Hifiman Sundara static when I move with them playing

[Jachoo]

Hello everyone,

I am experiencing an issue with the Hifiman Sundaras that happens when I move my head. I seem to get static or static electricity buildup in the headphones when, for example, I stand up with them playing. The result is that I hear noise in the headphones, and sometimes there is a clicking sound. I have them connected to my e2x2 OTG, although I don't think that has much to do with my problem.

Is this a known problem? Or is something wrong with my pair of headphones?

 

[solderdude]

Hello everyone,

I am experiencing an issue with the Hifiman Sundaras that happens when I move my head. I seem to get static or static electricity buildup in the headphones when, for example, I stand up with them playing. The result is that I hear noise in the headphones, and sometimes there is a clicking sound. I have them connected to my e2x2 OTG, although I don't think that has much to do with my problem.

Is this a known problem? Or is something wrong with my pair of headphones?

When you have them on your head and unplugged do you hear the same 'static' ?
When you have them on your head plugged in but not playing any music do you hear the same 'static' ?

You see, the pads and headband covering is not conductive so any static buildup on clothes for instance do not have a path to an amp (which would be essential).
That is unless the pads/headband are soaking wet.

 

[Jachoo]

When you have them on your head and unplugged do you hear the same 'static' ?

There is no static or popping.

When you have them on your head plugged in but not playing any music do you hear the same 'static' ?

Initially, no, but when I do play something, and I stop playing, it does do some popping and maybe some static. I'm not sure about the static because I heard it only once during testing now, and it was rather quiet.

static buildup on clothes

I wear plastic glasses(that have a few metal screws) and have medium-length hair that is not straight; could that be the source?

That is unless the pads/headband are soaking wet.

Fortunately not.
Although, if I recall correctly, a drop of water may have touched(I sure hope not) the deadphones like two weeks ago when I last cleaned my desk.

 

[solderdude]

Sounds like an driver issue or some 'digital' issue.

Not a headphone issue and not a 'static electricity on the human body' issue either.
Static build-up with plastic is always 'local' as plastic does not conduct electricity it will stay where it is and cannot flow anywhere.

This is why you can 'charge' a balloon rubbing it against cloth and it will keep its charge.

 

[Jachoo]

Shucks.

driver issue

Not a headphone issue

How come it can be a driver issue but not a headphone issue? Unless headphone refers to the chassis/build.

Is there any chance I could get a replacement for my unit from Hifiman? Would it be worth it?

 

[solderdude]

The problem is NOT likely to be the headphone.

With driver issue I meant software driver issue ... not 'headphone driver' issue.
(Sorry about not being clear on that.)
Hifiman is said to often have (headphone)driver issues but the ones I own/measured all were fine. It does happen though but usually one sided only.
When it happens on both sides it is not a 'headphone driver' issue and replacement is not a solution.

Does this happen with other headphones as well ?

The only issue that a headphone could have (when moving it while playing music) is a dodgy contact.
This can be in the plug or in the socket or in the driver or even the wiring from the socket to the driver.

This will (if it happens) either occur on one side and can be triggered by wiggling/rotating the connector in the headphone and if it happens on both sides at the same time it could be the connector on the amplifier side.
The same test is valid here... wiggle or rotate the plug while playing music.

In the latter case the cable or headphone amp output socket is the issue and not the headphone.

When it is 'static' you would also hear it with no music playing.