The Greatest Headphones Yet? Or not quite? The HiFiMan Susvara Unveiled

[@realshit9325]

Meh, I know it's hard to make money and sponsorships are the way, but you really shouldn't be reviewing a product from your sponsor. The conflict of interest is clear and if you have a really bad (and honest) review, they're probably going to cancel their sponsorship.

[@Currawong]

I wouldn't have accepted the sponsorship if they hadn't expected me to be honest. There are some manufacturers that wont even let you *borrow* gear if you wont give a totally positive review.

[@Currawong]

Thank you to HiFiMan for both sending me the Susvara Unveiled for review, as well sponsoring my channel. You can buy the Susvara Unveiled directly via these links, which also supports my channel: Audio46: www.hear.audio/go/HFMSusUnA46 Headphones.com: www.hear.audio/go/HFMSusUnHPCom

[@007wasabi]

Nice review - just one thing - unveiled is NOT OG successor - Hifiman is very clear about that - both should complement each other.

[@TheVeganVicar]

@@007wasabi In that case, I shall order BOTH. 😃

[@TheWorldTeacher]

Thanks for this review. Incidentally, there no long vowels in the Sanskrit word "Susvara" (nor with "Sundara", to boot).

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

Amos man, I enjoy how this channel is set up like a conversation, and one which takes place with you and I, and by that I mean you assume that I know or have had experience with each headphone you talk about, like many of us in the community have, and I like that. You never talk down to your audience, you speak to us like an equal, and it shows and is respectable.

[@johnratcliffe6438]

I listened to both at CanJam London last weekend. I really struggled to discern a difference between them.

[@chungang7037]

Not gonna lie the build is concerning, they seem extremely fragile...

[@luckyupyours]

They are. Someone already blew a hole through the diaphragm

[@Tovercome]

As an owner of at least 4 hifiman headphones they dont feel premium and as a personal experience I didn’t have a good customer support encounter with them 😩

[@samhor33]

Seriously, a headphone with a price tag like that, the build quality is just unacceptable, no matter how you focus on the sound the build quality is an important factor as well.

[@ahmadfodeh3413]

Just typical hifiman product ...

[@harackmw]

@@luckyupyours how did it happen?

[@garfythecat]

Not that I would ever have the budget for these but the lack of a cover or grill on the outside makes me anxious lol

[@BrentLeVasseur]

How do these compare to Hifiman’s electrostatic offerings like the Shangrila/jr and or Stax 9000? If you are in the $8k price range you need to compare them with those too, right?

[@MistaLova-Lova]

As a very happy owner of the OG Utopia and a tube amp, I got to hear both Susvaras at the London Can Jam a few days ago and the OG Sus on a Feliks Envy is pure audio bliss. Not as punchy as the Utopia but a wonderful complement to it in terms of being a highly transparent and airy headphone. I didn't get to spend enough time with the new Sus but my impression was that it sounded bigger (soundstage) and a bit more "polite". I didn't get to A-B them from the same source, though. I had previously found the OG Sus rather unengaging and never considered buying it but knowing what it can actually sound like on a great tube amp makes me want to pull the trigger and finally upgrade my HEKse... 😀

[@ramlord6669]

Feliks Envy 😍

[@TheVeganVicar]

I am hoping to also upgrade from HEKSE to Susvara one day (if I can find a used pair at a bargain price).

[@harackmw]

What does "polite" mean in audiophile language ? 😄

[@johnratcliffe6438]

You sound like the sort of guy who has Dekoni pads on his HEKSE :)

[@heyguyslolGAMING]

I own the Meze Elite & ZMF Caldera which is about the max price point I'm willing to go on a pair of can's. If money was no object I'd be doing something else w/ my money.

[@samhor33]

Great video as usual👍

[@TheVeganVicar]

I can barely afford the original Susvara, but thank you for the comparison, my fellow Aussie expatriate audiophile!

