ORIVETI NEW PRIMACY - Premium Triple Driver Hybrid HiFi IEM Headphones

For the purpose of the review most of my listening was done through my Sony Zx300, and the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, and Macbook Pro 2015 to see how easy they were to drive. The Fiio X7II was used to see what the sounded like with a different DAP. The volume on the Zx300 was always in the 35-50 range balanced and High Gain. The Oriveti New Primacy were compared to some of the other iems I had on hand such as the Campfire Audio Orions (~349USD), Creative Aurvana Trio(~149-99USD), and Earsonics Es Velvet V2 (~699USD). Just to be clear the Iems were run out of balanced using the Fiio LC-4.4 (Don't ask me if cables matter please and thank you), I don't have a 2 pin -> 4.4 cable at the moment so the Velvet V2 were run via SE unfortunately. (ONP= Oriveti New Primacy)

I apologize about the size of the images I would have preferred to use thumbnails but I was having trouble uploading them and had to imbed these.


The Songs I Listened to Were:

· Shiver by Lucy Rose

· On & On by Joey BadA$$

· Righteous Minds by Joey BadA$$

· Time Lapse by Ludovico Einauldi

· Labyrinth by Mondo Grosso

· For Now I am Winter by Olafur Arnalds

· Visions by Vanilla

· Ambitionz az a Ridah by Tupac

· Thriller by Michael Jackson

· Second Hand News by FleetWood Mac

These songs were 320kps, Flac, and the last 2 DSD just to cover all of my bases. It is important to note that the zx300 does not fully convert dsd unless you are using the Balanced output.

Packaging, Build, and Fit.

The Oriveti New Primacy (ONP), come in a nice black box, which displays an image of a the iems themselves in a glossy finish. Inside the box you have the ONP inserted in a foam sheet which the cable is wrapped around. When you remove the sheet and them iems you will see the circular case for the iems made out of metal. This is too large to be pocketable but will keep the ONP safe in a bag. The packaging includes and airplane adaptor and a good number of tips. The cable itself is nothing special it is a soft 8 core braided cable terminated in 3.5mm SE, and I did have some issues with this cable where I seemed to be losing connection on one side intermittently but when switching to a different cable there was no problem what so ever.






The Oriveti New Primacy comes in an a very small shell aluminum shell, with 1 dynamic driver and 2 balanced armature drivers. When worn with comply tips they provide a good amount of isolation and people should have little issue with getting a good seal or fit due to their compact size. I used symbio W to get a good Isolation.

Sound: (impressions Based on listening via the ZX300/4.4mm)




Bass:

The bass on the Oriveti New Primacy is very nice it provides a good amount of impact when listening to music like rap. Not over powered or bloated, the speed is also great leaving nothing to be desire in regard to that. The amount of texture and extension is decent and these are the only areas where I feel the ONP can be improved,

Midrange:

The Midrange on the ONP amazing. They provide a good body to vocals which are not too forward or recessed whatsoever, just right. They provide a good amount of air to female vocals and do not come across as shrill or shouty at any point, they also provide life to guitars, producing a sense of reverb I do not get with other Iems I have tried. Especially when listening to something like Shiver by Lucy Rose. The only caveat being that when listening to ONP with the Zx300 and spinfits vocals did get sharp at times. Symbios and foam tips help mitigate this a bit.

Treble:

Once again, the ONP really do wonders here they do not exhibit a fatiguing quality to them and I was able to listen to them for hours without a single problem. The provide just enough detail to be satisfying and not be bright. Separation is good at this price range too. Soundstage is very adequate, but while it may not be the best it does provide some depth which is a nice addition, the footsteps during the Intro of Thriller is what I used to listen for this. This may not be attributed to Treble but overall the ONP did not have any problems when listening to very busy tracks and did not sound congested, Listening to Labyrinth by Mondo Grosso and you get a grasp of what I am referring too.

Comparisons:

For the comparisons, I will mainly be comparing the three other iems mentioned; the Creative Aurvana Trio, the Campfire Audio Orion, and the EarSonics Velvet V2, the reason for these three is because they are what I have available to me.



To start the comparison is the Campfire Orion (~349USD)

The Campfire Orion have been the iems which I have owned the longest and are used almost 4-6 hours a day, in and out of my pocket without a case. Their condition is not that great anymore but build is solid and all of that is just cosmetic. I am fairly familiar with the way they sound. The housing of the Orions is significantly larger and boxier than that of the ONP, it has been known to cause issues for many users and in this regard, I think that the ONP will be a much better option for people who are worried about fitting. The ONP and Orion are very different in the way that they deliver sound as well, One is a hybrid with 1DD and 2BA and the other is a single BA. When comparing the Bass with songs like labyrinth, On & On, and Ambitionz az A Ridah, the ONP has a greater amount of impact with each bass note and hit of the drum, while I feel the Orions are more articulated and provide a greater amount of texture. In terms of decay the Orion's seemed to have a longer decay but were slightly slower, whereas the ONP had a quick attack and shorter decay, the song I listened to for this was Righteous minds. In regard to the Midrange I listened to Shiver by Lucy Rose, it helped with determining the quality of female vocals and how an acoustic guitar sounded. Shiver sounded amazing on both of these iems, the ONP were ever so slightly recessed making Lucy sound a bit further into the mix. This is not a bad thing as I would consider the Orions, from my experience the Orions have a very forward midrange. The guitars sounded great as well on the ONP each strum strum having no harshness, and a good body to it. In terms of treble the Oriveti again are great. There is no glaring faults here, Cymbals have a good crash, no sharpness, there seemed to be greater echoey/ reverb-y sound with the ONP when listening to Labyrinth compared that was not present with the Orions. The ONP is much better than the Orion when listening to super busy tracks were there is a lot of instruments and vocals going on at one time. And finally, in regard to Soundstage and separation of instruments both were very similar with the ONP having slightly more depth and the Orion having slightly more width.


Next is the EarSonics VelvetV2 (~699USD)

The Velvet V2 are a tuneable iem unlike the ONP, but for this comparison I primarily listened to the normal tuning which i preferred out of the 3 options. The EarSonics much like the Orion are an only Balanced armature design with 3 Drivers one for each frequency. The sound is not very similar. The Bass on these Iems has better extension into the sub-bass than the ONP and provide some feeling of rumble when listening to the songs with extension. When listening to Ambtionz az a Ridah there is a greater thump and impact to the bass overall it is a much tighter experience. When listening to songs like Shiver the Velvet are too distant and the vocals are not where I would like them to be for this kind of music, the guitar also does not have the same body, the strings have a greater emphasis. The ONP were much more natural in the midrange as a whole. The Velvet have more energy in the treble, cymbals have more sparkly to them and greater separation. Soundstage was similar Thriller was used to listen for these things especially the first minute where the door opens and you can hear the footsteps go from right to left. I would personally take the ONP over the Velvet because of the Midrange.


Last is the Aurvana Trio (~99-149USD)

These were not as friendly with fit especially when using the Fiio balanced cable due to their design which is primarily for cable down use. These are the Iem of the three which is also a hybrid, it uses 2 BA and 1 Bio-cellulose Dynamic Driver. The bass on these is the first thing I noticed when listening to Labyrinth, there is definitely and emphasis here, much more quantity then any of the iems mentioned. I feel these are a little bloated here and this makes them not as pleasing to listen to on busier tracks. The ONP is also much better on vocals there is much more air to Lucy's voice and the guitar notes seem to linger longer on the ONP, The Trio are not as forward as the ONP and were also slightly thinner here. Finally, the Treble provides some texture to cymbals and snares but overall it is a little thin lacking in detail. When listening to thriller the soundstage is slightly smaller than the ONP and does not have the same depth. It seems a little incoherent compared to the ONP.


Pairings and Driveability:

At the time of doing this Review I had access to the Fiio X7II and the Sony ZX300 Both are amazing daps and both were listened out of the balanced output. Additionally, the ONP had no issue when being driven out of my phone or laptop and there was no noticeable his, as compared to the Campfire Orion which produces a lot of hiss. The Oriveti on balanced where listened to at a volume of about 27-30 on high gain, while on the zx300 it was 40-50.


X7II:

This combination was my favorite of the two, it provided more detail to the ONP while not ruining any other part of its sound. The X7II to me added what I felt was lacking, the Fiio itself provided a lot more detail that I did not get with the zx300, the bass region had the texture I felt was lacking when listening with the Zx300, there was also an improvement with separation of instruments and vocals. The best part of this combination for me was that I did not experience the same sharpness I got with the ZX300, spinfits were not an issue here either. The only downside of this combination was that there was a major collapse in the soundstage but overall, I would take this combination over the zx300.


Overall:

The Oriveti is a very good package for the price, with great build and fit, an easy recommendation for people looking for an affordable Hybrid. The sound itself is great. The bass on the ONP is very good and provides sufficient impact for what I want in my music, but can be improved upon with sub-bass extension, the midrange is excellent, no thinness making acoustic music and females vocals stand out. And lastly, they have a great soundstage that provides depth with enough detail to please most. It is an excellent all-rounder.



Thanks for reading my review, if you own these let me know what you think. Lastly, if there are any recommendations on how to improve please let me know, especially with my writing and format.

I will do my best in order to write a comprehensive review, since I usually write my articles in Italian language on my personal blog and an important audio site in my country, but when I find the audio product that creates beautiful emotions in me , I am really happy to share my opinions worldwide. Really hope you will enjoy it.



DISCLAIMER: ORIVETI NEW PRIMACY unit was sent me as a sample unit, for this I really thank Marco and ORIVETI team. I am not affiliated with the company and all observations and opinions will be only my own.


LINK TO THE OFFICIAL FACEBOK PAGE : https://www.facebook.com/oriveti/

LINK TO THE OFFICIAL SITE : https://www.oriveti.com/new-primacy


PACKAGING: packaging is very rich with a lot of accessories : various silicone tips and foam ones( You surely will find the right tips for your ears), a nice looking hard case made of metal and a 6.3 mm adaptor. The new primacy is a nice looking iem and it is very comfortable and lightweight. I have to say that the matte black colour I received, is very fashionable and for 300 USD you can buy a very premium earphone both for its solid construction thanks to the metal body both for its high quality sound.

Just want you to notice that new primacy has a detachable cable, and the cable you get out of the box is very high quality one.


SOUND:

All my sound consideration has been made after 50 hours of burn in, using both my smartphone and fiio x 5 and ifi nano black label.

DRIVER CONFIGURATION: Dual Balanced armature +1 Dynamic Driver.

Thanks to its low impedance of 8 ohm you can easily drive it with your smartphone, but you will get better sound with a solid DAP. For example using with my fiio x5 and ifi nano I found a richer sound with better dynamic and a more coherent soundstage.

New Primacy has quite a neutral sound with a touch of warmth and romantic sound signature.

Bass is nice balanced and controlled, maybe I would prefer a faster bass like in the fiio ex1 2nd gen, but with a good source you get a stronger and a better decay for the bass response.

The star of the show is mids reproduction: very clean and organic; with Lana Del Rey “Get Free”, NEW PRIMACY is able to reproduce the sensual and romantic voice of this singer with great details and transparency. Highs are very controlled and refined but you can’t find a lot of sparkles, so you will get an extended treble response but without harshness and sibilance issues.

Soundstage is very good, in particular you get a wide soundstage with a good dynamic and detailed sound reproduction.

FINAL WORDS: if you are looking for a quite neutral sound with a touch of warmth and delicacy, a premium construction at an affordable price NEW PRIMACY will be a very good choice for you.

Specification:

Driver: Exclusive Dual Armature Driver & 8mm Dynamic Driver
Impedance: 8 Ohm
Frequency Response: 20 - 20000Hz
Sensitivity: 105+-3dB/mW, 1000Hz

 Distortion: <1%

Plug: Gold-plated 3.5mm Stereo Plug

Cable: 1.2 m

Package Includes:
Earphone body - 1pair
Detachable Cable - 1pc
Aluminium Carrying Case
XS, S, M, L Silicone Tips - 2pair per size
M form tips - 2pairs
Flight adaptor - 1pc
Double Flange Tips - 2pairs
3.5mm to 6.5mm plug -1pc
Ear Hook - 1pair


MIDS: 8,6

BASS: 8,4

HIGHS: 8.4

SOUNDSTAGE: 8,6


FINAL RATING: 8,5

Oriveti comes to challenge the 300$ price range with their New Primacy IEM, promising to bring us a very smooth, natural and romantic sound that will take us away into a world of fun and colors. We'll be putting their latest New Primacy IEM to test today, and we'll see how they perform compared to other IEMs!





Introduction

Oriveti is a growing company from China, who has been behind a few IEM models which were well-received by music lovers from all over the world, with their newest additions being probably the most interesting ones, including their New Primacy IEM. Although Oriveti has less presence on Social Media and forums than most audio companies I've talked with before, their support and PR departments were very helpful and they are doing an awesome job at keeping in touch with their fans and clients.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Oriveti, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Oriveti or any other company. I'd like to thank Marco from Oriveti for providing the sample for the review. The sample was provided along with Oriveti's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with New Primacy. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in New Primacy find their next music companion.



About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html



First Impression



It was a faded summer day when I received the New Primacy IEM. The one thing I really recall about it is that it was just another day in the Summer with the weather slowly fading to the unavoidable lethargic yet somehow romantic Autumn. I was sitting in my room, staring at the window, watching the leaves slowly turning from a lively green to a royal golden color as the rich season was slowly settling in. A blurred yet somehow shouty call disturbed from my immensely profound trance, as countless golden leaved were dancing in my mind.

A magical package was to be delivered to me in a few minutes, and I had to get out quickly as the driver was in a bit of a rush. I complied quickly, and I went to pick it up. I left my room in a rush, without taking much with me, besides my phone and my music listening setup. When the delivery man handled me the package, I was quite enticed by the size of the box, Oriveti being quite enthusiastic with their packaging and the number of accessories included.

I went ahead and plugged New Primacy in my Opus #2 DAP, not knowing exactly what to expect of their sound.

The song I played first on Oriveti New Primacy was something quite Romantic, a combination of Rock and metal, a moniker of music, Dope - Sing. A meaty, thick and musical composition started slowly enticing my mind with its magical flow and rhythm. The voices sounded sweet, the acoustic guitars played with a magical texture, and the bass notes were thick, playful, the whole thing being quite musical and relaxing. I left my work chair to lie a bit in my bed and enjoy the magical sound that this edgy-looking IEM was able to present to this listener. I spent the next few hours enjoying the magic of Oriveti New Primacy, being hard to go back to work when something so sweet and magical is there to entice your ears.



Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:

















The unboxing and unpacking experience of Oriveti New Primacy is very interesting as Oriveti thought of everything and included a lot of very useful extras in the package, starting with the awesome carrying box, which is made of metal, and which has a very fine velvety material on the inside to protect the IEMs during transport, and the very large number of tips that will ensure the best listening experience with Oriveti New Primacy.

The IEMs themselves are very nicely presented, one being decorated with Oriveti's logo, which looks delightful. The box has everything seated in a foam cutout, and the IEMs themselves are seated in a large foam cutout and presented as a high-end product to the buyer.

Besides the excellent carry box, and the IEMs themselves, there is a 6.3mm gold-plated adaptor, a flight adaptor, ear hooks, a selection of tips, including foam tips, and a few useful manuals. Oriveti New Primacy's cables are detachable, and although there aren't any spare cables included in the box, the default cables included with ONP is flexible, quite sturdy and looks awesome while in usage. The fact that the ear hooks aren't permanently attached to the cables is a bonus in my mind, as I found comfort to be best when the ear guide part is not attached to the cable.

The unpacking experience feels very premium, and Oriveti must be commended for using high quality materials for the package and for presenting the accessories in a very delightful way.



What to look in when purchasing a high-end IEM

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html



Technical Specifications

Connector - 3.5mm SE, Gold Plated
Impedance - 8 Ohm
Frequency Response - 20 Hz - 20.000Hz
Sensitivity - 105dB
Driver Technology - BA + Dynamic Hybrid driver
Housing - Metal construction
Driver Features - Dual Balanced Armature Driver + 1 Dynamic Driver
Weight - 35g
Cable Length - 1.2m
Distortions - <1%
Fit Type - In-Ear, Shallow Insertion Fit
Low Magnetic Emissions - Yes (Inherent)



Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit

Starting with the moment one opens the package, they know that Oriveti New Primacy is a IEM that's not to be taken lightly, with their incredibly sturdy metal housing, their detachable cables, and their wide selection of tips, including foam tips. Oriveti uses a hybrid Dual BA + 1 Dynamic driver setup for their current flagship, which is a technology concept proven to work well by the test of time.



Oriveti New Primacy are closed back IEMs, with two very small vents on their inner side, so they isolate quite well from the outside noise, and while the semi-open design provides a lot of advantages in fit and comfort, it can lead to some minor driver flex for some users. The IEMs themselves rely on the MMCX mechanism for their cables, but I tested them with cables that came with other IEMs as well, and they work flawlessly with any MMCX-compliant cable.

The default cable is quite excellent, and it is a braided cable that doesn't really tangle, it doesn't conduct any kind of microphonic noise, and it seems to behave excellently all around. I think that the plugs used by Oriveti are especially high-quality, feeling thick, serious and sturdy. There even is a rubber stress-relief on the plug that is quite handy for protecting the point in which the cable meets with the metal jack. Oriveti seems to have used a full metal construction all around, ensuring a durable future for anyone buying their IEMs.

The design is quite edgy yet elegant, Oriveti having a uniquely good-looking logo presented on the surface of their left IEM shell, with the name Oriveti snazzily painted on the other. The IEMs themselves are black, the carrying box is black, the cable is black, and the box in which they came is black as well.

They are a pair of very black IEMs all-around, and I can happily say that I really like the design, being a fan of dark-colored and edgy products.

ONP can be said to look elegant as much as it looks edgy, having a rounded yet supple body, and fitting quite nicely in one's ear, without protruding on the outside and without leaving a large footprint while being worn.



Sound Quality

While I never heard the old Primacy IEM, so I can't compare New Primacy to it, I have heard quite a few IEMs to date, so I have quite the large comparison table for ONP.



The general sonic orientation of ONP is a musical-sounding signature, being warm, romantic, rich and clear. With an enhanced bottom end, that has a great impact, a clear, organic, natural, pretty well-detailed, and spacious mid range, and a smooth, fatigue-free and musical top-end, ONP will make every listener feel comfortable with a recording, regardless of the recording age or quality. It can be said that ONP has a very analogue, life-like and natural sonic signature.



Bass



The bottom end is quite enhanced, presented with a good amount of impact and very good depth. The tonality is spot-on, and ONP offers a rich experience, even for those who define themselves as bassheads. ONP offers well-refined textures for its bass. A large part of ONP's warmth is provided by a good amount of mid-bass enhancement, which is enough to give voices a thicker sound, providing a very satisfying experience with all music.

Melanie Martinez - Play Date - There is a very good sense of air and space between instruments. The bass feels thick, heavy and has a natural speed to it, being quite resolving and clear. The top end is somewhat recessed, cymbals feeling rather relaxed and pleasing, although the relaxed presentation lacks some edge in the acoustic guitars, making them a bit smooth and friendly. Voices sound sweet and have a certain emotion attached to them. The story of the girl who loves the boy, but is unable to confess, is presented with a good amount of emotional attachment and in a story-like manner, the details being quite vivid.

Lady Gaga - Fashion - The song starts with a sweet piano introduction which leads to the actual song. The song has a groovy and funky bass, the voice feeling clear and well-toned, while the piano feels large and well defined in the background. The cymbals and other higher range instruments are presented very smooth. Stereo effects are presented with very good width to them, and all instruments have good textures to them. The message of the song, although not one that's very impressive, it is presented in a playful and retro manner.

Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Snow (Hey Oh) - The song starts with a quick and musical guitar solo played in the right ear, which is quickly accompanied by a thick and playful bass. The voices are quite sweet and melodic, with a very natural tone to them. All details in the guitars are easily understandable, but the guitars always sound musical rather than analytical. The cymbals and other higher range instruments are audible, but they are not the highlight of the song, being played in the background, and in a very smooth and fatigue-free way.



Midrange



The Midrange of ONP is full-sounding, thic, rich and organic. Their musicality is the highlight of their signature, rather than their transparency, ONP providing a pleasurable signature that plays the music rather than dissect it, being playful rather than analytical. Guitars have a sweet vibrancy and vividness to them, and voices usually sound sweet and romantic, ONP being one of the IEMs that could make even savage Black Metal sound fun and enthusiastic.

Amon Amarth - Pursuit Of Vikings - The song starts with a strong, convincing and impactful intro, composed form a clear and thick bass guitar and a sweet song woven from a lead and a rhythm guitar, with the cymbals playing smoothly in the background. The voices are a bit smoothed out, so the strong and edgy growls sound a bit less offensive, this song being considerably easier on the ears this way. The message about the passing Winter and the coming of the Spring is painted in a vivid and warrior-like tone, ONP enhancing the musical elements of this rather cold and technical song.

Silverstein - My Heroine - The song starts with a lonely lead guitar playing an emphatic rythm, accompanied by a frail electronic element in the background. The voices come with good musicality and emotion. The bass is thick and it gives a thicker and warmer tone to the whole song, which is presented in a smooth and organic way. Guitars sound especially vivid and musical, making this post-hardcore song one of the most musical experiences it can be. The screamed part carries enough energy to impress the listener, and the whole song is a pleasure to listen to, despite its harsh usual appearance. The message about the man who finds his heroine in his lover, and how he is both saved and consumed by his love is painted with excellent emotional attachment.

Age of Days - I Did It For Love - The song starts with a playful guitar woven with a snappy drum set. The cymbals are a background element, while the bass guitar takes the forward position in this song, being melodic, well-textured and pretty impactful. The lead guitars are especially sweet and well-presented, bearing an excellent amount of emotion and vividness to the high pitched notes. The message of this song is presented in a vivid and comedic way, about the man who is obsessed with the woman he loves, and who will stay with her despite her shortcomings and misbehavior.



Treble



The treble of ONP is quite smooth, creating a fatigue-free and joyful experience for all listeners. I was actually captivated by how much I liked this presentation, as they still present a good amount of detail in the lower treble, yet in a very non-offensive way. Although it is quite smooth, the treble bears a good amount of dynamics, giving the whole sound a rather quick and light feeling, leading to a generally uplifting presentation, despite the rather thick and generally natural sound.

Brokencyde - High Timez - The song starts with a playful combination of electronic synths played along a thick and well-rounded bass. Voices sound natural and are presented with a slightly smooth character. The song is presented with excellent width to its soundstage, and the cymbals sound smooth and are less forward than the midrange and the bass. The story about the protagonists who like to have fun and to party is presented with a good amount of detail and vividness.

Escape The Fate - This War is Ours (The Guillotine Part II) - The song starts with its well-known quick and uplifting guitar solo. Throughout the song, the cymbals bear good clarity and energy, and the midrange feels sweet and presented slightly forward, with the bass in this song being presented at similar levels as the midrange. The drum patterns feel snappy and the lead guitars bear excellent, emotional high tones, while the rhythm guitars sound fuzzy and sweet. The message about the war is presented with good amounts of energy, and the song is an uplifting and energizing experience.

Will Smith - Men In Black - The song feels wide and has a good amount of space between the instruments and the voices. The bass is thick, large, and well-rounded. The cymbals are presented at a similar level as the voices, with the bass being presented slightly more forward, adding more rhythm to the whole song. The voices have a natural tone to them, for both the male and the female voices. The story about the Men In Black who are always fighting to save the Earth from Aliens is presented in a comedic and playful way.



Soundstage

The soundstage of ONP has been a huge surprise as they have a wide and deep soundstage, presenting music with a very good amount of air and separation between the instruments. The sound extends well on all axis, providing something that can even be called a holographic experience that reminds me of Edifier Luna's type of soundstage, where everything feels quite holographic. One of the best parts is that instruments are separated pretty well from each other, and while the bass is thick and meaty, it doesn't go over the midrange in a bloated way, but it is well defined on its own, being quite similar with the way I heard bass presented on a set of full-blown speakers.



ADSR/PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release, and Pace, Rhythm and Timing) characteristics of ONP are fairly good and natural, ONP being a natural IEM in the bass, and relatively quick in the midrange, leading a good and organic presentation where bass has a natural decay to it, while voices and electronic instruments are quick enough to be presented with natural texturization.



Portable Usage



ONP is quite portable, being quite easy to drive, and extremely efficient, often requiring considerably lower volumes than many of my other IEMs. Even so, I haven't noticed any trace of hiss with most DAPs, ONP not being very picky about their source. Even so, some sources provide a better synergy than others, especially depending on what effect the listener wants to get with ONP.

The Isolation is good to very good, ONP providing enough isolation to be used while on-the-go, even at low volumes. The noisy streets of Bucharest pose no threat for ONP, and I've been able to use them at very low volumes as well, even while on-the-go. The cables are tangle-free, noise-free, and the fit/comfort is excellent, even while moving, ONP being a favorite IEM for taking a walk. Although Oriveti doesn't include any Spinfit Tips (which are my favorite tips in general), the default tips are actually excellent and I haven't experienced any issues wearing ONP.



Select Pairings



ONP + iFi iDSD Black Label - This is an excellent combination, but it should be noted that ONP requires iDSD BL to be set to Eco power mode, and for the iEMatch to be fully engaged. iDSD BL enhances the detail in the presentation of ONP, giving them a more neutral top end, along with a slightly thicker bass, giving them a good amount of dynamic force and energy. iDSD BL tends to enhance the depth of ONP's soundstage, giving them a very realistic presentation.

ONP + FiiO X7mkii - This is one of the pairings I've been using the most actually, X7mkii being one of my top-choice DAPs when it comes to taking a DAP outside. X7mkii helps ONP sound more vibrant and lively in the midrange, slightly enhancing their textures and vividness, along with the soundstage width, giving ONP a wide and airy feeling.

ONP + iBasso DX200 (AM1) - DX200 is an excellent DAP to enhance the detail retrieval abilities of ONP, leading to a very detailed, yet musical combination. DX200 tends to have a very natural soundstage presentation, leading to an excellent pairing between it and ONP.

ONP + Opus #2 - Opus #2 is one of the best DAPs at enhancing the organic and musical sound of a IEM, ONP being no exception and receiving quite a bit of love and extra musicality from Opus #2. The soundstage of Opus #2 tends to have a wide and airy presentation with most IEMs, ONP also receiving quite a bit of extra width from Opus #2.

ONP + Shanling M2s - Shanling M2s is actually an excellent DAP to drive ONP, since it emphasizes their warm and musical sound. M2s provides a more intimate experience with ONP, leading to a warm, musical and forward sound.
ONP + HIDIZS AP200 - AP200 is quite good at providing ONP with a very smooth and dynamic sound. The pairing works quite well for those who like a musical and emphatic sound.

ONP + HiFiMAN Megamini - Megamini is quite impressive once again, providing a very dynamic and energetic sound with ONP, along with very good levels of detail. There is a little amount of hiss with this pairing, but it isn't audible at normal listening levels.



Comparisons



ONP vs Sennheiser ie80 - This is an interesting comparison because ie80 is one of the closest in price and tuning to ONP. Starting with the bottom end, ONP tends to have a more snappy and rounded presentation, with ie80 pushes more air and provides a higher level of impact. The midrange feels a bit more forward on ONP, providing a similarly large soundstage when compared to ie80. ONP tends to differentiate instruments well from each other. The top end is quite similar between the two, but ONP tends to be smoother than ie80. The detail levels are similar, but ie80 sounds a tad more analytical, where ONP sounds a more musical in direct comparison.

ONP vs Sennheiser ie800 - The difference in price might be a bit high, but ie800 makes an interesting comparison with ONP. Starting with the bottom end, ie800 presents music with more raw energy and impact, while ONP tends to sound pretty good, even in comparison to ie800. The midrange is slightly recessed on ie800, while it is fairly natural on ONP. The top end is extremely smooth and somewhat recessed on ONP, while it is rather energetic, bright and uplifting on ie800. Ie800 tends to have better instrument separation.

ONP vs Beyerdynamic Xelento - Xelento is a very romantic and analogue-sounding IEM which relies more on its smooth and musical sound rather than detail, while ONP is quite similar, also relying on its musical and tonally pleasing sound rather than a pure technical approach. Starting with the bottom end, ONP and Xelento both have a very rounded and clear bass, with a lot of impact. The midrange is a bit different as Xelento tends to sound clearer, and to present music a bit more forward than ONP. The top end is similar, but again Xelento has a bit more clarity and a bit more definition to its sound. All in all, ONP sounds like a miniature Xelento, being an excellent IEM when it comes to this type of romantic sound.

ONP vs DK-3001 - Dunu tends to be an excellent producer of high [price/quality] ratio IEMs in general, so it is interesting to compare ONP with DK-3001. Starting with the bottom end, DK-3001 and ONP sound quite similar, with a very rounded, clear and impactful bass. The midrange is a bit different, with DK-3001 having a tad more clarity and detail, albeit it has a slightly recessed midrange in direct comparison. The top end is smooth on ONP, while it sounds more natural and airy on DK-3001.

ONP vs RE800 - RE800 is one of the most impressing IEMs I've heard this year, especially given their price range and build quality. Starting with the bottom end, RE800 tends to have a tighter bottom end, with a bit more definition to each note, while ONP tends to sound a bit more natural and have a larger bass. The midrange is considerably more recessed on RE800, but it is presented clearer and with more emphasis on detail and instrument separation, while ONP tends to have a more forward presentation. The top end is very polarizing, as ONP is extremely smooth and has a fatigue-free treble, while RE800 has quite an energetic and bright treble that highlights details and gives energy to all music it plays.

ONP vs Unique Melody Martians - Although in technology Martians have two dynamic drivers on each ear, they are actually tighter and more precise in the bass, rather than having a stronger and larger bass when compared with ONP. The midrange a bit recessed, but extremely detailed and precise on The Martians, without losing any musicality, while ONP is tuned to be a bit more forward and forgiving. The top end is pretty different, as The Martians are very energetic, vivid and bright in the top end, with an excellent extension, while ONP is smooth and relaxing.

ONP vs ER4-XR - ER4-XR is quite the interesting IEM, providing a very clear and analytical sound that brings forward every detail in a song, while ONP is a relaxing and laid back IEM. Starting with the bottom end, ONP sounds fairly rounded and has good impact, while ER4-XR is quite tight and has a very quick bass that trades its impact for detail. The midrange is presented more forward on ER4-XR, with one of the most analytical characters out there, while ONP is laid back, musical and relaxed by direct comparison. The top end is quite similar between ER4-XR and ONP, being smooth and relaxing on both.



Value and Conclusion



Oriveti New Primacy comes with a lot of useful extras, including their carry box, a wide selection of tips, ear hooks and jack adapters. They have detachable cable, and they are a Hybrid 2-BA and 1-Dynamic driver IEM, with 3 drivers for each ear. The price they are sold for right now is 300$ from Oriveti's own store, which places ONP in the "very good value" category, making them one of the better priced IEMs relative to the package and the sound they offer.

Taking into account that they provide a delightful experience, with a well rounded bass, a clear, musical, and organic midrange, along with a smooth and fatigue-free treble, Oriveti New Primacy is a IEM that'll be enjoyable for many music enthusiasts and music lovers from all across the world.

With a lot to be liked about them, starting from the edgy yet elegant design, to the high quality cable they come with, to the very solid sound, to the wide array of accessories they feature, Oriveti New Primacy is one of the most interesting 300$ IEMs, especially if you're looking for this type of smooth and relaxing sound signature!



I hope my review is helpful to you!



Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!



Link to the review on Audiophile Heaven:

Link to the official Thread on Head-Fi: https://head-fi.org/threads/the-ori...rs-impressions-and-discussions-thread.795500/

Link to the official product page: https://www.oriveti.com/new-primacy

Link to the official product page #2: https://jaben.com.au/products/orivetinewprimacytripledriverhifiinearheadphone

Link to the writer’s head-fi page: https://head-fi.org/members/dobrescu-george.170938/

Audiophile Heaven: https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.com/

Audiophile Heaven on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AudiophileHeaven/

Oriveti Website



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. iBasso IT03


Like the Primacy, the IT03 hybrid IEM from iBasso uses a triple driver configuration of dual BA and single dynamic. Apart from the same standard MMCX option and good quality cables of both models, the rest of the design is completely different, having the IT03 a very unique housing shape made of solid acrylic, whereas the Primacy is all metal and more traditional in its over-ear shape. It’s also worth mentioning that in terms of drivability, the IT03 is much more sensitive with a not uncommon low impedance found on many hybrid IEMs, while the Primacy asks for a bit more volume to reach a comfortable listening level.

As for the sound quality they could score a similar rating and both may be classified as warm and full for their overall signatures. However, they differ a lot in the way the sound is presented. With a 13mm dynamic driver for lows, the IT03 is much more powerful from the mid and up bass regions and down to the sub-bass part with more serious impact, rumble and depth. The bass is more intrusive when reaching the lower midrange frequencies but still not bloated or really overwhelming. The Primacy, on the other hand, is more reserved, still full but smoother sounding with a more relaxed bass boost. Mids are also sweeter but less energetic and aggressive than the IT03. Treble is also quite different; the IT03 has a more lively presentation, not too bright but quite energetic next to the more laid-back neutral treble from the Primacy. Stage dimensions goes for the IT03 while the Primacy is more intimate and sweeter.



2) 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.





3) 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.



4) 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.

Intro
The Oriveti New Primacy, what a diamond this iem is. In my review I will not be posting much photos as other reviews show the beauty of these and all accessories and unboxing. So it has been months since I purchased the New Primacy, it has been a struggle for me as I study and currently don't work, so saving up money is a mission for me. But am I glad I saved up, and may I tell you, I haven't been wowed by a headphone or iem in a good while. This is my first review, so I will try my best and I am giving a full honest review.

Build/Fit.
The build on these is outstanding, they feel solid in the hand yet very light and smooth. They come in three colours, Matte black, Shiny black and Mocha. I personally like the matte black as it has a more stealthy look but still are beautiful in person. The fit is extremely comfortable and I have worn them for 6 hours and more with no issues what so ever. The included tips are of good quality and I ended up using the double flange eartips that come in the box.

Sound
Ok, I will end this review with three words. Buy them now! Just kidding, but these little gems are truly amazing for the asking price and it shows how competitive the iem world is getting.

Lows
The bass on the New Primacy is a bass that can trick you, I have discovered that it can either be tamed and relaxing or aggressive and full in a very delicious way. Going to the sub bass, it doesn't extend to the lowest but yet does not feel as it is lacking, it has a very nice rumble but it stays in control at all times without any mud or flabby boom. The sub bass has amazing texture and detail and the only iems I have ever encountered to have this quality were the Etymotic Er4Xr and the Campfire Audio Andromeda, I was amazed with what it could pull off and it leaves me wanting to never take them out of my ears, but no these are not basshead iems, but yes they can pull off some serious weight when needed. The mid bass has a softer approach, but it is very soothing which makes the overall feel of the sound smooth but full. The bass has a quick and tight feel but also it has this airy quality to it which can fill your brain with delicious layers of rumble and punch.

Mids
The mids on the New Primacy are crystal clear but very lush, they pack amazing amounts of detail and can entice you the more you listen but no they are not detail monsters. Guitars have this full crisp nature, but sound so natural, male and female vocals are beautifully presented and I yet have not been disappointed. Listening to Calle 13 La veulta al mundo was heavenly, the guitar was thick but layered, I could hear the plucks and strums of each string, the vocals were warm and upfront and the flute was airy and silky smooth, I literally could not stop smiling. It will be a good while untill I listen to iems that could give this much emotion.

Treble
The treble in the New Primacy is nicely extended, treble lovers may want a tad more sparkle but I find the treble perfect. I have had no issues with the treble and find it to be beautifully executed, it has this smooth nature but can give a burst of energy when called for, the treble gives the New Primacy an overall airy feel and has a nice drive.

Soundstage/Imaging
The soundstage is above average, with very good depth but width is a tad less, what is special about the New Primacy is that it can give a very good depth of sound, making it sound deep and wide but still sound intimate but no where near congested. It gives this feel of you being there with the band, in a extremely special place like the Sydney Opera House but they are only playing for you and no one else. The imaging is very good, placing vocals, instruments and crowds all in the right place. Listening to Wetmusik live recordings, when the crowds would be cheering, i'd be put right in the crowd, I could hear the people whistling and cheering completely around me and next to me but once the music played I was the performer.

A big but...
All of this was done only using my HTC 10 connected to my Fiio Q5 and poweramp alpha with flac files, but how does the New Primacy scale? Well I can say it scales bloody amazingly. There is one issue though, the New Primacy is very sensitive and on different sources and amps I could hear hiss but on some I could not. So I decided to purchase a Dunu 75 Ohm impedance plug, this stopped all the hissing but made the New Primacy harder to drive luckily it didn't effect the sound in any negative way and stayed true to the original sound, so I got my trusty Elemental Watson and my ohh my, was my mind blown. I honestly did not think a small iem like the New Primacy could give me such a powerful sound like this. The bass would reach lower and the detail and texture was improved dramatically, it was so lush at the same time but would punch harder. The mids came a tad bit more forward, but it was relaxed and natural, the details though, the details were divine, it would give to you so effortlessly, and guitars just sounded spine tingling good. Vocals had so much emotion it was an amazing experience and easily I could price this iem 3-5 times more the asking price, yes it was that good. The treble got a little more bite and the extension improved, but still remained smooth but the detail improved as well, the energy it could give was some of the best I've heard, how could an iem be so fun but relaxing at the same time? Now this is were the biggest improvement lays. The soundstage and imaging. The soundstage improved dramatically throwing sounds all around me, going left to right, front to back, up to down. It became Lyra ii level, the imaging was spectacular, not as good as the Lyraii but I can say it got damn close. The Lyra ii had a slightly clearer tone with vocals sounding cleaner and drums having more impact but the Oriveti had a smoother feel with more prat and fun, it was truly addictive.

Conclusion
The Oriveti New Primacy is a iem that punches seriously above its asking price. Depending on what music you play, it will give you the mood that song is supposed to give, may it be smooth, aggressive, slow, fast or all at the same time it will give it to you and it is not afraid to give you its best. It truly is an iem made for audiophiles and people that appreciate music, but it also is a small little gem with a big secret. If you treat it right and give it what it really wants, it will reward you with something you never ever saw coming. It will slap you on the face with a gust of fresh air and teleport you into a new world of sound. The right source and amp can really bring out a whole new iem. All I can say is, Oriveti has done an amazing service for us all with the New Primacy. Giving us a flagship iem with a price that is unbeatable. The only con I could really give is that the case is to beautiful to carry as if you drop it, it will scratch the nice aluminium. But I all in all, best bang for the buck of the year.

Update: I have been listening to the New Primacy for a very long time and it still is my daily iem as it is comfortable, beautiful and the sound is smooth like a baby's bottom. I have done a cable upgrade as I felt this iem could truly do more as it had those Knowles drivers. So I have upgraded to an Effect Audio Ares ii cable and swaped the eartips to spinfits cp100, the sound has changed a very good bit. Lows extend much lower while having better rumble, impact, texture and detail, it has also became much tighter and cleaner overall. The mids are upfront now, feeling more balanced than before and much clearer with details poping out but still focused on texture rather than detail retrieval, but still keeping the smoothness this iem is known for, the highs have more extension and clarity without any annoying spikes. The soundstage is bigger now going in all direction but I feel it has slightly more depth than width, instrument separation has improved much further now all sounds have distinct spot. Truly liking them more than The Campfire Lyra ii and Beyerdynamic Xelento. I am overall very impressed, if I could rate them 6 stars I would : )

Introduction
Oriveti is founded in 2015. They start out with their first IEM in Oriveti Primacy which is a hybrid iem with a 2 Balanced Armature and 1 Dynamic configuration. Since then, they have replaced the Oriveti Primacy with Oriveti New Primacy as well as coming up with their entry level iem in Oriveti Basic. I would like to thank Oriveti for this review unit and I will provide my impressions on it. As of now, you can purchase the Oriveti New Primacy on their official website - https://www.oriveti.com/product-page/earphone or through Amazon. The Oriveti New Primacy will be available in 3 different colours – Matt Black, Jet Black and Mocha.


Specifications
Driver: Knowles Dual Armature Driver & 8mm Dynamic Driver
Impedance: 8 Ohm
Frequency Response: 20 - 20000Hz
Sensitivity: 105+-3dB/mW, 1000Hz
Distortion: <1%
Plug: Gold-plated 3.5mm Stereo Plug
Cable: 1.2 m

Unboxing & Accessories
The Oriveti New Primacy comes in a matte black box. The model I will be reviewing is Mocha in colour.


The package includes:
1 IEM
1 8 Core MMCX Cable
1 Aluminium Carrying Case
2 Pairs of Silicone Tips Each For Size S,M,L
2 Pairs of Foam Tips Each for Size M, L
2 Pairs of Double Flange Tips
1 Flight Adapter
1 6.3mm to 3.5mm gold plated adapter
1 pair of ear guides
1 Instruction Manual

On top of the box, there are the Oriveti logo, the model name and a picture of the iem printed on it.


At the back of the box, there is a diagram depicting the components of the iem, description on what the package includes and specifications of it.


At each side of the box, there is the Oriveti logo on it.

Top & Bottom Sides


Left & Right Sides



The box has 2 mocha circular seals on the box to show the colour of the iem and seal the box.


After lifting the lid of the box, you will see the iem presented nicely in a semi-hard foam.



The iem cable is wrapped nicely around it.



Next, beneath the foam is an instruction manual. On the front, there is a big Oriveti Logo.



At the back of the instruction manual, there is quick guide on the iem and the accessories.



After removing the instruction manual from the box, you will see an assortment of accessories.



I am satisfied with the amount of accessories. However, I would wish for a soft storage case for convenience.

The adapters provided are useful for different needs.


The silicone eartips provided are black and transparent in colour. It is rare to see 2 pairs of eartips for each size. In the event you lose 1 side, you will still have a replacement. The black silicone eartips (Size M) are installed on the Oriveti New Primacy already.


The double flange and foam tips provided are black in colour too.



The ear guides are made of a soft rubber material.


The aluminium carrying case has a nice matte black colour. It is circular in shape and there is an Oriveti logo on it. The exterior is smooth and hard.


After removing the lid, the interior is made of a soft fleece-like material. I am surprised that this type of case is provided as I usually see it from iems at a much higher price point.


Lid

Container

IEM Build & Design
The Oriveti New Primacy that I am reviewing is mocha in colour.



The New Primacy has a glossy surface with a white Oriveti logo on the left and right faceplates – symbol and word respectively. You can feel the logo print on the iem. On the inside of each iem, there is a L and R marking to differentiate left and right. There is a vent situated close to the nozzle. The nozzle is straight with a metal mesh to block earwax from entering the iem. The shell is very light and thin. The iem sits nicely in my ears and there is a good seal. Personally, I find this one of the most comfortable iems I have ever tried.






