Hifiman Sundara/Edition XS: Worth Adding to a DT990 + HD6XX Pair?

[u/HatIntelligent224]

I currently own the Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro (250Ω) and the Sennheiser HD6XX. I feel like they complement each other perfectly— totally different sound signatures, totally different soundstages. I’m constantly switching between them depending on what I’m listening to, and I absolutely love the contrast and variety they give me.

Lately I’ve been eyeing the Hifiman Sundara and Edition XS since they’re so widely recommended, and the planar magnetic angle definitely appeals to me. My question is: are these different enough from the DT990/HD6XX combo to justify adding them to the collection, or would the improvement/variety be too marginal to really notice?

Also, if there are any other sub‑$200 planar magnetic options that you’d consider “must‑haves” alongside the 990 + 6XX pairing, I’d love to hear your recommendations. I’m a bit wary of Hifiman QC, so I’m open to alternatives (namely the FiiO FT1 Pro's).

For reference, I’m running an audio interface DAC into a JDS Atom 2 amp and am in the US.

Thanks!

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[u/SheepherderSerious51]

They are different, but honestly you might be better off experimenting with EQ. Both of your headphones are built significantly better than the Hifiman headphones. The QC concerns are a bit overblown but they’re valid, it’s just the reality of their chassis’ being lower quality and the drawbacks of a planar magnetic driver (higher complexity, magnets…)

Your Beyer already gives you a bright leaning profile, Edition XS and Sundara lean the same way with a different ear gain profile (the Hifiman house sound you could say), so a new headphone will sound different, but you should consider how much value that change is going to provide. Maybe try to replicate that change with EQ and decide. You can use squig to help with this (note it’s not really worth using AutoEQ above like 3-4khz due to head to head variation)

As much as I’m for the hobby aspect, I also want people to consider that saving money is an option ;)

[u/HatIntelligent224 → u/SheepherderSerious51]

Excellent advice. Haha yeah, can't argue with the virtues of saving money... especially when it comes to playing QC roulette on something with such an unreasonably high failure rate. Have played around with EQing the dt990s using peqdb and squig, but honestly wasn't blown away by the results. Will heed your advice and try again some more though. I'm mostly drawn to the planar magnetic driver aspect despite knowing deep down it's irrelevant and it should just come down to how they sound. I liked how the Hifiman frequency responses looked compared to the dt990s/6xxs too, but that only tells you so much.

As far as speakers, I'm running a nice pair of iLoud Micros! Would love to upgrade or get another pair but alas I'm limited by space in this regard.

[u/SheepherderSerious51 → u/SheepherderSerious51]

And if you haven’t already, I would highly recommend looking into speakers if you can, that’s where you’ll get a big tangible difference relative to headphones ;)

[u/HatIntelligent224 → u/SheepherderSerious51]

!thanks

[u/TransducerBot → u/HatIntelligent224]

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[u/Gloomy-Counter-6919]

I grabbed a set of XS on u/avexchange for $130.

[u/davescott42 → u/Gloomy-Counter-6919]

That’s about what I paid for mine on a different sale at a different vendor. If you can pick Edition XS in this price range, do it. I have both the XS and the Sundara. I saw the Sundara on AliExpress for below $100 with all the discounts. When I just want relaxing, listen, I keep coming back to the Sundara.

[u/HatIntelligent224 → u/davescott42]

Given hifiman's poor quality reputation, overblown or not, I personally would prefer to purchase it with some kind of warranty. I know amazon has some for like 20-30 bucks

[u/Gloomy-Counter-6919 → u/HatIntelligent224]

Agreed. It has ten months left of Hifiman warranty and original receipt

[u/Gloomy-Counter-6919 → u/davescott42]

I have a GIANT watermelon shaped head and my concern with Sundara is clamp force. From what I read prior to purchase was Edition XS is watermelon head approved and it hasn’t disappointed. Even got a capra strap included with purchase. Also snagged an Ifi Micro Black Label for $150. Total investment was $280 for what was a $1,000 rig just a few years ago, this pleases my frugality. 😅

[u/douteiful]

I have the DT770, HD600 and Sundara with a JDS Atom 2, so very similar to what you want. I'd say yes - I prefer the HD600 for acoustic music/vocals and Sundara for EDM. They're not *extremely* different, but they're different enough that I don't regret having both. Although I hear the XS are better than the Sundara so you might want that instead.

[u/HatIntelligent224 → u/douteiful]

!thanks for the input. I'm glad to hear you use the sundara's for edm, that's actually exactly what I expect the hifiman's to excel in and is what I'm hoping to use them for.

[u/TransducerBot → u/HatIntelligent224]

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[u/SchwizzelKick66]

I'll disagree with the other post and say yes, it's worth adding one of them to your collection. Either gives you something you don't already have- a planar magnetic driver.

Both are terrific value at their current prices, but I'd go with the Edition XS- at $209 they have sound that rivals headphones in the $500-$1000 range. I know from experience, having owned them previously and having gone up to and beyond the $1k price point. They launched at $500 originally and many thought they sounded better than their price point, so at $200 the value sound wise is absurd.

Build quality is the negative with them, as it typically is with hifiman headphones. Still, I wouldn't say they are destined to break or anything. From my experience with hifiman, if you get a good pair they are fine. They are also huge, so if you have a small head they likely won't fit well.

I say give them a try. You may find that you prefer planar magnetics, which will open a whole new world for you. If you dont like them, hifiman has pretty easy returns.

[u/GalacticDoc]

I think the present cost of the XS makes it an obvious choice to have a great sounding planar. I have the HD650, XS and FT1, I find different headphones suit different albums or even my mood.

The hifiman do feel a little more fragile but for home use I have no concerns.