CLOSING THAT GAP - HiFiMAN Arya Stealth vs Sennheiser HD800 and HD800S

[@fahryst]

Yay. Someone said it. I'm not against EQ. But it just isn't that convenient. Sometimes windows disables it for no reason. Sometimes I want to listen to different headphones but forget to change EQ profile. After a song or two realize something is off and remember to change EQ settings. I just don't want to.

[@musicxxa6678]

EQ is invaluable if you know what you are doing but yeah it can be inconvenient because you need a software and you need to remember when listening your other headphones.

[@ZeejLifts]

Love your video! I recently got the 800s and I was formulating my own thoughts but was struggling to put them into words. This video felt like it was reaching into my brain and putting them into a video, I agree with everything you said and I am extremely happy with my purchase. The fatigue because of the low clamp force was tiring my neck and shoulders out and I couldn't figure out why, but it's because of how loose they fit on my head and I didn't figure that out until I watched your video. The sound signature and sound stage are my ideal characteristics as well since I game a lot and I love how perfectly I can pinpoint people's location while listening to music and talking to my friends with perfect layering and very low to no distortion at any volume. Overall, love my headphones and hope to keep them for many years to come. Thanks!

[@wmc_videos]

Some timing! I just bought the HD800S over the Arya after demoing both. The Arya was great, but it couldn’t match the HD800S in clarity. If I had to use a single headphone, though, it’ll probably be the Arya as it’s a great all-rounder.

[@Skeith89]

Agreed. Resolution, clarity, soundstage, and imaging on HD800S is better than Arya. HD800S sound is just holographic magical.

[@musicxxa6678]

I was planning to get HD800S but really good deal on Arya Stealth made me buy them instead. I can confirm Arya sounds a bit busy. Quite energetic, forward and punchy sound. It's like i'm playing the songs in 1.1 speed lol. Such an amazing headphones but definitely not the spacious soundstage type of headphone. My older Edition XS have bigger soundstage.

[@musicxxa6678]

@@Skeith89 I think they are categorically different headphones now. I don't know the V2 but Stealth and 800S doesn't seem similar. They are more complementary now.

[@dilip_1997]

@will C where did you audition them ?

[@wmc_videos]

@@dilip_1997 Audio46, located in midtown Manhattan. It’s a real gem of a hifi store… couldn’t be happier with their service 👍🏻

[@gwapster13]

HD800 is still the king of clarity. And for those of us who use EQ, there is no need to find a better “all rounder” when it comes to tonality. It is hard to beat a properly EQ’d HD800.

[@saax3816]

What is a good eq? Recommendations?

[@h.hristov]

@@saax3816 i suppose tamed down highs, increased sub

[@saax3816]

@@h.hristov i meant what products? Software eq or a EQ device?

[@gwapster13]

There are lots of EQ software options but personally I prefer 10 band graphic EQ to parametric. Its 1-octave bands are just wide enough to still preserve the character of the headphones. Parametric sounds like I’m trying to turn the HD800 into a completely different headphone, particularly when making narrow-band adjustments.

[@bradhuskers]

@@gwapster13 Sorry buddy. The new stealth magnet technology on both the Arya and anandas, has rendered the sennheiser irrelevant. Just being brutally honest

[@markyap2603]

Which is the better headphone if my genres are mostly for orchestral, classical, vocals, and sometimes for movies?

[@soulfulfool]

looks like 800s

[@markyap2603]

Does the hd800 sound the same with the hd800s? Cuz in our country the hd800 (2nd hand) costs around $815, while the arya (new) costs around $1090.

[@musicxxa6678]

@@markyap2603 In that situation, go Arya. If you EQ and know how to EQ properly, HD800 will be great but Arya more favorable in your case i think in terms of price. And you don't really need to EQ Arya. It just sounds great.

[@chuckolatte600]

The HD800/s will work better for that. From there choose between either of the two, depending on their prices.

