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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience, the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ earbuds would be a fitting choice since they offer Bluetooth capabilities, active noise cancelling, and a compact design suitable for exercise and travel. However, if your focus is on superior sound quality and immersion, especially for critical listening and enjoying a wider soundstage, the HifiMan Sundara headphones come out on top, although they require a wired connection and lack active noise cancellation, making them less versatile for noisy environments or on-the-go use. Keep in mind the Sundara's open-back design would offer minimal isolation from outside noise. 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 Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the HifiMan Sundara
- Excellent for music
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.8
9.3
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is only fair.
Gaming
8.4
7.2
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is very good for gaming, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
Phone Calls
7.2
4.9
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is good for phone calls, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
7.8
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
TV and Video
7.8
8.8
The HifiMan Sundara is very good for TV and video, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is good.
Noise Reduction
7.0
2.5
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has 6.5 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery.
Cost
$176
$279
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has a price of $176 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
Build Quality
8.9
8.2
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ and HifiMan Sundara both have very good build quality, though the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has somewhat better build quality.
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How the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ and the HifiMan Sundara compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ | HifiMan Sundara |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$176 | $279 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bang and Olufsen | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2021 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.2/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8 Grams | 394.6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | March 2022
"Bang & Olufsen’s audio products prioritize style and function just as much as sound quality. The company’s latest Beoplay EQ noise-cancelling true wireless earphones combine strong, accurate-leaning audio with solid noise cancellation in an exceedingly classy design."
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 Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ or the HifiMan Sundara
About Bang and Olufsen
Bang and Olufsen is an almost century-old electronic goods manufacturer based in Denmark with a very special focus on design. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created the first AC radio in 1925 and went on to develop televisions, telephones and, of course, headphones and loudspeakers. Today, they are partnered with several companies, like Audi, BMW and Aston Martin, to provide very high-quality audio solutions.
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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