HiFiMan - A Contronym - A Story Retold

@jsalerno277 - you can't really audition a Modhouse unless you buy one from somebody nearby, used. They're made to order and sold directly. And there's like a year waiting list; I got mine a lot sooner as I got the Modhouse/Enleum package. 

@larsman Never auditioned a Modhouse product.  Reviews look like excellent SQ and build, but boy, only a 78 dB sensitivity, harder to drive than the Susvera and HE6SE.  My Burmester 032 Integrated has a headphone amp up to the task, but many listeners would not.  

@jsalerno277 - I also recently got Modhouse Tungsten DS. Those are a different kettle of fish from the Susvaras altogether, but I like them equally. 

@larsman You have a state of the art set of cans.   I love their detail and clarity while maintaining a liquid and un-etched treble.  Their timbre is true and bass and dynamics very good.  The treble response is where I have issue with their newer models -a little to up for me, except for maybe the Ananda.  I just do not wish to make such a large spend on the Susvara. While my HE6s are less detailed and are a bit darker sounding, and do not stage as well, they have a similarly flat frequency balance and true timbre.  So I will live with there cosmetic quality problems and enjoy the music they reproduce.  You are also spot on with build quality.  While the Susvara is much improved over other models, especially mine, it is still not to the level of Meze, Focal, or Audeze.  

I've got Hifiman Susvara, and while their sound is superb, I've never liked the design of Hifiman cans, especially that cheap headband mechanism. I sure wish they made something that sounded that good that had the look and feel of Meze Empyrion or Elite. 

@freediver  Glad your experience is good.  I also had the 400i.  The headband yoke broke within two weeks.  A replacement, upgraded part was provided under warranty.  The replacement had a metal insert.   Point - design and parts quality issue.  No issue with customer service then.  I had earbuds that were well received in the press.  I  do not remember the model.  Cost 0ver $200. Wire was thin and subject to kinking, fraying, and separation from the buds.  I had to have them repaired within 4 months.  It happened again within a year of ownership.  I canned the cans.  Went to another brand with exemplary SQ and build quality. Ear-pads on both the 400i and HE6SE V2 had design, assembly and manufacturing issue.  Cheap materials, uneven glueing, uneven stitching, casing separation from the plastic attachment and at seams.  Went to Dekoni and never looked back.  HE6SE V2 cable is an embarrassment with the 400i better not by much.  Went to an aftermarket cable.  But their driver design and SQ is excellent to my ears, so I put up with the issues.   Post was venting about poor customer service.  The replacement headband for the HE6 is available but they will not sell one to me.  They only will offer a trade on one of their newer models which will require me to spend more.  As I said, for now an aftermarket cover and then a strap style replacement.  

Well I've sold 2 pair(HE400i & Sundara 2020) & still have 2 pair(Ananda Nano & Deva Pro) & never had a single even small problem with them..As with anything consumer related,some times there are issues,some times there aren't..