Short answer: the Grado Hemp. Both are rated 4.1/5 for sound quality (#53 and #50 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Grado Hemp costs $495 against $599 for the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
Why pick the Grado Hemp: 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. The tradeoff: Sub-bass is about 10 dB below target under 60 Hz, a large loss that removes most deep rumble.
What the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth does well: The Arya Stealth scores 84.2 for preference in the median of five hobbyist measurements on squig.link, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz within about half a decibel of target and the upper mids nearly flat. The tradeoff: Treble is clearly elevated, with presence about 2.7 dB high, air 6.6 dB high and a 10.8 dB peak near 11.9 kHz that can make cymbals and sibilants sound hot and fatiguing.
Buy the Grado Hemp. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $104 less than the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Grado Hemp | HIFIMAN Arya Stealth | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $495.00 | $599.00 |
| Ranked | #53 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #50 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 83 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.41 dB standard deviation | 1.92 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.36 (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 (-4.8 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/mW |
| Frequency Response | 13Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x planar magnetic |
| Weight | - | 0.9 lbs (405 g) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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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.
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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: $599.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The Arya Stealth scores 84.2 for preference in the median of five hobbyist measurements on squig.link, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz within about half a decibel of target and the upper mids nearly flat. That gives its planar magnetic driver a clean, uncolored midrange. The 32 ohm impedance keeps it easy to pair with a range of amplifiers, and it suits listeners who like a neutral or slightly V shaped sound.
Cons: Treble is clearly elevated, with presence about 2.7 dB high, air 6.6 dB high and a 10.8 dB peak near 11.9 kHz that can make cymbals and sibilants sound hot and fatiguing. Sub-bass falls about 3 dB short below 60 Hz, so deep bass lacks weight. The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise.
Full HIFIMAN Arya Stealth review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.92 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (405 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons