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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The EPOS PC38X and Hifiman Sundara both offer excellent sound quality and open-back design, making them well-suited for critical listening. If you focus on gaming, the PC38X is a better choice due to its high scores in gaming. Moreover, it comes with a boom mic, perfect for calls and online communication, and is lighter than the Sundara, which may translate to additional comfort during extended use. In contrast, the Sundara excels in soundstage, with a slight edge over the PC38X, which may appeal to audio enthusiasts looking for a more immersive listening experience. Both lack features such as noise-cancelling and wireless capabilities, limiting their utility in noisy environments and on-the-go listening. If budget is a concern, the lower price of the PC38X might be more attractive. However, for pure music listening pleasure, you might find the Sundara's superior soundstage worth the additional investment. 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 EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
Advantages of the HifiMan Sundara
- The HifiMan Sundara has no clear advantages over the EPOS PC38X.
Key differences
Gaming
10.0
7.2
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
Phone Calls
10.0
4.9
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Cost
$139
$279
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
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Key similarities
Music
9.5
9.3
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers EPOS PC38X to be best in class for music, while the HifiMan Sundara is excellent.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
7.8
The EPOS PC38X and HifiMan Sundara are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
9.0
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers EPOS PC38X to be excellent for TV and video, while the HifiMan Sundara is very good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The EPOS PC38X and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.5
8.2
The EPOS PC38X and HifiMan Sundara both have very good build quality.
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How the EPOS PC38X and the HifiMan Sundara compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | HifiMan Sundara |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $279 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 394.6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
EPOS PC38X
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Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
HifiMan Sundara
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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 EPOS PC38X or the HifiMan Sundara
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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