[@brendanliddell240]

I bought the HD 800S about a month ago, over the Arya. I mostly listen to Classical, Jazz and Acoustic. I'm currently listening off a Chord Mojo, which is fine, but I know it can be improved. I'm considering going old skool tube and R2R with a Woo Audio WA2 OTL amp and either a Schiit Audio Gungnir or Denafrips Pontus II DAC. Thoughts?

[@superheaton]

i'm on topping a30 pro, d10s dac, hd600, sounds great. The amp probably makes the most difference in retrospect and having a dedicated linear power supply for your devices.

[@chuckolatte600]

Well the cool thing about the HD800s is that they can be used with tubes and R2R. Haven't tried an R2R DAC yet though, sorry

[@18yearsoldnot]

I’d keep your mojo as the source and upgrade the amplifier to a solid state class a amp. I think if you are on a budget, I’d get the schiit Asgard 3 or aune x1s. If you are in Europe and can find it used get an arcam rhead. The mojo uses an old school class a output stage (which is amazing for something that small…) You just want an amp that uses the same technology - I.e. you want something that gets nice and hot to the touch (tubes don’t count). Avoid anything from mono price , drop, or topping/shenzen audio… they use a more modern amplification technology that doesn’t synergise with the mojo.

[@brendanliddell240]

@@18yearsoldnot Thanks for your reply. I'm waiting for the Gustard H20 Pro to be released in 2023 sometime - Class A, SS amp. I've also been looking at the Denafrips Artemis. Anyways I'll try both and keep the Mojo as the DAC for the interim until possibly matching with the same brands R2R DAC as a stack.

[@18yearsoldnot]

@@brendanliddell240 nice! Glad you saw the light and are considering r2r. I would recommend denafrips even though I sold my ares 2 after i heard it has got a fake non oversampling mode. Also it had an inconsistent audio delay which screwed up movie watching so watch out for that if you want to game and watch movies. I somewhat trust denafrips enough for casual listening but not enough to truly love it and splurge, but I’d still get r2r over delta sigma any day. Personally I’ve gone all in with chord (there goes my credibility lol). I’ve got a chord Hugo Tt version 1 and a mojo 2 and 1 at the moment… and lately a small Sony Walkman zx507 from Japanese Amazon … I have to say that Sony sounds absolutely incredible with the ai dynamic range enhancer and software based eq… for casual listening it makes my mojo2 redundant and question hifi if tuning and dynamics is more important than detail!!!

[@michaelhunyadi5087]

About to get the Arya as my first premium planar headphone.

[@diana73654]

I still prefer the Arya V2 from FiiO M17 , even if I own the Stealth , too. From 3W per channel, in enhanced mode, the bigger impedance is showing big muscles . The plate is much bigger on V2, under proper amplification . iFi iDSD sounds perfect on Sennheiser 600 series . It makes 660s a very beautiful sounding hp. My opinion

[@IIxFLAMExIl]

What's your recommendation for HD800s amp? I have THX AAA 789 but I don't hear the sound stage and imaging.

[@Smallgreyball]

timestamps, my boy, need them

[@ssolx5527]

hi, is the arya v1 v2 or stealth treble as bad as dt990 for example? also, it felt like arya v1 v2 vertical height and depth was way better than other headphones(even 800s) - how would you compare edition xs ananda nano arya organic or 800/s in that aspect? (havent heard any of them other than some youtube demos.. just arya v1 v2 felt more of a hall / concert hall like and im looking for a headphone with that 3d/holo depth that isnt as sibilant as some beyerdynamics..) thanks!

[@chuckolatte600]

Hi! TBH I haven't tried any beyerdynamics yet and I haven't heard the arya organic, nor the ananda nano. But I will say that while I LOVE my arya stealth, they're definitely not gonna be the imaging/soundstage kings. There are better HPS for this category like the HD800/s

[@ssolx5527]

@@chuckolatte600 thanks for the answer :) im thinking of trying arya v1 or v2 (nonstealth) - the 800s seemed to have better width but less depth or vertical height/3d from what i got on some youtube demos, not sure if getting arya v1 v2 is worth it still, and at what price.. but since the height/depth and concert hall feeling is very important to me i might be disappointed getting the 800s or arya organic compared to arya v1 v2:/

[@RaKnows]

@@ssolx5527 I have over 5k hours on the V2 and recently got the Stealth. The difference in soundstage is very minor, while the Stealth improves in a number of ways by small percentages that add up to a superior headphone. No Arya is as wide as the 800S so chasing the inferior V1 or V2 does nothing for you in the end. Get a Stealth or Organic. No one saying the difference in soundstage from V2 to the Stealth is huge is being realistic.

[@matrixmodulator]

Why the little white tie wrap thing on the hd800 cable?

[@GambitsEnd]

Coming from a Steelseries Arctis Pro (lol), anything talked about here will be a big upgrade. It's sounding like the Sennheiser HD800S and HiFiMAN Arya Stealth are quite a bit similar... I don't have any experience with audiophile level headphones. Both have an MSRP that cover around $1700ish. Looking at current prices I can snag an HD800S for about $1400 or Arya Stealth for $690. Presumably, with such a vast price difference I'd be better suited getting the Arya Stealth? Also, considering I have no other gear, what else should I look for - an amp and DAC? Which should I consider? Cheers!

[@VitiateTheImmortal]

I chose the HD800S myself but may go getting an Arya later too. Running the Schiit asgard 3 AMP/Dac myself

[@davidcoons89]

Really nice analogy you made about the picture being out of focus around the edges and the dinner plate one as well!

[@mrmrgaming]

Are the Arya Stealth a good step up from LCD-2f?

[@chuckolatte600]

haven't tried the LCD 2f, sorry

[@mrmrgaming]

@@chuckolatte600 No worries.

[@AdnanFiroze]

Having owned both, I do agree with your take but don't agree with the soundstage and imaging contrast. The imaging is far superior on the Arya imo. and of course the HD800s is widest of em all including the Susvara. Great review!

[@bradhuskers]

Honestly? The new stealth magnet technology on both the Arya and anandas, has rendered the sennheiser irrelevant

[@FabioGrenkh]

@@bradhuskers How so? And how is the Arya Organic in comparison to the HD800s?

[@christianblais3350]

I got the Arya Stealth ($1599) but I noticed that the HE1000v2 is now $2000 (instead of $3000). I'm tempted to try the Hifiman trading program to get the HE1000v2 better soundstage (mainly) but in the same time, I fear losing the "correctness" induced by the stealth magnets of the Arya... IDK if you heard the HE1000v2 but if you did, do you think the trade would be a worthy move (soundwise)?

[@chuckolatte600]

Sorry, haven't heard the HE1000V2...

[@Angel-AbC9]

Great comparison video , thank you. My arya stealth just came in and I have the ifi hip dac , and topping L30 set ,that's what I'm using to power them. Any other enexpensive dac amp you recommend?

[@chuckolatte600]

Not really. I'd say stick to a neutral-to-dark amplifier. On my THX AAA 789 (neutral), these are about as "bright" as I prefer

[@briancaulfield7251]

Nice review! When talking about “metallic timbre”, you seemed more critical of it on the Clear than the Arya, as if it almost ruined the headphone while it seems like more of a minor quirk on the Arya. Is this because the Clear just has more of it? Is it the presentation, the “flavor” of the metal? (lol) I love my Clear, and I never really noticed much of a metallic sound on them, but I keep getting curious about the Arya Stealth. Everyone seems to really like it.

[@musicxxa6678]

On Arya, i think it's just an FR issue. This headphone is a bit hyped around 4.5khz which sounds very energetic and nice but can come of as metallic sometimes. EQ easy fix if it bothers you. These have great timbre to my ears. Better than Ananda. The difference here is the Arya Stealth fast and intense.

