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Updated April 11, 2024·
If sound quality for music is your top priority and you don't mind a high-end price, HifiMan Arya Stealth provides a best-in-class music experience but requires a dedicated amplifier for optimal performance. They're open-back, over-ear headphones suited for quiet environments and may not be ideal for exercise, travel, or noisy locations due to poor noise isolation and portability. However, the JBL Live 770NC offers a more affordable, closed-back option with active noise cancelling, making them versatile for various environments, including travel and exercise. JBLs have a longer battery life and added features like wireless charging, a built-in microphone with good quality for calls, and an integrated app for customization, which the Arya Stealth lacks. Choose the Arya Stealth for unparalleled music quality at home and the JBL Live 770NC for a more well-rounded, portable, and affordable option suitable for everyday use. 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
Good for gaming
Excellent for TV and video
Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Live 770NC
Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
10.0/10
7.4/10
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the JBL Live 770NC is good.
Gaming
7.1/10
5.6/10
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is good for gaming, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1/10
5.9/10
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
TV and Video
9.4/10
5.8/10
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the JBL Live 770NC is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
7.0/10
The JBL Live 770NC is good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
Battery
N/A
76.0 Hours
The HifiMan Arya Stealth does not have a battery. The JBL Live 770NC has 76 hours of battery life.
Cost
$599
$130
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has a price of $599 and the JBL Live 770NC costs $130.
Build Quality
9.0/10
8.0/10
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live 770NC has very good build quality.
"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 HifiMan Arya Stealth or the JBL Live 770NC
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.
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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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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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.