The HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version are version three (also known as Arya V3) of the HiFiMan Arya, high-end planar magnetic headphones intended for audiophiles. This updated model differs from its predecessors due to its namesake stealth magnet design, which the manufacturer advertises improves their sound quality by reducing distortion and increasing transparency. However, their overall design hasn't changed, so they have the same look and feel as their predecessors.
Our Verdict
The HiFiMan Arya V3 are a sub-par choice for sports and fitness, especially since they aren't designed for this purpose. They're bulky and can easily fall off your head with moderate movement. They also lack an IP rating for water resistance, though that's normal for most headphones.
- Very comfortable fit.
Not designed for portability.
Unstable with moderate movement.
The HiFiMan Arya V3 aren't intended for commuting and travel. They're big, bulky, and have an open-back design, so they don't block out any of the low rumble of bus and plane engines. They also leak audio, which can disturb people sitting near you. They don't come with a case either, which can make it easier to damage the headphones when you're on the go. On the upside, they're comfortable and well-built.
- Very comfortable fit.
Bad noise isolation.
Leak audio by design.
The HiFiMan Arya V3 are poor for office use. Unless you use these headphones in a private office, you'll annoy coworkers around you since the headphones' open-back design means they'll leak most audio. They also won't block out any background noise, making focusing more difficult. They also don't have a microphone, so you'll need a standalone mic to speak during a meeting or call. That said, they have a comfortable fit suitable for long listening sessions.
- Very comfortable fit.
Bad noise isolation.
Leak audio by design.
No microphone.
You can't use the HiFiMan Arya V3 wirelessly.
The HiFiMan Arya V3 are adequate for wired gaming. Their open design and good outer ear interaction both help immerse you in intense cutscenes and difficult raids. They're also comfortable, so you can marathon a new release over several hours. That said, they don't have a microphone, so you'll need to find a standalone microphone if you want to chat with friends on Discord or use proximity chat. They also don't come with a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter, so you'll need to buy one if you want to plug the headphones into your PC or console directly.
- Very comfortable fit.
Deliver audio consistently.
- 1/4" to 1/8" adapter not included.
No microphone.
The HiFiMan Arya have very good audio reproduction accuracy. For most of the frequency range, they deviate little from their bright sound profile, with fluctuations in the treble causing neighboring frequencies to sound alternately harsh and dull, or piercing and lispy. In a similar fashion, the headphones' L/R drivers are well matched for most of the frequency range, with fluctuations in the treble that can lead to imprecise stereo positioning of high-pitched harmonics. They have low harmonic distortion, resulting in no unwanted coloration to your audio. They also have good pinna interaction, improving the sense of immersion and spaciousness of the headphones' listening experience.
The HiFiMan Arya V3 isn't meant to isolate you from your surroundings. Their open-back design allows both the environment to penetrate the headphones, and audio to leak from the drivers to the outside. You'll hear most background noise, and people close to you will hear a thin reproduction of your audio bleed from your headphones.
The HiFiMan Arya V3 don't come with a built-in mic. If you want to record audio or voice call, you'll need another microphone like a standalone mic.
The HiFiMan Arya V3's frequency response consistency is good. If you take the time to set the headphones, your listening experience will generally match our frequency response measurements, even if you wear glasses or have thicker hair. That said, there are minor deviations in the mid-range, though they're not tied to specific characteristics like the size of your head.
Performance Usages
Changelog
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Updated Mar 26, 2026:
This review has been updated to Test Bench 2.1, which removes the Group Delay test and rebalances scoring for the Harmonic Distortion test and Audio Reproduction Accuracy performance usage. For more details, consult our full changelog.
- Updated Mar 24, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 2.1, which features minor updates to our sound tests.
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Updated Aug 27, 2025:
We've added a mention of the Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 Noire in the Style box.
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Updated Jul 29, 2025:
We've updated the Sound Profile box with a link to a downloadable folder of EQ settings that will help you match these headphones' frequency response to different target curves available in our Graph Tool.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
These headphones are the third generation of the HiFiMan Arya. They come in one color variant: 'Black'; you can see our model's label here. What sets them apart from other Aryas are their stealth magnet design, which the manufacturer advertises improves their sound quality. However, they otherwise retain the same look and feel.
If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The HiFiMan Arya V3 are planar magnetic headphones and are the next generation of the HiFiMan Arya. What sets them apart from their predecessor are their stealth magnets, which are supposed to improve sound quality. However, there isn't a significant difference in performance between the two headphones, and the V3 model have a slightly worse distortion performance, though it's still quite good overall. That said, you may enjoy these headphones if you're looking for audiophile headphones that can produce a bit more low-bass than other open-back headphones like the Sennheiser HD 800 S.
If you're looking for more audio-centric headphones, check out our picks for the best audiophile headphones, the best open-back headphones, and the best headphones for music.
The HiFiMan Edition XS and the HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version are both high-end planar magnetics. While both headphones produce audio that sounds open and spacious, the Edition XS have a slightly punchier and thumpier bass, but overall, they both sound alike. They also come with a 1/4" adapter and have a lower impedance of 18 ohms with a sensitivity of 92 dB, so they're easier to drive. That said, the Arya are more comfortable and feel better built, so it depends on your sound preferences.
The HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version are an updated model of the HiFiMan Arya. The Stealth Magnet Version have their namesake magnets used in their driver design. The manufacturer advertises that these Stealth Magnets help sound reproduction and lower distortion. That said, there isn't a difference in design, so you can expect the same levels of comfort and build quality. The differences in sound quality are also somewhat minor, as they have largely similar sound profiles.
Whether the Sennheiser HD 800 S are better open-backs than the HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version depends on your sound profile preferences and your budget. While both headphones are very comfortable and provide an open sound, the Sennheiser are better-built and lighter in weight, thanks to their dynamic drivers. That said, they're harder to drive than the HiFiMan. Conversely, you may still prefer the HiFiMan if you want your open-backs with a bit more bass.
The HiFiMan Sundara 2020 and the HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version are both open-back planar magnetics from the same manufacturer. The Arya Stealth Magnet Version can reproduce more low-bass, which some users may prefer. They also have a more premium build. That said, the Sundara 2020 have a warmer treble response that you may prefer if you're sensitive to bright transients like cymbal hits.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
Test Results
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