HiFiMAN Sundara Headphones

Product Information

Despite fairly typical impedance, the headphones don't get as loud as many other models we test. For reference, when I listen to lossless Apple Music audio on an iMac via a McIntosh stereo receiver, they only start to get uncomfortably loud after I max out the volumes of both the app and the receiver. Those same levels with the Grado SR325x are extremely loud, to the extent that they could potentially damage the headphones. Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), more relaxing and non-fatiguing on the KPH30i but a lot more detailed and cleaner on the Sundara.

The driver is featuring the brand new NEO supernano diaphragm which is 80% thinner than previous designs resulting in a faster and more detailed response. Weighing 372g, Sundaras are not particularly heavy either, being metal and all that. Suspension strap helps the weight distribute evenly on your head so there won’t be any hotspots, though I’m sure some of you prefer padded headbands. Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), vocal tonality (similar quantity) and timbre are better on the Sundara, cleaner and more detailed as well. Instrument tonality is somewhat similar but a lot cleaner, more detailed and more clarity on the Sundara while timbre is slightly better on the Sundara. It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with HIFIMAN, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by HIFIMAN or anyone else. I’d like to thank HIFIMAN for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with HIFIMAN’s request for an honest and unbiased review. This review reflects my personal experience with HIFIMAN Sundara. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in HIFIMAN Sundara find their next music companion.I have been using them at least 75% portably, since I keep most flagships for at home and indoors usage, but I still take sundara on my head after taking a batch, when I have wet hair. On the other hand, while outside, the main complaints I’d have are that they don’t isolate and leak quite a bit, although I don’t seem to annoy people around me, and the few times someone asked me something about my headphones, they were genuinely interested in purchasing a pair, and at least 2 of them actually did. However, as with anything else in audio, there are always compromises. These compromises are, of course, more evident when you compare them with peers. For instance, the higher price Focal Elegia will slam harder, and you will get more bass energy. Since I own multiple Hifiman headphones, and have been doing business with Hifiman through GFE for a while, I can say that Hifiman's customer service has been great!

M. S. Ramarao wrote Telugu version for Hanuman Chalisa of Tulsidas and Sundara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana as 'Sundarakandamu' in Telugu during 1972-74. He sang Sundarakanda in the form of Telugu songs. The Sundara can reach adequate volume levels through portable devices but they still sound underpowered. Isolation: Next to none, also leaks a lot, to the point where you can listen to it on the other side of the cup.Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), soundstage is slightly wider on the HD560S but a lot deeper and more holographic on the Sundara. Imaging, micro-details and timbre are a lot better on the Sundara while macro-detail is a bit better on the Sundara. Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), a lot better tonality, clarity and detail with the Sundara with similar timbre. At this price point, one can find headphones that are different from the Sundara, but one would be hard-pressed to find one that’s inarguably better, except maybe on the used market. Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), more mid-bass on the Sundara with similar texture. Tighter and faster on the R70X, cleaner on it as well but similar detail. Tonality is a lot better on the Sundara with similar timbre. HIFIMAN Sundara + QLS QA361–QA361 is like a more minimalistic version of a player. It really is magical as well, but it is a softer nature, more gentle, more easy on your ears. It is more splashy and more clean, yet manages to have similar dynamics and depth when you compare it to DX220, but with Sundara in particular they are really similar. QLA QA361 has an excellent depth, detail and clarity. In fact, with Sundara it may gather and reveal the most detail I’ve heard, but it fails just slightly behind, when it comes to Dynamics, although before hearing DX220 and AMP7 with Sundara, I thought that QA361 is the kind of sound with little Sundy. The impact is also amazing, although the treble gets even more soft, which compliments Sundara and lets even more detail shine through in the treble. Overall, if you like a minimalistic DAP, QA361 should serve you extremely well.