I have switched from an Elegia to the Ananda and for me it is a big step up.
For my head/ears the comfort of the Ananda is much better and soundwise I think it is better in any regard besides maybe punch.
The fact Ananda comes with two good cables and Elegia comes with one of the worst cables ever (IMO) I think is also to consider.
I also tested the Elegia with Stellia pads (expensive!) and liked it a bit more than with the stock pads - still not in the same league as Ananda.
What I really like as a closed back: Audeze Mobius. It can be used wireless with good LDAC codec, or directly as USB dac and sounds really good if you want a punchy and maybe intimate sound. It is also usable as headset for gaming/videomeetings etc. and comes with a mic. Lots of features, possibilities and sound for the price I think!
We share the same upgrade path then. And I agree, I am contemplating selling my Elegia after buying the Ananda. Hifiman tuning seems quite spot on with my taste. Anybody tried out the closed back Dan Clark Aeon 2 yet? Any general impressions?
Both good options for closed back. If you are used to the way open back cans sound, you will need to lower your expectations a little bit. Elegia has a beautiful mids and amazing clarity, but soundstage is rather small. It is certainly an intimate headphone. The bass is controversial. For me, deep and extended enough; many consider it bass lite (which I don't agree). Elegia is my go-to office headphone as I was able to achieve quite a good seal. T5p is a good headphone--quite on the neutral side, but I get bored with it after a while so I sold it. Both are easy to drive and are not amp dependent. A decent DAP will drive them well.
There's a real limitation to what a closed back headphones can do. I tried the more expensive Focal Stelia, yet that one doesn't wow me at all. Many folks recommend the ZMF eikon, which I havent tried. Still, I tend to buy closed back just for the convenience, and would be hesitant to spend more than 800 on one. I bought the Elegia at launch for 900 and it doesnt sound as good as the Ananda in my humble opinion.
I have switched from an Elegia to the Ananda and for me it is a big step up.
For my head/ears the comfort of the Ananda is much better and soundwise I think it is better in any regard besides maybe punch.
The fact Ananda comes with two good cables and Elegia comes with one of the worst cables ever (IMO) I think is also to consider.
I also tested the Elegia with Stellia pads (expensive!) and liked it a bit more than with the stock pads - still not in the same league as Ananda.
What I really like as a closed back: Audeze Mobius. It can be used wireless with good LDAC codec, or directly as USB dac and sounds really good if you want a punchy and maybe intimate sound. It is also usable as headset for gaming/videomeetings etc. and comes with a mic. Lots of features, possibilities and sound for the price I think!
We share the same upgrade path then. And I agree, I am contemplating selling my Elegia after buying the Ananda. Hifiman tuning seems quite spot on with my taste. Anybody tried out the closed back Dan Clark Aeon 2 yet? Any general impressions?
I'm strongly considering buying either the Ananda or the Arya, but I'm torn between the two. I have a Sennheiser HD 700 which is one of the most comfortable headphones I have worn - although the headband foam has disintegrated making them uncomfortable now - and am looking to upgrade, sound quality wise. After reading review after review on both the Ananda and the Arya, I'm somewhat at a crossroads between the better soundstage, separation, and imaging of the Arya vs the comfort of the Ananda.
I'm going to be driving them on a Schiit Lyr 3 multibit, and genres of music that I listen to are mainly K-pop, EDM, some 80's rock, and some mainstream pop like The Weeknd.
I'm strongly considering buying either the Ananda or the Arya, but I'm torn between the two. I have a Sennheiser HD 700 which is one of the most comfortable headphones I have worn - although the headband foam has disintegrated making them uncomfortable now - and am looking to upgrade, sound quality wise. After reading review after review on both the Ananda and the Arya, I'm somewhat at a crossroads between the better soundstage, separation, and imaging of the Arya vs the comfort of the Ananda.
I'm going to be driving them on a Schiit Lyr 3 multibit, and genres of music that I listen to are mainly K-pop, EDM, some 80's rock, and some mainstream pop like The Weeknd.
I had the same dilemma and ended with Ananda. The Ananda is a bit more neutral and I found it an easier listen (although this is relative I consider them both energetic). Plus they were quite a bit cheaper. I love them with EDM. Funny, outside the comfort (although I need to get a headband pad add-on to improve generally), I prefer the wacky headband of the Ayra. Retro cool...
Ongoing saga: Hifiman QC strikes again. I have just sent back my set for a refund. During burn in I noticed that the bass level and detail was different/less in the left ear driver than the right one. I disconnected the R driver in order to burn in the L driver separately but it still sounded off. I looked at the driver with a flashlight (it is semi-transparent), and it looks like there was a hair from the factory that was trapped in between the layers of the driver. There was a definite pattern on it that crossed over the conductive traces at multiple points and I'm pretty sure that that had an effect on it sounding 'off'. It's for this reason that I'm hesitant to buy any used Hifiman, you don't really know if it's slightly defective, and if it is there's no warranty to back it. Were it not for the good sound and value of the Ananda (and planar sound quality in general), I would shop dynamics only. Usually when planars fail it's in the first days or weeks of use, that's another reason that I do a burn in when I first get a set. I am giving Ananda another shot based purely on it's sound quality and comfort. Crossed finger, knocks on wood. I'll keep you posted.
Ongoing saga: Hifiman QC strikes again. I have just sent back my set for a refund. During burn in I noticed that the bass level and detail was different/less in the left ear driver than the right one. I disconnected the R driver in order to burn in the L driver separately but it still sounded off. I looked at the driver with a flashlight (it is semi-transparent), and it looks like there was a hair from the factory that was trapped in between the layers of the driver. There was a definite pattern on it that crossed over the conductive traces at multiple points and I'm pretty sure that that had an effect on it sounding 'off'. It's for this reason that I'm hesitant to buy any used Hifiman, you don't really know if it's slightly defective, and if it is there's no warranty to back it. Were it not for the good sound and value of the Ananda (and planar sound quality in general), I would shop dynamics only. Usually when planars fail it's in the first days or weeks of use, that's another reason that I do a burn in when I first get a set. I am giving Ananda another shot based purely on it's sound quality and comfort. Crossed finger, knocks on wood. I'll keep you posted.
This is also one of the reasons on why I'm hesitant to go with HiFiMan. I've read a horror story on Amazon that shows this exact issue causing scarring on the driver. I'm not sure how reliable customer service is if I do encounter issues.
I'm strongly considering buying either the Ananda or the Arya, but I'm torn between the two. I have a Sennheiser HD 700 which is one of the most comfortable headphones I have worn - although the headband foam has disintegrated making them uncomfortable now - and am looking to upgrade, sound quality wise. After reading review after review on both the Ananda and the Arya, I'm somewhat at a crossroads between the better soundstage, separation, and imaging of the Arya vs the comfort of the Ananda.
I'm going to be driving them on a Schiit Lyr 3 multibit, and genres of music that I listen to are mainly K-pop, EDM, some 80's rock, and some mainstream pop like The Weeknd.
This is also one of the reasons on why I'm hesitant to go with HiFiMan. I've read a horror story on Amazon that shows this exact issue causing scarring on the driver. I'm not sure how reliable customer service is if I do encounter issues.
It's why I always try to factor in an extended warranty as the cost of doing business, I don't want to get burned. $699+ is a lot of money for me as I'm a disabled vet and on a fixed income. I've got the audiophile bug but I have to balance my spending by shopping 'overall value' oriented products. I still like good sound and well recorded music though, it's the hobby that I get plenty of enjoyment from - especially during Covid. I also register my items with the manufacturer so if I have issues I can contact them ASAP. I've had good relationships with most manufacturers.
While I'm waiting for my refund I've got my Mayflower modded t50rp mk3's to fall back on. I must say that they are at least in spitting distance of the Anandas. Imagine Ananda but with smaller sound stage, less bass depth, and less clarity. Still the quick planar response though. Overall a lesser headphone but still enjoyable. It has a rich midrange, if a bit muffled compared to Ananda. I've mostly tamed the treble peak and bass hump with the Mayflower mod. They're bullet proof too. Gotta have a fall-back set, .
Still not sure wether I should upgrade from the Sundara to the Ananda. Any others have had the chance to listen to both to compare them? Is it worth it?
Most important thing for me is actually clarity. I hear lots of rock and metal, which has quite busy parts (lots of instruments at once, distorted guitar + cymbals) where I feel the Sundara doesn't have enough resolution/clarity (don't know which is the correct term). Is there a significant improvement compared to the Sundaras?
I heard the Sundara first, and switched to the Ananda after 2 weeks - was the best decision!
I`m very happy with the Ananda, but it annoys me a little that I have not tried the Ayra before.
In Germany the difference is € 900, and a lot of people who have compared both headphones think that the Ayra are not worth the € 900 more.
However, I am really considering whether I should not give them a listen ...
Still not sure wether I should upgrade from the Sundara to the Ananda. Any others have had the chance to listen to both to compare them? Is it worth it?
Most important thing for me is actually clarity. I hear lots of rock and metal, which has quite busy parts (lots of instruments at once, distorted guitar + cymbals) where I feel the Sundara doesn't have enough resolution/clarity (don't know which is the correct term). Is there a significant improvement compared to the Sundaras?
I strongly recommend DT 1990 for those genres. Ananda is slow/sloppy compared to 1990. ''quite busy parts (lots of instruments at once, distorted guitar + cymbals) '' 1990 resolve those gloriously while Ananda especially at high volumes gets overwhelmed. 1990 gets better and better with high volume. BUT 1990 is high octane headphone be ready for that. It's fatiguing but euphoric. It also has crazy dynamics it can punch you.
Ananda is calm headphone. It's like a classy grandpa or fragile girlfriend. It's better at soundstage and less busy music. You get better texture from instruments and more subtle details.
I strongly recommend DT 1990 for those genres. Ananda is slow/sloppy compared to 1990. ''quite busy parts (lots of instruments at once, distorted guitar + cymbals) '' 1990 resolve those gloriously while Ananda especially at high volumes gets overwhelmed. 1990 gets better and better with high volume. BUT 1990 is high octane headphone be ready for that. It's fatiguing but euphoric. It also has crazy dynamics it can punch you.
Ananda is calm headphone. It's like a classy grandpa or fragile girlfriend. It's better at soundstage and less busy music. You get better texture from instruments and more subtle details.
@lapzoo
I had the DT1990 Pro in direct comparison here, and I sent it back.
In my opinion, the best thing is if you order one or the other model to test
Still not sure wether I should upgrade from the Sundara to the Ananda. Any others have had the chance to listen to both to compare them? Is it worth it?
Most important thing for me is actually clarity. I hear lots of rock and metal, which has quite busy parts (lots of instruments at once, distorted guitar + cymbals) where I feel the Sundara doesn't have enough resolution/clarity (don't know which is the correct term). Is there a significant improvement compared to the Sundaras?
I owned Sundara before I got Ananda. For me Ananda took Sundara's general sound qualities and improved on them in most areas, especially soundstage width, stereo separation, and bass depth. Ananda has a much bigger sound. For me the upgrade was worth it because with Sundara I was always wondering how the next level headphone would sound in comparison. With that being said, Ananda at $699 is quite a bit better than Sundara at $349 but I don't think it's quite twice as good for twice the price. Sundara is decent IMO, and going higher up the food chain (past Ananda) one would start to run into diminishing returns by paying a lot more for incremental improvements. IDK about metal but my Anandas sounded good with faster paced/busy tracks when I put decent power to it, can't wimp out on the headroom for best results. YMMV.
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