Sivga SO2 – Review

The Sivga SO1 were one of the best sports headphones introduced last year and the SO2 is their updated version. They are designed for those who want a secure fit while they are working out and are capable of delivering sound without blocking the world around you. This is possible through bone conduction rather than air conduction and there have also been some changes to the design to make them a better fit.

Design

Even though the SO1 were not the sleekest open-ear earbuds, they came with a great set of physical controls and were not too bulky to wear. Some of these traits have been maintained in the SO2, while some have changed. First off, the new ones feel a tad lighter, as each bud weighs about 10g. They come with non-removable ear hooks and fit comfortably.

One surprising move that you will come across is that the SO2 come with touch controls rather than physical ones on their predecessor. However, the functionality is pretty much similar, as you can adjust volume, skip tracks and summon your smart assistant. Due to this switch, the size of the buds has been reduced, but it may take time to adjust to the touch controls because they can be quite unresponsive at times.

There is a sizable charging case that has a USB-C port on the back, along with a pairing button. The wireless charging functionality was offered with the SO1, but is not available in its successor.

Features

There are four microphones using an ENC algorithm for boosting call clarity. The call clarity is decent, especially when the environment is not too noisy. You will also be able to benefit from strong connectivity, but there is no multipoint sharing. As far as battery is concerned, it is about 85mAh for each earbud and the charging case has a battery of 520mAh.

This makes the battery smaller than its predecessor. The earbuds give you about 10 hours, while the case gives you a total of 30 hours of battery life. The battery drops faster at louder volumes, so you can adjust sound to preserve battery life.

Sound Quality

The SO1 had a 16.2mm driver, but the SO2 comes with a 14.2mm hi-fi driver as well as a PU+ titanium diaphragm. It can deliver plenty of bass, power and clarity. However, you should remember that it is not possible to make adjustments to the sound profile. But, the earbuds delivering a satisfying sound, so you are unlikely to have any major complaints. This is despite the fact that they have an open-ear design.

When playing music, the SO2 earbuds manage to maintain balance and the bass is also pleasing. The voice clarity is also good when you are listening to audiobooks and podcasts. As long as you do not have an issue with the open-ear design of the earphones, they are a solid investment.