particular stands out — cymbals and hi-hats have just the right amount of crispness and shimmer, without the glare or zing that often creeps in with brighter tunings.
That said, listeners who enjoyed the more forward treble of earlier Aryas may find the Unveiled a touch too “safe.” Whether that’s a positive or negative depends on your preference. But for those seeking a more traditional, reference-style sound, the Arya Unveiled represents a major step in that direction.
Other qualities:
- Soundstage
The Arya Unveiled presents a soundstage that feels natural and open. It’s not the widest of the Arya lineup — that crown goes to the Organic — but it never sounds closed-in or confined. Instead, it strikes a balance that gives music a convincing sense of space and immersion, similar to that of the HE1000 Stealth.
Width and depth feel evenly distributed, with no distortion or odd exaggerations. Imaging is precise and carries a nice holographic quality, avoiding the haziness that sometimes plague large planar designs. As with other egg-shaped Hifimans, image sizes are a bit on the larger side compared to traditional round-driver models like the HE6se. Still, they remain natural and precise, never drifting into an unnatural or blown-out presentation.
- Clarity
Clarity is excellent across the frequency spectrum. Nothing sticks out unnaturally. Everything feels evenly distributed, clean, and coherent. On first listen, the Arya Organic may seem to have more detail and sparkle, but that’s mainly because it’s not as linear in emphasising the treble. By contrast, the Unveiled doesn’t spotlight any one part of the spectrum — it lets the whole picture come through more naturally.
This linearity in the midrange also helps timbre and texture sound more realistic. Where the Stealth and Organic can sometimes feel a bit artificial, the Unveiled maintains a more cohesive presentation.
Of course, if you prefer the “detail monster” approach, especially for live acoustic recordings where treble nuances often get drowned out, the earlier Arya models may serve you better. But for most types of music, the Unveiled is arguably every bit as capable — just in a more grounded way.
- Dynamics
The Arya Unveiled handles dynamics well, though it’s not its strongest trait. In terms of microdynamics — subtle shifts and nuances in quieter passages — it performs impressively, on par with the Meze Elite and only a step below the HE1000se. Compared to the Arya Organic, it holds its own despite the Organic’s reputation as more of a “tech monster.”
As for macrodynamics — the slam and impact factor — it is solid as well. The Unveiled doesn’t compress or distort even at very high levels around 104 dB. It delivers a respectable sense of punch when the music calls for it, though it doesn’t hit with the visceral authority of an Audeze LCD-4 or a Focal Utopia.
Conclusion:
At $1,449 USD/ $2,449 AUD, the Arya Unveiled isn’t the most budget-friendly option, but its sound quality and spot-on tuning make it a strong contender in the high-end space.
If you want a high-end planar without esoteric quirks or gimmicks — just a balanced, all-around experience — the Arya Unveiled is one of the best choices available. In that sense, it reminds me of the Moondrop Cosmo, though the Unveiled pushes further with its egg-shaped drivers, offering a more immersive stage and stronger bass impact.
After spending time with the Arya Unveiled, I think Hifiman has found the sweet spot for the series. It combines the technical ability the brand is known for with a tuning that feels much more universally appealing. If previous Arya models always came across as “specialists,” the Unveiled is the all-rounder many listeners have been waiting for. The only caveat is that if you’re used to a big wow factor, the Unveiled may come across as a little too safe.
If there are specific comparisons you would like to see, let me know in the comments.
PROS:
+ Balanced, reference-style tuning
+ Realistic and articulate midrange
+ Smooth, airy, non-fatiguing treble
CONS:
– Can use stronger slam and punch
– Safe tuning may feel restrained
– Pricey in a crowded bracket
Value Grade:
Notes on Ear Pads and EQ
A quick heads-up on the earpads: the Arya Unveiled, like other recent Hifiman egg-shaped models since the Unveiled series, uses redesigned plastic mounting clips on the back. This means pads from older Hifiman models won’t fit. At the time of writing, there are no aftermarket options available, though hopefully that will change soon.
In terms of EQ, the Arya Unveiled needs very little adjustements to sound well-balanced.
Recommended EQ setting for this headphone (adjust the bass and treble filters to taste):
Preamp: -5.5 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 29 Hz Gain 5.5 dB Q 0.500
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 80 Hz Gain 1.0 dB Q 1.500
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 230 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 0.700
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 1900 Hz Gain 1.5 dB Q 2.000
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 4900 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 3.000
If your goal is to EQ the response to match the Harman Target, consider the AutoEQ function provided by Squiglink as a convenient starting point. I personally recommend customising the filters to better suit your own hearing, especially in the treble. While the AutoEQ provides a useful baseline, individual adjustments can often significantly improve your listening experience.
If you’re new to EQ, I’d recommend checking out this video by Resolve from The Headphone Show — it’s a really solid intro and walks through the basics in a clear, no-nonsense way. Great place to start!
MEASUREMENTS
Frequency Response:
The response is obtained by an average of 5-6 positional variations. The FR shown on the graph is unsmoothed.
Positional Variation:
This graph illustrates how headphone placement on the head affects perceived tonal balance: with the ear positioned at the front (blue), centre (purple), and back (red) of the headphone. The FRs shown on the graph are 1/48 octave smoothed.
Leakage Tolerance:
This graph demonstrates how leakages to the front volume can result in FR change: blue (good seal), purple (thin arm glasses), red (thick arm glasses). The FRs shown on the graph is 1/12 octave smoothed.
Comment: Like most open-back planars, this headphone can show a slight bass boost when the seal is compromised.
Linearity and Dynamic Compression:
Linearity and dynamic compression testing plots the headphone’s frequency response at two input levels to show how it reproduces signals as loudness changes. Any divergence between the high-level and low-level curves points to where the transducer’s dynamic range begins to compress or distort. Here, the measurements are superimposed to allow direct comparison. The FRs shown on the graph is 1/6 octave smoothed.
Comment: This is excellent result. There’re no signs of compression at very high SPLs.
Impulse Response:
The impulse response test measures the initial response, overshoot, and decay of a transducer upon receiving a signal. An initial upshoot indicates a normal/non-inverted polarity, vice versa.
HpTF Variations:
Headphone Transfer Function (HpTF) describes how sound is shaped by headphone design and ear anatomy before reaching the eardrum. Different measurement rigs (with varying pinnae designs) introduce unique reponses/resonances and potential deviations from actual human perception. Understanding HpTF helps translate measured data into real-world listening experiences.
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD% 2nd-9th) & Excess Group Delay (94 dB):
These measurements are conducted in quiet, normal room conditions (as opposed to an anechoic chamber), meaning there may be some influence from ambient room and external noise. These results should be considered a preliminary assessment of performance, primarily for identifying major issues, and do not reflect the best-case performance scenario. Any peaks/dips around 9 kHz are most likely artifacts from pinna interaction/phase cancellation, rather than inherent features of the device under test.
Comment: 94dB distortion levels are generally very good. Nothing dramatic here.
Channel Matching:
Channel matching graphs are intended for quality control checks and do not relate to the perceived sound profile. A specialised configuration is used in this test to capture differences between channels, mitigating interference from positioning on the rig and the asymmetry in the GRAS pinnae design, a legacy of KEMAR. The left (blue) and right (red) channels are measured using a flat plate coupler with an IEC60318-4 ear simulator.
Comment: Channel matching on this particular unit is good, which may contribute to imaging precision and the clarity of spatial cues.
Electric Phase & Impedance:
The above graph shows the measured impedance (green) and electric phase (grey), measured under free-air condition (minimal front volume coupling).
Comment: This headphone’s impedance curve is typical of a planar headphone – flat and low.
END OF THE ARTICLE
Disclaimer: This review is independent and was not sponsored or endorsed by any company or affiliated entity. All headphones reviewed are purchased for review unless otherwise stated. Any links or product references are provided for informational purposes only and are not associated with any financial compensation or affiliate arrangement.
