There was a sale on 4xx last year where they sold for 140. I missed out on that so I bought the sundara for a steal as they were 500 last year. I had to adjust to the sound profile for a few days, they are lacking in bass but the sub bass is tight and enjoyable. You really do hear every detail including snaps, crackling, and popping on bad recordings, even some of my favorite recordings that i thought were clean had way more cracks and snaps. I will probably skip the 4xx unless I pick up a pristine used set. Waiting to see the next hifiman/ massdrop colab
They go on sale for $130’ regularly now. Just make sure you have a way to EQ them. I’m only half way through the video so idk if he mentions it but the treble is terrible. Can be fixed though.
Nice video, thanks. I have buy mine 4xx for 130$ and they are amazing for this one year. I use them only inhouse on desktop with Fiio k5 Pro and made grill mode to them, which made them even better!
Bought same amp/dac from ali for 160$, first week on release, then bought two pairs from drop from the US - 4xx and sennheiser 58x, after my sennheiser 280 pro. After 1.5 years of using them I decided to buy Ananda for 770$ (with tax). Great cheap models of expensive headphones make a relly good advertisement for the expensive ones in a brand, if I didn't buy the 4xx, then I would never buy the ananda...
@@velko2433 @vel ko For that class ananda is VERY easy to drive from every amp, or even without. The GOOD: Ananda feels very open, transparent, like sound is coming from the air. Soundstage is about the same distance and the imaging is improved (multiple layers and heights, depends on music mastering). All sounds feel grander, bigger like a concert (Jeremy Soule is amazing on these). Voice is just real, male choir is fantastic, I relistened everything I have with choir elements. In these you can hear sub bass, rumble, vibration (under 30hz), in some compositions it feels magical, but overall bass is more neutral, lower than in 4xx. It has very forward treble and the same peak at 8k-10k as 4xx, out of the box that is unlistenable, but after 2-3 weeks it softens. Due to transparency and treble forwardness, the details are clear, you can hear some mistakes in music mastering, on every volume level, at first I thought that I broke the headphones, those sounds are also present on other headphones if you listen carefully and on higher volume.. The BAD: To my opinion it has slightly weaker slam, punch, attack. And they are not so intimate when the song is intended to be, I think 4xx is better on small close sounds and small far sounds (like some instruments in the background together with something close). The are heavier 420g against 300g, cups do not articulate very well, the pressure is stronger and in some cases the angle of mandible can feel uncomfortable. The cable is good by characteristics and durability, but very bad in feel, practicality and perception, feels cheap, but it isn't. With 4xx I can sit 5-7 hours, but with ananda 1-3 hours. If I knew how they sound I would still stay with 4xx because they do 85% of the Ananda for 25% price. Now I want to try Arya, Susvara.. in Eastern Europe it's a lot harder than in US.
I appreciate your low key style and easy to understand information. I've watched several review channels and this was most helpful. I have SuperLux 681. I recently had the Philips Fidelio X2HR but too much bass. I also had the HD58X. They were smooth but it inside my head / claustrophobic. I liked the superlux better. Is the Sundara wider than the Sennheiser? I like the idea that Sundara is more detailed, but still want to close my eyes and get the surround sound experience.
I tested in a shop Sundara vs Sennheiser HD 600,HD 560 and the soundstage of Sundara is bigger and details are out of this world. Im also a fan of Superlux 681b and I was most impresed by Sundara. Didn't feel claustrophobic and the soundstage is comparable with Superlux. The bass and subass is better on Superlux.
Thanks for your review. I just ordered the HE4XX which is currently on sale for $159 to complement my meager collection of 2 wired headphones both of which are Beyerdynamic DT 990's 1 Pro and the other Edition both 250 ohm using Brainwavz XL pads. I'm looking for some low end punch in my headphones for gaming as I cannot always use my Klipsch speaker system as that 12" sub is too much for some folks. I almost bought the Monolith M1570 but struggled with their asking price of $399 especially after watching Z bend the ear adjustments using only his fingers on one hand. If I don't like these headphones I'll search around again but my primary goal is to obtain kick me in the back of the head bass while retaining all the other sounds with a planar driver. My beyers have a fantastic sound to me but their bass just doesn't reach down with any authority.
Interesting review! Helped me out a lot. However, how would these 2 compare when using oratory's EQ presets? Would the difference be less or more significant?
How do you think the Sundara compares to k712 pro basswise? I am planning to get either this or the LCD2C. I am not a "basshead" but i like bass in my music. k712 ALMOST deliveres there. Bass is there but not very good and quite slow, so bad for rock/metal. Can you elaborate on that? I prefer more neutral sound but still, bass must be there.
Thanks a lot for the comparison. Could you tell which of the two extend the most in the sub- bass? Which ones are the fastest sub-bass and the more precise ? I understand the 4xx has more volume but I want to know if Sundara's driver is on paar or better in bass quality (not quantity).
Sundaras are going to be more precise, but slightly less bassy. The sundaras are better imo, but I also amplify. I find it's a matter of V shape (4xx) vs neutral (sundara) and I prefer neutral.
Get the HE X4 if you don't have the cash for sundaras. The HE 4XX are amazing, but not really an upgrade or downgrade fron the Sundara they are very different.
I have the exact same problem with the cable u mentioned in the review. But i thought it is problem of my amp output. From time to time a need to readjust that position. BTW nice review :)
Nicely Done. I keep hearing that the Sundara's scale better with more current, but you've tested a 1W Schiit Heresy & The Asgard 3.5W with (little) sound difference. Good to know. Was looking at the Asgard, did you get the internal dac ? Thanks
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There was a sale on 4xx last year where they sold for 140. I missed out on that so I bought the sundara for a steal as they were 500 last year. I had to adjust to the sound profile for a few days, they are lacking in bass but the sub bass is tight and enjoyable. You really do hear every detail including snaps, crackling, and popping on bad recordings, even some of my favorite recordings that i thought were clean had way more cracks and snaps. I will probably skip the 4xx unless I pick up a pristine used set. Waiting to see the next hifiman/ massdrop colab
They go on sale for $130’ regularly now. Just make sure you have a way to EQ them. I’m only half way through the video so idk if he mentions it but the treble is terrible. Can be fixed though.
Nice video, thanks. I have buy mine 4xx for 130$ and they are amazing for this one year. I use them only inhouse on desktop with Fiio k5 Pro and made grill mode to them, which made them even better!
Bought same amp/dac from ali for 160$, first week on release, then bought two pairs from drop from the US - 4xx and sennheiser 58x, after my sennheiser 280 pro. After 1.5 years of using them I decided to buy Ananda for 770$ (with tax). Great cheap models of expensive headphones make a relly good advertisement for the expensive ones in a brand, if I didn't buy the 4xx, then I would never buy the ananda...
@@rpgPalette ok, how you compare Ananda sound to 4xx? Is near 800 dollars of money worth the sound?
@@velko2433 @vel ko For that class ananda is VERY easy to drive from every amp, or even without.
The GOOD:
Ananda feels very open, transparent, like sound is coming from the air. Soundstage is about the same distance and the imaging is improved (multiple layers and heights, depends on music mastering). All sounds feel grander, bigger like a concert (Jeremy Soule is amazing on these). Voice is just real, male choir is fantastic, I relistened everything I have with choir elements. In these you can hear sub bass, rumble, vibration (under 30hz), in some compositions it feels magical, but overall bass is more neutral, lower than in 4xx. It has very forward treble and the same peak at 8k-10k as 4xx, out of the box that is unlistenable, but after 2-3 weeks it softens. Due to transparency and treble forwardness, the details are clear, you can hear some mistakes in music mastering, on every volume level, at first I thought that I broke the headphones, those sounds are also present on other headphones if you listen carefully and on higher volume..
The BAD:
To my opinion it has slightly weaker slam, punch, attack. And they are not so intimate when the song is intended to be, I think 4xx is better on small close sounds and small far sounds (like some instruments in the background together with something close). The are heavier 420g against 300g, cups do not articulate very well, the pressure is stronger and in some cases the angle of mandible can feel uncomfortable. The cable is good by characteristics and durability, but very bad in feel, practicality and perception, feels cheap, but it isn't. With 4xx I can sit 5-7 hours, but with ananda 1-3 hours.
If I knew how they sound I would still stay with 4xx because they do 85% of the Ananda for 25% price. Now I want to try Arya, Susvara.. in Eastern Europe it's a lot harder than in US.
@@rpgPalette thanks for sharing your expiriEnce with Ananda :) And tell me about Eastern Europe - i am from Bulgaria ;) haha cheers !
I appreciate your low key style and easy to understand information. I've watched several review channels and this was most helpful.
I have SuperLux 681.
I recently had the Philips Fidelio X2HR but too much bass.
I also had the HD58X. They were smooth but it inside my head / claustrophobic. I liked the superlux better.
Is the Sundara wider than the Sennheiser?
I like the idea that Sundara is more detailed, but still want to close my eyes and get the surround sound experience.
I tested in a shop Sundara vs Sennheiser HD 600,HD 560 and the soundstage of Sundara is bigger and details are out of this world. Im also a fan of Superlux 681b and I was most impresed by Sundara. Didn't feel claustrophobic and the soundstage is comparable with Superlux. The bass and subass is better on Superlux.
Thanks for the great review, that defiantly confirmed my choice.
great level headed review man, appreciate it.
Thanks for your review. I just ordered the HE4XX which is currently on sale for $159 to complement my meager collection of 2 wired headphones both of which are Beyerdynamic DT 990's 1 Pro and the other Edition both 250 ohm using Brainwavz XL pads. I'm looking for some low end punch in my headphones for gaming as I cannot always use my Klipsch speaker system as that 12" sub is too much for some folks. I almost bought the Monolith M1570 but struggled with their asking price of $399 especially after watching Z bend the ear adjustments using only his fingers on one hand. If I don't like these headphones I'll search around again but my primary goal is to obtain kick me in the back of the head bass while retaining all the other sounds with a planar driver. My beyers have a fantastic sound to me but their bass just doesn't reach down with any authority.
You should try Fostex Th x00 or Denon D series headphones , amazing bass ....
Very nice review! I just bought a pair of HE-4XX. Lots of good info here.
Interesting review! Helped me out a lot. However, how would these 2 compare when using oratory's EQ presets? Would the difference be less or more significant?
How do you think the Sundara compares to k712 pro basswise? I am planning to get either this or the LCD2C. I am not a "basshead" but i like bass in my music. k712 ALMOST deliveres there. Bass is there but not very good and quite slow, so bad for rock/metal. Can you elaborate on that? I prefer more neutral sound but still, bass must be there.
Bass will go deeper for sure. Impact should be similar. Sundara is very fast in every register
You should try Fostex th series or Denon D series headphones , amazing bass ....
Non hai test audio? Sarebbero meglio!
My advice Use the cable from Meze way better quality .
Thanks a lot for the comparison. Could you tell which of the two extend the most in the sub- bass? Which ones are the fastest sub-bass and the more precise ?
I understand the 4xx has more volume but I want to know if Sundara's driver is on paar or better in bass quality (not quantity).
Sundaras are going to be more precise, but slightly less bassy. The sundaras are better imo, but I also amplify. I find it's a matter of V shape (4xx) vs neutral (sundara) and I prefer neutral.
I believe you picked two headphones that are ideal to compare. I too own both. Cables should not be overlooked.
Get the HE X4 if you don't have the cash for sundaras. The HE 4XX are amazing, but not really an upgrade or downgrade fron the Sundara they are very different.
I have the exact same problem with the cable u mentioned in the review. But i thought it is problem of my amp output. From time to time a need to readjust that position. BTW nice review :)
at 399, Ananda Stealth is NO BRAINER...
I love my Sundara they sound so Clear and specious but also Metalic and unrealistic timbre . HD660s for me are way better and realistic .
Nicely Done.
I keep hearing that the Sundara's scale better with more current, but you've tested a 1W Schiit Heresy & The Asgard 3.5W with (little) sound difference. Good to know.
Was looking at the Asgard, did you get the internal dac ?
Thanks