Over-Ear Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs HiFiMan Sundara: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 55% of 663 Audio-Technica ATH-M50x owners recommend it, vs 53% of 352 for the HiFiMan Sundara.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

55%of 663 owners recommend
55% recommend · 16% neutral · 29% don't
Owners praise
  • Excellent sound quality for the price
  • Built like a tank, lasts for years
  • Comfortable for long listening sessions
Owners complain about
  • Bloated bass that muddies the mids
  • Too-tight clamping force, uncomfortable for long sessions
  • Earpads and headband flake and peel
Full owner report →

HiFiMan Sundara

53%of 352 owners recommend
53% recommend · 30% neutral · 17% don't
Full owner report →

What Audio-Technica ATH-M50x owners say

I can absolutely recommend these, even today.
@jonas4288 on YouTube
Just got these in too, love the detachable cable.
@TLD on YouTube
the M50x isn't even good for monitoring
@DJScopeSOFM on YouTube

What HiFiMan Sundara owners say

They won't break. I've got a opair of the 2020 Sundara's and a recently purchased set of Arya Stealth. They're both perfect. Sound wise and build quality too.
Kevbassman on Reddit
Absolutely the Sundara gives you way more than its price suggests clean planar bass, great detail and a neutral tuning that honestly captures most of what people love about higher end cans.
Ornery-Ad-9419 on Reddit
I think the. Sundara is super overrated. It's fine, nothing special, has some quirks/problems that many better headphones in and above its class don't.
drwafflefingers on Reddit