HiFiMAN Susvara User manual

SUSVARA
Owner’s Guide
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A Decade of Planar Renaissance
HE6
HE500
Symmetrical
Magnetic Circuit &
Gold-coated Diaphragm
High Efficiency
Diaphragm
Asymmetrical
Magnetic Circuit
HE400
High Efficiency
Stealth Magnets &
Nanometer Grade, Gold-coated
Diaphragm
HE4
HE560
Single-sided
Magnets
HE1000
Advanced Asymmetrical
Magnetic Circuit
SUSVARA
HE5LE
Edition X
HE400S
HE5
2015
2010
2010
2011
2012
2009
2014
2016
2017
2015
HE400i 2014
HIFIMAN is proudly celebrating its first decade and noting here
its many milestones in those first ten years.
Though the company’s first product was a landmark portable
player, HIFIMAN is best known for its high performance, full-size
headphones utilizing planar magnetic technology. Though this
technology wasn’t new when HIFIMAN began its journey, it did
present significant challenges to headphone designers. Planar
headphones were heavy, uncomfortable and very inefficient
requiring large amplifiers that didn’t readily exist at the time.
HIFIMAN met those challenges head on and began designing
headphones that not only sounded amazing but pushed at the
boundaries of what was possible from a planar magnetic
headphone. For example, the Edition X V2 is so efficient it can be
driven by a smartphone. That was unthinkable just a few years
ago. This development trend steadily continues to today where
the planar has stylish headphones that combine best-in-class
sonic performance with sublime comfort.
"I give a lot of credit to HIFIMAN for the renaissance we're now
seeing in high-end headphones, and in particular for the recent
resurgence of interest in planar magnetic headphones. Fang
Bian has done a great deal to advance the art of headphone
sound."
Brent Butterworth
Renowned Audio Writer
2011

Table of Contents
The Stealth Magnets
05-08
Message from the Founder
01-02
The “Window Shade” System
13-14
The Nanometer Grade Diaphragm
11-12
The Headband
15-16
The Cables
17-18
The Ear Pads
19-20
Technical Data
21-22
Headband Adjustment & Replacing Ear Pads
27
Amplifier Requirements
23-24
Care and Maintenance
28
HIFIMAN Limited Warranty
29-30

SUSVARA Owner’s Guide 01 02 SUSVARA Owner’s Guide
Thank you for your purchase of a HIFIMAN product. We take
great pride in offering audio products that provide best-in-class
performance and value.
Though it seems like only yesterday when I started HIFIMAN as
a passionate audiophile, we just finished our first decade in
business and eagerly look forward to an exciting future. The
company has grown rapidly and the HIFIMAN brand has become
one of the most respected in the industry.
Even with our success, the one thing that has not changed is my
passion for music and creating products that help recreate that
live experience. Now, I am joined by many others in the company
who share my passion and in turn, we humbly share that with
you.
Thank you again for your purchase. I hope you will find this guide
useful in learning about your product which will help you enjoy
countless hours of listening pleasure.
Happy listening,
Message from the Founder
Dr. Fang Bian,
Founder and CEO
Fang

Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg

The latest innovation in the world of planar magnetic headphones is
the development of a new design of magnet. We have called these
“Stealth Magnets” after the core principle of anything stealth, to be as
invisible as possible. Thus, the advanced magnet design used for the
first time on the SUSVARA aims to be as acoustically transparent, or
invisible as possible. In traditional designs the magnets get in the way
of the sound waves, by reflection and diffraction. This creates
constructive and destructive interference and as these points shift
with frequency changes there is a mass of wave interference taking
place.
The use of “Stealth Magnets” on the SUSVARA means the sound wave
reproduction can take place without the necessary magnets getting in
their own way ruining the sonic purity of their output.
The Stealth Magnets
SUSVARA Owner’s Guide 05 06 SUSVARA Owner’s Guide

A conventional dynamic driver’s frequency response can be altered
due to distortions and vibrations across the diaphragm surface.
Degradation of sound quality in a conventional planar magnetic
headphone is caused by the magnets getting in the way of the sound
wave.
Unlike the sound waves created by a conventional magnet, the
special shape of stealth magnet of SUSVARA enables the waves to
pass through the magnet without generating interference.
Conventional electrostatic headphone sees degradation of sound
quality caused by the stator's interference.
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SUSVARA Owner’s Guide 07 08 SUSVARA Owner’s Guide
The Technology Under the Grill

Wiener Staatsoper

SUSVARA Owner’s Guide 11 12 SUSVARA Owner’s Guide
The Nanometer Grade Diaphragm
HIFIMAN has been researching and developing Nanometer Grade
diaphragms for many years, this core technology has been further
refined in the design of SUSVARA. The production, processing and
installation of diaphragm materials is highly complex. The drivers of
extremely high tensile strength and low thickness and mass means it
can produce tremendously low distortion levels yet offer an
outstanding dynamic response. This, while difficult, can be achieved at
the same time by combining this diaphragm and “Stealth Magnet”
technology. Each working in harmony for an end result where the
audio produced is of a remarkable tonal quality and clarity.
Compared to conventional dynamic drivered headphones, planar
magnetic headphones have solved problems such as surface
distortion of high frequency audio and the lingering vibrations in a
dynamic loudspeaker. HIFIMAN has further improved the efficiency by
the use of the nanometer grade diaphragm in the drivers.
The thickness of the SUSVARA’s diaphragm is under a millionth of a
meter. This light, high tensile strength material with the acoustically
invisible “Stealth Magnets” are a perfect sound producing pairing. We
have had to select from numerous prototype designs and production
methods and find the best-sounding materials without regard to cost.
As the successor to the HE6, the SUSVARA also uses a gold coating
conductor on its diaphragm.

SUSVARA Owner’s Guide 13 14 SUSVARA Owner’s Guide
The “Window Shade” System
The outer grill has been carefully designed to offer the physical
protection required yet to have as minimal an acoustic impact as
possible. The open backed nature of the SUSVARA means that
physical protection of the driver inside is necessary but it creates
unwanted relfections. How do you stop the wave reflections from the
protective grill creating wave interference? The answer was found in
the careful crafting of the grill such that the secondary reflections
caused are exactly controlled to avoid any unwanted vibrations
reaching the delicate diaphragm. Thus the most detailed acoustic
subtleties can remain unhindered to offer a perfectly natural sense of
space and openness.
The “Window Shade” on the SUSVARA has been painstakingly
optimized to avoid any resonant frequencies. This leads to superior
aural purity, tonally clean and unadulterated yet provides practical
protection for the ultra-fine diaphragm and additional offering an
appealing visual aesthetic.

SUSVARA Owner’s Guide 15 16 SUSVARA Owner’s Guide
The Headband
Ergonomic and comfortable headband is designed to
fit for most people, with greater reliability and
durability.
The metal headband structure is created via
CNC milling and hand polishing. To adjust the
headband, simply move each ear cup up or
down until the top of the headband rests
comfortably on your head and the ear
cups surround your ears.

SUSVARA Owner’s Guide 17 18 SUSVARA Owner’s Guide
The Cables
The cable configuration used for the SUSVARA is a single crystalline
copper wire alongside a single crystalline silver wire. A special
composition ratio and quantity of the materials have ensured low
resistance in the signal transmission and high mechanical strength
for daily use which should ensure a long and fruitful existence.
The cables are all user swappable and have channel orientation for
left and right marked. Further an “L” and “R” are indicated inside the
headband. Once the cable is connected to the correct channel
orientation, an easy way to tell left from right is that the cable is
connected slightly towards the front of the ear cup. The cable then
should gently drape across the user’s chest for greater comfort.

The Ear Pads
The elegant asymmetry of the ear pads on the
SUSVARA conforms round the human ear,
comfortably distributing the weight evenly yet
offering a secure and sound grip. The pads
themselves are gently bevelled, contouring and
moulding to the users head thus providing
superb comfort for long listening sessions.
SUSVARA Owner’s Guide 19 20 SUSVARA Owner’s Guide

SUSVARA Owner’s Guide 21 22 SUSVARA Owner’s Guide
Specifications
Technical Data
(1) Pair of headphone
(1) 3m headphone cable (4-pin XLR plug)
(1) 3m headphone cable (6.35mm plug)
(1) Pair of ear pads (mounted on headphone)
(1) Owner’s Guide
Package Contents
Frequency Response: 6Hz-75kHz
Impedance: 60ΩSensitivity: 83dB
Weight: 450g (15.9oz)

Amplifier Requirements
The SUSVARA is a low sensitivity headphone meaning it will require
more than average amplifier power to drive it properly. Matching the
SUSVARA to a high quality and potent amplifier is critical to allowing
it to reach its fullest potential. To aid users in finding a perfectly
complimentary amplifier we have developed the EF1000 in
conjunction with the SUSVARA, possessing both tremendous power
output and exceptional sound quality. We believe the EF1000 is the
perfect complementary amplifier to the SUSVARA.
Further information can be found on our website at www.hifiman.com
SUSVARA Owner’s Guide
23
24 SUSVARA Owner’s Guide

Metropolitan Opera,New York

Planar headphones benefit from break-in to achieve optimum
performance. Usually this takes up to 150 hours however there is
nothing special you need to do other than enjoy your headphones.
Wipe the surfaces (ear pads, cups) with a microfiber cloth and store
the headphone in a dry, cool and safe place (away from dust, heat,
humidity, sunlight, younger kids and pets if possible.) For the
headband, wipe it periodically to remove any dust.
Do not expose the headphone to excessive heat or cold
temperatures.
Do not use any headphone while driving or operating machinery.
Do not use volatile substances alcohol, acetone, gasoline or dish
deterg ent to clean the headphone.
Care and Maintenance
To help fit the headphone to your head, you may use the two
adjustment blocks to change the position of the headband strap to
better accommodate your head.
Headband Adjustment
To remove the ear pads, locate the clips on the inside of the pad, and
use two fingers to gently bend them in and slip them out. To install
new pads, simply align the ear pad with the mounting ring, and gently
bend the clips so they slot in their appropriate locations.
Replacing Ear Pads
①
②
③
SUSVARA
Thick Thin
SUSVARA Owner’s Guide
27
28 SUSVARA Owner’s Guide

HIFIMAN warrants this product to be free of defects in material or
workmanship for a period of three years from the date of original retail
purchase. If your product is found to be defective during the warranty
period, HIFIMAN will, at its sole option, either repair the product or
replace the product with a new or factory reconditioned or
substantially equivalent model. This limited warranty does not apply
to any defects attributable to damage beyond the reasonable control
of HIFIMAN including damage caused by abuse, misuse,
misapplication or modifications performed by anyone other than
HIFIMAN.
If your product is under warranty and problem appears, please
contact HIFIMAN customer service or your authorised dealer. If
necessary, and at our discretion, we will provide a warranty repair or
replacement of your product.
Caution: do not disassemble or modify the product in any way.
Tampering with or modifying your HIFIMAN product will void its
warranty.
This Limited Warranty does not apply to:
1. Defective or discolored parts if the damages are caused by fluids,
dirt or improper use.
2. Damage caused by misuse with another product.
3. Use of the product for other than its normal intended use, including,
without limitation, failure to use the product in accordance with the
supplied “Owner’s Guide”
4. Damage caused by accident, abuse, neglect or misuse.
5. If you do not have a valid dated receipt showing proof of purchase.
HIFIMAN Limited Warranty
6. Damage caused by services/repairs or other modifications to the
system carried out by anyone other than HIFIMAN or an authorised
HIFIMAN distributor or dealer.
7. Damage caused by self-repair or if the unit has been disassembled
or modified in any way. HIFIMAN greatly desires your satisfaction and
will do everything reasonable to achieve that. If you have any
questions or concerns with your product, simply contact your
authorised dealer or HIFIMAN directly (if purchased from us) and
explain the issue in detail. Should a return be required, a RA# will be
issued. Return shipping to HIFIMAN or authorized service facility will
be at the owner’s expense.
The warranty applies to the first purchaser and is not transferable.
Should you need warranty service please contact your authorized
HIFIMAN dealer. Or email us directly at [email protected]
SUSVARA Owner’s Guide 29 30 SUSVARA Owner’s Guide

Bayerische Staatsoper