[JeffMann]

I gave the susvara a good listen at camjam in a room with very good amping and I must say I was underwhelmed...I happen to own the Abyss Phi,the Utopia and the LCD-4 and used to own the HE1000v2.....the Phi is the best HP I have ever heard and to me the susvara didnt compare....I recognize this is all subjective at this level

I think that your opinion is of no value because it is not informative about any deficiencies of the Susvara headphone. Are you claiming that the Susvara is not as "musically accurate" as your preferred headphones? If affirmative, which musical instrument cannot it reproduce accurately and what are its specific deficiencies?

Jeff.

 

[mulder01]

I think that your opinion is of no value because it is not informative about any deficiencies of the Susvara headphone. Are you claiming that the Susvara is not as "musically accurate" as your preferred headphones? If affirmative, which musical instrument cannot it reproduce accurately and what are its specific deficiencies?

Jeff.

Which headphone sounds the most correct is up to the individual. Have you compared the Susvara to the other headphones mentioned and what do you think are the specific shortcomings of each one in relation to the performance of the Susvara? Otherwise your opinion is also of no value...

 

[JeffMann]

Which headphone sounds the most correct is up to the individual. Have you compared the Susvara to the other headphones mentioned and what do you think are the specific shortcomings of each one in relation to the performance of the Susvara? Otherwise your opinion is also of no value...

There is one difference! I am not making any comparison between the Susvara and any other headphone in my post. I am simply stating that if a person prefers one headphone's sound quality compared to another headphone's sound quality, that is his personal choice. However, if he feels the need to make his personal choice public in a headphone forum like this one, then he should provide information that can add to our knowledge of the strengths/deficiencies of that headphone. Writing that he finds the Susvara headphone "underwhelming" provides no useful information. It could be due to the fact that his headphone amplifier cannot adequately drive the Susvara headphone.

Jeff.

 

[Matez]

I had a chance to audition the Susvara alongside the Utopias so I thought I'd share my experience.

The setup I auditioned on was on a Roon Player with 44.1Khz 16-bit music -> Aune S6 DAC -> iFi Ican Pro -> balanced output.

The Aune was outputting at a level of 85 to 95 and the iFi ICan Pro was between 12 and 3 o'clock.

To give you an idea on my listening background - I have Focal Clears being driven from a TEAC UD-503 in Active Ground mode from a balanced cable. I was really curious on the gap between Utopia and Clear which is why I auditioned. Many are drawing comparisons of the Susvara to Abyss Phi and Stax. I can't comment because I have not listened to either. Before the audition, I was under the impression that I was already reaching a point of diminishing returns with anything above the clear.

I was wrong.

The Susvara blew my mind. I've never heard anything like it before. It was so pure, clear, musical, balanced - and extremely transparent. I totally loved them. To me, it never made practical sense to go out of my way to get music files higher than CD quality, because I'd have to repurchase everything in my music library. The Susvara level of headphones really lets you get EVERYTHING out of your music files. The imaging, soundstage and that "air" were amazing. It made music styles/genres that I would never listen to, sound GOOD.

I thought had found my end game with the Focal Clear, but I didn't. My goal is to get something at the level of the Susvara. It truly sounded heavenly. With a Susvara level of cans, I could be content and then just focus on enjoying music instead of constantly upgrading all my gear.

Maybe the Susvara really do require crazy amping power to sound good. One thing I noticed, is if I cranked the volume from 12 towards 3 o'clock, the override protection would kick in and the unit would cut the juice until I dialed back the volume.

For comparison purposes, I listed to the Utopias as well. They sounded good, but nowhere near the level of Susvara. Susvara had a much lower noise floor, clearer, more separated sound. Not trying to put down Utopia - but they sounded mid-fi to me after Susvara.

From a sound quality perspective, Susvara is all I would ever need. In terms of the other common criticisms on build quality and price - there's probably truth to it. I think HiFiman probably spend most of the R&D budget to push towards that next level of SQ with planar magnetics, versus the design and build quality.

I found the design of the Susvara to be pretty streamlined - they are not as fat and bulky as other Planars and have metal construction. I prefer the shorter, rounder each cup shape of the Susvara to the HE1000v2. It's not going to win design awards, but to me it has a much, more sleek, modern styling than the Abyss. I just don't find the Abyss Phi style very attractive at all. It reminds me of the very outdated Affliction brand of T-shirts and looks like a set of cans - a hard core gamer would buy to play Call of Duty or whatever the latest First Person Shooter is.

As for Stax - the only thing that bothers me about going to that system would require an electrostatic amp - maybe its just perception - but I feel like I would not have many options to swap components. The counter argument of course - is that Susvara is so power hungry, your choices would be just as limited, but whatever amp I choose - I could also use them to mess with all the other non-electrostatic headphones in my collection.

Let's talk price. Price $6000 is ridiculous. But this is the hobby we've chosen to get into. I already think spend $150 is ridiculous, yet I own like 15 sets of headphones and Focal Clears which costed $1500. I have a DAC/AMP on order that was $2500. Just stupid. - I've long past what should be reasonable to pay for a headphone, so I will save my pennies to try and get a Susvara in the near future. Of course I wish/hope it drops in price.

I have always relied heavily on research and other users opinions when shortlisting audio gear. From my own listening experience, I found that I really don't feel the same about audio products that others in the community have raved about or hated on.

I think you really do have to listen for yourself and form your own opinion. The REALLY good stuff will stand out on its own. It will create an experience you can't forget and crave for. Susvara was one of those for me. My car stereo sounds like crap now - and all my other headphones aren't good enough anymore, when I once thought they would be all I'd every need.

That's nice feedback. I was and still am very impressed with Susvara, even though it's been a while since my loaner returned to the manufacturer. I got the impression that these headphones do everything just right and not a single thing wrong. This non-showy sound grew on me heavily and I have to say that it sits at the very top in my personal ranking.

 

[Matez]

There is one difference! I am not making any comparison between the Susvara and any other headphone in my post. I am simply stating that if a person prefers one headphone's sound quality compared to another headphone's sound quality, that is his personal choice. However, if he feels the need to make his personal choice public in a headphone forum like this one, then he should provide information that can add to our knowledge of the strengths/deficiencies of that headphone. Writing that he finds the Susvara headphone "underwhelming" provides no useful information. It could be due to the fact that his headphone amplifier cannot adequately drive the Susvara headphone.

Jeff.

I'd agree with this in general. There should be at least a mild description where a given product under performs in the context of other goods.

To read that Susvara 'doesn't compare' to something is, well, not very informational, is it?

 

[Whazzzup]

Susvara excelled in jazz and blues for me. It’s smooth delivery with an emphasis on lower mids is its attraction and for me, a knock. The mids were a tinch syrupy, especially compared to cans with more sharp detail in mids and expansive stage. The natural or harmonious delivery is its strength, the ear cups could be better for heat dissipation. Price aside a remarkable effort.

 

[jlbrach]

I made a completely subjective appraisal of the susvara as one who also owns the phi and lcd-4 and utopia and used to own the 1000 v2. I speak as one owning the Dave/blu2 and a serious fan of high end audio. I think I suggested it was simply my opinion and I qualified it as having been at a show where it is difficult to discern properly. That said I did listen to the susvara with very high end equipment in a separate room and was able to go back and forth between the phi and the Diana and the susvara. This is my second time listening to the susvara as I got a brief chance to sample them at last years canjam as well. I a not sure why people react negatively to a subjective comment. I certain,y do not object to anyone preferring the susvara

 

[Hifiearspeakers]

I made a completely subjective appraisal of the susvara as one who also owns the phi and lcd-4 and utopia and used to own the 1000 v2. I speak as one owning the Dave/blu2 and a serious fan of high end audio. I think I suggested it was simply my opinion and I qualified it as having been at a show where it is difficult to discern properly. That said I did listen to the susvara with very high end equipment in a separate room and was able to go back and forth between the phi and the Diana and the susvara. This is my second time listening to the susvara as I got a brief chance to sample them at last years canjam as well. I a not sure why people react negatively to a subjective comment. I certain,y do not object to anyone preferring the susvara

Because, once again, you didn’t add any information to the discussion. All you said was underwhelm. People want to know, why?

