Introduction

Sivga Audio debuted on TechPowerUp with the Robin (SV021), a pair of closed-back headphones with decent value for money if you're in the market for a V-shaped tuning. We then covered two open-back sets from the brand in the form of the Sivga Phoenix that uses the same driver as in the Robin, and the more-expensive SV023, both of which offer a warmer tuning without compromising on detail. Sivga is one of very few headphone brands that makes its own drivers in addition to working with craftsmen for wooden ear cups that look quite the part. The Sivga Robin was a decent commercial success on the backs of social media influencers who liked the design and the bass-heavy sound, although it wasn't for me personally. I was hoping to see a new closed-back set which I would prefer akin to the Phoenix and SV023 and it just so happened that Sivga was working on a successor to the Robin.


Named the Sivga Oriole, this is a set of closed-back headphones which the company itself calls as an update to the Robin with better tonality in mind. There is a lot of similarities, including the use of two different woods and associated colorways as with the Robin from last year. You will note that I had the black wood used on my Robin review sample that is quite clean in person and this time I went the flashier brown Rosewood route that also goes with a glossy closed-pore finish compared to the open-pore wood before. The yokes also get a nice update which we will go over in more detail in this review, that begins with a look at the product specifications in the table below. Thanks to Sivga Audio for providing a review sample to TechPowerUp!

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

The Sivga Oriole is aimed at a more value-oriented market compared to most headphones we have covered here so do not expect a premium unboxing experience. The product box is made of thick cardboard with a plastic seal all around it and is predominantly black in color. On the front is the Sivga logo and the product name along with a large, simplistic render of the headphones to allow the use of the same packaging for both headphone finishes. More of this clean and minimalist packaging continues on the back, with the monochrome design allowing for product specifications, contact information, certification labels, and a marketing tagline.


Sivga is using a two-piece packaging with the lid lifting off the box from the sides, and we now get a closer look at the internals. There is a foam sheet on top of the contents along with another thick foam piece on the inside, with machined cutouts to snugly fit and protect the various items. This includes the headphones themselves that come flat-packed and already a departure from the Robin before. The gap where your head would be is occupied by another cutout that has the various accessories included with the product. No manual or warranty card are found here as Sivga is going fairly barebones to cut down on extraneous costs.


The headphones do not come inside a carry/storage case of any sort so stowing these away isn't as conveniently done as with other such headphones we have seen recently. There is instead a soft hemp pouch in white with the Sivga logo in black on the front and drawstrings close it with the headphones and cable inside. It is stitched neatly and does keep the headphones clean for when you want to place it inside for storage or transportation. It does not add any protection as with a hard case, so you may want to consider aftermarket hard cases with pluckable foam, such as the Lykus 3310 that fits the entire box insert nicely, with some room on the side for cables. There are third-party alternatives from the likes of Dekoni, including its own hard case in collaboration with SKB we saw before. The typical end user will likely just place the headphones on a headphone stand, readily available to listen to when needed. The cable comes separately packed in a plastic zip-lock bag which also contains a 1/4" adapter, so that is where we will start on the next page.