This is a Review of Oriveti PRIMACY 3-way hybrid IEMs. http://www.oriveti.com/, also available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B019TAJRPA/
I find the evolution of multi-driver IEMs to be quite fascinating: from configurations with a single and dual dynamic drivers, to realizing that you can squeeze in more by switching to Balanced Armature (BA) drivers where we recently seen the number go up to 14 per side. But the fundamental multi-driver config has always been around the design with 3 drivers to cover your bass, mids, and treble, which also became a baseline for a number of hybrid designs where a dynamic driver replaced low end BA. In my opinion, 3-way hybrid still remains among the most popular configurations which yield the best price/performance ratio. But I only found a few companies to get the tuning of this config right (based on my personal subjective opinion), while the rest, including some newcomers, are thinking they can just throw in together a dynamic driver with either a single or a dual BA and sell it like a hotcake. I have seen quite a few new releases that failed in this pursuit, where even their budget price couldn't save them.
Fueled by skepticism, I didn't know what to expect when I got contacted by a brand new company with yet another 3-way hybrid IEM, priced around $300 mark. I thought to myself, it takes a lot of confidence to jump into the water filled with seasoned sharks, especially when you price your product on a very competitive level with other established players. I did have a chance to see the picture of their IEM beforehand, which left me impressed, but I didn’t want to jump into any conclusion until I had Oriveti in my hands and my ears to judge it firsthand. I usually like to spend a few weeks with headphones before posting my review, but I was so impressed with their PRIMACY model that I started to work on my review after only a week. It was the first time where I felt like the product got a checkmark next to most of my personal requirements. Now, here is more about it.
Unboxing.
Starting with a packaging, you a greeted with a gift box quality sturdy cardboard enclosure with a bold glossy image of Oriveti PRIMACY (OP) – a rather unique shaped IEM. Looking on the back of the box, you can find a detailed Specification listing and the Content of the Packaging with all the accessories and their corresponding quantity. But the highlight for me was a detailed diagram of the inner design. It is great when manufacturer lifts a cover off their “black box” to reveal the inner guts. Actually, this diagram tells you more than just how they positioned dynamic driver and dual BA driver inside, and it also reveals that shell is all metal construction and that it has a detachable cable.
With a top cover off, you get a jewelry box setting with small OP metal shells inside of a heart shaped cutout where cable snakes around it. While lifting this foam insert up, it took me a second to realize why I didn’t find a dangling cable – this insert had a cutout in the middle, making a spool for cable storage. With insert out, you will find a Quick Guide printed on a thicker piece of paper which covers the bottom tray with all the accessories. Before I will go into description of the accessories, I want to mention that bottom tray is cleverly partitioned into one layer with through-hole cutouts for all the accessories and another foam layer protecting it underneath. So many times I came across foam cutouts with jammed accessories where it was impossible to take them out. Here, you can either pick accessories up with your finger or lift the middle tray and push them through to remove it.
Accessories.
The presentation, the quality, and the amount of accessories really make OP stand out as a premium product. Starting with eartips, with an exception of foamies (which btw are not Comply), all the silicone ones look custom made, not your typical common tips you’ll find with other headphones. Also, you get a double of every single pair – I like this idea. Having different sizes is important for initial fitment, but often we settle on one specific pair. Considering these are not generic looking, having a spare is a great idea if you lose or damage one. Here you will get 2 sets of medium soft foam eartips, and 2 sets of each XS, S, M, and L silicone tips. Each pair was stored neatly in corresponding tray cutout pocket with one M-size pair already fitted on IEMs.
You also get 3.5mm to 1/4” adapter, something I used to be in denial for until my last two desktop amps that had 1/4” plug by default. Flight adapter is also included, not sure about a personal value since I haven’t been on a plane for a long time, but I’m sure some might find it useful. A pair of soft rubbery earhooks was a nice accessories addition - I have plenty of these but they are usually stiff, plasticy, and not comfortable while these were soft and flexible. Now, here is something you’re not going to see every day with universal IEMs – an earwax cleaning tool. OP looks like a universal custom IEM with an open single bore nozzle without a wax guard, so cleaning tool is a valuable bonus.
