Hifiman Sundara Rev.2021 Review - My Favorite headphone under $400

[@TheMaurob1979]

First of all compliment for your professional and very detail reviews.. I was driving the sundara out of a fiio k5 pro ess( 1.5 watt) and the sound was thin and the bass sleepy like the overall general sound.. Also harsh.. The headphones was sounding loud but thin and off.. Upgrating to fiio k9. Ooo boy.. Day and night.. I can now enjoy the real full sundara sound. Bass.. Dynamic.. Imaging... Guitars now sound real..

[@aceofspades6667]

Sweet mix of content this month Sandu! All the way from totl to midfi stuff. It’s cool to keep up the mix of stuff that appeals to all people.

[@edmondhan2419]

I agree that Sundara could compete with headphones 2-3 times more expensive. I compared Sundara with Aeon2 Noir and Focal clear which are fairly more expensive than sundara. I did not find Sundara to be incompetent with those headphones in terms of details and resolution. Hifiman is a company which brings a bliss to consumers who want to enjoy high quality music without breaking the bank.

[@keithjohnson2863]

The Topping A90 is gone now. The Topping D90 is feeding the Keces E40 directly, this is a great match for the Sundara headphones. The Sundara reproduces sound from the E40 that distorts the new Rode NTH-100 headphones. Comparing the Sundara with Edition XS, I could not tell enough of a difference to justify an upgrade from the former to the latter when both are driven by the E40. Tip: when using Macs as the source, use a true USB port instead of a thunderbird port for the output if have that option. The on my 2020 Intel Mac mini the USB output into the DAC was cleaner than using a thunderbird port. The mini is has been replaced by a Macbook Pro so I'm stuck with thunderbird. For critical listening I sometimes use my Samsung A52s phone as the source using the USB-C port instead the MBP, everything else (DAC, amp) being equal. Listening with the Sundara headphones the output from the phone sounds better.

[@edmondhan2419]

@@keithjohnson2863 so if you have a sundara you don't think getting edition xs as an upgrade is a good idea?

[@keithjohnson2863]

Sorry @@edmondhan2419 , I meant to put my previous comment in a different place. To answer your question, it depends on your musical tastes and your amp. Also I have the 2020 Sundara headphones, which according to reviewers, is in itself and upgrade over the original Sundara. With my amp I didn't hear much of a difference. So the Edition XS headphones were returned and I gained a new appreciation for the Sundara headphones. The amp will make a difference, the Keces E40 is livelier and has more of a punch than the Topping A90 and A50s amps. That could be why there is less of difference between the two headphones in my case. It's a decision you have to make with your own ears and wallet.

[@calvinyip364]

Hd600 Vs sundara?

[@sephiroth6956]

Thx for the review, but could you please answer the most important question - is it worth to spend 150 more and get XS instead?

[@Soundnews]

Never tried an XS, but only looking at them, XS should sound bigger/wider/taller.

[@ChrisKeyman]

@@Soundnews hello. The Lcd-1 has even more narrow Soundstage than the HD600 ? Thank you!

[@kyron42]

The Hi X 65 and Verum One are both better in many ways.

[@KartikoKurnianto]

How's the Sundara+K9 Pro ESS pairing?

[@JoeFPSGamer]

I've buyed the Sundaras in 2020, having a SMSL SP200. Couldn't be happier. Plenty of power, I am more a technical guy, so I like the sound and was shocked going from the HE400 to the Sundaras, listening to the same music. Also you can get an Xduoo MT-602 that made me smile :)

[@PreacherwithoutaPulpit]

So will a setup consisting of a SMSL SU-9n and Topping A30 Pro be enough to fully drive the Sundara? Thank you in advance if you answer...

[@Soundnews]

Hey mate, that would be More than enough. A30 Pro is a very potent amplifier. It even drove the HE-6SE and Susvara to a certain degree

[@keithjohnson2863]

I have the Keces E40 integrated amp and the Topping A90 amp on my desk with Topping D90 DAC as their source. Both amps drive my 2021 Sudaras very well. I can't explain why, but the E40 sounds slightly better, it has more a fun factor. I'm curious about how more expensive headphones would sound, but also hesitant, I might feel compelled to upgrade if I felt like I was missing out. Note: The decision to upgrade to a balance cable will depend on your amp. The balanced cable was a clear upgrade with the Topping A50s amp. However I prefer the sound from my single ended cable with my Topping A90.

[@keithjohnson2863]

The Topping A90 is gone now. The Topping D90 is feeding the Keces E40 directly, this is a great match for the Sundara headphones. The Sundara reproduces sound from the E40 that distorts the new Rode NTH-100 headphones. Comparing the Sundara with Edition XS, I could not tell enough of a difference to justify an upgrade from the former to the latter when both are driven by the E40. Tip: when using Macs as the source, use a true USB port instead of a thunderbird port for the output if have that option. The on my 2020 Intel Mac mini the USB output into the DAC was cleaner than using a thunderbird port. The mini is has been replaced by a Macbook Pro so I'm stuck with thunderbird. For critical listening I sometimes use my Samsung A52s phone as the source using the USB-C port instead the MBP, everything else (DAC, amp) being equal. Listening with the Sundara headphones the output from the phone sounds better.

[@Flavius7]

Is this 2021 edition way better then the old one? Old one sounded strange in the treble area with a little bit recessed mids. Didn't liked them, much preferred the Sennheiser Hd 600.

[@towsifshahriarshovo]

How do they sound compared to audeze lcd 2c??

