Short answer: the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. Both are rated 4.0/5 for sound quality (#64 and #61 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro costs $149.99 against $179 for the HIFIMAN Sundara, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
The case for the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro: A preference score of 82 comes from a lively, bass-forward tuning, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz about 2.4 dB above target for punch and drive. The catch: Treble runs about 5 dB above target and air above 10 kHz is nearly 9 dB hot, with a peak near 10.9 dB at 11.9 kHz, so cymbals and sibilance can sound harsh, especially at high volume.
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 Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $29.01 less than the HIFIMAN Sundara.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro | HIFIMAN Sundara | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $179.00 |
| Ranked | #64 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 | 2.08 dB standard deviation | 1.54 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.40 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.8 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 |
| Impedance | 250 ohms | 37 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB SPL | 94 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (250 g) | 0.8 lbs (372 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 6Hz - 75kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x planar magnetic |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for HIFIMAN Sundara:
- AKG K371 vs HIFIMAN Sundara
- Audio-Technica ATH-R50x vs HIFIMAN Sundara
- Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro vs HIFIMAN Sundara
- HIFIMAN Deva Pro vs HIFIMAN Sundara
- Audio-Technica ATH-R50x vs Beyerdynamic DT 990 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 990 Pro: $149.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 82 comes from a lively, bass-forward tuning, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz about 2.4 dB above target for punch and drive. The open back gives a spacious, airy soundstage, and the presence and treble lift adds a sense of detail on bright recordings.
Cons: Treble runs about 5 dB above target and air above 10 kHz is nearly 9 dB hot, with a peak near 10.9 dB at 11.9 kHz, so cymbals and sibilance can sound harsh, especially at high volume. Sub-bass is about 2.5 dB low. The 250 ohm impedance needs a headphone amp, and the open back leaks sound. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.08 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 | 250 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB SPL |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.40 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.7 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 | +10.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 541 Hz | +3.1 dB | 0.52 |
| Peak | 64 Hz | -7.4 dB | 0.38 |
| Peak | 7,731 Hz | -4.6 dB | 1.06 |
| Peak | 640 Hz | +0.6 dB | 2.47 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -9.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 7,136 Hz | +3.1 dB | 2.08 |
| Peak | 5,897 Hz | -4.8 dB | 5.30 |
| Peak | 4,193 Hz | +1.1 dB | 1.51 |
| Peak | 9,436 Hz | +2.7 dB | 3.53 |
- 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