Over-Ear
HiFiMAN Susvara
88Outstanding
$6,000
Full review dataHiFiMAN Susvara vs t+a AirPods Max 2: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the HiFiMAN Susvara vs t+a AirPods Max 2, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Over-Ear
t+a AirPods Max 2
Not yet scored
Price n/a
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
HiFiMAN Susvara leads on 4 of 4 measures.
- HiFiMAN Susvara
- t+a AirPods Max 2
HearWiki score
88
-
Sound
10.0
-
Value
4.0
-
Price (USD)
$6,000
-
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The t+a AirPods Max 2 is 9 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the t+a AirPods Max 2 adds USB-C. For 9 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Susvara2017
- AirPods Max 220269 yr newer
What differsSusvaraAirPods Max 2
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
Everyday features
Specifications
SusvaraAirPods Max 2
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $6,000
- -
- HearWiki score
- 88
- Not scored
- Released
- 2017
- 2026
- Driver
- planar magnetic
- dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 6 Hz - 75 kHz
- -
- Sound signature
- neutral
- -
- Impedance
- 60 Ω
- -
- Bluetooth
- -
- 5.3
- Battery life (ANC on)
- -
- 20 h
- Active noise cancelling
- -
- Yes
- Transparency mode
- -
- Yes
- Companion app
- -
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Controls
- -
- both
- Voice assistant
- -
- Siri
- Weight
- 450 g
- 386.2 g
- Case weight
- -
- 134.5 g
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
- Balanced connection
- Yes
- -
- Microphones
- -
- 9
- Microphone type
- -
- MEMS
- Call noise reduction
- -
- 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
t+a AirPods Max 2
No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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