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What we think
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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a budget, the Creative Labs Zen Air would be the more cost-effective choice and are suited for casual listening, exercise, and travel due to their wireless design and sweatproof features. However, they have limitations in sound quality and performance for critical listening and multimedia. The HifiMan Arya Stealth, on the other hand, offers superior sound quality and an open design which is ideal for an immersive listening experience at home or in quiet environments. They require an amplifier for the best experience and are not portable or suitable for exercise. They also do not have a microphone for calls. Consider what's more important to you: affordability and versatility of the Zen Air or the superior home listening experience with the Arya Stealth, with a higher price. 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 Creative Labs Zen Air
- 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
6.8
10.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
7.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is good for gaming, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
8.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
9.4
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
2.5
The Creative Labs Zen Air is good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Arya Stealth does not have a battery.
Cost
$30
$999
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Creative Labs Zen Air has a price of $30 and the HifiMan Arya Stealth costs $999.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.1
The Creative Labs Zen Air and HifiMan Arya Stealth are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air and HifiMan Arya Stealth both have excellent build quality.
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How the Creative Labs Zen Air and the HifiMan Arya Stealth compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Zen Air | HifiMan Arya Stealth |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $999 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2022 | November 1, 2018 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.9/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 12 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | 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 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 408.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Creative Labs Zen Air
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphone Check
Maike Paeßens | February 2023
"The Creative Zen Air’s weak points are its low battery life and rather short Bluetooth range. On the other hand, the strengths of these weatherproof True Wireless in-Ears are the sound and the wide attenuation of the Active Noise Cancellation. Considering the price range, the speech intelligibility during calls is also exceptionally good."
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 Creative Labs Zen Air or the HifiMan Arya Stealth
About Creative Labs
Creative Labs is a Singaporean technology company specialized in the manufacture of multimedia products. They created the world-famous Soundblaster soundcard back in 1989 which was a staple of the gaming community for a long time. Nowadays, besides still marketing their discrete audio systems, they offer a wide array of headphones, gaming headsets and speakers that still preserve that same heritage.
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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