SIVGA QUE: Sweet, Rounded and Pleasant Analogue Sounding One
SIGVA as as audio company was established in Dongguan, China at the 3rd quarter of the 2010s, and they accumulated a lot of experience on audio technology and manufacturing process of audio products that they have a good competency on production, customer service and a capable research and development department to ensure a high quality standard on their products.
This is my first product review on a SIVGA unit, as some audio enthusiasts are quite familiar with this brand as they are one of the few audio companies that utilises woodwork and some degree of craftsmanship on some of their product line-up from headphones to earphones.Their magnetic planar IEM, The Nightingale is actually that piques my interest as on how planar magnetic driver's resonance will affect on a treated wood faceplate panel and will be its sonic qualities.
This is their latest product, The Que. The Que is probably taken from the Chinese word “Xique'' for magpies, magpies are known to be a harbingers of fortune and prosperity according to their superstition. This set is a single driver configuration and it utilises their self-developed 10mm dual structured magnetic dynamic driver with beryllium diaphragm. This type of driver was sought after before during the limited released of KBear BElieve in 2020 and beryllium as a material known for its high acoustic properties as it has a very molecular stable, rigidity and lightweight that it gives a better transient speed response, consistent audibility across its frequency range with a rich, clear and detailed sound that minimises any possible unwanted resonance while reducing distortion and better handling on harmonics and noises.
And then the driver was housed in a composite shell structure consisting of a magnesium zinc-alloy cavity base and a maplewood panel in its faceplate. Maplewood along with walnut wood are known for its acoustic properties on how it absorbs and dissipates excessive vibration to create a clear resonating and deep sound on the bass and natural sounding midrange and treble.
The smooth contours of its modified UIEM-style shell chassis will give an ergonomic fit into my lugholes with any issues and despite its heft on it, I can wear it for a long listening session. The passive noise isolation that this set gives is quite excellent as long as we will pair it with proper ear tips and luckily, stock ear tips that was included
SIGVA is quite generous on inclusions as it provides two choices of ear tip types with three pairs each in different standard sizes, a brown carrying case and premium-grade stock cable with silver plated oxygen-free copper in a 2-core Litz braiding with a 3.5mm single ended termination plug and it uses a 0.78mm bi-pin connector as detachable mechanism.
The SIGVA Que is a set sensitive enough that it can be amplified and driven by devices with decent power output and this one also scales well on other sources with better power output rating.
The tonality of this set is leaning towards a balanced-warmish in a U-shaped sound profile which makes it a bit coloured but in a well-done manner that will certainly put some smile on some listeners who are observant on analogue-ish tonality.
LOWS/BASS:
The bass response of this set is quite punchy, vigorous and rumbly with a good authority and tactility on it. There are instances of some slight bass bleeding that smears across the midrange that will alter some timbres on some vocals and instruments in which I will elaborate on the midrange part of this review.
Sub bass response is clearly felt as its reverberations were generated from synthesisers, drum machines and low tuned bass guitars and double bass. Mid-bass has an ample texture to give some fullness, resonating and rounded sound on some bass-clef like bass guitars, double bass and bass kick drums while giving some depth and volume to sound darker and deep resonating voices in male vocal types like bass and bass baritone.
MIDRANGE:
The midrange of this one appears to have a recessed presentation but it has an ample warmth and some energy to convey a more natural sound vocals and instruments with their respective tonal colour. Male vocals like baritones, tenors and countertenors have smooth, brassy and emotive voices from them while correspondingly, female vocals like contraltos, mezzo-sopranos and sopranos have a rich, tender and silky vocal respectively.
Instruments sounds quite organic on this one as brass instruments like trumpets, trombones and horns sound rounded, dramatic and resounding respectively while woodwinds like concert flutes, clarinets, saxophones and piccolos, they sound mellow, lustrous, warm and rich in the ordered instruments that I have mentioned. On strings instruments, acoustic guitars sound a bit warm and balanced with some good presence of overtones while cellos have warm and sonorous sound, and then violins have these sensuous and full sound in them. As for percussives, snare drums sound hard and precise while tom-toms have a warm and deep resonance on them. Field drums appear to have a boomy and full sound and kettledrums have these powerful and resonant sounds on their different strokes on their respective drum heads. Pianos have a rich and resonating tone to give some mellow and even sound on them.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
The treble response of the Que is quite well-balanced with ample brightness and smoothness of its overall high frequency sound. It has a slightly accentuated upper-mids and presence part of the treble region to give some clarity and definition on vocals and well-precise attack of instruments. I don't hear any sibilance nor harshness on its overall sound quality.
For a single dynamic driver, it has a fairly moderate airy extension and sparkle on its brilliance part of the treble section. cymbals have a lustrous sound while hi-hats have its distinctive short buzzing sound. Celestas have velvety and softness in their sound and glockenspiels have a rather lustrous and tender sound as these instruments are known for their brilliant and silvery sound characteristics.
SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:
The sound field projection of this set has moderately spacious overall dimensions as it has a good height ceiling and immersive depth with a good width on its lateral span. Stereo imaging on this one presents a concave-like soundscape in a decent layering of tonal and frequency instrumental and vocal sections with some acceptable separation capabilities on each part of them that I was able to locate in both sides of its two-dimensional stereo presentation.
Coherency of its driver is quite impressive as it has fast transient response, reduces nonlinear distortion and is resistant from too much vibration to deliver a more homogenous sound. For a dynamic driver set, due to its beryllium diaphragm, it has an excellent resolution capability with solid macro-dynamics and on extracting micro-details and nuances of information from a played audio track.
PEER COMPARISONS:
KEFINE DELCI
- This Que's cousin model shares the same driver configuration but it uses a different type dynamic driver, a composite one consisting of PU and DLC.
- Its shell chassis is entirely made of CNC-milled aluminium alloy and it has a smaller form factor.
- It has a similar amount of included accessories inside of its packaging box but its stock cable isn't that par with Que's more premium cable.
- It also shares a similar tuning profile with the Que as it also has a U-shaped with balanced-warmish tonality.
- The overall sound profile of this one also has a punchy bass response, a warm and smooth midrange and a less brighter and less airy treble response.
- On technical capabilities, the Delci has a narrower sound/speaker stage and less resolving compared to the Que but it has more atmospheric presentation.
ORIVETI OD100
- This set is also a single driver set with a DLC diaphragm on its 9.2mm dynamic driver.
- Unlike the Que, this one has a solid aluminium shell chassis and is also more compact in size.
- This one is also fully-packed with inclusions inside of its packaging box.
- The OD100 has a V-shaped sound signature as it has more emphasis on both low and high frequencies.
- Compared to the Que, this one has more robust bass response to the point that it sounds a bit boomy in my liking, a more recessed yet still textured midrange and almost similar brightness on treble response but it has a meagre air and a hint of harshness on it.
- It has a narrower sound/speaker stage, less refined on both layering and separation and even less resolving.
SIMGOT EA500LM
- SIMGOT's current crown jewel in the entry-level section of the IEM market and like the Que, it also has a single driver configuration but it uses a Lithium-magnesium diaphragm on its dynamic driver.
- Another aspect that this set has was its detachable nozzle system which makes it even more versatile in terms of tonal options in a single IEM.
- This set is also fully-packed with accessories although there is only one type of ear tips that the SIMGOT put on this one.
- Due to its three types of tuning nozzles that this set offers, it offers 3 distinctive types of tuning from a Harman-esque target curve up to the balanced-warmish tonality that all of them aligns with the U-shaped sound profile.
- The red ring brass setting is the closest tuning the Que could be compared as it also has sufficient punchiness on the bass response, a less recessed yet it has an ample warmth and richness on its midrange and smooth yet lustre treble response with just a modest airy extension.
- On technical capabilities, while it has a narrow sound/speaker stage compared to Que, the rest of technical facets are comparable and quite pretty similar to each other from imaging up to the resolution aspect.
To conclude my review on this unit, It looks like that SIVGA shows its capabilities as a veteran audio company that they can adapt quickly in the constant changes on the present situation of the ever-growing audio market as it introducing its entry-level contender that could match some of the best sets in under $100/£80. The Que has its own appeal like inclusions of quality accessories, a well-crafted shell chassis with some good woodwork on it, a beryllium dynamic driver, a likeable all-rounder tuning and a technical adept for single DD IEM in a very competitive pricing that makes this set even more formidable that the audio enthusiast should try this one out. It looks like the entry-level segment of the IEM earphone market will become even more competitive as the SIVGA Que steps upon the ring.
Here are the links for SIGVA QUE, Guaranteed not unaffiliated ones:
Amazon-USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/
Amazon-Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/
Aliexpress:
https://www.aliexpress.us/
Official website: https://www.sivgaaudio.com/
SPECIFICATION:
MODEL: SIVGA QUE
IMPEDANCE: 32Ω
SENSITIVITY: 108dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 20KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m
PIN TYPE: 0.78 2-PIN CONNECTOR
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER
PROS:
● Solid and well-crafted shell chassis with some woodwork on it.
● The wooden panel faceplate isn't just an aesthetic choice but it actually influences the acoustic resonance effect that adds more depth and coloured tone on its overall sound quality.
● High performance beryllium dynamic driver inside.
● Very comfortable to wear and it offers a good passive noise isolation.
● Quite fully-accessorised for an entry-level set.
● Premium quality stock cable.
● An easy to drive one.
● A versatile and likeable balanced-warmish tonal profile.
● Punchy and tactile bass response.
● Well-textured and ample warmth midrange presentation.
● Natural yet detailed sounding vocals and instruments.
● Lustre and sufficiently sparkling treble.
● Technically proficient sounding one for a single DD IEM.
CONS:
● Definitely not a neutral sounding one for some neutral head aficionados who want a leaner, more linear and less colouration on their preferred overall sound.
● Some instances of softness and spongy sound on vocals.
● Some adherent treble heads might still find its treble response a bit dull and veiled in their liking.
TRACKS TESTED: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)
Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
Lauren Christy – Steep *
Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *
Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*
Type O Negative - Black No.1 *
Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **
Three Tenors - Nessum Dorma *
Mercyful Fate - Witches' Dance *
P.S.
I am not affiliated to SIGVA nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.
Once again, I would like to send my gratitude to Mr. Collin Yang for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate his generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.
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