Sivga Phoenix is an open-back headphone sporting a dynamic driver and wooden earcups. It is priced at 255$.
Sound quality
Build quality
Price
Packaging
Sivga comes in a very aesthetic box with two cases and a cable. The first case is a high quality leather case for headphones, alcantra-lined inside, the second one is linen, for carrying the cable.
Cable
The cable is braided with some nice to touch material, and is two meters long. It is terminated with a 3,5mm jack which is closed in a small case and has a spring on the beginning, so it shouldn’t break. At the end of the cable, we have two 2,5mm mono jacks, so it’s easy to buy an aftermarket balanced one. Unfortunately, there is a microphone effect here which is really annoying, but it occurs only on the section from the splitter to the headphones.
Build quality
Phoenix is made very well. Wooden cups, metal grills and headband are made of metal and leather. It all feels premium, made as several times more expensive headphones. I have nothing to attach to.
Comfort
Sadly, comfort isn’t on such a high level as the quality of the workmanship. They’re too small for big heads. I feel like they’re trying to scrunch up my head. Pads are too soft and thin, my ears are touching the cover of the driver. Also, wearing glasses is a bad idea here, they’re too tight for that. Definitely the worst point of the whole product.
Sound
It is hard to describe Sivga Phoenix in two words. Everything is close and far away at the same time, depends on the performer they can hide or expose the vocals, even if their voice sounds similar. They are also kinda flat, but I don’t mean neutral, they just are not juicy as for example Fidelio X2HR, but not boring and correct as AD900x. Something in between. Matching the source is really important there, e.g. with Little Dot MK IV they were bad, boring and lazy in holography reproduction. They don’t need much power, so only a well-matched DAC is needed. Personally, I would prefer something with a dose of fun, but basically, they sound kinda natural with the potential for a great scene and holography.
The bass is recessed a little, subbas is nicely playing in the background, it doesn’t affect the rest. Kickbass is kinda reluctant, it feels like it would like to strike hard, but it can’t. It’s like a fake battle between two brothers. Overall, it is fast and exact, could have been quite deeper and richer.
The midrange doesn’t provide much life in it. It is pretty empty in my opinion, much air between the sound sources. It is detailed, a little harsh, but also not involving at all.
Treble steps in front sometimes, but in a kind way, it is not harassing like in Monolith M1060, but there’s still a lot of details which aren’t sharp, I think I can say it is one of the better treble I’ve heard around 250$.
The soundstage is very big, but I don’t like the way how it’s recreated. Imaging is quite weird. It is kinda deluded to me, based on very thin sound sources that aren’t set far away from each other. It was an odd feeling for me, but I know there are some people who love this playstyle.
Summary
I have mixed feelings about Sivga Phoenix. I can’t say if they’re bad or good, they’re specific. They’re natural (except midrange, which is too dry to be called natural), with delicate V signature, they are really well made, but are not comfortable. Scene and holography are weird, you have to decide on your own if it’s good either it’s bad. The huge merit is they are really easy-to-drive.
Gear used during this review for the sake of comparison and as an accompanying equipment:
- Headphones – Fidelio X2HR, Audio-Technica AD900X, Monoprice Monolith M1060, Takstar HF-580
- Source – DX3 Pro, D50s, Hip-Dac, Little Dot MK IV, iBasso DX160, iFi IDSD Micro Black Label
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