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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M40X offers high sound quality and soundstage for its lower midrange price, making it an excellent budget-friendly choice for wired listening at home or in the studio due to its closed-back design which provides some noise isolation. However, being less comfortable and heavier could impact longer listening sessions. The HifiMan Sundara, on the other hand, has a more expansive soundstage and higher comfort rating, which is preferable for extended use. Although it's more expensive and open-back, leading to less noise isolation, its superior music listening quality could justify the cost for audiophiles. Neither has a microphone or wireless capabilities, and both are not suitable for exercise use but can be used for casual gaming and watching TV or videos, considering Sundara’s slightly better score in these categories. 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 M40X
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the HifiMan Sundara
- Excellent for music
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.1
9.3
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good.
Phone Calls
3.3
4.9
The HifiMan Sundara and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the HifiMan Sundara is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
7.8
The HifiMan Sundara is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for noise reduction, though the Audio Technica ATH M40X is somewhat better.
Cost
$99
$279
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
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Key similarities
Gaming
7.0
7.2
The HifiMan Sundara and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both good for gaming.
TV and Video
8.7
8.8
The HifiMan Sundara and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both very good for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.2
8.2
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and HifiMan Sundara both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the HifiMan Sundara compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | HifiMan Sundara |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $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 | 8.1/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
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 | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 394.6 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M40X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Lily Katz | August 2023
"If you were to pick one headset to fill all of your needs, the ATH-M40x is a great buy with its sub-$100 price tag, pleasant sound quality, and accessories. Whether you need to use it for live monitoring, a midnight editing session, or to underscore a campus walk, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a great companion."
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 M40X 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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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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