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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The HifiMan Arya Stealth offers superior overall sound quality and a more expansive soundstage, making it excellent for critical listening, but isn't suited for calls or meetings. They are wired over-ear headphones with open enclosures, so they won't isolate noise well which makes them less ideal for noisy environments or travel. They're also bulky and not portable. The Sony WH-CH520, on the other hand, has good sound quality and additional features such as wireless connectivity, active noise cancelling, and a long battery life. They are comfortable, suitable for calls, and have a built-in microphone, making them versatile for everyday use, exercise, and travel. If budget is not a constraint and you prioritize audio fidelity in a quiet environment, go for the HifiMan Arya Stealth; if you seek convenience, portability, and versatile use at a lower price, the Sony WH-CH520 is the better choice. 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
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
10.0
7.6
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the Sony WH-CH520 is good.
Gaming
7.1
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is good.
Phone Calls
5.1
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
TV and Video
9.4
8.2
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the Sony WH-CH520 is very good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
4.6
The Sony WH-CH520 and HifiMan Arya Stealth are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
52.0 Hours
The HifiMan Arya Stealth does not have a battery. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$599
$40
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has a price of $599 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
9.0
7.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has excellent build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
8.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and Sony WH-CH520 are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the HifiMan Arya Stealth and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Arya Stealth | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$599 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 10/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 408.2 Grams | 147.41 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-CH520
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Arya Stealth or the Sony WH-CH520
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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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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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.
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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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