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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If budget is a primary concern, the EPOS PC38X offers excellent value, being significantly less costly while providing high overall sound quality and a great experience for music, gaming, and calls with a perfect mic score. On the other hand, the HifiMan Arya Stealth, although more expensive, offers a superior music listening experience with a top-of-the-line sound quality score and a specialized driver type (planar) known for its detail and stage. However, the HifiMan lacks a microphone, making it less suitable for calls or gaming communication. Both have an open-back design that delivers spacious sound but doesn't isolate noise well, so they're not ideal for noisy environments or for listeners needing privacy. Additionally, consider comfort and portability; both score similarly in comfort, but neither is particularly portable or suited for exercise, and their open design means they're not the best for air travel where noise isolation can be key. 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 EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
Advantages of the HifiMan Arya Stealth
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
10.0
7.1
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is good.
Phone Calls
10.0
5.1
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
Cost
$139
$599
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the HifiMan Arya Stealth costs $599.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has excellent build quality, while the EPOS PC38X has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
9.5
10.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and EPOS PC38X are both best in class for music.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
8.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HifiMan Arya Stealth to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the EPOS PC38X is good.
TV and Video
9.0
9.4
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and EPOS PC38X are both excellent for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The EPOS PC38X and HifiMan Arya Stealth are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the EPOS PC38X and the HifiMan Arya Stealth compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | HifiMan Arya Stealth |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $599 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | November 1, 2018 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 408.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
EPOS PC38X
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Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
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 EPOS PC38X or the HifiMan Arya Stealth
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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.
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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.
Luis Torres
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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