Kemper Headphones - HiFi Man Sundara vs ATH-M50x

  • Recently, I retired my trusty old ATH-M50x headphones.


    I’ve decided to go with a pre-owned HiFiMan Sundara, after reading positive reviews over the Beyer DT880, and Sennheiser HD650.
    The Sundara is pretty comfortable and sounds more clear than the M50x, very well balanced.


    However the volume of the Sundara is very low compared with the M50x. If I increase the Profiler’s headphone output volume, it compensates the difference but it increases noise as well of some profiles.


    The specs of both headphones are not that different, so I do not know if, either the Sundara really need an external headphone amp or DAC, or this used unit has some issues.


    Does anyone has experience with HiFiMan Sundara and Kemper?


    Some spec details:
    ATH-M50x
    38 ohms, 99 dB, Frequency Response: 15 - 28 kHz

    HiFiMan Sundara: 37 ohms, 94dB, Frequency Response : 6Hz-75kHz

    https://headphonesreviewss.com/best-headphones-for-kemper/

  • ... 94db v 99db is a big difference.

    Yes, it is. I have KPA headphone volume for the M50x at 3 o’clock and Sundara at noon. I’ve isolated the source of noise and now it works as expected. No amp needed. KPA has plenty of power for this headphones.


    M50x is closed back, pure rock&roll experience, but different tune than my Yamaha HS monitors.

    Sundara is open back, planar driver type, more detail and clarity, well balanced. Tune is flatter than M50x with wider frequency range, easier to tone match my studio monitors tune. More comfortable than M50x, not foldable, though. Sundara is a good option for Kemper for tuning and mixing while giving an impressive balance to play long hours along backing tracks with nice detail. It sounds terrific with my MacBook, too.

    Hope you find this useful.


    https://forum.headphones.com/t…ones-official-thread/3248