I guess the review of hi-res audio headphones HIFIMAN Ananda vs Arya will be helpful for audiophiles and professional audio recorders. These open back over ear headphones with wired design are great to enjoy quality listening and mixing.
Features
Both the HIFIMAN models reproduce a quality sound even with mobile devices and MP3 players for their 25 vs 35 Ohm impedance. An excellent sound is provided with an incredibly wide range of frequency response with a slight difference of 8Hz-55KHz vs 8Hz-65KHz. In sensitivity Ananda is 13 dB stronger, 103 vs 90 dB.
Sound
Ananda impresses with its deep lows focused and diving. The mids and highs are also very rich and full. All the stage sounds spacious and there is a place for any instrument and vocal. Everything is placed amazingly right at the scale from deepest bass to airy highs. HIFIMAN Arya gives a plenty of soundstage with a good and right balance of each range and very clear imaging placing each vocal and instrument as wide as it is required to create an airy background and give decent attention to each sound, instrument, and voice.
Comfort and design
They are not the lightest headphones, but pretty light to wear them comfortably for long hours with 400 and 404 g of weight respectively. The headbands are not tight, adjustable, and well-built. The ear cups do not fold. They are very well padded and fit comfortably on ears. They are not the most breathable open back headphones being planar magnetic that takes breathability and can make your ears warm. Still, they feel very nice on the head and ears for long listening sessions. The cable is detachable and extra audio cable is available in both the models.
HIFIMAN Arya pros and cons
Pros
- Engaging and quality sound with open soundstage and clear imaging
- Detachable cable and audio cable in a set
- Large tightly padded cups create comfortable fit
Cons
- Poor look and plasticky built
- Bulky and a bit heavy design
HIFIMAN Ananda pros and cons
Pros
- Well-padded large ear cups reduce tightening of the headband
- High-end look, quality built and materials
- Brilliant combination of a strong, deep bass with an incredibly open soundstage
Cons
- Not stable on the head, leaky sound, bulky design, that is quite natural for the type of open back headphones that are not intended for portability