Cable Build & Design
The cable is a detachable 8 core cable with mmcx connectors. It is quite soft and supple. On the left MMCX connector, there are 3 dots on the outside to indicate that it is the left side while on the right MMCX connector, there is a R marking to indicate it is the right side. With this, it is quite easy to differentiate left and right just by feeling the connectors.



There is no memory wire. Moving on to the chin slider, it is matte black and rectangular in shape. The y-splitter is a black heat shrink tube. The jack is 3.5mm gold plated and the housing sports a white Oriveti logo. It has strain relief.




Sound Analysis
Lows
The New Primacy has a fair amount of sub-bass extension with a slow rumble. It does not extend very deep but the bass is smooth. It is tight and articulate. The bass has an average decay and the bass note is being presented with ease. I feel it is very soothing. The amount of mid-bass is just nice and there is not much slam to it. Due to the bass nature, the bass is not fatiguing. I find the bass clinical yet smooth with a great texture to it though I would wish for a little more extension.
Mids
The midrange on the New Primacy is quite neutral. The lower mids is not very thick which some of us may like particularly for male vocals. The upper mids are slightly more forward and that gives the overall presentation of the midrange more definition The midrange is transparent and it packs details. The resolution is very high with superb layering. The clarity of the mids just gives vocals an extra edge. Although the mids is not very energetic, it still operates on being clean and controlled.
Highs
The treble is extended to a great extent. There is no sibilance and harshness. With a slight sparkle and a decent amount of air, I find the treble is presented nicely without sounding aggressive. It is just clean and clinical. However, I feel that it can do with slightly more sparkle to give it more bite. You can listen to the New Primacy for a long listening session as the treble is smooth yet clinical.
Soundstage
The New Primacy tackles both the depth and width well as they are above average. It gives a 3D feel. The resolution is of a high level and the imaging allows listeners to identify the vocals and instruments accurately. The stage gives the sound a more full performance.



Comparisons
I use the Ibasso DX200 to compare the iems.
Oriveti New Primacy vs iBasso IT03 with Stock Cable
The New Primacy has similar sub-bass quantity and extension as the IT03. The mid-bass on both iems are very similar. However, the IT03 is slightly ahead due to a more dynamic punch it has. New Primacy has a more textured bass than the IT03. Lower mids on the New Primacy has more body than the IT03 so IT03 seems more clinical and fast. The upper mids on the IT03 is more detailed. It is more shouty than on the New Primacy. New Primacy’s treble operates on smooth and controlled while IT03 has more sparkle and airiness. I would choose the New Primacy for a long listening sessions. Both iems are on the same level in details retrieval. Soundstage on both are very similar with IT03 having more width while New Primacy has more depth.
Oriveti New Primacy vs Fidue A83
The New Primacy has similar sub-bass quantity and extension as the A83. The mid-bass of A83 has more slam to it, thus giving the overall presentation more punch. The bass of New Primacy is clinical and more smooth while the A83 takes a step back and it is less dynamic. Bass on the New Primacy is just much more full than the A83 with the accuracy and punch. Each note is more textured. The lower mids on the A83 has less body than the New Primacy so it sounds recessed. The upper mids on the Primacy has more body and sounds smoother than the A83. There is a grain in the A83’s treble though it has more extension and sparkle. On the other hand, the treble on the New Primacy is smooth yet detailed. A83 has a deeper soundstage while New Primacy has a wider soundstage. Instrument positioning is better on the New Primacy.
Oriveti New Primacy vs FLC8S (Red-Grey-Gold)
The Oriveti New Primacy has the same sub-bass extension as FLC8S and it has more quantity. The mid-bass of FLC8S has more slam to it. In comparison to FLC8S, the lower mids on New Primacy has more body and male vocals sound particularly well. The upper mids of FLC8S is more forward while on the New Primacy, it is more smooth. I would take the female vocals on the New Primacy as it is more smooth and controlled. The FLC8S treble has more crisp and better extended. The New Primacy has more air. FLC8S has a slight edge in soundstage’s width and New Primacy has better depth.

Conclusion
In a market where there are many triple hybrid iems, the New Primacy stands out by having a smooth and clinical treble and you can listen for a long listening session. The New Primacy is buttery smooth in all frequencies and it is a joy to listen to them. Also, it comes with an abundance of accessories including a premium case. The New Primacy is velvety and clinical as it presents the sound in a delicate manner. It is definitely smooth and accurate.



For more reviews, visit https://audio123blog.wordpress.com/ .

"ORIVETI NEW PRIMACY: More than just a small Facelift"


Preamble:

Originally posted on my mixed content German & English audio review website, the "Kopfhörer-Lounge", here comes my review of ORIVETI's NEW PRIMACY that is definitely more than just a slight update/facelift compared to the original model.



"Low Key" and "High Key" photos of the NEW PRIMACY already exist en masse in the depths of the world wide web, wherefore I decided to create something different: a "Car Key" photography of the NEW PRIMACY. #cheesyjoke


Introduction:

Founded just less than two years ago, in 2015, ORIVETI (http://www.oriveti.com/) is still a rather new company on the market that is however not new to the audio business, having members in their team that are successfully working in the audio industry for more than 10 years, according to their own information – therefore it was not much surprising for me that the hybrid triple-driver PRIMACY in-ears turned out to be pretty good products at their respective price point and a great discovery of the year before the last when I reviewed them in detail.

A bit more than one year has passed now and ORIVETI is back with two other in-ears. One is their more affordable single dynamic driver model “BASIC”, which I covered in this review in German language, whereas the other one is the “NEW PRIMACY” that is the direct successor/facelift of the “old” one that is now discontinued. According to ORIVETI’s website, it doesn’t only feature a different cable than the first generation, but also a different internal construction along with a new sound tuning.

Despite the changes, the price remains the same, which is a nice thing to see in a modern audio world where the successors of headphones are often priced with an upcharge from the previous generation despite not having undergone massive changes but only slight adjustments.


How the NEW PRIMACY performs, how it compares to the original and now discontinued PRIMACY and how it compares to other hybrid in-ears is due to found out in the course of this review.


Full disclosure:

Before I go on, I would like to take the time to personally thank ORIVETI’s Michael for sending me a sample of the NEW PRIMACY in-ears free of charge for the purpose of an entirely honest, unbiased review.


Technical Specifications:

Price: $299
Driver: Knowles Dual Armature Driver & 8mm Dynamic Driver
Impedance: 8 Ohm
Frequency Response: 20 - 20000Hz
Sensitivity: 105+-3dB/mW, 1000Hz
Distortion: <1%
Plug: Gold-plated 3.5mm Stereo Plug
Cable: 1.2 m


Delivery Content:

ORIVETI’s dedication to small details and a premium presentation doesn’t stop with the NEW PRIMACY that also arrives in a very nicely designed, squared black cardboard box with an exploded drawing of the in-ears on its back, next to the technical specifications.



Taking off the lid, one can directly see the in-ears, safely cushioned in a block of black foam, with the cable being wrapped around the sides.



Taking off that layer, one can find a large manual with photos on it that show how to use and clean the in-ears – something that seems to be definitely made with some love.



Below, one can find another block of black foam that holds a very ample amount of accessories: a large cylindrical storage/carrying box that is made of metal, an airplane adapter, a 6.3 to 3.5 mm adapter, silicone ear guides, four pairs of small silicone tips, four pairs of medium silicone tips, four pairs of large silicone tips, four pairs of double-flange silicone tips (uniform size) and four pairs of foam tips (uniform size).

So the delivery content is similar to the now discontinued PRIMACY’s, with the exception that the NEW PRIMACY has got black instead of white silicone tips and that the earwax cleaning tool has been scrapped.


Looks, Feels, Build Quality:

The included carrying/storage case looks and feels really nice and premium, as it is made of anodised black metal, just like the in-ears, and has got white ORIVETI lettering. It is the same that was used for the original PRIMACY.

Although it is very sturdy, it is a bit more “show and shine” than fulfilling a practical portable purpose – the lid isn’t threaded but instead it is slid over the bottom part (the lid contains four tiny air passages integrated to the sides, slowly breaking the tight air seal that holds the case together, hence little force has to be applied for opening and closing it for pressure equalisation).

Although it shouldn’t open unintentionally, it could accidentally happen when held in one hand – personally, I would have definitely preferred threads at the bottom instead of the air cushion seal (although it admittedly looks and feels very nice and special when opening and closing it).



Inside, the case is covered with soft felt on the bottom and the lid, however not on the sides. Therefore the in-ears can still collect scratches over time when touching the case’s walls, which would be quite sad.

The in-ears are made of black, anodised metal, with the pictographic ORIVETI logo on the left and the written ORIVETI logo on the right shell. Build quality is very good and the in-ears look and feel like premium products.

While the NEW PRIMACY’s shells look very similar to the old model at first glimpse, they are not: not only do they vary in shape (although just barely), they also feature a completely redesigned nozzle/sound bore and are now vented, compared to the original PRIMACY that had closed shells.



What’s new as well is the cable. It is still braided, however it has now got 8 conductors and therefore also a different braiding pattern.

Even though the new cable has got 8 conductors, it still remains very compact and is not thick because the used conductors are rather thin.

This new cable is really soft and flexible, with a nicely thin y-splitter and a flat but easy to operate chin-slider.

Compared to the older PRIMACY, the 3.5 mm connector is angled instead of straight and its strain relief is very good.



The NEW PRIMACY’s silicone ear tips are now black instead of clear/white and a bit smaller in terms of size (tip diameter).




Comfort, Isolation:

In contrast to the more popular ~ 45° angle used by many in-ears, ORIVETI’s NEW PRIMACY is still using a nozzle that is angled by 90°. Whether you will find this to work better or worse will totally depend on your individual ear anatomy – I personally find the 90° angle to be very comfortable, but the same goes for the more common ~ 45° angle.



Even though the NEW PRIMACY’s ear tips are smaller than the PRIMACY’s, I can still get a good fit and ideal seal in my large ear canals although I need to push the in-ears in a little deeper and with a slight angle.

The NEW PRIMACY, just as the old one, can be worn either with the cables down or around the ears, with the latter method being the more preferable due to the increase in fit and security. This also reduces microphonics compared to the “cable down” style.

Speaking of cable noise: due to the soft and flexible cable, there are pretty much no microphonics when wearing the NEW PRIMACY with the cables around the ears. The flat chin-slider can also help with that.



Noise isolation is about average for vented in-ears, maybe slightly better, but audibly lesser compared to the now discontinued PRIMACY that had got closed shells compared to the NEW PRIMACY whose shells are now vented and therefore let somewhat more noise from the outside in.


Sound:

My main sources for listening were the iBasso DX200 (AMP1 module), Cowon Plenue 2 and HiFime 9018d (the latter just for sine sweeps since it is a bit too hissy for the sensitive NEW PRIMACY).

I primarily used the largest single-flange silicone tips that came included with the NEW PRIMACY.

Tonality:

The NEW PRIMACY takes a somewhat different tonal approach compared to the “old” PRIMACY that clearly is different enough to make it a completely new in-ear and not just a slight sonic update.

Shortly summarized, I would say that the NEW PRIMACY has got a mostly well implemented u/v-shaped tonality with mainly the far parts of the frequency response, the lower midbass as well as sub-bass, and upper treble being emphasised. While the NEW PRIMACY does definitely carry some slam in the deep lows and sparkle in the high treble, it does not have an overdone signature unlike many inexpensive hybrid in-ears in the two-digit price range.


The sub-bass and lower midbass carry some slam and weight but stay nicely away from the midrange and even lower root – the main reason for this is because the bass emphasis was implemented pretty well, starting to climb around 500 Hz, then gradually climbing all the way down to about 45 Hz where its climax is set. It then stays at this level down to about 30 Hz and slightly loses presence below, in the very low sub-bass.

Not many in-ears have got a sub-bass emphasis that is this well implemented, and the NEW PRIMACY therefore somewhat reminds me of the iBasso IT03, FLC Technology FLC8s (with the exception that the FLC is more “only subbass-focussed” even when using the strongest sub-bass and bass filters), Shure SE846, Zero Audio Carbo Tenore (sans the quantity that is higher on the Carbo Tenore) and Fostex x Massdrop TH-X00 (Mahogany) (sans the upper bass that is a bit more prominent on the Fostex) in the lows.

Compared to a diffuse-field flat in-ear in the lows, such as the Etymotic ER-4S/ER-4SR, the NEW PRIMACY has got an emphasis of around 9 dB in the low midbass and sub-bass, therefore also having some strong slam, impact and authority when the recording digs down rather low.

The firm upper bass carries some weight, kick and authority too, however a bit less (not much less though).

Nicely enough, the bass stays pretty much completely out of the midrange and upper root, wherefore vocals are not carrying any real added warmth, thickness or fullness despite the bass emphasis. Therefore, some acoustic music that does not extend as low doesn’t have much richness or added oomph.

The midrange is neither forward nor really recessed and tonally relatively correct, without tilting too much to the darker or brighter side – it is just very slightly pulled towards to brighter/”airier” side by a broad emphasis in the upper treble that elevates the midrange’s and therefore voices’ overtones.


The area between 2 and 4 kHz is a bit in the background, making the presentation less intimate and less “in your face”, but the NEW PRIMACY lacks the 5 kHz dip that was clearly present on the now discontinued PRIMACY, wherefore its middle treble is not as relaxed anymore and doesn’t “sugar-coat” the midrange either.

Right after the middle treble, one can spot a broad upper treble emphasis that is located between 6.5 and about 10.5 kHz when doing sine sweeps. Super treble extension is good up to about 14 kHz.

This upper treble emphasis/peak adds a good bit of brightness to the overall sound, and, along with the less subdued 5 kHz range, is the reason for why the NEW PRIMACY sounds brighter than the old one (that had an upper treble peak as well, however since it was very narrow, it only became really noticeable when a note hit that exact spot).

This upper treble emphasis might be a just little too pronounced/”crisp” for treble-sensitive people, and even though I am personally none of those, I have to say that I also wouldn’t mind if it was sometimes between 2 and 3 dB less present, since it can occasionally become close to carrying a bit of harshness/sharpness and being somewhat metallic with fast, energetic and hard tracks.

While it is clearly not overdone in terms of level (measurements and comparative sine sweeps with EQ don’t show an elevation of more than 4 or 5 dB), it is probably a bit too broad and affects a slightly too wide portion of the upper treble, especially for more energetic electronic music that does not always work too well with the NEW PRIMACY even though its bass would be almost ideally implemented for that genre.

With most genres and recordings though, the treble boost is not even close to being bothersome and doesn’t become annoying, unpleasant or too unnatural, however even with rock, pop, acoustic recordings and classical music, the upper treble, while not harsh unless there is added brightness on the track, does not necessarily strike with the most realistic or natural rendering of cymbals and makes them appear a bit more metallic and a bit as if they were played with brushes instead of drum sticks (not entirely, but you get the idea).

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To wrap it up, the NEW PRIMACY is an overall well-tuned in-ear but the upper treble can be a little too crisp with some recordings using the single-flange silicone tips.

Using the foam tips the NEW PRIMACY came with, the upper treble is still bright but slightly less sharp. The bass becomes a bit softer though when using the foam tips.

The upper treble is even more tamed using the stock double-flange tips that, to my ears, take away a good bit of the brightness, and don’t let the treble appear as crisp and somewhat unnatural anymore while it still doesn’t convey the perfect sense of realism.


Resolution:

Being based on the original PRIMACY, the NEW PRIMACY takes an overall quite similar approach to resolution, with a conveniently quick and tight dynamic driver bass coupled with a detailed midrange and treble.


Just as the PRIMACY’s, the NEW PRIMACY’s dynamic bass driver is definitely among the faster dynamic woofers, if not even among the fastest in hybrid in-ear monitors I know. Its bass is well-articulated, tight and fast, almost protruding into Balanced Armature territory with just an extra bit of weight and impact to its general appearance/character and somewhat more texture.

Yes, in terms of speed and tightness, the NEW PRIMACY’s bottom-end could be almost compared to that of an in-ear with a softer back-vented BA woofer implementation for the low frequencies – a really good sign, since I personally feared that the now vented shells and increased bottom-end emphasis could soften the bass, which fortunately did not happen at all.

Although the NEW PRIMACY’s distribution of resolution is overall very even, its bottom-end slightly lacks behind the midrange, sounding a little blunt, wherefore I would be definitely not too surprised if the exact same dynamic driver were used since I also had this slight criticism about the original PRIMACY.

The NEW PRIMACY’s midrange and treble carry plenty of details and are well separated, and due to the clearly less recessed 5 kHz range compared to the old PRIMACY, its successor is immediately perceived as being an in-ear with a good midrange detail retrieval and air upon first listen compared to the older model where this dip made the midrange appear subjectively a bit dry and not much detailed upon first listen which is because it tames some of the midrange’s overtone and could therefore become a bit overly smoothing at times – not so the NEW PRIMACY that, while it is ultimately overall quite similarly detailed, is less smooth and more direct sounding here.

Differentiation in the highs is quite good and single notes can be easily told apart from each other while cymbals don’t convey the last bit of realism.

Soundstage:

An area where the now discontinued PRIMACY had some room left for improvement was the soundstage that, while certainly not bad for the price, was just about average in terms of width and depth and could not compete with some other hybrid in-ears when it came to size and extension.

This area is where the NEW PRIMACY has improved, now sporting a soundstage that is, while not really large or huge to begin with, definitely a bit larger than average, with an overall quite circular appearance.

Instrument layering and separation have also improved a bit compared to the original ORIVETI PRIMACY that was already average in this regard.

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In Comparison with other In-Ears:

ORIVETI PRIMACY:

Both in-ears are different on the technical side and don’t only have just slight differences – the NEW



PRIMACY, in contrast to the older one, has got vented shells that are also very slightly different in terms of dimensions, and the nozzle, ear tips, cable and sound are different as well. The NEW PRIMACY is also more sensitive than the now discontinued PRIMACY.

The NEW PRIMACY has got the more pronounced midbass and sub-bass while its midrange is less bright and a little less forward (the “old” PRIMACY had an upper midrange hump that made vocals become leaner).

While the old PRIMACY had a dip around 5 kHz that made it sound more laid-back and relaxed but also added some “sugar-coating” to vocals, the NEW PRIMACY’s middle treble is less recessed and its upper treble also carries a broader emphasis wherefore it is the overall brighter in-ear in the treble. The NEW PRIMACY’s presentation is therefore airier and less “laid-back” sounding.

In terms of resolution, the NEW PRIMACY’s midrange appears a bit more resolving due to the “lifted” 5 kHz range on first glance while both are actually quite comparably well resolving in the mids and treble.

The NEW PRIMACY’s dynamic bass driver is still very fast and tight, just as the “old” PRIMACY’s. Both seem to be a little blunt in the lows compared to the mids and treble though.

The NEW PRIMACY’s soundstage is a bit larger in both directions and has also improved in terms of separation and layering.

DUNU DN-2002:

The DUNU has got the fuller and warmer root and lower midrange while the NEW PRIMACY carries more level in the (lower) midbass and sub-bass. The NEW PRIMACY’s midrange is slightly brighter. The DN-2002’s middle treble is more relaxed and its upper treble is not as bright either. The DUNU’s highs are a bit more natural/realistic.

Concerning detail retrieval, both are very close in the midrange (with one being slightly more resolving in the lower mids and the other sounding slightly more detailed in the upper midrange) while the DN-2002 renders high notes with the somewhat better separation.

The ORIVETI’s bass is tighter and a bit faster while control is about comparable.

Soundstage width and depth are quite similar to my ears with just a slight advantage for the DUNU in terms of layering but equally precise separation and placement of instruments.

iBasso IT03:

Both have got a pretty similar curve in the bass, with the exception that the IT03 has got a little more perceived weight in the sub-bass and that the ORIVETI’s upper bass sounds as if it had a little more slam and firmness.

The iBasso’s midrange is a bit brighter and female-vocal-friendly, whereas the NEW PRIMACY has got the more pronounced and splashier upper treble that can however also sometimes be a bit too crisp.

In terms of bass, both in-ears have got a pretty comparable tightness and speed with the IT03 being just slightly tighter. Both also have in common that the dynamic woofer sounds a little less detailed/blunter than the BA midrange driver. Directly comparing the two, the iBasso’s lows appear a little more detailed though.

Both in-ears are comparably resolving in the midrange with the IT03 just having a minor advantage in the upper mids where the NEW PRIMACY only sounds ever so slightly grainier in direct comparison.

Treble details are quite similar with the ORIVETI probably having a slight advantage but sounding a little less natural.

The IT03 has got a bit more spatial width to my ears while the NEW PRIMACY has got a little more depth. In terms of placement, layering and separation, both perform about equally well.

- - - - - - - - -

And last but not least, as a bonus, here is a comparative frequency response measurement chart of the ORIVETI PRIMACY, ORIVETI NEW PRIMACY and iBasso IT03:



Please note that this is what I recorded with my pseudo-diffuse-field-compensated-calibrated Vibro Veritas coupler (you can read more about the graphs and process of how they are taken and the inaccuracy in my measurements following this external link: frequency-response.blogspot.com/p/about-measurement-graphs.html).

It is not ideal yet but should give a rather good idea of what the in-ears sound like when mentally adding some level around 3 kHz as well as 6 kHz where my calibration is rather off.

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Conclusion:

The original ORIVETI PRIMACY has been replaced by the NEW PRIMACY, so it would not make too much sense to talk about it in the conclusion, would it? Well, yes and no – you clearly cannot mention the NEW PRIMACY without thinking about the original model if you have ever heard it, even though both in-ears are tonally different enough to be definitely considered as (clearly) different in-ears (or different generations, which they certainly are); and the NEW PRIMACY has definitely received some improvements in various areas.




It is nice to see that, even though ORIVETI have definitely put much more effort into the new model than just a few cosmetic updates, the price has remained the same.

You still get all of the premium you once got with the original PRIMACY, however now with a brighter and airier presentation, along with a stronger slam and impact in the lower midbass and sub-bass without affecting the midrange that is now flatter (more neutral) and not as laid-back because the NEW PRIMACY’s 5 kHz range was increased by a few decibels compared to the old PRIMACY where this area was quite recessed and responsible for a lot of the smoothness. What you also get with the NEW PRIMACY is a larger soundstage with slightly improved imaging.

Its only flaw is that the upper treble can sound a bit too crisp at times and could also use a slightly higher realism of cymbal reproduction.

At the time this review was written, the Oriveti NEW Primacy was listed for sale on Amazon’s website. Here is a link to their listing of the product:
 
https://www.amazon.com/ORIVETI-NEW-PRIMACY-Detachable-Ear/dp/B01N7DM567/ref=sr_1_1?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1486882862&sr=1-1&keywords=oriveti+new+primacy
 
https://www.oriveti.com/new-primacy
 
Introduction
“New and improved” is a term that is used loosely nowadays. A company can use this marketing term to push a innovative product that will perform beyond their previous models. Other times it can be nothing more than an almost identical product with different aesthetics. Because of this I always apply the “try before you buy” mentality when considering taking a leap from an older to newer product. Trusted reviews help with this process.
 
I have to justify if the “improvements” warrant another purchase, or whether I should skip a generation in order to make the best use of my hard earned dollars. When buying a first product from a company it’s usually smart to buy the latest and greatest version. In many/most instances it’s a representation of the manufacturer’s current benchmark in terms of quality and design.
 
Last year Oriveti launched a triple driver hybrid called Primacy. At the time there was very little that rivaled these earphones at the asking price they were listed at. It checked many boxes for me and received a very high mark when I reviewed it. To this day I have no problem recommending them. Here is a link to the review:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/oriveti-primacy-whole-aluminium-body-triple-drivers-hybrid-2-balanced-armature-dynamic-high-fidelity-cable-detachable-in-ear-headphones/reviews/15081
 
Let it be known, the NEW Primacy is very similar to the older Primacy. Housings are virtually identical. However, some minor tweaks and tuning changes have been made. As the old Primacy stock runs out the NEW Primacy will replace them as the current Oriveti flagship. Let’s go over these updates, and go over the NEW Primacy with a comprehensive review.
 
Disclaimer
I was given a free sample of the NEW Primacy in exchange for my honest opinion and review. I am in no way affiliated with Oriveti. I would like to take this time to personally thank the representatives at Oriveti for the opportunity to experience and review the product.
 
My Background
I AM NOT a numbers and graphs audiophile or sound engineer. Personal audio enthusiast? Absolutely! Headphone junkie? Possibly…
 
There’s something about quality DAPs, DACs, Amplifiers and Earphones that intrigues me. I want to hear any earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I can share my impressions with  enthusiasts and help them find the audio product they’re looking for. My Head-Fi profile has a list of audio products ranked from favorite to least favorite. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and having a variety of different gear to mix and match. With personal audio gear, we tend to pay a lot of money for minor upgrades. One thing I’ve learned over the last few years is that just because a headphone has a higher price tag, it doesn’t mean that it has superior build and sound quality.
 
I’m always looking for great audio at a great price. I’m after headphones and IEMs that give me the “WOW” factor. I can appreciate different builds and sound signatures as long as they are solidly built, with ergonomics and sound that is pleasing to my ears. It’s my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based on gear I have owned and used.
 
REVIEW

The NEW Primacy comes in a black box with white and gray print. A glossy black picture of the NEW Primacy is featured on the front of the box.
 

The back of the box shows a diagram of the internals inside the NEW Primacy housings. Specifications and accessories are also listed.
 

Opening the box reveals the NEW Primacy earphones set in a piece of foam. Lifting this foam piece reveals the product’s accessories.
 
Specifications and Accessories

Specification:
Driver: Exclusive Dual Armature Driver & 8mm Dynamic Driver
Impedance: 8 Ohm
Frequency Response: 20 - 20000Hz
Sensitivity: 105+-3dB/mW, 1000Hz
Distortion: <1%
Plug: Gold-plated 3.5mm Stereo Plug
Cable: 1.2 m
 
Accessories:
Earphone body - 1pair
Detachable Cable - 1pc
Aluminium Carrying Case
XS, S, M, L Silicone Tips - 2pair per size
M form tips - 2pairs
Flight adaptor - 1pc
Double Flange Tips - 2pairs
3.5mm to 6.5mm plug -1pc
Ear Hook - 1pair

 
Housings

The housings of the NEW Primacy are nearly identical to the old version. If something isn’t broke, don’t try and fix it, right?!?!
 

Long story short, they are one of the most ergonomic and best fitting universal in-ear monitors I’ve ever had the pleasure of wearing. There are no corners on the housings and everything flows. The flattened egg-shaped housing has a egg shell finish and the smooth edges which create a comfortable fit regardless of ear shape or size. The all aluminum shell seems very durable. The NEW Primacy connects to the cable via a standard MMCX connection.
 

Although shape and build are excellent, I found a questionably placed venting hole on the inside of the housings. If you are getting an anemic bass response from your NEW Primacy, I assume it is a result of this venting hole being blocked. Nozzles on the NEW Primacy are slightly wider and shorter than average. This version comes with black silicone tips this time around (the last model had frosted tips). Aside from this change, accessories are virtually identical to the original.                                                                          
 
Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs

Oriveti has upped their cable game by bringing a new 8 strand braid cable which leads from the jack to the Y-split, then continues on to each channel via four strand braid which leads to each channel. There is a small amount of spring and memory which doesn’t create a problem when wearing them. The braiding is pretty masterful, and the four strand braid on the upper portion of the cable is a welcomed improvement from the two strand twist in the older version. One concern, when twisting or bending the cable, the very thin strands come apart. I suppose one nasty snag on a separated part of the cable could cause problems. Also, the grippy nature of the cable will promote occasional knotting when handling them.
 
Oriveti has made the cable jack a ninety degree plug this time around. The Y-split is a piece of black heat shrink tubing and has a plastic chin/neck slider installed above it. Both channels have a gold plated MMCX connection with black plastic/rubber jacketing and seem more sturdy than the average MMCX plug. Strain reliefs are well done. If handled with a reasonable amount of care, this cable should function excellently and hold up well.
 
Functionality
The NEW Primacy comes with a stock MMCX cable that doesn’t have a microphone or remote. However, the fact that the cable has a universal MMCX connection there are plenty of online shops that sell replacement cables with this feature. In its stock form the NEW Primacy is designed for music enjoyment.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics, Isolation

The Primacy nailed it in terms of ergonomics and comfort. I said it last time and I’ll say it again (because it is pretty much the same), the NEW Primacy is one of the best fitting universal monitors on the planet.
 
Although designed to be worn over the ear, these earphones can also be worn cable down. Both wearing styles are extremely comfortable and hassle free. Once a good sealing tip is found, it’s a matter of plugging them in, running them up or over your ear, popping them in and getting a good seal, and snugging them into place with the included chin/neck slider.
 
Microphonics are noticeable when wearing them cable down (and not using the included chin/neck slider). When wearing them over the ear, cable noise is gone for the most part. NEW Primacy is an excellent isolator. Most ambient noises are muffled and non-existent when music is playing at low volumes.
 
Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-V10 for smartphone use, and either my Fiio X7 or iBasso DX80 DAP/Bushmaster D14 DAC/Amp for high fidelity portable use. For desktop use, I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a ifi micro iDSD playing at 32/192 kHz. I tested them with several other sources as well. I used Google Music in its highest download quality (320 KBPS), and also streamed FLAC via Tidal streaming service. I also used purchased and downloaded tracks in MP3, FLAC, WAV and DSD. I make sure that any gear I test has sufficient playtime before writing a review.
 
I used my usual same songs for testing gear:
“Limit to your love” by James Blake (bass speed, punch, response)
“Doin’ it Right” by Daft Punk (sub bass)
“Get lucky” by Daft Punk (bass to midrange transition resolution, male vocals)
“Madness” by Muse (soundstage, separation)
“Some nights” by Fun (soundstage and male vocals)
“The soundmaker” by Rodrigo y Gabriela (texture and imaging)
“Bassically” by Tei Shi (bass to midrange resolution, female vocals)
“Skinny Love” performed by Birdie (female vocals, acoustic playback)
“One” by Ed Sheeran (male vocals, acoustic playback)
“Outlands” from the Tron Legacy Soundtrack (symphonic presentation, imaging)
“Sultans of swing” by Dire Straits (detail, separation, balance)
“And Justic for All” by Metallica (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
“Ten thousand fists” by Disturbed (driver distortion, treble response, rock playback)
 
Note: Other tracks were used, but the listed songs were primarily used to assess and break down the gear’s response.
 
Source Selection
Coming in at a very sensitive 8 Ohms, the NEW Primacy is easy to drive and also susceptible to background noise from more powerful portable and desktop sources. An ideal source for these earphones is something with the output power of a standard smartphone.
 
The NEW Primacy tuning works with just about every source I used them with. They seemed to have best synergy with my LG V20, Aune M1S, and iFi micro iDSD in its most sensitive output setting. As long as you stay low power, the NEW Primacy will make the most of the source you are using. I slightly prefer the NEW Primacy with a more colored and warmer source (or with an applied bass boost from my source). HIgh powered amplifiers will cause background noise and  desktop rigs are overkill. The NEW Primacy is designed for music lovers on the go, or those looking for a good in-ear monitor for their high quality DAP or flagship smartphone. High bitrate music files will make the NEW Primacy sound better but in the same breath they won’t butcher poor recordings and MP3s.
 
Sound Signature

Long story short, the NEW Primacy is a slightly fuller and crisper sounding version of the old model. The new model throws a curveball to most hybrid in-ears tuning, bringing a musical and center stage mid-range presentation that puts vocals upfront and without sacrificing neighboring frequencies. If you’re wondering whether Oriveti made a radical improvement to the new version tuning, the answer depends on sound preference. If you consider making a more euphonic and crisp sounding version of the original as an improvement over the old model the answer is yes. If the original Primacy sound is the HD600 of the lineup, the NEW Primacy is the HD650. The NEW Primacy gives midrange and vocals more girth and snap. Ratios are changed and the overall perception of the sound signature is altered considerably.
 
Bass
Bass is controlled, mildly dynamic and has a nice supporting depth to its presentation. Just like the original version, the NEW Primacy has a subdued and almost soft attack at mid-bass frequencies. There is an authoritative and controlled sub bass slam that when called upon presents the listener with a response that is very controlled, tight and extended. When the lowest of low frequencies are revealed, the bass lies somewhere between a light dynamic driver and an impactful armature driver type of sound.
 
I think a lot of my impressions is due to the ratios being altered in the NEW Primacy tuning. Because bass isn’t the star of the show this time around (that title goes to the mid-range) I see this range as being somewhat neutral and complimentary. Even so, they aren’t lacking in terms of their ability to present sound in this range. The way the bass leads into the lower mid-range sounds, it is somewhat intimate but also very natural.
 
Midrange
This is the biggest difference between the new and older model. The NEW Primacy measured slightly higher at every frequency from lower mid to mid-range tones. If you are a vocal lover, the NEW Primacy has a strong chance of winning your approval. The new tuning makes vocals have dynamics and texture that the old version couldn’t achieve. Vocals and mid-range sounds take front stage and pop out from the rest of the track. This works well for vocals like Adele, Ed Sheeran, Lorde, and pretty much all genres related to these artists.
 
There isn’t necessarily a spike, but slight rise from the 100 to 600 Hz range, followed by a gradual descent from 700 Hz to 4 kHz. This means that although vocals (primarily male vocals) will pop and have weight, they will avoid being overly shouty. One thing to note, female vocals are bit more distant than male. Upper midrange sounds take a slight step back from lower mid and mid-range tones. This tuning allows me to enjoy the forward mid sound without throwing the element of mid-range fatigue due to aggressive upper mid-range focus.
 
Treble
Treble has more snap this time around. It’s a crisp response that with most genres levels itself out with the increased mid-range presence. The mids to treble presence matches nicely and works well with vocal oriented music. The NEW Primacy will reveal sibilance in recordings. I was able to avoid listening fatigue when listening at healthy volumes. Louder volumes is a different case. Those who are extremely treble sensitive will most likely have an issue with these at loud volumes.  Extension is better than average and detail is along the lines of most in-ear monitors. The NEW Primacy brings a snappy and crisp upper frequency tuning.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
Due to the increase in midrange dynamics and presence, the NEW Primacy stage is more on the intimate side than the old version. Vocals and midrange instruments take center stage. Although the stage is a bit smaller than the earlier version, imaging is excellent to my ears. This new tuning puts the NEW Primacy into my category of vocal lover’s earphones while not sacrificing supporting frequencies. It’s a slightly more mature tuning than the original version.
 
Comparisons

Oriveti Primacy (original version) ($299 USD, discontinued)
The biggest difference between the two earphones is the shape of the sound. The older Primacy bass/midrange/treble ratios are different. Because of this the older version seems to have a more prominent bass response with more distant vocals and a smooth and extended top end. The NEW Primacy has a more musical and forward midrange, making vocals pop considerably more. Whereas bass and complimentary sparkle are the star of the show with the old tuning, the new one makes vocals the star of the show. To be honest the old primacy is a more consumer friendly tuning that offers a slightly larger (and more artificial) soundstage. The NEW Primacy has a more mature tuning to my ears. I am confident they will appeal more to the audiophile who wants a more natural and musical sound reproduction. If you asked me what I like more, it’s a toss up. I think the old version works a little bit better with modern genres of music. The NEW Primacy works better with more eclectic stuff. I consider the NEW Primacy to be an advancement from the old version, and a formidable replacement to the original.
 
Build and accessories is almost identical. The NEW version has a cooler eight strand cable.

 
Sony XBA-H3 ($350 USD on many sites)
Comparing the two, the H3 seems to have a lot more mid-bass and musicality. The NEW Primacy is far more articulate and defined at lower frequencies. The H3 has a smoother and less fatiguing (yet still extended) treble response. At moderate volumes the upper frequency tuning of the Primacy is more natural. At louder listening volumes, the H3 treble is more enjoyable at higher frequencies. Mid-range is more forward and upfront than the NEW Primacy and has a more controlled and balanced mid-bass presence. Overall I give a slight edge to the NEW Primacy. It handles more genres of music than the H3 in my opinion.
 
The NEW Primacy has one of the most ergonomic shapes and fits I’ve experienced in a universal monitor. The H3 has one of the bulkiest and awkward fits I’ve come across. Oriveti gets a huge advantage in this area.
 
Sony gets a slight edge in terms of accessories. Their silicone hybrid tips are fantastic. The dual cables trumps the single cable offered with the NEW Primacy.
 
Conclusion
The NEW Primacy is a step forward in terms of tuning. It’s a more musical, natural and intimate sound that I enjoy immensely. With that being said, I wouldn’t urge those who already own a pair of the original Primacy to rush and buy a pair of the new version unless what I described in tuning changes is something you’re after. It’s a step forward, not a revelation from what they accomplished with the original.
 
If you haven’t heard a Oriveti earphone I suggest you give them a listen. At the current asking price I don’t think anyone who takes the leap will be disappointed in their purchase.
 
When rating a product I have to take all criteria into account. The NEW Primacy gets four and half stars for build, design and fit (minus one half star for the driver venting hole placement) and four to four and a half stars for sound (they won’t appeal to those looking for a V-signature). This is a solid score for a earphone that won’t fail to impress those looking for a vocal lover’s earphone.
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

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The product was provided to me free of charge for the review purpose in exchange for my honest opinion.  The review was originally posted on my blog, and now I would like to share it with all of my readers on Head-fi.
 
Manufacturer website: Oriveti, available for sale on Amazon.
 
* click on images to expand.

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Intro.
 
The original Oriveti Primacy came out of nowhere and surprised everyone with their 3way premium hybrid IEM.  It was a mature debut, not some budget release, and in my opinion Oriveti quickly elevated themselves to a level of other established 3way hybrids.  After reviewing their original Primacy, I was approached with a request to look into their NEW Primacy, and assumed it will be just a minor refresh.  After all, they didn’t change the name, kept the same price, and from the initial pictures even design looked similar.  Honestly, I wasn’t even sure if Primacy needed an update, but decided not to jump into any conclusion until I have them in my hands and my ears.
 
As soon as I got them out of the box and after a quick burn in and listening, I quickly realized they do deserve a full review.  As a matter of fact, my first feedback to Oriveti was regarding their name where in my opinion “NEW Primacy” should have been called “Primacy 2.0” because we are talking about updated sound, updated design, updated cable, and even some updated accessories.  On the surface it looks very similar to original Primacy (Pold), but once you take a closer look at NEW Primacy (Pnew), you will quickly realize the magnitude of changes.  Here is why.
 
Unboxing.
 
Due to a lot of similarities between Pold and Pnew, I will recycle parts of the unboxing, accessories, and design from my original Primacy review.
Starting with a packaging, you are greeted with a gift box quality sturdy cardboard enclosure with a bold glossy image of NEW Primacy.  Pnew has a very strong resemblance to Pold, and only a side-by-side close up can reveal minor differences in the shape of the shell.  Looking at the back of the box, you can find a detailed Specification and Content of the package with all the included accessories.  Here, one thing that stood out for me was DD change from 8.6mm (Pold) to 8mm (Pnew).  But the highlight was still CAD drawing of the IEM.  The design diagram provides details of the shell material, 2xBA and DD driver placement, and detachable nature of the cable.
 
With a top cover off, you get a jewelry box setting with small metal Oriveti shells inside of a heart shaped cutout and cable snaking around it.  While lifting up the top foam insert, it took me a second to realize why I didn’t find a dangling cable – this insert was designed like a spool for cable storage.  With foam insert out, you will find a Quick Guide page covering the bottom tray with the accessories.  This bottom tray was cleverly partitioned into one layer with through-hole cutouts for all the accessories and another foam layer protecting it underneath.  In the past I have experienced other products with similar foam cutouts and jammed accessories where it was a challenge to take them out.  Here, you can either pick accessories up with your finger or headphone jack (useful to get eartips out), or lift the tray and push them through to remove it.
 
 
 
 
 
Accessories.
 
Similar to Pold, the presentation and the amount of accessories makes Pnew stand out as a premium product.  Starting with eartips, here you will find a set of large and medium soft foam eartips (not Comply), 2 sets of each S, M, and L silicone tips, and 2 sets of double flange tips.  I think it’s a great idea to include double set of each size, in case if you lose one.  Each pair was stored neatly in corresponding tray cutout pocket with one M-size pair already fitted on IEMs.  One noticeable change in here is that Pnew has a more common all black silicone rounded tips vs custom looking white silicone tips featured in Pold.  Not sure for the reason of this change, but I assume it was probably due to a customer feedback.
 
You also get 3.5mm to 1/4” adapter, something I used to be in denial of need until testing a few amps that had 1/4” plug by default.  Flight adapter is also included, not sure about a personal value since I haven’t been on a plane for awhile, but I’m sure some might find it useful.  A pair of soft rubbery earhooks was also a nice addition - I have plenty of earhooks but they are usually stiff, plasticy, and not comfortable, while these were soft and flexible.  I’m sure some will argue these are fillers, but when you look at the foam tray with all the accessories stored in their individual custom cutouts – it makes up for a very impressive presentation, regardless if you use it or not.
 
Finally, there is an aluminum puck-shaped case with a soft felt lining on the bottom and the cover.  This storage case is quite nice, something you won’t typically see in sub $300 product.  But I wouldn’t call it exactly a “carrying case” because it has a hefty solid metal construction and it won’t fit comfortably in your pocket.  But as a storage case to showcase on your desk, or even as a paper weight – it looks cool.  With Pold case you had to be careful when picking it up by the top because the cover can slide off if you are not paying attention, but I noticed that Pnew case cover had a little tighter fit.
 
 
 
 
Cable.
 
I always consider a removable cable to be an accessory, and here we have a premium Silver Plated Copper (SPC) cable, soft, pliable, and with an excellent build quality.  It still has a rather generic looking braided design with a tight black shielding, but this time Oriveti doubled a number of conductors, going from 4 to 8.  Closer examination reveals four separate braided conductors attached to rubbery housing of each standard MMCX connector, going down to shrink wrapped y-splitter and continuing as 8 separate braided conductors to a right angled rubbery connector with TRS gold plated termination and a nice stiff strain relief.  There was also a black plastic rubbery chin-slider, cleverly shaped to provide a better friction when sliding along braided wires.  With all these multiple wire conductors, I would have loved to see a balanced 2.5mm termination with 3.5mm adapter.
 
The build of the cable is very good.  You get a nice grip with headphone connector and mmcx connectors, latter one labeled with R on the right side and triple-dots for a blind id on the left side.  Also, cable is soft enough for a comfortable fit over your ears, the preferred way to wear Pnew.  If you feel you're missing memory wire, you can always use included removable earhooks.  I think it’s quite impressive they upgraded the cable to a premium 8-conductor SPC design, and still include it as a stock accessory without raising the price.  And thanks to a soft tight shielding – there is absolutely no microphonics effect.
 
