Head to head · for music listening
HIFIMAN Sundara vs Philips Fidelio X2HR
More people recommend the HIFIMAN Sundara overall (79 vs 35). None of the 11 comments that name both says outright which one to buy, so read the loves and complaints and decide by taste.
- Comments naming both
- 11
- Say they own both
- 1
- Choose the Sundara
- 0
- Choose the Fidelio X2HR
- 0
Counted across 10 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 | $179 | $149cheaper |
| Overall rank | #7higher | #21 |
| People who recommend it | 79more | 35 |
| Say they own it | 112more | 61 |
| Mentions | 806more | 413 |
| Type | open-back planar wired | open-back wired |
| Known for | Planar detailHomeAmp helps | Open-backBassNo amp |
| Best for | Best planar-magnetic sound under $200 for someone who already has, or will buy, a small desktop amp. | An open-back with bass for people who found the Sennheisers too polite. |
| Buy | Amazon · $179 | Amazon · $149 |
#7 overall
HIFIMAN Sundara
1 of the 11 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
#21 overall
Philips Fidelio X2HR
4 of the 11 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.
What owners love
- Bass with real weight for an open-back; the fun one for pop and hip-hop
- Called the most comfortable headphone several owners have owned; mostly metal build
- Easy to drive, no amp; often on deep sale
The complaints
- Stock pads: several owners hate them and replace them
- A dark, warm tuning that some find fatiguing or too dull
- Big and heavy on the head
- Stock at Philips comes and goes
In their words
“I highly Recommend X2HR”
A commenter under Philips Fidelio X2HR Review: STILL a BEAST in 2019!! (BadSeed Tech) · Sep 2019
“To anyone stupid and desperate, just get the Fidelio X2”
A commenter under Sennheiser & Massdrop HD 6XX ... Epic $199 Headphones! (Hardware Canucks) · Nov 2016
“Get the X2HR is you guys can, it's an awesome product”
A commenter under Philips Fidelio X2HR _(Z Reviews)_ Still the Soundstage KING (Z Reviews) · Nov 2019