Head to head · for music listening
HIFIMAN Sundara vs Focal Elegia
More people recommend the HIFIMAN Sundara overall (80 vs 35). None of the 18 comments that name both says outright which one to buy, so read the loves and complaints and decide by taste.
- Comments naming both
- 18
- Say they own both
- 2
- Choose the Sundara
- 0
- Choose the Elegia
- 0
Counted across 13 review videos, harvested Sep 2026. A comment counts as a choice only when it says so in plain words (prefer X over Y, upgraded from Y to X); questions never count. Quotes are whole sentences of 12 words or fewer, linked to where they were said. How we count.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $179cheaper | $400 |
| Overall rank | #6higher | #14 |
| People who recommend it | 80more | 35 |
| Say they own it | 115more | 34 |
| Mentions | 831more | 302 |
| Type | open-back planar wired | closed-back wired |
| Known for | Planar detailHomeAmp helps | Closed-backDetailUsed market |
| Best for | Best planar-magnetic sound under $200 for someone who already has, or will buy, a small desktop amp. | Best-sounding closed-back most people had actually heard under $500, if you can find one. |
| Buy | Amazon · $179 | Amazon · $400 |
#6 overall
HIFIMAN Sundara
2 of the 18 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.
What owners love
- Planar speed and detail that people say is unmatched at the price
- Good soundstage and imaging; responds well to EQ
- Frequently on sale or open-box direct from HIFIMAN, which is how many owners bought it
- Comfortable and clean; several owners say they stopped shopping after buying it
The complaints
- Needs a proper amp or DAC/amp; weak from a phone
- Older units had driver failures and some people call HIFIMAN build and quality control poor
- Tuning takes getting used to; a couple of listeners simply do not like planars
In their words
“I bought the Sundara on your recommendations and really love it”
A commenter under Sundara v 660S v 1990 (Under $500 Headphone Comparison) (Joshua Valour) · Feb 2020
“I got my Sundaras at a crazy price, and I love them”
A commenter under The Best Deal in Audio... Period. (Joshua Valour) · Nov 2024
“I use the sundaras and i would recommend them”
A commenter under Why Do All Streamers Use These Headphones? (Dagwummy) · Jul 2023
#14 overall
Focal Elegia
3 of the 18 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.
What owners love
- A $900 closed-back that kept showing up at $400 on clearance; at that price people call it incredible
- Premium build and comfort
- More neutral than most closed headphones; easy to drive
The complaints
- Discontinued, so you are buying used or old stock
- Not great value at its original price
- Not for loud listening according to one Head-Fi member
In their words
“I own Elegias and love them”
A commenter under Focal Elegia _(Z Reviews)_ Best Focal Yet (Z Reviews) · Mar 2021
“Love my Elegias, got them on the $400 on Adorama”
A commenter under Focal Elegia _(Z Reviews)_ Best Focal Yet (Z Reviews) · Mar 2021
“I like my EL8 Titaniums - but I love my Elegia's”
A commenter under Reviewed: Focal Elegia headphones (Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac) · Oct 2018