Short answer: the Grado Hemp. Both are rated 4.1/5 for sound quality (#53 and #41 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Grado Hemp costs $495 against $599 for the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
What the Grado Hemp does well: A preference score of 83 with mids within about 1 dB of target (upper mids 1.1 dB above, low mids 0.2 dB above) gives vocals and instruments a natural presence. Watch for: Sub-bass is about 10 dB below target under 60 Hz, a large loss that removes most deep rumble.
The case for the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version: A preference score of 85 in oratory1990’s measurement and a near flat tilt of 0.02 give it a balanced overall tonality. Watch for: An 8 dB dip near 9.3 kHz followed by a 7 dB peak near 11.9 kHz makes the treble uneven, so cymbals can sound recessed one moment and sharp the next.
Buy the Grado Hemp. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $104 less than the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Grado Hemp | HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $495.00 | $599.00 |
| Ranked | #53 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #41 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.41 dB standard deviation | 2.29 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-11.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 38 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 99.8 dB SPL | 94 dB |
| Frequency Response | 13Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | - | 0.9 lbs (404 g) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version:
- Edifier Stax Spirit S3 vs HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version
- HIFIMAN Arya Stealth vs HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version
- HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version vs Stax SR-X1
- HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version vs Fosi Audio i5
- Grado Hemp vs HIFIMAN Arya Stealth
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
Grado Hemp: $495.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 83 with mids within about 1 dB of target (upper mids 1.1 dB above, low mids 0.2 dB above) gives vocals and instruments a natural presence. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz is within 1 dB of target, and the neutral tilt of 0.09 fits listeners who want a balanced tonality. At 38 ohms and 99.8 dB sensitivity it is easy to drive from a phone or laptop.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 10 dB below target under 60 Hz, a large loss that removes most deep rumble. A 5 dB peak near 2.2 kHz can add forwardness to voices, and a 6 dB dip near 5.3 kHz takes some bite from cymbals and consonants. The open back leaks sound and gives no isolation.
Full Grado Hemp review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.41 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 13Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 38 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 99.8 dB SPL |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-11.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,779 Hz | +5.8 dB | 3.08 |
| Peak | 103 Hz | -3.0 dB | 0.63 |
| Peak | 2,201 Hz | -5.7 dB | 3.90 |
| Peak | 3,309 Hz | +4.0 dB | 4.69 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +0.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 627 Hz | +0.5 dB | 1.53 |
| Peak | 276 Hz | -1.0 dB | 4.28 |
| Peak | 4,235 Hz | -1.5 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 45 Hz | +0.7 dB | 4.16 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version: $599.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 85 in oratory1990’s measurement and a near flat tilt of 0.02 give it a balanced overall tonality. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz sits within 1 dB of target and the upper mids are only about 1 dB low, so vocals and instruments sound natural. At 32 ohms and 94 dB sensitivity it is easier to drive than most planar headphones, and 404 g is moderate for the type.
Cons: An 8 dB dip near 9.3 kHz followed by a 7 dB peak near 11.9 kHz makes the treble uneven, so cymbals can sound recessed one moment and sharp the next. Presence is about 3 dB hot and the air band about 3 dB elevated, which adds edge to bright recordings. Sub-bass runs about 3 dB under target, and the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.29 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (404 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.1 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +5.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,825 Hz | +5.1 dB | 1.78 |
| Peak | 99 Hz | -2.5 dB | 0.31 |
| Peak | 4,828 Hz | -3.9 dB | 4.18 |
| Peak | 3,009 Hz | -2.8 dB | 3.29 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 969 Hz | -1.3 dB | 3.17 |
| Peak | 1,373 Hz | +0.9 dB | 4.21 |
| Peak | 652 Hz | +0.8 dB | 4.18 |
| Peak | 150 Hz | +0.2 dB | 1.75 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons