Sivga Que UTG Review
Intro
Hello, this review and feature covers the latest from the audio brand Sivga Audio named the Sivga Que UTG ($97). The Que UTG is actually a single dynamic driver earphone which is made of a very unique material, of which I will cover in later sections. I am actually still waiting for the Que UTG to arrive, but I couldn’t help but peruse the Sivga Audio website in hopes of learning a bit more about the brand and more about the Que UTG itself. One big takeaway is that Sivga really knows how to present themselves. The presentation is beautiful, clean, very much “Apple-like” at their website. At any rate, the more I learned about the Que UTG, the more I couldn’t wait to hear them. Tracking says it’ll be here in two days.
Sivga Audio
One thing which I noticed is that Sivga has actually been a brand since 2016. So, at least we know that they have staying power. It takes much more than a few good breaks to be established in this industry. No doubt some quality big breaks will get your foot into the door and into the conscious minds of the consumer, but it won’t give you staying power. That comes from a relentless pursuit of quality. The consumer can sniff out a weak brand. They do it all the time. There are so many fly-by-night audio companies which take off with a full head of steam only to drop out of the sky. Obviously, that is not Sivga. I should note that the Que UTG is the only set from Sivga that I’ve ever tried. Of course I’ve heard about their older sets, their other iems, their headphones, flathead earbuds, and even their wireless gear. Yet, I simply never had a chance to hear any myself. Having said that, I want to thank Sivga for providing the Que UTG so that I can have that opportunity. Thank you very much. At any rate, one thing I easily noticed was the obvious class with which every design in every one of Sivga lineups carries. They’re just oozing class. That streamlined look, unique materials, awesome colorways that always seem to embody the word “handsome”. It seems that every product has that fresh appeal. I think it’s plainly obvious that the build materials are all very solid & I can say that without even holding any of their products. I can’t wait to check this one out.
No brainer
Okay, so I’ve had the Sivga Que UTG in my possession for about 24 hours. I was able to complete a fairly long listening session which went well over what I intended. So long that I had to wait to write this update. What I can tell you right now is this; without question I am reviewing this set. Also, the Que UTG most certainly has a huge swath of people who will enjoy its sound. Now, I did get some fairly bright treble which doesn’t perfectly agree with my ears. Just a touch more than I’d like. However, I’m going to let them burn-in at the advice of one of my friends (who has them and reviewed them) and see if that helps. Every other part of the spectrum sounds like the Que UTG is going to be a bona-fide stud of a set for anyone who enjoys a highly detailed and extremely clean sound. This set is a no-brainer to review. When you have a set which can do what it does at under $100 better than sets that are much more expensive… it’s worth the time and energy to feature. Of course, the under $100 price point will always be the most hotly contested price point in audio. So, the Que UTG definitely has its fair share of competition. Though, does it have competition that also excels in the same areas that the Que UTG excels? That’s what I intend to figure out. Okay folks, it’s time to get this thing going. Off to the burn-in station goes the Que UTG and I’ll see you in about 2 weeks. So, without further ado… the Sivga Que UTG…
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Que UTG Pros
-For <$100 the Que UTG’s build is simply fantastic (sandalwood faceplates?!)
-One of the classiest designs I’ve seen anywhere near the price point
-Nice unboxing experience, solid accessories
-Very mature tuning
-Analytically gifted set which is very transparent, extremely clean for its price
-Very tight and agile note control, well contoured note delivery
-Textured, warm, tight, & punchy style bass region w/ great definition
-Airy mids, sharp note delivery, very crisp, highly textured
-Also very airy treble, detailed, crisp, well extended, great treble texture & bite
-Highly detailed. Almost top tier for a <$100 single DD
-Imaging is stellar
-Full and broad soundstage
Que UTG Cons
-Minor nitpick: it takes a hot minute for me to get a good seal w/ included tips
-Treble may too bright, too sharp for some folks
-Analytical over musical which may be a deterrent for some
-I do detect a slight bit of metallic timbre nearing the upper-mids/treble regions
-Not a rich or lush note weight, definitely on the thinner side
Gear used for testing
–IBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2
-Above is a small list of the devices used as I used many for testing
Packaging / Accessories
Unboxing
The Sivga Que UTG arrived at my home in a medium sized black box (5.75” x 5” x 2.5”) with a cool looking shot of the Que UTG on the sleeve cover as well as some specs on the back. Really a nice-looking design which keeps that classy aesthetic that Sivga obviously operates with. So, pull off the sleeve and you’ll see a deep black box with the name “Sivga” dead-smack in the center. Take off the box lid and you will instantly be met with the gorgeous Que UTG earphones sitting comfortably in cardboard covered foam cut-outs. Right next to the earphones you’ll see a box. Inside of that box is the equally classy and gorgeous carrying case. Inside of the carrying case you’ll see the eartips, cable and cable adapters. Okay, I don’t want to completely ruin the surprise for you, but it’s a nice unboxing by Sivga. They added in relevant accessories, and they are all fairly nice as well. Definitely a nice unboxing.
Eartips
Within the packaging Sivga provides a total of six pairs of eartips and both styles do seem to play nicely with the Que UTG. The first set of three (S, M, L) are a wide bore set of gray silicone eartips, semi-firm flange, not the most rigid stem, but they also aren’t shallow-fit wide-bores, which is nice. I flat-out cannot get a seal with these tips. That said, they aren’t bad tips at all. The next style of eartips is a semi-wide bore white silicone set of three (S, M, L) tips which have a nicely rigid black stem as well as a firm flange. Very much similar to the KBear 07’s. I do like these tips quite a lot and they totally make sense for the Que UTG’s tuning. For the record, I did use this set for some critical listening. However, I did end up top rolling to the Dunu S&S eartips. For my ear anatomy and my preference, the S&S simply sounded the best along with even better fitment. All things considered Sivga provides two distinct styles of eartips which do benefit the tuning of the Que UTG.
Carrying Case
This brings us to the carrying case that Sivga added into the packaging. I happen to really like this case folks. I realize that about 1% of you care at all about cases, but those who do should like this one. It’s a fairly large zipper case with light brown faux leather cladding the outside of it. What I like is that the case is large enough to store the Que UTG, some eartips, the cable and adapters, as well as a small dongle dac. You can fit all of that and still carry it in your front pocket if your jeans. Or just throw it into a bag and you’ll be good to go. Inside of the case is a soft liner along with a mesh pocket to put smaller accessories. Also, the zipper actually works which is not always the case. At any rate, it’s a nice addition.
Cable
Now, the cable is most certainly a bright spot in my opinion. Sivga provides a very nice white modular cable which goes wonderfully with the aesthetic of this set. I wouldn’t have ever thought that Sivga would add in a modular cable at this price. Yeah, we’ve seen other sub $100 sets come with modular cables, but they are definitely in the minority. So, the cable itself is a white cable which comes with two adapters. Those being 3.5 single ended and 4.4 balanced Jack’s. Very nice to have. It’s made out of high purity silver plated OFC copper and has a total of 49 wires. That’s seven cores with seven strands per cord. It isn’t the fattest or most luxurious cable, but it’s a slick looking wire, nonetheless. Definitely it goes very well with the coloration of the Que UTG. That white Co traded with the light brown of the wooden faceplates is slick looking for sure. Really a nice addition.
Build / Design / Internals / Fit
Build Quality
Starting with the build quality of the Sivga Que UTG, I’d say it is one of the better built iems anywhere near its price point. The Que UTG’s shells are made entirely of zinc alloy with a matte light tan colorway. The shells are very smooth, ergonomic, and they’re definitely durable when in hand. The faceplates are actually made out of green sandalwood. Truly a wonderful choice by Sivga. Truly a gorgeous idea which makes this set stand out for its ultra classy vibes and dope appearance. Simply a gorgeous iem. Now, the Sivga Que UTG has two small vents on the shell cavity. One near the front and one near the back. Also, the nozzles are about medium length as they won’t reach too far into the inner ear. I really like how the Dunu S&S tips reach that last little bit further for me. That’s totally beside the point though, moving on. So, the nozzles are about 6mm in width which is pretty much standard for the audio world. That’s close to an ⅛”, almost all tips fit perfectly for tips rolling. However, I cannot help but commend Sivga on the wonderful build quality of the Que UTG.
Design
When it comes to the actual design language of the Sivga Que UTG I feel that you simply aren’t going to see many sets with such a “class act” style design. No doubt there are plenty of awesomely designed iems at or around the $100 price point and many I’ve applauded up and down. However, the Que UTG is one of the more handsome iems I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing. I love the simplicity of this set. I think we can all agree that the beautiful sandalwood faceplates are a gorgeous centerpiece which contrasts the very well-made zinc alloy shells very well. Add to that the white cable which perfectly complements the colorway of the Que UTG, and what you have is a very sleek and very refined look. I see a lot of iems pass through my hands and very few look quite as simplistic and stunning at the same time. Nice work to the artisans and designers at Sivga.
Internals
This is where I was most surprised and most curious. That is the driver. Sivga went and did something that I’ve never seen done before and added in a completely unique driver. Again, the Que UTG is a single dynamic driver earphone, which is nothing new. Obviously, dynamic drivers are the most used driver type in the audio game and single DD’s especially. However, I’ve never seen a glass driver before. To be exact, Sivga went with a 10mm flat-glass panel diaphragm DD. Sivga also used a flexible PU suspension as well. The glass panel diaphragm is actually made by a Japanese company named NEG. I am very interested to see where this tech goes because it’s fairly obvious that the flat glass DD offers a very capable driver material. This glass is supposed to speed up transient response as well as deliver those hardy and rumbly lows, a sparkly treble, and a nicely detailed sound. I’d say that this is exactly what the Que UTG’s driver does. I thought this was very cool.
Fit / Comfort
As far as the fitment is concerned, the Que UTG fits my ears just fine. That is, when I find the right eartips. As I said earlier, I did like the white silicone tips which come provided by Sivga. However, I went with the Dunu S&S for almost all critical listening. At any rate, the comfort level is quite high with this set. I find it to be plenty ergonomic for my ears at least. I have no idea how well the Que UTG will fit you, but I can’t imagine the great majority of hobbyists would have any issues. Comfort is very nice.
