The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for high-end audio quality and have a larger budget, the HifiMan Arya Stealth is your choice for an immersive music experience, especially considering its superior soundstage and sound quality. However, it's not wireless, less portable, and not suitable for exercise or travel. Conversely, the Skullcandy Dime is an affordable, portable option with good sound quality for its price. It's wireless, suitable for exercise, and has a built-in microphone for calls, but it won't match the Arya Stealth in terms of audio fidelity. 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 Skullcandy Dime
Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
10.0/10
5.7/10
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the Skullcandy Dime is poor.
Gaming
7.1/10
4.8/10
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is good for gaming, while the Skullcandy Dime is poor.
Phone Calls
5.1/10
6.2/10
The Skullcandy Dime is only fair for phone calls, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1/10
7.1/10
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Dime is good.
TV and Video
9.4/10
5.3/10
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Dime is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
6.5/10
The Skullcandy Dime is only fair for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
Battery
N/A
3.5 Hours
The HifiMan Arya Stealth does not have a battery. The Skullcandy Dime has 3.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$599
$29
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has a price of $599 and the Skullcandy Dime costs $29.
Build Quality
9.0/10
8.5/10
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has excellent build quality, while the Skullcandy Dime 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."
"For $25, the Skullcandy Dime True Wireless Earbuds deliver a powerful, balanced, rich, and bright sound signature. There’s really not much else to talk about, but the audio is better than you would expect for the price."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Arya Stealth or the Skullcandy Dime
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 Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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
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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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