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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For an audiophile-grade listening experience with a strong emphasis on sound quality and soundstage, the HifiMan Sundara would serve you best. These open-back headphones excel in music listening but are not ideal for calls, meetings, or noisy environments due to the lack of a microphone and active noise cancelling. On the other hand, if you're looking for a versatile pair that offers noise cancellation, wireless functionality, and built-in controls for everyday use including calls and travel, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is the more suitable and affordable option. However, the audio quality won't match that of the Sundaras, and the closed-back design may not provide as wide a 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
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.3
6.7
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Gaming
7.2
5.6
The HifiMan Sundara is good for gaming, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
6.0
The HifiMan Sundara is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
TV and Video
8.8
5.8
The HifiMan Sundara is very good for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.7
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is very good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Battery
N/A
23.0 Hours
The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life.
Cost
$279
$135
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC costs $135.
Build Quality
8.2
7.0
The HifiMan Sundara has very good build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
5.3
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for phone calls.
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How the HifiMan Sundara and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Sundara | Skullcandy Hesh ANC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$279 | $135 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | December 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 23 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.6 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 394.6 Grams | 226.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof 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."
Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Maike Paeßens | 2021
"Skullcandy’s Hesh ANC are compact, wireless over-ears for everyday use that are tuned for bass and designed to suppress or amplify ambient noise as required. In addition to Bluetooth 5.0, optional tracking via the Tile app is supported so that these headphones can be found if they get lost."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Sundara or the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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 Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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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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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