Hifiman Sundara worth the extra 50$ over the he400se?

[llmercll]

I just purchased the he400se and generally like them but wish they had a bit more detail/fidelity. Would the Sundara be similar to the h2400se in frequency response/imaging but have the extra detail I'm looking for?

I also had the Fiio FT1 and found it in some ways had more detail than the he400se but was too muddy.

 

[GGroch]

I just purchased the he400se and generally like them but wish they had a bit more detail/fidelity. Would the Sundara be similar to the h2400se in frequency response/imaging but have the extra detail I'm looking for?

I also had the Fiio FT1 and found it in some ways had more detail than the he400se but was too muddy.

WELCOME!

I've owned the HE-400s, and currently have Sundaras, and think that increased detail and a bit of brightness is exactly what they provide over them. Indeed, a bit more detail than the the FT1 (which I also like). I have been a fan for years and bought several. Our founder, Amir, liked them in his test too, though not as much as I do.

Plus, if you are in the U.S. I see Ali Express has the Sundara's shipped locally from an authorized seller for about $104 after coupon. Ali Express varies a bit for each buyer, but if you can get them for close to that they are among the best deals out there for quality per dollar right now. When Amir tested them they cost $350.

 

[solderdude]

Owned HE400SE and still have one Sundara (trying to sell it).

Sundara, to me, was the better headphone both in comfort and sound.
Strangely enough the HE400SE was inverse polarity (I assume this has been addressed with newer versions) while the 3 Sundaras all were correct polarity, just like all other hifiman I measured.

 

[Chanur]

Owned HE400SE and still have one Sundara (trying to sell it).

Sundara, to me, was the better headphone both in comfort and sound.
Strangely enough the HE400SE was inverse polarity (I assume this has been addressed with newer versions) while the 3 Sundaras all were correct polarity, just like all other hifiman I measured.

Have you listened to the Ananda Stealth? If so how does it and the Sundara compare?

 

[solderdude]

Not heard nor measured the Ananda Stealth, only the original many years ago.

 

[davmol]

I just purchased the he400se and generally like them but wish they had a bit more detail/fidelity. Would the Sundara be similar to the h2400se in frequency response/imaging but have the extra detail I'm looking for?

Frequency response graphs do show the Sundara having a bit more of everything (Vs the he400se) between about 1khz and 5khz, so they're likely going to give you what you want, but might be worth trying the he400se with PEQ first, to get the sound you want.

Here is oratory's target EQ for Harman for the he400se:

For reference the Sundara needs 2db boost at 2200 to meet the target, whereas above you see 7db and 1900 for the he400se, so that's likely the difference you will hear stock if you bought the Sundara (+5db spread around 2khz).

That represents more volume for high-mids, around 2-5khz, although again you should try PEQ first if its available and convenient for you, rather than spending more money:

 

[zonk]

The Sundara has metal earcups (the HE400se has plastic ones) and a more comfortable headband compared to the headband of the HE400se.

I think the build quality of the Sundara is better.

 

[llmercll]

Frequency response graphs do show the Sundara having a bit more of everything (Vs the he400se) between about 1khz and 5khz, so they're likely going to give you what you want, but might be worth trying the he400se with PEQ first, to get the sound you want.

Here is oratory's target EQ for Harman for the he400se:
View attachment 547921
For reference the Sundara needs 2db boost at 2200 to meet the target, whereas above you see 7db and 1900 for the he400se, so that's likely the difference you will hear stock if you bought the Sundara (+5db spread around 2khz).

That represents more volume for high-mids, around 2-5khz, although again you should try PEQ first if its available and convenient for you, rather than spending more money:
View attachment 547922

I noticed oratory has 2 EQs for the he400se, what is the difference?

and thank you everyone for the input im going to try the sundara

 

[Rayman30]

Owned HE400SE and still have one Sundara (trying to sell it).

Sundara, to me, was the better headphone both in comfort and sound.
Strangely enough the HE400SE was inverse polarity (I assume this has been addressed with newer versions) while the 3 Sundaras all were correct polarity, just like all other hifiman I measured.

Out of curiosity why are you trying to sell the Sundara?

 

[zonk]

I noticed oratory has 2 EQs for the he400se, what is the difference?

and thank you everyone for the input im going to try the sundara

One is parametric EQ and one is graphic EQ (10-Band).

 

[llmercll]

I received the Sundaras

They have quite a bit more detail than the he400se. Also more bass and fullness, and perhaps a slightly worse sound-stage (might be in my head)

A big upgrade IMO because fidelity is king

 

[solderdude]

Out of curiosity why are you trying to sell the Sundara?

I have owned 3 and sold 2 of them already.
Selling because I have better headphones (JT7 and FT7)
Sundara was a step up from HE-400SE for me.

 

[GGroch]

Selling because I have better headphones (JT7 and FT7)

dude, your normally right on everything, but imho the JT7 is not near as good as the Sundara, I have the FT1 Pro as well and do not think they beat them. Have not heard the FT7 but I expect they are a step or 2 up.

 

[Chanur]

There is a JT9 coming out soon. Wonder if it will be worth getting over the JT7?

 

[solderdude]

Didn't know.
Have requested a review sample.

 

[Chanur]

Didn't know.
Have requested a review sample.

I look forward to your thoughts sir.

 

[solderdude]

Well the JT9 has arrived and is reviewed.
Basically a much more sensitive and improved JT7.

JT9

back to Jade Audioback to measurementshome Published: Aug-14-2026 NO SMOOTHING is applied to the shown plots. Most measurement sites have some smoothing applied which ‘irons flat’ sharp peaks and ‘…

diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com

For the FR plot gazers the JT9 versus some other FiiO open planar magnetic models.
Note: a horizontal line is my target on my test fixture. The plots are not made on any industry standard test fixtures nor targets.

channel matching: (left, right)

 

[Cote Dazur]

(might be in my head)

Don't worry, it is all in your head, the measurements are objective, but what we hear is what we want to hear.
Enjoy your new HP.

 

[artins90]

Well the JT9 has arrived and is reviewed.
Basically a much more sensitive and improved JT7.

On paper, they look much smoother than Sundaras, do you think that switching from Sundara to JT9 would be a good idea?
My main pain point with Sundara is that they tend to be fatiguing in the treble area for certain tracks.
I know it's subjective but, how was the sound stage on the JT9?

 

[solderdude]

I am incapable of hearing sound-stage on headphones, even when using trickery.
Imaging is fine (stable place in the stereo image for instruments).
The treble area can be fixed in the Sundara.
Thid could also affect sound-stage a little. The 'elevated' treble gives a 'highly detailed' impression and often goes with the impression of wider sound stage as treble is often stereo.
I have the JT7, JT9, FT7 and Sundara here (the rest of hifiman are all sold).
Preference is (filtered) FTT > JT9 > JT7 > Sundara but not everyone will hear them in that order.

There is no fatigue with the JT9 nor any sharpness.
Bass can be a tad on the woolly side with some recordings.