[@Nuevo_El_Nagual]

HD800/S are made for tube amps.

[@NathanMadison]

is that even fair a dynamic vs planar

[@davidmason8212]

please compare the edition xs with the ananda

[@qqme2967]

Xs = warmer, better bass slam Ananda = more neutral, much much better sound stage and instrument layering. Imo, ananda wins over xs on everything except bass slam.

[@TotoroJourney]

Can you please try adx5000, they also in summit fi tier, i want to see your oppinion as well, imo i believed they are better than hd800/s in almost every aspect

[@emanuellgustea122]

None of these are in the summit fi tier Mr Andy

[@TotoroJourney]

@@emanuellgustea122 ah sorry, what i meant mid-summit fi tier around $1000-$2000 mark, because beyond $2000 is summit fi category for me

[@Skeith89]

ADX5000 is a joke according to DMS. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZaZZqp8p9Kpl6M

[@musicxxa6678]

@@TotoroJourney I'd consider these high end consumer grade headphones. Summit-fi is more like $3k/$4k plus headphones with low volume of production like Utopia, 1266 TC, Sus etc. I mean these are (Arya, 800S etc) still expensive headphones but i think these reached to masses. They are not niche and pinnacle anymore.

[@chuckolatte600]

I'd like to try those out someday, for sure!

[@khoocheepeng6030]

When the ohms are different....i wonder how you compare?

[@NamNguyen-xt4yk]

hd800 has the worse fit for me, i got a pair off amazon then had to return of the horid fit. Arya coming this weekend so im super exicted

[@everettedl]

Nice comparison! I chose the 800s over the v2 arya because it's more neutral to me and I'm a sucker for Soundstage. That said, I really wish the 800s had more sub bass rumble for things like movies. Would you say ifi dacs with the analog bass boost on solve that problem? Also, which headphone would you prefer for movies?

[@chuckolatte600]

Nah thus far, none of the Bass Boost functionalities on DAC/amps have given them a proper boost--kinda just muddies the low-end or gives it too much bass imo. For movies, I'd prefer the HD800S IF you can handle wearing them for that long lol

[@everettedl]

@@chuckolatte600 thanks for the insight! I feel you on the 800s. I had to fiddle with them a lot to get them to feel right on my head. I have to sit the headband at the back of my head, which is super weird, but comfortable once you get used to it 😅

[@bradhuskers]

What's your opinion on the hifiman edition xs headphones????

[@Ezees23]

I think if you were to plug the Arya SE into a discrete Class A amp you'd change your mind on the Arya's imaging and tonality. The THX '789 you tried them on is known to have flat/shallow staging and a quite unnatural timbre - and the Arya will epose the amp in front of it. Discrete Class A amps go with the Arya like OTL tube amps go with the HD800S.......

[@soulfulfool]

any of those cant touch my ADX5000, every of those lack in balance and tend to create fake overly wide or tall soundstage and their treble cant even compete

[@dasninjastix]

Found an open box Arya v3 a couple of months ago for around 1100. I really wasn't expecting it to invalidate half my shizz but it did. I sold off a DCA Noire, a ZMF Aeolus, and a Focal Stellia as a result of just how much I like the Arya. It's a bit of a goldilocks headphone for me, just enough detail without overexposing older recordings, a treble emphasis for sure put great dynamic contrast in the mid-range and really impressive bass extension. Not easy to drive but not all that hard either, and a great holographic presentation from a hybrid tube amp. It out ZMFed my ZMF. The only headphone I prefer now (slightly) is the Empyrean just because it's so much fun, so smooth, with a preferable timbre. But otherwise the Arya would be my rec as a do it all open back that seems to scale quite nicely with source gear. I'd love to be able to secure a TT2 with a M-Scaler to see what it could do but I'd rather buy a car with that kind of money. Appreciate the comparisons! ✌️

[@christianblais3350]

Which hybrid tube amp did you use with the Arya v3? (it increases the holographic quality?)

