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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The HifiMan Arya Stealth offers exceptional overall sound quality and creates an immersive listening experience suited for critical music listening at home. Its open-back design provides a broad soundstage, but it lacks noise isolation, making it less ideal for noisy environments or travel. The Arya Stealth is durable and has a detachable cable, but it's on the heavier side and not portable. In contrast, the HifiMan Edition XS also delivers excellent sound with a top-notch soundstage at a more affordable price. However, it's slightly less comfortable and scores lower in build quality. Neither model has a microphone, so they aren't suitable for calls or meetings, and their open-back design does not recommend them for exercise use. If you favor top-tier audio quality and have a higher budget, the Arya Stealth might be your choice, while the Edition XS offers significant value with only minor compromises in comfort and construction. 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 HifiMan Arya Stealth
- Best in class for music
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the HifiMan Edition XS
- Best in class for TV and video
Key differences
Music
10.0
8.8
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the HifiMan Edition XS is very good.
Cost
$599
$269
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has a price of $599 and the HifiMan Edition XS costs $269.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Edition XS has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
7.1
7.4
The HifiMan Edition XS and HifiMan Arya Stealth are both good for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.1
5.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and HifiMan Edition XS are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
7.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HifiMan Arya Stealth to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Edition XS is good.
TV and Video
9.4
9.5
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HifiMan Edition XS to be best in class for TV and video, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and HifiMan Edition XS are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the HifiMan Arya Stealth and the HifiMan Edition XS compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Arya Stealth | HifiMan Edition XS |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$599 | $269 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | December 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 10/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 7.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 4.4/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 408.2 Grams | 421 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
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."
HifiMan Edition XS
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Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Arya Stealth or the HifiMan Edition XS
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.
By the numbers
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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
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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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