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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is paramount and you primarily listen to music at home, the HifiMan Sundara offers a superior soundstage and comfort, making them ideal for critical listening. However, they are open-back and lack noise isolation, making them less suitable for noisy environments. In contrast, the Audio Technica M50x provides good sound quality with better noise isolation due to their closed-back design, and are more portable, but they might not be as comfortable for long listening sessions. They are also more budget-friendly. Neither model has wireless capability, built-in controls, or a microphone, so consider these factors if needed for calls or gaming. 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 M50x
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the HifiMan Sundara
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
8.5
9.3
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Audio Technica M50x is very good.
Gaming
6.3
7.2
The HifiMan Sundara is good for gaming, while the Audio Technica M50x is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.4
4.9
The HifiMan Sundara and Audio Technica M50x are both poor for phone calls, though the HifiMan Sundara is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.0
7.8
The HifiMan Sundara and Audio Technica M50x are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the HifiMan Sundara is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.8
8.8
The HifiMan Sundara is very good for TV and video, while the Audio Technica M50x is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Audio Technica M50x and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for noise reduction, though the Audio Technica M50x is somewhat better.
Cost
$149
$279
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica M50x has a price of $149 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.2
The Audio Technica M50x and HifiMan Sundara both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica M50x and the HifiMan Sundara compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica M50x | HifiMan Sundara |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $279 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2007 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.5/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 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 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 394.6 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica M50x
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"Good sound is timeless. It doesn’t matter that a number of years have passed since the ATH-M50x came out because it still works well. Since this wired headset doesn’t rely on batteries or Bluetooth technology, it’s bound to outlast its wireless counterparts. The no-nonsense performance, fit, and comfort of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x make it worth picking up."
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 M50x 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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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