I agree that overall the pricing is out of hand. I also heard today that another company was working on a $100k HP amp! My point on the Susvara was that with discount they typically cost in $4’s and that is good value to me for what is thought of and sounds like one of the best HP’s ever made. Beyond that, too many super expensive items.
We simply have a difference of opinion there. As much as I love the SGL, I simply couldn't justify paying the asking price for a new set. Whereas *I* feel the Susvara IS a solid value given that there are now several other planars on the market at a similar or higher price, all of which I consider inferior. Bear in mind that I bought my Susvara used for $3.3k a few years ago, and I consider it easily one of the best audio purchases I've ever made for the money.
I'm certainly not attached to that idea, but can't speak for others in the discussion. Price and performance in audio gear have a very nebulous correlation. That said, I've already opined that *I* don't think Susvara comes at a premium cost in the context of the current market, so perhaps it's a moot point.
Certainly the conversations on various forums can influence some people's perspectives and purchasing decisions, but that works in both directions (persuasion/dissuasion). Ultimately, what drives companies' product and pricing decisions are actual sales figures.
so along with its amplification requirements, the susvara is a high-end headphone purchase that i am finding difficult to justify, regardless of how it sounds.
Other than Susvara's pads, which are notorious for wearing out or failing prematurely, I think the build quality of the headphone is actually quite good. Aesthetics are obviously personal, but I think Susvara has a rather elegant and classic look. More importantly than either of those, Susvara is supremely comfortable, even more so than the headphones you enumerate above, at least for me. We may disagree about how the TOTL planars rank in these categories, but I submit that Susvara is competitive in all of them. YMMV. Finally, sound quality will always be the #1 criterion for me, as long as a headphone doesn't disqualify itself with poor comfort or a completely shoddy build.
If Susvara is overpriced per your value system, I accept and respect that even though I arrived at a different conclusion. The "amplification requirements" argument has some merit, although my opinion is that Susvara on many (higher-powered) headphone amps is still a fabulous listen, especially with non-bassy music. Regarding Susvara's stock catheter cables, I simply paid another $350 for a lightweight DHC copper cable. Problem solved.so while i can appreciate that you regard it as a solid value for the price that you paid for it used in your part of the world, it does seem 'overpriced' to me for what you get when it's purchased new here. that said, i regard any high-end audio purchase as an indulgence so the notion of value for money doesn't really apply as i see it. but i am used to a level of build quality and fit and finish that is more premium than what the susvara offers at its price point. that and its amplification requirements makes it a high-end headphone purchase that i am finding difficult to justify, regardless of how it sounds. and while hifiman has made an attempt to present it as a deluxe product in a satin lined box with a hardcover book, it doesn't cut the mustard imo, particularly if the 'catheter' cables are still being included.
^ at the risk of taking this discussion deeper into the weeds, i share @number1sixerfan's perspective. i appreciate that companies price their products at what they think the market will bear and hifiman is no different in that regard. however, as someone who admires the susvara for its sound reproduction, its build quality and fit and finish is underwhelming imo compared to other high-end headphones that i've had first-hand experience with - such as the focal utopia, meze empyrean, abyss diana and final audio d8000 pro. and they all cost less than the susvara in my neck of the woods.
while i can appreciate that you regard it as a 'solid value' for the price that you paid for it used in your part of the world, it does seem 'overpriced' to me for what you get when it's purchased new here. that said, i regard any high-end audio purchase as an indulgence so the notion of value for money doesn't really apply as i see it. but i am used to a level of build quality and fit and finish that is more premium than what the susvara offers at its price point. and while hifiman has made an attempt to present it as a deluxe product in a satin lined box with a hardcover book, it doesn't cut the mustard imo, particularly if it still comes with the 'catheter' cables.
to clarify, when i refer to the susvara's 'build quality and fit and finish', that can also be understood as its 'lower quality feel' as @number1sixerfan described it in his post. i was not referring to its reliability or comfort. i also find the susvara comfortable and like its look but the execution leaves a lot to be desired imo. it simply doesn't feel like a premium product to me when compared to the other headphones that i mentioned. so i disagree that it is competitive in that category.
agreed
I hear you. But I do think it’s cable is fine. Using the standard cable it was able to outshine all the other HPs I listened to at CanJam. I am sure we can do better, but it is not bad sounding cable.^ at the risk of taking this discussion deeper into the weeds, i share @number1sixerfan's perspective. i appreciate that companies price their products at what they think the market will bear and hifiman is no different in that regard. however, as someone who admires the susvara for its sound reproduction, its build quality and fit and finish is underwhelming imo compared to other high-end headphones that i've had first-hand experience with - such as the focal utopia, meze empyrean, abyss diana and final audio d8000 pro. and they all cost less than the susvara in my neck of the woods.
while i can appreciate that you regard it as a 'solid value' for the price that you paid for it used in your part of the world, it does seem 'overpriced' to me for what you get when it's purchased new here. that said, i regard any high-end audio purchase as an indulgence so the notion of value for money doesn't really apply as i see it. but i am used to a level of build quality and fit and finish that is more premium than what the susvara offers at its price point. and while hifiman has made an attempt to present it as a deluxe product in a satin lined box with a hardcover book, it doesn't cut the mustard imo, particularly if it still comes with the 'catheter' cables.
i wasn't criticising how the susvara or its stock cables sound. i admire the susvara in that respect as i wrote in my post.
and that is what i am critical of. i'll leave it there as i don't want to come off as a thread crapper.
Brand new pair of Susvara delivered today. Took three days to receive from when my pair arrived at HiFiman. Top notch!
HFM customer service is great, isn't it. Wondering if your new set was 2.5mm or 3.5? Did you get to specify?
I am afraid to try the stock cable - I love the Arctic Cable I had with my HE1000V2 (beautifully constructed) and it would really suck if it sounded worse than stock, hah.
They don't make 2.5 anymore.