[@andress3872]

Hi, Thanks again for anything amazing review. I hope you could get the new (well not so new) Hifiman Edition XS, also DAC, Gustard X18 and also SMSL DO200

[@Soundnews]

X18 and DO200 reviews would be coming probably next month

[@christianblais3350]

Hi! The left driver of my Sundaras 2018 died and now I might choose between the Sundara 2021, Edition XS or Arya Stealth to replace them. As resolution, soundstage and natural timbre are my main criteria, which one would be my best bet? (my purpose is only to replace my current plannar HP and I will save money and choose an electrostatic or SR1A as an endgame HP later)

[@Inserthouse]

Got Hifiman Sundaras and back ordered Fiio K5 Pro ESS. Opinions on this combination?

[@Hari-kx2er]

Will you be doing a 7hz Timeless review?

[@shahkhan110]

+1

[@hs1124]

I see that you have the fiio k9 pro ess. 😉😉😉

[@RayanAbedin]

What gear is in the background around 5:09?

[@Hari-kx2er]

I am using Sundara latest revision balanced with the Xduoo XA10

[@Soundnews]

Should be a nice combo.

[@Hari-kx2er]

@@Soundnews planning to keep the Xduoo XA10 and balanced cables when I later upgrade to the Hifiman Arya.

[@brothatwasepic]

Amazing review. Now if my earlobes weren't so big haha = Ananda Arya etc is perfect 😀

[@MRFUTURETECHNOLOGYGAMING]

You can actually warm up the mid-range and bass and darken the highs with dekoni Sheepskin and perforated sheep skinny ear pads

[@ioiyu6262]

I have love n hate relationship with this headphone. At first it feels too bright but after awhile mayb my ears gettin used to it ( or already passed burn in period) im kinda love it but my preference still something that kinda givin punchy bass & tight sub bass

[@JTB--]

Sundara were my entry drug headphone into the HP hobby. Fast forward a few years and I've now got the Arya Stealth, HD 800s & HD 600 and the Verite Closed along with some high end Audio gear. This hobby is not wallet friendly 😭

[@shahkhan110]

so do still miss sundara, after having these biggies??

[@JTB--]

@@shahkhan110 tbh not really. It's part of the process moving up to higher end HP's I guess. Sundara are great for their price. A benchmark headphone in that $300 price range along with the HD 600 which I use strictly with a Bottlehead Crack tube amp. Once you hear something like the Arya Stealth Magnet you all of a sudden understand the clear difference between the Sundara and Arya Stealth price tags. But do yourself a favor and just stick with the Sundara and save your wallet from taking a beating. Once you start moving up to higher end HP's and gear you can't stop. It's a viscous cycle and like a drug habit you can't quit

[@kkam7044]

@@JTB-- What use case would you recommend getting the Sundara if one already has and likes the HD600?

[@JTB--]

@@kkam7044 I prefer a planar sound over dynamic HP's anyday. But I do love the HD 600 with the Bottlehead Crack Tube Amp which just has a great synergy. tbh I'd probably bypass the Sundara and go for the XS for a little more $$$. The XS is a great value at $500 and would do everything the Sundara can do and much more... including some nice low end Bass. Unfortunately the only way to really know is by listening to each headphone and deciding for yourself what suits your needs best

[@kkam7044]

@@JTB-- Thanks for your feedback, which model is the XS, sorry not familiar with this model

[@cruzzeaudiochanel2581]

My new headphones ❤️

[@hameleon80]

Why in all this reviews not play sound from the headphones and we can hear how they sound 😏?

[@jeofthevirtuoussand]

Save a little and get the focal elegia for 450$

[@kyron42]

Verum One is slightly better.

[@kffffghh]

fostex t60rp

[@prabinpaudel5572]

I got 400se for 130 cuz I couldn't afford used sundara for 250.. It hurts being poor.. 😂

[@Soundnews]

What are you using to drive your HE400SE? I might be able to help you in the future, can't promise, but maybe...

[@prabinpaudel5572]

@@Soundnews I am using ifi hip dac for it used for 100 dollars.. A 20 dollar 4.4 cable will be reaching me in a few days now.. Thanks for the gesture brother ❤️ I'm still a student and my parents won't pay for 350 dollar headphones that's why its hard. I'll be graduating soon. Maybe will jump to xs and aune x1s gt. And be done for a while. I'm from Nepal and our currency is super weak. So that setup would be like 2 months salary of a decent job. 😂

[@JohnJohn-lk4lq]

@@prabinpaudel5572 super weak indeed bobble head #butbut

[@MyouKyuubi]

100 times thinner than human hair? lmao. xD actually, it's about 20% the thickness of normal planar membranes, which are typically the same thickness as a human hair... so that claim is hilariously off the mark. xD

[@kyron42]

Hi X 65 is better

[@johnellison3173]

Honestly I just dont get the hype with this headphone. To me it was just meh! Tried it for gaming too and the imaging was absolutely terrible when compared to a good DD. Also you mentioned EDM. I tried these with a lot of EDM and most sub bass notes where completely missing from tracks. Especially in drum and bass those deep notes are just not there on these headphones and this is using high quality gear.

[@Soundnews]

Hi mate, I've mentioned that these do no slam hard in the bass (twice), they don't punch down low, but you can certainly improve their low-end delivery with a nice all-discrete class-A amplifier.

[@johnellison3173]

@@Soundnews Yeah I have an all discreet amp but still im quite shocked at just how rolled off the sub bass is on these 😮 Nice detailed retailed review though buddy. Im enjoying your content 👍

[@Hari-kx2er]

It may simply be the case that you don't like planar sound signature in general and Sundara is also not a bass heavy headphone. However, it is a great balanced headphone which responds quite well to eq and is a great purchase for anyone who like the planar tonality.

[@johnellison3173]

@@Hari-kx2er I think your right. I definately prefer dynamic drivers

[@Hari-kx2er]

@@johnellison3173 Do you use closed back dynamic driver headphones often?