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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value high sound quality and have a larger budget, the HifiMan Arya Stealth headphones with their open-back design and planar drivers would provide you an immersive audio experience, especially for music listening. However, if your main concerns are affordability, convenience for calls and meetings, and noise cancellation for travel or in noisy environments, the Soundcore Life Q20 headphones would be the better option as they are closed-back with active noise cancelling and a built-in mic while also being wireless with a long battery life for everyday use. Keep in mind, though, the Arya Stealth's open-back design means they won't isolate sound well, making them less ideal in loud spaces or for privacy. 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 Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
10.0
7.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is good.
Gaming
7.1
5.2
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
4.7
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
9.4
5.3
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q20 is very good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
Battery
N/A
32.3 Hours
The HifiMan Arya Stealth does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$599
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has a price of $599 and the Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Life Q20 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
4.9
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and Soundcore Life Q20 are both poor for phone calls.
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How the HifiMan Arya Stealth and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Arya Stealth | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$599 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.8 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 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 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 | 258.5 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."
Soundcore Life Q20
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | January 2022
"As far as headphones that cost under $100 go, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is a really solid option. Like any good tool, it does the job well without much guff, and it’s affordable to boot. Sure: it’s not going toe to toe with any of the higher-end models of ANC headphones out there—but the headphones do well enough for commuters that it’s a good stand-in if you were never planning on spending a bunch of money anyway."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Arya Stealth or the Soundcore Life Q20
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 Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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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