Audiophile Dreams Realized: The Susvara Unveiled Experience
HiFiMan Raises The Bar On What End-Game Headphones Can Do
HiFiMan is a company that is synonymous with high-end headphones. Fun fact: The original HiFiMan HE1000 was one of my first forays into the audiophile world. It opened my eyes to a new world of layers and textures of sound that I had never heard before. Just say no to drugs kids, but say YES to HiFiMan headphones - they're like sonic drugs for the ears. That's my pitch here.
If you're looking for the best of the best out there in the over-ear or open-back headphones world, Susvara will be the name that comes up over and over again. It's continually praised as one of the best high-end (and hardest to drive) headphones on the market. Well, it looks like HiFiMan has outdone itself again, releasing the Susvara Unveiled. From the moment I took it out of the box it was a complete audiophile experience (I'll elaborate more on that in the next section), but is it the upgrade both aesthetically and sonically that audiophiles were looking for? Let's take a closer look at what HiFiMan has done to raise the stakes on (quite possibly) the best high-end headphones out there.
“We named the new model SUSVARA UNVEILED because every detail of well-recorded music is unveiled by the headphone’s design and components. As the follow-up to our successful SUSVARA reference headphone, SUSVARA UNVEILED is the manifestation of our ongoing commitment to continually improving upon even the most successful and highest performing products in our line.”
-Dr. Fang Bian, Founder and CEO, HIFIMAN Electronics.
PROS
- Fast and Accurate sound
- Best-in-Class detail retrieval and instrument separation
CONS
- More efficient than the original, but still on the power-hungry side
-Includes a flimsy felt bag for travel
Design
The new Susvara Unveiled unsurprisingly takes a lot of design cues from the original and other older and notable HiFiMan headphones. The obvious deviation here is the ear cup design. While most HiFiMan headphones like the HE1000V2 and the HE1000se feature ovoid-shaped ear cups, the Susvara and the Susvara Unveiled are round. We also mentioned in the original Susvara headphone review that they made a design change from the HE1000 and chose a darker brown veneer and black leather to juxtapose against the sharp and crisp metal alloy headband and frame. The new Susvara Unveiled actually reverses that, opting for a lighter brown leather that matches the HE1000V2 color scheme much closer. The Unveiled also foregoes the wooden element on the earcup for a much cleaner look in my opinion. There's also no need for the extra width on the cups since the window shades/grills are removed from the headphone design.
The SUSVARA's headband is a metal alloy, with a perforated suede strap underneath. This helps with heat dissipation so your head stays cool during long listening sessions. The headband is created via CNC milling and hand polishing. It's the same headband as the HE1000V2, which was slightly wider and flatter than the original HE1000. To adjust the headband, simply move each ear cup up or down (there are a series of notches) until the top of the headband rests comfortably on your head and the ear cups surround your ears. It's one of the most comfortable headphones I've worn for longer listening sessions. The design dimensions didn't change all that much from the original, but then again, it didn't really have to. Great design elements overall here.
Unboxing the Susvara Unveiled, you'll find the clasped black leather box that all of HiFiMan's high-end headphones come in. You'll find a hardbound book covering the design and sound elements of the headphone, a felt carrying bag, warranty and info, two cable options (featuring an XLR balanced cable and a 6.35mm single-ended cable), and the two magnetic veils for the ear cups. Note that the headphone ear cups and each of the magnetic veils come packaged in brown drawstring bags for protection. The only downside to the contents is the fact that HiFiMan still does not include a hard case for the headphones. I suppose most people probably aren't going to take their Susvara on the road with them, but why then include a cloth-carrying bag? It's a non-issue in the end, as the Susvara Unveiled is one of the best-looking high-end headphones on the market. HiFiMan has made some great changes from the original that will obviously translate to the sound quality, so let's start taking a look at the driver technology that makes these things tick.
Driver Technology
"Compared to conventional dynamic driver headphones, planar magnetic headphones have solved problems such as surface distortion of high-frequency audio and the lingering vibrations in a dynamic loudspeaker. HIFIMAN has further improved the efficiency by the use of the nanometer grade diaphragm in the drivers. The thickness of the SUSVARA’s diaphragm is under a millionth of a meter. This light, high tensile strength material with the acoustically invisible “Stealth Magnets” is a perfect sound-producing pairing.
