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 Stax SR-X9000 ranks #101, rated 3.8/5, at $6,819.99, $1,180.01 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled is the better-sounding pick. 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.
Why pick the Stax SR-X9000: A preference score of 77, with the midrange from 200 Hz to 3 kHz staying within about 1.3 dB of target for natural, uncolored voices and instruments. The catch: It needs a dedicated electrostatic energizer, and bass falls 6 dB below target by 56 Hz, about 9.5 dB short across the sub-bass, so the deepest notes are faint.
Buy the HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $1,180.01 saving on the Stax SR-X9000 is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled | Stax SR-X9000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8,000.00 | $6,819.99 |
| Ranked | #33 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #101 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) | 77 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.99 dB standard deviation | 2.72 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.13 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.20 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 56 Hz (-9.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x planar magnetic | 1 x large round push-pull electrostatic |
| Impedance | 45 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 100 dB |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (430 g) | 1 lbs (432 g) |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 75kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 42kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | 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 HIFIMAN Susvara
- HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled vs Warwick Acoustics Aperio
- HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr vs Stax SR-X9000
- 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
Stax SR-X9000: $6,819.99 Elusive Disc eBay
Pros: A preference score of 77, with the midrange from 200 Hz to 3 kHz staying within about 1.3 dB of target for natural, uncolored voices and instruments. Air above 10 kHz rises 1.7 dB, adding openness to the top end, and the neutral, slightly warm balance suits critical listening. It earns a higher rating than the Focal Utopia 2022.
Cons: It needs a dedicated electrostatic energizer, and bass falls 6 dB below target by 56 Hz, about 9.5 dB short across the sub-bass, so the deepest notes are faint. A 14.1 dB dip near 9.7 kHz dulls cymbals and detail. The Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition and Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE cost much less and rate higher.
Full Stax SR-X9000 review and specifications →
| Released | 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.72 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x large round push-pull electrostatic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 42kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 77 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 56 Hz (-9.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.20 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (432 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 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 | 1,081 Hz | -5.9 dB | 1.99 |
| Peak | 2,699 Hz | +2.5 dB | 1.47 |
| Peak | 201 Hz | -0.9 dB | 1.69 |
| Peak | 5,305 Hz | +2.1 dB | 6.00 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 7,973 Hz | +2.4 dB | 1.92 |
| Peak | 71 Hz | -1.7 dB | 3.73 |
| Peak | 6,342 Hz | -1.8 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 45 Hz | +1.0 dB | 4.46 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons