HiFiMAN’s legacy in planar magnetic design continues with two distinctive models that embody the company’s evolution: the HE600 and the Arya V3 Stealth. Both headphones promise audiophile-grade performance, offering premium open-back designs that reveal the smallest nuances in your favorite recordings. The HE600 brings back the spirit of the legendary HE6 with updated driver technology and a smoother tuning, while the Arya V3 Stealth refines HiFiMAN’s “egg-shaped” design with stealth magnets that reduce distortion and enhance spaciousness. Let’s explore how each headphone differs in design, comfort, and sound signature, especially in how they render soundstage, lows, mids, and highs.
What You Get
| HE 600 | Arya Stealth |
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Look & Feel
Both the HE600 and the Arya V3 Stealth embody HiFiMAN’s trademark minimalist aesthetic, featuring functional, open-back designs that prioritize acoustic performance over flashy design elements. The HE600 sports the company’s latest Neo Supernano Diaphragm (NSD) driver, housed in a lighter frame than its HE6 predecessors. The Arya V3 Stealth, on the other hand, carries forward the recognizable oval-cup design from the Arya series. It’s only slightly heavier than the HE600, but thanks to its deeper pads and generous ear-cup space, it often feels more comfortable for extended listening. Both headphones feature detachable cables and a premium finish, but the Arya V3 Stealth feels more refined overall, fitting for its flagship status.
Design
When it comes to driver technology, both the HiFiMAN HE600 and Arya V3 Stealth employ planar magnetic transducers, but their internal engineering takes different approaches. The HE600 features HiFiMAN’s Neo Supernano Diaphragm (NSD), a second-generation driver material that’s just a fraction of the thickness of conventional diaphragms. This ultra-light film improves transient response and microdetail, giving the HE600 its characteristic balance of speed and smoothness.
The Arya V3 Stealth, meanwhile, uses HiFiMAN’s advanced Stealth Magnet design, which reshapes the magnet array to reduce air turbulence and diffraction around the diaphragm. This results in lower distortion and an even more transparent sound, particularly in the upper frequencies. In terms of drivability, both headphones are relatively efficient by planar standards, but the Arya V3 Stealth is slightly easier to power thanks to its more optimized magnetic structure and stable 32-ohm impedance. The HE600, at 28 ohms, still benefits from a high-output amplifier to reach its full dynamic potential, but both models can perform well with modern desktop DAC/amps.
Soundstage
The HE600’s soundstage feels intimate yet dimensional, with a focus on center image coherence rather than sheer width. In contrast, the Arya V3 Stealth delivers one of the widest soundstages in HiFiMAN’s lineup. Its stealth magnet array allows for airy imaging and remarkable spatial layering. Instruments and vocals occupy a cohesive space that feels balanced and natural on the HE 600, but the Arya Stealth offers a more holographic presentation.
The HE 600 doesn’t throw sound as far to the sides as the Arya, but it compensates with precise imaging and depth, allowing you to follow instruments with ease across the stereo field. This slightly more compact presentation benefits vocal and acoustic recordings where focus and realism matter more than expansiveness. Whether you’re listening to orchestral recordings, ambient textures, or film scores, the Arya creates an immersive stage where each element breathes naturally. The difference between these two soundscapes is clear; the HE600 feels more grounded, while the Arya aims for cinematic scale.
Low End
The HE600’s bass is tight and articulate, maintaining a natural sense of rhythm without excessive weight. The Arya V3 Stealth offers a more commanding low end. Its bass response has more body in the mid-bass region, creating a fuller and more powerful foundation. Kick drums and synth lines feel broader and more energetic, while sub-bass tones dig deep with authority. With the HE 600, the sub-bass extension reaches low, but rather than overwhelming the mix, it supports it with smooth linearity. You get punch and texture, especially in acoustic bass and electronic percussion, but never a significant thump. If you prefer an engaging, cinematic presentation with a bit of warmth, the Arya’s low end will likely win you over.
Mids
The midrange is where the HE600 shines with balance and realism. Vocals are presented naturally, with enough body to sound organic but enough space to breathe. The Arya V3 Stealth, meanwhile, takes a slightly more forward approach. Its midrange has a touch more presence and density, bringing instruments closer to the listener. There’s an appealing neutrality here that makes the HE600 versatile across genres, from jazz ensembles to ambient compositions. It’s the kind of tuning that rewards long listening sessions with its natural tonality and absence of fatigue. Compared to the HE600, the Arya’s mids feel more energetic, though some may find them a bit aggressive with certain mixes. Still, for most listeners, the Arya’s midrange adds excitement and a sense of immediacy that the more reserved HE600 lacks.
Highs
Treble performance marks another defining difference between the two. The HE600’s highs are crisp and refined, giving cymbals and strings a clean shimmer without sounding etched. HiFiMAN has managed to strike an impressive balance here: you get the airiness and detail of a planar design without the sharpness that can cause fatigue. This restrained yet articulate treble tuning gives the HE600 a slightly smoother, more relaxed presentation, perfect for long, analytical listening sessions.
The Arya V3 Stealth delivers a brighter and more vivid top end. Its stealth magnet configuration contributes to exceptional treble extension, allowing high-frequency details to sparkle with incredible clarity. There’s a sense of air and openness that enhances the already vast soundstage, but the treble here can be intense depending on the source material and pairing. For those who crave ultimate detail retrieval and shimmer, the Arya will impress; for those who prefer subtlety, the HE600’s approach is more forgiving.
Summary
The HiFiMAN HE600 and Arya V3 Stealth both stand as masterful examples of planar magnetic engineering, each serving a slightly different listener. The HE600 is the more balanced of the two, refined, neutral, and musically honest. It’s a headphone for listeners who value tonal accuracy, natural imaging, and long-term comfort. The Arya V3 Stealth, on the other hand, feels larger-than-life. Its vast soundstage, bold low end, and sparkling treble make it ideal for those who crave an immersive, detailed listening experience. If your focus is critical listening and natural tonality, the HE600 is a smart, versatile choice. But if you’re after that spacious, emotional “wow” factor, the feeling of stepping into your music, the Arya V3 Stealth remains one of HiFiMAN’s most captivating achievements.
The HiFiMAN HE600 and Arya Stealth are available at Audio46.
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