Short answer: the HIFIMAN Susvara. It ranks #43 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $5,999. The Audeze CRBN ranks #67, rated 4.0/5, at $4,500, $1,499 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Why pick 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.
The case for the Audeze CRBN: A preference score of 82 in oratory1990’s measurement, with the midrange from 200 Hz to 6 kHz held within about 0.6 dB of target, so vocals and acoustic instruments sound accurate and natural. Watch for: It is an electrostatic headphone and needs a dedicated energizer, a significant extra cost on top of the headphone.
Buy the HIFIMAN Susvara. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $1,499 with the Audeze CRBN does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN Susvara | Audeze CRBN | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,999.00 | $4,500.00 |
| Ranked | #43 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #67 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.24 dB standard deviation | 2.53 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Electrostatic |
| Impedance | 60 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 83 dB | - |
| Weight | 1 lbs (450 g) | 0.7 lbs (300 g) |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 75kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.1 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 50 Hz (-7.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 120mm x 90mm push-pull electrostatic |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How HIFIMAN Susvara compares with other leading options:
- HIFIMAN Shangri-La Jr vs HIFIMAN Susvara
- HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled vs HIFIMAN Susvara
- Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition vs HIFIMAN Susvara
- Dan Clark Audio EXPANSE 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: $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
Audeze CRBN: $4,500.00 Headphones.com eBay
Pros: A preference score of 82 in oratory1990’s measurement, with the midrange from 200 Hz to 6 kHz held within about 0.6 dB of target, so vocals and acoustic instruments sound accurate and natural. The large 120 by 90 mm push-pull electrostatic driver weighs in at only 300 g, light for a flagship. Listeners who want a neutral or gently warm sound are the closest match.
Cons: It is an electrostatic headphone and needs a dedicated energizer, a significant extra cost on top of the headphone. Bass falls 6 dB below target by 50 Hz and a 10.3 dB dip near 9.2 kHz dims cymbals and detail, so it can sound thin at the bottom and soft at the top. The Final Audio D8000 Pro Edition costs a bit less and carries a higher rating.
Full Audeze CRBN review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.53 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x 120mm x 90mm push-pull electrostatic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 50 Hz (-7.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (300 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.2 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 | +6.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,815 Hz | +5.4 dB | 1.73 |
| Peak | 1,053 Hz | -2.9 dB | 2.95 |
| Peak | 105 Hz | -1.6 dB | 0.33 |
| Peak | 3,129 Hz | -3.5 dB | 3.95 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,856 Hz | +1.9 dB | 4.22 |
| Peak | 5,905 Hz | -4.2 dB | 5.74 |
| Peak | 4,752 Hz | +2.5 dB | 5.44 |
| Peak | 6,913 Hz | +2.5 dB | 5.96 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons