Short answer: the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth, if you are buying new. The HIFIMAN Arya ranks higher than the ZMF Caldera (#94 vs #187 of 429 over-ear headphones) but is discontinued; its replacement, the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth, is rated 4.1/5 at $599 and is still sold new.
The HIFIMAN Arya is the better-sounding option. A spacious, detailed open planar that scores 82 with a 2.35 dB spread, with accurate lower mids and slightly bright treble for clarity. Watch for: Discontinued and replaced by the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth.
The case for the ZMF Caldera: The median of 5 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 74 with a 2.42 dB spread. The tradeoff: Presence sits about 4.5 dB low with a 9.5 dB dip near 9.7 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
Buy the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth, the replacement for the discontinued HIFIMAN Arya; it is rated higher for sound quality than the ZMF Caldera.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN Arya | ZMF Caldera | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $3,499.99 |
| Ranked | #94 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones | #187 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Planar | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x planar magnetic | 1 x 80mm planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 35 ohms | 60 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (404 g) | 490 - 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 74 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.35 dB standard deviation | 2.42 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.60 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.3 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Sensitivity | - | 95 dB/mW |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 13, 2026 at 3:17 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 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth, ranked higher, rated 4.1/5, released Sep 2021. See every HIFIMAN Arya generation.
Pros: A spacious, detailed open planar that scores 82 with a 2.35 dB spread, with accurate lower mids and slightly bright treble for clarity.
Cons: Discontinued and replaced by the HIFIMAN Arya Stealth. Sub-bass falls about 5.3 dB short at 30 Hz, and a 9 dB dip near 9.6 kHz makes the treble uneven. It benefits from a capable amp. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full HIFIMAN Arya review and specifications →
| Released | 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.35 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar |
| Drivers | 1 x planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 65kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 35 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (404 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.0 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 | +5.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,729 Hz | +5.0 dB | 1.47 |
| Peak | 183 Hz | -1.9 dB | 0.36 |
| Peak | 2,814 Hz | -2.9 dB | 2.64 |
| Peak | 4,688 Hz | -3.3 dB | 4.56 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 486 Hz | -1.4 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 567 Hz | +1.2 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 6,505 Hz | -1.5 dB | 5.97 |
| Peak | 5,750 Hz | +1.4 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
ZMF Caldera: $3,499.99 ZMF Headphones $3,499.99 eBay
Pros: The median of 5 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 74 with a 2.42 dB spread. It uses 1 x 80mm planar magnetic.
Cons: Presence sits about 4.5 dB low with a 9.5 dB dip near 9.7 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite. Sub-bass is 4.6 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble.
Full ZMF Caldera review and specifications →
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.42 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 80mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 74 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 60 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 95 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.60 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 490 - 1.2 lbs (550 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples