Short answer: the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x. It ranks #52 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $169; the HIFIMAN Sundara ranks #61, rated 4.0/5, and costs $179, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x: A preference score of 83 and the smoothest deviation in this group at 1.67 dB make for a very even response, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and low mids within 0.6 dB of target. The tradeoff: Sub-bass is about 6 dB low under 60 Hz, so deep rumble is lacking.
The case for the HIFIMAN Sundara: Crinacle’s measurement gives a preference score of 82, and the midrange and treble stay within about 1 dB of target in hobbyist measurements on squig.link, so voices and instruments sound natural with a neutral balance. The tradeoff: Sub-bass falls about 5 dB below target under 60 Hz and is 6.1 dB down at 30 Hz, so kick drums and synth bass lack deep rumble.
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x. It is rated higher for sound quality than the HIFIMAN Sundara and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-R50x | HIFIMAN Sundara | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.00 | $179.00 |
| Ranked | #52 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #61 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 82 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.67 dB standard deviation | 1.54 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.4 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic | 1 x planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 50 ohms | 37 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 93.3 dB/mW | 94 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (207 g) | 0.8 lbs (372 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 6Hz - 75kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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- AKG K371 vs Audio-Technica ATH-R50x
- AKG K702 vs Audio-Technica ATH-R50x
- Audio-Technica ATH-R50x vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Audio-Technica ATH-R50x: $169.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 83 and the smoothest deviation in this group at 1.67 dB make for a very even response, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and low mids within 0.6 dB of target. At 50 ohms and 93.3 dB/mW sensitivity it can be driven by most portable sources, and at 207 g it is light. It costs less than the AKG K701 and AKG K702 while holding the same rating.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 6 dB low under 60 Hz, so deep rumble is lacking. Treble is slightly forward, with presence about 2 dB high, 6 to 10 kHz about 2.6 dB high and a 4.8 dB peak near 6.3 kHz, which can make vocals and cymbals bright. Its tilt of 0.64 leans bright, and the open back leaks sound.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-R50x review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.67 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 93.3 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (207 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +7.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 482 Hz | +2.4 dB | 0.92 |
| Peak | 60 Hz | -4.8 dB | 0.60 |
| Peak | 6,204 Hz | -3.3 dB | 1.70 |
| Peak | 38 Hz | +2.3 dB | 1.60 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,497 Hz | -1.4 dB | 3.40 |
| Peak | 851 Hz | +0.5 dB | 2.04 |
| Peak | 4,628 Hz | +1.6 dB | 4.12 |
| Peak | 3,874 Hz | -2.5 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
HIFIMAN Sundara: $179.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Crinacle’s measurement gives a preference score of 82, and the midrange and treble stay within about 1 dB of target in hobbyist measurements on squig.link, so voices and instruments sound natural with a neutral balance. The air band is lifted almost 4 dB above 10 kHz, adding openness and detail without a harsh peak. The open-back planar design gives a spacious presentation, and it is rated equal to the AKG K612 while costing less.
Cons: Sub-bass falls about 5 dB below target under 60 Hz and is 6.1 dB down at 30 Hz, so kick drums and synth bass lack deep rumble. At 94 dB/mW it needs more power than most over-ears and can run short of volume from a phone, and 372 g is heavy. The open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full HIFIMAN Sundara review and specifications →
| Released | 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.54 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 75kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 37 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (372 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.1 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 127 Hz | -2.0 dB | 0.29 |
| Peak | 2,009 Hz | +6.5 dB | 2.96 |
| Peak | 4,085 Hz | -4.4 dB | 1.19 |
| Peak | 7,580 Hz | +2.3 dB | 0.66 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 63 Hz | -1.2 dB | 2.40 |
| Peak | 38 Hz | +0.9 dB | 2.27 |
| Peak | 789 Hz | -1.6 dB | 4.10 |
| Peak | 5,821 Hz | +1.9 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons