Head-to-head audio gear comparisons

35 side-by-side comparisons across 5 categories. In every one, both reviews are by the same reviewer and scored on the same published rubric, so a score gap here is a difference between two pieces, not between two reviewers' scales.

Headphones 25 comparisons

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

  1. HIFIMAN Arya Organic 9.2 VS HIFIMAN HE1000se 9.3 Near-tie

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Arya Organic

    Nearly level, 9.3 to 9.2, with the HE1000se just ahead. That lead costs $601 more than the Arya Organic. The Arya Organic is stronger on bass, the HE1000se on mids.

  2. HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled 9.1 VS HIFIMAN HE1000se 9.3 0.2 pt gap

    On score and price: HIFIMAN HE1000se

    9.3 against 9.1: the HE1000se is 0.2 ahead. The Arya Unveiled saves you $401, so ask whether the gap is worth that. The HE1000se is stronger on build and amp matching.

  3. HIFIMAN Arya Organic 9.2 VS HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled 9.1 Near-tie

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Arya Organic

    Nearly level, 9.2 to 9.1, with the Arya Organic just ahead. The Arya Organic also costs $200 less, so score and price agree. The Arya Organic is stronger on amp matching, the Arya Unveiled on treble.

  4. HIFIMAN Arya Organic 9.2 VS HIFIMAN Arya Stealth 8.7 0.5 pt gap

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Arya Organic

    The Arya Organic scores higher, 9.2 to 8.7. That lead costs $340 more than the Arya Stealth. The Arya Organic is stronger on detail, the Arya Stealth on comfort.

  5. HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth 8.8 VS HIFIMAN Sundara 9.0 0.2 pt gap

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Sundara

    The Sundara scores higher, 9.0 to 8.8. The Sundara also costs $60 less, so score and price agree. The Ananda Stealth is stronger on driver technology, the Sundara on soundstage.

  6. HIFIMAN Arya Stealth 8.7 VS HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled 9.1 0.4 pt gap

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled

    The Arya Unveiled leads the Arya Stealth by 0.4 on score. The Arya Stealth costs $540 less for the lower score. The Arya Stealth is stronger on bass, the Arya Unveiled on driver technology.

  7. HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled 9.1 VS HIFIMAN Edition XS 8.7 0.4 pt gap

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled

    The Arya Unveiled comes first, 9.1 to 8.7. The Edition XS is $1,030 cheaper. The Arya Unveiled is stronger on treble, the Edition XS on bass.

  8. HIFIMAN Edition XS 8.7 VS HIFIMAN Sundara 9.0 0.3 pt gap

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Sundara

    The Sundara comes first, 9.0 to 8.7. The Edition XS's review praises its amp matching and value.

  9. HIFIMAN Sundara 9.0 VS Meze 105 Silva 8.7 0.3 pt gap

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Sundara

    The Sundara comes first, 9.0 to 8.7. It undercuts the 105 Silva by $200 too. The 105 Silva is stronger on driver technology and comfort.

  10. HIFIMAN Ananda Nano 8.6 VS HIFIMAN Sundara 9.0 0.4 pt gap

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Sundara

    9.0 against 8.6: the Sundara is 0.4 ahead. The Sundara is $200 cheaper as well. The Ananda Nano is stronger on driver technology.

  11. HIFIMAN Edition XS 8.7 VS OLLO Audio X1 8.9 0.2 pt gap

    On score and price: OLLO Audio X1

    The X1 comes first, 8.9 to 8.7. The Edition XS is $280 cheaper. The Edition XS is stronger on soundstage, the X1 on comfort.

  12. HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth 8.8 VS HIFIMAN Arya Stealth 8.7 Near-tie

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth

    One step apart: 8.8 to 8.7 for the Ananda Stealth. The Ananda Stealth is $400 cheaper as well. The Ananda Stealth is stronger on tonal balance, the Arya Stealth on soundstage.

  13. HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth 8.8 VS HIFIMAN Edition XS 8.7 Near-tie

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Edition XS

    The Ananda Stealth edges the Edition XS by 0.1, as close as scores get. The Edition XS costs $90 less for the lower score. The Ananda Stealth is stronger on comfort.

  14. HIFIMAN Ananda Nano 8.6 VS HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth 8.8 0.2 pt gap

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth

    The Ananda Stealth leads the Ananda Nano by 0.2 on score. The Ananda Stealth wins on price as well, $140 less than the Ananda Nano. The Ananda Nano is stronger on detail, the Ananda Stealth on amp matching.

  15. HIFIMAN Edition XS 8.7 VS Meze 105 Silva 8.7 Tight call

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Edition XS

    Both score 8.7, so score won't decide it. The Edition XS saves you $230 for the same score. The 105 Silva is stronger on comfort.

  16. HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth 8.8 VS HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth 8.5 0.3 pt gap

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth

    The Ananda Stealth scores higher, 8.8 to 8.5. The Ananda Stealth also costs $760 less, so score and price agree. The Ananda Stealth is stronger on amp matching, the HE1000 Stealth on soundstage.

  17. HIFIMAN Ananda Nano 8.6 VS HIFIMAN Arya Stealth 8.7 Near-tie

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Ananda Nano

    The Arya Stealth edges the Ananda Nano by 0.1, as close as scores get. The Ananda Nano costs $260 less for the lower score. The Ananda Nano is stronger on detail, the Arya Stealth on comfort.

  18. HIFIMAN Ananda Nano 8.6 VS HIFIMAN Edition XS 8.7 Near-tie

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Edition XS

    Nearly level, 8.7 to 8.6, with the Edition XS just ahead. The Edition XS also costs $230 less, so score and price agree. The Edition XS is stronger on build and amp matching.

  19. HIFIMAN Arya Stealth 8.7 VS HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth 8.5 0.2 pt gap

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Arya Stealth

    8.7 against 8.5: the Arya Stealth is 0.2 ahead. The Arya Stealth is $360 cheaper as well. The Arya Stealth is stronger on comfort, the HE1000 Stealth on build.

  20. HIFIMAN Edition XS 8.7 VS HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth 8.5 0.2 pt gap

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Edition XS

    The Edition XS comes first, 8.7 to 8.5. It undercuts the HE1000 Stealth by $850 too. The Edition XS is stronger on amp matching, the HE1000 Stealth on comfort.

  21. HIFIMAN Ananda Nano 8.6 VS HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth 8.5 Near-tie

    On score and price: HIFIMAN Ananda Nano

    8.6 against 8.5, a single step in the Ananda Nano's favor. It undercuts the HE1000 Stealth by $620 too. The Ananda Nano is stronger on detail, the HE1000 Stealth on build.

  22. Sivga Anser 8.0 VS Sivga Luan 8.1 Near-tie

    On score and price: Sivga Anser

    The Luan edges the Anser by 0.1, as close as scores get. The Anser costs $100 less for the lower score. The Anser is stronger on bass.

  23. Sivga Luan 8.1 VS Verum Audio Verum 1 8.0 Near-tie

    On score and price: Sivga Luan

    One step apart: 8.1 to 8.0 for the Luan. The Luan is $50 cheaper as well. The Verum 1 is stronger on bass and soundstage.

  24. HIFIMAN RE800 Silver 8.0 VS Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite 8.0 Tight call

    On score and price: HIFIMAN RE800 Silver

    Tied: both score 8.0. The RE800 Silver is $150 cheaper. The RE800 Silver is stronger on comfort, the Orchestra Lite on mids.

  25. Sivga Anser 8.0 VS Verum Audio Verum 1 8.0 Tight call

    On score and price: Sivga Anser

    Tied: both score 8.0. The Anser is $150 cheaper. The Anser is stronger on amp matching, the Verum 1 on soundstage.

Speakers 3 comparisons

Bookshelf and floorstanding, passive and active.

  1. Diora Acoustics Chors 5 8.5 VS Triangle Australe EZ 8.1 0.4 pt gap

    On score and price: Diora Acoustics Chors 5

    The Chors 5 scores higher, 8.5 to 8.1. The Chors 5 also costs $2,500 less, so score and price agree. The Chors 5 is stronger on treble, the Australe EZ on connections.

  2. Diora Acoustics Chors 5 8.5 VS Triangle Borea BR09 8.0 0.5 pt gap

    On score and price: Diora Acoustics Chors 5

    The Chors 5 scores higher, 8.5 to 8.0. That lead costs $1,400 more than the Borea BR09. The Chors 5 is stronger on treble, the Borea BR09 on mids.

  3. Triangle Australe EZ 8.1 VS Triangle Borea BR09 8.0 Near-tie

    On score and price: Triangle Borea BR09

    8.1 against 8.0, a single step in the Australe EZ's favor. The Borea BR09 is $3,900 cheaper. The Australe EZ is stronger on connections, the Borea BR09 on amplifier needs.

DACs 5 comparisons

Desktop R-2R ladder and delta-sigma DACs, budget to reference.

  1. Henry Audio DA 256 8.2 VS SMSL DO100 PRO 8.0 0.2 pt gap

    On score and price: Henry Audio DA 256

    The DA 256 leads the DO100 PRO by 0.2 on score. The DO100 PRO costs roughly $1,510 less for the lower score. The DA 256 is stronger on tonal balance, the DO100 PRO on connectivity.

  2. Henry Audio DA 256 8.2 VS SMSL RAW-MDA1 8.0 0.2 pt gap

    On score and price: Henry Audio DA 256

    The DA 256 leads the RAW-MDA1 by 0.2 on score. The RAW-MDA1 costs roughly $1,490 less for the lower score. The DA 256 is stronger on bass, the RAW-MDA1 on connectivity.

  3. SMSL DL100 8.2 VS SMSL DO100 PRO 8.0 0.2 pt gap

    On score and price: SMSL DL100

    The DL100 comes first, 8.2 to 8.0. The DL100's review praises its measured noise and value.

  4. SMSL DL100 8.2 VS SMSL RAW-MDA1 8.0 0.2 pt gap

    On score and price: SMSL DL100

    The DL100 scores higher, 8.2 to 8.0. The DL100 also costs $60 less, so score and price agree. The DL100 is stronger on connectivity.

  5. SMSL DO100 PRO 8.0 VS SMSL RAW-MDA1 8.0 Tight call

    On score and price: too close to call

    Level on score at 8.0. The DO100 PRO is stronger on connectivity, the RAW-MDA1 on tonal balance.

Headphone Amps 1 comparison

Desktop headphone amps and R-2R DAC/amp combos, balanced and streaming.

  1. HIFIMAN EF499 8.1 VS HIFIMAN EF500 8.2 Near-tie

    On score and price: HIFIMAN EF499

    Nearly level, 8.2 to 8.1, with the EF500 just ahead. That lead costs $250 more than the EF499. The EF499 is stronger on features, the EF500 on measured noise.

Speaker Amps & Preamps 1 comparison

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

  1. Tonewinner AD-1PA+ 9.0 VS Tonewinner AD-2PRO+ 8.8 0.2 pt gap

    On score and price: Tonewinner AD-1PA+

    9.0 against 8.8: the AD-1PA+ is 0.2 ahead. The AD-2PRO+ saves you $476, so ask whether the gap is worth that. The AD-1PA+ is stronger on system matching, the AD-2PRO+ on features.

Buying guides, ranked by score

Every pick is a product we reviewed, and a guide only goes up once there are enough qualifying reviews to fill it.

All 12 guides

Spec figures defined by IEC 60268-7 Headphones IEC 60268-21 Loudspeakers IEC 60268-3 Amplifiers AES17 DACs and digital sources

How these comparisons work

New pairs are chosen by rule: same category, scores within 0.5, a shared product class, and at least one of the two ranking the other among its three most similar reviews.

  1. 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 wins when the saving is material, and when it is not, neither is picked. 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. The prices are the two reviews' list prices, a euro price at the fixed rate its review shows; what stores charge on the day is printed on each comparison, dated, and never changes the pick, so a sale cannot flip it.

  2. 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 labeled "Near-tie" here instead of being shown with a winner and a gap. It still means the reviews placed one above the other, so it is an ordering, the narrowest one the scale can report. Each score is one writer's sighted judgment with no measured margin of error, which is another reason to read a one-step gap as a tie.

  3. Why is the comparison I wanted not on this list?

    Usually one of five 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 new pages are generated at. Neither review ranks the other among its three most similar products, which in a crowded category like planar headphones leaves some plausible pairs out. 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, and the "Compare with what you own" control on each review compares any two products in the same category.

  4. Do these comparisons change?

    The text can; the page cannot. Each comparison is written from its two reviews, so when a score, a price or a review changes, the page says so on the next update, and the pick can change with it. But once a comparison is published its URL is permanent: a new review can add comparisons to this list and never removes one, because every published pair is kept on a permanent list that every update of the site is checked against. The only way a page is retired is an editorial decision with a stated reason, and then its URL redirects to the more useful of the two reviews rather than breaking. A score itself changes only when the editor changes it, and the review then keeps the earlier one under Score history.