Buzz
Hifiman; a renowned name in the audiophile community with headphone lineups featuring planar drivers. Sundara has undoubtedly been mentioned quite a few times among headphone enthusiasts.Many reviews depict Sundara as a harmonious blend of price and technology, leaving a more impressive mark than its higher-tier counterparts like Ananda and Arya. Audiosciencereview, a specialized platform, even indicates Sundara surpassing Ananda in certain technical test scenarios.Is this the headphone that exceeds its price range; worthy of being an endgame for non-enthusiasts who accidentally step into the realm of sound? Sit back, have a cup of tea, and join me - someone who has been attached to this quirky lady for 4 years!1. Serendipity.My starting point was as an In-ear system player, mostly involved with mid-range models. At that time, I was a fan of the Audiotechnica (ATH) brand. In the family, there was an audiophile uncle, mainly dealing with audio systems and speakers. Helping him move stuff to his new house, I noticed a peculiar-looking headphone with round ear cups, shining in metallic silver that left a strong impression on me. Quick to carefully put it aside and wait until the end of the session to ask my uncle for a test listen (who knows if I could get permission). Seeing my interest, my uncle kindly prepared some warm tea and brought out a bulky dac/amp set he used to drive his sound system. He then stored that box away after using it once. Quite a mystery!
ASTONISHING - an audio marvel in every dimension. Little did I know, it was the HE400s model by Hifiman. After teasing me with its impeccable charm, my uncle nodded approvingly and offered it to me, insisting on taking payment despite my reluctance. He emphasized that true appreciation comes with a price, and this extraordinary piece elevates and nurtures the soul of its possessor. A bit poetic, but it took me almost a year as a college student to save up for this gem. Instead of handing me the HE400s, my uncle presented a box that caught my attention, revealing the clear label 'Sundara.' Initially, I thought he was playing a trick on me, but upon investigation, I discovered that Sundara was a higher-tier model priced at $499 – and, of course, my uncle only charged me half of that.
2. Exquisite Craftsmanship.
Calling Sundara a queen or a lady is not arbitrary. The decision stems from the meticulous craftsmanship of Hifiman evident in this headphone. Sundara induces a slightly uneasy feeling with its predominantly metal construction, and the headband, though delicate in appearance, is reinforced with a creatively curved connection to the earcups. The earcup's weight is reasonably balanced at 372g, allowing for extended wearing. The accompanying cable seems fragile, as if it could snap with a sudden jerk. It's like dealing with a temperamental lady – you have to be extremely careful in her presence.
In terms of aesthetics, Sundara may seem to lag behind many other headphone models. While other brands showcase the 'pinnacle of design' in the earcup area, Hifiman consistently embraces a pattern resembling an 'intricate iron mesh,' which is anything but ordinary.
Nevertheless, even after over 4 years of use, the only component I had to replace is the earpad (inevitable in the relatively 'harsh' climate of Vietnam with its leather goods), proving the durability of these headphones.
3. Sound Quality.
Currently, I enjoy the company of Sundara paired with the following setups:
Audio Combo 1: Aune X1s Pro+ and Topping L30
Audio Combo 2: Ifi micro iDSD
Audio Setup 3: Denon X2700H
Source: PC/Macbook Pro M1.
Music Source: Jriver (offline)/Youtube/Spotify/Apple music.
A small note is to ensure you utilize a robust dac/amp for Sundara, specifically for headphones utilizing Hifiman's Planar magnetic drivers, to unlock their full potential.
3.1 Bass.
Sundara excels in delivering balanced bass performance. Not too weak, not overly powerful. Whether it's the precision required for 'Not your barbie girl' by Ava Max or the speed demanded by 'Boombayah' by Blackpink, Sundara effortlessly handles it with good speed, providing impactful and well-defined bass. It maintains accuracy in each electronic beat, avoiding any instances of muddiness or chaos. A comprehensive bass quality that, perhaps, Bassheads might demand more in quantity but not in essence.
3.2 Mid.
The lively guitar tones in 'Tell my why' by Alex Fox and the melancholic depth in 'Alice has blue eyes' by All night no sleep are conveyed by Sundara with harmony and naturalness. The vocals of powerful female singers like Adele, Sia, Ava Max, or the soaring tenor vocals of Maroon 5 are ensured in terms of tonality, avoiding the excessive coloration often noticeable in ATH's Air series headphones. Alongside the synergistic combination of soundstage and spatial reproduction that Sundara provides, this mid-range is, in my opinion, unparalleled in its segment.
3.3 Treble.
Sundara's treble response has garnered much praise for its well-tuned, bright characteristics without causing discomfort due to sibilance. It makes me crave more of this frequency range rather than the easier-to-listen mid-bass tones. This doesn't imply that Sundara is immune to sibilance or similar issues, but it delicately mitigates those problems, making the listening experience more enjoyable.
I often indulge in tracks featuring violins to appreciate this aspect. Albums like Alexander Rybak's 'Europe skies' or 'Fairytale,' Bond's 'Viva,' 'Victorya,' or the classical brilliance of Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons.' They never fail to give me goosebumps with every listen (assuming, of course, that you have an affinity for the music you're playing)
3.4 Soundstage and Imaging
Sundara might not have achieved its acclaim with just the three aforementioned frequency ranges; the credit also goes to the contributions of these two materials.
Closing your eyes to immerse yourself in a music piece, you'll sense that you're not precisely sitting front row, more like a slightly distant seat (not quite reaching rows E-F-G, more like somewhere around row C). With the advantage of an open-back design, the sound disperses horizontally enough to make you feel like you're in a room rather than the sound being confined within a box on your head. Of course, don't expect it to replicate a concert hall or a theater – it's the playground of the audiophile.
In terms of soundstage, Sundara excels in this aspect... Well, to me, it's more like a snowy landscape. The clear separation of each instrument in a symphony or pop track is evident. Imagining the positions of singers and instruments is relatively straightforward. These two elements contribute to a more evenly spread and expansive bass, a closer and more intimate midrange, and a sparkling treble.
4. Comparison
Sundara vs He400
I've had the chance to experience the He400i, and while the He400 comes close to the Sundara, there's still enough distinction in all four aspects. If you're not ready to invest in the Sundara just yet, experimenting with the more budget-friendly He400 could help you gauge its compatibility with Hifiman's sonic signature.
Sundara vs R70x
R70x sounds intriguing, doesn't it? I've been using the R70x alongside the Sundara for about a year. It's ATH's reference monitor headphones with dynamic drivers, sharing some similarities with the Sundara. However, each headphone has its unique characteristics. The R70x has a completely different sound adjustment approach compared to the majority of ATH's lineup, with less emphasis on mid and high-mid frequencies. It's less energetic and flatter than the Sundara, but for extended listening periods, it becomes more comfortable (both in terms of sound color and its lightweight design). It could be a solid alternative in this price range if, for some reason, you prefer a brand other than Hifiman.
Sundara vs HD600
The lady and her companion, each with their distinct sonic palettes. Sundara offers a bit more bass and treble (though Sundara has never been a V-shaped headphone). On the other hand, HD600 leans towards warmth, with a slightly darker tone.
5. Conclusion
In the current price range of around 7-8 million VND, I haven't found any candidate capable of matching up to Sundara. What Sundara brings to the table might require exploring headphones in the $1000 range to truly appreciate the improvements. Of course, with the necessary amplification, that is.
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