Oh hell yes! Was waiting for this review! I had the same experience as yours. It feels like a huge step in the right direction; I could never truly enjoy the Arya Stealth and even the HE1000 Stealth for the reasons you mentioned. The Arya Unveiled is the first hifiman that I feel like could work for a LOT of people, perhaps even for treble sensitive folks like me. There were many tracks that I could not stand to hear with the previous egg-shaped models that I actually enjoy hearing with the Arya Unveiled!
I’ll admit that the Unveiled feels a bit behind the HE1000 Stealth in terms of soundstage and that raw sense of detail, but when I swapped between the two, the HE1000 sounded ‘gimmicky’ as you said, and I felt you lost that sense of tonal balance and ‘correctness to achieve its technical performance.
I was surprised how well this Arya Unveiled performs across almost all genres. There are times where it may fall short (like it doesn’t have the audeze bass), but it never feels like the tuning is actively detracting from my enjoyment of the track. It’s more so that the particular track I’m listening to would be *more* enjoyable on other headphone, though it still sounds great on the Unveiled.
Another thing which would be awesome if it is indeed true, is what Resolve and GoldenSound were saying about the Arya Unveiled’s consistency across different heads and how easy it is to EQ. I think a lot of people miss that. Love your EQ preset by the way! I like how the soundstage does not seem to ‘collapse’ when applying the EQ to it, it still retains that openness and spaciousness. Like Resolve, I also add a very small high-shelf for the very top-end, though I don’t think its necessary. But I was glad to hear that the Arya Unveiled retained its characteristic of openness and spaciousness after EQ as well!
It’s a shame that Hifiman shot themselves in the foot with pricing. Surely the fact that the Arya Stealth was like $600 US would have cannibalized some sales of the Unveiled? It’s funny because the MSRP is cheaper than what the Arya Stealth initially retailed for ($1,600) but even then, it seems ridiculously overpriced due to the massive price drop on the Stealth.
Amazing review as always!
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Thanks, I’m glad the impressions resonate! It does feel like Hifiman finally nailed something that can appeal to a broader crowd without the usual caveats of the egg-shaped line, while still keeping that expansive presentation. Clearly they’ve been listening, which is good to see.
On EQ and consistency, yeah I saw Resolve and Golden’s take too, and I def agree. With large drivers like the Arya Unveiled, coupling tends to be more consistent across heads, so you don’t get as much variation. The tricky part is tuning them properly to begin with, but in this case Hifiman did a great job, which makes small adjustments easy and versatile.
And yeah, the pricing is a bit of a head-scratcher haha. This is honestly one I’d consider buying for my own use, and I’ve gotten very strict about what I keep. I suspect the usual Hifiman pattern will happen and the price will get more competitive over time, but honestly I think it might take a little longer for this one given the new design and excellent tuning.
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Yeah, I sold my HE1000 Stealth for this. The Arya unveiled still has a bright tilt but it sounds natural now. I think this is a headphone that will get much more appreciation once the price inevitable drops.
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Yeah before the Arya Unveiled the HE1000 Stealth arguably had the most balanced tuning in the eggshaped line. I agree the Arya Unveiled will definitely get more recognition once more people get their hands on one.
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Now we need you to compare Ananda Unveiled to Arya Unveiled.
By the way, I listened to Arya Unveiled in a quiet store and I wouldn’t say that it has perfectly balanced sound. It sounded ok to me (without EQ), nothing to write home about, any decent nearfield speakers sound way more natural. There is still that typical Hifiman 2khz lack of vocals clarity and some audible peaks and dips after 3khz. (I suffer from mild hearing loss so what sounds exiting or hyper detailed for many people usually sounds very unbalanced to me when 2khz is pulled down and treble and air significantly elevated). So basically people without mild hearing loss can enjoy any cheap egg shaped Hifiman on a moderate volume because after a few minutes of use our brain can adjust and internally smooth out the treble peaks, so there is no need to upgrade unless sibilance on some records really bothers you. I think it is when our hearing starts to become less than perfect, with some minor 5db deviations/swings that are inaudible on speakers/speech recognition in daily life, we unconsciously blame the headphones and think there are better ones to be found that can help us enjoy the music, but in reality the “better” ones are just more dangerous with very elevated/sharp treble which may initially sound like WOW I can hear so much details but after a few days you only notice listening fatigue and tinnitus, and sometimes unfortunately more hearing loss even when listening on a relatively safe levels below 80-85db peaks (because often the elevated treble peaks are not on the same level and frequency between left and right channels).
