HIFIMAN SVANAR Wireless

Note: The original review can be found on the Headphone List.

Introduction​

Hifiman is a familiar name that needs little introduction, for its reputation in the audiophile community far precedes it. "Planar magnetic" technology forms the nucleus of their extensive research and development, as reflected by the numerous headphone releases powered by the fruits of their technical know-how.


The springboard for this relatively young technology is the humble dynamic driver, a tried-and-tested architecture for producing a highly accurate and "warm" sound. Months ago, I reviewed Hifiman's HE-R9, a full-sized circumaural headphone boasting their proprietary "topology diaphragm" dynamic drivers. What I heard was a technically-impressive headphone with an "organic flavour".


The famous New York-based company didn't become renowned because of its dynamic driver releases. The sudden proliferation of the "topology" diaphragm in their latest releases marks a significant deviation from their business-as-usual. But this can no longer be classified as an experiment.


Earlier this year, Hifiman took an ambitious leap of faith by launching their flagship in-ear-monitor (IEM), the Svanar. Powered by the same "topology diaphragm" engine, the Svanar was priced at an eye-watering USD 1999. A statement piece, Svanar's lavish pricing is inaccessible to most audiophiles who aren't willing to smash the two-kilo-buck ceiling.


Thankfully, Hifiman understands its target demographic. The Svanar's "topology diaphragm" technology has trickled into a more wallet-friendly package, albeit in a new form: the Svanar Wireless (TWS). Killing two birds with one stone, Hifiman does one better by miniaturising their revolutionary "Himalayan" R2R DAC architecture into the Svanar Wireless. Two remarkable technologies for the price of $499.


A far cry from the Svanar's original price tag, the Svanar Wireless has some lofty shoes to fill, given that it shares the same moniker with its wired sibling. Today, we examine Svanar Wireless based on its own merits. The Svanar Wireless can be purchased from the Hifiman Store.

Technology​

There are a lot of good things to unpack with the Svanar Wireless. Firstly, Hifiman has successfully distilled its exclusive R2R ladder DAC architecture (known as their Himalaya module) into its diminutive proportions: a feature unheard of in the TWS market. Paired with an amplifier chipset promising 45mW of power into a 32-ohm load, the Svanar Wireless promises high-fidelity audio whilst breaking the low volume ceiling that plagues most TWS units in the marketplace. On top of that Svanar Wireless is also LDAC compatible, giving users the option of lossless streaming.


In classic TWS fashion, the Svanar Wireless comes with typical accoutrements such as deep active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency mode to filter ambient noise in or out, depending on your use cases. However, the one point of differentiation is the Svanar Wireless's "Hi-Fi" mode, touted by Hifiman to significantly improve overall sonic performance. While it doesn't explicitly explain how this mode improves its final performance, I suspect it triggers its Himalayan R2R module's oversampling capabilities.


Hifiman further states that the Svanar Wireless case provides 28 hours of continuous charge, and the earbuds themselves can store up to 8 hours of charge. This is of course, dependent on the mode being employed and how long for. Mileage varies between users, depending on their personal preferences.


Lastly, the real meat and bones of Svanar Wireless lie at its beating heart: the topology diaphragm. Hifiman's game-changing topology diaphragm relies on the different resonant and metallurgical properties of competing materials. Depositing a thin layer of nano-composite material on the surface of the dynamic driver or diaphragm allows the Hifiman team to fine-tune the acoustic properties and performance of the IEM. This newly-minted technology has already been established in Hifiman's HE-R9 and HE-R10D.

Unboxing​

The Hifiman Svanar Wireless comes packed in a black-and-red themed cardboard box, adorned in your standard hero shots of the Svanar wireless unit itself, accompanied by the unit's specifications and the package's contents listed behind the box.


To keep this section brief, the box contains the actual unit itself, a mix of miscellaneous-sized tips (S, M, L) in foam and silicon, and a USB-C charging cable, each component generously encased in plush foam for added security and protection.

Design, Build and Comfort​

The Svanar Wireless charging case comprises a distinct, angular aesthetic with sharp lines and bold contours. Reminiscent of a multi-sided die, the Svanar Wireless' appearance is novel in a sea of ubiquity. Sadly, the case itself is a rather bulky affair, less so a pocketable one, its oversized nature a hindrance to outdoor use.


Underneath its clamshell opening, you'll be greeted by the Svanar Wireless earbuds themselves. There are elongated stems on each end housing a miniaturised microphone. Most shells are fashioned from plastic (despite its silver-alloy appearance), save for the inner housing fabricated from carbon fibre. The deliberate combination of feather-light materials enhances the Svanar Wireless's comfort factor for prolonged listening sessions. While plastic wouldn't be my first choice regarding premium fit, finish and durability, there is no denying that its lightweight stature is 100% complementary to users who listen to music for hours on end.


The spout on each channel is surprisingly short, which may prove troublesome for listeners with deep ear canals. However, the inner ear portion of each channel is moulded exceptionally well, resting snugly and comfortably without detectable fatigue over long periods.


In short, the Svanar Wireless certainly leaves an impression on both the eyes and ears. Apart from a few niggles, Svanar Wireless merges style and substance.

TWS Features​

Toggling between each mode is an effortless affair. All a user needs to do is tap and hold for 5 seconds to switch from one mode to the other upon pairing. A verbal prompt (in a female voice) confirms the switch.


ANC: ANC is the first mode that triggers after the first toggle. ANC is an important feature for undisturbed listening in urban environments. From public transport to construction, cosmopolitan cities are especially susceptible to chronic noise pollution.


The Hifiman's ANC feature is pretty effective in nullifying the distracting effects of wind noise and roaring car horns on my daily commute. Unfortunately, it doesn't eliminate the voicings of passers-by very well, which can prove distracting if you're using the Svanar Wireless for phone calls.


Transparency: Transparency mode is the second mode that triggers after the double toggle. Instead of silencing the outside world, Transparency mode filters noise in to ensure that the listener is aware of his/her/their surroundings at all times. This is especially important for crossing busy roads or walking down questionable alleyways.


Svanar Wireless provides enough passage for external noise to enter, but voicings appear flat and dull, with a noticeable haziness that makes audibility difficult. It is well suited for picking up on ambient noise, but not so much with human conversations. At this price point, I think Hifiman could invest more R&D into refining these two features for future product iterations. Perhaps with a software update?


Hi-Fi: The mode that matters the most to audiophiles. Now, I cannot attest to what is happening internally (equalisation versus an overdriven amp etc.), but what I can do is detail my subjective findings are clearly as possible.


Firstly, there is a noticeable boost in the lower treble which aids in detail-retrieval in odd-harmonic rich instruments. Notes are less hazy, albeit shouty on occasion. Bass bloom while deeper, exhibits more discipline and less unruliness in the sub-registers. Lateral width is improved, as is layering between voicings and instruments. And for listeners who like their music loud, Hi-fi Mode gives the listener more headroom for cranking it up. For the rest of the review, I've chosen to use Hi-fi mode permanently.

Sound Quality​

Summary​

Svanar Wireless derives its base tuning from its larger predecessor, the Hifiman HE-R9, which shares Hifiman's proprietary topology technology. To keep things succinct, the Svanar Wireless boasts a focus on tube-like warmth and even-harmonic richness with higher-than-average technical chops; a consumer-friendly tuning that fares well with dynamically compressed recordings, no matter how poor.


The Svanar Wireless has a syrupy midrange with a distinct sweetness in the lower-mids, erring on the side of "dark". The slowness (attack and decay) of the sub-bass emphasises reverb which results in significant colouration in the bass. It's a very welcomed tuning for day-to-day listening: a reminder of why audiophiles appreciate the undeniable coherency of a single dynamic driver.

Bass​

The Svanar Wireless has a robust bass response with a strong presence. Mid-bass runs deep, with a lingering swell of sub-bass that provides definition and texture. The upside to this is that recordings are presented in a manner faithful to their analogue forebears. Bass textures are accentuated with verve, without any perceived haziness or sacrifices in micro-detail.


The downside is the boominess from a sluggish PRAT, which can mask hidden details in the mid-bass. The dimpling of the driver as it compresses. Thankfully, the crowning strength of the Svanar Wireless is its midrange, which compensates for the bass response's propensity for lingering. Agility is not its strong suit, but its alluring qualities are what endears listeners.

Midrange​

The Svanar Wireless has an incredibly moreish midrange that can only be described as luscious. Colouration is done on purpose without perceived gaps in the midrange, save for tasteful boosts in the lower midrange. I've described a lot of earphones in my tenure as "warm", many erring on the side of too warm without the pre-requisite technical chops to back it up.


This time around, Svanar Wireless reverses that trend. This is by no means an analytical earphone, but it strikes a healthy balance between enjoyment and finesse. Notes are presented with strong definitions, with classical instrumentation (pianos etc.) rendered realistically. Unlike its cheaper rivals, the Svanar Wireless does a fine job compensating for the sub-bass gulf that threatens to smear details in the rest of the frequency band.

Treble​

Presence is what injects liveliness and energy into the frequency band, giving it a sharp profile that forms the bulk of what we define as "clarity". Here, there is a detectable segmentation in the treble region between the upper and lower treble, with the latter taking precedence over the former.


The lower treble is the focal point of the presence region, highlighting the gentler undertones with a mellower tone. Principle tones still retain their fundamental timbres without deviating from the status quo, but the liveliness or up-top sparkle tapers off early to avoid unpleasant peaks. The definition is clear below but purposefully avoided up top. Overall treble detailing is on par with sub-$500 wired flagships, which is unprecedented territory for a TWS.


This aversion to upper treble is warranted; ear-piercing shriekiness and raspiness detract from the overall listening experience. However, I believe the Svanar Wireless could use a dB more in the upper regions to "spice" things up with more airiness: a healthy juxtaposition between air from the top (presence) and bottom (bass).

Soundstage and Imaging​

The Svanar Wireless subverts the TWS norm by exhibiting excellent width and depth laterally between both channels: an impressive feat for a TWS IEM. The overall soundstage borders on an out-of-head experience, stretching a fair distance from the ears. It doesn't reach the depth-of-field headphones can achieve, but the Svanar Wireless displays qualities some of its wired rivals can't achieve.


The positioning of instruments and vocals within its peripheral field is realistically placed amongst one another. Imaging, while not analytical, offers an ease of separation and identifiability between each sonic cue. It is important to note that the bass-bloom mitigates the psychoacoustic distance between instruments and vocals, which hurts distinguishability slightly by creating a closeted-in effect.


However, compared to other TWS IEMs in the market, the Svanar Wireless is still miles forward in terms of unadulterated raw performance. It maintains a coherent image whilst offering users remarkable transparency even in the most abrupt swings in volume.

Comparisons​

Grell TWS 1​

Introduction:​

Axel Grell made the bold decision to venture into the sphere of consumer electronics as he departed his cherished role at Sennheiser, a position in which he pioneered some of the industry's best premium headphones like the revered HD650. The eponymously named Grell TWS 1 earmarks its first foray into the TWS segment of the market, the biggest differentiator being Axel's breadth of expertise in R&D.


Priced at USD 199, we're pitting two fan-favourite brands whose repertoires mainly lie in wired earphones, less so TWS ones.

Design:​

German minimalism teethers on the edges of form and function, free from superfluous elements that throw off the design language of a product. The Grell TWS 1 bears the same trademark austerity, with a satin-finished space-grey aluminium frame coming in at just 7.3g on each channel.


Case-finishing is essentially the same, save for an odd design quirk. The L-channel earpiece is stored on the right side of the case, and the R-channel earpiece is stored on the left side. It takes a bit of "brain" reprogramming to get used to.


The earpiece nozzles are rather girthy, less so length-wise, which may limit how well it seal in larger or smaller ear-canals. In theory, the touch controls on the Grell TWS 1 appear to be well-thought-out. The right earpiece contains the bulk of basic commands, allowing users to control the volume (swipe up/down), play/pause music (tap once), and activate a voice assistant (double tap). Conversely, the left-hand side allows users to skip forward or back (swipe left or right), switch to transparency mode (single tap), and switch to ANC or NAR ala Noise Annoyance Reduction mode (long press for 3 seconds and seconds respectively).


Right off the bat, these agglomeration features aren't all that well implemented. Firstly, the connection quality between the source and TWS1 is susceptible to drop-outs and constant extraneous interference. Secondly, the TWS1 struggles to register the more complex gestures and commands, triggering incorrect responses.


And thirdly, the Grell TWS 1 suffers a similar fate as the Svanar Wireless. Each "mode" is ineffectual at filtering noise in/out. Additionally, the NAR mode doesn't seem all that useful, providing an awkward cross-section between ANC and standard listening modes.

Sound Quality:​

To be clear, the price differential between both products makes this a partial contest. The Grell TWS-1 has a V-shaped frequency response, with a sizeable scoop in the lower-mids and mid-bass. On their own merits, the bass and upper mids are expressive, with the classic "Axel-Grell" veil that suppresses unruly peaks. Long-term enjoyment and musicality are priorities numero uno on the TWS 1. Treble exhibits solid qualities, with a fair amount of porousness and airiness that we've come to expect.


Unsurprisingly, the Svanar Wireless is the master in most regards. Both IEMs feature a boomy bass response that could be described as cavernous. However, the TWS 1's low end is miles back in terms of bass texture, microdetail and control. Timbral reproduction is an organic affair on the Svanar Wireless, with life-like mids and a lusher tonality to the treble. Indexing for soundstage depth-of-field and imaging proficiency is the same affair, with the Svanar Wireless being two steps ahead in raw performance.


But of course, this leap in performance comes with a leap in price. I have to give credit where credit is due. The TWS1 fared bravely and commendably, given the sizeable valley in price.

Conclusive Remarks​

The Svanar Wireless is (probably) the king of the hill in the marketplace for flagship-level sonic performance. From a musical but analytical sound signature and its ability to span beyond the ears, the Svanar Wireless is a worthy little brother to the Svanar wired.


While there is room for improvement in its set of features, the Svanar Wireless is

General/Build/Comfort/Packaging
I don’t think anybody needs an introduction for Hifiman. They’re well known for their line up of planar magnetic headphones, and recently their in house R2R DAC. I have the opportunity to test out the Svanar Wireless, which is based on their flagship single DD IEM that shares the same driver configuration, namely the topology diaphragm. You may check out this link for more information about the coating.
The build quality of Svanar wireless is as premium as it can get, with an ergonomic design focusing on comfort (more on this later) with a sheath of carbon fibre compared to the wired Svanar which is brass. The charging case does have a faux leather kind of look to it, the surface is a little too smooth and sometimes it's hard to open the case. As for the fit, do take the time to choose the right eartips as this will either make or break the seal for a good sound as well as fit. The packaging is rather straightforward and minimal, various types of eartips.

Specifications
Frequency Response: : 10Hz-35kHz
Bluetooth Version: : Bluetooth 5.2
HIFI Mode: : up to 4 hrs
ANC Mode: : up to 6 hrs
Transparency Mode: : up to 7 hrs
ANC Spec: : up to 35dB
Waterproof: : IPX5
Single Head Weight: : 8g
Charging Case Weight: : 83.7g
Transmission Distance: : up to 15m (barrier-free transmission)
Codecs: LDAC, SBC, AAC

Gears used for this review

• iPhone 12 Mini with Apple Music
• Google Pixel 5 LDAC with UAPP Tidal
• Hifiman Svanar Wireless

Foreword
My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far

*An important note prior going into the sound impression, Svanar Wireless’s sound is very tip dependent, in fact it can make or break the sound, so please take your time to tip roll and get a good seal. I took quite a bit of time to look for one that’s suitable for me, because the bundled ones don't fit my ears at all.

General Features
Touch Control

• Works well, fairly sensitive and doesn’t require a lot of effort to use it

Proximity Sensor

• Auto pause when the sensor detects the earpiece is taken out and resume playback when the sensor detects the earpiece is in ear again

Connectivity/Range

• The box/manual clearly mentioned that LDAC is bandwidth consuming, hence connectivity issue is to be expected, that is true and it does occurs during my time when i’m listening to it with LDAC codec
• I suspect this has got something to do with the R2R dac processing indirectly affecting the LDAC connectivity
• AAC and SBC on the other hand works fine and has no connectivity issue
• The workaround to resolve the LDAC connectivity issue if you insist on using LDAC codec is to trigger the playback quality to Connection Quality(330kbps/303kbps) or Balanced Audio and Connection Quality(660kbps/606kbps), i noticed these two mode does that cause the connectivity issue to occur that much

ANC/Transparency Mode

• The noise cancellation works alright to cancel out the noise from certain low frequencies, it doesn’t work that well when it comes to mids and high frequencies such as when people are talking or when you’re out in a noisy environment, simply put, the noise cancellation’s performance is nowhere near the AirPod Pro
• Transparency mode is also average, it does make you aware of the surroundings but when people are talking to you, with the music still playing back, you can’t really hear the voice of the person talking to you, again, nowhere near the AirPod Pro’s transparency mode

Battery Life

• Battery life is fair with the Hi Fidelity mode coming in around 5 hours ish for my usage with LDAC and at 40% listening volume
• ANC and Transparency mode does have a lot longer playtime ranging from 6-7 hours based on my observation when leaving it to loop through the songs
• The claim on the battery life is quite inline with Hifiman’s and i honestly have no issue with the shorter battery life on Hi Fidelity mode simply because of its sonic performance

Sound Impression with Hi Fidelity Mode (Tested with AAC and LDAC)
This is the default mode on every startup, also my preferred tuning/mode that I use most of the time. With the processing from the R2R dac embedded within the TWS, it does have the R2R tonality that sounds slightly analog-ish, timbre sounds very natural to my ears as well. Bass has very good punch and speed, tracks like Metallica’s Lux Aeterna, Slipknot’s People=crap!, are being handled by Svanar Wireless effortlessly, without sounding muddy nor bloated. Sub bass does rumble when the track calls for it, however it is not basshead kind of bass, sounds clean and good quality rumble. Good seal from the eartips is very important here. The mids are not too forward nor recessed, vocal positioning is quite center, but not very “in your face”, male vocal sounds a little lacking in terms of body, certain artist’s vocal can sound a little “brittle” especially for Zhao Peng, where his voice is supposed to sound deep and full, female vocal on the other hand sounds good with decent texture and body. Treble has a good amount of air and presence, this makes the whole music presentation sounds very airy. It is energetic but never offensive nor harsh. Detail retrieval is good as nuances can be picked up easily. Soundstage and imaging is really impressive for a wireless earphone. It has a very holographic kind of soundstage to my ears, good width and height perception, a little lacking in depth but other than that, it is really impressive. Instruments can be pinpointed easily where it’s coming from with good accuracy.



Sound Comparison with ANC and Transparency Mode
ANC Mode

• The difference between ANC mode vs Hi-Fidelity mode is very noticeable, i would even go as far as saying its day and night difference in terms of sound
• Bass is not as punchy on ANC but still with decent quality and control
• Sub bass rumble more or less similar to Hi Fidelity mode
• Mids are slightly recessed compared to Hi Fidelity mode
• Treble doesn’t sound as airy nor extended as on Hi Fidelity Mode, indirectly also affecting detail retrieval
• Soundstage also doesn’t sound that holographic compared to Hi Fidelity Mode

Transparency Mode

• Transparency mode to my ears is slightly better than ANC mode, but of course when compared to Hi Fidelity mode, obviously the latter is far superior in terms of sonic performance
• Bass and mids are more or less similar sounding with ANC mode
• Treble is slightly better offering a little bit more air compared to ANC mode
• Better width,depth and height perception on the soundstage

Final Thoughts
All in all, the Svanar Wireless is a very good TWS if you are looking at it from the sonic performance, the general TWS features such as noise cancellation, transparency mode, and connectivity issue does hinder the overall rating of Svanar Wireless. If you’re looking for a good sounding TWS, Svanar Wireless no doubt is the one for you if you’re willing to overlook a certain shortcoming of it, but of course I did mention the workaround above and it pretty much resolves the issue for me. The price is indeed premium for a TWS, but looking solely at the sonic performance, i’d say it rivals the wired IEMs around 100-150$, also the tech within the TWS such as the R2R dac, i’d say its a fair price considering the design and engineering effort needed for such device

*Svanar Wireless is sent over by Hifiman for the purpose of this review. I thank them for the opportunity as always

If you are interested in getting one, head over to their official webstore
Hifiman Svanar Wireless - Non affiliated

TONALITY: 8.5/10
TECHNICALITIES: 8.2/10
TIMBRE: 8.2/10
SOUNDSTAGE: 9/10
IMAGING: 8/10
CONNECTIVITY: 6.5/10
CONSTRUCTION: 7.5/10
COMFORT: 8/10
CONTROL: 7/10
SOUND VALUE: VS TWS: 8.8/10 VS IEMS: 6.5/10

INTRO

Hifiman is a well established audio products company from China that have a wide range of products release including Planar headphones, DAP, DAC-AMP, IEMs and TWS Earbuds.

They have patented R2R DAC-AMP as well, which was use with their Deva Pro headphones as well as the Svanar Wireless I will review today.

Priced 500$, the Svanar Wireless is a flaghip TWS buds using R2R DAC-AMP and promising excellent sound quality as well as loud and dynamic rendering. Like most Hifiman IEMs, it use the Topology diaphram technology too.

Let see in this review what I will conclude about these luxurious TWS IEMs.


CONSTRUCTION



Like everybody seing the products pictures, I was expecting the Svanar TWS to be made of light alluminium alloy, but it's all plastic, front part seem different part of more high quality plastic. Overall shell is big and chunky but have an ergonomic share and is quite light, so with the right (non included) eartips and shallow fit I find it comfortable even for long listening session. Why shallow fit is mandatory? Because the nozzle is very short.
Desigh aesthetic isn't the most beautiful too, at least based on reaction from friends and family which find it weird looking. Personally it's more the big bulbous size that puzzle me, but this indeed permit to expend soundstage it seem.

The waterproof rating of these is IPX5, which mean you can wear it under the rain. I did it, no damage to be report.



The charging case is most luxurious looking part of the Svanar TWS, it's a bit heavy and don't fit well in pocket but have a sturdy elegant built. My qualm about this is that sometime the buds don't fit perfectly for proper charging.



Packaging is very minimalist, nothing to write really. Accessories is about 5 pairs of silicone eartips and 2 pairs of memory foams ear tips. As well as basic USB to USBC charging cable.



CONTROL



The control is enough minimalist to not be confusing, but not always up there in term of proper working.
I mean, everything work well most of time but it does happen that you take out the Svanar and touch pad dont work, you then need to put them back in and so forth.
It can happen only one buds will connect, you then need to do same thing.
It can be problematic when issue happen on the go and you dont have the charging carrying case to reset connectivity properly too, for ex, when you hold 3 sec the touch pad, it switch to Noise Cancelation, Transparency or Hifi mode, but it happen often it disconnect doing so.

When it does work, it's more intuitive than something like Final ZE8000 in term of proper touch pad sensitivity.

One press do Play/pause, 2 press go back song and 3 press next song. It's reactive 90% of the time.

Real issue is the ''disconnected'' surprise when you change mode when holding touch pad for 3 seconds as stated above.

SOUND MODE

ANC MODE

The noise cancelation is rather light but present. In fact, music play at lower volume than Hifi mode but we hear less outside noise than max volume of Hifi mode with music on so it does seem the 35db attenuation is legit....but I dont think it worth the leaner dynamic less musicality it deliver.

TRANSPARENCY MODE

Compared to Hifi mode, we here more outside noise, so the mic do add outside noise awareness, but here at max volume it play louder than ANC mode too...dynamic is better and this mode is quite usefull for at work.

HIFI MODE

Only worthy mode sound quality wise in my opinion, yet, Ldac issue make it sometime frustrating. Anyway, whole sound experience become more dynamic, open, full bodied and holographic, timbre is less affected by digital noise artefact. As well, different between AAC-SBC and Ldac aren't night and day, yet very valuable for audiophile ears.


CONNECTIVITY

For me, this is where the Svanar Wireless show its ''Achilles heels'' and it would be lying not to say this very connectivity instability make me confirm I will never touch anymore earbuds for the rest of my Audiophile life. Well, with the above control weakness combined, which is in fact quite common with most TWS buds too. But perhaps not as frustrating.

So, listening to Ldac outdoor in a city is just plain impossible with these, it will have invasise intermitence and noise cutting, whatever you got your phone in front of these it will not be trustable. One intermittence and whole music track immersivity is kill for me so let say i swear alot walking with those with Ldac.

Buuuuuuuut! If you clost wifi it can slightly improve it, i try these with 3 different phone and it behavior differently, nonetheless, ive never been spoil with perfect connectivity on the go with Ldac, just never.

Then if you go SBC (+wifi off), connectivity issue is solved and the sound quality isn't disastrous, think about going from Flac to MP3, it's about what you get here, slightly less clean and edgy resolution, more noisy background but as open and holographic soundstage and overall similar dynamic and tonality.

But you don't pay 500$ for low bitrate codec.

While at home or in deep forest, connectivity improve with Ldac. Another reason to run away from city!

BATTERY LIFE

At about 70% of volume, using Ldac with Hifi mode i can get about 4H single charge, so with 3 extra charge we can expect about 16H of autonomy, which is quite good.

SOUND IMPRESSIONS

(all sound impressions are made with Ldac using High Fidelity mode)

The overall Svanar TWS tonality can be summarize as gently bright and bassy W shape, with a smooth balance, warm punch slam, lush mids and extended, crunchy and snappy treble.

The first thing that impress listener is the rich macro dynamic which is lively, heavy in note weight and holographic in it's presentation. The spatiality is the highlight here, Svanar offering most gigantic soundstage of all TWS IEMs i've try as well as most sub-500$ cable IEMs too.

It trigger an engaging and immersive musicality where it's easy to get lost.

It's evident too that Svanar take full advantage of it's R2R DAC-AMP which permit unreachable technical performance I will try to devlop a bit more here.

But let's begin with the bass, which isn't lacking both in mid bass slam and sub bass wide headroom resonance and rumble.

We are in warm bass territory that slip and boost the lower mids range frequencies in a liquid natural way, keeping a tactile sens of sepration in layering but not being perfectly define in separation.
The physical impact and tone fullness is more focus than timing in attack edge which is a bit colored by sub bass warmth.
Bass line are not the easiest to follow due to this, but the slam headroom is stretched, vast and euphonic in a very addictive way.
Kick drum is warm, round and chunky with good note weight, While toms will have a bit too much resonance sustain for well define attack lead.
It seem prime goal of lower end is to cover whole fundamental frequencies which permit to all tenor instrument to sound fully restitute, cello sound vibrant, lush and dense is attack while the double bass sound natural too, not detached in term of texture and tone.
Yes, the low end is quite colored here, it's far from lean and neutral and the sub bass extension isn't reaching down to 20hz, but the acoustic resonance mimic the rumble lenght and it does work even if it affect proper attack control, so don't expect tightest bass response, the Svanar TWS low end is more appropriate for pop, soul, classical, slow jazz, folk, rap and R&B than fast hard hitting music like metal, some jazz, some rock.

The mid range sit between bright and lush, with an open holographic layering, full lower mids and impressive note weight. It's really best of both world when it come to hifiman since the timbre is on the thick natural side but well textured and the presence is well rounded and bodied.
Both male and female vocal are fowards sounding yet not sibilant, shouty or overly boosted in presence grain, thus the lushness terminology, we can say creamy with hint of pepper but i will fall in gastronomic terminology too much perhaps.
What is impressive is the good technical performance of this mid range since sound layers are plenty and multi layered within a vast and hefty macro dynamic 3 D rendering.
The transparency is good too, so contrast of those sound layers don't mix up and keep their singular loudness amplitude in a lively and cohesive way.
I can't say it's cleanest mid range though since the bass do stole background air clarity for proper instruments spacing crispness.
Yet it's not thin nor cold nor dry in term of timbre, its quite natural and excell with vocal and woodwinds instrument.
Piano too sound wonderfull, softed in presence texture with well felt and extended note weight and attack, no presence grain to be find and no lean dynamic here.
Finally, violin lack a bit of attack lead bite and proper definition of it's presence, but tone is right, and rendering isn't thin nor shouty.

Then the treble is open, crunchy and snappy. We don't struggle following percussions line which are fast and edgy enough in rendering. We aren't in dark treble here and level of micro details are quite good even if it's not analytical way.
To my ears, it's more evident to spot the Bluetooth limitation in treble area, in the sens that for me clarity is about how clean and well resolve are high pitch instrument and micro details, I can't overseen that silence have noise with all bluetooth IEMs i have try and those Svanar are no exception even if dynamic amplitude permit to avoid this background noise to mix with the fine details and instruments definition and layering.
So the highs are full sounding, never thin, they don't lack in edge even if their hint of euphonic delimitation to micro details of definition.
Cymbals sustain release are fully blossom but not the most brilliant in extension, splash cymbals are a bit tamed in amplitude freedom, so it's not splashy but not crisp either.
I'm not sure to understand how the highs sound so open but their something about slight extra sparkle here, not in far upper treble region but the metallic snap is there with pulled string.



The Soundstage is main star of the show for me, its very wide and tall with decent depth too. It sound very out of your head, you feel you bring a whole room with you. Their no doubt its the biggest spatiality rendering I've heard with any high end earbuds.

Then it should mean the imaging excellent, which it is in TWS realm, but it's mostly about the dynamic rendering of each sound layer that permit good holographic separation in Y axis. For more static and less loud instrument, it will suffer from lack of clean separation in X axis. Nonetheless, its very very good instrument positioning perception.


COMPARISONS



VS FINAL ZE8000

The ZE8000 sound more neutral to L shape, warmer and have more sub bass boost and warmth that permit heavier note weight, thicker but creamier timbre and overall more natural timbre.
The dynamic is more laid back, resolution is darker but more liquid and organic than edgier resolution of Svanar, that offer a more W shape and punchy signature.
Bass separation is inferior and more bleedy than Svanar, its mellower in punch, its slightly thicker in term of bass to lower mids transition, it's slower and not very textured compared to Svanar too.
Mids feel leaner, and a bit more recessed both male and female vocal wise in term of plain presence boost but thisn presence is more bodied, have more lower harmonic balance and lushness, never sibilance will occur so it's smoother more butter yet less open, crisp, clean, detailed and well resolved than Svanar which have greater upper mids gain, more precise imaging and vaster sound layering capability.
Treble is edgier, crunchier and more sparkly too with the Svanar, ZE8000 offer a thicker softer treble with smoothed brilliance and very relaxed dynamic, it's not very textured nor very clean in definition, it does lack air on top compared to Svanar too, as well as fast attack control and clean decay.
Soundstage is way more tall, wide and deep with the Svanar, no comparison here.
Imaging is less foggy as a whole and sharper in each instrument definition with wider spacing between them with the Svanar, again, no competition.

All in all, while neutral in overall balance, the bass and lower mids coloring is quite intense with the ZE8000, it's evident than te technical peformance like imaging, soundstage, attack speed-control and resolution are extremely inferior to the Svanar, yet for tone and timbre lower only as well as vocal lover, the ZE8000 might win their hearth. I doesn't win mine though.

VS Unique Melody Ufree :

Now in term of technical competition, we have a closer match though it's all about the Bone conduction driver part of UM sound rendering which doesn't sound as lush, cohesive and natural as Svanar more dynamic rendering.
In term of macro dynamic rendering, UM feel more compressed and in your head, less open and airy than Svanar.
The bass isn't as round and heavy hitting as Svanar, it doesn't have alot of air in term of rumble, it's dryer with more boosted texture and presence. Lower extension is more natural and deep and vibrant with the Svanar, mid bass punch is a hint warmer but still more tactile and meaty than UM.
Mids are less lean and bright and boosted in texture presence than UM, vocal are more wide and open, less stock in your head and compressed, timbre is lusher too, not as bright in texture, overal mid range is more compressed, lean and artificial with the UM.
Treble is dryer and less crisp and sparkly with the UM, the dynamic feel again compressed, less airy open and free in natural decay than Svanar.
Soundstage is stock in your head way more with UM and less holographic, wide and deep.
Imaging lack proper space between both X axis instrument separation and Y axis sound layers separation with the UM.

All in all, Svanar is both superior in technicalities and tonal balanced, as well as timbre and tone naturalness and ultimately musicality: wich the UM crually lack.



VS HIFIMAN SVANAR+iFi GO POD (2400$ TWS DUO)

It most be noted here that I was puzzled to compare a TWS to cabled IEM with mid or high end source, so to be fair i downscale the Svanar with best TWS dac-amp out there. WHy down scale? Cause Svanar are 60ohm of impedance and benefit more than 120mw@32ohm amping.…

Nonetheless, it's evident technical performance like clarity, attack control, imaging accuracy, fine micro details and everything but soundstage is better with OG Svanar.

Yes, the TWS have bigger soundstage, which underline the benefit of R2R DAC-AMP, which i dynamic gain is superior to Go Pod, at least, for the very Svanar driver…

Tonality is near identical, but OG Svanar offer a more balanced W shape, hint less warm and bassy, we don't have as much sub bass resonance warmth in low end so the bass is more textured, better define in mid bass for kick drum presence and tighter-faster in attack control, which mean it's better separated from mid range too.

OG Svanar mids are cleaner, better resolved, edgier in definition and more transparent yet richer in texture info too. For ex, piano note are less warm and have longer cleaner natural decay. It seem upper mids are less smoothen and hint brighter too, female vocal aren't as lush and wide in presence than the TWS but they are better extracted and layered, less softed in definition edge. Overall mids are less colored and thick than TWS too.

Treble is more snappy and sparkly, percussions are easier to follow and level of macro and micro sound info are all superior with OG Svanar. Overall treble is cleaner, less softed in sustain-release.

Svanar TWS soundstage is taller and wider but not as deep since clarity isn't as sharp and clean, silence being more ''noisy''.

Imaging while less holographic is notably more accurate, precise and sharp with OG Svanar.

All in all, the Svanar TWS isn't far of OG Svanar tonality but technical performance can't compete with them, especially if we use high end source, but with something entry level like GO POD, the Svanar TWS surpass OG Svanar in term of spatiality and offer a more holographic and immersive musicality, with warmer but fuller tone and overall more pleasant performance even if not as technical.

CONCLUSION




The Svanar Wireless barely make me change my mind about TWS IEMs in general, I mean, it does in term of plain sound quality that can challenge cabled IEMs, but not in 500$ price range, more in 200$ and lower price range if connected to a good source.
Since i'm a passionate being, if something annoy me, it tend to ruin whole enjoyement experience and the Ldac connectivity issue was a very big drawback for me as well as random plain disconnection on the go if I change mode.

So, did the Svanar TWS are thinked for sedantary use? Well, with nowadays 4G and 5G wifi invading every space, I do think TWS is even more risky than before to buy if you live in a city or even a small village like me. If you live in forest....I guess it can be OK, but at they end it can be solve using AAC or SBC codec.

On the positive side: the Svanar Wireless are the very best sounding TWS buds i've ever heard, with the most dynamic and holographic rendering, beautiful mids and airy treble, and a warm slam that make my head bang more than one time.

Will i recommend this for serious audiophile? Nope.

But hey: Highly recommended for TWS lover!






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PS: I want to thanks Hifiman for sending me this review sample. As always, those are my 100% independant minded audio impressions.

You can order the Svanar Wireless for 500$ directly from official Hifiman store here:
https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/svanar-wireless.html

I am thrilled to review another true wireless in-ear monitors. It has been a while since I reviewed TWS set. This time, we are going to review the Hifiman Svanar Wireless. It is also the first of its own to use an R2R DAC in each pair. The SVANAR Wireless uses the HIMALAYA which stands as a refined 24-bit DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter), distinguished by its utilization of the R2R architecture. This design is highlighted by an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) chip, intricately composed of an array of resistors.

DISCLAIMER:​

• I have no affiliation with HIFIMAN and have not received any monetary compensation during or after writing this review. This unit is loaned to me by Auricular Remedy and this will be an honest and unbiased review.
• As a non-professional reviewer, I aim to use simple terms that can be understood by both beginners and experts in the hobby.
• Please keep in mind that the opinions expressed in this review are subjective and based on my personal experience with the unit. I encourage you to try the product yourself to form your own opinion.

PACKAGING​

The packaging appears quite simplistic, yet regrettably underwhelming. The provided eartips are cheap and uncomfortable to use, especially to my sensitive skin, and there is a noticeable absence of instructional materials regarding the product's usage. However, they do offer an online manual on their official website, accessible here.



What's inside the box:

• SVANAR TWS and Wireless Charging Case
• 5 pairs of silicone eartips
• 2 pairs of foam tips
• USB Type-C cord

BUILD QUALITY​

The build quality of the TWS case is rather questionable since it uses a somewhat plasticky design but it has a cool and sophisticated geometric design which makes it very modern looking. The in-ear monitors showcase a unique and attention-grabbing design, yet they are not without their imperfections. The faceplate features a silver plastic shell, and given the price point of $500, an alloy shell might have been a more premium choice. The inner section of the shell adopts a carbon-fiber-like pattern, but the nozzles are notably short, which could potentially be a problem to longer stemmed in-ear monitors. Additionally, the mesh appears rather inexpensive, reminiscent of what you might find on low-cost Chi-fi in-ear monitors, no offense intended. The tactile region on the shell is conveniently discernible by touch and offers impressive sensitivity, but it can be annoying since the touch panel is not capacitive, meaning it responds to anything other than the electrical flow of our body parts. From my personal experience, the fit is rather uncomfortable for me as it causes discomfort in the tragus area of my ear. These TWS has an IPX5 rating, signifying their water and sweat resistance.

CONNECTIVITY AND CONTROL​

For additional details regarding the controls, please refer to the online manual.

While the controls offer high precision, the touch control mechanism can be quite bothersome due to its non-capacitive nature. For instance, when lying on your side in bed, it might inadvertently pause the currently playing music. The SVARNA provides fundamental playback controls, although it does not include a volume control feature.

In terms of connectivity, the AAC and SBC connections are pretty much stable and has good bandwidth and stability. The concern emerges specifically when using the LDAC mode, as there might be potential issues during mode transitions or while physically moving. Throughout my experience with the SVARNA, I've consistently encountered challenges such as disconnections, sudden pauses, and sporadic audio playback limited to just one side. Undoubtedly, this problem stands as a considerably significant drawback. Hifiman is very transparent about this issue since they have a warning label on the box and manual about the consequences in using LDAC mode.

CODEC SUPPORT​

I'm using my Sony XZ1 Compact, which features APTX and APTX HD support. Yet, upon attempting to switch to the APTX codec, it consistently reverts to LDAC. The device does have support to LDAC, AAC and SBC, albeit restricted to these options.

MODES​

The Svanar has three modes, the Hi-Fi mode is the default configuration outside the box.

• High Fidelity
• Transparent Mode
• Active Noise Cancellation mode

To be honest, my experience left me quite disappointed, as these modes failed to make a significant impression on my listening encounters. The transparency mode of the Svanar is less than commendable, as it doesn't effectively amplify ambient noise, leaving me with the sensation that I still need to remove my earphones to grasp my surroundings. While it does capture some minimal ambient sounds, its performance is rather limited. Comparatively, the transparency mode of the Samsung Buds 2 Pro, although not perfect, is notably superior to the Svanar. When I first engaged the transparency mode on the Buds 2 Pro, I noticed a considerable improvement in my ability to hear my surroundings better while wearing them. The ANC did nothing better as well as it only recessed the sound rather than cancelling environmental noise. While the ANC mode doesn't provide exceptional isolation, it does offer a modest level of noise reduction in contrast to the approach of maximizing the volume in Hi-Fi mode to block environmental sounds. It manages to fulfill its purpose to a certain extent, although it doesn't particularly stand out in this regard.

SOUND​

The Svanar Wireless has a balanced sound-signature which sounds energetic, and natural.

BASS
The bass carries a rich, full-bodied texture with a well-balanced tonality, offering a substantial amount of sub-bass presence. While the midbass lacks forceful, impactful punches, the pronounced sub-bass delivers a satisfying experience. It demonstrates versatility, capable of diving deep when required or maintaining a more subtle presence.

MIDRANGE
The midrange is subtly recessed, yet it emanates a warm and natural tonal quality. Both male and female vocals possess a euphonic resonance. Instruments are not snappy, yet they do have a respectable level of detail.

TREBLE
The treble maintains a secure and laid-back nature. It avoids any harshness or sibilance while encompassing a pleasant sense of spaciousness. This quality makes it suitable for extended listening sessions. I just can't use this comfortable without finding the right snug fit and usually hurts the tragus area of my ear.

TECHNICALITIES
Considering its $500 price tag for a true wireless setup, the soundstage leaves much to be desired. While it presents average width and height, it manages to avoid sounding congested or messy. The imaging remains accurate, displaying smooth panning that ensures every element occupies its appropriate position on the stage. The resolution is commendable, as there is no discernible distortion regardless of whether you increase or decrease the volume.

TEST TRACKS​

CONCLUSION​

​

PROS:

• Excellent balanced sounding TWS
• Natural and energetic tonality
• Elegant design
• Commendable battery life
• It has the capacity to accommodate various sizes of ear tips within the charging case.

CONS:

• Uncomfortable fit (personal)
• Plastic materials used are quite disappointing for $500
• No volume controls
• No APTX Support
• Not a fan of its ANC and Transparency mode
• The charging case is bulky and not easily pocketable
• No instruction manuals, you'll have to search for it online

While the Hifiman Svarna has an excellent sonic performance, unique design, and commendable battery life. However, its features and overall quality is quite lackluster, despite its unique design. At a cost of $500, I find myself investing in an R2R technology that doesn't hold much relevance or uniqueness for a casual user like myself, and its unstable connectivity which is a very critical and concerning issue. The various modes fail to excel in their intended functions, and the ergonomics leave much to be desired. The inclusions provided are notably minimal and basic in nature. For me, the cons outweighs the pros and paying this much for a TWS is risky. It's really hard to say at this standpoint if I would recommend the Svarna. In my personal perspective, I wouldn't consider spending over $200 solely for the sake of hi-fi audio in a true wireless setup. Instead, I would lean towards exploring options within the sub-$200 range for a true wireless solution. However, despite its imperfections, this marks the inaugural R2R True Wireless product, and Hifiman has exerted considerable effort to incorporate this innovative wireless solution. I am confident that their future iterations could yield even better results, with the potential for the Svanar Wireless to serve as a significant milestone in their progress.

The Hifiman Svanar Wireless is nothing less than Hifiman's quest for the ultimate True Wireless Stereo Inear (TWS). The name Svanar, based on the Hifiman IEM Flagship, already suggests that this is an absolute top inear. Whether this is the case will be examined in the following review.



The technical highlight of the Svanar Wireless is clearly the use of R2R DACs. I am not aware of any other TWS that implements an R2R DAC. To be more precise, there are two DACs, one per channel. The specially created Himalaya DAC technology from Hifiman is used here. In addition, there is a special amplifier section, which provides up to 63mW@32Ohm at 1% THD. Already from 54mW the distortions go down to 0.52% and at 45mW they are only at a groundbreaking 0.005%!



Driver-technically, a 9.2mm large dynamic driver is used here as in the Svanar IEM, but according to Hifiman was slightly adapted to the needs of the Svanar Wireless. I can already say that no TWS I have used so far comes close to the Hifiman in terms of sound! Of course, not only the sound aspects are important in a TWS, but also the connectivity and the quality of the microphones used. Listening to music undisturbed on the go on a plane or train without being affected by ambient noise is also possible with the Svanar Wireless, because Hifiman has also implemented active noise cancelling (ANS) here, which works very effectively. In total, there are three different sound profiles. High Fidelity for the best possible sound quality, ANC for noise cancelling, and Transparency for a mode that allows you to perceive the outside world as much as possible. Pressure-sensitive controls on the outside of the Inears allow you to switch between sound profiles by "holding down (3sec)" the left Inear. Of course, you can also control other actions via these elements, such as pause, play, forward, backward, accept/reject calls and much more.




The Svanar Wireless can be connected via Bluetooth. The 5.2 standard is supported, but it is also downward compatible and can thus also be used with older devices. LDAC codec is used by default to achieve the best possible quality. However, others are also supported.

The package includes a case to store and charge the Inears, a USB-C charger, and a number of different silicone and foam tips. When I first saw the Svanar Wireless, I thought they looked big and would be heavy. However, that's not the case at all. It is relatively light, yet sturdily built and very resistant to scratches. The futuristic design looks "special" according to the price range and gives the whole thing a high-quality impression, which is also contributed by the high-quality casket. Despite the size, it is relatively comfortable to wear and fits well.

I tested the Svanar Wireless mostly with high-quality music recordings on my iBasso DX320. In addition, I used it for a few days in my home office everyday life to conduct telcos and to play music on my smartphone. I also watched a movie or two on my LG OLED C2 TV. As you can see, you have a lot more possibilities with a Wireless Inear than with normal IEMs. Whether it reaches sonically also to top IEMs I will still illuminate. Music I have consistently tested in high fidelity mode, where the Svanar Wireless lasts about 3 hours until it must be on the charging station. With the Transparency mode, twice as many hours should be achievable. I tested how good the ANC mode is with a running drill in the background and after turning it on, I could sit back and listen to the music without disturbing the outside world. So the ANC from Hifiman is effective. Of course, with ANC, the sound quality is somewhat compromised, but in high fidelity mode, you could never reasonably listen to music on an airplane or on a train. With ANC, on the other hand, you could.

Tonally, it is tuned a bit differently than the usual high-end headphones from Hifiman. Here we have to do with an overall rather brighter tuning with somewhat boosted bass with a focus on the midbass range. My Susvara, for example, is tuned rather smoother and warmer. Here it is especially important to choose the right tips, because otherwise the sound drifts very much into the bright and now and then seems a bit too sharp. For me, the interaction with SpiralDots sounds best and provides the right dosage of bass and treble. In addition, I can also recommend the Complies. It is important to achieve a proper seal, otherwise the treble will be too hot as for example with the Final tips. Also, the bass suffers when leakage is present. The SpiralDots offer me a very well tuned Inear, energetic and with enough bass foundation.

Technically, the Svanar Wireless play at such a high level as no other known TWS to me. It is very detailed and plays absolutely clean, even at very high volumes.

The most outstanding feature sonically is the soundstage, which manages to be very wide and very holographic. Compared to my U4s, the stage seems wider and deeper. The 64, on the other hand, wins in instrument separation.

The bass goes down low and has a slight boost in the midbass area, which leads to a more fun tuning and EDM, rock and metal are no problem for the Svanar Wireless. The bass also surprises me in terms of quality, with very good headroom and enough punch. When I need more, I reach for the U4s, which packs a bit more punch tonally down low.

The mids do not seem crowded, but very relaxed with some distance to the listener. I like voices extraordinarily well.

The highs are, as I said, slightly raised and really bring every little detail to light. Compared to my U4s, I don't miss anything. A much more expensive Fourte Blanc offers a bit more detail and seems even more sovereign over the entire frequency range. But when I consider what Hifiman delivers here with 499 USD, it is already remarkable for a TWS. Until now, I have not seriously considered a TWS to listen to music on an audiophile level. That is now changing with the Svanar Wireless.

The test with music from my DX320 has mastered the Svanar Wireless with flying colors and shows that it has a lot of sound and does not have to hide from IEMs in the range of 1000 USD.

Let's now move on to the next area of application in my home office. Of course, the Svanar Wireless has built-in microphones, since it also provides ANC functionality through them. My Google Pixel 7 Pro achieves a good voice quality with telcos. With the Svanar Wireless, telco calls succeed with an even better quality, which speaks for the TWS. Voice intelligibility and reproduction are on a very high level. My usual TWS in the home office cannot keep up at all. I have to get out a large Sennheiser headset with USB cable to top that. But I'm not very portable in the office with it either. I have also watched one or the other movie (e.g. Extraction) in the evening with my LG OLED C2 and the Svanar Wireless and that was fun. The voice reproduction is also very clean here. Sound effects are given proper pressure. At one point or another I would have liked more, but that is already complaining at a high level.

All in all, Hifiman has succeeded with the Svanar Wireless a TWS, which has now ushered in a new league. I am sure that this relatively new market will still bring forth many new innovations and developments and will eventually replace the classic IEMs. If you are looking for the best for your home office and want to listen to audiophile music on the side, I can highly recommend this $499 Hifiman Svanar Wireless!

Introduction​

Hi Guys,

Today we are taking a look at a new true wireless set of earphones from Hifiman, the Svanar Wireless. Hifiman recently released their new top-of-the-line earphones, simply called the Svanar, which are a replacement for their RE2000 Gold earphones which were released around the same time as the Susvara headphones (2017.) I enjoyed and bought both the RE2000 Gold, and RE2000 Silver, and was curious what the new Svanar TWS might bring to the table in terms of performance whilst being an entirely different product category (wired vs wireless/Bluetooth.) For the rest of the review I will just refer to the Svanar TWS as the Svanar, but please keep in mind I am talking about the TWS version, not the much more costly and high-end Svanar wired.

The RE2000 Gold and Silver are one of my favourite earphones that I have heard or owned still to this day. They have a slightly V-shaped signature, great bass performance in terms of quality, and good detail and technical performance across the board. They did lack slightly in terms of comfort compared to other more ergonomic earphones, but in terms of sound, they did a ton of things right. The Svanar seems to build on the design ideas behind the RE2000 series, whilst of course adding many different technologies and ideas, being a TWS set of earphones. They both use the same “topology diaphragm” and although I’m assuming there have been changes over the years, the basic principle is the same. It is a single dynamic driver, vs multiple balanced armature drivers, or something like a tribrid or quadbrid setup that many earphones feature these days.

Technical Information​

In terms of basic overall principles, the Svanar is similar to other TWS sets of earphones. They come with a case that they live in, which can also charge them. Being TWS, they have a DAC, amp, and battery built-in, and run entirely wirelessly from your phone, tablet, computer, or other source of choice. You can charge the battery in the case via USB-C, which will then charge the earphones when they are placed in their receptacles. The Svanar has three different listening modes, “High Fidelity,” “ANC,” and “Transparency.” High Fidelity turns off all DSP-like noise cancelling and provides the best overall sound quality. ANC is noise cancelling, providing up to 35db of reduction in ambient noise, which is very handy on something like a plane journey. Transparency mode activates the microphones in the earphones and lets you hear what is going on in the world around you as if you don’t have earphones in your ears. For most of my listening, I stuck with High Fidelity but did try and simulate an airplane environment with a portable AC machine, and it performed very well, reducing ambient noise significantly. I didn’t use the transparency mode very much, but it does function as intended and lets you hear conversations and such if you need to talk to someone or hear what is happening around you.

The built-in DAC of the Svanar is based on Hifiman’s new “Hymalaya” DAC architecture. It is an R2R-based DAC, and from what I understand is supposed to be similar to, but improve upon the PCM1704 DACs of days past. In the context of the Svanar, it is hard to say exactly how it sounds, as the earphones are a contained system, and you are unable to hear the DAC on its own, rather hearing the combination of the transducer, amp, DAC, wireless transmission altogether. With that being said, I do think it’s neat that Hifiman is doing more than simply trying to create headphones, and really do seem to be trying to innovate in other areas. Perhaps someday they will release a standalone DAC featuring the Hymalaya architecture, it would be interesting to hear how it performs in that context.

Now, the most important thing is how do the Svanar actually sound? In short, extremely good for a TWS earphone. The juggernaut of TWS, the Apple Airpod Pro are bested by the Svanar, that much was obvious to me.

Tuning/Frequency Response​

The bass of the Svanar really reminds me of the RE2000 series. It is slightly elevated, definitely slightly more than neutral. I enjoy a fairly large amount of bass, usually EQ’ing it up on headphones a little bit via a low shelf, and the Svanar didn’t need any EQ increase in the low end for my personal preferences. I do think that being a single dynamic driver, it is common for the bass performance in terms of impact, slam, and speed to be quite a bit better than balanced armature drivers, and that is the case with the Svanar. It is not the absolute most refined or “best” bass I have heard from an earphone, but at this price point and considering the number of other features with the Svanar being a TWS pair of earphones, I was entirely satisfied with the low-end of the Svanar.

The mids are slightly more present in the low mid-range than I remember the RE2000 twins being, but that is based on memory so I could be incorrect in that assessment. In the middle of the mid-range, it’s slightly pulled back from neutral, which is similar to the RE2000, giving a slightly V-shaped signature when combined with the treble. Overall, if you prefer a warm and thick midrange, I don’t think the Svanar is the right choice if you aren’t ok with EQ’ing. If you are like me, and listen to lots of electronica, the Svanar really works well with that genre, as well as things like rock, metal etc…

The highs are slightly brighter than I remember the RE2000 being. There seem to be a couple of peaks in the treble and I played about with EQ to bring those down slightly. Once some measurements are available I would be able to pinpoint these peaks a bit more accurately, but I ended up trying 4khz and 8khz down about 1db each, and that seemed to help things. Without that EQ, I could see these really suiting someone who loves a brighter treble response, but for me, it got a bit fatiguing and harsh on certain poorer-quality tracks, especially over long listening sessions.

Technical Performance​

The Svanar has very good technical performance for a TWS pair of earphones. The best I have personally heard, and as mentioned before I do think they sound better and perform better technically than the Apple AirPods Pro. They are quite detailed and do have a good amount of dynamic impact and slam, probably partly due to their single-dynamic driver nature. I do think that the RE2000 Gold is a bit better in terms of overall technical performance, but that does also depend on the overall system, as comparing non-true wireless earphones to wired earphones is very difficult to do on an entirely level playing field.

Build Quality and Ergonomics​

The Svanar are very light and very comfortable. Much more ergonomically shaped than the RE2000 and comfortable for longer listening sessions. The only thing I found was that the “antenna” if you will, the long part of the earphone did slightly press into the area right below my ear, but it wasn’t enough to annoy or cause pain over time. The earphones are mostly made of plastic, and the back plate seems to be made from carbon fibre of some form. In terms of ear tips, I ended up using the double flange Hifiman tips, as I felt that gave the best sound quality overall. If you are going to be on a flight or have an ear shape that requires a bit more insertion depth, trying a pair of triple flange tips is worth your while. They will help provide more seal, and still sound very good, though not as good as the double flange tips, in my opinion. The storage and charging case seal magnetically, and the earphones pop in easily, also magnetically, which connects them to the battery to charge. You can charge the case via USB-C, or wirelessly via a charging pad.

The codecs available for the Bluetooth function are LDAC, AAC, and SBC. You can easily and quickly change between the listening modes by pressing the left earbuds faceplate for 3 seconds, allowing you to change between High Fidelity, ANC, and Transparency. When the battery power falls below 10%, you will hear a prompt saying “Low battery, please charge” every couple of minutes.

