HiFiMAN Sundara

Sundara is an open-back, or in Danish; open headphones intended for home use as the open design lets in ambient sound. So it is not a headphone that can be used on the train or on the plane. On the other hand, the completely open design acknowledges with an enormous soundstage and airiness that is much closer to a sitting-in-front-of-a-set-of-speakers experience than an actual headphone experience. Instead of ordinary, dynamic units known from other headphones as well as speakers, Hifiman uses so-called planar magnetic membranes. This membrane covers a very large area in the cup and is thinner than a human hair. Planar technology has some advantages compared to dynamic devices, and has, among other things, no surface distortion in the upper frequency range. The light diaphragms also make the Sundara a relatively light-powered headphone that doesn't need a crazy powerful amplifier to sound good.

Where some headphone manufacturers can fail is in the ergonomic design. Sometimes there is a little too much thought in terms of form over function and it just doesn't do when you are talking on headphones that are worn for several hours at a time. Fortunately, Hifiman has produced so many headphones that they have a very good handle on ergonomics. The leather headband has a good weight distribution and the stiff aluminum bar can be adjusted in nine steps for an optimal fit, so that the 380 grams that Sundara weighs sits well on the head. The hanger and cups are made of black, anodized aluminum with grids in glossy black. The Sundara oozes quality and, especially in this price range, it is a very impressive build. Naturally, a cable is included and this is made of highly durable crystalline copper with a low electrical resistance. The cable is fitted at one end with a 3.5mm mini-jack plug and at the other two 3.5mm mini-jacks which are fitted in the headphones. An adapter from 3.5mm to 6.3mm is included

The Sundara has the typical Hifiman qualities with great transparency, airiness and a good, well-defined bottom. The frequency range is covered from 6 to 75,000Hz so hi-res sources can be enjoyed to the fullest.