HiFiMan Sundara Planar Dynamic Driver Over Ear Headphones (Box opened)

Condition: Box opened

What this means: The box has been opened, so we can't sell it as new. It has been checked and works as it should, and it comes with all its accessories and the manual. No cosmetic marks: a unit with marks is listed as Cosmetic scratches and says so. Full manufacturer warranty.

The HiFiMAN Sundara is an open-back planar magnetic headphone with HiFiMAN’s NEO “supernano” diaphragm, 80% thinner than previous designs, for a fast, detailed sound with a 6Hz–75kHz response. Sundara is Sanskrit for “beautiful”, and a hybrid headband, aluminium build and matte black finish make it comfortable for long sessions.

How planar headphones work

Planar magnetic headphones, sometimes called orthodynamic, work differently from conventional dynamic headphones. A dynamic headphone uses a voice coil attached to a diaphragm, moving back and forth like a piston, and depending on the quality of the cone its behaviour varies across the frequency range. A planar headphone uses an extremely thin, light and resilient film diaphragm, around a tenth of the thickness of a human hair, stretched over a sturdy frame between magnet arrays, with the conductor spread across the film so the whole surface is driven evenly. The film is often lighter than the air it moves, so it can be driven with great accuracy, giving faster transients, more responsive bass, more detailed treble and a wider dynamic range. Because the conductor covers a large area it dissipates heat well and handles a lot of power without distorting, playing loud with tight control, low colouration and well-controlled directivity. An open back gives a natural soundstage but lets more sound out than a closed design.

The NEO supernano diaphragm

The Sundara’s NEO “supernano” Diaphragm (NsD) is 80% thinner than HiFiMAN’s previous designs, at just 1–2 microns, for a faster, more detailed response while keeping a lush musicality, and a wider frequency response of 6Hz–75kHz. HiFiMAN advanced its manufacturing processes to build this driver at a price it says sets a new bar for performance and value.

Hybrid headband, sleek design

A carefully designed weight-dispersing strap lets the headband spread the load for outstanding comfort, and the sleek headband uses lightweight aluminium to stay strong and light, in a sumptuous matte black finish, with an all-aluminium ear enclosure. A new 3.5mm headphone connector improves durability.

Good to know

• HiFiMAN has revised the Sundara over the years; these are the figures on HiFiMAN’s current page.
• Also available in silver, and as the Sundara Closed-Back for less sound leakage.
• In the box: Sundara and detachable dual-sided 3.5mm cable with 6.35mm adapter.