HIFIMAN Arya Stealth

A classic hi-fi planar, refined to its most mature form

The first time I heard the HIFIMAN Arya, I knew right away I wanted it. Not only because the tonal balance immediately clicked with me, but because it excels in qualities that are difficult to capture in measurements alone.

Take the bass: it’s not about sheer quantity. It’s the way it is presented — cleanly outlined, controlled, and almost detached from the rest of the mix, as if it’s suspended in space.

Just as impressive is the separation. Instruments and voices are carved out with razor-sharp precision, each with a clear size and a stable position on the virtual stage. That makes it easy to listen deeply into the recording without elements masking each other.

And then there’s the soundstage: wide, open, expansive — which is why the Arya is sometimes called a “planar HD800S”. At the same time, it remains light and airy on the head and doesn’t demand an extreme amount of power from the amplifier.

HiFiMAN has refined the Arya through multiple iterations, and this Stealth version feels like the fully realized end result. Because it proved so popular, it continues to exist alongside the Arya Organic — now at a significantly reduced price. A smart move.

Headfonia.com

How good is the Arya Stealth?! Waw! It isn’t cheap or available to everyone but the performance for the price is highly remarkable.

The Arya Stealth’s tuning is very good. It’s pleasing, yet technically strong as well as musical and exciting. The Arya Stealth always has good body, presence, impact and depth. The Hifiman Arya Stealth is an end game headphone for many, I am sure. It’s a definite recommendation from my end. To our Recommended Buy list it goes, a well-deserved award!

Measurements

What does this mean?

The black line represents a reference curve describing what many listeners perceive as a natural tonal balance. This research result from the Harman team is known as the Harman Target.

From left to right you see sub-bass, bass, midrange — and then the point where the curve tilts upward as treble begins. This part of the spectrum is naturally amplified by the shape of the human ear.

Harman Research – The Perception and Measurement of Headphone Sound Quality

Technical Specifications