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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If budget is a major concern, Beats Solo 3 can be a good choice as they offer convenience and portability at a lower cost, but they may not match the sound quality and stage of the HifiMan Arya Stealth. The HifiMan Arya Stealth, though more expensive, may provide a superior audio experience with richer detail and wider soundstage, which is ideal for dedicated listening sessions or for audiophiles. If you frequently take calls or need something for everyday casual use, the Beats Solo 3 with built-in microphones and wireless capabilities are more practical, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth would be better suited for high-fidelity listening at home or in a studio environment. Additionally, the Beats are likely more durable for on-the-go use, whereas the Arya would require more careful handling. 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 Beats Solo 3
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the HifiMan Arya Stealth
- Best in class for music
- Good for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.3
10.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
7.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is good for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
8.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
9.4
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Beats Solo 3 and HifiMan Arya Stealth are both poor for noise reduction, though the Beats Solo 3 is somewhat better.
Battery
41.5 Hours
N/A
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Arya Stealth does not have a battery.
Cost
$117
$649
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the HifiMan Arya Stealth costs $649.
Build Quality
8.0
9.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has excellent build quality, while the Beats Solo 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.7
5.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the HifiMan Arya Stealth compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | HifiMan Arya Stealth |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $649 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | November 1, 2018 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 408.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats Solo 3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Beats Solo3 Wireless is an old set of headphones but still works reliably well with iPhones, due to W1 chip integration and AAC support. The Beats Solo3 Wireless holds up well today with just a few features showing its age."
HifiMan Arya Stealth
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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 Beats Solo 3 or the HifiMan Arya Stealth
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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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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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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