Sivga P2 Pro Review

Sivga is an audio company that first launched in 2016. Known for releases like SV023 and SV021, as well as the Phoenix and Nightingale, they’ve become a quite popular brand. But it was with the P2 that they burst onto the scene a few years ago. These headphones took the audio world by storm, offering a warm but detailed listening experience that came in at an impressive value. Now Sivga is back with an update to the P2, the P2 Pro. Aside from a cosmetic upgrade (a new wood finish is the first thing you’ll notice on this headset), is the P2 a worthy upgrade to its predecessor which took the world by storm? Let’s find out. 

What’s in the Box?

• Sivga P2 Pro Headphones
• Leather hard shell carrying case
• Canvas cable pouch
• 4.4mm balanced cable
• 4.4mm to 3.5 mm adapter
• 4.4mm to ¼” adapter

Build:

The P2 Pro doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel of what’s worked for Sivga so far. The first thing you’ll notice is the wood cups. Wood is a common amenity on Sivga’s headphones. This time, however, Sivga has opted for a lighter colored wood, ditching the Walnut used on the original P2. Around the headphone you get a leathery-material mixed with a mesh material on the ear cups and headband. The yokes and support for the headband are crafted from metal. 

This headphone is simply a looker. From the second I took it out of the box, the blonde wood dazzled my eye. It uses a similarly shaped grill design from the original P2. The cable is also quite similar to that of the original P2. The cable itself terminates in a 4.4mm balanced connection while it relies on two 1/8 inch connectors to attach to the headphone. Fear not though, as the headphone also comes with single ended adapters so you can use this headphone with any amp. 

The P2 Pro weighs in at a moderate 435 grams and is quite comfortable to wear. I’m especially a fan of the angled pads which fit the head more ergonomically. Overall, this is a quite well-built headset. 

Design: 

Like the build, the internal design of the headphone remains similar to that of the original P2. The P2 Pro uses a 97 x 76mm planar magnetic driver to pump out its sound. With an impedance of 32 ohms (+/- 15%) and an SPL of 98 dB (+/- 3 dB), it’s relatively easy to drive, but an amp is definitely recommended. 

But what distinguishes the P2 Pro from its predecessor is how the driver is made. Sivga says the new method involves lithography technology, the same tech that’s used to make chipsets. This process is what creates the coil on the driver diaphragm, which Sivga says can make for a cleaner sound. So it seems we have a similar driver configuration to the original P2, but with a potentially better tuning due to the production process. So, does it sound any better than the original P2?

Sound Impressions: 

The original P2 was so popular because it had a sound that was warm and enjoyable while having a detail-rich top end. But it wasn’t a perfect headphone (none are), as I felt it had a bit of an upper mid range sheen that could be harsh on vocals and mid range instruments. So when we got the P2 Pro in, I was curious how it would improve upon that sound signature. As always, we’ll start with the bass response.

Bass:

The bass on the P2 Pro is pleasant and warm with a nice sense of musicality. It doesn’t bombard you with bass, but the large planar driver does some heavy lifting to create a tangible and visceral bass response. It’s a warm and engaging root to an overall pleasant headphone. I tested these out with the Phoebe Bridgers track “Garden Song” which has a dense low end. Specifically, it features a muffled kick drum and low plucked guitar and bass notes. The P2 Pro welcomed this challenge and created a light and delicate touch to the bass drum sounds, while offering solid separation from the other information happening in the low end. To be clear, it’s not the most detailed low end I’ve heard, but it is one of the more pleasant ones to listen to.

Mids: 

There’s a lot of emphasis on the mid range here, and for good reason, as this is the part of the sound signature that brings everything together. There’s a real sweetness to vocals that makes vocals come to life. Sticking with “Garden Song,” Bridgers’ voice is delicate and rich with solid detail, but an emphasis on enjoyment. It’s forward without being shouty, and, again, presents a nice musicality. 

But what about that upper midrange sheen I mentioned? Well this is much improved. On Kacey Musgraves’ “Slow Burn,” you get a great vocal presentation that eschews the harsh upper midrange sound. Here the vocal is sweet like candy; enticing and addicting. 

Treble:

With all this emphasis on “sweetness” and “musicality,” where is all the detail? Well, that lives in the crisp and tactile top end. The treble here is by no means bright, but it adds an extra sparkle that gives the P2 Pro a compliment to its warm lower end. On a detail-rich song like “Sunblind” by Fleet Foxes, the ride cymbal gets a nice shimmer that never glares or causes fatigue. It brings a balance to the headphone that results in a very pleasurable listen. 

Final Thoughts:

The P2 Pro achieves a difficult task: improve on an original headset without losing the features that made the original great. I think Sivga has met that task nicely. Yes, there still is some artificiality in the midrange, but all in all, this is a delectable headphone. As far as planar magnetic headphones under $500 dollars go, this is a nice option to consider. 

The Sivga P2 Pro is available at Audio46.