[@freovegan]

Hi @theveganvicar from a fellow vegan expat Aussie audiophile 🌱

[@daniluzzu]

Wait, Focal and Sennheiser pull back in the 1-2Khz region? Since when? I always found that area to be too hot in many headphone models of those two companies. Hifiman was really the pioneer of tuning headphones with that area a bit recessed, and I couldn't love it more! It benefits the sense of space and stage, and reduces listening fatigue. It is a no brainer for my ears, the Harman target is simply too hot in that area (again, for me), particularly considering that we are talking about a diaphragm in action just a few centimeters from our ear drums, whereas that area is not as painful when listening to speakers at proper distance.

[@Currawong]

It's a bit tricky to nail down, as it's all relative to the other frequencies. What I am referring to is the tendency towards a steeper-and-later-than-Harman rise in that region. But, like you, I generally find that straight Harman sounds too forward in that area. I'm starting to suspect that some of it has to do with internal reflections at those frequencies as well, as to how well the tuning sounds, as well as one's ears.

[@bc8251]

Excellent review, sound quality over bling always 👌 personally I think the no grill on the drivers is not a problem, a person who purchases these headphones is not going to poke things into the drivers or leave them exposed to harsh conditions, dust, direct sunlight etc.

[@PassionforSound]

I really like how you covered the importance of balanced reviews for all people involved!

[@Alepap.]

4:45 ......to ensure as many RMAs as possible

[@carlsitler9071]

My $180 M570 planars are AWESOME! Are $50,000 headphones better? I couldn't care less.

[@IHearEverythingDude]

Price doesnt mean anything.

[@One-Two_swift-kickbox]

The official research & development name was the Susvara Raw-Dawg ™

[@TheVeganVicar]

[@ahmadfodeh3413]

@00:18 next to the Elite it looks like a piece of scrap

[@elasmojones]

Happy to know there's tiers above my spending ability. Don't want the best, just want enough.

[@AnakChan]

I've heard that the Unveiled compliments the OG rather than be an alternative.

[@VerloKz]

The Problem is the worst workmanship of Hifiman, in 2 years i replaced 3 Susvara cause of self destruction...

[@GadZookz]

Thanks Amos! Really don’t like the naked look of this new Susvara. Besides, my regular Susvara still sounds terrific so here it will stay.

[@7in1]

I own Ananda Nano and enjoy it very much 👍 Didn't hear a super huge difference with old susvara.

[@lastcall9998]

Ah, I am in conflict Curra! When you started comparing them with the HD800s you killed my desire of ever owning a Susvara. You see, I have lived for a very long time with my HD800s and... I think they shouldn't exist at all. And I LOVE to death my Edition XS (Hifiman) to death. I think they are 1000x better than the Sennheisers. Just timber alone is like super accurate. It's not pretentious, it feels they don't get in the way of me listening to music. From its bass, it sounds just amazing. The whole spectrum sounds EFFORTLESS. Having said that, I hope you can answer me: If I think this, even if it's not your opinion ofc, do you think I would love 100x times more a pair of Susvara? Ty.

[@Currawong]

I'd honestly see if you can't try a pair first with your gear.

[@ChrisStoneinator]

Finally someone else acknowledging that the HD800S is a tech demo that ruins any music you actually try to listen to on them

[@mrk9045]

Those cicadas are LOUD. Great review!

[@mardybum4309]

Are you touching the driver there around 21:00? Does that risk damaging the unit?

[@Currawong]

No I'm not. You can't touch the driver.

[@chanhien4000]

@@Currawong Correct me if im wrong, from the punctured pics, looks like the fragile part is actually behind the horizontal pipes? If so then it's really worrying since dust will eventually get in.

[@FisherMan-bh9dn]

Gotta love capitalism. Both of these look like fantastic headphones. Gives me something to work for in the future. Great review. Thanks 👍

[@Waitaminutesilly]

I sold OG Susvara bc it sounded underwhelmed with Macintosh MHA200, given that the Unveiled is more sensitive on paper, do you think MHA200 can drive these properly?

[@Currawong]

I have doubts. A 500mW output amp may not be suitable. The MHA200 is a weird design as well. 2x 3-pin XLR outputs for headphones isn't used any more.

[@AliArghavan]

They've slapped Apple in the face regarding profit margin. I don't expect these to cost more than 300$ to manufacture. Even considering R&D and marketing, 8000$ is insane.

[@kajetan9550]

Given most of the design is directly copied from OG Susvara that was released 7 years ago

[@ChrisStoneinator]

Ive never understood the hyperbole around Susvara when estats exist and are frankly more durable.

[@Cp48533]

What website is this? 11:39 can anyone access the fr graphs

[@Currawong]

vsg.squig.link as shown in the middle of the graphs, and in the description. :)

[@Cp48533]

@@Currawong cheers :)

[@palefaced1]

Price is silly for build quality.

[@petercraig389]

Nice review

[@atafarhadi4003]

What cable are you using with you HD800S? Thanks!

[@Currawong]

A Norne Audio Draug at the moment.

[@michaeldeckstein3457]

Look chesp - much preferred the look of mine Susvara, way more classy to my oppinion.

[@radiofreealbemuth]

I'm still waiting for the susvara to come down to a price i can afford 🙏😢 I always heard susvara is the ultimate headphone for details and separation, so it's insane there's a new headphone that trumps the susvara

[@harackmw]

Don't worry if you follow sales they will probably be $2000 refurbished soon enough

[@ChrisStoneinator]

@@harackmwand you’re better off buying a refurbished one, that a competent tech has actually looked at, than one straight off the production line anyway.

[@TerraBlacc1]

In your b-roll, was that an Audiovalve Lumiere that Susvara was atop? If it was, did you ever do a write up on that?

[@Currawong]

It was the Solaris. I shot a video on it. Helmut wasn't very happy with what I had to say.

[@TerraBlacc1]

@@Currawong Even so, I think I will look that one up, thank you.

[@twitchbook-1]

can we see graf like this for the aria and xs and thanks

[@Currawong]

On squig.link or Crinacle's site you might be able to.

[@djhmax09]

No plans to review the Yamaha??

[@Currawong]

Both Yamaha and I forgot to follow up on it. I'll ask again about it at some point.

[@kovy689]

Can we eat this?

[@Rob-Davidson]

$8,000 is ignorant for such a small amount of material. Companies know about the "I want the best" buyers, and if they spend $500 building a pair of Chinese headphones but sell them for $8,000, they don't need to sell high volume.

[@Currawong]

The years of research to develop the design isn't cost free though.

[@Rob-Davidson]

@@Currawong yes I understand that.

[@annders8264]

@@Currawong Every brand has R&D cost. I still think, that Hifiman rips people off in terms of build quality. Most summit fi offerings of the other brands feel much more premium at cheaper prices and being built in countries with more expensive labor cost. And the 'they are purely focusing on sound' excuse is not acceptable in this price range anymore - there are very few headphones in general, that are more expensive than the Susvara unveiled.

[@hartyewh1]

They perhaps wouldn't sell three times as many for half the price for the same profit. Whining about prices in a market economy is also somewhat silly. They will drop is they don't sell. With a niche luxury product like this you often need to sell a hundred or more sets to break even.

[@kovy689]

Excellent point.

[@tobefree3718]

clear price inflation, that pushes all prices up across the industry.

[@petercraig389]

Except for all their other headphones have had their prices seriously slashed.

[@ChrisStoneinator]

​​@@petercraig389they were overpriced to begin with. The original HE6 could be had for a grand at one point and was as good as Susvara, they've since realised they can charge more for less and so they do. And then when the "new Chinese tat" hype from KZbin dies down they reduce the profit margin to shovel out the remaining stock. Only the HEK is a decently positioned product if you have a particular set of needs, everything else in their lineup is a ripoff.

[@Skeith89]

Remove your HD800S dust cover. It will sounds more resolving maybe even exceed Sus Unveiled.

[@Lost1ntheSauc3]

lol

[@ChrisStoneinator]

Will it fix the fact that it presents your music like it's coming from two tinny Bluetooth speakers at opposite ends of a hallway?

