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 Warwick Acoustics Aperio ranks #74, rated 4.0/5, and costs $30,000, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
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 Warwick Acoustics Aperio: In oratory1990’s measurement it scores 81 for preference, with low mids within 0.3 dB of target, so vocals and the body of instruments sound natural and unforced. Watch for: It is electrostatic and needs a dedicated electrostatic energizer, so it cannot be driven from a phone or a regular headphone amp.
Buy the HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Warwick Acoustics Aperio and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled | Warwick Acoustics Aperio | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8,000.00 | $30,000.00 |
| Ranked | #33 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #74 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) | 81 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.99 dB standard deviation | 2.24 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.13 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.33 (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 (-3.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x planar magnetic | 1 x balanced-drive electrostatic (3570 mm2 diaphragm area) |
| Impedance | 45 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | - |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (430 g) | 0.9 lbs (405 g) |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 75kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 60kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled:
- HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr vs HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled
- HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled vs HIFIMAN Susvara
- HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled vs Stax SR-X9000
- HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr vs Warwick Acoustics Aperio
- Warwick Acoustics Aperio 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
Warwick Acoustics Aperio: $30,000.00 Headphones.com eBay
Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement it scores 81 for preference, with low mids within 0.3 dB of target, so vocals and the body of instruments sound natural and unforced. Bass stays within about 1 dB of target from 60 to 200 Hz and reaches down to 20 Hz without falling more than 6 dB.
Cons: It is electrostatic and needs a dedicated electrostatic energizer, so it cannot be driven from a phone or a regular headphone amp. A deep 10.9 dB dip near 9.4 kHz and presence about 2.8 dB under target from 3 to 6 kHz leave cymbals and the leading edge of instruments sounding muted. The open back leaks sound and gives no isolation.
Full Warwick Acoustics Aperio review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.24 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x balanced-drive electrostatic (3570 mm2 diaphragm area) |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 60kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.33 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (405 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.2 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 | +2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 988 Hz | -3.5 dB | 1.45 |
| Peak | 1,899 Hz | +4.3 dB | 2.92 |
| Peak | 5,388 Hz | +2.3 dB | 1.14 |
| Peak | 165 Hz | -1.5 dB | 0.81 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 58 Hz | +2.8 dB | 5.78 |
| Peak | 72 Hz | -2.1 dB | 5.14 |
| Peak | 2,882 Hz | -1.3 dB | 4.75 |
| Peak | 487 Hz | +1.7 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons