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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and enjoy a wide and natural soundstage for music, the HifiMan Sundara's over-ear, open back design offers an excellent immersive listening experience with superior sound quality and comfort, but it lacks a built-in microphone and is less suitable for calls, meetings, and noisy environments due to poor isolation. In contrast, "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) earbuds offer more versatility with good sound, a built-in microphone, active noise cancelling, and sweat resistance, making them more convenient for calls, active use, and travel, and they support wireless use and charging, though they may not match the Sundara's audio fidelity and open soundstage. 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
Advantages of the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
9.3
7.0
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good.
Gaming
7.2
8.5
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for gaming, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
Phone Calls
4.9
7.9
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is good for phone calls, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
9.1
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
TV and Video
8.8
8.0
The HifiMan Sundara and "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) are both very good for TV and video, though the HifiMan Sundara is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) is very good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.7 Hours
The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery. The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$279
$149
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) costs $149.
Build Quality
8.2
9.0
The "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Sundara has very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Sundara and the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Sundara | "Nothing" Brand Ear (2) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$279 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | "Nothing" Brand | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | March 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 7.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6.7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1 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 | 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 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 394.6 Grams | 4.4 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."
"Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2023
"For the price the Nothing Ear (2) is pretty good. It fits well, and the IP54 rating (and IP55 with case) is durable enough for daily life. Most of its unique features are found in the Nothing X app, such as personalized frequency responses, and personalized, adjustable ANC."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Sundara or the "Nothing" Brand Ear (2)
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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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
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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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