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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and Philips Fidelio X2HR both offer excellent sound quality and comfort, with a similar score in build quality; however, the Aryas are typically far more expensive, giving you a more immersive listening experience perfect for critical music listening, with better soundstage and imaging. On the other hand, the Fidelio X2HR offers similar benefits with a lower price tag, though they may not match the Arya's top-tier sound quality. Neither set is suitable for exercise or use in noisy environments due to their open-back design and lack of noise isolation. If budget isn't a concern and ultimate audio fidelity is your goal, the Aryas are a great choice, but if you're seeking value for money with very good sound, the Fidelios are a more budget-friendly option. Both are wired, so consider this when thinking about portability and convenience. 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 Philips Fidelio X2HR
- The Philips Fidelio X2HR 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 Philips Fidelio X2HR is excellent.
TV and Video
9.4
8.8
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is very good.
Cost
$599
$148
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
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The HifiMan Arya Stealth has a price of $599 and the Philips Fidelio X2HR costs $148.
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Key similarities
Gaming
7.1
7.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and Philips Fidelio X2HR are both good for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.1
5.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and Philips Fidelio X2HR 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 Philips Fidelio X2HR is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and Philips Fidelio X2HR are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and Philips Fidelio X2HR both have excellent build quality.
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How the HifiMan Arya Stealth and the Philips Fidelio X2HR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Arya Stealth | Philips Fidelio X2HR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$599 | $148 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | September 1, 2014 | |
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 | 7.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
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 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 408.2 Grams | 390 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."
Philips Fidelio X2HR
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Liquid Audio
Stefan | May 2022
"This piece is a fantastic option for music lovers searching for premium sound and a snug fit. You should get these headphones if you care about sound quality and want to hear music in a new light. This technology is a great option for high-quality headphones with superb sound reproduction."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Arya Stealth or the Philips Fidelio X2HR
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 Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate and electronics manufacturer with over 130 years of history. Philips makes the Fidelio audio line which includes several models of full-sized wired and wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds. soundbars and wireless speakers.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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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