SIVGA Oriole
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You can read the SIVGA Oriole review together with the usual disclaimers in my website.
Build quality and appearance
The headphone housing is made of natural high-density rosewood, which is the first choice for musical instruments, as it makes stable and outstanding sound quality. The wood is processed by CNC machining and then made by many manual processes such as sanding, polishing, painting and natural air drying. The surface of the wood housing has a high gloss piano paint finish with a laser engraved logo of the brand and is available in dark or light brown. The color and the texture of each headphone is unique due to the use of wood so each one has its own distinctive looks. The metal parts are well made and they have a high quality finish, black for the dark brown cups and silver for the light brown. Build quality is really excellent, the headphone is sturdy and well made, the headband is carefully stitched and assembled while the adjustment is smooth and noise free. The Oriole has a luxurious feeling, it is beautiful looking with a classic yet modern appearance that can suit many different lifestyles.
Wearing comfort
The Oriole is lightweight, it weighs only 280g and thanks for the comfortable headband you can use it for many hours long.
The ear-cups rotate and swivel while the detachable ear-pads are soft and filled with memory foam but their diameter is marginally enough to fully fit a larger ear so there is the chance that you might feel some pressure points at the outer perimeter of your ears.
The closed back design of the Sivga Oriole doesn't help with heat and sweat management but it offers great passive noise attenuation.
Cable
The Sivga Oriole features a detachable cable with 2.5mm sockets that are not as popular as 3.5mm so finding an aftermarket cable will not be so easy and you will have to order a custom one. And you are definitely going to need one because the included cable, albeit being of decent quality with a fabric sheathing, is extremely microphonic and very noisy if you move around. A better designed cable should have been included because this one ruins the whole listening experience, especially when we consider that the headphone is made mostly for use on the go.
Accessories
The headphone comes packed in a cardboard box that includes the cable, a 6.35mm audio adapter and a hemp carrying pouch.
Power requirements and associated gear
The Sivga Oriole has a 32Ω impedance with 108dB of sensitivity so it is very easy to drive from all portable sources.
You can use USB DAC dongles like the iBasso DC03 Pro or the FiiO KA5 but don't feel afraid to experiment with something better, like the EarMen TR-Amp or the Chord Mojo 2, because the headphone scales pretty well.
Listening impressions
I usually don't sympathize with closed back headphones, especially entry level ones, because most of them have a sound signature that is too colored and are usually lacking in technicalities. This time was different though as the Sivga Oriole positively surprised me with its mostly balanced and even tuning. It has satisfying sub-bass extension and an almost neutral bass response without too much of a mid-bass emphasis so it doesn't bleed into the mids and the lower register separation is well defined. The tuning is tonally accurate and well suited for classical music and any other genre where a natural tonality is desired while at the same time the Sivga Oriole can sound equally satisfying and fun with all other kinds of music but without exaggerating in the bass department. Technicalities are also good for the category and a headphone that is not designed for stationary critical listening.
The bass is quite tight and controlled, full bodied and weighty, without too much of a cup reverb, spatial echo or boxiness. It seems that the three holes that are located at the upper part of the ear-cups are acting as venting ports. It is also fast, well defined and sufficiently layered with natural recovery while it is impressively dynamic and impactful.
The mid-range tuning is mostly even despite some recession at its lower portion and an upper-mids emphasis that is not too much to become harsh or piercing. Transparency and clarity are better than someone would expect and the overall presentation is musical, fun and organic with a natural timbre and good sense of realism. Vocals and instruments are well articulated, they have a solid foundation and plenty of harmonic wealth, the Oriole sounds mildly sweet and warm with a very satisfying level of engagement factor. The Sivga Oriole is good for listening to popular tunes but is also equally capable when things get more serious with classical music.
The treble is crisp and lively with plenty of detail retrieval and clarity, the headphone is fast and energetic but the overall tuning is quite safe without alarming peaks that could lead to brightness and cause listener fatigue. Don't expect maximum transparency or resolution not the last word in refinement but what I like is that the timbre is quite natural without much artificiality or metallic hue and the treble texture is as weighty and full bodied as on the bass and the mids.
Another striking feature of the Sivga Oriole is its open sounding character, the soundstage gets fairly expanded and spacious, especially for a closed back headphone, with good positioning accuracy. The presentation though, is mostly flat without too much of a depth layering and holography but this is a bit of unfair observation for the headphone, given its price point, and at the end what it matters the most is that the Sivga Oriole is not claustrophobic and it never becomes congested at all even with stress tests like Bruckner's 7th symphony.
In the end
The Sivga Oriole was a positive surprise as it proved to be a well tuned headphone with a balanced sound signature and good technicalities for the category. It is also beautiful looking, very well made, lightweight and comfortable so it gets highly recommended in case you are looking for a headphone suitable for casual and more critical listening both for home and outdoor use.
Test playlist
Copyright - Petros Laskis 2023.
Build quality and appearance
The headphone housing is made of natural high-density rosewood, which is the first choice for musical instruments, as it makes stable and outstanding sound quality. The wood is processed by CNC machining and then made by many manual processes such as sanding, polishing, painting and natural air drying. The surface of the wood housing has a high gloss piano paint finish with a laser engraved logo of the brand and is available in dark or light brown. The color and the texture of each headphone is unique due to the use of wood so each one has its own distinctive looks. The metal parts are well made and they have a high quality finish, black for the dark brown cups and silver for the light brown. Build quality is really excellent, the headphone is sturdy and well made, the headband is carefully stitched and assembled while the adjustment is smooth and noise free. The Oriole has a luxurious feeling, it is beautiful looking with a classic yet modern appearance that can suit many different lifestyles.
Wearing comfort
The Oriole is lightweight, it weighs only 280g and thanks for the comfortable headband you can use it for many hours long.
The ear-cups rotate and swivel while the detachable ear-pads are soft and filled with memory foam but their diameter is marginally enough to fully fit a larger ear so there is the chance that you might feel some pressure points at the outer perimeter of your ears.
The closed back design of the Sivga Oriole doesn't help with heat and sweat management but it offers great passive noise attenuation.
Cable
The Sivga Oriole features a detachable cable with 2.5mm sockets that are not as popular as 3.5mm so finding an aftermarket cable will not be so easy and you will have to order a custom one. And you are definitely going to need one because the included cable, albeit being of decent quality with a fabric sheathing, is extremely microphonic and very noisy if you move around. A better designed cable should have been included because this one ruins the whole listening experience, especially when we consider that the headphone is made mostly for use on the go.
Accessories
The headphone comes packed in a cardboard box that includes the cable, a 6.35mm audio adapter and a hemp carrying pouch.
Power requirements and associated gear
The Sivga Oriole has a 32Ω impedance with 108dB of sensitivity so it is very easy to drive from all portable sources.
You can use USB DAC dongles like the iBasso DC03 Pro or the FiiO KA5 but don't feel afraid to experiment with something better, like the EarMen TR-Amp or the Chord Mojo 2, because the headphone scales pretty well.
Listening impressions
I usually don't sympathize with closed back headphones, especially entry level ones, because most of them have a sound signature that is too colored and are usually lacking in technicalities. This time was different though as the Sivga Oriole positively surprised me with its mostly balanced and even tuning. It has satisfying sub-bass extension and an almost neutral bass response without too much of a mid-bass emphasis so it doesn't bleed into the mids and the lower register separation is well defined. The tuning is tonally accurate and well suited for classical music and any other genre where a natural tonality is desired while at the same time the Sivga Oriole can sound equally satisfying and fun with all other kinds of music but without exaggerating in the bass department. Technicalities are also good for the category and a headphone that is not designed for stationary critical listening.
The bass is quite tight and controlled, full bodied and weighty, without too much of a cup reverb, spatial echo or boxiness. It seems that the three holes that are located at the upper part of the ear-cups are acting as venting ports. It is also fast, well defined and sufficiently layered with natural recovery while it is impressively dynamic and impactful.
The mid-range tuning is mostly even despite some recession at its lower portion and an upper-mids emphasis that is not too much to become harsh or piercing. Transparency and clarity are better than someone would expect and the overall presentation is musical, fun and organic with a natural timbre and good sense of realism. Vocals and instruments are well articulated, they have a solid foundation and plenty of harmonic wealth, the Oriole sounds mildly sweet and warm with a very satisfying level of engagement factor. The Sivga Oriole is good for listening to popular tunes but is also equally capable when things get more serious with classical music.
The treble is crisp and lively with plenty of detail retrieval and clarity, the headphone is fast and energetic but the overall tuning is quite safe without alarming peaks that could lead to brightness and cause listener fatigue. Don't expect maximum transparency or resolution not the last word in refinement but what I like is that the timbre is quite natural without much artificiality or metallic hue and the treble texture is as weighty and full bodied as on the bass and the mids.
Another striking feature of the Sivga Oriole is its open sounding character, the soundstage gets fairly expanded and spacious, especially for a closed back headphone, with good positioning accuracy. The presentation though, is mostly flat without too much of a depth layering and holography but this is a bit of unfair observation for the headphone, given its price point, and at the end what it matters the most is that the Sivga Oriole is not claustrophobic and it never becomes congested at all even with stress tests like Bruckner's 7th symphony.
In the end
The Sivga Oriole was a positive surprise as it proved to be a well tuned headphone with a balanced sound signature and good technicalities for the category. It is also beautiful looking, very well made, lightweight and comfortable so it gets highly recommended in case you are looking for a headphone suitable for casual and more critical listening both for home and outdoor use.
Test playlist
Copyright - Petros Laskis 2023.
Sivga oriole
Sivga oriole:
instagram: @mataudiophiles
Prelude:
I have known the sivga brand for a long time. After all, it is thanks to the great position of the v21 robin model. I will not get a better position for PLN 650, however, taking into account the specific character and tuning on the L plan with a boosted bass, I was happy to grab a slightly more expensive position, which is the oriole model. Promising foldable shells and greater sonic balance. At the same time, care was taken to preserve the timeless design and beautiful wooden housings.
Unboxing:
In this respect, minimalism still reigns, which is actually quite good. For the price of PLN 999, full compatibility with the v21 model has been maintained. We have the same pads, the same cable and the same fabric pouch and adapter for a large jack. I immediately encourage you to replace the cable with a balanced one, because the conical one is what it is. He’s not bad, but he’s far from good. So much for the contents of the black package.
Sound:
Moving on to what is equally important, i.e. the way the music is presented, you can immediately notice a much greater tonal balance than in the v21.
Bass: It is clear and felt, but much more balanced and balanced than in the previous model. It spills less, but its spectacularity has also been toned down. In the case of pop, instrumental music or jazz, this is a very good treatment. It translates into a great tonal balance and excellent spatiality of the sound. Personally, I really like this presentation, it is more linear and balanced, which allows you to enjoy the sound to a greater extent.
Midrange: The mids are close to neutral and natural, are well realized and noticeably closer than in the v21 model. Here, the resolution and detail of vocals and instruments are a huge plus. The main difference from the V21, however, is the placement of the vocals on the bass line, which translates into a great effect. If you’re looking for a fairly linear sound, you’ll find it here. It will also not be boring and lifeless, fans of musicality will certainly not miss it in this model. Bass that is bouncy and full complements the presentation perfectly.
Treble: They are present and clear, Although they are not as extended as in the case of robins, they are still great and resolved. For many people who do not like excessively accentuated treble, such a presentation is closer to the ideal. The instruments sound a bit warmer than in the predecessor, which is an interesting and pleasant effect.
soundstage:
Thanks to greater linearity, we do not have such a sense of depth here as in the robins, but we still have a wide and resolved sound. These are headphones that focus on width, not depth. Which is not a bad effect, and certainly not at this price. This translates into a pleasant end result, communing with equipment from a much higher price shelf. The headphones themselves gain quite a lot with more powerful sources, but they are not overly demanding and a mid-range dongle or a slightly better amplifier is enough. Here they perfectly matched with xDuoo XD05pro and iBasso DX170.
Comparison:
Sivga oriole (PLN 999) VS SIVGA ROBIN (PLN 750)
As I mentioned in the previous words, the Oriols sound much more even, less sharp in the treble and less aggressive, but the Robins have more depth and a more entertaining and light character. Both models are great dynamic earmuffs at a great price, but it’s all about our individual preferences.
Sivga oriole (PLN 999) vs Hifiman He400 SE (PLN 599)
Here the matter is not so obvious because we have two completely different models of headphones, on the one hand closed, beautifully made and dynamic oriole and on the other the legendary he400se with an open design. The Oriol are much easier to drive and more linear, on the other hand, the he400se have more space and, above all, a total lack of isolation. The HE400s also require a really powerful amplifier, and the Oriols are much more liberal in this matter.
Summary:
Orioles are really surprising headphones with above-average aesthetics and excellent workmanship. They impress with their extraordinary linearity and pleasant resolution. They have less depth than their predecessor, but at the same time they control the treble better. As for the price of PLN 999, it is a great proposition worth every zloty spent. On the downside, the depth is somewhat limited, but the great resolution and natural sound go far beyond the price we will have to pay. All this puts this model very high. If you’re looking for a fun and smooth gaming experience, this is where you’ll find it. If you want a strong and entertaining V, reach for V21.
Test Materials:
Equipment used for the review includes xDuoo xp2pro, xp2bal, poke II. Oriolus 1795s, Qudelix 5k, iBasso dx170, dc04pro, dc03, Dunu DTC500, xDuoo ta01b, xDuoo mu601, mt602. The music is songs from tidal, apple music and own files.
Sivga Orioles are Sivga’s newest closed-back headphones. They are priced at 238$ on their Aliexpress store and 199$ on Amazon. I don’t understand why they list them differently but it is what it is. You can also read the full review along with our other reviews at mobileaudiophile.com.
Disclaimers
Without boring you too much, I don’t necessarily have a sound preference. I tend to enjoy different sound profiles as long as they do well at what they intend to do. I try to be critic in my reviews but I might be somewhat biased one way or another (Recency bias, buyer’s bias etc.). Please keep these in mind. Also, I bought Sivga Orioles as well as other headphones mentioned here with my own money. If a unit I reviewed is given or loaned to me in the future, I will say so here.Build, Comfort and Trivia
Sivga Orioles are my third pair of Sivga headphones I owned and reviewed (you can also check out my Sivga Phoenix and 021 Robin Reviews). I might as well become a Sivga reviewer altogether. Orioles build is almost exactly the same with 021 Robins with just a few differences. They are like 021 Robins, built with wood, leather and metal. Again, they are extremely comfortable, though 021s were just a bit more comfortable, at least for me. This time yolks can swivel and lay flat on your desk. In the box, they only included 1.6m long single ended cable with fabric coating, 6.35mm jack adapter and a hemp carrying pouch as accessories, just like 021 Robins.
Sound
Sivga Orioles have a relatively mature sound with good technicalities. There are a few things that can still be improved but after 021 Robins, I’m very impressed but them.Bass
Orioles have a tight and controlled bass. Surprisingly they are not too bassy and there is a clear cut between mid-bass and lower mids to prevent bleeding. It is not the most natural implementation and you definitely feel something lacking, especially when bass guitars are played. On the other hand, when drums or electronic music is played, they hit hard enough. Bass extend deep into the subbass and have good rumble. Transience is good, not too fast not too slow, though I wouldn’t complain if it was faster.Mids
Mids are the strongest suit of the Orioles. Upper mids, around 2.5 k is a little emphasized but I didn’t find vocals particularly shouty or harsh. In fact, I quite like it but I’m sure not everyone is a fan. Orioles are not particularly sibilant headphones but occasionally they can get sibilant and splashy depending on the song and the recording.Treble
Treble on Orioles is kind of a mixed bag, although lower treble is close to neutral and not overly harsh, above 10k is emphasized a lot. It brings planar-like air and sizzle. This airy presentation is mostly something to look forward to but can also get tiring after a few hours of listening, especially if you are sensitive to treble. Other than that, it helps with the detail, clarity and makes them feel airy. They didn’t feel too splashy most of the time.Technical Performance
Orioles surprised me with their technical performance to be honest. After being kind of let down by 021 Robins, I wasn’t expecting much but these are really great performers, especially for their price range. Detail level is very good, this time more mature tuning doesn’t hold them back. I’m not sure if the driver is the same with 021 Robins but they surely perform better here. Timbre is although pretty good, not entirely natural. Perceived sound stage is decent and Imaging is very good. For more context, check out the comparisons.
Quick Comparisons
Sivga Oriole vs. Sivga Robin
They have pretty much the same build and the same accessories. Headbands are exactly the same except Orioles’ yolks can swivel 180 degrees and lay flat. Both are very comfortable but Robins are more comfortable with their plush memory foam pads and they can accommodate larger heads and ears. Cables are also the same. They both come with fabric sheathed microphonic cable, 3.5 mm to 6.35 mm jack adapter and a hemp pouch.Orioles are an improvement over Robins almost in every way. Robins sound thicker, muddier and splashier. Robins don’t have the bass tuck that Orioles have but they have somewhat recessed mids. Compared to Robins, Orioles have forward mids especially in the upper mids region. They both extend very good into the subbass but Orioles have more satisfying impact. Robins feel mushier compared to that.
Female vocals sound much better on Orioles. But they can get sibilant a tad more easily. Male vocals on the other hand, seem to get sibilant earlier on Robins. Male vocals have more body on Robins but bassier passages tend to mask vocals so I again liked the Orioles presentation better.
Lower treble is more emphasized on Robins and this causes them to sound splashier. But upper trebles are more or less the same. Both are very airy but also can get fatiguing with harsh recordings.
Imaging is a little blurry on Robins, Orioles’s imaging is slightly better. Perceived soundstage feels a little wider on Robins thanks to recessed mids but difference is not very big. Orioles are noticeably more detailed and resolving. Timbre is significantly better on Orioles. I’m not sure if they both have the same drivers but even if they do, inferior tonality on Robins affect the technical performance too.
Sivga Oriole vs. Fostex TH610
TH610s have a warm neutral tonality with a bit of spice in the treble region. Orioles have noticeably warmer tonality. Buildwise I’d say Orioles give more confidence. I’ve heard horror stories about the yolks of the Fostex headbands breaking. TH610s are slightly harder to drive but still quite easily driven.Bass is much more emphasized and impactful on Orioles. Although TH610s have decent extension in the subbass, Orioles are much more pronounced in this region.
Recession between midbass and lower mids kind of messes up bass guitars also also male vocals on Orioles. They take a step back compared to TH610s. Upper mids are more forward on Orioles, compared to that TH610s again sound more natural and it also helps them to sound wider with female vocals.
Lower treble is similar on both headphones. They both can get sibilant with female vocals. But upper treble is more relaxed on TH610s without sacrificing air. They still feel airy and not as fatiguing as Orioles.
TH610s feels fresher and more open. They have a more natural presentation. Also, imaging is more precise on TH610s. Unsurprisingly in all technical aspects TH610s are superior. They are more resolving, more detailed, sound clearer and have better timbre.
Conclusion
Like I said earlier, I was pleasantly surprised by Sivga Orioles. They are a significant improvement over their own 021 Robins. While warm signature lovers might still prefer Robins over Orioles, personally I can’t find any reason to, except maybe slightly better comfort on Robins. 50$ price increase is justified in this case. Also I compared them to my TH610s just to see how far they have come and the lack of a big difference kind of frightened me. Probably with better drivers and more attention to tuning they might catch up to other wooden headphone manufacturers like Fostexes and Denons sooner than we all thought. I can’t wait to see the day when headphone companies, like IEM market, are forced to compete with budget alternatives.
Sivga Oriole ($199): Does the Sivga sing like an Oriole?
Oriole
Intro: Numerous Sivga models have come our way of late. All have had impeccable build construction, with many bordering on fanatical while gorgeous in look. Made of classic rosewood, also seen on the SV021, the looks cannot be questioned.
Having Sendy in their fold as well, Sivga has produced some of the top mid-fi headphones of late. The SV023 is currently one of my favorites in its price category, and the Oriole follows on the heels of that success. With the Oriole, it seems Sivga is trying to catch the lower end of “Budget-mid-fi” headphones, and if the look is anything to gauge it by, they are off to a good start.
Four stars: 1/2 taken off for the microphonics in the cable, and another 1/2 star for no case.
Specs:
In The Box:
Gear used/tested:
Thinksound OV21 ($399)
Astell & Kern ACRO CA1000 ($2200)
Songs:
Joey Alexander
Monty Alexander
Green Day
Celia Cruz
Others
Unboxing:
Coming in a thinner black box than previous models, there is an air of portability about the Oriole, not had in the other models from SIVGA. Gone is the typical form-fitting hard case, replaced by a hemp carrying bag. The front and back of the box are highlighted with silver lettering of the headphones on front and specs on back. Protected by soft foam, with cutouts for the headphones, the Oriole is well protected. In the case. I for one would invest in some sort of case, especially with the looks. A 6.35mm adaptor is also included.
