In this feature, Louis reviews the Grand ORIVETI Supremacy, the company’s flagship tribrid dynamic, BA, and EST driver universal IEM, which costs $1999.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or partnerships. I thank the team at ORIVETI for their support.
Click here to read more about the ORIVETI products previously reviewed on Headfonics.
This assessment follows our current scoring guidelines which you can read in more detail here.
My first exposure to ORIVETI was when I had the opportunity to review their OD100 and OD200 budget models. However, they didn’t feel like serious contenders until I heard about the OH700VB. By the way, more ORIVETI reviews are coming, so stay tuned.
However, to my surprise, they recently launched the Grand ORIVETI Supremacy. In my opinion, this model elevates the ORIVETI name and places them in the high-end class with the likes of the HIFIMAN Svanar, and others like the Noble Audio Spartacus, which we will compare to later on.
The $1999 Grand ORIVETI Supremacy is a multi-driver IEM set to achieve the ultimate representation of the company’s approach to audio. My opinion of this release is that it’s a modern-day IEM with some vintage motifs.
Features
The Grand ORIVETI Supremacy consists of nine drivers in total with a custom 10mm dynamic driver for the lows, two custom armature drivers for the midrange, two custom armatures for the high frequencies, and four Sonion electrostatic tweeters for the ultra-highs.
One of the points of attention that seems key in managing all those drivers is ORIVETI’s work on redesigning the acoustic filters, which are key to maintaining coherence and proper tonality.
The Grand ORIVETI Supremacy measures 12Ω for impedance which is an easy load to drive with an SPL of 109+-3dB/mW 1kHz so a relatively undemanding monitor to drive from a wide variety of sources.
A premium package of accessories comes with the Grand ORIVETI Supremacy. To be honest, I haven’t seen this level of packaging before in an IEM.
Design
The Grand ORIVETI Supremacy has an elegant design. They simultaneously reflect minimalist aspects, attention to detail, and refined aesthetics. Their name suggests dominance and high quality, and the design evokes a feeling of opulence and that’s what you get.
ORIVETI used stabilized wood to construct each housing, giving each unit unique nuances that make each pair unique and a one-of-a-kind set with a unique patina pattern.
A gold ORIVETI logo, gold trim, and the Grand ORIVETI name in gold outline the backplate of the IEM. You don’t see a backplate because the integration is seamless but it’s apparent the seams are camouflaged around the edge of the gold trim.
A polished metal output nozzle is used with a lip that helps in holding onto any of the included tips you might want to try out on the Grand ORIVETI Supremacy and the nozzle seems to be a standard-sized 4.5mm, meaning this IEM is tip-rolling friendly.
Their shape is borrowed from a known common mold and replicated to fit a general audience. However, the overall shell design and aesthetics are on the luxurious end of the scale.
Nuances like the vents that look like miniature horn-loaded metal vents give this set besides all the gold trim an upscale look comparatively to simply using the commonly used holes to vent the shells.
One of the small drawbacks of this IEM design in particular is their girth. The shells are rather chubby as they stick out of your ear a bit.
Comfort & Isolation
When it comes to comfort, to be honest, I’ve had better. I’m not saying that comfort levels are bad because I can wear these for many hours with no discomfort but their bulkiness is felt.
The Grand ORIVETI Supremacy IEMs are designed to be ergonomic, focusing on providing a secure fit for long listening sessions.
Some users might feel slight discomfort if the IEMs are too large or don’t fit snugly, but the comfort level with this IEM tends to be good if the right fit is found and the right tip is used.
Ultimately, the level of isolation will also vary depending on how well these IEMs fit your ears and the correct tip selection is key. If the ear tips don’t create a tight seal, you might experience some leakage of sound from the outside world.
Ear Tips
IEM makers are getting better at mitigating ear tip sensitivity and ORIVETI managed to make the Supremacy less sensitive to tip rolling.
There are some small changes but it seems the changes that occurred depended mostly on the clearance between the tip of the nozzle and the tip. On some tips, the nozzle gets closer to the tip end, and that’s what makes the largest difference sonically when tip rolling.
Foam tips tend to push back the nozzle into the tip therefore expanding the soundstage but also losing some of the impactfulness, and at the cost of some tactfulness, at least for me. Other tips like the stock tips compliment the overall sonic characters in focus and a punchy character.
The spin fits did increase the soundstage size but I prefer an intimate experience. My favorite sets were the stock tips. Others emphasize the treble like the Spiral set, however, they can also cater to those who prefer a forward-sounding treble response.
Stock Cable
The Grand ORIVETI Supremacy comes with a deliciously fabricated cable they call the Grand Affinity cable. It’s designed to deliver a balanced sound with improved treble presence, and detail. However, the absence of 3.5mm connectivity is inexcusable.
This cable is made with Silver-plated Ohno Continuous cast wire and some might complain of its thickness but being so doesn’t make it heavy, although the word hefty comes to mind. The cable does transmit a small amount of noise but the amount is bearable.
A brown fabric covers the four-braid cable assembly. The hardware is all metal and sectional stripes of bronze adorn the tips, the 0.78mm plugs, and the centerpiece along with the chin strap adjuster. They also sport Grand ORIVETI Supremacy branding etched and sport gold-plated connectors.
Packaging & Accessories
The Grand ORIVETI Supremacy packaging has a retro feel but it’s an impressive overall package and provides a luxurious and interesting unboxing experience. It’s one of the nicest I’ve seen in recent years.
All the contents are inside the main box which has a retro early 1900’s design upfront. A dual-zippered storage bag is found within a Burlap bag and inside that you will find an ORIVETI embossed zippered case with four separate boxes.
The Supremacy comes with 17 sets of tips, a large genuine leather bag, a small leather carrying case, the cable, and the IEMs. Every item comes in separated boxes labeled Supremacy, accessories, leather case, and Grand Affinity.
One shocking aspect was the absence of any other type of connectivity besides the 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced connection. At this price tier, I was expecting swappable tips and at least two connectivity options.
Sound Impressions
I kept it simple and used a mix of the SMSL SU-X/SH-X stack, the ZEN CAN 3 with the ZEN ONE Signature DAC, the iFi audio xDSD Gryphon, and the xDuoo XD05T to feed the Supremacy for my sound impressions. The stock tips and cable was also used.
Summary
If I were to choose one word to describe the Grand ORIVETI Supremacy, that word would be luxurious. Its general character is full-bodied, full spectrum, naturally toned with a wide panoramic view of the source.
The Grand ORIVETI Supremacy is slightly warm with a balanced presentation, leaning towards musicality rather than producing a clinically characterized sonic experience. If you’re into long listening sessions and love details without sacrificing fun, these IEMs will likely deliver the goods.
A general description of their overall sonic characteristics can be described as rich, engaging, and versatile. This IEM is perfect for audiophiles who want a combination of technical excellence and musical enjoyment.
Bass
The bass on the Grand ORIVETI Supremacy feels purposefully tuned to provide both impact and accuracy, creating a foundation that’s powerful and elegant. This is the kind of bass that audiophiles can appreciate for its balance and depth, regardless of the genre.
A couple of the standout qualities of the bass are the level of detail and texture. You can hear the nuances in basslines, whether it is the pluck of a bass guitar string or the resonance of a kick drum.
This gives the low end a lifelike, organic quality, while simultaneously remaining tight and well-controlled.
The bass is deep and impactful without being overwhelming. It has a natural warmth that provides a solid foundation for music, with excellent control and texture.
The bass is tight and well-controlled, avoiding any boominess. This precision ensures that the bass complements the rest of the frequency range instead of overshadowing it, keeping the sound signature balanced, and enjoyable.
Midrange
The Grand ORIVETI Supremacy midrange is slightly forward in the overall tuning, which brings vocals and mid-centric instruments like pianos, violins, and guitars into focus. This makes the listening experience feel intimate and engaging.
The midrange is silky and smooth, avoiding any harshness or stridence, even at higher volumes. This IEM is particularly enjoyable for vocal-centric genres like jazz, soul, or Acoustic music.
There’s a gentle warmth in the midrange that makes it sound full-bodied and inviting. It adds a touch of richness that enhances musicality without sacrificing precision or transparency.
The mids are crystal-clear, allowing vocals and instruments to come through with exceptional detail. Every nuance, whether it’s the subtle inflection in a singer’s voice or the intricate timbre of an acoustic guitar, is reproduced with lifelike accuracy.
The best way to describe the mids is that they are emotionally resonant, rich, detailed, and beautifully tuned. That makes this IEM both analytical and emotionally engaging. It’s perfectly tuned for listeners who want to feel immersed in the core of their music, especially vocals and instruments.
Treble
The treble performance of the ORIVETI Grand ORIVETI Supremacy is refined, airy, and incredibly well-balanced, complementing its overall sound signature beautifully.
The treble is neither too recessed nor overly emphasized and integrates seamlessly with the bass and midrange. It provides just the right amount of sparkle to make music engaging without overpowering the other frequencies.
While the treble is smooth, it still has enough energy and brilliance to bring life to the music. This makes it versatile across genres, from the shimmer of electronic synths to the delicate textures in classical strings or jazz hi-hats.
The Grand ORIVETI Supremacy’s treble performance is polished and mature, prioritizing refinement and coherence over an overly bright or aggressive presentation.
Staging & Dynamics
The soundstage feels wide and open, stretching beyond the confines of your ears. They create a sense of space that makes you feel like you’re sitting in a well-arranged room or concert hall rather than being confined to a narrow, in-ear presentation.
The Grand ORIVETI Supremacy puts the listener inside a large dome and serves up an expansive and immersive listening experience.
The imaging is precise, allowing you to pinpoint the exact location of each sound source. Instruments and vocals are clearly defined within the soundstage, with excellent separation. Each element of the music has its distinct place, preventing any sense of congestion or overlap, even in complex tracks.
The soundstage of the Grand ORIVETI Supremacy is wide, deep, and highly detailed, providing a spacious and immersive auditory experience. It excels in creating a lifelike sense of place and positioning, making your music feel alive and dynamic.
Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.