I don’t have as many mmcx connector cables as I do with 2pin connectors, but while trying other replacement cables (TWag v3 modular and Ref8) I always came back to a stock 8-conductor design which offered just a perfect balance of lows and mids without lifting the bass or exaggerating the brightness.  Also, I measured and compared the original 4-conductor (Pold) vs the new 8-conductor (Pnew) cable, and found the latter one to decrease the impedance by more than half.  That actually makes sound louder (better efficiency), and when volume matching between both cables – I also found the sound to be a little more revealing and more expanded.  Despite doubling the number of wires, the cable is still very soft, supple, easy to manage, and very comfortable going over-ear.
 
 
 
 

 
Design.
 
As I mentioned before, the shell construction is all metal, CNC machined from aluminum with anodized black finish.  Everything from a build quality and a seamless joint of both halves, to a slick design with ergonomic shape is an example of a fine craftsmanship.  The design drawing on the back of the packaging box reveals how tightly drivers are packed inside, to the point where dual BAs are going into the extended nozzle area, leaving just enough room for 8mm dynamic driver inside of the main body of the shell and mmcx connector at the top.
 
With Pold, I remember holding the tiny shell in my hands and turning it around trying to find the venting port for the dynamic driver.  In there, the vent was built around mmcx connector which left cable joint with a small gap when mated, keeping the port open to pump the air from dynamic driver.  Clever idea, but it could lead to dust getting into the connector, though I never experienced that problem with Pold.  In Pnew, Oriveti revisited the design and decided to move the vent to the middle of the shell facing toward the ear, thus eliminating a gap when attaching the cable.  Also, you will still find a bold L/R marking on the inside, and Left side has “O” symbol while Right side has “Oriveti” name.
 
Next big change between Pold and Pnew is the nozzle design.  The nozzle opening in Pold was narrow and didn’t have a mesh cover, thus requiring a cleaning tool to get the accumulated wax out.  Pnew has a nozzle with a wider opening and a metal mesh cover to keep the wax away.  In my opinion, DD venting port reallocation and nozzle update were a welcome change.  For me personally, it wasn’t an issue in Pold, but you do appreciate it after closer examination and comparison between old and new Primacy models.
 
The original intent of the design is to wear Pnew wire up, in my opinion the most comfortable fit with shell sitting inside of your ear’s concha area.  But you can still wear them wire down without a need to flip Left/Right earpieces, if you have a tight fitting eartips to keep them in.  Still, wire up fit is preferred and the most secure way.  Wire is soft enough to go over your ears and probably won’t even get in the way of those wearing glasses, and you can go to sleep with your ear resting comfortably on the pillow with IEM inside. 
 
In terms of the comfort, I rate these on the same level as Westone.  They are light and nearly disappear in your ears.  There is no sound leakage, and with a right selection of eartips – sound isolation is pretty good.  And as I mentioned before, with a stock cable I didn’t sense any microphonics.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pold vs Pnew (cable connector gap)
 

 
The fit.
 

 
Sound analysis.
 
It’s hard to talk about Pnew sound without comparison to Pold, thus you will find a lot of references to the original Primacy in my sound analysis.  Here is what I found after about 100hrs of burn in, which I think is a good idea since we’re dealing with a dynamic driver.
 
Pnew has a neutral revealing tonality with an excellent retrieval of details.  It still retains its smooth and natural sound quality, found in the original Pold, but now the level of clarity scaled up due to enhancement in mids region which lifted some veil off the original signature to bring up more details without becoming harsh or peaky.  I still feel it has a neutral signature, but when you go back'n'forth between Pnew and Pold, you can get tricked into thinking that Pnew sounds more mid forward.  When listening to Pold I prefer to crank volume a few notches higher, but when switching to Pnew I like to turn it down a bit (effect of the 8-conductor cable with reduced impedance).  Also, in Pold the sound had a slightly more v-shaped perception due to a cut in lower mids which separated bass and upper mids, while in Pnew the sound is more coherent with lower mids being neutral.
 
3way hybrids are typically have a distinct v-shaped signature where lower mids are slightly recessed for a better contrast between the bass of the dynamic driver and BA mids/treble.  Many hybrids I tested follow this formula which makes sound not as coherent since you can clearly distinguish DD and BAs. In Pnew, Oriveti "corrected" Pold tuning by bringing lower mids back to neutral and making the sound more coherent.
 
Starting with a low end, I find a lot of similarities between Pnew and Pold where you have a deep textured sub-bass extension and a thumping mid-bass with a shorter attack and decay, not your typical warm slow bass.  I think both Pnew/Pold have a similar bass slam, though I hear Pold as having more sub-bass quantity, while Pnew bass being a little leaner and tighter.  As a result, to my ears Pold bass sounds closer to a typical dynamic performance while Pnew now leans more toward BA bass performance.
 
Mids have the most noticeable difference in sound tuning where Pnew lower mids are more neutral in comparison to Pold being more scooped out, and upper mids in Pnew being more upfront, more lifted, having a better definition with sharper edges around the presentation.  There is no sibilance or piercing tones, just more energy which translates into more clarity and improved resolution in comparison to Pold having a warmer, smoother, and more organic tonality.
 
The improvement in Mids also reflects into perception of Treble which now has more sparkle and more airiness, yet still without being harsh or grainy.  Overall treble extension and tonality hasn't changed too much going from Pold to Pnew, but with upper mids being more upfront and brighter - in a way it affects the perception of the treble being more crisp.
 
Soundstage is wide enough to be considered above the average in width and depth.  But it's not exactly holographic, though still projects a natural round space where the imaging has a very convincing placement of instruments and vocals, with a relatively accurate positioning. In my opinion the additional boost in upper mids improves the resolution of the sound, making it more layered with a better separation which in a way makes sound less congested.
 

 
Pair up.
 
Pair up is a lot friendlier now since you can still use any neutral or bright DAP source and also add other warm sources, like a smartphone or a laptop which didn’t pair up as well with Pold.  As expected, high resolution sources will scale up the performance with better transparency and layering, including improved dynamics, but to my surprise going from LPG to my Galaxy Note 4 smartphone didn't affect tonality as much, and even soundstage expansion was close enough.
 
Note 4 - smooth detailed v-shaped sound, great bass impact with a decent control but on a slower side, lower mids have full body, upper mids/vocals are clear and detailed, organic, treble has a nice definition. Overall sound is not as resolving, but still sound pretty good.
 
i5 - smooth full body sound, deep bass with a nice mid-bass impact though it's more on a slower side. Full body lower mids, smooth detailed organic upper mids (pushed back a little bit), and a treble with a great definition and fun sparkle.
 
X7 w/AM2 - smooth full body sound, deep sub-bass with a faster mid-bass punch, more neutral lower mids, clear smooth upper mids (a little more upfront), and nice detailed treble with an airy sparkle.
 
PM2 - clear detailed more balanced sound, deep sub-bass rumble, fast well controlled mid-bass punch, leaner lower mids, clear detailed upper mids with a more upfront presentation, nice well defined treble with airy sparkle.
 
Opus#1 - clear smooth detailed sound, nice sub-bass extension though not as much rumble, faster punchy mid bass, more neutral lower mids, clear detailed organic upper mids/vocals, clear treble definition with a nice sparkle.
 
Opus#2 - detailed resolving sound with a deep sub-bass rumble, faster mid-bass punch, overall well controlled bass, neutral lower mids, clear detailed layered upper mids and vocals, nice treble extension with great definition and airy sparkle.
 
LPG - detailed resolving sound with lots of clarity, deep sub-bass rumble, faster mid-bass punch, well controlled bass, neutral lower mids, clear detailed transparent upper mids/vocals, clear detailed treble with a snappy crisp sparkle.
 
Comparison.
 
Pnew vs Pold - Pold has a perception of more bass impact because it has a deeper cut in lower mids making a more noticeable contrast in sound between mid-bass and upper mids.  Pnew has lower mids tuned more neutral, making a more even transition from mid-bass to lower mids. The biggest difference in tuning is upper-mids/lower-treble region (2k-6k) where Pnew has more presence which adds higher definition and more clarity to the sound.  Also, treble in Pnew has more sparkle and airiness which makes Pold sound smoother and more laid back in comparison. The overall sound is still smooth, but the Pnew signature is more balanced and even a touch mid-forward in comparison to a warmer and a slightly more v-shaped Pold signature/tonality. With more clarity and airiness, Pnew also has a perception of a more open soundstage and higher resolution with better layering and separation of the sound.
 
Pnew vs DN2kJ - DN soundstage is wider, while both have a similar depth.  Pnew has a deeper sub-bass extension with more sub-bass quantity; Pnew mid-bass has a little stronger punch, while DN is tighter and leaner.  DN has a little more recessed lower mids while Pnew lower mids are more neutral.  Pnew upper mids have more body and sounds more natural while DN is more analytical and thinner in comparison.  Also, DN treble has more sparkle and brighter while Pnew is smoother in comparison.
 
Pnew vs A83 - A83 soundstage is wider and has a touch more depth.  Both have a similar sub-bass extension while A83 mid-bass has just a little more punch.  But in contrast, Pnew bass is tighter and faster, while A83 is more laid back and slower.  A83 lower mids are more recessed in comparison to a more neutral Pnew which gives the sound of Pnew more body.  That's especially noticeable with upper mids where A83 sounds thinner and brighter while Pnew is smoother and detailed and sounds more organic.  A83 has more sparkle and slightly better treble extension.
 
Pnew vs IT03 - Both have a very similar soundstage in terms of width, while IT03 has a touch more depth. Sub-bass extension is nearly the same, and mid-bass speed and control is nearly identical too, but IT03 has a stronger punch.  Lower mids are a touch leaner in IT03 while Pnew is a little more neutral, and upper mids in IT03 are more detailed, more revealing while retaining the same level of smoothness and natural tonality. In contrast, Pnew upper mids are a little warmer and smoother.  IT03 treble has a little more sparkle and airiness.
 
Pnew vs FLC8s red/gray/yellow - FLC sound depends on the selection of filters, where this particular combo gave me a very similar sound sig, but there are still some differences.  Both have a similar soundstage expansion.  Even so the bass has the same sub-bass extension and similar mid-bass punch, I hear Pnew being tighter and faster.  Lower mids are similar.  Upper mids tonality is also similar, detailed and smooth, but Pnew is more resolving and more layered.  Both have similar treble, but Pnew has more airiness and slightly better definition.
 
 
 
Conclusion.
 
Based on my understanding, the original Primacy has been discontinued and replaced by a New Primacy model.  Perhaps that’s a reason why Oriveti didn’t name it Primacy 2.0, but rather NEW Primacy as a replacement for the original one.  I’m sure many people acquired the original Primacy and continue using it because of its unique comfortable shell design, removable cable, organic tonality, and the level of detail retrieval despite its smooth signature.  NEW Primacy still offers the same design, just refined with an updated nozzle, relocated dynamic driver vent, and updated cable which doubles the number of conductors.  But that alone might not be enough to persuade someone to upgrade.  The “selling” point here is a more neutral revealing tuning which is quite noticeable, especially when it comes to upper mids that have more presence, more clarity, and more resolution.  The tough decision for current Primacy owners is that both offer a unique sound characteristic which compliments rather than overlaps, and I can’t say that one is better than the other - I enjoy them both.

Introduction –

Perhaps no market is currently more competitive and fast paced than the hybrid in-ear space and as such, manufacturers must keep pace to stay on top of the pack. Oriveti are a company that achieved no shortage of acclaim with their original triple driver in-ear, the Primacy. And for good reason, it was an incredibly balanced, smooth listen with class-leading ergonomics. The Primacy offered a refinement in an emerging market that was dedicated to technical ability over finesse. So it’s rather impressive that, even without clear reason, Oriveti have already updated their brilliant Primacy and in so doing, I believe they’ve crafted one of the capable earphones around their $300 asking price. Keep reading to find out whether the New Primacy is for you, because as always, sound remains subjective and the New Primacy is probably a little less inoffensive than its predecessor.



Disclaimer –

I would like to thank Marco from Oriveti very much for providing me with the New Primacy. This unit was received both as a warranty replacement for my Primacy and for the purpose of review. This is technically a personal purchase and I will be as objective as possible when evaluating the New Primacy.



About Me – Some background, Gear of choice, Preferences and Biases

I generally prefer a slight v-shape to my sound, but still closer to neutral. I like a lot of detail and clarity, but can appreciate a smooth, laid back sound such as that on the X10`s. I prefer a more neutral midrange within a relatively tight tolerance, but I`m probably more forgiving of brightness over darkness. I`m not particularly treble sensitive and can tolerate large amounts without fatigue, though too much ruins the enjoyment. If I use a different eartip/pad/cover during the review I will note that and describe the sound changes.

Read More



Accessories –

Packaging is very similar to the Primacy with a render on the front and specs/exploded vector on the rear. It’s a very visually stimulating package and subtle relocation of text creates a slightly more premium look.



Orivetti nestles the earphones within the same brilliant cable winder mechanism which allows the cable to straighten out very quickly after unboxing instead of wanting to coil.



Underneath lies a simple sheet with the Oriveti logo and basic wearing instructions. It covers the same array of accessories that were included with the Primacy, which is to say, a lot.



That being said, the stock tips included with the New Primacy are of much higher quality and are no longer transparent. The look when installed on the earphones is more uniform, they also won’t yellow with age. I find I can get a much better seal with these tips than those included with the original Primacy where I had to resort to foams or Spinfits.



Design –

The design is mostly identical to the original Primacy with a few tweaks that further improve almost every aspect of their fitment. For reference, the New Primacy will be photographed on the left and the original Primacy will be on the right.



The housings are now very slightly larger but also flatter. They are the same shape but the New Primacy is slightly longer. Since the original Primacy was already quite compact, the New Primacy still doesn’t contact my inner ear and actually fits better. The fit is now in-between a Shure/Westone monitor and Phonak style fitment, almost the best of both worlds. Taking them for my usual 6Km run and the earphones stay put much better than the original. They also have a deeper fitment than the Primacy on account of their redesigned nozzle that has a more compact, tapered end.



