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Writer's picturedbstechtalk
3 days ago6 min read

Sivga Que Magpie - Looks Aren't Everything - Honest Audiophile Impressions

The $75 IEM purchase shelf is currently overcrowded. In this price range, there are numerous options that mostly seem alike. Occasionally, one may catch your eye with its appearance but disappoint in terms of sound quality, while another might blend in visually but pleasantly surprise with its audio performance. However, only a handful manage to excel both in aesthetics and sound within this price bracket.


I want to thank Sivga Audio for providing the Que Magpie for review, much appreciated.


The Sivga Que Magpie will set you back $77 from your bank account.

Purchase:

Sivga (non-affiliate link): https://www.sivgaaudio.com/product_d?id=21


Sonic Foam:


The Sivga Que Magpie features a 10mm dynamic driver with a Beryllium plated diaphragm, 32 ohms impedance, 108db sensitivity, frequency response ranging from 20hz to 20Khz, and a weight of 10 grams.


Box:

The box of the Siva Que is black with some artistic flair on the outer box front.

The back displays the specifications.

Taking the outer box off the Que is displayed along with a black box holding the accessories.


Accessories:

Sivga provides a sturdy leather hard shell carry case that is compact and should conveniently fit in a bag or pocket.

Sivga provide two types of silicone tips. The first is clear with a white stem.; the stem is short, whereas the bore is larger and wider. The second is also clear but with a black stem; the bore is longer and more pointed and rigid in shape.

The white-stemmed tip tends to enhance the treble, while the black-stemmed tip emphasizes the bass and upper frequencies.

Sivga provides a quality cable that is a 2-wire white braided silver-plated copper cable, it is not a lightweight, slightly stiff but doesn't tangle.

The earhooks provide excellent tension, and the split cinch functions effectively.


Build/Design:

The Siva Que has an appealing brushed aluminum shell complemented by white maple wood faceplates. The teardrop-shaped shells feature smooth sides and back, lacking ergonomic design.

The nozzles have a sharp angle and are relatively short in length.


Fit/Comfort:

The Sivga Que may present a challenge in terms of fit due to its smooth backside and short nozzle.

Personally, I experienced difficulties with the white stemmed tips, as they caused the Que to wobble and prevented a proper seal. While the black stemmed tips offered a more stable fit, they became uncomfortable after a short period. I found that using Sonic Foam tips not only provided superior comfort and a secure seal but also helped to mellow out the harsher upper frequencies. Using the Sonic Foam tips allowed me to wear the Que for approximately 45 minutes to an hour before feeling uncomfortable, whereas with the stock tips, discomfort would arise within just a few minutes.


Source Pairing:


With 32 ohms impedance and 108db sensitivity, the SIVGA Que can be easily powered by any dongle, DAP, DAC and amplifier. Loudness is not something you need to worry about. During testing, I discovered that the Sivga Que can be picky about its sources: warmer sources can make it sound muddy and bloated, while colder, more analytical sources can make it sound harsh and aggressive.


Sonic Impressions: Review Process:


Terms & Definitions:


Some of the Gear Used to Test:


Mytek Liberty DAC ii

Fiio K19

Fiio K9 AKM

iFi Zen DAC 3

xDuuo XA-02

Periodic Audio Rhodium

Fosi Audio DS2

hiby FC3

Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini

AFUL Snowy Night

Hiby R5 Gen2


Bass:

The Sivga Que bass is rich, robust with good texture. The sub bass is slightly overshadowed by the mid and upper bass, yet it delivers a satisfying rumble when called upon in the track. The mid bass packs a powerful punch, almost reaching bass head levels. The upper bass bleeds into the lower mids, contributing to a rich, warm sound. However, there are instances where the mid and upper bass can become overly dense, leading to a muddy and bloated sound. Despite this, the tone and timbre remain natural, and the level of detail retrieval is commendable considering the price. The bass prioritizes quantity over quality.


Mids:

The SIVGA Que offers pleasant mid frequencies, although it tends to be a bit bright and lacks depth in the upper mids. The lower mids have a warm tone that transitions to a slightly cooler feel in the upper mids. WIth its abundance of bass and warmth, there are instances where the lower midrange can sound muddy and bloated I found that music with less bass prominence tended to sound unnaturally bloated in the lower mids.

When it comes to vocals and instruments, the lower mids deliver rich and weighty notes. While the upper mids may sound somewhat thin, overall, the SIVGA Que provides a relaxed and laid-back listening experience. In the upper midrange, both instrumental and vocal sounds may seem excessively sharp and honky on occasions. Additionally, sibilance can be an occasional unwelcome presence.


Treble:

The Sivga Que's weakness lies in its treble performance. There is a significant decrease in clarity after 8k, leading to a warmer and softer sound profile. Occasionally, the Que may sound a bit muffled due to its lack of air and extension. However, the lower treble compensates with vibrancy and sparkle, although it can sometimes come off as overly sharp and intense. The tone and timbre are mostly natural, yet the lackluster detail resolution leads to occasional harshness.


Technical Abilities:

The Sivga Que has a limited soundstage with minimal width, making it challenging to distinguish between different venue sizes.

Vocalists and instruments are concentrated in a single central location instead of being distributed throughout the stage. The presenation feels congested, with instruments and vocalists positioned too closely together, creating a somewhat claustrophobic atmosphere. The imaging consists of three blobs, with a prominent left and right, and a powerful center, but with minimal action between each section. Detail retrieval is average for the price point. However, resolution issues are notable, particularly in the upper mids and lower treble, resulting in a harsh and gritty sound. Despite being slightly thick and robust in the lower mids and bass, the tone and timbre maintain a natural quality.


vs Kefine Delci:


Kefine Delci offers a significantly stronger sub-bass presence, making it an attractive choice for bass heads, while the Que is more restrained in the sub bass but has similar mid bass and more upper bass. Delci's midrange tends to be closer to neutral; male vocals and instruments sound thinner but still retain ample body.

The treble is slightly more pronounced on the Delci to balance its lively bass, whereas the Que is crisper and energetic in the lower treble but warmer and smoother in the upper treble. The Delci's soundstage is a little more expansive and it matches the Que in terms of detail and resolution.


Conclusion:


The Sivga Que appeals to different people due to its wooden face plate design and its bassy, warm, and energetic sound. While there are positive aspects to the Sivga Que, it faces tough competition with many available alternatives. In my opinion, the Sivga Que falls short in terms of comfort, refinement in the upper mids and lower treble, imaging, and resolution to truly stand out in its price range.


I am Dave the Honest Audiophile. Thanks for reading, and I will catch you in the next one. Don't forget to enjoy the music and that honesty is the BEST policy! I am not a professional sound engineer, producer, musician, or vocalist, etc. I have not done any scientific research, measurements, or in-depth testing of any kind; just my own listening, comparing and internet reading/research.  I have limited, real-life experience with recording, mixing and mastering gear.  I have been involved since my teenage years with various churches as an amateur sound booth technician.


Please take these thoughts, opinions and reasonings as just that, my honest audiophile thoughts, opinions and reasonings.


Twitter: https://twitter.com/TalkDbs @TalkDbs


Recommended Gear:

Rosson Audio Design RAD-0: http://www.rossonaudiodesign.com/

Audeze LCD 2 Closed: LCD-2 Closed Back (audeze.com)

Massdrop THX AAA 789: 


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