I'm considering these both headphones for my 1st pair of hifi headphone, I'm heavily leaning toward Kithara for the value. But i don't want to miss out on the sound of the XV because of FOMO. Can I EQ the Kithara to match like 95% of the Hifiman Edition XV?
The classic mid-range closed-back headphones from Hifiman, the Audivina, have for years been a benchmark for those looking for closed-back devices with beautiful wooden earcups in the price range around 700 euros (nowadays often below 650 euros). Well, after quite a long time, a new Audivina has finally arrived. It is still a closed-back model, partially inspired by the concept and design of the original version, but much has changed in terms of materials and technologies. We had the opportunity to test it extensively and here, then, is our review.
The LE version, it should be clarified right away, is not an upgrade of the classic Audivina but rather a more affordable variant: shortly after launch, the price hovers around 400 euros or slightly more. As you can see from the images, the appearance has changed considerably: no more wood, but new materials and a slightly different upper headband with a more economical look, featuring the now widespread perforated strap used in many recent Hifiman headphones, similar to the one already present in the classic model but made with new composite materials.
Very well-designed earpads combined with the headband clamp force guarantee remarkable comfort.
The Audivina LE accessory package surprised us: not one but three cables are included — a 1.5-meter cable with 3.5mm jack, a 3-meter cable with 6.35mm jack, and even a fantastic 3-meter XLR cable! Well, what can we say? Truly an exceptional cable selection for a device costing around 400 euros, especially considering that a travel case is also included.
Here are the technical specifications of the Audivina LE:
These are very easy headphones to drive and their weight is overall quite good considering that they are closed-back planar magnetic headphones, weighing 21 grams less than the wooden version.
The Audivina LE also implements Hifiman’s Stealth Magnets, as well as the NEO Supernano Diaphragm, the new diaphragm with a thickness between 1 and 2 microns, approximately 80% thinner than the company’s previous versions.
A very important point: comfort. We must honestly say that just by looking at them we had some doubts, but once worn, the Audivina LE turns out to be extremely comfortable, much more than one might think. The dual-band system works well, but what really makes the difference, in our opinion, are the earpads. Thick, soft, yielding in just the right way, they combine perfectly with the clamp force exerted by the headband, creating a compressed cushion effect around the ear that reaches truly surprising levels of comfort. This could result in slightly excessive pressure for those with larger heads, but for everyone else comfort is guaranteed.
An interesting peculiarity of this model is also the Velcro system that keeps the pads attached to the earcups, making them very easy to remove.
As for aesthetics, what can we say: the new model costs 240 euros less than the classic version, and it shows. The appearance is less luxurious, less fancy, and less refined, but for an entry-to-mid-level model this was more than expected.
We listened to the new model paired with several Hifiman DAC/headphone amplifiers, from the EF499 to the EF600, favoring for our listening sessions the pairing with the EF600 using the beautiful XLR cable included in the Audivina LE package.
For several weeks now we have been talking about certain changes in the sound signature of the company’s most recent headphones, and here too something different can be noticed. Once again, the difference is noticeable in the high frequencies, which sound less bright, slightly darker than what we had become accustomed to. But let us proceed step by step, because the discussion here is fairly complex and, in our opinion, also very interesting.
After some burn-in, which we always recommend even when not explicitly suggested, it immediately becomes apparent that the Audivina LE excels in terms of soundstage. The width, depth, instrument positioning, separation, and directional imaging are simply off the charts compared to other closed-back headphones in the same price range.
Those who tried the classic Audivina will remember that even in that case the company’s work focused heavily on reproducing a soundstage similar to that of a concert hall, making it particularly suitable for classical music reproduction. Here too, in this more affordable version, enormous effort has been devoted to achieving extraordinary results in terms of soundstage (while obviously considering that this is anything but an easy task in closed-back headphones). This quality does not emerge only with classical music. If you have the chance to try the Audivina LE, put on “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin and you will understand what we mean.
As for the bass, we have a solid and precise presence along with excellent speed, accompanied by a certain fullness. However, texture, depth, and rumble are not exceptional. The bass blends very well with the lower mids and has a non-invasive, non-fatiguing tuning, yet in tracks rich with complex bass passages the limitations in detail and depth become noticeable.
In the mid frequencies there is remarkable clarity, with good dynamism, precision, and detail retrieval. Combined with the excellent soundstage and superb instrument separation, this leaves a very positive impression, along with the natural timbre typical of Hifiman. Vocals are full-bodied and have excellent presence: the company’s engineers found an excellent balance between vocals and instrumentation, with the voices positioned just slightly forward enough to stand out without overshadowing the music too much.
The highs are very well tuned: we have great precision, dynamics, and detail, and to our ears no annoying spikes whatsoever. On the contrary, as we anticipated earlier, we seem to perceive a deliberate search for a less bright tone in these frequencies. There is also noticeable extension and a pleasant resonance of notes within the soundstage during tracks featuring solos. Overall, we are talking about highs that are clear yet also soft, delicate, not overly piercing nor excessively sharp.
Ultimately, because of its characteristics, this is a headphone that can offer a great deal relative to its price to those seeking a device with an excellent soundstage capable of recreating the sensation of a concert hall. The musical genres you listen to will greatly influence the level of satisfaction you can obtain from the Audivina LE: if you mainly use it for classical music, singer-songwriter music, or tracks with a large number of instruments, it will perform at its very best. For genres and tracks with a strong bass presence or requiring powerful low-frequency energy, great fullness, and impact, the device is less suitable.
As for DAC/amp pairings, without necessarily stepping up to the EF600, we recommend the EF400, an excellent device whose price today is around 370 euros.
Here you can read our full review, including our final verdict.
I got myself a hifiman svanar jr today and was surprised to see that it is only detected as aac in my device, in which I have used various ldac gears with no issues. I tried to look at the box and viola, the ldac logo was removed at the specsheet.
Hey guys,
So my friend just got my Ananda V3s for me (the newer 16 ohm / 93db ones) and he tested them straight out of his desktop pc motherboard. he said the clarity is insane but the volume is basically a whisper. so I definitely need an amp. ( I'm getting the headphone later this august ).
I need something portable with bluetooth, Im stuck between two options and really need some advice:
1. Fiio BTR13 I really want this because of the built in hardware PEQ. It would make life so much easier for switching between my pc, phone and tv without messing with apps. But it only pushes about 130mw out of the 4.4mm balanced port. Im worried that because the v3 sensitivity is so low, if I add a bass shelf and a negative preamp, it just wont get loud enough before clipping.
2. Hiby W4 This thing is a monster and pushes 475mw out of the balanced port, so power wouldn't be an issue at all. BUT it has zero onboard PEQ. I would have to rely completely on Poweramp on my phone and EqualizerAPO on my pc to fix the hifiman treble spike, which feels a bit clunky.
What do u guys think? Is the btr13 actually strong enough to drive the V3s with eq, or do I need to just buy the raw power of the W4 and deal with the software eq hassle?
thanks in advance!
Wanted to do a quick review of the HE1000 Unveiled after spending time with it and comparing it against the Arya Unveiled, Arya Stealth, and Edition XV.
This is obviously my own opinion and sound is subjective, so different people may hear things differently. I am not trying to write a technical measurement-based review. This is just how I hear it. All headphones were purchased by myself and this is not sponsored or influenced by anyone.
I mainly care about:
The HE1000 Unveiled is the first headphone I’ve tried where I immediately felt: okay, this is clearly a different tier.
Not “5% better if you listen really hard” better.
More like: the whole presentation feels cleaner, more open, more effortless, and more complete.
It has that big Hifiman planar presentation, but it sounds more refined than Arya Stealth, more resolving than Arya Unveiled, and more mature than Edition XV.
It is not perfect, but damn, it is my endgame *lol*.
This is where the HE1000 Unveiled really flexes.
The detail is not forced. It does not scream “look at me, I am detailed” by stabbing you with treble. It just presents more information more naturally.
Small background sounds, texture in vocals, reverb trails, tiny spatial cues — they are all easier to hear.
Compared to:
Score: 9.5/10
This was one of the biggest surprises for me.
The treble is extended and airy, but it does not have that annoying sharpness I sometimes get from Arya Stealth.
Arya Stealth can be amazing for gaming and detail, but with stock pads it can get spicy or shrill for me. I use Dekoni Elite Velour pads on Arya Stealth to tame the treble. The trade-off is that you sacrifice a bit of stage, but comfort improves massively, and it becomes much easier for non-stop gaming and music sessions.
