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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're seeking exceptional sound for music and don't mind the higher cost, the Sennheiser HD800S delivers top-notch audio quality with a slightly better soundstage, which can be ideal for critical listening environments. Additionally, they are noted for their comfort. However, if price is a significant concern and you still want high-quality audio with a strong soundstage, the HifiMan Sundara is a formidable choice at a considerably lower price point, offering outstanding value for music listening. Both headphones feature open-back designs, meaning they're not suited for noisy environments as they don't isolate sound well and also leak audio. Neither model is designed for exercise, featuring long cables and no wireless capabilities, but they both excel in delivering high-fidelity sound for at-home listening. 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
- The HifiMan Sundara has no clear advantages over the Sennheiser HD800S.
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD800S
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
9.3
9.9
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for music, while the HifiMan Sundara is excellent.
TV and Video
8.8
9.7
The Sennheiser HD800S is best in class for TV and video, while the HifiMan Sundara is very good.
Cost
$279
$1,390
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the Sennheiser HD800S costs $1,390.
Build Quality
8.2
9.0
The Sennheiser HD800S has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Sundara has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
7.2
7.5
The Sennheiser HD800S and HifiMan Sundara are both good for gaming.
Phone Calls
4.9
5.0
The Sennheiser HD800S 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 HD800S to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The HifiMan Sundara and Sennheiser HD800S are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the HifiMan Sundara and the Sennheiser HD800S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Sundara | Sennheiser HD800S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$279 | $1,390 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | December 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 9.7/10 | |
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 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 394.6 Grams | 371.9 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 HD800S
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | March 2023
"The cans offer stellar sound quality, comfort, and good maintenance options—so they're an easy recommendation if you have the cash and the need for the last headphones you'll buy for years."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Sundara or the Sennheiser HD800S
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
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.
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