Build:
Everything about the Oriole says “quality.” There is a subdued upscale look to it, which I can guarantee by design. The brown-bronzish yoke and stanchion meld perfectly with the brown color of the Rosewood cups. More industrial in shape than previous headphones from the marque, but still a looker. I will add that these are also the first ones to show fingerprints after use. Three vent holes help prevent driver flex when putting the units on as well as help control the low end.
The headband has decent thickness to protect the cranial matter, and white stitching on top. The “L” & “R” on both the stanchion and headphone cable jacks are of the same creamy white as well. The ear cups are on the smaller side, but I still found the fit good, even with the foam inside leather cups; which were on the softer side. Ear cups are replaceable, but have that silly “lip,” which holds them in place. I know these are traditional, and the way of many high-end headphones, but they really are a pain to get seated. Thankfully, these are better than most.
The cable is all of 2.0m long, and on the thinner side. No tangling was had, but there was a fair amount of microphonics down to the Y-splitter. You can change the cable with standard 3.5mm jacks on each cup, so the possibility of removing said microphonics is there.
Overall, everything has a premium look to it, which is what we have come to expect from Sivga.
Sound:
Summary:
The Oriole comes across with a good grunt down low but is a little loose. A quicker decay would tighten that up nicely. Mids come across as smooth and fairly detailed, with good weight to them, without becoming muddy or convoluted. Treble note extends the reach of notes with good air, but not great. There is a bit of sparkle, without it becoming grating as well. Not overly expansive as a result, I like the tune of the Oriole.
Moar:
Playing “Questions...?” from Taylor Swift’s excellent Midnights album, the bass runs deep and fairly taut. On this particular song, the slower decay helps expand the listening time as we move from note to note; giving an excellent foundation to the song. It is smooth with good resonation at the same time. There is even a bit of rumble, but not too much.
Mids overall are pleasantly musical, except for the lower mids, which can get caught in the mix with the upper bass. Drums in this region can feel a bit light, but not unpleasant like you might think. Lower piano notes also feel a tad thin as a result, such as on “Spunky” from Monty Alexander. Still good, but that thinness translates into a bit less vibrant tonality here. Moving upscale though, and the rest of the mids make up for that with good weight and a richness to it that also comes across as smooth. As a result, most of the mids are quite detailed, and smooth but lacking a bit of clarity. This is still quite nice, and there certainly is enough detail as witnessed by the strum of bass cello strings resonating within this lower range.
Treble reach can be defined as a tad bright, but not glitzy. There is good sparkle, without becoming grating; which makes up for the slightly bright to me, sounds coming out. Here is where piano notes come across as authentic with very good air between the notes. There is a lingering of upper notes, which give good weight as well. Calling the upper end fun would not be an insult. Slightly forward in the signature without becoming harsh or grating shows a good resolution.
Soundstage is expansive in the width giving very good separation, and adequate (not small or shallow) height allow for good instrumentation. Depth to me is average, which gives the overall stage a bit of intimacy, but still among the better closed-back headphones at this price. The spatial awareness of the sound signature still allows you to clearly pick out separation of instruments, and as a result; good air to the notes, without giving up weight.
Comparison:
Sivga Oriole ($199) vs Thinksound OV21 ($399):
I am a big fan of Thinksound, and I consider their ON2 a cult classic. If you want a thoroughly fun signature, that just kicks down low as well, find a used one. Another fine point to the company is the use of recycled or reused materials. The cups of the OV21 are made from reclaimed wood, and much of the other material is from recycled goods as well.
First impressions when putting the OV21 on was that they are almost an on-ear, much like the ON2. But they are over ear, but with a smaller cup size. A thinner signature came about as well, but with good rumble down low. A near trait of Thinksound is a warmer, richer, deeper signature and the OV21 fits that bill. I do think the signature of the Oriole matches quite well against the OV21, though. Where the OV21 might have better bass, the Oriole has better upper mids. The Thinksound has a certain push in the upper mids, which carries over to the lower treble note, giving a good bit of sparkle; but it feels not quite authentic. If we were to judge purely on the fun factor, the Thinksound would win, with good bass and that sparkle, which also translates into very good female vocals. But so does the Oriole, but with a bit more weight to it.
This would come down to signature preference.
Conclusion:
When a new model from Sivga is announced, you can guarantee it will be a good-looking model. Sometimes even stunning. The Oriole is subdued in its good looks, which is another nice turn from Sivga. Think of the Katherine Hepburn scene in Casablanca, where she looks out from the shadows with that sultry look and that is the impression the Oriole gives off.
It also has the goods to back the look. With very good bass, that could use just a bit of help deep down low. The mids make up for that “lack” in the upper end, and one can pretty much forgive the lower mids thinness. Add in a treble, which give good sparkle and adds air to the notes along with the soundstage width and this makes for a very good presentation. This lies just south of the fun line, into a more mature tune; but not as mature as previous Sivga models. I find this signature a refreshing new model from Sivga as a result. Coming off the SV023, which we highly rate as well; it seems Sivga is focusing on their low end to match with their TOTL models. And I for one am glad.
Thanks again to Collin & Sivga for the early release model, and faith in these words. The Oriole is quite good at the price, and well worth a deep look if the signature favors your style. I close with Monty Alexander, Live at Montreux for these final words, and it is good. Very good.
Oriole
Intro: Numerous Sivga models have come our way of late. All have had impeccable build construction, with many bordering on fanatical while gorgeous in look. Made of classic rosewood, also seen on the SV021, the looks cannot be questioned.
Having Sendy in their fold as well, Sivga has produced some of the top mid-fi headphones of late. The SV023 is currently one of my favorites in its price category, and the Oriole follows on the heels of that success. With the Oriole, it seems Sivga is trying to catch the lower end of “Budget-mid-fi” headphones, and if the look is anything to gauge it by, they are off to a good start.
Four stars: 1/2 taken off for the microphonics in the cable, and another 1/2 star for no case.
Specs:
- Frequency response: 20Hz – 20KHz
- Sensitivity: 108dB+/- 3dB
- Impedance: 32 Ohm+/-15%
- 50mm dynamic driver
In The Box:
- Oriole headphones
- 3.5mm cable
- Quarter-inch adapter
- Hemp carrying bag
Gear used/tested:
Thinksound OV21 ($399)
Astell & Kern ACRO CA1000 ($2200)
Songs:
Joey Alexander
Monty Alexander
Green Day
Celia Cruz
Others
Unboxing:
Coming in a thinner black box than previous models, there is an air of portability about the Oriole, not had in the other models from SIVGA. Gone is the typical form-fitting hard case, replaced by a hemp carrying bag. The front and back of the box are highlighted with silver lettering of the headphones on front and specs on back. Protected by soft foam, with cutouts for the headphones, the Oriole is well protected. In the case. I for one would invest in some sort of case, especially with the looks. A 6.35mm adaptor is also included.
Build:
Everything about the Oriole says “quality.” There is a subdued upscale look to it, which I can guarantee by design. The brown-bronzish yoke and stanchion meld perfectly with the brown color of the Rosewood cups. More industrial in shape than previous headphones from the marque, but still a looker. I will add that these are also the first ones to show fingerprints after use. Three vent holes help prevent driver flex when putting the units on as well as help control the low end.
The headband has decent thickness to protect the cranial matter, and white stitching on top. The “L” & “R” on both the stanchion and headphone cable jacks are of the same creamy white as well. The ear cups are on the smaller side, but I still found the fit good, even with the foam inside leather cups; which were on the softer side. Ear cups are replaceable, but have that silly “lip,” which holds them in place. I know these are traditional, and the way of many high-end headphones, but they really are a pain to get seated. Thankfully, these are better than most.
The cable is all of 2.0m long, and on the thinner side. No tangling was had, but there was a fair amount of microphonics down to the Y-splitter. You can change the cable with standard 3.5mm jacks on each cup, so the possibility of removing said microphonics is there.
Overall, everything has a premium look to it, which is what we have come to expect from Sivga.
Sound:
Summary:
The Oriole comes across with a good grunt down low but is a little loose. A quicker decay would tighten that up nicely. Mids come across as smooth and fairly detailed, with good weight to them, without becoming muddy or convoluted. Treble note extends the reach of notes with good air, but not great. There is a bit of sparkle, without it becoming grating as well. Not overly expansive as a result, I like the tune of the Oriole.
Moar:
Playing “Questions...?” from Taylor Swift’s excellent Midnights album, the bass runs deep and fairly taut. On this particular song, the slower decay helps expand the listening time as we move from note to note; giving an excellent foundation to the song. It is smooth with good resonation at the same time. There is even a bit of rumble, but not too much.
Mids overall are pleasantly musical, except for the lower mids, which can get caught in the mix with the upper bass. Drums in this region can feel a bit light, but not unpleasant like you might think. Lower piano notes also feel a tad thin as a result, such as on “Spunky” from Monty Alexander. Still good, but that thinness translates into a bit less vibrant tonality here. Moving upscale though, and the rest of the mids make up for that with good weight and a richness to it that also comes across as smooth. As a result, most of the mids are quite detailed, and smooth but lacking a bit of clarity. This is still quite nice, and there certainly is enough detail as witnessed by the strum of bass cello strings resonating within this lower range.
Treble reach can be defined as a tad bright, but not glitzy. There is good sparkle, without becoming grating; which makes up for the slightly bright to me, sounds coming out. Here is where piano notes come across as authentic with very good air between the notes. There is a lingering of upper notes, which give good weight as well. Calling the upper end fun would not be an insult. Slightly forward in the signature without becoming harsh or grating shows a good resolution.
Soundstage is expansive in the width giving very good separation, and adequate (not small or shallow) height allow for good instrumentation. Depth to me is average, which gives the overall stage a bit of intimacy, but still among the better closed-back headphones at this price. The spatial awareness of the sound signature still allows you to clearly pick out separation of instruments, and as a result; good air to the notes, without giving up weight.
Comparison:
Sivga Oriole ($199) vs Thinksound OV21 ($399):
I am a big fan of Thinksound, and I consider their ON2 a cult classic. If you want a thoroughly fun signature, that just kicks down low as well, find a used one. Another fine point to the company is the use of recycled or reused materials. The cups of the OV21 are made from reclaimed wood, and much of the other material is from recycled goods as well.
First impressions when putting the OV21 on was that they are almost an on-ear, much like the ON2. But they are over ear, but with a smaller cup size. A thinner signature came about as well, but with good rumble down low. A near trait of Thinksound is a warmer, richer, deeper signature and the OV21 fits that bill. I do think the signature of the Oriole matches quite well against the OV21, though. Where the OV21 might have better bass, the Oriole has better upper mids. The Thinksound has a certain push in the upper mids, which carries over to the lower treble note, giving a good bit of sparkle; but it feels not quite authentic. If we were to judge purely on the fun factor, the Thinksound would win, with good bass and that sparkle, which also translates into very good female vocals. But so does the Oriole, but with a bit more weight to it.
This would come down to signature preference.
Conclusion:
When a new model from Sivga is announced, you can guarantee it will be a good-looking model. Sometimes even stunning. The Oriole is subdued in its good looks, which is another nice turn from Sivga. Think of the Katherine Hepburn scene in Casablanca, where she looks out from the shadows with that sultry look and that is the impression the Oriole gives off.
It also has the goods to back the look. With very good bass, that could use just a bit of help deep down low. The mids make up for that “lack” in the upper end, and one can pretty much forgive the lower mids thinness. Add in a treble, which give good sparkle and adds air to the notes along with the soundstage width and this makes for a very good presentation. This lies just south of the fun line, into a more mature tune; but not as mature as previous Sivga models. I find this signature a refreshing new model from Sivga as a result. Coming off the SV023, which we highly rate as well; it seems Sivga is focusing on their low end to match with their TOTL models. And I for one am glad.
Thanks again to Collin & Sivga for the early release model, and faith in these words. The Oriole is quite good at the price, and well worth a deep look if the signature favors your style. I close with Monty Alexander, Live at Montreux for these final words, and it is good. Very good.
Bob Ley
I feel like the pair I got is defective, almost unlistenable with how thin and tin-y it sounds.
