Same chain, same listener

Every audio gear head-to-head, in one place.

37 side-by-side comparisons across 6 categories. Because every pair ran that way, a score gap here is a real difference between two pieces, not calibration drift between reviewers on different days.

Pairs are auto-selected: same category, score within 0.5, shared tags, and each review in the other's top-3 most-similar list.

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37 comparisons

Headphones 25 comparisons

Open-back, closed-back, planar magnetic, dynamic, and IEMs.

HIFIMAN Arya Organic 9.2 HIFIMAN HE1000se 9.3 Near-tie
Essentially level, 9.3 to 9.2, with the HE1000se just ahead. One is better, one is $601 cheaper - that is the whole comparison. In character the Arya Organic runs clearly more analytical; the HE1000se sits nearer the middle.
HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled 9.1 HIFIMAN HE1000se 9.3 0.2 pt gap
9.3 against 9.1: the HE1000se is 0.2 ahead on the rubric. That lead costs $401 more than the Arya Unveiled. In character the HE1000se runs clearly brighter, the Arya Unveiled warmer.
HIFIMAN Arya Organic 9.2 HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled 9.1 Near-tie
Essentially level, 9.2 to 9.1, with the Arya Organic just ahead. It costs $200 less too, so score and price point the same way. In character the Arya Organic runs clearly brighter, the Arya Unveiled warmer.
HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth 8.8 HIFIMAN Sundara 9.0 0.2 pt gap
The Sundara takes the score, 9.0 to 8.8. It is $60 cheaper as well, which makes it the easy default. In character the Sundara runs clearly more energetic; the Ananda Stealth sits nearer the middle.
HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled 9.1 HIFIMAN Edition XS 8.7 0.4 pt gap
The rubric puts the Arya Unveiled first, 9.1 to 8.7. The Edition XS is $1,030 cheaper, which is the real trade. They are voiced apart, too: more analytical on the Arya Unveiled, more relaxed on the Edition XS.
HIFIMAN Edition XS 8.7 HIFIMAN Sundara 9.0 0.3 pt gap
The rubric puts the Sundara first, 9.0 to 8.7. They are voiced apart, too: more analytical on the Sundara, more relaxed on the Edition XS.
HIFIMAN Sundara 9.0 Meze 105 Silva 8.7 0.3 pt gap
The rubric puts the Sundara first, 9.0 to 8.7. It is $200 cheaper as well, which makes it the easy default. The Sundara is the warmer of the two; the 105 Silva does not lean far on that axis.
HIFIMAN Ananda Nano 8.6 HIFIMAN Sundara 9.0 0.4 pt gap
9.0 against 8.6: the Sundara is 0.4 ahead on the rubric. And it undercuts the Ananda Nano by $200. In character the Sundara runs clearly more energetic; the Ananda Nano sits nearer the middle.
HIFIMAN Edition XS 8.7 OLLO Audio X1 8.9 0.2 pt gap
The rubric puts the X1 first, 8.9 to 8.7. One is better, one is $280 cheaper - that is the whole comparison. In character the Edition XS runs a touch more relaxed; the X1 sits nearer the middle.
Meze 105 Silva 8.7 OLLO Audio X1 8.9 0.2 pt gap
The X1 takes the score, 8.9 to 8.7. That lead costs $50 more than the 105 Silva. In character the 105 Silva runs clearly more bass-forward, the X1 leaner.
HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth 8.8 HIFIMAN Arya Stealth 8.7 Near-tie
A single step separates them: 8.8 to 8.7 for the Ananda Stealth. It costs $400 less too, so score and price point the same way. The Arya Stealth is the more analytical of the two; the Ananda Stealth does not lean far on that axis.
HIFIMAN Ananda Nano 8.6 HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth 8.8 0.2 pt gap
On score the Ananda Stealth leads the Ananda Nano by 0.2. Score and price both point one way, so the Ananda Nano's case rests on how it is voiced, not on what it does. In character the Ananda Nano runs clearly more analytical; the Ananda Stealth sits nearer the middle.
