Sivga P2 Pro

Does it do significantly different from the P2?

PROS: Attractive design, premium boutique build quality, warm musical sound signature, separation and resolution, soundstage, excellent choice of materials for construction, smart comfortable headband design, comfortable ear pads, high quality stock cable and case.

CONS: Design not too different from previous models, its weight can be felt slightly after wearing it for a few hours, slight honk in lower-midrange, can use a bit more forwardness in upper-midrange.

About SIVGA.

Sivga is based out of Dongguan (China) and was founded by two childhood friends, Jian Zhou and Rongchun Pan who shared a common love for music and quality headphones. Jian had been working in the field of headphones for nearly 20 years before he founded SIVGA Audio, where he was a senior technical engineer of a leading OEM headphone factory in China and led the R&D, headphone design, craftsmanship as well as manufacturing departments. During his career in the last company, Jian worked with many international headphone brands and played an important role in helping those brands grow. Rongchun on the other hand was an avid audiophile who was obsessed over the pursuit of sound quality and developed a knack of tuning headphones. SIVGA are an OEM as well as have their own line of headphones under the brand names -SIVGA and Sendy Audio. They follow boutique as well as modern manufacturing techniques, where their wooden ear cups are built and finished by hand and all the metal parts used in the headphones are CNC machined to perfection.

Links – SIVGA Official AliExpress Store

Technical Specifications

Driver Type: Planar Magnetic
Driver Size: 97mm x 76mm
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 40kHz
Impedance: 32Ω
Sensitivity: 98dB ± 3dB
Cable Length: 1.6 meters
Connector Type: 2.5mm dual mono to 4.4mm balanced

Unboxing Experience

The Sivga P2 Pro arrives in a premium package that reflects the brand’s commitment to quality. Inside the box, you’ll find:

Sivga P2 Pro Headphones: Encased in protective foam to ensure safe transit.
Detachable Cable: A high-quality cable with 2.5mm connectors terminating in a 4.4mm balanced plug.
Adapters: 4.4mm to 3.5mm adapter for single-ended sources.
Carrying Case: A robust, zippered case designed for portability and protection.
Cable Pouch: A small sack to store the cable and adapters.

The inclusion of adapters and a sturdy carrying case underscores Sivga’s attention to user convenience and versatility.

Design and Build Quality

The P2 Pro showcases Sivga’s dedication to artisanal craftsmanship. The ear cups are fashioned from Red Oak, offering a rich, natural aesthetic. Each cup is meticulously sanded and polished by hand, ensuring a unique grain pattern and a smooth finish. The open-back design features a honeycomb metal grille from the Sendy Aiva, enhancing both the visual appeal and acoustic performance. The headband is constructed from high-quality stainless steel, providing durability without excessive weight. It is wrapped in soft leather, offering comfort during extended listening sessions. The suspension system ensures even weight distribution across the head, minimising the pressure points. The ear pads are a hybrid design, combining high-protein leather with velvet fabric on the contact surface. This thoughtful combination ensures a comfortable fit while maintaining optimal acoustic properties. The pads are designed to accommodate various ear shapes and sizes, providing a secure seal that enhances bass response and sound isolation.

Comfort and Fit

Weighing approximately 420 grams, the P2 Pro is relatively lightweight for a planar magnetic headphone. The adjustable headband and swivelling ear cups allow for a personalised fit, accommodating a wide range of head sizes and shapes. The plush ear pads provide ample cushioning, and the breathable materials help dissipate heat, making the P2 Pro suitable for long listening sessions without discomfort.

Sound Analysis.

Summary – P-II has a warm V-shaped sound signature – it has low reaching sub-bass with good clarity and reach till 20Hz for an open back, slightly fuller lower midrange up till 800Hz, a tiny bump at 800Hz that introduces slight honk/boxiness, an unusual ear gain with recession in 1-3kHz, a peak at 3kHz and then recession in 3-8kHz lower-treble tuning, and a boosted mid to upper treble tuning with good reach till 20kHz. Like the P2 it replaces, it has good separation between layers of instruments, depth wise as well as across the width and a soundstage that engulfs the front of your head, like you’re weirdly wearing a helmet of tiny speakers mounted inside till the parallel line of your ears.

The Sivga P2 Pro’s sound performance offers a blend of strengths and limitations. While it excels in several areas, there are some aspects that could benefit from refinement.

Let’s dig in deeper…

Bass – The bass on the P2 Pro is well-extended into the sub-bass region, delivering satisfying depth and impact. The planar magnetic drivers ensure bass notes are fast and textured, however, the mid-bass can sometimes feel slightly elevated, introducing warmth that may not appeal to listeners seeking a neutral presentation. While the bass avoids significant bleed into the midrange, it occasionally lacks the visceral punch of dynamic drivers, making it less ideal for those craving physicality in their bass response.

Midrange – The midrange is detailed and clear, with a natural tonality that suits vocals and acoustic instruments. Male and female vocals are rendered with emotive presence, and instruments like guitars and pianos are well-separated. However, the upper mids have major dips in the 1-3kHz as well as 3.5-8kHz range, and that recession depending on the recording lead to guitars and vocals not sounding as defined and forward compared to reference-neutral. This characteristic makes the P2 Pro warm and forgiving with poorly mastered recordings or tracks with pronounced upper midrange peaks but also takes it away from reference accuracy, which may not be for guitar who like pinpoint natural-neutral accuracy.

Treble – The treble is crisp and extended, adding a sense of airiness and detail to the overall sound. High-frequency instruments like cymbals and violins are reproduced with good clarity. That said, the treble tuning may verge on sharpness for treble-sensitive listeners, particularly at higher volumes. While this energy enhances the headphone’s perceived detail and resolution, it might introduce fatigue during long listening sessions or with bright-leaning source equipment.

Technical performance – The open-back design facilitates a wide and immersive soundstage that competes well with other headphones in its price range, in fact surpassing quite a lot of them including HifiMan Sundara, Ollo S4X and the likes. There is a good sense of width and depth, allowing instruments and vocals to occupy distinct positions within the stereo field. However, the vertical dimension of the soundstage is less pronounced, which can make complex orchestral tracks feel slightly less expansive compared to higher-end models. Imaging and separation are two of the P2 Pro’s strengths, with precise instrument placement and smooth transitions between instruments panned left to right. The headphone’s ability to render spatial cues makes it an excellent choice for genres like jazz and classical, where instrument localisation is critical. However, the imaging, while accurate, occasionally feels less holographic than what’s achievable with more premium planar options, limiting its potential for true three-dimensional immersion. The dynamics of the P2 Pro are competent but not outstanding. The headphone handles macro-dynamics well, with noticeable shifts between soft and loud passages. Micro-dynamics, however, feel somewhat restrained, which can reduce the emotional impact of subtle musical nuances. This limitation may be more noticeable in genres like classical and acoustic, where micro-dynamic expression is crucial.

Timbre – Timbre reproduction is a mixed bag. It’s generally natural but not reference-natural accurate because of its dippy boosty tuning. Most things sound natural and the planar drivers avoid the plasticky or overly analytical tone found in some competing planar headphones, however, certain percussive elements can occasionally sound slightly dull or lack the crispness and attack that dynamic drivers excel at.

Comparisons.

Sivga P-II.

While the P-II is known for its warm and lush sound, the P2 Pro introduces a more V-shaped tuning which is as extended in the bass region as the original P2, but recessed in some region of upper-mids and much airier up top with better extension till 20kHz. The bass on the P2 Pro is tighter and better controlled, whereas the P-II’s bass is more prominent but less detailed. P2 is a bit more accurate in upper-midrange with a slightly better ear gain in the 1-4kHz region whereas P2 Pro is twin recession in the 1-3kHz and 3.5-9kHz region which results in P2 Pro coming across V-shaped. Even though P2, had very slightly better lower-treble, the overall treble on the P2 Pro is crisper and offers better extension, addressing the slightly rolled-off highs of the P-II. Additionally, the P2 Pro’s build quality and comfort have seen improvements, particularly in the padding and headband design. P2 Pro is not necessarily an upgrade over the P2 but more like a different tuning option with most of P2’s strengths and slightly better build quality.

Sendy Audio Aiva.

The Sendy Audio Aiva is another planar magnetic headphone in the same price range as the P2 Pro. The Aiva is known for its more aggressive V-shaped sound signature, with emphasised bass and treble that creates an energetic and lively listening experience. The P2 Pro, on the other hand, offers a warmer, more balanced and natural tuning. The Aiva’s treble can be sharp and fatiguing, especially on bright tracks, whereas the P2 Pro’s treble, while detailed, remains smoother and more controlled. The P2 Pro also edges out in comfort, thanks to its more spacious ear pads and lightweight design.

Ollo S5X.

The Ollo S5X is designed for studio monitoring, offering a neutral and flat frequency response that priorities accuracy over musicality. Compared to the P2 Pro, the S5X provides better transparency and a more analytical presentation, making it a better choice for mixing and mastering. However, the P2 Pro’s warmer tuning and wider soundstage make it more enjoyable for casual listening. The S5X has a more understated design, while the P2 Pro’s handcrafted wooden cups add a touch of elegance. Comfort is comparable between the two, though the P2 Pro’s softer pads may appeal to those with sensitivity to pressure.

Hifiman Sundara.

The Hifiman Sundara and Sivga P2 Pro are both cater to very different preferences. The Sundara leans towards a neutral and analytical sound signature, with an emphasis on clarity and detail retrieval. The P2 Pro, in contrast, has a warmer tuning with a slightly elevated bass response. While the Sundara excels in treble extension and airiness, it can sound overly bright for some listeners. The P2 Pro’s soundstage is more expansive, but the Sundara offers more precise imaging. In terms of comfort, the P2 Pro’s plush pads provide a more luxurious feel, while the Sundara’s lighter weight is advantageous for prolonged use.

Hifiman Edition X.

The Hifiman Edition X is a premium planar magnetic headphone that outperforms the P2 Pro in several technical areas, including soundstage depth, imaging accuracy, and dynamic range. The Edition X delivers a more refined and holographic presentation, making it ideal for critical listening. However, the P2 Pro holds its ground with a more engaging bass response and a smoother treble that’s less fatiguing for extended sessions. While the Edition X offers better overall performance, the P2 Pro provides exceptional value for its price and is more accessible to casual listeners.

Conclusion.

The Sivga P2 Pro’s sound performance is a mix of commendable strengths and notable limitations. Its detailed midrange, wide soundstage, and articulate imaging make it a strong contender for audiophiles seeking a balanced planar magnetic headphone. However, its slightly uneven dipped and boosted upper mids and treble tuning and restrained dynamics may not suit every listener. While the P2 Pro offers excellent value within its price range, it’s not without compromises, making it a headphone best suited for those who prioritise clarity and detail over reference accuracy.