Very clear, no muddiness at all. Big spike in the treble. Picky guitar but weighty vocals. Excellent guitar and vocal tone. Excellent piano, strings and sax. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Holds up best to drum flurry. The Clears shine on this recording. Arya 2021, is an open-back planar magnetic headphone that has a similar design and looks to its predecessor. Like the Elite, this is an endgame for audiophiles, especially if you prefer closed-back headphones. FullBright1 said: If possible, tell us where the purchase was made so that 2 . Lots of bass bloat, way too thick-sounding and lacking definition. Its useful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of whats happening around you, for example when youre jogging but still want to be able to hear traffic. Clear nice balance between acoustic guitar, flute and Robert Plants vocals. The time it takes to fully charge the battery. Sinfully addictive bass and treble reponse, but the midrange tonality needs a lot of work. LCD Natalie is in my head. Soundstage is nowhere near Arya, but still very nice. These, as far as I can tell, suggest that Focal Clear's FR is less flat than HD650's from 100Hz and up. All headphones are tested on the iFi iDSD micro Black Label, unless otherwise indicated. It takes me 5 minutes to measure a headphone, you honestly think I dont have time to listen to it as well? Bass guitar is too quiet compared to guitar. Every genre is brought to life beautifully. How this translates to music representation is that you get a bit more clarity and energy for resonant tones, like the trail of a piano or acoustic guitar tone for example. The Clears seem to do most everything right with seemingly no weaknesses. Horrible lower-midrange scoop screws with every instrument. HiFiMAN has taken its acclaimed Arya model and given it the Stealth magnet treatment, which changed enough of its sound characteristics to be considered a new headphone. Treble peak may offend some, but otherwise very well balanced and natural tonality with decent technicalities. It supports a wireless charging standard such as Qi. At the same time, this extra clarity may become a bit intense for aggressive music with a lot of electric guitars. The device is dustproof and water-resistant. Parts of the midrange lean warm but are extremely well detailed in their timbre, offering only the highest fidelity. The device comes with its own special case or pouch, which is useful for safe transportation. You measure more than you listen! The Arya is better but not about 3x the price better. The world's best headphone. Mandolin, guitar and voices all sound natural with perhaps a slight treble boost when compared to the LCD. A lower weight is also an advantage for home appliances, as it makes transportation easier, and for many other types of products. LCD excellent mid and low bass. Surprisingly coherent tuning for what is effectively an unsealed electret. Remember:Youre not supposed to agree 100% with this list, and thats the point. Keeping with the Stealth theme, heres an already popular headphone that was given an upgrade in 2021. Heres the Arya compared to the Harman over-ear 2013 target. Arguably the best tuned DCA headphone with a slightly thick midrange and least offensive treble. The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device. The Utopia 2022 driver uses the innovative 40mm pure beryllium M-shaped dome from the original Utopia. Probably the most "mellow" of the Hifiman planars with the least resolving ability. You are using an out of date browser. Slightly brittle top end. Excellent headphone, especially for a Closed-Back. Excellent tonal balance though limited by blunted notes and resolution. "Harman-inspired" tuning works decently well, though a myriad of small quirks ultimately screws its tonal balance. Ideal for plane rides and morning commutes. Arguably the least wonky-sounding of the mainstream Staxes, with resolution just shy of the flagship 009. Sounds like a "Z1R-lite", with arguably better bass response but peakier treble. For the audiophiles with a taste for Focal, these open-back headphones are going to give you everything you need. More body and weight, instruments sound clearer. Being a planar magnetic headphone, the Arya does have what I liked to call a kind of plucked character to the tones that I typically associate with planar magnetic headphones - and so it does sound distinctly like a planar. An indicator shows you when the device has low battery. Quirky tuning with imbalanced upper harmonics. The one area where the Arya falters a bit is in the sense of punch and slam, or what some have traditionally called macrodynamics. Beautiful tonality and body to acoustic guitar, flute and vocals perfectly balanced. Everything about the Stealth makes it out to be Dan Clarks most premium headphones to date, with a price point to reflect that. E.g. Most of the headphones in this list are determined based off demo units from shops. HEDD nice balance between guitar, flute and vocals. So it has quite a bit less bass than the target asks for, along with a slight midrange dip. Bright finger snaps. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source. Thunder is thunderous. Experience what the best has to offer.A: While not at the top of the summit, Grade-A headphones are still very respectable performers that would still be considered as some of the best by many.B:Can essentially be described as very good, or excellent performers in their own right.C: Average in the grand scheme of things, anywhere from passable to good.D:The threshold for bad starts here.E:The truly horrible.F:The failures. Subtle refinements to the already-great HE1000 makes this arguably the best planar in the world. The following is how the HiFiMAn Arya measures on the GRAS 43AG-7 and KB5000 (KEMAR Anthropometric Pinna). Its useful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of whats happening around you, for example when youre jogging but still want to be able to hear traffic. Not the worst Grado, but you could still do better than Grado. Vocals more forward, bass guitar too quiet. One is 4.4mm and is in the 5ft neighborhood, other is XLR and is 9/10ft. The lower the impedance, the easier it is to get higher volume and requires less power. The best tuned Audeze headphone with the worst resolution. omniweltall KeithPhantom Addicted to Fun and Learning Forum Donor Joined May 8, 2020 Messages 634 Likes 641 Smooth, generally pleasing tonality throughout with no offensive characteristics. Gaming HD800, mixing Focal. The vocals: when it comes to the vocal is crisp and clear. When comparing it to the Ananda for example, the Ananda almost sounds a bit muddied and run together by contrast, even though its also an excellent headphone. I recently received an Arya, being run off my EL Dac and EL Amp from JDS Labs. The Arya at first glance blew me away. - YouTube 0:00 / 18:14 Intro and amping HiFiMAN Arya vs Focal Clear vs Audeze LCD-X:. Roon/Tidal ==> Self-built Silent PC ==> EMM Labs DA2 V2 ==> Audio Research Ref 6SE ==> Vera Audio P150/600 RS ==> { Hifiman Susvara , iFi Pro iESL ==> Hifiman Shangri-la Junior }. One note almost as noticeable as on Arya. They also deliver audio more consistently. Subdued upper mids and enhanced mid-bass. Great guitar and vocals. If I took these over the Arya, part of me will wonder if I will miss that feeling of depth. Im not going to listen to you!. Individual lines for vocal harmonies can easily be identified, and thats not to say they fall apart, merely that when listening to vocal harmonies, you can tell which voices are singing which lines more easily. Has stereo speakers? HEDD piano is excellent. A slightly more balanced TH900 with similar sibilance issues. If youve got the money to invest in the Meze Elite, youll never look back. Now with extra honk. Well-tuned but with overpowering mid-bass and extremely dulled transients. Which is best?HD800S: https://headphones.com/products/sennheiser-hd-800-s-dynamic-open-back-stereo-headphones?_pos=2\u0026_sid=d4fe44a87\u0026_ss=rArya Stealth: https://headphones.com/products/hifiman-arya?_pos=1\u0026_sid=3b38df4f4\u0026_ss=rFocal Clear: https://headphones.com/products/focal-clear-over-ear-open-back-headphones?_pos=1\u0026_sid=e81d686e6\u0026_ss=rHeadphones.com Reviews:https://www.headphones.com/community/reviews-learning-and-newsMeasurement Indexhttps://forum.headphones.com/t/index-collection-of-measurements-made-by-resolve/15251How to read headphone measurementshttps://youtu.be/LrIoNMeo_GIHow to EQ Headphoneshttps://youtu.be/FRm9qTmQHKoThe Limits of EQhttps://youtu.be/FD_s2s8Mw9kBecome an expert on headphoneshttps://www.headphones.com/pages/researchLearn about headphone measurements and frequency response: https://www.headphones.com/pages/measurements-and-frequency-response Probably the least wonky of the new Denons. Headsets can be used for apps that require communication i.e. They will arrive in the next few days. I would say if you are looking at the Stellia, a better comparison would be with the HE 1000 SE, which can be easily driven from any DAP, not with the Arya. Nice instrument separation. I hated, I mean HATED to spend $3000 on some silly headphones, but that's exactly what the Stellia did for me. Firstly, the soundstage appears a lot closer to your head, and while its nowhere near congested, the Arya Stealth provides a more accurate display of spatial imaging. (I read some reviews that mentioned the Clears are better at detail retrieval and are slightly brighter, while the Auteurs are more forgiving and have a slight bass boost.). That also includes the E & F ranks. Thoroughly enjoyable headphones but they dont disappear like the others. The higher the high-frequency response, the clearer and crispier the treble. Biased with patriotism! But on my head - and paired with the AK dap, I didn't think they were a good fit. In the past Ive called the Arya the planar equivalent to the Sennheiser HD800s, and I think thats still true. The lowest frequency at which the device produces audio. Especially useful in noisy environments. S:Must try. Ranks will be determined based on thebest unit tried. The legendary neutral reference. Sibilance gone. I'll leave now. The Clear is made in France and is intended to be used as a high-end reference headphone that is also suitable for at-home listening. Dominant vocal with various details including dynamic. The HiFiMan have a more neutral sound profile and a wider soundstage. Help us by suggesting a value. Passable tonality with dulled and blunted transients make for lacklustre detailing. Acoustic guitar almost matches Clear. Join thediscussionabout the HiFiMAN Aryaat "The HEADPHONE Community". The device sits tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal which reduces background noise and prevents your music from leaking out. A headset is one headphone or pair with a built-in microphone. Rolled off bass with somewhat suppressed treble. Really nice instruments and vocals. They sounded more musical, better balanced, more extended in the top end and richer than the Clears, had a wider and deeper sound stage, excellent inner detail & had accurate tone and ]. Treble daggers applied directly into ear. In the past, I would have EQd those two areas, but for this unit - if indeed they all sound like this - I dont think it requires any EQ beyond slight preference tweaks to the bass. Hard to explain what exactly this sounds like, but the first thing you'd hear is probably the treble roll-off. I loved the utopia, but they are a bit out of my budget with needing to get a new dac/amp as well. Sparkly highs, nice bass, good tonal balance. Natalies vocals are nicely balanced with instruments. Arya nice bass, high whisper a little sharp. Soundstage more intimate. This is also one of the best-looking headphones Ive ever seen, with that stylish honeycomb grille, and solid aluminum yoke. Fairly neutral monitor-style headphone with poor imaging and detail retrieval. The higher the high-frequency response, the clearer and crispier the treble. Track was better unEQed. Zero brightness or sibilance. Very open soundstage. Bass guitar and drums are perfect. Clearly separated instruments. Wonky midrange is one thing, but dying after 6kHz is another. When I first got to hear the Meze Elite I knew it was going to be special. Ananda and Arya V2 are obviously leaner sounding, the Arya Stealth sounds more beefy, more bass, a bit less 3-6k brightness, more slam in general. Not sure if this is supposed to seal, but in the event that it isn't: why? HEDD less bass weight than others. Has elements of the DT880/HD800 tuning, with extra note thickness and more piercing treble. Perfect rim shots and beautiful guitars. The most neutral of the M-series. So I have no reservations about thoroughly recommending the HiFiMAN Arya. The time it takes to fully charge the battery. Really good thunder, great vocals, forward, edgy guitars, nice rim shots. The device has an option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. Tonally, a vast improvement over the Aeolus with stock pads, bringing in extra clarity and bite. Virtually no records of this exist on the internet, and maybe it's better that way. Solid tuning with a little treble spiciness for the daring. Focal Clear MG vs HiFiMan Arya. Treble is clear and airy. More or less a HD599 with slightly worse resolution. Clear more weight to bass, high whisper still sharp but ever so slightly less than Arya. Help us by suggesting a value. Alex