Meldrick reviews the SIVGA SV021 PRO V2, a 2nd-gen set of 50mm dynamic driver closed-back headphones with a revised sound signature. It is currently priced at $197.00.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. I thank SIVGA for their support.
Click here to learn more about SIVGA products previously reviewed on Headfonics.
This article follows our latest scoring guidelines, which you can read in more detail here.
SIVGA has steadily fleshed out the SV021 line, from the original SV021 ‘Robin’ through the SV021 PRO, and now they’re back with a retuned version aimed at addressing some of the sonic issues found in its predecessor.
Aside from the tuning changes, the SV021 PRO V2 is essentially identical to the original PRO, and that’s far from a bad thing, since the previous model was already a comfortable, well-designed headphone in its own right.
The real question is whether the retune is enough to meaningfully move the needle. Is the V2 a worthwhile improvement over the V1, and how does it fare against SIVGA’s other models such as the Peng? Read on to find out.
Features
At the heart of the SV021 PRO V2 is a brand-new 50mm dynamic driver, using a five-layer composite aluminum diaphragm, an upgrade from the original SV021.
SIVGA says its five-layer design aims to stay firm while also adding the right amount of damping, so it can pull out more accurate details across all frequencies.
Design
The earcups are handmade from solid natural wood, with finishes in Beechwood or Zebrawood. Beechwood looks lighter and warm like honey, but Zebrawood shows a darker, more striking grain.
Every pair is carved on a 5-axis CNC machine, then sanded, polished, painted, and left to dry naturally, so each unit shows its own one-of-a-kind wood grain.
Behind the wooden cups, a precisely machined metal frame holds everything in place, painted matte black to match the wood tones.
This headband uses a flexible steel core shaped to fit, so it stays steady without squeezing your head too hard.
Aluminum yokes attach the cups to the headband, letting you slide and lock them with a satisfying click, while the cups swivel to fit different head shapes, though they won’t fold flat for travel.
At 289 grams, it’s surprisingly light for a full closed-back headset, and it feels balanced in your hand; no single part weighs more than the rest.
Comfort and Isolation
Comfort is one of the SV021 PRO V2’s clearest strengths, and the widened ear pads represent one of the most significant upgrades over the original SV021.
The pads use skin-friendly velour fabric that stays soft and breathable, noticeably reducing heat buildup compared to protein leather or synthetic alternatives.
They’re thick and well-cushioned with memory foam that gradually conforms to the shape of your head and ears, and the opening is generous enough to comfortably fit larger ears, with enough depth to keep the driver from making contact.
The metal support structure spreads weight evenly across the top of the head, and the curved, adaptive headband design keeps pressure balanced without ever feeling clamped down.
Clamping force sits in a comfortable middle ground, secure enough to stay put during movement, but never aggressive. I experienced no pressure points even during sessions running past five hours.
The velour does warm up slightly with extended wear, but it stays noticeably cooler than leather-padded alternatives, and sweat buildup was minimal even in warmer conditions.
One small thing worth mentioning: because it’s a closed-back design, there’s some passive isolation that can create a brief pressure-equalization sensation when first putting them on. It fades quickly, but it’s worth flagging for anyone sensitive to that kind of effect.
Stock Cable
The stock cable is a detachable OFC unit terminated in a 3.5mm single-ended connector, measuring roughly 1.6 meters, which is enough for desktop use, though it may feel restrictive if you move around a lot.
The cable itself is soft and pliable, with none of the stiffness or memory retention that tends to plague cheaper included cables, and it lies flat without excessive coiling.
The fabric-like sleeve gives it a pleasant tactile quality rather than a plasticky one, and the terminations feel solid, with proper strain relief on both ends.
Each earcup connects via a standard 3.5mm plug in a dual-entry design, which makes cable swaps simple if you ever want to upgrade.
Sound Impressions
The SIVGA SV021 PRO was tested using a range of sources, including the FiiO K13 R2R, Topping DX1 II, ddHiFi TC44 Pro E3, and the FiiO BTR13. The stock 3.5mm single-ended cable was used for all listening impressions.
Summary
The SV021 PRO V2 presents a broadly neutral tuning with a deliberate upper-midrange emphasis.
The overall balance stays fairly even through the lower registers. Treble resolution is a genuine strength, particularly on strings and hi-hats.
The tuning is a bit quirkier with vocal timbre, which sometimes carries an artificial, hollowed-out quality with warmer sources.
Soundstage is good for a closed-back design, though source pairing plays an outsized role in how forgiving this headphone ultimately sounds.
Bass
Sub-bass extension is the most conservative element of the SV021 PRO V2’s presentation.
Hip-Hop 808s and deep groaning rumble don’t get much emphasis, so listeners needing a chest-thumping bass sensation may be left wanting more. Mid-bass is more competent, offering decent quality and reasonable speed without bleeding into the midrange.
Bass guitars are where this shows up most clearly, lacking the weight and body needed to feel fully grounded in the mix, coming across as present but with little note weight attached.
Texture is a mixed bag as well; definition is there, but separation and layering in the low end don’t match the resolving ability the SV021 PRO V2 shows in the upper midrange.
Hip-hop and electronic listeners who prioritize sub-bass slam and quantity will likely find this the least satisfying part of the tuning, even if the mid-bass quality itself is reasonably enjoyable in isolation.
Mids
The midrange is easily the most improved part of the SV021 PRO V2’s signature. Upper mids are now a genuine strength, delivering clarity and forward presence that give instrumental lines real articulation and bite. Unfortunately, vocals don’t share in that success.
On warmer sources, both male and female vocals carry a mild artificial tinge, with a hollowed-out, digital quality.
It’s not sibilance or harshness; it’s something closer to a timbral shift. But on cleaner, colder sources like the ddHiFi TC44Pro E3, this quirk disappears, and the vocals have a more balanced presentation in line with the rest of the midrange.
String instruments are presented with very good harmonics and decay. Acoustic guitars come through crystal clear, especially in stripped-down tracks, and come with a sparkle that is hard to find in closed-back headphones.
The SV021 V2’s midrange is better than the V1 across the board. What was once an unbalanced, peaky mess is now a more neutral, balanced sound that occasionally still shows the same vocal quirks as its predecessor on warmer sources.
Treble
Treble is where the SV021 PRO V2 does some of its best work. High-frequency guitar strings resolve with real detail and texture, and hi-hats carry that same resolving quality with convincing decay and shimmer.
Lower treble stays controlled, but upper treble runs noticeably hotter with clearly emphasized snares and hi-hats. High-pitched synths can tip into peaky, fatiguing territory over longer sessions.
Chimes and wind instruments are played back with very good sparkle and decay, often standing out in the mix even through crowded music arrangements and presentations.
Those who enjoy picking out every string and chime within the mix will be pleasantly surprised.
This detail-centric tuning in the upper end of the frequency response range means that listeners looking for a more relaxing, non-fatiguing listen may look elsewhere, even though the technical performance, extension, texture, and decay are genuinely impressive throughout.
Staging & Dynamics
Soundstage is a clear highlight, especially given the SV021 PRO V2’s closed-back design. With width and instrument separation extending well past what’s typical for a closed headphone, giving busier passages room to breathe.
While this may be a result of the vents on top of the headphones, it’s hard to deny that dynamics follow a similar suit, particularly in string sections, where decay is well controlled and fast, complex passages retain their micro-detail without smearing.
Orchestral and acoustic string recordings made this especially evident, with individual instruments staying distinct even during dense, layered passages.
It maintains similar sound staging performance as its V1 predecessor, but its more balanced mid-range presentation makes identifying string and vocal sounds much easier.
Chimes and cymbals are still quite easy to place within space, but the V1 has a very slight edge here.
Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.
