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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats Solo 3 is a more budget-friendly, wireless option with convenience for on-the-go use and a foldable design for portability, making it suitable for casual listening, exercise, and travel, with decent battery life. However, they are closed-back headphones, which limits soundstage and may not deliver the most accurate sound reproduction. The HifiMan Sundara is a premium, wired headphone with an open-back design providing a wider soundstage and a more natural listening experience ideal for critical listening and enjoying high-fidelity music. They lack a microphone and wireless capabilities, making them less versatile for calls, meetings, and portable use. The choice depends on whether you prioritize convenience and price (Beats Solo 3) or sound quality and an immersive listening experience (HifiMan Sundara). 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 Beats Solo 3
- Very good for air travel
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
6.3
9.3
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
7.2
The HifiMan Sundara is good for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
7.8
The HifiMan Sundara is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
8.8
The HifiMan Sundara is very good for TV and video, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Beats Solo 3 and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for noise reduction, though the Beats Solo 3 is somewhat better.
Battery
41.5 Hours
N/A
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery.
Cost
$117
$279
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.7
4.9
The HifiMan Sundara and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.0
8.2
The HifiMan Sundara and Beats Solo 3 both have very good build quality.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the HifiMan Sundara compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | HifiMan Sundara |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $279 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | N/A | |
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 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 394.6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats Solo 3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Beats Solo3 Wireless is an old set of headphones but still works reliably well with iPhones, due to W1 chip integration and AAC support. The Beats Solo3 Wireless holds up well today with just a few features showing its age."
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 Beats Solo 3 or the HifiMan Sundara
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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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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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Chandradeep Chowdhury
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
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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