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Hey there. Yeah I’ll probably get around to the Ananda Unveiled at some point, just not immediately on the cards yet. And you’re right, if you’re comparing to good nearfield monitors in a treated room, almost no headphone will match that level of linearity. There’s just the simple difference in how sound is transmitted and how much air is being moved. Most music is mixed for speakers too, so headphones are always playing catch up.
In the headphone world, you really need closed-back designs or some kind of DSP/ASP if you want speaker-level bass presence, and even then it’s tricky because the proximity to the ear makes peaks and dips in the headphone response so much more noticeable. That’s also where individual hearing conditions come in. What you said about hearing conditions and how that shifts preference is spot on. Everyone has a slightly different baseline, and listening volume plays into it too. I usually keep mine around 70-75dB on average. Treble peaks can become a lot more punishing if you’re pushing the volume higher. The relationship between listening volume and preference is indeed something that doesn’t get addressed enough in the hobby.
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Hey Sai, thanks for another excellent review! I’ve only started following you since you’re take on the Cosmo, but just wanted to say I really appreciate the reviews/database.
These new headphone offerings from hifiman (AryaU, XV, HE600, AnandaU) and pad swapped Moondrops have been the most interested I have been for headphones in a while.
It seems from the tone of the reviews that a pad swapped Cosmo is still you’re favorite of the recent releases, but if you could give a more in depth comparison of the XV, AryaU, Cosmo and Para (with ideal pads and EQ) that would be greatly appreciated :).
Saw you measured the HE600 recently, still holding out for that review too hahaha.
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Glad you’ve been finding the reviews useful! The Cosmo with pads and some EQ does stands out as probably the most balanced/neutral of the recent releases, but each has its own strengths and weaknesses.
The Edition XV is the smoothest and warmest of the bunch, very easy to live with, though it doesn’t quite match the others for the more technical/subjective stuff, it’s still very competent at its price. The Para with the right pads and EQ comes across sharper and more precise, quite lean compared to the Hifimans, and it’s more analytical by nature. It’s great value, but you do have to deal with the heavier weight, and pad swaps and EQ are basically a must IMO. The Cosmo is like a grown-up Para, more refined across the board, with treble tuning that’s so spot on I can forgive the higher price. Its biggest weakness is bass impact. EQ can give you the right quantity, but it still lacks that slam factor. With Moondrop already teasing the followup model, it might be worth seeing how that shapes up too.
The Arya Unveiled reminds me of the Cosmo in some ways. It isn’t quite as linear through the mids, but it’s very easy to adjust with EQ, and it delivers more bass impact and a more expansive stage. That said, it also costs quite a bit more than the Cosmo.
And yes, the HE600 review is coming. I still need more time with it, but so far I really like how it sounds. But the clampy headband is a drawback I can’t ignore. I’ve reached out to Hifiman to see if they’ve got any plans to address that.
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What would you say the best headphones for macrodynamic impact with bass be? Im also happy to eq a headphone that is capable of having a high level of macrodynamic impact 🙂
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*edit What would you say the best headphones (more than one) for macrodynamic impact for bass would be? Im also happy to eq a headphone that is capable of having a high level of macrodynamic impact 🙂 (sorry for the edit i am ESL lol)
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No worries mate. For that specifically, a few stand out. On the closed-back side, the TH900mk2 is probably the king for that sheer slam, and the EMU Teak comes very close as a cheaper alternative (though I haven’t tried the more recent Fostex models). For open-backs, the Focal Utopia has it, with the Clear not far behind, and then you have the Abyss 1266 in a league of its own there. The Audeze LCD-4, NAN-7, and the Hifiman HE6 OG can all deliver it too, but they need EQ more or less to unlock that level of impact.