HIFIMAN Edition XS 8.7 Meze 105 Silva 8.7 Tight call
Neither one wins the rubric - both score 8.7. The Edition XS saves you $230, and on score there is nothing to weigh against it. The Edition XS is the more relaxed of the two; the 105 Silva does not lean far on that axis.
HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth 8.8 HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth 8.5 0.3 pt gap
The Ananda Stealth takes the score, 8.8 to 8.5. It costs $760 less too, so score and price point the same way. In character the HE1000 Stealth runs noticeably brighter, the Ananda Stealth warmer.
HIFIMAN Ananda Nano 8.6 HIFIMAN Arya Stealth 8.7 Near-tie
Too close to call on score - the Arya Stealth edges the Ananda Nano by 0.1. The Ananda Nano saves you $260, so the question is whether the gap is worth it. In character the Arya Stealth runs noticeably more energetic; the Ananda Nano sits nearer the middle.
HIFIMAN Arya Stealth 8.7 HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth 8.5 0.2 pt gap
8.7 against 8.5: the Arya Stealth is 0.2 ahead on the rubric. It costs $360 less too, so score and price point the same way. The HE1000 Stealth is the brighter of the two; the Arya Stealth does not lean far on that axis.
HIFIMAN Edition XS 8.7 HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth 8.5 0.2 pt gap
The rubric puts the Edition XS first, 8.7 to 8.5. It is $850 cheaper as well, which makes it the easy default. In character the HE1000 Stealth runs noticeably more analytical, the Edition XS more relaxed.
HIFIMAN Ananda Nano 8.6 HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth 8.5 Near-tie
8.6 against 8.5. That is one step, so treat them as peers. It is $620 cheaper as well, which makes it the easy default. The HE1000 Stealth is the more energetic of the two; the Ananda Nano does not lean far on that axis.
HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth 8.5 Verum Audio Verum 1 8.0 0.5 pt gap
8.5 against 8.0: the HE1000 Stealth is 0.5 ahead on the rubric. The Verum 1 saves you $770, so the question is whether the gap is worth it. The HE1000 Stealth is the brighter of the two; the Verum 1 does not lean far on that axis.
Sivga Anser 8.0 Sivga Luan 8.1 Near-tie
Too close to call on score - the Luan edges the Anser by 0.1. The Anser saves you $100, so the question is whether the gap is worth it.
Sivga Luan 8.1 Verum Audio Verum 1 8.0 Near-tie
A single step separates them: 8.1 to 8.0 for the Luan. Score and price both point one way, so the Verum 1's case rests on how it is voiced, not on what it does. In character the Verum 1 runs a touch more analytical, the Luan more relaxed.
Flare Audio E-PROTOTYPE 8.0 HIFIMAN RE800 Silver 8.0 Tight call
Neither one wins the rubric - both score 8.0. The RE800 Silver saves you $50, and on score there is nothing to weigh against it.
Flare Audio E-PROTOTYPE 8.0 Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite 8.0 Tight call
Neither one wins the rubric - both score 8.0. The E-PROTOTYPE saves you $100, and on score there is nothing to weigh against it. The E-PROTOTYPE is the wider-staged of the two; the Orchestra Lite does not lean far on that axis.
HIFIMAN RE800 Silver 8.0 Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite 8.0 Tight call
A dead heat: both land on 8.0. The RE800 Silver is $150 cheaper, which is the real trade. In character the RE800 Silver runs clearly wider-staged; the Orchestra Lite sits nearer the middle.
Sivga Anser 8.0 Verum Audio Verum 1 8.0 Tight call
A dead heat: both land on 8.0. The Anser is $150 cheaper, which is the real trade. In character the Verum 1 runs a touch more analytical; the Anser sits nearer the middle.

Speakers 3 comparisons

Bookshelf, floorstanding, active and passive, studio monitors.

Diora Acoustics Chors 5 8.5 Triangle Australe EZ 8.1 0.4 pt gap
The Chors 5 takes the score, 8.5 to 8.1. Score and price both point one way, so the Australe EZ's case rests on how it is voiced, not on what it does. Voicing puts them on the same side of that axis, bright, with the Chors 5 furthest.
Diora Acoustics Chors 5 8.5 Triangle Borea BR09 8.0 0.5 pt gap
The Chors 5 takes the score, 8.5 to 8.0. The Borea BR09 is $1,400 cheaper, which is the real trade. Voicing splits them as well - the Chors 5 clearly brighter than the Borea BR09.
Triangle Australe EZ 8.1 Triangle Borea BR09 8.0 Near-tie
8.1 against 8.0. That is one step, so treat them as peers. The Borea BR09 saves you $3,900, so the question is whether the gap is worth it. They are voiced apart, too: brighter on the Australe EZ, warmer on the Borea BR09.

DACs 3 comparisons

Desktop, portable, R-2R ladder, and delta-sigma DACs.

SMSL DL100 8.2 SMSL DO100 PRO 8.0 0.2 pt gap
The rubric puts the DL100 first, 8.2 to 8.0.
SMSL DL100 8.2 SMSL RAW-MDA1 8.0 0.2 pt gap
The DL100 takes the score, 8.2 to 8.0. And it undercuts the RAW-MDA1 by $60.
SMSL DO100 PRO 8.0 SMSL RAW-MDA1 8.0 Tight call
Level on score at 8.0. Voicing separates them too: the DO100 PRO brighter, the RAW-MDA1 without a strong tilt either way.

Headphone Amps 1 comparison

Desktop headphone amps and DAC/amp combos, tube and solid-state.

HIFIMAN EF499 8.1 HIFIMAN EF500 8.2 Near-tie
Essentially level, 8.2 to 8.1, with the EF500 just ahead. The EF499 is $250 cheaper, which is the real trade.

Speaker Amps & Preamps 1 comparison

Power amps, integrated amps, and line preamps for loudspeakers.

Tonewinner AD-1PA+ 9.0 Tonewinner AD-2PRO+ 8.8 0.2 pt gap
9.0 against 8.8: the AD-1PA+ is 0.2 ahead on the rubric. One is better, one is $476 cheaper - that is the whole comparison.

Accessories 4 comparisons

Cables, stands, headphone pads, room treatment, and tweaks.

Ekustik Woody Queen 9.0 Ortvik Parametric Tower 8.5 0.5 pt gap
On score the Woody Queen leads the Parametric Tower by 0.5.
AudioMica 4-all-in-1 Cable Set 8.5 Melodika Brown Sugar BSSC95xx 8.5 Tight call
A dead heat: both land on 8.5.
AudioMica 4-all-in-1 Cable Set 8.5 Melodika Brown Sugar BSSC4500 8.2 0.3 pt gap
The rubric puts the 4-all-in-1 Cable Set first, 8.5 to 8.2.
Melodika Brown Sugar BSSC4500 8.2 Melodika Brown Sugar BSSC95xx 8.5 0.3 pt gap
The Brown Sugar BSSC95xx takes the score, 8.5 to 8.2.

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Skip the guesswork. Start with the shortlist.

Curated "best of" lists where every pick is one of our scored reviews - ranked by what actually sounds best on the chain, never by who paid. No "top 10" filler.

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FAQ

How these comparisons work.

How a pick is decided, what a score gap is worth, and why a matchup you expected might be missing.

How do you decide which one to pick?
One rule, applied identically to every comparison, so it is a policy rather than an opinion per page. Two or more steps apart on the score, the higher-scored piece wins outright. Exactly one step apart and the cheaper piece saves a material amount, the cheaper piece wins for most buyers. Level on score, the cheaper piece. No usable prices, the rubric alone decides. "Material" means at least 15% of the cheaper piece and at least $50, so a percentage cannot make $8 significant on a cable and a flat figure cannot make $60 significant on an amplifier.
How much does a 0.1 score difference actually matter?
It is the smallest difference the scale can express, so treat two pieces one step apart as peers and let price, fit and character decide. That is why a one-step pair is labelled "Near-tie" here rather than shown with a winner and a gap. It still means one placed above the other on the rubric, tested on the same chain by the same listener - it is a real ordering, just the narrowest one we can report.
Why is the comparison I wanted not on this list?
Usually one of four reasons. The two pieces are more than 0.5 apart, which puts them in different brackets rather than in a cross-shop. One of them scores below the floor we generate pages at. They are not actually the same kind of thing - a preamp is never paired against an integrated amp, an in-ear never against an over-ear. Or one of them is a round-up review covering several products at once, which cannot be one side of a head-to-head because there is no single price or single product to compare. When a pairing is missing, both reviews still carry their own score ladder, which shows exactly what sits directly above and below each one.
Do these comparisons change?
Yes, and pages can disappear. Pairs are regenerated on every build from the live catalogue, so a new review can displace an existing pairing from a shortlist and retire its page. When that happens the URL redirects to the more useful of the two reviews rather than 404ing. The scores themselves also move when a new piece resets what a number means in its category, which is the point of anchoring them to a published reference list rather than to the date they were written.