REVIEW:
Oriveti New Primacy – Triple Hybrid
Specifications
- Driver: Knowles Dual Armature Driver & 8mm Dynamic Driver
- Impedance: 8 Ohm
- Frequency Response: 20 - 20000Hz
- Sensitivity: 105+-3dB/mW, 1000Hz
- Plug: Gold-plated 3.5mm Stereo Plug
- Cable: 1.2 m
Price: U$D 299
Available in 3
colors, Matt Black, Jet Black and Mocha.
Package and
accessories
The New Primacy arrives
in an elegant, hassle free box. Everything is well arranged inside and has an
air of premium look on it. Of course, it is not something really needed for
those who care about the main product inside, but it is a very touch nice,
nonetheless.
The accessory pack is
quite full, with various pairs of eartips: 6 pairs of single silicone tips (3
sizes), 2 pairs of double silicone tips (1 size), and 2 pairs of foam tips (1
size as well). There’s also a sturdy round aluminum metal case, adapters and a
pair of removable earguides.
Design
The Primacy not only
looks nice, but it is also very well built. The whole shells are made of strong
aluminum material with a very smooth finish. The nozzle is about the standard
width and has a metal filter as well. Despite the triple hybrid setup, the
shells are rather compact and quite ergonomic. They provide a low profile fit
which is highly comfortable and strong in isolation even with silicone eartips.
They’re also properly vented so there’s no driver flex effect with them.
The cable uses the
standard MMCX connection; nothing special but works as should. The cable itself
is of good quality and well designed, made of 8 separated wires tightly
braided; it has a slight rubbery surface, but still tangle resistant and low in
microphonics. The cable is terminated in an angled L-shape plug, well relieved
too. The only thing that’d be better would be the y-split which consists of a
simple heatshrink tube.
Sound
The Oriveti Primacy
utilizes the popular triple hybrid combination of a dual BA drivers (from
Knowles) and a single 8mm dynamic driver. It’s the most common setup nowadays
for entry to mid-fi in-ear models that arrive in the universal fit. While the
selection and number of drivers doesn’t really mean a better audio performance,
it seems there’s an urge for many companies to take a part of the hybrid
market.
Following the elegant
and smooth package and design, the New Primacy offers a very delicate,
balanced, smooth and well-rounded sound presentation. The hybrid configuration
is very well done, with no signs of drivers’ (in)coherence issues, matching a
good speed and natural decay inside the single compact shell. Overall, it is a
warm and engaging sound with a fair level of musicality, being more immersive
but less detail oriented when compared to other hybrids sets.
The 8mm is smaller than
the usual diameter found in hybrid or single IEMs at this price range. The bass
is full and well-bodied, very warm without being too powerful or overwhelming. Well
weighted, with good sub-bass depth and a slight more emphasis towards the
mid-bass region, dominant but not taking too much attention from the listener. While
it has a smooth texture and good decay, it still lacks a bit in layering and
speed for very fast tracks, but on the other hand it is less tiring even after
a long listening time.
For the midrange we have
the dual BA driver that when combined with the warmer from the dynamic low end
part bring along a thick, slightly forward and rich sound from lower to upper
mids. Bass bleed is minimal thanks to the good control and less abrasive bass
end. The whole midrange is full, sweet and very smooth. It has a more relaxed
nature so the level of detail is less noticed despite the use of dual balanced drivers.
The separation is decent but is missing some air. However, the Primacy stands
out when presenting the voices. Either low or upper vocals sound sweet and very
engaging, without a sign of sibilance.
The treble of the Primacy
is quite different from the many triple hybirds I’ve heard during the last
years. It is more neutral in quantity keeping the more laid-back signature of
the lows and mids with a ‘safer’ or more ‘reserved’ presentation. The extension
too, is more limited and while not missing too much sparkle it won’t show much
energy if the track doesn’t really ask for it. However, despite the lack of
treble emphasis, the Primacy shouldn’t be considered as dark or off sounding, just
more inoffensive. The treble detail is good, less obvious but still present in
the typical BA accuracy fashion and works very well to cut down the extra
harshness or sibilance that on brighter genres.
Lastly, the Primacy
deviates away from many of the hybrid IEMs of the competition, where a more
v-shaped and lively sound would be expected as a result of the BA+DD setup
bringing a wider stage and sense of distance. The Primacy is different in this
regard. The presentation is less wide and more intimate towards the midrange
part giving up on air and sense of space. What it does offer is good coherence
and more musicality without being too forwarded or aggressive.
Comparisons
1) VS. Dunu DN2000
& 2002
The second hybrid model
from Dunu, the DN-2000, released a few years ago (and also with a retail price
around the U$300 mark), was a great addition to the universal-fit hybrid and
IEM market in general. A superb build quality and accessory pack, but for many
users with a big flaw in the large design lacking in ergonomics and comfort
issues. The sound, however, is impressive with a very powerful presentation,
wide stage, detailed midrange and excellent control in the treble dept. A
unique sound that’s still not easy to replace. The Primacy may not be as tough
as the Dunu’s offer in build quality but it is very close nonetheless. The design
is a total win for the Oriveti team as well. In terms of sound quality, the New
Primacy is obviously not as large or powerful as the DN-2000, but can show more
control and higher coherence when referring to the hybrid dynamic-armature
usual mismatches.
As for the next Dunu
model, the quad hybrid DN-2002 (dual BA + double Dynamic), it has the toughest
quality from the company (and personally, noticeable improvements in fit/comfort).
In terms of sound, the DN-2002 already differs from its triple sibling, and
also offers a different presentation than the Primacy. The 2002 is more
balanced, with more detail through the mids and highs and faster in bass. It
also has a more natural tonality. The Primacy is still warmer, not as the
DN-2000, but yet darker than the quad 2002 and more laid-back and less extended
in the upper treble part.
2) VS. LZ A4
This is an interesting
comparison. The last hybrid LZ A4 with its multiple and very well achieved
tuning options can offer various signatures and overall balance, adding or
taking the emphasis on the bass and/or mids/highs. Comparing the sound
presentation is less relevant as the A4 can reach a very similar tuning thanks
to the filters system. However, the differences are more noticed in tonality
and timbre, being the Primacy a bit more natural in the midrange, and while
neither of these two models has the best resolution, the LZ A4 can show further
extension when the more vented filers are used, reaching larger stage
dimensions. If anything, the LZ A4 has better focus for instruments and the
Primacy nicer texture for voices.
3) VS. Shockwave
III
The Shockwave III, top
model from the DIY Chinese manufacturer MusicMaker/ToneKing, is a 5-driver hybrid
model, using two dual BA units for highs and mids (Knowles TWFK it seems) and an
11mm dynamic drivers, and sells just below the Primacy retail price. Next to
the New Primacy, the Shockwave brings much more the energy and forwardness on
the sound, with a very wide V-shaped sound, strong in bass, transparent in
mids, and noticeable hotter in the treble. Stage is among the widest among IEMs
at the price, but cannot do the sweetness nor smoothness of the Primacy. Fit might
be challenging as well with the Shockwave with its large shells and odd cable
exit, whereas the fit is so much easier on the Primacy.
Conclusion
All in all, the New Primacy arrives in a very
premium presentation, from the unboxing to its build quality and overall design.
Sound wise, it differs from many of the hybrid type IEM models on the market, but
when compared to more traditional multi-BA or single dynamic sets from the
bigger companies, Oriveti is bringing a very solid option to the universal IEM.
Update: Here's a pic on the new cable