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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Grado GT220 earbuds are wireless, more suited for exercise with a moderate battery life, and include features like touch controls and wireless charging, making them convenient for users on the go who want a portable and user-friendly set. In contrast, the HifiMan Sundara headphones have an open-back design, offering a wider soundstage and better overall sound quality, which makes them ideal for an immersive home listening experience. However, they are not portable, don't function wirelessly, and lack a microphone, which limits their use to mostly indoor listening sessions without the need for calls. If you frequently travel or engage in physical activities, the GT220 would be more practical, but if you're seeking the highest audio fidelity for critical listening at home, the Sundara would be the better 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 Grado GT220
- Good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the HifiMan Sundara
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.3
9.3
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
7.2
The HifiMan Sundara is good for gaming, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.9
4.9
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
7.8
The Grado GT220 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
TV and Video
5.5
8.8
The HifiMan Sundara is very good for TV and video, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Grado GT220 and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for noise reduction, though the Grado GT220 is somewhat better.
Battery
5.5 Hours
N/A
The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery.
Cost
$259
$279
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Grado GT220 has a price of $259 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
Build Quality
8.8
8.2
The Grado GT220 and HifiMan Sundara both have very good build quality, though the Grado GT220 has somewhat better build quality.
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How the Grado GT220 and the HifiMan Sundara compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Grado GT220 | HifiMan Sundara |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$259 | $279 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Grado | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 36 | 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 | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 394.6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
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 Grado GT220 or the HifiMan Sundara
About Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
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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Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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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.
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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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