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What we think
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Updated April 10, 2024·
If you favor portability and ease of use from wireless technology, the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX with its active noise cancelling and sweatproof design is better suited for diverse environments, including exercise and travel. However, for an exceptional music listening experience, particularly at home or in a quiet setting, the HifiMan Sundara's open-back design and planar drivers provide superior sound quality, though they necessitate an amplifier for optimal performance and lack convenience features such as a built-in microphone and wireless connectivity. Keep in mind that the Beoplay EX earbuds are a more versatile but costlier choice that performs well across a variety of uses, whereas the HifiMan Sundara headphones are primarily focused on audiophile-grade sound in a stationary environment. 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 EX
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the HifiMan Sundara
- Excellent for music
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.9
9.3
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is good.
Gaming
9.3
7.2
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is excellent for gaming, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.1
7.8
The HifiMan Sundara is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has 6.5 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery.
Cost
$399
$279
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has a price of $399 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
Build Quality
10.0
8.2
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has best in class build quality, while the HifiMan Sundara has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.3
4.9
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
8.9
8.8
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and HifiMan Sundara are both very good for TV and video.
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How the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and the HifiMan Sundara compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX | HifiMan Sundara |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $279 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bang and Olufsen | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.4/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 9/10 | 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 | 22 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 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 | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 394.6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
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Dig into reviews and images
Leaf and Core
Danielle | January 2023
"If you’ve wanted truly wireless headphones, but couldn’t pick them up because they sound terrible, these will be the headphones that win you over. If you’re the kind of person who would consider spending $400 on headphones, these are the right truly wireless headphones for you."
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 EX 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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