Short answer: the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth. It ranks #50 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, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth: 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 catch: 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.
Why pick 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. The tradeoff: 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. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $27.21 saving on the Stax SR-X1 is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN Arya Stealth | Stax SR-X1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599.00 | $571.79 |
| Ranked | #50 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #72 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 81 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.92 dB standard deviation | 2.62 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.8 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 |
| Drivers | 1 x planar magnetic | - |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB/mW | 101 dB SPL/100V |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (405 g) | 0.5 lbs (234 g) |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 7Hz - 41kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for HIFIMAN Arya Stealth:
- HIFIMAN Arya Stealth vs HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version
- Grado Hemp vs HIFIMAN Arya Stealth
- HIFIMAN Arya Stealth vs Fosi Audio i5
- HIFIMAN Arya Stealth Magnet Version vs Stax SR-X1
- Fosi Audio i5 vs Stax SR-X1
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: $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
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