Home
Artists
Search Recent Random
Posts
Search DMs Popular Hash Lookup Tags Random
Importer
Import FAQ
Register
Partychan Telegram ThePornDude
Home Artists Posts Import Register

Hifiman Sundara 2020 revision - after midnight listening session (Patreon)

Published:
2021-02-13 08:06:58
Imported:
2021-09

Content

This was my first approach of the self-referencing compensation method I already mentioned before and I am actually really stunned by the results, at least the first part sounds extremely realistic when listened over the reference headphone, which in my case was the HD600 with Sonarworks profile. You should hear exactly how the Sundara sounds, if you listen over the same headphone or at least one which gives a similar frequency response when equalized with Sonarworks.

Unfortunately over time my mics tend to slip out thus changing the captured frequency response and shifting the measured peaks, and although I tried re-adjusting the mics within the video and creating a new compensation afterwards, the results from that point on sound a bit flawed to me. 

I hope I can finally achieve a better consistency with my upcoming microphones and I am sure up from there my sound samples should offer pretty valid results for all kind of sound sources.

Files

Hifiman Sundara 2020 revision - after midnight listening session

0:00 - Introduction 13:02 - Sundara 2020 vs Anker Soundcore Life Q30 17:51 - Sundara 2020 vs HE4XX ( both equalized) 26:22 - Sundara 2020 vs Verum 1 mk2 43:20 - Sundara 2020 vs HD560S 1:05:55 - Anker Soundcore Life Q30 vs HD560S 1:13:55 - outro and prospect of the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2

Comments

Anonymous

Thanks Oluv, enjoyed the video. It’s interesting after seeing lots of rave reviews for the sundara to actually hear it. Just seems not to sound that pleasant even with eq. The life q30 and 560s with eq both sounded pretty similar to the original recording to me. I have to ‘come clean’, and admit I am listening through a free pair of headphones that came with an old iPhone. They’ve also been through the washing machine when they stayed in a trouser pocket undetected. So not exactly a reference setup. But I can still hear relative differences. Anyway, thank you. Hope you got some sleep!

Anonymous
>>53536813

Those Apple Earpods really start to shine when you use a decent amp and dac ;-)

Anonymous

Listening to this with my Verum mk2. Difficult to judge over video, Sundara did sound quite bright even after EQ, but what do I know, I don't generally listen to that genre of music. Although towards the end of the video, to me Anker sounded a lot closer to original than HD560s.

oluvsgadgets
>>53555090

As mentioned the recording sounds closest at the beginning, I also think that the Verum 1 colours the sound too much on its own that I wouldn’t consider it to judge these recordings. Either we all decide to use exactly the same headphone for these tests and I can hopefully manage more consistent results in future or I could start referencing headphones from you that were sent to me and offer you profiles to be used to watch those videos, a similar concept Sonarworks is doing.

Anonymous

Hi oluv, When watching your videos on my phone i use the er2se. Would you say the hd600 with sonarworks is still more accurate?

Anonymous

Hi Oluv. What about the beyerdynamic dt 770 vs the sennheiser hd 560s, which do you prefer? Thanks

oluvsgadgets
>>53572233

It will be similar, but with the HD600 you should get exact results as it is equalised to reproduce itself exactly.

Anonymous

Thanks Oluv, its a distinctive approach you have comparing relatively cheap headphones with much more expensive and highly hyped headphones. I finally received my ES 100 and combined with HE 4XX it sounds way better than I thought, I hear a lot more in songs I've listened to all my life. Also I was wondering how HE 4XX compares against HE 560, and does the difference in quality justify the price difference in you opinion. Thanks a lot Oluv

Anonymous

Thank you so much for the video, I really do appreciate your independent point of view and that you can boldly go against a largely accepted opinions. That's why I'm here basically ). I would like to point out that while EQing headphones is a good thing, I think you need to consider the power of the source anyway. If it's lacking and/or if output impedance doesn't work well with a specific pair of headphones, then frequency response changes are unavoidable. I think it could be part of the reason why Sundara here is so bad on highs ('cause it is)). The bass region is a first place to react to the lack of power. The biggest example for me are old 770s - yes, they can be loud and deliver bass even from the relatively good laptop output. However, when you plug them into an amp, even a cheap one such as L30, then it's a whole different picture. Also, playback of different headphones from the single source could be achieved on a relatively cheap studio headphone amp with multiple outputs. For instance cheapass Behringer HA400 is $25.

Anonymous

Hi Oluv! Thank you really much for doing this video. You know I was waiting for this. To be honest maybe because of the Youtube sound or your microphones, my Verum MKII sounds very different in comparison to your soundsamples. I also use the ZMF Ori Pads. I compare the sound for example with the Soul Hunter track on TIDAL. Btw thanks to the person that recommended it to you. Nice stuff !

oluvsgadgets
>>54049079

The mics had moved again when I recorded the Verum 1, and you would need to listen with the HD600 to get exactly the same results. I will try recording the Verum 1 again when I finally get my new mics, I hope the results will be more consistent then. I just recorded a video validating my recording method but it always comes down on how exact I manage to place me microphones all the time as long as there is some change I cannot manage to capture the sound of a headphone 100% faithfully.

Anonymous
>>53648043

HE560 v4 is $269 new at adorama. Lots of returned open boxes so I'm curious also. Maybe an HE4XX will do which goes on sale for as low as $120. I'm also wondering how the HE5XX will do.

Anonymous

Hi Oluv! I am a new Patreon and I mainly joined because I am very interested in the HD560s and you are the most trustworthy source out there. Are there any big differences between 560s and 600? I have a focusrite 2i2 3rd gen as a headphone amp. Is the 600 worth the price difference? I want a new daily driver. I currently own the HD 558 and 598 and loking for something that is not "veiled". HD598 have amazing comfort. Any advice?

oluvsgadgets
>>55040826

560s has quite boosted treble, HD600 is far more neutral but bass is not extended that well. I would probably take the 560S and use some EQ

Anonymous

Thank you for the reply Oluv! I am leaning towards that direction too. Might be worth it because I listen to hard rock and metal music. The other direction would be HD600 with Ifi Dac Amp that has the "True Bass" function but we are looking at more than double the price. I don't want to take a blind guess with the HE400i 2020 edition, so I will trust my ears through your recordings! Thanks again

oluvsgadgets
>>55047845

Unfortunately I could never enjoy the 560s that much like I would have liked because mine showed an imbalance from the very beginning which Sennheiser didn’t want to fix as it’s within specs according to them but for me the imaging sounds off with my unit and I haven’t used it that much:

Anonymous

I personally think sundaras sound the best, much more dynamic than the others, also more open with pleasing vocals. Xe4xx sound muffled somehow. I personally own the 560s, and thinking about getting the sundaras soon. Thank you very much for your review, although my opinions are different, but I appreciate your honesty.

Anonymous

Hallo Oluv, vielen Dank für deine tollen Videos! Ich hab letztens den HD560S gekauft. Der ist mir allerdings etwas zu analytisch um damit beim hören Spass zu haben. Wünsche mir vor allem angenehmere Höhen und voller klingende Mitten. Hast du da vielleicht einen Tipp für mich im Bereich bis etwa 800€?

oluvsgadgets
>>57998169

Ohne Eq gibt’s wenige die wirklich alles richtig machen. Elex wäre so mein Tipp gewesen aber nach all den Problemen damit, würde ich eher davon abraten. HD600, 650 bzw 6XX usw sind aber nach wie vor heiße Kandidaten. Falls du aber den Q30 noch nicht gehört hast, würde ich mir den mal kaufen und meinen EQ dafür probieren, hast dann immer noch mehr als 700€ übrig für was anderes. Wenn ich nicht mit den Earfun höre, nehme ich den Q30. Alles andere liegt nur rum.