--- title: "HIFIMAN Sundara vs Meze 105 Silva: Which to Buy?" description: "HIFIMAN Sundara vs Meze 105 Silva: open-back headphones compared. The Sundara scores 9.0/10 to 8.7/10 and costs $200 less." url: "https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-sundara-vs-meze-105-silva/" type: "article" section: "Headphones comparison" author: "Jakub Charkiewicz" published: "2026-05-17T00:00:00.000Z" modified: "2026-10-10T00:00:00.000Z" --- > Markdown rendering of https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-sundara-vs-meze-105-silva/ > Canonical URL to cite: https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-sundara-vs-meze-105-silva/ > Generated from the published page. Text and links only; see the HTML for layout. Breadcrumb: [Home](https://theaudiostuff.com/) > [Comparisons](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/) > HIFIMAN Sundara vs Meze 105 Silva # HIFIMAN Sundara vs Meze 105 Silva The HIFIMAN Sundara scores 0.3 higher and costs $200 less than the Meze 105 Silva. The 105 Silva review puts the choice against the Sundara this way: "To understand where the Silva sits in the current market, let's compare it to some other popular headphones in this price bracket - specifically planar magnetic headphones like the HIFIMAN Sundara or the HIFIMAN Edition XS." By [Jakub Charkiewicz](https://theaudiostuff.com/authors/jakub-charkiewicz/) Published May 17, 2026 Updated Oct 10, 2026 On score and price **HIFIMAN Sundara** Higher score and lower list price than the 105 Silva. When to choose the 105 Silva over the Sundara ## Is the 105 Silva worth $200 more than the Sundara? {#cmp-qa-title} Not on score: the 105 Silva scores 0.3 lower than the Sundara. Going by the two reviews, what the 105 Silva adds for the money is its driver technology and comfort over the Sundara's. ![HIFIMAN Sundara ear cup from the side, its honeycomb grille set in a matte cast frame](https://theaudiostuff.com/images/sundara-open-back-ear-cup-1152w.avif) Higher score ## [HIFIMAN Sundara](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-sundara/) Score **9.0** +0.3 Verdict Highly Recommended List price **$299** -$200 [HIFIMAN Sundara review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-sundara/) ![Meze 105 Silva lying on its side, the walnut cup's radial grille and metal yoke up close](https://theaudiostuff.com/images/meze-105-silva-walnut-earcup-1152w.avif) ## [Meze 105 Silva](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/meze-105-silva/) Score **8.7** -0.3 Verdict Highly Recommended List price **$499** +$200 [Meze 105 Silva review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/meze-105-silva/) Keep the Sundara - [Compare the Sundara with HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth scored 8.8 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-ananda-stealth-vs-hifiman-sundara/) - [Compare the Sundara with HIFIMAN Edition XS scored 8.7 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-edition-xs-vs-hifiman-sundara/) - [Compare the Sundara with HIFIMAN Ananda Nano scored 8.6 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-ananda-nano-vs-hifiman-sundara/) Keep the 105 Silva - [Compare the 105 Silva with HIFIMAN Edition XS scored 8.7 out of 10](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-edition-xs-vs-meze-105-silva/) ## In the reviewer's words {#words-heading} The 105 Silva review compares it with the Sundara directly, verbatim below. > To understand where the Silva sits in the current market, let's compare it to some other popular headphones in this price bracket - specifically planar magnetic headphones like the HIFIMAN Sundara or the HIFIMAN Edition XS. If you buy the Edition XS, you are getting that massive, wide planar soundstage and a very fast, neutral tuning. The HIFIMANs are fantastic for absolute clarity, but their budget offerings can and will feel a bit dry or overly analytical depending on the song. > > The Meze 105 Silva is basically the opposite approach. It doesn't try to beat HIFIMAN at being a flat reference monitor. Instead, it offers way more bass punch, a warmer overall tone, and a much more engaging, energetic personality. *Meze 105 Silva review, from the section "Warm, with punchy bass and sparkly treble". [Read the full passage in the 105 Silva review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/meze-105-silva/#warm-with-punchy-bass-and-sparkly-treble)* ## Which one to buy {#guidance-heading} The Sundara is the better buy unless its driver technology or comfort would put you off, in which case take the 105 Silva. **Who the Sundara and the 105 Silva are each for, side by side** | At a glance | HIFIMAN Sundara | Meze 105 Silva | | --- | --- | --- | | Score | 9.0/10, Highly Recommended | 8.7/10, Highly Recommended | | List price | $299 | $499 | | Lowest US price now | [$179 at Apos Audio and 2 other stores on Oct 20, 2026](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-sundara/#rv-price-heading) | [$499 at Apos Audio and 4 other stores on Oct 20, 2026](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/meze-105-silva/#rv-price-heading) | | Better choice for | detail | driver technology and comfort | ### HIFIMAN Sundara Choose it if: - You want the Sundara's detail, which its review praises and the 105 Silva review does not cover. [HIFIMAN Sundara review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-sundara/) ### Meze 105 Silva Choose it instead if: - Driver technology and comfort are your priority, and the 105 Silva does better there than the Sundara. [Meze 105 Silva review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/meze-105-silva/) ### What matters most to you? {#cmp-ax-title} **Rubric axes out of 10: Sundara and 105 Silva.** | What matters | HIFIMAN Sundara | Meze 105 Silva | | --- | --- | --- | | Sound | 9.0 | 8.2 | | Technical performance | 9.3 | 8.7 | | Build & comfort | 8.6 | 9.1 | | System fit | 8.7 | 9.1 | | Value | 9.2 | 8.7 | The widest gap is sound: 9.0 for the Sundara against 8.2 for the 105 Silva. The Sundara column is worked out from its review's 12 pros and cons and the 105 Silva column from 14, and each adds back up to its overall score, 9.0 and 8.7. [How a score is built](https://theaudiostuff.com/about/#rubric) ## Where they differ {#diff-heading} Four topics the Sundara and 105 Silva reviews both discuss, the most decisive first. Only the Sundara - Planar Magnetic Only the 105 Silva - Dynamic Driver - Walnut ### [Bass](https://theaudiostuff.com/glossary/#bass) The [Sundara review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-sundara/#a-wide-soundstage-and-real-slam) and the [105 Silva review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/meze-105-silva/#warm-with-punchy-bass-and-sparkly-treble) both have something to say here, and the 105 Silva review compares the two on it directly, quoted above: - Sundara, praised: "Strong dynamics with serious punch and slam" - 105 Silva, criticized: "Mid-bass is slightly forward" ### [Tonal balance](https://theaudiostuff.com/glossary/#tonal-balance) The [Sundara review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-sundara/#a-wide-soundstage-and-real-slam) and the [105 Silva review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/meze-105-silva/#warm-with-punchy-bass-and-sparkly-treble) both have something to say here, and the 105 Silva review compares the two on it directly, quoted above: - Sundara, praised: "Balanced and neutral tonality - never boring" - 105 Silva, criticized: "Musical, warm tuning - not a flaw-revealing reference" ### Driver technology Here the [105 Silva review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/meze-105-silva/#a-custom-50mm-driver-with-a-w-shaped-dome) is the more positive of the two and the [Sundara review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-sundara/) finds fault: - 105 Silva, praised: "Custom 50mm driver with carbon fiber-reinforced W-dome and titanium-coated torus" - Sundara, criticized: "Does not include Stealth Magnets" ### Comfort and fit Here the [105 Silva review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/meze-105-silva/#hand-polished-walnut-and-all-day-comfort) is the more positive of the two and the [Sundara review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-sundara/#an-all-metal-build-with-a-suspension-strap) has reservations: - 105 Silva, praised: "Self-adjusting elastic suspension headband - zero hotspots" - Sundara, criticized: "Inner pad diameter likely too small for many ears" Only the [Sundara review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-sundara/) praises its detail and soundstage; only the [105 Silva review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/meze-105-silva/) praises its amp matching and in-box accessories but faults its treble, mids, and cabling. ## What they have in common {#common-heading} The Sundara and the 105 Silva are both open-back headphones, the Sundara with a planar magnetic driver and the 105 Silva with a dynamic one, and both have a suspension-strap headband. The Sundara and the 105 Silva are both praised for their build. ## Sound signature, overlaid {#sig-heading} For tonal balance, presentation, energy, bass weight, and stage size, the better guide is the 105 Silva review's own comparison with the Sundara, quoted above. ## On paper {#specs-heading} The Sundara ranks #4 and the 105 Silva joint #8 of the 30 headphones reviewed here; on value the Sundara rates Excellent and the 105 Silva Fair. To reach 110 dB peaks the Sundara needs about 63 mW (most dongle DACs) and the 105 Silva at most 15 mW (a phone jack or any dongle). At 342 g against 354 g, the Sundara is 12 g lighter than the 105 Silva. The Sundara and 105 Silva figures are the makers' own; [IEC 60268-7](https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/86573) defines how they are measured. **Specifications for the HIFIMAN Sundara compared with the Meze 105 Silva** | Spec | HIFIMAN