Sivga sv021 Review
Sivga sv021
| Frequency Response | Open or Closed-Back | Sensitivity | Impedance |
| 20Hz – 20kHz | Closed-Back | 105dB | 32Ω |
For less than $200, the Sivga sv021 provides a premium closed-back option. The earcups’ wooden backs add a lovely aesthetic, and the protein leather padding makes them incredibly comfortable. The sound quality of the SV021 is impressive overall, but there is a slight lack of definition in the mids and an audible peak in the upper mids.
Due to its renowned value for money, the Sivga sv021 is a special pair of headphones that has developed something of a cult following. Although it costs around $150, it provides quality that is now uncommon in the closed-back headphone market. They became a well-liked suggestion for those on a tight budget who wanted to achieve audiophile quality.
But the sv021 isn’t for everyone, and I believe that’s one of the most crucial factors to consider when making headphone recommendations. We’ll go over these headphones in great detail, emphasizing their strong points and potential weaknesses.
Aesthetics
The Sivga sv021’s wooden earcups, which come in brown and black, set it apart from most other headphones on the market in terms of design. The most popular option is brown wood, which pairs beautifully with lighter wood room decor, particularly with the tan headband. The lighter tones of the brown version, however, can easily feel out of place if your decor is darker.
Although the black version is less visually appealing, it fits in with most interiors and blends well with darker décor. Even though it is called “black,” the earcup still has a woodgrain finish, albeit one that is much darker and has a matte paint finish. Therefore, the accents that make wooden earcups so appealing will still be present. It is important to note that fingerprints on the earcups can be very noticeable in areas with good lighting.
The headband itself is made of high-quality protein leather, and the frame connecting the earcup to it is made of lightweight but sturdy metal. This gives you some incredibly plush cushioning that feels wonderful against your skin.
The same protein leather that covers the headband and inside of the earcups gives the headphones a very appealing visual balance. Both models’ colored wooden earcups add a lovely finishing touch to the headphone’s overall design.
Quality
Sivga stands out in the Chinese headphone market for its more handcrafted approach to audio gear. With these headphones, you won’t experience cheap plastic or loose contacts. Instead, you’ll discover a lower price point and an overall build quality that rivals many Western brands.
One thing you’ll notice about the sv021 is how incredibly light they are for headphones. But don’t be fooled by the lightweight aspect; the construction is superior to that of a number of big, heavy headphones I’ve previously used.
Cables
Although they don’t seem to be of particularly high quality, the cables also seem more robust than the eye might initially believe. The cable construction is not inherently flawed in any way; it just might not feel as robust or thick in the hand as some other headphones on the market. The jack has a premium feel, and a spring is attached to reduce the possibility of wear on the connection points.
They detach from each earcup individually, which is covered in more detail under the comfort section.
Earcups
The earcups’ construction feels excellent, and the wood appears to have few flaws. Although the unbelievable softness of the padding around the cups gives the impression that it might be vulnerable to wear, I haven’t heard other customers complain about it.
Headband
The headband is made of the same plush materials as the inner earcups and, all things considered, feels incredibly solid and well-made. It doesn’t seem like the headband will be easily damaged. Durable metal is used to connect it to the earcups as well.
Comfort
Where should one even start? Some of the most comfortable headphones I have ever worn are the Sivga sv021. Finding comfortable headphones can be difficult for someone who wears a cap almost constantly, especially in relation to the headband. However, the headband is unbelievably comfy and functions flawlessly with a cap on, regardless of the headband position—a quality I’ve found uncommon in the market for inexpensive headphones.
The sv021 never feels heavy and fits snugly around the ears, even for those with slightly larger ears. I find that the 275g weight of these headphones to be a huge plus. I am aware that this is occasionally a contentious issue on some audiophile forums because some people seem to think they are too light. Personally, I don’t see any drawbacks to the lightweight, especially since the design of the headphones isn’t compromised.
The 3-ply ear pads are used as the earcup padding. On the skin, it has a soft, delicate, and opulent feel. For my head size, I couldn’t feel any compression against my skin that might have bothered me. The earcups still fit flush despite this.
