HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth vs HIFIMAN Sundara
The HIFIMAN Sundara scores 0.2 higher and costs $60 less than the HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth. Going by the two reviews, the Ananda Stealth is stronger on driver technology and comfort and the Sundara on soundstage.
By Jakub Charkiewicz · Published · Updated
On score and price HIFIMAN Sundara The Sundara scores 0.2 higher and costs $60 less than the Ananda Stealth, so there is nothing to trade off. The Ananda Stealth still does better than the Sundara on driver technology and comfort.
When to choose the Ananda Stealth over the SundaraThe short version
The HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth scores 8.8/10 (Highly Recommended) and the HIFIMAN Sundara 9.0/10 (Highly Recommended). At $359 against $299, the Sundara saves you $60 over the Ananda Stealth. On driver technology, the Ananda Stealth review notes "Stealth Magnets + NEO Supernano Diaphragm" and the Sundara review "Does not include Stealth Magnets". The Sundara has the edge over the Ananda Stealth on soundstage: "Great wide and decently accurate soundstage" against "Soundstage isn't the widest". Weighing score against price, the Sundara is a better buy than the Ananda Stealth, and the cards below say when the Ananda Stealth makes more sense.
HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth
Higher score
HIFIMAN Sundara
In the reviewer's words
The Ananda Stealth review mentions the Sundara in passing, verbatim below.
Regarding resolution, it's more or less on par with the Sundara, meaning it's not the most resolving headphone in the world - not even close.
Which one to buy
The Sundara is the better buy unless its driver technology or comfort would put you off, in which case take the Ananda Stealth.
| At a glance | HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth | HIFIMAN Sundara |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.8/10, Highly Recommended | 9.0/10, Highly Recommended |
| List price | $359 | $299 |
| Lowest tracked US price | $249 at Apos Audio and 3 other stores on Oct 7, 2026 | $179 at Apos Audio and 2 other stores on Oct 7, 2026 |
| Better choice for | driver technology and comfort | soundstage |
| Less suited to | soundstage | driver technology and comfort |
HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth
Choose it instead if:
- You care more about the Ananda Stealth's driver technology and comfort than the Sundara's soundstage.
Not ideal if:
- You need the Sundara's soundstage more than the Ananda Stealth's driver technology and comfort.
- You would rather keep the $60 the Ananda Stealth costs over the Sundara, and still get the Sundara's higher 9.0.
HIFIMAN Sundara
Picked on score and price. Choose it if:
- You care more about the Sundara's soundstage than the Ananda Stealth's driver technology and comfort.
- You want the Sundara's higher score (9.0 against 8.8) and $60 back against the Ananda Stealth.
Not ideal if:
- You need the Ananda Stealth's driver technology and comfort more than the Sundara's soundstage.
What matters most to you?
| What matters | HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth | HIFIMAN Sundara |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | 9.1 | 9.0 |
| Technical performance | 8.4 | 9.3 |
| Build & comfort | 8.8 | 8.6 |
| System fit | 8.9 | 8.7 |
| Value | 8.8 | 9.2 |
The widest gap is technical performance: 8.4 for the Ananda Stealth against 9.3 for the Sundara. The Ananda Stealth column is worked out from its review's 13 pros and cons and the Sundara column from 12, and each adds back up to its overall score, 8.8 and 9.0. How a score is built
Where they differ
The Ananda Stealth has Stealth Magnets and the Sundara does not.
Detail and dynamics
The Ananda Stealth review and the Sundara review both have something to say here, and the Ananda Stealth review compares the two on it directly, quoted above:
- Ananda Stealth, criticized: "Resolution roughly on par with Sundara - not class-leading"
- Sundara, praised: "Outstanding micro-detail retrieval, especially for the price"
Driver technology
Here the Ananda Stealth review is the more positive of the two and the Sundara review finds fault:
- Ananda Stealth, praised: "Stealth Magnets + NEO Supernano Diaphragm"
- Sundara, criticized: "Does not include Stealth Magnets"
Comfort and fit
Here the Ananda Stealth review is the kinder of the two and the Sundara review has reservations:
- Ananda Stealth, praised: "Suspension-strap headband - distributes weight well"
- Sundara, criticized: "Inner pad diameter likely too small for many ears"
Soundstage and imaging
Here the Sundara review is the more positive of the two and the Ananda Stealth review has reservations:
- Sundara, praised: "Great wide and decently accurate soundstage"
- Ananda Stealth, criticized: "Soundstage isn't the widest"
Only the Ananda Stealth review praises its amp matching; only the Sundara review praises its build.
