The Oriveti OV800 brings the incredible sound of O800 but adds switches to allow users to tailor the sound to their liking.
The OV800 are handmade, this means there is a high level of attention to detail and each set are a masterpiece. The driver setup consists of 2x BA woofers, 4x BA midrange drivers and 2x BA tweeters. The woofers are from Knowles while the mid and high BA drivers have been produced in-house to Oriveti’s desired specifications. This is impressive, and has allowed Oriveti to really tune the sound of the OV800 to their specification.
The OV800 come with all-new stained wood faceplates, these look incredible in person and are sure to stand out in your collection. The new 8-wire SPC cable is supple and comfortable in use and elevates the sound too. The port on the earphones alleviates listening fatigue along with improving the soundstage, with out impacting the excellent isolation these provide.
The sound is tuned to be smooth and resolving, much like the O800, but this time Oriveti have incorporated tuning switches. These allow you to add a little more sub-bass presence for a warmer sound, or a little added treble brightness for increased presence and clarity. You can also turn both of these on for a slightly more v-shaped sound signature – so you can choose what you personally prefer.
The Oriveti O400 have a similar shell design as all the newer O and OH series from Oriveti – a hand crafted resin shell that is smooth and very well finished that has a fairly short nozzle which allows for a shallow to medium insertion depth. They fit well in the ear, but the housings are not the smallest and will stick out a little for those with smaller/odd shaped ears like me.
Comfort is good, the housing shape really helps with this as there are no sharp edges that dig in to your ears, also the nozzle is a good angle and lenght to fit most people securely without the insertion depth being too intrusive. The cable has a pre-moulded section of memory wire which is very comfortable, and the cable is soft and comfortable in use.
Compatibility
The O400 uses 4 Balanced Armature drivers, they are Knowles drivers and split between ultra-low/low-mid/mid-high/high frequencies. The O400 have an impedance of 15Ohms and a sensitivity rating of 110+-3dB/mW @1000Hz – this means they are very easy to drive however being an all BA based model it is best to pair them with a source that has less than 1Ohm output impedance to get the best out of them.
Sound
Bass: The O400 have 2 drivers covering the low end, they split up the sub and mid-bass and allow for a subtle sub-bass lift that doesn’t bleed through and affect the midrange or cause any unwanted resonance and bloat. Oriveti have managed to pull off a really impressive tuning down low, one that has a full and deep sub-bass response yet a tight and impactful mid-bass that always sounds controlled. There is never any warming to the lower midrange, allowing vocals and guitars to shine through with ease, these don’t have a high level of bass and it is well aligned with the rest of the frequency response – so they wouldn’t be my pick for bass-heads – however they do handle bass very well without any discernible roll-off.
Midrange: Due to the exceptional control of the low end, the midrange just cuts through with ease and clarity on the O400 – offering up a revealing yet easy to listen to midrange experience without harshness. For the price these extract an impressive amount of detail from the midrange, you won’t miss a thing yet they are very well balanced too. Male vocals don’t sound dull, female vocals are devoid of sibilance or excess presence, the transition into the treble is handled very well and nothing stands out. These have an effortless and clean midrange that seems to handle anything you throw at them without sounding congested.
Treble: The treble rounds off a really great presentation allowing for plenty of air and ambience, along with detail and sparkle without overdoing it and becoming thin/bright sounding. You won’t miss any cymbal taps or crashes, snares are incredibly snappy and violins are presented with finesse and grace. There is no early roll-off, they aren’t muted or splashy, they have great control and this really does help to make the O400 sound refined, open and clean.
Genres and Soundstaging
The O400 work well with pretty much anything you throw at them, they have a controlled and clean sound with a mild sub-bass boost that adds body and reinforces the low end without affecting other frequencies. However these are not bass heavy and would not be my first pick for more bass oriented genres (the OH500 does a better job with those).
Soundstaging isn’t huge, there is great air though and whilst it may be lacking in absolute width and heigh there is good depth to the sound and positional accuracy is a definite strong point of the O400.
Who are they for?
Those wanting a clean and transparent sound without the more typical analytical tuning
People who want a comfortable and enjoyable daily IEM
Conclusion
Oriveti have created a unique tuning with the O400, they have a clear and open sound that has a slight sub-bass lift that helps give the sound a solid foundation and adds a bit of body without adding bloat or overall warmth. This works really well and the O400 are a comfortable and easy to listen to daily IEM that offer up a lot of detail for their relatively low price, yet another excellent value for money model from Oriveti and one that I can easily recommend you try if you enjoy a more detail oriented earphone.
Oriveti may fly under the radar for many audio enthusiasts, but they sure do know how to make some of the best value for money earphones in the industry. The new O400 is no different, offering up a high quality finish with excellent sound quality, what’s not to love?
The new Oriveti O400 featuring 4 custom tuned balanced armature drivers with a custom crossover network in a hand made resin shell you can tell a lot of attention has been put in to the earphones. The O400 has been paired with an 8-wire silver plated copper along with a huge selection of tips including the much loved Azla SednaEarfit™ Xelastec. The drivers are split evenly across the range: 1 Treble BA, 1 Bass BA, 1 Mid-treble, 1 Bass-Mid BA – this allows for minimal distortion and increased range and separation.
The O400 are nice and easy to drive at 10 Ohms and 112dB +-3dB/mW, 1000Hz sensitivity, however as with any multi-driver earphone they do definitely benefit from having a good source powering them.
Oriveti have tuned the O400 to have a balanced, natural and wide sound signature – with a subtle lift in the sub-bass region and a clean and crisp midrange, the treble is airy and transparent but without nasty peaks or induce harshness.
Packing in 8-BA drivers per side the O800 are set to take on the big brands; Oriveti have done an excellent job at tuning these for a natural and coherent sound that is packed full of detail.
The O800 have a smooth resin shell with a metal nozzle for the eartips, the housing is on the larger size which is to be expected, but they fit very well in the ear once you find the right size of tips for your canals. In my small ears they don’t sit all that flush and stick out a little, but most people with normal size ears won’t have this problem. They are comfortable once inserted though, and the housings are not heavy so they sit securely too. The cable is the same as the OH series and features pre-moulded earhooks which I find to be very comfortable in use. Overall they are comfortable and fit securely for long listening sessions.
Compatibility
With an impedance of 15? and a sensitivity of 110dB (+-3dB/mW) @1000Hz they are quite sensitive and will be a little picky with sources. They will pick up hiss from noisier devices, and being an all BA design it would be best to pair them with a dedicated DAP with lower than 1? output impedance. Whilst easy to drive, they are sensitive so careful pairing is best with the O800.
Sound
Bass: The O800 have excellent bass response, it’s not your typical fast and dry response like many of the lower end BA based models. There is real depth and body down low when needed, they extend down to the sub-bass without any real noticeable roll-off but do have slightly more mid-bass punch than sub-bass rumble. And whilst there is plenty of body to the low end, it is always controlled and never bleeds into the midrange or dominates the sound. Kick drums have impact and body, bass guitars have great articulation and they have the speed to keep up with even the most complex of tracks.
Midrange: The midrange is well presented and ever so slightly forward, there is great layering which allows you to pick apart the recording with ease. Whilst there isn’t any major colouration, there is a slight hint of warmth to the midrange that keeps things from sounding sterile and cold. The O800 have a slightly rounded and organic tone to them which helps them sound real and natural. The detail retrieval is superb, you can hear every breath, every little detail and nuance. The upper midrange is handled well too, without sibilance or harshness.
Treble: Whilst there is loads of sparkle and extension up top, it is always delivered in a smooth and enjoyable way. It is expertly rendered with subtlety and refinement whilst not being pushed to the background. The treble is never pushed forwards in the mix, and there is plenty of detail in the treble. The tonality once again is spot on too, never do they sound metallic or artificial. I really appreciate this presentation, they don’t push the treble forward to create a sense of artificial detail, instead they actually have the detail should you listen for it.
Genres and Soundstaging
The O800 having a natural and coherent sound signature lend their hand to pretty much anything you throw at them, they are controlled and can handle complex mixes yet also have enough body for modern pop. However they are quite revealing and do sound better with tracks that are mastered well, yet they don’t render poorly recorded music unlistenable at the same time. The O800 are a great all-rounder.
Soundstaging is good, there is a real depth to the sound and the superb layering definitely helps here. Whilst they are not the widest sounding earphones out there, they do have superb coherency and don’t sound detached.
Conclusion
The O800 are one of the best earphones I’ve heard lately, they have an effortlessly smooth and coherent sound with the midrange being ever so slightly forward. They are not a studio neutral sound, yet they have a great balance overall that makes them highly enjoyable to listen to. They sound convincing and are not lacking in an area, they are also comfortable and very well built, and a real gem under the £1000 price point.
Greetings, headphone enthusiasts! Is there anything better than cracking open a fresh new bit of audio kit? We propose that there is not.
That’s why we’re gathering all our new unboxing videos under one roof, for those times when you just want to curl up with a good bit of vicarious audio product consumption.
Let us know if you have a suggestion for a future unboxing! We want to open everything we can get our grubby hands on.
The OH300 are constructed by hand from acrylic and the new finish is flawless. Smooth rounded edges and an all-black finish make them look professional and understated. The Oriveti logo and name is in silver lettering on the faceplate, and doesn’t stand out too much, I really do love the sleek and smooth look Oriveti have gone for.
Build quality is superb, the housings feel durable, the MMCX connectors are tight and don’t swivel freely which is great. The cable uses 8-cores of silver-plated copper and feels incredible with great strain relief too, I’m very impressed by the quality for the price.
Comfort and Isolation:
The rounded edges of the housing, combined with the size and comfortable cable all contributes to a superb fit, once you have found the right size tips. I did find that foam tips tend to make them fit more securely.
The OH300 isolate well, even though the housing is vented I have not found this to negatively affect the isolation. Perfect for daily commuting and general use.
Sound:
Bass: The OH300 are a hybrid model, and there is a single dynamic driver looking after the low end. Luckily, they have tuned this driver to be tight and fast, perfectly complimenting the detail of the BA drivers. There is still a little bit of added warmth from the dynamic driver, but this is well controlled and never causes any congestion. There is excellent articulation down low, along with great extension and punch. All in good measure and never becoming the main focus of the sound.
Midrange: The mids on the OH300 are spot on, perfectly balanced in the mix with natural yet clean tonality. Vocals are rendered with texture and emotion, yet they are also clear and detailed. Electric guitars have power yet during slower acoustic tracks they exhibit excellent reverberation and subtle detail retrieval. There is a no-nonsense approach to the midrange, it is where it should be with correct tonality and really does just get out of the way.
Treble: The treble is airy and extended, with great impact but not a hint of harshness. Cymbals are rendered with great impact and shimmer, yet they don’t have nasty peaks that induce fatigue. They are not toned down to make these a full sounding earphone, but they have an incredibly lively yet smooth treble response that is truly impressive for the price. There is plenty of detail and resolution up top too, it is this mix of resolution yet refinement that really impresses.
The separation is really impressive, along with the layering. The soundstage is not huge, but there are plenty of out of head experiences to be had, along with the fact that the imaging is pinpoint accurate.
Conclusion:
The OH300 really does a lot right, especially when you take in to account the £299 price tag. With a detailed and even-handed sound signature that is tonally accurate yet not boring. There is power when needed, yet they always have a controlled and refined approach to rendering your favourite tracks.
The newest release from Campfire Audio comes in the form of the Campfire Audio IO, a garnet-coloured IEM with dual balanced armature drivers. The IO features a detachable silver-plated copper cable with smoky tangle-resistant jacket and updated Beryllium copper MMCX connectors. You can also expect the array of accessories you expect from Campfire Audio.
Campfire Audio Polaris (2019 Edition)
Campfire have updated the legendary Polaris IEM for 2019, aptly titled… yes, you guessed it: the Polaris 2019 Edition. Campfire kept the basic setup of the dual drivers, but everything else has been reworked from the floor up, including the drivers themselves.
Campfire Audio Andromeda
Campfire’s iconic green anodized IEMs, the Andromeda, have gotten a few tweaks for spring 2019, including a cable update, fresh new accessories, and a change to the connectors. Also given a boost is the earhook design which sees Campfire rid itself of the memory wire previously housed in the cable itself.
Etymotic ER2-XR
The Etymotic ER2-XR extended response in-ear isolating earphones deliver Etymotic’s iconic passive isolation to block out up to 35dB of background noise. This means you won’t have to blast the volume to appreciate the ER2-XR’s full bass response and detailed sound.
Etymotic ER2-SE
These guys look similar to their cousins, but the ER2-SE is a powerful flat-response in-ear perfect for studio professionals. It’s called the ‘Studio Edition’ for a reason! No range is altered, giving a crystal clear representation of the original sound.
Oriveti OH300
Oriveti is dropping two shiny new IEMs, the first of which is the Oriveti OH300. These triple driver IEMs give a beautiful clear, balanced, neutral sound and look incredibly sleek and impressive. Probably the IEMs Batman would own, if he needed to hear crystal clear audio of himself delivering brutal one-liners.
Oriveti OH500
The Oriveti OH500 houses five drivers (quad balanced, single dynamic) within its gorgeous resin exterior. With those, you get an unfailingly smooth response with some strong low end. Their handcrafted cable of eight-strand braided silver plated wire is second to none, but still detachable for your convenience.
These 2 new models from Oriveti have just arrived in our office and will be available very soon. Due to the popularity of the New Primacy, we thought we should give you guys a quick first impression of them.
The OH300 is set to replace the New Primacy, sporting a new dynamic driver, along with the familiar dual Knowles balanced armature drivers. The OH500 is the new flagship model, sporting a dynamic driver along with 4 balanced armature drivers. Both come with a new 8-core braided silver-plated copper cable and leather carry case.
Both come with a cleaning tool, airplane adaptor, 3.5mm to 6.3mm adaptor along with an assortment of tips: S, M and L single flange silicone tips in 2 styles, along with 2 pairs of bi-flange tips and 2 pairs of M foam tips. Overall an excellent array of accessories.
Build quality is very impressive, Oriveti have now changed to a resin housing which is super smooth and makes them feel like a really premium product. The new 8-core cable is excellent and feels really durable, along with nice tight MMCX connectors. There really isn’t anything to fault here, both look and feel excellent.
The New Primacy always was quite a sensitive monitor, and these are no different so you may get slight hiss with certain sources, but it should be minimal. Pairing them with a good clean DAP is best though.
Sound:
The OH300 has a more neutral leaning sound signature, with excellent clarity and resolution. These are set to be priced around £300 and for that you get a really superb IEM. The midrange clarity is one of the main things that grabs your attention, with details coming across easily and effortlessly. The lows are tight and controlled but fill out the low end when required. They don’t bleed into the midrange, but they sound more coherent when compared to the New Primacy. These are not lacking when it comes to punch and extension, but they are those who like a bit of extra bass might want to look elsewhere. Up top you get great energy and sparkle, but they are a little less bright when compared to the New Primacy. They sound a little more refined without taking away the extension and detail that the New Primacy was famed for.
The OH500 has a slightly more organic tilt, favouring smoothness and slightly full tonality over a more analytical approach. The OH500 are one of those monitors you can put in and just relax, without missing out on technicalities. On the low end you get more pronounced sub-bass than the OH-300, but still a quick and tight mid-bass region preventing too much bleed into the lower midrange. The sub-bass is powerful and comes out of a black background when called for. The midrange is clean and has excellent layering, but it is presented in a natural way, without being pushed up front. There are no real peaks favouring male or female vocals, and the transition into the treble is incredibly smooth. The treble has a rise in the upper region creating a more airy, refined and extended sound rather than being more energetic and in your face. The soundstaging on the OH500 is truly superb, there is a really excellent sense of space with great placement of instruments.
These 2 models are definitely worth keeping an eye on, with the OH300 giving you a more neutral yet coherent sound, and the OH500 offering up a slightly lush but well extended and detailed sound. Oriveti are one of those brands who know how to tune a great earphone, so the competition better watch out.
Hifiheadphones will be at the Indulgence show in London later on this month, so here is some info about the show:
Where?
Hammersmith Novotel London West
When?
29 Sept-1 Oct (10am-6pm on Friday and Saturday, 10am-5pm on Sunday)
Effect Audio
We will be showing off the range of luxury handmade upgrade cables from Effect Audio which are sure to turn some heads.
Starting at £149 and going up to over £1000, there are cables to suit all tastes and headphones. Come by and hear the difference yourself!
Final
Alongside them will be the latest offerings from Final, including a prototype of their D8000 planar magnetic headphone.
Since 1974, Final have been producing hi-fi equipment that reflects a musician’s passion for art, as well as their own passion for engineering. Truly unique, Final’s headphones combine sleek retro styling and ground-breaking technology.
Oriveti
We will also be taking along the superb Oriveti New Primacy triple hybrid in-ear headphones, and their Basic model too.
The New Primacy sets a new standard for sub £300 headphones, offering excellent value for money with a highly resolving and detailed sound.
The Basic is a fun everyday in-ear headphone that is superbly built and costs under £100.
The Oriveti New Primacy are a slightly mid forward sounding in-ear headphone, with excellent air, detail retrieval and layering, a must listen at this price range.
Pros:
Clarity
Control
Detail retrieval
Cons:
Highs could be a little more refined
Aesthetics, Build Quality and Accessories
The Oriveti New Primacy are a beautiful in-ear headphone, with seductive curves and a smooth finish. With a simple logo on each earpiece, they are understated, and the braided cable adds to the quality feel.
The build quality is top notch, the New Primacy housing is metal and very well finished, the cable is a 8 core braided cable with MMCX connectors. The MMCX connectors are tight and do not detach easily, or cut out, the jack is right angled with excellent traind relief and the y-split is a small piece of heatshrink. There is a chin slider, but there is lack of strain relief where the cable goes into the MMCX connector. Overall a very well built headphone that should last a long time.
Accessory wise these do not disappoint, they come with a multitude of tips 2 pairs of each silicon tip (S,M,L), 2 pairs of bi-flange tips, along with 2 pairs of medium foam tips, you also get a sleek metal carry case, flight adaptor, 3.5 to 6.3mm adaptor and a pair of earhooks. An excellent amount of accessories, to ensure everyone will be able to get a good fit.
Comfort, Isolation, Cable Noise and Driver Flex
The New Primacy are extremely comfortable due to their smooth shape and ease of insertion. The cable is soft and flexible and you really don’t feel them once inserted properly.
Isolation is good, they managed to block out a lot of outside noise effectivey and would be perfect for the daily commute.
Cable noise is not an issue with these, however there is a slight bit of driver flex upon insertion.
The bass on these will not overpower the rest of the sound, but they will create a solid foundation for the whole sound. They are full bodied, yet tight and impactful when called for, with excellent extension. They won’t satisfy bassheads, but for most there will be enough presence to keep things fun without excess. The dyanmic driver really gives these an articulate and well balanced low end, that can keep up with heavy rock, yet also the full body of acoustic recordings. I find there is a bit of mid-bass bloom, but this only adds a little extra body and does not affect the lower midrange.
Mids
The midrange is detailed and linear, nothing stands out apart from the excellent clarity and air. Both male and female vocals sound exceptional with very good detail retrieval, only the slightest hint of sibilance. Tonally they are good but maybe a litte dry for some tastes, not sounding as warm and euphoric as some out there.
Highs
The highs have good air and extension, and they are well presented in the mix. The great thing about the highs on these is the lack of peakiness, meaning whilst they are always present they are never fatiguing. They are sparkly and have good detail and resolution with great layering, overall very good treble indeed.
Soundstage
The soundstage is fairly intimate, with slightly forward mids, the instrument separation is very good with an airy presentation though.
Conclusion
The Oriveti New Primacy has a bit of a mid forward sound signature, with excellent clarity and air throughout the range, the bass digs deep and is very articulate, the mids have a habit of bringing out all the detail in recordings but not in an unpleasant way. The highs are airy and well extended, without fatiguing properties, overall a very comfortable and enjoyable listen. The New primacy manages to be a very coherent sounding hybrid design, with a very well textured an layered sound.
Oriveti are new on the scene and they certainly know how to make an entrance. The new Oriveti Basic earphone packs a punch and gives you plenty of features for its modest price tag.
The Basic is Oriveti’s entry model and along with the flagship New Primacy earphone it is clear that they mean business. Oriveti only use high quality materials to build their earphones and the design is unique and very stylish.
The Oriveti Basic is supplied with a 4 strand twisted cable that feels very tough while also being flexible and avoids getting tangled very well. The cable connects to the earphones using standard MMCX connectors and on the other end it terminates in a gold plated straight jack plug.
These earphones are very attractive with an aluminium body finished in matt black on both the earpieces and the jack plug. Using aluminium makes them comfortable and lightweight as well as feeling robust. A rubberised edge on the earphones helps to reinforce where the cable connects.
These earphones seem to have been designed primarily to be worn with the cable going over the ear and cable guides are provided to add extra support – the Basic’s can also be worn cable down for those who prefer it and the large selection of silicone eartips supplied allow you to achieve the perfect fit. Then to keep your earphones safe Oriveti have included a soft feel tough carry case.
Underneath the attractive casing is where the magic happens. A 10mm titanium coated driver supplies an impressive amount of bass. Now I am not much of a bass head but after listening to these for a while I found myself really enjoying them.
They’re not audiophile and they won’t give you a reference sound but if you like your earphones to be fun and enjoyable with plenty of punch then these could be for you. The isolation and comfort is also really impressive and along with replaceable cables they are a great buy!
