[Canonlon]

Between the Sundara, Ananda and Arya it is the latter which is the brightest of the lot. That’s what I heard whilst a/b’ing the three and also what I see over frequency responses.
If you found the Sundara harsh in the upper frequencies then you’re not going to like the Arya. It’s the exact same tuning save for a better extended bass and a brighter treble.

Right now I'm using the Audeze LCD-2F. I love these headphones. I thought the Ayra's 'airy' and large sounstage might complement them, when I'd like a change of sonics. The Sundara's also had a conjested sound, with little separation between instruments - from what I've read, the Ayra's don't suffer from this?

 

[Kammerat Rebekka]

Right now I'm using the Audeze LCD-2F. I love these headphones. I thought the Ayra's 'airy' and large sounstage might complement them, when I'd like a change of sonics. The Sundara's also had a conjested sound, with little separation between instruments - from what I've read, the Ayra's don't suffer from this?

Depending on which review you’ve read anything’s possible. Every headphone on Head-Fi is warm/cold, easy to drive/hard to drive, comes with small/big soundstage and sounds horrendous/brilliant
I think it’s down to the individual tbh. What we’ve read beforehand about X and what we expect/what type of presentation we generally go for and so forth.
I see many folks talking about the Arya as a major step up with regards to both soundstage and detail compared to the Sundara and while I definitely agree that the bigger cups do emit a much bigger sound field, I merely hear the Arya as being the brighter of the two..not necessarily the more detailed can.
Truth be told, if one disagrees with the tonality/general sound of any of these headphones, my advice is to look elsewhere. They do sound awefully close to each other. The most significant difference is the form factor when you go from the round cups to the eggs.

Edith: Congested eh? I’ve seen a lot of different tags put on the Sundara..but never a congested one. I feel it’s the exact opposite - very open and layered like...well the Ananda and Arya

 

[Canonlon]

Depending on which review you’ve read anything’s possible. Every headphone on Head-Fi is warm/cold, easy to drive/hard to drive, comes with small/big soundstage and sounds horrendous/brilliant
I think it’s down to the individual tbh. What we’ve read beforehand about X and what we expect/what type of presentation we generally go for and so forth.
I see many folks talking about the Arya as a major step up with regards to both soundstage and detail compared to the Sundara and while I definitely agree that the bigger cups do emit a much bigger sound field, I merely hear the Arya as being the brighter of the two..not necessarily the more detailed can.
Truth be told, if one disagrees with the tonality/general sound of any of these headphones, my advice is to look elsewhere. They do sound awefully close to each other. The most significant difference is the form factor when you go from the round cups to the eggs.

Edith: Congested eh? I’ve seen a lot of different tags put on the Sundara..but never a congested one. I feel it’s the exact opposite - very open and layered like...well the Ananda and Arya

I rarely read "conjested and flat" when someone describes the Sundara - but I swear that is exactly what was produced when instruments came together - quite possible I had a dud Sundara. The HD6XX tho not as wide, had much better imaging and layering than the Sundara I owned. As for the Ayra's, I can only go by reviews and a few sound demos on youtube - since there are no dealers in my area. And I believe the HD800s are similar to the Ayra - treble issues?

 

[Kammerat Rebekka]

Again that’s down to your tastebuds. If you imagine a tad brighter sounding treble than the Sundara you effectively get the Arya. The Arya is also the closest you’re going to get to the HD800s from Hifiman’s repertoire (maybe the HE1000se but I haven’t listened to it yet). I think many dig this about the Arya because it feels more ‘detailed’, but for me the extra amount of zing simply is too much...which is why I prefer the Sundara. I think it’s the smoother sounding headphone...even if I miss the bass extension of the Arya.

 

[Canonlon]

Again that’s down to your tastebuds. If you imagine a tad brighter sounding treble than the Sundara you effectively get the Arya. The Arya is also the closest you’re going to get to the HD800s from Hifiman’s repertoire (maybe the HE1000se but I haven’t listened to it yet). I think many dig this about the Arya because it feels more ‘detailed’, but for me the extra amount of zing simply is too much...which is why I prefer the Sundara. I think it’s the smoother sounding headphone...even if I miss the bass extension of the Arya.

Cool. Thanks for your feedback

 

[chaz_flhr]

To anyone who has the Arya and the liquid Platinum have you done the cap mod and if so did you find it a improvement with the Arya?
Also to anyone who has the ifi pro ican and the Arya how is the synergy between the two?
thanks.

 

[Louisiana]

Depending on which review you’ve read anything’s possible. Every headphone on Head-Fi is warm/cold, easy to drive/hard to drive, comes with small/big soundstage and sounds horrendous/brilliant

But it's so true...
If you ask 5 people for their opinion, you will get 6 answers.

 

[Louisiana]

Also to anyone who has the ifi pro ican and the Arya how is the synergy between the two?
thanks.

Use this Combo, and for me - in my opinion! - it's breathtaking!
I listen to my Empys in Tube Mode, and to Aryas in Tube+ Mode, and i'm just blowin away - for me, this is my endgame Combo, except for the DAC, which I will replace at some point.
But:
What one likes, the other doesn't like!

 

[TooFrank]

Use this Combo, and for me - in my opinion! - it's breathtaking!
I listen to my Empys in Tube Mode, and to Aryas in Tube+ Mode, and i'm just blowin away - for me, this is my endgame Combo, except for the DAC, which I will replace at some point.
But:
What one likes, the other doesn't like!

FWIW: I have the ifi pro idsd and the Arya: wonderful combo

 

[chaz_flhr]

Use this Combo, and for me - in my opinion! - it's breathtaking!
I listen to my Empys in Tube Mode, and to Aryas in Tube+ Mode, and i'm just blowin away - for me, this is my endgame Combo, except for the DAC, which I will replace at some point.
But:
What one likes, the other doesn't like!

Good news thanks, I have some 5 star tubes on the way for the pro Ican hopefully they will spice things up a bit.
True it’s a very subjective hobby, the Empyrean are on my short list as my open back option but since having a Deva around to test as a Bluetooth option I tried plugging it into my pro ican and was blown away by it when paired with a good amp and what it was actually capable of for < 300 usd so I decided to try a open box Arya, it will be here on the 23rd and a balanced cable following the next day as a cheaper option to the Empyrean which IMHO is a work of headphone art to look at will definitely have to give them a listen.
From my reading my liquid Platinum should also pair well with the Arya and tbh I’m actually hoping it’s a better pairing than the ican because I like the xbass on my Focals, I am also curious how the m11 pro will do with them.
For now I have my closed backs spots full which leaves me with 2 open back spots to fill.

 

[iFi audio]

My Arya came today, and this time it works fine, no defects

So now you'll have something to do over holiday then

FWIW: I have the ifi pro idsd and the Arya: wonderful combo

I fully trust your judgement

 

[ikari_01]

My Arya's left driver just failed in a pretty horrifying way... thought I'd share.
I had used it normally up until a few minutes ago, now I just put it on again and the left can was silent... Took it apart to check for failed wiring etc., to find that the metal traces on the membrane just sort of... disintegrated to the point of translucency:

Quite shocked by this. The membrane itself has built up sort of a sticky film too as if there's been some kind of growth happening.
Humidity is generally low in the room (~30%). Of course wearing them for extended periods will expose them to some dampness from the head but that's what they should be designed for I suppose?
The right hand side driver shows no indication of such failure.
I bought them pre-owned in March in pristine condition (or so I thought) - I wonder if there's any chance to get this serviced under warranty...

 

[iFi audio]

I bought them pre-owned in March in pristine condition (or so I thought) - I wonder if there's any chance to get this serviced under warranty...

I'm sorry to read about this. I'd contact HifiMan directly, I think. Perhaps they'll be able to help you out!

 

[ikari_01]

Thanks. I dropped them an email, anxious for their response

 

[iFi audio]

Thanks. I dropped them an email, anxious for their response

Best of luck then