The One: Hifiman Susvara Review

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This is it people! The One! The Best Headphone the World! (at least as far as I know). Now, have I tried all the headphones in the world on all the gear? No. But, I have had the opportunity to try quite a bit of TOTL stuff lately and out of everything I’ve tried, the Susvara (for me) has been the best. Sound wise there is literally nothing I would change about it; it’s technically capable, yet still smooth and rich; just a delight to listen to and use. The only real issue with it is the power required to get the top performance out of them, but even that can be surmounted as long as you have a decent chain. For an overall package, this is it for me. Too bad I don’t get to keep them… Thanks again to channel friend, Ahmad Rashdan, for allowing me the amazing opportunity to open these babies up brand new and have the first crack at them. It was truly a pleasure.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:57 - Unboxing
04:41 - Build & Comfort
07:24 - Beginning of Sound
10:53 - Mids
12:00 - Treble
14:33 - Spatial Presentation & High End Audio
16:01 - Versus the HE1000v2
17:09 - Relaxed vs Exciting Listening
19:33 - Thoughts on Amping
21:59 - HE6SEv2 Comparison
24:43 - Closing Thoughts
Also, it was requested that I make a ranking list. I’ve done my best to do that here. It’s a work in progress. Stay tuned for the rest of the reviews!
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Here’s a fun video of my dad and I talking about each of the headphones below: • My Dad Reviews $20k Wo...
I’m just going to go ahead and link to all the high end stuff I had on hand when I was testing these, just to give you some context.
Links to stuff mentioned in the video (some affiliate):
Hifiman He1000v2: apos.audio/products/hifiman-h...
He1000v2 (amazon): amzn.to/3pjNaze
Hifiman HE6SEv2: adorama.rfvk.net/4eydoo
Hifiman Susvara: apos.audio/products/hifiman-s...
Susvara (amazon): amzn.to/3BSDAIz
Audeze LCD5: apos.audio/products/audeze-lc...
LCD5 (amazon): amzn.to/3h9zGBo
Abyss Diana TC: abyss-headphones.com/collecti...
Final Audio D8000pro: apos.audio/products/final-d80...
D8000pro (amazon): amzn.to/3pxpoQv
RAAL SR1a: www.headphones.com/products/r...
RAAL HSA-1b: www.headphones.com/products/r...
Burson Soloist 3xp: adorama.rfvk.net/6bq7EG
Soekris 2541: soekris.modhouseaudio.com/soe...
A playlist of my favorite NPR Tiny Desk Concerts: • Favorite Tiny Desk Con...
Check this playlist for more open-back headphone reviews: • Open Back Headphones
Look down below for links to all that gear and some other recommendations.
Of course, I always recommend you take a look at the used market, below are some sites that are great for that.
Head-Fi: www.head-fi.org/
HifiGuides: forum.hifiguides.com/
Reddit: / avexchange
Hifi-shark: www.hifishark.com/
US AudioMart: www.usaudiomart.com/
Some of my favorite equipment for various niches (some links are affiliate):
Super Budget Headphone: Koss kph40: koss.com/products/kph40-utility
Need these pads for the kph40 though: www.aliexpress.com/item/10050...
Cheap Gaming Headphone: AD700X: amzn.to/3b4ACUS
Super Cheap Closed-Back Gaming: Recon 500: amzn.to/3numqem
Cheap All-Around Headphone: SHP9600: amzn.to/3b6aUiP
Entry Level DAC: Modi 3+: www.schiit.com/products/modi-1
Entry Level Amp: IEMagni: www.schiit.com/products/magni-1
Entry Balanced DAC: SMSL SU8: (look used)
Or Modius: www.schiit.com/products/modius
My Main DAC: Soekris 2541: soekris.modhouseaudio.com/soe...
My Main Amp: Burson Soloist 3xp: amzn.to/3oCPd0K
Tube Amp: Bottlehead Crack: bottlehead.com/product/crack-...
Headphone #1: Hifiman He1000v2: apos.audio/products/hifiman-h...
Headphone #2: Focal Elex w/ Dekoni Fenestrated Sheepskin: drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-focal...
Headphone #3: OG NIghthawks: (look used)
Gaming Headphone: HE560v4: adorama.rfvk.net/6bnGoG
Bluetooth Portable DAC/Amp: XCan: amzn.to/3vJG8WA
Wired Portable DAC/Amp: Mojo: amzn.to/3CbYWQs
TWS: Sony XM4: amzn.to/3Glr7Py
#hifiman #susvara #headphones

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15 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 76

@jeffhampton6972 2 года назад

This is really informative! Thanks for making all of the comparisons, too, it really helps to have those frames of reference. Enjoy your weekend! :D

@loefiden2546 2 года назад

I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the Susvara’s! The Susvara is the best all-rounder I’ve heard yet, no headphone that I’ve tried has reached its level of completeness. It is indeed “the one” for me as well haha. Not to mention the amazing spatial presentation. I’m looking forward to watching your upcoming reviews!

@x32i77 2 года назад

You should try out the Warwick acoustics bravura/aperio headphone system. Innerfidelity ...the legend himself said it was his favorite headphone system and he only did a review on the old (bad) Sonoma m1

@soulfulfool Год назад

not mention its overpriced like hell on earth :D

@BigMussMSFS Год назад

Thanks for the review. I love your enthusiasm and it reminds me of how I felt when I heard a pair of Susvaras in December..... I was able to compare them to LCD5, Focal Utopia and another pair of headphones I can't remember the name of. The Susvara stood out among the others. I listened to the same tracks on all of the headphones but kept returning to the Susvara with a smile spreading across my face. I've just got to work out how to get a pair for myself....

@ChaseHub 2 года назад

:O first. Just saw your vid on the crack and liked/subbed lol :) super jealous you gotta Susvara. Good stuff! Ahmad's a legend.

@madsmeierjger9558 2 года назад

Your enthusiasm for the Susvara comes across in a very convincing way. In the end, that's all that matters :-)

@tonyd9998 Год назад

Hi, I have been listening to both the Susvara and the 1266’s for a bit less than a month. First I will say they are both incredible headphones worthy of all the hype and comments. Critical listening reveals little nuances between the two as pointed out in many other reviewer comments. I was of the opinion that the 1266’s were the best headphones I ever heard. That was until i got the Susvara’s. I’ve been a/b ing track between both and its really………..hard to determine one over another in an A/B approach. However that said my final approach/test was spending a week with only the Susvara and then only the 1266’s both powered by the new DCS lina set up. The object being which was more enjoyable to listen to with the same source material just laying back and enjoying the music. Ill tell you I was surprised that while i was listening to the TC 1266’s I was feeling like i missed the Susvara’s. One basic observation came to the top. The TC’s seemed much brighter and even a bit harsh at the high end at the same 1pm volume level as the Susvaras. I found a bit of fatigue set in on the TC’s . One source was the Beatles Abbey Road album by example. There are so many backing vocals and harmonies throughout but especially in tracks like “Because” and others that the Susvara’s just seemed effortlessly smooth and and yet dynamic at the same time with no hint of harshness. In my opinion if the Susvara had the build quality of the 1266’s it would be a much stronger case for the Susvara being the “One” outright. Frankly, I’m leaning toward selling my TC’s and keeping the Susvara’s………………..

@MrAyrit Год назад

Thanks for sharing that write up. I haven’t heard the 1266 yet, but I imagine I would come to the same conclusion.

@tonyd9998 2 года назад

Thanks for your responses. I really enjoyed your observations on Susvara. I would be really curious to hear your impressions of the 1266’s TC give so many of us go back and forth between these two HP’s

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

I will look for the opportunity to try one.

@nostract0 2 года назад

Great detailed review MrAyrit! There's another Hifiman model, HE1000SE, hope you get an opportunity hear those to share your thoughts & views!

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

Hifiman has been pretty generous with me lately. I’ll certainly ask (but I need to chill for a couple of weeks). As odd as it sounds, it was actually a bit stressful to have so many TOTL cans around at once. I’m ready to go back to a more relaxed pace!

@nostract0 2 года назад

@@MrAyrit I can definetly understand that. :istening music for pleasure & assessing an audio product for review are two different things!

@brothatwasepic Год назад

Hey man. Great video. I am trying to figure out what are the differences between the HE1000SE and the Susvara? I love the HE1000SE so far

@toraow 2 года назад

That's very interesting. I've seen 2 other comparisons and each person has said different things regarding technical performance. One said the Susvara was #1, another said Diana TC is #1, and the other said LCD-5 is #1.

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

I’m not surprised. It’s really all quite subjective.

@toraow 2 года назад

@@MrAyrit to be fair all of them are outstanding in technicalities. Just small differences at that point.

@kyrkish 2 года назад

they said LCD-5 is no 1 because that is the only TOTL they have probably so naturally they're no 1 on their list. ;-)

@JTB-- 2 года назад

A Cool comparison of the high end Hifiman headphone tree would be the Arya Stealth, HE1000v2, HE1000se and Susvara. Because after watching and reading many reviews on all of them separately and some comparison's... I get the feeling the Arya Stealth at $1600 is the best value purchase of the Hifiman line followed by the Edition XS at $500. I understand the HE1000se and Susvara are better than the Arya Stealth... but it's closer than you'd think according to many. The reviewer Soundnews raved about the Arya Stealth as did many others. Is the Susvara $4400 dollars better sounding than the Arya Stealth? Nah. Especially if you pair the Arya Stealth with some quality audio gear. Another excellent video man. 👍

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

I certainly wouldn’t agree that the Susvara is not better than the Arya, but I think a strong argument can be made from a value perspective. I’ve got the XS now, and am evaluating it. I’ll have a video for it in a couple of weeks.

@mikedergalev Год назад

I've bought burson conductor 3XR and im really kean on buying ever Susvara or LCD-5🙏❤️

@newsigmundfreud3023 Год назад

*Thanks for another nice video that tells us a lot about the headphones at hand especially the star of the show the Hifiman Susvara, and with such nice attitude. If i may ask how would you compare the Susvara (and put on your Spreadhseet) with the Sennheiser HD800S and the Focal Utopia?*

@MrAyrit Год назад

Yeah, I need to update that list. At the time, I had all those headphones on hand. It’ll be tougher to put new things on that list because I’ll be going off of memory.

@robertreynolds2212 2 года назад

Own the Diana TC, Susvara and LCD-5. The Susvara stands on top, but not by much. The LCD-5 with the right amp/dac combination creates such a visceral experience. The TC is great, just 3rd place imo.

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

That would be my order as well!

@russb3n 2 года назад

I’ve tried my Susvara’s with the following amps Topping A90, Violectric V281, Monoprice THX AAA 887, Audio gD Master 9, Benchmark HPA4, Emotiva BasX unleased, and many others to count and can you hear music yes, but when you find or hear what the Susvara’s are really capable of when amped correctly your mind will be blown. Because I promise you the Susvara scales and so far the two amps are Woo Audio WA33 and the Riviera AIC-10. Both of these amps are TOTL and do there job in spades ♠️. I found with the other amps make the Susvara sound a little bright and forward sounding with no authority or heft, but the Master 9 did pretty good out of all the ones above. If you can find a low priced used WA33 and have many headphones buy it asap and never look back and NEVER have to worry about power with any headphone.

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

Would you mind drawing a quick comparison for me between the V281 and the Master 9?

@russb3n 2 года назад

@@MrAyrit I found the V281 to be to sparkly on top with the Susvara’s vs the Master 9 to sound more neutral in sound. Both amps are outstanding and really liked both of them with other headphones like the V281 did very well with HD800&S and Empyreans, while the M9 did well with Z1R, and Utopia’s.

@kyrkish 2 года назад

@@russb3n I agree with the v281, nice pairing as it adds more warmth to the cans and also with authority when you cranked the gain settings up. The HPA4 is also a nice pairing and I would assume it will give more power if you pair it with AHB2.

@tonyd9998 2 года назад

Hi, love the in-depth info. I just took delivery of the new DCS LINA system. I currently have the 1266’s and it all sounds pretty much like the best I have heard for Head-f to datei. I have always been interested in trying Susvara, but I see and hear sooooooomuch in contradictions about its overall performance. Sometimes i get the impression that its really hit and miss. You have to have the exact right amp to get the 6K performance your paying for, Is it that finicky/demanding? I know it just came out but anyone who tried these with the LINA system please post your experience and thoughts. Comparison to 1266’s ??????

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

I haven’t heard the 1266, but compared to the Diana TC, the Susvara was there clear winner for me. Similar levels of detail, but the Susvara was just so organic in its presentation. I ran the Susvara on pretty reasonable gear, a soekris 2541 and v280. But yes, it sounds like you can pretty much spend as much as you want chasing the perfect chain for it. Sounds like you’ve got some pretty solid stuff to start with though.

@towsifshahriarshovo 2 года назад

Please try kennerton headphones, I heard good things about the it.

@johnhayes8476 2 года назад

I traded my susvara for the rognir because I couldn’t do open back headphones. Both are spectacular.

@toraow 2 года назад

Susvara: Bugatti LCD-5: Porsche Diana TC: Lamborghini

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

I was I had experience with those cars so I could tell you if I agree. Sadly I doubt that is in the cards for me. Perhaps if I start a car channel someone would send me…

@x32i77 2 года назад

What about the Sonoma acoustic headphones then ^^

@tonyd9998 2 года назад

Here’s thought to consider? Many of us in this audio hobby get use to so much discussion about how a headphone is tuned for sound, V-curve, U-Curve etc … So when you criticallly listen to your music you look for clues in songs they way you are use to hearing them before on your other equipment. ( a particular drum sound, voice or symbol) Given that, when you preview Susvara you start from a position of expectation that may seep into your objective opinion of the performance your are now listening to. As a long time “ audiophile”,now a days “head fi“or whatever you wish to call people who spend entirely too much money searching for the perfect sound (would not have it any other way BTW) The Susvara has me asking /wondering if I ever hear the song as intended by the musician? I figure most Musicians and producers spend countless hours with their art trying to get it to sound and exact way they envision it. Everything after that is what the sales chain/Manufactures of the entire industry does to that music to recreate,produce and distribute it. IMO. That’s why with exception I’m not a big fan of remixes in general. Let me hear how my favorite artist intended the song to sound (exception being in tech improvements they would have most certainly used if they were available when the recording was made) OK so where is this going? Susvara reviews like most headphones are all over the map.They go from the undisputed worlds best headphone to way overpriced garbage.(as per comments on line etc) Well, they are not garbage by any stretch and hour by hour they are moving me towards the complete other end of the spectrum of opinion. Track for track I keep observing two things. First- observing “that sounds much different from how I have heard this track before.” Second- oh wow, could this actually be closer to how the artist actually intended this recording to sound? No emphasis on this or that frequency/instrument? That said my big WOW takeaway listening to Susvara headphones is that they are actually making me consider this as a possibility. Which of course now has me Re-Listening to most of my music library. Oh, the terrible dilemma we more than fortunate audio enthusiast find ourselves in ..Ha! Ha! (That’s my guilt coming through about the real challenges in the world vs my fussing over auditioning expensive HP’s). Ok back to some Fun and enjoyment, because thats what this hobby is supposed to be right? Well for any one interested in spending Susvara $$$ IMO I will tell you this.I don’t know yet where this will ultimately lead as I continue through my critical listening /Break in period. I can tell you that I’m really excited and intrigued to continue. Some tracks I’m listening to have me feeling like I’m hearing the song for the very first time, its so over and above in presentation . With my TC 1266’s I feel like I’m in the studio engineers booth. With Susvara I feel like I;m sitting amount the instruments . So far this investment is looking really good….. Are these possibly THE state of the art “out of body” experience we are all musically seeking…….. I’ll let you know if that’s where I wind up..

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

Thanks for writing down your thoughts. In my mind I’d you’ve got a piece of gear that makes you want to listen to more music. Then it’s probably a winner, regardless of whether it is “perfect” or not. Happy listening!

@MistaLova-Lova Год назад

Hey Tony, are you still enjoying the Susvara? 😃

@tonyd9998 Год назад

@@MistaLova-Lova Yes, very much so

@dkssudgktpdy492 2 года назад

i need he1000se review

@saarxee19 2 года назад

If I listening most of the time to vocal genres and acoustic music with instruments but sometimes listening to metal genres and pop music with vocal Which headphone is better here you think - LCD-5 / Susvara? I also like relaxing listening but engaging. The LCD-5 is far behind the Susvara in vocal songs? You tried EQ with the LCD-5?

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

I’d take the Susvara. I did not (and don’t usually eq).

@saarxee19 2 года назад

@@MrAyrit Even for metal and pop genres? You think that the Susvara is better than LCD-5 by big difference on vocal genres and acoustic music?

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

@@saarxee19 I mean, I think you could make an argument for the LCD5 from just a pure technical perspective, but subjectively for me, I’d take the Susvara.

@dzemoski45 2 года назад

Can the Susvara be powered by the Fidelice Rupert Neve Dac or is it not enough?

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

I'm not familiar with that device. Do you know what the power output is? I saw 1w at 16ohms. I couldn't find any other ratings.

@dzemoski45 2 года назад

@@MrAyrit yep it’s 1 watt.

@qorkado5007 2 года назад

When people say the HE-6 is a baby Susvara they usually refer to the og HE-6 which I find is vastly different from HE6SEV2

@ryanhostudio 2 года назад

i kinda of disagree as a person whose heard all 3, the OG HE-6 bass is out of this world slamming hard, one cannot say they sound anything like the susvara…the he6sev2 sounds closer to susvara in presentation

@Lystad93 2 года назад

@@ryanhostudio I agree with you, HE6SE sounds more like the Susvara. When I had the Susvara, I still preferred HE6 (4 and 6 screws) over the Sus. The OG HE6 might be a tiny bit less detailed than the Susvara, but that's why i also have the Warwick Bravura (Electrostat). Also had the HE1000SE, and I found the HE6SE better in everything except soundstage and speed (Don't like speed done this way, it makes music sound dry)

@ryanhostudio 2 года назад

you can probably get a used susvara for a pretty good deal, you know you want to haha. I see you trying so hard to convince yourself you don’t need it but you totally want it haha

@MistaLova-Lova Год назад

Having heard even more headphones now, is the Susvara still "the one" or at least a special headphone in your collection? 😃

@MrAyrit Год назад

I never owned the Susvara, it was a loaner. I'm sure I'd still love it, but I haven't heard it since this video. It's one of those headphones that if I had an unlimited budget, I'd definitely have it in my collection. That being said, I think for me the dynamic stuff on tubes is more my niche than the Susvara, but who knows with the right source gear.

@stephannordmann5346 2 года назад

The LCD 5 is dark and not close to the susvara

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

It definitely doesn’t have the treble presence of the Susvara, but man, the resolution is impressive.

@michaelp.3485 2 года назад

Which is NOT a flaw. Different strokes for different folks. Some people don't want bright treble.

@SergeySedlovsky Год назад

Squeak Squeak... Hmm

@MrAyrit Год назад

Well, nothings perfect.

@SergeySedlovsky Год назад

@@MrAyrit Heh, you understood what I was talking about. Yeah, I'm probably getting myself the Susvara, Holo Stack with Susvara is probably gonna be heavenly, well some people already enjoying it, meanwhile I'm just with my Utopia, still enjoying it :P

@soulfulfool Год назад

@@MrAyrit for the price it should be but people still buy their overpriced stuff so they dont care to upgrade anything

@nitraM321 Год назад

@@MrAyrit i don’t understand your spreadsheet, they are comfortable, but less then 5 others ? oh i see, higher number is better, no draws then ?? your sports car analogy is wrong, the susvara are ONLY about performance, they are like a lotus or a formula1 no comfort at all, they just happen to be comfortable because they are light, design is clearly not a priority, meze elites are luxury sports cars, they don’t drive as well, but they look good when u go to monaco.

@ahmad.sa.20300 2 года назад

Electrostatic Headphones are detail kings all planars dosent even come close to entry-level Electrostatic Headphone like L700 mk2

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

Have you heard the Susvara?

@ahmad.sa.20300 2 года назад

nope but heard planar flagships in its level and had a hifiman arya coudnt like it so sold it. Have a L700mk2 and sr009s and detail and speed is day and night difference now the real question is did you hear any stax earspeakers ???

@kimbo5030 2 года назад

soloist didnt have the JUICE

@MrAyrit 2 года назад

I don’t know about that. Still sounded pretty darn good.

@mikedergalev Год назад

8 watt via xlr STILL not enough u say?

@justino9042 13 дней назад

4:28 it can sound great and all that You want but for me doesn't make sense a headphone like this has almost the cost of a car it doesn't look like it it's not a Rolex it doesn't have jewelry innit You know 😂 just too overrated in My opinión if You can spend 1,000 dollars in a headphones You probably won't need more at that price point You are like on top of the ceiling already from 1,000 to 2,000 dollars maximun it doesn't even need to get to 2000 dollars cause You won't find much of a difference a headphone that cost 6,000 dollars doesn't make any sense to me.

@goldenstasgs 3 месяца назад

You have to clean your bed on background before recording. Respect your viewers. Dislike to terrible video..

@MrAyrit 3 месяца назад

Haha, okay

@marcob.7801 Год назад

for 6K they should come in a museum quality mahogany box!

@MrAyrit Год назад

Hard for me to argue with that.

@marcob.7801 Год назад

@@MrAyrit With your obvious wealth of knowledge and experience, may i ask what you MIGHT think of the susvara paired with a Violectric V281? I am currently using it with an Arya V2 and I really enjoy it, even on older CD's which are NOT available on most streaming services (I love electric blues of all manner and stripe) and was wondering IF the Susvara (excellent Sabre DAC 32 in the front after music source )....would prove a significant advantage? Many, many, thanks for all your past and future vids!

@soulfulfool Год назад

Its Hifiman not ZMF, they dont care about quality build or presentation xD they take your money and show you middle finger, sound is good maybe the best all the rest is shit