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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize superior sound quality and an expansive soundstage for an immersive music experience, the HifiMan Arya Stealth is a noteworthy choice, though it lacks features like a microphone, wireless connectivity, and active noise cancelling, which limits its versatility. Due to its open-back design, it's not suitable for noisy environments or use during exercise. In contrast, the Sony WH-1000XM5 offers features like active noise cancelling, wireless use, a microphone, and app control customization, making it a more versatile option for everyday use, including calls or meetings, travel, and exercise, with a sound quality well-regarded in its own right and at a lower price point. 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 Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
10.0
8.2
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good.
Gaming
7.1
5.6
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is good for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
6.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
TV and Video
9.4
5.8
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
Battery
N/A
40.3 Hours
The HifiMan Arya Stealth does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$599
$398
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has a price of $599 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and HifiMan Arya Stealth are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
9.0
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HifiMan Arya Stealth to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 has very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Arya Stealth and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Arya Stealth | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$599 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 10/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
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 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 408.2 Grams | 249.4 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."
Sony WH-1000XM5
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Arya Stealth or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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