A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for top-tier audio quality for music and have a larger budget, choose the HifiMan Arya Stealth, as it delivers excellent sound quality and wide soundstage, making it ideal for critical listening. However, if you'd prefer a balance between price and performance with still great sound and soundstage, the HifiMan Sundara is a more affordable option while maintaining high comfort and build quality. Both headphones have open-back designs, meaning neither is suitable for noisy environments or recording scenarios where microphone quality matters, as they do not isolate noise well and do not have microphones. Remember that neither of these headphones is suitable for exercise due to their form factor and lack of sweat or dustproofing. 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
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the HifiMan Sundara
- The HifiMan Sundara has no clear advantages over the HifiMan Arya Stealth.
Key differences
Music
10.0
9.3
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the HifiMan Sundara is excellent.
TV and Video
9.4
8.8
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the HifiMan Sundara is very good.
Cost
$599
$279
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has a price of $599 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
Build Quality
9.0
8.2
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Sundara has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Gaming
7.1
7.2
The HifiMan Sundara and HifiMan Arya Stealth are both good for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.1
4.9
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
7.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HifiMan Arya Stealth to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for noise reduction.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the HifiMan Arya Stealth and the HifiMan Sundara compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Arya Stealth | HifiMan Sundara |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$599 | $279 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 10/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 408.2 Grams | 394.6 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
HifiMan Arya Stealth
See more
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 Sundara
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | July 2023
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Arya Stealth or the HifiMan Sundara
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare HifiMan Arya Stealth vs. Sennheiser IE600
VS
Compare HifiMan Arya Stealth vs. Apple Airpods Max
VS
Compare HifiMan Arya Stealth vs. Master & Dynamic MW75-Neuro
VS
Compare HifiMan Sundara vs. HifiMan Edition XS
VS
Compare HifiMan Sundara vs. Sony WF1000XM5
VS
Compare HifiMan Sundara vs. Apple Airpods Pro
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,300
Recommendations made
18,345
Consumer hours saved
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.
Featured in
