I’ve been privileged to be on the Sundara tour, received them a bit more than a week ago and have been putting them through their paces.
My listening rigs are both supplied with lossless files (a mix of FLAC and ALAC) from a Squeezebox Server (formerly Logitech Media Server or LMS, now being updated in the public domain) to a Squeezebox Classic or Raspberry Pi endpoints with HiFiBerry DigiOut Hats. From those Endpoints, my main system is Schiit’s Bifrost into aSchiit Saga, then to the Schiit Lyr 3. On my office desk are Schiit Modi Multibit and Vali 2. With that said, I’ve had a blast with Sundara, comparing them to my other cans (Hifiman HE4xx, Sennheiser HD6xx, and AKG K-7xx) - Massdrop/Drop has been very good for my ears, as you can tell!
First, I find the Sundara extremely fast and responsive, with a medium-sized soundstage. The sound very neutral to me, with better punch in the bass registers than their cheaper siblings, the HE4xx. Their detail matches or betters that of the Sennheisers, and they are the most comfortable pair of headphones I’ve ever worn. The ear cups are spacious, and the headband is very comfortable - and I have a large head... Build quality is far better than their 4xx siblings, I especially like the sizing mechanism and the new cup yokes. All in all, these are sturdy and well built.
Sound-wise, I love their overall neutrality, the bass punch, and the speed of the new planar elements. That allows for a tonne of great detail and clarity to my older ears (I’m in my late 50s, and spent a number of years as a crew member in a missile silo, which may have caused some hearing loss. So my ears, while obviously not yours, may be suspect.
What i don’t like (and I’m still playing various music to try and analyse it) is the highs, specifically with female operatic vocals, which sound quite shrill and harsh to my ears. I know this is contrary to Currawong’s reviews, but they’re my ears. Specifically, I listened to Lucia Popp as Queen of the Night in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and a disc of French arias by coloratura soprano Sumi Jo. I'm now finding everything I have in that range in any genre, so Geddy Lee and Rush are next on my list. 2112 here I come!
Do I like them enough to buy a pair. Yes I do... And since the headphones are on tour, and I don’t get to keep anything, I owe Hifiman nothing but my thanks for including me on the tour, and giving me a chance to listen to these. BTW, this equipment tour is a brilliant idea, more companies should do this!
I will revise and report after some more higher frequency listening...