First apologies for a very subjective and less experienced post.
Second, if considering the v4 as noted in earlier post, this link is for a very stellar price ($229) and I think an amazing entry point into Hifiman planar headphones.
This holiday season I am enjoying the chance to check out Hifiman's HE-560 v4 and Sundara. These are my first audiophile headphones besides lo/mid-fi Grado (SR60, SR225e). I REALLY like the HE-560 v4. They bring out separation, detail, and sub-bass (maybe not the right term, but I was happily swimming in the bass melodies on the HE-560 v4) not known to me before. (no surprise, right?).
Listening to the the same setlist on same system, the real suprise, based on my silly assumption the Sundara would be vastly superior, is I am struggling to say I prefer the Sundara's. After a week of the HE560 v4, switching to the Sundara's have me straining to hear the bass melodies (unexpected, but dissapointing for me) and background details that were easily identified on HE-560 v4 are less apparent on the Sundara.
There a more examples, but one easily shared is from a live recording of Julien Baker's "Rejoice." At the end you can hear her emotionally spent breathe followed by someone appreciating her performance with some comments including saying "...so good." It is a wonderful detail that is nicely presented on the HE560 v4, but much less present on the Sundara.
These are two elements that brings me to the initial impression that the HE-560 v4 > Sundara. There are others, but won't comment on until the Sundara's get at least a couple more days of breaking-in / listening / owning.
Anyways, I will be owning the Sundara's based on logistics of gift giving and I am hoping that the Sundara's break in or my ears adjust to the Sundara tuning. I fear I will be longing for the HE560 v4.
Either way, both are lovely headphones, but if you asked me now you gotta go for the HE560 v4 @ $229. I am also changing my polling vote from "happy panther" to "golfing panther"
Any thoughts, comments, suggestions, feedback?
Thanks!
Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!
May this holiday season bring you warmth and joy.
Hamilton