Short answer: the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro. Both are rated 4.0/5 for sound quality (#63 and #61 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro costs $154.99 against $179 for the HIFIMAN Sundara, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
What the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro does well: A preference score of 82 in oratory1990’s measurement reflects a lively closed-back sound with extra low end: sub-bass is about 3.4 dB above target, which adds weight to kick drums and bass lines. Watch for: A 7.8 dB dip near 3.75 kHz pulls back vocal presence, while a 5 dB peak near 8.1 kHz and treble about 2.6 dB above target make cymbals and S sounds sharp.
What the HIFIMAN Sundara does well: 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. Watch for: 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 Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $24.01 less than the HIFIMAN Sundara.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro | HIFIMAN Sundara | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $154.99 | $179.00 |
| Ranked | #63 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #61 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 82 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.31 dB standard deviation | 1.54 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.19 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+3.5 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 80 ohms | 37 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB SPL | 94 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 6Hz - 75kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x planar magnetic |
| Weight | - | 0.8 lbs (372 g) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to HIFIMAN Sundara:
- AKG K371 vs HIFIMAN Sundara
- Audio-Technica ATH-R50x vs HIFIMAN Sundara
- Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro vs HIFIMAN Sundara
- HIFIMAN Deva Pro vs HIFIMAN Sundara
- 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
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro: $154.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 82 in oratory1990’s measurement reflects a lively closed-back sound with extra low end: sub-bass is about 3.4 dB above target, which adds weight to kick drums and bass lines. The closed back isolates well for tracking or noisy rooms. At 80 ohms and 96 dB SPL it works with most interfaces and decent amps.
Cons: A 7.8 dB dip near 3.75 kHz pulls back vocal presence, while a 5 dB peak near 8.1 kHz and treble about 2.6 dB above target make cymbals and S sounds sharp. The deviation of 2.3 dB is the least smooth of the group. The 80 ohm impedance is demanding for a phone alone.
Full Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.31 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 80 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB SPL |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+3.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.19 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.1 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 | -3.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,430 Hz | -4.2 dB | 0.97 |
| Peak | 3,684 Hz | +6.8 dB | 2.88 |
| Peak | 213 Hz | +3.5 dB | 2.46 |
| Peak | 139 Hz | -3.9 dB | 4.92 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 93 Hz | +3.5 dB | 3.00 |
| Peak | 9,561 Hz | +2.3 dB | 1.86 |
| Peak | 45 Hz | -1.3 dB | 1.74 |
| Peak | 119 Hz | -2.1 dB | 5.83 |
- 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