Short answer: the HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr. It ranks #29 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $8,000. The HIFIMAN Susvara ranks #43, rated 4.1/5, at $5,999, $2,001 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
What the HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr does well: An electrostatic driver with a preference score of 87 and an unusually even response, with every band from 60 Hz to 10 kHz within about 1.4 dB of the Harman target. The tradeoff: Sub-bass below 60 Hz is about 5 dB under target, so deep rumble is understated.
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. The tradeoff: Sensitivity of only 83 dB is extremely low, so it needs a powerful dedicated headphone amplifier and is useless from a phone.
Buy the HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $2,001 with the HIFIMAN Susvara does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr | HIFIMAN Susvara | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8,000.00 | $5,999.00 |
| Ranked | #29 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #43 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 87 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 85 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.99 dB standard deviation | 2.24 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.14 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-6.6 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 | Electrostatic | Planar magnetic |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (374 g) | 1 lbs (450 g) |
| Frequency Response | 7Hz - 120kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 6Hz - 75kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | - | 60 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 83 dB |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr:
- HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr vs HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled
- HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr vs Warwick Acoustics Aperio
- HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr vs Stax SR-X9000
- HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled vs HIFIMAN Susvara
- HIFIMAN Susvara vs Stax SR-X9000
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
HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr: $8,000.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: An electrostatic driver with a preference score of 87 and an unusually even response, with every band from 60 Hz to 10 kHz within about 1.4 dB of the Harman target. The air region above 10 kHz runs about 1 dB above target, giving a sense of space and fine detail. Its rating sits just above the HIFIMAN Susvara and well above the Focal Utopia 2022.
Cons: Sub-bass below 60 Hz is about 5 dB under target, so deep rumble is understated. A 7 dB dip near 9.7 kHz is followed by a 5 dB peak near 11.9 kHz, which reshapes the top end into something slightly uneven. As an electrostatic design it needs a dedicated energizer, and at 374 g it is not a casual portable option.
Full HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.99 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 7Hz - 120kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 87 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-6.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.14 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (374 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.1 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 | +6.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 115 Hz | -2.2 dB | 0.29 |
| Peak | 1,885 Hz | +3.2 dB | 1.89 |
| Peak | 4,399 Hz | -2.3 dB | 4.81 |
| Peak | 3,089 Hz | -2.7 dB | 4.82 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,190 Hz | +2.2 dB | 2.17 |
| Peak | 5,753 Hz | +2.3 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 76 Hz | -0.7 dB | 3.00 |
| Peak | 139 Hz | +0.5 dB | 2.04 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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