Review Sivga Peng

Sivga Audio is a headphone manufacturer based in Dongguan, China, founded by Rongchun Pan and Jian Zhou in 2016. They operate under the parent company Sivga Electronic Technology, which is also the parent brand to Sendy Audio. Sendy Audio is positioned as a sub-brand focused on creating premium headphones, emphasizing a commitment to quality and craftmanship.

Sivga Audio offers headphones that balance affordability with refined design and musicality. Most of Sivga Audio’s products are crafted through a combination of traditional materials and modern engineering. Wood is a signature element across much of their lineup, not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its contribution to a natural and engaging sound. They create accessible audiophile products while retaining a dedication to craftsmanship and sound quality.

Recently we reviewed the impressive Sendy Audio Aiva 2 at JJAZZIFI. In this review, we will take a closer look at Sivga’s latest release: The Sivga Peng; a beautifully designed closed-back headphone. 

Build quality and what is in the box:
From the moment you open the box, the feel of the sturdy case and the scent of fine leather immediately makes you realize you’re holding something special. Its 340-ohm impedance makes it more demanding than most headphones. When paired with a capable amplifier, the Peng rewards listeners with a warm, smooth and highly engaging performance. Don’t mistake ‘capable’ for just sheer power, it’s about control and refinement.

The Sivga Peng is a closed-back headphone featuring premium African Zebrawood ear cups with unique grain patterns, polished and air-dried for a smooth, refined finish. A CNC-machined aviation-grade aluminium frame keeps them lightweight, rigid and resistant to resonance.

It features a 50mm dynamic driver with a LCP surround and sapphire composite diaphragm, supported by a copper ring for reduced distortion. Its diamond-cut structure creates micron-level acoustic channels, delivering clean, powerful and detailed audio across a wide frequency range.

The headphone features angled ear pads with soft foam filling for an ergonomic, cushioned fit. Their design ensures a proper seal and reduces sound leakage. Smart vents on the top of the ear cups improves breathability and comfort.

Sivga combined a lamb leather head strap, stainless-steel headband and CNC-machined aluminium parts with a gunmetal anodized finish. Its 180° rotatable ear cups add comfort and versatility to the headphone’s premium build. This 180° rotation also translate in a very slim leather case for storage.

A high-purity 6N OCC cable is included, featuring a 4.4mm balanced plug. Also a 6.35mm and 3.5 plug is included.

Specs:

  • Type: closed-back headphone
  • Driver: 50 mm dynamic driver with sapphire composite diaphragm
  • Impedance: 340 Ω ± 15%
  • Sensitivity: 102 dB ± 3 dB
  • Frequency response: 20 Hz – 40 kHz
  • Weight: 341 g (including cable)
  • Cable: detachable 4-core OCC, 4.4 mm balanced
  • Earpads: memory foam, finished with lamb leather and velour/fabric
  • Housing: african zebrawood cups, CNC aluminum/metal frame and yokes
  • Headband: steel core with lambskin leather strap
  • Ear cup rotation: 180° rotatable
  • Accessories: hard-shell leather carrying case, 3.5 mm & 6.35 mm adapters, pouch

Test equipment:

Sound Quality
The Sivga Peng sounds wonderfully musical and I found myself listening for hours without any fatigue, simply enjoying the music. I was pleasantly surprised. Although closed-back often tend to create excessive eardrum pressure and overly prominent bass, which makes most of them sound less natural than open-back headphones, not in this case!

Treble
The treble on the Peng is tuned with a clear sense of control. There’s enough energy in the highs to bring out details in strings, cymbals and vocals; it never crosses into harshness. I truly value Sivga Audio’s consistently aim for a refined musical sound signature. It keeps recordings lively without becoming sharp or fatiguing, even at higher volumes. The extension is very good, giving the sound a sense of openness, but the overall presentation leans more toward smoothness than brightness. The pleasant way that treble was portraited, was not what I was expecting from a closed back. 

Bass
The low end is present and well defined, but it doesn’t dominate the overall signature. The sub-bass reaches down respectably, though it doesn’t deliver the kind of deep rumble that bass-focused listeners might be looking for. It’s a clean and musical bass, but not the type that shakes the room, so to speak. The emphasis sits more in the mid-bass, which provides warmth and body, adding weight to drums and bass lines without clouding the mids. It’s a clean and controlled bass response that supports the music rather than overwhelming it.

Midrange
This is where the Peng feels at home. The midrange comes across as full and natural, with vocals taking center stage in a very pleasant way. Male voices sounded robust and warm, female vocals were delivered with clarity and warmth.
Acoustic instruments benefit from this as well; guitars, pianos and strings presented in a way that felt organic and balanced. The mids were smooth but not overly colored, they had more then enough richness to keep the sound engaging.

Soundstage & Imaging
For a closed-back design, the stage is on the intimate side, but it does sound very open and certainly not cramped. There’s was a good sense of left-to-right separation, instrument placement was precise enough to follow layers in the music without effort. 

Depth is moderate, not as expansive as an open-back, but still more then convincing enough. The result was a presentation that favored focus and directness over scale, which worked well for genres where intimacy and clarity matter more than a wide, airy stage.

Pairing
I listened to the Sivga Peng through various sources and they sounded great on all of them, which is already impressive in its own right.

On the Burson Soloist Soloist Voyager & Chord Qutest the Sivga Peng sounded very controlled and with authority. The amplifier’s power reserve delivered a firm grip on the drivers, translating into articulate bass and a sense of space that felt very expansive. The midrange gained a sense of refinement and texture, with vocals sounding expressive. Treble, while still energetic, felt polished and without any fatigue.

On the Luxsin X9, the Sivga Peng displayed an impressive sense of composure and authority. The amplifier’s smooth yet confident delivery provided excellent control over the drivers, resulting in a tight, well-defined bass that carried both depth and nuance. The midrange bloomed with a natural warmth and rich texture, giving vocals a lifelike presence that felt intimate yet uncolored. The treble maintained its lively character sounding clean and airy without any trace of harshness. The overall presentation was open and expansive.

Paired with the Shanling M8T on high gain, the Sivga Peng revealed a more organic and fluid character because of its tube stage. The M8T’s smooth yet dynamic delivery provided excellent control, allowing the bass to remain tight and textured without overpowering the rest of the spectrum. The midrange gained a touch of warmth and depth, bringing vocals forward with a natural intimacy and emotional nuance. Treble came across as airy and detailed but never sharp. The sense of space was surprisingly wide for a portable setup, giving the music a layered, almost speaker-like depth that felt both immersive and effortless.

Connected to the Chord Mojo 2, the Sivga Peng delivered a clean, precise and engaging performance. The Mojo 2’s excellent transient response kept the bass tight and agile, with just enough punch to give it weight. The midrange came through smooth and well-balanced, allowing vocals to sound natural and expressive with a pleasing sense of presence. Treble was crisp and finely detailed yet remained smooth. The soundstage was more focused than expansive, but imaging was sharp and well-defined, making for a highly coherent and intimate listening experience. Volume had to be cranked up somewhat though.

Listening impressions
Please let me walk you through a few music tracks to get a sense of Peng’s strenghts and capabilities.

Melody Gardot – Don’t misunderstand
On the Sivga Peng, this track unfolds with a beautifully intimate character. Gardot’s voice sits naturally forward, letting you hear the breath and subtle phrasing that carry the emotion of the song. The gentle piano lines and soft brushwork on the drums come through with clarity but never sound edgy or thin. There is a touch of air in the cymbals, enough to keep the presentation lively without any trace of sibilance. The Peng does not exaggerate the very lowest bass, but that restraint keeps the track balanced and cohesive, allowing the vocal to shine. 

Lynn Hilary – Melody of life
The Sivga Peng proves well-suited for Lynn Hilary’s delicate and expressive performance. Her voice sounds natural and inviting, sitting in a warm midrange that preserves both clarity and intimacy. The piano and violin have a pleasingly organic tone, blending with the vocal without masking it. The headphone’s relaxed tuning gives the song a gentle, almost intimate atmosphere, perfect for acoustic and folk-styled recordings. While an open-back design might add a little more spacious air around the voice, the Peng’s controlled presentation created a very engaging listen.

Blackmore’s Night – Where are we going from here
This song is a mix of folk textures and light rock energy. The acoustic guitars remain vibrant and defined, while the vocals keep their presence even as the arrangement builds. Electric guitar accents and percussion carry a lively sparkle without anything becoming harsh or fatiguing. Bass notes stay in check, giving the performance a steady foundation without overpowering the mids. 

Concha Buika – Jodida pero contenta
The emotional weight of Buika’s performance is one of the highlights with the Sivga Peng. Her voice emerges rich and textured, conveying both the power and fragility in her delivery. The rhythmic accents sound crisp and well-timed without sharp peaks. The spanish guitar carries a warm, resonant timbre that complements the vocal rather than competing with it. The Peng’s slightly reserved sub-bass does not overwhelm the mix, allowing the drama in Buika’s voice to remain the center of attention. A little less reserved low-end would have been nice though.

Chris Jones – Long after you are gone
This track feels as though it was made for the Sivga Peng’s strengths. Jones’s deep, textured voice is rendered with a sense of intimacy and realism that immediately draws you in. The acoustic guitar sounds woody and natural, with the strings’ resonance and fingerwork presented clearly yet without any glare. The headphone creates a believable sense of space around the performance, not exaggerated, but enough to feel as though you are in the room with the artist. Its warm, balanced tuning keeps the focus on the storytelling nature of the song.

Conclusion
The Sivga Peng is more than just another headphone. I’m usually not a big fan of closed-back headphones, as they often push the bass too far forward. However in this case, I was pleasantly surprised by how balanced the Peng sounds. At times it feels remarkably calm and close to an open-back, even if it falls just a touch short in overall stage, compared to something like an Aiva 2.

From the carefully sculpted wooden ear cups to the solid metal framework and plush padding, it feels like a product designed to be cherished and enjoy for long term. Comfort is excellent and the included case and package feel premium. Having just reviewed the Sendy Audio Aiva 2, I find the Sivga Peng is built to the same high standards. In my opinion the Sivga Peng could easily carry their Sendy Audio premium label, both in its looks and its sound. 

Sonically, the Peng leans toward a warm and musical presentation that favors natural timbre and an easy sense of flow. Vocals and acoustic instruments are portrayed with an inviting smoothness, while the treble remains refined and never strays into harshness. The bass is articulate and controlled, though it does not chase the kind of subterranean rumble some listeners may expect, instead, it serves the music in a more balanced and tasteful way.

With its high 340-ohm impedance, the Peng truly benefit when driven by a capable amplifier. Paired with a good source, it rewards the listener with a coherent, intimate sound that invites long and fatigue-free listening sessions. While it may not deliver the wide-open stage of certain open-backs, its intimacy can feel personal and engaging in its own right.

The Sivga Peng are for listeners who are looking for a closed-back, value a natural timbre and balanced tonality. For anyone seeking a headphone that bridges beauty with musicality, the Sivga Peng is a standout choice.

Pros

  • High-quality build and materials (zebrawood, metal, leather)
  • Elegant design and aesthetics
  • Very comfortable fit, soft earpads, mild clamping
  • Good passive isolation
  • Comes with high quality 6N OCC cable 4.4mm balanced + 3.5/6.35mm adapters
  • Warm and smooth tuning suitable for long listening sessions
  • Clear and clean sound with good microdetails
  • Very balanced in tone, nothing pushed forward too much
  • Nice hard-shell (slim)case included
  • Sound very open for a closed-back

Cons

  • Quite high impedance (340Ω), something you need to be aware of
  • Moderate micro dynamics, more relaxed than explosive
  • Closed-back nature limits soundstage width a little
  • Less ideal for bass-heavy genres
  • Relaxed tuning may feel less engaging/analytical for some listeners

Product link Sivga Audio Peng

Product link Sivga Peng Amazon