Here we are again at a comparison article, in which I will mention some amazing headphones from Hifiman. I would like to mention something about the brand before starting with the comparison between these two pairs of headphones.
Hifiman is a super-professional brand that is mostly concerned with professional headphones in general. Their headphones, just like Sundara and HE560 are the best-known headphones from the brand, and they are also the most commonly used ones. This brand works since 2007, and until now, they have brought different things to the sound overs.
Anyways, in this article, I will tell you guys about the differences and similarities that are between Hifiman Sundara and Hifiman HE560 headphones. I will mention firstly some of the key specifications about each of them and of course some other important things that should definitely be mentioned.
Let us get to know who these headphones are!
Meet the Headphones
Hifiman Sundara
Hifiman Sundara over-ear headphones were launched on December 3, 2017. Since then, these headphones are definitely one of the most used headphones by different professionals in the world of sound, as they can be found in different recording studios. However, they are also used for everyday listening to music, so they are quite versatile in use.
Hifiman HE560
Moving on to Hifiman HE560, we also deal with over-ear headphones, but these ones are three years older than Sundara, being launched on May 7, 2014. These headphones are also made to be used in recording studios, as they can be seen used by different professionals. They have a lot of features within, and those features make the headphones versatile as well.
Comparison Table of Key Specifications
Now that you know some general information about the headphones, let me mention for you some of the key specifications that should definitely be known and mentioned!
| Key Specifications | Hifiman Sundara | Hifiman HE560 |
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Dimensions | 11 x 6.8 x 12.1 inches | 8 x 7 x 4.5 inches |
| Weight | 13.1 ounces | 13.23 ounces |
| Driver(s) | 80 mm | not specified |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz – 75kHz | 15Hz – 50kHz |
| Impedance | 37 ohms | 45 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB | 90 dB |
Hifiman Sundara vs HE560 – Head-to-Head Comparison
The key specifications are good to be known, but there is the design, connectivity, and sound quality which play one of the main roles in the comparison of these two headphones from Hifiman. Let us see how they look, how you can connect them, and how they sound!
How do they look? – Design, Built Quality
Hifiman Sundara and HE560 are both headphones that are used over your ears. They have a similar yet a different look and I would like to mention some main specifications about the design of both of them.
As Hifiman says, their Sundara headphones are tough but beautiful! They come in a matte black finish, which makes them look pretty cool whenever you want to use them. Their headband is made of metal mostly, and even though you may think that it will tighten your head, let me say that it won’t, in any way! The headband is super-comfortable because it owns a leather strap that goes at the top part of your head, and it assures comfortability. The ear cups, on the other hand, are made of a soft material, and being open-back, there is air moving around, and the soft material doesn’t irritate your ears. Those are simply high tier ear cups, something that you will not find on your average headphones.
The Hifiman HE560 have a pretty similar look to Sundara, but still, there is a combination of brown and black colors, and that makes them own a more sleek design in general. The headband of these headphones is as well comfortable since it owns a strap for comfort, but these headphones don’t assure us anything on the durability part. Still, there are ear cups that kind of make it up for that, as they are super comfortable while in your head. They are open-back as well.
Who is the winner?
If you guys are in search of better-looking headphones, just as I mentioned, the HE560 headphones have a sleeker design based on the color combination, but still, when it comes to durability and comfort, the Hifiman Sundara headphones can be considered one step further.
How do they connect? – Connectivity, Compatibility
There are not a lot of things that should be mentioned about the connectivity part of these headphones since they are both the same at the connections. Anyways, I will mention some of the most important things!
Both Hifiman Sundara and Hifiman HE560 headphones are wired, and they work with a 3.5mm headphone connector. When it comes to compatibility, there are no specific devices, but basically, these headphones, both of them, can get connected with any device that owns a 3.5mm port. As you may know, the 3.5mm is the most used type of connector in different devices, so you won’t encounter any problem with the connectivity part.
Who is the winner?
Being both wired, and both getting connected via a 3.5mm cable, I don’t think that there is a winner at this part. They are both amazing!
How do they sound? – Sound Quality, Performance
Something that is known is that Hifiman headphones in general bring a superior soundstage. An important thing that I would like to mention about these headphones is the planar magnetic drivers that they own, and it means that these headphones work with magnets in general. While we are here, I would like to advise you about an article that I wrote, regarding Planar Magnetic vs. Electrostatic Headphones.
Anyways, based on the frequency responses that I mentioned above at the key specifications, you can notice that the Hifiman Sundara headphones have a wider frequency range, and they are amazing at all lows, mids, and highs. The Hifiman HE560, even though not known for the best frequency response, still, the sound is accurate, and its sound signature is perfect for those who prefer classic rock music, indie rock and so on. Moreover, I also like how it has enough sound space that will benefit even gamers.
As a general way of speaking, these headphones, both of them, are amazing when it comes to the sound quality as they know how to deal with every music and every sound! The sound of Hifiman headphones is super clear, accurate, and balanced in many different ways.
Who is the winner?
Everyone should consider and know the frequency response that the headphones that you are about to buy have and work at. Based on that, you guys can notice that here at the sound quality the Hifiman Sundara has a wider range and sounds spectacular, as I already mentioned, and these headphones are kind of better at this part. Still, again mentioning, overall the headphones, both of them, sound amazing.
Which is better? – Final Words
Here we came at the end of this article! These headphones are definitely one of the greatest ones that you can find on the market, but there are some slight differences. If you want my personal opinion on the fact that one is better than the other, I would say that my favorite ones are the Hifiman Sundara headphones! They look cool, can get connected easily, and the sound quality is amazing!
I really hope that you now can make a distinction between Hifiman Sundara and HE560 and in case you are in doubt about which one to choose, I hope this article will help you!
I don’t think that there is anything left to be said, besides I hope you guys have fun!
Further Reading
If you liked what you read so far, there are some other further readings you can do.
For example, there is a list of the top studio headphones under $200. Yep, just like that. There’s also a list of the finest headphones for meditation.
Or a blog that shows how to clean velour earpads.
Sound Artist
I’m a Sound Artist creating immersive sonic experiences. I turn everyday objects into music, turning the mundane into something marvellous!