Conclussion​

Spending time with the Svanar TWS has honestly been a real change of pace for me, I’m usually listening to wire headphones, and the TWS nature and overall usability of the Svanar TWS has been great. They sound very good for a pair of TWS earphones, though do lag behind slightly in terms of overall sound quality vs their older RE2000 siblings. With that being said, it has to be taken into account that they are an entirely different product category and do what they do within that category extremely well. Perhaps not the best choice if you are simply looking for the best-performing pair of earphones regardless of price or features, but if you want a pair of awesome sounding TWS earphones, with all the convenience that comes with that genre of product, then the Svanar are absolutely, 100% worth trying. I’m really looking forward to seeing what Hifiman comes up with over time in their wireless range, and if they are able to continue to create great-sounding products, that also have all the “mod cons.”

Disclaimer:​

Hifiman provided me with a review sample of the Hifiman Svanar Wireless, for which I am grateful!
I’m going to be as objective as possible, and being a common audio enthusiast, I will use simple words in this review.
I will highlight what I liked and what I didn’t without any fear.
This is an extremely expensive TWS, and for anyone interested in purchasing it, I hope my review will help them with their choice.
So I’m not going to use super technical words to review it, but I will do my best to describe it.
My review won’t be the most technical you will find online, but I hope you like it.

Hifiman Svanar Wireless Tech Specs:​

• Driver: Topology diaphragm
• Case Battery: 800 mah
• TWS Battery: 85 mAh
• Frequency Response: 10 Hz–35 kHz
• Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2
• ANC Spec: up to 35dB
• HIFI Mode: up to 4 hours
• ANC Mode: up to 6 hours
• Transparency Mode: up to 7 hours
• Waterproof: IPX5
• Charging Case Weight: 83.7g
• Single Head Weight: 8g
• Transmission Distance: up to 15m (barrier-free transmission)

Where to buy & More information:

• Hifiman Official Site
• Hifiman Store

Hifiman Svanar Wireless Packaging & Accessories:​

I will be very honest! For a similar product, I would have expected a more luxurious (and useless) box. We find the charging case and the Hifiman Svanar Wireless, under, the tips and the charging cable. I have to admit that the cable is not premium but standard, and the tips, unfortunately, apart from the size already installed, are all too small.




Included:

• 8 pairs of tips
• Charging cable
• Manual + warranty online

As mentioned before, the tips are very small for my ears. Only the bigger ones fit me (later, we’ll see why).

As you can see from the photos, only the stock silicone tips are present in sizes S, M, and L. The double flange and the foam ones are the same size. The Whizzer Easytips HSD 30 are in size M and are slightly larger than all the other tips included.

Hifiman Svanar Wireless Design/Build Quality:​

The design style is absurd! It is superficial to refer to them as TWS because they are essentially wireless IEMs designed and built for audiophiles.


The materials are top-notch; the case looks like a futuristic clamshell, is sturdy, and has a rough texture (it does not scratch easily), and the iems, with their satin metal and carbon fiber design, look like an alien object. Two little spacecraft?
The case is heavier and a little bigger than usual. The battery capacity is good, and it also has wireless charging (untested).
I have noticed that the charging case is difficult to open with one hand. The case opens like a ring box and for someone it may be uncomfortable.

Hifiman Svanar Wireless Built-in Technology​

Two unique R2R Himalaya DACs have been fitted inside them by Hifiman! An audiophile-grade chip and amplifier for each side! Maybe it’s crazy, but you can feel the result! Also, there is the driver with a Topology diagram, which is probably the real star! Through a multi-layer coating and shape, the driver is capable of better sound response. I can hardly believe it’s just a single driver!

Hifiman Svanar Wireless Fit & Comfort​

Here, the situation is extremely personal and subjective. When discussing the value of tip rolling, the subject is avoided, according to internet reviews of Svanar Wireless. The design is great; however, the nozzle is rather short, and the supplied tips aren’t very helpful.


You can notice how much less apparent the nozzle is on them compared to the wired Hifiman Svanar. More millimeters, in my opinion, would have been beneficial. I’ve tested a variety of tips, particularly those that manage to lengthen the nozzle by a few millimeters, but regrettably, some of them, particularly in size L, are too long and prevent you from storing the Svanar Wireless in the case for charging. Because the nozzle is thinner, not all the tips stay in place.

Tips Rolling​

As shown by the previous pictures, the tips offered are really tiny. When in doubt, I tried them all in an effort to find the best spot for a good seal. Unfortunately, the double flange tips are too small; the foam ones are XS, and only the ones that were already installed, which are M sizes, fit me. I did, however, have to reposition the headset to get the perfect position.




So I started experimenting with all of the tips I had at home, eventually finding the ones that slightly raised the nozzle without preventing it from entering the charging case. The tips are M from Whizzer HSD 30, and they appear slightly round. I can confirm that their sound strongly depends on the tips used.

Functionality & Features:​

From the Hifiman Svanar Wireless I would have expected an app for the smartphone, but unfortunately, it is not present. Many products, even those that are much cheaper, have it, so it could be defined as a disadvantage.




On both, we have touch controls that allow you to do everything except increase or decrease the volume. For that, you need to put your hand on your smartphone.

Gestures for Calls & Music​

• Answer call: Double-click either earbud twice
• End call: While in a call, double click either earbud twice
• Reject call: Press and hold either earbud for 3 seconds
• Voice assistant: Long press the right earbud (R) for 3 seconds (Works with Alexa)
• To Play/Pause: Touch the right/left earbud to pause the track, and touch it again to continue playing.
• Playing is paused when the earbud leaves the ear, and resumes when the earbud is put back on.
• To rewind to the previous track With earbuds in operation, double-click the right earbud/left earbud.
• To Skip to the Next Track With earbuds in operation, triple-click the right earbud/left earbud.

The Hifiman Svanar Wireless also has a proximity sensor on each side that pauses them when removed and puts them back into play when worn again.

Audio Codecs:​

The Svanar Wireless is equipped with Bluetooth 5.2, but they do not have many codecs available; in fact, we have LDAC, AAC, and SBC available. Unfortunately, there is no APTX support. The range is remarkable; if there are no obstacles, you can reach 5 meters in LDAC without experiencing drops in quality; however, it all also depends on the phone used and the codec. In AAC, there is less data throughput, and it is harder to notice drops in quality.

Mode features:​

In the Hifiman Svanar Wireless, there are 3 modes:

• Hi-Fi
• ANC
• Transparency

To change the mode, press the left earphone for 3 seconds. The default mode is HI-FI.

Practical Consideration:​

In LDAC mode, I have sometimes touched the headset to fit it in my ear and momentarily had audio quality issues.

Stability in this mode is frequently unstable. For example, I can walk around the room at home, but if I go for a walk with my smartphone in my pocket, the transmission is inaccurate.

It’s probably because of my low-cost smartphone; anybody who buys these TWS should also have a TOTL smartphone. While for the ANC and Transparency modes, I’ve discovered that the wind causes a significant crisis. Turbulence is easily generated by microphones.

Connection stability may depend on the capabilities of my POCO M4 Pro, but I still feel compelled to point it out.

If you don’t have a top-of-the-line smartphone and have connection problems, you are forced to switch to AAC.

Equipment used for testing:​

Device:

• Redmi Note 7
• Poco M4 Pro

Software:

• Amazon music UHD 24bit 96khz
• Hiby Player
• Xiaomi Player

I’m not listing all the tracks because there are too many, but the Svanar Wireless is pretty versatile in all genres.

• Raven – Kelela
• Happier Than Ever – Billie Eilish (and more)
• Energie – Schrotthagen
• Ultimate Headphone Demonstration disc – Dr. Chesky’s
• Miramundo – MiraMundo

Stock tips were too small for me, so I instantly swapped them with some Whizzer HSD 30 M size tips.

Hifiman Svanar Wireless Sound impressions:​

First of all, I start by saying that they are W-shaped, energetic, natural, and very musical. The low frequencies have a very good extension without being intrusive. The mids and highs are even more amazing. Nothing feels recessed at all!





Let’s start in HIFI mode. In this mode, you have the best of the best! The quality is so high that you can tell absolutely no difference from the wired IEMs. In this mode, the volume is higher. It’s hard to believe that a single driver could sound so good.


In other modes, the volume is lower. In ANC mode, the sound seems very compressed and loses many sonic properties, but in traffic and city noise, it does its job! I’ve tested them while walking around the city and on busy streets, and they manage to greatly reduce the noise around you. Some cars become totally silent.


In Transparency mode instead, the audio is slightly better; you get the feeling that the soundstage is bigger and more airy (I feel like I’m wearing my Fidelio X2HR), but of course you still lose some overall quality. External sounds are recorded via the microphones and reproduced in the headphones very accurately. I find it a very useful function; indeed, I prefer it because I prefer to hear what is happening around me.

Treble​

The treble area is definitely controlled! Currently, I think it’s just the right amount of high frequencies to not strain the listening. The definition remains excellent. If you didn’t know it’s just one driver, I’d say there’s a dedicated one for the treble as well.

Mids​

The mids are slightly recessed, but to tell the truth, they remain well audible and detailed. The voices have a slightly warm but always natural and pleasant tone. Corded instruments like the violin, guitar, and piano sound really natural.

Bass​

The Bass response is powerful, full-bodied, and well-textured. Combine this with the ability to present each bass note clearly and quickly. They have a funny tone but aren’t overbearing. I’ll say the right quality and quantity to fit even EDM, Dance or Pop music.

Soundstage & image​

Hifiman Svanar Wireless soundstage is very wide! It’s not unnatural, but it’s truly remarkable! While the image is very defined, everything is in its place, probably due to the driver and R2R DACs. I have to say that personally, I really like them, especially for the kind of music I listen to most often, like EDM, Chill, House, and R&B.


II can’t believe I’m listening on wireless headphones! The sound is absolutely amazing. I had to change my mind about the limits of a wireless connection, here you only have comfort and quality! Other products I’ve tried sounded quite flat, such as the HIBY Saber W3.

Fast Comparison​

I do not have many TWS, and the ones I do have are not up to par with these, so comparing them to the Hifiman Svanar Wireless is pointless.


VS 1More Triple Driver BT E1001BT


I will not compare their designs because they are completely different. Above all, for a 2018 product, the packaging is outstanding; the box is super premium and packed with quality tips and accessories. Excellent product representation. If I think I only paid 20 USD during the sales (Retail price over 100 USD), They are two different technical solutions, but both reproduce in LDAC. Autonomy on a single charge is similar, but obviously Hifiman wins with the charging case. 1More has a decidedly warmer sound, full of deep bass, fairly natural mids but more recesses, and decidedly soft highs, different throughout but still extremely pleasant. Despite the triple driver (1DD + 2BA), we are not at the Hifiman levels of definition, image, and soundstage. We don’t have different modes and no touch controls; we have all physical keys.

Conclusion:​

I will start by saying that I have never been a huge fan of wireless earphones or headphones. This is partly because the audio quality is not as good, but it is also because I typically do not listen to music in traffic because it prevents me from feeling what is going on around me. Although I have always preferred wired IEMs, I have to admit that I have definitely changed my mind after using these. You can listen to music without risk when using the transparency mode.


We are beyond imagination in terms of sound quality. They are true high-fidelity wireless IEMs designed for an audiophile audience. The technological solutions used, as well as the final result, demonstrate this. However, I have to admit, given the price of the product, that I would have preferred more accurate packaging and found many more tips included. Its shape, although very ergonomic, in my case gave some fit problems due to the very short nozzle, which, since it is also very small, requires a fair search for suitable tips. Luckily, I found the ones that are perfect for my ear and fit perfectly on the headphones and in the case. As mentioned before, in terms of build quality, sound, and materials (carbon fiber), I highly doubt there are rivals, as well as in price.

Personal consideration:​

Although the sound is perfect, I must also consider the personal issues I have faced. In addition to having to conduct an extensive search for the ideal tip that I was hoping to find in the package, I also had to take into consideration for the connection’s tendency to become a little unstable. Finally, the microphones produce a lot of turbulence in the Transparency and ANC modes when there is wind.

This is a summary of the full HIFIMAN Svanar Wireless review which is available in my website.



Executive summary

The HIFIMAN Svanar Wireless is the first TWS earphone ever made to feature a discrete R-2R DAC in each earpiece. A DAC based on the Himalaya R2R module by HIFIMAN. Also separate headphone amplifiers are used in each earpiece to drive the topology diaphragm of the earphones which is a scaled down version of their flagship IEM the Svanar.

The Svanar Wireless also features active noise cancellation with three different working modes: ANC ON, Transparency and High fidelity mode that disables ANC.

The ANC mode of the Svanar Wireless is actually very effective. It successfully blocks a great amount of environmental noise without degrading too much the sound quality.

The Svanar Wireless supports AAC, SBC and LDAC for high fidelity sound. The aptX codec is not supported so if your phone doesn’t support LDAC then you are stuck with plain SBC.

The earshells of the Svanar Wireless are quite bulky but relatively lightweight and they are very well made. The fit is mostly comfortable and stress free but because of the swallow nozzle you might need triple flanged eartips that are not included.

The Svanar Wireless supports full touch interface at both earbuds. You can control pretty much everything except for the volume which unfortunately is only adjusted through the host device. The Svanar Wireless doesn't support a software application so it is not further customizable by the user.

The charging case is bulkier and heavier than most competitive products but in exchange it houses a large capacity battery that offers three full additional charges. The case supports wireless charging, it is well made and seems very durable.

The sound quality is really excellent but surprisingly for a HIFIMAN product, the tuning deviates from the house sound by emphasizing bass for a more fun and casual sound signature. Technicalities are great so we have a TWS earphone that is made to please both casual and critical listeners alike with most kinds of music. There is plenty of high quality bass which might not be that tonically correct but it doesn't cloud the mid-range and is very impactful, dynamic and technically skilful. Mid-range is present and very engaging while the treble is the strongest point of the Svanar Wireless. It combines transparency and plenty of energy without a single trace of artificiality. The R-2R DAC does miracles and this is the first wireless earphone to exhibit a so natural and realistic sounding treble. The soundstage is open and spacious with good imaging and a pretty grand presentation.