[@tanyet]

Very exspensive but, adjusted for US inflation, they’re about the same price as the originals at introduction.

[@truthxbl]

Look... I love hifiman. I have several of their products, in a range of prices. With that said.... There is absolutely no way that they're making a product that is 100% worth gambling 8k on. Their customer service leaves me wanting, most of all. I have no confidence in them to mass produce a product that will ship without issues 100% of the time. I have no confidence in them to treat a customer fairly, and replace a faulty part, 100% of the time. Batting out of order in my opinion. More power to those of you with the sort of disposable income that allows you to essentially just throw 8k in the trash (potentially).

[@jirihorsky9600]

It’s just a question of time before someone picks up a dremel, “unveils” their regular Susvara and posts their findings on head-fi (probably watercooler).

[@Currawong]

You'd have to change the magnets to the new stealth ones though.

[@jirihorsky9600]

@@Currawong Indeed. I was just referring to a tendency of many of us to extensively modify our expensive gear in pursuit of small to imaginary improvements.

[@Jingyih]

Actually 8k today is cheaper than 6k back then.

[@Currawong]

Going by the inflation calculator, US$6,000 in 2017, when the first Susvara was released, is about US$7,700 now.

[@Jingyih]

@@Currawong thanks for the calculation and correction. So it is comparable:)

[@goldenstasgs]

I have Susvara unvield and Susvara OG. I think Unvield has fair price. It’s the best planar headphones in the world. Sound quality is on level of electrostatic headphones and better than Shangrila Senior.

[@harackmw]

you heard the Senior? the 17000$ one?

[@ixoye56]

They might sound great, but the build looks very cheap.

[@Mr.Banter]

Nice review, plan to up my upgrade my gear before I purchase the unveiled to fully reach its potential.

[@hartyewh1]

Agreed that Mezes look far nicer, but I'd take an Edition XS for sound over every Meze on the market😂 (With EQ that I would use on both)

[@ChrisStoneinator]

I'm no fan of HiFiMan but unfortunately you're not wrong

[@johnosam4681]

Want ittttt

[@carminedesanto6746]

GM ☕️ For $8k ….I’d go with the Meze Emps .2.0…and put the money into a beter DAC 😎

[@shawnpwatsons1]

NO

[@sebanambrus9265]

They cost a maximum of $200 to manufacture, yet they sell for $8,000. It's a disgrace to the industry. I'll stick with my 20-year-old HD650, which outperforms any headphone at any price, delivering authentic, lifelike sound and timbre. I've reached this conclusion after owning nearly all top-of-the-line headphones.

[@necrodh]

Any oldschool AKG, Beyerdinamic and Sennheiser with a Lehmann amp and a real DAc with WAV o DSD files sounds top notch

[@petercraig389]

Good luck with that

[@djhmax09]

650 is a great headphone for sure, but them outperforming totl headphones is silly to me. You may like the 650 more in terms of preference, and that's totally fine.

[@sebanambrus9265]

​@@djhmax09 You need to experience life like music and concerts to have a reference point. If you're fixated on hearing minor details, like a single member of a big band orchestra sniffing his nose instead of the overall music, you're on the path to spending $10,000 on gear. Achieving a lifelike timbre is essential, and you can't get that from analytical headphones, as they focus on minute details rather than the overall sound.

[@djhmax09]

@@sebanambrus9265 yeah I have experienced real life music so I have good reference points. And you know what? Most of the time live music sounds like trash, unless you go to a well engineered acoustic hall, which I have. And I can absolutely hear everything from that, just like with totl headphones. I don't know about you but my goal isn't to replicate crappy sounding live music. You can absolutely get lifelike timbre from analytical headphones. The 650 isn't even representative of how timbre sounds like in real life when you're in a room. It's inaccurate in that way. When you listen to music you are listening to a recording, and that includes whatever distortion the room is adding into that. The timbre of an instrument is a slave to the space/room it's being played in, unless you play outside all of the time.

[@mdrumt]

How much? Lol let's end the video right there.