HIFIMAN Ananda Open-Back Planar Headphones $212 + Free S/H $211

balloonshark

Aug 18, 2025 8:49 PM

6.3K Comments

Joined Nov 2012

balloonsharkAug 18, 2025 8:49 PM

6.3K Comments

If I already own a pair of Sundara cans, would the XS or Ananad be better addition since they are about the same price? Would either be worth grabbing if I already own the Sundaras? Or would it be best to look at a different pair of cans?

Last edited by balloonshark August 18, 2025 at 01:53 PM.

1

alexisfire02

Aug 18, 2025 9:21 PM

79 Comments

Joined Jan 2023

alexisfire02Aug 18, 2025 9:21 PM

79 Comments

Quote from balloonshark

:

If I already own a pair of Sundara cans, would the XS or Ananad be better addition since they are about the same price? Would either be worth grabbing if I already own the Sundaras? Or would it be best to look at a different pair of cans?

tough choice for sure. I love hifiman headphones so I'd say go for the Ananda. probably makes more sense to get something totally different like a Meze or Grado though

balloonshark

Aug 18, 2025 10:05 PM

6.3K Comments

Joined Nov 2012

balloonsharkAug 18, 2025 10:05 PM

6.3K Comments

Quote from alexisfire02

:

tough choice for sure. I love hifiman headphones so I'd say go for the Ananda. probably makes more sense to get something totally different like a Meze or Grado though

This does seem like a great price since the other two sets of cans open box or refub go on sale for about the same price. I'm also not sure if I want something different sounding. The anand would probably be my best cans if I decide to pull the trigger and get a set. To be honest I could probably use another closed back headphone since the dt 770 pros don't isolate very well and I have a loud environment during the summer. I've also barely used my IEMs.

My modest collection:

Philips SHP9500
Audio-Technica ATH-M50s
Audio-Technica ATHM40FS
Marantz MPH-2
Massdrop x Koss Porta Pro X
Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX Headphones
Sennheiser hd 560s
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 ohm
Beyerdynamic Amiron Home
Beyerdynamic TYGR 300R
Hifiman Sundara
Creative Aurvana Live! SE
Etymotic Research ER3XR
Moondrop Starfield
Linsoul 7Hz Salnotes Zero
AKG N400NC TWS

Edit: Can anyone tell if these are V2 or V3? What are the differences? I can't see any answers in their Q&A.

Last edited by balloonshark August 18, 2025 at 03:52 PM.

1

brygx

Aug 18, 2025 11:27 PM

66 Comments

Joined Jun 2008

brygxAug 18, 2025 11:27 PM

66 Comments

Quote from balloonshark

:

If I already own a pair of Sundara cans, would the XS or Ananad be better addition since they are about the same price? Would either be worth grabbing if I already own the Sundaras? Or would it be best to look at a different pair of cans?

I didn't find enough difference between Sundara vs Ananda especially when eq'd. I ended up upgrading to the Arya.

1

CameronEp

Aug 19, 2025 1:18 AM

361 Comments

Joined Nov 2012

CameronEpAug 19, 2025 1:18 AM

361 Comments

With oratory EQ settings these sound incredible to me. Really get lost in how surrounding the music is.

HankJ6854

Aug 19, 2025 1:22 AM

37 Comments

Joined Apr 2017

HankJ6854Aug 19, 2025 1:22 AM

37 Comments

I'm not sure if this is an authorized HIfiman dealer. They copy the write-up about being the only authorized Hifiman dealer on AliExpress but if you look closely the authorized store is "Hifiman Official Store" and this one is "Hifiman local store" Maybe they are legit but you might want to reach out to HIfiman first to double check.

2

Splash15

Aug 19, 2025 1:35 AM

4.8K Comments

Joined Feb 2010

Splash15Aug 19, 2025 1:35 AM

4.8K Comments

Quote from brygx

:

I didn't find enough difference between Sundara vs Ananda especially when eq'd. I ended up upgrading to the Arya.

How did you like them?

Also are they more comfortable than the Sundaras? I find the Sundaras run hot for me.

Considering the Arya Stealths since those have come down a lot.

1

Imperium_vir

Aug 19, 2025 3:11 AM

112 Comments

Joined Aug 2014

Imperium_virAug 19, 2025 3:11 AM

112 Comments

I upgraded my Edition XS to the Arya Stealth until I figure out what I want for my endgame.

Schiit modius/magnius for now. I would take suggestions on DAC/AMP if anyone has any.

gtr1022

Aug 19, 2025 1:14 PM

751 Comments

Joined Sep 2011

gtr1022Aug 19, 2025 1:14 PM

751 Comments

Quote from balloonshark

:

This does seem like a great price since the other two sets of cans open box or refub go on sale for about the same price. I'm also not sure if I want something different sounding. The anand would probably be my best cans if I decide to pull the trigger and get a set. To be honest I could probably use another closed back headphone since the dt 770 pros don't isolate very well and I have a loud environment during the summer. I've also barely used my IEMs.