HIFIMAN has been researching and developing nanometer-grade diaphragms for many years, and this core technology was further refined in the design of SUSVARA. The production, processing, and installation of diaphragm materials are highly complex. The drivers of extremely high tensile strength and low thickness and mass mean it can produce tremendously low distortion levels yet offer an outstanding dynamic response. This, while difficult, can be achieved at the same time by combining this diaphragm and Stealth Magnet technology. Each working in harmony for an end result where the audio produced is of remarkable tonal quality and clarity."
-HiFiMan on the Nanometer-Grade Diaphragm
At the heart of the HiFiMan Susvara's exceptional performance lies its proprietary Stealth Magnet System, a groundbreaking innovation that redefines the capabilities of planar magnetic headphones. This technology represents a significant leap forward in headphone design, addressing longstanding challenges in the pursuit of audio purity.
The term "Stealth" in the Stealth Magnet System is more than just a catchy name; it encapsulates the fundamental principle behind this technology. In the realm of audio, true stealthiness implies a kind of acoustic disappearance or transparency. HiFiMan's engineers have strived to create a magnet system that is, for all intents and purposes, acoustically invisible. To appreciate the significance of the Stealth Magnet System, it's crucial to understand the limitations of conventional planar magnetic headphone designs:
- Interference: In typical planar magnetic headphones, the magnets necessary for driver operation can obstruct sound waves. This obstruction creates unwanted reflections and diffractions.
- Distortion: The interference caused by traditional magnet arrays can lead to various forms of distortion, coloring the sound in ways that deviate from the original recording.
- Reduced Clarity: The cumulative effect of these issues often results in a loss of detail and a less precise soundstage, compromising the overall listening experience.
HiFiMan's Stealth Magnet System tackles these challenges head-on through innovative design:
- Unique Shape: The magnets in the SUSVARA feature a special geometric shape, meticulously engineered to minimize their acoustic footprint.
- Wave Guidance: Rather than blocking sound waves, the Stealth Magnets are designed to guide them through the driver assembly with minimal interference.
- Reduced Turbulence: The shape and arrangement of the magnets help to reduce air turbulence within the driver, leading to cleaner, more precise sound reproduction.
The acoustic transparency achieved by the Stealth Magnet System translates into several tangible benefits for the listener:
- Enhanced Purity: With reduced interference from the magnets, the SUSVARA can reproduce sound with exceptional fidelity to the original recording.
- Improved Detail Retrieval: The reduction in unwanted reflections and diffractions allows for better preservation of micro-details in the audio signal.
- Expanded Soundstage: The more open design contributes to a wider, more accurate soundstage, enhancing the sense of space and instrument placement.
- Lower Distortion: By minimizing obstructions to the sound waves, the Stealth Magnet System helps to reduce various forms of distortion, resulting in a cleaner overall sound.
- Better Dynamics: The more efficient design allows for improved responsiveness, potentially enhancing the headphones' ability to reproduce rapid changes in volume and tone.
Unveiling Your Sound
The Nanometer-Grade Diaphragm and Stealth Magnets are nothing new in a HiFiMan headphone. However, the Susvara Unveiled brings a bevy of new tech and design elements which helps to put it on top of the high-end headphone totem pole. Regular headphones use mesh with a lower opening ratio like a grill which leads to reflection and refraction issues. To combat this, HiFiMan headphones utilize a Window Shade Design to increase this opening rate and maximize the grill exposure to reduce these issues and thus greatly improve the sound quality overall.
The only real way to completely remove problems of reflection and refraction, however, is to remove any obstacle in the sound's way. Although the Window Shade Design helps tremendously, it still isn't 100 percent free of reflections. So for the Susvara Unveiled, HiFiMan made the daring choice to remove the window shade/grill design altogether. What you get is a more open and airy sound, better dimensionality, and more importantly - no reflection or refraction issues.
The other big advantage of the newer advancements of the Unveiled headphones is the change in the conductor layer of the diaphragm. The original Susvara used a gold-coated conductor layer. This is great since gold is incredibly ductile and HiFiMan can keep the width of the conductor layer extremely thin. The downside is that the conductivity of gold is low compared to other metals. This results in a lower sensitivity of the headphones overall. The Unveiled uses a metallic silver as the conductor layer, the highest conductivity of all metals, and thus has a higher sensitivity than the original, and detailing is enhanced across the frequency spectrum. What seems like subtle design changes result in substantial sonic improvements.
Sound Impressions
I know the biggest question going into this is "How does it compare to the original Susvara?" I'll talk more about the differences in the tech in the next section, but in terms of the changes in sound quality, I'll go ahead and put your mind to rest. Yeah, the Susvara Unveiled certainly is worthy of the additional $2K in price from the original. The bottom line is that these might be the best headphones I've ever heard. So what does that mean to you?
It's hard to beat the original Susvara headphones for a lot of audiophiles out there. The detail retrieval, instrument separation, soundstage, balance - everything about it is what you would expect one of the best reference headphones to sound like. The tuning is pretty neutral, but the effect is absolutely exciting and engaging. The sound is big and bold, wonderfully immersive and musical with a huge bottom end that is clean, well-defined, and detailed. In fact, detail retrieval across the frequency spectrum is just insane. Vocals are rich and emotive, and the treble has great sparkle. The soundstage is deep and wide.
Right out of the gate, the Susvara Unveiled has a lot more grit and presence in the midrange and low-end than I was expecting. The original headphones had a tight bass presentation, but I would say it's not the cup of tea for bass heads. The Unveiled finds the sweet spot. Like Goldilocks, it finds the perfect balance of still maintaining excellent detail and clarity, but boosting some of the midrange and bass with more punch. It does this will still falling within a balanced/natural signature (albeit a little warmer), and top-of-class imaging and transparency (largely in part due to the new open cup design).
"The punch on this headphone is the best I have heard. Just amazing."
-Drew Baird, P.E., CEO and Founder of Moon Audio
Listening to a number of different genres, the differences and improvements became readily apparent. I recently discovered Jacob Collier, a young UK musician who is blowing up the scene with viral videos of him turning complete audiences into humungous and amazing-sounding choirs. He has an extensive musical pedigree and might be one of the brightest musical minds of the 21st century. His latest album (Djesse Vol. 4) has amazing collaborations with some of the biggest artists today. His song "Little Blue" has been living in my head for the past 72 hours since I heard it. Featuring one of my favorites, Brandie Carlile, Jacob's arrangements are nothing short of astonishing. The song starts off with incredibly light and delicate flicking quarter notes. Bring your hands right up to your ears and flick at the air - it's this kind of subtle agility and precision that you'll only find from a headphone like the Susvara Unveiled. The thing that stands out most to me is the added midrange and low-end presence over the original Susvara. It's a fuller and meatier sound throughout, but the takeaway here is that most times when headphones change their frequency response to a bass-ier sound it also makes the headphone sound "heavier." With the removal of the grill on the Unveiled it's a completely open and airy sound that doesn't sound heavier despite the boost in lows and midrange. I much prefer this sound over the original.
Vocals stop you in your tracks. When Brandie's voice comes in during the second verse the sweetness and realism of her voice are impeccable. It's the kind of highlighting and clarity you hope for in higher-end headphones and the Susvara Unveiled delivers. The midrange voicings are spot on, and the timing is crazy fast. It's a noticeable upgrade over the original Susvara for me. You heard it here folks - Jacob Collier is the Brian Wilson for a new generation. Check him out.
Efficiency is another big factor to take note of here. The Susvara Unveiled is much more efficient than the original Susvara, though you're still going to want to give it as much power as you can. Planar magnetic drivers thrive the more juice you give them, and with this improvement in overall efficiency, you'll find better performance across the board with dynamics, headroom, and the most important thing of all - compatibility with more headphone amplifiers. That was my biggest disappointment with the OG Susvara. It's a top-10 headphone but the difficulty to drive it made it inaccessible. If you didn't have the power to drive it then you had no reason to get it, and that was a shame. The fact that the Susvara Unveiled is easier to drive makes this an exciting time (and an exciting headphone) for an audiophile. because while it's quite expensive, you don't necessarily need an equally if not more expensive headphone amplifier to drive it well.
