HiFiMAN Sundara Headphones

Product Information

There is a bit of shortfall around 2 kHz as well which I tend to like! No, it is not good that way but it means that once I compensate for it, it should open the sound more. As for me, the Sundara is right up my alley, handling many of the genres that I consider close to home supremely well. Classical, ambient, and drone are some of the genres that suit the Sundara best, with the Sundara bringing what Tyll Hertsens calls an “ inviting and pleasant softness to the sound” while boasting the resolving power necessary to play even the busiest orchestral passages. Driving the Sundara is easy as it is just 37 Ohms with a sensitivity of 94dB. A smartphone is ‘ok’ and can drive it to loud enough volumes, but wasn’t ideal. An audiophile DAP or desktop set up is still the most optimal way of using them. Oh wow! The transformation was dramatic. Sub-bass came into play like nobody's business. Even at lower volumes I could feel the nice vibrations in my head! The notch filter took care of the highs being exaggerated and a bit harsh. And the fine but broad filter around 2.1 kHz helped the spatial qualities improve even more. Overall tonality now was warm with tons of detail especially in string instruments. Very lovely.

HiFiMan Headphones UK | London Showroom - Audio Sanctuary HiFiMan Headphones UK | London Showroom - Audio Sanctuary

The grain in the Sundara’s treble response (very mild, by the way) isn’t a deal-breaker for me, especially as most of the genres that bring this issue to light are better-suited by other of my headphones for other reasons. You won’t run into these issues with most ambient, or classical, or jazz, or any of the other genres with which the Sundara excels. For these genres, the Sundara treble is sufficiently detailed, airy, and gorgeous.

Perhaps it was said to stir up some thought within the HIFIMAN design team and open up the possibility of an improved version of the iconic headphone down the road. Included in the box was also a HIFIMAN Owner’s Guide for the Sundara specifically. Most people gloss over these as who needs instructions listening to a headphone? I strongly suggest you don’t as this guide contains a complete overview of HIFIMAN ’s methodology, a message from Dr. Fang Bian, a run down of the technology used on the Sundara, and recommended usage and care. Between the two, I think most people would be better off with the Sundara. However if you know that you’re extra sensitive to treble or are fanatical about timbre, then the HD600 is the way to go.

HIFIMAN Sundara Closed Back Review — Headfonics HIFIMAN Sundara Closed Back Review — Headfonics

The most notable new feature of the Sundara is its ultra-thin diaphragm – 80% thinner, to hear Hifiman tell it, than the diaphragms of its successors, the HE-400i and HE-400s. This is what the Sundara will look like on your head if you’re outrageously overdue for a haircut like me. Build The Sundara I will be reviewing today is the 2020 model. There is some confusion around whether or not there is a new, different 2021 model. I reached out to HiFiMan support and as it turns out, there’s actually no other version of the Sundara. What’s in the Box? The HIFIMAN Sundara, while not a flagship by any means, hits every flag in my book for an excellent sounding headphone and at an absurd value as well. It’s sonic reproduction is ludicrous for its price point and it simply works with every genre and type of music I have thrown at it. It’s neither an analytical set nor a fully transparent one but it hits the right note by being perfectly in between. It has the detail and enough transparency for me to sit down with my eyes closed and listen critically but also the mellowness to be a forgiving daily driver. I have sat with the Sundara’s on my head for hours watching common Youtube videos to Netflix movies without feeling fatigue or discomfort. All products sold on Headphone Zone carry a GST compliant invoice and all products sold include an 18% GST.The extended guitar section by Don Felder and Joe Walsh was simply marvelous. It was bright yet not fatiguing and as clean as I have ever heard it. The auxiliary instruments all sounded like they surrounded the guitars and built upon each other. One thing I noticed was that the Sundara struggled to fully give the spotlight to the guitars and instead had many of the other instruments encroaching in with similar loudness and impact.

HiFiMAN SUNDARA | Over Ear Open Back Headphones | Richer Sounds

This can make S’s sound a bit unnaturally lispy in recordings that are already predisposed to sibilance, and it can give cymbals an extra sheen. The Sundara’s bass is unobtrusive in what can be a good or a bad way. While not as indulgent and textured as some of its planar siblings (Audeze comes to mind), it is relatively well-extended, fast, tight, and neutral – the Sundara is not a muddy headphone. When called to perform, the Sundara can provide a nice, reverberant thump, but it will always be a very clean thump, perhaps even a polite one.

Comfort

These face masks have not been evaluated by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration), and they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease; One of the big selling points in my research was they could be enjoyed and experienced without the need for an EQ amp. Even though next on my list, I wanted to start with a straight connection to my integrated amp. My research lasted a couple of months, and I can attest the Sundara headphones are the best fit for the beginner audio enthusiast. Theyare affordable and excellent value.