HiFiMan SUSVARA "Review" and Measurements

Breaking news: "Korean tourist swept out to sea and drowns after entering chest high water at local beach. Relatives say he didn't know how to swim"

 

Whole families of mainlanders that can't swim go out into the beach to get swept out to die. Not a single one knows how to swim.

Sometimes my people disappoint me.

 

I admit, I am a terrible swimmer. That's why I know better than to enter deep water at a beach, I prefer to simply sit back and enjoy the view. In fact my uncle drowned before I was even born. Didn't know it was one of those #JustAsianThings though.

Anyway, back to the topic?

 

I agree, its not much, but it's definitely an improvement.
Price is a real issue though.

This happened to me..
I was laid on my back relaxing and turn my head to see what looked like ants for people.
Swimming back made zero and negative progress...
Adrenaline kick in with fear.
I saw beach was curved shape and decided to swim to the end which worked in escaping the riptide which I realized I was in, but unaware how to get out of.
It's a clear situation where ignorance can kill.
When making it almost back to shore, I rode strong wave wich landed me in a standing position.
Instant weight on body almost fell down but fear of next wave knocking me down made me force legs to struggle away to sand.
That was over 15yr ago and Last time I took a swim along LI coast in NY. Lol.

Getting back on topic,
I didn't realize this issue:

I didn't pay any attention to this myself.
Now after playing with some closed headphones (Eikon & Dennon7200),
I realized this Missing aspect of bass slam factor...

Just because the HEKV2/Susvara don't have slam doesn't mean they can't..
Hifiman simply not address that aspect of slam factor, an adjustment needed to compensate for more bass slam at low power..
To put it bluntly, they needed to take into account the bass changes (created by our big heads.)


My two cents.

 

Just to through my experience out there - my HEKv2 slams plenty. Not quite as punchy as the HE6, or the Utopia, but it can bass hit plenty fine for my needs.

I am driving my HEKv2 with some powerful amps (300B and Master9) so it has plenty of juice behind it. HEKv2 seems to like that.

I sold the Utopia and bought a HEKv2. No regrets at all on that decision.

EDIT - I have noticed that the HEKv2 draws only marginally less juice than my HE6 (based on the volume settings on my amps) - so I carried out a little experiment - I hooked up my HEKv2 to the power amp speaker tap rig I sometimes use with the HE6. It works fine and I am finding the punch and slam of the HEKv2 has improved noticeable. Amazing what putting 90W behind a headphone can do sometimes. I'm liking it.

Rig is: USB -> Singxer SU-1 -> AES -> Metrum Pavane -> Hegel P20 -> Accuphase P-4200 -> HEKv2

Early days, but this setup does seem to pull more SQ goodness from the HEKv2 than the Audio-GD Master 9. The M9 can get somewhat clinical, the P20/P-4200 combination is somewhat warmer and more musical.

 

These are actually really good. Stax but with meat. Only had a 30 min demo tho.

But like usual, feels flimsy etc etc.

Ill wait for a second hand unit.

 

Agreed on the Susvara slam. Though I have to say that HEKV1 are even softer, rounder and more romantic in general, with their tonal balance not in the middle but lower IMO. Susvara packs enjoyable punch when needed and goes really low. Still, the bass of these headphones is complementary to the rest, not overly gutsy or emphasized in any way. But it surely is there when needed.

Funny story with juice, though. I witnessed the same thing with two amps on hand currently. Vol control with Susvara on Pass HPA-1 can go all the way to get desired SPL, but HEKV1 isn't that far off.

 

Not a huge Hifiman design or build quality fan, but I have to give them that their latest looks and feels pricier than HEKV1. It's made better, though the room for improvements still is there. I'd change several things and yoke finish is one. Wood around earcups comes in as next and cable... naah, not politically correct to comment this aspect

 

The day hifiman decides to just build the headphone band and cups like Audeze/focal, do audeze like support and warranty, except maintain that susvara level of channel matching. Then it might be worth the 6k. A very thin and flimsy "might" like how it is for all luxury goods.

If you're going to charge the ferrari equivalent price for a headphone. It better damn well feel, look and sound like a ferrari.

 

My thoughts exactly. We have always something to complain about, yet in most cases this is justified. With Hifiman, more than with other manufacturers I think. But again, Susvara does the job where it should the most. Soundwise it delivers.

Still, I disagree with that 6K figure. IMHO, no headphones should be this pricey. This is madness, I say!

 

At some point spending more $ cannot cure anyone of listening to gear, over listening to music. Analogous to never enjoy driving, while always looking for a sexier car

 

I was talking to a friend and whats funny is that he pointed out that the can is more capable than the gear they use to display it.
I can agree I would never know how capable it is unless I heard it on top end gear.
Hopefully HiFiman will have better gear to display it.

 

Yes, you're right. These days I have to admit that I listen to gear more than music, simply because I have access to many fine devices and to compare 'em is what I enjoy. And yes, I constantly look at fine cars, guilty as charged!

 

Do these sound better than the electrostats like 009/007?

 

I tend to think that Susvara is is less ethereal 009 with more bass presence and slam. I haven't heard 009 with the best amps, though. People say this makes a huge difference in case of flagship Stax especially in the bass realm.

 

I don't care about bass slam/presence that much, there are other things that are important to the sound like treble,speed,mids,resolution etc etc, if susvara is better than 009/007(well amped) in overall performance not just bass slam/presence then fine, it is a great headphone.

 

It's been quite a while since my last 009 audition, hence I can't reply to your question more precisely.

But what I do know after several weeks is this: Susvara is probably the best of its kind I've heard thus far. It's fast, resolving, generously saturated, vivid and open, not a hint of veil is present. It's refined as hell, very balanced and after dozens of expensive headphones auditioned I truly appreciate such non-showy but mature attitude. Even Utopias didn't impress me this much. There are products that excel in some regards, but Susvara as a package covers it all for me. That balance is what probably makes it so good for my subjective ears. HE-1000, which are perfectly fine btw., are gathering dust.

To my ears, Susvara doesn't excel in anything in obvious way from the start. At first it sounds OK; differently than HE-1000 but more or less in similar quality ballpark (more clarity and less thickness vs the opposite). In addition, people used to i.e. greater treble energy or bass punch or amount might not be satisfied with this at first. But after several days, once accommodation properly kicks in, the outcome is getting better and better. The initial 'flaws' disappear and that balance I talked about above is appreciated more and more.

 

Sound is a preference, 009/007 should be better than susvara in treble,detail,speed(technicalities) because electrostatic technology is better in these aspects. But the price kills it(susvara) for me. If someone wants that "ultimate bass" then why not just go for the speakers?I reckon, a similarly priced speaker will easily outperform these in bass department.I have been disappointed in hifiman since the release of hek, they were known for being great value before, now they are releasing overpriced headphones every 2-3 yrs.If anything the susvara should have costed 3k if it were meant to replace hek as their (hifiman's) flagship headphone not freaking 6k.And sorry if i sounded rude.