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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The HifiMan Sundara and the Moondrop Nekocake serve different needs due to their design and features. The Sundara, being over-ear and open-back, offers a superior overall sound quality and soundstage, making them excellent for immersive music listening in quiet environments. They are wired, which means no battery life concerns, but limits portability. They also lack a microphone, making them less suitable for calls. The Nekocake, on the other hand, are closed-back earbuds, offering better portability, wireless convenience, and a built-in microphone for calls, but with less sound quality and soundstage. Consider these tradeoffs in relation to your priorities and budget. 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
Advantages of the Moondrop Nekocake
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.3
5.7
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Gaming
7.2
4.6
The HifiMan Sundara is good for gaming, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Phone Calls
4.9
6.1
The Moondrop Nekocake is only fair for phone calls, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
TV and Video
8.8
5.0
The HifiMan Sundara is very good for TV and video, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
7.0
The Moondrop Nekocake is good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Battery
N/A
3.0 Hours
The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery. The Moondrop Nekocake has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$279
$39
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the Moondrop Nekocake costs $39.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
7.7
The HifiMan Sundara and Moondrop Nekocake are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
8.2
8.5
The Moondrop Nekocake and HifiMan Sundara both have very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Sundara and the Moondrop Nekocake compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Sundara | Moondrop Nekocake |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$279 | $39 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Moondrop | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 4.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 12 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 7/10 | |
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 | 5.4/10 | |
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 | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 394.6 Grams | 5.4 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."
Moondrop Nekocake
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Headphonics
Jarvin | January 2022
"What sets the Nekocake apart from its competition at this price point is the Moondrop Link app that allows the user to change the tonal balance of the Nekocake. This makes sure that it’s versatile enough to suit different sonic preferences while allowing some customization of controls."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Sundara or the Moondrop Nekocake
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 Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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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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