Didn't enjoy the Arya Stealth, advice?

[Gfreak]

Hey y'all. I recently got some refurb Arya Stealth's, and am probably going to return them. Was hoping y'all could help me figure out what's so different about the arya's compared to what I had and why I might not have enjoyed it, and where to go next.

Not counting the arya's, so far my favorite headphones have been Sundaras (with dekoni hybrid pads) >>> HD58x > SHP9500's >>DT770.

I listen to a lot of genres, but would say the majority would be Metal, Vocal performances (acapella/choir), and a mix of funk/eledctro/swing.

I loved the sub bass aspect of the Arya's, and the detail felt like it was an improvement compared to the sundaras. But man it just wasn't nearly as "fun" to listen to. Made listening feel like a job and felt fatiguing very quickly. Which is the opposite of my main complaint with the HD58x's (that they felt muddled and lacked detail).

What are the best terms to describe these complaints? Would love any recommendations on where to go from here as well. I feel like with the sundaras if I had just a bit more detail for vocals, more sub bass, and slightly more "crunch" for the metal guitar it'd be a perfect headphone.

Should I grab an He6SE ? Is there another option for around 500 or less? (he6se's are 400 on open box, aryas were around 500). I'm using a Magnius/Modius E, so that should be enough for the HE6's if I go that route.

Would love any advice y'all.

 

[Reputator]

What kind of amplification do you have?

 

[Gfreak]

What kind of amplification do you have?

Magnius/Modius E stack using the balanced output.

 

[MindBreak]

Welcome to Head-fi,

The Arya Stealth is mostly known for soundstage and detail, but it will sound different on various audio chains. It needs some warmth from the audio chain to give it a more well rounded presentation. That being said, your ears are the final deciding factor. Everyone has different tastes, and the Arya Stealth might have just not been for you. I owned the sundara prior to getting the Arya Stealth and the sundara is indeed more engaging. I have yet to try the HE6se, but they are known to fair better on amps with lots of power/headroom. My complement to the Arya Stealth is a pair of Atrium Open headphones which gives me the more engaging and fun tuning. Depending on your budget you might want to take a look at the ZMF Bokeh Open/Closed.

Happy Listening

Edit: just reread your budget was 500. Also look at SJY Audio offerings.

 

[dunring]

I've got one and know what you mean, there's two things I did that helped though.

One was the Aliexpress pads at:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806718667351.html
I got the ones "mesh fabric" and they've been measured by Unheardlab so you can see the difference they make:
https://unheardlab.com/2022/05/21/hifiman-arya-stealth-edition-measurement-review-pad-rolling/

The APO equalizer and Peace front end has an Autoeq button to preload the profiles for it with stock pads, that's a free way to see if they get where you want them. I thought it was an improvement. The pads bring vocals forward more and keeps the treble peak climb down where I think it sounds best. The Dekoni Sheepskin pads I tried did a similar job, but they're much more expensive, even though they feel like they'll last forever.

The other was fixing the too bendy headband, I got the one here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8J61WJ3
It's listed for the HE1000, but also fits the Arya/Ananda and makes the band more rigid so it just feels more solid. With the swivel they have, this keeps them from flopping around as much.

For a daily driver I have another pair of the Edition XS which I got the Custom Cans comfort strap and it's going to be my work pair for daily use. The HE5xx are also really good, best value for the out of the box tuning and comfort.

 

[Gfreak]

Welcome to Head-fi,

The Arya Stealth is mostly known for soundstage and detail, but it will sound different on various audio chains. It needs some warmth from the audio chain to give it a more well rounded presentation. That being said, your ears are the final deciding factor. Everyone has different tastes, and the Arya Stealth might have just not been for you. I owned the sundara prior to getting the Arya Stealth and the sundara is indeed more engaging. I have yet to try the HE6se, but they are known to fair better on amps with lots of power/headroom. My complement to the Arya Stealth is a pair of Atrium Open headphones which gives me the more engaging and fun tuning. Depending on your budget you might want to take a look at the ZMF Bokeh Open/Closed.

Happy Listening

Edit: just reread your budget was 500. Also look at SJY Audio offerings.

Yea the Detail and Soundstage was the reason I bought it. but oh well. like you said maybe it's just not for me.

ZMF and Atrium are a bit out of my price range, but i'll look into the SJY appreciate it! If I did go HE6se, the Magnius is supposed to do 5w RMS at 32ohms

 

[Gfreak]

I've got one and know what you mean, there's two things I did that helped though.

One was the Aliexpress pads at:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806718667351.html
I got the ones "mesh fabric" and they've been measured by Unheardlab so you can see the difference they make:
https://unheardlab.com/2022/05/21/hifiman-arya-stealth-edition-measurement-review-pad-rolling/

The APO equalizer and Peace front end has an Autoeq button to preload the profiles for it with stock pads, that's a free way to see if they get where you want them. I thought it was an improvement. The pads bring vocals forward more and keeps the treble peak climb down where I think it sounds best. The Dekoni Sheepskin pads I tried did a similar job, but they're much more expensive, even though they feel like they'll last forever.

The other was fixing the too bendy headband, I got the one here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8J61WJ3
It's listed for the HE1000, but also fits the Arya/Ananda and makes the band more rigid so it just feels more solid. With the swivel they have, this keeps them from flopping around as much.

For a daily driver I have another pair of the Edition XS which I got the Custom Cans comfort strap and it's going to be my work pair for daily use. The HE5xx are also really good, best value for the out of the box tuning and comfort.

I have done a lot of EQ'ing over the last week to try to get it somewhere listenable for me, I did think about getting some pads as the Dekoni ones made my sundaras sound better (to me). But I'm hesitant to start buying a bunch of mods for something that's hard for me to listen to for more than 15-20 minutes already lol.

 

[elee703]

are you deadset on planar? With a budget of $500, headphones.com is selling the Focal Elex which I have and is a bit more "fun" or "engaging" in comparison to the "reference/flat" sound signature of upper upper mid level/lower high end cans like the arya or Clear.

 

[Gfreak]

are you deadset on planar? With a budget of $500, headphones.com is selling the Focal Elex which I have and is a bit more "fun" or "engaging" in comparison to the "reference/flat" sound signature of upper upper mid level/lower high end cans like the arya or Clear.

Definitely open to anything. I was leaning towards Planar just because of how much I enjoyed the Sundaras over the other non-planars i've tried.

 

[elee703]

Definitely open to anything. I was leaning towards Planar just because of how much I enjoyed the Sundaras over the other non-planars i've tried.

I'd give them a shot.....at least enough to start watching reviews of them with reviewers who's tastes and sound interpretation align with yours. I really love them....they're not a detail king or soundstage king or a reference tuning but they are fun and have enough of the things I mentioned with a splash of tuning that's super "fun". The bass has slam and the upper end has a lot of sparkle like a lot of Focals. And one thing you will get with Focal over Hifiman or even Sennheiser is a sense of incredible build quality. Hifiman can seem "cheap" in construction even with some of their higher end models and the entire Senn HD500-600 line is very.....utilitarian (quality, but still all plastic). Focals all just feel very luxury with their mix of metals and stitching in their headbands

 

[Gfreak]

I'd give them a shot.....at least enough to start watching reviews of them with reviewers who's tastes and sound interpretation align with yours. I really love them....they're not a detail king or soundstage king or a reference tuning but they are fun and have enough of the things I mentioned with a splash of tuning that's super "fun". The bass has slam and the upper end has a lot of sparkle like a lot of Focals. And one thing you will get with Focal over Hifiman or even Sennheiser is a sense of incredible build quality. Hifiman can seem "cheap" in construction even with some of their higher end models and the entire Senn HD500-600 line is very.....utilitarian (quality, but still all plastic). Focals all just feel very luxury with their mix of metals and stitching in their headbands

Absolutely will start watching some videos and reviews of them, appreciate the recommendation!

 

[elee703]

Absolutely will start watching some videos and reviews of them, appreciate the recommendation!

Just be warned....a lot of these reviews happen when headphones are released and the price I think both directly and indirectly colors reviews. At the time of release, the Elex were like $800 (even though they're $500 now) but many of them might also lead you to other headphones to consider with each particular reviewers choice of comparison. I got mine used for around $650 and think they are WELL worth it. $800 new is pushing it as the Clear at the time were just $200 more

 

[Metalingus]

try lcd-x, or OG clear, do not bother with MG.

Next step up? Empy II, Arya Unveiled. Want something smoother? Meze Elite.

 

[sygnus21]

Just be warned....a lot of these reviews happen when headphones are released and the price I think both directly and indirectly colors reviews. At the time of release, the Elex were like $800 (even though they're $500 now) but many of them might also lead you to other headphones to consider with each particular reviewers choice of comparison. I got mine used for around $650 and think they are WELL worth it. $800 new is pushing it as the Clear at the time were just $200 more

Disagree with this statement ^^^. Yes, price is always factor, but the sound is what it is, regardless of price, and that's what reviews are focused on. Yes, they may say for XYZ price, this is or isn't worth it, but whether they are or aren't worth the price is predicated on the performance.

In short reviews are on performance rather than price as explained above.

Peace

 

[Luckyleo]

try lcd-x, or OG clear, do not bother with MG.

Next step up? Empy II, Arya Unveiled. Want something smoother? Meze Elite.

For budget no more than $500? Where should I buy the Elite for that?