Packaging and Accessories

HIFIMAN operates a web shop, and this sample shipped directly from the company, so we begin with shipping packaging since this is how paying customers would receive the Arya (2021). The shipping box itself is appropriately sized, although with HIFIMAN stickers on multiple sides and another mentioning the contents inside. I would have rather seen a stealthier approach, especially knowing these are expensive headphones. Inside is the product box itself, which comes in a shaped-to-fit bubble wrap and foam sheets on all sides for further protection from overzealous couriers.


The product box is thick cardboard, and again feels well-sized once you see the contents inside. It adopts a primarily black color scheme to go with the headphones, and I have to give props to the designer for coming up with clean and attractive packaging. On the front is the company logo and product name, with a sticker confirming this is the newer stealth magnets version. There is a render of the headphones on the side, and the aforementioned sticker is the only confirmation that you have the latest version. The box is otherwise unchanged from the previous version, including the outdated specifications table that feels somewhat amateurish in the absence of another sticker that has the updated specifications outside of making a whole other box. Another preview of the headphones accompanies the HIFIMAN contact information and a reminder that registration will net you an additional 3 months of warranty, which is well worth it for a product that comes with a low 12 months only. Seals on the sides keep the contents inside in place during transit, and removing them, we notice HIFIMAN is using a two-piece packaging with the top simply lifting off.


I do like the unboxing experience thus far, and it continues with substantial paperwork on top of a foam sheet protecting the headphones themselves. A card informs us about the major update in this revision courtesy the stealth magnets, effectively as a primer on the technology itself. There is also a warranty card with the serial numbers for both drivers of this headphone, which is an interesting move I can get behind. The QR code takes you to this page, where you can access FAQs, find applicable drivers for other products, and the owner's guide for the new Arya (online copy here). The latter is included as a printed booklet, in color and on high bond glossy paper, which makes it feel like a premium product. Once again, the guide is adapted from the previous version, meaning the magnets page is left unchanged, which explains the add-on card about the correct magnets. Another sticker has been applied over the specifications table, this time correcting it while confirming the old owners guides were used to get rid of already printed stock before newer guides are printed.

The headphones do not come inside a case of any sort thus, so stowing these away isn't as conveniently done as other such headphones we have seen recently. HIFIMAN instead provides a soft, cloth-wrapped foam piece with a cutout to hold the headphones as seen above. Notice the section in the middle with a note alerting the customer that the headphone cable is below. The company sells two travel cases in black or a checkered brown for $29 if interested, although you may also want to look at aftermarket hard cases with pluckable foam, such as the Lykus 3310 that fits the entire box insert nicely with some room on the side for cables. Of course, the average end user will likely just want to have the headphones on a headphone stand, readily available to listen to when needed.