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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The HifiMan Arya Stealth offers superior sound quality with a detailed, spacious soundstage that's ideal for critical listening, but they come at a higher price and may require a dedicated amplifier to perform their best. On the other side, the Moondrop Nekocake is much more affordable and convenient for casual listening on the go with your smartphone, and they provide compact design and wireless connectivity. If budget is less of a concern and you prioritize high-fidelity audio, the HifiMan Arya Stealth might be the better choice. However, for everyday, versatile use and value, the Moondrop Nekocake would be more suitable. 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 Moondrop Nekocake
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
10.0
5.7
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Gaming
7.1
4.6
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is good for gaming, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Phone Calls
5.1
6.1
The Moondrop Nekocake is only fair for phone calls, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
TV and Video
9.4
5.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
7.0
The Moondrop Nekocake is good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
Battery
N/A
3.0 Hours
The HifiMan Arya Stealth does not have a battery. The Moondrop Nekocake has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$649
$39
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has a price of $649 and the Moondrop Nekocake costs $39.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has excellent build quality, while the Moondrop Nekocake has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
7.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HifiMan Arya Stealth to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Moondrop Nekocake is good.
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How the HifiMan Arya Stealth and the Moondrop Nekocake compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Arya Stealth | Moondrop Nekocake |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$649 | $39 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Moondrop | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 10/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 4.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 12 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 408.2 Grams | 5.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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."
Moondrop Nekocake
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonics
Jarvin | January 2022
"What sets the Nekocake apart from its competition at this price point is the Moondrop Link app that allows the user to change the tonal balance of the Nekocake. This makes sure that it’s versatile enough to suit different sonic preferences while allowing some customization of controls."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Arya Stealth or the Moondrop Nekocake
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 Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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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
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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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