Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth V2
78Great
$399
Full review dataHiFiMAN Ananda Stealth V2 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM4 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM4 - Outstanding overall at around $300.
Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM4
88Outstanding
$300
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth V2
Sound8.0
Value8.0
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth V2 | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $399 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2023 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | dynamic |
| Driver size | - | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 8Hz-55kHz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 26 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 93 dB/mW | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | none | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.0 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 180 min |
| Quick charge | none | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | none | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | No | Yes |
| Companion app | No | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | Yes |
| Controls | none | touch |
| Voice assistant | - | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 440 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Balanced connection | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 2 |
What reviewers said
HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth V2
The HiFiMAN Ananda Stealth V2 is an open-back planar headphone that delivers a balanced, detailed sound signature with strong technical performance for its price. It's relatively easy to drive despite its planar design, though comfort and build details like the inner foam and fixed earcup angle may not suit everyone. The treble can be bright for some listeners, but overall it's a capable option for critical listening.
- Pro:Balanced, natural tonal character
- Pro:Easy to drive for a planar
- Pro:Good detail retrieval and soundstage
- Con:Inner foam and headband comfort could be better
- Con:Earcups lack swivel for optimal fit
- Con:Treble peaks may be harsh for sensitive ears
Sony WH-1000XM4
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are premium wireless over-ears that blend top-tier adaptive noise cancellation with a well-balanced, detailed sound signature. They offer a lengthy 30-hour battery, LDAC support, and a comfortable, lightweight build that still holds up well against newer competitors. With handy features like multipoint pairing, touch controls, and a quick charge function, they remain a versatile choice for daily use and travel.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Detailed, accurate audio with LDAC support
- Pro:Comfortable and lightweight for long sessions
- Con:No dedicated aptX codec support
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky for some users
- Con:Plastic build feels less premium than price suggests
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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