Arya Stealth vs HE1000 Stealth?

[Flak]

At their current prices (759 vs 1399) is the HE1000 Stealth still considered a worthwhile upgrade over the Arya Stealth? Or is the Arya Stealth just too good to pass up at its current price?

Currently own:
Focal Clear OG
Meze 109 Pro
HE6SE V2
Ibasso SR2

Thanks

 

[dunring]

I don't think its an upgrade, more of a side grade. They really got the Arya Stealth right because the fixed all the issues with the original. The Deva wired is their best affordable model, and Arya Stealth is my favorite high end.

 

[PinkyPowers]

I haven't heard Arya, but the HE1000 Stealth is the best sounding headphone I've ever heard. If you have a warmer amp, the pairing can be freakishly good.

 

[Lindholdt]

I compared them side by side when purchasing my HE1000 Stealth, and while I don't remember the details anymore, I do remember that my conclusion was that the HE1000 was better in all regards. To my ears. Once I heard the HE1000, I knew that it was worth it to me, to get it over the Arya. It is a set I bought to own for many years to come, so over time, the extra cost would make a minimal difference for me.

 

[Tank81]

At their current prices (759 vs 1399) is the HE1000 Stealth still considered a worthwhile upgrade over the Arya Stealth? Or is the Arya Stealth just too good to pass up at its current price?

Currently own:
Focal Clear OG
Meze 109 Pro
HE6SE V2
Ibasso SR2

Thanks

Yeah i compared Ananda nano, Arya stealth, he1000 stealth and HekSe. Bought 1000 stealth one. Its one of the best sounding heafphones i currently own. Needed a warmish amp and bit of an eq thou.

 

[Denkmal]

I too am contemplating which Hifiman can to get. I am reasonably new to open back headphones and have not owned anything in this price category before.
My sources will be Tidal/Apple Music-->iPad Pro/MacBook but I do not have a DAC or amp yet.
I listen mostly to classic rock (Zeppelin, Pink Floyd etc) but anything with guitars, from Radiohead to Ryan Adams is OK.
I rarely listen to classical or EDM music, but appreciate a wide soundstage and some slam in the bass.

None of these headphones are a available for demo where I live, I will have to buy online.
So, I can get my hands on:
Arya Stealth (open box) for $689 whereas the HE-1000 Stealth seems to go for $1399.
I guess I will need to spend another few hundred on a decent DAC and amp.
Is e.g. Hifiman EF-400 DAC/AMP (~$350) enough for these cans, or are there better options? Am I better off getting the Arya and spend a little more on the electronics?

Any thoughts?

 

[DillingerEP]

The Hifiman EF400 is a very nice Dac/amp combo for the money. It can drive the HE1000 and Arya easily. Maybe a good amp to start for you.

I had the HE1000 stealth and i will buy it again soon. This headphone is absolutely great, ecspecialy for 1400. Freat soundstage, bass, treble. But the treble on most Hifiman cans can get hot on some music. Unfortunately i can not compare the HE1000 and the Arya. But the HE1000 really is outstanding.

 

[lionsgate]

He1000 stealth is direct upgdrade from arya stealth. Tho zmf pads fix arya stealths peaky treble.

 

[Nick76]

He1000 Stealth was far brighter than Arya Stealth for me, but had better resolution and bass tightness/control. HE1000 Stealth also had a more intimate stage. For me and my tastes, Arya Stealth was a better headphone because it did not give me pain. HE1000 Stealth sounds very fast, aggressive and energetic to the point of fatigue for me.

 

[marvel2023]

You know i could tell you the difference in arya and he1000v2 but cant say the same with Stealth models. They look absolutely the same magnetics and diaphragm wise. they are totally different and ot makes zero sense to me.

 

[sinarpro]

HE1000 Stealth may cause ear fatigue, but its bass is much tighter.

 

[BowWazoo]

I have/had both. Both are sensational.
But the Arya stands out because of its current price. I suspect that the driver is identical.
The aluminum housing of the he-1000 will probably have advantages in the bass.
But the he-1000 currently costs twice as much. Since in my opinion it would be a small sound quality upgrade, it is definitely not worth 600 to me...

 

[SkippyBE]

I own the Sennheiser HD800s and the Meze Empyrean II. Both fantastic headphones. I use the 800s predominantly for acoustic music and gaming. The Empyrean II is the perfect allrounder, it handles all kinds of music pretty well without being excellent in a particular genre and they're quite easy to drive.

But... there was a gap to fill in (I'm an audiophile after all ) so I started to look for affordable headphones with lots of musicality, detail, body and a wide soundstage. I demoed different brands and types untill I discovered the HiFiMAN HE1000 Stealth a couple of weeks ago. There was a promo at a local retailer in my hometown Ghent so I went there for a few listening sessions and at the end I decided to buy them for 1.220 $/€.

Well I guess price/quality you can't find anything better. For my ears these are the best headphones I've ever listened to.