[@dasninjastix]

@@christianblais3350 I'm using a Lyr3 from Schiit (b-stock) running a RCA Blackplate. I think the Blackplate gives it the holographic presentation, it's not extreme, it's not a proper OTL but it's smooth, rounded, and a bit echo-y. I love it but those are my tastes and experiences 🙂, mileage may vary. I find the Lyr3 to be a bit on the drier side of sound and I always thought I'd be adverse to that but, green eggs and ham I guess. I think it compliments the Arya extremely well, I'm looking to add a bifrost 2 to the equation at some point but right now the Lyr is fed with a Mojo 2. I hope this info helps ✌️🤞

[@christianblais3350]

@@dasninjastix Thanks for your info. Sure it could help as I haven't tried any tube related stuff yet (only solid state). Concerning DACs, I have a SMSL D1SE DAC with 3 "Tube" sound "colors" options but they are not very convincing. I'll have to hear the real thing one day I guess (or an hybrid like yours). But about the holographic aspect specifically, I might simply get a HD800S eventually, which is supposed to bring one of the best experience of that kind.

[@dasninjastix]

@@christianblais3350 I wish I could recommend something otherwise but I started with the Xduoo MT-602 lil hybrid tube amp and it was okay but pretty indistinguishable from a cheap solid state amp in my usage. I just went the Lyr based on its power, the fact it was discounted, and it only has the single-tube to roll. I continue to be pleasantly surprised by it but I'm hesitant to recommend it to friends because I wonder how people will find what I perceive as dryness (with texture and body) and it's more rounded sound. I wouldn't call it blunted but then again, everything is comparative in this hobby. Compared to other amps I'm certain you could say that. All I know is with the Lyr I feel like I'm set. It's just hunting for the best DAC to compliment it is all. Best of luck to you!

[@musicxxa6678]

I just got the Arya Stealth. The comfort and the fit amazing on these. Feels just right on the head. I've used a lot of headphones and these are definitely the best in this category. Build is functional and good in my opinion. They aren't bad like Ananda, Sundara, XS. Those have questionable build. Arya Stealth is legit. Just like you said Arya SE have a more hyped mids. Crunchy and energetic 3-4khz there. The treble isn't actually that hot on Arya SE. They have a forward presentation so that can bring some sharpness but the problem area is about 3 to 5khz. EQ will handle that easy. Your description and analogy of the soundstage is just perfect. That's how i felt. Arya SE really forward headphone and it pushes all the sound to your ear. I have Edition XS, it's opposite on that one. It pushes the sound to opposite direction and have significantly more spacious, bigger soundstage than Arya SE. I never heard HD800S but i'd imagine it would be quite different because Arya SE categorically different headphone with forward, intense, dynamic and energetic sound. I imagine HD800S would be more similar to XS except the flat planar bass. Never heard electrostat headphone but if i have to guess Ananda is more similar to electrostats which have softer and ethereal sound with good texture. So i feel like Arya SE and HD800S are more like a complementary headphones now. Didn't heard V2 but i guess that one was more similar to HD800S.

[@chuckolatte600]

Yeah I can see that, the HD800S can be the closer-to-neutral wide clarity HP while the Arya SE can be the fun, energetic HP

[@jetsetternick3588]

Phenomenal job!!!

[@tnarch]

Totally agree with everything.

[@bradhuskers]

The new stealth magnet Ananda, is a GAME CHANGER

[@bradhuskers]

I'll be brutally honest. The new stealth magnet Ananda, has rendered the sennheiser irrelevant. Forget the Arya. At just $699. The new stealth magnet Ananda, has rendered the sennheiser irrelevant. Brutally honest

[@kona328WH]

In the uk, the arya stealth was five hundred pounds on amazon.What a bargain