Sivga SV021 PRO Black

Sivga SV021 PRO Black: closed-back headphones in zebrawood

Handcrafted solid wood earcups, a 50 mm dynamic driver with an aluminium diaphragm and an impedance low enough to work with a smartphone or a small USB converter: these closed-back headphones retain the silhouette of the SV021 Robin, but their driver is entirely new. This black finish combines dark zebrawood with black earpads, a headband and a metal frame, for an understated look that lets the wood grain take centre stage.

From Robin to PRO, an aluminium diaphragm

The SV021 Robin, released in 2021, used a very thin polycarbonate and fibre diaphragm developed by Sivga, housed in rosewood earcups. The SV021 PRO, launched in February 2026, retains the 50 mm diameter and overall shape, but replaces this flexible diaphragm with a five-layer aluminium composite. Aluminium provides rigidity, limiting diaphragm deformation during rapid movement. The intermediate layers damp unwanted vibrations that metal alone would tend to sustain. The voice coil, the part that receives the electrical signal and sets the diaphragm in motion, is made from ultrafine copper-aluminium alloy wire, which is lighter than pure copper. It operates within a redesigned magnetic circuit and is supported by a reinforced six-layer composite dome structure, with the aim of reducing distortion.

This change in driver increases impedance from 32 to 45 Ω and sensitivity from 105 to 106 dB, while weight rises slightly, from 275 to 289 g. The stated frequency response remains 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

Zebrawood earcups and a machined metal frame

Zebrawood is an African wood recognisable by its dark, contrasting stripes. As each earcup is carved from a piece of natural wood, the grain pattern varies from one unit to another: no two SV021 PRO Black headphones are ever quite identical. The wood is held by a precision-machined metal frame with a uniform matt black finish, whose curved, adjustable supports distribute pressure across the top of the head. Clamping force remains light, which matters for closed-back headphones worn for several hours.

The velour earpads have been enlarged compared with the Robin. This fabric breathes better than synthetic leather and feels less hot in summer, while the foam conforms to the shape of the ears to provide a seal without pressing. At 289 g and with a more compact design than most over-ear headphones, the SV021 PRO is easy to carry, from the office to the train.

Closed-back headphones that are easy to drive

In closed-back headphones, the rear of the drivers is enclosed within the earcups. Very little sound escapes outwards, and ambient noise is reduced passively, solely through the physical barrier of the wood and earpads. You can listen in an open-plan office or on public transport without disturbing the person next to you, something open-back headphones do not allow. The trade-off is isolation that remains that of passive headphones: it filters conversations and background noise, but is no substitute for active noise cancellation when faced with the rumble of an aircraft.

The 45 Ω impedance and 106 dB sensitivity indicate headphones with modest power requirements. A computer headphone jack, a portable music player or a pocket-sized USB-C converter are enough to achieve a comfortable volume, without a dedicated amplifier. A higher-quality converter and headphone amplifier remain useful for gaining extra detail, but they are not essential to drive the SV021 PRO properly. These are exclusively wired headphones, with no Bluetooth or microphone.

A detachable dual-entry cable

The 1.6 m cable connects to each earcup via a 3.5 mm plug, with each channel following its own path to the headphones. It is made from oxygen-free copper (OFC), a copper refined to limit impurities and oxidation over time, beneath a flexible sheath that resists corrosion. At the source end, it terminates in an unbalanced 3.5 mm jack, and a 3.5 mm female to 6.35 mm male adapter is supplied for amplifiers and hi-fi components equipped with the larger socket. As the cable is detachable, it can be replaced if worn, without altering the headphones.

The SV021 PRO comes in a hemp bag that protects against scratches during transport, but not impacts.

Technical specifications

Acoustic design

• Type: closed-back over-ear headphones
• Drivers: dynamic, 50 mm diameter
• Diaphragm: five-layer aluminium-based composite, six-layer reinforced dome structure (according to SIVGA)
• Voice coil: ultra-fine copper-aluminium alloy wire
• Magnet: not found (“high-performance” magnetic circuit according to SIVGA, material unspecified)

Audio performance

• Impedance: 45 Ω ± 15 %
• Sensitivity: 106 dB ± 3 dB
• Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Connectivity

• Headphone-side connectors: two 3.5 mm mini-jacks, one per earcup
• Detachable cable

Materials and finishes

• Earcups: solid wood, beech or zebrawood
• Frame: machined metal
• Headband: adjustable
• Ear pads: velour, enlarged size

Box contents

• SV021 PRO headphones
• Dual 3.5 mm jack to single-ended 3.5 mm jack cable, 1.6 m long
• 3.5 mm female jack to 6.35 mm male jack adapter
• Hemp pouch

Dimensions and weight

• Ear pad dimensions:
  • External dimensions: 95 × 107 mm
  • Opening: 65 × 73 mm
  • Thickness: 20 mm
• Weight: 289 g