Last but not least is the aluminum round puck-shaped case with a soft felt lining on the bottom and in the cover. This is quite a unique case, something you won’t see in sub $300 products. I wouldn’t call it exactly a “carrying case” because it has some heft to it due to a solid metal construction, and it won’t fit as comfortably in your pocket. But as a storage case to showcase on your desk, or even as a paper weight – it looks cool. Though not totally lose, you still have to be careful when picking it up by the top because the cover can slide off if you are not paying attention.
Cable.
I don’t often dedicate a separate section to a cable, though I do consider a removable cable to be an accessory, but in this case we are talking about a premium Silver Plated wire cable with an excellent build quality. At a glance, it doesn’t strike you as anything special because it has a rather generic looking braided design with a tight black shielding, reminding me of UE900 and Westone stock cables. Closer examination reveals a very soft cable with two separate conductors attached to rubbery housing with standard MMCX connectors, going down to shrink wrapped y-splitter and continuing as 4 separate twisted conductors meeting at a slim aluminum black anodized connector with TRS gold plated termination and a nice short strain relief. There was also a clear plastic rubbery chin-slider, cleverly designed in an oval shape for a better sliding friction along braided wires.
Without a doubt, the build of the cable is top notch. You get a good grip on headphone connector and a good grip on mmcx connectors, labeled with R on the right side and triple bump-dots for a blind id on the left side. Also, cable is soft enough for a comfortable fitment over your ears, the preferred way to wear OP, and you are not going to miss pre-shaped memory wire. But the key here, as I have been told by manufacturer, is the use of Silver Plated wires, something you usually get as aftermarket upgrade while here it's included stock. Regardless if you are cable believer or not, I have switched to a few of my regular OFC cables and can hear a subtle difference when going back to Oriveti cable (more sparkle and sharper definition, especially around low end). And thanks to a soft shielding – there is absolutely no microphonics effect.
Looking at Oriveti website, they are actually selling this cable separately for $30. In addition to some of my more expensive aftermarket cables, I have a few other budget Silver-plated cables in this price range, and can tell you that Oriveti tops them all (in a budget category). Even if you don’t believe or expect sound improvement, just as a replacement cable I would still recommend it.
I find the evolution of multi-driver IEMs to be quite fascinating: from configurations with a single and dual dynamic drivers, to realizing that you can squeeze in more by switching to Balanced Armature (BA) drivers where we recently seen the number go up to 14 per side. But the fundamental multi-driver config has always been around the design with 3 drivers to cover your bass, mids, and treble, which also became a baseline for a number of hybrid designs where a dynamic driver replaced low end BA. In my opinion, 3-way hybrid still remains among the most popular configurations which yield the best price/performance ratio. But I only found a few companies to get the tuning of this config right (based on my personal subjective opinion), while the rest, including some newcomers, are thinking they can just throw in together a dynamic driver with either a single or a dual BA and sell it like a hotcake. I have seen quite a few new releases that failed in this pursuit, where even their budget price couldn't save them.
Fueled by skepticism, I didn't know what to expect when I got contacted by a brand new company with yet another 3-way hybrid IEM, priced around $300 mark. I thought to myself, it takes a lot of confidence to jump into the water filled with seasoned sharks, especially when you price your product on a very competitive level with other established players. I did have a chance to see the picture of their IEM beforehand, which left me impressed, but I didn’t want to jump into any conclusion until I had Oriveti in my hands and my ears to judge it firsthand. I usually like to spend a few weeks with headphones before posting my review, but I was so impressed with their PRIMACY model that I started to work on my review after only a week. It was the first time where I felt like the product got a checkmark next to most of my personal requirements. Now, here is more about it.
Unboxing.
Starting with a packaging, you a greeted with a gift box quality sturdy cardboard enclosure with a bold glossy image of Oriveti PRIMACY (OP) – a rather unique shaped IEM. Looking on the back of the box, you can find a detailed Specification listing and the Content of the Packaging with all the accessories and their corresponding quantity. But the highlight for me was a detailed diagram of the inner design. It is great when manufacturer lifts a cover off their “black box” to reveal the inner guts. Actually, this diagram tells you more than just how they positioned dynamic driver and dual BA driver inside, and it also reveals that shell is all metal construction and that it has a detachable cable.
