HE1000 Stealth Magnet

I'm going to say no based on the following selection of headphones that I own: Dynamic: Verite Open, Focal Elegia, Beyerdynamic T5/3rd generation and HD650, Planar: DCA E3, DCA Noire, Hifiman HE1000 Stealth, Audeze LCD-2f. IEMs: FiiO FH7s, Westone Mach 40; earbuds: Galaxy Buds Pro 2, Galaxy Buds Pro 3, Jabra Elite Active 8, Sennheiser True Momentum 4, Bose QC II, Bose QC Ultra and ANC headphones Bose NC700, Bose QC Ultra, Sony XM5 and B&W Px8.

I’ve had a great experience with their customer service. I had purchased the HEK-V2 but thought it had channel imbalance so I was able to return it for a new one. Then I found out that once I got the replacement I wasn’t satisfied with the sound, so fortunately they provided a replacement of the HEK-Stealth. I also believe that the return policy had been past yet they still provided the replacement for the different headphone.

I own both as well, I wouldn’t say the HE1000 is a huge upgrade. The resolution of the HE1000 is honestly about on par with the Arya. The HE1000 is more intimate, trading staging for a slight improvement in vocal timbre. The two headphones are so close in sound that the differences will not be stark. I think what you’re buying with the HE1000 is just more naturalness in tonality. It sounds just slightly more “organic” or life-like. The Arya, however, feels more diffuse and captures a wider stage. The two headphones are so close that I’d assert that they are incrementally different but one is not better than the other. For lovers of the Sennheiser HD650 sound then the HE1000 leans closer to those attributes due to the improved vocal timbre. What one do I prefer? I think the Arya is unique in it’s presentation of stage and imaging, but I tend to reach for the HE1000 more often as it is a little less peaky in the upper mids.

Interesting question. I own roughly 17 headphones from low to high end. It’s maybe an obsessive hobby for me that turned into a collecting endeavor. I’ve owned the older DCA Noire, the DCA E3, Audeze LCD2, HiFiman Arya V2 and HE1000V2, ZMF Atrium and Aeolus, Beyerdynamic T1 and DT1990 and DT880, Meze 99 Classic, both Aune AR5000 and SR7000, Sennheiser 6xx, and some bass cannons like the Modhouse Argon and Harmonicdyne Eris. And a bunch of others that don’t really meaningfully stand out. I tend to notice a disparity between my “best” headphones and the ones I listen to the most. The DCAs and HiFimans are objectively excellent, but I rarely pick them up. For me, personally, I’m in love with a rich, full-bodied and impactful sound. The ZMF Aeolus on an OTL Tube amp takes the win for me every time. It just makes every single song sound so enjoyable. It is soulful and “weighty”. Many of my headphones are technically better in many categories, but if enjoyment is the most important factor then the ZMF Aeolus hits the mark every time. It is just so well rounded and engaging with every type of music.

My favorite headphones are the meze elite, and they share a lot of similarities to the 105 aer as said in another comment. Other headphones I tend to enjoy on the daily are hd560s, hd6xx, dt1990 and the he1000 stealth. Although as I said, the 105 aer tends to be my daily pick. They sound amazing and are very comfortable! Edit: forgot about music. It depends somewhat on the headphone. The meze elite is very fun with movie scores and big symphonies, but on the daily i listen to anything from ásgeir to some Ren. 105 aer works for it all.

I just got the HE1000 stealth, and a brand new Schiit Jottenheim 3 (with the integrated DAC). Couldn't be happier with the sound. It really opened up on Day 2 of listening. I'm coming from a Sennheiser HD650 paired with a Bottlehead Crack

I've tried the Arya Stealth at a buddy's house. Only 30 mins listening session... but to my ears the HE1000s were significantly more transparent and worth the price diff.

It's currently a tossup between my HE1000 Stealth and Empyrean II. Love them both for very different reasons

I've tried the Unveiled and the SE back to back. The Unveiled was absolute heaven but I just can't get away from the lovely aesthetic of the HE1K Stealth. The brown strap adds a little bit of flavor for me. While a part of me wishes for that insane crisp treble of the Unveiled, I am just fine with the "darker" tuning of the Stealth. It's ever so slightly less fatiguing and I don't worry about stuff touching the magnets as much. I might get an Unveiled one day, but for now, I need to chill out and save up to move out haha

Fun can w too much bass and treble for me.  HEK Stealth and Arya U both better as is a refurbed or used HE-6 SE or SE 2.