Whilst I don’t know the exact specs, sounds like a) you might need a closed back instead for noise isolation so you don’t have to turn the volume all the way up and b) Sundara may not draw enough power from a DAP. Both 177x and Elegia are well regarded, only problem is they aren’t worth it anymore for the price in the UK. If you want to keep it under £300 for easy to drive closed backs, I’d suggest looking at something like the Denon D5200. You’re right though the T60 is likely to be less efficient than the Sundara.
Don’t bother with the T50-T60’s for mobile use they’re too power hungry.
I’d recommend the Elegia is worth it the mid forward sound will be more familiar with the Sundara’s. Great bass extension too with slam. They’re worth the extra money.
If you can’t afford them the Denon D5200 or any of that Denon line are an easy recommendation they v shaped but really nice and the build is good too. Very easy to power. These two would be my recommendation
also since you’re outdoors a far more cheap pick would be an IEM a Tin T2 or a starfield would be a cheap and simple recommendation that would be akin to that Sundara sound.
I don’t have too much outdoors experience with my Sundara but I don’t believe in open backs in public. But that’s just my opinion of course.
However this is pretty baffeling to me… The Sundara’s have a pretty amazing soundstage for the price and while being far from bassy, the bass they do produce is pretty punchy and ‘planar-y’. But am I correct that you told me you drive these off the Fiio M6?
Speaking as someone who tried EVERYTHING to get them reined in, even felt in various shapes over the driver, it’s a nope but I’m sensitive up there, so maybe the perf pads will work for you.
Why are you so keen on using headphones for outdoors? I tried that a while back with Bose qc35…
if the temperature outside is more than 22 degrees it gets hot. Not to mention if there’s 36 degrees like now.
if it rains I can’t simply pull over a hoodie from my sweater or jacket because it often doesn’t fit over the headstrap. And if it does it leaves half my head uncovered. And walking through the rain with >300€ headphones is not something I would want to do.
If it’s cold in winter I like to wear a beanie or something. Same problem with hoodies.
So for me headphones are just not that convenient outdoors. Im using AirPod Pros if I don’t care too much (and the transparency mode is just extremely handy if you need to talk with someone once in a while, e.g shopping).
And if I do care and want to listen to proper music I use IEMs driven from a FiiO bt5 or through the FiiO utws 3.
They will only fall off if you want them to.
Like if you shake your head violently enough you can also make your headphones fall off. Actually I think it is even easier to let your headphones fall off than IEMs that fit properly in your ears.
IMO soundwise there are very few things that headphones could do that IEMs can’t. Actually the only thing that comes to my mind would be soundstage and the openness feeling. Which you would kinda sacrifice anyway with a closed back headphone.
I don’t own any headphones / IEMs that are like >500$/€. My limit is around 300 - 400. And from what I can tell is that in or below this range soundwise IEMs offer a better value for money than headphones. It comes down to fit and comfort for me.
You should give them a try. Get the blon bl03 for example. They cost around 30 €/$ and are pretty amazing for their price. Try if you get a good fit with the stock tips. If you like them there are a lot of options to upgrade from there …
They certainly can, though generally speaking in the budget range not so much from my experience. Given the right source and synergy, though, a TOTL IEM can hold its own against a lot of high end headphones. For example, my Infinity Mk2 running on my P6 Pro convinced me to sell off most of my headphones and desktop gear, including things up to the level of Diana V2 running off of a XI Broadway.
One of you were right about sundaras being underpowered on fiio m6 !
They’re a lot more crisp now.
I’ve been taking these out and about.
They are Okey. On public surprisingly xd!
But I would rather not have constant anxiety over it being too loud.
I’ve gotten a pair of moondrop starfields!
They’re almost as clear as the sundaras! Obviously not so spacey. But imaging and crispiness is outstanding.
I trialed a set of Bayer mmx300. They’re way too toned down on the mid range. Sent them out for return!
Tbh. Iems surprisingly sound better than closed backs,
Thanks to one of you I’ve actually given iems a go. Since growing up the in ear types of earphones that you could get for cheap always slid out of my ears.
But iems on small tips worked out amazing! With a little bit of opening my jaws and pulling my ears up and twisty insert they get a nice deep insert and it sound gorgeous!
But open backs still retain the details outdoors as far as I have taken it out with me on buses and walks and streets! But you just need to turn it down a wee bit when on quieter streets xd!
!