HE1000 Unveiled gives me the detail, air, and openness without needing that same level of taming.
Compared to Arya Unveiled, this is also where the HE1000 Unveiled clearly pulls ahead for me. Arya Unveiled has great body and musicality, but it lacks some air up top. HE1000 Unveiled has more extension, more openness, and more of that “floating detail” feeling.
It is not dark. It is not rolled off. It still has a lot of sparkle and openness.
But it is smoother, more polished, and less fatiguing than Arya Stealth.
Score: 9/10
This is not a basshead headphone.
If you want Audeze-style physical slam or closed-back punch, this is not that. But the bass quality is excellent.
It is clean, fast, textured, and extends well into sub-bass. It does not sound bloated or muddy. It gives you bass when the track asks for it, but it does not artificially thicken everything.
Compared to Arya Unveiled, I actually feel Arya Unveiled can sometimes sound a little fuller and more body-rich. But HE1000 Unveiled is tighter, cleaner, and more controlled.
Compared to Arya Stealth, HE1000 Unveiled has better bass texture and sounds less dry.
Compared to Edition XV, Edition XV might feel more “fun” in some tracks, but HE1000 Unveiled is simply cleaner and more grown up.
Score: 8.5/10
The stage is huge, but more importantly, it is useful.
Some headphones sound wide but vague. The HE1000 Unveiled sounds wide, tall, open, and properly layered.
It gives you this “everything has space to breathe” feeling. Busy tracks are easier to follow. Instruments are not fighting each other. Sounds do not collapse into a wall of noise.
Compared to:
Score: 9.5/10
Imaging is excellent.
For gaming, this matters a lot to me. I want to know where the sound is coming from, not just that “something happened somewhere.”
HE1000 Unveiled is extremely precise. Footsteps, reloads, shields, distant shots, movement cues — everything is easier to place.
Arya Unveiled is more cinematic and full-bodied, but HE1000 Unveiled is more technically accurate.
Arya Stealth is still one of the best gaming headphones I have used and honestly still ridiculous for competitive play. With R2R and Velour pads, it is endless hours of gaming fun.
HE1000 Unveiled gives you similar or better placement while sounding more natural, smoother, and more refined.
Score: 9.5/10
This is probably the biggest reason the HE1000 Unveiled feels special.
When a track gets busy, it does not panic.
It keeps things separated. Vocals, drums, guitars, synths, background details — everything has its own lane.
Arya Unveiled is very good, but HE1000 Unveiled feels more effortless and more open, especially up top.
Arya Stealth has strong separation too, but HE1000 Unveiled does it with more refinement and less edge.
This is where cheaper or lower-tier headphones start sounding congested. Edition XV is enjoyable, but when music gets complex, HE1000 Unveiled clearly separates itself.
Score: 10/10
Vocals are clean, open, and detailed.
They are not overly warm or thick. If you like very intimate, lush, forward vocals, this may not be the absolute best headphone for that.
But the vocal clarity is excellent. You hear texture, breath, and detail without grain.
Arya Unveiled may have a bit more body and emotional weight in some vocals. HE1000 Unveiled sounds more transparent, more open, and more refined.
Arya Stealth and to an extent Edition XV may sound recessed in vocals especially when you A/B against the HE1000 Unveiled.
Score: 8.5/10
For music, this is easily one of the best headphones I have heard.
It works especially well with:
It makes music sound expensive. Not artificially boosted. Just clean, open, and high-end.
The only area where I might want more is bass punch or vocal warmth depending on mood. But technically, it is incredible.
HE1000 Unveiled gives me the missing air, openness, and extra resolution up top compared to the other Hifimans.
Score: 9.5/10
For gaming, this thing is stupid good.
In competitive games, it gives you excellent directionality, distance, and separation. You can hear footsteps and small cues clearly without the sound becoming a harsh mess.
Arya Stealth is still a monster for gaming and honestly might remain the better “value” pick if all you care about is competitive sound cues.
But HE1000 Unveiled gives you the gaming performance plus a much smoother, more premium, more refined sound.
It is like Arya Stealth went to finishing school.
Score: 9.5/10
Comfort is typical Hifiman egg-shaped comfort: light enough, big cups, easy to wear.
The Unveiled design obviously means you need to be more careful. This is not a headphone I would throw around casually.
It feels more like a delicate high-end instrument than a tank.
So yes, amazing sound. But also yes, don’t be stupid with it.
Score: 8/10
Arya Stealth is sharper, drier, and more aggressive.
It is amazing for detail and gaming, but with stock pads it can get fatiguing depending on the track.
HE1000 Unveiled is smoother, more resolving, more spacious, and more refined.
Arya Stealth still gives insane performance for the money, but HE1000 Unveiled is the better headphone.
Arya Unveiled is fuller, more musical, and has a very enjoyable body to the sound.
But for me, Arya Unveiled lacks some air up top. It has the body and the musicality, but it does not quite have that same treble extension, openness, and floating-detail feeling that HE1000 Unveiled gives.
HE1000 Unveiled is more resolving, more layered, more spacious, and more technically complete.
Arya Unveiled is fun and engaging. HE1000 Unveiled feels like the flagship version of that idea.
Edition XV is a great value musical headphone. I still respect it.
But HE1000 Unveiled is just in another league technically.
More detail, more separation, better imaging, cleaner treble, bigger stage, better refinement.
Edition XV is fun and best money you can spend around the 400$ mark IMO. HE1000 Unveiled is serious.
HE1000 Unveiled: 9.5/10
This is probably the closest I have heard to my personal ideal sound:
It is not cheap and it is not a bass monster.
But if your goal is detail, space, layering, smoothness, air, and that “holy crap this sounds high-end” feeling, then yeah — this thing is special.
For me, this is the first headphone where I genuinely felt: this could be the one.
Qobuz hi-res all genres my main music source. My system budget Audiophile.
Wiim Pro as transport via Coax to Topping DX5 II 4.4 balanced out. Hifiman Sundara my current headphone, very happy. Hifiman Ayra Organic is it worth the upgrade? My concern is will my DAC and Streamer now be a choke point for the the Organic? Thanks.
The HiFiMan Edition XV is the latest evolution of the “Edition X” series headphones from the well-known Chinese company.
HiFiMan Electronics is a Chinese company founded in 2007 by Dr. Fang Bian. HiFiMan has gained great popularity with its line of advanced planar magnetic headphones, which have won numerous awards in recent years and are considered among the best in their respective price ranges. In addition to headphones, HiFiMan also produces other high-end audio electronics: DACs, headphone amplifiers, and portable music players. The Chinese company’s “X” line was introduced to the market in 2015 with the “Edition X” headphones and later developed with the “Edition X V2”, and in 2021 with what is perhaps the most popular and well-known model in the series, the “Edition XS“, introduced in 2021. The headphones in this series follow the principles introduced by the revolutionary HE-1000, starting with the large asymmetrical egg-shaped ear cups and ultra-thin diaphragm drivers, while aiming to reduce the price and improve ease of use and drivability to appeal to a wider audience.
Recently released on the market, the HiFiMan Edition XV is the latest addition to the HiFiMan “X” series. Compared to the previous Edition XS, the XV features upgraded magnets, a new and lighter ergonomic headband, and a new diaphragm with “Neo Supernano” technology, 60% thinner than that of the Edition XS.
Here are the technical specifications:
The Edition XV is available at a price of around 400 euros.
The Edition XV looks exactly like all other HiFiMan headphones: it comes in a standard cardboard box, protected by a foam damping material that can also be used as a stand for the headphones. The only accessory included is a 1.5-meter unbalanced cable, with an adapter for connection to a 6.35 mm headphone output.
Once taken out of the box, the Edition XV reveals itself as a planar magnetic headphone of large size, elegant and solid. The new headband and the new hexagonal grille give the Edition XV a much more robust look compared to similar previous-generation HiFiMan headphones, such as the Edition XS or the Ananda Nano, which appear rather fragile in comparison.
Once worn, the Edition XV is quite comfortable despite its weight (450g) being far from light. The new ergonomic headband, heavily criticized on the HE600 for not adapting well to particularly large heads, is in this case perfectly adequate in length thanks to the larger ear cups of the Edition XV. The pressure on the head remains medium-high, probably due to the rather short leather strap, and some may find it uncomfortable. In this case, as with many other HiFiMan planar magnetic headphones with “giant” drivers and teardrop-shaped ear cups, talking about pressure on the ears is inappropriate since the ear cups fully surround the ears with minimal contact.
Let’s move on to the listening tests: we had the opportunity to test the Edition XV for weeks, pairing it with HiFiMan’s own DAC/headphone amplifiers EF400, EF500, and EF600, as well as the Fosi Audio ZH3 and ZD3, and comparing it with other HiFiMan planar magnetic headphones and the Fosi Audio i5.
Having tested numerous HiFiMan headphones in the past, after just a few minutes of listening to the Edition XV it becomes clear that the sound of this headphone is not a simple “refinement” of the Edition XS, nor another variation of the typical HiFiMan tuning, but rather a true shift by the Chinese company toward a warmer and smoother sound. In fact, HiFiMan has almost consistently adopted in its recent models a rather bright sound signature, with slightly emphasized highs and upper mids, especially in their “Stealth” headphone series. This is a tuning that is widely debated in the headphone hi-fi community: many love it, while others more sensitive to high frequencies feel that these headphones require equalization to perform at their best.
The Edition XV is a headphone that will be loved by those who do not enjoy bright highs and find other HiFiMan planar magnetic headphones too analytical: the XV’s upper midrange is tuned so that it is never overly emphasized compared to the rest of the spectrum, resulting in an overall sound that is very “dense” in the low and low-mid frequencies, never fatiguing and at times truly engaging. The midrange is perhaps the highlight: clear yet never too light, very melodic. Vocals are quite full-bodied and realistic, never harsh or sibilant.
The soundstage is not as wide as in higher-end models, but the spatial organization is good, creating the impression of listening in a small room, with slower passages that feel pleasantly intimate and close. The trade-off for this smoother, slightly warm tuning is a less “airy” sound compared to other planar magnetics, with the perception of slightly reduced micro-detail and a narrower stereo image.
We particularly liked the pairing with the Fosi Audio ZH3, and in general, given the headphone’s tuning, we see good synergy with amplifiers that have a transparent and detailed sound, such as many common DAC/headphone amp combos based on ESS or AKM chips. The Edition XV is very easy to drive with any modern desktop amplifier. Given the headphone’s very low impedance and moderate sensitivity, even some portable devices should be able to handle it properly; however, in our opinion, trying to use such a large and heavy headphone—clearly not designed for on-the-go use—with a portable device does not make much sense.
It goes without saying that we also achieved good performance with the company’s own DAC/amps, so expect solid results when pairing it with the EF400 or the EF500.
Here you can read our full review, including our final verdict.
Yesterday was a hell of a day.. As the FedEx delivery guy cancelled my Delivery because there was no name on our door! Meanwhile we get our parcels very normally from Amazon, DHL and other courier companies!
Anyway, after 3 tough hours of calls and emails i made it very clear for Hifiman (because it's their fault in first place to use such a service provider) and FedEx that if I'm not getting my Headphones TODAY, then I'll just cancel my order completely! Which led FedEx to call the delivery guy to come back to to hand it over.
So now let’s get to business: Arya Stealth magnets in comparison with the Sony MDR-M1.. after many hours of very focused listening(but EQed a bit) .. I'd say they do provide me exactly what i was missing from the Sony's: Bigger sound stage, stronger bass and most importantly, much better sub-bass, which the M1s can't do even with EQ.. Otherwise i must confess that i love my M1s a little more now.. Great sound and value no doubt!
So my take is, is the Aryas are better? Yes, but not 300€+ better 👀
One more thing here, i think we need a study at some point about the Chinese branding/naming.. Because it's always has been really confusing to guess what model is which.. And the Arya stealth is a great example for this, as you can see from the pictures, there's no clear text what you have on the box.
Hola a todos,
Llevo un tiempo usando los HiFiMAN Arya Stealth con el FiiO K13 R2R. La verdad suenan increíble, pero como me gusta meter mano y probar los equipos, sé que más de alguno aquí ya estuvo experimentando bastante hasta encontrar su EQ favorito y definitivo.
Básicamente, busco a la gente que tiene este mismo setup (o un R2R casi igual) para probar sus configuraciones. Me interesa saber:
Aclaración: Ya sé que el audio es súper subjetivo y conozco la postura típica de que "no hay que ecualizar un R2R". No hago el post para armar debates puristas ni para que me den clases de psicoacústica o amplificación. Pregunto de forma directa como alguien que simplemente está interesado en probar cosas nuevas y exprimir el hardware.
Así que si se animan, dejen sus números o capturas de pantalla abajo para ponerlos a prueba. ¡Saludos!
I feel like not many people talk about the hifiman trade up program, but I have used it a couple times now and it's been great. When my He6se v2 driver went out a 2nd time, they offered me Arya organic for about $450. Love those even more than my audeze lcd-x.
I was bored with my edition XS and hardly listened to them anymore, so I emailed and for about $200 was able to send them in for the XV. This was a no Brainer and nice upgrade without spending much. Hopefully can help someone else get a deal too!
I’m trying to decide between the HiFiMan Arya Organic and the Arya Stealth V3, and I’d really appreciate advice from people who’ve actually spent time with both. I primarly listen to hiphop, rap, rnb, rock and some EDM.
For context, I’ve listened to the Edition XS, Edition XV, and Arya Organic, but I haven’t heard the Arya Stealth because they’re discontinued here and I’d have to order them off Amazon (around $950 AUD). The Arya Organic is around $1300 AUD, so we’re talking about roughly a $350 AUD difference.
My chain is an iFi Zen DAC 3 + Zen CAN 3 stack, so slightly on the warmer side.
Here’s my impression of the headphones I have heard:
The only issue I had with the Organic was that sometimes the bass felt a little too elevated and the treble could get a little spicy / piercing on certain tracks. Not constantly, but enough that I noticed it even on my iFi stack, which surprised me. That said, I could obviously EQ that down if needed.
That’s what’s making this decision hard:
On one hand, I know I loved the Organic overall.
On the other hand, a lot of people seem to say:
My problem is I can’t realistically A/B them, and if I order the Stealth off Amazon I can return them, but the Organic is from my local audio store so cannot return for change of mind.
So my question:
If I already loved the Organic but found the bass/treble slightly overcooked at times, is it worth just paying the extra $350 AUD and getting the Organic?
Or:
Could I grab the Stealth, EQ it to a slightly warmer / smoother presentation, and get ~95% of what makes the Organic special?
Basically: is the Organic genuinely a meaningful technical upgrade, or mostly just a different tuning that can be approximated with EQ?
Would love thoughts from anyone who’s directly compared both.
Hello all,
I have a Hifiman Ananda Nano that im really happy with sound wise. As is natural I'm wondering how much better can the Arya Organic or the HE1000 stealth be, and if a tradeup costing 370€/520€ respectively is worth it.
Your help is greatly appreciated!
Hey all, long-time lurker here. I've been running the Edition XV as my main for a while now and I love what it does — warm, musical, great note weight, non-fatiguing treble.
Thinking about stepping up and narrowing it down to these three. Happy to EQ, so I'm more interested in the technical ceiling and the tuning character.
I have the Ifi zendac 3 zencan 3 stack
Out of these 3, what would you choose?
I am using the 4.4mm plug on my Arya Organics and it sounds all muffled and overblown. I had to turn off all EQ on the R4 and even then it was pretty bad.
I usually use the R4 alone and will be doing so going forward
Hello! First time owning a headphone of this caliber. Came from entry level Sennheiser headphones.
Paired it with the Fiio K13 R2R. Might get a balanced cable next and might change the earpads too. But for now im enjoying this current setup.
Any song recommendations in Apple music for me to try out? Thank you.
I noticed today that one of the spokes on my grille is snapped, I’m worried it pokes a hole in the driver (the driver and the rest of the headset is still fine)
Does anyone know if the grilles are user replaceable and if they are, where I can find a replacement?
I have narrowed these two contenders as the best of each category(open and closed backs) for movies. Arya benefits from wider soundstage and detail, whereas Sony has better comfort(potentially) and better bass. They also say sony has a more cinematic(warm) presentation but that may or may not be a plus for me? For those that have tried both, which would you recommend for movies? Or would you recommend any open or closed back headphones than the one I have selected for movies?