The fact that each earcup plugs into a separate wire that is split from the main cable is one thing that might be bothersome. Although I haven’t yet experienced any annoyances with them, I can see how this might be a little bothersome for someone who has them plugged in right in front of where they sit, for example.
Sound
The Sivga Robin sv021’s sound quality is excellent for the price range it belongs to, but depending on how you intend to use them, they may not live up to the expectations raised by the numerous positive online reviews.
In summary, the sv021 offers a close-knit audio experience that marries remarkably well with genres like jazz. You almost have the impression that you are seated in an opulent cigar lounge listening to a small live band.
This sums up my experience, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t versatile; in fact, they can compete with and sometimes even outperform other closed-back models in this price range.
Soundstage
Again, since these are closed-back headphones, the soundstage performance needs to be a little more forgiving than with some of the open-back headphones in this category. In general, I thought the soundstage was adequate for most musical genres, but when I tried psytrance, for example, I thought there were some elements that were produced and mixed to sound extremely wide and all-encompassing but felt constrained by that intimate aspect of the sound.
I’ve heard a lot of Sivga recommendations in the electronic music community, but if you’re looking for that extremely wide, spacey, and ethereal sound, I might suggest the Beyerdynamic DT770.
This does not imply, however, that electronic music sounds poor on these headphones. It’s just a more personal experience than an audio journey or exploration.
Frequency Response
All frequencies audible to the human ear are covered by a full frequency response range of 20Hz to 20kHz. However, the Sivga sv021 has come to be associated with a V-shape when it comes to the sound signature. They almost align a little more like a W-shape, but they aren’t as strong as some other V-shape signatures. In comparison to the upper treble, the mids can sound a little flat, but overall they are still distinct and clear. It didn’t seem like there were any frequencies vying for first place; rather, the mids were just barely competing.
Although the bass is definitely punchy, I used EQ APO to slightly boost the sub-bass (20-40Hz) and raise the upper mid-range (900Hz-3kHz) because I was looking for a bit more of a kick. Due to a slightly pronounced sibilance, I actually slightly lowered the EQ between the 4kHz and 7kHz range. Until I dropped the 4kHZ-5kHZ range, the drum and bass track’s snares were almost agonizing.
Although I wouldn’t advise using the EQ software right away because many users prefer the factory sound of these headphones, the fact that it is available gives you peace of mind because you can easily adjust the sound to your personal preferences. Since music is an art form, everyone has personal preferences.
Volume
These headphones are loud right out of the box! Although volume doesn’t necessarily correlate with quality, I’ve had instances where I liked the overall sound quality but it didn’t have the volume I prefer in a headphone. Even running the Sivga sv021 at about 25% system volume, which is what I’ve been doing, can occasionally be a bit much. You won’t in the least be concerned about a lack of volume on these.
Noise Isolation
The Sivga sv021 does not have noise cancellation, but even the isolation could be slightly improved. There is a light leak of sound when the volume is turned up, but you won’t be bothering coworkers across the office or anything.
Conclusion
The Sivga sv021 is a very promising option for closed-back headphones under $200. Additionally, to receive excellent sound quality, the wooden earcups’ aesthetics are a rare treat in this price range. Additionally, these headphones’ comfort can compete with the best of them.
Even at this price point, there are better open-back headphone options available in a very wide soundstage is a priority.
However, they are not faultless. When compared to some of the better bass-heavy headphones on the market, the Sivga sv021 could offer more sub-bass and suffers a little in the mid-frequency ranges. The good news is that these flaws can easily be reduced with some basic EQ software, which results in a very impressive overall sound.
If you’re looking for neutral sound, I wouldn’t advise purchasing these headphones because they have a unique signature that, while vibrant and playful, may not be to everyone’s taste. The Sivga sv021 is ultimately a rather divisive pair of headphones that can either live up to all expectations or fall flat on their face. It all depends on the features you want from your headphones.
