A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize high-quality music listening at home, the HifiMan Sundara offers superior sound quality, soundstage, and comfort for a premium price. They're open-back headphones, meaning they're not suited for noisy environments or for keeping your music private. On the other hand, Soundcore Space A40 earbuds are more portable, offer active noise cancelling for various environments including air travel, and come at a lower midrange price. They also feature wireless convenience, which is great for on-the-go use, but they might not match the same level of sound detail and spaciousness as the Sundara. If your concern is budget and versatility, including decent performance for calls and some resilience to sweat and dust, Space A40 is the choice; if you're after the premium listening experience at home regardless of cost, go for Sundara. 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 Soundcore Space A40
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.3
7.7
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Soundcore Space A40 is good.
Gaming
7.2
4.9
The HifiMan Sundara is good for gaming, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
4.9
The HifiMan Sundara is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
TV and Video
8.8
5.3
The HifiMan Sundara is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Soundcore Space A40 is excellent for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Battery
N/A
8.0 Hours
The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery. The Soundcore Space A40 has 8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$279
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the Soundcore Space A40 costs $80.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.9
4.8
The HifiMan Sundara and Soundcore Space A40 are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.2
8.5
The Soundcore Space A40 and HifiMan Sundara both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the HifiMan Sundara and the Soundcore Space A40 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Sundara | Soundcore Space A40 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$279 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 8 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 32 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
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 | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 394.6 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
HifiMan Sundara
See more
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."
Soundcore Space A40
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Smart | May 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space A40 is an excellent deal if you want affordable noise canceling earbuds with great sound. The baseline frequency response is enjoyable, and the many EQ presets to choose from plus the ability to customize your sound profile makes it good for pretty much anyone. The noise canceling is quite good, and the many ear tips to choose from ensure a good fit for the noise canceling and isolation to do its job."
Get a great deal on the HifiMan Sundara or the Soundcore Space A40
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 Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,600
Recommendations made
18,390
Consumer hours saved
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.
Featured in
