This and That:
Good ear tip selection and a carrying/storage case/pouch (clamshell case) that I really like.
Nicely supple, twisted cable; good ergonomics; good build quality.
Sound:
Only low impedance sources and the largest included silicone tips are what I use with the BASIC.
Tonality:
The Basic offers what I would call an overall quite well-made laid-back, smooth, dark, bassy and warm sound signature, something that could also be described as an easy-going, inoffensive sound tuning.
The bass starts rising around the 630 Hz mark and then evenly climbs its way up, down to about 45 Hz, where its climax is set that will be kept upright to below 20 Hz with the highest quantity being around 12-13 dB north of a flat in-ear like my Etymotic ER-4S in the sub-bass to my ears, with a slowly decreasing emphasis when going up the frequency ladder. So basically, it shows an even down-slope from the sub-bass into the lower midrange with a midbass and lower root that doesn’t overshadow the present midrange that one can find playing on the warmer and darker side as well, without being affected by the bass that nicely recedes into the midrange.
Level will decrease towards 3 kHz, wherefore female vocals lack any edginess and unnecessary glare often found in Asian in-ears but could also use a little more air and room to breathe at times.
The level around 5 kHz is almost neutral again in my ears and takes a step back again afterwards, rendering cymbals without sharpness sharpness albeit without muffling them. Extension past 15 kHz is good but subtle, as the treble is tuned for smoothness.
The Oriveti provides the listener with a smooth, laid-back and bassy signature with an impactful sub-bass without having muffled or woolly mids and a treble response that is smooth and on the darker side without being overly recessed.
The only thing that I think would make the tonality close to delivering perfect smoothness would be a bit more level around 2 and 3 kHz to give vocals a little more glare, as this area, while it is not sucked-out, shows a recession when performing sine sweeps, so it makes brighter vocals become a touch too dark at times. Otherwise, this signature is almost perfect for what it aims to be.
Resolution:
I'd say the price of $99 is fair for the sonic performance, placing the Basic in a price range where it competes with other dynamic driver in-ears that are well-established on the market and quite popular, delivering a solid performance among them.
Nonetheless, its bass lacks some tightness and speed compared to some of the better dynamic driver in-ears in about the same price range, however it also doesn’t fall into the category of the overly muddy and boomy sounding in-ears that can still be found rather often in this price range. Those who want a rather soft sounding bottom-end will likely enjoy the bass, while those who are used to more speed and tightness should probably not consider the Basic when they intend to use it with faster and more bass-orientated recordings that require control, tightness and separation in their quicker parts.
Coherency is really good and the transition from the bass into the midrange and from the midrange into the treble works out wonderfully harmonious.
The treble is well-separated, natural and clean without any harshness or peakiness. Single elements, instruments and notes in the higher frequencies are very nicely distinguishable from each other.
The midrange is neither the most detailed nor does it sound muffled, flat (in terms of details) or woolly. A greater part of this can be addressed to the laid-back lower treble tuning along with the elevated lower mids, however the last bit of details is still somewhat hidden in vocals after equalizing the midrange.
Soundstage:
While Oriveti’s first-generation Primacy had a rather small to average soundstage, the Basic takes spatiality to a more open appearance with a quite spherical and three-dimensional reproduction.
Presentation is pushed a little more to the background, which gives the listener the impression of sitting in the second or third row in a concert hall instead of being fully involved and “in your face”. This also gives the Basic a good fatigue-free long-term listening quality that fits really well to the tonality.
While the expansion to the sides and depth are nice, instrument separation and placement aren’t razor-sharp but rather about average.
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In Comparison with other Dynamic Driver In-Ears:
AAW Nebula One:
The Nebula has got a little more bass than the Basic, however distributes it more to the upper bass (kick-bass) that can sound a bit too kicking, almost hammering, at times and depending on preferences. Both have got comparable warmth in the lower vocals while the Basic appears a bit smoother and laid-back due to its recession around 2 and 3 kHz. The Nebula One has got a little more level in this area and gives vocals a bit more air and breath while still being slightly on the darker side of neutral. The AAW has got more quantity in the rest of the treble than the Oriveti but is still heading a bit into a dark and smooth direction.
The AAW’s bass is faster, tighter and better controlled than the Oriveti's. I also hear a slight advantage for the Nebula One in the midrange and treble.
The Basic’s soundstage is a bit larger and more open sounding while separation is about comparable.
Fidue A65:
The Fidue is related to the Oriveti in some areas but differs in others. What it has in common with the BASIC is that it heads more into the darker, smoother and somewhat warmer direction, however the A65 (while its vents are free and not blocked, else it's a different story) is more on the balanced side of this tuning whereas the Oriveti is on the bassier and warmer side of it.
The Basic has therefore got noticeably more bass quantity and is also somewhat warmer in the midrange, along with being a bit darker in the upper treble.
The Fidue’s bass is tighter, faster and better controlled. The A65’s midrange is a bit more detailed as well, however the Oriveti’s treble shows the slightly cleaner and better separation.
The Basic’s soundstage appears to be much larger, expansive and open compared to the Fidue’s quite small stage. The A65, while having the less present spatiality, has however got the cleaner instrument separation.
DUNU Titan 5:
The DUNU has got less bass quantity that extends just as well into the sub-bass while maintaining a less forward presentation. The DUNU has got quite a bit less warmth and doesn’t have a dark upper vocal range unlike the Oriveti. The Titan 5 has got the brighter middle and upper treble, however good fit and placement are required on the Titan 5 (which is something that not all people will achieve) in order to get a pleasant treble response that isn't too uneven.
The Basic is a bit more even in the highs compared to the Titan that can sound a little edgy sometimes (however far from showing an unpleasant amount, at least as long as the fit and placement are right), while the DUNU offers the somewhat higher detail retrieval in the midrange and treble. The Titan’s bass is also faster and more precise.
The Oriveti has got the larger and more involving soundstage whereas the DUNU’s is a little better separated.
Shure SE215 m+SPE:
The Oriveti has a slightly more accentuated sub-bass, but emphasises the
fundamental range and upper bass a little less than the Shure and
therefore shines less into the lower midrange.
Voices sound a
bit warmer on the Shure, but a bit darker on the Oriveti, because the
Oriveti has got a bit less level in the presence range than the
Shure.
In the treble, however, both in-ears are very similar and
the Basic plays only slightly brighter than the SE215m+SPE. The
situation is different again in the super high frequencies above 10
kHz, where the Oriveti is more present, making subtle sparkle and
"air" more audible.
The bass range of the Basic is somewhat softer and slower than that of the Shure, although no
less controlled.
The detail resolution in the bass range and
lower fundamental, on the other hand, is somewhat in favour of the Oriveti.
In the mid and high frequencies the Basic also resolves
a bit better than the Shure.
The stage of the Oriveti is a
bit bigger (more depth, but also a bit wider) than that of the Shure.
When it comes to instrument separation, both are about even, with a
tiny advantage in favour of the Basic.
Conclusion:
The Basic's bassy, smooth, warmth- and darkness- oriented tuning is executed well and not exaggerated on either end, and the in-ear delivers an open soundstage as well as solid performance in its price range, placing it among good models such as Shure's popular SE215. It's only the bass where the Oriveti Basic could be tighter, as it's heading more into the softer direction in the lows.