Open Box: HIFIMAN SUNDARA Over-Ear Planar Magnetic Open Back Hi-Fi Headphones

anatvass313

Sep 26, 2025 03:03 AM

865 Posts

Joined Aug 2016

anatvass313Sep 26, 2025 03:03 AM

865 Posts

Looks like a good deal but depends on 'open box' condition.
Tons of complains on build quality.

Last edited by anatvass313 September 25, 2025 at 08:20 PM.

6

BluntBlaster420

Sep 26, 2025 06:41 PM

60 Posts

Joined Jun 2019

BluntBlaster420Sep 26, 2025 06:41 PM

60 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank BluntBlaster420

Got one of these last time the same deal was posted. The sound was so bad that I tried several different DAC/amps and sound sources trying to track down the root cause before I had to conclude that Hifiman had sold me broken headphones. I tried to return them, but Hifiman support wanted me to send them a photo of some code that they hadn't actually included in the package they sent me, so I couldn't even get a return started.

At this point I'm pretty sure that Hifiman is a scam and that everyone pushing their products is a shill.

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CourtC4337

Sep 26, 2025 11:08 PM

517 Posts

Joined Oct 2013

CourtC4337Sep 26, 2025 11:08 PM

517 Posts

Quote from BluntBlaster420

:

Got one of these last time the same deal was posted. The sound was so bad that I tried several different DAC/amps and sound sources trying to track down the root cause before I had to conclude that Hifiman had sold me broken headphones. I tried to return them, but Hifiman support wanted me to send them a photo of some code that they hadn't actually included in the package they sent me, so I couldn't even get a return started.

At this point I'm pretty sure that Hifiman is a scam and that everyone pushing their products is a shill.

I doubt they are, just too many people suggest them. That definitely sucked for you, no doubt. But if there is one thing to be said, the headphone industry is brutal, if it weren't than i'm sure this would never happen. just too many returns. people just ruin it for other people. they obv honored the warranty right? Or was the issue it was third party?

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1

penguinPirate

Sep 26, 2025 11:27 PM

8 Posts

Joined Feb 2012

penguinPirateSep 26, 2025 11:27 PM

8 Posts

Quote from BluntBlaster420

:

Got one of these last time the same deal was posted. The sound was so bad that I tried several different DAC/amps and sound sources trying to track down the root cause before I had to conclude that Hifiman had sold me broken headphones. I tried to return them, but Hifiman support wanted me to send them a photo of some code that they hadn't actually included in the package they sent me, so I couldn't even get a return started.

At this point I'm pretty sure that Hifiman is a scam and that everyone pushing their products is a shill.

I was afraid to buy from them after all the reviews I saw until I bought an he6se v2 I found on sale earlier this year. With the right amp it is my favorite headset and has lasted 6 months so far as my daily driver with an ifi zen can Signature dac and amp.

3

BluntBlaster420

Sep 27, 2025 12:41 AM

60 Posts

Joined Jun 2019

BluntBlaster420Sep 27, 2025 12:41 AM

60 Posts

Quote from CourtC4337

:

I doubt they are, just too many people suggest them. That definitely sucked for you, no doubt. But if there is one thing to be said, the headphone industry is brutal, if it weren't than i'm sure this would never happen. just too many returns. people just ruin it for other people. they obv honored the warranty right? Or was the issue it was third party?

Nope, direct from the Hifiman site. Never got a return.

5

edrock200

Pro

Sep 27, 2025 03:43 PM

3,624 Posts

Joined Jul 2003

edrock200

Pro

Sep 27, 2025 03:43 PM

3,624 Posts

I'm no audiophile but I wish they had stores where you could try them. Reading reviews doesn't help, especially if you aren't an audiophile. Terms like "dark" or "bright" with relation to sound in reviews means nothing to me. 😂
I bought a few pairs of headphones with a dac and found my experience very different from the posters. I didn't try hifiman. But of the ones I tried these were my favorite paired with a dac FiiO FT1 Pro Open-Back. The only issue was if bass settings were high on eq there was some muddiness. Otherwise they sound great to this non-audiophile. I'd love to try the hifiman line but need to find a place to try them first.

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2

f12_26

Original Poster

Pro

Staff

Sep 27, 2025 08:09 PM

35,354 Posts

Joined Apr 2014

f12_26Sep 27, 2025 08:09 PM

Original Poster

Pro

Staff

35,354 Posts

Here is the refurbished deal for reference https://slickdeals.net/f/18325630-hifiman-sundara-over-ear-planar-magnetic-open-back-hi-fi-headphones-refurb-152-10-free-shipping?src=SiteSearch

1

IndigoTent3072

Sep 28, 2025 11:50 AM

971 Posts

Joined Apr 2023

IndigoTent3072Sep 28, 2025 11:50 AM

971 Posts

Quote from BluntBlaster420

:

Nope, direct from the Hifiman site. Never got a return.

That's a shame. I hope you paid with a card and were able to get your money back through the card company. Next time the Sennheiser HD 599 goes on sale for $100 or less (I got them for $80) on Amazon, try them out.

