Hifiman Arya v Ananda v Edition XX | Headphone Comparison

Arya Here - amzn.to/2llfB1y
Ananda Here - amzn.to/2lkfPWK
Edition XX Here - massdrop.7eer.net/EgeE2
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Early Access & AMA
1 Simple Tier
⭐HALL OF FAME⭐
Headphones
1. Hifiman Arya - amzn.to/2WNGzQr
2. Audeze LCD-X - amzn.to/2WpMbRE
3. Massdrop 58X - massdrop.7eer.net/vmYeN
4. Koss KSC75 - amzn.to/2ENisar
5. (Studio Pick) - DT1990 - amzn.to/2WgWUZA
Amps
1. Massdrop THX 789 - massdrop.7eer.net/0BoxP
2. Liquid Spark - amzn.to/2WhyUFC
3. JDS ATOM - jdslabs.com/product/atom-amp/
4. (TUBE PICK) - Darkvoice - amzn.to/2MuexW4
5. (Power Pick) - www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphone...
📫SENDING FOR REVIEW??📫
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#Arya #Ananda#EDITIONXX
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[@JTB--]

I've owned the Arya, Ananda and the Sundara. imo... the Ananda are worth double the cost of the Sundara. Ananda used to be $1000 and now at $700 are a great deal and the benchmark headphone in that price range. The Arya are excellent... but not worth double the cost of the Ananda. The headphone reviewers always talk about diminishing returns... and the Arya are not worth double the price of the Ananda. The Arya should actually be in that $1000/$1200 price range. They are overpriced at $1600

[@bradhuskers]

The new edition xs is "end game"

[@JTB--]

@@bradhuskers Definitely a good headphone at that price. But I just recently had the Ananda Stealth Magnet and I'd probably pay a little more to get that over the XS if money isn't an issue

[@bustaruckus5611]

@@bradhuskers What about compared to HE1000 v2?

[@bustaruckus5611]

@@JTB-- Which do you think is the most comfortable?

[@bradhuskers]

@Busta Ruckus Well that's apples to oranges, because that headphone is a lot more money I think.

[@jastinefortich7595]

Good job on review man! Been waiting for that. Thank you very much!

[@misteral1083]

Fantastic video. Great comparison of the headphones which we ALL wanted compared, refreshingly personable presentation, all the info we might want. Excellent! Subbed!!

[@farmi86]

Man, you are my favorite headphone reviewer by far... thanks SO much for the great content! i wonder if you also listened to the edition x v2 in the past? I own these cans and wonder how they compare to the ananda or arya - thought about upgrading to the aryas but i‘m not sure if it’s worth the extra bucks :)

[@saadi703]

The best description of Arya that I have ever seen. Really spot on. People hear sound differently but of all the reviewers on youtube, your description of the headphones (that I have tried) is same as my listening experience. Keep up the good work Josh.

[@james3980]

I was desperate for a detailed comparison like this a month ago...Got the Arya finally and really glad I did!

[@erickruse4679]

I need to recreate that Dark Side of the Moon background in your room, at my own place. That's coool.

[@k7wong]

Hi Joshua, thanks so much for all the great reviews as always, i got the Arya finally, and now thinking if i should upgrade the cable to balanced one, do you think it's worth going for it? I am using Topping D90 with Drop THX AAA 789 to push it now!

[@Jerdy808]

Great, now I want the Arya too. Your reviews + my lack of impulse buying control = me broke, lol! Would love an Arya vs HD 800S comparison, given their similar price points.

[@mattyork-smith7168]

The Arya is significantly better than the HD800s. Well, that is if you have ears like mine and like a full bass response and don't like sibilance. I've had the Arya for 2 months and shown them off to probably 15 people now. Same response every time- the look of "Wow". No one expects them to be as good as they are. Holographic vocals, wide soundstage and the sense of space that makes you feel you are listening live.

[@LokiOdinson]

ananda > HD800. Arya > HD800s

[@AwesomeLevi]

@@LokiOdinson really, you think the $800 headphones are better than the $1600 headphones?

[@nonnegaard]

@@AwesomeLevi preference

[@SeriosSkies92]

I have some anandas and like to just click on random reviews for it. first time ive seen one of your reviews. and you knocked the presentation out of the park. have my sub =P

[@AdrianIII]

I am surprised that the Aune X7S is not included in your "Hall of Fame" list. In your review, it seems you preferred it over both the ATOM and the Liquid Spark. Did I misinterpret? Thanks.

[@younglp]

Ananda it is! Thanks for the comparison!

[@djclass005]

I have the Ananda a few months now, and I think it's fantastic, the sense of space and detail are great! now I need a good closed Back and I'm done for a few years.

[@MegaFlackFerry]

Get the Denon AH-D9200 for a closed back because it's like a Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro with just a better bass.

[@marclelieveld718]

Maybe consider the Sony Z1R I have it and I love it!

[@ivanarnaud35]

Would love to know your impression of these headphones vs the Hifiman Edition X V2. Really would love to know how they stack up among these. Btw, awesome videography.

[@AIRFORCEFREAK1]

Lol only in high end audiophile headphones can you refer to something that is 800 bucks as a cheap knock off. I get exactly what you are saying but its funny.

[@versaleyang]

You have to have heard both to understand, but yea I get why you think it's funny.

[@samlee2562]

Try cars and boats 🙃

[@masterxyr]

@Maile Sivers disgusting.

[@sheezy2526]

More like Audiofool community, and it is a big one. Some university should gather a bunch of them and do a double blind study on headphones. When it comes to expensive vs cheap wines, the results are very clear, there is no correlation between price and taste of wines. It's all brand snobbery.

[@jazic82]

@@sheezy2526 And I'm sure you're coming at this with absolutely no experience yourself. If you spend enough time and have enough experience with something you can and will notice a difference. I just got an OLED tv and it a massive difference like I've never seen. If you give the same TV's to someone who has only where had cheap LCDs and show them the two to compare them there is likely not much of a difference he'll notice. That said, if eyes can see the difference, why can't ears hear the difference?

[@Vishmaw]

Would be fun to see a comparison of the Edition XX to the Koss ESP 95x. Obviously totally different driver types but close to the same cost.

[@oldguyprogfan3197]

Quad ERA1 planars on your radar yet Josh? Same price as Audeze LCD2 Classics here in England. Can't decide! Would really appreciate your input. Thanks mate!

[@davidmason8212]

Have you ever a/b 2c and ananda???

[@adrianlim2904]

Finally a reviewer who prefers classic headband vs the later and recent one. I was in love with the HE-500 headbands (similar to XX but with smooth and more premium feeling leather) and missed them SO BAD when I 'upgraded'.

[@LoKimLinProject]

what music player do you use on your pc?

[@Evgeniy123]

Thanks! you helped me make a choice!

[@isaiahsommerlot6580]

Can you start putting links to the music you mention? Because I like to hear about different artists to explore from the reviewers I watch, especially well recorded music. But sometimes I can’t quite make out what name you are saying so I have to google a bunch of different things until I get something. A link would just make the whole process easier

[@NeilBlanchard]

The Edition XX adjustment mechanism looks very similar to the Drop HiFiman HE-4xx - and the cylinders that have the sliders are only held onto the metal inside the headband with 2 *teeny* *tiny* screws. They can break under heavy daily use. There is a relatively easy fix, by drilling a small hole through the center of the cylinder, after you remove the cover, and the 2 much larger screws that clamp onto the slider. I used a stainless steel 3/32" screw with a flat countersunk head (Phillips) and a nut and washers on the inside of the headband. The screw needs to be countersunk, so it doesn't rub on the slider.

[@net_news]

I wonder how the Edition X and HE1k fit in this schema..... I have the Edition X V2 and the HE-1000 v1 and I think they sound pretty similar... all the differences you've found between these 3 ones surprises me and now I'm super curious about them... I really thought they were almost the same product really.

[@DonHamlin]

Nice work. Very clear conclusions.

[@kobymile5453]

The model names Arya, Ananda, Sundara, Susvara, Deva all come from Hindi dictionary. They mean Noble, Comfortable, Beautiful, Sweet Voiced and God respectively. I searched google and I was kind of certain that Hifiman would be an Indian influenced company, but to my surprise they are Chinese.

[@Hari-kx2er]

Not Hindi, Sanskrit Ananda does not mean comfortable but bliss/extreme happiness. Deva does not exactly mean God but Divine. In Sanskrit, God and Divine are not exactly the same. Susvara exactly translates to' auspicious musical notes'. P. S: I indeed however appreciate your efforts to find the meaning of these Sanskrit words.

[@user-wr5we2xg6h]

Heck no, ananda isn't comfortable AT ALL

[@itzzDizZY]

Ananda doesn't mean comfortable. It means absolute happiness.

[@danielnursalim7035]

Well done! very accurate review

[@headphonejedimaster3755]

Very interesting, very thorough outstanding analytical review. If I did not have an amplifier, or did not want to use one, which one of these three would sound best on an iphone?

[@barchetype6430]

None, just get a Quad Era-1, as even the XX needs some good amplification to cast a shadow of their full potential. www.ebay.com/itm/Quad-ERA-1-Planar-Magnetic-Headphones-Audiophile-Boxed-Grade-A/283524856784?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

[@shamargayle1745]

I really wish headphones reviewers would include a review section where all headphones are eq to the flattest response to see how they compare that way. I think review headphones that way put everything on a level playing field and relieve the true strengths. Because we all know a particular type of Ewing can make a worst headphone sound better. Would be good too for people in studio setting that want flat requency response

[@VishnuVardhanS]

What are your picks for the widest soundstage?

[@SinisterDev85]

Ah! Josh, you're making me wanna trade up my Ananda for the Arya! Its killin' me😂! Lol seriously though, thanks for the great vids. I really would love the opportunity to listen to the Arya for a while. After all I've heard about it, I feel like I could die happy, knowing that I got to hear my favorite music presented in the way the Arya seems so capable of performing. The Arya is has become one of my few "bucket list" headphones.

[@ashertsukuyomi8427]

Hey Josh, Long time fan of your channel, I've got a small question, I already own the DT1990 pro, my source is the RME ADI-2 Pro.. im looking for another pair of headphones and im stuck between either the LCD-X or the Hifiman Arya. granted they're both hugely different in price, which would you choose and would that headphone be a good compliment to the DT1990 pro i already own? I've considered the Ananda but i think from hifiman the Arya is a better investment but id like to know what you think its like compared to the LCD-X.

[@ChrisKeyman]

Hello friend. Did you decide?

[@momojojo1782]

May I know what app you using in this video when playback the songs? The Graphic at the bottom is attractive.

[@masterxyr]

foobar2000

[@samuelrowland1209]

I would love to see a modern remake of this but with the Edition XS, Ananda Nano, and Arya Organic.

[@bbeeezzy]

I can't find much talk about the difference between the Ananda and the XS for mids/vocals. I have the Anandas and have really liked them for a couple years but the small dip in the vocal range is making start to look for alternatives. I also need the replacement to be no brighter than the Ananda, preferably a tiny bit less high end even. Is the XS a contender?

[@cartoongamess1]

Thanks for a detailed comparison. Can u also compare Arya with Focal clear?

[@randyjl7035]

i think arya rules!

[@cisco150]

Hi Joshua i have chosen theses headset what would you remove from the list. I'm licensing to Rap, Hip-hop, Reggeaton, Trap, Spanish Music. Focal ELEX vs DT 1990 PRO, Hifiman Ananda, HIFIMAN SUNDARA, HD 6xx. Like some bass, vocals and highs dont like bass overpowering my music tho ill be gaming as well on pc

[@chairminh]

What music software is he using?

[@percival5207]

Can also please include frequency curves in your reviews. It should help in making the content more analytical

[@wabbasMEpern]

Go watch Resolve instead. He's great! They just have different style videos.

[@deusprogrammer_thekingofspace]

What exactly are the Ananda made out of? The grill seems to be metal. But the rest of the can seems to be plastic? Is that right?

[@matrixz6]

Did you game with him them?

[@jerryliu2309]

Josh you just convinced me to get the Arya as well... my Paypal really does hate you now...

[@omni6409]

Really not worth it. Feels like a $100 headphone. Sound is good, but not exceptional.

[@akqr8]

@@omni6409 what is an exceptional headphone in your expert view?

[@yokochoumanpuku2919]

Sorry for my poor English. I have the first edition x and ananda. I re-cabled with the same cable and compared the sound quality. The sound field of the first edition x is wider than ananda Background sounds are well separated and audible. The resolution of the midrange is particularly wonderful in sound quality. I feel like ananda is ringing closer to my ears than the first edition x The sound quality is bright and the sound quality in the high range is wonderful, depending on the sound source You can listen to music more comfortably than the first edition x. I like both very much and with recable I also found that I can change the tendency of the sound to some extent.

[@seanjoe1704]

I have edition x v2 for 3 years. and I really love them. sound really click to my taste. and they are the role model sound for me if I want to buy another headphone. and for the last 1 year, I paired them with samsung smartphone and dragonfly red. really amazing sound. and the best is when they paired with questyle qp1r. feel woowww..

[@HiFiMaan]

I have them too and agree with you. These headphones are extremely efficent and can be use with old Nokia cellphone BUT when you plug to better dac+ amp they are GOATS ! They warm, neutral signature like to be connected to detailed/a little bright sources if you want to hear more details. Dragonfly Red is great fellow but a bit harsh. I like more modern DAC chips from ESS like 9018, 9028 or soon I will try with 9038.

[@kenhuang4697]

Good review thank you

[@MrStingraybernard]

Surprised you picked the Arya over the audeze lcd x

[@Matthew-oo1ko]

Please try budget tube amps

[@peacefulremedy1233]

Would love if you could do a similar video with the new hifiman edition xs :)

[@BennyKsBandwidth]

Josh what program are you using to listen to your music on your PC? I dig that frequency sound bar

[@nekekaminger]

I think he mentioned in some video that he's using foobar2000.

[@BennyKsBandwidth]

@@nekekaminger yeah I said it in his recent Q&A video lol just watched it

[@HiFiMaan]

My preferences are sound similar to Sennheiser HD600/650 and I hit a perfectly upgrade with Edition X V2. They are the fulfillment of the pursuit of perfect neutral, warm, detailed sound. I believe in that Arya is brighter and more detailed but the bass extension is better overall in HEX v2. For better low freq. only HE1000 is the answer. So for relaxed sound HEX v2 are masterpiece in my opinion.

[@bradhuskers]

You need to listen to the new edition xs, they are "end game"

[@demibarton4271]

13:25 which one are you referring to as the beast? you said there is a review of it down below so where is it?

[@reedo253]

He's talking about the Arya

[@josemarques8569]

Do you know if the FiiO M11 pro can drive the Arya?

[@davidelmquist8670]

Cant wait for the Ananda wireless bt!

[@barchetype6430]

PFFFFFFFT... They already exist, just use this cable. plussoundaudio.com/customcables/bluetooth.html

[@DanDhaniels]

Are any of these grainy in the mids? Or sibilant in the highs? I have the 4XX and I love it's sound signature, but the highs sound artificial, not that natural really. The Edition XX would be a noticeable improvement in that category? Thanks in advance 😃

[@davidmason8212]

I got 4xx and i loved it but i am looking for improvement and i am thinking about one of these two Edition xx Lcd2F

[@CaptHotah]

Can de grey bits on the ananda cups be taken off and painted black?

[@LuXifR]

On value: Since I got my Aryas I've started selling all my "mid-fi" headphones: 58x, 6xx, verum 1, dt1770, hd600, Argons - I'm even parting from the 95x! And I'm not selling them to offset the price of the Aryas, I'm selling them because the Aryas made them obsolete, i.e. they aren't providing anything I'd miss from the Aryas... All these combined may offset most of the price of the Aryas. From that point of view I'd say the Aryas are actually great value - at the end, they did cost less than all the headphones they replace combined, soo...

[@omegaelixir]

Arya vs Utopia

[@LuXifR]

@@omegaelixir dunno, haven't heard the utopia

[@NiSHAN256]

I hope I'll do the same when the ZMF Verite arrive.

[@enriqueali]

Why did you have so many headphones?!

[@LuXifR]

@@enriqueali because each of them was doing certain things particularly well compared to the others, so I had certain headphones for certain genres or applications

[@masterxyr]

I'm sure this has been asked already, but what player was that with the sleek EQ graphic bar? delicious

[@masterxyr]

oh Hi! It's foobar2000!!

[@masterxyr]

Hey, thanks a lot man! You da MVP!!!

[@masterxyr]

hahahahah that's too kind of you. Your welcome ;)

[@Intentionally_blank]

@@masterxyr Concerning.

