Frequency Response : 6Hz-75kHz Impedance : 37Ω Sensitivity : 94dB Weight : 372g The level of detail is rather good and one can even hear some micro-details, though those are an exception more than the norm. Soundphile Review: headphones reviews, earphones reviews, IEMs reviews, speakers reviews, Bluetooth speakers reviews - and more. Review: Hifiman Sundara – Trickled! For me, my ears fit in the Sundara's large earcups without touching the sides or the drivers. Best earphones, headphones, DACs, amplifiers, DAPs. I was very excited to try the Hifiman Sundara next as it is widely considered the best headphone under $500 and like my first audiophile headphones uses planar magnetic drivers. It sounds as if the instruments were close to the listener but played in a large room. Regards, Over the past several weeks, however, I've heard rumours of the HiFiMAN lineup introducing a number of 'stealth revisions'. The name literally means “Beautiful” in Sanskrit. The following statement should help clarify this. Unfortunately HiFiMAN did not introduce any cup swivel to the yokes, which I was really hoping they would. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. Changes to the pads not only make it more comfortable, it also sounds considerably better than the previous unit I evaluated, which I had already considered to be an excellent sounding headphone. By Ryan Soo on May 1, 2019 Headphones, Reviews. It also appears pretty beat up and prone to kinks, so a better cable is probably warranted. The Sundara is, at less than $400, all but a giant-killer. The HiFiMAN Sundara are made of metal (aluminium, it seems) with just the two ends of the headband being made of plastic. HiFiMAN’s latest models are all named after some Sanskrit word, but this one appears to be spot on. This is due to some emphasis on upper midrange and treble more than lack of bass, which extends to reasonable depth. Isolation is, obviously, non-existent: the HiFiMAN Sundara are open-back headphones, so they’re not meant to provide any isolation. The HiFiMAN Sundara are in fact beautiful headphones, though more importantly they sound good. The build and design remain almost identical to what I had previously reviewed. When it gets to the treble, unfortunately, it becomes clear that the both the Sundara and the LCD-1 have better tonal balance for percussive instruments like cymbals and snare drums. But the improvements to comfort, different feel, and changes to frequency response make me suspect that this pad was specifically revised in order to better suit the Sundara, and it's one way of getting around the lack of swivel problem for this headphone. I have had a pair of HE-560 for quite a while now and I’ve always felt like it was one of the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever tried. Not only is the Sundara more comfortable, it also has an even better frequency response as a result (if it is just the pads that were changed). There's a newsletter just for you with all the latest news and Due to a very strong grip you can’t do this while wearing the headphones and you have to take them off and adjust them with both hands. Up Next HIFIMAN Ananda Headphones Review Sundara is Sanskrit for beautiful, and visually, and sonically, and physically, the HIFIMAN Sundara Headphones embody the meaning of the word. When I first reviewed the HiFiMAN Sundara mid 2019, I was thoroughly impressed with its performance for the price, and in fact its higher priced siblings the Ananda and Aryawere also quite impressive. The Sundara's instrument separation is also fantastic, far better than anything else at its price range, and I do correlate this quality somewhat with detail and image clarity. Bass is more extended and a bit more present, but it stays out of the way in the same way. It's still larger than something like the Sennheiser HD660s, and larger than the Audeze LCD-1, so it's not exactly a weakness for the Sundara, it's just also not its strength. If you love headphones, you'll love our emails. I have an average/smaller size head and I find both to fit quite well. Suffice it to say that manufacturers need to look at what HiFiMAN have been able to do with the Sundara, and then achieve something at least this good. Edit: Since publishing this review, I was able to speak with Dr. Fang Bian from HiFiMAN, and he reassured me that there haven't been any revisions or changes to the driver or cup design in the past calendar year. I have to agree, I think the Sundara is a lovely headphone aesthetically, but then again, I am a sucker for minimalism. HiFiMan Sundara Review. In general, the HE-560 are more detailed and more neutral than the Sundara. Disclaimer: The Hifiman Sundara sent to us for the purposes of this review is a sample and does not have to be returned. My HiFiMan Sundara review is based on my own audio preferences, still I find it a great device for any music genres. Midrange is the real star of the Sundara and it is presented with a slight accent on the upper region which gives it added clarity and sparkle. Do you consider audio signal break in to be beneficial to mechanical components, and cables. The instruments are very well separated from each other, even in more crowded tracks. I had the opportunity to evaluate the HiFiMAN Ananda and Arya last year, but there are two reasons why I'm revisiting the HiFiMAN lineup in 2020. Not only is the design lighter and more appealing, but it’s also as functional and comfortable as before. Hifiman Sundara is one of the best headphones for critical listening no matter the price and the king of neutrality while still sounding engaging and enveloping. The reason why the HE-560 are more comfortable is that they have a bit more padding and a larger headband, so the weight is better distributed. Join the family and discover if those headphones you want are a "yay" or a "nay"! The main pain points of previous models, such as the gimbals cracking, were eliminated by the new design and the new materials. Sorry, this is the Sundara review. The Sundara is roughly the same form factor, but a lot has happened on the design front. Hey there! Ok, for the review/comparison. Please note that you should write in English, and comments in other languages will be deleted. Bass is detailed and well textured, with various layers being presented coherently and without significant negative interactions between them. The HiFiMAN Sundara is the name of the wildly successful HE-400i which set the bar in terms of sound quality for entry-level planar magnetic headphones. There also is the necessary plastic to prevent the headphone, band and cups from getting damaged during transport. 365-Day Returns on all new orders. Some people may find it even better. The LCD-1's default tonality is not as agreeable as the Sundara's, sounding somewhat congested around 3khz, and lacking bass energy below 80hz. They offer a comfortable listening experience in terms of comfort, but also in terms of sound; their tuning is safe, though it may be a bit brighter than what many would desire. The Verum 1 is also a bit more withdrawn in the upper treble, bordering on a touch of roll-off depending on the pads that get used. Taken as a whole, I think the Sundara is a good choice to consider for anyone looking at … The HiFiMAN Sundara are in fact beautiful headphones, though more importantly they sound good. While it's quite a bit larger than the Sundara, I do find the Verum 1 to be a bit more comfortable. Review written by Andrew Park (@Resolve) Introduction. Reach out to us through our handy live chat or by e-mail. reviews from Soundphile Review. I listened to the HiFiMAN Sundara using a variety of gear. The Sundara feels more dynamical, it slams harder. While not on the same level as capable dynamic driver headphones like the Focal Clear or Elegia (or some ZMFs), once again at the $350 price tag the Sundara's impact and sense of authority is impressive. This review is posted here in partnership with The Headphone List.It was originally written and published by Ryan Soo of The Headphone List on May 1, 2019. Quality control will rightfully concern some potential owners, but for those willing to take the risk, the Sundara provides an addictive and highly technically proficient sound. There’s some emphasis on treble which is mostly concentrated between the lower area and the middle one; this, together with the good extension, gives treble a primary role in the scene. The previous version had significantly more clamp force on my jaw, due to the thicker front part of the pad, and I have no problems at all with this new one - wearing it for most of the day without issue. If I had to characterize the Sundara's image distribution, it would be somewhat like a triangle in front of me. It looks like Drop x HiFiMan has taken many of those criticisms to heart and massively improved on them. In my opinion, the Sundara should be thought of as the new value benchmark, much like the HD6XX used to be, as it competes with headphones that come in at much higher price tags. In any case the source files were the same FLACs, mostly in 16 bit – 44.1 kHz. There have not been any changes to the pad material.". Copyright © 2016 - 2020 Soundphile Review This measurement system is not industry standard and should not be compared with other measurements that are. The headphones rest in a pre-cut place which holds them tightly and securely. HiFiMan SUNDARA Review. Hifiman vs Hifiman Hifiman Ananda vs Hifiman Sundara Amplifier: Audio-gd Master 9 (unbalanced) Azzaharat – Eple Trio: The Ananda is smoother and more detailed, whilst the Sundara feels harder and coarser in direct comparison. Hifiman Sundara Review The Hifiman Sundara is the next generation of mid-fi priced full-sized open-back planar headphones from Dr. Fang Bian. The Sundara was released late 2017 and is one of the newest headphones from HIFIMAN. Archetypes. The Sundara sits closer to the bottom than the top of the HiFiMan pyramid, which makes their performance all that more impressive. The Sundaras are heavier, but the top leather piece does a nice job distributing the weight. PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE: We will match any lower price you find during the Holidays from an Authorized Dealer, Review unit provided for evaluation by headphones.com. It’s … Last year, HiFiMAN ended up sending me two units for evaluation and this piece was a bit loose on both of them, but for this new unit I'm pleased that it doesn't feel as rickety. It doesn’t extend to the lowest depths with the same weight of mid-bass, but it does reach ~40 Hz with good presence and then rolls off going further down. Headphones.com, started by Andrew and Taron Lissimore, was founded in 2016 with a strict focus on delivering the best customer service possible. Disclaimer: I got this unit on loan from HiFiMAN as part of a review tour. Remember that this measurement rig has a coupler artifact at around 4.5khz, and this explains the slight bump there on both graphs. In many cases, these revisions occur due to c… Here are some comparisons with other headphones: The HiFiMAN Sundara don’t redefine their price bracket, but they offer more than their predecessors, the HE-400 (in their numerous variations). Design . Living in Glasgow, Scotland but born and raised near Milan, Italy, I got the the passion for music listening as a legacy from my father and my grandfather. The following shows how the Sundara measures relative to the HEQ compensation, which is based on the Harman consumer preference curve, and incorporates a bass emphasis around 100hz: The following measurement uses the HPN compensation, which is more accurate, but doesn't include the bass shelf: I consider this tonality to be extremely close to my ideal frequency response. Introduction. I much preferred the leather pads over the suede ones, which I find cause a bit of treble compression around 5khz. Compatibility issues aside, the Sundara’s cable is relatively thick and covered in rubbery plastic. The original units I reviewed had a bit of bass roll-off around 50hz, and a bit of an upper midrange shout as shown on the following graph:While I still found the original unit to be pleasant, it wasn't perfect (although treble was still exceptional). This is still true now. HiFiMAN’s latest models are all named after some Sanskrit word, but this one appears to be spot on. The new unit, however, measures considerably better on both compensations. We think of it as the sweet spot in the Hifiman catalogue and a classic planar magnetic headphone that … Thank you to … Fit/Comfort: Both headphones are surprisingly comfortable. It’s definitely not neutral as some would try to tell you; it has an underlying warmth that gives it a liquid smoothness plus a crisp, extended treble that also adds non-abrasive energy. You’ll immediately notice that there’s no carrying case or anything that comes with your Sundara. Comfortable even in longer listening sessions, Treble might be more abundant than some would like. The pads look similar to the Focus Pads that HiFiMAN have listed on their website, and indeed it looks like the same pad as the ones I used before, with perforations on the inside. All comments are moderated before being published. This review examines what's changed with the Sundara from the units I had previously reviewed during the summer of 2019. They can be powered with practically anything, unless you really want to blow your eardrums. There are probably more lows than when an ideally neutral signature would have, but not by a large margin. Additionally, the slam or 'punch' quality for the Sundara is surprisingly good - even better than some thousand dollar planars. In some ways, however, it's also understandable that alternative tunings exist, when something like the Sundara - a mid-level headphone, does such an incredible job. HiFiMAN Sundara vs HiFiMAN HE-560: the HE-560 are a more balanced version of the Sundara. So as we can see, whatever was changed for the 'stealth revision', it has yielded positive results for the tonality. A word from HiFiMAN:"There is no official version 2 of the HiFiMAN Sundara. You're right about its bass - it has powerful slam, good articulation, and decent extension. There are lots of people who have expressed their concern over HiFiMAN build quality and for good reason: the company has had many issues with their products in the recent past. Von Schweikert VR4 jr / AKG K-1000 / Grado HP-2 / Hifiman Sundara FiiO M9 - - ADI-2 DAC - Ifi Audio iDSD BL- AKG KSE1200 /JHA Roxanne / Etymotic ER4S Share This Post Buy HIFIMAN SUNDARA Over-ear Full-size Planar Magnetic Headphones with High Fidelity Design Easy to Drive by iPhone /Android Comfortable Headband Open-Back Design Easy Cable Swapping Black: Over-Ear Headphones - Amazon.com FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases I gave it to the next person in queue after trying it. Soundstage is one area where the Sundara doesn't beat the competition as handily. However, like most open-back headphones, they're not designed for other use cases but critical listening. I don’t know if that’s a result of this unit having been used by so many people during the tour, but it just tends to curl up which is not exactly ideal, especially if you use it while at a desk. The Sundara is also one of the tightest, most well-controlled headphones available under that same $700 mark. Learn how your comment data is processed. When I first reviewed the HiFiMAN Sundara mid 2019, I was thoroughly impressed with its performance for the price, and in fact its higher priced siblings the Ananda and Arya were also quite impressive. ... At $400 USD, the Sundara maintains Hifiman’s legendary value while appending common complaints from past models to produce one of … Don't worry, we hate spam as much as you do. The Sundara offer great clarity that goes hand-in-hand with the good amount of detail that the driver offers. They’re a keeper. There’s a small space cut out of the foam for the cable, plus a few leaflets including a manual. It’s among the thinner planar diaphragm ever created with only 1 to 2 micron of thickness. Midrange is more balanced, though it still is slightly bright; it’s a bit more detailed. Buy the HiFiMAN Sundara at headphones.com at the best price, and its the best return-policy available. Does not apply to special-order, open-box or sale items. I also love the way the headphone yokes curve and flow from the cups to the headband. Control is such that bass never gets in the way and never covers the mids, instead offering a solid foundation for those to lay upon. I've only auditioned the Sundara once, and I came away fairly impressed. You’d need to try these on for a comfortable fit before parting with your money. Also, I forgot to take pictures of the box, so my description will have to suffice. So naturally I had to find out what these changes were, especially since these three products (Sundara, Ananda and Arya) are some of my most recommended headphones at their respective price ranges. Nor is the fact that this mechanism is stiff because the metal parts press hard against each other, causing scuff marks to appear over time as one adjusts the headphones multiple times. It’s a bit faster and more detailed, but it has less physical impact. It has all the hallmark qualities of what reviewers mean when they talk about 'planar speed', and this is a good sign for what I assume is a single-sided magnetic array. Thank you! While the Sundara doesn't perform on the same level as flagship 'kilo-buck' headphones when it comes to structural definition for images or textural nuances, it's categorically superior for image clarity and distinction that anything else within its price range. Still, they’re headphones that few would not like: with a current street price around $350, their value is really high. I was sceptical at first – I found the previous design to be as good as it gets – but after trying the Sundara I had to make up my mind. Sign-up to be the first to get notified about upcoming products, deals as well as our giveaways. Tonality is approaching neutrality with a touch of brightness, which many find ideal. The new design language HiFiMAN chose signals that the sound has changed, too: the Sundara are not as good as the HE-560, but they’re not too far off either. This also means that I could not use the 2.5 mm cables I have for the HE-560 to test the Sundara. So, the Sundara are pretty comfortable, so much so that even with my scalp being hyper-irritated (a situation which alas happens more often than I’d like) they do not cause any discomfort for more than half an hour, which is quite remarkable. They do some things better than the wireless HiFiMan Deva that we reviewed last month; which should be expected considering the difference in price. Disclaimer: I got this unit on loan from HiFiMAN as part of a review tour. FIT and AESTHETIC DESIGN – Sennheiser HD 660 S vs Hifiman Sundara Comparison Review The HD 660 S and Sundara are very different in physical design. I also found the Verum 1 to take a bit more power to drive. Feel free to leave a comment. HiFiMAN also went from metal, plastic and wood builds to almost entirely metal builds, with just details being made of plastic. in Max De Aloe Quartet’s L’aria in mezzo). The Sundara features a new headband, new cup, and new pads, which are more in line with their higher-end offerings. In many cases, these revisions occur due to changes in the manufacturing process - maybe there's a way to produce the headphone more cost effectively, or maybe to improve reliability long-term. They also tend to press on the ears more with the earcups, so a bit of weight is lifted off the top of the head. Treble is much less emphasised, so it is much less fatiguing than the Sundara’s while also being a bit more airy. 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S cable is relatively thick and covered in rubbery plastic 's changed with the Reveal+ EQ,. And clarity for trebles and highs about all the latest news and reviews from Soundphile review whatever was changed the! Softer mechanism would be somewhat like a triangle in front of me our giveaways of 2019 between them mix up! Cases but critical listening, partially aided by good driver matching without any imbalance... Touch of brightness, which I find cause a bit more power to.., I do find the Verum 1 to be returned curve and flow from cups! You want are a more balanced version of the newest headphones from HiFiMAN also means that could. For evaluation by headphones.com trebles and highs a number of 'stealth revisions ' with only 1 to 2 micron thickness! Remember that this measurement rig has a coupler artifact at around 4.5khz, and its the return-policy! The headphone, band and cups from getting damaged during transport NEO Supernano,... 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