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HIFIMAN SUNDARA Over-Ear Planar Magnetic Open Back Headphones (Refurb)

$199
$400.00
+ Free Shipping
+40 Deal Score
17,774 Views
HIFIMAN Store has HIFIMAN SUNDARA Over-Ear Planar Magnetic Open Back Headphones (Refurbished) on sale for $199. Shipping is free.

Thanks to staff member the-press-box for sharing this deal.

About this Item:
  • Driver Type: Planar
  • Design: Over-Ear (Circumaural)
  • Earcup Style: Open-Back
  • Sensitivity: 94 dB
  • Impedance: 37 Ohms
  • Audio Connector: 1/8" / 3.5 mm Straight
  • Connector to Earpiece: 2 x 1/8" / 3.5 mm
  • Detachable Cable: Yes
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Original Post

Written by
Edited September 8, 2023 at 06:08 AM by
HIFIMAN Official store [hifiman.com] has SUNDARA Planar Magnetic Headphones (refurbished) for $199. Shipping is free.



What's refurbished:
  • The refurbished products have been thoroughly inspected and are all tested in good working condition but may have parts replaced by the factory (as needed) and cosmetic defects.
  • All refurbished products also come with accessories and packaged in a brand new brown box.
  • Every HIFIMAN Refurbished product includes HIFIMAN's standard warranty, the same as brand new products.
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Created 09-06-2023 at 09:09 PM by the-press-box | Staff
in Headphones, Headsets & Earbuds (6) Get Hifiman Coupons
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$199
$400.00
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I purchased these a few months ago in exactly this condition. They arrived as new. I had debated for a very long time if these are worth it. Listened to every review out there but eventually you can only listen and decide. Quick review, considering the price range. For me, these are incredibly tight and detailed. They shine in jazz, vocal, instrumental and I just use the monoprice liquid spark headphone amp to drive them. Drums are tight and responsive. Soundstage is incredible. I replaced the cables as they are a bit short. I do not like them as much for EDM or anything you might classify under the >90s rock umbrella. Having said that, there are exceptions. Bjork and Tool's fear inoculum (especially invincible) sounds great. But something like Green Day or system of a down sound better on a different set up, for me. Honestly though - above anything else - if you like jazz or similar styles these are incredible value. So, that's my personal experience.
·
I have owned both the Hifiman Sundara (2020) and HD6xx/HD650.

They are both among the best headphones for $200. Which one you prefer would be based on personal sound preference.

I had the HD650's for years so I was familiar with their sound and then purchased the Sundara more recently. The HD6xx is warmer/weightier and sounds more blunted/rounded, not as quick and sharp or open sounding as the Sundara. It sounds more laidback than the Sundara. The Sundara is more open sounding, transients are quicker, it feels more light and quick/airy as most planar magnetic do. But it's not in your face, it is still a laidback sounding headphone.

I personally prefer the HD6xx, but I could see why someone would like the Sundara more.

I wouldn't worry that much about impedance. You need an amp to get the best out of any headphone, but they are so inexpensive these days you can usually find a quality headphone amp on Craigslist or FB Marketplace from the likes of Schiit Audio, Topping, Monolith, JDS Labs, etc. for less than $100.

And if you were looking for a headphone for portable use, then you shouldn't be looking at either of these since they are open back.
·

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Joined Dec 2013
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> bubble2 20 Posts
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Monarz
09-08-2023 at 09:40 PM.
09-08-2023 at 09:40 PM.
I had those Sundara for a while. My comment would be that those are super clear headphones that lacks bass responses. For general public, those are really tasteless. For audiophiles that is high fidelity headphones. Depending where you stand, those Sundara can be amazing or boring.
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> bubble2 2,683 Posts
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User18383921
09-08-2023 at 10:07 PM.
09-08-2023 at 10:07 PM.
Quote from egkr :
is this an upgrade to fidelio X2HR
Most Definitely
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> bubble2 3,368 Posts
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dcpoor
09-08-2023 at 10:41 PM.
09-08-2023 at 10:41 PM.
Quote from jklap2 :
Tempting. Any comment on refurb quality from hifiman ? It can be sometimes hit or miss. One comment has it they they got almost new. Any others having had similar experience ?
yep, a total hit or miss. there was a user on reddit a few days ago that received a refurbed Ananda model direct from Hifiman that had white mold growing all over the headband. LMAO
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> bubble2 94 Posts
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Accuracy158
09-09-2023 at 04:18 PM.
09-09-2023 at 04:18 PM.
Quote from madmatt151 :
THIS!!!! I purchased the refurb Edition XS before they went to this price at 350 and its the best money I've ever spent. I loved my Sundaras, and and they are very good. I got them used so I paid less than this, but worth it. When I saw the refurbs XS I had heard they were worth the 499 original price so I tried. They are amazing. While I do agree that the Sundaras aren't ideal for EDM and similar, I did enjoy them. The XS is incredible for all!! If you are debating, don't. Get an amp though. To be honest, I have somewhat pricey amps, but when I go to shows, I test headphones with this amp https://a.co/d/dvWdjNn and it is cheap, powerful and amazing. Hard to believe, I know.
Yeah I ended up pulling the trigger on Edition XS. Psychologically it doesn't feel like quite the same value proposition even though both are 33% off the price of new models but I've heard good things and kind of want to skip a little higher up the product stack compared to stuff I already have.
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Joined Jul 2004
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> bubble2 671 Posts
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madmatt151
09-09-2023 at 05:37 PM.
09-09-2023 at 05:37 PM.
Quote from Accuracy158 :
Yeah I ended up pulling the trigger on Edition XS. Psychologically it doesn't feel like quite the same value proposition even though both are 33% off the price of new models but I've heard good things and kind of want to skip a little higher up the product stack compared to stuff I already have.

I feel they are worth the 500, felt like a steal at 350
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tylerstravis
09-09-2023 at 06:33 PM.
09-09-2023 at 06:33 PM.
Quote from PurpleNarwhal693 :
At this price point I was also considering the Sennheiser 560 or Sennheiser/Drop 6xx. The impedence is quite high with the 6xx but if an amp is needed for the best experience, it looks unavoidable and 6xx might be the way to go. Have you tried either one of these?
I own both, the Sundaras are harder to drive due to the sensitivity.
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Accuracy158
09-10-2023 at 02:15 AM.
09-10-2023 at 02:15 AM.
Even with the 400i I have to turn up the volume a little to match the 6xx. Neither sound as good plugged directly into a high end motherboard without a separate amp/dac, though I have done it a bit in a pinch.
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Joined Aug 2014
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> bubble2 581 Posts
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RickB1248
09-10-2023 at 05:56 AM.
09-10-2023 at 05:56 AM.
I was looking for some wireless headphones. They had the RE R9 wireless for 299. The wired version was 109. I ended up nuying the Diva Pro that included the bluetooth module and then added RE R9 wired for 109 and got both pairs for 299.so now I have the Bluetooth to use on both pairs. Its like getting the Divas for free.
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2Slick2Quit
09-11-2023 at 09:51 AM.
09-11-2023 at 09:51 AM.
Quote from madmatt151 :
THIS!!!! I purchased the refurb Edition XS before they went to this price at 350 and its the best money I've ever spent. I loved my Sundaras, and and they are very good. I got them used so I paid less than this, but worth it. When I saw the refurbs XS I had heard they were worth the 499 original price so I tried. They are amazing. While I do agree that the Sundaras aren't ideal for EDM and similar, I did enjoy them. The XS is incredible for all!! If you are debating, don't. Get an amp though. To be honest, I have somewhat pricey amps, but when I go to shows, I test headphones with this amp https://a.co/d/dvWdjNn and it is cheap, powerful and amazing. Hard to believe, I know.

Is that a DAC and Amp, or just an amp?
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Joined Sep 2014
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> bubble2 4,891 Posts
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2Slick2Quit
09-11-2023 at 09:53 AM.
09-11-2023 at 09:53 AM.
Quote from tylerstravis :
I own both, the Sundaras are harder to drive due to the sensitivity.

Sundaras are only 38 ohm. While they benefit greatly from an amp, they still aren't bad without one in my experience.
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tylerstravis
09-11-2023 at 10:51 AM.
09-11-2023 at 10:51 AM.
Quote from SlickSmiles :
Sundaras are only 38 ohm. While they benefit greatly from an amp, they still aren't bad without one in my experience.
You can use this calculator if you'd like to understand how sensitivity comes into play and power needs: https://headphones.com/pages/head...calculator

I would not recommend using the Sundara without an amp.
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Joined Jul 2004
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madmatt151
09-11-2023 at 03:12 PM.
09-11-2023 at 03:12 PM.
Quote from SlickSmiles :
Is that a DAC and Amp, or just an amp?

Just a simple no frills Amp. Needs a cellphone 5a charger to power. It's awesome.
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KeyOfTruth
09-13-2023 at 12:54 PM.
09-13-2023 at 12:54 PM.
Quote from imthesun :
How would this compare to the BD Amiron home?

I'm also curious how this compares. The Beyerdynamic Amiron Home is my favorite pair of headphones I own. I've never heard better separation in my life.
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jeykar99
09-14-2023 at 11:09 AM.
09-14-2023 at 11:09 AM.
Took the deal and got them yesterday. Either I got lucky and mine was an immediate return or they did a good job cleaning and repackaging cause the only sign on use was a scuff on the warranty card lol. Very impressed with the headphones. Percussion is super crisp and overall treble is very enjoyable. Coming from a 6xx for reference. Bass needed a fair bit of eq, but sounds fine now. You *need* a proper amp if you want to run these as even if you can get them loud enough the sound quality takes a big hit. Overall though very pleased.
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SharpHalibut888
09-14-2023 at 12:03 PM.
09-14-2023 at 12:03 PM.
I'm in the same boat as @jeykar99. Just got mine today, look unused. Warranty box had a small dent.
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