Sivga has become increasingly popular for producing high quality sound at budget-friendly prices. The Luan, priced at 300 bucks, is the latest open-back Sivga headphone to hit the market. Will it again surpass expectations? And what can you expect in terms of sound signature?
What’s in the Box?
- Luan headphones
- Leather carrying case
- Detachable 3.5mm cable
- 1/4 inch adapter
Look and Feel
To be honest, distinguishing between various Sivga models can be challenging due to their strikingly similar designs. However, I must admit that the Luan stands out as one of the most aesthetically pleasing and impressively constructed wooden headphones the company has ever produced. The solidity of the yolks promises longevity, and the inclusion of generously sized velvety ear pads adds to the overall comfort of the listening experience. The suspension headband also creates a sensation of weightlessness, further enhancing the comfort factor. I have no complaints here.
Design
The Luan features a 50mm dynamic driver. The diaphragm is nickel-coated with the intention of improving elasticity and rigidity. The Luan also utilizes macromolecule organic carbon fiber to absorb and minimize vibrations. With an impedance of 38 ohms, the Luan is pretty easy to drive, though it could certainly benefit from a little driving power. For the purposes of this review, I kept things simple and paired the headphones with my Dragonfly Cobalt.
Specifications
| Sivga Luan | |
| Driver | 50mm Dynamic |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 40 kHz |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB |
| Impedance | 38 Ohms |
Sound Impressions
Soundstage
The Luan offers a wide soundstage, immersing you in a spacious sonic environment. That being said, positioning of instruments feels realistic, maintaining a comfortable proximity to the ears. And although the soundstage doesn’t extend far behind the head, it provides an intimate distance just behind the ears. The height is not exaggerated, but the width and depth of the soundstage, along with precise imaging, showcase the Luan’s impressive dimensionality. Most notable is the clean layering of instruments and fantastic separation even in the busiest of mixes. In fact, I’d have to say that the soundstage is the best I’ve heard from any Sivga model, and it certainly surpasses its price in terms of skill.
Low-End
The bass response of the Luan is a combination of power and cleanliness. The lower frequencies have slightly more presence than the higher bass frequencies, creating a clean separation between the low-end and the mids. When listening to pop tracks, the bass packs a satisfying punch without overpowering the rest of the mix, and as we move up the frequency range, the bass response becomes more moderate. The sub-bass frequencies, although impactful, are more perceptible in the ear canals rather than resonating deeply in the chest. In terms of presentation, the sub-bass is dry, lacking excessive reverberation. And listening to string instruments, there was sufficient texture, but also a touch of smoothness that lent a fluidity to the sound.
Mids
The Luan impresses with its gorgeously lush midrange, which contributes to a warm and full-bodied presentation. The low-mid frequencies have a satisfying presence, providing a meaty and impactful quality. The upper mids are skillfully balanced, avoiding any unnatural protrusion in the mix. Instead, there is an enjoyable and energetic equilibrium in this range, with a slight emphasis on the snap of snares and the resonance of rhythm guitars in the higher end. Despite its meaty nature, the Luan maintains an immaculate presentation, ensuring even singular instruments like acoustic guitars sound clean and well-defined in the low-mids. And listening to acoustic instruments within this range, the delivery feels highly natural, yet there is a touch of color or richness that adds vibrancy to the overall mix. Once again, the Luan strikes a pleasing balance between texture and smoothness, delivering a natural, yet refined representation of acoustic instruments.
High-End
The transparency of the Luan in this range is exceptional, offering a top-notch level of detail and resolution, while still sounding highly musical and polished. Vocals are breathy, velvety, and smooth, possessing a richness in color that adds depth to the tone. Every nuance, timbre, and subtle aftertouch becomes readily apparent in this range. There is also a noticeable sparkle in the highs, adding plenty of shimmer and crispness to tracks, particularly evident in funk songs like Daft Punk’s “Fragments of Time.” But despite the impressive extension in the high frequencies, the Luan avoids any uncomfortable treble peaks. So, while the highs while the headphones are thoroughly revealing, they maintain that effortless and enjoyable listening experience that we hear in the lower frequencies.
Summary
The Luan offers an exhilaratingly immersive soundstage that is truly impressive for its price range. The bass is powerful and clean, while the midrange is lush and full-bodied. The high-end is transparent and shines with detail. And all in all, this is a headphone that has skillfully balanced a naturalness with an almost planar magnetic-like richness. Add to that a comfortable fit and beautiful solid design, and you’ve got not only a great entry-level headphone but also one that would satisfy even the most discerning audiophile. I hate when I have to nothing to complain about, but the Luan is a fantastic purchase that leaves nothing to dislike.
You can buy the Sivga Luan at Audio 46.
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