When it comes to high-end headphones, the Hifiman Susvara has been a benchmark for audiophiles seeking unparalleled sound quality. However, the release of the Hifiman Susvara Unveiled promises to push the boundaries even further. In this comprehensive review, I'll explore the differences between these two models, focusing on design, soundstage, bass, mids, and highs. Through extensive testing and personal experience, I've 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 frequency response of the Susvara Unveiled ranges from 6 Hz to 75 kHz. The impedance of the Unveiled model 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 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 is reduced to 430 grams from the original's 450 grams, which, combined with a redesigned headband, makes it more comfortable for prolonged 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 enhances 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 option. Judging this as a performance based headphone, the fragile construction is something you have to be aware of when storing and listening to the device.

Soundstage

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 this intimacy and adds a layer of natural distance that feels more authentic. For instance, in "Red Clay" by Freddie Hubbard, the subtle movements of the trumpet bell were captured with a level of detail that made it 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 shocking. 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 lifelike and three-dimensional audio experience, where the micro changes in distance are on full display. The trailing reverb in tracks seemed to have no limit, contributing to a very natural and speaker-like quality that genuinely mimics a studio setting. It feels like you're not just listening to headphones but experiencing the music in a way that's true to the original recording.

Bass

In the realm of bass performance, the Hifiman Susvara Unveiled offers several enhancements over the original. I found that the bass on the Unveiled is deeper and warmer, providing a more dynamic and engaging listening experience. Using the Enleum HPA-23RM with a mid-bass boosted input, the bass felt more boosted yet remained cohesive and well-defined. Both respond incredibly well to amps that add color to your signal. Flatter amps like the Questyle CMA 15 Master upheld the same focus that’s in the sound signature. Tracks like "I Feel Nothing When You Cry" by Thou showcased the Unveiled's ability to deliver bass that is not muddy but analytical, with mid-bass and high bass 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 original's bright neutral profile. This makes the bass more pronounced and natural, providing a fuller and more resonant experience. The original Susvara's bass extension is present but lacks the fullness and natural sound of the Unveiled. For example, in "Stella by Starlight" by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, the bass on the Unveiled 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 adjustments and different amplifiers, allowing listeners to customize the bass to their preference. This versatility makes the Susvara Unveiled a more adaptable choice for those who enjoy tweaking their sound signature. Overall, the bass on the Unveiled is more natural and satisfying, providing a rich and immersive listening experience that the original Susvara struggles to match without EQ adjustments.

Mids

The midrange frequencies on the Hifiman Susvara Unveiled are another area where significant improvements have been made. The tuning of the mids is meticulous, providing a balanced and detailed sound that brings out the best in guitars, voices, snares, toms, synths, and horns. In my opinion, the balance in the mids prevents listening fatigue, allowing for extended sessions without discomfort. Tracks like "Cause of Death" by Obituary and "There Will Never Be Another You" by Joe Pass, Andre Previn, and Ray Brown demonstrated the Unveiled's ability to reproduce midrange textures with remarkable clarity.

The guitars in "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' 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 evenness and detail of the Unveiled, particularly in the 500Hz and 1kHz range. The original model has a stronger push in these frequencies, which creates more attack but less compression in voices and most string instruments. This can result in a detailed and more colored sound, which might appeal to some listeners but falls short of the Unveiled's balanced and natural mids.

Highs

The high frequencies on the Hifiman Susvara Unveiled are another area where this model excels. I found that the highs on both are fully extended yet neutral, with fantastic detail and a clear, electrostatic quality that enhances the overall listening experience. The 75 kHz extension contributes to an analytical quality without causing fatigue, allowing for long listening sessions without discomfort. Although the frequency response can be reductive due to the difficulty in driving these headphones, the highs remain detailed and full.

The tuning of the highs on the Susvara Unveiled is more surgical compared to the original, providing a more full representation of low-treble frequencies. This results in a more discernible treble signature that gives the soundstage a clearer and more defined quality. The original Susvara has a deficiency between 1kHz and 3kHz, which affects the overall balance of the highs. While still well-tuned, the original model cannot match the Unveiled's precision and detail.

The stronger adherence to the Harman curve in the Unveiled model brings a more exciting and lively sound signature. This adherence results in a more balanced and natural sound, with the highs integrating 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 treble detail and clarity.

Conclusion

In my opinion, the Hifiman Susvara Unveiled represents a significant upgrade over the original Susvara in several key areas. The improvements in design, soundstage, bass, mids, and highs make the Unveiled model a superior choice for audiophiles seeking the best in headphone performance. The Unveiled's enhanced soundstage provides a more immersive and natural listening experience, while the deeper and more dynamic bass, balanced mids, and detailed highs offer a richer and 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 model make it the better option 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, delivering a listening experience that is truly unparalleled.