[ufospls2]

I'm back home and have time now from today so I'm going to be able to dig into the Unveiled fully and do comparisons over the next couple weeks. I do wish I had heard an OG Susvara recently or even better had one on hand for direct comparisons, but I do have the Shang Sr's and the 1266TC here for comparisons. Apologies for the lack of any thoughts or impressions over the last couple months as a couple people had asked, but I should be good to go now.

The Unveiled are really very good though. I think they are being slept on slightly by the community thus far due to multiple factors

1. The price
2. The Immanis
3. The fully open drivers/Apprehension about damage to said drivers
4. The OG's being much cheaper via either used market or hifiman store refurbished/open box, whilst providing a similar level of performance (though I do think they are slightly less detailed and refined sounding-but some might prefer their tonal balance) Its a big ask to drop $8000USD (or whatever you end up paying at your dealer) when you can have a very similar headphone that you might prefer the tonal balance of for $3000-$3500USD.

I think we might see more enthusiasm for the Unveiled as time goes on as more people get their ears on them, and a healthier used market accumulates or Hifiman maybe puts them on sale? I'm not sure. They are clearly very high performers though, if we are talking strictly sonically.

 

[Exekuhtor]

I do have the Shang Sr's

That would be an incredible comparison! I know @number1sixerfan would be also very interested in it.
Yeah, the Immanis shook the TOTL headphone market really up, even the Magna is still clearly one level above the Unveiled when it comes to pure technicalities (and bass, of course).
I think people are being (quite rightly) hesitant to buy the Unveiled from the used market because of its open driver.
Another thing is the glaring dynamic & bass leanness (when i lent it to @ThanatosVI he just said: "Yeah, really great vocals, but i don't need a lean planar!") of the Unveiled, which you can counter to some degree, but it takes effort.
Still, everytime i hear vocals with it, be it female or male ones, i cannot believe how good it sounds. I would love to hear from you how the Shangri-La stacks up against it, particularly in the midrange and bass.

 

[jlbrach]

Agreed, i also don't look back and don't miss the old one at all. But we also both have fantastic other headphones like a 1266 or an Immanis.

true but I could easily live with the unveiled as my only HP...the Immanis is better but not by all that much and as much as I love the 1266 if I had to choose the unveiled would get the nod over the 1266

 

[jlbrach]

I'm back home and have time now from today so I'm going to be able to dig into the Unveiled fully and do comparisons over the next couple weeks. I do wish I had heard an OG Susvara recently or even better had one on hand for direct comparisons, but I do have the Shang Sr's and the 1266TC here for comparisons. Apologies for the lack of any thoughts or impressions over the last couple months as a couple people had asked, but I should be good to go now.

The Unveiled are really very good though. I think they are being slept on slightly by the community thus far due to multiple factors

1. The price
2. The Immanis
3. The fully open drivers/Apprehension about damage to said drivers
4. The OG's being much cheaper via either used market or hifiman store refurbished/open box, whilst providing a similar level of performance (though I do think they are slightly less detailed and refined sounding-but some might prefer their tonal balance) Its a big ask to drop $8000USD (or whatever you end up paying at your dealer) when you can have a very similar headphone that you might prefer the tonal balance of for $3000-$3500USD.

I think we might see more enthusiasm for the Unveiled as time goes on as more people get their ears on them, and a healthier used market accumulates or Hifiman maybe puts them on sale? I'm not sure. They are clearly very high performers though, if we are talking strictly sonically.

price is obviously a determining factor for everyones decision and I agree the unveiled is expensive...that said my review of the 2 is made without price being a determinant and for me the unveiled is simply better...that said I totally get it as to why somebody would but a well cared for used OG for 3000 or so

 

[rreynolds]

I've had the Unveiled for 3 months now & have used it exclusively almost. The 1266 has gotten maybe a week of playtime since. It really is that good, the detail retrieval capability in the upper registers has me sitting for hours sometimes. Bass & midrange are still excellent, really track dependent though. I spent last weekend listening to Come Get It, Garden of Love & Street Songs - Rick James & was pleasantly surprised at the balance, bass quantity was also good. Also listened to Supertramp, some albums like Breakfast in America are a bit top heavy, but never overbearing. It may not be as natural or warm sounding as the OG, but the extra information that's a little easier to hear is a fair trade off imo. (This is coming from a detail head though lol).

 

[jlbrach]

I concur, the unveiled is outstanding...the price is obviously a barrier but if you can swing it it is highly recommended

 

[nwavesailor]

Yup!
I've never had more than 4-5 hp at a time but now down to 2. The UN and immanis

 

[ufospls2]

Only the very best of sources for the Unveileds.

 

[Spawn300Z]

Lol

 

[Exekuhtor]

Ha! I can trump that!

"All source gear sounds the same anyway!":

Susvara Unveiled and Immanis are my top two heaphones currently, they both sound amazing...
The winner depends on the mood, music and the chain.

 

[draytonklammer]

Oh, the humanity!

 

[jlbrach]

Ha! I can trump that!

"All source gear sounds the same anyway!":




Susvara Unveiled and Immanis are my top two heaphones currently, they both sound amazing...
The winner depends on the mood, music and the chain.

I coudnt agree more

 

[Exekuhtor]

I coudnt agree more

I hope with the latter part, hehe!
We have very similiar systems, how is the CFA3 with the Unveiled / Immanis compared to the Envy? I preordered one, but i think it will take a bit more time to arrive.

 

[jlbrach]

the CFA3 is outstanding and if I am in a SS mood it is the choice...I tend to be a tube man so the envy and VM-1a tend to get most of the time with the Immanis

 

[Exekuhtor]

the CFA3 is outstanding and if I am in a SS mood it is the choice...I tend to be a tube man so the envy and VM-1a tend to get most of the time with the Immanis

Sounds awesome! Can't wait until my unit arrives!