Short answer: the HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled. It ranks #33 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, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled does well: The median of five hobbyist measurements on squig.link gives the Susvara Unveiled a preference score of 86.7, with bass, upper mids, presence and treble from 6 to 10 kHz all within about 1 dB of target. The tradeoff: Sensitivity is only 86 dB, so it needs a powerful desktop amplifier and will not reach useful volume from a phone or a weak dongle.
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 catch: 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 Susvara Unveiled. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $2,001 you would save on the HIFIMAN Susvara does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled | HIFIMAN Susvara | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8,000.00 | $5,999.00 |
| Ranked | #33 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #43 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 86 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 85 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.99 dB standard deviation | 2.24 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.13 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.7 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 |
| Drivers | 1 x planar magnetic | - |
| Impedance | 45 ohms | 60 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 83 dB |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (430 g) | 1 lbs (450 g) |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 75kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 6Hz - 75kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled compares with other leading options:
- HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr vs HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled
- HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled vs Warwick Acoustics Aperio
- HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled vs Stax SR-X9000
- HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr 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 Susvara Unveiled: $8,000.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The median of five hobbyist measurements on squig.link gives the Susvara Unveiled a preference score of 86.7, with bass, upper mids, presence and treble from 6 to 10 kHz all within about 1 dB of target. That makes for a neutral, open presentation where vocals and instruments keep their natural balance. It is rated slightly higher than the HIFIMAN Susvara and level with the HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr.
Cons: Sensitivity is only 86 dB, so it needs a powerful desktop amplifier and will not reach useful volume from a phone or a weak dongle. Sub-bass falls about 4.1 dB short below 60 Hz and an 8.3 dB dip near 9.7 kHz dulls the shimmer of cymbals, while the much cheaper Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One carries a higher rating. The open back leaks sound freely and offers no isolation. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.99 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 75kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 86 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 45 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.13 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (430 g) |
- 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