Head to head · for music listening
Sennheiser HD 800 S vs HIFIMAN Arya
More people recommend the Sennheiser HD 800 S overall (71 vs 44). None of the 52 comments that name both says outright which one to buy, so read the loves and complaints and decide by taste.
- Comments naming both
- 52
- Say they own both
- 4
- Choose the HD 800 S
- 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 | $2000 | $599cheaper |
| Overall rank | #7higher | #10 |
| People who recommend it | 71more | 44 |
| Say they own it | 69more | 63 |
| Mentions | 670more | 536 |
| Type | open-back wired | open-back planar wired |
| Known for | ClassicalHuge spaceNeeds amp | Planar end-gameSpace |
| Best for | Classical, acoustic and anyone who wants the biggest sense of space from a headphone. | The planar end-game most people can actually afford now that it sells for about $600. |
| Buy | Amazon · $2000 | Amazon · $599 |
#7 overall
Sennheiser HD 800 S
7 of the 52 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.
What owners love
- Huge soundstage and detail; the classic end-game dynamic headphone
- Several owners keep it as the serious-listening set beside a cheaper everyday pair
- Comfortable despite its size
The complaints
- Lean bass and bright treble; can be analytical rather than fun
- Needs a good amp and good recordings
- Price
In their words
“Ok, i got encourage to get the HD800 after i saw this”
A commenter under Sennheiser HD 800 Unboxing, Review & Shootout w/ HiFiMAN HE-500 Headphones (Music + BF4) (Barnacules Nerdgasm) · Oct 2013
“I have all sennheiser hp and hd800 my daily driver”
A commenter under Is Sennheiser's new headphone REALLY an upgrade? (The Headphone Show) · Feb 2023
“I’ve had my HD-800’s, for about 4 years and have loved them”
A commenter under These SHOULD make you cry... Sennheiser HDB 630 (jakkuh) · Oct 2025
#10 overall
HIFIMAN Arya (Stealth Magnet)
6 of the 52 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