The Svanar Wireless is rather expensive but not without a reason because it combines excellent sound quality with an extremely natural timbre and a very effective noise cancelling. A TWS earphone addressed to all people who value sound quality over anything else.

MatAudiophiles

Hifiman Svanar Wireless:​

Hifiman Svanar Wireless:
INSTAGRAM:

Prelude:
Times change, generations of audiophiles too… We are constantly on the go and often we just don’t have time or opportunity to take our favorite equipment with us in the form of a heavy amplifier and headphones. That is why the TWS headphones market is constantly growing and is currently bursting at the seams with the release of new products. Manufacturers are trying different solutions to reach the audience. However, Hifiman went a different way, offering all its best solutions in a really compact TWS earphone housing. This is how the Svanar Wireless model was created. It has been equipped with a number of the latest technologies such as dedicated amplifier modules, dedicated high-power amplifiers in R2R technology known from the bluemini module. In addition, the IPSX5 splash resistance standard has been added, which allows us to take our headphones even in heavy rain. Added world-class hybrid ANC. And three operating modes. It’s all wrapped up in a futuristic look and a very futuristic box.



Unboxing and description of functionality:


The earphones alone currently cost $499 and are among the most expensive TWS on the market. They come to us in a small cardboard box with a charging cable and a large set of tips and foams, so we can easily fit the tips to our ears. We have a choice of two pairs of foams, four pairs of silicones and two pairs of double-flange tips. As for the headphones themselves, they feature a carbon fiber front panel with the same excellent ergonomics as the svanar wired model. The front panel is silver in color and has a high gloss finish. On the very front we have the hifiman logo and touch panels. With their help, we can change songs, switch the game mode between transparent with 7H of battery life, ANC with 6H and HIGH FIDELITY where the amplifier shows its full potential and the volume increases by a few decibels, costing us a decrease in battery life to 4H. When it comes to ANC, it is really effective and in my opinion is even better than that of sony products. We also have a pair of microphones for calls. The conversations themselves also turned out to be a huge surprise. As a rule, this aspect in TWS headphones is very lame. In the case of svanar wireless it was completely different. Even in the very center of the city, I had a great time talking on the phone using headphones as a set with a microphone. From the level of the headphones themselves, we can also turn on the voice assistant, but we will not change the volume of the songs, which is a bit of a hindrance, but it can be easily fixed in the case of future updates. Svanar Wireless supports three bluetooth codecs SBC, AAC, LDAC and here I would like to point out that the difference in the LDAC codec is significant. However, I missed the APTX codec which is commonly used in windows. I hope this will be changed in future updates. One of the more interesting features is the addition of sensors to the headphones that stop the music when the headphones are removed from the ears.


Charging case:
The case itself is large, which is beyond doubt. However, options such as wireless charging have been added to it, or care has been taken to ensure that the energy is enough to charge our headphones 3 times, to some extent justifies its dimensions. Hifiman decided to construct the case in such a way that the headphones with large full-size tips fit in it, and not only those dedicated to TWS headphones. The outer layer of the case is made of a very hard and durable resin material. And the inside is made of a softer white resin.

ANC:
I already mentioned that when it comes to ANC, it is one of the best currently available on the market. I had no problem to cut myself off from the environment at work and when traveling. Even on a crowded bus, I only heard my favorite music. All this for a relatively low cost of one hour of battery life. I still consider it an excellent result.

Microphones:
The quality of phone calls turned out to be not only amazingly good, both my interlocutor heard me and I heard him perfectly. What surprised me the most was that the quality of the calls themselves was higher than that made from a Samsung s23 phone or other flagships.

Fit and Comfort:
TWS headphones are much more dependent on the quality of fit than any other. After all, no one would want to lose a $499 handset. Here, however, we have an almost exact copy of svanar in the wired version. So the headphones sit extremely securely in the ear. With a weight of only 8 grams, you can really forget that you have them in your ears.

What about the sound? Now let’s get to the sound:

Bass: Overall sonically the svanar wireless are surprisingly close to their wired version. However, they have a strong and firm foundation of low tones. The amount of sub-bass is astounding and the purity of the low tones can make you dizzy. God these headphones have such good bass, few wired headphones for $400 can produce such good lows. We’ve got a lot of moderate speed energy here. The headphones themselves do not play slowly, they are very close to naturalness and warm sound. The bass boost is noticeable, but not nauseating, rather astounding. Rap, Rock, electronic music after LDAC in HIGH FIDELITY mode sounds literally concert. In transparent mode and ANC it is a few decibels quieter, but still very good. However, the amount of low-frequency in high-efficiency mode noticeably increases which is great if you want more bass hits.

Diameter: What distinguishes the wired version from the wireless one in the svanar model is the diameter. In the GRP model, it is more favored, more exposed and pushed to the fore. This makes women’s vocals, thanks to the warming, gain additional brilliance, and men’s vocals become incredibly natural and realistic. Often, closing my eyes, I had the impression that it was a live concert, not a bus ride in a traffic jam. The amount of information and details is huge, but it does not focus on analysis, but rather on fun and listening comfort. The stage is very natural, well spread out in width with a very pleasant depth. Just like at the concert. We can hear and separate each instrument and layer without losing their musicality and smoothness. In the hig fidelity mode, we get even more saturation, emotions and we can completely lose ourselves in the music, forgetting that it is only GRP! It’s a really nice feeling when only a dead battery can free you from the music you love, because you keep telling yourself that this is the last song.

Treble: Treble is not colorized or harsh. These headphones aren’t meant to shine, they’re meant to play music as it was made, and that’s what happens. Resolution is good but not artificially inflated. It’s not about pumping high registers by force, but rather about ensuring listening comfort and listening pleasure. Many headphones don’t understand this and do it wrong. The LDAC mode changes a lot in terms of treble and with this codec the treble gains much in quality. The great advantage is the crystal black background that we have in the headphones, which allows us to completely immerse ourselves in the musical feast.



Comparisons:
This time, I deliberately avoid comparisons with other TWS headphones on the market, because in my opinion, of course, this completely subjective feeling Svanar Wireless is a few steps ahead of the competition. A few steps is not much, but in this game it’s enough to just give them an undisputed podium and close the stake as of the day of writing this review.

Modes of operation:

ANC ON – presents a great active suppression, but it is not a complete cut-off, but a well-thought-out selective separation of important information from those that disturb our peace. So we will hear, for example, that a car is passing us, but it will be marginal and will not spoil our musical feast. In this mode, the battery life is an hour shorter, but it’s still phenomenal at a solid 6 hours in LDAC mode. The volume here is reduced by a few decibels, but with the addition of ANC, the overall volume remains at a very satisfactory level.


Transparent: This mode does not have any boosters and thus we can bet on a maximum battery life of 7 hours. Passive attenuation is at the level of svanar wired headphones, so better than you might expect.

HIGH FIDELITY: In this mode, the headphones receive the most power. In fact, an additional amplifier is switched on, providing more power to the dynamic transducers in topological diagram technology. Here the resolution and volume exceed the wildest expectations, taking our senses practically to the concert hall itself, which is amazing in my opinion.

Summary:
When creating the svanar wireless model, Hifiman focused on the latest and best technologies developed by itself. Valuing them at 499 USD, he set the bar high. At the same time, presenting the world’s first TWS on the R2R system that literally plays at the level of good in-ear headphones. I don’t know how they did it, but closing my eyes I often found myself looking for the cable because I couldn’t believe it was still GRP! Great natural and real presentation, warm saturated bass. In addition, a magical and clean midrange and calm treble. Bluetooth 5.2, LDAC and an absolutely black background fully justify the cost we will incur if we decide to buy svanar wireless. Of the minuses, I would love to get an application for this model, support for APTX and volume control then I would not have the right to ask for anything more. This really shows how much strength hifiman has when creating his brilliant projects. Adding excellent isolation and ANC in hybrid mode, I begin to understand why they are priced so high and I can recommend them to anyone who appreciates the excellent comfort of TWS headphones and does not want any compromises. Comparing HIFIMAN SVANAR VIRELESS for USD 499 to FIIO UTWS 5 for USD 140, I can admit that while UTWS 5 provide great freedom in choosing the final headphones, they still require investment in headphones. Sonically, it’s hard to compare them because the UTWS 5 are largely dependent on the finally selected headphones. Despite everything, the R2R in the HIFIMAN headphones really does an excellent job. When it comes to the battery life itself, depending on the mode, you can actually get 7h in transparent mode, 6h with ANC and 4h in high performance mode.

​

TWS is a hot topic, every manufacturer wants to get on the hype train. HiFiMan decided they want it too. So they made an R2R, balanced TWS system called Svanar Wireless and put a $499 price tag on them. Curious about the first TWS with an R2R DAC? Me too. Let’s see what’s up.​

​

Introduction to the HiFiMAN Svanar Wireless review​

HiFiMan is known as one of the leading manufacturers of headphones. Their top products like Susvara or Shangri-La are considered TOTL by many. The HE400se and Sundara mark the first steps for beginners.
Their lineup is impressive, considering they seem to have an answer to any headphone question. On top of that, they have a growing range of DAC/AMPs and IEMs. Their newest IEM, the Svanar left quite an impression on Paweł, so when option for reviewing Hifiman Svanar Wireless popped up, we knew it was going to be something else. And it is.
HiFiMan is run by Dr. Fang Bian, a true genius, who helped to shape the headphone industry as we know it today. He is an audiophile by his heart and a big fan of R2R DACs. The latest EF400 and EF600 DAC/AMPs from HiFiMan feature this technology, the HiFiMan’s Himalaya modules.
Surprisingly, their newest TWS also use this type of DAC, the Himalaya. What is interesting, this is the first TWS with R2R DAC and not without a reason. Read about that more in this review, in the tech section. The Hifiman Svanar Wireless is not a Svanar with a BT built in, rather it’s a top solution in its class, just like Svanar is topping the IEM line for HiFiMan. Let’s take a closer look at the subject of the review and compare it to the competition.

Packaging and Comfort​

The reviewed Hifiman Svanar Wireless comes in an aesthetic, simple box. On the front, there is information about the Himalaya R2R DAC and the Topology Diaphragm technologies used in this TWS. There are also QR codes for their social media, website, and basic info about the product on the back.
Inside you’ll find the earphones, the case, a set of tips and a charging cable. Nothing fancy, but all you need. There are both silicon and foam tips in the set, although, only one size of foam. There is a much wider selection of silicone tips including even double flanged ones.

I was unsure about the fit, as the earpieces seemed bulky at first, but I can wear them comfortably for an extended amount of time. The inside of the earpieces has kevlar inserts that are moulded into an anatomic shape, mimicking the concha. For this size, they are okay even with small ears like mine.

Good news for those who want to use reviewed Svanar Wireless when exercising, HiFiMan thought about you, and Svanar Wireless has an IPX5 water resistance rating. The included case is quite bulky, so I imagine some users refuse to use them on shorter commutes. On the plus side, the case fits earpieces even with bulky foam tips on.

Tech, ANC and Build Quality​

Build quality is good. The earpieces are made out of lightweight metal and, as mentioned earlier, kevlar. The shape of the earpieces is quite unique: the external part has ANC/call microphones at a distance from the ear to improve selectivity. The main body is quite thick, housing electronics and the new dynamic driver.
It uses a dynamic driver with a diaphragm that is coated in a very specific shape. Interestingly enough, that process was covered in Dr Fang Bian’s PhD thesis. Selectively treating the surface of the diaphragm with Nanoparticles helps to improve stiffness but with only a small increase in weight. In this way, you can have a dynamic driver that is excellent over a full range of human hearing. Being stiff and fast at the same time, similar to Nano coated planar diaphragms HiFiMan uses.
Svanar Wireless features ANC, allowing for up to 35dB of noise attenuation. That is something all of us, daily commuters, will appreciate. It is not as strong and precise as the ANC of more commercial-focused brands like Sony, but it is on par with audiophile manufacturers. I guess this tendency stems from audiophile manufacturers not wanting to sacrifice too much sound quality for a few dB of attenuation. This is reasonable, especially since you can do so much by selecting different tips, which can give you more attenuation than any ANC.



If you told me 2-3 years ago, there will be a TWS with an R2R DAC I would just laugh. Last year, probably too. But here we are. Let me tell you some more about how they were able to achieve that. My guesstimation at least. So, will we see a wave of R2R-equipped TWS? No.
Let’s get back to the beginning. R2R DAC uses a resistor ladder that divides the power supply voltage accordingly to the input signal. As you know, DACs are sophisticated devices. R2R is even more demanding than delta-sigma because most of the parameters depend on the accuracy of the resistor ladder. Even though you only need two values R and 2R (hence the name), they need to be stupidly accurate. Top designs use tolerances around 0,01%, so the possible difference is 1 to 10000.
Another issue is TCR: a temperature coefficient of resistance. With super nice resistors we are talking up to 25ppm/1C which is 25 to 1 000 000. Let’s assume we have around 50 resistors, the whole circuit warms up by 10C (pretty normal stuff). Every resistor behaves slightly differently. You can see how quickly it can get out of hand. The miss in the accuracy of a resistor ladder is directly related to the THD figures, the distortion. Hence you can easily see, that higher distortion values compared to delta-sigma are normal for the R2R DACs.