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Would the Hifiman HE600 fit that bill too? Or does it not live up to the he6 in terms of that
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I’d say it doesn’t hit with the same sheer impact as the HE6, but the bass is more lively and agile. Overall I still prefer the OG’s bass assuming you’ve got the right amp behind it.
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Would any of those fit these perameters?:
Smoothish treble or Takes well to EQ
Would run well on 3.2watts into 32 ohms (JDS element 4 in particular)
Doesnt distort easily with EQ
(my definition of Macrodynamic impact btw is “The capability to deliver notes and kick drums with authority that is specifically felt on the ear or side of your head”)
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Most of the ones I mentioned still fit what you’re after, except maybe the Abyss and HE6. The Element 4 might power the HE6, but I’d still leave it out. Also the Abyss ones since they’re tricky to EQ because of the fit. Solid picks would be the EMU Teak or TH900mk2 (with pad swaps like TH610 or aftermarket), Focal Clear/Utopia (EQ optional depending on how sensitive you are to treble and bass levels), the NAN-7 (China/Aliexpress only), and the LCD-4 (>700g weight).
If you want to play it safe, the EMU Teak is probably the best starting point, with the Focal Clear next in line. Just note the Clear can clip above 96-100dB in the bass, but most people won’t be pushing it that far anyway.
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Thank you!
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Would you think the element four would be able to power the 1266?
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Stats-wise, it could drive the 1266 but it depends how loud you listen and if you’re running EQ. If you’re thinking seriously about the 1266, I’d budget for a dedicated amp just to be safe.
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Great review; how does the impact/punch and the instrument separation of the Unveiled compare to the Arya Organic or the HE-600?
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Thanks. To me, the Unveiled feels fuller/more robust than the Organic, but it’s not as tight or as dynamic overall. The Organic can start to distort at higher volumes, though. In terms of separation, the Organic gives a bit more nuance up top and down low, while the Unveiled does better through the mids. Overall, they’re pretty close in these areas (including the HE600).
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Out of the Arya Unveiled, HE1000 stealth, and the Arya Organic how would you compare the imaging / “holographic” quality, and the detail retrieval of each one? I’ve been debating on which one to get but I’m leaning towards the Organic (I do plan to EQ the treble down)
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The spatial qualities are more alike than different, though each series has its quirks. The Organic gives you a bigger stage and more ‘in your face’ detail presentation, with imaging that’s smaller and more precise but not as holographic as the Arya Unveiled. It’s also a solid EQ platform, but there’s a caveat: like the Ananda Nano, it can distort between ~2-7kHz once you push past ~90dB SPL (unit to unit can vary). When that happens the treble takes on a gritty/grainy edge, so I’d say the Organic/Nano works best at medium or quieter listening levels. The HE1000 Stealth is well-controlled across the board but there’s less of that wow factor. And the Arya Unveiled feels like a further refined HE1000 Stealth.
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Appreciate the detailed responses! Got the Organics and am incredibly satisfied with it, barring the occasional treble spike here and there. I’d like to hope I’ve reached endgame with the Organics, but out of curiosity are there any headphones that get that much better than the Organics? Headphones that improve even further on aspects like bass depth/punch (with EQ), imaging, and separation/layering. Maybe the HE1000SE?
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Glad to hear you’re enjoying the Organics, that’s a fantastic place to land. Honestly, they cover so many bases well that you could happily stick with them long-term. The HE1000se does edge ahead in things but the gap isn’t massive at all. If the Organics are already keeping you satisfied, you’re in a pretty sweet spot.
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You are very experienced in this. Which eggshape Hifiman has the most physicality in terms of springy’ness/plucky’ness ? A more palpable dynamics ? I currently use Hekse and they aren’t good in this aspect. They sound more ”smooth and effortless”. I’m looking for more ”effortful” faster, physical sound in eggshape form. Also retaining most of the big soundstage of course.
I used Arya Stealth before and they had good physicality. They had more palpable pluckyness, more force behind sounds. I hated their soundstage though. They sounded like they had only center front channel rather than stereo or 5.1 surround.
