HIFIMAN SUNDARA Hi-Fi Headphone with 3.5mm Connectors-Complete Features/User Guide

HIFIMAN SUNDARA Hi-Fi Headphone with 3.5mm Connectors

Specifications

• Product Dimensions
  10.63 x 6.3 x 11.81 inches

• Item Weight
  1.3 pounds

• Ear Placement
  On-Ear

• Connectivity Technology
  Wired

• Frequency Response
  6Hz-75kHz

• Impedance
  37 Ω

• Efficiency
  94dB

• Brand
  HIFIMAN

Introduction

Portable Audio Players, Planar Magnetic Headphones, Desktop Amplifiers, Earphones, IEMs, and True Wireless Monitors and Headphones are among HiFiMAN’s many Hi-Fi, Reference, and Premium class products. The HiFiMAN Sundara is a full-size Open-Back headphone featuring a Planar Magnetic Driver and an “Ultra-Thin NsD Diaphragm” (NEO “supernatant” Diaphragm). Because the NCD is 80 percent smaller (1 to 2 microns) than earlier designs, it responds faster.

A new headband design with a separate head strap distributes the weight of the headphones equally over the wearer’s head. It provides a more comfortable fit as well as a more appealing appearance. The all-new Headband features a structure that is designed to be as street-friendly as possible, made to withstand the rigors of everyday living while still looking amazing. The conventional 3.5mm socket is used for the headphone cable attachment, which provides better connectivity and is also more physically robust. This updated edition of SUNDARA comes with freshly redesigned earpads for increased durability, as well as a newly upgraded cable made of stronger, better materials (of OFC wire) that were custom-built for the headset.

What’s In the Box?

• 1 x HiFiMAN Sundara Open-Back Headphone
• 1 x 3.5mm to 3.5mm Headphone Cable
• 1 x 3.5mm to 6.3mm Headphone Adaptor
• 1 x User Manual
• 1 x Warranty Card

Design

The Sanskrit word “Sundara” literally means “lovely,” which perfectly describes this Open-Back Planar Headphone. It has some design elements in common with its older brother Ananda, such as the Headband mechanism. The Sundara has a solid build and is rather light for a full-sized Planar Headphone (about 372 grams). The large metal grill on the front of the ear cups is the Sundara Planar Headphone’s main attraction. The Sundara headphone’s ear cups have a simple circular form that looks great when paired with the massive metal grill.

Isolation and comfort

The HiFiMAN Sundara is a full-sized Planar Headphone that is extremely comfortable to use. The ear pads are rather comfy, and I enjoy the fact that they are large enough to cover your auricle. The clamping force is likewise enough, albeit the headband’s size and shape may be too tiny for people with large heads. Due to the open-back design of the Sundara, the isolation is below average, thus if you want a headset that you can wear outside, the Sundara isn’t the best choice.

Imaging & Soundstage

Because of its open-back construction and well-tuned planar driver, the HiFiMAN Sundara has a rather spacious soundstage, resulting in superb imaging and separation of instruments and vocals. The Sundara’s soundstage is good in terms of wideness, while the sensation of depth is on the moderate side for an open-back headphone.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is this the revised version with the angled pads?
  Yes.

• Is the extended warranty the only difference between this and the other Hifiman Sundara listed?
  No. If you read the description at top of this one, you’ll see there were SEVERAL improvements put into place. DEF much better to buy the 2020 version.

• Are these the updated version of the Sundaras (the co-called “stealth revision”)?
  Yes

• Is this the same as the other Sundara listing?
  Check the sellers – there are a couple. Also, read the description to see if they’re the 2020 version or older, but HIFIMAN has been known to do minor tweaks without announcing it. It’s debatable whether the latest versions are better than older versions.

• Are these the ones that get shipped if you buy from their main website? Or will they ship the older pre-stealth revisioned non-angled pads?
  All the SUNDARAs you bought from any of HIFIMAN’s official online stores, through Amazon or websites, are the latest version. Don’t worry.

• Can anyone suggest wireless hiend headphones?
  Either moondrop nekocakes or galaxy buds pro. The nekocakes are nice but the buds are super nice, the prices are pretty proportional though.

• Are the ear pads replaceable?
  Yes, the earpads are replaceable and you could find the stock pads on HIFIMAN’s official website.

• I just ordered these. How can I make sure I get the 2020 edition vs the older edition?
  See if the seller specifies the 2020 version. The earlier versions had flimsier ear pads, whereas the newest versions are more substantial. It makes more of a difference than you might think in the way a headphone sounds.

• How can I turn these into balanced headphones- what cabling and hardware would I need?
  You need a balanced cable and a balanced audio source.

• Can i return this product free of charge if I have a problem with it?
  So they have all known QA issues but the finished and unflawed product is amazing for the money. To answer your question, I did. I returned my first pair and they sent a replacement.

• Can balanced cables be used? if so, which ones! my ifi zen2 dac has 4.4mm balanced outputs.
  Any cable that has two 3.5mm connectors on the headphone side will work. You probably won’t get any benefit from balanced though.

• I bought a Hifiman Sundara but the cable is too short for me, what cable do you recommend to buy that goes with the Sundara 7 to 8 feet?
  Periapt makes a longer cable that would work with the Sundara and Hart Audio makes a 4ft cable and a 4ft extension. They are both highly reputable cable manufacturers. They both come out to about the same price but the Hart cable gives you more options for terminations if you want to go with 4.4mm or 2.5mm balanced. Periapt is limited to XLR, 3.5mm, or 1/4 inch.

• Amplification Req for optimal hp Performance…lower impedance or greater mW output at phones rated impedance 4 pwr hungry sensitivity issues?
  I am running a Ray Samuels Predator DAC/Amp, at first I was worried I was underpowered, but these cans truly take a few weeks to break in and loosen up. These are the most power-hungry headphones I have and I have to use my high gain setting to get enough power for satisfying loudness.

• Could these be powered adequately by a good phone? would that ruin the experience?
  They require a good amp, your phone will simply just not do the job, this is an open-back headphone so zero isolation, this headphone deserves to be connected to nice electronics, a good DAC/Amp will reward your investment. The headphone does require break-in and will not sound their best right out of the box, so give it a few weeks. Read the user’s manual it has good info.

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