Great review, nice to see high impedance headphones coming from China now, it's always been the domain of the Europeans like Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, AKG and Audio technica, makes it more worthwhile owning tube amps..this one's on my to get list.
For me they are a little bit too bright, a little bit too less on bass. Great holo sound, separations and clarity. Overall very good, but I think I will be searching something else. Great comfort. Space is a little bit too small imo. Warmer dac/amps might works with them great.
Thanks for this review! I was thinking on get this headphones and wondering, as you already reviewed the Xduoo MT-602, you think it will be enough to move this 300 ohms?? Thanks!
I wouldn't completely trust that spike as it was only showing up on the right channel so it might have been a headphone positioning thing. I certainly got no sense of any harsh spikes during my listening
Hi, ver promising about soundstage but then i go off and headphonics guy does this! STAGING & DYNAMICS Since the time I started writing for Headfonics, I noticed a number of headphone makers that are veering away from the unrealistically airy and ultra-wide staging because the intensity and personal space headphones created are most enjoyable with a realistic and well-placed stage as in the SV023. The SIVGA SV023 does not have a large soundstage and to be sincere it remained within my head most times in listening sessions and rarely projected a forward image or even one far left or right.
This can come down to a number of things. 1) what was the source chain used and does it produce soundstage depth? (I know mine does) 2) what's the reference point for comparison? If it's an HD800, then the SV023 will sound closed in, but against many others (and with a good source chain) I don't agree with this.
@PassionforSound ok , cool, bear in mind I'm a newbody throwing Internet impressions against each other.. So thanks for reading and responding. Gear chains and comparing to top end.. ok... Thanks..
I can't really even begin to describe that because there's so much: soundstage, tonality, character of sound. I'd need them side-by-side to answer in detail - sorry!
@@PassionforSound I was going to ask the same thing Lachlan - I have the XS and now the Peacocks (thanks to you). I was going to sidestep and sell XS to buy SV023 and pair with my MT-602 too so any (yes subjective) advice would be appreciated.
The SV023 are a better headphone to my ears because I like the fact that they have depth and layering in the soundstage. However, some will no doubt prefer the XS so it's not a "home run" recommendation where I'm super confident. All I can say is that I would go for the SV023.
I think you'd need to go to a measurement-based reviewer to answer that one objectively. The XS produces an unnatural stage to my ears so that would immediately give the win to the SV023 for me though
@@PassionforSound Which do you think would be the most suitable for critical listening mixing and mastering? Or any other headphones to recommend around 500$?
For mixing and mastering, I'd be getting the Ollo S4X or S4R (open or closed). For critical listening, I'd probably go for the SV023. I'm differentiating those because mixing and mastering is about tonal accuracy/neutrality whereas critical listening is often about staging, imaging and resolution more than neutrality
I owned these and could feel on my ears the hard plastic coverings over the drivers. Needless to say, it was a significant comfort issue... and ultimately, a deal-breaker for me.
I haven't tried the X3, but there's more to a headphone than the graph so I wouldn't expect them to be directly comparable other than passing similarities in overall tonality
Not really. There is a lot more that goes into driver design than just the materials. The SV023 are great, but the Verités are on a very different performance level
I didn't find any specific changes as it burned in, but most drivers will alter slightly over the first little while so I never recommend making a judgement on a headphone without giving it at least 10-12 hours of playing time
I may not have specified the detail retrieval of these which is generally a sign that their performance is solid, but neither exceptional or below standard. That's certainly my recollection of them. They are good for detail at their price, but not a detail-focussed headphone while also not being thick or congested.
300 ohms will give you usage limitations! There are many things that cannot handle a 300 ohm load. mp3 players. Cell phones. sound card on your computer. Preamplifiers that are IC based. 8 pin IC based preamplifiers can give better results than you think.
That's true that some devices can't drive a 300 ohm load. This channel is focussed on headphones and the many amps and DACs available to enjoy them with. In that context, the 300 ohm load is more versatile due to the range of options it opens from the solid state amps through to the OTL tube amps.
True. There are some great options at every level, but many of them have a bit of a flaw which can make things tricky. The SV023 gets it almost all just right at an excellent price.
I didn't like it. Lack of sound stage. I would say it's intimate. Lacks punch in bass. Non-existent sub bass. Average detail in that range. No wow effect and fair comfort.
Great review, nice to see high impedance headphones coming from China now, it's always been the domain of the Europeans like Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, AKG and Audio technica, makes it more worthwhile owning tube amps..this one's on my to get list.
Definitely a great option. I'm a big fan of this one. Glad you liked the review
I love that tune in the opening of your videos. Bass digs deep on that tune on my HE1000se.
Glad you like it. I try to choose supporting music that sounds good from a sonic perspective as well as an enjoyment perspective
came here from trying to find comparisons with the caspian. thanks!
My pleasure! Hope you found what you were after
Super work as always!!! Going to spend some time with this database. Your recommendations are very highly appreciated 👍👍👍
Glad you like it! I hope you find it very helpful!
For me they are a little bit too bright, a little bit too less on bass. Great holo sound, separations and clarity. Overall very good, but I think I will be searching something else. Great comfort. Space is a little bit too small imo. Warmer dac/amps might works with them great.
Yes, I think they really need warm amps and/or tubes to be at their best. I'm glad you got to try them for yourself though.
Thanks for this review! I was thinking on get this headphones and wondering, as you already reviewed the Xduoo MT-602, you think it will be enough to move this 300 ohms?? Thanks!
Absolutely! That should be a great pairing!!
@@PassionforSound So, the Xduoo MT-604 too, no ? (Thank you, your vidéo help me a lot!)
The 604 is awesome! So much fun too. It's a little fiddly with the dual volume controls, but a great amp.
Thanks for the introduction to Tash Sultana sounds lovely through my letshouer S12 iems👍
My pleasure. It's a great album
The Sivga SV023 is now selling for $449 here in the US.
Such a nice headphone!
Is that 4.5k spike from your measuring rig or actually present in any significant way in the headphone?
I wouldn't completely trust that spike as it was only showing up on the right channel so it might have been a headphone positioning thing. I certainly got no sense of any harsh spikes during my listening
Hi, ver promising about soundstage but then i go off and headphonics guy does this!
STAGING & DYNAMICS
Since the time I started writing for Headfonics, I noticed a number of headphone makers that are veering away from the unrealistically airy and ultra-wide staging because the intensity and personal space headphones created are most enjoyable with a realistic and well-placed stage as in the SV023.
The SIVGA SV023 does not have a large soundstage and to be sincere it remained within my head most times in listening sessions and rarely projected a forward image or even one far left or right.
This can come down to a number of things. 1) what was the source chain used and does it produce soundstage depth? (I know mine does) 2) what's the reference point for comparison? If it's an HD800, then the SV023 will sound closed in, but against many others (and with a good source chain) I don't agree with this.
@PassionforSound ok , cool, bear in mind I'm a newbody throwing Internet impressions against each other.. So thanks for reading and responding. Gear chains and comparing to top end.. ok... Thanks..
No problems! 🙂🙂
@@PassionforSound the R70x ATs maybe too
I wasn't super impressed with the R70X. I bought them and ended up selling before reviewing
Main difference between edition xs and sivga sv023 in sound quality?
Thanks a lot.
I can't really even begin to describe that because there's so much: soundstage, tonality, character of sound. I'd need them side-by-side to answer in detail - sorry!
@@PassionforSound OK thanks.... In general sv023 is better?
That's a tough one. I do like it more, but the Edition XS has lots of devoted fans
@@PassionforSound I was going to ask the same thing Lachlan - I have the XS and now the Peacocks (thanks to you). I was going to sidestep and sell XS to buy SV023 and pair with my MT-602 too so any (yes subjective) advice would be appreciated.
The SV023 are a better headphone to my ears because I like the fact that they have depth and layering in the soundstage. However, some will no doubt prefer the XS so it's not a "home run" recommendation where I'm super confident. All I can say is that I would go for the SV023.
Tengo estos Sigva y estoy enviado con ellos.
Donde esta su lista de recomendaciones ?? No me sale donde dice
Which does technically perform better, Sivga SV023 or HiFiMan Edition XS?
I think you'd need to go to a measurement-based reviewer to answer that one objectively. The XS produces an unnatural stage to my ears so that would immediately give the win to the SV023 for me though
@@PassionforSound Which do you think would be the most suitable for critical listening mixing and mastering? Or any other headphones to recommend around 500$?
For mixing and mastering, I'd be getting the Ollo S4X or S4R (open or closed). For critical listening, I'd probably go for the SV023. I'm differentiating those because mixing and mastering is about tonal accuracy/neutrality whereas critical listening is often about staging, imaging and resolution more than neutrality
Hi! For you, at the sound experience...Will you choose for music Ananda Nano or Sivga Sv023?
That's a tricky one! With a nice tube amp, SV023. With an equivalent solid state amp, probably the Ananda. It's all so personal though.
I owned these and could feel on my ears the hard plastic coverings over the drivers. Needless to say, it was a significant comfort issue... and ultimately, a deal-breaker for me.
Oh no. That's a shame. Comfort is so important! Thanks for sharing your experiences
@@PassionforSound do you recommend any thicker earpads? I also noticed that my ears touch the drivers as well.
I don't know if you can get different ear pads for the Sivgas. Perhaps if you destroy the original pair to use the mounting disc from them?
@@PassionforSound That sounds like a great project, thanks for the idea!
Good luck! I hope it goes well. Drop back in if you have some success
Philips Fidelio X3 has a similar graph. With non-perforated full-leather pads it could sound warmer - in case someone lucks warmth.
I haven't tried the X3, but there's more to a headphone than the graph so I wouldn't expect them to be directly comparable other than passing similarities in overall tonality
I got a sigva 023 for 350 new. I cannot tell you where as a promise to the seller.
Great deal! I hope you love it
@@PassionforSound 😀
Hola !! Sería buena idea combinar ,Sigva 023,con Schiit Jotunheim 2,con Soncoz Sgd1 (o este es un poco viejo enero 2020) ???
1000 gracias
Between hip dac and ifi micro signature dsd will be improvements?
I haven't tried either of those, but I'd definitely expect the iDSD to be better with the SV023
Sivga SV023 or Hifiman Edition XS ?
I'd take the SV023 every time. Edition XS is too flat in the soundstage for me.
Be coated..... does it compare at all to Verite open?
Not really. There is a lot more that goes into driver design than just the materials. The SV023 are great, but the Verités are on a very different performance level
More wooden cups Lochlan? We really need to develope those wooden DACs
Haha. Geshelli Labs are onto it. 😉
Very interessing phone !
It's great 🙂
Hi! That headphone needs burn-in?
I didn't find any specific changes as it burned in, but most drivers will alter slightly over the first little while so I never recommend making a judgement on a headphone without giving it at least 10-12 hours of playing time
@@PassionforSound I think it needs more than 100 hours!!
That wasn't my experience, but ok 🙂
@@PassionforSound sorry, it was a question. Jajajaja.
Why comparaisons with obscure headphones ?
Obviously everybody wants a comparaison with the hd650.
I can only compare with what I have available at the time. I did compare these to the HD 660S2 in my review of those, if that's helpful.
@@PassionforSound oh thanks yes. Hey sorry for my rude comment by the way !
I didn't hear any mention of detail. Did I miss it?
I may not have specified the detail retrieval of these which is generally a sign that their performance is solid, but neither exceptional or below standard. That's certainly my recollection of them. They are good for detail at their price, but not a detail-focussed headphone while also not being thick or congested.
@@PassionforSound Thanks for clarifying. Helps to compare against other options.
300 ohms will give you usage limitations! There are many things that cannot handle a 300 ohm load.
mp3 players.
Cell phones.
sound card on your computer.
Preamplifiers that are IC based.
8 pin IC based preamplifiers can give better results than you think.
That's true that some devices can't drive a 300 ohm load. This channel is focussed on headphones and the many amps and DACs available to enjoy them with. In that context, the 300 ohm load is more versatile due to the range of options it opens from the solid state amps through to the OTL tube amps.
So hard to find a good headphone without breaking the bank
True. There are some great options at every level, but many of them have a bit of a flaw which can make things tricky. The SV023 gets it almost all just right at an excellent price.
Anothe buttcase headphones NICE!
🍑
I didn't like it. Lack of sound stage. I would say it's intimate. Lacks punch in bass. Non-existent sub bass. Average detail in that range.
No wow effect and fair comfort.
I think perhaps something was wrong if they lacked sub bass as that's one of their most notable traits.
@@PassionforSound maybe my unit is broken? I compare with edition xs and with a simple mobile phone, Edxs has a powerful, texture and faster bass.
They definitely perform differently, but SV023 shouldn't lack sub bass even in comparison with XS