HIFIMAN is about to ship ARYA UNVEILED, the latest addition to HIFIMAN’s acclaimed Arya series of high-end planar magnetic headphones.
The ARYA UNVEILED (SRP: $1,449) features the company’s new Magnetic Veil, a removable back panel that protects the headphone. Also included is HIFIMAN’s Stealth Magnet technology that is notable for an asymmetrical, double-sided magnetic circuit that gradually adjusts the magnet’s gap and cross-sectional shape, both inside and outside of the diaphragm. The soundstage is wide and deep, with a neutral response that made the original Arya and its follow-ups, Arya Stealth Magnet and Arya Organic, three of the company’s most successful models.
“Arya headphones are some of our most popular products to date,” says Dr. Fang Bian, President, and CEO, HIFIMAN Electronics. “By incorporating our new UNVEILED design, the Arya series’ performance takes a dramatic leap forward while enhancing the qualities that make it a HIFIMAN favorite.”
HIFIMAN’s Magnetic Veil
HIFIMAN’s top-tier models are specially designed to maximize the exposure rate of the grills because the nanometer-thick diaphragm is so lightweight that reflections from the grill disturb the movement pattern of the diaphragm.
As one of HIFIMAN’s new UNVEILED models, the ARYA UNVEILED incorporates a removable back panel, called Magnetic Veils, that fit over the ear cups, helping to avoid damage caused by the absorption of magnetic objects when the headphone is not in use.
Typical of many of the company’s recent high-end models, ARYA UNVEILED features HIFIMAN’s Stealth Magnet technology, which is acoustically transparent, dramatically reduces wave diffraction turbulence that degrades the integrity of the sound waves, thereby maximizing the accuracy of the sonic output.
Also on board is the company’s Nanometer Thickness Diaphragm. Based on the company’s SUSVARA open-back headphone, the diaphragm results in ultra-low distortion, lightning fast transient response, and a demonstrable improvement in dynamics and overall details when compared to the original, highly acclaimed model.
ARYA UNVEILED is designed for comfort, with a super-thin diaphragm that guarantees fast response and the bare minimum of distortion. Inputs are 3.5mm for enhanced connectivity and compatibility with a wide range of aftermarket cables.
“The new ARYA UNVEILED retains the DNA of the original model, but with the patented UNVEILED design that significantly enhances high-frequency transparency and overall resolution for a more expansive soundstage with maximum detail, especially noticeable when listening to high-resolution audio,” says Dr. Bian.
The new ARYA UNVEILED will be available from authorized HIFIMAN dealers and the company’s online store, http://store.hifiman.com/.
ARYA UNVEILED SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency Response: 8Hz-65kHz
Sensitivity: 94dB
Impedance: 27Ω
Net Weight: 413g excluding magnetic veils and headphone cable
The History of HIFIMAN Headphones
HIFIMAN was founded in 2005 by Dr. Fang Bian, who at the time was a graduate student with a background in engineering and a strong personal interest in high-quality audio. Like many audio hobbyists, Bian had been dissatisfied with the performance of mass-market headphones and believed there was room to improve. What started as a small online operation eventually grew into a brand known among headphone enthusiasts for its use of planar magnetic driver technology.
Before launching HIFIMAN, Bian started a company called Head-Direct, which sold earphones and other audio products directly to consumers online. This gave him early experience with the audiophile market and helped him understand what kinds of products listeners were looking for. In 2007, the HIFIMAN brand was created to reflect a more serious focus on developing new headphone designs rather than reselling other companies’ gear.
HIFIMAN’s early headphones used planar magnetic drivers, a design that had been around since the 1970s but had seen limited use due to manufacturing challenges and the relatively high power demands of the drivers themselves. Unlike traditional dynamic drivers, planar magnetic designs use a flat diaphragm suspended between magnetic arrays, which can offer lower distortion and more consistent sound reproduction—but often at the cost of efficiency and portability.
The first major release from HIFIMAN was the HE-5 in 2009. It had a fairly large, open-back design with wood ear cups and a sound signature that focused on clarity and detail. The model got people’s attention, but it wasn’t without issues—mainly reliability problems with the wood cracking or warping. A revised version, the HE-5LE, followed shortly after with more durable materials and some tuning tweaks.
As HIFIMAN refined its designs, it introduced a series of models that helped build its reputation in the audiophile community. The HE-6, released in 2010, was particularly notable. It offered a high level of transparency and resolution but was very difficult to drive with most headphone amplifiers. Many users ended up pairing it with speaker amps just to get adequate volume and control. For some, this was worth the effort; others found it a bit impractical.
The HE-500 came next and struck more of a balance. It maintained much of the resolution and tonal character of the HE-6 but was easier to drive and had a slightly warmer, fuller sound. This made it a bit more appealing to listeners who wanted good sound without needing a high-powered system.
By the mid-2010s, HIFIMAN had become a known quantity among headphone enthusiasts, particularly those interested in planar magnetic models. Around this time, the company also began producing its own headphone amplifiers and portable players. Products like the EF5 and HM-801 showed that HIFIMAN was trying to create a more complete audio experience, though reactions to these products were mixed. Some users appreciated the synergy between HIFIMAN’s headphones and amps, while others criticized build quality and usability.
In 2015, HIFIMAN released the HE1000, which represented a shift toward more upscale and polished designs. The headphone introduced a nanometer-thick diaphragm and a unique “window shade” grille system intended to minimize reflections and improve clarity. It was larger, more comfortable, and more refined than earlier models—and also much more expensive. The HE1000 was well-reviewed and helped position HIFIMAN as a player in the high-end headphone space.
Later models like the Edition X and Arya continued to build on the HE1000’s technologies while targeting different price points. The Arya in particular became a popular option for people looking for flagship-level performance without a flagship-level price. It borrowed much of the driver technology from the HE1000 but used less expensive materials in the headband and housing.
As personal audio continued to evolve, HIFIMAN began exploring ways to make planar magnetic headphones more affordable. The Sundara, released in 2017, was one of the key steps in that direction. It featured a simplified build and a thinner diaphragm, and it was priced well under $500. It received positive reviews for offering a taste of planar magnetic sound at a more approachable price, and it became one of HIFIMAN’s best-selling models.
In the years that followed, HIFIMAN expanded into wireless territory with the DEVA, a headphone that could be used with a detachable Bluetooth module or via a standard cable. It gave users some flexibility and offered relatively good sound quality for a wireless model, though it didn’t attract quite the same attention as their wired planar offerings.
Another notable step forward came with the introduction of “Stealth Magnet” technology. In earlier planar designs, the magnetic arrays themselves could interfere with sound waves passing through the driver, introducing distortion. The new magnets were shaped to reduce this turbulence, leading to cleaner output. This technology was incorporated into newer headphones like the HE6se V2, Arya Stealth Edition, and the company’s top-of-the-line model, the SUSVARA.
The SUSVARA, priced at several thousand dollars, is widely regarded as HIFIMAN’s most refined headphone. It combines the thin diaphragm and Stealth Magnet structure with meticulous build quality and tuning. Like the HE-6 before it, the SUSVARA is notoriously difficult to drive, requiring high-output amplification to reach its full potential. It’s a niche product, but one that’s frequently mentioned in discussions of the best headphones currently available.
Over the years, HIFIMAN has also released a number of related products, including in-ear monitors like the RE-400 and RE-2000, and even ventured into making desktop speakers using planar magnetic drivers. While these efforts have had mixed commercial success, they show that the company is interested in applying its technologies in different areas of the audio world.
At the same time, HIFIMAN has faced its share of criticism. Early on, the company struggled with consistency in manufacturing and build quality. Headbands would break, connectors would fail, and some headphones arrived with channel imbalances or loose parts. Customer service also received some mixed reviews, particularly in the brand’s early years. In recent generations, however, most users agree that quality control has improved, and current models are generally more reliable than those from a decade ago.
Today, HIFIMAN is headquartered in Tianjin, China, with a presence in the U.S. and other markets. Dr. Bian is still actively involved with the company, and the product line continues to evolve. Whether you’re an entry-level listener curious about planar magnetic sound or a seasoned enthusiast looking for flagship performance, there’s likely a HIFIMAN model that fits the bill.
What makes HIFIMAN stand out isn’t just its technology, but the pace at which it’s evolved. In under two decades, the company has gone from selling modest earphones online to producing some of the most talked-about headphones in the audiophile space. It hasn’t been a perfect journey—there have been missteps and learning curves—but the brand has remained focused on improving the listening experience through engineering and experimentation.
