Short answer: the Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition. Both are rated 4.1/5 for sound quality (#46 and #43 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition costs $4,299 against $5,999 for the HIFIMAN Susvara, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
Why pick the Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition: A preference score of 85 in oratory1990’s measurement, with the low mids within 0.1 dB of target and bass from 60 to 200 Hz only 1 dB shy, so instruments sound full and correctly weighted. Watch for: Sub-bass drops 6 dB below target by 27 Hz and averages 5.4 dB low from 20 to 60 Hz, so the deepest rumble in film scores and electronic music is muted.
The case for the HIFIMAN Susvara: A preference score of 85 in crinacle’s measurement puts it among the most accurately tuned open-back headphones. Watch for: Sensitivity of only 83 dB is extremely low, so it needs a powerful dedicated headphone amplifier and is useless from a phone.
Buy the Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $1,700 less than the HIFIMAN Susvara.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition | HIFIMAN Susvara | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,299.00 | $5,999.00 |
| Ranked | #46 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #43 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 85 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.31 dB standard deviation | 2.24 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 60 ohms | 60 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW | 83 dB |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (523 g) | 1 lbs (450 g) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 6Hz - 75kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
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- HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled vs HIFIMAN Susvara
- Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE vs HIFIMAN Susvara
- HIFIMAN Susvara vs Audeze CRBN
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition: $4,299.00 Headphones.com eBay
Pros: A preference score of 85 in oratory1990’s measurement, with the low mids within 0.1 dB of target and bass from 60 to 200 Hz only 1 dB shy, so instruments sound full and correctly weighted. Air above 10 kHz runs 3.3 dB above target for an open, detailed top end that suits fans of a lively, slightly V-shaped sound. It carries a higher rating than the similarly priced Audeze CRBN.
Cons: Sub-bass drops 6 dB below target by 27 Hz and averages 5.4 dB low from 20 to 60 Hz, so the deepest rumble in film scores and electronic music is muted. A 7.1 dB dip near 2.75 kHz pulls vocals back slightly. At 523 g it is a heavy headphone, and the open back offers no isolation.
Full Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition review and specifications →
| Released | 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.31 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 60 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (523 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.9 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +7.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,583 Hz | +7.1 dB | 2.31 |
| Peak | 83 Hz | -3.4 dB | 0.33 |
| Peak | 1,144 Hz | -2.8 dB | 1.56 |
| Peak | 498 Hz | +2.1 dB | 2.24 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,543 Hz | -2.7 dB | 5.99 |
| Peak | 55 Hz | -0.4 dB | 1.88 |
| Peak | 119 Hz | +0.3 dB | 1.72 |
| Peak | 1,962 Hz | +0.8 dB | 5.18 |
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HIFIMAN Susvara: $5,999.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 85 in crinacle’s measurement puts it among the most accurately tuned open-back headphones. In squig.link measurements bass, presence and treble all land within about 1.5 dB of target, so voices, strings and percussion sound balanced and natural, and a slight 2.5 dB low-mid lift adds body. Its planar magnetic driver stays within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz, and it rates above the Focal Utopia 2022 at a lower price than the HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr.
Cons: Sensitivity of only 83 dB is extremely low, so it needs a powerful dedicated headphone amplifier and is useless from a phone. A 5.9 dB peak near 11.9 kHz and air about 4.7 dB above target can make cymbals a touch sharp, while sub-bass sits about 5 dB down at 30 Hz. The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full HIFIMAN Susvara review and specifications →
| Released | 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.24 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 75kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 60 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 83 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (450 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.5 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +5.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,876 Hz | +5.7 dB | 2.54 |
| Peak | 123 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.26 |
| Peak | 485 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.51 |
| Peak | 896 Hz | -1.1 dB | 3.26 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,945 Hz | -1.7 dB | 5.84 |
| Peak | 207 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.66 |
| Peak | 121 Hz | +0.5 dB | 1.56 |
| Peak | 62 Hz | -0.3 dB | 1.77 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons