Technical Performance
The technical performance is decent, but it can feel a bit crowded when there are multiple vocals and instruments playing together. The stereo imaging is mostly accurate and clear, and the mid-range transparency is particularly impressive. Overall, these are positive aspects of this budget-friendly model. The precise imaging allows for a focused listening experience, making it easy to distinguish each element of a song. However, due to the price range, the soundstage is quite narrow, which limits the sense of spaciousness and airiness in the sound.
The balance of the Luan is perfect for those who seek a flat and neutral sound. There’s an impressive coherency, with a smooth transition from bass to treble. The midrange is clear, the treble is crisp, and the bass has excellent resolution and control, resulting in a well-balanced sound. It is a great choice for coherency without a doubt.
Additionally, Luan retrieves details very well. With a good desktop setup, every detail can be heard clearly. Although the soundstage performance could’ve been better, I couldn’t ask more from it since it does everything right in the other areas.
Comparisons
The Sennheiser HD560 S is a fantastic value for the price. These two both offer great comfort, although the Sennheiser is slightly lighter and more suitable for extended use. However, the Luan has a better build quality due to the use of wood and aluminium components.
The HD560 S has a lean and neutral bass, which is less than the Luan in quantity. The 560 S is an analytical type of headphone with an even flatter and drier sound. The Luan has more kick, pace and decay in its bass. In the mid-range however, the Sennheiser is very clean and transparent, although I think the Luan has a slight musical touch to sound a bit more satisfying in that regard. In terms of treble, both are very strong for the price. I think the HD560 S feels more airy and spacious though.
Simply put, the SV023 is a better Luan. For no-sound topics, they share identical headband designs and build materials. They’re both very comfortable thanks to dynamic drivers being lighter than planars. The packaging is also identical.
The SV023 truly exemplifies clarity, resolution, balance, and technicality in a way that is comparable to the Luan. The difference lies in the sound stage, where the SV023 performs better in my opinion. Thanks to that, it feels more spacious and has a more relaxed tuning with a holographic stage. The SV023 is also better in terms of precise imaging. The Luan struggles in that department from time to time, particularly if you listen to complex recordings.
Conclusion
I’m thoroughly impressed with the overall quality and performance of the new Sivga Luan. The new model has a sleek and premium design, while also being very comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. In terms of sound, the balance and naturalness truly stand out to me. The technical performance is also impressive. What’s even better is that it’s budget-friendly, making it an excellent option for those looking for high-quality audio without spending too much.
In my opinion, Sivga has taken a suitable approach that meets the market’s demands for design, build quality, and sound performance. They are rapidly improving themselves, and their recent creation of dynamic headphones, including the SV023 and this one, are highly capable and competitive units. I’m sure they can showcase similar progress with their planar-magnetic models under the Sendy Audio brand. Looking forward to it.
Pros:
- Great build quality and premium materials
- Good packaging and carrying case
- Excellent comfort
- Natural and flat sound
- Good technicalities
Cons:
- No BAL cable in the package
- The sound-stage can be improved
Page 1: Info, Package, Design, Build, Comfort
Page 2: Sound Quality