The fidelity of these headphones is next-level and end-game. There's no other way to put it. Cinematic scores like the new theme from Horizon (see below) take you to the movie theater, placing you in the sweet spot of the speaker array at the movie and putting you right in the action. With nods to Copland, John Debney's soundtrack takes you to the heart of the Hollywood sound of the old American West, with cheerful legato string sections flowing like the rolling hills and prairies. My friend Paul actually helps record and produce these major motion picture scores in the UK, and even he said there was something special about this score, and one of his favorites from his career. The folky nature of the acoustic guitar with the wind section gives the piece the right amount of organics in the composition. The lone violin takes over the melody and finally swells into a fanfare section that sounds like it's inspired directly by Buckaroo Holiday. As a huge Copland fan, I truly appreciate the vibe Debney is going for here. It's certainly a score to experience from start to finish. Just let it play and enjoy the journey.
The fact that the Susvara Unveiled pairs well with almost every genre out there, from Classical, Jazz, Funk, Pop, R&B, Classic Rock, and more, makes this a diamond in the rough for headphones for me. Usually, I like to tailor my headphones based on what kind of music I want to listen to, but now there's no more need. What the Susvara lacked, the Susvara Unveiled has made up for and then some.
by John Debney
by Lawrence
Comparisons
The SUSVARA Unveiled is more of a reimagined version that pushes the boundaries of audio performance and user experience. This latest iteration brings significant improvements in design, materials, and sound quality, setting a new standard for high-end audiophile headphones. The Susvara Unveiled addresses one of the primary challenges of its predecessor - amplification requirements. By reducing the impedance by 15 ohms and increasing sensitivity by 3dB, HiFiMan has made these headphones more compatible with a broader range of audio equipment. This adjustment allows audiophiles to enjoy the SUSVARA Unveiled with a wider selection of headphone amplifiers and DAC/Amp combinations, opening up new possibilities for system matching and personal preferences. However, it's important to note that while these improvements enhance versatility, the SUSVARA Unveiled still demands substantial amplification to reach its full potential. This requirement ensures that the headphones maintain their high-end status and exceptional sound quality when paired with appropriate equipment.
Recognizing the importance of extended listening sessions for audiophiles, HiFiMan has made significant strides in improving comfort. The implementation of new, lighter materials in the ear cups has resulted in a weight reduction of 20 grams. This seemingly small change can make a substantial difference during long listening sessions, reducing ear fatigue and discomfort. The lighter weight allows users to immerse themselves in their music for hours on end without the physical strain often associated with heavier headphones.
Innovative Materials for Superior Sound: Perhaps the most exciting addition to the Susvara Unveiled is the incorporation of a metallic silver conductor layer. Silver, known for its unparalleled electrical conductivity among metals, brings several sonic benefits to the table:
- Maximized Sensitivity: The silver layer enhances the headphones' ability to translate electrical signals into sound, resulting in improved dynamics and responsiveness.
- Unveiled Details: The superior conductivity allows for more precise signal transfer, revealing subtle nuances and micro-details in recordings that might have been previously obscured.
- Enhanced Soundstage: Users can expect a more expansive and airy presentation, with improved spatial cues and a greater sense of openness in the sound.
The Susvara Unveiled doesn't just sound better; it looks better too. HiFiMan has given these flagship headphones a visual makeover, ensuring they're as pleasing to the eye as they are to the ear. But the improvements go far beyond skin deep. The cumulative effect of all these enhancements results in a more detailed and musical sound signature compared to the original SUSVARA. You'll find improved tonal balance across the frequency spectrum, better separation of instruments and vocals, more accurate reproduction of acoustic spaces and recording environments, and enhanced dynamic range, from the softest whispers to the most thunderous crescendos. The original Susvara does it well, but the newer Susvara Unveiled does it better.