One time I was discussing R2R DAC with a pretty well-known Hi-End DAC manufacturer and he said that MOQ (minimal order quantity) for custom resistors like that is 1 000 000 pieces and they weren’t so keen on such a small order. So this is one part. The other part is the digital signal processing that is required to make those resistors sing. Usually, it is done in FPGA, a programmable logic that is capable of super-fast operations, but is expensive as f… And physically large.
So, how did HiFiMan make so many products with their Himalaya R2R DACs and how did they fit all that into such a small product? They ordered enough resistors to make it economically viable. They also probably use custom, minuscule resistors in the Svanar Wireless to keep it small. They also have their DSP processors made as ASIC – in short custom integrated circuits. Just as somebody uses ESS’ ES9038PRO, HiFiMan has its own Himalaya chips. And integrated circuit manufacturers won’t sell you 1000 of them. Oh no. Think bigger. Much bigger. Biggus Dickus, the famous Roman noble bigger.
The Svanar Wireless uses Bluetooth 5.2 with the latest codecs including SBC, AAC and LDAC. Surprisingly, no aptX of any sort. The battery allows for 4h of playback in HiFi mode, 6h in ANC mode and 7h in transparency mode. My suspicion is that in Hi-Fi mode the BT is forced into the highest transmission rates. The case extends the playtime to around 25h, give or take.

How does the HiFiMAN Svanar Wireless sound?​

Well, HiFiMan has its signature sound focusing on sound staging and detail. So it is on the slightly brighter side, but nothing too extreme. It balances very nicely with foam tips, I use the Comply TWS.

The sound of the reviewed HiFiMan Svanar Wireless is focused on the midrange for the most part. Voices, and guitars, have the primary role here. The bass, while not as pronounced goes very low, giving us a satisfying thump. Treble has a very nice airiness and timbre, especially for a dynamic driver. The sound staging is very good, being outmatched only by the Final ZE8000.

The detail provided by the subject is excellent and on par with similarly priced IEMs. It is an overall highly enjoyable, fast, detailed tuning. A nice inversion of what we normally expect and get from TWS. Even I, in previous reviews of TWS, have mentioned that bass-heavy is the preferred tuning for me on the streets. I’m pleasantly surprised to report, that it is still true, however I had no issues using the Svanar Wireless, nor have I felt unsatisfied with the amount of bass. To finish my overall experience I have to add that you can definitely hear the R2R DAC used to hear. The sound staging, vocals and treble are very similar to what I hear on my EF400 and HE6SE set. And if that isn’t good enough, I don’t know what else to say.

Bass

Fast, light and crisp. It is recessed compared to the rest of the range. It is both good and bad. Depending on your approach. Heavier bass helps to conceal the sounds of a busy city. On the other hand, it can get tiresome pretty quickly. If you are from the second camp, you’ll be more than happy with this TWS. While not the hardest-hitting, it has good extension, the tactile feel of a dynamic driver and nice textures for a DD. Take a listen to the Roses by SAINt JHN (Imanbek Remix), which is a very bass-heavy mix. It can be overwhelming with Sony WF-1000XM4, but not with reviewed HiFiMan Svanar Wireless. Heavy, slamming bass is tight, fast and isn’t trying to blow your eyes out of their sockets. This tuning goes great well with music like contemporary pop, jazz, and rock where bass usually takes a supporting role.



Midrange

This is a star of the show. Think about a sound that is in between the dynamic driver with a timbre and BA for detail and speed. Acoustic guitars in Keith don’t go by Nils Lofgren (I know, it’s time to let Keith go) sound super snappy and lively, as they do live. That’s something that in other TWS often is either muffled by excessive bass or flattened too much. The main quality of Svanar Wireless is this lively, natural, but neutral approach to sound. Together with a nice detail, we get a very nice performing midrange, that will satisfy even more demanding audiophiles. Especially, since we are talking about TWS, not IEM.

Treble

I like it a lot. It is sparky and big. While not as precise and instant as from BA-based TWS it has an appealing tuning that helps to elevate the midrange even further. Once again, it goes great with rock music, such as That Golden Rule by Biffy Clyro. Cymbals have a nice attack and chunkiness to them that helps to balance out guitars. The treble is also a little “bottom heavy”, having a constrained top end. I feel that it is done so the TWS doesn’t become overbearing over long periods. It’s hard not to appreciate the level of detail and resolution when we’ll consider it’s a wireless IEM, something that would have been not possible just a few years back. What a great time for audio we’re living in.

Sound staging

For a TWS, reviewed HiFiMan SSvanar Wireless has very good sound staging. It has a nice, airy, wide soundstage. It doesn’t break any records in depth though. The center of the sound is very close to you but has no issues reaching far to the sides. The tuning emphasises the airiness even more. The sound spreads nicely outwards, not being constricted to the 5 cm around your head. That quality also supports my thesis, that Svanar Wireless was tuned for comfort and long usage.

Comparisons​

Sony WF-1000XM4

Sony TWS is one of the most popular on the market. It has a companion app, that allows for updating software, additional tuning and other tweaks like EQ. On the ANC side, it does have a more selective system and has more attenuation than Svanar Wireless.
On the sound quality, the Sony has bloated bass, that overwhelms everything else. It comes nothing close to the competitor. The XM4 just sounds cheap in comparison, with lacking details and a 5% tuning. In comparison, the soundstage and treble performance of the Svanar Wireless is just miles ahead, presenting a much more detailed, natural and sophisticated kind of sound.

To top all of that, Sony has a weird fit, which I’m not the biggest fan of. Functionally Sony is stronger but loses in other fields. If you value music quality, you’ll definitely choose Svanar Wireless. HiFiMAN has no chances when talking about functionality and app options, since Sony is probably going to sell their XM4 in millions of pieces, something that HiFiMAN can only dream about. However, TWS earphones have 1 main goal – to sound good. And when we value that the most, the Svanar Wireless is just a much, much better choice than the WF-1000XM4.

HiFiMan Svanar Wireless Review – Summary​

The Svanar Wireless is the first R2R DAC-equipped TWS in the world.

Additionally to that, it also features lighter, more open, and relaxed tuning than most of its competition. If you prefer that over the rumbling bass of most TWS, now you know what to choose. The Himalaya is not a gimmick too. It is a full-fledged solution and you can hear that natural, open sound that you know from other HiFiMan products.

While quite chunky, earpieces proved to be comfortable over longer periods. The big case can be an issue for some people. Innovative, with a less popular tuning, the Svanar Wireless is a solid proposal for the market of TWS. If that description tickles your fancy, it will be an excellent choice!

Recommended.

Big thanks to HiFiMAN for providing the Svanar Wireless for this review. I wasn’t paid or asked to say anything good or bad about this product, all of the above is just my personal, unbiased opinion. HiFiMAN hasn’t seen this review before publishing it.

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The product was provided to me free of charge for the review purpose in exchange for my honest opinion. The review was originally posted on my site, and now I would like to share it with my readers on Head-fi.

Manufacturer website: Hifiman. Available for sale directly or various authorized retailers, including Bloom Audio.

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Intro.

With the rising popularity of tws, many audiophile earphone companies jumped on the bandwagon to join the party. But not everybody followed the same path. Some thought it will be enough to just take a generic OEM design and refresh it with better drivers. Others decided to make it look fancier, focusing more on aesthetics while refreshing OEM design. And there were those in between, trying to come up with something more original. Feels like now we are going through the new wave of next gen tws releases, with a lot more attention being paid to the tuning.

I wasn't too familiar with Hifiman’s early TWS600 release but remember reading a lot of comments about its futuristic shell design. TWS800 was my first taste of Hifiman true wireless earphones which I enjoyed, both the tuning and the traditional shell design. Those true wireless earphones used similar drivers as in their RE800 iems, thus a x800 model reference. In the latest Svanar TWS release, Hifiman took their time with a complete overhaul while keeping the signature dynamic driver design with a topology diaphragm found in the original Svanar iems.

Because of this connection between wired and wireless releases, when I was approached by Hifiman asking me if I'm interested to test Svanar tws, I decided to borrow their original wired iems as well. At first, I received a preproduction tws unit, though the tuning and shells were already finalized. I did spend a month with it and couldn't wait to get my hands on the production unit which added ANC to this everything-but-the-kitchen-sink release. Now, I’m ready to share what found after spending more time with this latest Hifiman Svanar TWS release.



Unboxing and Accessories.

Svanar TWS arrived in a compact carboard packaging with all the key features, specs, and links printed on the box. With the cover off, you will find the charging case and a pair of tws earpieces in a secure cutouts of a top layer “sponge” insert. Underneath, the bottom layer had cutouts for usb-c charging cable and 7 pairs of eartips (+1 pair already on Svanar TWS). Those included 2 double-flange eartips, one “morphed” double-flange pair, 2 pairs of foam eartips, and 3 pairs of a more traditional silicone eartips.

That’s about it, just typical essentials you will find with many other TWS earphones.



Design and Functionality.

As the name suggests, this should be a true wireless version of Hifiman Svanar IEMs. But I don’t want to assume they used the same exact driver since that info wasn’t disclosed in the spec.

Starting with a charging case, it has a unique geometric multi-facet shape. I had to pause for a few seconds, trying to figure out how to open it while following the outline of a silver edge going across the middle. One of the surface facets has usb-c charging port and its flat surface used for Qi wireless charging. You will also find a hard button (for reset) with Hifiman logo that lit up when you open the case. It’s a cool looking charging case with a futuristic design, but it is bulky and a bit heavy at 84g by itself and 100g with earpieces inside. It would make a great conversion piece on top of your desk, but at the same time, not exactly pocket friendly. One important thing about this charging case, it was designed to accommodate full size eartips and still being able to close the lid while letting earpieces maintain a charging contact.



TWS earpieces are quite unique looking as well. Interesting how Hifiman went from more futuristic TWS600 to more traditional TWS800, and now back to “futuristic” looks with more traditional fit of Svanar TWS. The inner side of the shell uses a carbon fiber material with universal-custom shape, like wired Svanar (except those use brass material), fitting the concha area of your ear like a glove. On the outside, it has a plastic silver shell which extends down. The exterior diamond shape touch area of the shell is easy to locate with a finger and has a precise touch sensitivity. The shells are very lightweight, 8g each, and with regular size eartips have a secure and comfortable fit. They look like wired Svanar with an addon of external touch area and the elongated extension with mics. Also, they have IPX5 rating.



Under the hood, Svanar TWS is filled with a ton of goodies. First, you start with Bluetooth 5.2 module which supports LDAC hi-res protocol. Then, there is Hifiman Hymalaya R2R custom ladder DAC and headphone amplifier module, tuned specifically for their topology diaphragm dynamic drivers. For those not familiar, Topology Diaphragm has a nano particle coating to control the tuning of the driver. Also, implemented was an ear-detection sensor, a proximity sensor to detect when earpiece is out to stop the playback. I didn’t see this feature being mentioned anywhere, discovered it by accident when removed earpieces during the playback.



And if you want more, you also got dual mode deep noise canceling with ANC (active noise canceling based on a principal of adding a second sound specifically designed to cancel the first one) and ENC (noise-cancellation that uses microphones to detect external sounds and create an opposite sound wave to cancel them out). In addition to Noise Canceling, you have a choice of Transparency and High-Fidelity modes which I will cover in more details in Sound Analysis section. Just keep in mind, different modes will affect the battery life. In Transparency mode you get up to 7hrs of playback, switching to ANC will bring it down to 6hrs, and if you want the ultimate HiFi mode, the battery will go down to 4hrs of playback time. The battery in charging case gives you 3 additional recharges.

Now, as far as touch panel functionality goes, it covers all the controls, except for volume:

• Double-click (left/right) to skip back
• Triple-click (left/right) to skip next
• Touch (left/right) for play/pause
• Press'n'hold left earpiece for 3sec to switch between Noise Cancellation, Transparency, and High-Fidelity modes
• Press'n'hold right earpiece for voice assistance
• Double-click during the call to answer/end the call
• Press'n'hold for 2sec to reject the incoming call

All is great, except there is no app support. Is it important? Not necessary, except for EQ which is often implemented in the app. I’m personally not a big fan of EQing IEMs because when you go from one source to another, or using local playback vs streaming, you can’t apply the same identical setting. But with TWS, in-app EQ stays with earphones no matter what source you paired up with. Of course, you can still use EQ on your smartphone or a DAP but having app with EQ that stays with earpieces makes it consistent no matter what source you are using.

The fit.



Sound Analysis.

I analyzed Svanar TWS sound performance paired up with my Galaxy S22 while playing a variety of test tracks, such as Agnes Obel “The curse”, Sandro Cavazza “So much better” (Avicii remix), C-Bool “Never go away”, Ed Sheeran “Shape of you”, Alan Walker “Darkside”, Galantis “Hunter”, Iggy Azalea “Black widow”, Indila “Boite en argent”, Dua Lipa “Love again”, Counting Crows “Big yellow taxi”, Bob Marley “Jamming”, David Elias “Vision of her”, and Michael Jackson “Dirty Diana”. Svanar TWS had at least 75hrs of a combined burn-in/playback time. Also, I was using Azla Crystal eartips.



I hear Svanar TWS to have a mildly v-shaped sound sig with a fuller body, natural detailed tonality. The bass is more rounded, less aggressive, having a bit laidback DD performance with a slower attack and a bit longer decay. Sub-bass rumble gets slightly elevated in HiFi mode but becomes more balanced in ANC and Transparency modes which I suspect due to a higher output of internal amp in HiFi mode. Mids have a fuller body natural detailed tonality. Treble has a well-controlled sparkle to give mids/vocals its natural resolution, though will depend on eartips selection which can tilt the scale from sounding natural to being a bit harsh. Hifiman kept it closer to wired Svanar tuning, giving its TWS version a more natural sound, though wired Svanar tuning has a smoother treble.

The soundstage is surprisingly wide, and when compared to wired Svanar, I found the sound to be more holographic. But the layering and the separation is just average. These are not your typical analytical micro-detailed earphones and they don’t have as much air between the sound layers.

For those who are interested, here is FR measurement of Svanar TWS. Just please keep in mind, that peak closer to 9k is well under control with the right selection of eartips.



Sound modes.

ANC mode - does a fine job with active/passive noise canceling, and I hardly hear any background white noise. It does drop the sound volume down by a few dBs in comparison to HiFi mode. Also, lowers the sub-bass rumble, making it closer to Svanar wired quantity. As a result, mids/treble have a slightly more forward presentation. Very low noise floor, hardly even noticeable. Great to enjoy the music while tuning out the outside world. And the battery life is only one hour less than in transparency mode.

Transparency mode – less isolation to let in more background sounds to raise the awareness of what is going on around you. Still has an acceptable level of passive isolation, but the background is not as black. The tuning change is very similar to ANC mode, and the volume also a little lower. This mode gives you the best battery performance, probably most useful when exercising or doing outdoor choirs when audio listening is less critical

HiFi mode - has a good level of passive noise isolation, and I hear a bit less background noise in comparison to transparency mode. Also, the noise floor itself is blacker, and I hear more weight in sub-bass rumble. The volume is higher, and the sound tuning is more fun due to the additional heft in sub-bass. Also, I hear a slight improvement in dynamics. I assume in this mode the internal amplifier is set to max power, pushing topology diaphragm drivers to their full potential, which also results in a shorter playback time. I know with some other TWS in HiFi mode they switch to a higher sampling rate, but not sure if the same is true here, no additional info is available.



Eartips selection.

The selection of eartips is crucial to any universal in-ear monitors (wired or wireless) and will affect the sound, especially the bass impact depending on the seal. Due to a large opening of my earcanals, I usually go for the largest size eartips to get a better seal, thus was only able to use large size stock silicone tips, the rest were too small for my ears. Also, please keep in mind, eartips impressions are subjective and will be based on anatomy of your/my ears.

Stock silicone - mids are more forward, bass has a good extension, but the quantity is attenuated down, lacking in weight. Also, treble sounds a bit splashy. Didn't work for me.

Azla Crystal - improves the bass, scales up the quantity of sub-bass rumble and mid-bass impact, mids are more balanced and have a fuller body, and treble is a bit smoother. This pair up synergy worked the best for my ears.

Spinfit W1 - very similar to Crystal, just with a little less bass quantity. The problem here was a diameter of the eartips stem, being a bit too big, coming off the nozzle. Thus, it didn’t work well here.

Spinfit CP100 - had a more secure nozzle fit which gave me a deep sub-bass extension with more elevated bass quantity. Mids have more clarity. Treble was just a touch splashy. I like this pair up a lot, but in a few of the songs the treble got a bit hot, so I switched back to Crystal.

Symbio F - great pair up synergy, I can hear a deep sub-bass rumble, faster mid-bass punch, natural detailed mids, and treble with a perfect amount of sparkle. But a big problem her was the L size eartips were not as comfortable, a bit too big for this fit, while M size were a bit too small, and I couldn’t keep earphones secure in my ears.

Symbio W - bass and mids were great, but treble got splashy, a bit too much for my taste.

Final Type-E - like Symbio W, I can hear a deep bass and clear detailed mids, but treble got splashy and a bit overwhelming.

As previously mentioned, Svanar TWS and its charging case were designed for full size eartips which I appreciate greatly because Svanar sound is very eartips dependent, especially to tame down mid-treble sparkle. So, the more pairs you can try, the better is your chance of finding what works for you. Full size eartips give me the best seal and the most secure fit. In case of Svanar TWS, I found Crystal to work the best for my ears, but YMMV.



Comparison.

All the comparison was done with Svanar TWS set to HiFi mode, using Crystal eartips, and paired up with my Galaxy S22 smartphone.

Svanar TWS vs Svanar wired (stock 3.5mm) - TWS has a more 3D soundstage with a holographic imaging, noticeably better stereo separation than a wired version. TWS has a deeper sub-bass rumble, not over-whelming, just slightly more elevated, and more resolving mids, also having more sparkle in treble which improves resolution of mids. Wired Svanar tuning has a similarly natural smooth tonality, but it is more neutral and warmer and has smoother treble in comparison to TWS version with a mildly v-shaped sound sig and a more dynamic fun tuning. One is not better than the other, perhaps, more on a complementary level.



Svanar TWS vs Hifiman TWS800 - It has been a while since I listen to TWS800. The first thing you hear is the soundstage width which is noticeable wider in Svanar. The depth of the stage and the imaging are nearly the same. TWS800 bass is faster and tighter while Svanar is a little slower and more laidback, plus Svanar had a deeper and more textured sub-bass rumble. Mids are about the same, perhaps with lower mids of TWS800 being a bit leaner, making its vocals more revealing. In contrast, Svanar mids sound warmer, smoother, more organic. And the same with treble, TWS800 has more sparkle while Svanar treble is smoother. So, in comparison, TWS800 are more revealing, more micro-detailed, and colder in tonality, while Svanar TWS are tuned smoother, more organic, and with laidback presentation of the sound. And, of course, with Svanar you get lots of other functionality like R2R DAC, LDAC, and ANC noise canceling.



Svanar TWS vs Final ZE8000 - both have a very similar soundstage expansion and holographic level of imaging. They also have similarities in tuning with a smooth natural detailed tonality. Both have extra weight in sub-bass, with ZE8k having a little more which results in their (ZE8k) mids being thicker in comparison. But Svanar TWS treble is smoother. The thing is that ZE8k comes with an app where I absolutely need to use built-in EQ to drop the bass and to raise the pinna gain to bring up mids. When applying this EQ, Svanar TWS and ZE8k are almost on the same level, except Final tws treble is still a little brighter. Their noise canceling functionality is not too far off either.

Svanar TWS vs Noble FoKus Mystique - similar soundstage expansion and imaging, with FoKus being a bit more holographic since it has leaner mids. Their tuning varies with Svanar being smoother and more organic in tuning while FoKus being more u-shaped with focus on elevated sub-bass rumble and mid-bass punch and elevated treble, while its mids are leaner and pulled back. Svanar is just smoother and warmer in tuning.

Svanar TWS vs UM U-Free - I hear a similar soundstage expansion and imaging between these two earphones, but the tuning is not the same. They both offer plenty of sub-bass rumble, though mid-bass is a little faster in U-Free while Svanar TWS has a slightly longer attack and decay. The mids in U-Free are more revealing, more detailed while Svanar TWS has mids with more laidback smoother organic tuning. Treble is not too far off, though U-Free has a little more sparkle. But due to a difference in tuning of mids, Svanar TWS is more v-shaped and smoother in comparison to U-free being more balanced and more revealing in tuning. Noise canceling was not too far off in performance either.

Svanar TWS vs Apple Air Pods Pro 2 - Pods have a narrower soundstage while Svanar TWS expands its soundstage wider and taller. When it comes to the tuning, Pods tonality is more neutral and smoother in comparison to more "fun" tuning of Svanar with deeper and more elevated sub-bass rumble and more sparkle in treble. I find Pods tuning to be very neutral, clean, and detailed, but at the same time, sounds are not as layered or separated and sometimes could feel a bit compressed. In comparison, Svanar TWS tuning is more dynamic, more textured, and with better layering and separation of the sounds. Air Pods Pro 2 noise canceling feels a little more isolated.



Source pair up.

When it comes to wireless earphones and headphones, and especially TWS, it doesn’t matter what DAC or amp your source has. None of this matter because your source will digitally encode and transmit the sound and TWS earphones will decode and drive the transducer inside the shell. But in case of Svanar TWS, LDAC did make a difference when testing with my S22 and Android DAPs vs iPhone XS MAX. With iPhone, which doesn’t support LDAC, I found the soundstage to be narrower and the sound to be a bit less dynamic.

Another very interesting observation, with LDAC enabled, using my S22 in open space I could step away 45ft from my phone. When using Cayin N7 and A&K SP3000, the distance was about 35ft, probably less due to DAP manufacturers reducing BT wireless signal strength to optimize the battery. With iPhone XS MAX, it was beyond 50ft.



Conclusion.

True wireless earphones have been making waves for quite some time now, and it's no longer a rarity to see one from an established audiophile company. But what's rare is to see a product which includes the best features from many other commercial and audiophile tws releases. And that is what I think Hifiman tried to accomplish here. We got a futuristic looking shell and a charging case supporting wired and wireless charging, and a ton of features under its hood, including deep ANC noise canceling, LDAC support, R2R DAC implementation, proximity sensor, and even topology diaphragm driver design found in their flagship Svanar wired iems.

Apart from not having the app support and corresponding customizable EQ, this Svanar TWS release has everything-but-the-kitchen-sink which in my humble opinion justifies its higher price (of $499). Of course, all these features mean nothing without a desirable sound tuning. And while the tuning is usually a matter of a personal taste, if you are into a natural detailed tonality that has a warmer fuller body sound with a well-controlled hi-res sparkle in treble, Svanar TWS will certainly be your cup of tea which I have been enjoying as a wireless alternative to their wired Svanar IEMs.

https://subjective.reviews/

EXCLUSIVE WORLD FIRST LOOK AT HIFIMAN SVANAR R2R TWS EARBUDS​

Hello my name is Trev, AKA Takeanidea AKA The Geekologist. If you want a straight up straight down take on things, you have arrrived at the right place on the World Wide Web. Congratulations. You have found me.

Today, I’ve been given the opportunity of a sneak preview of the HiFiMan Svanar Wireless . Loyal followers will note my previous review of the £2000 Svanar Wired Model. HiFiMan realise this is not the price point they can realistically achieve for a bluetooth earphone, as, of course, wired models are considered to be far more posh, and can attract a discerning audiophile with a far bigger wallet. The Svanar Wireless is a TWS earphone. As I am the Geekologist, I can you not just a definition of the above abbreviation; it stands for Truly Wireless. I know, it should be 3 words, but its not. TWS is simply, no cable between the 2 earphones and a charging cradle for when said lefts and rights are not in use.

There; the science is over, at least for now. The Svanar Wireless will be retailing at under £500, and has a claimed performance within the range of the £2000 Svanar Flagship. I’m going to save my assesment of said claim for later, after all, we are still painting a picture here, amd i wish to hold back the final flourishes of my brush strokes until it seems right.

You’ll have plenty of chance to take a look at my Svanar Wired review, there seems little point in regurgitation other than to say, yes, it is expensive, and yes, I like it. It doesnt beat a HiFiMan full size headphone in a similar price bracket for technical skills, but boy, does it deliver when you need a bit of intimacy in your musical life.
Given my reaction to the Wired at that price point, its not surprising that I’d be one of the first to get hold of this, dare I say it, budget version of the big brother.

First of all, let us deal with the elephant in the room. For a TWS, this is some serious cash being asked. What does this have to offer, as potentially the most expensive TWS ever made? HiFiMan have managed to incorporate their R2R Himalaya DAC chip into this design. This is the same DAC that goes into their £12000 EF1000 DacAmp. What’s R2R? I hear you, I hear you. It’s a type of digital processing from the earliest CD Players, and is still considered to be the Gold Standard for purity of sound, dCS and Lampizator are 2 other ultra high end companies who swear by R2R. To keep the no compromise audiophile happy, they have managed to cram an LDAC codec into the Svanars. I know! LDAC is a lossless codec for bluetooth, and it can deliver the bit rates of a CD. An LDAC is the de facto for a higher end TWS these days. This TWS offers 3 modes using a gesture control on the left shell of the Svanar. You can change it from ANC (automatic noise cancellation) to transparent (you can pick up outside noises) to hifi (that’s what we’re all about). HiFi mode works with LDAC, the others have drop outs. For serious listening, HiFi mode is the only way forward. Believe you me, I am all about serious when it comes to this sort of stuff. You can make and receive calls and do voice searches, just like most of the TWS.

The snazzy stuff the Svanar Wireless is capable of is perhaps not quite as amazingly spectacular as, for instance, Sony, Samsung or Apple are doing with their multitude of mics and apps for their devices. I dont think HiFiMan had any intention of outdoing their rivals on Geekiness. HiFiMan are staking their reputation on this as being a TWS that dominates on sound quality, at least for a TWS.



Dont worry, I’m almost there. You’ll soon get to know how good, or bad, these things sound. There is 1 more aspect I must address, and this is wearability. That almost feels like a made up word, because I regard wearability as being a make or break factor for a TWS. It must look good, these do. It must be comfortable in all weathers, these are. Finally, it is absolutely essential that a TWS fits well. HiFiMan have been in the TWS market with the TWS600 and 800, neither of which were a good fit for my somewhat diminutive earlobes. Not only have HiFiMan been the culprits. Shame on you Samsung! I had to call my Wife out to search for a left earbud on one dark, rainy night. We realised she’d accidentally driven over it due to my confusion as to where it could have bounced. The thought of such things happening to a £500 TWS? Unimaginable! Im pleased to say that the fit of the Svanar Flagship has been replicated with the Wireless Model. It feels rock solid. For those who insist on a HiFi experience, even when at the gym or running, the Svanar Wireless shouldn’t give you any problems with sweat ingress, given their rating of IPX5 for wayer resistance. A rating of 5 is comfortably above the IPX1, which is the sweat resistant and dripping water level of protection. Wearability has now been done in full, the Svanar has passed this, the strictest of standards. And now, finally, the much anticipated verdict.

How do they sound? How close do they get to the Flagship? The Wireless Model is close to the Flagship. This is indeed a serious attempt at making a TWS earbud into a musical experience. The bass is full and rich, the clarity coming through despite the viscerality of the sub bass. There are micro details present , the vocals are easy to follow and there is a reasonably wide sound stage. The TWS models I have; the HiFiMan 600/800, Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Sennheiser Momentum, none of them can live with the Svanar on sound quality. The sq on the rivals sounds either ordinary, shrill or compressed in comparison. If I was thinking as to a genre that the Svanar might struggle with, it wouldnt be a genre that I tend to listen to. I’m not sure that the sub bass herein would suit drum n bass and hip hop, especially that synthetic bass. I’m sure there’ll be those of you out there that are finding their favourites among that lot a trifle dry sounding, in which case, yep, these will appeal.

We’ve now arrived at the end. The Svanars are expensive. They are less than a quarter of the price of the Flagships, but with TWS convenience added. Can they do everything a normal TWS can do? No, not everything. Do they sound like they’re HiFi. Yes, the TWS market has had a bit of a shake up here.