Announcing the Launch of the SUSVARA

[Arthur Li]

Mm...can you post some pics? Seems unusual to have that kind of damage for a brand new unit. Have you complained to the dealer? I've purchased 18 different headphones over the past 4 years, inluding the HE 1000. No defects, although one had to be returned for replacement because one driver failed after a few weeks of use.

Sure. I haven't complained to the dealer yet. I must admit that I am a big fan of the HFM house sound and that is why I spend all my savings on the HE1000 V2, and I am very impressed by its sonic. I have owned the HE-560 and HE-X V2 before and the build quality of HFM headphones consistently upsets me. No driver failure though. It would really be a shame if the build of the 6K Susvara does not improved.

 

[Pietro Cozzi Tinin]

Can someone tell us what's in the box?
I (for one) would like some balanced cables.

 

[Pietro Cozzi Tinin]

Nailed it!

The other illusion that most of us get sold into is if it's more expensive, it must be better! IMO, while the TOTL headphones keep reaching new heights - in regards to pricing, I hope some company comes along and delivers a headphone that trumps them all sonically and is priced around the HD800s. Why? It would be a fantastic way to capture the market.

I agree with this line of reasoning. I am perfectly happy w/ my "mid-fi" headphone line-up (see signature line). Will be hard-pressed to go even to the $4K level let alone higher. Too many diminishing returns. Although, I have heard great things about the LCD-4.
I think the Ether Flow are a great example of a new HP introduced at the right price point.

FWIW, YMMV, IMHO.
Cheers,
RCB

No my good friend Dick Bailey. You do not have a mid-fi headphone line up. You're line up is hi-fi for sure. Even Hi-end. Besides that. You're one of the members on this forum who really has golden ears and knows his music. Don't sell yourself short. Please.

 

[Whazzzup]

Geez interested but does my gsx mk2 balanced have enough juice in med gain?

 

[Kiats]

Just picked up the pre-production prototype of the Susvara.

 

[Kiats]

Have had a few hours running the prototype. I am using the 4 pin balanced cable to connect the Susvara to the Cavalli Liquid Gold, running on high gain at about 11 o'clock.

The rest of the chain is Bricasti M1, Auralic Aries, Melco 1ZH.

Interestingly, the Susvara has a denser sound to it. The trebles also seem to be much more in control. Listening to familiar Mandopop, there seems to be more speed and nimbleness. The music seems to be more realistic and impactful. The soundstage also seems to be enlarged as compared to the HE1000v2. Imaging is excellent.

It is still early days in my time with the Susvara prototype. I look forward to spending more time with this pair of cans this weekend.

 

[FastAndClean]

The music seems to be more realistic and impactful. The soundstage also seems to be enlarged as compared to the HE1000v2. Imaging is excellent.

of course it is, i will not hesitate to drop 6k for those reasons

 

[musicman59]

Have had a few hours running the prototype. I am using the 4 pin balanced cable to connect the Susvara to the Cavalli Liquid Gold, running on high gain at about 11 o'clock.

The rest of the chain is Bricasti M1, Auralic Aries, Melco 1ZH.

Interestingly, the Susvara has a denser sound to it. The trebles also seem to be much more in control. Listening to familiar Mandopop, there seems to be more speed and nimbleness. The music seems to be more realistic and impactful. The soundstage also seems to be enlarged as compared to the HE1000v2. Imaging is excellent.

It is still early days in my time with the Susvara prototype. I look forward to spending more time with this pair of cans this weekend.

You should upgrade your M1 with the new Ethernet/Player card and eliminate the Aries. It works and sound great!

 

[Kiats]

You should upgrade your M1 with the new Ethernet/Player card and eliminate the Aries. It works and sound great!

Thanks for the tip! I haven't had time to keep up on developments. Will check it up.

 

[Kiats]

Lazy Saturday morning listening with Sandy Lam. Been listening to her ReWorkz and Wild Flower DSD albums.

Listening to the ReWorkz album, I am struck by how detailed and transparent the Susvara is. In my view, this is one of her best recorded and mastered albums. There is a great sense of space; excellent instrument separation and imaging which shine through on the Susvara.

The Wild Flower album was Sandy Lam's breakthrough album. Arranged and produced by Dick Lee, the album has breezy musical arrangements while showcasing Sandy's lovely feminine vocals. Yet rich sounding because of the layering of the various instruments playing slightly different tunes but yet coherent when put together. The Susvara is able to keep up with the many things going on at the same time and yet allow Sandy's almost frail but nuanced vocals shine through. On 夜來香 Sandy's vocals are almost whispery but they shine beautifully through. The Susvara sets the vocals nicely amidst the many layers of music and backup vocals without ever drowning it out. There's a wonderful sense of fluidity and ease in the musical presentation from the Susvara.

Thus far, I'm thoroughly enjoying the Susvara. A couple more days before this pair of cans go back. I suspect I will be quite reluctant to let it go.

 

[Kiats]

Just just a short addendum: just listened to the title track 野花. Sandy's plaintive and alluring vocals just tug at my heartstrings. Wonderful portrayal of the balance between the musicality and emotionality of her nuanced vocals by the Susvara...

 

[Kiats]

Listening to another Sandy Lam Album, 夜太黑 (The Dark Night). On this track, 野風 (Wild Wind), there's very good percussion and bass line as part of the background. The Susvara presents it very realistically and precisely. Full resonance and yet sharp. Just the right decay.

 

[Kiats]

This evening I've decided to put on Damien Rice. This album has 2 songs I never tire of listening to because they are so well crafted and recorded: Volcano and the Blower's Daughter.

All I will say is breathtaking: the separation between the instruments in Volcano and the portrayal of the bass line is really toe tapping. And Damien Rice's emotions really come across in the Blower's Daughter.

The prototype goes back to Jeremy and Jiawei at AV One tomorrow. Big thank you to them for the loan.

What the Susvara will leave me with a sense of this is a worthy successor of the HE-6, of which I have 2 pairs the second of which I searched out when I heard it was to be discontinued, the HE1000.

The Susvara is not an easy can to drive. The only cans I have that are as difficult to drive at the HE6, LCD4 & Abyss. From my short time with it, I will admit that I am very impressed with its sonic qualities: it is very transparent, detailed. Excellent soundstage. Dense and good note weight. I think it is very nicely balanced: good treble extension while having excellent precise bass and engaging mids. It is an excellent pair of cans overall.

Is this something that I am going to rush out to get a pair of? Well, if I didn't already have most of the TOTL cans and an Abyss Phi on its way soon, I have no doubt this would be a pair of cans that would soon be in my collection.

 

[Lurker0918]

I always thought the Canto-pop I listened to in the late 80's/early 90's was well engineered (if not over produced). It sounded dynamic, especially now that I look back at the low-fi gear I was using back then. Listening to it now with much better gear is a treat, as I can imagine it sounds like with the Susvara.

 

[Edwood]

Geez interested but does my gsx mk2 balanced have enough juice in med gain?

It depends on the source gain, but it will likely be maxed out on Med Gain. You'll have to probably use High Gain, but the GS-X MK2 is so quiet it won't add any audible hissing or hum (as long as your source is clean). Only issue is to remember to turn gain back to Med for other headphones so you don't damage your hearing later. I was able to try the Susvara on a GS-X MK2 recently at the LA Audio Show since both HifiMan and HeadAmp were there, and in High Gain, I never really went past 2 O'Clock position in High gain with really quiet music.