Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Susvara
88Outstanding
$6000
Full review dataHiFiMAN Susvara vs Sennheiser HE-1: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser HE-1 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 95. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sennheiser HE-1 - Outstanding overall at around $50000.
Over-Ear
Sennheiser HE-1
95Outstanding
$50000
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
HiFiMAN Susvara
Sound10.0
Value4.0
Sennheiser HE-1
Sound10.0
Value1.0
Specifications
| Spec | HiFiMAN Susvara | Sennheiser HE-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $6000 | $50000 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 95 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2017 | 2016 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | Electrostatic |
| Driver size | - | 2.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 6Hz-75kHz | 8Hz-80kHz (-3dB), 4Hz-100kHz (-10dB) |
| Sound signature | Neutral | Harman neutral |
| Impedance | 60 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 83 dB/mW | 114 dB/mW |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | - | none |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 450 g | 550 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Balanced connection | Yes | - |
What reviewers said
HiFiMAN Susvara
The HiFiMAN Susvara is a reference-class planar flagship that delivers exceptional transparency, detail, and natural tonality across the spectrum. Its demanding power requirements make it a serious investment for audiophiles with high-end amplification, but those who can drive it are rewarded with top-tier resolution and musicality.
- Pro:Exceptional detail retrieval and transparency
- Pro:Natural, realistic midrange with airy treble
- Pro:Fast, well-textured bass response
- Con:Very power-hungry, needs premium amplification
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:Heavy build may impact long-term comfort
Sennheiser HE-1
The Sennheiser HE-1 is an ultra-premium electrostatic headphone system that delivers an exceptionally transparent and balanced sound, closely matching the Harman target curve. It combines a featherweight electrostatic driver design with a massive frequency extension, offering a level of detail and airiness that is virtually unmatched in the realm of personal audio. While its astronomical price places it in a category of its own, its technical performance sets a benchmark for neutrality and resolution.
- Pro:Reference-grade tonal accuracy with near-perfect Harman neutrality
- Pro:Exceptional transient speed and micro-detail retrieval
- Pro:Impressively wide frequency response extending beyond human hearing
- Con:Extremely high cost limits accessibility
- Con:Requires dedicated amplifier and DAC, adding setup complexity
- Con:Heavier than average at 550g, potentially affecting long-term comfort
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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