Review - HIFIMAN Sundara
Website
- HIFIMAN
Specifications
Price: U$499 (retail). Goes for sale at
$349, available on HIFIMAN Store,
Amazon and Ebay.
There is not much to say about the
unboxing of the Sundara. The headphones arrive in a large cardboard box with an
image of the Sundara model at the top and the specifications at the back.
Inside the headphones are snugly arranged inside polystyrene covered by an all
shiny black satin cloth with the cable and a 6.3mm adapter attached to the
3.5mm plug. There is the manual with a long story of the Sundara and a warranty
card. A carrying case could have been included as it is not too convenient to
keep them stored always back in the box.
Design
The HIFIMAN Sundara continues
the large around over-ear planar open-back from the company. The whole design
is very similar to the previous models like the HE400i but has a new fresh look
that it is simple yet elegant and discreet. It is smooth with an air of
high-end on it without a fancy looking premium finish. I won't comment on the
durability of the new Sundara as only had them for less than 2 months taking
lot care of them; and there were some previous reports of QC issues. However,
the materials used here seem to be solid enough for the retail price.
The main structure mixes
different metal types. The headband arc is made of spring steel while the round
yokes and outer cups are apparently of stiff anodized aluminum. Not sure on
grills specific material, but still a strong metal alloy as well. The only
section where plastic is used is on the sides of the headband that joins the
outer band arc with the yokes acting as the adjustment mechanism. All with a
dark matte finish and a few silver points. The lower headband strap is attached
to the plastic covers too. It is made of synthetic leather like material and
while looks kind of plain it is soft and comfortable and helps to distribute
very well the weight of the headphones. The Sundara's weight is about ~370g
which may not sound particularly light for a full over-ear headphone set but in
practice results very friendly as a planar option thanks to the well thought
design.
Personally, I had no
need to adjust the headband as found it large enough, but should be mentioned
that the adjustment system is quite stiff and requires some extra effort; it's
actually a good thing as the Sundara will keep the fixed and secure fit.
The ear cups movement is
limited to only swivel up and down around the yokes and can be the main
disadvantage of the Sundara design which also found on the upper model Ananda. It's
not a serious thing to complain about as the fit and seal around the ears is
still very easy but still affects when trying to achieve a best fit compared with
many other over-ear headphones where the ear cups rotate to right and left
sides. However, the round ear pads are slightly angled from the thinner front
to the thicker back part what helps a bit to get a more natural fit despite
their fixed design. The pads are about 15mm thick with a soft synthetic
material outside and very soft and breathable mesh inside that sits very
comfortable around the ears and skin. The pads are strongly attached to the
cups and follow a simple mechanism to replace them if needed.
As for what the cable
matters, it is supposed to use a crystal OFC copper wire inside. Length is
about 1.5m and ends in a standard 3.5mm TRS plug, and a simple all plastic
y-split. The connection to the headphones now utilizes regular TRS 3.5mm
connectors too which is a better standard nowadays. However, the outer sheath
is thick and very stiff and also holds a strong memory effect out of the box.
It can result quite springy and annoying to use and despite whatever good wire
material used inside and a more friendly cable would be nicer at this price.
Apart from that, overall the Sundara seems to hold a very decent quality, solid and comfortable design.
Sound Quality
Main sources used: iBasso DX120, HiBy R6 Pro, AQ
Dragonfly Red, xDuoo XP-2.
With the new Sundara
model HIFIMAN introduce a new planar driver of a much thinner diaphragm.
Whether this new option has benefits in sound quality or not is not a matter
that could be discussed here, but nevertheless as for what sound matters
the Sundara rates pretty well for the price (and much better if got on during
sales). While this is not the first HIFIMAN product I review it is always
refreshing to try their new offers. Had a briefly demo listen to the HE400,
400i, 560 some time ago, and while cannot give a direct comparison with those,
the Sundara holds a certain HIFIMAN house sound. It could be described as being
very neutral but not in a thin, texture-less or clinical way; rather, the sound
is mostly linear and nicely balanced. A more accurate way to describe it would
be as 'even', without certain emphasis on lows or highs, and definitely no peak
or dip either. It has a very subtle sense of fullness and a hint of warmth that
is not uncommon on HIFIMAN gears (and that's a good characteristic). The sound
is open, clean, very natural in timbre, and if well powered it is effortless
and airy.
The bass is rather
neutral in quantity and may get just a tiny bit above than that. It is smooth
and light in body and doesn't reach much depth. There is no strong impact to
boast about, but it is usually present in the sound mix with a slight punch on
the mid-bass and faint heard rumble. It is very linear with a small roll-off on
the lowest sub-bass region. The quality is really good; it is tight, well
layered and effortless. Also quick in attack, well paced, not aggressive but has
great speed and precision. The response to some EQ or bass boost from a
portable amp is good too and it is still capable of showing good dynamics and
richer texture if paired with warmer sounding source, but still maintains the
neutral-ish signature.
The midrange is a strong
point on the Sundara. From previous HIFIMAN products, the mids usually tend to
stand out in quality and their natural presentation, and the does Sundara planar
follows that characteristic as well. From the inoffensive low-end the midrange
is free of any bass intrusion, rather uncolored texture yet well tuned in its presentation.
The linearity continues here but the sound is not too flat or cold. It is more
about accuracy. There is a small hint of richness that gives a slight sense
musicality but remains pretty neutral if just a bit forward. It is open and
very detailed; not a kind of detail that tries to go always too forward but
rather flows naturally on the mix in the smoother nature of the headphones.
Instruments are neatly positioned without a very wide distant effect. Vocals
are clear and very detailed - male singers lack some weight and texture while
female gain more focus and energy but not prone of being sibilant despite the
bit brighter signature of the Sundara.
Treble is relatively
elevated next to the lows and mids though not aggressive. It has a brighter
tone for sure but well balanced that is difficult to point out a specific
strong peak or dip on its response. The control is surprisingly really good and
sounds very coherent and even. Yes, the specs state a 75 kHz reach which is way
too high to pick, but the extension is high and effortless. While the treble is
full and energetic and won't be completely smooth or liquid it is still missing
that usual sharpness and tiring presentation those bright headphones sets tend
to present.
The presentation is open
and very airy. It focuses on great accuracy and coherent positioning, goes very
spacious but doesn't deliver a special wide stage range nor reaches a best
depth, but still enjoyable with its very natural timbre. Channel separation is
not too sharp; the Sundara rather gives a more rounded effect and precise image.
Dynamics are good but second to the more impressive as the openness and
resolution on the Sundara.
The specifications and HIFIMAN
own description suggests the Sundara being efficient enough to be driven even
out of a standard smartphone or normal audio player. In practice it proves to
be true as for volume matching matters without reaching the max steps.
Sound-wise it's not that bad and not as weak as that the HE400i. But it's just
decent at best and nothing worth the $500 price tag or whatever lower deal it
may get if planned to be used right of a weak source. Small DAPs like the Fiio
M6 are still not enough (though better than a phone or stock audio card); sound
is lacking in bass and stage is too small. A more powerful player like the
DX120 already makes a noticeable difference - there is bass presence and depth
and larger stage. The Dragonfly Red DAC too - and actually has a very good
synergy with the Sundara with more power, thicker low-end and fuller midrange
if a bit smoother yet controlled treble. The new HiBy R6 Pro gives superb
resolution and much higher micro-detailing with a much open and airy
presentation; soundstage is also there, but again it's not the most impressive
part (unless the 4.4mm balanced output used). Simply put, this shows the good
synergy and transparency of the Sundara.