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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The HifiMan Arya Stealth delivers top-notch sound quality and an expansive soundstage, perfect for an immersive music experience at home, thanks to its open-back design, which, however, limits its usage in noisy environments due to poor sound isolation. In contrast, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC, with its active noise cancellation and closed-back design, offers good sound isolation, making it a better choice for travel and use in loud places. The Hesh ANC is also wireless, providing convenience on the go, while the Arya Stealth is wired, ensuring a stable connection for critical listening. Consider that while the Arya Stealth offers superior audiophile-grade sound, it is significantly more expensive than the Hesh ANC, which provides a great balance between quality and cost, also offering good features for everyday use like a built-in microphone and prolonged battery life for wireless 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 Hesh ANC
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
10.0
6.7
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Gaming
7.1
5.6
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is good for gaming, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
6.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
TV and Video
9.4
5.8
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.7
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is very good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
Battery
N/A
23.0 Hours
The HifiMan Arya Stealth does not have a battery. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life.
Cost
$599
$135
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has a price of $599 and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC costs $135.
Build Quality
9.0
7.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has excellent build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.3
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and HifiMan Arya Stealth are both poor for phone calls.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the HifiMan Arya Stealth and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Arya Stealth | Skullcandy Hesh ANC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$599 | $135 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | December 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 10/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 23 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.6 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 7.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 408.2 Grams | 226.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof 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."
Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Maike Paeßens | 2021
"Skullcandy’s Hesh ANC are compact, wireless over-ears for everyday use that are tuned for bass and designed to suppress or amplify ambient noise as required. In addition to Bluetooth 5.0, optional tracking via the Tile app is supported so that these headphones can be found if they get lost."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Arya Stealth or the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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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