Short answer: the HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-Back. It ranks #287 of 481 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $129; the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X ranks #314, rated 3.2/5, and costs $139.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-Back does well: A planar magnetic closed-back at 20 ohms and 98 dB, so a phone can drive it. Watch for: Presence from 3 to 6 kHz is about 4.8 dB low, with a 9.5 dB dip near 4 kHz, so vocals and snare attack sound recessed.
What the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X does well: The open-back 53mm driver gives a wide, airy sound, and the air region above 10 kHz is nearly on target. The tradeoff: Sub-bass sits about 11 dB below target and bass from 60 to 200 Hz is roughly 3 dB low, so kick drums and bass lines sound thin.
Buy the HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-Back. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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A planar magnetic closed-back at 20 ohms and 98 dB, so a phone can drive it.
Amazon $129.00 eBay
The open-back 53mm driver gives a wide, airy sound, and the air region above 10 kHz is nearly on target.
Amazon $139.99 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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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Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-Back | Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.00 | $139.99 |
| Ranked | #287 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #314 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 66 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 63 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.77 dB standard deviation | 3.47 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.87 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.48 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.4 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 63 Hz (-11.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm planar magnetic | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 20 ohms | 38 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB | 100 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (426 g) | 0.6 lbs (265 g) |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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