HIFIMAN SUNDARA VS DEVA PRO Comparison Review 2024

HIFIMAN SUNDARA VS DEVA PRO Comparison

For a long time, the Sundara was the gold standard for headphones in its price range. At this time, it costs nearly twice as much as the DEVA PRO wired version.

They have a unique structure. The Sundara features metal cups in a round shape and a strap headband. The Deva PRO features an upgraded padded headband with more swivel capability. It is compatible with the Bluemini Bluetooth adapter from Hifiman and features semi-oval cups. Although their cords are removable, the pads are incompatible.

SUNDARA SPECIFICATIONS 

• Drivers: Planar Magnetic 
• Double-sided magnet driver construction 
• Neo-Super-Nano Diaphragm
• Impedance: 37 Ω 
• Sensitivity: 94 dB/mW
• Frequency range: 6 Hz – 75 kHz
• Weight: 372 grams (9.4 oz).
• Cable length: 1.5 meters; amplifier connection: 3.5mm with 6.35mm adapter
• Detachable cables with 3.5mm connectors on headphones 

HIFIMAN DEVA PRO SPECIFICATIONS

• Driver Type: Planar Magnetic Driver with Stealth Magnet Design.
• Double-sided magnet driver construction 
• Neo-Super-Nano Diaphragm
• Frequency Response: 20–20 kHz.
• Impedance: 18Ω
• Sensitivity: 93.5dB.
• Weight: 360g.
• Cable connector on headphones: Dual 3.5 mm or single-sided TRRS 3.5 mm Balanced input socket (for Bluemini) 
• Included cable 1.5 meter or 4.9 Feet; 3.5 mm plug with 6.3 mm adapter 
• Optional external Bluemini Bluetooth adapter (not tested). 

COMPARISONS

Kashmir Blood Beech—They’re almost indistinguishable. With reduced bloom and increased detail, the Sundara boasts a tighter bass. There may be an improvement in triple resolution and the Deva PRO is noticeably lighter.

For the Trio Marcin Wasilewski, Cadenza With greater room between the instruments, the Deva has a lighter, more spacious feel. The treble is now more clearly defined. Warmer and more forward-thinking, the Sundara gives off a meatier vibe.

Tired of Deftones? The Sundara has a bigger, more powerful sound, while the Deva PRO has a somewhat more distant one. The difference is little, but it is not zero. Here, the Sundara is more to my liking.

One of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s offerings is Fire Walker. In this place, things are very different. The Deva PRO has a more expansive and spacious soundstage, making it more immersive. Sundara is sexier, warmer, meatier, and more intimate. Both are enjoyable to me.

One other thing: Floratone by Floratone is not like the others. Even though it seems somewhat thin, the Deva PRO boasts a massive sound stage. Although the Sundara lacks the massive soundstage of the Deva PRO, it compensates with an intimate presentation that is both balanced and cohesive.

Massive Attack’s Angel: The Sundara has a fuller soundstage, deeper bass, and an all-encompassing presentation. Even though the Deva PRO has a larger listening area, the sound is less immediate, personal, and encompassing due to the increased distance.

WRAPPING IT UP 

In terms of soundstage size, depth, and picture quality, the Deva PRO is head and shoulders above the competition. Assuming sufficient authority, the Sundara reigns supreme in matters of macrodynamics. The sundara produces a more authentic tone.

The Deva PRO boasts an impressive treble. Everything is clear and bright. In my opinion, it outshines the Sundara, even though the latter may be heavier by a factor of three. Both aren’t very intelligent.

In the middle ground, you’ll find both of them. On the other hand, the Sundara is heavier in tone and body and has more mid-range intensity. The vocals and other instruments feel closer, more upfront, and warmer.

Bass: That’s the domain of the Sundaras. Though both the Deva PRO and the Sundaras have respectable bass, the latter boasts more defined and textured bass. It sinks further or, more accurately, rolls off at a later date. In stark contrast, the Deva can occasionally come out as airy, carefree, and flowery. Having said that, the bass response is deep and present in both, befitting of genuine planar magnetic headphones. It becomes better with the Sundara.

The Sundara requires additional power for amplification. As the power increases, it becomes even better. I’ve heard it through the speaker taps of several high-quality amplifiers, and it sounds beautiful; nevertheless, if I had used the Sundara with my go-to amplifier, the results would have been drastically different. Rather than scaling in that manner, the Deva PRO is best utilized in smaller or more portable configurations, where it may be driven to its maximum capacity.

To sum up, the Sundara is essentially an upgraded HE400SE. Something is off with the Deva PRO. Treble and soundstage are its strong suits, while bass and overall timbre are Sundara’s. While I find the Sundara’s powerful amp to be more appealing, the Deva isn’t without its merits.