Hifiman Susvara Unveiled Review

July 15, 2024 5:33 pm

Every audiophile’s journey begins with a moment of auditory revelation — a sound so exquisite that there’s no turning back. For many, this pivotal experience comes courtesy of the original Hifiman Susvara, a landmark headphone from the esteemed brand. As someone who had one of these experiences with the original Susvara, I was eager to evaluate the new Susvara Unveiled. Priced at $8,000, could this new model surpass the legacy of its predecessor?

Unboxing the Susvara Unveiled

What’s Inside:

Pair of headphones
3m headphone cable (4-pin XLR plug)
3m headphone cable (6.35mm plug)
Pair of Magnetic Veils
Pair of ear pads (mounted on headphone)
Owner’s Guide

Superior Build Quality

The Susvara Unveiled epitomizes luxury and durability. Designed for longevity, it features a solid metal headband and high-quality leather ear cups, ensuring comfort during extended listening sessions. I wore these headphones for hours and never experienced any fatigue, a testament to their ergonomic design. The exposed drivers lend a sophisticated, futuristic aesthetic, protected by magnetic veils when not in use. This thoughtful construction enhances both visual appeal and performance, creating a premium user experience.

Cutting-Edge Design

Hifiman has equipped the Susvara Unveiled with advanced technical features that set it apart in the realm of high-end headphones. Central to its design is the Nanometer Thickness Diaphragm. The diaphragm’s low mass enables rapid response times, ensuring precise and accurate sound reproduction. This feature is crucial for capturing the nuances in complex musical compositions.

Another standout feature is the Stealth Magnet technology. These acoustically transparent magnets minimize interference with sound waves emanating from the diaphragm, preserving audio signal integrity for a cleaner, more natural sound. This design innovation helps the Susvara Unveiled maintain the purity of the original recording, providing an authentic listening experience.

The unique driver architecture further boosts efficiency and performance. Conductors on the diaphragm are arranged to deliver powerful sound with minimal distortion, enhancing the immersive listening experience. This arrangement allows the Susvara Unveiled to deliver more with less power, providing a cleaner and more immersive listening experience.

The ear pads, made from a blend of polyester and protein leather, balance softness with durability. Their asymmetrical shape looks to provide a snug fit, optimizing both comfort and sound isolation. This thoughtful design not only enhances the comfort of extended listening sessions but also contributes to the overall acoustic performance of the headphones.

Sound Impressions

The Susvara Unveiled retains the essence of the original Susvara while introducing incremental improvements for a more refined sound. These headphones are easier to drive and offer a more polished audio experience. It’s sophisticated with a frequency response that is balanced and impactful. For most of my listening, I used the exquisite Enleum HPA-23RM.

Low End: The bass response is natural and warm, striking a perfect balance without being overwhelming. It’s precise, with dynamic drum hits that feel just right. Tracks like Radiohead’s “15 Step” showcase the controlled yet powerful bass, providing an enjoyable listening experience. The bass is refined, offering a sound palette that is cohesive and carefully tuned. This naturalness in the bass response ensures that the Susvara Unveiled delivers a satisfying low end without overpowering the rest of the frequency range.

Mids: The standout feature of the Susvara Unveiled is the midrange. It’s spacious and present, without being overpowering. This headphone delivers a holistic midrange that fits seamlessly into any genre. Whether it’s creamy vocals or crunchy guitar tones, the Susvara Unveiled handles it all with ease. Listening to Sturgill Simpson’s “Johnny Blue Skies” revealed a roomy, natural sound with smooth vocals and tactile percussive hits. The midrange is delicately balanced, providing a rich and immersive listening experience that highlights the intricacies of each track.

Top End: There’s a balanced treble, providing clacky percussive force without harshness. Sibilant sounds are rounded and well-shaped, delivering a smooth yet tactile top end. On Clairo’s album “Charm,” the Susvara Unveiled presented a lush and rich sound, maintaining the cool texture of the original mix. The treble performance is a testament to the meticulous engineering of the Susvara Unveiled, offering a high-frequency response that is both smooth and dynamic.

Immersive Soundstage

The Susvara Unveiled offers an expansive soundstage that immerses you in the music. Rather than simple left-right imaging, it creates a 360-degree sound field. This creates an intimate, room-like experience where the music envelops you naturally, enhancing the overall listening experience. The soundstage is almost like an absence of a soundstage, where the music feels all around you, providing an immersive and captivating listening experience that makes you feel as though you are part of the music itself.

Final Thoughts

The Susvara Unveiled aims to make you forget you’re wearing headphones. Its design minimizes external materials, while its sound presentation is both refined and effortless. The naturalistic soundstage and premium construction make it an exceptional choice for serious audiophiles. Every aspect of the Susvara Unveiled, from its advanced technical features to its luxurious build quality, contributes to an unparalleled listening experience.

While it carries a premium price tag, the Susvara Unveiled justifies the investment with its unparalleled performance. Awarded the MajorHifi Gold, it stands as one of the crowning jewels of high-end audio. If you have the chance to experience the Susvara Unveiled, don’t miss it. It’s a worthy addition to any audiophile’s collection. This headphone is not just a product; it’s an experience that elevates your appreciation of music to new heights.