Dan Clark Audio Stealth vs Meze ARTA: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Dan Clark Audio Stealth comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 78. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Dan Clark Audio Stealth - Great overall at around $4499.

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Dan Clark Audio Stealth leads on 4 of 4 measures.

Dan Clark Audio Stealth
Meze ARTA

HearWiki score

Sound

9.3

8.2

Value

5.7

4.1

Price (USD)

$4,500

$6,000

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

The Meze ARTA is 5 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 5 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.

Stealth2021
ARTA20265 yr newer

Specifications

StealthARTA

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $4,500; $6,000
HearWiki score: 78; 69
Released: 2021; 2026
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 76 mm planar magnetic; 102 mm planar magnetic
Driver type: planar; planar
Driver size: 76 mm; 102 mm
Drivers per side: 1; -
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 3 Hz - 115 kHz
Impedance: 23 Ω; 225 Ω
Sensitivity: 90 dB/mW; 98 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling: No; No
Weight: 415 g; 495 g
USB-C: No; -
Connector: 4.4 mm balanced; XLR
Balanced connection: Yes; -

Specification comparison of Dan Clark Audio Stealth vs Meze ARTA
Spec	Dan Clark Audio Stealth	Meze ARTA
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$4,500	$6,000
HearWiki score	78 / 100 Great	69 / 100 Good
Released	2021	2026
Audio
Driver	76 mm planar magnetic	102 mm planar magnetic
Driver type	planar	planar
Driver size	76 mm	102 mm
Drivers per side	1	-
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	3 Hz - 115 kHz
Impedance	23 Ω	225 Ω
Sensitivity	90 dB/mW	98 dB/mW
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	No
Design
Weight	415 g	495 g
USB-C	No	-
Connector	4.4 mm balanced	XLR
Balanced connection	Yes	-

What reviewers said

Dan Clark Audio Stealth

The Dan Clark Audio Stealth is a premium closed-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers a remarkably refined and natural sound signature, backed by strong technical performance and flagship-level build quality. It excels in clarity and detail while maintaining a smooth presentation, though it requires a powerful amplifier to reach its full potential, especially in the bass. As a wired-only model with balanced connectivity, it targets audiophiles seeking top-tier closed-back performance.

Pro:Exceptional clarity and detail retrieval
Pro:Natural and smooth tonal balance
Pro:Flagship-grade build and accessories

Con:Requires ample amplifier power
Con:Premium price point
Con:No wireless or ANC options

Meze ARTA

The Meze ARTA is a flagship open-back planar magnetic headphone featuring a large 102mm driver and a warm-neutral, speaker-like sound with an expansive 3D soundstage. It excels with classical, jazz, and acoustic music but demands high-quality desktop amplification due to its high impedance and power requirements. Premium build and accessories complement its ambitious new driver engineering.

Pro:Large, immersive 3D soundstage
Pro:Warm-neutral, rich tonality
Pro:Excellent for classical and acoustic genres

Con:Requires powerful, serious amplification
Con:Very high price point
Con:No noise cancellation or wireless options

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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