[@masterxyr]

@@Intentionally_blank my psychiatrist says that I'm mentally fine :p hehe

[@yusif.heybatov]

Please compare Arya with Focal MG or Stellia. Thanks

[@hpol3603]

In Sweden the Arya cost 19000 SEK = 2037 USD. The Ananda is 12000 SEK = 1287 USD. The price difference is not as big as twice the money in Sweden.

[@moondragon5630]

Yeah, Arya cost a bit too much for my liking, i am from sweden as well, go for Ananda.

[@davidmason8212]

@@moondragon5630 why you don't think about the lcd 2c ?

[@Paddy234]

I have both the Hifiman edition X v2 and edition XX. The edition XX is essentially the same headphone with very small differences making it the best value. I remember listening to the HD650 years ago and my old he 400i I felt was much better. A cleaner richer sound with a more open soundstage. Since then I've never really believed people who hype Sennheiser headphones especially the HD650 which was unexpectedly congested for a open back

[@davidmason8212]

So you think the 400i sounds better than xx ?

[@rpgPalette]

Please, can you describe if Edition XX worth to upgrade over 4xx (400i) ? Is the difference as big as the price increase? In my country we don't have arya, XX, ananda, so I can't try them before ordering.

[@Paddy234]

@@rpgPalette I had both the 400i and later the 4xx which I sold. They were amazing headphones for their price but the XX is a much better headphone, more refined, accurate and larger soundstage. The XX has a similar sound signature so if you are looking a more open and refined sound from the 400i then the XX are perfect

[@davidmason8212]

@@Paddy234 would you ever compare the lcd2 with the xx ? Which one you recommend me to buy ?

[@Paddy234]

@@davidmason8212 Sorry but I have never heard the lcd2, they are up there for ones I need to get a hold of lol

[@TheNLSClan]

Had to sub cause you're the only one who has this comparison. I'm glad you did whether or not the value matches each. But love the vids, seen about 6 of them now and feel you're well worth the sub 👍 keep up great work, we appreciate it! 😎

[@nodoned2244]

TheNLSClan are you serious this guy doesn’t even make any sense he tries to over describe shit based on memory? no direct comparisons this is just a wank off and he’s far too ugly to be doing that in front of a camera. just gross

[@dhruvtampa146]

Ananda is a word in Hinduism which means Attaining Extreme Happiness or Satisfaction. It is pronounced as Aa-nun-Da

[@sheezy2526]

It's a Sanskrit word not a Hindu specific word. Hindi is one language that is based on Sanskrit.

[@vonelli241]

Is the soundstage difference between Ananda and Arya night and day, or is it a marginal minimal difference?

[@rionvalet]

lunch & dinner

[@8Ro0omi8]

@@rionvalet lmao

[@VishnuVardhanS]

How do these compare against the LCD X?

[@angelnegron594]

Supposedly the LCD-X are way better sounding, as told by many owner's of both

[@alyysc]

Bullshit @angel

[@KenMoreira]

He prefers The Arya

[@99SHS]

I think there's some issue with Edition XX link

[@konna200]

Thanks Josh!!! Now im going to go to my beloved HD800 to --> Arya but i wait to Metal571to review too this Arya then im 120% sure to buy those only if its really is so three dimensional and accurated soundstage =)

[@metal571]

lol

[@konna200]

@@metal571 Btw, now im hardcore fan!!! Not trash :D

[@konna200]

@@metal571 Sry for the spamming but about 1500€ is so much money that i must be sure that i dont just buy like a maniac i really must be sure it is Epic HP that can made a big dynamic sound that is not too much on youre face and can handle every genre and not making any mess sounds ;) Btw today i got the legendary Senn HD650 even that i have allready HD660S because of you guys! :D

[@metal571]

@@konna200 yeah don't worry it's on my list

[@MWeston2]

@@metal571 I think you will really like the Arya. You and I are both fans of the HD800 (with proper EQ). You can think of the Arya as a faster, more energetic HD800 (after the EQ) but with slightly less sound stage (which doesn't really matter to me and I don't even notice it - others say it is less). My big headphone/amp setup is at work and I brought the HD800 home for occasional listening because I wasn't going to use it there anymore. I have the Arya and MDR-Z1R at work which covers my energetic and laid back needs just by switching between these two. :) My only complaint about the Arya is the creaky hinge but not enough to ever consider sending them back!

