Sivga Anser Review: A Fantastic Answer

The Sivga Anser Review contains the technical performances and sonic capabilities of this headphone.
  • Build & Design
  • Fit & Comfort
  • Bass
  • Midrange
  • Treble
  • Soundstage & Separation
  • Packaging & Accessories
4.7/5Overall Score

The Sivga Anser is an open-back headphone for hi-fi music lovers. Fitted with a specially designed 50mm diameter dynamic driver, the dedicated diaphragm ensures a perfect blend of lightness, rigidity, and elasticity. Clear and dynamic audio emanates when playing any genre of music. Providing super-soft memory foam and skin-friendly leather earpads, these headphones can be comfortably worn for hours on end.

At roughly $219, the Sivga Anser seems like a no-brainer for anyone in the market for a pretty good sounding and well-built open design. Shall we proceed with the review of the Sivga Anser to know more about it?

Pros
  • Very well built & comfortable to wear
  • Fantastic sub-bass presentation
  • Mid-bass had good thump & texture
  • Lively vocals
  • Awesome instrument separation
  • Treble is airy
  • Good & useful cable
Cons
  • Mid-bass sometimes shows some unnatural tone
  • Forward vocals may disturb some listeners
  • Soundstage could be a bit wider
  • Misses some treble extension
  • Carrying pouch is too cheap!
Sivga Anser Review
Sivga Anser Review

I’m not that much of a headphone guy, but rather an IEM guy, you can say. But whenever I’ve got any chance to enjoy speaker systems or full-sized headphones, I don’t ignore the opportunity. Tell me, who does? Over the years, I tried lots of headphones, open-back & closed-back, both. I love closed-backs for their good bass response, and on the other side, open-backs for their awesome soundstage. But as I’m a marathoner, headphones give me a bit of discomfort in my longer listening sessions.

Though an open-back headphone, this Sivga Anser surprises me with it’s superb bass response. Both the sub-bass and the mid-bass are fantastic. In my testing, I find the mid-bass has a good body and thump, but sometimes it feels unrealistic (a bit metallic). The sub-bass is of good quality, and the midrange has adequate details with a tasteful vocal presentation. Separation is good here, but the soundstage is not as wide as you may expect from an open-back style headphone. Treble is also nice with a lot of air and extension.

It’s a DD headphone and not as much power-hungry as the regular planar drivers are. But you will be dissapointed if you pair it with a less powerful device or your smartphone, tab, etc. They may easily drive it, but the sound quality will reduce drastically, and you will miss the original sound presentation of the headphone. I will explain it in this review later.

SIVGA was kind enough to send me the ‘Anser’ to review. I am not affiliated with Sivga, and of course, I was not asked for any copy-checking before publishing. All opinions shared in this ‘Sivga Anser review’ are my subjective thoughts.

One thing more: The review is based on my personal experience and what I hear using different sources. Your experience may vary because of personal preference and physical differences like the shape & depth of the ear canal.

For your personal purchase, checkout GEEK MART or SIVGA for their fantastic products and promotions (non-affiliated links).

●   DAP: Cowon Planue R2, Cayin N3 Ultra, iBasso DX180, Tempo Tac V3
●   DAC/AMP: xDuoo MT-604, KAEI Design TAP2 (with Muses OPA……..), ifi Hip DAC 2, xDuoo XD-05 Plus (with BB OPA 2604), Cayin RU7, iBasso DC04 Pro, Dunu DTC 480, Fosi Audio DS-1, Celest CD-10, Celest CD-20 Hidizs SD8 Pro Robin, Moondrop Dawn Pro.
●   Smart Device: Poco X3, Xiaomi MiPad 5
●   Files: Spotify, local Hi-Res FLAC & DSD files.

Sivga Anser Review
Sivga Anser Review

● Anser Headphone
● Cable with 3.5mm jack
● Carrying Hemp bag
● 3.5mm female to 6.35mm male converter

Nothing fancy here. The headphones come in a large cardboard box. Inside, you’ll find the headphones, a detachable braided cable with a 3.5mm connector, a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter, and a carrying pouch nested securely in foam cutout. The carrying pouch, made of febric, is suitable for storage, but for regular transport, you should invest in a hard case.

Sivga Anser Review
Sivga Anser Review

The headband of the Anser is metal, then wrapped in pleather and stitched in white. The padding has been upgraded with additional fabric on the inside that should help it last longer and resist sweat more. Joints that attach the ear cups to the headband are also metal and provide for 180-degree horizontal rotation as well as about 45-degree movement vertically inward. The ear cups are made of wood, polished and air-dried, while the outer part is covered with a metal mesh, showing that it is open-backed.

These headphones sport 50mm dynamic drivers with titanium-plated diaphragms and carbon fiber polymer domes, which are adequate for clear sound reproduction. The braided cable is detachable and 2 meters in length, ending in a 3.5mm connector on one end and two 3.5mm TRS connectors on the other. While the cable feels solid with fabric coating, you may invest in an aftermarket 4.4mm balanced cable if you need that kind of connectivity.

Sivga Anser Review
Sivga Anser Review
Sivga Anser Review
Sivga Anser Review

The Anser is fairly comfortable. The soft earpads are 100mm by 85mm, with an oval opening of 60mm by 45mm and a depth of 25mm—a pretty decent room to fit most ears. Although weighing in at 342 grams, these headphones barely feel that heavy because of the headband padding and a clamping force that is just about average.

Sivga Anser Review
Sivga Anser Review

To my experience, Anser sounds a little different straight out of the box. Though the mid-bass stays punchy, the sub-bass section doesn’t show the proper body & rumble; the mids seem a bit shouty, where the vocals are too forward and the treble has an uneven sparkle. But after 50-60 hours of burn-in, the whole scenario changed! The sub-bass has a good presence even though it’s an open-back style of headphone. The mid-bass remains punchy, while the midrange stays on the line, not much forward, and the treble shows a good extension.

Here is the frequency graph (courtesy: musicafe):

Sivga Anser Review

Let’s dive deep…

The Sivga Anser earphones deliver exciting and controlled sub-bass sound. There’s a rich, rumble-enriching sound in a balanced form, and it doesn’t overwhelm other sound dimensions. The sound is optimized with bass-heavy songs, and its sub-bass is well-described, delivering a powerful base sound in proportion with the overall sound profile of earphones.

The sound with these headphones when listening to K.D. Lang‘s “Constant Craving” enriches the song in a delicate form, enriching its depth. There’s a perceptible bass line, but it doesn’t overwhelm Lang’s voice and accompanying instruments but just warms and enriches sound in a balanced form. Anser’s sub-bass reproduction in this song brings a balanced and immersive sound, and one can enjoy the performance’s emotional dynamics.

The headphones have a mid-bass that induces soundscapes with an emphasis on enjoyment. The bass is such that it possesses enough speed, dynamism, and recovery, and it’s a good bet for casual, energetic listening. This headphone’s bass performance is strong and well-isolated from mids and is a guaranteed source of a definite sound in terms of space. However, such a sound in terms of space can sound a bit artificial in its personality, with a restrained mid-bass that keeps an edge of naturality in its tuning.

Listening to “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne with these headphones is a thrill. The energetic bass line of the song is produced with proper speed and dynamism, a perfect stage for driving the beat of the song. The mid-bass contributes to a fun and lively presentation, capturing the essence of the rock anthem. Isolation between mids and bass helps in a clear sound in the sound of riffs of a guitar and voice, such that each part of the track is heard distinctly. With such a balanced sound, a listening session turns out to be a pleasure, especially for a listener who prefers a lively and energetic sound.

Sivga Anser Review

It’s rich and warm when it comes to vocal presentation. It delivers it in a forward manner, but it’s not disturbing in longer listening sessions. You won’t miss the textures, though it stays a bit smooth.

The warm and mild V-shaped sound signature leans towards a thicker male vocal presentation. This tuning provides a smooth and engaging listening experience. The midrange is clear and natural, bringing vocals and instruments forward, allowing to hear the nuances of the singer’s voice from deep baritone to the soaring tenor. This makes the Anser a great choice for enjoying male-fronted music across various genres.

Listening to Patrick Swayze‘s powerful rendition of “She’s Like the Wind” through Anser headsets is an immersive one. The headsets transmit the fullness and richness of his voice, bringing the emotion and intensity of the tune in flawless detail. You can detect each of his inflections, each of his breathy phrases, and the naked emotion in his delivery, and listening is both engrossing and deeply moving.

These headphones deliver a warm and detailed sound character with a specific gold for bringing out female vocals in a manner that is particularly effective at conveying the nuance in a singer’s voice, from breathy whisper passages to loud belts, and presenting them with a rich, in-your-grille sound. Sivga Anser earphones beautifully isolate the vocalist from the accompaniment and, for that reason, enable you to appreciate each nuance in a singer’s performance.

When listening to “Listen to Your Heart” by Roxette through these headphones, I was just captivated by the way they bring Marie Fredriksson’s voice to life. This set can reproduce the emotionality in her voice, both in its vulnerability in quiet passages and in its raw emotion in the build-up in the song. You can sense each inflection, each whispered breath, and each nuance in her delivery and have an immersive and emotive listening experience.

Sivga Anser Review

The instrument separation is really impressive here. This set effectively isolates individual instruments within a musical mix, allowing you to clearly hear each element—the bass line, the drums, the guitars, the vocals—without them blending together. This clarity enhances the overall listening experience, making it easier to appreciate the intricate interplay between different instruments and the overall musical composition.

“Brand New Day” by Sting is a complex song with a layered soundscape. Listening to it through Anser headphones reveals the model’s capability in instrument separation. The track’s rich tapestry of sounds, from the rhythmic guitar strums to the nuanced brass sections, is present with clarity while Sting’s vocals remain distinct and in the forefront. The headphones’ ability to delineate these elements ensures that the vibrant energy and detailed production of the song are fully experienced.

It has a smooth and refined treble response while avoiding any harshness or sibilance. It is smoother compared to other models from the brand. This kind of tuning ensures high frequencies, like cymbals, high-pitched vocals, and the sparkle of acoustic instruments, are presented in a clear and detailed manner without sounding overly bright. The treble integrates seamlessly with the midrange and bass, creating a cohesive and enjoyable sound signature suitable for various music genres.

Listening to “One” by Metallica via the headphones is an in-depth and immersive one. The treble response brings out the complex high-frequency aspects of the tune, including the cymbal crashes and harmonics of the guitar, with accuracy and fidelity. These are delivered in a non-abrupt manner, with a smooth and engrossing sound. The treble tune of the Anser helps in delivering the changing dynamics of the tune, starting with delicate opening and peaking with a powerful climax, and brings out a full-fledged listening experience, accentuating the tune’s complexity.

Sivga Anser Review: A Fantastic Answer

These headphones deliver a relatively intimate and focused soundstage for an open-back model. Listeners can perceive that the soundstage is even more centered, providing a near, intimate listening environment. On the other hand, listeners who prefer a larger and roomier soundstage can perceive that the Anser’s soundstage is a little restricted. Please remember that individual soundstage experiences can differ depending on one’s own listening preference and actual recordings played.

Queen‘s “Bohemian Rhapsody” played through these headphones reveals a new interpretation of the complex arrangement in the song. The intimate soundstage of the headphones place Freddie Mercury’s voice and accompanying piano at the center, providing an intimate’s feeling towards listening to a performance. As the transition comes in operatic and rock parts, the focused soundstage keeps its transparency, allowing one to perceive individual parts in the mix. Those who prefer a larger soundstage for such a variegated tune will feel a little restricted soundstage with the Anser, but a coherent and engrossing listening experience with rich detail in the tune is provided.

These headphones in general present a strong technical performance, with a high level in many key areas.

The headsets have a high range of volumes that can be played without any form of distortion, accurately representing both the softest of whispers and loudest of crescendos in the audio. This range of dynamics enables you to enjoy the fine and emotional value of the audio in full and appreciate its impact at a deeper level.

In general, the headsets isrelatively quick in reproduction, in terms of representing rapid changes in pace and transients in the audio, for instance, in rock, electronic, and jazz. But don’t expect the speed as it is in any technical or analytical headphones.

Sivga Anser headsets in most cases gives a fair level of detail and resolution in the audio. You will distinctly perceive individual instruments and vocals in a complex audio mix, and therefore enjoy a high level of regard for the intricate interweaving between constituent parts and therefore a deeper enjoyment of the audio’s textures and complexity.

Sivga Anser Review

Sources are to provide power and give you a good/bad synergy that can bring out the potential or the weaknesses of the IEM. I will divide this section into two subsections. Let’s jump in right away.

These headphones are designed to be versatile, with an impedance of 38 ohma and a sensitivity of 105dB. This makes them easy to drive with a veriety of devices, from smartphones and laptops to portable audio players. But the thing is, while they can work well with low-power sources, they will benefit from a dedicated amplifier or a high quality DAC/amp combo, especially if you want to unlock their full potential in terms of dynamics, detail, and soundstage.

As the headphones has a versatile nature, they paired very well with various type of sources. What kind of sound signature you like to hear, brigh or warm? Just pair it with your favourite source and enjoy every bit of it. But overly bright/analytical sources or overly warm/ bass heavy sources may ruin the sound of these headphones. It delivers a tight & controlled sound with solid state sources and even produce the warm, lush, musical sound of the tube sources. The choice is yours.

The Sivga Anser earphones come with a removeable cable, allowing for a switch in case it is desired. Having a high-quality cable (with proper shielding and high-quality connectors) can make a big sound improvement and minimize interference. In case your sound source is balanced (e.g., 2.5mm, 4.4mm), consider a balanced cable for increased power and sound performance. And the ear pad quality is so good, you don’t need to change it for comfort. But no ones gonna stop you from changing them if you wanna explore different pads to change the seal and sound of your likings.

As the Sivga Anser is an open-back or semi-open-back model, it will sound its best in a quiet environment. Open-back headphones usually produce a large sound then the closed-back ones, and a sensation of room. They will not give you the utter enjoyment if you use in loud environments or in a public listening environment. Ensure your source audio can deliver enough power to maximize use of the open-back headphones, for a poor source will not yield its best sound and detail.

Sivga Anser Review

The Sivga Anser headphones offer a premium listening experience at an accessible price point. The build quality is exceptional with a very comfortable design, which will give you satisfaction in longer listening sessions. And the sound signature is balanced and detailed, with a bit of emphasis on the bass region. The whole package makes them a versatile choice for various music genres. If you have a DAC/amp that can deliver decent power, you will enjoy every bit of it by unlocking it’s full potential. Do I recommend it? Off course! But before taking any decision, don’t forget to have an audition.


● Audiophiles seeking warm balanced sound.
● Who loves mid-bass over sub-bass.
● Who loves open-back design.
● Comfort seekers.
● Fans of aesthetic design.
● Mid-fi enthusiasts.
● Home listeners.

● Bass heads, treble heads, and analytical listeners.
● Portability-focused users.
● Gamers needing a mic.
● Who loves wider soundstage.

Sivga Anser Review: A Fantastic Answer



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