Honest and direct. You don't give 💩💩if a manufacturer gets mad about a negative review. Thank you for being who you are. 1000% agree with this video. I don't understand how either of these get praised by the community. Both are trash and should be discontinued by Hifiman. Keep up the good work.
@@4epa1012 I tried EQ and it didn't help enough to make the purchase worthwhile. Enjoy you 💩 purchases. Hopefully one day you'll realize that spending a few extra dollars will get you a better closed back from Audeze or Dan Clark.
They are more popular with those who like to mod their headphones. I know JM Audio actually mods the HE-R9 quite a bit. Supposed to sound good. Custom Cans has done a lot of work on the Sundara Closed with damping kits and a 3D printed ring adapter for different pads.
I think these are meant for bicycle delivery riders A lot of the budget went into making htem aerodynamic,, so that the rider doesn't lose speed wearing them. Plus the lack of sound isolation is so that the delivery rider can hear all the people and vehicles around. Plus if the rider crashes and ruins the cans, they can be replaced at current price of $109. Think of them as disposable delivery rider cans. With the R9 Hifiman is proving that it is willing to develop headphones for niche markets, like delivery riders.
It's astounding how your assessment of the HE-R9 matches my experience. They are just wonky as heck. But I got them for roughly 109 USD, so maybe they're kinda close to how they sound price-wise. I still enjoy them for what they are, but I do understand why a lot of audiophiles steer away from them. Great review.
@TheHonestAudiophile at their original price? Heck no. I only bought them since I enjoy different sound signatures, and that wonkiness is included in those differences I like to hear. Again, thanks for the review, it's an entertaining and informative watch.
@TheHonestAudiophile Absolutely not, that's why I was patient and paid only $69 for an open box direct from Hifiman. Cheap enough to modify wo/worries about destroying! What headphone amps are you using for testing?
They dropped the prices of these to less than a third and still they're not very competitive. I got an R10D to see if EQ could make them worth the $300 they cost now and I'm not really sure so far😅
Yeah I also found the HE-R9 attrocious sounding in my opinion. However, I was able to save it by opening it up, applying lots of sound dampening to the cups, getting some suede pads for it, and finally applyjng an extreme amount of EQ to it. The soundstage was still a bit weird, but it was much better afterwards, dare I say, good. I think it sounds great now, but it definitely is not the same headphone anymore. The cups were just extremely hollow on the inside, i did not know what Hifiman was thinking.
Interesting. Modding is an option for those who like that sort of thing. I'm not gifted in that way. Thanks for the comment. Glad you found a way to enjoy the R9.
I just got them; £149 here. The bargain of the year as far as I’m concerned. The Sundara Closed is a very decent sounding headphone. I’m extremely pleased with them and glad I managed to get them at such a great price. They are not Sundara open and IMO Hifiman should have made them as a separate model with no reference to the open at all. They are a different tuning and they are closed so entirely contrasting with the open version. I have both and will use the closed when I would otherwise irritate other people by listening to open headphones. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a decent sounding closed back headphone. At £$€149 you really can’t go wrong. Get ‘em while you can I say!
The Sundara Closed sound really good on the cheap Bluebird M1 on the balanced output. But then again, I am not used to $300 and above headphones or $300 or above dacs. They are also pretty good sounding with my FiiO BTR15 on balanced output. Then again, I am probably not as picky as the Honest Audiophile.
The Yongse YS-B1 is a great little portable device. ES9038Q2M & ES9603Q DAC/AMP CHIPSET. Works fantastic with the Sundara closed back on 4.4mm and ldac bt streaming with my Samsung S8. Maybe details might be missing but for the price these days, I can't complain. You've got me going now trying out my various devices. Keep up the good work on my favorite review channel.
Isn't the Sundara closed back unbeatable at the 150$ price range ? Your review places these headphones at their starting price according to your recommandation for the Hi-X60
Rode NTH-100, Sennheiser HD280 Pro are both better than the Sundara Closed in my opinion for the $150 price range. Hi-X60 was compared based on starting price and also what I recommend if you are seeking an analytical, neutral presentation.
I tried the Dekoni Hifiman Cobalt at CanJam NYC. It has a dynamic driver that Dekoni helped tune to work well with the nice Dekoni pads that come with them. Love your videos!
After your review, I ordered the HiFiman HE-R9 Immediately 😀. My thinking is to get some headphones that I can use to use as reference cornerstones to figure out which headphones I like and don't like, and to which kind of music I like them in. Guessin' I am a consumer listener more than an audiophile. I will get back when I tested them for my impressions. I have a question though: did HiFiMan send their HE-R10D for you to test after this review or not?😇Anyway, thank you for this review, I love all your reviews, you are honest and you are the best!👍
@@TheHonestAudiophile I have got my HiFiMan HE-R9 now. They are very comfortable, best ever and the sound does not tire my ears, but music does not sound as good as it usually does. I have listened to about 200 songs on these heaphones now and I can say, that almost all music sound less likeable to me on these, than they do on any other headphone I own. Bass is overwhelming, that is not an overstatement. The bass lacks punch, is way too relaxed, often do not sound natural and hangs over music like a warm fog. One 1950-ish artist, Jim Reeves has made some very smooth and soft songs that actually sound nice to me with these headphones. Some Elvis Presley songs and some Reggae music is also ok. (Edit) I later decided to hard-EQ them to Harman OE 2018 Target curve since they were of no practial use as they were. I play music I like with more base on them for variation from my other phones. They are usable now and much more music are enjoyable, like I hoped they would be: not perfect but another sound. They still does sound somewhat muddy, but I have lots of bass. Problem with these phones without EQ are that they have both soo much base AND also much high frequencies so (my) ears get oversatuated in base on one end and tired/hurt of glary high frequencies on the other end becuase I turn up volume to hear voices. My suggestion is to find harman target for these phones (see link below) and deduct/add what you find likeable. As a start I tried +2dB at 31HZ, -5dB at 62 Hz , -5 dB at 125 Hz, -2 dB at 250 Hz, +3 dB at 500 Hz, +4 dB att 1 KHz, +5 dB at 2 KHz, 0 dB at 4Khz, 0 dB at 8 Khz, 0 dB at 16 KHz to get to Harman Target. sai.squig.link/?share=Harman_OE_2018_Target,HE-R9
Thank you for honest review, much appreciated. HE-R9 now go for $64 at Aliexpress and I see a pair where I live for measly $50 for NEW pair, go figure. Even at this kind of money these move slowly. Can't imagine somebody being screwed up at original $800 asking price. This kind of money today gets you used Fostex TH-900 MkII if you're lucky...
I don’t think the R9 is for anyone! I think their cheap planar has got to be much better. A better alternative, similar but with better stage and scalability, is the Fidelio X2.
I mean the R9s are on sale for 70$ and i'm thinking about getting them cuz its cheaper than the sundara actually by 60$ so should i get them or something else. Price between sub hundred and 120 max 150$ (im also getting the wired version)
I think planar magnetic + closed back is something that just will not work, because planar magnetic has basically a figure-8 polar pattern (where dynamic is more like a cardiod). So unless they find a way to completely absorb the sound coming out if the back linearly, they will always have some reflections and interference from the inside of the cup coming back into your ears. I tried putting foam in the Sundara Closed Back, it helped a little but I still returned them. Maybe if they find a real solution it could work. The isolation/seal also wasn't good btw
I own several closed back planar headphones that I enjoy, Audeze LCD-2 Closed, MrSpeakers Ether C, Edifier Stax Spirit S5. I also have heard quite a few that I haven't enjoyed. Thank you for the thoughts and comment.
I actually really like the r9s for live music its like standing right next to a speaker at a gig 🤣 they fall apart with a lot of tracks but amazing on others.i have the sundara closed to but really dont like them.
I've considered picking up the Sundara closed back for a while, especially at its current price. Doesn't seem like I'm missing much. Thanks for keeping it real Dave!
What do you recommend for a mid lover with headphones? I love my AD2000x. Was thinking an HD660. I have Ananda Nano, HE500 && HE 400SE but there's something about timber that's missing in planars for me.. I prefer the mids on every dynamic driver I own to every planar I own..