With the SUSVARA Unveiled, HiFiMan aims to remove any barriers between the listener and the music. Every design choice and technical improvement serves to create a more transparent and immersive audio experience. Audiophiles can now enjoy a level of fidelity that truly unveils every aspect of their favorite recordings, hearing details, textures, and emotions with breathtaking clarity. Whether you're a longtime fan of the original SUSVARA or a newcomer to the world of high-end headphones, the SUSVARA Unveiled promises to redefine expectations and provide a new benchmark for what's possible in personal audio reproduction.
Dragon Cables
For my testing session, I paired the SUSVARA Unveiled with a Black Dragon Premium Cable. The SUSVARA Unveiled is a tonally neutral and detailed headphone with an impactful bottom end. UP-OCC conductors in the Black Dragon tighten up the bottom end and smooth out the high frequencies without sacrificing any of the wonderful details in your music. The midrange becomes more musical and your music has an immersive sound with added body. The Black Dragon is a great cable if you like to feel immersed in your music as if it were being performed live right in front of you.
The SUSVARA Unveiled takes the already impressive performance of its predecessor to new heights, offering an even greater level of clarity and refinement. Its advanced driver technology ensures that every nuance in the music is faithfully reproduced, making it an ideal choice for audiophiles seeking the ultimate listening experience. When paired with the Black Dragon Premium Cable, the SUSVARA Unveiled not only tightens the bottom end and smooths out the highs but also enhances the overall soundstage, giving your music an added sense of depth and dimension. This combination is perfect for those who demand the best in both performance and build quality, creating an auditory experience that is both captivating and true to life.
Why Dragon Cables?
You’ve heard the saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, right? Well, the same applies to your brand new audiophile-grade headphone or other audio components. The weakest link, in this case, is your stock audio cable or the cheap interconnects the manufacturer threw in the box just to get you up and running. Why is the audio cable always an afterthought, when it’s just as important as the rest of your system? At Moon Audio, we use the purest and best raw materials in our cables to unveil your music. We believe that materials matter and your audio cables should have the same care and craftsmanship that manufacturers put into their audio components and headphones. Audio cables are ultimately the connection to your music. The fact remains that cabling is often considered the last priority to that of the main product and a means to cut down the overall production costs. It’s as simple as that. Dragon Cables elevate every note - as if you were hearing your favorite music for the very time.
Verdict
If you thought that the original Susvara couldn't be topped, then I hate to burst your bubble. The HiFiMan Susvara Unveiled delivers on its name. You can't get much more open back and transparency in your headphones than completely removing the backplate and grill. The tuning of the new Unveiled headphone will appeal to more music lovers in my opinion, with a touch more warmth, and greater presence in the midrange and low end, but still maintains the wonderful detail and clarity that the original Susvara is known for. It's the best of both worlds here, and despite any sonic adjustments that were made, it's probably the best reference and natural-sounding headphones I've heard. Full stop. The balance is top-notch, the headphones are much easier to drive than the original, and the comfort remains excellent and untouched. Paired with a Black Dragon Premium Cable for HiFiMan and it's single-handedly setting the bar for everything I listen to from here on out. It handles every single genre out there with incredible accuracy and agility, but Classic Rock, Folk, Blues, and R&B were standouts.
The Susvara Unveiled makes all the right adjustments in the right places (timbre, tonality, bass/sub-bass, midrange, etc.), so if you didn't like something about the original, chances are that you'll fall in love with this one. The most exciting aspect of the new design for me besides the tuning is the efficiency improvement. More people will now have access to be able to drive these headphones without having to need something with an exorbitant amount of power to drive it like they did with the original Susvara headphones. I'm looking forward to trying it out with more amps around the office just to see what it can do. It still leans on the power-hungry side, so make sure you have enough juice to throw behind it (headphone amp) for the best performance.
It's hard to get any more end-game than the Susvara Unveiled. I'm genuinely impressed by the updates so much that I would have no hesitation in recommending it to new Susvara protective audiophiles and even ones who already have the original. In a way, I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to hear music sound this good. Sure it's an expensive headphone, but you can't put a price on what you get in return.
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What's in the Box
- HiFiMan Susvara Unveiled 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)
- Pair of Magnetic Veils
- Owner’s Guide
Specifications
- Frequency Response: 6Hz-75kHz
- Sensitivity: 86dB
- Impedance: 45Ω
- Weight: 430 grams/16.16 ounces
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