HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth vs HIFIMAN Arya Stealth
The HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth scores 0.1 higher and costs $400 less than the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth. Going by the two reviews, the Ananda Stealth is stronger on tonal balance and the Arya Stealth on soundstage and comfort.
By Jakub Charkiewicz · Published · Updated
On score and price HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth The Ananda Stealth scores 0.1 higher and costs $400 less than the Arya Stealth, so there is nothing to trade off. The Arya Stealth still does better than the Ananda Stealth on soundstage and comfort.
When to choose the Arya Stealth over the Ananda StealthThe short version
The HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth scores 8.8/10 (Highly Recommended) and the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth 8.7/10 (Highly Recommended). At $359 against $759, the Ananda Stealth saves you $400 over the Arya Stealth. On soundstage, the Arya Stealth review notes "Unbeatable, accurate, near-3D imaging" and the Ananda Stealth review "Soundstage isn't the widest". The Ananda Stealth has the edge over the Arya Stealth on tonal balance: "Slightly warm tonality - rare for HIFIMAN" against "Slight plasticky tint to timbre". Weighing score against price, the Ananda Stealth is a better buy than the Arya Stealth, and the cards below say when the Arya Stealth makes more sense.
Higher score
HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth
HIFIMAN Arya Stealth
Which one to buy
The Ananda Stealth is the better buy unless its soundstage or comfort would put you off, in which case take the Arya Stealth.
| At a glance | HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth | HIFIMAN Arya Stealth |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.8/10, Highly Recommended | 8.7/10, Highly Recommended |
| List price | $359 | $759 |
| Lowest tracked US price | $249 at Apos Audio and 3 other stores on Oct 7, 2026 | $599 at Apos Audio and 3 other stores on Oct 7, 2026 |
| Better choice for | tonal balance | soundstage and comfort |
| Less suited to | soundstage and comfort | tonal balance |
HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth
Picked on score and price. Choose it if:
- You care more about the Ananda Stealth's tonal balance than the Arya Stealth's soundstage and comfort.
- You want the Ananda Stealth's higher score (8.8 against 8.7) and $400 back against the Arya Stealth.
Not ideal if:
- You need the Arya Stealth's soundstage and comfort more than the Ananda Stealth's tonal balance.
HIFIMAN Arya Stealth
Choose it instead if:
- You care more about the Arya Stealth's soundstage and comfort than the Ananda Stealth's tonal balance.
Not ideal if:
- You need the Ananda Stealth's tonal balance more than the Arya Stealth's soundstage and comfort.
- You would rather keep the $400 the Arya Stealth costs over the Ananda Stealth, and still get the Ananda Stealth's higher 8.8.
What matters most to you?
| What matters | HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth | HIFIMAN Arya Stealth |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | 9.1 | 9.1 |
| Technical performance | 8.4 | 8.7 |
| Build & comfort | 8.8 | 8.6 |
| System fit | 8.9 | 8.7 |
| Value | 8.8 | 8.2 |
The widest gap is value: 8.8 for the Ananda Stealth against 8.2 for the Arya Stealth. The Ananda Stealth column is worked out from its review's 13 pros and cons and the Arya Stealth column from 14, and each adds back up to its overall score, 8.8 and 8.7. How a score is built
Where they differ
The Arya Stealth has cups that swivel and the Ananda Stealth does not.
Soundstage and imaging
Here the Arya Stealth review is the kinder of the two and the Ananda Stealth review has reservations:
- Arya Stealth, praised: "Unbeatable, accurate, near-3D imaging"
- Ananda Stealth, criticized: "Soundstage isn't the widest"
Comfort and fit
Here the Arya Stealth review is the more positive of the two and the Ananda Stealth review has reservations:
- Arya Stealth, praised: "Most comfortable HIFIMAN at this price"
- Ananda Stealth, criticized: "Inner foam isn't very soft - takes getting used to"
Tonal balance
Here the Ananda Stealth review is the more positive of the two and the Arya Stealth review has reservations:
- Ananda Stealth, praised: "Slightly warm tonality - rare for HIFIMAN"
- Arya Stealth, criticized: "Slight plasticky tint to timbre"
Only the Ananda Stealth review praises its amp matching; only the Arya Stealth review praises its cabling but faults its mids and build.
What they have in common
The Ananda Stealth and the Arya Stealth are both open-back planar magnetic headphones from HIFIMAN, and both have Stealth Magnets, a suspension-strap headband, dual 3.5mm cable sockets, and bass that reaches down to 20 Hz. The Ananda Stealth and the Arya Stealth are both praised for their bass and driver technology, and both criticized for their detail.
Sound signature, overlaid
The Ananda Stealth and the Arya Stealth both sound warm. Neither the Ananda Stealth nor the Arya Stealth leans either way on presentation.
On paper
The Ananda Stealth ranks #6 and the Arya Stealth #8 of the 30 headphones reviewed here; on value the Ananda Stealth rates Strong and the Arya Stealth Steep. To reach 110 dB peaks the Ananda Stealth needs about 50 mW and the Arya Stealth about 40 mW, which puts both in reach of most dongle DACs. The Ananda Stealth and the Arya Stealth both take Dual 3.5 mm cables, so one upgrade cable fits either. The Ananda Stealth and Arya Stealth spec sheets match on driver (Planar magnetic) and connector (Dual 3.5 mm).
The Ananda Stealth and Arya Stealth figures are the makers' own; IEC 60268-7 defines how they are measured.
| Spec | HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth | HIFIMAN Arya Stealth |
|---|---|---|
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 93 dB | 94 dB/mW |
| Frequency response | 8 Hz - 55 kHz | 8 Hz - 65 kHz |
Only the Ananda Stealth review lists weight, which the Arya Stealth review leaves out.
How these verdicts were reached
The Ananda Stealth review was published on Jun 18, 2024 and the Arya Stealth review on Jul 25, 2024, on one reference chain and rubric. The Ananda Stealth review never mentions the Arya Stealth, nor the Arya Stealth review the Ananda Stealth: two separate sessions. The Ananda Stealth and Arya Stealth reviews were both last checked on Oct 3, 2026.
Sources
Further reading for the Ananda Stealth and the Arya Stealth: what both reviews say about sub-bass and tonality.
Questions about the Ananda Stealth and Arya Stealth
What is the difference between the HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth and the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth?
The HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth scores 8.8 and the Arya Stealth 8.7. The Ananda Stealth does better on tonal balance, the Arya Stealth on soundstage and comfort. The Ananda Stealth and the Arya Stealth have similar sound signatures on every axis.
Which should you buy, the HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth or the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth?
The Ananda Stealth beats the Arya Stealth on both counts, scoring 8.8 to 8.7 and costing $400 less.
How do the Ananda Stealth and the Arya Stealth compare on soundstage and imaging?
The Arya Stealth, narrowly: both reviews are mixed on soundstage, the Arya Stealth's less so than the Ananda Stealth's.
Which is more comfortable, the Ananda Stealth or the Arya Stealth?
The Arya Stealth, narrowly: both reviews are mixed on comfort, the Arya Stealth's less so than the Ananda Stealth's.
Is the Arya Stealth worth $400 more than the Ananda Stealth?
Not on score. The Arya Stealth costs $400 more than the Ananda Stealth and scores 0.1 lower. What the extra money gets you, going by the reviews, is the Arya Stealth's soundstage and comfort over the Ananda Stealth's.
Where they rank
In Best Planar Magnetic Headphones the Ananda Stealth ranks #5 and the Arya Stealth #6; in Best Open-Back Headphones the Ananda Stealth ranks #6 and the Arya Stealth #7; only the Ananda Stealth makes Best Headphones Under $500 (#2).
Ananda Stealth #2 Arya Stealth not listed 8 picks
Best Planar Magnetic Headphones
Ananda Stealth #5 Arya Stealth #6 11 picks
Ananda Stealth #6 Arya Stealth #7 14 picks