 

[jlbrach]

Ok, for me the sound was not dynamic enough the bass not nearly in the class of the phi or LCD-4 and the detail not up to the standards of the utopia or PHI. To be honest I could not imagine spending twice what the 1000 v2 cost me for the Susvara. Again totally subjective but I found the Phi in particular head and shoulders better but that is me and I am not trying to impose my viewpoint on anyone. At this level it all becomes subjective

 

[Hifiearspeakers]

Ok, for me the sound was not dynamic enough the bass not nearly in the class of the phi or LCD-4 and the detail not up to the standards of the utopia or PHI. To be honest I could not imagine spending twice what the 1000 v2 cost me for the Susvara. Again totally subjective but I found the Phi in particular head and shoulders better but that is me and I am not trying to impose my viewpoint on anyone. At this level it all becomes subjective

Everyone understands that this is all subjective. And your opinion matters as much as anyone elses’s, and we all welcome your viewpoint. The criticism directed at you has nothing to do with your perspective. It was simply due to the lack of information that usually follows. Thanks for clarifying!

 

[ufospls2]

I gave the susvara a good listen at camjam in a room with very good amping and I must say I was underwhelmed...I happen to own the Abyss Phi,the Utopia and the LCD-4 and used to own the HE1000v2.....the Phi is the best HP I have ever heard and to me the susvara didnt compare....I recognize this is all subjective at this level

I enjoyed the Susvara more than the LCD-4, but agree that at this level it is different for everyone. For me and my ears, the Susvara+Abyss Phi is my favourite combo so far (sound wise, build quality maybe not.) Once I get them in, I will try to provide some more impressions vs. the Phi.

 

[Mystel]

I actually find the Susvara and Phi pretty complementary. Susvara rather relaxing and pleasing, while the Phi is just a monster
Ive tried the Susvara with the Wa33/headtrip with bluDave numerous times in a local store, and I PERSONALLY like it and the Phi more than the LCD4/Utopia.
Might be getting a susvara myself soon, am liking what i hear

 

[JeffMann]

Ok, for me the sound was not dynamic enough the bass not nearly in the class of the phi or LCD-4 and the detail not up to the standards of the utopia or PHI. To be honest I could not imagine spending twice what the 1000 v2 cost me for the Susvara. Again totally subjective but I found the Phi in particular head and shoulders better but that is me and I am not trying to impose my viewpoint on anyone. At this level it all becomes subjective

I am happy to see that you decided to add information on what you perceive to be the deficiencies of the Susvara - less than optimum dynamics, bass and detail retrieval.

Your subjective opinion may be somewhat objective in the sense that other people have made the same points.

I only listen to classical music and opera and I find the Susvara has perfectly adequate dynamics, bass and detail retrieval for me - and I am not worried that it may not be the best out there from those audio quality perspectives. My main focus when listening to my headphone is "musical accuracy" which I define as the ability of the headphone to produce sound that best approximates the musical quality of "live" sound that I hear in a classical music concert hall and opera house. I am particularly focused on the sound (musical timbre) of instruments like the violin, cello and piano (because they constitute the majority of my classical music diet). I have never listened to the Abyss, LCD4 or Utopia so I don't know how they compare to the Susvara in terms of "musical accuracy". I have never read any post that suggests that any of them are better than the Susvara in terms of "musical accuracy" and I would be very inclined to audition any of those headphones if they can better the Susvara with respect to the audio quality of "musical accuracy".

Jeff.

 

[ufospls2]

Hey guys,

I have had quite a bit more time with the Susvara now so I thought I would share some thoughts on it, as well as a more detailed comparison with the Abyss Phi. Again, lets get it out of the way that this headphone retails at the crazy price of $6000USD. Just a bit nuts.

I loved the Susvara the first time I heard it, it was/is my second favourite headphone I have heard, period. I went back to the shop four more times and listened carefully, and still really enjoyed it. I sold my LCD-4’s, and some other stuff to make up the difference.

One thing to note is, I own this pair of headphones. I paid for it with my own money, I didn’t win it, and this isn’t a loaner pair. This review is completely honest.

The build quality is something I wanted to pay close attention to as with the Susvara being a Hifiman product, it is definitely something to worry about. As I said in my initial impressions, the build quality seems to be better than the HE1000V1, and similar to the HE1000V2, perhaps a tiny bit better. It is pretty much the same headphone as the V2 HE1000 in terms of outer materials and whatnot. At this asking price, I really would have liked to have seen some real leather, and just….more attention to the tiny details, if that makes sense. It all seems fairly well put together, certainly much better than the HE1000V1, but it just lacks that last few percent that would truly make it an amazing “Statement” product.

The Hifiman Sundara, a $500USD headphone, has better build quality than the Susvara. Thats a bit darn ridiculous if you ask me, but it is what it is. I wish Hifiman had waited 6 months on the Susvaras release, and done something similar to the Sundara with it. There is so much potential here and it just isn’t there yet.

It really begs the question, what on earth makes this worth DOUBLE the asking price of the HE1000V2’s???

Well, lets get into that a little bit. In terms of build quality and the materials used….it really isn’t. Its a rounder HE1000V2. In terms of sound quality? Perhaps it is. It is certainly better than the HE1000V2, whether or not it is $3000USD better is up to the listener I suppose. This headphone is FAR into the land of diminishing returns. I think it would have been really neat if Hifiman had lowered the price of the HE1000 to say..$2500USD, and released the Susvara at $3500USD. I reckon they would be selling like hotcakes if they had. As it stands, I don’t there there are too many out there in the wild, which honestly isn’t surprising.

Now lets talk about the sound quality, which I suppose at the end of the day, is the most important part. After all, once they are on your head, all the concerns about build quality and the materials used don’t matter as much (unless they fall off your head and break.)

I’m going to include comparisons to the Abyss Phi below, as they are both competing in the top of the line arena and are what I have on hand to listen to

Bass: The Abyss Phi has more quantity, and to my ears, better quality of bass. The Susvara sounds a bit rounder and is less hard hitting. However, neither headphone seems to lack definition when playing complex bass patterns. I listen to a lot of Electronica, so this is something I pay close attention to.

Mids: I prefer the Susvara’s mids most of the time vs. The Phi’s. However, it really does depend what you are listening to and what mood you are in. The Phi seem to have a little less presence in the mids and are not as warm as the Susvara. Compared to the LCD-4, the Susvara is less warm, and seems to have less presence in the mids. They seem to bridge the gap between the LCD-4 and Phi nicely. In terms of mids, the Susvara just “works” for me and my ears.

Treble: Apart from the occasional sibilance I hear from the Phi at higher volumes (which I think might be more my source gear than the headphones but lets not get into that right now) I do prefer the Phi to the Susvara in the treble. The Susvara is smoother sounding, less in your face, and more relaxed. The Phi has incredible definition in the upper region, and really lets you hear what is going on. You can still hear great treble detail from the Susvara, but it is less present, and more chilled out sounding for lack of a better expression.

Soundstage: I like a big soundstage, and the Phi provides that. It is bigger than the Susvara. However, the Susvara’s soundstage is bigger than the LCD-4’s and much bigger than the Utopias. I don’t feel I am missing out when I’m listening to the Hifimans, I just prefer that extra width coming from the Phi, thats all. The sound coming from the Susvara seems to envelope the ear more than the Phi, but its really hard to describe.

Transparency, and technicalities: The Abyss Phi is again the winner in my books. Both have great detail, digging into the recording and pulling out the tiny things you want to hear at this level. However, the Phi is the more dynamic headphone, and can absolutely punch your ears off. The Susvara is a bit less dynamic, but seems to be about equal in terms of transparency to the source.

At the end of the day, the Abyss Phi is still my favourite headphone. It is more in your face, and aggressive. It is a no compromises all or nothing headphone. However, with that being said, the Susvara is almost as good, but completely different. It is easier to listen to. If I just want to chill out and enjoy some tunes, I think I will be reaching for the Susvara rather than the Abyss. If I have some free time and can really just concentrate on listening, I will reach for the Abyss. Perhaps its not a case of worse or better between these two headphone, and more of a case of different.

I should mention that the Susvara is incredibly comfortable. Its weight isn’t too bad at 450g (similar to the Utopia) but it feels lighter than that. It certainly beats the Abyss in this area. I could wear the Susvara all day happily

The Susvara is an incredibly expensive headphone. Its really a bit silly. I pray that if Hifiman introduces a new planar flagship, it isn’t $10,000USD. Most people aren’t going to drop $6000USD on a pair of headphones, and that is completely understandable. I wish Hifiman had even priced it at $4500USD, as this headphone should be experienced by more people. It really doesn’t scream “I’m a flagship” compared to something like the Focal Utopia, and could be a lot better in terms of build quality and the materials they have used. However, they do sound damn good. $6000USD good? I suppose that is up to the listener.

 

[Whitigir]

Even if a listener doesn’t find the Susvara being 6k good, that is because he/she is no Dr. I know a Dr. who certify and justify the Susvara as a 6K being. You just have to be there to understand, because it sound that good.