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 Stax SR-X1 ranks #72, rated 4.0/5, at $571.79, $27.21 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.
The case for the Stax SR-X1: A preference score of 81 in oratory1990’s measurement is excellent for an electrostatic headphone, with a smoothness of 2.62 dB and a neutral tilt of 0.06. Watch for: Sub-bass under 60 Hz is about 8 dB below target and the bass range is 4 dB low, so kick drums and bass synths lack rumble and weight.
Buy the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $27.21 with the Stax SR-X1 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
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Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version | Stax SR-X1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599.00 | $571.79 |
| Ranked | #41 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #72 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 81 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.29 dB standard deviation | 2.62 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.06 (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 (-7.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Electrostatic |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB | 101 dB SPL/100V |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (404 g) | 0.5 lbs (234 g) |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 7Hz - 41kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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How HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version compares with other leading options:
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- HIFIMAN Arya Stealth vs Stax SR-X1
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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
Stax SR-X1: $571.79 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 81 in oratory1990’s measurement is excellent for an electrostatic headphone, with a smoothness of 2.62 dB and a neutral tilt of 0.06. Midrange from 1 to 3 kHz sits within 0.1 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural, and air above 10 kHz is on target at +0.6 dB. It is open back and light at 234 g, a good match for the warm and neutral taste profiles.
Cons: Sub-bass under 60 Hz is about 8 dB below target and the bass range is 4 dB low, so kick drums and bass synths lack rumble and weight. A 9.4 dB dip near 6.5 kHz and treble 7 dB under target soften cymbals and make the sound dull. It needs a dedicated electrostatic energizer, since it cannot run from a phone, and the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full Stax SR-X1 review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.62 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 7Hz - 41kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB SPL/100V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-7.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (234 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 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 | +7.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,236 Hz | -4.1 dB | 1.22 |
| Peak | 7,163 Hz | +5.4 dB | 2.20 |
| Peak | 4,125 Hz | +2.9 dB | 4.23 |
| Peak | 55 Hz | -2.4 dB | 0.43 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -6.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 233 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.53 |
| Peak | 553 Hz | +0.3 dB | 1.42 |
| Peak | 6,608 Hz | +1.9 dB | 5.85 |
| Peak | 5,454 Hz | -1.1 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons