HIFIMAN - Arya V2 (Non-Stealth)

Interesting question. I own roughly 17 headphones from low to high end. It’s maybe an obsessive hobby for me that turned into a collecting endeavor. I’ve owned the older DCA Noire, the DCA E3, Audeze LCD2, HiFiman Arya V2 and HE1000V2, ZMF Atrium and Aeolus, Beyerdynamic T1 and DT1990 and DT880, Meze 99 Classic, both Aune AR5000 and SR7000, Sennheiser 6xx, and some bass cannons like the Modhouse Argon and Harmonicdyne Eris. And a bunch of others that don’t really meaningfully stand out. I tend to notice a disparity between my “best” headphones and the ones I listen to the most. The DCAs and HiFimans are objectively excellent, but I rarely pick them up. For me, personally, I’m in love with a rich, full-bodied and impactful sound. The ZMF Aeolus on an OTL Tube amp takes the win for me every time. It just makes every single song sound so enjoyable. It is soulful and “weighty”. Many of my headphones are technically better in many categories, but if enjoyment is the most important factor then the ZMF Aeolus hits the mark every time. It is just so well rounded and engaging with every type of music.

XK-Audio Serene lol With the right pads and amplifier, they are heavenly. Like beyond Susvara heavenly. In terms of headphones that made the biggest impact in the industry. I put the following: HD600/650 series. I personally never liked their tuning, but plenty of others do HD800 made kilobucks more mainstream. Industry benchmark for 16 years Focal Clear OG & Hifiman egg series. IMO the first mainstream headphones that can be considered a legit HD800/800S alternative as an all-rounder (at least sonically) Hifiman Susvara. It has been the new benchmark since 2018.

Welcome to the chase, my friend!!! I've never heard the EdXS, but I've had these: OG Sundara, HE4xx, and Arya v2 - while still owning these: HE400i 2020, OG Ananda, Arya Stealth, and HEKSE. The first HFM can that I bought was the OG Sundara - and OMG, they blew every other dynamic can that I'd heard before then out of the water! That was until I bought the OG Ananda and then quickly said: "Effit, I'm taking the plunge" - and bought the Arya v2. Prior to the Aryas I couldn't fathom spending ~$500+, then ~$750+ and THEN ~$1,000+ on a headphone....that is, until I heard the Ananda and wondered "What if"? When I got the Arya and first heard them I was very impressed, but still kinda "Is this it"? Until I read that they took a few days or weeks to burn in before they'd sound their best. I let them marinate over the nights with some pink noise and bass heavy music for a few nights and then listened. HOLY MOLY - they had totally transformed and expanded in every direction (HxWxD + midbass, subbass, texture, and smoothness)!!! Like a "Shaking your head because this is TOO GOOD - my goodness!!!" kind of emotion, LOL. Of course, then I had to buy the requisite source chain to "maximize their SQ" - so I bought a used Gustard H20 Class A BAL amp and later on a Gustard x26pro DAC to stack with it - both working together to mitigate the roughest treble edges from both my Arya Stealth and HEKSE. I'm still in Bliss..... As you can guess, I'm still stuck - but I think I'm holding off right now on even hearing the HEK Unveiled and sticking with my HEKSE. They offer me literally everything there is to offer, IMO - not lacking in any facet of SQ, especially after experimenting with ZMF hybrid and perforated lambskin ear pads for the "cherry on top" effect. Happy listening - and keep us posted....

whatever is most comfortable. because I can use EQ to make almost anything sound the way I like. but I can't make hifiman egg shape cans fit and I stopped buying them because unlike EQ, I can't form them to my head. right now, most comfy is probably a senn HD variant... 6xx 600 700 etc. those go on and almost immediately disappear. and again, as far as sound. well, the best sounding cans have DSP because it's basically built in EQ/signal correction. so THE best sound isn't coming from any default pair minus that correction. it's why old school audiophiles are shocked when they try new BT cans with anc and DSP. real talk the momentum 4 or ak9 n9 sound "better" than anything in your collection because they come out the box with EQ applied. way too long, probably didn't make it this far? I prefer comfy cans cause sound can be manipulated, hardware can't

That's a frustrating experience. I'm wondering if you're just too used to the XM4 with the boomy bass and you haven't noticed the details that would be revealed by the Arya. I have the Arya V2 and though the bass isn't pronounced, it's there and adequate. I find the clarity and soundstage to be absolutely exceptional. Stock tuning at that. I'm running mine through a Fiio K9 Pro AKM and it adequately drives it fine. I'm also using Qobuz or FLAC files. Btw, does the K11 have drivers that you needed to install? I know my K9 needed a specific driver to get the best audio possible.

I can’t speak on the 2 but the 2C does great for metal as well. To my ears the 2C’s mid bass and mids are a little warmer than the X. I go for the 2C when I’m wanting to listen to some grunge, stoner metal. Music where the guitars aren’t doing as much technical playing. As for gaming I love both the X and 2C. I don’t really play any competitive games. Mostly single player story. I get lost in the soundtracks with both headphones. The X has a bit more punch in the sub bass which I find more immersive. Both my X and 2C are the 2021 versions

Arya stages wider to my ears. It has a bit more going on in the treble as well. Bass is great on both but I feel like the LCD-X has more impact. I find myself using the Arya when I want to really listen to a song where as the X is my go to for “fun” listening

The Arya is a vast improvement over the XS in fit. The XS comes off with even the slightest movement unless you mod it.

Similar issues with my Arya. After going from a Sundara to Arya, the clamping force is substantially weaker on the Arya. The Sundara is like a vice grip in comparison. It isn't an issue anymore, I sort of grew into it and actually prefer it now. But they could clamp a little tighter for my liking.

Arya's are a improved version of the edition XS, better and smoother high's and less sibilant, similar tuning.

There is no best, it's subjective. Though I would generally prefer open-backs over closed backs, especially when you're just using them in your chair and not a noisy environment. "Audiophile grade" is also not a clearly defined term. There are a lot of good options available for under 1000$, I would recommend ordering a few different pairs and comparing them. Like, as far as open-backs are concerned, get a Hifiman Arya, Sennheiser HD 6XX and maybe a Beyerdynamic DT1990 (note that there's two versions, you can get some great deals on the older MK1 but it has a very spicy treble). If you really need/want something closed, your options will be more limited, you could try a Senny HD620 and Beyer DT1770. Personally, I think the AKG K702 (open) for 180 USD is an incredible deal, but some don't like the mid-heavy sound. And there's no doubt there are better headphones to be had for three or four times the price, but they won't really sound three of four times better, and whether it's worth it spending so much is up to you.