Hifiman Sundara Modern Classic Planar Magnetic Headphone

Hifiman Sundara has been one of the favourite open-back planar magnetic headphone for years, delivering audiophile-grade clarity, a 6Hz–75kHz frequency range, driven by a high tech, lightweight Neo Supernano diaphragm - all at an accessible price.

High Technology & Amazing Clarity:

Sonically the Sundara share a similar Hifiman level of resolution and even handed sonic performance across the acoustic spectrum that you have come to expect from the higher end models. Smooth and highly extended highs, delicately nuanced treble and rich, hearty, punchy and rhythmic lows too. Vocals and strings are astonishingly true to life with excellent instrument separation. 

At this low price of under $300 cad, Sundara excel in their spacious, open soundstage, producing a sense of space to the music - less of the boxed in feeling common in this price range. Sundara excel in sparkle and air in the highs, without getting too sharp, so get lots of fine detail. This makes them not only great headphone for music, but so fun with gaming, since all the fine details are presented clearly and for movies, with all the dynamics and the sense of space prefect for a great soundtrack.

Sundara also offers an impressive frequency response range, from 6-75kHz and with all the dynamic realism that Hifiman headphones are renowned for.

Ultra Thin and Light Planar Magnetic Driver:

Sundara's driver features a Neo Supernano Diaphragm, which measures 1-2 microns thick, about 80% thinner than previous designs. The thinner diaphragm allows for faster, more precise response, helping the Sundara provide its incredible clarity and levels of detail. Hifiman's advanced manufacturing processes have helped to bring these technologies to products at new lower prices than ever before. 

The audiophile headphone's relatively high sensitivity is higher than is typical in a planar magnetic headphone and allows it to be driven with some ease by a wide variety of conventional headphone amplifiers, desktop amplifiers, compact DACs and even some computers like the macbook pro.

The styling is all business, with an all black matte finish, with mostly metal parts, with just a touch of silver on the headband. 

Ergonomic Soft Headband:

The ergonomic and comfortable headband is designed to fit for most people, with greater reliability and durability. The headband also incorporates a sleek unibody yolk attaching the frame to the headphone cups making a seamless ergonomic sweeping curve. Its single piece of metal construction makes it durable enough to withstand the stresses of daily urban life. 

The cable configuration used for the Sundara is a crystalline copper wire. Comprised of materials chosen to ensure low resistance in the signal transmission and high mechanical strength for daily use which should ensure a long and fruitful existence. The connection, dual 3.5mm jacks, is made via the supplied cable with socketed connectors, which offers a secure and sturdy connection yet allows for easy cable swapping with many other brands of cable. 

The pads themselves are gently beveled, contouring and molding to the users head thus providing superb comfort for long listening sessions. There is a fabric material facing the skin, for better breathability and long wear comfort.

Hifiman Sundara vs Edition XS - Which Should I Buy?

Sundara has a lower price. 

Sundara is better for regularly using for several hours at a time - the soft headband eliminates 'hot spots' or pressure points, so it has proven to be more comfortable for more people, especially for using several hours at a time.

Sundara has more emphasis on treble, highs, fine detail.

Edition XS is better for full bass. Sub bass response is better and they sound fuller at low volume

Edition XS is better for dynamics. They better translate punchy, driven sound, so if that type of music appeals to you, check out the Edition XS.

Pro Tip - In our experience here at the office and exhibiting at trade shows, if you want all of the positive attibutes of the Sundara but with improved deep bass response and punch, look up the line one more model at the Ananda Stealth. It used to be much more expensive but has dropped in price recently and does a great job of combining the best qualities of Sundara and Edition XS, with some other improvements to boot!

They do not sound the same, but they are from the same product family - if you need a closed back option for music / noise isolation, look at the Sundara Closed Back.

We stock replacement headphone pads for Sundara here.

Suggestion for a matching DAC / AMP: we suggest you look at the Hifiman EF499 combo DAC & headphone amp

Hifiman Sundara Technical Specifications:

• Frequency Response: 6Hz - 75kHz
• Impedance: 32 ohms
• Sensitivity: 92dB
• Weight: 342g 

Included in the box:

Headphones
1.5m headphone cable (3.5mm plug)
6.35mm Adapter

Warranty: 1 Year by administered locally by Hifiman Canada