Thanks!
These headphones are awesome. If you live bass then buy these. If you love detail then buy these. If you love ergonomics then buy these. Hifi man has knocked it out of the park with these headphones!! Only 5 hours in and they sound this good? Wow!!
These headphones along with the EF400 Amp/Dac are Incredible. Also, the service from Steve and Andrew have been terrific. Will continue to do business with Bloom Audio.
HIFIMAN ARYA 2022 Stealth Magnets Version exceeded my expectations by being anything but too bright or constricted sounding. Rather, they present a vivid and colorful musical picture, with excellent delineation of detail and layering all wrapped in a rich–but not too rich—harmonic envelope. The bass is muscular without being overpowering. The mids are stout and forthright and the highs are sparkly without being piercing or shrill. Even powered by the middle-range iFi iDSD Black Label, the Arya is totally transporting. Having owned TOTL Abyss, Focal, and Empire Audio, I've been seriously impressed by—and smitten with—this Arya.
Sonically, I have nothing negative to say about the Arya Stealth. It's detailed without sacrificing musicality or coherency. It's tuning leans bright but does not lack for bass or mid-range. Dynamics are excellent. Layering and imaging are very good. Soundstage is taller than wide but while vocals will present more closely, the depth of the stage can wow on certain sources and recordings. This would be my #1 headphone to demo for friends and family outside of the hobby to showcase what modern hi-fi can sound like.
While I do like the build and the ergonomics work for me, this will not be the case for those with smaller heads. These are large earcups and I do find that where you situate them on head can make a difference in their sonic presentation. I am a fan of the suspension strap headband but the material used is underwhelming for the price point. Comfort is not the issue, it's plenty comfortable it's just plastic-y and doesn't befit the price imo. The pads are comfortable, breathable, and feel quality but can creak, it can be a mild annoyance. The stock cable is also unacceptable. I'm assuming most in the hobby will have replacements to spare but that doesn't forgive a economy included cable. For these reasons I'd say it's a 4-star package.
This can be the only headphone you need (provided you don't need sound isolation). They work with all genres, require some drive but nothing unmanageable, and are just extremely well balanced tonally to please a diversity of tastes. I give HiFiMan a lot of credit, the dynamics with some of these Stealth versions seem to really punch without overdoing it.
I use mine with a Schiit Lyr running an RCA black plate fed by a SMSL Sanskrit and a Mojo 2. No issues on either setup. No real need to EQ. Love them for environmental gaming as well.