Head to head · for music listening
HIFIMAN Sundara vs HE1000
More people recommend the HIFIMAN Sundara overall (80 vs 14). None of the 10 comments that name both says outright which one to buy, so read the loves and complaints and decide by taste.
- Comments naming both
- 10
- Say they own both
- 1
- Choose the Sundara
- 0
- Choose the HE1000
- 0
Counted across 5 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 | $1399 |
| Overall rank | #6higher | #17 |
| People who recommend it | 80more | 14 |
| Say they own it | 115more | 21 |
| Mentions | 831more | 190 |
| Type | open-back planar wired | open-back planar wired |
| Known for | Planar detailHomeAmp helps | AiryScaleNeeds amp |
| Best for | Best planar-magnetic sound under $200 for someone who already has, or will buy, a small desktop amp. | Wide, airy end-game planar for people who want scale rather than punch. |
| Buy | Amazon · $179 | Amazon · $1399 |
#6 overall
HIFIMAN Sundara
1 of the 10 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
#17 overall
HIFIMAN HE1000 (V2 / se / Stealth)
1 of the 10 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.
What owners love
- Owners describe hearing things in familiar tracks for the first time
- Lighter and more comfortable than an Audeze LCD-X; usable lying down
- Called a monster of a headphone that defines end-game for staging
The complaints
- More analytical than fun for some tastes
- HIFIMAN build and quality-control reputation
- Price varies wildly by version
In their words
“I've since rebought he1000v2 as it's my favorite headphone of all time”
A commenter under HiFiMAN HE1000 V2 Live Impressions & Measurements - Resolve Q&A (The Headphone Show) · Dec 2022
“I love my Hifiman HE1000SE, EQd”
A commenter under ARYA ORGANIC -VS- EVERYTHING! (Joshua Valour) · Aug 2023