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 · Published · Updated
On score and price HIFIMAN Sundara The Sundara scores 0.3 higher and costs $200 less than the 105 Silva, so there is nothing to trade off. The 105 Silva still does better than the Sundara on driver technology and comfort.
When to choose the 105 Silva over the SundaraThe short version
The HIFIMAN Sundara scores 9.0/10 (Highly Recommended) and the Meze 105 Silva 8.7/10 (Highly Recommended). At $299 against $499, the Sundara saves you $200 over the 105 Silva. On driver technology, the 105 Silva review notes "Custom 50mm driver with carbon fiber-reinforced W-dome and titanium-coated torus" and the Sundara review "Does not include Stealth Magnets". Weighing score against price, the Sundara is a better buy than the 105 Silva, and the cards below say when the 105 Silva makes more sense.
Higher score
HIFIMAN Sundara
Meze 105 Silva
In the reviewer's words
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.
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 105 Silva.
| At a glance | HIFIMAN Sundara | Meze 105 Silva |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.0/10, Highly Recommended | 8.7/10, Highly Recommended |
| List price | $299 | $499 |
| Lowest tracked US price | $179 at Apos Audio and 2 other stores on Oct 7, 2026 | $499 at Apos Audio and 4 other stores on Oct 7, 2026 |
| Better choice for | detail | driver technology and comfort |
| Less suited to | driver technology and comfort | detail |
HIFIMAN Sundara
Picked on score and price. Choose it if:
- You want the Sundara's detail, which its review praises and the 105 Silva review does not cover.
- You want the Sundara's higher score (9.0 against 8.7) and $200 back against the 105 Silva.
Not ideal if:
- Driver technology and comfort are your priority, where the 105 Silva does better than the 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.
Not ideal if:
- You are buying for detail, which the Sundara review praises and the 105 Silva review does not cover.
- You would rather keep the $200 the 105 Silva costs over the Sundara, and still get the Sundara's higher 9.0.
What matters most to you?
| What matters | HIFIMAN Sundara | Meze 105 Silva |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | 9.0 | 8.2 |
| Technical performance | 9.3 | 8.8 |
| Build & comfort | 8.6 | 9.2 |
| System fit | 8.7 | 9.2 |
| 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
Where they differ
Four topics the Sundara and 105 Silva reviews both discuss, the most decisive first.
Only the Sundara
Only the 105 Silva
Bass
The Sundara review and the 105 Silva review 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
The Sundara review and the 105 Silva review 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 is the more positive of the two and the Sundara review 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 is the more positive of the two and the Sundara review 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 praises its detail and soundstage; only the 105 Silva review praises its amp matching and in-box accessories but faults its treble, mids, and cabling.
What they have in common
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
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
The Sundara ranks #4 and the 105 Silva #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 defines how they are measured.
| 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 |
| Weight | 342 g | 354 g |
Only the Sundara review lists connector; only the 105 Silva review lists frequency response.
How these verdicts were reached
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 and 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
Further reading for the Sundara and the 105 Silva: the two driver types and what both reviews say about tonality.
Questions about the Sundara and 105 Silva
What is the difference between the HIFIMAN Sundara and the Meze 105 Silva?
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.
Which should you buy, the HIFIMAN Sundara or the Meze 105 Silva?
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.
How does the engineering differ between the Sundara and the 105 Silva?
The 105 Silva: its review is positive about driver technology, while the Sundara review is critical.
Which is more comfortable, the Sundara or the 105 Silva?
The 105 Silva, narrowly: both reviews are mixed on comfort, the 105 Silva's less so than the Sundara's.
Is the 105 Silva worth $200 more than the Sundara?
Not on score. The 105 Silva costs $200 more than the Sundara and scores 0.3 lower. What the extra money gets you, going by the reviews, is the 105 Silva's driver technology and comfort over the Sundara's.
Where they rank
In Best Headphones Under $500 the Sundara ranks #1 and the 105 Silva #3; in Best Open-Back Headphones the Sundara ranks #4 and the 105 Silva #8; only the Sundara makes Best Planar Magnetic Headphones (#4) and Best Reference-Grade Audio Gear (#10).
Sundara #1 - Best Overall 105 Silva #3 8 picks
Sundara #4 - Best Value 105 Silva #8 14 picks
Best Planar Magnetic Headphones
Sundara #4 - Best Value 105 Silva not listed 11 picks
Best Reference-Grade Audio Gear
Sundara #10 - Best Value 105 Silva not listed 10 picks