HD600 is mid centric with amazing tone and timbre. The HD660s2 is a little more balanced and cohesive but still places amazing emphasis on the mids with tone and timbre. Personally, I would choose the hd660s2.
I wanted these headphones for under 100£, I've got fiio e10k and akg702 and super happy with them cause I got them cheaper than what they usually go for. I'm looking at a closed back now and I thought HER9 look and sound great for under 100£, isn't that the case? Alternatives to look at? Perhaps some planar magnetic as I haven't heard that style before. Much appreciated!
I own a Sennheiser 600 series and I'm interested in other headphones with more bass right now, the Sendara Close Back are 150 dollars for that price, are they worth it?
If you want more bass than 600 in closed back, get a Sennheiser HD280 Pro. I also recommend the Rode NTH-100. Sundara Closed is flawed as mentioned in the video.
I'm not sure where you're getting the pricing for the HE-R9's at $300, they've been sat at $109 (USD) without the BluMini basically everywhere for the past six months or so. I picked mine up discounted slightly down from that for $90 - honestly as soon as I put them on I was tempted to put them straight back in the box and return them, but fiddled around with them a bit and absolutely love them now. While I get that it's maybe not great to review something positively if it's objectively pretty awful out of the box, they absolutely shine with the appropriate EQ, and I encourage you to try them with it! For me, I can't stand using it for anything rock or mids-centric, but Jazz and Blues (particularly desert blues) sound incredible, and keep my 650's around for everything else.
There's a difference in price between the wired only and the wired plus BlueMini on the Hifiman store website that is linked in the description. Glad you enjoy the HE-R9, thanks for the impressions.
I let it burn in for 8 days and it does sound very nice. Did you had any burn in time? Concerning R9? You say but I doubt is this enough?: "For consistency in reviews, all new gear is put through this process. For loaned gear that has been played prior for a significant time, this process is bypassed. The process is that the headphone or IEM is played for approximately 8 hours a day with random music at normal 65db-75db listening volume for a week. Anywhere between 40-55 hours of playtime with me popping the gear on randomly for a listen, just to make sure that nothing catastrophic is happening and to listen for any changes audibly since my first listen. For source gear burn-in, the amount of play time is the same but I will use random headphones or IEM while playing at normal listening levels. I may or may not continue for the full week if it is obvious the product isn't going to reflect any changes. I may extend the process if I feel the product needs more time. " Well did you here? I did till now 8 days continuously and yes listening everyday. It clearly did work. So may I ask how did you do this, how can it be so terrible? I do admit it has it's carractor but very nice one to me, perhaps in one word V shaped. Greetings from the Netherlands. 🙂
@@TheHonestAudiophile I just got them, and they seem too sharp if anything the bass is there and more full bodyed, but not muddy. it seems like theres just one trebbl peak that gives an illution of clarity...I don't know. It sounds good, its VERY comfortable, and Isolation is okay for kids playing outside, or a video playing in the background. It looks SO BEAUTIFULL in person, nmy sisters love it too. I like how you can run it with different cable types.
Have you made the burn for a few days??...they sound much better after the burn...The sound of this headphones is better without the bluetooth and better with balanced cables, you should have listen with all this forms...I have them (HE-R9), it cost me 130€, and i like them very much, it isnt´t a headphone to listen with a bad mobilephone, but a headphone to listen with high res device, with god music records...maybe if you had done the listen with a god device and a god cable you would have another opinion! And of course it all depends also of the gear you have, if its low or midium or high quality.
I explain my review process for every product in detail in the write up: www.thehonestaudiophile.com/post/honest-audiophile-review-process My source gear is the Mytek Liberty DAC ii and the Mytek THX HPA. I test all gear on them plus lots of other gear. I'm glad you enjoy them. Thanks for the comment.
Well, I can say the Sundara closed beats the DT 770 pros I have by a long shot with how flat and responsive they are, Clarity is top notch too! So for the price they're worth it. They do out shine the 990's I had too quite a bit.
