Hifiman Sundara review from Metal571
Posted Dec 22, 2019, 2:38 AM UTC
7225
I got mine since ishca, who is famously very critical in his headphone reviews, really seemed to like these. Nice to hear you like them as well!
7
For pad splitting, I think it is due to the tiny amount of pad material that wraps over the mounting ring, the pad material itself being weak, and/or the weak adhesive HFM used. Anyone can take off the pad and the mounting ring and see that the pad material barely makes it over the edge of the mounting ring before it is glued thereon. A far cry from the build quality shown by Sennheiser's HD6X0 pads.
2
I'm trying to repair my He-400i's after a nasty mold infestation and buying this headband is $125 USD. Does Marcellus Wallace look like a bitch HiFiMan?
HiFiman products would be way better if they were easier to service. Though I guess I can't talk too much shit considering I have Focal Clears now which cost $200 to replace the pads alone...
PS. the colour of your room triggers me.
2
[deleted]
1
How do these compare to the DT1990s? More controlled treble and less bass, maybe?
2
It's actually listenable in the treble.
3
Woah, the man himself! Hi :) lol
Yeah the treble is quite strong on my new DT1990s and sometimes I wish I'd gone for the Sundaras, especially when I listen to songs with vocals. I applied a -5 dB @ 8 kHz EQ which did improve it a little, but I'm still not 100% satisfied.
May I ask if you'd consider it a downgrade to get the Sundaras and return the Beyers? It's just, I love everything about my DT1990s except for the peaks in the highs, but really, anything else is just so good for my hears. I wish I had a way to audition them, would save me a lot of trouble.
2
I think that if the treble bothers you as much as it did me, which it looks like it for sure with the -5, hah, then yeah. I'd get the Sundara. If you're buying new in the US try using an audio dealer and ask for their best price. No need to pay msrp for these things either.
1
Yeah that's a good assessment. I also find that it has better separation and image distinction, but that's also partially just planar vs dynamic.
2
Just had one this week. Its better sounding than my meze 99 classics. You need an amp and am using Fiio e11.. Good amp. Battery is replaceable and been using this for 7 years now. Just bought a new battery bl5b and still can match the effectiveness of newer fiio amps..
1
With family, what’s the verdict? Can’t watch
I like it a lot. Would take it over LCD-1 overall as long as you have an amp and... don't mind the build
I just pad swapped mine with the Dekoni Audeze Elite Hybrid Pads this week, omg, they sound better, added some of the base it was missing. They almost sound more detailed too. And the soundstage is even wider, probably because they are twice the distance from my ears, lol.
With the giant pads it would help if the yolks swiveled tho. It was a pain in the ass to remove all the 3M glue from the pad, I don't know why it comes pre applied.
Do the dekoni auduze elites fit on the sundara? Have you tried the Mr speakers alpha pads?
The Dekoni's fit, they are a slightly larger diameter tho, but look great imo. You still have to use the HiFiMan clip ring. And I did have to remove the 3M glue, it took forever and I was worried it was going to peel and rip the leather part, it's thankfully OK because I was careful. I wish it didn't come with the glue pre-applied.
I thought about the alpha pads but only after I ordered the Dekoni, I may try them on my HE4xx for fun.
Even for bass ? Was thinking of getting LCD-1 for my bass headphone.
I'd probably get something else. The bass extends well but I'd hardly consider it a basshead headphone.
I want that planar bass, not really a basshead headphone.
I agree on all points. I shockingly even don't hate the new style Hifiman headband.
They've been one of my top picks since I got them. I'm glad they are well reviewed. I sent one of mine out to Oratory1990 to be measured. Results are here which was similar enough to what I was expecting when I EQ'd by ear. Things not mentioned in the review that help me recommend it over something amazing without EQ like the HD600 is that they are amp agnostic as they have a completely flat impedance curve, low distortion, and they sound similar regardless of wearing position. They also are pretty easy to get a good seal with compared to some other headphones.
Edit: And just to add, I've had mine for around a year of daily listening except for the last month or so where they've been more like once every couple of weeks and my pads still feel new.
Most people would say if you can't get/afford a pair of Focal Elex's, buy these.
It's good