Edit: just checked Amazon. The black ones are currently $114.

Last edited by IndigoTent3072 September 28, 2025 at 04:52 AM.

1

IndigoTent3072

Sep 28, 2025 11:55 AM

971 Posts

Joined Apr 2023

IndigoTent3072Sep 28, 2025 11:55 AM

971 Posts

Quote from edrock200

:

I'm no audiophile but I wish they had stores where you could try them. Reading reviews doesn't help, especially if you aren't an audiophile. Terms like "dark" or "bright" with relation to sound in reviews means nothing to me.
I bought a few pairs of headphones with a dac and found my experience very different from the posters. I didn't try hifiman. But of the ones I tried these were my favorite paired with a dac FiiO FT1 Pro Open-Back. The only issue was if bass settings were high on eq there was some muddiness. Otherwise they sound great to this non-audiophile. I'd love to try the hifiman line but need to find a place to try them first.

If you have a Guitar Center where you live, they always have samples of different headsets. Give them a call. I wouldn't touch them, personally. Too many reports over the years of this brand in regards to breaking. My recommendation is the Sennheiser HD 599. The black ones are currently $114 on Amazon, which is a very decent price. They are going to be similar to the Hifiman but built better and more comfortable.

Last edited by IndigoTent3072 September 28, 2025 at 04:57 AM.

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1

erishun

Sep 28, 2025 12:13 PM

2,931 Posts

Joined Dec 2007

erishunSep 28, 2025 12:13 PM

2,931 Posts

I got mine open box via Amazon Warehouse a few years ago. They sound great and no issues with build quality. I will say that they are pretty quiet unless you run an amplifier.
I am using a Schitt stack (Modi and Magni) and it's a great sounding setup. There's a reason why people like this.

3

phrodini

Sep 28, 2025 12:39 PM

2,316 Posts

Joined Jun 2016

phrodiniSep 28, 2025 12:39 PM

2,316 Posts

Quote from edrock200

:

I'm no audiophile but I wish they had stores where you could try them. Reading reviews doesn't help, especially if you aren't an audiophile. Terms like "dark" or "bright" with relation to sound in reviews means nothing to me. 😂
I bought a few pairs of headphones with a dac and found my experience very different from the posters. I didn't try hifiman. But of the ones I tried these were my favorite paired with a dac FiiO FT1 Pro Open-Back. The only issue was if bass settings were high on eq there was some muddiness. Otherwise they sound great to this non-audiophile. I'd love to try the hifiman line but need to find a place to try them first.

The worst thing is that some reviewers will be biased and deceptive on products, mainly due to getting them for free...they could use audiophile jargon and whatnot but it doesn't matter because their goal was to help a company profit. Regardless of how good or bad the product is...Then you have instances where a product has increased in price because of the praises received by whom they deem worthy enough. Now the ones who are looking for something are kind of fk-ed.

1

4

eeagle

Sep 28, 2025 02:05 PM

2,407 Posts

Joined May 2007

eeagleSep 28, 2025 02:05 PM

2,407 Posts

I have purchased several Hifiman refurbished HPs and all have appeared new in box with all accessories and cable wraps direct from Hifiman interestingly shipped free with no tax. Can't speak for the Open Box. Overall I love the product and the quality.

2

socal1

Sep 28, 2025 06:37 PM

675 Posts

Joined May 2011

socal1Sep 28, 2025 06:37 PM

675 Posts

Quote from IndigoTent3072

:

Next time the Sennheiser HD 599 goes on sale for $100 or less (I got them for $80) on Amazon, try them out.

Edit: just checked Amazon. The black ones are currently $114.

Any difference, besides color, between this black SE model and the Ivory model that everyone else has for $239?

IndigoTent3072

Sep 28, 2025 07:39 PM

971 Posts

Joined Apr 2023

IndigoTent3072Sep 28, 2025 07:39 PM

971 Posts

Quote from socal1

:

Any difference, besides color, between this black SE model and the Ivory model that everyone else has for $239?

Nope, They are identical except for the color. Amazon has the ivory/brown ones for over $200 also.

Last edited by IndigoTent3072 September 28, 2025 at 12:42 PM.

JustHere4TheZipline

Sep 28, 2025 10:56 PM

22 Posts

Joined Jun 2025

JustHere4TheZiplineSep 28, 2025 10:56 PM

22 Posts

Quote from BluntBlaster420

:

Got one of these last time the same deal was posted. The sound was so bad that I tried several different DAC/amps and sound sources trying to track down the root cause before I had to conclude that Hifiman had sold me broken headphones. I tried to return them, but Hifiman support wanted me to send them a photo of some code that they hadn't actually included in the package they sent me, so I couldn't even get a return started.

At this point I'm pretty sure that Hifiman is a scam and that everyone pushing their products is a shill.

I'm just doing Sennheiser for hifi and Sony for my ANC nowadays. Too many shoddy products out there.

Open Box: HIFIMAN SUNDARA Over-Ear Planar Magnetic Open Back Hi-Fi Headphones

$152

$499

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