When it comes to high-end headphones, the Hifiman Susvara has been a benchmark for audiophiles looking for unrivaled sound quality. However, the release of the Hifiman Susvara Unveiled promises to push the boundaries even further. In this comprehensive review, I will explore the differences between these two models, focusing on the design, soundstage, bass, mids, and highs. Through extensive testing and my personal experience, I have discovered some notable improvements and unique features that set the Susvara Unveiled apart from its predecessor.
Design
The Hifiman Susvara Unveiled and the original Susvara share a similar aesthetic, but several key differences in design and specifications highlight the advancements made in the Unveiled model. The Susvara Unveiled’s frequency response ranges from 6 Hz to 75 kHz. The Unveiled model’s impedance is 45 ohms, compared to the original’s 60 ohms, making it easier to drive. During extensive testing, I found the Susvara Unveiled’s 86 dB sensitivity to be a significant improvement over the original’s 83 dB, providing greater efficiency and better performance with a wider range of amplifiers.
The weight of the Susvara Unveiled has been reduced from the original model’s 450 grams to 430 grams, which, combined with a redesigned headband, makes them more comfortable for extended use. The even weight distribution ensures that the headphones feel lighter than they are, which is crucial for extended listening sessions. However, the Unveiled model has a completely open design that leaves the drivers exposed. This design choice improves the natural soundstage, but compromises durability, making these headphones unsuitable for on-the-go use. If practicality and portability are essential, the original Susvara might still be the better choice. If we judge them as performance-oriented headphones, the fragile construction is something to keep in mind when storing and listening to the device.
Sound scene
One of the most impressive aspects of the Hifiman Susvara Unveiled is its soundstage. In my testing, I found the soundstage to be wide and expansive, with a palpable sense of distance that immerses the listener in the music. The original Susvara offers a more intimate soundstage, but the Unveiled model takes advantage of this intimacy and adds a layer of natural distance that feels more authentic. For example, on Freddie Hubbard’s “Red Clay,” the subtle movements of the trumpet bell were captured with a level of detail that made me feel like I was in the recording studio. The holographic quality of the soundstage, where noises travel from above or behind, was more spacious on the Unveiled, providing an immersive listening experience that few headphones can match.
The difference in soundstage depth and width between the two models is striking. The original Susvara still maintains a sense of intimacy, but the Unveiled’s natural distance is much clearer. This enhanced soundstage allows for a more realistic, three-dimensional audio experience, where micro changes in distance are fully displayed. Tracking reverb on tracks seemed to have no boundaries, contributing to a very natural, speaker-like quality that genuinely mimics a studio environment. It feels like you’re not just listening to headphones, but experiencing the music in a way that’s faithful to the original recording.
Low
In the realm of bass performance, the Hifiman Susvara Unveiled offers several improvements over the original. I found the Unveiled’s bass to be deeper and warmer, providing a more dynamic and engaging listening experience. When using the Enleum HPA-23RM with a boosted mid-bass input, the bass felt more boosted but remained cohesive and well-defined. Both respond incredibly well to amplifiers that add color to the signal. Flatter amps like the Questyle CMA 15 Master maintained the same approach to sound signature. Tracks like Thou’s “I Feel Nothing When You Cry” showcased the Unveiled’s ability to deliver bass that isn’t muddy but analytical, with the mids and highs more present than on the original Susvara.
The Susvara Unveiled's bass is slightly brighter than warm, with a V-shaped sound signature that differs from the bright neutral profile of the original. This makes the bass more pronounced and natural, providing a fuller, more resonant experience. The bass extension of the original Susvara is present, but lacks the fullness and natural sound of the Unveiled. For example, on “Stella by Starlight” by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, the Unveiled's bass sounded fuller and more resonant, while the original had a more attack-focused sound that was less captivating.
The Unveiled model also responds exceptionally well to EQ settings and different amplifiers, allowing listeners to customize the bass to their preference. This versatility makes the Susvara Unveiled a more adaptable option for those who enjoy tweaking their sound signature. Overall, the Unveiled’s bass is more natural and satisfying, providing a rich, immersive listening experience that the original Susvara can’t match without EQ adjustments.
Media
The Hifiman Susvara Unveiled’s midrange frequencies are another area where significant improvements have been made. The tuning of the midrange is meticulous, providing a balanced and detailed sound that brings out the best in guitars, vocals, snares, toms, synths and trumpets. In my opinion, the balance of the midrange prevents listening fatigue, allowing for extended listening sessions without discomfort. Tracks such as Obituary’s “Cause of Death” and Joe Pass, Andre Previn and Ray Brown’s “There Will Never Be Another You” demonstrated the Unveiled’s ability to reproduce midrange textures with remarkable clarity.
The guitars on “Cause of Death” maintained a perfect balance, avoiding any boxy, muddy, or shrill qualities. The harmonic quality in the midrange allowed every detail to come through, from the subtle dynamics in Andre Previn’s piano playing to the sound of strings hitting the frets in Joe Pass’s guitar performance. This level of detail is crucial for genres that rely heavily on midrange instruments and vocals.
The original Susvara, while offering a deeper low-mid character, lacks the flatness and detail of the Unveiled, particularly in the 500 Hz and 1 kHz range. The original model has a stronger boost at these frequencies, creating more attack but less compression on vocals and most stringed instruments. This can result in a more detailed and colorful sound, which may appeal to some listeners, but it falls short of the Unveiled's natural, balanced mids.
Maximums
The Hifiman Susvara Unveiled’s high frequencies are another area where this model excels. I found the highs on both to be fully extended yet neutral, with fantastic detail and a clear electrostatic quality that enhances the overall listening experience. The 75kHz extension contributes to an analytical quality without causing fatigue, allowing for long listening sessions without discomfort. Although the frequency response may be reductive due to the difficulty in driving these headphones, the highs remain detailed and full.
The treble tuning on the Susvara Unveiled is more surgical compared to the original, providing a fuller representation of both low and high frequencies. This results in a more discernible treble signature that gives the soundstage a clearer, more defined quality. The original Susvara has a deficiency between 1kHz and 3kHz, which affects the overall treble balance. While still well-tuned, the original model cannot match the Unveiled’s accuracy and detail.
The Unveiled’s increased adherence to the Harman curve provides a more exciting and lively sound signature. This adherence results in a more balanced and natural sound, with the highs blending seamlessly into the overall sound signature. The original Susvara, while offering well-tuned highs, lacks the fullness and attack of the Unveiled, making it less suitable for listeners who prioritize high-frequency detail and clarity.
Conclusion
In my opinion, the Hifiman Susvara Unveiled represents a significant improvement over the original Susvara in several key areas. Improvements to the design, soundstage, bass, mids and highs make the Unveiled a superior choice for audiophiles seeking the very best in headphone performance. The improved soundstage of the Unveiled provides a more immersive and natural listening experience, while deeper, more dynamic bass, balanced mids and detailed highs deliver a richer, more satisfying sound.
While the original Susvara remains a solid choice, particularly for those who prefer a more intimate soundstage and a slightly different sound signature, the advancements in the Unveiled make it the better choice for those who prioritize sound quality above all else. The Hifiman Susvara Unveiled is a testament to Hifiman’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of audio technology and delivering a truly unparalleled listening experience.
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