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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize high-quality sound for music and a wide soundstage, the HifiMan Sundara headphones offer excellent performance, especially with an amplifier. They are over-ear, open-back headphones, which means they're not ideal for noisy environments or travel and have no sweat resistance, which makes them unsuitable for exercise. On the other hand, JBL Tune Flex earbuds are much more portable, offer active noise cancelling, and are sweatproof, making them versatile for various environments, including exercise and travel. They also support low-latency listening, which is better for video content and gaming. Choose HifiMan if audio fidelity is your top priority and you mostly listen in quiet spaces, or go for the JBL Tune Flex if you need versatility and functionality in different settings, including outdoor activities. 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
- Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the JBL Tune Flex
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
9.3
7.3
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the JBL Tune Flex is good.
Gaming
7.2
8.5
The JBL Tune Flex is very good for gaming, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
Phone Calls
4.9
6.3
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for phone calls, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
9.0
The JBL Tune Flex is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
TV and Video
8.8
7.8
The HifiMan Sundara is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Tune Flex is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.5
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.5 Hours
The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery. The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$279
$60
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the JBL Tune Flex costs $60.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.2
8.5
The JBL Tune Flex and HifiMan Sundara both have very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Sundara and the JBL Tune Flex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Sundara | JBL Tune Flex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$279 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | September 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | 5.1/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 394.6 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
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."
JBL Tune Flex
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Dig into reviews and images
MajorHiFi
Gabby Bloch | May 2023
"JBL is offering a similar design and arguably better resolution than the more expensive AirPods 3rd Generation. Add to that a comfortable and versatile fit, an equalizer and pretty decent ANC, and you’ve got a quality wireless earphone. I would have loved longer battery life and more crystal calls, but for the price, you can’t complain. A solid deal overall."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Sundara or the JBL Tune Flex
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.
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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.
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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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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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