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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choose the HifiMan Sundara if you prefer over-ear headphones with an open-back design for a more expansive soundstage, better overall sound quality, especially for music, and lower latency suited for TV and video. However, they are not portable, offer low noise isolation, and lack a microphone, making them less suitable for calls, meetings, and use in noisy environments. On the other hand, the Sony WF1000XM5 earbuds are a great choice if you need portability, active noise cancelling for travel, and built-in controls for convenience. While they provide good sound quality for various content and activities, they may not match the Sundara's immersion for music listening. Their stemless design is discreet, they come with a microphone, and are sweatproof, making them versatile for exercise and outdoor use. 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 Sony WF1000XM5
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.3
8.0
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is very good.
Gaming
7.2
5.1
The HifiMan Sundara is good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
4.9
The HifiMan Sundara is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
TV and Video
8.8
5.4
The HifiMan Sundara is very good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM5 is very good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM5 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$279
$298
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the Sony WF1000XM5 costs $298.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
5.0
The Sony WF1000XM5 and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.2
8.5
The Sony WF1000XM5 and HifiMan Sundara both have very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Sundara and the Sony WF1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Sundara | Sony WF1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$279 | $298 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | July 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
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 | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.5/10 | |
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 | 6 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."
Sony WF1000XM5
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Harley Maranan | July 2023
"The Sony WF-1000XM5 is among the best noise canceling earbuds currently on the market, and they aren’t cheap. These earbuds aren’t the best choice for budget-conscious listeners. But if you prioritize active noise cancelation, sound quality, and extensive software support, the WF-1000XM5 is worth its premium price tag."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Sundara or the Sony WF1000XM5
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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.
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