Drivability / Pairings
Output Power
The Sivga Que UTG is rated with an impedance of right around 32 ohms as well as a sensitivity of 103 db’s. What that translates to is a pretty easy to drive iem. Like most iems the Que UTG responds very well to sources with less power on tap. However, I would also say that the Que UTG is a hair harder to drive than most sets with the same specs. However, I don’t want to give the wrong idea when saying that. For instance, the Que UTG is about four more volume steps above a set like the Hidizs MS2 Pro (of course this just came out), or the Simgot EA500LM. Still, very easy to power. I used every single source at my disposal, which is quite a few. Now, I have some very weak sources like two old Android phones with a 3.5 se jack. I have my iPad as well as weak Amazon no-name dongle dacs with Conexant dac chips. Also, I used the KZ AN01 and the KZ AZ20 too. Folks, I had zero issues powering the Que UTG with any of those sources that I just listed. Despite that, the Que UTG absolutely scales with extra power and better sources. If you give it some solid juice, let’s say… from a good dongle dac like the EPZ TP50, or the Shanling UA6, you will certainly hear a tighter, more dynamic, cleaner, sounding set with a slightly more chasmic stage size and it’ll come across better layered as well. This incremental upgrade goes even further when I attach the Que UTG to my very powerful daps and my more powerful dac amps. Obviously better dac chips plays a part, better amps, better circuitry altogether. The point is that if you give the Que UTG a more audiophile and more powerful source, it’ll respond with better sound.
Source Pairing
This is one area which somewhat confounded me. First off, the Que UTG responds well sonically to many source devices. It comes across warm in the lower half and brighter towards the upper end of the spectrum. So, with that in mind I would just tell you to try not to give the Que UTG a bright source. Not neutral, I said “bright”. I have brighter sources, and the Que UTG begins to sound more sibilant, and the highs begin to come across splashy (in a negative sense), and the treble begins to smear a bit. Now, I have warmer sources which actually sound quite awesome like the Shanling M6 Ultra, or some of my dac/amps using those Burr Brown chips. The Que UTG sounds fantastic. All of my neutral devices come across very well too. All things considered, the Sivga Que UTG really is not an overly picky set. In summary, I’d just steer clear of brighter leaning sources. Unless of course you really enjoy bright sounding sets. Then all bets are off.
Sound Impressions
*Note: Before I dive into the sound portion of this review, I want to first preface that with a few things. First off, burn this set in. Just do it. Or listen in. Just don’t judge the Que UTG until it’s had plenty of time playing. I burned-in the Que UTG for roughly around three full days. Boy what a difference. At first the Que UTG came across a bit too bright for me. Though I remember my friend telling me, urging me to burn it in and that sharpness goes away. I took his advice and sure enough the bright edginess disappeared. For the most part. It still leans bright up top, but the heavy glare is all but gone. Also, I tip rolled from the included tips to the Dunu S&S tips. For all listening I use flac or better files which are stored on my devices. Lastly, my Android music player of choice is UAPP (USB Audio Player Pro) as well as the Hiby Music Player.
Frequency Graph?
To me, the Sivga Que UTG is a highly technical iem which most certainly presents an analytical style over musical style. But I don’t consider its upper end tuning to be “forced resolution”. One thing which sort of threw me off at first was the frequency graph that I saw passed around the community. No doubt about it the Que UTG looks like it’ll be far too bright in the upper ranges. When I said I’d take a look at this set I had yet to see the graph. However, once I did, I thought to myself “There’s no way I will review this one, too bright”. Well, to my surprise, upon actually hearing the Que UTG in real life, it really doesn’t completely resemble how the measurements read. Now, the sound is without question on the brighter side in the upper ranges with plenty of openness and air. However, the Que UTG has much more of a balance than I would’ve thought in real world listening. Proving once again that graphs and measurements are only a light suggestion of the sound. Believe me, I really don’t even like putting the graph inside of my reviews. They can be too deceiving. So many people purchase solely on graph measurements! Don’t do that. Granted, I understand very well how useful graphs can be as well. I use them every day, so I don’t underestimate the value of a frequency graph. At any rate, the point is that you shouldn’t base your purchasing decision on the frequency graph. Moving on. At any rate, the Que UTG certainly has a penchant for minute micro-detail retrieval, and I don’t think that is solely based on the rise from the treble regions adding perceived resolution.
What’s it sound like?
So, let’s get down to the sound. Folks, I have to give a big thumbs up to Sivga as they really did go out on a limb with the flat glass diaphragm single DD. Who would’ve thought that glass as a diaphragm material would work? Certainly not myself. In truth, the glass driver honestly resembles the taut delivery and textured feel of a planar driver or a good balanced armature driver, yet the tonal characteristics of a dynamic driver. It really is almost uncanny. I’d say the best of both driver types. As honest as I can be, in my opinion the Sivga Que UTG is a definite performer in the under $100 space and it is very competitive for this price point. I’d definitely say that price to performance starts to come into the equation. Having said that, the Que UTG will be slightly polarizing for the community in that not everyone is looking for an analytically inclined sound. This is not to say that musicality doesn’t exist in the Que UTG either. It’s just that the clinical nature and speed of the driver along with the quality tuning combine to offer a very technically gifted sound. Without question there will be those who simply won’t jive with it. On the flip side, for those who do enjoy this sort of tuning… they are absolutely going to love this iem.
Tonal qualities
Now, the Sivga Que UTG has what I’d call a mostly neutral sound, yet with a warmer lower half and a brighter upper half. Certainly, it has a bright tilt to it. I would say warm/neutral, but to me that simply doesn’t explain it correctly. Really it simply has a warm bass and a brighter treble and together I feel each region counters the other very well. This is where I’d say there is a good dynamic balance. The most dynamically expressive portions of both the bass and treble generally equal each other. Though “tonally” I’d say it leans brighter than it is warm. I’d also probably call the sound signature U-shaped, but a slight V-shaped sound kind of explains it too. Most definitely there is a nice bass emphasis which doesn’t really show on the graph but comes across loud and clear in real world listening. Now, on the right side of the spectrum there is also a very emphasized treble presence too. However, just like the bass was different in real world listening, so is the treble as I don’t hear nearly the emphasis that the graph displays. I say all of this to also add that while the midrange does have a slight recession… I can barely call it that. Because of how vibrant and energetic the midrange is it really doesn’t seem recessed. Not enough to call it a straight up V-shaped iem. Really the whole of the mix has good energy, it’s sprightly, there’s some real solid vibrance, some real gusto, some of that zesty briskness to it. Here’s the kicker though, it doesn’t come across fatiguing or too abrasive, never too edgy or knife-edged. There is a certain smoothness to the cadence of this set.
Built for speed!
I gotta say folks, the Que UTG is a very well resolved set of single DD earphones. The Que UTG presents a very speedy, very precise, and very clean-lined sound with loads of texture everywhere. Certainly, it is crisper than it is smooth, thinner than it is thick, transient tight rather than atmospheric. It’s the type of set where no well recorded track is too complicated and poorly recorded tracks are going to sound like poorly recorded tracks. One of the bright points of this tuning is the fact that micro-details float to the surface with ease and the micro-dynamics are great. I mean the subtle volume shifts and low-level dynamic changes, the soft volume stuff, the subtleties, they come through in a fairly discernible way to my ears. Of course, one downside may be that the Que UTG almost forces you to pay attention to these things rather than simply listening. But that’s hardly an issue for anyone who desires such a sound. Coincidentally, that’s who this review is mostly for. The Que UTG is built for speed folks. I went through so many tracks in my “complicated” playlist and every track was impressive, technically speaking. No question that the glass diaphragm has everything to do with this agile, tight, refined, fine-lined and transparent portrayal of my music. I think you guys and gals get the idea so let’s check out each 3rd of the mix…
Bass Region
Emphasis
The lows in the Sivga Que UTG certainly have more of mid-bass emphasis with a somewhat convex roundness and a pretty hard-edged clarity. To my ears I’d call this bass a “quality-over-quantity” style low-end. I find the entire bass presentation to be very well controlled with a punchier nature to them as well. Transients are quick, almost like some planar sets in the way the Que UTG’s lows can attack, decay, and sustain in a rather short span with a snappier style to them. The lows are a very refined, well defined, and technically inclined bass region. Now, this is not a basshead caliber set by any means as bass-bois aren’t going to be scratching and clawing trying to get the Que UTG in their ears. This bass is for anyone who enjoys an adequately emphasized mid-bass that offers plenty of taut and well-textured slam. The graph indicates that the bass is more of an afterthought, but I really don’t feel this is the case at all. I hear a bass that does come with some thumping power when a track calls for it. No, it isn’t the most emphasized or most bullish, but it’s got some moxy to it. It certainly isn’t absent or weak. Let’s put it this way; Sivga made sure to provide enough of a bass presence to offset the treble. At least enough to reel in the treble a bit. So, it isn’t the most emphasized or physical of bass replays, but it is very agile, very clean, it can hit pretty hard when a track calls for it, and it has some nice dynamism as well.
Glass driver
To my ears the Que UTG’s bass region is presented somewhat warmer in tonal color. Usually, a tighter and more snappy bass won’t come across with those warmer tones, but the Que UTG seems to defy the norm. You’ll notice when listening that it sounds warmer. I don’t mean muddy either. Nor am I saying that this slight warmth makes the bass sluggish or less contoured. It doesn’t veil the spectrum in that warmth. Honestly, it’s just shaded warm with a less vibrant hue, yet it has all the clean and tight characteristics of a less warm planar style bass. I have to assume this is from the glass driver. It is very interesting and adds a new element to my listening sessions. To a degree anyways.
Sub-Bass
Now, the low-end also doesn’t necessarily come across very deep in the sublevels. However, I have to watch how I say this because I don’t want you getting the wrong idea. It isn’t that the sublevels are non-existent, they are just less convex and authoritative than the mid-bass. Listening to a track like “Paradigm” by The Head and the Heart the Que UTG has just enough rumble to come across mildly haptic. Now, this song will make any iem rattle as it’s simply recorded in such a way. However, the Que UTG sounds less intense than some other sets will come across. Having said that, the Que UTG also has such a nicely focused attack with that tightly wound rumble. The sub-bass doesn’t come anywhere near creating a one-noted environment either. I did notice that the vocals are definitely on top of the bass to a degree. A hint more forward within the sound field than the sub-bass. So, if you are looking for a set which will vibrate your eyeballs, I’d say that you should probably keep looking. Sivga created a set which keeps it clean with loads of texture. Nice precision too.
Mid-Bass
Like I said, the mid-bass carries the most emphasis down low and does have the capability to provide some decently meaty muscle when needed. However, it is in no way a “bulbous” and overly lifted region. I’d say it’s moderate at best. I’d also say it’s not boosted so much that it congests the mix or muddies the waters (so to speak). I would think that the quicker transients certainly help the Que UTG to never come across smeared or blended. The macro-details are very vivid in this region as well with a clean approach. The bass can play intricate and complex passages with relative ease. In fact, the Que UTG’s bass region is very fast with that rapid dynamism. For instance, the Que UTG literally keeps up with the drums in “Anthem 3” by Blink-182 in amazing fashion. Every last intonation and complexity are heard with nice clarity in this track.
Mid-Bass cont…
Now, I do have to stress that this is definitely a lean-density style bass. There’s some rigidity in its lean profile, but it isn’t that deeply condensed style with heavy tones. Having said that, it does come with a hard snap and punch. Its bass carries a pointed and concentrated note control and clarity. Basically, that’s another way of saying it’s clean. Bass guitars come across less wide and full-bodied, though they are just meaty enough, with a very textured edge detail. Kick drums also generally sound tacky on attack with a clean snap and a mildly juddering hollow boom. “Billie Jean” by Weezer is a track with successive rapid kick drums and the Que UTG definitely hits with a tight delivery coming across just robust enough. Again, very clean. I should also add that the mid-bass does trickle into the midrange slightly adding a titch of warmth. However, the note tightness & cleanliness helps tremendously to keep the midrange from losing clarity.
Downsides to the Bass Region
I’d say the real downside would be for those who love a very musically tuned set with a deep, physical, and authoritative sublevel rumble. I know many folks who enjoy a more atmospheric bass presentation. Those bassheads amongst us will definitely not be impressed. Like I said, the emphasis is moderate at best. Definitely not a banger. This is a refined bass region meant to sound detailed and defined, punchy and tight. Certainly, less physical, but a high-quality bass for the cost. My opinion, of course. However, I do feel that anyone looking to purchase the Que UTG should definitely understand what they are getting with this bass region. To be honest, I’ve had a difficult time writing this section. You see, the low-end is not weak, it simply isn’t that full-bodied bass like you’d usually get from a dynamic driver. Still, it is definitely a higher quality bass region for the cost.
Midrange
The midrange on the Sivga Que UTG prizes technical capability over musicality as it comes across very open sounding with a definite crispness across the region. I’ve grown to really appreciate Sivga’s unique ability to craft a set with such a clean, open, and transparent sound whilst never going too far overboard in its vibrant presence. Now, this midrange isn’t for anyone who enjoys a perfectly natural, organic, and lush style. The mids have a brighter tilt to them, they’re sharp, very crisp, a lot of note bite and texture. Of course, they also have fantastic note separation, with precise note outlines. Perhaps a hair grainy from the forward vibrance, but very precise. You’ll hear a fast attack through sustain as notes have a faster recovery speed, very agile, with forward tilting vibrance and textures. Having said that, the midrange is definitely on the thinner side. This is not a rich or lush midrange. Again, I wouldn’t call the Sivga Que UTG’s midrange perfectly organic, which of course is the trade-off for a more technical sound. You may hear an ever-so-slight metallic tinge to some instruments within the upper portions of the mids, but by-and-large the midrange still has a very nice “lean-style” timbre to it, even if it isn’t perfectly natural to the ear. Once the brain-burn set in, I really began to enjoy the timbre. I think a lot has to do with the note control and dexterous nature of this driver. Micro-details are captured very well, even the softer and more subtle details as the bass really doesn’t mask this range at all. The Que UTG has a stark black background with high levels of transparency and clarity making resolution of every midrange note audibly superior to many single DD sets under $100. However, this also is what makes this set somewhat polarizing in my opinion. Lush and warm lovers who prize musicality and fluidity will probably not totally dig this presentation, so keep that in mind.
Very nice to my ears
Now, I also don’t feel there is a huge recession in the midrange. Perhaps slightly in the low-mids but the upper-mids definitely sound closer to the listener, very vibrant, textures jump out at you, female voices sound prominent. Instruments come through forward as well with a salient style projection. More of an anterior presentation rather than pushed back. With that, you may hear some glare with higher volumes with some tracks, but Sivga did a nice job of keeping the reins on any harshness with this set. Especially for such a technical and high-resolution set. It’ll definitely come down to your own tolerances for a slightly brighter sounding midrange. Again, it’s open and airy, somewhat forward, with a pronounced vivacity and liveliness. Macro-dynamics are pretty expressive and energetic as well, yet they’re also very clean and never sound out-of-control, or too sprightly. I have to say, for this type of style and tuning… the Que UTG is very nice to my ears.
Lower-Midrange
Males come across with a very slight recession, compared to the rest of the mix. However, there is also a slight warmth to this region which comes from the subtle spill-over from the bass. While I’d never call the lower-mids thick or rich sounding, they definitely have a bit more body than the upper regions of the midrange. However, in that subtle warmth you also have fantastic clarity as well. Males on the Que UTG have great presence. Songs like “Rome” by Dermot Kennedy have that lean density to them that totally makes up for any loss of wide and lush richness. Perhaps not as “full-bodied” as some may enjoy, but very lucid and clean. Again, a highly detailed range. While I’d never call the lower-mids dull or boring, they are a hair less dynamic and vigorous as the upper-mids.
Upper-Midrange
This brings us to the upper portions of the midrange which certainly seem to jump out at you, in a good way. Again, Sivga did a nice job of keeping this range under control. You really don’t have an abrupt and screaming pinna rise as Sivga made sure to elongate its lift into the lower treble making the forward vibrance tolerable and even pleasing to the ear. Again, it took me a minute of brain burn as I’ve been stuck with some warmer and lusher iems of late. So, it took a minute for me to fully comprehend and appreciate the tuning philosophy. However, once I dialed in volume levels and what sources work best, I found the Sivga Que UTG to be a real treat in the upper regions of the midrange. Females certainly have that outward and forward projecting vibrance to them with clean lines cresting every note. Singers like Adele in “Hello” sound prominent in the mix. Perhaps a hair dry, but very clean with her vocals. Every breath, every delicate and intricate bit of minutiae easily rises to the surface. Her voice sounds convex, round, and vivid. I’d say this is the same for most any female I heard. Now, the upper-mids can induce some glare with the right track. Like Cam‘s song “Otherside”. Though this woman’s voice seems to do this on most any set. Once again, for the most part, the Que UTG stays in control and just under harsh territory for my ears. Of course, your mileage may vary depending on your tolerance level. Still, all things considered I came away impressed by Sivga. Especially for the style of tuning. No, it isn’t some warm and musical sound, but man its clean folks.
Downsides to the Midrange
Like I said, without beating around the bush, the Que UTG’s midrange will be a hair polarizing to some folks in the community. For those who enjoy this style of presentation; you will love what Sivga did here. Especially for a single DD to sound so transparent and transient tight, so detailed, and so clean-lined. Still, I totally understand those who desire a musicality-first approach and who don’t enjoy pushing the limits on their vibrance tolerance. Again, the midrange is very airy and open, wonderfully textured, fantastic note separation. Imaging is absolutely spot-on folks with nice layering of this range, and every last detail emerges very effortlessly. However, to the warm and lush lover’s ear this will sound more like abrasiveness, dry, thin, and bright-sterile. That is what I mean when I say “polarizing”. I personally can appreciate Sivga and feel that the Que UTG’s technical capabilities rival much more expensive iems. However, this is a game of preferences my friends, it’s also what makes this hobby so amazing.
Treble Region
Just like the midrange is open and airy, so too is the treble. In fact, that air comes from the boosted emphasis of the treble region. Without question the treble will be an analytical lover’s dream set for under $100. I’d even say treble head worthy. For what it’s worth… I rarely say that. The treble is extremely clean-lined, fine-lined, and crystal clear. You’ll notice very nice crispness to the treble with plenty of treble bite. This isn’t the most punchy and haptic treble, but it’s definitely textured with a certain prominence in the mix. To my ears I’d say the treble is the dominant frequency range. Now, I did say earlier that the bass does a nice job of offsetting the bright highs and I stand by that. Sivga incorporated just enough warmth to counter the gleam of the treble region. Though there is no mistaking the forwardness and deliberate emphasis that Sivga tuned this treble with. To my ears the treble adds a brighter tilt to the entire mix aiding the midrange with clarity and pointed snap along with a more focused and transparent sound frequency-wide. This is a highly technical treble, it’s dry, but also very precise with unsullied and easily discernible note control and note contours.
Great for a bright sound…
Again, the Que UTG’s treble region is definitely brighter, more brilliant, and more lustrous. This style really brings out certain instrumentation and pushes them forward. Usually that would mostly be harmonics from most instruments, female vocalists, and some fundamental tones of stuff like violin, the higher frets of a guitar, mandolin too. I certainly have many tracks which display flutes, synthesizers, and obviously stuff like cymbals and hi hats etc. The way these instruments are presented comes across fairly sparkly with some added shimmer. Like I said, there is some bite attached to more edgy instruments as well. Also, the Que UTG’s treble region has that nice airy and open feel to it and so most instruments do sound nicely separated, round enough, and the treble region does have decent body to notes. I’m not saying that the timbre is perfectly natural, but I also don’t hear anything overtly unnatural or odd timberally. Take a natural sounding fundamental sound of any instrument and simply spruce it up with some extra sparkle and tonal levity. The bonus is that I rarely hear anything which turns to sharpness or pierce. Now, there are some occasional moments with metallic tinges to notes and I do hear the faintest beginning to some sibilance as well. However, I cannot stress enough that it is not even close to an annoying level for me. I cannot stand sibilance folks. I’ve refused to review many sets which most people lauded and praised just because of some sibilance that I couldn’t get past. Perhaps that puts things into some perspective. Overall, it sounds great for a brighter signature, which usually isn’t the case.
Technical Prowess
I also find detail retrieval and technical prowess are so well done within the Sivga Que UTG’s treble region that it deserves its own section. You’ve heard me say words like “clean-lined”, “defined”, “note-control”, “transparent” and “clarity” so much in this review that I am beginning to sound like a broken record. Forgive me for that. It’s just that the English language only provides so many ways of saying the same thing. It’s clean folks, details of even the most subtle & minute form are brought to the forefront with hair-lined precision. This region is boosted, but it doesn’t sound smeared. So often these brands boost this region with lesser capable drivers, and the sound comes across smeared, splashy (the bad kind), and overtly forced, which sounds much more like treble tizz. Ultimately that makes notes sound less contoured and clean, less detailed, and less coherent to the ear. This is why I am praising the Que UTG as much as I am. This glass driver really does resolve very well friends. There is no passage too complex for the Que UTG’s treble region. Within reason. Obviously, there are some tracks which are poorly recorded with instruments too interwoven or too intricately layered for any set. Yet for a $97 single DD I can’t help but be impressed. Again, the Que UTG’s speed more resembles a planar to my ears.
Technical Prowess cont…
At any rate, it’s good. Also, extension into the upper treble is also a definite “pro” in my book. You’ll hear a relatively natural splash from the secondary harmonics of cymbal strikes for example. Nothing overly tinsley and sheened out in treble glare. Note separation, layering abilities, and overall imaging are certainly better than I would’ve guessed for a set at this cost and with this driver configuration. Truthfully, the Que UTG acts more like a hybrid multi-driver set than a single DD.
Downsides to the Treble Region
The biggest gripe I can attach to the treble region from my perspective is the subtle lack of smoothness in this region. No doubt that those hobbyists who are sensitive to a brighter and more brilliant treble region are naturally not going to enjoy the tuning here. I totally get it too. Truthfully, I usually seek out more musical sets with just a spritz of treble shimmer. I don’t usually go for that bright and analytical style. Now, I enjoy every tuning style and signature so long as they are done in a refined manner. There are many other brighter sets that I adore. Sets like the Rose Technics QT9 MK2S (MK2S Review & MK3 Review), the Simgot EA series of iems (EA500 Review & EA1000 Review) and many-many more. Not that my preferences should motivate you in one way or another. Anyways, it’s bright. Because of that brightness it is also at least measurably polarizing to a fairly large sect of hobbyists. I should not in the “Downsides” section that I have heard occasional sibilance, and some treble sharpness. I don’t find either one to be a constant issue. Both are track driven in tracks which are prone to such things. Also, the level of sibilance and abrasive harshness is relatively low for a brighter leaning set under $100. All that said, I think the treble has a very talented and mature sound that is very agile, highly detailed, and technically very impressive for a single dynamic driver earphone. Nice work Sivga!
Technicalities
Soundstage
The stage size is not going to blow your mind on this set. It is a rather intimate stage, closer to the listener, and it is not very wide of a presentation either. I have my thoughts why that is, but it’s neither here nor there. However, the stage is almost perfectly average in width to my ears. I don’t feel it is narrow nor congested and I don’t feel that it sounds closed-in. It’s average. Same with the height. I don’t get a sense of a super tall stage, again it is average. The beauty of this stage is all within its depth of field. The Sivga Que UTG has a deep stage. I hear very nice front to back intelligibility with excellent separation of instruments which comes across very well layered. So, the stage isn’t some massive and grand stadium sized chasm but instead it’s somewhat intimate and with solid depth. Certainly, it isn’t crowded and congested.
Separation / Imaging
As I’ve said many times within this review, the separation of instruments and vocalists is pretty special for a single DD under $100. I really feel that the Sivga Que UTG is one of the more technically gifted iems which carry a single DD anywhere near the $100 price point. Granted, there are others which rival it, but that doesn’t take away from how well the Que UTG is in these disciplines. I mean, it’s a very airy sounding set, great note control, resolution is very high, notes are thin and not thick, and there’s plenty of space for different elements within a stage to operate in a distinct way. The same goes for imaging, only I find the Que UTG is even better at placing instruments in their respective places within the stage. You have no real masking going on and nothing which would congest the sound. Imaging is spot-on.
Detail Retrieval
Another huge upside to this tuning is the Que UTG’s ability to distinctly render notes and all the delicate and minute little harmonics, inflections, micro-details. Resolution is high on this one, clarity is high, black background, tight transients across the board, no masking (on most tracks), and the Que UTG simply has those clean note contours. It stands to reason that the subtleties would have very little keeping them from floating to the surface. I find detail retrieval is very high folks.
Comparisons
Dunu Kima 2 ($119)
The Dunu Kima 2 (Kima 2 Review) is the latest in the very successful line of Dunu single DD’s called the “Kima” series if iems. Very popular and well regarded in the community. I’ve reviewed every iteration of this set, and I feel that the Kima 2 is clearly the best of the bunch. Again, the Kima 2 is another single DD at or near $100 that I find to be highly capable and a great sounding unit. Dunu truly does awesome with single DD’s and has proven this time and time again. The Kima 2 is an especially organic sounding set which prioritizes smoothly rendered neutral musicality and natural timbre over precision. So, whether the Kima 2 is a good set to compare may be a bit questionable. Yet here I am. Anyways, the Kima 2 is a single DD which comes with Dunu’s “New Generation” 10mm DLC composite dynamic driver and it is certainly one which can be considered a top tier single DD around $100. At least I categorize it that way.
Differences
First off, both of these two sets definitely have their differences. I’d say the Dunu Kima 2 and the Sivga Que UTG both have stellar unboxing experiences. Both sets offer great cables, great carrying cases and both have a slew of tips. Though the Kima 2 has the better tip selection (barely). Now, both sets are extremely well constructed, very well built. Both use alloys and cool design themes, both sets offer a unique design, and both are simply premium in appearance. The Kima 2 is all alloy, gorgeous cuts, beautiful design, great fit. Also, the Sivga Que UTG has a beautiful design (maybe more so), and it too is exceptionally well built and very comfortable as well. So far, they are neck and neck in my book. Now, there is one difference which may be a lot to some and not so much to others and that’s the price gap. The Kima 2 is priced about $20 higher. So do keep that in mind.
Sound Differences
I think I can make this relatively quick as the Kima 2 and the Que UTG are quite different in how each brand approached the spectrum. No doubt this is a preference battle. Basically, you’ll know fairly quickly which set aligns with your preferences. So, to begin the Que UTG is most certainly brighter and more analytically tuned. Much snapper, crisper across the mix as well. The Kima 2 has a slightly more laid back and organic approach. I find the Kima 2 to be much smoother, more musically gifted. However, the Que UTG is clearly the more technically gifted. Literally every technical aspect of the Que UTG outshines the Kima 2. In the same breath, every rhythmic quality, the musicality, the non-fatiguing nature, and the overall ease of listening goes to the Kima 2.
Between the 20’s
Most definitely the Kima 2 has the more pronounced and emphasized bass region as its bass occupies a more prominent role in its tuning. The Que UTG’s bass region is faster, tighter, less bullish and authoritative, but better defined. The Kima 2 has that deeper and more kinetic haptic sublevel bass to the slightly rolled off Que UTG. The midrange of the Kima 2 has the more vocal friendly tuning with that clean smooth rendition of the midrange and richer note weight. While the Que UTG is more clinical, precise, it has more note bite, better note contour, but also it has thinner note weight along with a dryer midrange too. I’d be willing to bet you already know which one you would like. Again, it’s a clear preference battle. Lastly, the Que UTG’s treble is much more emphasized, and it is clearly the more technically astute and resolute of the two sets. The Que UTG also has an airier sound, more open in its treble range. Its treble is also brighter along with the more shimmery highs and better extension up top. The Kima 2 has a somewhat laid-back style tuning up top with a much smoother upper end of the spectrum. Also, the Kima 2 has almost no chance at anything sharp or harsh whereas the Que UTG may take you right to the brink of your tolerance. The Que UTG has better note separation, much better detail retrieval, better resolution, and it’s transient response is more rapid and precise. I say that but the Kima 2 does very well in each attribute per its tuning. However, the Que UTG clearly has better imaging capabilities along with a more layered sound. So, there’s definitely a give and take with both sets.
Final thoughts on this comparison
To conclude this comparison, I just want to say that I chose the Kima 2 because I really enjoy that set. Yes, it’s quite different and it operates on a totally different tuning philosophy. I mean, look at the graph comparison, these two couldn’t be any more different past 500hz. Having said that, I feel that both sets are around the tops in their class in regard to each set’s particular tuning styles. I’ll be perfectly honest; I like each set a lot for different reasons. However, I will say this; there are many sets tuned like the Kima 2. Granted, it does it better than most of those other sets, but it is a fairly common style of sound. The Que UTG represents something that I haven’t seen in quite some time for an under $100 iem. Its technical skills are flat-out impressive folks, and it truly stands out against the pack. However, this definitely was a preference battle and I’m sure you have a good idea which set would suit you.
Is it worth the asking price?
I think the answer to this question is fairly easy for me. My answer is that the price is ridiculously good. For all that you are getting, the $97 cost is a very easy choice. Especially, for anyone who enjoys this particular style of tuning. Even with all of the competition around the $100 price point I definitely feel that the Sivga Que UTG is a very solid purchase at $97. Like I said earlier, the Que UTG is no doubt an at least moderately polarizing set in that you really have to enjoy its sound signature. However, also like I said, for those who do align with the tuning; they are going to absolutely love this set. Obviously, those warm, lush, and dark lovers are probably not going to read this review and hit the “buy now” button. I wouldn’t expect them too. So not everyone is going to agree with me on this one. That’s okay though, because I answer this question for those who actually are considering the Que UTG and who feel that ultra transparent and technically on-point sound is right up their alley. I can tell you that I’ve grown to really enjoy the sound and the capability of the Que UTG. Nice work Sivga, and yes, it’s worth the $97 to own it.
The Why…
Because the unboxing is actually very nice. You get a very solid modular cable that looks slick paired with the Que UTG, and it sounds good too. The carrying case is nice as well. The build quality is great folks. The shell body is made entirely out of zinc-alloy. Built like a tank yet it’s also very light, very comfortable. Also, it’s a very classy looking iem. I love the design choice using the light brown stained sandalwood for the faceplates. The look is really special. Each set is unique to the piece of wood used; every grain is distinct as well. Just a wonderful choice by the designers at Sivga. What a class act. However, as always, the worth of any iem or audio product will come down to the actual audio. Just because something is packaged well, built well, and looks dope doesn’t mean it’ll sound good as well. Thankfully, Sivga had that area covered very well…
That Sound…
One thing which struck me right away with this set is its unique and technically adept sound. Very much different from many of the mainstream tunings that we hear within the $75 to $125 price point. Just like the look and aesthetic is unique, so is the sound. To an extent. The Sivga Que UTG comes with such a clean, pristine, transient fast and dynamic presentation with loads of details and a clean lined accuracy usually found in more expensive sets. It has a very clear and punchy bass, just enough haptic feel, nice hard-edged slam, very nice to the ear. The midrange is highly effective at uncovering even the most subtle details with ease. The mids are forward, crystal clear, fairly melodic but also effortlessly precise. Every note contour is exact, glass-lined, and no track is too complex. Which brings us to the treble which I find to be quite awesome. So much so that I wouldn’t be surprised if treble heads were singing its praises. The treble has great extension, plenty of note bite and crispness, and it does all of this without forcing brightness or causing fatigue. Again, detail retrieval is top notch, sound separation comes across very easy to discern and imaging is spot-on as well. To top it off the Que UTG has a nicely deep stage adding some even nicer dimensionality to the mix. Just a high quality iem with a high-quality tuning friends. Basically, of course the Que UTG is worth the cost to own it.
Conclusion
To conclude my full review of the Sivga Que UTG, I want to first thank the awesome folks over at Sivga for providing the Que UTG for review. I really could not thank you enoug. This is really the first Sivga set I’ve had in my ears, and I can’t help but want to try them all. Now that I see the pedigree that Sivga operates with. Once again, thank you! I also thank you, the reader, forc39 clicking the link and checking out this review. Or any review for that matter. Every single click means a lot to us folks. It’s because of you that our doors are still open and we really do hope that you have a positive take away from visiting our website.
Other Perspectives
With that all said, I also want to ask you to go and check out some other thoughts on the Que UTG. We can be very different in many ways and without question we have one of the most diverse and subjective hobbies on planet earth. Everyone has their own idea of what “good” sounds like. I can tell you this, we don’t always agree. No doubt about it that many people will have a different take than me. So, I’d definitely read as many reviews or thoughts as you can before you decide to purchase. Okay, with that I am definitely done my friends. Once again, thank you for visiting, I hope it helps you in at least some way. Please take good care, stay as safe as possible and always… God Bless!!
