Hifiman new Single DD flagship: Hifiman Svanar
Dec 28, 2022 at 5:32 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 63

audionewbi

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Hifiman quietly released a new flagship IEM in Japan. What its name? Svanar, its Swediwsh for Swan. Why the quietness? My guess would be the shut down happening in China is not allowing Hifiman mass produce them.

Below is some copy paste from source I can find;
  • Playback frequency band: 5Hz-35kHz
  • Impedance: 60Ω
  • Sound pressure sensitivity: 100dB.
My unit is arriving before year end, I had to add this to my single DD collection after all the positive impression I've read in Japan.

So what changed?

  • For starters, the housing shaped change and improved for better fit.
  • Hifiman is using a hybrid housing material to further play with sound tunning.
  • The driver material did not change, still the same topology driver design method developed in the RE2000.
  • Price still the same (Or very close to origial RE2000 copper).

20221223101029_95295.jpg
 
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Dec 28, 2022 at 5:32 PM Post #2 of 63
Impression #1: 30-Dec-2022:
  • Fit: This is perhaps the most comfortable flagship IEM HFM has designed. The metal housing is lightweight and small in size. It will fix medium to small ears just fine. The larger ears might have a harder time due to the shape design, which is more suitable to fit better to the antihelix of smaller ears.
  • Tip rolling: Like all the other HFM IEMs, tip rolling is essential. The sound varies greatly. I currently have a positive result with Earrbond tips.
  • Cable connection: It wouldn't be a Hifiman product if the product did have its quarks. The 2-pin connector is a shallow one, and while it is a 2-pin 0.78 cm connector, besides the stock cable, I couldn't get any of my other 2-pin cables connected securely. There is a reason why they include a spare 2-pin socket.
  • Source: I'm fortunate enough to have a large variety of DAP in my position. Svanar appears to respond with a different type of output. Out of N8ii, LP6 Gold, HM1000 and RS6, I enjoyed it the most out of HM1000 black and RS6.
  • Sound: This IEM is an improved version of RE2000pro. It excels with Classical, Jazz and music of that type. The vocal presence if an improvement compared to RE2000 but don't expect to be blown away by it as it is not for vocal. I find the vocal always playing at the back, and it is sometimes not as intimate as I want it to be. This is not a bassy IEM. The bass is done so tastefully and masterfully. The IEM has no problem dealing with complex classical pieces.
 
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Dec 29, 2022 at 3:37 PM Post #4 of 63
Following :)
 
Jan 10, 2023 at 7:52 AM Post #8 of 63
Bass is done masterfully. And vocals a real DD delight with its timbre well-done natural. Not forward nor too recessed in positioning. Treble extends well, and avoiding peaks while retaining good brightness. It's organic R2R-like sound which would pair well with a more reference-y neutral pair, more emotional yet not too colored
 
Jan 10, 2023 at 12:58 PM Post #10 of 63
I’ll be following with interest, and resisting a purchase for a little while yet 😬

Why am I so drawn to single DDs?! Thanks for the heads up @ranfan
 
Jan 22, 2023 at 10:22 AM Post #13 of 63
Oh, intriguing....didnt see this coming. I love the RE2000 gold quite alot. Wonder how these will compare to my Final A8000...perhaps more bassy and mid centric?
 
Jan 22, 2023 at 3:21 PM Post #14 of 63
I'm waiting on a balanced cable to arrive; I hope to write the review by mid-Feb.

In short: Svanar proved to be more sourced dependent, just like any other good high-end IEM.
That means its tonality can change vastly depending on what it is plugged into.
I'm a big believer in source synergy, and to my ears, P6 Pro grey and Svanar is a 10/10 pairing.
This pairing is so good that I can see myself using it for a long time and don't feel like I'm missing something

Has it beaten Dita's PPT? No, but I've never taken PPT outdoors, while Svanar has been my daily go-to IEM since its arrival.
 
Jan 22, 2023 at 3:27 PM Post #15 of 63
I'm waiting on a balanced cable to arrive; I hope to write the review by mid-Feb.

In short: Svanar proved to be more sourced dependent, just like any other good high-end IEM.
That means its tonality can change vastly depending on what it is plugged into.
I'm a big believer in source synergy, and to my ears, P6 Pro grey and Svanar is a 10/10 pairing.
This pairing is so good that I can see myself using it for a long time and don't feel like I'm missing something

Has it beaten Dita's PPT? No, but I've never taken PPT outdoors, while Svanar has been my daily go-to IEM since its arrival.

How is the overall signature? Would you consider it an all-rounder or more of a genre specialist?

Still curious, but not yet ready to take the plunge!

Edit - nevermind, I saw your impressions from a few posts back.
 
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