[@DanDhaniels]

Oh, almost forgot: excellent review, by the way 👏👏👏

[@jamesstevens968]

Hi josh i play on ps4 pro. And watch movies i use the mayflower arc amp i have the hd 650 the fostex th00 and the akg 712 pro i use the akg 712 pro which is the best for movies gaming. Hifiman arya or the sennenhiiser hd800s im leaning towards the arya more. Would i be making a bad choice are the arya good for gaming. Movies please let me know your the best i never had planar magnetic drivers before are they good

[@davidmason8212]

For games and movies 712 is the best for songs arya is the best

[@Kchiocchio]

I have k712 and hd800s and the 800s are amazing for games and movies. Very Immersive. Haven't heard the arya

[@omegaelixir]

Dude what about earpads, can ya tell us how the pads affect sound, plus I think memory foam inside Alcantara is the best. Correct me if I'm wrong

[@Isaac_L..]

Srini Aero He’s got a video on that.

[@StefanKamer]

I own the Ananda and I love it to death, but I really wonder if it would be worth upgrading to either the Arya or the HE-1000 (I even have an opportunity to buy the HE-1000v1 for $1200US). I'm conflicted to be honest. Sometimes (and only sometimes), I wish the Ananda had just a bit more slam in the bass.

[@lambdastorm7787]

Stefan Kamer the only thing ananda doesn’t do well is bass slam. It isn’t even about quantity or quality its just that the punch isn’t quite there. This problem applies to all HE-1000 variants, Ananda included.

[@StefanKamer]

@@lambdastorm7787 hm. If that's the case then it sounds to me like the only solution is EQ. Though I'm not the biggest fan of software EQ so I was thinking of getting something like a Schiit Loki. I know that when I used my iDSD Black Labels XBass on the Ananda it gave it that exact amount of bass I was looking for those times it was missing it. Thing is, since I've got a JDS Labs Atom and SMSL SU-8 now (waiting for the AAA 789 to get here), it might be a bit tough to integrate the Black label into this setup and still get the sound quality I want out of the Ananda. Any ideas? Thoughts on the Schiit Loki if you've heard of it?

[@outlaw6313]

@@lambdastorm7787 I have them and I fully agree, although there is a fix: lift the earpads 1cm off your ear, suddenly the bass slam is there. Thicker earpads are the solution without losing any detail. I still haven't gotten around finding any on the market, but I thought about getting them custom made at a tailor...

[@davidmason8212]

Have you ever tried the 2c ? Would you recommend the 2c over the ananda ?

[@kikepb351]

Ananda with ifi micro idsd signature and xbass "on" sounds sublime. It has a big rumbble without mask the mids

[@brain_segfault]

Which would you recommend for somebody that liked the 4xx?

[@akqr8]

Out of these 3, Ananda. Out of the whole range probably Sundara (with the revised pads as it adds a lot more bass).

[@arongatt]

Josh for me you are one of the best reviewer on you tube and that Japanese/ American dude are top. How about a review on a few good wireless iems that sound good. ? Contact a few companies and do best of wireless ?

[@Isaac_L..]

Aron Gatt I doubt he’s going for that. But maybe.

[@metal571]

You mean Italian American

[@arongatt]

@@metal571 who's that ?

[@metal571]

@@arongatt hahah I was pretty sure you are referring to zeos

[@arongatt]

@@metal571 nah , his an actor not a reviewer lol

[@xreborn56]

I currently have the edition x v2 is similar to the edition xx?

[@davidmason8212]

everyone say no

[@Paddy234]

I have both, they are almost identical meaning edition XX is amazing value

[@LuboAck]

Where does the Elex stand between these 3?

[@dougdabbs8155]

klucohor Yes! I would love to know! Deciding between the Elex and the Ananda!

[@akqr8]

@@dougdabbs8155 Elex punch and slam is way more, it is a lot more dynamic but extension is better on the Ananda. Ananda is a lot more soundstagey with vast sense of spacing, Elex is very very intimate.

[@jparker818]

Thx 💯

[@jurumal]

What music app do you use?

[@IsraelCruzJr]

It's called foobar2000. It supports high resolution audio and is very customizable. It's a great app in my opinion, and the best part is that it's free.

[@jurumal]

Gotcha! Thank you kind sir

[@jownbey]

So the anandas would slap the sundara around? Also if you ever have a fan club you should call em “the JV team” lol

[@Hari-kx2er]

In a way they should since they cost double the Sundara, but I don't think they are double the sound quality of Sundara, just more refined with a wider soundstage and less bass punch from all I heard about the Ananda vs Sundara comparison.

[@yokochoumanpuku2919]

edition x, which has not been used for a long time, If you don't ring it, it won't ring with a good sound The sound of edition x background before aging is It is far away, and the high-pitched sound does not extend, and the middle and low-pitched sounds stand out. After aging, background sounds come to the fore. The sound becomes clear and the treble extends. Better resolution and wider sound field than Ananda Hard-to-use headphones

[@stevensturgillschesstv4821]

Joshua would it be fair to say then that the Sundara is THE best headphone at $350 on earth? or at least by far best value in the HiFiMan line? Thanks!

[@Shoaibexpert]

Contemplating upgrading the XX to the Aryas for like $1000 extra. Would you guys advise it? I mean I know it's a personal preference but a grand to upgrade... Would the Arya be top of the line for many years to come? Also, is the sound that much better? Thanks

[@Jerdy808]

The Arya isn't their top of the line, and if it were, it would likely be replaced regularly with new models as HiFiman tends to do. They also tend to get regular, significant price cuts.

[@turbomustang84]

Great review and that's coming from someone who's been a bit harsh previously because you seem to struggle trying to use terminology that you are not very comfortable with . That being said I think you are very honest and the fact you don't automatically pick the higher priced Headphones unlike some of your competition is admirable. Your reviews keep getting better ... good job 👍

[@JosefBalabanovsky]

I got the Ananda 7 months ago. I didn't know about the Arya then. Is it worth paying 1600 to upgrade from the Ananda to the Arya?

[@omni6409]

Definitely no.

[@mattyork-smith7168]

Depends what worth it is to you- I would say that they are so much better than the Ananda that it is, but then I just shelled out 1600USD on headphones, so I am obviously mad. I've also listened to the Susvara and the HE1000se and don't think they are worth the extra money. The Arya is the sweet spot. YMMV.

[@IsraelCruzJr]

@@mattyork-smith7168 I would have to agree with this statement. The Ananda comes close, but honestly, the Arya is just on another level and you hear it clearly when comparing side-by-side.

[@davidmason8212]

@@IsraelCruzJr Would you recommend the lcd2c over the ananda ?

[@arulmuralidharan5609]

I hear a crinkly sound when i push hard on my earcup to my ear with my edition xx. Is this normal?

[@RafiGish]

It's a Hifiman, you're not supposed to push hard on those earcups okay?

[@JoeThorntonJr]

When you say "The best headphones I've reviewed to date" you aren't saying these are better in your opinion than the Sennheiser HE60s (Baby Orpheus), are you?

[@Gamingwitsundae]

I dont think he'd reviewed those at this point ( over a year ago when this vid released)

[@giftbox-e]

Why do I like the sound of Ananda more than the Arya eventhough a lot of youtuber likes Arya more

[@dillacorn_linux]

You're probably a masochist like me

[@kkahdnshsndjd4574]

Ananda failed 2 times cable was of low quality it was very delicate sound was good but u expect these to work for atleast 5 years . Even astel and kern ak70mk2 failed after 5 month of use had heating issues poor bluetooth connectivity idk why these issues are not talked about often audiophile equipment aint worth it sound is good but not worth it

[@tomasz5274]

So what were the Ananda failures? Was it a cable that failed twice?

[@foilhat]

oh, no-no-no. We haven’t finished with mac, yet...

[@bradhuskers]

The new edition xs is "end game"

[@skizzlemane1]

4:32 you also always say HifiMEN for so,e reason

[@AwesomeLevi]

Because there's multiple headphones duh

[@MrStingraybernard]

Like them all but that cheap headbands gotta go , pleather headband for that money 🤨

[@Jordonater]

I owned an Ananda i found the soundstage to be slightly narrow in comparison to a Senheiser HD598. Yes a $200 dollar headphone had better stage to me but i think its because the 598 has exceptional stage compared to anything other than hd800.

[@CoffeeGameMovie]

Literally a lie, HD598 has the same st as the HD600 or 650 so nothing actually. What was your amplifier for the Arya?

[@Jordonater]

@@CoffeeGameMovie Not on my head it doesn't. I owned a 660s2 and it is way narrower sounding. The 598 is like a 560s width because its on the same chassis with a similar angle to the driver its just far muddier. An amplifier barely effects the soundstage if at all so your lying as well.

[@CoffeeGameMovie]

@@Jordonater but even the 560s is nowhere near to the Arya, if u have a decent amp (nothing special but at least a 2-300$)

[@Jordonater]

@@CoffeeGameMovie Some people like myself just dont hear it that way perhaps its because of my thin face and the Arya doesn't clamp enough. However you are technically right because the Arya has one the best scores on rtings for soundstage and thats the only site that has any proof of soundstage width that is quantifiable. I have had amps in that range like the JDS Labs El amp ii but in my circumstance i cant leave things out so a powerful dongle just made more sense to me. You would be surprised how small the difference is when level matched.

[@CoffeeGameMovie]

@@Jordonater One thing to note: in many reviews and personal opinions they say that, if the music is edited that way that it intended to be narrow and intimate, then the Arya will communicate it that way. But if the music should be grand and open like an orchestral genre, it will be with the Arya. So it can adjust its staging as the music needs, not like something as the HD800 what is wide and grand and dont care whatever the music really is. Maybe your listening habits are tipically narrowly composed songs and genres thats why u dont hear the difference, just maybe.

[@j3ffleopard690]

All of these vs Argons?

[@nicktan4530]

Better than argons. Edition xx similar sonic with argons but different signature of sound

[@davidmason8212]

@@nicktan4530 is the emu teak better than argons

[@nicktan4530]

@@davidmason8212 why would you say that ?

[@davidmason8212]

@@nicktan4530 i am just asking

[@nicktan4530]

@@davidmason8212 There must be a reason and where is your claim to that ? How is it better ?

[@ClaudeBenshaul]

So far the Edition XX have been a major fail for me. They are simply too large and kind of hang loosely around my head instead of clamping over my ears. I tried to set them in place by holding the cups with my hands but honestly the sound quality just wasn't there to justify the extra effort. They have been relegated to stand decoration for the past year.

[@davidmason8212]

What planar do you prefer to get instead for the same price range ????

[@ClaudeBenshaul]

@@davidmason8212 Planar is a technology, not a recipe that ensure quality. I do have other headphones to compare at home and for me the XX edition are not as good as the Focal Elex that cost the same. YMMV of course.

[@davidmason8212]

Does anyone A/B LCD 2c and ananda ? Is there any trusted comparation for these two ?

[@akqr8]

Yep LCD2C way more intimate, bass is thicker and mids are lush but treble isn't really there. The Ananda is balanced and way more open sounding, and has width but also height for soundstage. They are actually quite close to the HD800S in soundstage which is no small feat.

[@davidmason8212]

@@akqr8 Thanks for your reply. I would like to ask you 3 question. 1: which one got the better Seperation ? (I mean Seperat every instrument) 2: which one play louder without any distortion? (Increase in THD with turning up the volume) 3: is there a big difference between ananda and sundara ?

[@akqr8]

@@davidmason8212 1. Easily the Ananda. It is a lot more multi-layered than the LCD2C. 2. LCD2C if you push it to ear deafening volumes, which is expected given the difference in impedance between both of these.

[@davidmason8212]

@@akqr8 Your reply is extremely helpful many thanks to you. But I am still stuck between the two 🙃 I need a headphone that play at really high volume without increasing in THD and has a very good seperation and layering. I don't care about bass and dynamics what would you recommend?

[@akqr8]

David Mason the less efficient but even more capable brother of the Ananda - the Arya.

[@User_not_found_403]

Josh - its time to beg, borrow or steal a set of the HiFiMan Susvaras - even better than the HE1000s and all these lesser cans. end game.

[@xyanide1986]

I stopped believing in Hifiman when they are replacing/re-tuning their entire line just about annually.

[@bratosin1]

Is a good thing, because if you buy every 3.4,5 years you will get a much better product

[@willm3539]

If only the Arya didn't look so terrible with its stupid headband.

[@MrStingraybernard]

To bad the ananda is so ugly and my least favorite hifiman headband