Review: Oriveti OH500 – Tasty

Fit

Nowadays it’s very ordinary to see semi-custom IEMs with 3D printed shells, which go deep into your ear and provide great isolation. However Oriveti chose to go with a different direction. The OH500 is a comfortable IEM first and foremost. The fit is not supremely flush like some other monitors, but the Oriveti’s advantage is the overall comfort and the ease of insertion.

So overall I can say it’s a very comfortable fit. Although being just a little loose compared to other IEMs, it’s enough for every application. It’s easy to enjoy this monitor’s fit, because it doesn’t cause fatigue. So you can listen to it for very long periods without a problem. The supplied M form tips worked quite well for me, but your experience may vary.

Isolation is not the best and that is caused by the dynamic driver of course, but it’s quite good. If you use foam tips then you can block more noise from the outside if you need that.

Sound

The sound character of the OH500 is quite different than that of the OH300 model. It’s like they’ve started their journey from the same point, but eventually took different routes. If you remember the sound section of the OH300 review, then you’re aware that the OH300 has a neutral style with good clarity.

The OH500 sounds quite different with its fuller response and warmer tuning. It is more moving and tasty when directly compared. This is an IEM to be enjoyed in daily life, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint in terms of technical performance while doing that. If you prefer a lush presentation, than this IEM is one of the few choices in this price range in my opinion.

Bass

When you switch to the OH500 from the OH300, you will hear a lusher, warmer and fuller bass response with better control. The OH300 has good bass for the price range, but the OH500 pushes it one step further. And because of its overall presentation, this bass response fits the IEM nicely as a whole.

Lows have good kick, punch and layering altogether with enough subbass amount to please the listeners who like to have this kind of a rumble. Midbass is also quite present and I think it has a better balance there than the OH300. The subbass in the little brother is a little fat sometimes. The OH500 is more consistent in that regard.

The bass has more resolution with the OH500 and it overall is quite natural with its smooth character. It’s not a bass monster, but it’s very enjoyable and rich, depending on the song you listen to. So you can be quite sure that this IEM will give you the kick when asked.

Mids

The mids of the OH500 carry good sense of naturalness, warmth and energy. Once again the presentation here is smooth and moving, and the timbre is very successful to mention. The OH500 gives a very natural and smooth tonality, without giving up the energy too much. You have good dynamism, fullness and control.

The transparency and resolution in this part is identical to its little brother, but the success of the OH500 is its warmth and smoothness. You get more emotion, naturalness and warmth, but it doesn’t cost you the transparency level. This is the biggest difference between the two models to me. You get more with the OH500 yet it maintains that beautiful resolution.

That is also the case for positioning. You still have good sense of position with nice separation and detail. So despite showcasing a warmer, fuller and more organic character, you still have the technical success of the OH300.

Treble

The treble is noticeably softer on the OH500, but it still has good detail and extension. Highs are presented in a more relaxed way and they have more distance to the listener. With the OH300 you get a closer sounding treble with good accentuation. The OH500 goes on with a different path here, and that is the most distinguishable feature between the two.

Some people would find the OH500’s treble presentation soft and laid back. However it provides the needed air and extension to create a sense of space. So I wouldn’t say the treble is too dark or rolled off, but instead I would say it’s positioned very well and it’s very smooth in delivery with good extension. The body in the treble section is a little bit thick, but not to an extent to sound wrong.

Technical Performance

The OH500 is not hard to drive and you’ll probably be OK with any source, including DAPs, DAC/Amps and Bluetooth modules. I think it sounds quite good from smartphones as well. Considering the IEM’s warm and soft touch, this is a very good daily driver for most people.

Oriveti OH500

In terms of technicalities in sound, the OH500’s biggest advantage to the OH300 is the sound stage magnitude. It’s both wider and deeper, so you get a much better perceived stage with very good stereo image. So if the staging dimension is one of your priorities, you can save up a bit more and get the OH500.

In terms of resolution, the OH500 to me provides a better performance with its additional BA drivers. Although the difference is small, it’s noticeable. Also I found out that, thanks to its wider staging and better dynamics, the OH500 gives a slightly better separation. The background blackness on the OH500 is nicer as well. Tonality-wise it’s very very nice and pleasing, which is another advantage over the OH300.

Oriveti has done a beautiful job with this IEM’s technicalities and I don’t think it has an apparent weakness in its presentation overall. Its soft and full bodied timbre will especially be quite pleasing to many ears out there. This IEM certainly has that touch to sound very smooth and warm. Its easy going and coherent nature provides nice listening sessions, even long ones.

The review continues on the next page, just click HERE.

4.3/5 - (55 votes)
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A keen audiophile and hobby photographer, Berkhan is after absolute perfection. Whether it is a full-frame camera or a custom in-ear, his standpoint persists. He tries to keep his photography enthusiasm at the same level as audio. Sometimes photography wins, sometimes his love for music takes over and he puts that camera aside. Simplistic expressions of sound in his reviews are the way to go for him. He enjoys a fine single malt along with his favourite Jazz recordings.

13 Comments

  • Reply August 5, 2019

    Michael Gunin

    Sounds like my tonality. Any chance to compare with Periodic Be?

    • Reply August 6, 2019

      Berkhan

      I don’t have that one, sorry.

  • Reply August 29, 2019

    Alex

    Thanks for great review. I have purchased OH500 and absolutely love the signature which simply sounds right to me comparing to other IEMs. Have you tried to AB compare the OH500 with Oriolus MK2? Would you consider MK2 an upgrade to OH500 in terms of resolution? Any other differences you observed? I saw that graphs are pretty similar. Thank you 🙂

  • Reply September 9, 2019

    Alex

    Any feedback on comparing it to Oriolus MK2? Would you consider Oriolus to be an upgrade to OH500?
    Thanks!

  • Reply September 12, 2019

    Alex

    My sources are HiBy R6 and R6 Pro balanced with silver plated copper cable, original 3.5 was no go with details retrieval. I use stock black silicone tips with shallow insertion as I found them resolving the best treble and bass. I am only slightly annoyed with 2Khz spike.
    We have similar signature preference. BYW, I have just ordered K10U to AB as it is one of your favorites and I hope for better isolation to use in airplanes.

  • Reply September 22, 2019

    Alex

    Berkhan, any feedback on AB with MK2? Thanks!

  • Reply October 2, 2019

    Lord Sinister

    Hello,

    Can someone from Headfonia compare these IEM against each other?
    oBravo Cupid
    Oriveti OH500
    Dunnu DK-4001
    RHA CL2

    Thanks.

  • Reply October 5, 2019

    Bran

    How would the OH500 play with an IBasso DX120?

    • Reply October 8, 2019

      Berkhan

      I wouldn’t recommend that pair. A more open and neutral sounding source is a better choice in my opinion.

  • Reply December 22, 2019

    Mark Jones

    Would the OH500 pair well with Sony WM1a,specifically out of balanced with a Forza Hybrid cable?? Thanks!

    • Reply December 25, 2019

      Berkhan

      Yes: It is a very good match as I myself tried it many times.

  • Reply December 25, 2019

    Mark Jones

    Many thanks! Merry Christmas!!

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