Sivga Lyrebird

Mostly praised for speed, texture and control, but consistently described as mid-bass-led with a restrained sub-bass; bass-heads are told to look elsewhere. A few hear more weight and rumble than the graph suggests.

“It stays controlled without bleeding into the midrange, even on bass-heavy tracks.”

Headfonics

“Sub-bass extension is there, but it’s a bit quiet.”

Major HiFi

“More punch, proper sub-bass rumble and a low end that makes absolutely no sense to me looking at those graphs.”

KAC-SK, r/IemReviews

The strongest point of agreement on sound: clear, forward, natural-sounding vocals. A minority note a lean lower midrange or upper mids that can turn peaky or glary on some tracks.

“Vocals are centered but not pushed, and they’re intelligible to boot.”

eCoustics (Aaron Sigal)

“The mids have a natural, unforced character (feels like the emphasis here)”

Zeppmeister, Head-Fi

“Upper mids are quite forward, and can sound a little bit peaky on sibilant prone tracks.”

suicideup, Head-Fi

Sources split: a small majority hear crisp, airy, well-extended treble that stays clear of harshness; a large minority find it sharp, sibilant or tiring on bright recordings, at higher volume or from bright sources.

Sources split on what to call it — bright and vocal-forward, neutral-natural, or slightly warm — while mostly liking it. The graph explains both readings, and tips and source move it further.

Sources split: most hear a wide, open stage for the price; a minority call it average, narrow or shallow, with vocals placed close. Several note width beats depth, and one reviewer found the stage changed with tip bore.

Separation and placement are widely praised, especially in busy mixes; only Gizaudio calls the technicalities average.

“Imaging is precise, giving vocals and instruments clearly defined positions within the stage.”

Headfonics

“every element occupied its own distinct space while maintaining a cohesive melody”

Tom's Guide

Usually called resolving for $149, sometimes far beyond it. A couple of reviewers think the forward treble makes it sound more detailed than it is.

“They have a FAR higher texture and micro detail rendering compared to anything in the price range”

Audiophile Heaven

“The forward treble gives the depiction that it is all around a detailed set but in fact, I would say it's just above average.”

Sae Sakura, Head-Fi

Punchy and composed even at high volume; drums hit cleanly without the low end bloating.

“the pounding kickdrums hit with authority and the bass remained tight and never bloated”

Tom's Guide

“the drums hit hard without getting messy”

SteveListens, r/iems

Small, light shells that most wear for hours without noticing; one reviewer got minor aches only when the fit was off.

“the weight is low enough that I forget about them over a couple of hours”

Pragmatic Audio

“imprecise positioning could lead to minor earaches after roughly 75 minutes”

eCoustics (Aaron Sigal)

Machined aluminium shells, real stabilised-wood faceplates, a leather case and a cable reviewers rate well above the price. The near-universal complaint is that the cable is fixed 4.4 mm balanced, with no 3.5 mm plug.

“The Lyrebird’s stock cable could easily have come with a $500 IEM.”

eCoustics (Aaron Sigal)

“From every angle the design avoids sharp edges or rough transitions; the machining and finishing quality are high for the asking price”

Moonstar Reviews

“What I didn't expect was that the cable SIVGA includes in the box only comes terminated in 4.4mm balanced, with no 3.5mm option included.”

Ultimate Technology Reviews

Reports range from above average to average at best; it depends on seal and tips, and one reviewer describes a slightly open, semi-open feel.

“With a good seal, passive isolation is above average.”

cleg, Head-Fi

“I noticed isolation was always average at best independent of which one I used”

ChifiLab, Head-Fi

Rated strong value at $149 by nearly everyone, for the materials and accessories as much as the sound. The 4.4 mm-only cable is the hidden cost if you don't own a balanced source.

“If you'd handed me this box with no price tag and asked me to guess, I wouldn't have guessed anywhere near $149.”

Ultimate Technology Reviews