A midrange‑forward Sivga that prioritizes vocals and imaging

Sivga is one of those brands that resists chasing popular “targets.” Rather than settling on a single house sound, their headphones and IEMs each take on distinct, sometimes adventurous tunings. The Nightingale Pro continues that tradition: it’s not Harman, and it isn’t trying to be neutral. Instead, this is for listeners who want vocals pushed closer and guitars/front‑and‑center instruments to pop—without the zingy treble or thumpy bass that often steal the show in modern V‑shaped tunings.

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I would like to thank Sivga for providing the Nightingale Pro for the purposes of this review.

If you are interested in finding more information about this product, you can find it at SIVGA Official Store Nightingale Pro and their Aliexpress Store: Product page or their Amazon US: Product page

The Nightingale pro typically costs $296

So, After living with it, I’d describe the Nightingale Pro as ultra midrange focused, it is fairly unique and for that reason alone I think it deserves to be heard. Bass and treble take a step back, while the midrange steps forward. If you collect IEMs, the Nightingale will especially fill a useful niche in your collection: a “bring out the mids” set you can swap to when vocal detail and presence are the priority.

It also looks amazing in person:

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And as you can imagine from Sivga the unboxing is outstanding so let’s have a look:

Unboxing and Build Quality

The retail box is tidy and well‑protected. Sivga’s presentation is characteristically classy, minimalist, and handsome.

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The front is clean with Nightingale Pro branding and the small Sivga logo; the back carries a concise spec list. Open the outer lid and you’re greeted by the earpieces and the carry case nestled in precision foam cut‑outs. Accessories are neatly tucked inside the case.

Removing the outer packaging reveals a smart, leather‑style hard case:

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There’s a slim manual and accessory layout:

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In the box

  • Nightingale Pro IEMs with gorgeous wooden faceplates
  • Detachable 2‑pin cable
  • 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm termination (you choose at purchase)
  • Silicone eartips (six pairs total; two styles in S/M/L)
  • Carry case and documentation
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Cable and connectors

Sivga includes a genuinely nice cable that matches the aesthetic and, more importantly, feels and behaves well in daily use. It’s an 8‑strand Litz construction using 26 AWG single‑crystal copper mixed with silver‑plated single‑crystal copper. The jacket is a high‑gloss, supple PVC that resists kinks. Most strands are black with a single copper‑colored accent braid—subtle but slick. Hardware is sturdy and finished in black; the 4.4 mm plug variant features a stainless spring strain relief. You can select 3.5 or 4.4 termination at checkout.

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Note: I would have liked some interchangeable connectors at this price range but the cable itself is excellent quality.

Eartips and nozzles

Sivga supplies two eartip styles (six pairs total):

  • Three black wide‑bore silicone tips (S/M/L) with a softer, flimsier flange and shallower fit.
  • Three white wide‑bore silicone tips (S/M/L) with a firmer flange and more rigid stem.

As always, ears vary; and while this is good selection make sure you get a good fit to get this Nightingale to sing.

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Additional close‑up:

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Close‑ups of the fit interface and nozzle assembly:

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Build materials and design

The housings are machined from aviation‑grade aluminum‑magnesium alloy via five‑axis CNC. This keeps them lightweight yet rigid, and the metal shell helps control unwanted resonances. The Zebrawood faceplate is an aesthetic choice (not a part of the acoustic chamber) and it looks fantastic—light, natural grain with earthy tones. My sample shows two small vents: one near the nozzle/driver region and another closer to the 2‑pin socket. The nozzles are medium length with a roughly 6 mm diameter. The 2‑pin interface is partially recessed, giving a more secure connection. Color‑wise, the shells are a dark gray‑brown matte with a tan border around the wood and a tasteful, small white Sivga logo—classy, handsome, clean.

Internal driver

Inside is a single 14.5 mm planar magnetic driver using a 0.008 mm composite diaphragm and a 0.006 mm aluminum ribbon conductor (serving as the “voice coil” trace). internal-driver-details.jpg

Sivga designs and builds its own proprietary planar drivers rather than dropping in an off‑the‑shelf unit, and the tuning choices here clearly aim to showcase midrange articulation and vocal presence. internal-driver-details2.jpg

Fit and Comfort

The shells are smoothly contoured with an ergonomic profile and feel very solid for the weight. In my case, comfort over longer sessions was excellent with no hotspots. That said, some people might feels that the nozzle a bit stubby, and going one tip size up can help keep the shells seated more securely. Isolation is moderate; due to the shape not sitting fully flush in every ear, it won’t isolate like deep‑inserting designs.

Features and Everyday Use

  • 2‑pin detachable cable for easy upgrades or replacements
  • Moderate passive isolation; fine for office/home and light commuting
  • Easy to drive from a dongle, yet scales cleanly with better sources
  • Excellent carry case: ~4" × 3" × 1.5", orange‑tan leather with smooth zipper and soft lining; big enough for IEMs, spare tips, and even a small dongle DAC

Sound Impressions

Before diving into track notes, I am always curious about how some gear gets its name so I decided to check out the Nightingale nighingale-bird.jpg So a nightingale has a: melodic song, with a fast succession of high, low and rich notes that few other species can match

Specifically the common nightingale has a wide tonal range in its song, typically from about 1.5kHz to 8kHz.

So after listening to the Nightingale Pro for a few weeks I think this name feels perfectly apt — this IEM “sings” by bringing that vocal‑mid presence to the front of the stage.

It’s also worth noting up front: this is not an IEM for bass‑heads. Sub‑bass is intentionally and gently rolled off in a way that reminds me of some classic headphones — and I mean that positively. In a world where many recent tunings chase Harman’s bass lift or JM‑1 linearity, it’s refreshing to see a company commit to something very different. I believe the original Nightingale shared a similar philosophy; the Pro takes that approach a step further (hence the “Pro”), making it an interesting alternative to the majority of IEMs out there.

In short: midrange forward with relaxed bass and treble, excellent imaging, and an average‑sized stage.

Bass

Bass is present but intentionally very restrained. Sub‑bass reaches low enough for modern tracks but doesn’t push air like a V‑shaped set; think foundation rather than focus. If you want strong rumble, punch, and slam, this isn’t it. That limitation does narrow the genres where it shines, but it also leaves room for the mids to feel exceptionally clear and unmasked. On Trentemøller’s “Moan,” the kick lands with definition yet stays behind the vocal line. With James Blake’s “Limit to Your Love,” the deep sweeps are audible and textured, but kept tastefully in check—never droning or overwhelming.

Midrange

This is the Nightingale Pro’s calling card. Vocals sit forward in the mix with strong presence and clarity. Acoustic guitars, pianos, and strings come through with satisfying articulation. On Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why,” the center image locks in and her voice takes clear priority. Phoebe Bridgers’ “Motion Sickness” highlights how the IEM brings upper‑mid detail forward without crossing into shouty territory at moderate volumes. Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” shows off how harmonies are separated and carried—lead sits up front, backing vocals neatly layered behind. Note weight is on the lighter side; some may perceive timbre as less “meaty” or natural compared to warmer sets, but it suits the intended character.

Treble

Treble is vivid for some libraries and volumes yet largely controlled. Cymbals have measured attack with natural decay and sibilance is generally well contained, but if you’re treble‑sensitive or listen loudly, certain tracks can feel a bit urgent. Extension isn’t the very last word, which actually complements the lightweight bass and mid‑forward focus. If your library leans on crisp hi‑hat energy and you want extra sparkle, a subtle shelf above 8–10 kHz can add air without disturbing the balance.

Soundstage and Imaging

Imaging is orderly with a stable center image. Stage size is average in width and depth with better perceived height than you’d expect given the bass restraint. It’s organized more than it is expansive. Versus many modern hybrids or BA sets in the price range, pinpoint localization isn’t its party trick; instead, it presents a cohesive picture that’s easy to follow.

Alternate take and caveats

  • Comfort can be ear‑dependent; some will need to size up tips due to the stubby‑feeling nozzle. Isolation is modest.
  • Bass quantity is low; bassheads should look elsewhere.
  • Imaging isn’t as razor‑sharp as some set at this price but the overall presentation remains coherent and engaging if you prioritize mids.

