Head to head · for music listening
Sennheiser HD 650 vs HIFIMAN Sundara
More people recommend the Sennheiser HD 650 overall (127 vs 80). None of the 90 comments that name both says outright which one to buy, so read the loves and complaints and decide by taste.
- Comments naming both
- 90
- Say they own both
- 11
- Choose the HD 650
- 0
- Choose the Sundara
- 0
Counted across 29 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 | $345 | $179cheaper |
| Overall rank | #2higher | #6 |
| People who recommend it | 127more | 80 |
| Say they own it | 187more | 115 |
| Mentions | 1,161more | 831 |
| Type | open-back wired | open-back planar wired |
| Known for | VocalsJazzRelaxed | Planar detailHomeAmp helps |
| Best for | The one headphone almost everyone in the hobby has owned; the safe buy for long, relaxed music sessions. | Best planar-magnetic sound under $200 for someone who already has, or will buy, a small desktop amp. |
| Buy | Amazon · $345 | Amazon · $179 |
People who mention both, in their own words
“I have the HD6xx and the Sundaras”
Owns bothA commenter under Best Headphones Under $500 Compared! (The Headphone Show) · Sep 2022
#2 overall
Sennheiser HD 650 (also sold as Drop HD 6XX)
18 of the 90 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.
What owners love
- The single most-recommended headphone across every forum read: warm, smooth and easy to listen to for hours
- Scales with better amps; several owners run it on expensive tube amps and say it keeps up
- Female vocals and mids that owners describe as amazing
- The Drop HD 6XX version sold for $199-220 for years, which made it the default first audiophile headphone
The complaints
- Needs an amp; from a phone it sounds flat
- No real sub-bass
- Clamp is tight on big heads
- Some find the slight bass tilt less balanced than the HD 600; soundstage is small
In their words
“Been using HD6XX for years and I love them for gaming”
A commenter under What GAMING Headphones AUDIOPHILES Use: 2024 Update! (BadSeed Tech) · Jun 2024
“I have both 600 and 6xx and i love them both”
A commenter under The NEW HD600!! (Joshua Valour) · Feb 2020
“I have the HD-6XX and love them”
A commenter under Why You SHOULDN'T Buy HD 600... & What To Get Instead (The Headphone Show) · Sep 2025
#6 overall
HIFIMAN Sundara
15 of the 90 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