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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The HifiMan Sundara, being more expensive, offers a premium listening experience with high sound quality and an open design that greatly benefits soundstage and imaging, making it exceptional for critical listening and enjoying music in a quiet environment. However, because it's wired and lacks a microphone, it's not convenient for calls or mobile use. On the other hand, the Sony WH-CH520 is more budget-friendly, and as wireless closed-back headphones, they offer greater convenience with built-in controls, a microphone for calls, and a lightweight, portable build. They also provide longer battery life and app support, making them versatile for everyday use including exercise and travel. If you prioritize immersion and critical listening, the Sundara would be the better choice, but if you need versatility and practical features for different scenarios, the Sony WH-CH520 is more suitable. 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 Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
9.3
7.6
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Sony WH-CH520 is good.
Gaming
7.2
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for gaming, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
Phone Calls
4.9
6.7
The Sony WH-CH520 is only fair for phone calls, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
TV and Video
8.8
8.2
The HifiMan Sundara and Sony WH-CH520 are both very good for TV and video, though the HifiMan Sundara is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
2.5
4.6
The Sony WH-CH520 and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
52.0 Hours
The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$279
$50
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $50.
Build Quality
8.2
7.0
The HifiMan Sundara has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-CH520 to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
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How the HifiMan Sundara and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Sundara | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$279 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 394.6 Grams | 147.41 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."
Sony WH-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Sundara or the Sony WH-CH520
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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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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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