Head to head · for music listening
HIFIMAN Sundara vs Arya
More people recommend the HIFIMAN Sundara overall (80 vs 44). None of the 28 comments that name both says outright which one to buy, so read the loves and complaints and decide by taste.
- Comments naming both
- 28
- Say they own both
- 1
- Choose the Sundara
- 0
- Choose the Arya
- 0
Counted across 18 review videos, harvested Sep 2026. A comment counts as a choice only when it says so in plain words (prefer X over Y, upgraded from Y to X); questions never count. Quotes are whole sentences of 12 words or fewer, linked to where they were said. How we count.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $179cheaper | $599 |
| Overall rank | #6higher | #10 |
| People who recommend it | 80more | 44 |
| Say they own it | 115more | 63 |
| Mentions | 831more | 536 |
| Type | open-back planar wired | open-back planar wired |
| Known for | Planar detailHomeAmp helps | Planar end-gameSpace |
| Best for | Best planar-magnetic sound under $200 for someone who already has, or will buy, a small desktop amp. | The planar end-game most people can actually afford now that it sells for about $600. |
| Buy | Amazon · $179 | Amazon · $599 |
#6 overall
HIFIMAN Sundara
1 of the 28 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.
What owners love
- Planar speed and detail that people say is unmatched at the price
- Good soundstage and imaging; responds well to EQ
- Frequently on sale or open-box direct from HIFIMAN, which is how many owners bought it
- Comfortable and clean; several owners say they stopped shopping after buying it
The complaints
- Needs a proper amp or DAC/amp; weak from a phone
- Older units had driver failures and some people call HIFIMAN build and quality control poor
- Tuning takes getting used to; a couple of listeners simply do not like planars
In their words
“I bought the Sundara on your recommendations and really love it”
A commenter under Sundara v 660S v 1990 (Under $500 Headphone Comparison) (Joshua Valour) · Feb 2020
“I got my Sundaras at a crazy price, and I love them”
A commenter under The Best Deal in Audio... Period. (Joshua Valour) · Nov 2024
“I use the sundaras and i would recommend them”
A commenter under Why Do All Streamers Use These Headphones? (Dagwummy) · Jul 2023
#10 overall
HIFIMAN Arya (Stealth Magnet)
2 of the 28 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.
What owners love
- Named the best headphone heard by a member who has used more than 260 sets
- Owners moved to it from Focal Clear and HD 6XX and stopped looking
- Light for its size; effortless, wide planar sound
The complaints
- Big; the egg-shaped cups do not suit every head
- HIFIMAN build and quality-control worries follow it
- Needs power
In their words
“Arya Organic's probably my go-to sub-grand cans”
A commenter under The best headphones under $1000 (2025 edition) (The Headphone Show) · Apr 2025
“Best value on the market is Arya Stealth at 500$”
A commenter under The Best Value in Audiophile Headphones (The Headphone Show) · Aug 2025
“Love the Arya organic”
A commenter under ARYA ORGANIC -VS- EVERYTHING! (Joshua Valour) · Aug 2023