I recently bought a pair of Hifiman Sundaras. I was using the hd560s before this. I was very underwhelmed by these cans. The soundstage is not as wide as I expected it to be, although I could hear the difference compared to my hd560s. The resolution was good and I was able to hear sounds I couldn’t hear before. But the overall sound was also underwhelming, I can’t find the right word for it, but it sounded as if it was lacking “power”. I thought my hd560s sounded better.
I am running the headphones through my Focusrite Solo. Is that the issue? I have seen reviews saying that the Hifiman Sundaras require proper amplification, and I am thinking of purchasing the Liquid Spark. Would love to hear your advice!
You need a lot of current to make the Sundara sing. I do not think a Focusrite Solo will cut it. It needs a serious amp - I run them with a Firstwatt F7 speaker amp.
Yeah. I have the hd560s but run them out of an emotive base Amp which has a bypass that allows for the speaker power to be utilized in the headphone Amp. So lots of juice. Planar headphones can be really power hungry.
Are you running EQ with them? I also recently got Sundaras and thought they sounded very clear and detailed but like you said, lacking a lot of energy/power/bass.
After EQ’ing them I think they’re great
If they get loud enough on your focusrite and you still don’t like the way they sound, return them.
Many people make the mistake of trying to “fix” headphones they don’t like with DACs and amps. You came from dynamic headphones to planars and it’s possible you just don’t vibe with the planar sound characteristics
No way. I looove my sundras! I have my 6xx and prefer the sundara. More resolution and space. In the start, without an amplifier i had too little power and they where underwhelming in the lows. I have eq and Ifi micro. More than enough power.
If I were stuck with affordable mid-tier options, Sundaras might be on the table. Outside of it’s price point, not much left.
I am running the headphones through my Focusrite Solo. Is that the issue?
Almost certainly not.
Have you done any eq correction? U/oratory1990 tests headphones and gives EQ recipes to apply the Harman curve, which helps pretty much every headphone to sound its best (in my opinion).
Here is his recipe for the Sundaras
Replacing your DAC or amp will give basically no change in sound whatsoever. You’ll be relying on the placebo effect to convince you that you’re happier.
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The HD560S is already a very good headphone. It’s totally reasonable to just prefer the sound of the HD560S over the Sundara. I wouldn’t go down the rabbit hole of trying to get new amps until one makes you like the sundara.