My modest collection:

Philips SHP9500
Audio-Technica ATH-M50s
Audio-Technica ATHM40FS
Marantz MPH-2
Massdrop x Koss Porta Pro X
Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX Headphones
Sennheiser hd 560s
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 ohm
Beyerdynamic Amiron Home
Beyerdynamic TYGR 300R
Hifiman Sundara
Creative Aurvana Live! SE
Etymotic Research ER3XR
Moondrop Starfield
Linsoul 7Hz Salnotes Zero
AKG N400NC TWS

Edit: Can anyone tell if these are V2 or V3? What are the differences? I can't see any answers in their Q&A.

Have you ever tried anything by Stax? We use the Lambda at work and I'm wondering how they compare

eeagle

Aug 19, 2025 2:33 PM

2.9K Comments

Joined May 2007

eeagleAug 19, 2025 2:33 PM

2.9K Comments

Quote from balloonshark

:

If I already own a pair of Sundara cans, would the XS or Ananad be better addition since they are about the same price? Would either be worth grabbing if I already own the Sundaras? Or would it be best to look at a different pair of cans?

I have both the Sundara and the XS. I like the more ear shaped XS (or Ananda) better than the round shape. I also like the XS sound signature better.

OliveMorning586

Aug 19, 2025 5:12 PM

9 Comments

Joined Sep 2021

OliveMorning586Aug 19, 2025 5:12 PM

9 Comments

Quote from balloonshark

:

This does seem like a great price since the other two sets of cans open box or refub go on sale for about the same price. I'm also not sure if I want something different sounding. The anand would probably be my best cans if I decide to pull the trigger and get a set. To be honest I could probably use another closed back headphone since the dt 770 pros don't isolate very well and I have a loud environment during the summer. I've also barely used my IEMs.My modest collection Stick Out Tongue

hilips SHP9500Audio-Technica ATH-M50s Audio-Technica ATHM40FSMarantz MPH-2Massdrop x Koss Porta Pro XMassdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX HeadphonesSennheiser hd 560sBeyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 ohmBeyerdynamic Amiron HomeBeyerdynamic TYGR 300RHifiman SundaraCreative Aurvana Live! SEEtymotic Research ER3XRMoondrop StarfieldLinsoul 7Hz Salnotes ZeroAKG N400NC TWSEdit: Can anyone tell if these are V2 or V3? What are the differences? I can't see any answers in their Q&A.

Where would you rank the 6xx's on the list?

balloonshark

Aug 19, 2025 8:57 PM

6.3K Comments

Joined Nov 2012

balloonsharkAug 19, 2025 8:57 PM

6.3K Comments

Quote from gtr1022

:

Have you ever tried anything by Stax? We use the Lambda at work and I'm wondering how they compare

Sorry, I haven't tried a set of electrostatic headphones.

Quote from OliveMorning586

:

Where would you rank the 6xx's on the list?

Most folks love the 6xx but I like the 560S more. IMHO they are more analytical with a wider soundstage. I like to alternate between about 6 or 7 headphones so I don't get accustomed to the sound of any one set. I also love the Amiron Home for movies. My dac and amp are connected to my Nvidia Shield so I watch movies, tv and listen to music with the Tidal android tv app.

The Sundara, Amiron Home, 6xx and 560S are my favorites. They all have their own personality so certain things sound better with one set compared to another. I love toms on my beyerdynamics. I haven't spent much time with the IEMs and don't regularly use the audio-technica cans or the Marantz and just bought the creative aurvana live! SE. My Philips SHP9500 used to be my daily drivers.

1

YingTK

Aug 19, 2025 9:34 PM

1.7K Comments

Joined Nov 2010

YingTKAug 19, 2025 9:34 PM

1.7K Comments

Quote from brygx

:

I didn't find enough difference between Sundara vs Ananda especially when eq'd. I ended up upgrading to the Arya.

I was going to comment the same. I regretted selling my Sundara during the return period of the Ananda, then decided to return the Ananda as well. But tried the Edition XS and didn't like it that much either. Now I'm left with a fairly decent headphone amp but no headphones. Should have stuck with the Sundara and just aim for a much higher end upgrade.

Badgertwo

Aug 20, 2025 4:54 PM

604 Comments

Joined Apr 2009

BadgertwoAug 20, 2025 4:54 PM

604 Comments

Quote from Imperium_vir

:

I upgraded my Edition XS to the Arya Stealth until I figure out what I want for my endgame.

Schiit modius/magnius for now. I would take suggestions on DAC/AMP if anyone has any.

I also have the Magnius and also use this for an amp/equalizer; https://www.qudelix.com/products/qudelix-5k The Hifiman's really need equalization to bring out the best in them, otherwise, not so accurate.

HIFIMAN Ananda Open-Back Planar Headphones $212 + Free S/H $211

$211

$549

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