The "honest" audiophile is suggesting that $400 headphones sound better than the $150 one, ha! No kidding?! What's next, he'll tell grandmas that a 100k BMW is better than a 30k Prius?
After trying the sundara closed i thought the best thing about them is well they made sound....
Pinned!!!
As always thank you for the honest review,and I still enjoy my Sennheiser HD 660s.
Awesome, glad you enjoy the 660s 💯
Honest and direct. You don't give 💩💩if a manufacturer gets mad about a negative review. Thank you for being who you are.
1000% agree with this video.
I don't understand how either of these get praised by the community. Both are trash and should be discontinued by Hifiman.
Keep up the good work.
EQ? I got both of these headphones and once you EQ them they sound really good! Your nickname actually says it all, you are just being a snob :)
@@4epa1012 I tried EQ and it didn't help enough to make the purchase worthwhile.
Enjoy you 💩 purchases. Hopefully one day you'll realize that spending a few extra dollars will get you a better closed back from Audeze or Dan Clark.
@4epa1012 EQ didn't help much IMHO, helped the Sundara Closed more than the R9. Glad you enjoy them. Thanks for the thoughts.
They are more popular with those who like to mod their headphones. I know JM Audio actually mods the HE-R9 quite a bit. Supposed to sound good. Custom Cans has done a lot of work on the Sundara Closed with damping kits and a 3D printed ring adapter for different pads.
I think these are meant for bicycle delivery riders A lot of the budget went into making htem aerodynamic,, so that the rider doesn't lose speed wearing them. Plus the lack of sound isolation is so that the delivery rider can hear all the people and vehicles around. Plus if the rider crashes and ruins the cans, they can be replaced at current price of $109. Think of them as disposable delivery rider cans.
With the R9 Hifiman is proving that it is willing to develop headphones for niche markets, like delivery riders.
LMAO
Thank you 😊
My pleasure, you're welcome.
It's astounding how your assessment of the HE-R9 matches my experience. They are just wonky as heck. But I got them for roughly 109 USD, so maybe they're kinda close to how they sound price-wise. I still enjoy them for what they are, but I do understand why a lot of audiophiles steer away from them. Great review.
Would you say they match their original price though?
Wonky indeed.
Glad you enjoyed the video.
@TheHonestAudiophile at their original price? Heck no. I only bought them since I enjoy different sound signatures, and that wonkiness is included in those differences I like to hear. Again, thanks for the review, it's an entertaining and informative watch.
Awesomeness. I had no doubts you'd respond that way.
@TheHonestAudiophile Absolutely not, that's why I was patient and paid only $69 for an open box direct from Hifiman. Cheap enough to modify wo/worries about destroying! What headphone amps are you using for testing?
@rianredfield5252 my reference DAC and amp are Mytek Liberty DAC ii and the Mytek THX HPA
I love you Dave
Thanks for the suggestion. Glad you enjoy the channel content.
They dropped the prices of these to less than a third and still they're not very competitive. I got an R10D to see if EQ could make them worth the $300 they cost now and I'm not really sure so far😅
Yeah I also found the HE-R9 attrocious sounding in my opinion. However, I was able to save it by opening it up, applying lots of sound dampening to the cups, getting some suede pads for it, and finally applyjng an extreme amount of EQ to it. The soundstage was still a bit weird, but it was much better afterwards, dare I say, good.
I think it sounds great now, but it definitely is not the same headphone anymore. The cups were just extremely hollow on the inside, i did not know what Hifiman was thinking.
Interesting. Modding is an option for those who like that sort of thing. I'm not gifted in that way. Thanks for the comment. Glad you found a way to enjoy the R9.
I just got them; £149 here. The bargain of the year as far as I’m concerned. The Sundara Closed is a very decent sounding headphone. I’m extremely pleased with them and glad I managed to get them at such a great price. They are not Sundara open and IMO Hifiman should have made them as a separate model with no reference to the open at all. They are a different tuning and they are closed so entirely contrasting with the open version. I have both and will use the closed when I would otherwise irritate other people by listening to open headphones. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a decent sounding closed back headphone. At £$€149 you really can’t go wrong. Get ‘em while you can I say!
Glad you enjoy the Sundara Closed.
Rode NTH-100 is better option for same price IMHO.
Aerodynamic. Made me chuckle.😀
The Sundara Closed sound really good on the cheap Bluebird M1 on the balanced output. But then again, I am not used to $300 and above headphones or $300 or above dacs. They are also pretty good sounding with my FiiO BTR15 on balanced output. Then again, I am probably not as picky as the Honest Audiophile.
Glad you enjoy them. Thanks for the impressions.
The Yongse YS-B1 is a great little portable device. ES9038Q2M & ES9603Q DAC/AMP CHIPSET. Works fantastic with the Sundara closed back on 4.4mm and ldac bt streaming with my Samsung S8. Maybe details might be missing but for the price these days, I can't complain. You've got me going now trying out my various devices.
Keep up the good work on my favorite review channel.
Yongse YS B1 haven't heard it, thanks for the suggestion. Glad you enjoy the channel content.
Isn't the Sundara closed back unbeatable at the 150$ price range ? Your review places these headphones at their starting price according to your recommandation for the Hi-X60
Rode NTH-100, Sennheiser HD280 Pro are both better than the Sundara Closed in my opinion for the $150 price range. Hi-X60 was compared based on starting price and also what I recommend if you are seeking an analytical, neutral presentation.
HD280, really ? These are really cheap headphones @@TheHonestAudiophile
Performance matters the most in my humble opinion.
I tried the Dekoni Hifiman Cobalt at CanJam NYC. It has a dynamic driver that Dekoni helped tune to work well with the nice Dekoni pads that come with them. Love your videos!
Interesting. I've not heard the Cobalt.
After your review, I ordered the HiFiman HE-R9 Immediately 😀. My thinking is to get some headphones that I can use to use as reference cornerstones
to figure out which headphones I like and don't like, and to which kind of music I like them in. Guessin' I am a consumer listener more than an audiophile. I will get back when I tested them for my impressions. I have a question though: did HiFiMan send their HE-R10D for you to test after this review or not?😇Anyway, thank you for this review, I love all your reviews, you are honest and you are the best!👍
Look forward to hearing your impressions. Glad you enjoy the channel content.
I haven't been provided the R10D by Hifiman or vendor.
@@TheHonestAudiophile I have got my HiFiMan HE-R9 now.
They are very comfortable, best ever and the sound does not tire my ears, but music does not sound as good as it usually does.
I have listened to about 200 songs on these heaphones now and I can say, that almost all music sound less likeable to me on these, than they do on any other headphone I own.
Bass is overwhelming, that is not an overstatement. The bass lacks punch, is way too relaxed, often do not sound natural and hangs over music like a warm fog. One 1950-ish artist, Jim Reeves has made some very smooth and soft songs that actually sound nice to me with these headphones. Some Elvis Presley songs and some Reggae music is also ok.
(Edit) I later decided to hard-EQ them to Harman OE 2018 Target curve since they were of no practial use as they were. I play music I like with more base on them for variation from my other phones. They are usable now and much more music are enjoyable, like I hoped they would be: not perfect but another sound. They still does sound somewhat muddy, but I have lots of bass. Problem with these phones without EQ are that they have both soo much base AND also much high frequencies so (my) ears get oversatuated in base on one end and tired/hurt of glary high frequencies on the other end becuase I turn up volume to hear voices. My suggestion is to find harman target for these phones (see link below) and deduct/add what you find likeable. As a start I tried +2dB at 31HZ, -5dB at 62 Hz , -5 dB at 125 Hz, -2 dB at 250 Hz, +3 dB at 500 Hz, +4 dB att 1 KHz, +5 dB at 2 KHz, 0 dB at 4Khz, 0 dB at 8 Khz, 0 dB at 16 KHz to get to Harman Target.
sai.squig.link/?share=Harman_OE_2018_Target,HE-R9
@kentnilsson3802 Thanks for the impressions
Oh dear me! Ha! I've become a bit of a fan of Austrian Audio! Nothing beats my HD 6....s though
Excellent choices, can't go wrong with either.
Thank you for honest review, much appreciated. HE-R9 now go for $64 at Aliexpress and I see a pair where I live for measly $50 for NEW pair, go figure. Even at this kind of money these move slowly. Can't imagine somebody being screwed up at original $800 asking price. This kind of money today gets you used Fostex TH-900 MkII if you're lucky...
I don’t think the R9 is for anyone! I think their cheap planar has got to be much better. A better alternative, similar but with better stage and scalability, is the Fidelio X2.
Thanks for the thoughts.
I mean the R9s are on sale for 70$ and i'm thinking about getting them cuz its cheaper than the sundara actually by 60$ so should i get them or something else. Price between sub hundred and 120 max 150$ (im also getting the wired version)
I'd get the Rode NTH-100 instead
I think planar magnetic + closed back is something that just will not work, because planar magnetic has basically a figure-8 polar pattern (where dynamic is more like a cardiod). So unless they find a way to completely absorb the sound coming out if the back linearly, they will always have some reflections and interference from the inside of the cup coming back into your ears. I tried putting foam in the Sundara Closed Back, it helped a little but I still returned them. Maybe if they find a real solution it could work. The isolation/seal also wasn't good btw
I own several closed back planar headphones that I enjoy, Audeze LCD-2 Closed, MrSpeakers Ether C, Edifier Stax Spirit S5. I also have heard quite a few that I haven't enjoyed. Thank you for the thoughts and comment.
The Austrian Audio Hi-X60 cost $400.
Can you recommend something better than the sundara closed backs around their current $150 sale price?
Thanks
Rode NTH-100
Thanks
My pleasure, you're welcome
@@TheHonestAudiophile I have the rodes NTH 100 I like them but I am thinking to upgrade to the sandura OPEN BACK. what should i do?
@@TheHonestAudiophile I also have a Holton Audio X AMP which is a 2.5w amp per channel it drives 4 headphone at the same time, really good.
I wonder if the R9 got retuned, because this review is very different from others from 22.
Dunno
Aerodynamic!
there is easy fix for sundara closed - just a 10mm foam instead of stock. they are great for closed-back planar and really cheap
Recommend a decent closed back, over the ear headphone with low clamping force (for somewhat larger heads), under $300? Thanks.
Rode NTH-100
Austrian Audio Hi-x60 slightly more
I actually really like the r9s for live music its like standing right next to a speaker at a gig 🤣 they fall apart with a lot of tracks but amazing on others.i have the sundara closed to but really dont like them.
Glad you enjoy the R9. Thanks for the impressions.
I've considered picking up the Sundara closed back for a while, especially at its current price. Doesn't seem like I'm missing much. Thanks for keeping it real Dave!
Glad you found the video helpful.
What do you recommend for a mid lover with headphones? I love my AD2000x. Was thinking an HD660. I have Ananda Nano, HE500 && HE 400SE but there's something about timber that's missing in planars for me.. I prefer the mids on every dynamic driver I own to every planar I own..
HD600 is mid centric with amazing tone and timbre. The HD660s2 is a little more balanced and cohesive but still places amazing emphasis on the mids with tone and timbre. Personally, I would choose the hd660s2.
@@TheHonestAudiophile thanks so much , subscribed :)
@bluex217 my pleasure, you're welcome.
Nice shirt color
Thanks
I wanted these headphones for under 100£, I've got fiio e10k and akg702 and super happy with them cause I got them cheaper than what they usually go for. I'm looking at a closed back now and I thought HER9 look and sound great for under 100£, isn't that the case? Alternatives to look at? Perhaps some planar magnetic as I haven't heard that style before. Much appreciated!
What's the budget for over ear headphones? Closed back planar headphone are somewhat rare and tend to be expensive.
I own a Sennheiser 600 series and I'm interested in other headphones with more bass right now, the Sendara Close Back are 150 dollars for that price, are they worth it?
If you want more bass than 600 in closed back, get a Sennheiser HD280 Pro. I also recommend the Rode NTH-100. Sundara Closed is flawed as mentioned in the video.
Sounds like for both of these HiFiMan headphones, it's Nuh-uh-Man.
Mhmm that about sums it up.