Comparisons

  • Typical V‑shaped IEMs: You’ll get more sub‑bass heft and brighter treble elsewhere, but you’ll likely lose the upfront vocal presence that defines the Nightingale Pro. If you primarily chase slam and sparkle, this isn’t designed for that.
  • Harman‑leaning sets (e.g., Meze Alba, Kiwi Ears Astral): Those present more bass “tuck” and upper‑treble air. The Nightingale Pro shifts the spotlight to the mids instead, which can be refreshing when you want vocals to lead.

With the Sivga Que:

I do love how both the Que and Nightingale Pro look but I feel the Nightingale pro is more premium looking:

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With the Daybreak, Orchestra II and Hidizs MK12:

With some other IEMs in the $200-$400 price range:

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Specifications and Measurements

Specification Value
Style In‑ear
Transducer type Planar magnetic driver
Transducer size Ø 14.5 mm
Frequency response 20 Hz – 40 kHz
Sensitivity 107 dB ± 3 dB
Impedance 16 Ω ± 15%
Cable length 1.25 m ± 0.2 m
Connector 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm
Weight 14 g

With 107dB sensitivity the Nightingale Pro is an easy to drive IEM that will be happy with any source gear from dongles to nice desktop amplifiers.

Frequency Response

These measurements are availalbe on my measurement database with 100’s of other IEMs: PragmaticAudio IEM Database

So compared to Harman and JM-1 targets you can see the bass rolls off (1), the forward midrange (2) and the relaxed treble (3) : fr-midrange-forward-relaxed-bass-treble.png

The FR curve reflects this midrange‑forward balance with gently relaxed bass and treble.
The midrange contour is what puts vocals “in the room.”

Compared with the Sivga Que, you can see Sivga have gone a completely different direction with the Que with a bass (1) and treble (2) forward while the Nightingale Pro is all about being midrange forward: fr-compared-que-relaxed-bass-treble.png

The relaxed treble reminded me a bit of the Aful explorer (but of course the explorer goes for a sub-bass lift) compared-aful-explorer.png

Distortion

Distortion performance is very solid for its class, with very low THD across most of the band and no glaring problem areas in the audible range at typical listening levels.

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EQ suggestions

While I would recommend listening to the nightingale pro with its stock tuning you eventually might want to tweak the sound with some EQ, here is a simple recommendation:

  • Add 2–3 dB low‑shelf at 100 Hz (Q 0.7) if you want a bit more weight without muddying the mids.
  • Add a gentle high‑shelf of ~2 dB at 10–12 kHz for extra air if your library feels a little too polite.
  • If you’re sensitive around 2.5–3 kHz, a narrow –1 to –2 dB dip can relax forward vocals while keeping detail.

Rating

I’m giving the Nightingale Pro a 4/5 pragmatic rating. It’s a specialized tuning done well: great looks and comfort, clean imaging, and a midrange that brings voices forward in a pleasing, detailed way. It’s not the “one IEM to rule them all”—bassheads and treble‑seekers will want something else or a touch of EQ—but as part of a collection it’s a distinct and very likeable option.

Who will love it:

  • Vocal‑centric listeners who want presence and clarity without sibilance
  • Treble‑sensitive listeners who still want good detail
  • Collectors who appreciate variety instead of a single target sound

Who should look elsewhere:

  • If you want deep sub‑bass rumble or bright, sparkling treble without EQ

Conclusion

The Sivga Nightingale Pro won me over with its look, comfort, and easy everyday usability. The midrange‑forward tuning won’t be for everyone, but it serves a clear purpose: it reveals vocals and mid‑band detail in a relaxed, unfatiguing way. Even though I usually prefer a little more low‑end weight and top‑end air, this is an IEM I’ll keep coming back to when I want that “bring the mids forward” perspective on familiar music.

If you value variety in your collection and want a vocal specialist with strong imaging and tasteful restraint elsewhere, the Nightingale Pro is an easy recommendation, it is definitely worth hearing this Nightingale ‘sing’.