Sivga SM002 Review: Vocal Paradise

June 28, 2023 4:40 pm

I’ve reviewed plenty of Sivga over-ear headphones since they have started growing in popularity, and I tend to be impressed with their sound quality for the price point. But I had no idea that Sivga made IEMs until I found this model sitting on my desk. And I have to admit, the SM002 offered some delightful surprises. How does Sivga’s midrange SM002 perform, and what kind of sound signature can you expect?

What’s in the Box?

SM002 IEMs
2 cables (one with mic) with 3.5mm termination
3 sizes silicone tips
3 sizes foram tips
3 sizes double-layer silicone tips

Look and Feel

The build quality appears like what you’d expect from an IEM at this price point. The silver shells, while reasonably attractive, feel very lightweight and “affordable,” while the aesthetics are quite minimalist. The fit was just okay for me. I’ve had better seals from IEMs, so the isolation wasn’t as perfect as I would have liked it, but all ears are different. And at the end of the day, I had no problems with comfort.

Design

The SM002 combines a 8mm dynamic driver and a balanced armature to achieve its sound signature. Generally, these earbuds seem ideal for the audiophile who’s not only on a budget but who also needs to make calls. Sivga gives you the option of a OFC silver plated cable (with 3.5mm ternination) or a cable with a mic and remote. The cables also use MMCX connections, so you can easily upgrade your sound to a balanced connection should you choose.

Sound Impressions

Soundstage

The soundstage is perhaps one of the most impressive and unique aspects of the SM002. Every instrument in the tracks seems to be pulled back from center, which gives the mix a grand presentation. And certainly, the sense of depth behind the ear is fantastic for an IEM at this price. Forward sitting instruments feel less apparent. The sense of height is also les impressive. But instruments across the stereo field feel rich and generously spaced out. And given the depth and nuanced stereo soundscape, the SM002 offers a colorful and multidimensional soundstage.

Low-End

Fast and impactful, the bass hits a nice balance between thickness and tightness. Sub-frequencies can be felt rumbling in the throat. So, bass enthusiasts should feel satiated. That being said, this is an incredibly transparent and clean IEM for the price, and acoustic instruments especially reveal a fantastic level of detail even in the bass registers. And overall, the bass stays in its lane, never upstaging or muddying the mids.

Mids

If you can tolerate the mild sibilance that sometimes occurs, the Sivga offers one of the most articulate vocal performances I’ve heard in a long time. Even in tracks where lyrics are hard to decipher, the words come out with crystalized clarity in this forward leaning midrange presentation. Snares in the mids are also super articulate with a super detailed resolved, and the timbre feels highly natural. While the low-mids aren’t entirely scooped out, the upper mids have favor here, giving extra slap to percussion and extra presence to vocals. Still, there is a warmth to full-bodied mixes, so you won’t miss out on too much lushness.

Highs

Snares in the upper mids and highs can sound a little too sharp at times. Super sparkly, the SM002 can sometimes feel like it’s touching the sun. That being said, vocals are so light and breathy, they just breeze through the mix effortlessly. But as you can imagine, with such as sound signature, high pitched instruments can reach piercing levels at times, so those who are sensitive to treble should maybe keep looking. But again, in terms of resolution, these IEMs are top notch across the frequency spectrum.

Summary

The Sivga SM002 offers a unique sound signature with impressive soundstage, impactful bass, hyper-articulate vocals, and detailed resolution. And putting the sometimes sharp treble aside, the SM002 is pretty damn impressive for the price. Finally, if you’re an audiophile who requires detachable cables, but also needs to make calls, the SM002 is a very solid option.

You can buy the Sivga SM002 at Audio 46.