Sundara | Meze 105 Silva | | --- | --- | --- | | Driver | Planar magnetic | 50 mm dynamic, carbon fiber-reinforced cellulose W-dome + titanium-coated torus | | Impedance | 32 Ω | 42 Ω | | Sensitivity | 92 dB/mW | 112 dB (reference not stated) | | Weight | 342 g | 354 g | Only the [Sundara review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/hifiman-sundara/#specs-heading) lists connector; only the [105 Silva review](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/meze-105-silva/#specs-heading) lists frequency response. ## How these verdicts were reached {#deepdive-heading} The Sundara review was published on Jul 14, 2023 and the 105 Silva review on May 17, 2026, nearly three years later, on one [reference chain](https://theaudiostuff.com/about/how-we-test/) and [rubric](https://theaudiostuff.com/about/#rubric). The 105 Silva review compares it with the Sundara directly, quoted above. The Sundara and 105 Silva reviews were both last checked on Oct 3, 2026. ## Sources {#cmp-sources-heading} Further reading for the Sundara and the 105 Silva: the two driver types and what both reviews say about [tonality](https://theaudiostuff.com/glossary/sound-signature/). - [HyperPhysics: Loudspeakers](https://hyperphysics.gsu.edu/hbase/Audio/spk.html) - [Olive (2022): The perception and measurement of headphone sound quality: what do listeners prefer?](https://acousticstoday.org/he-perception-and-measurement-of-headphone-sound-quality-what-do-listeners-prefer-sean-e-olive/) ## Questions about the Sundara and 105 Silva {#compare-faq-heading} 1. ### What is the difference between the HIFIMAN Sundara and the Meze 105 Silva? {#compare-hifiman-sundara-meze-105-silva-faq-what-is-the-difference-between-the-hifiman-sundara} The HIFIMAN Sundara scores higher than the 105 Silva, 9.0 to 8.7. Going by the two reviews, the 105 Silva is stronger than the Sundara on driver technology and comfort, and the Sundara's review praises its detail. For voicing, the better guide is the 105 Silva review's own comparison with the Sundara, quoted above. 2. ### Which should you buy, the HIFIMAN Sundara or the Meze 105 Silva? {#compare-hifiman-sundara-meze-105-silva-faq-which-should-you-buy-the-hifiman-sundara-or} The Sundara beats the 105 Silva on both counts, scoring 9.0 to 8.7 and costing $200 less. The 105 Silva review's own take on the Sundara is quoted above. 3. ### How does the engineering differ between the Sundara and the 105 Silva? {#compare-hifiman-sundara-meze-105-silva-faq-how-does-the-engineering-differ-between-the-sundara} The 105 Silva: its review is positive about driver technology, while the Sundara review is critical. 4. ### Which is more comfortable, the Sundara or the 105 Silva? {#compare-hifiman-sundara-meze-105-silva-faq-which-is-more-comfortable-the-sundara-or-the} The 105 Silva, narrowly: both reviews are mixed on comfort, the 105 Silva's less so than the Sundara's. ## Where they rank {#ranks-heading} [Best Headphones Under $500](https://theaudiostuff.com/guides/best-headphones-under-500/) Sundara **#1** - Best Overall 105 Silva **#3** 8 picks [Best Open-Back Headphones](https://theaudiostuff.com/guides/best-open-back-headphones/) Sundara **#4** - Best Value 105 Silva **#8** 14 picks [Best Planar Magnetic Headphones](https://theaudiostuff.com/guides/best-planar-magnetic-headphones/) Sundara **#4** - Best Value 105 Silva not listed 10 picks [Best Reference-Grade Audio Gear](https://theaudiostuff.com/guides/best-reference-grade-audio-gear/) Sundara **#10** - Best Value 105 Silva not listed 10 picks ## Tools for this decision {#compare-tools-heading} Calculator ### [Headphone Power Calculator](https://theaudiostuff.com/tools/headphone-power-calculator/) Listening test ### [Sound Signature Quiz](https://theaudiostuff.com/tools/sound-signature-finder/) ## Related comparisons {#related-heading} Nearby headphone matchups without the Sundara or the 105 Silva. [HIFIMAN Edition XS 8.7 OLLO Audio X1 8.9](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-edition-xs-vs-ollo-audio-x1/) [HIFIMAN Arya Organic 9.2 HIFIMAN HE1000se 9.3](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-arya-organic-vs-hifiman-he1000se/) [HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled 9.1 HIFIMAN HE1000se 9.3](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-arya-unveiled-vs-hifiman-he1000se/) [HIFIMAN Arya Organic 9.2 HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled 9.1](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-arya-organic-vs-hifiman-arya-unveiled/) [HIFIMAN Arya Organic 9.2 HIFIMAN Arya Stealth 8.7](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-arya-organic-vs-hifiman-arya-stealth/) [HIFIMAN Arya Stealth 8.7 HIFIMAN Arya Unveiled 9.1](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/hifiman-arya-stealth-vs-hifiman-arya-unveiled/) [All headphone matchups](https://theaudiostuff.com/compare/#cat-headphones) [All headphone reviews](https://theaudiostuff.com/reviews/headphones/)