HIFIMAN Sundara Closed-Back

Disclaimer:​

Good morning, readers! Today we are going to review the Hifiman Sundara Closed Back. Thanks to Hifiman for providing this unit to review.

I was particularly anxious to try a closed back with a planar driver, as I always had a slight aftertaste of dissatisfaction with open backs. Not that they sounded bad, but the dispersion in the environment was always high, with the feeling of missing something.

I’m not an audiophile; I’m just a guy that likes to test out different IEMs, headphones, and DACs and spends a lot of time listening to music. I fall into the audio enthusiast category.

So I’m not going to use super-technical words to review it, but I will do my best to describe it.

Tech Specs:​

• Driver: Planar Neo Supernano Diaphragm
• Frequency Response: 6 Hz–50 kHz
• Sensitivity: 98db
• Impedance: 20 ohm
• Weight: 432 g

Packaging:​

The Hifiman Sundara Closed-Back, like all Hifiman, has the exact same box. Simple cardboard box, black label, and usual accessories.


As accessories, we find:

• The cable
• the 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter
• Digital manual via QR

Leaving aside the current price at which they are offered, the real lack of these headphones is at least a carrying bag. The cable is the usual stock supplied with all Hifiman products. On this occasion, I also noticed the lack of headphone support, which, for example, was included in the He400Se.

Design/Build Quality:​

In my opinion, the Sundara Closed-Back has a perceived quality that is superior to all those I have had in my hands so far. I don’t even think it’s because of the actual superior quality but because of the presence of a material like beech wood. This material on the earcups gives a touch of quality and substance to the product that other models did not have. The choice of materials is important and this beech wood represents an excellent example. If we take the Hifiman HE-R9, for example, the earcups were made of very thin plastic and really bulky. The lightness of a pair of headphones is fundamental, but I think that a correct distribution of weight on the headband and ears could be the solution.



Starting with the metal headband, I find it more comfortable than that of the HE400SE, but in terms of durability, I see it as more delicate. The earcups are soft and of good quality, and under each earcup we find the 3.5mm connector (they look good too). Looking at the product also from the photos, it seems clear to me that even just by looking at them, you can notice more details and finishes with superior quality. If the quality of all of them were raised to similar levels by also using premium materials in more parts of the product, I wouldn’t mind at all.

Fit & Comfort:​

With my eyes closed, I think it is impossible to distinguish the comfort on the ears between a Sundara closed-back and a He400Se. The biggest difference is in the headband, which, with a wide band, places the weight on the head more evenly. In terms of feel, it is closer to the Philips X2HR.


No discomfort felt even after 3 hours of listening, the only thing being that all over-ears heat up a lot. Now that we are in the summer, the greatest annoyance has arisen from this.

Initial Sound Impressions + Practical Consideration:​

The Hifiman Sundara Closed-Back is, in my opinion, a step up compared to the open-backs seen so far in this price range, but there are pros and cons. Starting from the pros, I would first of all say the isolation from external noises; external sounds do not penetrate the pavilion, making the headphones also suitable for noisier environments (not total isolation), better low frequency response, but a reduction of sparks and airiness. In a certain sense, I feel I prefer this closed variant compared to the open ones precisely because of the reduced dispersion. The sound is warmer and fuller; I don’t notice any nasality.

Equipment used for the testing above:​

Device:

• Redmi Note 7
• Poco M4 Pro
• OSX

Software:

• Amazon music UHD 24bit 96kHz
• Spotify

Dac:

• Fiio KA17 (Well on balanced)
• Creative SoundBlaster X5 (slightly more warm presentation)
• Fosi SK02 (brightest and smoothest performance)

The most used Dac/Amp was the Fosi SK02 in balanced mode. I don’t know how, but some balanced cables have an obviously thicker 4.4mm terminal, and I can’t insert them where I want, but only in some dongles.

Final sound impressions:​

Right from the start, the Hifiman Sundara Closed-back gave me positive sensations of a particularly successful headphone. The reason for this first impression is certainly due to the fact that it is closed-back and especially the low frequencies have benefited from it. The bass is slightly more natural than a Harman target, and the sub-bass extension has improved. Finally, the low frequencies are not dispersed but can be heard distinctly by the user. I won’t hide from you that the Hifiman HE400SE is excellent, but in terms of bass, they are highly dispersive. I had some improvements via a balanced cable and more power, but I never reached levels similar to the Sundara Closed-Back. On the one hand, we have this improvement, while on the other, we have slightly warmer mids and a little recess (not too much). I believe the high frequencies are of the same quantity as the HE400SE; they are never sibilant or harsh, and thanks to the greater presence of bass, they are well balanced. Perhaps we could have even been more daring by trying to restore some extra details and, above all, more air. Overall, I think it’s the best Hifiman I’ve tried so far.

Treble​

For long listening, I think the amount of treble is perfect. Not being annoying or extremely bright, they allow for very long listening sessions. They are quite energetic and smooth, and despite the safe approach, they manage to achieve a good level of detail and micro-details without overdoing it. It is certainly not the brightest Hifiman headphones; the open-back ones fare better, but I must say that despite everything, the amount of treble is suitable for a wide audience.

Mids​

The tonality is quite spot on; they are slightly recessed compared to the rest, but they clearly remain the protagonists of the listening. Perhaps there is a slight sensation of veiling on some tracks, but it could be due to the warmth added by the low range. Excellent on pop and R&B tracks. They fare better on female voices and musical instruments that are quite consistent.

Bass​

I believe the real protagonists are the Sundara closed-back bass performances, not so much for quantity but for their presence compared to other models. Surprisingly, this model is particularly balanced and suitable for different musical genres; I believe it is one of the best Hifiman heaphones in this price range. It would be extremely curious to know how the choice of wood affects whether another material would have had the same result or not. Finally, the bass is present, quite fast and precise in its region. I don’t notice any bleeding.

Soundstage & Imaging:​

In terms of soundstage, the Hifiman open-backs have the upper hand; even the air has a completely different presence, which helps a lot to give the sensation of greater depth to the sounds. The sound is just outside your ears, except for a few details. In terms of image, I think the level is similar, but the perception is different. Open backs sound brighter, while closed backs sound “darker.”. The image and layering are good, and it is easy to identify the musical instruments separately.

Fast Comparison:​

Vs Hifiman He400Se


He400se
The HE400Se remains Hifiman’s best entrylevel buy. But those who directly want something superior or to upgrade could easily consider the Sundara Closed-Back. In terms of sound, they are less neutral, but the added bass makes them more fun. I recommend taking a look at the full review to get an idea.

Vs Hifiman Deva Pro


It is a decided improvement compared to the HE400SE but being Open-back, we have the same problems. Personally, the Sundara Close-Backs are slightly superior, in my opinion.

Vs Hifiman HE-R9


Hifiman HE-R9
These Hifiman left me a bit perplexed; the sound is decent only through the Bluemini. The conditions were excellent but the construction is not the best; the earcups are made of thin plastic and their sound is very dull. You are forced to take the Bluemini but the price rises considerably.

Conclusion:​

I can’t tell you exactly whether, by going up in price on top models, the open-backs will return to reign supreme, but these Hifiman Sundara closed-backs represent an excellent choice, especially at the price of 149 USD. They are definitely better than my Philips Fidelio X2HR, especially for the fairly modern musical genres that I listen to. The construction quality is undoubtedly better than the Hifiman ones that I have had the opportunity to try and if we add that the sound is also satisfying, it makes this model an excellent purchase. I propose more closed-back headphones in the future, and above all, Hifiman must try to use materials such as aluminum (light alloys) and wood.

If you intend to buy them, you will need a Dongle/Dac at least as powerful as the Fosi SK02 and possibly a balanced cable to get the most out of them. They are not extremely hard to fly but they are not extremely sensitive.

More information (no affiliated links):​

• https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/sundara-closed-back.html
• https://hifiman.com/products/detail/324

Sundara Closed-Back - Ignore the name, this is a stunning headphone at its price​

It can be hard to look past a name but I believe early reviewers assumed this headphone would sound like the well-loved Sundara “Open back” but with more sound isolation, but of course it does not. And now that Hifiman have recently lowered the price of the Sundara Closed-back to $149, I believe it is time to revisit this headphone for what it is and not for it’s name.



While the Sundara Closed-back shares some of the same technology and design as the ’normal’ Sundara it is very much its own headphone and the most distinct aspect is the gorgeous wooden ear cups. The quality of these alone make this headphone a unique proposition at this price point.

I would like to thank Mark from Hifiman for providing the Sundara Closed-back for the purposes of review

Introduction​

So lets get into the details, and see if this headphone can stand on its own and be a good choice to add to your collection.

Packaging and Unboxing​

The Sundara Closed-back comes in usual Hifiman premium packaging.

Inside you will find the headphones securely nestled within a protective foam, accompanied by box containing a detachable cable manual, one recent change I believe is the packaging does not now turn into a headphone stand as it did previously:

Build Quality​

The Sundara Closed-back boasts a robust construction, with a metal frame and high-quality plastic ear-cups, ensuring durability and a premium feel. The materials used strike a balance between strength and lightweight comfort, contributing to the headphone’s overall excellent build quality.



Pictures probably do not do it justice how nice the look of the wooden ear cups :

Comfort and Fit​

Headband​

I very much prefer this headband over the one used on the Edition XS or HE-R9, for my large head it provides extra support allowing for longer listening sessions. The headband is padded with a soft, breathable material that provides comfort without getting warm. The weight is evenly distributed across the headband, minimizing pressure points and enhancing comfort.

Adjustability​

Especially in adjustable this is the best of the hifiman headband styles and will allow a comfortable fit the majority of head sizes, ensuring a secure fit for most users.

Clamping Force​

The clamping force is firm enough to keep the headphones securely in place without causing discomfort, suitable for long listening periods.

Ear-cups Size​

The ear-cups are generously sized to accommodate different ear sizes, ensuring a comfortable fit.

Cushioning​

The cushions are made from a soft, breathable material, providing comfort and enhancing sound isolation.

Sound Isolation​

The Sundara Closed-back offers excellent sound isolation, for the past few weeks I have been using these in a large noisy open-plan office environment, and they have been fantastic both in isolating me from the outside noise but also allowing me to get into deep concentration playing loud music without causing any of my colleagues to complain.

Sound Quality​

The general sound signature is different from most Hifiman (especially their planars) it is more mid-centric with a good but not boosted bass and a slightly recessed treble compared to Hifiman normal treble response. Therefore, this does not have the typical Hifiman ‘house sound’ but it can be a very enjoyable sound signature on its own, with fast bass (I personally think the ‘harman bass boost’ is a little too much so the bass on these is very close to my personal target) and a great midrange. With the treble I personally would like slightly more, but for those who are susceptible to sibilance this could be the perfect sound signature.

Let’s get into the details

Bass​

The bass is tight, controlled, and detailed, with enough punch to satisfy without overwhelming the balance of the sound profile. I really enjoyed these with “The Hunter” by Bjork, the bass was very present but never drowned out Bjork’s vocals. Portishead’s ‘Roads’ sounded the amazing, I could play it much louder than I normally would, with nice controlled bass laying a foundation for the gorgeous vocals, strings and snare drums.

Midrange​

The midrange is probably the star here, nicely forward in most songs, very clear and natural, presenting vocals and instruments with lifelike clarity and depth. “Baby plays around” by “Anne Sofie van Otter and Elvis Costello” was just fantastic, every subtle detail in her voice could be heard. With “Diamond on the soles of her shoes” by “Paul Simon” all the layers of vocals and subtle interplay of vocal was clear and forward in the mix making it a great pleasure listening to that whole album again.

Treble​

As I mentioned earlier the treble is an area that might be either perfect (if you hate sibilance there is no chance with these headphones) or you might feel it little lacking especially compared to other Hifiman headphones. Some EQ can easily solve this problem and bring back some of those ’technicalities’. So with ‘Japanese House’s ‘Over here’ the vocals which can get sibilant with some headphones and IEM’s sounded refreshing detailed without being overly sharp. With ‘Corrie Bailey Rae’ ‘Enchantment’ the subtle symbols where present and sharp but never overbearing. The treble on ‘Billie Jean’ by Michael Jackson sounded incredible with its percussive drum machine really providing the foundation for the rest of the track.

Soundstage and Imaging​

Despite the closed-back design, the Sundara offers a good soundstage and some precise imaging, creating a sense of space and directionality while not as good as their open backs was excellent. With The Beatles ‘Her Majesty (2019 mix)’ the vocals moved precisely from the right the left. With Led Zeppelins ‘Whole Lotta Love’ the middle section with the ‘swirling guitars’ clearly moved forward and backward in the mix rotating around Robert Plants vocals.

Audio Quality Conclusion​

If you set your expectations correctly, the Hifiman Sundara Closed-back delivers an excellent audio experience. I personally would EQ these slightly (see my EQ recommendations later on) but in most of my test tracks other than this being a closed back I never felt it lacking. Some people will like more sub-bass (and maybe slightly less mid-bass) and others will no doubt want a little more treble but that is the beauty of a headphone collection, you should have different headphones with different sound profiles.

If you want a closed back in this price range with pure ‘Harman target’ tuning then go for an AKG K371, but I bet you will end up applying some EQ to that headphone, so why have an ugly, uncomfortable closed back when you can have a gorgeous closed back like the Sundara Closed-Back and do a little EQ if you do not like the sound signature.

Specs and Measurements​

Frequency Response​

The Sundara Closed-back shows good channel matching and you can see that this is a mid-centric headphone. But this is very easy to EQ as you will see later:

Distortion​

Distortion is minimal, even at higher volumes (I measured this at nearly 90db), ensuring a clean and accurate reproduction of the audio.

EQ​

While you can easily enjoy the Sundara Closed-backs with EQ, it takes incredible well to EQ. Oratory has provided some highly recommended (even by him) EQ (here)[https://www.dropbox.com/s/r3g7nq13j5ozy36/Hifiman Sundara Closed-Back.pdf?dl=0]

With this EQ effectively provides a harman sub-bass (which I would not personally not bother with), lowers the mid-bass (to match the Harman target) again not necessarily, he then tidies up a bit of the midrange and uses a few filters to even out the lower treble.

Mods​

One interesting aspect of the Sundara Closed-back is its potential for modding and at its price it makes complete sense, check out the ‘Custom Cans’ channel on YouTube for lots of detail of how to mod the Sundara Closed-back.

Rating​

I gave the Hifiman Sundara Closed-back a pragmatic rating of 4 for its exceptional looks, comfort and even though the sound signature is not perfect its easy to EQ.

Summary​

Hifiman Sundara Closed-back an excellent choice for those seeking a high-quality listening experience balanced with a striking design and extreme. It’s not perfect but at $149 it is an exceptional pragmatic closed back with no rivals.

General/Build/Comfort/Packaging
Having tested the Sundara previously and had a very good experience with it, its only natural that i have the same expectation for Sundara Closed , the differences between the Sundara and Sundara Closed, of course one being open backed and the latter a closed back, Sundara Closed is using stealth magnets whereas the Sundara does not. For your information, Sundara Closed is released five years after the original Sundara, which until today, is still the most sought after headphones of hobbyists, be it those new to the hobby, or even a seasoned audiophile. The earcups are made out of wood grains and look very classy and stylist, the head band is similar to the Sundara’s. In terms of comfort, the Sundara Closed is a little bit heavier compared to Sundara, possibly due to the wood grain earcups, yet, it doesn’t weigh down on your head when you are wearing the headphone. Packaging is the same as Sundara’s, I personally think that a headphone storage case will serve a better purpose than the headphone stand.



Gears used for this review

• Earmen Tradutto -> Earmen CH-Amp
• Earmen Colibri
• Hiby R6 II
• Hifiman Sundara Closed Stock Cable

Foreword
My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far

Sound Impression
Sundara Closed sounds quite different compared to Sundara to my ears. I would describe the Sundara Closed as a more “fun” sounding headphone compared to Sundara. In terms of tonality, Sundara Closed is warmer and sounds fuller compared to Sundara.

Bass

• Bass is quite speedy and has good control overall, certainly not “loose” sounding
• Sub bass has slightly better extension due to it being a closed back, mid bass is also punchier and the bass sounds full overall
• Handling tracks like Slipknot’s People=crap! speed drumming like a champ, good speed for the asking price,
• The bass doesn’t bleed into the mids

Mids

• The mids are somewhat lacking in terms of resolution, yet it is not recessed nor in your face
• Vocal for both male and females has good enough textures to them, they both sounded very full and not dull at all
• Upper mids are generally safe to my ears and not certainly not shouty
• Details of this range is good enough for the asking price

Treble

• The treble has enough energy yet it is smooth at the same time, certainly not dark
• Detail retrieval is quite good, micro details can be picked up easily
• The treble performance is safe overall, never sibilant nor has any weird peaks

Soundstage/Imaging

• Soundstage is a little lacking in my opinion, partly due to it being a closed back i believe
• Just slightly out of your head to not sound overly congested, depth and height perception is quite good, not exceptional, but not bad either
• Instruments can be picked up easily where it is coming from
• Good layering and separation

Driveability

• Sundara Closed is very easy to drive,doesn’t require a lot of power to perform at its best, unlike its sibling the OG Sundara
• Dongles released recently will power the Sundara Closed just fine
• However, as with most Hifiman headphones, Sundara Closed does scale with better source and amping as well

Comparison (Sundara)

• Sundara sounds more technical compared to Sundara closed
• Not as warm as Sundara Closed
• Harder to drive compared to Sundara Closed
• Bass is tighter and has better speed
• Mid range is very detailed
• A little bit more energy on the treble
• Slightly wider soundstage

Final Thoughts
Sundara Closed is quite different from the OG Sundara to my ears, in terms of tuning and of course the design. The Sundara Closed is more of a headphone with the “Fun” characteristic and can handle a little bit of occasional critical listening sessions. If you already have the OG Sundara and the tuning is not something that you prefer, i don’t see a point for you to buy one, but, if you are someone who’s in the lookout for such a signature, the Sundara Closed is for you. Recommended for a fun listening session rather than critical listening!

*EDIT:
At the sale price of 149$ currently, instead of the usual 399$, this deal is a no brainer deal and highly recommended especially if it priced at a sale price for 149$

*The Hifiman Sundara Closed was sent over by Hifiman for the purpose of this review, I received no monetary compensation nor was I influenced in any way to produce this review.

If you are interested in getting a pair, head over to their official store to grab one now! It is currently available for 149$, i repeat, 149$ instead of 399$, for the performance and value, a total steal!

Hifiman Sundara Closed - Non affiliated
Hifiman Sundara Closed Product Page