Retro-style wired earbuds are easy to dismiss in an era dominated by sealed in-ear monitors and wireless convenience, but the Sivga M300 earphones aim to challenge those assumptions. Blending a classic open-earbud form factor with modern materials and tuning philosophy, the M300 positions itself as a thoughtfully engineered alternative for listeners who value natural presentation and comfort over isolation. With a large dynamic driver, premium wood housing, and a straightforward wired connection, the Sivga M300 promises a refined take on a familiar design, one that prioritizes musicality, balance, and everyday usability. Let’s take a closer look at how the M300 performs across design, comfort, and sound quality, and whether it succeeds in elevating the retro earbud concept for modern listeners.
What You Get
- M300 Earphones
- 3 pairs of ear covers
- Oxford fabric carrying case
- User manual
Look & Feel
I’ve seen a few different manufacturers attempt to replicate a retro earphone design like the one here. I was in middle school when iPod earphones looked like this, and I don’t feel nostalgic for those days. I’ve had a lot more comfortable IEMs for my daily use since then, which are far more comfortable than what I used to listen to. However, the M300 makes me feel like I’m remembering things wrong, as this is one of the best implementations of the retro earphone design I’ve seen in a while. Sivga gives it their touch, with an African wood housing designed to absorb vibrations. It’s a durable, scratch-resistant material with CNC aluminum alloy. This is a far higher standard of design than retro earphones have ever had. Of course, you don’t get much isolation from this design, but they sat in my ear fine without moving around too much.
Design
The Sivga M300 earphones are built around a 15.4mm dynamic driver with a single-piece graphene-coated diaphragm. The earbuds connect via a 3.5 mm single-ended cable made from high-purity silver-plated oxygen-free copper (OFC), improving signal transmission and audio fidelity. They should have no trouble connecting to any standard headphone output.
Soundstage
I wasn’t expecting much from this soundstage, but the M300 does an admirable job displaying a stereo image. The left and right channels have good structural identity, as they feature a considerable spread. Everything is spatially linear, but the M300 is still rewarding with its projection of pan movement and heightened headspace. It finds a way to feel like it’s filling up the space without resulting in congestion and flatness. Layers of sound are properly stacked and separated, but everything is pretty strictly nailed down in terms of their spatial positioning.
Low End
The M300 has a soft but present bass tone that feels just good enough for the price. It features a consistent shape that supplies sub-bass and mid-bass lift that only just evens out the mix. Nothing about its resposne feels substantial, but if you like a smooth foundation to your bass instruments, the M300 offers enough heft to feel significant. Not a lot of detail is extracted from this tone, but it has more depth than you would expect for this kind of wired earbud. The timbre has an effective bloom that is slightly muffly, but never at a detriment to the performance.
Mids
The midrange has the most meat, as the M300 supplies fuller instruments with better clarity. It’s still a linear presentation, but the actual timbre of the mids is clean. There’s weight to the tone, as guitars strum and vocals emanate with a forward drive. Certain sounds aren’t afraid to feel loud and dominant, making a significant impression on the listener with a denser tone. The M300 has a lot it wants to show you when it comes to midrange clarity, and it finds ways to keep on surprising you.
Highs
The treble helps balance out the sound signature by having a very forgiving resposne. Frequencies are smooth and have a noticeable roll off that keeps the highs under control while still featuring some presence. It all feels very standard, as the M300 offers high-frequency content that is easy to digest, but without any real flavor. However, it fits the overall profile of the M300, allowing the mid-treble room to breathe while quieting parts of the high end that can easily become harsh.
Summary
The Sivga M300 proves that retro-style wired earbuds don’t have to feel like a compromise. By pairing a classic open-ear design with a well-tuned 15.4mm dynamic driver and premium materials, Sivga delivers a listening experience that feels deliberate and surprisingly refined. The sound signature leans toward balance and musicality, with a spacious stereo image, a gently supportive low end, articulate mids, and a smooth, forgiving treble that avoids fatigue. While isolation is inherently limited by the design, comfort and tonal cohesion make the M300 an easy earbud to enjoy for extended sessions. For listeners curious about open earbuds or seeking a natural, mid-focused presentation that stands apart from typical IEMs, the Sivga M300 emerges as one of the more convincing and well-executed options in its category.
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The Sivga M300 is available from Amazon.
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