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HIFIMAN Susvara vs Meze Audio Elite

Both are planar magnetic open-back headphones.

The Elite is 17 g lighter, at 433 g against 450 g.

The Susvara needs 18 dB more power to reach a loud 110 dB peak, so it asks more of the amplifier.

The Elite lists for $2,000 less.

HIFIMANSusvara

$6,000

$4,000

Side by side

SusvaraElite
Driver
Planar magnetic
Planar magnetic
Diaphragm
Nanometer Grade film under 1 micrometer thick, gold-coated conductor
Rinaro Parus MZ3SE ultra-thin polymer film, 0.11 g
Driver size
Not published
102 x 73 mm ovoid, 4,650 mm² active area
Enclosure
Open-back
Open-back
Weight
450 g
433 g
Elite is 17 g lighter
Impedance
60 ohms
32 ohms
Sensitivity
83 dB
101 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz
Power for 110 dB
501 mW, 5.48 V
7.94 mW, 0.50 V
Susvara needs 18 dB more
Drive
Demanding
Easy to drive
Frequency response
6 Hz – 75 kHz
3 Hz – 112 kHz
Made in
China
Romania
Released
2017
2021
List price
$6,000
$4,000
Elite is $2,000 less
Materials
WoodLeatherEngineered films
Carbon fibreAluminiumLeather
Both use leather

From each maker’s published figures; sources are on each headphone’s page. Power for 110 dB is worked out from sensitivity and impedance.

Amplifiers that drive both

How the matching works

Each of these has 10 dB or more in reserve above a loud 110 dB peak on both headphones, so one amplifier serves either.

Build a setup with the Susvara →Build a setup with the Elite →

Where to buy the Susvara

List $6,000

Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works

Where to buy the Elite

List $4,000

Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works

More head to head