The HiFiMAN Sundara is one of the more affordable planar magnetic headphone models made by the company, HiFiMAN Electronics. It may have a modest price tag but this doesn’t mean the sound quality is heavily compromised. HiFiMAN Sundara’s sonic performance is worth every penny invested and now you’ll just need a matching amp to partner with it.
One of the major factors when choosing a headphone amp for your HiFiMAN Sundara would be the amplifiers’ price points and that will also depend on your budget. The amplifier should complement the sonic traits of the Sundara and this is why we need to learn more about this amazing planar magnetic headphone.
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Sound Characteristics of HiFiMAN Sundara Planar Magnetic Headphones
Just like its name implies, the HiFiMAN Sundara looks beautiful and elegant, making it seem more expensive than it should be. They may have a weight of 372g but the Sundara headphones don’t feel heavy when wearing them. It is comfortable to wear, partly thanks to their earpads. Still, just to nitpick, your ears could feel a bit warm after using them for some time. We suggest using the HiFiMAN Sundara at a place where it is cooling. And you should also use the planar magnetic headphones privately unless the people around you don’t mind the sound leakage.
The sound leakage is due to the open-back design of the Sundara and this also means it has subpar noise isolation capabilities. You will likely hear the environmental and ambient noises of the surroundings which might ruin your music listening experience. The HiFiMAN Sundara has a really impressive frequency response, it is 6Hz to 75kHz. The low impedance rating of 37 Ohms is cool too. Its low sensitivity of 94dB would be a bit of a bummer and this is one of the reasons why we should get a matching headphone amp for the Sundara.
More Details on HiFiMAN Sundara at Amazon
The stereo imaging of the HiFiMAN Sundara is top-notch when compared to other headphones in the same price range. The stereo separation is equally impressive as well and it helps to define the musicians better. Sundara’s soundstage is not as spacious as we have expected but is still considered good and more importantly, sounded natural. HiFiMAN Sundara is capable of churning out a massive amount of music details with such clarity and doesn’t sound clinical which is great. The highs can be bright sounding and fortunately don’t sound cringe or harsh.
HiFiMAN Sundara’s accuracy is outstanding too and coupled with a wide dynamic range, this planar magnetic headphone is able to provide us with an engaging music presentation. Furthermore, the music delivery is rich with details and will be ideal for critical listeners. It has a wide dynamic swing and an impactful crescendo. The speed of the HiFiMAN Sundara also contributes to the entertaining and high-resolution sonic performances we are getting. For listeners who find the Sundara not really comfortable to wear, you might want to change the earpads but this may slightly alter the sonic characteristics of the headphones though.
The bass performance is tight, agile, and doesn’t overwhelm the higher frequencies. There is a lack of warmth and doesn’t have the same impact level as the HiFiMAN Arya. If you are looking for a fast and taut bass delivery then the HiFiMAN Sundara should suffice. We are certainly getting amazing value out of the Sundara planar magnetic headphones and they will be suited for most music genres. We have prepared a list of the best headphone amps which you can pick and choose to match with your HiFiMAN Sundara, so please have a look.
HiFiMAN Sundara Specifications
- Wearing Style: Headband
- Transducer Principle: Open-Back, Planar Magnetic
- Frequency Response: 6Hz-75kHz
- Sensitivity: 94dB
- Impedance: 37 Ohms
- Weight: 372g (0.82lbs)
Best Headphone Amps to match with HiFiMAN Sundara
The Topping A50s is a compact-sized headphone amp and will match well with the HiFiMAN Sundara. The headphone amplifier has a modest price tag and comes with a terrific balanced output which the Sundara will benefit from it. Topping A50s has enough power to efficiently drive the planar magnetic headphones and helps to add more weight to the low-end performance. Bass delivery remains tight while becoming a bit punchier and has slightly more weight to it. The A50s also helps to improve the soundstage.
More Information on Topping A50s at Amazon
Schiit Audio Magni 3+ is one of the top entry-level headphone amps to go for and will be a suitable match for your HiFiMAN Sundara planar magnetic headphones. The overall sound reproduction becomes more full-bodied which will be ideal for listeners who find the Sundara sound quality a little too lean. The neutral sonic characteristics of the Schiit Audio Magni 3+ are similar to the HiFiMAN Sundara and the amp also has the speed to keep pace with the headphones’ performances. At this price point, we have nothing to really nitpick about the headphone amp.
More Details on Schiit Audio Magni 3+ at Amazon
DarkVoice 336SE is an exceptional tube headphone amp to partner up with the HiFiMAN Sundara. This is also an awesome choice for headphone enthusiasts who prefer to have a tube rolling option so that they could alter the sonic characteristics of the 336SE amp. The stock tubes of the DarkVoice 336SE would be good enough and it helps to add some prominence in the bass region. The midrange reproduction has a richer quality to it and doesn’t sound unnatural. There is warmth in the music delivery and it is smoother as well.
The Drop + THX AAA 789 is a fantastic headphone amplifier choice for listeners who want an amp that doesn’t intrude or color their HiFiMAN Sundara sound quality. Drop + THX AAA 789 is a modestly priced amp and is powerful enough to drive the Sundara planar magnetic headphones. This amp will be terrific for honest music playbacks which are close to what the artists have intended for us to hear. THX AAA 789 has a high level of transparency and will leave no stones unturned, it is also able to produce clear sound quality.
More Info on Drop + THX AAA 789 at Amazon
The iFi Zen CAN is an award-winning headphone amp and will be a worthy match for your HiFiMAN Sundara planar magnetic headphones. Firstly, it is powerful enough to efficiently drive the Sundara and has a neutral with a hint of warmth sonic characteristic where it will fit nicely with the HiFiMAN headphones. This is also a musical and detailed-sounding headphone amplifier, allowing us to enjoy listening to our favorite tunes without breaking the bank. The iFi Zen CAN soundstage scale will complement the HiFiMAN Sundara too.
More Details on iFi Zen CAN at Amazon
If you are looking for a headphone amp with an in-built DAC and has exceptional sonic performance, then the Chord Mojo will be the one for you and your HiFiMAN Sundara. It has many accolades under its belt and the Mojo is really compact too which enables you to easily keep the headphone amp after use. Chord Mojo’s dynamic and energetic musical performances will complement really well with the HiFiMAN Sundara’s agile and fast music delivery. The Chord amp also has an innate ability to dish out plenty of details including subtle ones.
More Info on Chord Mojo Headphone Amp at Amazon
To Conclude
You should always audition the potential headphone amp first using your own HiFiMAN Sundara headphones before seriously considering making the purchase. It will be even better if you could arrange a side-by-side comparison of the shortlisted amps as this will allow you to tell the difference in sound quality and performance when partnered with your Sundara. The listed headphone amplifiers here are all well worth your effort to have a further look.
