@@PakoPnF Honestly, I think the revision topic is more a rumor then reality. Because many people who claim of a "revision" say, the pads are angled (thicker in the back, thinner in the front). But from what I've seen the original sundaras coming out in 2017 - 2018 all have the same angled padding. If there really is some sort of revision they would have sold off all the old stock by now, because it is almost 2021. So it has been about 2 years since the rumors of a revision popped up around 2019. But more importantly all the revision rumors circulate around the pads and not the driver itself. The pads are not gonna make or break the sound signature and can be replaced unlike the driver. Anyways if you are considering buying a new set of cans. I would highly recommend these, at the very least you owe it to yourself to try them out. These are end game for me as I really don't have a massive budget to spend on audiophile gear. If I were to ever buy another set of cans after this. I think it would be the Focal Elex, but those are $700 on drop. If your curious I was upgrading from a HD 6XX to the sundaras. I love my 6XX and I think they sound great when listening through from my phone or laptop/PC. But the Sundaras blow them out when I pair them with my tube amp and I EQ them just the way I like, because the Sundaras have better extension in the low end of the frequency response and seem to scale better with a better source.
@@chillstep4life thanks for the reply. Well i am like you, budget is the great problem... I think that this also is going to be my end game for a long time... I will buy the zen dac and the sundaras. Lets see how it goes 😁. My end game will be some hd800s, someday... Best of luck to you
@@PakoPnF Nice, if budget is the name of the game can I recommend my preamp. I paired the Sundaras with my Douk Audio P1 preamp (bought from Amazon), which I think is great value for money. It not only powers my headphones, but also my studio monitors and also has blue tooth functionality, so I can play music off my phone anywhere in the house. You can also EQ on the fly with a bass and treble knob and if you've never listened to music off of tubes these are a great entry level into tube amps. Cheers!
@@chillstep4life That is exactly the topic. Because at the end it is not only about the right headset. With what you going to pare it!? I could take them but than what? Combo with Creative G6? Fuck you creative! A dream would be the Schiit Hel but it is an US product so you never now what you going to pay at the and garantie is non existend. :-(
metal571 I’m glad you encouraged him to do that - very cool. Was the Sundara you reviewed one from the new revision? And I’m very much looking forward to you coming back this Spring. Stay well and take care man.
@@nicktan4530 I hate that guy, everything for him awesome. Then he also says just bonkers things like the Blons BL03 are better than the HD800S. I ignore him and only watch his videos to see how things look/feel. His sound demos are great too.
@@stanstaniboy7655 Thats a fact it seems. But guess what, marketing ploy with company sponsors and with his charm and personality that create fanbase helps despite the BS info in audio gear. Sound demo is compressed so usually not the best quality.
Just when I thought I was done buying headphones... Great review! Update: finally got around to buying it after like 2 years, considered the Edition XS but I was 90% sure it wouldn't physically fit me. Gets here in a couple of days, I'm pretty pumped.
@@DragonNZG Pretty awesome ngl, soundwise they're perfect nothing stands out negatively and they're extremely pleasant albeit a bit "lean", bass is incredibly well defined though. Build is decent, materials are good but build quality is more that of a 100-150$ headphone, as long as it doesn't break it's fine for me though. Comfort is perfect as well for me, no issues whatsoever. I can totally see how they could be many people's endgames, personally I'm not sure I'd buy anything more expensive without going into the $1k range, but I can't afford that lol
@@DragonNZG I have a Topping EX5 but a Topping DX3 Pro+ would be more than enough Can't tell you if cheaper stuff would be good, there's good budget units but I refer having more headroom for quiet things like certain movies or some genres
For anyone wondering how to tell if it's a current revision, the pads on the new one are a bit different. They bulge out a bit more on the sides where the leather part meets the hybrid surface that comes into contact with the side of your head. On the older revision that part was a perfectly flush angle, just like with their other pads. The pads on the newer one are also thinner in the front with a more extreme angle than the older one. Also, you can be confident that it's the latest revision as long as you buy it from a reputable dealer who has stock from within the last calendar year (2019). HiFiMAN has stated that there haven't been any changes to the driver or housing in at least one calendar year, and the only potential change is to the pad structure to improve pad reliability.
I am gonna buy it today hope it outshines my HD558 modded with foam mod and 3.5mm mod and i hope i get the new version!! Cheers for making such wonderful reviews
As a beginner to HIFIMAN, I went with the HE4XX. Other than the headband differences, I figured if I am not a fan of the earpads and room for my big ears, I would move on to the HIFIMAN Edition XX or Ananda. Excellent review.
@@brandontheblack The original version has angled pads too, you'd need to have both to be able to compare and see if it's the stealth revision one or not.
@@Tallnerdyguy I don't think that the Sundara was ever released with a 2.5 mm input option. Speaking with the HiFiMAN rep on Head-Fi, I was told that the pads were different in that they were more durable (their claim). I've also measured the old Pali pads (the Sundara's pads) vs the new ones and the new pads do measure noticeable better in the sub-bass. Finally, if anyone wants to know, I went down a rabbit hole (still going!) looking for pads that are better built than the Pali pads, but don't change the sound too much, and am happy to report that the Dekoni Elite Hybrid pads for the TH-900 do a great job. They're super comfortable, have better foam, have real leather instead of pleather, and I'm willing to bet that they'll last a lot longer. They basically take the sound improvements of the new pads and combine them with premium materials, comfort, and build quality.
Wow that sounds really good. I heard the first revision and thought it was pretty analytical, bright, and had a bit better/maybe the same dynamics as something like an ananda. Looking forward to listening to the second revision 👀
@@johnellison3173 it's not. The 'shout' quality with this new revision is completely gone - if that's what they're talking about. Otherwise, no the treble is well-balanced and smooth where the 's' sounds come through, so it's not fatiguing or sibilant.
@@johnellison3173 I've been using the Hd58x for the past few months (no complaints at all). My Sundaras will be here in two days. got a little OriGen G2 dac/amp. hoping they'll good with these headphones, otherwise i gotta spit up a bit more cashola.
I got a Sundara paired with the Atom. I demoed so many headphones, including an Elex. These are the best general use Open Back imho within a reasonable price.
I bought this beaut, it's the best thing I have ever heard. I have two headphones, one is the Sundara and the other one is the Sennheiser 560s. These two can do any job.
Well... I wonder if I can (reliably) get those new pads for my old Sundara... I'm not sure what you're talking about with "suede" pads for the Verums. IIRC they came with a fatter pad, later an option for a thinner one, neither "suede".
Hi there, here in Brazil, the Arya costs twice more money than the HD800s. And the HD800s costs only twice more than the Sundara (and costs about the same as the Ananda) . So I am deciding if I go for the Sundara, the Ananda, or the HD800s. I will use it exclusively for listening to the music (all diferent genres). No gaming here. I would appreciate any thougths/opinions that can help me make my decision. TKS!
Ohhh... I have been saving pennies to get to the amount needed to buy a 1990 ... now I am seriously considering these ... which were already on my radar (I own a pair of Verum and love them )..
Great review! I got the Sundaras and they sound amazing. However, I want to ask about a certain peak or resonance I am hearing in the treble, around 12.8 - 13 kHz. It doesn't show up your graph (it is on Oratory's measurement and on one channel in Solderdude's DIYaudioheaven graph), but when doing sine sweeps I can clearly hear it. It makes cymbals and high hats sound a lot sharper than other neutral-warm headphones like the HD650 and even the Elex. Also, it only seems to be elevated on the left channel on my unit, the right channel is fine. Do you think I should swap for another pair? I am hoping this is just a channel matching issue and not a larger problem with units. Also I am pretty sure I have the silent revision pads, upper mids sound perfect.
I have this thing with my sundaras too! I do not think it is a problem, just how the drivers are designed. If you look on rtings review you can see the left driver or right driver are sounding different
The pads make a huuuge difference. I prefer the dekoni fenestrated sheepskin pads to the stock ones. Also replaced the headband with one of the old ones (He4xx style). I really really love this thing now.
I'd like to thank you.Just bought the Sundara only based on this review (without even listening to them!) and couldn't be happier! Amazingly balanced and neutral, the Sundara is perfect as a midtier between my audeze Sines and Senns HD800s. They will now go through the burn in period but sound amazing already out of the box. Thanks man and keep up the good work!
Odd about the sound stage. Just watched a video comparing the Sundaras, 660s and the 1990s, and the Sundaras were claimed to have a wider sound stage than the 1990s. I've been using the 1990s for about two years now and love them for the most part. For films though, they can become really fatiguing due to their hot treble. The Sundaras were said to be much more relaxed in that regard, with more controlled bass (even if it has slightly less overall volume) and that it was wider sounding too.
These are the best price per performance buy on the planet. There is no headphone under $400 that can sound this good and can soundstage that well. Yes the hd6xx line have great tone and timbre, but their stage is narrow and they can't match this level of detail. Also, their sub bass rolls off way sooner than the Sundara. I don't know why these aren't flying off shelves. And this is coming from someone who has owned the entire HEK line, Ananda, Arya, Edition X V1 and V2, and the Susvara.
Love your reviews... your “ detail retrieval “ in reviews is fantastic. Great info and comparisons that are helpful without all the hyperbole and rant. Not to disparage other reviewers, there’s great reviewers out there and they all have their niche but the info you provide is exactly what I’m looking for in a review. Keep up the great work. My only gripe is that Josh totally had me sold on the Arya and now after watching a few of your reviews and comparisons I’m back to square one ( Dammit!!!! Lol).... now I’m thinking Sundara, especially at its current price. The thing is I don’t want to keep doing incremental upgrades and spending all that $$ that I could just pool it and buy one high end and be satisfied with it. Really want the Utopia but can’t justify 3 grand on a headphone ( not to mention my wife would probably murder me). But I am willing to go around $1,500 or so and take my lashings. I’ve been pouring through forums, reviews and such for months and am no closer to making a choice than I was 6 months ago.... any suggestions at this price range would be greatly appreciated. Ohhh... and Metal, you are awesome too. Hope to see you back soon.
@@TheHEADPHONEShow Just realized I said Sundara because this is a review of it...Meant to say Ananda, I get the law of diminishing returns but $900 difference between that and the Arya seems extreme
@@Audi0phool oh - actually the difference between the Ananda and Arya is more substantial than the difference between Sundara and Ananda, at least from memory
Had the HiFiMAN 400S before, and the plastic connector on the left side broke after about 2 years. Ended up buying the Sundara a year and a half ago, and I admit, I love how they sound. However, I just went to put them on and the plastic piece that the headband inserts into, broke. Are all the HiFiMAN headphones this bad in build quality, or is it just the entry level ones? Like I said, I really do like the sound, but even though the metal parts look sturdier, they all insert into plastic pieces which seem to be very flimsy. Any suggestions on new headphones? Is there something similar in sound qualty (even if it is more expensive) or do I have to get a more expensive HiFiMAN set? (or are they going to break too?)
I've had the Sundaras for about two weeks now powered by the JDS Atom stack, and it performs very well. I did add some bass below 100Hz but it doesn't need it--although it responds well to it without muddying anything. And I added a tiny bit to the 2100Hz range to increase some vocal and guitar that felt slightly recessed compared to my Sennheisers. Otherwise, I think it's fantastic in all regards. The midrange is not quite as outstanding as the Sennheisers (but what is) but it's not far off. And the detail, clarity, sound stage, and punch are all much better.
I have the jds element 2 coming in the mail. Looking forward to how they go together. I also have sennheiser hd560s. How do the sundaras compare in your experience
I think I'm about to get these. I bought some 400is and the plastic yoke broke within a week, so I have been hesitant to order another hifiman product.(HE4XXs have also been very temping, but I already have the HD6XXs and want a definite upgrade if I do buy something else). Mainly want an upgrade to further enjoy some classical like Rachmaninoff and such. So close to just buying them.
Thank you so much for the review. I’m definitely leaning on purchasing these headphones. My only outstanding question is can they be driven adequately with my Audioquest dragonfly cobalt only having 2.1V output?
No, I think that's about where it tops out. From memory, the Elex is a slightly worse performing Focal Clear, which is much closer to the Ananda as well. But of course the Elex is a dynamic driver headphone, so it just sounds different as well.
Thanks for this review! I think this review sealed my decision. But I usually see comments on its soundstage that others are better. But having said that, is the soundstage of Sundara disappointing (like you're missing out on something because of this)? and also, I'm planning to pair this with Topping E50/D50 stack or iFi Zen stack. Is this good? or iFi Zen DAC v2 would be enough?
I'll have to see if there's a revision, but the one I reviewed before had an even better frequency response, better soundstage, and slightly better detail retrieval.
I understand that the performance may be close but does the Sundaras have the same 'wall of sound' quality of the Ananda? If not? Then that would still be a reason to look at those as that is a really unique aspect of the Ananda.
@@TheHEADPHONEShow if there is a revision are you going to review the ananda again? how will i tell if i am getting the revised version of the sundara?
Bought prior version in 2019. 4 months later Right side driver intermittent drops in audio. Irritating since not used daily. I take utmost caution handling audio equipment. Used with burson audio playmate 2. Aside from QC, awesome headphone. Sundara and Phillips X2HR I use for Immersive style games. Never had chance to RMA, failed when COVID lock downs started. X2HR soundstage is wider, maybe because sitting further from your ears than sundara's
Great review! I just bought a pair of these on Feb. 8th. Out of the box, they sound very nice, as you described. Not sure if they will need a "break in" period like a set of speakers. (OK, I haven't read the owners manual just yet!) So far, I really like the sound and they are quite comfortable.
I have about 50 hours on my Sundara ( new version ) and I thought they sounded very good out of the box. After about 10 hours the bass faded, and the lower treble developed a nasty shout. From that point forward both issues began to gradually fade reaching a point where I was able to forget I was listening to an electronic facsimile, and fully engage the music. I owned a high end audio shop for twenty two years. I’m all about the music, and getting as close to it as I can. All the rhetoric regarding technical minutia is nonsense, and has nothing to do with music. Pick up a 10 year old copy of any leading audio magazine and one that published yesterday. Read them both, and other than the names I challenge you to tell any difference between the two. It’s all about commerce, not music.
But wait, there’s more! There’s nothing wrong with commerce, but don’t forget the reason we’re all hear. It’s about the music, and all to often we forget that, and drift off into the ethereal mist. The best reviewers give us little indications of what a given product sounds like, and we try to match them up with our personal experiences. Sometimes we get it right, and make a good purchasing decision, but how many times have you read reviews that lead you to the wrong product, leaving you to question what in the world they were talking about. This is one of the best reviews I’ve seen in a very long time. I’ve been watching Sundara reviews for months looking for someone to give me a reason to pull the trigger and buy a pair. After watching this review I immediately ordered my Sundara’s, and they do exactly what I expected. They brought me closer to the music I love. Remember, they need at least 50 hours of break in. Hifiman recommends 150 hours of break in. I can’t speak to that yet as I haven’t reached that point. If it continues to improve, I’m all in. If this is as good as it gets, I’m very happy. If you’ve read this far, I thank you for I thank you for considering the ramblings of an old man, and I’ll leave you with this thought. “Don’t forget the music”. It’s the only reason you’re here!!!!
Mine came in today in just a plain box similar to what Drop uses sometimes for their headphones mostly brown with a little strip that indicated it was Hifiman Sundara and no booklet and a QR scan box with warranty and a serial and if you follow them on Facebook an extra 6 months warranty no booklet though. I can't figure out which version I got. I bought mine from Newegg.
I wonder how good the Sundara closed will be compared to even something like the DCA Aeon 2/Noire... hopefully the review isn't far away with pre-orders being offered in the UK. It looks like the closed version also has a different driver revision, as it is rated at 20Ω with increased sensitivity too... interesting times ahead.
Anil Sunda As a surgeon, I'm not easily given to gush and rave about youtube review videos, but I have to take my hat off to you. You do a great job of being unbiased in your views and your attention to detail with you videography, your narrative and how you voice your opinions. Congratulations on that. Also, want to thank you for helping me in guiding my purchases for high end audio products. By the way, I'm from India, citizen now of Australia for the last twenty years. Just a thing you might want to introduce in future videos (at your discretion). Hifiman names for their products are from Hindi, the national language of India. Sundara (pronounced Sunder, meanning beautiful), Ananda (pronounced Anand, meaning joy)
bigger pads is better than a swivel i do not like a swivel because on most headphones because that is a failure point for breaking on most headphones so good job hifiman please fix the build on the rest of your headphones so we actually start buying your stuff and not have to worry about your headphones breaking and be concerned about the build quality on your headphones
Well as a new Audiophile I pulled the trigger with The Sundara and The Dragonfly Cobalt as per your Excellent reviews. However, I am still currently waiting for both items. So in the mean time if you wouldn't mind, I was hoping you could answer a few questions? First is, Did I make the right decision pairing these 2 up? I'll be using them through my desktop if that matters. Second is, I noticed in both the old and new review on the Sundaras you had issues with the cables. Can you or anyone of your fine followers suggest a decent and not too expensive cable I can pick up? Thank You
The main point of the dragonfly is its form factor. I think if you don't need that form factor you could definitely get better for the price. But if you see yourself using it with a laptop, on the go somewhere else, or even with your phone, then that would make sense. Just keep in mind this is an open-back headphone, so it's not exactly something ideal for portable use. As for cables, yeah I think Periapt cables are fine. You may be fine with the default Sundara cable though, it's not as bad as the other ones.
@@TheHEADPHONEShow First let me say Thank You for your speedy reply and your spot on reviews. As for the Sundara and DF Cobalt I will only be using this through my Home Desktop and maybe occasionally through my laptop when I do long travel in my hotel stays. I have no intention on using this in these in public. For the Periapt cables? I did visit their Website and was alerted that due to the Virus they have a 21 Business Day Shipping Lag. So for now, maybe the New Stealth Sundara's cables have improved and will have to do. Look's like I picked the wrong time to start a new hobby with all of the shipping delays. Thanks Again, Jim P.
The angles of the pads look exactly the same on my Sundara I bought in november, I'm not entirely sure when they started the revision and if it really is a revised Sundara.
I'm looking at going from a gamer headset, arctis wireless pro, to a pair of good sounding headphones instead... will I be blown away with these? I love good punch, slam and clarity.
Thank you for this review. Considering that the Sundara can be bought for roughly 350$, what would be a good DAC / Amp to pair it with in your opinion? Does it profit from more expensive electronics?
After great reviews like these I got the Sundara and they were great... until something inside the left cup became loose and started to vibrate ;( Now I'm considering spending a bit more for improved reliability. Are the Aeons Open X an upgrade or at least an equal to the Sundara? Any help would be appreciated since I don't have a way of testing those before purchasing
Because of this review, i want to go buy the Sundara, but how do i know the difference between the old version or this one, does it have a different model number, thank-you for this great review.
@The HEADPHONE Show Its my first time commenting to one of your videos and I know its almost 2 years old video, but I want to go for a next level sound; and what do I mean by that? I've started with normal gaming headphones and after that I bought the Sennheiser PC 37x which is a top gaming/music headphone. Ok, now, what I want to ask, from your own perspective and opinion (because you said Sundara doesn't have much sound stage):does Sundara have the soundstage of an open back headphones? It is stil there? Is it a big difference in sound between PC 37x and Sundara? Does DT900 Pro X better than Sundara? I am sorry with all this questions, but I am very confused and don't know what to chose: DT900 Pro X, Sennheiser 6XX or Sundara . Consider that I play games (which I can use the 37x) but I also want to listen to music like I never heard it before, to enjoy it. Thank you, I hope you read my comment and answer. Thank you !
I have these headphones and I love them. Replace the cables and amp them up and they will sing. Oh yeah some eq (using USB Audio Player Pro with Sundara selected eq).
If HiFiMan's poor quality control reputation for early failures, that will happen out-of-the-box or within a short time, or are they longer-term problems ?
I own several Hifiman cans ranging from the Sundara to the Susvara. The only QC related incident was with the Sundara. One of the drivers was clipping/sizzling to the point of hurting the eardrum. This was immediately obvious right out of the box. I had bought from a real store and I had no problem getting a replacement the following day. The replacement performed flawlessly. My advice with HFM products is to buy them from brick-and-mortar stores rather than online. The price is usually the same and you get pronto service.
Typically failures will happen within first month (with decent usage) with MFG issues. I bought mine used, and have had them for 11 months. Not a single issue.
Totally convinced me! Question: Why do you a headphones amplifier? Any other reasons than just making it louder? Cause I'm fine with the level now when connected to my laptop or soundcard.
Does the amp matter that much? I want to use them on a PC with the Sound Blaster X G6 that can power them. Is there a significant sound difference to justify a separate DAC/AMP purchase?
Very nice review, Resolve! I wonder if you can help me with this: So, i've imported a Sundara that was $330 with shipping but i was taxed and it went to $417. Yeah. I also have the option to buy a Sennheiser HD560S for $233 with local warranty or a HarmonicDyne Zeus for $330. So, do i return, or sell, the Sundara and buy one of the others of keep it anyway? Also, i am not from U.S. Thank you!
Do you think you can review the modhouse argon mk3? I'm considering getting it since I need less sound leak but would love to hear your thoughts on it and a comparison to the sundara
Just got these based on your recommendation. Agreed, these can’t be beaten for the price and well above. You said in another video that anyone who likes the DT 1990 treble response, “What the hell are you listening to???” made me LOL. Couldn’t have said it better. The folks at Beyerdynamic need to go back to the drawing board. Or hire people who can hear above 3k. Can’t listen to a single thing they make for the duration of a song. OUCH. As a side note, for anyone looking for a closed back with similar FR as these, I recommend the Shure SRH1540. I’ll be using my Sundaras for mixing, mastering, and enjoyment, and 1540 for tracking and any private listening. Well done!
Hi, Thank you for the video I Have a Sundara that I have no idea which version is it and I use sonar works soundidreference with only one confusing profile for the Sundara any help with the sounded reference profile for the old and new versions of the Sundara plz
Which pads in hifiman's accessories section does the latest sundara use? I just want to know whether I can buy the same exact pads that are on them in case they need to be replaced.
Is this the headphone with the dual cable design, you could plug a balanced cable into? Could you provide an amazon canada link for the correct model. Thanks
Nice video :) Sundara look rly promissing ( as i am looking for upgrade from mine He400i with Alpha pads ).. Does it makes sense to safe more and get Ananda instead ? Also did u tried to remove grills ?
Slow reply, i upgraded from he4xx and the difference was noticeable. I think the Ananda might be a better set, but also not sure it is worth 2x the cost. Maybe 10% better performance for 100% price increase? up to you if you find it worth it.
Thanks for the review. How much driver variance is Hifiman known for? How is the timbre? (e.g. metallic, plasticky etc.) And lastly, how can someone ensure in getting the newest "stealth" revision? (Especially for non US buyers?)
Hifiman is much better at driver variance than other planar headphone manufacturers. And just as an indication, this unit sounds just like the ones metal571 heard/reviewed. For timbre, it's still recognizably a planar, but not that sort of dryness that other Hifiman headphones have had in the past (the older HE5 etc. models). I think the new revision has been out for a few months now.
@@TheHEADPHONEShow Thanks alot for the very very quick and helpful response.Very appreciated! Your reviews are very helpful and are a joy to watch and certainly add an additional layer to the hobby and to the audiophile world! :)
Hi. I'm not fluent in English. I'm happy to meet you. I'm hesitant between dt 1990 pro and hd 600 and sundara. What is the enjoyment of music between these 3 models? Or in short, compare these 3 models. Sorry, it took a long time.
HD600 on tubes or solid-state with good power, the other ones are "better" but HD600 is more reliable (than Sundara) and without peeks in the high frequencies (like 1990) and is cheaper too.
I own two Hifiman headphones, 400i and HE560 and both of the headband fail after three years. The biggest problem is the leather strip. The attachment either snapped off or came lose. It might has to do with the way it was design. Sliding back and forth may be the causes of the wear and tear. But if you're not like me where you listen 6-7 hours a day 5 days a week at work you might not have the same issues. You won't have the booming base but thumping. Sounds separation are great, sound stage about 3-4 inch from the headphone itself. It does give a pretty good impression of where the instrument are coming from but you have to put some attention, it is not obvious. String instruments are great on both headphone. Vocal is good but I wouldn't say great, but the detail are there you won't missed the in between breath if it is captured in the song. I will get the Sundara next just to compare the three. Overall great headphone for the price, I highly recommended.
You could try replacing the suspension strap or even the whole headband for something homebrew if everything else works still. It might not be pretty, but you could probably epoxy some homemade leather strap or even duct tape if worst comes to worst. I think with that usage case any headphone will fail in that time period besides maybe Sennheiser and Beyer. I use mine about as much and mine are a second hand 2016 model.
I know this a question a lot of people was asking you before but, where can I get the "good" unit with the stealth revision? Just want to be sure the place i'm buying It from has the newer version, saludos c:
I have the Sony xm4’s. I’m happy with them for the most part, but would like to have more control of the output. I use them with my iPhone and iPad, is there a amp or other technology that would work?
Check the jacks on the bottom. If they are 3.5mm jacks, they are the 2nd revision. I bought my sundaras on ebay with torn pads for cheap, could only tell that they were the 2nd revision by the jack size.
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I ended up buying the Sundara partly because of this review alone.
All I can say is that I am very satisfied with my purchase. Thanks Ander.
Whats your revision? How can we know witch one is the most recent with the improved earpads?
@@PakoPnF Honestly, I think the revision topic is more a rumor then reality. Because many people who claim of a "revision" say, the pads are angled (thicker in the back, thinner in the front). But from what I've seen the original sundaras coming out in 2017 - 2018 all have the same angled padding. If there really is some sort of revision they would have sold off all the old stock by now, because it is almost 2021. So it has been about 2 years since the rumors of a revision popped up around 2019. But more importantly all the revision rumors circulate around the pads and not the driver itself. The pads are not gonna make or break the sound signature and can be replaced unlike the driver.
Anyways if you are considering buying a new set of cans. I would highly recommend these, at the very least you owe it to yourself to try them out. These are end game for me as I really don't have a massive budget to spend on audiophile gear. If I were to ever buy another set of cans after this. I think it would be the Focal Elex, but those are $700 on drop.
If your curious I was upgrading from a HD 6XX to the sundaras. I love my 6XX and I think they sound great when listening through from my phone or laptop/PC. But the Sundaras blow them out when I pair them with my tube amp and I EQ them just the way I like, because the Sundaras have better extension in the low end of the frequency response and seem to scale better with a better source.
@@chillstep4life thanks for the reply. Well i am like you, budget is the great problem... I think that this also is going to be my end game for a long time... I will buy the zen dac and the sundaras. Lets see how it goes 😁. My end game will be some hd800s, someday... Best of luck to you
@@PakoPnF Nice, if budget is the name of the game can I recommend my preamp. I paired the Sundaras with my Douk Audio P1 preamp (bought from Amazon), which I think is great value for money. It not only powers my headphones, but also my studio monitors and also has blue tooth functionality, so I can play music off my phone anywhere in the house. You can also EQ on the fly with a bass and treble knob and if you've never listened to music off of tubes these are a great entry level into tube amps. Cheers!
@@chillstep4life That is exactly the topic. Because at the end it is not only about the right headset. With what you going to pare it!?
I could take them but than what? Combo with Creative G6? Fuck you creative!
A dream would be the Schiit Hel but it is an US product so you never now what you going to pay at the and garantie is non existend. :-(
They respond well to an equalizer. You can extend the sub bass and roll off the highs without losing detail or bass leaking into the mids.
that combined with a slight boost to around 2k make these sound phenomenal
@@-aexc- got a parametric eq preset u could kindly share?
@@everybodylovesab
Hi there.
preamp -5dB
low shelf 28Hz -1dB 1.4Q
peak 66Hz +1dB 0.71Q
low shelf 105Hz +4dB 1.4Q (adjust to your taste for bass)
peak 540Hz +1dB 1.4Q
peak 2250Hz +3.5dB 1.4Q
peak 6600Hz -2.5dB 4Q
peak 7900Hz =4dB 1Q
peak 8600Hz -1dB 6Q
high shelf 10000Hz -1dB 1.4Q (adjust to taste for treble)
@@everybodylovesab what EQ program are you using?
With Tyll retiring and metal571 taking a hiatus, you’re easily my new favorite. Great work man!
metal571 I’m glad you encouraged him to do that - very cool. Was the Sundara you reviewed one from the new revision? And I’m very much looking forward to you coming back this Spring. Stay well and take care man.
What about the zeos ?
@@nicktan4530 I hate that guy, everything for him awesome. Then he also says just bonkers things like the Blons BL03 are better than the HD800S. I ignore him and only watch his videos to see how things look/feel. His sound demos are great too.
@@stanstaniboy7655 Thats a fact it seems. But guess what, marketing ploy with company sponsors and with his charm and personality that create fanbase helps despite the BS info in audio gear. Sound demo is compressed so usually not the best quality.
What about Currawong n Joshua?
I bought it. I love it! Best headphone ever! Fell in love with my music collection again ! The sound is soooooooooo immersive, it is absurd!
Great review! Well done! Guys, comparing the Sundara to Audeze Lcd2 classic, what are your impressions?
Just when I thought I was done buying headphones...
Great review!
Update: finally got around to buying it after like 2 years, considered the Edition XS but I was 90% sure it wouldn't physically fit me. Gets here in a couple of days, I'm pretty pumped.
I don't very feel that feel, actually... and I've just explained that reason! :D I'm happy and DONE.
how are they??
@@DragonNZG Pretty awesome ngl, soundwise they're perfect nothing stands out negatively and they're extremely pleasant albeit a bit "lean", bass is incredibly well defined though. Build is decent, materials are good but build quality is more that of a 100-150$ headphone, as long as it doesn't break it's fine for me though. Comfort is perfect as well for me, no issues whatsoever.
I can totally see how they could be many people's endgames, personally I'm not sure I'd buy anything more expensive without going into the $1k range, but I can't afford that lol
@@albertovicinanza Thanks bro! I'm gonna be buying a pair tonight! Any recommendations for a cheap dac amp that would pair well?
@@DragonNZG I have a Topping EX5 but a Topping DX3 Pro+ would be more than enough
Can't tell you if cheaper stuff would be good, there's good budget units but I refer having more headroom for quiet things like certain movies or some genres
For anyone wondering how to tell if it's a current revision, the pads on the new one are a bit different. They bulge out a bit more on the sides where the leather part meets the hybrid surface that comes into contact with the side of your head. On the older revision that part was a perfectly flush angle, just like with their other pads. The pads on the newer one are also thinner in the front with a more extreme angle than the older one. Also, you can be confident that it's the latest revision as long as you buy it from a reputable dealer who has stock from within the last calendar year (2019). HiFiMAN has stated that there haven't been any changes to the driver or housing in at least one calendar year, and the only potential change is to the pad structure to improve pad reliability.
I'm curious if they did the same to the Ananda's
I am gonna buy it today hope it outshines my HD558 modded with foam mod and 3.5mm mod and i hope i get the new version!! Cheers for making such wonderful reviews
Can you link the exact pads that can be bought separately?
As a beginner to HIFIMAN, I went with the HE4XX. Other than the headband differences, I figured if I am not a fan of the earpads and room for my big ears, I would move on to the HIFIMAN Edition XX or Ananda. Excellent review.
How does one know it's getting the Stealth revision?
Check the pads. Thicker toward the back, slimmer at front would indicate the newer revision.
@@brandontheblack The original version has angled pads too, you'd need to have both to be able to compare and see if it's the stealth revision one or not.
Also check the jack size. In the 2nd revision the jacks are 3.5mm, when it launched they were 2.5mm
@@Tallnerdyguy I don't think that the Sundara was ever released with a 2.5 mm input option. Speaking with the HiFiMAN rep on Head-Fi, I was told that the pads were different in that they were more durable (their claim). I've also measured the old Pali pads (the Sundara's pads) vs the new ones and the new pads do measure noticeable better in the sub-bass. Finally, if anyone wants to know, I went down a rabbit hole (still going!) looking for pads that are better built than the Pali pads, but don't change the sound too much, and am happy to report that the Dekoni Elite Hybrid pads for the TH-900 do a great job. They're super comfortable, have better foam, have real leather instead of pleather, and I'm willing to bet that they'll last a lot longer. They basically take the sound improvements of the new pads and combine them with premium materials, comfort, and build quality.
@@EVILLASER i have had both versions of the sundara, first one was 2.5mm
Mate I've just discovered your channel. You're the new Tyll for me. Nice review!
I've got to get my hands on a pair of these
I did, and have found my end game TBH. I have been looking for a decent set of cans under $500 and cannot find a single better pair.
Wow that sounds really good. I heard the first revision and thought it was pretty analytical, bright, and had a bit better/maybe the same dynamics as something like an ananda. Looking forward to listening to the second revision 👀
@@metal571 not anymore because of what? i'm interested in getting this pair of headphones but the harsh sound is making me reluctant to do so.
Fantastic review. I have been looking for my first planar that isnt insanely overpriced. I think this could be the one for me
Other reviewers are claiming that the treble is a bit hot. Did you not find this to be the case?
@@johnellison3173 it's not. The 'shout' quality with this new revision is completely gone - if that's what they're talking about. Otherwise, no the treble is well-balanced and smooth where the 's' sounds come through, so it's not fatiguing or sibilant.
@@TheHEADPHONEShow Thats great for me as I cant stand sibilant headphones. Thanks for info. Now I just need to find a pair that has the new pads 👍
@Gray Au I had considered those but Im assuming the Sundara will be a step up
@@johnellison3173 I've been using the Hd58x for the past few months (no complaints at all). My Sundaras will be here in two days. got a little OriGen G2 dac/amp. hoping they'll good with these headphones, otherwise i gotta spit up a bit more cashola.
What a terrific, open and honest review! many thanks for your advice...greatly appreciated.
I got a Sundara paired with the Atom. I demoed so many headphones, including an Elex. These are the best general use Open Back imho within a reasonable price.
I've got an Atom and I'm looking into getting a pair of Sundaras, now you got me hyped!
@@zaleskar you will love em! What will you be listening on? PC?
@@StatusQuo209 Yep listening on PC! I'm loving them, so good even with EQ.
Looks like I'm getting the Sundara
I love your mic, it's so silky smooth while listening on my HE400is.
I bought this beaut, it's the best thing I have ever heard. I have two headphones, one is the Sundara and the other one is the Sennheiser 560s. These two can do any job.
Well... I wonder if I can (reliably) get those new pads for my old Sundara...
I'm not sure what you're talking about with "suede" pads for the Verums. IIRC they came with a fatter pad, later an option for a thinner one, neither "suede".
Hi there, here in Brazil, the Arya costs twice more money than the HD800s. And the HD800s costs only twice more than the Sundara (and costs about the same as the Ananda) . So I am deciding if I go for the Sundara, the Ananda, or the HD800s. I will use it exclusively for listening to the music (all diferent genres). No gaming here. I would appreciate any thougths/opinions that can help me make my decision. TKS!
I see that at the 4:30mark you show a picture of the dual cable. You answered my question with those shots. Thanks
I pulled the trigger after watching your video. Thank you and exceptionally well made video.
Ohhh... I have been saving pennies to get to the amount needed to buy a 1990 ... now I am seriously considering these ... which were already on my radar (I own a pair of Verum and love them )..
Receive it today... After 6 hours. One word. Incredible.
Looking forward to Hifiman Deva Review
+ Is there any dacamp you would want to recommend?
I have no knowledge on that department
Great review! I got the Sundaras and they sound amazing. However, I want to ask about a certain peak or resonance I am hearing in the treble, around 12.8 - 13 kHz. It doesn't show up your graph (it is on Oratory's measurement and on one channel in Solderdude's DIYaudioheaven graph), but when doing sine sweeps I can clearly hear it. It makes cymbals and high hats sound a lot sharper than other neutral-warm headphones like the HD650 and even the Elex. Also, it only seems to be elevated on the left channel on my unit, the right channel is fine. Do you think I should swap for another pair? I am hoping this is just a channel matching issue and not a larger problem with units. Also I am pretty sure I have the silent revision pads, upper mids sound perfect.
I have this thing with my sundaras too! I do not think it is a problem, just how the drivers are designed. If you look on rtings review you can see the left driver or right driver are sounding different
The pads make a huuuge difference. I prefer the dekoni fenestrated sheepskin pads to the stock ones. Also replaced the headband with one of the old ones (He4xx style). I really really love this thing now.
Do you have any idea how the hybrid dekoni sound on the sundara? Or if there is a diffrence between fenestared sheepskin and hybrids ?
dekoni publishes measurements that compare their pads with the stock pads.@@Anomalyn1
Are these as amazing for watching movies?
or should I look elsewhere.
