bradbort
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2013
- Posts
- 54
- Likes
- 45
I just received the Sundaras yesterday and am burning them in. I”m comparing them with 400i (old style connections), and some oppo pm3.
In terms of build quality, I definitely think they are a step up from the 400i. As a side note, once my 400i’s were out of warranty, the plastic yoke on one ear cup broke. I had not abused them, it just seemed to be a defect and plastic fatigue. Super glue would not hold the break. When I contacted hifiman, I was told they no longer sold seperate headbands, and I would have to ship them — back to CHINA! — for repairs. Zikes. After some back and fourth, and the intervention of the audiophiliac, they sold me a pair of demos for about the price of the headphone repair. Hopefully they’ve expanded enough by now that they can handle minor repairs like this in the US.
At any rate, the all metal construction will clearly not break in the same way. The adjustments are stable (they don’t easily shift once you have set them). The earcups seem to be solid aluminum. The headband is very comfortable, and it looks a bit better then the 400i. I’ve been wearing them for several hours at a time with no issues.
Sound quality is very good. I’m just 24 hours into burn in, but comparing to the 400i, they have a bit more base, and the vocals are somewhat more present. Imaging and spaciousness is very good. I’m not sure how much the sound signature will change after the recommended 150 hour burn in (if at all, I”m not sure how big a believer I am in burn in), but I certainly don’t think they will get worse.
Compared to the oppo pm-3, they are just as easy to drive, and have a greater sense of imaging, as one would expect of open vs closed back cans. I use the oppo’s to wander around. The hifiman’s are just as easy to drive, but the open backed approach is not great for my morning commute!
I’ve seen some comments about sibilence. I have not heard it. I’ve also heard one person talk about a rattle with some forms of low base. I have not heard that either.
I was considering, instead of buying these, buying the new MR Speaker Aeon Flux opens. I’ve read that they do interesting things with the sound quality and have more “slam”. What dissuaded me is that most say they don’t image as well, and that is one of the things I love about hifiman. The other thing is that they cost $300 more. I also prefer headphones that don’t change the sound signature that much, even if it might be fun initially.
In terms of whether they are worth the current price difference (inventory clearing price for 400i vs current price for Sundara), I”d say for me, yes. I”m fairly confident the new can’s will be less prone to breakage, and I do think th sound quality is better...of course, one can always spend more on better sound quality, and how much it’s worth is an individual decision. I have noticed, if it matters to folks, that the new warranty is one year, while the 400i is still selling with a two year warranty if I recall correctly.
If something comes up after my 150 hour burn in, I’ll update my comments here.
In terms of build quality, I definitely think they are a step up from the 400i. As a side note, once my 400i’s were out of warranty, the plastic yoke on one ear cup broke. I had not abused them, it just seemed to be a defect and plastic fatigue. Super glue would not hold the break. When I contacted hifiman, I was told they no longer sold seperate headbands, and I would have to ship them — back to CHINA! — for repairs. Zikes. After some back and fourth, and the intervention of the audiophiliac, they sold me a pair of demos for about the price of the headphone repair. Hopefully they’ve expanded enough by now that they can handle minor repairs like this in the US.
At any rate, the all metal construction will clearly not break in the same way. The adjustments are stable (they don’t easily shift once you have set them). The earcups seem to be solid aluminum. The headband is very comfortable, and it looks a bit better then the 400i. I’ve been wearing them for several hours at a time with no issues.
Sound quality is very good. I’m just 24 hours into burn in, but comparing to the 400i, they have a bit more base, and the vocals are somewhat more present. Imaging and spaciousness is very good. I’m not sure how much the sound signature will change after the recommended 150 hour burn in (if at all, I”m not sure how big a believer I am in burn in), but I certainly don’t think they will get worse.
Compared to the oppo pm-3, they are just as easy to drive, and have a greater sense of imaging, as one would expect of open vs closed back cans. I use the oppo’s to wander around. The hifiman’s are just as easy to drive, but the open backed approach is not great for my morning commute!
I’ve seen some comments about sibilence. I have not heard it. I’ve also heard one person talk about a rattle with some forms of low base. I have not heard that either.
I was considering, instead of buying these, buying the new MR Speaker Aeon Flux opens. I’ve read that they do interesting things with the sound quality and have more “slam”. What dissuaded me is that most say they don’t image as well, and that is one of the things I love about hifiman. The other thing is that they cost $300 more. I also prefer headphones that don’t change the sound signature that much, even if it might be fun initially.
In terms of whether they are worth the current price difference (inventory clearing price for 400i vs current price for Sundara), I”d say for me, yes. I”m fairly confident the new can’s will be less prone to breakage, and I do think th sound quality is better...of course, one can always spend more on better sound quality, and how much it’s worth is an individual decision. I have noticed, if it matters to folks, that the new warranty is one year, while the 400i is still selling with a two year warranty if I recall correctly.
If something comes up after my 150 hour burn in, I’ll update my comments here.