Short answer: the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version. It ranks #41 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $599. The Fosi Audio i5 ranks #75, rated 4.0/5, at $589.99, $9.01 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
Why pick 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. The tradeoff: 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.
Why pick the Fosi Audio i5: A large 97mm planar magnetic driver scores 80.7 for preference in the median of four squig.link measurements, with the low mids about 1 dB over target for a full, warm tone. The catch: Sub-bass drops roughly 5.8 dB below target and is already 6 dB down by 42 Hz, so deep synth bass and kick drum rumble lack impact.
Buy the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $9.01 with the Fosi Audio i5 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version | Fosi Audio i5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599.00 | $589.99 |
| Ranked | #41 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #75 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 81 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.29 dB standard deviation | 2.17 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.28 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-6.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 28 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB | 98 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (404 g) | 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 97mm planar magnetic |
| 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
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
Fosi Audio i5: $589.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: A large 97mm planar magnetic driver scores 80.7 for preference in the median of four squig.link measurements, with the low mids about 1 dB over target for a full, warm tone. Air above 10 kHz runs about 4.4 dB hot, which adds openness and detail to strings and cymbals. At 28 ohms and 98 dB/mW it is easier to drive than many planars and works from a modest desktop DAC or a capable dongle.
Cons: Sub-bass drops roughly 5.8 dB below target and is already 6 dB down by 42 Hz, so deep synth bass and kick drum rumble lack impact. A 5.8 dB dip near 2.2 kHz and a presence region about 3.2 dB low push vocals back, while the 5.1 dB peak at 10.9 kHz can sound splashy. It weighs 550 g, and the open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise.
Full Fosi Audio i5 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.17 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 97mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 28 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-6.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.28 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons