A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The HifiMan Sundara headphones, being open-back and over-ear with excellent sound quality and soundstage, offer an immersive listening experience for music and TV at home; however, they lack portability, are not suited for exercise, do not have a microphone, and are advised to be used with an amplifier for best performance. In contrast, the JBL Tune Buds are stemless earbuds that are more affordable, portable, sweatproof, and dustproof, great for exercise and travel with good built-in controls and app features. Their closed design offers modest noise isolation but less impressive sound quality and soundstage. While they support wireless charging and have a long battery life, they are not the best for calls or gaming due to lower mic quality and potential latency issues. Consider your main use cases, whether you prioritize sound quality at home or convenience on the go, and if you're willing to invest in additional equipment like an amplifier for the 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 HifiMan Sundara
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the JBL Tune Buds
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.3
6.2
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Gaming
7.2
5.4
The HifiMan Sundara is good for gaming, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
5.8
The HifiMan Sundara is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
TV and Video
8.8
6.1
The HifiMan Sundara is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.7
The JBL Tune Buds is only fair for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Battery
N/A
10.4 Hours
The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery. The JBL Tune Buds has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Cost
$279
$50
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the JBL Tune Buds costs $50.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
4.9
The HifiMan Sundara and JBL Tune Buds are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.2
8.5
The JBL Tune Buds and HifiMan Sundara both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the HifiMan Sundara and the JBL Tune Buds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Sundara | JBL Tune Buds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$279 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 10.4 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 30 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 394.6 Grams | 10.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
HifiMan Sundara
See more
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."
JBL Tune Buds
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | September 2023
"JBL’s Tune Buds stick with the company’s signature bass-heavy sound by default, but a quality in-app EQ lets you sculpt the audio to taste. These noise-cancelling true wireless earphones also mitigate environmental distractions fairly well for the price and offer good battery life. If you're specifically seeking bold, bass-tuned audio out of the box, the Tune Buds are worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Sundara or the JBL Tune Buds
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.
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,600
Recommendations made
18,390
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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.
Featured in
