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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Focal Elex offers great sound quality and a slightly better build quality but may not be as comfortable or have a soundstage as expansive as the HifiMan Arya Stealth. If you prioritize a more immersive listening experience with a wider soundstage and higher comfort for longer sessions, the Arya Stealth could be worth the extra cost. Both models lack features such as wireless connectivity, noise cancelling, and sweat or dustproofing, so they are best suited for quiet indoor environments. Neither are optimal for exercise or travel due to their open design and lower portability. Neither have built-in microphones for calls or active noise canceling features, making them less suitable for noisy settings or virtual meetings. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Focal Elex
- The Focal Elex has no clear advantages over the HifiMan Arya Stealth.
Advantages of the HifiMan Arya Stealth
- Best in class for music
- Good for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.7
10.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the Focal Elex is good.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and Focal Elex are both poor for phone calls, though the HifiMan Arya Stealth is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
8.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Elex is good.
TV and Video
8.3
9.4
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent for TV and video, while the Focal Elex is very good.
Cost
$749
$649
$300
$320
$340
$360
$380
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the HifiMan Arya Stealth costs $649.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.9
7.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HifiMan Arya Stealth to be good for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Focal Elex and HifiMan Arya Stealth are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Focal Elex and HifiMan Arya Stealth both have excellent build quality.
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How the Focal Elex and the HifiMan Arya Stealth compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | HifiMan Arya Stealth |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $649 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | November 1, 2018 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 408.2 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Focal Elex
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Dig into reviews and images
Golden Sound
Golden Sound | October 2021
"The Focal Elex are an excellent pair of headphones for the money and a great all-rounder that will suit many tastes. They’re an easy recommendation for anyone looking for something comfortable, well built, that looks good, and will work with just about any genre."
HifiMan Arya Stealth
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | October 2022
"The Arya can easily be end-game headphones for 99% of consumers, satisfying most audio desires. Priced well above USD$1000, the Arya are obviously and gloriously not for the mass market consumer; they are designed and built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts – especially those who view their expenses on this level of gear as investments."
Get a great deal on the Focal Elex or the HifiMan Arya Stealth
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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