Planar Magnetic transducers, wide frequency response, exemplary finish… Discover our review of the HiFiMAN Sundara and HiFiMAN Sundara Closed-Back headphones.
Special deal - The HiFiMAN Sundara Closed-Back headphones are priced at €169 (instead of €479). The HiFiMAN Sundara Open-Back model is priced at €329.
HiFiMAN Sundara: accessories
The HiFiMAN Sundara and HiFiMAN Sundara Closed-back hi-fi headphones both come with a 3.5mm mini-jack Y cable and a mini-jack to 6.35mm jack adapter. The cables measure 1.5 meters, allowing easy playback from a USB DAC or DAP. However, an extension cable would have been a welcome addition for listening sessions in a living room, with the headphones connected to a stereo hi-fi amplifier.
In addition to the usual documents, the packaging for these headphones is well-designed, incorporating an innovative headphone stand made from the packing foam.
HiFiMAN Sundara: presentation
Open or closed-back?
The HiFiMAN Sundara has an open-back design that ensures a more extensive soundstage, as well as a listening experience that is generally more natural and immersive. Moreover, the open structure enhances the spatialization of instruments and vocals, giving the music a feeling of depth and airiness.
However, an open design allows the sound to leak, which may disturb those around you. Similarly, attenuation of ambient noise is limited, making these headphones suitable for use in perfectly quiet environments, free from unwanted noise.
If you want to use your headphones in a noisier setting or outside while enjoying total immersion in your music, the HiFiMAN Sundara Closed-Back model will be best. Note, however, that they are still quite bulky and are more suited to residential or open-space listening sessions than for use on the go. Moreover, there is no carrying pouch for this purpose.
Design and comfort
Design-wise, the ear cups of the HiFiMAN Sundara et Sundara Closed-Back headphones are quite different. They are conceived and built according to the requirements of the open and closed-back designs.
For the open-back HiFiMAN Sundara model, the ear cups feature a mesh that allows the transducers to breathe. The closed-back model has large, elegant beech shells that reduce distortion and unwanted resonance.
The HiFiMAN Sundara and HiFiMAN Sundara Closed-Back headphones benefit from a clever double headband system that evenly distributes their weight across the top of the head. This helps to minimize the impact of their weight, at 327g and 432g respectively (due to the wooden shells).
They also provide a secure fit, allowing you to move freely without the headphones slipping. The ear pads are generously padded to provide optimal comfort. However, depending on the user, these HiFiMAN headphones may exert some pressure on your jaw and become uncomfortable after long listening sessions. The closed-back model also tends to press more when wearing glasses.
Planar Magnetic transducers
The HiFiMAN Sundara and Sundara Closed-Back headphones use 2” Planar Magnetic transducers. The latter are both thin and rigid, which allows them to respond very quickly to variations in the sound signal. The closed-back model offers a wide frequency response from 6Hz to 50kHz, while the open-back model provides greater extension in the highs, with a response ranging from 6Hz to 75kHz.
Connectors
Both headphones feature the same connectors, with a 3.5mm mini-jack connector on each ear cup.
The Sundara HiFiMAN open-back headphones have an impedance of 37 ohms and a sensitivity of 94 dB. The HiFiMAN Sundara Closed-Back have an impedance of 20 ohms and a sensitivity of 98 dB. These figures mean the headphones are suitable for use with mobile devices such as smartphones and laptops. However, as is the case with the majority of audiophile headphones, it is recommended to use a dedicated headphone amp, DAC or DAP to enjoy the best audio performance.
HiFiMAN Sundara : spécifications clés
| HiFiMAN Sundara | HiFiMAN Sundara Closed-Back | |
| Type | Open-back | Closed-back |
| Coupling | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Transducers | 2″ Planar Magnetic | 2″ Planar Magnetic |
| Impedance | 37 ohms | 20 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB at 1kHz/1mW | 98 dB at 1kHz/1mW |
| Frequency response | 6 – 75 000Hz | 6 – 50 000Hz |
| Weight | 327g | 432g |
HiFiMAN Sundara: listening conditions
We tested the HiFiMAN Sundara headphones with the FiiO R7 headphone amplifier and the 6.35mm audio adapter. We listened to Hi-Res music streamed from Qobuz.
HiFiMAN Sundara: listening impressions
HiFiMAN Sundara
The HiFiMAN Sundara open-back headphones revealed an analytical and precise musicality. With the track La Lune Enamorada by Kali Uchis, we appreciated a wide soundstage that gave the instruments room to breathe and express themselves with impressive clarity. The voices were nicely highlighted, offering crystal-clear vocal reproduction. High frequencies, which reached impressive heights for high-fidelity headphones (75kHz), were remarkably clear.
It’s worth noting that bass is well controlled, but remains subdued compared to other frequencies. This may be an advantage for those who prefer a more neutral sound signature, but may leave some listeners wanting deeper bass.
This sound signature has earned the HiFiMAN Sundara numerous awards from the specialist press, notably Sound&Vision’s Top Pick, HiFi+ Awards, the Hi-Fi News Editor’s Choice and Inner Fidelity’s Wall of Fame.
With the Eagles’ Hotel California, for example, some might find the sound slightly “cold” because of its emphasis on clarity and precision. When listening to Opa Tsupa’s Two Guitars, the HiFiMAN Sundara headphones brought out every detail of the instruments. The guitar notes resonated, revealing the subtlety of the harmonies and nuances.
«You’ll encounter all manner of superlatives with these headphones, which, let’s face it, are excellent and surely on a par with higher-end models. The Sundara offers unparalleled balance, especially in the highs.»
Paquidan, March 23, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
HiFiMAN Sundara Closed-back
The HiFiMAN Sundara Closed-Back headphones offered a sound experience with a similar sonic signature to its open-back counterpart, the Sundara. There was, however, a slight accentuation of the lows, which may appeal to lovers of more pronounced bass. This sound signature did not compromise the clarity of the sound, and musical details were still very much present.
It is important to note that the soundstage of HiFiMAN Sundara Closed-Back headphones is slightly narrower than that of the open-back model, due to its closed design.
«I think the Hifiman Sundara Closed-Back is a good offering in the $300-400 mark. It has a dense, enjoyable and fun presentation with warm bass and bright treble. It’s not too hard to drive, and it certainly has what it takes in terms of being a dependable closed-back headphone for the price.»
Headfonia
HiFiMAN Sundara: compared to…
FiiO FT3
Globally, the FiiO FT3 and HiFiMAN Sundara headphones reproduce music with great accuracy. The FiiO model offers a slight bass boost, bringing a subtle touch of warmth to the listening experience, while the Sundaras stand out for their crisper, more articulate highs. The latter also offer a better fit.
🎧 Read the FiiO FT3 review on the blog!
The Sennheiser HD660S2 headphones provide greater comfort, making them ideal for long listening sessions. Moreover, they deliver more powerful and impactful bass, offering a richer sound. The HiFiMAN Sundara headphones are more versatile thanks to their lower impedance, making them suitable for a wider variety of sources.
📝 Read the Sennheiser HD660S2 review on the blog!
HiFiMAN Sundara: who are they for?
The HiFiMAN Sundara and HiFiMAN Sundara Closed-Back headphones are designed for audiophiles looking for a precise, accurate reproduction of recordings.
The open-back Sundara model provides an analytical and precise listening experience with a wide soundstage, making it ideal for enjoying a feeling of spaciousness and better immersion.
Although their closed design means a narrower soundstage, the HiFiMAN Sundara Closed-Back headphones are an interesting alternative for those who want a similar sound experience to the open model in a noisy environment and with limited sound leakage. Note that the bass is reinforced with this model, making the reproduction punchier.
HiFiMAN Sundara: conclusion
Priced at €329 and €169 respectively, the HiFiMAN Sundara and HiFiMAN Sundara Closed-Back headphones guarantee a precise sound quality that’s faithful to the original recording. The Sundara open-back model offers an analytical listening experience with a wide soundstage, ideal for three-dimensional immersion. If you need to listen to your playlists in a noisy environment, then the Sundara Closed-Back model is the ideal alternative.
We liked
- The neutral and analytical reproduction
- The rich mids
- The width of the soundstage
- The value for money
We would have liked
- Deeper bass (open-back model)
- For the ear cups to have exerted less pressure
- A 3m jack/mini-jack extension cable