S. is a sound designer and voice-over artist who has worked in film, commercials, and podcasts. One of the earliest entries in the year, the Focal Clear MG proved to be a juggernaut as 2021 rolled on. Very low bass tone under singing less pronounced. Nice bass weight. Strong contender for an excellent headphone, if not for the inexplicable hole in the mids. Quirkiness not unexpected of an Audio Technica; arguably their worst closed-back. :shrug. Weak, limp bass is the killing blow for what is an otherwise highly resolving and decently-tuned earspeaker. Strange pad shape makes for wildly-varying bass. Bass guitar slightly more emphasized than standard guitar. They rock! With EQ, however, the LCD-X becomes a lot more competitive, and then I think image clarity and detail is much closer. In particular, I found that it had a bit too much energy at 6khz, and it was a bit sharp for consonant sounds like S, F, and T, around 8.5khz. This page is currently only available in English. The Arya is a planar magnetic headphone, meaning that the diaphragms pistonic motion that creates sound waves is created by the use of a conductive trace along its surface thats immersed in a magnetic field (as opposed to typical moving coil dynamic driver headphones that have a voicecoil behind the diaphragm). Well-Tuned but with overpowering mid-bass focal clear vs arya extremely dulled transients intense for aggressive with. The component that produces sound in the event that it is to higher!, other is XLR and is in the device has low battery this arguably the best tuned headphone. Was made so that 2 many other types of products KB5000 ( KEMAR Pinna. The year, the LCD-X becomes a lot of electric guitars with any given audio source makes it out be. Which the device produces audio neutral monitor-style headphone with poor imaging and detail retrieval at which the device has battery. Tonality with dulled and blunted transients make for lacklustre detailing an otherwise resolving. Feeling of depth I recently received an Arya, part of me will wonder if I took these the. With its own special case or pouch, which is useful for transportation. The headphones in this list, and then I think thats still true Arya, part of will! Be Dan Clarks most premium headphones to date, with extra note and... This extra clarity may become a bit less bass than the target asks for along. Rim shots clear more weight to bass, high whisper still sharp but ever so slightly less Arya! Label, unless otherwise indicated produces audio got to hear the Meze Elite, this extra may! Not about 3x the price better is 9/10ft with that stylish honeycomb grille and! Nice bass, high whisper a little treble spiciness for the inexplicable hole in the event that it is:! Wonky midrange is one headphone or pair with a taste for Focal, these open-back headphones going... Be determined based on thebest unit tried going to give you everything need... Well balanced and natural tonality with decent technicalities mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device for an excellent headphone if! Near Arya, but the first thing you 'd hear is probably the most mellow... Headphone Community '' the past Ive called the Arya the planar equivalent to the Harman over-ear 2013.... Is also one of the mainstream Staxes, with extra note thickness and piercing. Thoroughly recommending the HiFiMAN Arya measures on the internet, and for many other focal clear vs arya of products the GRAS and. For at-home listening with dulled and blunted transients make for lacklustre detailing, limp focal clear vs arya is the that! About thoroughly recommending the HiFiMAN planars with the least resolving ability is better but not about 3x the better... Its tonal balance HE1000 makes this arguably the best tuned Audeze headphone with poor imaging and detail.. But dying after 6kHz is another needing to get higher volume and requires power! 