The nozzle is now completely integrated into the aluminium build whereas the Primacy had an aluminium endcap that was prone to becoming detached. Unfortunately, the new nozzle doesn’t hold tips quite as well due to having less of a lip on the end though it does work fine for the usual Spinfits, Sony hybrids and Comply foams and I haven’t had a tip fall off unintentionally. The angle of the MMCX connectors are also a little more ergonomic contributing to the New Primacy’s more stable fitment.



Oriveti have also updated the earphone’s finish, the New Primacy has more of a matte texture as opposed to the Primacy which has a smoother finish (though this could be due to usage/wear of the older model). I’m pretty ambivalent about the finish, but the newer matte does look more uniform. There is still a palpable seam through the middle of the earphones but it’s similarly small and undetectable in the ear.



Oriveti have also relocated the vent from the MMCX connector up top to the inner surface of the housings. Like before, it doesn’t seem to affect isolation at all and the New Primacy actually blocks noise slightly better due to its deeper fitment. They are now very much comparable to a sealed Shure/Westone monitors in fit stability and isolation, areas where the original Primacy fell slightly behind. What Does concern me somewhat is moisture ingress when using the earphones for exercise (although they weren’t designed for such), since the vent is now more exposed. I haven’t experienced any difficulties with moisture but time will tell.



Pulled MMCX connector on my original Primacy

Oriveti have also fortified the MMCX connectors. The connectors on my original Primacy had started pulling out of the housing though, like the nozzle, the connectors on the New Primacy looks to be much better integrated into the earpieces. One thing that I never experienced with the original was driver flex which is now quite prevalent on the New Primacy (strange since the earphones are vented). I never experienced any on the Primacy but get quite a lot in the left earpiece of the New Primacy. As always, this didn’t affect performance or function during testing but is a concern for longevity.




To sum it up, the build quality remains just as great, various features such as the plastic nozzle and off angle connector are all addressed and the small vent on the body barely affects isolation if at all. Fitment is also deeper and a lot more stable, increasing passive noise isolation while remaining just as comfortable, great job Oriveti!



The cable is also a highlight of the New Primacy. It’s much improved over the original in both build and ergonomics. The new 8-core braided cable is slightly thicker, has a smoother texture (though it is still rubbery) than the original and is suppler, resisting tangles much better as a result. I find it much more compliant when coiling for storage and also more comfortable to wear as it isn’t as blocky as the original. The cable’s more even braid also feels smoother against the top of the ear, reducing abraision.



In addition, the cable’s loose braid soaks up vibrations like no other and the New Primacy has some of the lowest microphonic noise I’ve come across. When combined with the stable fitment and outstanding noise isolation, the New Primacy is pretty great for activity. Oriveti have also fixed the static issue I experienced with the Primacy via superior shelding on the cables.



In addition, the right angle plug is a big plus for portable users and I’m much more comfortable stuffing the New Primacy into my pocket than before. While the jack housing is no longer metal, it’s grippy texture is easier to unplug and the strain-relief is much improved. The connector is also perfectly case friendly with a very slim protruding gold-plated connector.



Sound –



Render from Oriveti

Utilising the same triple driver setup comprising of an 8mm dynamic driver mated to two armatures, the New Primacy relatively similar to the original with a few meaningful tweaks that make it a considerably more technically capable earphone. Despite this, those who prefer a slightly more vivid sound will likely prefer the original for its increased sub-bass slam and slightly brighter midrange/lower treble. The New Primacy is more linear all around, more refined and more textured though it is essentially the same beast. Again, I come back to the W30 vs W40 debate, the New Primacy being the W40. Whilst the W40 is slightly more balanced than the W30, slightly more detailed and more coherent in the lower frequencies, the W30 has more clarity, more punch and is generally more dynamic. In the pursuit of balance and precision, we often forget that our subjective projection of perfection will rarely match that of someone else, or similarly, a machine’s objective measurements. Keep reading to see if the New Primacy is for you whether you are new to audio or perhaps looking to upgrade from the original Primacy.



Tonality –

If you value linearity and balance, the New Primacy is definitely an upgrade over its predecessor, itself a very nice sounding earphone. To my ear, the New Primacy sounds more balanced than the original, especially with regards to bass and treble. Sub-bass is far more neutral in quantity and sounds less muddy and bloated as a result. Mid and upper bass are quite neutral, perhaps slightly lifted with a little extra bass depth over more explicitly neutral earphones. The New Primacy is also quite balanced throughout its midrange save for some extra body throughout. And compared to the original Primacy, lower mids are more forward so the earphones end up sounding less bright and more natural. Treble is also more linear, they still have a little bump for clarity but roll off less after that; I find myself enjoying the high-end response a lot more than the Primacy. So the New Primacy isn’t a neutral earphone, but it is one that finds stunning balance between frequencies.



Tip Choices –



Spinfit CP100:

For my preferences, the New Primacy actually sounded slightly flat out of the box and I personally prefer the sound when paired with the Spinfit CP100’s. They give the New Primacy a slightly more u-shaped sound with a little extra sub-bass and sparkle, the soundstage also improved as the drivers are furthered from your ears. I think the vast majority of buyers will enjoy them stock and pretty much everyone else will enjoy them paired with Spinfits, it’s subtle but just what they needed to my ears, the New Primacy is off to a good start. The Spinfits do touch the midrange more than I would like and vocals do sound slightly diffuse at times, more on this below.

JVC Spiral Dots:

After some extensive ABing, I’ve decided that the JVC Spiral Dots have the greatest synergy with the New Primacy for my tastes. They are just as comfortable as the Spinfits but fit a little deeper and thus are slightly more stable and isolating. They bring out the treble response, more so than the Spinfits, whilst providing a similar kind of bass boost. However, they do this without touching the midrange, in particular, the Spinfits made upper mids slightly less coherent. The New Primacy’s sound gorgeous with the JVC Spiral dots, it provides that extra level of airiness and openness over the stock sound without sibilance or hollowness though they don’t expand the soundstage quite as much as Spinfits.



Bass –

Bass is the most improved frequency range over the Primacy and is a strong performer regardless of price. The New Primacy has less bass quantity than the original Primacy overall but is substantially more linear. Sub and deep-bass are well extended with a slight lift while mid-bass is tight and punchy. I feel like sub-bass extension is actually slightly worse than the Primacy due to their more obvious venting though the NP easily bests pretty much any conventional balanced armature earphone. Sub-bass has a softer tone and subtly portrays rumble without the outright slam of the original. That being said, quality is outstanding, Oriveti have really tightened up the bass response on the NP, producing much more definition than the original model. They have a similarly textured bass response to the better armature-based earphones out there such as the Westone UM 50 Pro’s, perhaps the originals had a crossover issue that sapped that last bit of definition. So the slight loss of sub-bass slam in comparison to the originals is definitely warranted, bass quality is much improved.

In more general comparison, bass is definitely one of the most textured I’ve heard from an iem, especially impressive since these are hardly a lean-sounding earphone. If you’re looking for a slightly punchier earphone that retains the raw definition of balanced armature earphones like the Etymotic ER-4, the New Primacy is pretty spot on. It resolves intricacies in the low end that the original Primacy couldn’t even glimpse. To put performance into perspective, the Sennheiser ie800 resolves only slightly more texture even if it has more extension and slam, it also costs about 3 times as much and has far less passive noise isolation. The UM 50 Pro is far more coloured as well, but being an armature earphone has slightly less extension and deep rumble than the New Primacy. The New Primacy also has similar bass resolution and texture to the UM 50 Pro while remaining far more neutral for home listening. So overall, the New Primacy holds up very well to these far more expensive earphones and are a very solid upgrade over their predecessors in the low end. I definitely think it’s a stronger performer quality wise than the similarly priced W30 but some may prefer the W30’s punchier midbass.


Mids –

The midrange also receives slight revisions to tuning though the differences are not as pronounced as the changes to the bass. The midrange now sounds slightly more balanced and in better coordination with the bass. The New Primacy definitely sounds more mid-forward but this character is well balanced by the slight bass and lower treble bumps. They also avoid sounding over-forward as both lower and especially upper mids have more body. Lower mids in particular, are less scooped and upper mids are smoother with an extra ounce of body, but both are otherwise mostly comparable in tuning and quality. Both upper and lower mids also possess more clarity than the Primacy despite being smoother. Detail retrieval is just as good with similar presentation and due to improved linearity, the New Primacy does pick up more micro-detail. Female vocals no longer sound so aggressive due to the added body, thinner female vocals are much more flattered and male vocals lie in better balance with the rest of the sound. One aspect that does suffer is separation, which is slightly worse than the Primacy due to the more intimate midrange. So the midrange is much like the Primacy but tweaked to bring more balance whilst retaining clarity and sense of detail. And while the newer Primacy does sound clearer than the Primacy, it’s technically not as bright due to the more forward lower midrange.

Compared to the ie800 and UM 50 Pro, the New Primacy sounds more balanced. Those earphones are more engaging but are also more V-shaped and I understand that kind of sound is not for everyone. That’s not to say that the New Primacy isn’t engaging, they just presented in a different way. Clarity is also closer to the ie800 than the darker UM 50 Pro and I would still characterise them as brighter than neutral. I find that they don’t quite sound as open and immersive as these higher priced earphones and even some of the more sculpted earphones around $300 – $400, but technically, the New Primacy is consistent and versatile a result. On a recent venture I had a chance to compare them to the the Westone W40. The New Primacy was immediately more balanced than the slightly darker W40 and the high end resolved more detail, impressive for an earphone that is actually considerably cheaper than the Westone.



Treble –

I mentioned in my initial impressions that the New Primacy had more treble presence than the Primacy. However, after some more extensive listening, this is not necessarily the case. The original Primacy had a spike in the lower treble that gave it a more aggressive sense of detail and the impression of a more open sound. And while the New Primacy does have a little bump, lower treble emphasis is not to the same extent as the original, and the NP can even sound slightly darker. But where the Primacy rolled off after the bump, the New Primacy is more linear and extends further. Middle and upper treble details are much improved on the New Primacy, high hats and cymbals sound more textured and have more accurate body. The NP is also more detailed even if those details don’t quite “pop” as much as the Primacy. In the grand scheme of things, the New Primacy is still a relatively natural sounding earphone rather than an airy or crisp sounding one. They still don’t sound as open as the ie800’s and other more treble forward earphones but are also not nearly as fatiguing long-term. Where I found that treble sounded somewhat one-dimensional on the original Primacy, the New Primacy possesses that sense of air and extension that bumps them up from great to exemplary.


Drivability –



Despite boasting the same 8ohm impedance and FR, the New Primacy is actually little more sensitive than the Primacy, though they are also more prone to hiss. That makes them one of the more sensitive earphones I’ve tested and while they aren’t Shure sensitive, these earphones may have difficulties with a particularly noisy source as there is a moderate amount of noise even from my Oppo HA-2. But from my HTC 10, these are absolutely silent, I suppose the 10 has a lower gain amplifier. As far as amplification goes, the Primacy really doesn’t require much power though it will benefit from a cleaner source. They scale decently with my HA-2 but sound pretty great straight from my phone. As long as your source is relatively clean and has a low output impedance, it should serve the Primacy well.


Soundstage –

The soundstage is slightly improved, possibly due to the larger vent. They now sound more rounded, depth is improved but width is slightly reduced and the entire presentation is slightly more intimate, it’s a fair trade that ends up sounding superior most of the time. This is partly due to the NP’s much-improved imaging; where I felt the Primacy had some issues with instrument placement, the New Primacy is universally more accurate and has a stronger centre image. That being said, as the New Primacy is more mid-forward and thus slightly more intimate in its overall presentation, separation does suffer slightly, it is simply a by-product of the new tuning. The New Primacy on account of it’s clear midrange and more extended high-end very rarely sounds congested but also rarely sounds spacious either. The UM 50 Pro and ie800 both have quite a lot more space and the ie800 is appreciably more separated too. The W30 is probably a more fair comparison, the New Primacy is more spacious and slightly more separated but the W30 images slightly better. It’s a well-presenting earphone though soundstage is not their biggest Forte.



Extra note –



I did actually try the original Primacy with the new 8-core cable of the New Primacy and interestingly the sound did change very slightly. Of course, the Primacy didn’t sound identical to the New Primacy, but I feel that the the 8-core cable is slightly brighter sounding than the 4-core cable on the Primacy. Upper mids were clearer and more prominent, bass was a little tighter but still overly emphasized in some frequencies and highs sounded slightly more open. Lower mids remain slightly behind in the mix and the soundstage wasn’t affected in any way; imaging was still slightly off with their usual more width based sound. It was interesting to see the changes but we can safely assume that the cable is just one fragment of the plethora of small sound revisions that have occurred between iterations of Primacy.



Verdict –

Balance seems to be a recurring theme in this review and that’s because balance almost perfectly sums up my experience with the New Primacy. While the Primacy was a relatively balanced earphone, there were some deviations that caused deatil retrieval to suffer, most notably the sub-bass/lower bass emphasis and treble roll-off. The New Primacy is now exceptionally linear with very tasteful accentuations imparting a sense of refinement very rare from an earphone of this price. If you own the Primacy, the upgrades are probably still not worth the trade up, especially if you were able to achieve a great fit. But if you are currently looking into the Primacy, the New Primacy is the technically tsuperior earphone, just make sure their balanced, sligthly mid-forward sound matches your individual preferences.



I’ve also made plenty of comparison to my personal benchmark, the Sennheiser ie800 which has fantastic sound quality and a very engaging tonality that I personally enjoy. While the New Primacy is rarely better than the ie800 quality wise, it’s as far off as the price difference would suggest and I could see many taking the New Primacy over the ie800 on behalf of their more linear tonality and vastly superior ergonomics. In fact, there are occasional songs where the sub-bass on the ie800 does overshadow that last bit of texture whereas the New Primacy never has such issues; it’s a very consistently strong performer due to its balanced, linear nature.

Overall – 9.75/10, The New Primacy is a shockingly brilliant earphone at a very competitive price point. It is subtly improved in almost every regard over its predecessor, crafting a considerably more compelling overall package. The New Primacy has surprisingly few compromises compared to the much more expensive flagship earphones and comfort, isolation and fit stability are all superlative. Their sound is also very balanced, clear and resolving; I’m especially impressed by their bass response which is extremely defined and really outperforms Oriveti’s asking price. I think a few might find them slightly mid-forward and the soundstage isn’t the most spacious around, but the New Primacy remains a highly recommendable product for me. After the high of the HD800S, it’s been a pleasure to review a product that provides such a premium performance without the premium price.

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