Very nice review! Very concise, detailed, and to the point. I splurged for the Stealths after enjoying Hifiman products for a number of years, and it really is a showstopper. The only other headphone in its price range I've tried is the HEDDphone, which was good for a number of things but wasn't as good an all-arounder, and I had comfort issues with it. The Stealths do pretty much everything extremely well.
I auditioned the V2 alongside the V3/Stealth, HD800S, Susvara, the Stellia and GL2000. I also own the Clear OG. Have to say, your descriptions of all (except Stellia which is not relevant here) are almost exactly what I experienced. Great review! (even though in the end we made different choices) IMO, I'd say the HD800S has a significantly different soundstage presentation to the Arya. Arya bring vocals forward. The V3 brings them into your head. The V2 places them directly in front of you. The HD800S places everything far away, it feels more like you are in a room - closest to "speaker-like" placement I've ever experienced from a headphone but too lacking in bass. I agree with all of your descriptions of the V2 vs Stealth, except in relation to "air". To my ears, the V2 has a more airy presentation. The "air" and bigger soundstage was the thing that struck me and gave me a Dopamine hit every time I switched back to the V2. The V3 sounds very big and very airy compared to all the others I mentioned above so it's by no means narrow or congested. Just less big and airy than the V2. The rest of the treble on the V3 is more refined than the V2. I also found the V2 sound to be more layered than the V3. However the bass impact, fullness/resolution, timbre, warmth in mids and treble were all better on the V3. I think you made an important point about there being multiple differences between the V2 and V3 and that those differences are each small isolation but add up to the overall experience. However, despite being a better all rounder as you and others have described, I found the V2 more enjoyable. I couldn't ignore the Dopamine and excitement each time I put them on. So I bought the V2. Just goes to show how subjective this hobby is. If I could only own one headphone, the V3 would be the better choice, because it does everything well generally speaking. However, my interest in the Arya was very specific and the V2 gave me what I was looking for to include in my collection. Really enjoyed your review. Thanks!
I was in my return window for the V2 so I attempted to exchange them for the V3. The place I purchased the V2 from sent me out the V3 with a label to return the V3. I agree with you 100%! The V3 sounded like a good but normal headphone, but the V2 sound was special and unique. I canceled my exchange and kept the V2.
Personally, i found se to have a bit more ringing then v2. But yah, they are close enough and i would say that its 100% a preference pic. For me, arya v2 has the best treble rendition ive heard so far, its basically bordering the sweet spot of being sparkly but not to bright with fairly minimal ringing (ringing is my biggest gripe with sus, tho it is phenomenal). Also, for me, the biggest benefit to se over v2 is that se has more forward vocals, v2's feel a bit recessed and veiled in comparison to se, but less ringing and a more enjoyable overall stage presentation to me swayed me more towards v2's personally.
Without a doubt, your review and comparisons here are the most thorough I’ve seen. I mean, you literally have some of the absolute best headphones right there at your fingertips for the purposes of your video. Big thumbs up man!
Finally an audiophile channel which talks about Metal & Rock! Subscribed. Also which Dac Amp hits well with the Arya Stealth? And other headphones for metal & rock?
I do have the stealth Arya, and what you basically say , it performs accordingly. Great review !! . Fun fact, the Arya stealth is the most expensive headphones that I own. End game indeed …. Maybe for now 😂.
@@Thoughtflux I have a variety of equipments but I enjoy using the Gustard R26 as DAC and iFi Pro iCAN Signature as amp which gives me options for delta-sigma, tube, tube+ and also X-bass and 3D/Holographic choices. This combination made every headphone in my small collection sounds better. My most expensive dynamic headphone is the ZMF Atrium.
@@BillyKueekSG wow sounds like a great setup! Thanks for letting me know. I might just buy the Arya Stealth given that the price has come down. I have an old Bifrost multibit (like an r2r) dac and an Asgard 2 (class A) amp along with a cheap preamp with Burson vivids.. All modified.
@@Thoughtflux I believe the Arya Stealth will sound great with your DAC and amp, they are both equipments of high quality and reviewed positively. My only piece of Burson is the Mothership 02 desktop rack.
Great review and I couldn't agree more! I made the plunge straight to a high end Planar with the Stealth and don't regret a second of that. I really think they are great for almost anything I listen to on them.
Yeah, my Arya is sounding better and better with the hours and now, a new DAC in the Gustard R26. I paired this R2R DAC with iFi Pro iCAN Signature and OMG!!! The R26 just took my Arya and my Clear MG and my Atrium (basically every headphone I have now) into new territories and I’m enjoying the listening more than ever before.
V2 gang for life! With a noticeably wider soundstage and more chill presentation, the V2 was a good purchase for me under $1000. Haters will throw shade tho at the v2
Thank you Sajid. Your reviews are the most intelligent and thoughtful in the world ( no BS ). Your taste in music and mine are opposite, but your reviews are so thorough and direct that one can quickly and easily know exactly what the HPs sound like. I have the Arya Stealths, and everything you describe I can also hear. I did upgrade the cable to a pure silver and enjoy the more clear presentation. It is obvious that the Arya was not tuned for the brightness of pure silver, but the shimmer of the bow and string is the eternal Sirens call that lures me to my audiophile ship reck. What is your favorite cable for the Arya Stealth?
@@amplifyaudioreviews You could swap the stock Susvara and Arya cables, because it would be nice to know what difference there might be. To my ear, cables change the sound of HPs more than pads.
Excellent review. As a happy owner of the Arya Stealth myself, I agree very much with you assessment. Sound and comfort are fantastic. Build quality looks alright, but time will tell. But the cable, box, packaging, no easy way to replace the head strap are a bit disappointing. First thing most people will do, is buying a longer, more flexible, balanced cable - I guess. Anyways, this is all nothing compared to that sound and comfort ....
I wish HE6SE V2 was in the mix,Resolve preferred the HE6SE V2 over Arya and since now HE6 can be purchased at half the price of Arya it is a better deal. Only downside is HE6 require powerful Amp to sing at their best. But excellent comparison with all other, if someone already have couple of Planers do you recommend having Focal Clear as dynamic HP for punch and slam for EDM and Electronic music.
HE6SEv2 should very much be considered in the mix. The honeycomb grill mod and pad swap do quite a bit to help. I also found that if you use a power amp and power directly from speaker taps these hps are really rewarded with current and power. For $550 it's quite the deal assuming you don't get the magnet defect issue.
Mmm I just watched Resolve's HE6 video recently, and the original version was the only one he raved about, said the V1 and V2 paled in comparison. I certainly didn't hear him say the V2 was better than the Arya.
@Amplify Audiophile Show Fantastic review, also the last review with Utopia. If you are selling the HD800S you should try HD8xx, it fixes the treble and low end.
@@joseluishernandezseptien I owned both for some time (left a review on amazon). To summarize the HE1000V2 is warmer than Susvara, vocals are closer/more intimate, and treble is a bit more bright/assertive than Susvara. However Susvara has better detail, better imaging, a larger soundstage, and frankly is more refined. Susvara is more neutral than HE1000V2, HE1000V2 is both brighter and warmer than Susvara. Frequency graphs back this up as well.
@@joseluishernandezseptien Arya Stealth is another headphone that is solid. Personally I'd pick it over He1000v2 unless you want more bass stock. Otherwise they're quite similar but V3 Stealth is a better value imo.
Another excellent, well articulated review - thanks. I saw in another review that you really enjoy the Sony WM1ZM2 DAP, so I wondered if you have tried it with the Arya Stealth - and, if so, what did you think?
How do you think they compared vs the HD800S for games? Would you play with the HE1000 Stealth or the HD800S? :) I do think i would love the HE1000 Stealth more for music since i love warmth and a bit of punch to the bass. If they good for games it would be perfect.
You've nudged me towards the Arya Stealth, I've recently returned a D8000 Pro due to a rattle issue with some sub bass, the Stealth might better suite my genre's, being mainly Electronic, Metal and Rock.
Be careful what you pair them with if you like metal. I found with the Hifiman ef400 R2R DAC amp they were a little harsh and upper mids seemed too forward. I now have them paired with the Fiio K9 pro ess and totally love them with any genre👍🏻
Thank you for yet another excellent review! I currently own the V2 Arya and have been thinking about upgrading to the V3...still not sure. Did you try the V3 Arya with the Prima Luna as a preamp and if so how did that go? What are your thoughts then about the Arya with a tube amp? Thanks again! I love your channel! It's been very helpful! All the best!
Fantastic review :) I love the explicit endorsement for rock/metal and Seattle grunge, though I may need you to explain the price tag to wifey if you come to Thailand again, assuming she hasn’t already buried me in a rice paddy by then of course
I really like some attention to these genres in reviews, usually neglected and a big part of my listening. HE-6 was my long time favourite until I finally picked up the Abyss, I bet I would like these if I heard them.
For gaming, 800S cannot be matched. I keep 800S connected to a G6 DAC/AMP for Switch, PS5 and PC, and use Arya Stealth for everything else. Arya can run off my phone with a DAC/AMP dongle which I like
Arya Stealth sounds amazing, but you must be careful with it's build quality. My Arya has paint chip issue on the headband peg near the cup although I don't use it so often. I don't know if it's a defect or not, but I saw some users on audio forum that has same Issue. It got worse over time that I could easily peel the paint. The local distributor usually refuse to accept warranty claim if its only the appearance issue not the sound so I decided to buy replacement. Fortunately I found a distributor who sells the headband replacement.
For me it’s the RME ADI2 DAC Amp. Wonderful Machine. Zero Noise. Lot of Power. And a Top EQ - the Arya sounds much better and reacher with it. Amazing.
Nice review, what are your thoughts with amps to use with the arya stealth? I think most people say that this headphone sound great on most amps, but there is a minority of people parroting this narrative that the aryas need a class a or ab amp to truly shine. Do you think this is true?
I have big ears from top to bottom with both ears sticking out slightly not super dumbo but clamping can cause hot spots. This headphones seems to be able to fit me
I appreciate the elaborate review. Thanks so much for that! I consider buying the Hifiman Ayra Stealth. Do you think the Chord Mojo 2 DAC, which I own, would be a proper match. Thanks!
9:26 Isn't clapping the earpads considered dangerous for planar headphones? A citation from Audeze Customer Support found in the Internet: "We strongly recommend exercising certain cautions when handling planar magnetic headphones: trapped air can create high pressure and sudden pressure changes could damage the diaphragms, and this is not covered by warranty." The clarification: "this means activities such as clapping or pressing down on the earpads creates sudden pressure will cause the diaphragm to flex and possibly blow off since it is very thin."
SE sound flat presentation....left to right, really not much depth because of the forwardness. Because it is so forward, it relatively sound more detailed and same goes to the lower octave, more presence makes it more intimacy, soundstage automatically smaller.
Big thumbs up for this very helpful review. Do you find them to stay securely in place if you listen while walking around? Or do they tend to fall off? Also, do you find them comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time, like several hours or whole day? Thanks
I find them comfortable even when I wear them all day at my desk. After a few minutes I forget they are there. I have them paired with a Fiio K9 pro ess. They are sooooooo good👍🏻
The Shangri-La has the ultimate Hifiman sound. I've been able to test it twice for over half an hour each time. Once you have the opportunity to hear the Hifiman Shangri-La, you will sell 98% of the Head Fi equipment. 😉 I can already see the video "Paul was right, I bought the Hifiman Shangri-La". In a month I'll visit the High End in Munich, I'll listen to the Hifiman Arya Stealth. If the Shangri-La is there, I'll make a video about it. 😎
Lol. I would buy the headphone but then I would personally keep wondering if I have the right amp and then the DAC etc etc and I would end up down a very long rabbit hole lol. Maybe in the future!
@@amplifyaudioreviews When you see Shangri-La's giant tube amp in front of you, you know it's the best out there. Of course you could experiment with the DAC. The Shangri-La with the massive tube amp is on a whole different level. "God mode"🔥
Hey man good video. I love seeing guys getting started. Thinking of starting up a frequent channel myself, though my main following is on Twitter. Keep up the great work and one day youll have hundreds of thousands of followers. Guaranteed.
I have only watched two of your reviews, and I just can´t understand how you don´t have multi hundreds of thousand subscribers. Thank you. I am coming from some WH-1000XM4 with no dac no amp, and after a month watching reviews, reading reviews, and reading forums I am buying the Fiio M17 and the Arya Stealth, and perhaps the iFi iPower Elite 12V, and that´s (maybe) going to be my end of game system. Someone please stop me.
Ah you had the same experience with Clears as i did, i also have a90 and the sound was good, but lacked soul :D Sold them quite fast. Should have tried some other amp, but lacked the financial aspect :D
It would not because the imaging is better on the v3. I have the stealth and the soundstage is very wide and open. Ive heard people say if you let them burn in over 100 hours the soundstage gets just as wide as the v2 and i believe it.
replacing sheepskin pads can get more punch bass, Hifiman uses default pads to releve thin sound, I doubt BianFang is a violin fans, so Hifiman headphones focus to high resolution ,although this can lead to some dental sounds
Superb review, brother Sajid! If you would be so kind, how do you think these would pair with the Violectric V281?? My source is an OPPO BDP105 with dual Sabre Dac's for primarily Redbook CD's (huge library) but will play any disc and also capable of streaming into it as well whilst also utilizing same Dac, Thank you again for such thorough research and labour of love!
Which one have better articulation, texture, nuance in the sub bass at 20-30-40 hertz. I like laid back and distant sound more i wonder if i should focus on V2 or HD800S.
Best review of Arya SME in the world!!! Thank you very much. You said this outperforms the meze hps. So would you that Arya SME is better than Meze Elite in terms of detail retrieval. What is best for busy music? Thank you
I like the Arya SME more than the Meze Elite to be honest, but others' mileage may vary. I find that the Elite still doesn't have my preferred tonality and the Arya SME beats it for air and stage and overall effortless presentation.
@@amplifyaudioreviews thanks man! although unrelated, did you try the enleum 23 r. I loved your ferrum video. I see that you preffered the ferrum stack tonality. Enleum seems to have the same thing, would love to hear your thoughts.
@@ruffandruff Would love to try it at some point. Have tried the Bakoon and it was lovely. The Ferrum is a bit harder hitting than the Bakoon 13R but cant speak to the Enleum 23R's dynamics. :)
@@amplifyaudioreviews Just wanna get some of your knowledge regarding transients and dynamics. I believe dynamics are the slam and punch and I have always associated warmer gear to be slower and brighter being faster. Is my assumption correct? also are speed and dynamics directly proportional to each other? thanks you
bro good video could not watch to the end but better mike would help allot. good hedphones from what i can tell from the coments. no hate just trying to help out.
I usually watch your reviews on the phone for general consumption, but tonight I had my headphones and desktop amp/dac on... it was painful. Your content quality deserves a dedicated mic! Always appreciate your opinions!
@@amplifyaudioreviews there's a ton of background noise, vocal clipping and digital noise. At one point I thought I heard a baby crying around the 3:30 mark. I'm not an expert on microphone setups, but genuinely think your content deserves something better, especially in context of the gear you own and are reviewing. I've watched this guy for some other vids and he has some decent recommendations with examples of all products ruclips.net/video/jApDthzDql0/видео.html
@@zachstephenson7590 Thanks Zach. I appreciate the feedback. I have the AT2020+ USB, let me try that. Keep an eye out for a quick video I expect to shoot soon, using that set up this Friday. Would love to hear back how good or bad it is.
Hey Sajid. Can you compare the cheapest egg shaped Edition XS to Arya v2 and v3 ? I'm content with the imaging but i want a bit wider soundstage and better bass resolution and impact at the lowest frequencies.
Amazing comparison, thank you for this! Do you happen to have any tubes in your source chain? Asking this because I’d highly encourage you to try tubes + 800s (I know this is commonly memed in forums but I j took the plunge this week and don’t think I’ll look back)
@@amplifyaudioreviews I don’t think many people like se as it’s too bright He1000v2 I’ve seen some comparisons so might be closer Also curious if you’ll review stax l700mk2 And edition xs
I like all models of HIFIMAN headphobes.Tell me please:whish model has more bass and punch for listening to heavy rock music ? Or better Focal Clean MG ?. Thank You
"I've never had treble harshness with any estat, using the perfect estat DAC and energizer". Well, maybe some more realistic hardware examples would be helpful to discuss? Do you find Edition XS treble to be harsh/piercing/overly bright?
I have the Sundaras and have been eyeing a local set of the stealths but haven't pulled the trigger. As a relatively new audiophile, will I hear the difference?
I am a Schiit Audio fan. I am getting the Aryas and the bifrost 2. What amp would be better, the Jot 2 or just the Magnius? any help from anyone would be great!
Bought the arya stealth. It was amazing but since it is bright if you pair it with bright Dac or Amp it will amplify that and make it hot up there and unbearable. Im still looking for budget warmer dac for arya.
Agreed, but the dac won't make that much of a difference, you'd better look for a warmer amp to tame the brightness, as I did, . I've tested several amps and eventually I bought the Schiit Lyr (599 usd), even in solid state mode it has the warmth needed, and it's even better when you switch to tube mode, of course. The Arya is made for tube, I don't know why so few people talk about it.
IMO the Focal Clear would be the best headphone for most people if it did’t have a clipping issue at higher volumes in the bass. Focal needs to recreate this headphone without that clip and they would sell in droves.
@@x32i77 Heilung is the band ^^ I've listened to the song many times (phenomenal on home theater). How do I know how many dB I have? I don't have a meter for it lol
do you know of an iem that can compete with arya ? would be curious to have an iem vs headphone batlle at different price points. it seems at $100 price point the best iem beats the best headphone but at $1000 it is reversed is it true ? thanks
Yes, you are right. I think that's how IEMs and headphones far with regard to price points. At $100, the best IEMs easily beat the best headphones. But at $1000, it is reversed. The A8000 can compete a bit with the Arya but not for stage and image separation.
I liked the review, but there is an inaccuracy. If in order to hear these subtleties and the difference between the headphones you need 1500$-2000$ for equipment, then its advantages become negligible. And therein lies the problem. A person who does not have such expensive equipment simply will not hear this difference.
still can't decide on buying up from v2 to stealth. If it was at no cost I would probably. but at 25% additional cost on trade in. for a headphone I may not like. It seems hard to swallow.
When you consider that HFM is going to turn around and sell your V2 with new pads for $1099 as an open box, kinda puts a bad taste in the mouth with what they want for the "upgrade".
Honestly Koss KPH30i + Grado pads are the end game for everyone. Cost 40$, super light and comfortable, decent tuning, good sound stage, fair imaging, enough details, very musical.
This is a headphone i think will be my last headphone. I just got the lcd x 2021, and i'm already loving the shit out of it. This one and prob the hd800 are the last ones.
Most comprehensive review I've seen of the Arya stealth. Thanks for your work, and thanks for the recommendations on tube amps for the utopia !
Welcome!
@@leeshipman8849 They can be hot no two ways about it
@@leeshipman8849 I think I got used to it! I also pair it with appropriate sources or maybe its the shape of my head?
I watch this review every now and then to reinforce my love and appreciation for the Arya Stealth
Me too 👍🏻
Appreciate it
Very nice review! Very concise, detailed, and to the point. I splurged for the Stealths after enjoying Hifiman products for a number of years, and it really is a showstopper. The only other headphone in its price range I've tried is the HEDDphone, which was good for a number of things but wasn't as good an all-arounder, and I had comfort issues with it. The Stealths do pretty much everything extremely well.
I cant wait to hear your take on the new Arya Organic and how it stacks up to the stealth.
He should review the Aune AR5000 because that is better than Arya and likely competes well with Arya Organic for a much lower price.
Great review, just pushed the button on a set ~ excited!
I auditioned the V2 alongside the V3/Stealth, HD800S, Susvara, the Stellia and GL2000. I also own the Clear OG.
Have to say, your descriptions of all (except Stellia which is not relevant here) are almost exactly what I experienced. Great review! (even though in the end we made different choices)
IMO, I'd say the HD800S has a significantly different soundstage presentation to the Arya. Arya bring vocals forward. The V3 brings them into your head. The V2 places them directly in front of you. The HD800S places everything far away, it feels more like you are in a room - closest to "speaker-like" placement I've ever experienced from a headphone but too lacking in bass.
I agree with all of your descriptions of the V2 vs Stealth, except in relation to "air". To my ears, the V2 has a more airy presentation. The "air" and bigger soundstage was the thing that struck me and gave me a Dopamine hit every time I switched back to the V2.
The V3 sounds very big and very airy compared to all the others I mentioned above so it's by no means narrow or congested. Just less big and airy than the V2.
The rest of the treble on the V3 is more refined than the V2.
I also found the V2 sound to be more layered than the V3.
However the bass impact, fullness/resolution, timbre, warmth in mids and treble were all better on the V3.
I think you made an important point about there being multiple differences between the V2 and V3 and that those differences are each small isolation but add up to the overall experience.
However, despite being a better all rounder as you and others have described, I found the V2 more enjoyable. I couldn't ignore the Dopamine and excitement each time I put them on. So I bought the V2. Just goes to show how subjective this hobby is.
If I could only own one headphone, the V3 would be the better choice, because it does everything well generally speaking. However, my interest in the Arya was very specific and the V2 gave me what I was looking for to include in my collection.
Really enjoyed your review. Thanks!
I was in my return window for the V2 so I attempted to exchange them for the V3.
The place I purchased the V2 from sent me out the V3 with a label to return the V3. I agree with you 100%! The V3 sounded like a good but normal headphone, but the V2 sound was special and unique.
I canceled my exchange and kept the V2.
@@CriPPleR_HD That's the best simple way to describe them - V3 good but normal sounding, V2 special and unique. That's EXACTLY how I felt.
Personally, i found se to have a bit more ringing then v2. But yah, they are close enough and i would say that its 100% a preference pic. For me, arya v2 has the best treble rendition ive heard so far, its basically bordering the sweet spot of being sparkly but not to bright with fairly minimal ringing (ringing is my biggest gripe with sus, tho it is phenomenal). Also, for me, the biggest benefit to se over v2 is that se has more forward vocals, v2's feel a bit recessed and veiled in comparison to se, but less ringing and a more enjoyable overall stage presentation to me swayed me more towards v2's personally.
Without a doubt, your review and comparisons here are the most thorough I’ve seen.
I mean, you literally have some of the absolute best headphones right there at your fingertips for the purposes of your video.
Big thumbs up man!
Thanks buddy
@@amplifyaudioreviews Yeah man!
Finally an audiophile channel which talks about Metal & Rock! Subscribed.
Also which Dac Amp hits well with the Arya Stealth? And other headphones for metal & rock?
I do have the stealth Arya, and what you basically say , it performs accordingly. Great review !! . Fun fact, the Arya stealth is the most expensive headphones that I own. End game indeed …. Maybe for now 😂.
A change of DAC and amps can bring the Arya Stealth into new territories. I’m loving my Arya more as I use it more
@@BillyKueekSG which Dac Amp are you using with it? After the recent price drop in thinking I'll buy it.
@@Thoughtflux I have a variety of equipments but I enjoy using the Gustard R26 as DAC and iFi Pro iCAN Signature as amp which gives me options for delta-sigma, tube, tube+ and also X-bass and 3D/Holographic choices. This combination made every headphone in my small collection sounds better. My most expensive dynamic headphone is the ZMF Atrium.
@@BillyKueekSG wow sounds like a great setup! Thanks for letting me know. I might just buy the Arya Stealth given that the price has come down. I have an old Bifrost multibit (like an r2r) dac and an Asgard 2 (class A) amp along with a cheap preamp with Burson vivids.. All modified.
@@Thoughtflux I believe the Arya Stealth will sound great with your DAC and amp, they are both equipments of high quality and reviewed positively. My only piece of Burson is the Mothership 02 desktop rack.
Wonderful review, super comprehensive. +1 sub. You pushed me over the line to buy the Arya Stealth.
Great Review brother. Very well explained. Would be even better if you have add comparison with Audeze Lcd x 2021.
Man you read my mind! I was looking for this comparison. I just wonder how the LCD-X stacks up
Thank you man..I really love how you talking about this kind of hobby liine..I can feel your emotions and thooughts.
Great review and I couldn't agree more! I made the plunge straight to a high end Planar with the Stealth and don't regret a second of that. I really think they are great for almost anything I listen to on them.
Yeah, my Arya is sounding better and better with the hours and now, a new DAC in the Gustard R26. I paired this R2R DAC with iFi Pro iCAN Signature and OMG!!! The R26 just took my Arya and my Clear MG and my Atrium (basically every headphone I have now) into new territories and I’m enjoying the listening more than ever before.
V2 gang for life! With a noticeably wider soundstage and more chill presentation, the V2 was a good purchase for me under $1000. Haters will throw shade tho at the v2
Thank you Sajid. Your reviews are the most intelligent and thoughtful in the world ( no BS ). Your taste in music and mine are opposite, but your reviews are so thorough and direct that one can quickly and easily know exactly what the HPs sound like. I have the Arya Stealths, and everything you describe I can also hear. I did upgrade the cable to a pure silver and enjoy the more clear presentation. It is obvious that the Arya was not tuned for the brightness of pure silver, but the shimmer of the bow and string is the eternal Sirens call that lures me to my audiophile ship reck. What is your favorite cable for the Arya Stealth?
Thanks, Patrick. Still using the stock cable for now!
@@amplifyaudioreviews You could swap the stock Susvara and Arya cables, because it would be nice to know what difference there might be. To my ear, cables change the sound of HPs more than pads.
@@patrick1150gs completely right 👍
Waiting for my open box focal clear. Much less than half price. Hope it comes.
Try Aune AR5000. Much better than Focal Clear imo.
Thanks for the review and comparisons mate
Excellent review. As a happy owner of the Arya Stealth myself, I agree very much with you assessment. Sound and comfort are fantastic. Build quality looks alright, but time will tell. But the cable, box, packaging, no easy way to replace the head strap are a bit disappointing. First thing most people will do, is buying a longer, more flexible, balanced cable - I guess. Anyways, this is all nothing compared to that sound and comfort ....
I wish HE6SE V2 was in the mix,Resolve preferred the HE6SE V2 over Arya and since now HE6 can be purchased at half the price of Arya it is a better deal. Only downside is HE6 require powerful Amp to sing at their best. But excellent comparison with all other, if someone already have couple of Planers do you recommend having Focal Clear as dynamic HP for punch and slam for EDM and Electronic music.
HE6SEv2 should very much be considered in the mix. The honeycomb grill mod and pad swap do quite a bit to help. I also found that if you use a power amp and power directly from speaker taps these hps are really rewarded with current and power. For $550 it's quite the deal assuming you don't get the magnet defect issue.
I agree. Hope to review it at some point!
Yes sure. The Clears are really wonderful for EDM!
Mmm I just watched Resolve's HE6 video recently, and the original version was the only one he raved about, said the V1 and V2 paled in comparison. I certainly didn't hear him say the V2 was better than the Arya.
@@killerra he mentioned it in one of the Saturday Q&A that HE6SE v2 are better than Arya
@Amplify Audiophile Show Fantastic review, also the last review with Utopia. If you are selling the HD800S you should try HD8xx, it fixes the treble and low end.
Can you please recommend me a good DAC/amp for Arya stealth v3...
I am wondering how Arya Stealth compare to He1000 V2. Occasionally you can get He1000V2 at the same price as Arya Stealth.
Same here! Specially now that it went down in price to $2k new.
@@joseluishernandezseptien I owned both for some time (left a review on amazon). To summarize the HE1000V2 is warmer than Susvara, vocals are closer/more intimate, and treble is a bit more bright/assertive than Susvara. However Susvara has better detail, better imaging, a larger soundstage, and frankly is more refined. Susvara is more neutral than HE1000V2, HE1000V2 is both brighter and warmer than Susvara. Frequency graphs back this up as well.
@@tcc5750 Thank you! I appreciate it. Susvara is way out of my reach at the moment. That's why I was considering either Arya Stealth or HE1000 v2.
@@joseluishernandezseptien Arya Stealth is another headphone that is solid. Personally I'd pick it over He1000v2 unless you want more bass stock. Otherwise they're quite similar but V3 Stealth is a better value imo.
@@tcc5750 I'm looking for a successor to the Sennheiser HD650, is it more the Arya V3 or the HE1000 V2?
how about the comparison from this headphones to new lcd-x (2021)?
I'm selling my Clear to buy either the lcd x 2021 or Ayra Stealth. Also curious of this
Would be interesting to compare the Arya stealth to the new Ananda stealth…
Best value high end headphones right now period
Could one drive the Stealth with something like Chord MOJO 2 or CAYIN RU6 (both portable battery operated dac/amp)?
Great review, just purchased the stealth last night.
Another excellent, well articulated review - thanks. I saw in another review that you really enjoy the Sony WM1ZM2 DAP, so I wondered if you have tried it with the Arya Stealth - and, if so, what did you think?
How do you think they compared vs the HD800S for games? Would you play with the HE1000 Stealth or the HD800S? :) I do think i would love the HE1000 Stealth more for music since i love warmth and a bit of punch to the bass. If they good for games it would be perfect.
I don't understand why these are so different. Don't they all use the same Mylar and magnet structure?
You've nudged me towards the Arya Stealth, I've recently returned a D8000 Pro due to a rattle issue with some sub bass, the Stealth might better suite my genre's, being mainly Electronic, Metal and Rock.
Did you get it?
Be careful what you pair them with if you like metal. I found with the Hifiman ef400 R2R DAC amp they were a little harsh and upper mids seemed too forward. I now have them paired with the Fiio K9 pro ess and totally love them with any genre👍🏻
Thank you for yet another excellent review! I currently own the V2 Arya and have been thinking about upgrading to the V3...still not sure. Did you try the V3 Arya with the Prima Luna as a preamp and if so how did that go? What are your thoughts then about the Arya with a tube amp? Thanks again! I love your channel! It's been very helpful! All the best!
Fantastic review :) I love the explicit endorsement for rock/metal and Seattle grunge, though I may need you to explain the price tag to wifey if you come to Thailand again, assuming she hasn’t already buried me in a rice paddy by then of course
Lol
I really like some attention to these genres in reviews, usually neglected and a big part of my listening. HE-6 was my long time favourite until I finally picked up the Abyss, I bet I would like these if I heard them.
For gaming, 800S cannot be matched. I keep 800S connected to a G6 DAC/AMP for Switch, PS5 and PC, and use Arya Stealth for everything else. Arya can run off my phone with a DAC/AMP dongle which I like
Arya Stealth sounds amazing, but you must be careful with it's build quality. My Arya has paint chip issue on the headband peg near the cup although I don't use it so often. I don't know if it's a defect or not, but I saw some users on audio forum that has same Issue. It got worse over time that I could easily peel the paint. The local distributor usually refuse to accept warranty claim if its only the appearance issue not the sound so I decided to buy replacement. Fortunately I found a distributor who sells the headband replacement.
What are the recommended AMP/DAC stack options to drive the Arya Stealth?
For me it’s the RME ADI2 DAC Amp. Wonderful Machine. Zero Noise. Lot of Power. And a Top EQ - the Arya sounds much better and reacher with it. Amazing.
Nice review, what are your thoughts with amps to use with the arya stealth? I think most people say that this headphone sound great on most amps, but there is a minority of people parroting this narrative that the aryas need a class a or ab amp to truly shine. Do you think this is true?
I have big ears from top to bottom with both ears sticking out slightly not super dumbo but clamping can cause hot spots. This headphones seems to be able to fit me
I appreciate the elaborate review. Thanks so much for that!
I consider buying the Hifiman Ayra Stealth. Do you think the Chord Mojo 2 DAC, which I own, would be a proper match. Thanks!
Should be fine although the Stealth will scale a bit with more elaborate gears
Great! Would hope the Monolith M1570 review!
Another solid review Sajid!
Thanks for the shoutout!
how does the arya compares to the xs?
9:26 Isn't clapping the earpads considered dangerous for planar headphones?
A citation from Audeze Customer Support found in the Internet:
"We strongly recommend exercising certain cautions when handling planar magnetic headphones: trapped air can create high pressure and sudden pressure changes could damage the diaphragms, and this is not covered by warranty." The clarification: "this means activities such as clapping or pressing down on the earpads creates sudden pressure will cause the diaphragm to flex and possibly blow off since it is very thin."
SE sound flat presentation....left to right, really not much depth because of the forwardness. Because it is so forward, it relatively sound more detailed and same goes to the lower octave, more presence makes it more intimacy, soundstage automatically smaller.
Big thumbs up for this very helpful review.
Do you find them to stay securely in place if you listen while walking around? Or do they tend to fall off?
Also, do you find them comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time, like several hours or whole day?
Thanks
I find them comfortable even when I wear them all day at my desk. After a few minutes I forget they are there. I have them paired with a Fiio K9 pro ess. They are sooooooo good👍🏻
@@nativeenglish2u Thanks
Hi! Could you compare Hifimam Ananda Nano with Arya Stealth? Thanks a lot!
I'm listening to this review on my new (used) Arya Stealth headphones :)
Great Video! Whats your audio setup on the software side of things? Like any streaming service, downloaded offline tracks, music player software,etc?
The Shangri-La has the ultimate Hifiman sound. I've been able to test it twice for over half an hour each time. Once you have the opportunity to hear the Hifiman Shangri-La, you will sell 98% of the Head Fi equipment. 😉 I can already see the video "Paul was right, I bought the Hifiman Shangri-La". In a month I'll visit the High End in Munich, I'll listen to the Hifiman Arya Stealth. If the Shangri-La is there, I'll make a video about it. 😎
Lol. I would buy the headphone but then I would personally keep wondering if I have the right amp and then the DAC etc etc and I would end up down a very long rabbit hole lol. Maybe in the future!
@@amplifyaudioreviews When you see Shangri-La's giant tube amp in front of you, you know it's the best out there. Of course you could experiment with the DAC. The Shangri-La with the massive tube amp is on a whole different level. "God mode"🔥
@@vancybergoth did you get to compare them? Thoughts on the stealth?
Hey man good video. I love seeing guys getting started. Thinking of starting up a frequent channel myself, though my main following is on Twitter. Keep up the great work and one day youll have hundreds of thousands of followers. Guaranteed.
Do you think there's any reason to get an Arya if I already own a Diana TC? I value resolution over any other attribute.
Did you find out an answer?
@one-rv2bx No, but I did buy an Arya Stealth. It's extremely detailed but the Diana TC has better bass with just as much detail. I enjoy both.
Great review! The stealths are awesome! I enjoy them daily!
Thank you for review. How it’s to compare to Meze Elite?
Arya Stealth or HEK Stealth? I main the DT1990 and listen to edm/electronica. Guessing the Arya is more musical and more forgiving?
Hi! Focal clear need burning?
I recommend you Edition Xs. Is 90% arya for 450€.
I have only watched two of your reviews, and I just can´t understand how you don´t have multi hundreds of thousand subscribers. Thank you.
I am coming from some WH-1000XM4 with no dac no amp, and after a month watching reviews, reading reviews, and reading forums I am buying the Fiio M17 and the Arya Stealth, and perhaps the iFi iPower Elite 12V, and that´s (maybe) going to be my end of game system. Someone please stop me.
Thanks for the kind words. You made some excellent choices there I have to say. The Stealth and the M17 is a wonderful pairing.
Ah you had the same experience with Clears as i did, i also have a90 and the sound was good, but lacked soul :D Sold them quite fast. Should have tried some other amp, but lacked the financial aspect :D
Do you use the Arya Stealth on any hybrid tube amps?
‘Feels like the first time’ 🎶
Would be the arya v2 a better option for fps games/casual games than the arya v3 due to it's bigger soundstage?
It would not because the imaging is better on the v3. I have the stealth and the soundstage is very wide and open. Ive heard people say if you let them burn in over 100 hours the soundstage gets just as wide as the v2 and i believe it.
Would you please give me the comparison between Stealth VS Utopia in terms of overalls sounding and build quality, regardless of price?
Is it better then the ZMF Verite open? That's what i have but i wonder if i should sell it for the Arya Stelth
I wonder what you'd say about the B&O H95
replacing sheepskin pads can get more punch bass, Hifiman uses default pads to releve thin sound, I doubt BianFang is a violin fans, so Hifiman headphones focus to high resolution ,although this can lead to some dental sounds
Superb review, brother Sajid! If you would be so kind, how do you think these would pair with the Violectric V281?? My source is an OPPO BDP105 with dual Sabre Dac's for primarily Redbook CD's (huge library) but will play any disc and also capable of streaming into it as well whilst also utilizing same Dac, Thank you again for such thorough research and labour of love!
Thanks Marco. Yes, should pair well with the warmer 281.
@@amplifyaudioreviews Many thanks!
Which one have better articulation, texture, nuance in the sub bass at 20-30-40 hertz. I like laid back and distant sound more i wonder if i should focus on V2 or HD800S.
Best review of Arya SME in the world!!! Thank you very much. You said this outperforms the meze hps. So would you that Arya SME is better than Meze Elite in terms of detail retrieval. What is best for busy music? Thank you
I like the Arya SME more than the Meze Elite to be honest, but others' mileage may vary. I find that the Elite still doesn't have my preferred tonality and the Arya SME beats it for air and stage and overall effortless presentation.
@@amplifyaudioreviews thanks man! although unrelated, did you try the enleum 23 r. I loved your ferrum video. I see that you preffered the ferrum stack tonality. Enleum seems to have the same thing, would love to hear your thoughts.
@@ruffandruff Would love to try it at some point. Have tried the Bakoon and it was lovely. The Ferrum is a bit harder hitting than the Bakoon 13R but cant speak to the Enleum 23R's dynamics. :)
@@amplifyaudioreviews Just wanna get some of your knowledge regarding transients and dynamics. I believe dynamics are the slam and punch and I have always associated warmer gear to be slower and brighter being faster. Is my assumption correct? also are speed and dynamics directly proportional to each other? thanks you
@@ruffandruff Hey man, so you can have headphones like the Stax which are fast, but not dynamic.
How does this compare to focal utopia / he1000
bro good video could not watch to the end but better mike would help allot. good hedphones from what i can tell from the coments. no hate just trying to help out.
Could you compare it to the Meze Empyrean? Comfort is very important to me, even more so than sound.
I was greatly impressed by the Arya Stealth when I heard them recently. I already have the Auteur. How would you say that the two headphones compare?
The Auteur is more laidback, less technical, more midrange centric, and the Arya has more bass and treble extension
I usually watch your reviews on the phone for general consumption, but tonight I had my headphones and desktop amp/dac on... it was painful. Your content quality deserves a dedicated mic! Always appreciate your opinions!
Fair point. What do you think is poor? The SQ is too harsh?
@@amplifyaudioreviews there's a ton of background noise, vocal clipping and digital noise. At one point I thought I heard a baby crying around the 3:30 mark. I'm not an expert on microphone setups, but genuinely think your content deserves something better, especially in context of the gear you own and are reviewing. I've watched this guy for some other vids and he has some decent recommendations with examples of all products ruclips.net/video/jApDthzDql0/видео.html
@@zachstephenson7590 Thanks Zach. I appreciate the feedback. I have the AT2020+ USB, let me try that. Keep an eye out for a quick video I expect to shoot soon, using that set up this Friday. Would love to hear back how good or bad it is.
@@amplifyaudioreviews absolutely!
@@zachstephenson7590 How's the sound on this one? ruclips.net/video/uRrFxEU6VZQ/видео.html
I had the V2 and it was so clammpy that I had to sold it...too bad I love the HE1000SE and Susvara...
Hey Sajid. Can you compare the cheapest egg shaped Edition XS to Arya v2 and v3 ? I'm content with the imaging but i want a bit wider soundstage and better bass resolution and impact at the lowest frequencies.
Done
How’s the timbre? After using Susvara the Arya V2s sounded very unnatural.
Agree. It’s a lot more natural than the V2
I own it and swear by it!! Such a good set!
Amazing comparison, thank you for this! Do you happen to have any tubes in your source chain? Asking this because I’d highly encourage you to try tubes + 800s (I know this is commonly memed in forums but I j took the plunge this week and don’t think I’ll look back)
Yup. Have tried the 800S with a variety of Woo Amps. Works beautifully!
Hey will you buy he1000v2 or v1 to compare to arya stealth?
Hi, I may get the HEKSE to compare!
@@amplifyaudioreviews I don’t think many people like se as it’s too bright
He1000v2 I’ve seen some comparisons so might be closer
Also curious if you’ll review stax l700mk2
And edition xs
I like all models of HIFIMAN headphobes.Tell me please:whish model has more bass and punch for listening to heavy rock music ? Or better Focal Clean MG ?. Thank You
Not all hifiman are good imo. The Ananda Stealth V3 is awful. One of the worst headphones i have ever owned.
Thanks 4 The great review
Glad you enjoyed it
topping dx7 pro will be good for those?
"I've never had treble harshness with any estat, using the perfect estat DAC and energizer". Well, maybe some more realistic hardware examples would be helpful to discuss? Do you find Edition XS treble to be harsh/piercing/overly bright?
Going to get it in soon. Will report back.
Hey guys, what remplacement cable would you recommend me for the Arya Stealth ? I used a FiiO M11 Plus ESS. Under $200 aud please
Try HeadGear audio's LeoCopper. You can contact them on Whatsapp and tell them I referred you: +91 87936 25737
I have the Sundaras and have been eyeing a local set of the stealths but haven't pulled the trigger. As a relatively new audiophile, will I hear the difference?
Yes absolutely
I love my Arya v3 … it’s a great daily drive
Indeed. Love it as well.
I am a Schiit Audio fan. I am getting the Aryas and the bifrost 2. What amp would be better, the Jot 2 or just the Magnius? any help from anyone would be great!
Get the Jot 2 for the Aryas. The thicker presentation should synergize well.
I mean the Sundara is endgame for 99.9% of the population
Sundara is good.
6XX has different presentation and good to have
K712 and 770 and R70x all good to have as well.
Sundara is fantastic 🥰
Seheiser 660S2 is just a joke... :)
Sundara is crap compared to the Aune AR5000. That one even beats the Arya.
@@dtz1000😂 ok
@@dtz1000 Sounds like you just don't like Planar magnetic headphones then.
Bought the arya stealth. It was amazing but since it is bright if you pair it with bright Dac or Amp it will amplify that and make it hot up there and unbearable. Im still looking for budget warmer dac for arya.
Agreed, but the dac won't make that much of a difference, you'd better look for a warmer amp to tame the brightness, as I did, . I've tested several amps and eventually I bought the Schiit Lyr (599 usd), even in solid state mode it has the warmth needed, and it's even better when you switch to tube mode, of course. The Arya is made for tube, I don't know why so few people talk about it.
Try the Fiio K9 pro ess. I totally love this pairing👍🏻
IMO the Focal Clear would be the best headphone for most people if it did’t have a clipping issue at higher volumes in the bass. Focal needs to recreate this headphone without that clip and they would sell in droves.
True !
I have the Mg and never noticed any clipping.
@@Mr.Manson try the song Heilung from the band traust . At around 85 db it clips when the amazing drums with the base hits
@@x32i77 Heilung is the band ^^ I've listened to the song many times (phenomenal on home theater). How do I know how many dB I have? I don't have a meter for it lol
@@Mr.Manson only an estimation
do you know of an iem that can compete with arya ? would be curious to have an iem vs headphone batlle at different price points. it seems at $100 price point the best iem beats the best headphone but at $1000 it is reversed is it true ? thanks
Yes, you are right. I think that's how IEMs and headphones far with regard to price points. At $100, the best IEMs easily beat the best headphones. But at $1000, it is reversed. The A8000 can compete a bit with the Arya but not for stage and image separation.
not really related to the video.. but have you tried the prion4 headphone cable from doublehelixcables?
Yes. Fabulus with the Susvara.
I liked the review, but there is an inaccuracy.
If in order to hear these subtleties and the difference between the headphones you need 1500$-2000$ for equipment, then its advantages become negligible.
And therein lies the problem.
A person who does not have such expensive equipment simply will not hear this difference.
I agree.
Would you really wear them over the Abyss Diana Phi TC though? Especially if you're looking for speed/slam/bass
Nope. The Phi TC is the king of slam and bass, still!
@@amplifyaudioreviews Diana or 1266?
@@trigeger 1266 easily
Very good reviewer, +1 subscribers
still can't decide on buying up from v2 to stealth. If it was at no cost I would probably. but at 25% additional cost on trade in. for a headphone I may not like. It seems hard to swallow.
It's a reasonable concern since you like the V2 so much. Either way you'll win. :)
When you consider that HFM is going to turn around and sell your V2 with new pads for $1099 as an open box, kinda puts a bad taste in the mouth with what they want for the "upgrade".
Do you find Arya Stealth MORE or LESS harsh in the treble than Edition XS?
Will try the Edition XS soon!
Honestly Koss KPH30i + Grado pads are the end game for everyone. Cost 40$, super light and comfortable, decent tuning, good sound stage, fair imaging, enough details, very musical.
This is a headphone i think will be my last headphone. I just got the lcd x 2021, and i'm already loving the shit out of it. This one and prob the hd800 are the last ones.