It can be tough to find the right headphones these days. Most of the time, you’re left wondering whether it’s all in your head or if you’re just trying to think about what to say as a conversation starter. In the case of HiFiMan, there are many options (perhaps too many), but should you be concerned about each and every one of them? HIFIMAN Sundara VS Ananda will determine whether or not you will like them as headphones.
HifiMan Audio was created in 2005 by Dr. Fang Bian when he was living in New York City. He started as head-directing at the HifiMan. Initially, they began with earphones, plugged in to create compact high-performance players, preceded by plain magnetic headphones. As the company expanded, so did the need to grow, Dr. Bian began two small factories in China in 2010 and relocated the Headquarters to Tianjin China in 2011. Sennheiser and Sound Blaster are almost similar kind of brands for headphones.
The Two renowned headphones of this brand are HIFIMAN Sundara VS Ananda. The Sundara is now regularly priced at $350, although the Ananda’s new selling price of $700 sets it in a much more competitive price bracket than its former pricing of about $1000. Currently, it is not known if this is merely a purchase price, or whether it would be long-discounted.
HIFIMAN SUNDARA
Everywhere that I read the Hifiman Sundara is one of the best choices at under 350 USD. I’ve used this headset for over two weeks and it’s getting better every day. The boxes were shipped in a paper packet. I discovered the warranty card and the instruction manual after simply cutting the cover. The Sundaras were placed securely inside the foam cutout, covered in a silky black fabric, underneath it.
Just the connecting wires and a quarter-inch connector were supplied with this model from Hifiman. Despite the fact that it seems to be bigger than a normal headset, it vanished as soon as I put it on my head. The Sundaras have a sensitivity of 37 Ohm, which means they are not difficult to drive. However, as with all planar headphones, it really comes alive when combined with a decent amplifier.
You’ll be severely underutilizing this beast if you run it from a handset or your PC’s 3.5mm port. To test my machine, I used two devices: the Topping NX4S portable amplifier and then the Topping DX3 Pro. “Airy” and “spacious” are the first two words that come to mind when defining the Sundaras. The sound appeared to come from all directions, however, you could pinpoint where it was coming from with your finger. Yosi Horikawa’s “Bubbles” was played.
The imaging blew my mind; there were so many things going on at once in this album, but each one could be distinguished individually. It was going on everywhere about you.
Specification:
- Sensitivity: 94 dB
- Headphone type: over-ear
- Impedance: 37 Ohm
- Weight: 313 g
- Product dimension: 11*6.8*12.1`
- Lf extension: <20hz
- Distortion : 0.1% / <0.1%
Pros :
- Relatively balanced tuning.
- Value for money.
- Good technical ability
- Premium materials were used in the production of this device.
- And in longer listening sessions, it’s relaxing.
- Good build quality.
Cons :
- Treble may be more plentiful than some would prefer.
- The stock cable can be improved.
- Need improvement on noise cancelation.
Here’s a list of Best high impedance headphones and HIFIMAN Sundara should be one of them.
HIFIMAN ANANDA
The hifiman Ananda is as well-built as any other Hifiman I’ve ever used. The Sundara and the Jade II are the same. I would note that this device seems to be high-pitched than the Jade II I was using on the loaner trip. I’ll note that I’m not a big fan of the latest headband model.
The absence of hinge adjustment isn’t optimal, and while it hasn’t been a problem for me, and I don’t think it would be for most people with drivers as big as the Ananda, it would be good to have it as an alternative. I think the transition from plastic to metal for the yoke device is a smart one since it can help to reduce the problem of breaking plastics.
I really wish that the support band was made of a lightweight weight since I think that people who do not have hair on top of their heads would like something softer on their heads than a hard brace. The vertical adjustment was totally worthless as the headphone actually fits on the head without it. This was the same problem I had with Hifiman’s popular Edition X line’s v2 version. The headphones have a true massive head adjustment.
Specs :
- Sensitivity: 103 dB
- Impedance: 25 Ohms
- Headphone type: Over-ear, open-back
- Driver: Planar magnetic
- Cable Length: 1.5 m
- Dimensions :16*14*10
- Weight:399g
Pros
- Comfortable for long listening sessions.
- Lighter weight than some large planar headphones.
- Large planar driver equates to large.
- Does scale with better gear, extends well
- Different than other similarly priced planars at this price point.
- A fairly balanced presentation of sound.
Cons
- Not as well extended on the top as others at this price.
- Headband adjustment is useless.
- Does tends to sound overly compressed.
- The worst stock cables of all time.
Brief comparison of HIFIMAN Sundara VS Ananda :
Pros of Sundara
- Relatively balanced tuning.
- Value for money.
- Good technical ability
- Premium materials were used in the production of this device.
- And in longer listening sessions, it’s relaxing.
- Good build quality.
Cons of Sundara
- Treble may be more plentiful than some would prefer.
- The stock cable can be improved.
- Need improvement on noise cancelation.
If you love headphones great sound quality like this, take a peak at Sennheiser Momentum 2 and 3
Pros of Ananda
- Comfortable for long listening sessions.
- Lighter weight than some large planar headphones.
- Large planar driver equates to large.
- Does scale with better gear, extends well
- Different than other similarly priced planars at this price point.
- A fairly balanced presentation of sound.
Cons of Ananda
- Not as well extended on the top as others at this price.
- Headband adjustment is useless.
- Does tends to sound overly compressed.
- The worst stock cables of all time.
Check out these similar kinds of headphones Sennheiser HD 598 and 599
Build and design of HIFIMAN Sundara VS Ananda :
The Ananda has a more stylish look and feels more resilient than Sundara.
Sundara :
The design and build are almost similar to what I tested previously. It’s the same compact planar magnetic headphone that I’d grown to love, and it’s a simple but effective concept in many ways. Sad to say, HiFiMAN did not have any cup swivels in the yokes, which I had hoped for. They were able to add a swivel to the Ananda-BT, so I don’t see why they couldn’t do the same for the Sundara.
The design and quality are essentially unchanged, although the side parts for changing the headband are notably more rugged. Last year, HiFiMAN sent me two units for analysis, and this piece was a little loose on both of them, but I’m pleased to say that it isn’t as rickety on this new model. At the front of the angle, where the pad is nearest to the cheek, the pads are significantly thinner. And while this does not seem like a positive idea considering how flimsy they feel in the front, trust me when I say it is. As a result, the Sundara is not only more relaxed, but it also has a stronger frequency response.
The pads imitate the Focus Pads listed on HiFiMAN’s website, and it appears to be the same pad as the ones I used previously, with perforations on the inside. However, the increased sound, new sound, and improvements in frequency response lead me to conclude that this pad was deliberately revamped to better accommodate the Sundara, and that it’s one way to get around the headphone’s lack of swivel. Owing to the heavier front portion of the pad, the previous one has slightly more clamp force on my jaw, but I have had no issues with this new one and have worn it for the majority of the day without issue.
Ananda :
The Ananda has a distinct design style and aesthetics, going for HiFiMAN’s egg-shape cups rather than the Sundara’s round cups. This is identical to HiFiMAN’s expensive headphones, such as the HE-1000 and Edition X from a few years ago, but it’s a long cry from the more conventional styles seen in the HE-500 and HE-400 range, which launched the brand.
For the most part, the Ananda feels solid. The plastic arm extension bits on the sides of the headband aren’t my preference, but they do the job and hold the weight down. Fortunately, the Ananda weighs in at under 400g, rendering it one of the lightest planar magnetic headphones accessible. That’s a typical trade-off we have to make in order to get the high-performance planars are known for, but HiFiMAN seems to have tackled the weight problem pretty well.
The fact that the cups do not swivel is my biggest complaint in terms of convenience. The fact that Ananda is usually very relaxed in their default role helps to minimize. However, I was hoping HiFiMAN could upgrade this headband design to include the tiny notches seen on the Ananda-BT that make for some swivel. Nevertheless, it’s very simple to get it to fit properly and be comfortable, and I assume that most people would find the Ananda comfortable to wear for longer periods of time. I was able to wear it for an entire workday – almost 8 hours – with no complications.
For something more on the casual side, check out the 5 Best Headphones for Sensitive Ears.
Winner: Ananda
Value for money :
The Sundara has a lower asking price, making it an ultimate choice for most consumers.
Sundara
At $350, I can’t think of a headphone that outperforms the Sundara in terms of detail retrieval. Although the Sundara doesn’t match to flagship ‘kilo-buck’ headphones in terms of image structural definition or textural nuances, it is far superior in terms of image clarity and distinction to everything else in its price point. In reality, the Focal Elex and HiFiMAN’s Ananda are the next steps up in terms of detail that I can think of.
Ananda
The Ananda, at $700, is one of the best at it. It’s clear that it’s not quite up to the standard of much more expensive flagships like the Arya or the HEDD audio HEDDphone, but it’s also better than much, if not all, of the competition under $1000. The detail retrieval on the HiFiMAN Ananda is extraordinary
Winner: Sundara
Speed and Dynamics
Overall, these headphones are very similar in this section.
Sundara
Under $600, the Sundara is one of the tightest and the most well-controlled headphones on the market. It possesses all of the characteristics that reviewers equate with the word ‘planar speed,’ which is a promising sign for what I think is a single-sided magnetic array. The HiFiMAN HE500’s predecessor sounds great, but it was also a lot bigger, and it seems that HiFiMAN has worked out how to maintain detail and pace without the use of large magnetic arrays.
Thankfully, the imaging on the Sundara is great, due in part to strong driver matching and no channel imbalance. If I were to explain the picture distribution of the Sundara, it would appear like a triangle in front of me. While there is a strong lateral definition, the transition from left to right as the picture pans around the front is a little more rapid than for the Focal Elegia, which has a more even spread across the front. The Sundara’s instrument isolation is also outstanding, much superior to everything else in its price range, and I equate this quality with picture clarity and detail.
Ananda
This is a fascinating category because, while the Ananda excels in terms of tempo, immediacy, and in tightness it falls short in terms of punch and slam for the majority of its frequency response. I claim more of the frequency response because the punch comes back a little when I listen to music with sub-bass frequencies. This is something I’ve seen with other HiFiMAN headphones of the same ‘egg-shape’ style, so I’m assuming it’s just the function of that parameter.
As a result, the Ananda has a softer overall appearance, losing any of the tactile effects that headphones with strongly excursive dynamic drivers, such as the Focal Elear or Elex, have. However, I agree there is a case to be made that this smoother presentation is something of refinement and that it is simply preferable for those styles of music. However, I do lack a little of the slam quality in music that doesn’t rely heavily on the sub-bass frequencies.
Here’s more about How do Headphones work, if you’re interested.
Winner: Tie
Performance
While the HiFiMan Sundara has a better mid-range, the HiFiMan Ananda are better critical listening headphones.
The Sundara’s technical success hasn’t improved since I last saw it, which is a positive thing. In terms of technological capacity for detail retrieval, tempo, and dynamics, I had originally referred to the Sundara as a performance standard. This is still the case today.
The Ananda is a planar magnetic headphone, so it exhibits all of the characteristics of planar magnetic headphones in its technological performance. HiFiMAN has used what they call their super nano diaphragm in the Ananda, which is one of the thinnest materials available. My assumption is that this helps the headset to be both lighter (in absence of heavy magnets) and more powerful.
Performance-wise Ananda is the winner but comparing the price point Sundara has it performs exceptionally well.
Winner: Sundara
Conclusion on HIFIMAN Sundara VS Ananda
Sundara
The HiFiMAN Sundara comes highly recommended. Changes to the pads not only make them more convenient, but they also boost the sound quality from the previous device I checked, which I always felt was a great-sounding headphone.
The Sundara, much like the HD6XX before it, should be thought of as the latest performance benchmark, as it tries to compete with headphones of much higher price points. Once again, I’m blown away and a little taken aback by how good this is for the money, and I can’t think of anything else I’d rather have within a much larger price range.
Ananda
While making an analysis I was curious if there were any hidden changes or differences between this device and the one I had previously tested, but nothing stood out to me as suggesting major differences. If something was changed, it seemed to be aesthetic, and it had little effect on the frequency response or the way it matched.
So, as with my previous analysis, I have no hesitation about recommending the HiFiMAN Ananda. It was awesome when it was $1000, and it’s much cooler now that it’s on sale for $700. The Ananda is so amazing in my view that I deem it a benchmark headphone at this selling price – hoping it remains there.
Winner: Sundara
Compared to other Products
HiFiMan HE-400i
While the HiFiMan HE-400i and HiFiMan Sundara are identical versions, the Sundara is a better pair of headphones. They’re more well built than the HE-400i, and the treble range isn’t as sharp. However, these variations are small, and the HE-400i could be a better value for others because it is less expensive.
Sennheiser HD800S
The HiFiMan Ananda and the Sennheiser HD800s are very similar in terms of sound quality. But not by much, the Sennheiser has a higher, more robust construction standard. They still have a more premium appearance and a much more open-sounding audio reproduction, but this may be due to the fact that they sound a little lighter. Due to their planar magnetic drivers, the HiFiMan have a fine, well-balanced tone, with a little more bass than the Sennheiser. They’re still a little less expensive than the Sennheisers, but HiFiMan headphones are subject to wear and tear.
Sennheiser HD 650
The HiFiMan Sundara are superior to Sennheiser HD 650 in terms of neutral listening. The HiFiMan has more bass and more reliable treble output. They also have a larger soundstage and feel more quiet, but there have been rumors of Sennheiser quality management problems, but the Sennheiser is still a decent option.
Final verdict
In my view, when it comes to HIFIMAN Sundara VS Ananda, the answer to the question is ananda worth it over the Sundara depends on whether or not you already own the Sundara. If you do, I assume the answer is most definitely no. The Sundara has a similar excellent frequency response to the Ananda, but with a marginally better punch and slam, and is half the price. If you don’t already own a Sundara, however, the possibility of investing more money on the Ananda is worth considering.
The Ananda has a larger and more polished soundstage, improved information retention, and a little more bass capacity, in my opinion. So, if you don’t have a Sundara, the Ananda may be worth saving up for.
From a buyer’s point of view, the Sundara is a better option.
Winner: Sundara
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Hi, my name is Afnan Bin Ibrahim, and I’m an aspiring freelance writer. Read more