HIFIMAN
SUSVARA Headphones
$5,999.00 USDFeatures
Carefully designed outer grille offers physical protection with minimal acoustic impact
Crafting the grille for controlled secondary reflections avoids any unwanted vibrations
Acoustic subtleties remain unhindered
Optimized to avoid any resonant frequencies
ERGONOMIC HEADBAND
Ergonomic and comfortable headband
Designed for reliability and durability
CNC milled
Hand polished
What's in the Box?
Warranty
The HiFiMan SUSVARA Open Back Headphones represent the pinnacle of high-end (Top of the Line - TOTL) audiophile-grade personal audio, offering a listening experience that can only be described as transcendent. These headphones combine cutting-edge technology with meticulous craftsmanship to deliver sound that is both pure and emotionally engaging. At the heart of the SUSVARA's exceptional performance is its advanced magnet design. This innovative technology achieves a level of acoustic transparency that significantly reduces distortion, resulting in a sound that is extraordinarily pure and harmonious. The audio reproduction is so natural and uncolored that it allows listeners to experience their music with a level of clarity and authenticity that few other headphones can match.
Aesthetically, the SUSVARA draws inspiration from the acclaimed HE1000 series, featuring an elegant blend of dark wood veneer and brushed metal. The design is both visually striking and functionally superior. Large, round ear cups house the planar magnetic drivers, while an adjustable metal alloy headband with a perforated suede strap ensures comfort during extended listening sessions. The SUSVARA's ergonomic design allows for flat folding and swiveling ear cups, enhancing portability without compromising on build quality. Comfort is a key consideration in the SUSVARA's design. The plush ear pads and carefully calibrated clamping force create a listening experience that remains comfortable even after hours of use. This attention to physical comfort complements the auditory pleasure, allowing listeners to fully immerse themselves in their music without distraction.
It's important to note that the SUSVARA Flagship Headphones are low-sensitivity headphones, meaning it requires a powerful, high-quality amplifier to reach its full potential. When properly driven, the SUSVARA's sound signature is nothing short of spectacular. It presents a soundstage that is both wide and deep, creating an immersive listening experience. The bass, sub-bass, and low-end response are particularly noteworthy - substantial and impactful, yet clean and well-defined, never overpowering the rest of the frequency range. Across the entire frequency spectrum, the SUSVARA offers exceptional detail retrieval. Midrange frequencies are rich and emotive, bringing vocals and instruments to life with startling realism. The treble exhibits a delightful sparkle, adding air and dimension to the overall presentation without ever becoming harsh or fatiguing.
What sets the SUSVARA apart is its ability to balance neutrality with musicality. It satisfies the audiophile's desire for accuracy and transparency, yet it never sounds clinical or sterile. Instead, it infuses music with an engaging vibrancy that makes listening a truly captivating experience. The Susvara has some of the best tonality, layering, and timbre of any headphones on the market. It’s a literal utopia of sound. In essence, the HiFiMan SUSVARA is more than just a pair of headphones; it's a gateway to a new level of musical appreciation. For those who demand the very best in audio reproduction and are willing to invest in a system capable of driving these exceptional headphones, the SUSVARA offers a listening experience that is nothing short of transformative. Add a high-end DAC and headphone amplifier for optimal performance.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the HiFiMan Susvara Planar Headphone with the Black Dragon Premium Cable for HiFiMan Headphones. The Black Dragon Premium Cable is a great upgrade for your HiFiMan Susvara, Susvara Unveiled, HE1000se, HE1000v2, Arya, Arya Stealth Magnets, or Ananda headphones. UP-OCC copper strands in the Black Dragon enhance the body, shape, and immediacy of music. The Black Dragon will smooth out the treble without sacrificing detail on a headphone with top-end sizzle, like the Ananda. On a more neutral-sounding headphone like the Susvara or the Arya, the Black Dragon will add some warmth, fullness, and musicality. For a warmer headphone like the HE1000 and HE1000v2, the Black Dragon will give you even more of a musical, immersive, "I'm there" feeling. This versatile cable works well with most genres, particularly Rock and Roll, Pop, R&B, Electronica, and other music with a big, bold presentation.
Acoustically Invisible Stealth Magnets
The HiFiMan SUSVARA Headphones showcase the company's innovative Stealth Magnets technology, a breakthrough in planar magnetic design. This proprietary system aims to achieve near-perfect acoustic transparency, effectively making the magnets "invisible" to sound waves. In conventional planar magnetic headphones, the magnets often obstruct sound waves, leading to interference and distortion. The SUSVARA's Stealth Magnets, however, feature a specialized shape that allows sound waves to pass through with minimal interference. This unique design significantly reduces wave diffraction turbulence, a common issue that can compromise sound wave integrity in traditional designs.
The result of this technology is a marked reduction in distortion, yielding audio reproduction that is purer and more harmonious. The difference is not just theoretical; it's audibly noticeable, offering listeners a cleaner, more accurate sound signature. To appreciate the SUSVARA's advancements, it's useful to consider the challenges faced by different headphone technologies:
- Conventional planar magnetic headphones often suffer from sound degradation due to magnet interference with sound waves.
- Electrostatic headphones face a similar issue, with sound quality potentially compromised by stator interference.
- Dynamic drivers encounter different problems, with frequency response alterations possible due to diaphragm surface distortions and vibrations.
The SUSVARA's Stealth Magnet technology addresses these issues directly, preserving the audio signal's integrity to a degree previously unattainable in planar magnetic designs. This innovation translates to exceptional clarity across the frequency spectrum, from deep bass to sparkling highs, with a particularly nuanced midrange that brings vocals and instruments to life with remarkable realism. Furthermore, by reducing wave diffraction turbulence, the SUSVARA creates an expansive and precise soundstage, enhancing imaging and separation. This allows listeners to discern individual instruments within complex arrangements with unprecedented accuracy.
Nanometer Grade
The planar magnetic driver’s ultra-thin diaphragm, less than a millionth of a meter in thickness, and its extremely low mass enable it to deliver exceptionally low distortion levels while providing a highly dynamic response.
By integrating this advanced diaphragm with "Stealth Magnet" technology, each element works in harmony to produce audio of remarkable tonal quality and clarity.
Window Shade Grill Design
The "Window Shade" on the SUSVARA has been meticulously optimized to eliminate resonant frequencies. This leads to superior aural purity, delivering a clean and unadulterated tonal quality. Additionally, it provides practical protection for the ultra-fine diaphragm while offering an appealing visual aesthetic.
Form Follows Function
Special ergonomic design for superb comfort and extended listening.
The Ultimate Headphone Amplifier
In general, planar magnetic headphones benefit from more power, and the low sensitivity of the HiFiMan SUSVARA necessitates an extra boost. The EF1000, the official amplifier for the SUSVARA, features a separate power supply design. Its SSRP circuit incorporates six 6922 vacuum tubes and six pairs of transmitters in parallel. This design achieves the perfect blend of the warm, rich sound of vacuum tubes with the powerful output of a solid-state headphone amp.
User-swappable Stock Cables
The cable configuration for the SUSVARA combines single crystalline copper wire with single crystalline silver wire. A carefully optimized ratio and quantity of these materials ensure low resistance in signal transmission and high mechanical strength for daily use, promising a long and fruitful lifespan. The user-swappable cables have clear left and right channel orientation markings, with "L" and "R" indicated inside the headband. Once connected to the correct channels, you can easily distinguish left from right as the cables connect slightly towards the front of the ear cups, draping gently across the user's chest for added comfort.
- 3m Headphone cable with 3.5mm headphone connection to XLR connector
- 3m Headphone cable with 3.5mm headphone connection to 6.35mm connector
Features:
- Nanometer Thickness Diaphragm: Utilizes an ultra-thin nanometer-grade diaphragm that is extremely lightweight and responsive, ensuring fast transient response and minimal distortion.
- Stealth Magnets Technology: Incorporates Hifiman's Stealth Magnets technology, which reduces wave diffraction turbulence for improved clarity and resolution in the audio signal.
- Planar Magnetic Drivers: Features large planar magnetic drivers that deliver highly detailed and accurate sound reproduction across the entire frequency spectrum, from deep bass to extended treble.
- Open-Back Design: Designed with an open-back configuration to provide a spacious and natural soundstage, offering a lifelike listening experience with precise instrument placement and imaging.
- Luxurious Build Quality: Crafted with premium materials such as aircraft-grade aluminum alloy and high-grade leather ear pads, ensuring durability, comfort, and a luxurious feel.
What's In The Box?
- HiFiMan SUSVARA Headphones
- Velour Storage Pouch
- 3m Headphone Cable (4-pin XLR plug)
- 3m Headphone Cable (6.35mm plug)
- Pair of Ear Pads (Mounted on headphone)
- Hardcover Owner's Guide
FAQ
How does the Susvara compare to other top-tier headphones?
The Susvara is often considered one of the best headphones in the world, competing with flagship models from brands like Focal, Audeze, and Sennheiser.
Why is the Susvara so expensive?
Its high price reflects its advanced planar magnetic technology, premium materials, meticulous craftsmanship, and exceptional sound quality.
Does the Susvara require a powerful amplifier?
Yes, the Susvara is known for being power-hungry and requires a high-quality, powerful amplifier to perform at its best.
What's the sound signature of the Susvara?
It's known for a neutral, highly detailed sound with excellent bass extension, clear mids, and smooth, extended treble.
How comfortable are the Susvara headphones?
Despite their size, they're generally considered very comfortable due to their weight distribution and premium materials.
Does the Susvara use Stealth Magnet technology?
No, the current Susvara model doesn't use Stealth Magnets, though it employs other advanced magnet designs.
How does the Susvara compare to the HE1000se?
While both are excellent, the Susvara is generally considered a step up in terms of resolution, dynamics, and overall refinement.
Is the Susvara good for all music genres?
Yes, its neutral and highly resolving nature makes it excellent for all types of music.
What kind of cables come with the Susvara?
It typically comes with high-quality, detachable cables, including balanced options.
Can the Susvara be driven by portable devices?
While technically possible, the Susvara performs best with powerful desktop amplifiers and is not ideal for portable use.
Technical Features
- Frequency Response
- 6Hz - 75kHz
- Impedance
- 60Ω
- Stock Cable:
- 3m length 3.5mm-to-¼"
3m length 3.5mm-to-XLR balanced
- Sensitivity
- 83dB
- Weight
- 450g (15.9oz)