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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The HifiMan Sundara offers a planar magnetic driver, often preferred for its detailed sound quality, but it's recommended to use a dedicated amplifier to get the best out of them, which may be an additional expense if you don't already own one. The Sennheiser 560S has a dynamic driver which provides excellent sound as well and might be better for those who don't want the hassle of extra gear. While both are over-ear, open-back headphones providing a spacious soundstage, the Sundara may have a slight edge in build quality but also comes with a higher price tag. If versatility and ease of use straight out of the box is a priority, the Sennheiser 560S could be more suitable and budget-friendly, but for audio enthusiasts looking for top-tier sound who don't mind the extra investment, the Sundara might be the better option. 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
- Good for gaming
Advantages of the Sennheiser 560S
- Best in class for music
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Cost
$279
$180
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the Sennheiser 560S costs $180.
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Key similarities
Music
9.3
9.5
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser 560S to be best in class for music, while the HifiMan Sundara is excellent.
Gaming
7.2
6.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HifiMan Sundara to be good for gaming, while the Sennheiser 560S is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.9
5.1
The Sennheiser 560S and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
8.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser 560S to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
TV and Video
8.8
9.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser 560S to be excellent for TV and video, while the HifiMan Sundara is very good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The HifiMan Sundara and Sennheiser 560S are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.2
8.0
The HifiMan Sundara and Sennheiser 560S both have very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Sundara and the Sennheiser 560S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Sundara | Sennheiser 560S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$279 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 394.6 Grams | 244.9 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Sennheiser 560S
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Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | March 2022
"Sennheiser made a near perfect pair of studio monitors with the HD 560S. Flat bass response? Check. Neutral and uncolored midrange? Check. Extended treble with a bit of lower-treble emphasis to highlight mastering flaws? Check. Fairly easy to drive? Check. Good soundstage and imaging? Check, and check."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Sundara or the Sennheiser 560S
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 Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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