How is the new Unveiled, HEK Stealth, Arya Organic headphones in this aspect ? I hear good things about HEK Stealth. I don’t mind treble all that much so Arya Unveiled’s more balanced treble isn’t a big plus for me.
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Thanks. Not sure if I got your point fully, but if you mean physicality/impact, then in the egg-shaped line it’s probably either the Arya Organic (though it can distort at high volumes) or the HE1000 Unveiled. In general though, that whole series is more about the smooth and effortless sound as you rightly said.
A lot of the times big stage and strong physicality don’t go hand in hand. Focals are great for physicality but not stage, while HD800 and the egg-shaped Hifimans go the other way.
If you really want both, I’d look at the HE6 OG, NAN-7 (Taobao/Aliexpress only), or the Abyss 1266 models. And if you don’t mind dynamic headphones, the TH900mk2 with EQ/pad swaps can get you there too.
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Hi! For me I feel Arya Orgnic more engaging and I prefer for all. Films, music (soundtracks, pop, ambient…). Do you think Im doing something wrong?
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Oh, you’re not wrong at all! The Organic indeed has a very dynamic, engaging tuning. My gripes are that it leans a bit too bright and can distort at higher SPLs, so it can be a very divisive headphone. But if that doesn’t bother you, it’s a very rewarding listen. As I mentioned in the review, it’s class-leading in areas like staging and clarity, and with the discounts it’s getting these days it’s an even stronger deal.
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Hi sai.
Very interesting review (as always) of the excellent but not cheap Hifiman Arya Unveiled.
For info.
Moondrop COSMO fitted with the PARA’s hybrid pads versus Susvara Unveiled, versus Arya Unveiled.
Tonality and THD (at 94 dB SPL)
Which one is the best?
Note : I really appreciate your target curve, unheardlab OE Target, one of the best available for tonal accuracy, at least for my ear sensitivity.
For comparison, the THD of the Susvara Unveiled headphones and the ARYA Unveiled (at 94 db SPL @100 Hz and @1 KHz) is less good than the Moondrop COSMO headphones.
THD @100 Hz (94 dB SPL)
Arya Unveiled : 0.18 %
Susvara Unveiled : 0.12 %
COSMO : 0.02 %
THD @1 KHz (94 dB SPL)
Arya Unveiled : 0.04 %
Susvara Unveiled : 0.07 %
COSMO : 0.03 %
THD Moondrop COSMO (at 1 Pa = 94 dB SPL)
https://unheardlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/hifiman-susvara-unveiled-total-harmonic-distortion-black-2nd-order-red-3rd-order-yellow.png?w=2000&h=
THD Hifiman Susvara Unveiled (at 94 dB SPL)
https://unheardlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/hifiman-arya-unveiled-total-harmonic-distortion-black-2nd-order-red-3rd-order-yellow.png?w=2000&h=
THD Hifiman Arya Unveiled (at 94 dB SPL)
Source (on head-fi)
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/moondrop-cosmo-fitted-with-the-moondrop-paras-hybrid-pads-or-zmf-universe-lambskin-perforated-pads-or-zmf-caldera-lambskin-thick-top-and-side-perf-pads-new-high-end-flagship-planar-headphone.973629/page-5#post-18862023
and https://www.head-fi.org/threads/moondrop-horizon-para-para-ii-venus-cosmo-fitted-with-the-paras-hybrid-pads-or-brainwavz-xl-size-hybrid-pads-or-zmf-universe-lambskin-perforated-pads-or-zmf-caldera-lambskin-thick-top-and-side-perf-pads-laputa-skyland-and-darkside-discussion.970569/page-72#post-18861531
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Hi Eric, glad you find this material useful.
I would say they are all good enough that those distortion figures aren’t actually audible in the vast majority of cases when you’re listening to music. That is, unless someone is listening super loud, of course.
The differences are pretty small, and none of these really run into a problematic area, even when you apply bass boosts with EQ. The differences you see are more just a matter of engineering differences than anything you’d hear. But yeah, the Cosmo is excellent in that regard.
I appreciate the kind words about the Target. 😉
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If I already own a Moondrop Cosmo and HD800s, would any of the Hifimans make for a good addition? The Cosmo is great but I use the Yaxi leather pads which are a bit warmer than the EP100A (which I also have, wish I had two of the rings to easily hot swap pads). Overall I really like the Cosmo sound but the weight and dynamics are the things that a third headphone could add.
Options from Hifiman would be HE600, Arya Unveiled or HE1000 Stealth. There’s also other brands to consider, especially used prices around the price of those.
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I see. Given that you have the Cosmo (Yaxi pads are a great choice, by the way) and the HD800S, I’m guessing you prefer a clear, airy sound that is still pretty well balanced.
Adding some bass dynamics and punch on top of that would definitely put you in the Hifiman zone. The options you listed are all great. Out of those, I’d say the HE600 gives you the most punch and lively feel.
The HE1000 Stealth is closer to the traditional Hifiman house sound: polite mids and an open stage. The Arya Unveiled is a bit more cohesive on top of that.
Aside from those, if you want a safer, meaning cheaper, option so you can experiment without it hurting as much if you end up not liking the Hifiman sound and need to sell, the HE6se V2 is always a solid choice at its current price. Though, personally, I would still prefer the HE600 over the HE6se V2.
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Thank you for the reply!
I actually managed to demo the Arya Unveiled and it surprised me how smooth it sounded. In the past the egg shaped Hifimans (had Arya v2 and HE1000SE) have all required eq for me and it honestly kind of took me by surprise. Only thing holding me back is the build quality in relation to price. Also it’s guaranteed to be under 1000 in a year or so since Hifiman does that.
The HE600 is really interesting too but couldn’t demo it. Also not sure about the comfort. I wonder if there is a good aftermarket pad for it with a bit better opening/contour since it looks like it could touch ears.
Another option I’ve checked is the Audeze MM-500 used but that might be a bit similar to Cosmo. Or the upcoming Skyland/Laputa from Moondrop but again, probably overlaps a lot with Cosmo.
Also thanks for the reviews, one of my favourite resources for hp reviews.
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Yeah that’s what I thought about the Arya Unveiled too. That’s why I called it the all-rounder of the Arya series haha. But you’re right, it’s still Hifiman, so you definitely need to factor in the build and longevity, especially with that unveiled design.
As for the HE600, there’s a lot to like about the sound. Comfort wise I struggled at first but recently I found that carefully bending the headbands really improved the comfort. It actually made it one of the most comfortable Hifimans for me. Pad swaps are easy too, since they use the traditional Hifiman clip system.
I haven’t listened to the MM500 for long enough to comment. I’m definitely looking forward to Moondrop’s new headphones as well. Maybe I’ll be able to test them out, fingers crossed!
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I eagerly await your future comparison (much anticipated) of Moondrop’s future flagship, the LAPUTA/SKYLAND, apparently fitted with EP-100A pads (the successor to the COSMO?), versus the COSMO fitted with EP-100A pads / Para’s hybrid pads and even, if possible, ZMF Universe Lambskin Perforated pads versus any latest-generation Hifiman headphones, whether unveiled or not…
This upcoming review will undoubtedly be a best reader…
Feel free to use your new in-house target (yours), it’s very good.
Eric65
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Yeah I definitely want to review those. It is not even released in the West yet though. The ear pads seem to be either the EP100A or the slightly modified version which they now include as part of the Para 2 package (called the ‘DLC’ pads). Let’s keep an eye out.
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The aliexpress cloth earpad you use in your earpad measurements seems to turn the FR of traditional Hifiman’s to Unveiled ones. Did you try or can you try Arya Unveiled against hekse, heks, arya organic or arya stealth with aliexpress cloth pad ?
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Yeah the Aliexpress cloth earpads do change the tuning in that direction. The key here is that the foam they use has a higher density, making it closer to the new Hifiman pads on the Unveiled series.
That said, I would still say the tuning is more linear on the new Unveiled series as a whole, because they also involve driver level and chassis changes. When you use the Ali cloth pads, the traditional egg-shaped Hifimans come across as more balanced, but they do not entirely get rid of that upper treble zing that some people have trouble with on the traditional eggys.
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