That's where Lady Dimitrescu's lipstick got to...
Thanx for the review! Yeah, HFM still can't make good closed headphones. Sad but true))
R10D: bass floods the mids
Sundara Closed: too much clamping on the ears, too much clamping on the mids and highs
I'm not sure where you're getting the pricing for the HE-R9's at $300, they've been sat at $109 (USD) without the BluMini basically everywhere for the past six months or so. I picked mine up discounted slightly down from that for $90 - honestly as soon as I put them on I was tempted to put them straight back in the box and return them, but fiddled around with them a bit and absolutely love them now. While I get that it's maybe not great to review something positively if it's objectively pretty awful out of the box, they absolutely shine with the appropriate EQ, and I encourage you to try them with it! For me, I can't stand using it for anything rock or mids-centric, but Jazz and Blues (particularly desert blues) sound incredible, and keep my 650's around for everything else.
There's a difference in price between the wired only and the wired plus BlueMini on the Hifiman store website that is linked in the description.
Glad you enjoy the HE-R9, thanks for the impressions.
I just bought sundara open and closed headphones. Both sounds ver nice with IFI uno.
Glad you enjoy them.
I let it burn in for 8 days and it does sound very nice. Did you had any burn in time? Concerning R9?
You say but I doubt is this enough?:
"For consistency in reviews, all new gear is put through this process. For loaned gear that has been played prior for a significant time, this process is bypassed. The process is that the headphone or IEM is played for approximately 8 hours a day with random music at normal 65db-75db listening volume for a week. Anywhere between 40-55 hours of playtime with me popping the gear on randomly for a listen, just to make sure that nothing catastrophic is happening and to listen for any changes audibly since my first listen.
For source gear burn-in, the amount of play time is the same but I will use random headphones or IEM while playing at normal listening levels.
I may or may not continue for the full week if it is obvious the product isn't going to reflect any changes. I may extend the process if I feel the product needs more time. "
Well did you here?
I did till now 8 days continuously and yes listening everyday.
It clearly did work.
So may I ask how did you do this, how can it be so terrible?
I do admit it has it's carractor but very nice one to me, perhaps in one word V shaped.
Greetings from the Netherlands. 🙂
As stated, every products goes through the procee. I am confident in my review and stand by it.
I am glad you enjoy them.
👍
I just bought the HE-R9's 💀💀💀 Ill update.
Look forward to hearing your impressions.
@@TheHonestAudiophile I just got them, and they seem too sharp if anything the bass is there and more full bodyed, but not muddy. it seems like theres just one trebbl peak that gives an illution of clarity...I don't know. It sounds good, its VERY comfortable,
and Isolation is okay for kids playing outside, or a video playing in the background.
It looks SO BEAUTIFULL in person, nmy sisters love it too. I like how you can run it with different cable types.
Thanks for the impressions
In my own opinion Hifiman makes great openned planar headphones, but closed headphones just have to put more effort into it LOL
Totally agree 💯
Have you made the burn for a few days??...they sound much better after the burn...The sound of this headphones is better without the bluetooth and better with balanced cables, you should have listen with all this forms...I have them (HE-R9), it cost me 130€, and i like them very much, it isnt´t a headphone to listen with a bad mobilephone, but a headphone to listen with high res device, with god music records...maybe if you had done the listen with a god device and a god cable you would have another opinion! And of course it all depends also of the gear you have, if its low or midium or high quality.
I explain my review process for every product in detail in the write up:
www.thehonestaudiophile.com/post/honest-audiophile-review-process
My source gear is the Mytek Liberty DAC ii and the Mytek THX HPA. I test all gear on them plus lots of other gear.
I'm glad you enjoy them. Thanks for the comment.
Well, I can say the Sundara closed beats the DT 770 pros I have by a long shot with how flat and responsive they are, Clarity is top notch too! So for the price they're worth it. They do out shine the 990's I had too quite a bit.
The "honest" audiophile is suggesting that $400 headphones sound better than the $150 one, ha!
No kidding?!
What's next, he'll tell grandmas that a 100k BMW is better than a 30k Prius?
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