What they have in common
The Ananda Stealth and the Sundara are both open-back planar magnetic headphones from HIFIMAN, and both have a suspension-strap headband and dual 3.5mm cable sockets. Neither the Ananda Stealth nor the Sundara has cups that swivel. The Ananda Stealth and the Sundara are both praised for their bass and tonal balance.
Sound signature, overlaid
On tonal balance, the Ananda Stealth sounds warm while the Sundara stays near neutral and on energy, the Ananda Stealth stays near neutral while the Sundara sounds energetic. For presentation, the better guide is the Ananda Stealth review's own comparison with the Sundara, quoted above.
On paper
The Ananda Stealth ranks #6 and the Sundara #4 of the 30 headphones reviewed here; on value the Ananda Stealth rates Strong and the Sundara Excellent. To reach 110 dB peaks the Ananda Stealth needs about 50 mW and the Sundara about 63 mW, which puts both in reach of most dongle DACs. At 342 g against 398 g, the Sundara is 56 g lighter than the Ananda Stealth. The Ananda Stealth and the Sundara both take Dual 3.5 mm cables, so one upgrade cable fits either. The Ananda Stealth and Sundara spec sheets match on driver (Planar magnetic) and connector (Dual 3.5 mm).
The Ananda Stealth and Sundara figures are the makers' own; IEC 60268-7 defines how they are measured.
| Spec | HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth | HIFIMAN Sundara |
|---|---|---|
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 93 dB | 92 dB/mW |
| Weight | 398 g | 342 g |
Only the Ananda Stealth review lists frequency response, which the Sundara review leaves out.
How these verdicts were reached
The Sundara review was published on Jul 14, 2023 and the Ananda Stealth review on Jun 18, 2024, 11 months later, on one reference chain and rubric. The Ananda Stealth review mentions the Sundara in passing, quoted above. The Ananda Stealth and Sundara reviews were both last checked on Oct 3, 2026.
Sources
Further reading for the Ananda Stealth and the Sundara: the Ananda Stealth's Stealth Magnets and what both reviews say about tonality.
Questions about the Ananda Stealth and Sundara
What is the difference between the HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth and the HIFIMAN Sundara?
The HIFIMAN Sundara scores 9.0 and the Ananda Stealth 8.8. The Ananda Stealth does better on driver technology and comfort, the Sundara on soundstage. For voicing, the better guide is the Ananda Stealth review's own comparison with the Sundara, quoted above.
Which should you buy, the HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth or the HIFIMAN Sundara?
The Sundara beats the Ananda Stealth on both counts, scoring 9.0 to 8.8 and costing $60 less.
How does the engineering differ between the Ananda Stealth and the Sundara?
The Ananda Stealth: its review is positive about driver technology, while the Sundara review is critical.
Which is more comfortable, the Ananda Stealth or the Sundara?
The Ananda Stealth, narrowly: both reviews are mixed on comfort, the Ananda Stealth's less so than the Sundara's.
Is the Ananda Stealth worth $60 more than the Sundara?
Not on score. The Ananda Stealth costs $60 more than the Sundara and scores 0.2 lower. What the extra money gets you, going by the reviews, is the Ananda Stealth's driver technology and comfort over the Sundara's.
Where they rank
In Best Headphones Under $500 the Sundara ranks #1 and the Ananda Stealth #2; in Best Open-Back Headphones the Sundara ranks #4 and the Ananda Stealth #6; in Best Planar Magnetic Headphones the Sundara ranks #4 and the Ananda Stealth #5; only the Sundara makes Best Reference-Grade Audio Gear (#10).
Sundara #1 - Best Overall Ananda Stealth #2 8 picks
Sundara #4 - Best Value Ananda Stealth #6 14 picks
Best Planar Magnetic Headphones
Sundara #4 - Best Value Ananda Stealth #5 11 picks
Best Reference-Grade Audio Gear
Sundara #10 - Best Value Ananda Stealth not listed 10 picks