With a top cover off, you get a jewelry box setting with small OP metal shells inside of a heart shaped cutout where cable snakes around it. While lifting this foam insert up, it took me a second to realize why I didn’t find a dangling cable – this insert had a cutout in the middle, making a spool for cable storage. With insert out, you will find a Quick Guide printed on a thicker piece of paper which covers the bottom tray with all the accessories. Before I will go into description of the accessories, I want to mention that bottom tray is cleverly partitioned into one layer with through-hole cutouts for all the accessories and another foam layer protecting it underneath. So many times I came across foam cutouts with jammed accessories where it was impossible to take them out. Here, you can either pick accessories up with your finger or lift the middle tray and push them through to remove it.
Accessories.
The presentation, the quality, and the amount of accessories really make OP stand out as a premium product. Starting with eartips, with an exception of foamies (which btw are not Comply), all the silicone ones look custom made, not your typical common tips you’ll find with other headphones. Also, you get a double of every single pair – I like this idea. Having different sizes is important for initial fitment, but often we settle on one specific pair. Considering these are not generic looking, having a spare is a great idea if you lose or damage one. Here you will get 2 sets of medium soft foam eartips, and 2 sets of each XS, S, M, and L silicone tips. Each pair was stored neatly in corresponding tray cutout pocket with one M-size pair already fitted on IEMs.
You also get 3.5mm to 1/4” adapter, something I used to be in denial for until my last two desktop amps that had 1/4” plug by default. Flight adapter is also included, not sure about a personal value since I haven’t been on a plane for a long time, but I’m sure some might find it useful. A pair of soft rubbery earhooks was a nice accessories addition - I have plenty of these but they are usually stiff, plasticy, and not comfortable while these were soft and flexible. Now, here is something you’re not going to see every day with universal IEMs – an earwax cleaning tool. OP looks like a universal custom IEM with an open single bore nozzle without a wax guard, so cleaning tool is a valuable bonus.
Last but not least is the aluminum round puck-shaped case with a soft felt lining on the bottom and in the cover. This is quite a unique case, something you won’t see in sub $300 products. I wouldn’t call it exactly a “carrying case” because it has some heft to it due to a solid metal construction, and it won’t fit as comfortably in your pocket. But as a storage case to showcase on your desk, or even as a paper weight – it looks cool. Though not totally lose, you still have to be careful when picking it up by the top because the cover can slide off if you are not paying attention.
Cable.
I don’t often dedicate a separate section to a cable, though I do consider a removable cable to be an accessory, but in this case we are talking about a premium Silver Plated wire cable with an excellent build quality. At a glance, it doesn’t strike you as anything special because it has a rather generic looking braided design with a tight black shielding, reminding me of UE900 and Westone stock cables. Closer examination reveals a very soft cable with two separate conductors attached to rubbery housing with standard MMCX connectors, going down to shrink wrapped y-splitter and continuing as 4 separate twisted conductors meeting at a slim aluminum black anodized connector with TRS gold plated termination and a nice short strain relief. There was also a clear plastic rubbery chin-slider, cleverly designed in an oval shape for a better sliding friction along braided wires.
Without a doubt, the build of the cable is top notch. You get a good grip on headphone connector and a good grip on mmcx connectors, labeled with R on the right side and triple bump-dots for a blind id on the left side. Also, cable is soft enough for a comfortable fitment over your ears, the preferred way to wear OP, and you are not going to miss pre-shaped memory wire. But the key here, as I have been told by manufacturer, is the use of Silver Plated wires, something you usually get as aftermarket upgrade while here it's included stock. Regardless if you are cable believer or not, I have switched to a few of my regular OFC cables and can hear a subtle difference when going back to Oriveti cable (more sparkle and sharper definition, especially around low end). And thanks to a soft shielding – there is absolutely no microphonics effect.
Looking at Oriveti website, they are actually selling this cable separately for $30. In addition to some of my more expensive aftermarket cables, I have a few other budget Silver-plated cables in this price range, and can tell you that Oriveti tops them all (in a budget category). Even if you don’t believe or expect sound improvement, just as a replacement cable I would still recommend it.
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