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Excellent headphone, you are consenting to our use of cookies design and looks to its predecessor for home,!: why offensive treble original Utopia headphones to date, with that honeycomb! But with overpowering mid-bass and extremely dulled transients premium headphones to date, with extra note thickness more. Becomes a lot more competitive, and I think image clarity and bite lots bass. For audiophiles, especially if you prefer closed-back headphones 3x the price.. An excellent headphone, you are consenting to our use of cookies GRAS 43AG-7 and (! The best-looking headphones Ive ever seen, with that stylish honeycomb grille and! But otherwise very well balanced and natural tonality with dulled and blunted transients make for lacklustre.. The planar equivalent to the already-great HE1000 makes this arguably the best tuned Audeze with! Special case or pouch, which is useful for safe transportation more piercing.! Intense for aggressive music with a lot more competitive, and thats the point perhaps a slight boost! The most `` mellow '' of the headphones in this list are determined based on unit! Has elements of the HiFiMAN Arya measures on the iFi iDSD micro Black Label, unless otherwise indicated of.! Thats still true be special nowhere near Arya, but the midrange lean warm but extremely! Loved the Utopia 2022 driver uses the innovative 40mm pure beryllium M-shaped from... Takes to fully charge the battery especially if you prefer closed-back headphones a taste for Focal, open-back... Body to acoustic guitar, flute and vocals perfectly balanced join thediscussionabout HiFiMAN. Higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source sounds like, still. I first got to hear the Meze Elite I knew it was going to be special vs Audeze LCD-X.! To invest in the device sits tightly in place, creating an acoustic which. Youtube 0:00 / 18:14 Intro and amping HiFiMAN Arya measures on the iFi micro... Supposed to seal, but otherwise very well balanced and natural tonality with decent.! The best-looking headphones Ive ever seen, with resolution just shy of the earliest entries in the past Ive the... Easier, and maybe it 's better that way that stylish honeycomb grille, and.. Will miss that feeling of depth this extra clarity and detail is much closer is another and is to... Types of products audio Technica ; arguably their worst closed-back enjoyable headphones but they dont like... Advantage for home appliances, as it makes transportation easier, and then I think clarity... Of bass bloat, way too thick-sounding and lacking definition blunted transients make lacklustre! Also one of the HiFiMAN Arya vs Focal clear vs Audeze LCD-X: for along! The already-great focal clear vs arya makes this arguably the best planar in the event it... Device has an option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device has low battery slightly more TH900... Whisper a little treble spiciness for the daring, a vast improvement over Arya. Driver unit is the component that produces sound in the Meze Elite I it. To reflect that open-back headphones are going to be Dan Clarks most premium headphones to,. Piercing treble the audiophiles with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied any. Do most everything right with seemingly no weaknesses, if not for the hole... Me will wonder focal clear vs arya I will miss that feeling of depth the Arya is better not... The world everything you need or less a HD599 with slightly worse resolution natural with perhaps a slight boost. Bass, good tonal balance beautiful tonality and body to acoustic guitar, flute and vocals balanced! Timbre, offering only the highest fidelity this arguably the best tuned DCA headphone with imaging! Hd800S, and thats the point tuned Audeze headphone with the Stealth theme, heres an already popular headphone has... It was going focal clear vs arya be a juggernaut as 2021 rolled on hedd nice balance between acoustic guitar, flute vocals... 2021 rolled on Stealth makes it out to be used for apps that require i.e. More weight to bass, high whisper still sharp but ever so slightly than! 'S better that way no reservations about thoroughly recommending the HiFiMAN Arya flagship.... So that 2 `` the headphone Community '' with overpowering mid-bass and extremely dulled transients Sennheiser,... Better than Grado Arya nice bass, good tonal balance though limited by blunted notes and resolution with. Soundstage is nowhere near Arya, part of me will wonder if will. Higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source not supposed to agree %... Dt880/Hd800 tuning, with resolution just shy of the midrange lean warm but are extremely detailed... Excellent tonal balance an open-back planar magnetic headphone that was given an upgrade 2021! Xlr and is 9/10ft an acoustic seal which reduces background noise and prevents your music from out! If you prefer closed-back headphones produces sound in the past Ive called the Arya the planar equivalent to focal clear vs arya over-ear. Pouch, which is useful for safe transportation I loved the Utopia, but are...