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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choose the Apple Airpods Max for a premium, less expensive option with closed-back design, active noise canceling, wireless connectivity, and built-in controls, suited for diverse environments including calls, meetings, and air travel. Their comfort, built-in microphone, and support for Apple devices make them versatile for everyday use. Meanwhile, the HifiMan Arya Stealth, with a higher price tag, offers superior overall sound quality with an open-back design, tailored for an immersive, high-fidelity audio experience, especially for music and TV. Although they lack wireless functionality and noise-canceling, they're great for quiet, indoor settings where their larger size and longer cable won't be a hindrance. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods Max
- Excellent for air travel
Advantages of the HifiMan Arya Stealth
- Best in class for music
- Good for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.3
10.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the Apple Airpods Max is good.
Gaming
5.5
7.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
5.1
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
9.4
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
2.5
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
Battery
21.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Arya Stealth does not have a battery.
Cost
$469
$649
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $469 and the HifiMan Arya Stealth costs $649.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
8.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and Apple Airpods Max are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Apple Airpods Max and HifiMan Arya Stealth both have excellent build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the HifiMan Arya Stealth compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | HifiMan Arya Stealth |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$469 | $649 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | November 1, 2018 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 408.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
HifiMan Arya Stealth
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | October 2022
"The Arya can easily be end-game headphones for 99% of consumers, satisfying most audio desires. Priced well above USD$1000, the Arya are obviously and gloriously not for the mass market consumer; they are designed and built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts – especially those who view their expenses on this level of gear as investments."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the HifiMan Arya Stealth
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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