I really prefer the Hifiman Sundaras over the HD6xx sounds a bit more fun in my opinion and far more enjoyable
I have these two also and totally agree
I'd like to thank you.Just bought the Sundara only based on this review (without even listening to them!) and couldn't be happier! Amazingly balanced and neutral, the Sundara is perfect as a midtier between my audeze Sines and Senns HD800s. They will now go through the burn in period but sound amazing already out of the box. Thanks man and keep up the good work!
Odd about the sound stage. Just watched a video comparing the Sundaras, 660s and the 1990s, and the Sundaras were claimed to have a wider sound stage than the 1990s. I've been using the 1990s for about two years now and love them for the most part. For films though, they can become really fatiguing due to their hot treble. The Sundaras were said to be much more relaxed in that regard, with more controlled bass (even if it has slightly less overall volume) and that it was wider sounding too.
These are the best price per performance buy on the planet. There is no headphone under $400 that can sound this good and can soundstage that well. Yes the hd6xx line have great tone and timbre, but their stage is narrow and they can't match this level of detail. Also, their sub bass rolls off way sooner than the Sundara. I don't know why these aren't flying off shelves. And this is coming from someone who has owned the entire HEK line, Ananda, Arya, Edition X V1 and V2, and the Susvara.
I've just ordered some of these from HiFiMan in the US based upon this review. Thank you :)
I currently own AQ NightHawk Carbon and HarmonicDyne Zeus.
how do you like the zeus so far?
@@dedompler The Zeus are lovely. Easier to drive than the Sundara.
Please do a review on the revised Ananda as well. BTW does the revised Sundara has removable ear pads?
Love your reviews... your “ detail retrieval “ in reviews is fantastic. Great info and comparisons that are helpful without all the hyperbole and rant. Not to disparage other reviewers, there’s great reviewers out there and they all have their niche but the info you provide is exactly what I’m looking for in a review. Keep up the great work. My only gripe is that Josh totally had me sold on the Arya and now after watching a few of your reviews and comparisons I’m back to square one ( Dammit!!!! Lol).... now I’m thinking Sundara, especially at its current price. The thing is I don’t want to keep doing incremental upgrades and spending all that $$ that I could just pool it and buy one high end and be satisfied with it. Really want the Utopia but can’t justify 3 grand on a headphone ( not to mention my wife would probably murder me). But I am willing to go around $1,500 or so and take my lashings. I’ve been pouring through forums, reviews and such for months and am no closer to making a choice than I was 6 months ago.... any suggestions at this price range would be greatly appreciated. Ohhh... and Metal, you are awesome too. Hope to see you back soon.
You can buy the Arya with confidence. It's really good. And thanks for the kind words!
@@TheHEADPHONEShow Just realized I said Sundara because this is a review of it...Meant to say Ananda, I get the law of diminishing returns but $900 difference between that and the Arya seems extreme
@@Audi0phool oh - actually the difference between the Ananda and Arya is more substantial than the difference between Sundara and Ananda, at least from memory
Had the HiFiMAN 400S before, and the plastic connector on the left side broke after about 2 years. Ended up buying the Sundara a year and a half ago, and I admit, I love how they sound. However, I just went to put them on and the plastic piece that the headband inserts into, broke. Are all the HiFiMAN headphones this bad in build quality, or is it just the entry level ones? Like I said, I really do like the sound, but even though the metal parts look sturdier, they all insert into plastic pieces which seem to be very flimsy.
Any suggestions on new headphones? Is there something similar in sound qualty (even if it is more expensive) or do I have to get a more expensive HiFiMAN set? (or are they going to break too?)
How does it compare to the Sendy Aiva
I've had the Sundaras for about two weeks now powered by the JDS Atom stack, and it performs very well. I did add some bass below 100Hz but it doesn't need it--although it responds well to it without muddying anything. And I added a tiny bit to the 2100Hz range to increase some vocal and guitar that felt slightly recessed compared to my Sennheisers. Otherwise, I think it's fantastic in all regards. The midrange is not quite as outstanding as the Sennheisers (but what is) but it's not far off. And the detail, clarity, sound stage, and punch are all much better.
I have the jds element 2 coming in the mail. Looking forward to how they go together. I also have sennheiser hd560s. How do the sundaras compare in your experience
Sundara is superior.
@@samza9622 I have had the Sundara for about a month. Couldn't be happier. Not as roomy as the 560s but less sterile and more 'fun' to listen too.
@@rhyselliott9170 which one has more detail to the mids ?
I tried the hd560 and it was just "ok"
@@rhyselliott9170 I need one for studio use
I think I'm about to get these. I bought some 400is and the plastic yoke broke within a week, so I have been hesitant to order another hifiman product.(HE4XXs have also been very temping, but I already have the HD6XXs and want a definite upgrade if I do buy something else). Mainly want an upgrade to further enjoy some classical like Rachmaninoff and such. So close to just buying them.
Thank you so much for the review. I’m definitely leaning on purchasing these headphones. My only outstanding question is can they be driven adequately with my Audioquest dragonfly cobalt only having 2.1V output?
U do an awesome job by explaining things in getting to the specifics with the finest details
GOOD REVIEW.. Would you rate the Sundara above the Focal Elex?
No, I think that's about where it tops out. From memory, the Elex is a slightly worse performing Focal Clear, which is much closer to the Ananda as well. But of course the Elex is a dynamic driver headphone, so it just sounds different as well.
Hi! Thank you for very nice review. Do you know, is it possible to connect them with balanced wire on balanced ampli?
No pairing suggestions in the video..? What did you use and what would you recommend...?
Thanks for this review! I think this review sealed my decision. But I usually see comments on its soundstage that others are better. But having said that, is the soundstage of Sundara disappointing (like you're missing out on something because of this)?
and also, I'm planning to pair this with Topping E50/D50 stack or iFi Zen stack. Is this good? or iFi Zen DAC v2 would be enough?
he did said it @ 10:46 onwards
What’s the primary improvement I would see if I picked up an Ananda over these, just $200 more for me
I'll have to see if there's a revision, but the one I reviewed before had an even better frequency response, better soundstage, and slightly better detail retrieval.
I understand that the performance may be close but does the Sundaras have the same 'wall of sound' quality of the Ananda? If not? Then that would still be a reason to look at those as that is a really unique aspect of the Ananda.
@@TheHEADPHONEShow if there is a revision are you going to review the ananda again? how will i tell if i am getting the revised version of the sundara?
Where did you see them for that price?
Bought prior version in 2019. 4 months later Right side driver intermittent drops in audio. Irritating since not used daily. I take utmost caution handling audio equipment. Used with burson audio playmate 2. Aside from QC, awesome headphone. Sundara and Phillips X2HR I use for Immersive style games. Never had chance to RMA, failed when COVID lock downs started. X2HR soundstage is wider, maybe because sitting further from your ears than sundara's
Great review! I just bought a pair of these on Feb. 8th. Out of the box, they sound very nice, as you described. Not sure if they will need a "break in" period like a set of speakers. (OK, I haven't read the owners manual just yet!) So far, I really like the sound and they are quite comfortable.
I have about 50 hours on my Sundara ( new version ) and I thought they sounded very good out of the box. After about 10 hours the bass faded, and the lower treble developed a nasty shout. From that point forward both issues began to gradually fade reaching a point where I was able to forget I was listening to an electronic facsimile, and fully engage the music. I owned a high end audio shop for twenty two years. I’m all about the music, and getting as close to it as I can. All the rhetoric regarding technical minutia is nonsense, and has nothing to do with music. Pick up a 10 year old copy of any leading audio magazine and one that published yesterday. Read them both, and other than the names I challenge you to tell any difference between the two. It’s all about commerce, not music.
But wait, there’s more! There’s nothing wrong with commerce, but don’t forget the reason we’re all hear. It’s about the music, and all to often we forget that, and drift off into the ethereal mist. The best reviewers give us little indications of what a given product sounds like, and we try to match them up with our personal experiences. Sometimes we get it right, and make a good purchasing decision, but how many times have you read reviews that lead you to the wrong product, leaving you to question what in the world they were talking about. This is one of the best reviews I’ve seen in a very long time. I’ve been watching Sundara reviews for months looking for someone to give me a reason to pull the trigger and buy a pair. After watching this review I immediately ordered my Sundara’s, and they do exactly what I expected. They brought me closer to the music I love. Remember, they need at least 50 hours of break in. Hifiman recommends 150 hours of break in. I can’t speak to that yet as I haven’t reached that point. If it continues to improve, I’m all in. If this is as good as it gets, I’m very happy. If you’ve read this far, I thank you for I thank you for considering the ramblings of an old man, and I’ll leave you with this thought. “Don’t forget the music”. It’s the only reason you’re here!!!!
Mine came in today in just a plain box similar to what Drop uses sometimes for their headphones mostly brown with a little strip that indicated it was Hifiman Sundara and no booklet and a QR scan box with warranty and a serial and if you follow them on Facebook an extra 6 months warranty no booklet though. I can't figure out which version I got. I bought mine from Newegg.
I wonder how good the Sundara closed will be compared to even something like the DCA Aeon 2/Noire... hopefully the review isn't far away with pre-orders being offered in the UK. It looks like the closed version also has a different driver revision, as it is rated at 20Ω with increased sensitivity too... interesting times ahead.
Anil Sunda
As a surgeon, I'm not easily given to gush and rave about youtube review videos, but I have to take my hat off to you. You do a great job of being unbiased in your views and your attention to detail with you videography, your narrative and how you voice your opinions. Congratulations on that. Also, want to thank you for helping me in guiding my purchases for high end audio products. By the way, I'm from India, citizen now of Australia for the last twenty years. Just a thing you might want to introduce in future videos (at your discretion). Hifiman names for their products are from Hindi, the national language of India. Sundara (pronounced Sunder, meanning beautiful), Ananda (pronounced Anand, meaning joy)
I’m not easily given to gush and rave about a TH-cam comment, but this is an excellent one
Excellent review!
I love the Sundara’s too!
bigger pads is better than a swivel i do not like a swivel because on most headphones because that is a failure point for breaking on most headphones so good job hifiman please fix the build on the rest of your headphones so we actually start buying your stuff and not have to worry about your headphones breaking and be concerned about the build quality on your headphones
Well as a new Audiophile I pulled the trigger with The Sundara and The Dragonfly Cobalt as per your Excellent reviews. However, I am still currently waiting for both items. So in the mean time if you wouldn't mind, I was hoping you could answer a few questions?
First is, Did I make the right decision pairing these 2 up? I'll be using them through my desktop if that matters. Second is, I noticed in both the old and new review on the Sundaras you had issues with the cables. Can you or anyone of your fine followers suggest a decent and not too expensive cable I can pick up? Thank You
The main point of the dragonfly is its form factor. I think if you don't need that form factor you could definitely get better for the price. But if you see yourself using it with a laptop, on the go somewhere else, or even with your phone, then that would make sense. Just keep in mind this is an open-back headphone, so it's not exactly something ideal for portable use.
As for cables, yeah I think Periapt cables are fine. You may be fine with the default Sundara cable though, it's not as bad as the other ones.
@@TheHEADPHONEShow First let me say Thank You for your speedy reply and your spot on reviews.
As for the Sundara and DF Cobalt I will only be using this through my Home Desktop and maybe occasionally through my laptop when I do long travel in my hotel stays. I have no intention on using this in these in public.
For the Periapt cables? I did visit their Website and was alerted that due to the Virus they have a 21 Business Day Shipping Lag. So for now, maybe the New Stealth Sundara's cables have improved and will have to do. Look's like I picked the wrong time to start a new hobby with all of the shipping delays.
Thanks Again, Jim P.
Hi, do you have any EQ for sundara 2020? Thanks
In terms of sound, how does it compare to the Moondrop Blessing 2? They're about the same price.
I currently have a HiBy R5 player, will it be perfect with those sundara or which DAC do you recommend for them?
So whats the production date on it? I recall it said somewhere on the box
The angles of the pads look exactly the same on my Sundara I bought in november, I'm not entirely sure when they started the revision and if it really is a revised Sundara.
I'm looking at going from a gamer headset, arctis wireless pro, to a pair of good sounding headphones instead... will I be blown away with these? I love good punch, slam and clarity.
For punch and slam, maybe look at the Elex.
what is the best synergy for these cans? Dac/amp/ cables? And for what range of music?
Thank you for this review. Considering that the Sundara can be bought for roughly 350$, what would be a good DAC / Amp to pair it with in your opinion? Does it profit from more expensive electronics?
Because of it's planar design, you very well could hear improvements with a quality amp/DAC. These are super high value HPs.
Ifi zen dac signaure + ifi zen can signature hfm + pentacon 4.4.
After great reviews like these I got the Sundara and they were great... until something inside the left cup became loose and started to vibrate ;( Now I'm considering spending a bit more for improved reliability. Are the Aeons Open X an upgrade or at least an equal to the Sundara? Any help would be appreciated since I don't have a way of testing those before purchasing
Great review! Really like how detailed you are.
Would these be an upgrade over my Oppo PM-3's?
yes, I own them
As someone who already owns DT1990 and HD600, would you recommend Sundara? Or better invest into higher end headphones?
Because of this review, i want to go buy the Sundara, but how do i know the difference between the old version or this one, does it have a different model number, thank-you for this great review.
Will the sundara's be better than the HD600? I'm more of a classical music type of guy.
@The HEADPHONE Show Its my first time commenting to one of your videos and I know its almost 2 years old video, but I want to go for a next level sound; and what do I mean by that?
I've started with normal gaming headphones and after that I bought the Sennheiser PC 37x which is a top gaming/music headphone. Ok, now, what I want to ask, from your own perspective and opinion (because you said Sundara doesn't have much sound stage):does Sundara have the soundstage of an open back headphones? It is stil there? Is it a big difference in sound between PC 37x and Sundara? Does DT900 Pro X better than Sundara?
I am sorry with all this questions, but I am very confused and don't know what to chose: DT900 Pro X, Sennheiser 6XX or Sundara . Consider that I play games (which I can use the 37x) but I also want to listen to music like I never heard it before, to enjoy it.
Thank you, I hope you read my comment and answer. Thank you !
Curious if you know of a good place to get used headphones thats trustworthy? Like Ebay often seems dubious.
I have these headphones and I love them. Replace the cables and amp them up and they will sing. Oh yeah some eq (using USB Audio Player Pro with Sundara selected eq).
If HiFiMan's poor quality control reputation for early failures, that will happen out-of-the-box or within a short time, or are they longer-term problems ?
I own several Hifiman cans ranging from the Sundara to the Susvara. The only QC related incident was with the Sundara. One of the drivers was clipping/sizzling to the point of hurting the eardrum. This was immediately obvious right out of the box. I had bought from a real store and I had no problem getting a replacement the following day. The replacement performed flawlessly. My advice with HFM products is to buy them from brick-and-mortar stores rather than online. The price is usually the same and you get pronto service.
Typically failures will happen within first month (with decent usage) with MFG issues. I bought mine used, and have had them for 11 months. Not a single issue.
@@kavemankarl2588 not a lot of brick and mortar stores everywhere. Also often higher priced.
Great video. Thx. Do they need proper burn-in, or are they ready to go right out of the box?
Totally convinced me!
Question: Why do you a headphones amplifier? Any other reasons than just making it louder? Cause I'm fine with the level now when connected to my laptop or soundcard.
No there's more to it than that. In some cases it can clip if not given enough power. This is one where you need an amp.
I'm planning on getting this bad boy next. Is the Senn. 6XX too close in terms of sound characteristics? Even though it's not a planar.
Does the amp matter that much? I want to use them on a PC with the Sound Blaster X G6 that can power them. Is there a significant sound difference to justify a separate DAC/AMP purchase?
Very nice review, Resolve!
I wonder if you can help me with this:
So, i've imported a Sundara that was $330 with shipping but i was taxed and it went to $417. Yeah.
I also have the option to buy a Sennheiser HD560S for $233 with local warranty or a HarmonicDyne Zeus for $330.
So, do i return, or sell, the Sundara and buy one of the others of keep it anyway? Also, i am not from U.S.
Thank you!
How to know if I buy the latest revision, can you see it by serial number?
Oh now really wanna know if the Ananda also got new pads :O
I have my eyes on this. I own a dragonfly black, is it powerful enough to drive it ?
So did you buy it? I have never heard a planar set before so I picked up a set yesterday. Looking forward to listening to my library all over again
Do you think you can review the modhouse argon mk3? I'm considering getting it since I need less sound leak but would love to hear your thoughts on it and a comparison to the sundara
Just got these based on your recommendation. Agreed, these can’t be beaten for the price and well above. You said in another video that anyone who likes the DT 1990 treble response, “What the hell are you listening to???” made me LOL. Couldn’t have said it better. The folks at Beyerdynamic need to go back to the drawing board. Or hire people who can hear above 3k. Can’t listen to a single thing they make for the duration of a song. OUCH.
As a side note, for anyone looking for a closed back with similar FR as these, I recommend the Shure SRH1540. I’ll be using my Sundaras for mixing, mastering, and enjoyment, and 1540 for tracking and any private listening.
Well done!
Hi, Thank you for the video
I Have a Sundara that I have no idea which version is it and I use sonar works soundidreference with only one confusing profile for the Sundara
any help with the sounded reference profile for the old and new versions of the Sundara plz
please , is HiFiMAN Sundara better than audeze mm-500 ?
Whats your revision? How can we know witch one is the most recent with the improved earpads?
Which pads in hifiman's accessories section does the latest sundara use? I just want to know whether I can buy the same exact pads that are on them in case they need to be replaced.
Any recommended EQ settings/profiles for the Sundara? I have 0 experience with EQ but am open to trying it.
Is this the headphone with the dual cable design, you could plug a balanced cable into? Could you provide an amazon canada link for the correct model. Thanks
Nice video :)
Sundara look rly promissing ( as i am looking for upgrade from mine He400i with Alpha pads ).. Does it makes sense to safe more and get Ananda instead ?
Also did u tried to remove grills ?
Slow reply, i upgraded from he4xx and the difference was noticeable. I think the Ananda might be a better set, but also not sure it is worth 2x the cost. Maybe 10% better performance for 100% price increase? up to you if you find it worth it.
@@Tallnerdyguy
Thanks for reply . Still didnt had chance to hear sundara, but instead got my hands on Ananda.
@@lukasmynar4836 Nice, better all around than sundara
@@lukasmynar4836 how is the ananda bass compared to the he400i?
Thanks for the review.
How much driver variance is Hifiman known for?
How is the timbre?
(e.g. metallic, plasticky etc.)
And lastly, how can someone ensure in getting the newest "stealth" revision? (Especially for non US buyers?)
Hifiman is much better at driver variance than other planar headphone manufacturers. And just as an indication, this unit sounds just like the ones metal571 heard/reviewed. For timbre, it's still recognizably a planar, but not that sort of dryness that other Hifiman headphones have had in the past (the older HE5 etc. models). I think the new revision has been out for a few months now.
@@TheHEADPHONEShow Thanks alot for the very very quick and helpful response.Very appreciated! Your reviews are very helpful and are a joy to watch and certainly add an additional layer to the hobby and to the audiophile world! :)
Hi. I'm not fluent in English. I'm happy to meet you. I'm hesitant between dt 1990 pro and hd 600 and sundara. What is the enjoyment of music between these 3 models? Or in short, compare these 3 models. Sorry, it took a long time.
HD600 on tubes or solid-state with good power, the other ones are "better" but HD600 is more reliable (than Sundara) and without peeks in the high frequencies (like 1990) and is cheaper too.
Just get the sundara with warranty
@@P.7005 hi...
I got the sundara and i am very happy👍
I own two Hifiman headphones, 400i and HE560 and both of the headband fail after three years. The biggest problem is the leather strip. The attachment either snapped off or came lose. It might has to do with the way it was design. Sliding back and forth may be the causes of the wear and tear. But if you're not like me where you listen 6-7 hours a day 5 days a week at work you might not have the same issues. You won't have the booming base but thumping. Sounds separation are great, sound stage about 3-4 inch from the headphone itself. It does give a pretty good impression of where the instrument are coming from but you have to put some attention, it is not obvious. String instruments are great on both headphone. Vocal is good but I wouldn't say great, but the detail are there you won't missed the in between breath if it is captured in the song. I will get the Sundara next just to compare the three. Overall great headphone for the price, I highly recommended.
You could try replacing the suspension strap or even the whole headband for something homebrew if everything else works still. It might not be pretty, but you could probably epoxy some homemade leather strap or even duct tape if worst comes to worst. I think with that usage case any headphone will fail in that time period besides maybe Sennheiser and Beyer. I use mine about as much and mine are a second hand 2016 model.
I bought sundara just by your review, and I got it now.
this thing is so perfect for me, been using hd600, 58x, shp9500.
what dac/amp do you pair your Sundara? I'm planning to upgrade to this. im currently using shp9500 paired with sonata hd pro.
If i have a FiiO FM11 baladeur with my HiFiMAN Sundara, does i need an amplifier to get a better sound? Excuse my poor English...
I know this a question a lot of people was asking you before but, where can I get the "good" unit with the stealth revision? Just want to be sure the place i'm buying It from has the newer version, saludos c:
Hello, is it confortable with glasses?
Thanks
Sound wise, how do you compare that to the Sunnheiser HD 660S?
I have the Sony xm4’s. I’m happy with them for the most part, but would like to have more control of the output. I use them with my iPhone and iPad, is there a amp or other technology that would work?
Question will the hidizs DH80s dac work well with these headphones? And I have a 4.4 balanced cable that can go with these. Thanks
Great review. Where can I order the stealth 'revised' Sundara? I would think that some retailers still sell the unrevised version.
Cheers
Check the jacks on the bottom. If they are 3.5mm jacks, they are the 2nd revision. I bought my sundaras on ebay with torn pads for cheap, could only tell that they were the 2nd revision by the jack size.
Thinking of this for gaming and a little music listening sometimes.
Split between this and the HD560s
Hi! Great video. I'm thinking about getting these. How could I know if the ones that I buy are the original or this revision? Thank you :)