They also have very small gap between LCD X creator package which is easily couple of tiers better. We might see price drop for 2C and 2F which i think they should. 2F is more like Ananda competitor. 2C: 600, Ananda: 700, 2F: 800 and X: 1200 would be fair and logical pricing.
Hifiman Ananda
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SilverEars
Headphoneus Supremus
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I disliked the upper frequencies, in which IMO it's the region of the sound spectrum Audeze don't seem to be able to produce well of. People politely say 'dark,' but reality is that the upper-mids was gimped. Saving grace seems to be it's bass, and in which what people appreciate about them, amd likely the way the build looks with it's housing, frames, cable, and the headband. But, the sound is where Audeze feels overpriced in general. Hifimans has it's share of overpriced models as well, but the has wider range of priced models.
In general, Audeze seems poor in pricing in terms of resolution they provide. When I first heard LCD3, and all the hype behind it that slcame with it, and the price, I said 'this is it?' Why do they price their crap like it multiplies every new model? LCD3 was pretty much the same resolution as 2 with just slight tonal improvement/difference.
Audeze made poor decisions with pricing that causes me to suspect their later models to be overpriced.
I wouldn't be surprised if Audeze's sound consistancy level of the drivers was much worse than Hifiman. Hifiman in general seems to be more or less have consistancy in sound tuning.
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PrincessLeliana
500+ Head-Fier
Just picked up a set of these for $620. Should arrive tuesday or wednesday. Hype! Anything to expect from the headphone or things to do? Been told to treat it carefully as it can be a bit fragile ^_^
Fegefeuer
Headphoneus Supremus
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Just don't take them out on a rainy night in Stoke.
Other than that, listen to them and write down your impressions.
Other than that, listen to them and write down your impressions.
PrincessLeliana
500+ Head-Fier
Yeah I plan to treat them carefully
Just need a nice stand to display them on now. Not that great with impressions though, what do I say D: I have liked every headphone I've tried haha
ezduzit2500
1000+ Head-Fier
I just received the wired Anandas today. I got a set of the BT version by mistake a few days ago. I'd planned on making a comparison since some have inquired about the two. I'll check in later. I can tell you now that the fresh out of the box wired Anandas sound noticeably smoother and much less peaky than the week+ old and burned in Ananda BT. Could be my system's characteristics vs the internal BT amp though. More will be revealed...
I just got the wired version after earlier receiving the BT version by mistake. I don't think either have a lack of slam, just not overblown bass. More linear and neutral-ish. I'd say tight and tuneful with good delineation. Of course this depends on how much power they are given (for the wired version). The music being played has an 'impact' also, haha.
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Does the Ananda have better treble clarity than the Sundaras, and is it generally worth to upgrade?
bagwell359
Headphoneus Supremus
Yes. Depends on your finances and other needs of your system. Also if you can locate a nice one that's used, it's even a better deal than buying new - like a friend selling his that only listened on Sundays....
People saying ''Ananda is better version of Sundara'' is that true ? I mean all Hifiman's have similiar tuning but egg shape Ananda should be different than Sundara. Are they really similiar ? With those earpads i imagine Sundara sounding more focused and have a better feeling of transients, speed and slam, Ananda more smooth but also slower.
bagwell359
Headphoneus Supremus
Good points, but he was talking treble, and the Sundara is business like and clean, but also a bit elevated and sorry - somewhat mechanical - like you taught your computer to play flute and it just doesn't sound organic, it's OK, but some liquid quality - it doesn't have.
While I find the Ananda treble difficult - bright - esp 7-10k, and somehow harmonics seem to missing, it's still a more etheral and layered sound. I'd rather listen to any of my 3 main HFM trebles over the Sundara or Ananda, but, that's not the topic.
ezduzit2500
1000+ Head-Fier
I believe that Ananda has better treble clarity overall but a different presentation. I just got mine so it's still in the process of burning in as I listen from time to time. It's airier and more delicate. More lifelike I'd say. Voices sound clear and detailed, not sibilant with good recordings/files, very little sibilance with even bad ones. Smoother overall. I'm not really hearing that peak anymore that Bagwell speaks of. I had my worries, sharp out of the box, but after a fair amount of burn in and playing tunes it has smoothed out nicely. Sundara was sometimes sharp even after burn in but had a tad more high treble. Chimes, triangles just slightly more pronounced on Sundara sometimes, splitting hairs difference. The other qualities of Ananda put it over the top though. It's a richer experience. Bass depth, wider sound stage, transparency, out of the head sounding as opposed to between the ears, etc. Your system will play a part in how they sound. Give them power, more than what the spec sheet says. They respond well. The problem I had with Sundara was multiple driver mismatches. Several different sets had drivers with different tones, less bass on one side, muffled treble on the other, on and on. I decided to stop playing around so I went up a size. So far I'm glad I did.
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ezduzit2500
1000+ Head-Fier
Ananda is sounding like a grown up Sundara to me. In the same family with the speed, clarity, and yes - dynamics, but deeper bass, treble smoothness, wider sound stage, more transparency. Vocals sound more lifelike also.
Then Ananda can be considered to be better tolerance controlled version of Sundara to get better tuned?
Yeah my question wasn't about his post
I agree. I think Ananda not really a good all rounder. It does really good at some genres but doesn't have much soul in other genres. Ananda have some energy up top but it's never sibilant or sharp to me. Just sparkly instruments are a bit forward but definitely smooth. Treble generally is a problem when it affects the vocals. It doesn't make them glare, shiny, sibilant.
bagwell359
Headphoneus Supremus
Well. Some people don't want to deal with used cans, so something like the HE-500 which I'd rather listen to than the Ananda is out. Among new offerings its currently at a good price. I really like the HD-600, but on a transistor amp that doesn't deliver enough current to it? No, I'd take the Ananda. The Ananda like all cans has issues: the headstage is too tall, and its not wide enough, the impact in the bass is a long way from its storied relative - the HE-6. Personally what bothers me seems to bother 12-15% of others that have heard it: it's bright, but it misses details connected with harmonics (IE shiny surface, subtle shadings missing), and yes I and they find it to have elevated response from 7-10k - not to the level of some of the Beyers, but, fatiguing over time.
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