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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the HifiMan Sundara, you have to consider your budget and desired audio experience. The M20X is much less expensive and offers a solid overall sound quality with good noise isolation suited for a closed-back design, which makes it versatile for casual listening and some professional use. However, the Sundara, while more costly, provides superior sound quality, a far better soundstage for a more immersive experience, and excellent comfort that justifies its open-back design and higher price. The Sundara won't isolate noise as effectively and is not ideal for noisy environments. Neither has built-in controls or microphones, so they aren't suitable for calls. If you prioritize price and noise isolation for diverse environments, go for the M20X; if sound quality and comfort are your main concerns and you mainly listen in quiet spaces, the Sundara is the better choice. 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 Audio Technica ATH M20X
- The Audio Technica ATH M20X has no clear advantages over the HifiMan Sundara.
Advantages of the HifiMan Sundara
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
9.3
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.
Gaming
6.2
7.2
The HifiMan Sundara is good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
4.9
The HifiMan Sundara and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both poor for phone calls, though the HifiMan Sundara is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
7.8
The HifiMan Sundara is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
8.8
The HifiMan Sundara is very good for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
2.5
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Cost
$49
$279
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
Build Quality
6.9
8.2
The HifiMan Sundara has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the HifiMan Sundara compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | HifiMan Sundara |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $279 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 394.6 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M20X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"Audio-Technica positively defies what you can expect for around $50. Ultimately, Audio-Technica did not design the ATH-M20x to go on the subway with you. It’s for the budget-conscious, do-it-yourself producer, podcaster, or studio that needs to buy tracking cans in bulk. If you don’t need the most deluxe, comfortable headphones, maybe you’ll like the ATH-M20x for its spartan functionality. The headphones are aimed at giving you the minimum requirements without it feeling like a sacrifice."
HifiMan Sundara
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | July 2023
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the HifiMan Sundara
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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