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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choose the HifiMan Arya Stealth if you prioritize the highest sound quality for music with an expansive soundstage and don't need a microphone but require a wired connection. They're ideal for critical listening at home, given their size and open-back design which isn't suited for noisy environments or outside use. On the other hand, the Skullcandy Dime 2 are portable earbuds that offer wireless convenience, sweat resistance, and a microphone, making them suitable for casual listening, exercise, and calls. They provide sound isolation and are much more affordable but won't match the Arya Stealth's superior sound fidelity for music and at-home 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 Skullcandy Dime 2
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
10.0
6.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is only fair.
Gaming
7.1
4.7
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is good for gaming, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
5.2
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is poor.
TV and Video
9.4
5.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.5
The Skullcandy Dime 2 is only fair 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 Skullcandy Dime 2 has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$649
$25
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has a price of $649 and the Skullcandy Dime 2 costs $25.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has excellent build quality, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
4.8
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and Skullcandy Dime 2 are both poor for phone calls.
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How the HifiMan Arya Stealth and the Skullcandy Dime 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Arya Stealth | Skullcandy Dime 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$649 | $25 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 10/10 | 6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 4.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
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 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 8.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 408.2 Grams | 4.5 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."
Skullcandy Dime 2
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2022
"With the low price, it’s a low-risk investment. The Dime 2 is a decent set of backup buds for those times when you don’t want to risk your more upscale buds. If it weren’t for the lackluster battery life, I’d say everyone should have a pair as a spare for music."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Arya Stealth or the Skullcandy Dime 2
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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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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