Hifiman Sundara Closed Back

The Hifiman Sundara Closed Back aims to please with the sound of its planar magnetic drivers, housed in stylish closed ear cups with over-ear padding. Its sibling model, the Hifiman Sundara, was an open-back headphone. This closed version is promoted by the manufacturer as offering a wide soundstage comparable to that of the open planar magnetic model. Our review examines whether it succeeds in doing so.

Minimal accessories

The Hifiman Sundara Closed Back’s package is modest. In addition to the headphones themselves, which come in a well-padded box, there is an inner box containing a replacement cable. Along with the 1.50 m unbalanced Y-cable with mini-jack plugs for connecting to both ear cups, a stereo jack adapter for larger plugs is included.

All connector surfaces are gold-plated to prevent tarnishing or oxidation. While the accessories are few, what is provided is of good quality.

Handcrafted birch wood

The headband design is the same proven construction seen in other Hifiman headphones, such as the Ananda. The structural components of the headband are made of metal and leather, while the central attachment points are black-and-silver plastic. All black elements have a silky matte finish, giving the headphones a clean, timeless look.

The closed ear cup backs are handcrafted from a single piece of birch wood, finished in an orange-yellow tone for strong visual identity. The headband is neatly stitched leather, and the foam-filled ear pads have breathable fabric on the inner surfaces.

Well-specified technology

The Hifiman Sundara Closed Back’s specifications make it suitable for low-output headphone jacks, meaning it can be used with smartphones, tablets, laptops, and PCs. To ensure fast responsiveness, the driver diaphragms are made from an ultra-thin “Supernano” film. As with the open model, “Stealth” magnets are used, designed with specific placement and rounded edges to minimise reflections and avoid degrading sound quality.

Its frequency range spans from a deep 6 Hz in the bass to 50 kHz in the super-high treble, exceeding the human hearing range at both ends. With a rated sensitivity of 98 dB SPL/mW, it offers competitive loudness performance.

Very comfortable to wear

The ear pads of the Hifiman Sundara Closed Back are asymmetrical in depth, contributing to the headphones’ comfort. At 426 grams, they are relatively light and require little clamping force to stay securely in place. This makes them ideal for long listening sessions.

The only drawback is the stiff headband size adjustment, which requires both hands to operate. The cable plugs fit without a locking mechanism, so they lack secure strain relief and can be pulled out accidentally.

Characterful wide tonal range

For a closed-back headphone capable of reproducing down to 6 Hz, the Hifiman Sundara Closed Back’s sub-bass is surprisingly restrained. More emphasis is found in the upper bass region. Lower mids lack warmth, while the midrange responsible for vocal presence is pronounced.

The sibilant range of the human voice is also highlighted, revealing fine vocal details but potentially becoming fatiguing depending on the recording. The treble is detailed, leading into a subtle, warm super-high range.

While the stereo imaging is good, it is not exceptional. The closed design avoids unwanted resonances but introduces a perceptibly compressed sound that slightly limits dynamic feel. Transient reproduction is smooth rather than sharply defined. With its low impedance, care should be taken when playing bass-heavy material at high volumes, as distortion may occur. Isolation from and to the outside is good by conventional standards.

Conclusion

Overall, the Hifiman Sundara Closed Back delivers a solid performance, positioning itself as an affordable planar magnetic headphone with excellent comfort. Its low impedance makes it well-suited for smartphones, laptops, and similar devices. While it lacks extensive accessories, cannot quite match the open model’s soundstage, and does not challenge Hifiman’s higher-end models in sound quality, it offers Hi-Fi fans an attractive, good-sounding, and stylish headphone with strong value for money.