HIFIMAN Susvara Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones

Susvara - It's called the worlds best planar headphone for a reason.

It's the Susvara, if you're reading this you likely already know it produces some of the best sound you can get in a headphone. This headphones strengths? This is some of the best build quality you'll find in a Hifiman Headphone. Timbre - This can REALLY change based on what you're using this headphone with. The Susvara will do exactly what is asked of it, as long as it has a source, and current capable of feeding to do so. It's a VERY power hungry headphone even though it can be used on some budget amps and still sound "good" It just won't be the best of what it can offer. Soundstage - It's wide, but also tame, meaning you have have objects at different distances and heights and discern ALL OF IT I stress this because it is a major strength the headphone has but this can be restricted by the source and cable you put it on. Bass - Bass is well rounded, it can punch well, sub bass is also well rounded, the bass may be softer or may be strong enough to kick the door in depending on the amp and cable you use it with. Treble - The high's and upper mid range are very revealing, but at the same time never really sharp, however I do want to point out that cables with Rhodium terminations seem to further smooth the treble as I speak about below. Now weaknesses of this headphone? Hifiman has apparently addressed some of these since the 3. 5mm release one being the cable sleeving which has been improved. Older Susvara's use a plastic cable sleeving which was awful about rolling up on it's own constantly. As I stated though this has apparently been addressed as the one I received has two braided cables. The next is a issue that plagues a lot of headphones and that's the pads can absorb oil from your face and wear in over a period of months. The pads I've found that hold up best to this issue is Abyss's Alcantara pads. The last issue I list with this headphone is it requires a lot of power. Sure you can get amps in the budget range that will drive it, but it will not bring out the very best of what the Susvara has to offer. This applies to the cable as well, Silver w/ Rhodium terminations makes a noticeable difference as they handle current differently than copper and gold combo do, for myself I've used Moon Audio's Silver Dragon which increased the airyness of the headphone pushing its sound closer to that of a Electro-Static headphone. It's also important to note however, Furutech Rhodium connectors which seem "smooth" the treble headphones can produce over Neutrik Gold connectors at least I noticed the treble was softer but produced more air at least with the Susvara. So overall the Susvara is an incredible headphone, I will not ding off stars for the problems because most of them are minor and can be worked around or fixed and given this is likely a life purchase for most people adding things to compliment it over time makes sense.

Best headphone

I have all of the TOTL headphones and I can definitely say the Susvara is head and shoulders above ever other pair. This is not just your every day TOTL headphone

The best planar magnetic headphone you can buy.

Susvara is an amazing planar headphone. The sound is very balanced with excellent separation, as well as the thick. You need a high-end DAC and powerful amp to feed it, you won't disappointed. This is my end-game headphone.