HiFiMan Sundara Closed-Back Headphone Review

Thanks to HiFiMan for sending the Sundara closed!
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My reviews of mentioned gear:
Focal Elegia: forum.hifiguides.com/t/focal-...
Schiit Asgard 3: • Schiit Asgard 3 Headph...
Schiit Bifrost 2/64: • Schiit Bifrost 2/64 DA...
Schiit Modius: • Schiit Modius Digital ...
Lake People G111: • Lake People G111 Headp...
HiFiMan Ananda se: • HiFiMan Ananda Stealth...
HiFiMan Edition XS: • HiFiMan Edition XS Hea...
HiFiMan Deva Pro: • HiFiMan Deva Pro Plana...
HiFiMan Arya se: • HiFiMan Arya Stealth M...
HiFiMan HE-R9: • HiFiMan HE-R9 Closed-b...
HiFiMan EF400: • HiFiMan EF400 DAC/Head...
Channel Intro: • Channel Introduction
My Hearing Quirks: • WaveTheory's Hearing Q...
Timestamps...
00:00 Intro, Self Promotion
00:51 Disclaimers
01:15 Features, Specs, Build
07:37 Headphone Stand in the Box!
09:41 Sound Leak?
12:29 Sound!
20:07 A Trend in HiFiMan Closed-backs (so far)
21:42 Amp Pairings & Driveability
25:08 EQ?
25:53 Comparisons: HE-R9, Edition XS, Focal Elegia
31:50 Wrap Up & Conclusion

Пікірлер: 84

  • @DuranInternational
    @DuranInternational Жыл бұрын

    Sundara closed back are great balanced! I got me a pair today for $229 worth it at that price in my honest opinion

  • @delta9k
    @delta9k Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the review.

  • @shaned7793
    @shaned779311 ай бұрын

    These are on sale for almost half price and your review gets me a little excited. I have the opposite preferences to you regarding mids. :-)

  • @johnsoriano3812
    @johnsoriano3812 Жыл бұрын

    very cool review

  • @stevendavis1135
    @stevendavis1135 Жыл бұрын

    The fly trying to see what the sundara's closed back all about 😂

  • @wavetheorysound

    @wavetheorysound

    Жыл бұрын

    It helped the review generate some buzz. I'll see myself out 😆

  • @MRFUTURETECHNOLOGYGAMING

    @MRFUTURETECHNOLOGYGAMING

    Жыл бұрын

    ​@@wavetheorysound That's hilarious

  • @user-ft1dj7ur3i

    @user-ft1dj7ur3i

    Жыл бұрын

    and it will be possible to invite this fly to the next review of headphones? 😂

  • @publiusPolis

    @publiusPolis

    10 ай бұрын

    The fly is a likely Grado spy.

  • @CustomCans
    @CustomCans Жыл бұрын

    I enjoyed your review very much. I have been working on a heavily modified version of the HE400se which I think you would like and would love to hear your opinion on them. If you fancy having a go on a prototype pair, let me know.

  • @wavetheorysound

    @wavetheorysound

    Жыл бұрын

    Email sent.

  • @jtampio
    @jtampio Жыл бұрын

    Eager for comparisons to Aeon X, also planar closed around same price point.

  • @mggm9680
    @mggm96804 ай бұрын

    I ordered one. It sounds huge with great base, mids are there and good details. I think it offers great unique sound for only 150 right now. I already have Hifiman Ananda Nano witxh are pretty much perfect but I want this closed back experience to watch movies in it.

  • @joshswanedits
    @joshswanedits Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the Review! small tip for audio in your video's - really try sort out the mouth noise and swallowing sounds - you can try using a noise gate when mixing your audio.

  • @laika25
    @laika254 ай бұрын

    So your advice is to throw away the included cable right upon receiving them in the mail?

  • @abdullahalzhrani6405
    @abdullahalzhrani6405 Жыл бұрын

    great review when the he1000se review will come?

  • @user-ft1dj7ur3i
    @user-ft1dj7ur3i Жыл бұрын

    🔥🔥🔥

  • @sergiobrinas2452
    @sergiobrinas2452 Жыл бұрын

    Hi, great review as usual. I wonder if these closed Sundaras would be a good improvement over the Audio-Technica MSR7Bs.

  • @wavetheorysound

    @wavetheorysound

    Жыл бұрын

    Haven't heard that AT model, unfortunately

  • @sergiobrinas2452

    @sergiobrinas2452

    Жыл бұрын

    @@wavetheorysound Okay, thanks for answering.

  • @rumblerumble2276
    @rumblerumble2276 Жыл бұрын

    I'll be damned! Just checked my Arya Stealth box and there's a headphone stand. No nub issues on mine.

  • @hameedn.b7004
    @hameedn.b7004 Жыл бұрын

    Nice

  • @chinocracy
    @chinocracy Жыл бұрын

    Would have been nice if the fly appeared while reviewing the Harman Kardon Fly. lol I saw rather negative reviews by others on the Sundara closed since it uses different drivers from the open one. I'm inclined towards the HE-R9 instead.

  • @SimpleMailWork
    @SimpleMailWork Жыл бұрын

    EQ. Schiit has a good equalizer but is completely useless due to the lack of necessary frequencies: 3-4k, 8-9k, 11-12k. I use Behringer EQ.

  • @MRFUTURETECHNOLOGYGAMING
    @MRFUTURETECHNOLOGYGAMING Жыл бұрын

    Finally A higher resolution Web Cam or whatever you're using Now i don't feel sleepy to watch your videos because of the blurriness HE1KSE 👀🧐😃😃😃

  • @wavetheorysound

    @wavetheorysound

    Жыл бұрын

    New studio lights! Generous bday gift from my lady!

  • @HansProbs

    @HansProbs

    Жыл бұрын

    @@wavetheorysound yeah definitely noticed, worth it

  • @UmarAbid
    @UmarAbid Жыл бұрын

    Thank you fore revew im new here I was thinking of buying this but I am also think of buy the Beyerdynamic - DT 700 Pro X Studio Headphones I'm trying to find out what the best head phones these ones or Beyerdynamic - DT 700 Pro X Studio Headphones and can I ask are these ear bads removal?

  • @wavetheorysound

    @wavetheorysound

    Жыл бұрын

    Most Hifiman pads are replaceable but require a mounting ring. Most often those mounting rings come on the new pads.

  • @mr_unsane
    @mr_unsane8 ай бұрын

    These are $149 rn on ebay and amazon.

  • @waldos.429
    @waldos.429 Жыл бұрын

    the schiit jotunheim 2 amp is warm, mid-forward, good bass, detail, and slightly closed in soundstage as well, i wonder if they would they pair well together or extenuate all of the problems. i think i want to buy them and find out

  • @Reeeepicheep

    @Reeeepicheep

    Жыл бұрын

    Tried it on bifrost 2 and jotunheim 2. Lasted two songs before tossing them back in the box. So bad

  • @waldos.429

    @waldos.429

    Жыл бұрын

    i heard one guy say they were the worst things he heard at canjams on one of the vlogs

  • @kyron42
    @kyron42 Жыл бұрын

    It would be interesting to see a comparison with the Elegia after both are EQed. I wouldn't be surprised to see the headphones show do that comparison in the near future.

  • @HansProbs
    @HansProbs Жыл бұрын

    7:29

  • @mo_kin
    @mo_kin Жыл бұрын

    How would they compete in technicalities to the Aeon-Closed X that tends to run on sale for $400-450?

  • @wavetheorysound

    @wavetheorysound

    Жыл бұрын

    Unfortunately have not yet heard any Aeons

  • @DJ_BROBOT

    @DJ_BROBOT

    Жыл бұрын

    I put money that the Aeons are better….I’ve owned them and they are worth the $800-900 they used to cost when new. Nobody, and I mean nobody produces $400 cans I’ve ever heard that overshot and were as good as higher tier cans unless modded.

  • @JTB--
    @JTB-- Жыл бұрын

    I'm going to contact Hifiman about a constant buzzing I kept hearing while listening to the Sundara Closed-Back 7:20 😆

  • @wavetheorysound

    @wavetheorysound

    Жыл бұрын

    Lol. Feel free to bug them about it 🪰😆

  • @shaned7793
    @shaned7793 Жыл бұрын

    Why would you compare the noise cancelling headphones to the R9's, which have NO isolation at all?

  • @wavetheorysound

    @wavetheorysound

    Жыл бұрын

    If I understand your question said comparison is to create a sound signature reference point, not a statement of isolation.

  • @poolboy2179
    @poolboy2179 Жыл бұрын

    Would you recommend a replacement cable for my new Sundaras, reasonably priced please. THX!

  • @wavetheorysound

    @wavetheorysound

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes. Hifiman stock cables are bad. Good budget options are Hart Audio Cables and Audiophile Ninja.

  • @aco2518
    @aco2518 Жыл бұрын

    You need to get your hands on some Sundaras. It's a completely different headphone compared to this, and in my opinion, much better too. Anyway, loving your reviews, keep it up!

  • @ProgInside83

    @ProgInside83

    Жыл бұрын

    I had the open version of the Sundara and as objectively I can say that it is a great headphone, personally I did not like it so much. I like this one much more for genres like rock and metal. It has more detail than the open version and an incredible bass and mids rendering .

  • @aco2518

    @aco2518

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ProgInside83 Hmm, everyone is different, I didn't like these lol. Though would you agree they are not similar at all?

  • @wavetheorysound

    @wavetheorysound

    Жыл бұрын

    I have one now. Hifiman sent me one after they realized I hadn't heard it yet, lol. I'm very backed up right now so it may be awhile, but it's here.

  • @TheWorldTeacher

    @TheWorldTeacher

    Жыл бұрын

    @@wavetheorysound, the Sanskrit word “sundara” (beautiful) is pronounced with short vowels. ☝️

  • @PhoggHawk
    @PhoggHawk Жыл бұрын

    Really disappointed that the Stealth Ananda doesn't have the awesome leather box like the original one. 😕

  • @davidcoons89
    @davidcoons89 Жыл бұрын

    ‘Camera issue’ aha sure..you got that fly off-camera like you said you were going to! 😂🤣

  • @shaned7793
    @shaned77938 ай бұрын

    If you were looking to treat yourself to a closed back treat for Christmas... Sundara CB or HE-R10D? I am all about mids and bass.

  • @FusionMusic
    @FusionMusic Жыл бұрын

    If I like the Grado sound, would this appeal to me with the forward sound? Thanks!

  • @wavetheorysound

    @wavetheorysound

    Жыл бұрын

    Good chance, yes. Never a guarantee of course.

  • @FusionMusic

    @FusionMusic

    Жыл бұрын

    @@wavetheorysound lol awesome, good to hear! Also no worries, we're always taking our best chance to find the next best thing but as you said no guaranteed. But we try LOL. Thanks!

  • @LandsPlanes
    @LandsPlanes Жыл бұрын

    Elegia or Sundara closed?

  • @rumblerumble2276
    @rumblerumble2276 Жыл бұрын

    Are you sure your camera mic wasn't being used for the sound leak test? I didn't hear a difference when you moved back with your mic.

  • @wavetheorysound

    @wavetheorysound

    Жыл бұрын

    Quite sure. I'll use a different mic next time I do something like this.

  • @vincentstephenson2397
    @vincentstephenson2397 Жыл бұрын

    I bought a pair to test. Good bass, good kick to 'macro-dynamics' and enough detail for me. Sure it's not up there with my Denon 9200's but its pretty good for a quick rock out with planar characteristics without annoying the wife. Recommended over other closed backs at this price.

  • @sergiobrinas2452

    @sergiobrinas2452

    Жыл бұрын

    Hello, by any chance have you not also tried the Audio-Technica MSR7B, to compare between the two?

  • @AhloiFTW

    @AhloiFTW

    Жыл бұрын

    i own denon d2000, how is this compared to that.

  • @PaulBloomlittledevil
    @PaulBloomlittledevil25 күн бұрын

    Hi @wavetheorysound, please could you give the Custom Cans damping kit a try with these, I was rather blown away by the improvement. I think Hifiman shouldn't have lowered the selling price so low as it is giving the potential of these headphones, a dissservice.

  • @PaulBloomlittledevil

    @PaulBloomlittledevil

    25 күн бұрын

    P.s I don't work for Custom Cans, just a fan

  • @Wasur1959
    @Wasur19596 ай бұрын

    Beachwood=Plastic found on the shore, :) JK, Great vid as usual. Thanks WaveTheory.

  • @kyron42
    @kyron42 Жыл бұрын

    The Elegia sounds like it would be a great headphone with great punch and slam but unfortunately Adorama doesn't ship to Australia.

  • @wavetheorysound

    @wavetheorysound

    Жыл бұрын

    Boo. No 3rd party couriers to use?

  • @kyron42

    @kyron42

    Жыл бұрын

    @@wavetheorysound yep maybe myUS would work.

  • @sergiobrinas2452

    @sergiobrinas2452

    Жыл бұрын

    @@kyron42 Amazon?

  • @kyron42

    @kyron42

    Жыл бұрын

    @@sergiobrinas2452 thanks it's more expensive on Amazon than Adorama and I'm a massive cheapskate but Amazon is a very easy option.

  • @lowrider007007
    @lowrider007007 Жыл бұрын

    Not sure on the styling, they remind me of ear defenders!

  • @hartyewh1
    @hartyewh1 Жыл бұрын

    The stand might not be the optimal platform for the leakage test. I usually just use my knee/thigh or someone elses head when available. Useful info still.

  • @wavetheorysound

    @wavetheorysound

    Жыл бұрын

    Agreed. I either need a family member to move the mic while the headphone is on my head or get a dummy head... Maybe those aren't different 😆

  • @kyron42
    @kyron42 Жыл бұрын

    Learning to EQ isn't difficult. It just takes a bit of time and trial and error.

  • @wavetheorysound

    @wavetheorysound

    Жыл бұрын

    No, it's not difficult. It's more a convenience thing to me. Keeping track of all this gear already puts an obstacle between music and me. I've heard enough different things to know there really is not need to spend more time than turning a bass knob a radian or 2 to fix a tuning. Just grab something else. However, I recognize that some people enjoy EQ and I have no problem with them doing so.

  • @kyron42

    @kyron42

    Жыл бұрын

    @@wavetheorysound yep EQing is incredibly satisfying. It's like building my own speakers and fine-tuning the crossovers so that it sounds exactly how I like it. When I put on a headphone I select the EQ profile I developed for it.

  • @laika25
    @laika254 ай бұрын

    Huge difference! (leakage)

  • @laika25
    @laika254 ай бұрын

    Saaay.... these companies that send items for review... Just how many total units of such item do they give out??? Seems like EVERY reviewer on Earth has received a copy... In the case of the Sundara closed back so far I've counted at least a dozen reviewers. 😅

  • @laika25
    @laika254 ай бұрын

    ...kay... kay... kay....😅

  • @kyron42
    @kyron42 Жыл бұрын

    I don't like the Beach ear cups. Silver would have been much better.

  • @colingordon0986
    @colingordon0986 Жыл бұрын

    Sounds like a skip unfortunately! Original sounds a lot better.

  • @kyron42

    @kyron42

    Жыл бұрын

    That's what EQ is for.

  • @Reeeepicheep
    @Reeeepicheep Жыл бұрын

    Sundara closed is horrifyingly bad

  • @srkoenma2947

    @srkoenma2947

    Жыл бұрын

    Why