A little about myself: I find the most important factors to be detail, fit and build. I would classify myself as one who cares about the aspects that would appeal to the general consumers too. Personally I favor a flat sound signature and as naturally sounding as possible. Apologies my hearing ain't godly so I will not comment on bass/treble extension. *I will not attach photos or specs since they can be googled*

Package/Accessories (4/5) : Quite a big box, but within it is a ton of accessories. A bunch of tips, adapters and a metal case with spongy inner linings. Of course, the Oriveti Primacy itself sits on top within a foam holder. I never really like generic accessories that are provided. But however, I would say that Oriveti has blown me away with their accessory pack.

• Eartips: I have tip rolled here and there and really, the stock silicone tips they provide have the best synergy both in terms of comfort and sound. Their foam tips are quite lacking though, and the regular comply would be recommended.
  
• Cable: The stock cable is great. I am never a believer of cable sound but in terms of ergonomics and build, it is really good. It has a pleasant texture close to something of rubber/plastic. There is a simple heatshrink and plastic chin slider. It fulfills all the basic requirements. However, the cable is mildly microphonic. Personally I have been using this as is without any upgrade cables. Oriveti could have provided a second cable with a microphone though.
• Case: The full metal case it has provided is as really trust worthy to protect the IEM within. However, it is fairly large and will not fit in your pocket. Nonetheless, it is a great case.

Sound (4.5/5) : I will make this as short and sweet as possible. This is a hybrid of 1DD+2BA, and still follows the signature TWFK driver sound. The soundstage is somewhat below average for hybrid/DD IEMs, but fairs well against pure BA ones.

• Lows: The bass is presented really well, with the 8 mm DD within producing great punches that are very well controlled. The bass is present when needed and will give way if the piece is more mid/high heavy (i.e. acoustic covers). Being a hybrid IEM gives it a huge edge in producing a more non-fatiguing and natural bass response.
• Mids: Some people feel that the mids of Primacy as its main advantage over others of similar prices and it is. The mids are really clean and detailed, and I would say it is nearly as clean and pure as that of an Etymotic line one. The comparatively lesser detail is however not a disadvantage. This gives it a smooth feeling to its sound which many complain about the Etymotics being too clinical. The design is also really well made that the DD meant for the lows does not really interfere.
• Highs: This is the segment where the Primacy could have done better albeit it being rather pleasing already. The highs are presented a bit too forward, and could potentially compete with the vocalists of pop genre (or similar ones). The highs also could be crisper, but at least it is still sufficient to be thoroughly enjoyable. Once again, the DD does not intrude.

Body (4/5) : This follows the generic Shure / Westone shell layout, but is really small for a triple driver hybrid. Personally having somewhat small ears, this fits me perfectly. I am able to sleep comfortably with these so it says soemthing. However, the MMCX connector could be more angled, but this has not really been an issue. The build of the IEM itself is as tough as its case. I have 0 worries about damaging it via normal usage or unlucky drops. Regarding its nozzle though, it may drop out when changing tips but it does not affect it in any way. Someone might just be able to DIY frequency filters thanks to this "feature"? Would be interested if this is possible!

Overall (4.5/5) : This is my favorite IEM thus far. A great balance between price, sound, comfort and build.

Introduction –

The conventional earphone uses a single dynamic driver, essentially a minute speaker that injects a high energy dose of audio energy directly into the pleasure centre. Conversely, the more boutique earphones out there assume a completely different technology, the ultra-high precision armatures used in devices such as hearing aids where accuracy of spoken voice is key. Unfortunately, these two technologies were rarely combined with palatable results. For instance, cheap hybrids were either fake or had significant crossover issues whilst, on the opposite end of the spectrum, AKG’s K3003 once considered the pinnacle of portable audio, carried an equally unmatched RRP of $1499 USD.

But the same cannot be said in 2016 with beginner audiophiles being blessed with dozens of brilliant hybrid earphones ranging from Xiaomi’s $20 hybrid pistons to custom monitors that out-value some vehicles. Chinese hybrid earphones have gained quite a reputation lately, Dunu, Xiaomi and Astrotec are just a few of many names that come to mind. These are earphones unlike others, with extraordinary attention to high frequency intricacies offered by lightning fast armatures, augmented by a textured, extended bass reproduction that only dynamic drivers can achieve. But the new upstart company Oriveti, situated in the UK sets out with ambitious intentions, utilizing the tried and tested dual TWFK armature setup enhanced by a custom dynamic driver. Oriveti hopes to best these models and establish themselves in the competitive world of hybrid earphones with their $300 USD Primacy, let’s see how their first earphone performs.

 

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 –

Oriveti makes a great impression with their professional packaging and comprehensive suite of accessories. With embossed renders on the front and an exploded vector of the earphones on the rear accompanied by specs, the packaging exhumes quality whilst remaining easy to digest.











Sliding off the top cover reveals the earphones snugly nestled within a velvet textured foam that also acts as a cable winder.

Whilst insignificant in the long run, the cable didn’t have the curl associated with new earphones that are usually tightly wound in box.

Underneath the display foam lies the accessories in a very satisfying presentation. Each accessory is nestled within a custom cut inlet of foam with a small notch for easy removal. In this layout it’s easy to see that the Primacy comes packaged with a very comprehensive set of accessories. Orivetti include 2 pairs of each of the 3 sizes of silicone tip along with 4 one size fits all foam tips.

The silicone tips are of good quality without moulding issues and a soft feel in the ear. They are transparent and perhaps prone to discolouration over time but they also have a longer than average stem that well compliments the Primacy’s medium depth fit. Using spinfits achieves a similar depth of fit and the flexible sound tube of the spinfits will fit snugly on the Oriveti’s larger sound tube.

In addition, the Primacy comes with a nozzle cleaning tool, rubber ear guides and, for frequent travellers, a 1/4inch adapter and dual mono to stereo adapter. The Primacy’s come with a very nice aluminium carry case that showcases the level of finish offered by the full aluminium Primacy’s with extremely tight tolerances and a smooth sliding action. Oriveti even mill a small air channel in the top lid to prevent suction. The insides of the case have a soft velvet texture to prevent scratching the earphones though this finish did tend to leave some fur on the silicone tips.

Whilst such an accessory set more or less just matches the similarly expansive set of accessories we can expect from upcoming manufacturers, Dunu is another company that likes to smother the buyer with extras, I’m not complaining about spares. Oriveti provide almost everything users could ever need, it would be nice to see some authentic Comply tips in there, preferably even a pair of Spinfits as they both work brilliantly with the Primacy. But until next time, Oriveti still do an outstanding job.

 

Design –

Design is definitely where most hybrids falter, most simply struggle to fit such an elaborate driver array in a conventional housing, instead mustering up monstrous designs that surely appeal only to the more masochistic buyers out there. But what if you didn’t have to compromise fitment for sound quality, what if you could attain comfort, isolation and stability?

Image taken from ilounge.com​

If I had to choose a housing to satisfy these criteria, it would probably be that of the Phonak PFE series, PFE standing for perfect fit earphone, some of my absolute favourite earphones of all time. It takes a glance to acknowledge the similarities in form factor and the Primacy takes this classic design one step further with several key improvements. One advancement is the longer stem, allowing for a deeper fit and thus far more noise isolation. Where my former PFE232’s were a very shallow fitting earphone, the even sleeker Primacy offers a deep insertion depth only outmatched by Shure and Westone style monitors.

Through it is technically vented due to the presence of a dynamic driver (vents located within the MMCX connector), isolation is very good, roughly on par to the Klipsch X10 if not better. Isolation is still slightly lower than monitors such as the Westone Um Pro line-up due to the slightly shallower fit but the metal housings isolate different frequencies better, namely low frequencies seem to be better attenuated whilst higher frequency isolation is slightly worse. Overall a great earphone for travel and given the stable over-ear fitment, activity too.

The feel of the housings is also incredibly solid and reassuring, each machined aluminium shell smoothly sculpted and impeccably finished in a soft black. They’re also very compact, I don’t think I’ve seen a more ergonomic hybrid and they’re also very reasonably sized for an average earphone as seen below.

UM 50 Pro – Primacy – ie800​

The Primacy’s visual design also impress with a thin profile that lies flush in the ear, permitting side-lying whilst maintaining essentially no contact with the outer ear during normal use. The earphones slender housings also don’t protrude form the rear like most monitors and as a result, I didn’t find the earphones to form hotspots at the rear of my ear like some of these monitors. In fact, with the exception of the cable that routes over the ear, you can definitely forget you’re wearing the Primacy’s; when paired with a set of Spinfit CP100’s (used for sound analysis and photos), they’re on par with the insanely comfy PFE and Klipsch X10’s. Though the housings consist of two halves, the join is very precise with palpable but otherwise insignificant seam. They are completely aluminium but the Primacy’s aren’t much heavier than traditional monitors and stayed put during my usual 6Km run, requiring at most only a single adjustment, impressive. This stability is imparted by the longer nozzle within which Oriveti have placed the two armature drivers. There’s also a lip on the end that holds eartips on reliably. The straight, thick nozzles might look imposing but in the ear are actually very comfortable, comfort that is further enhanced when Spinfits are installed.

Part of this stability also comes from the super lightweight cable. It’s a 4 core braided SPC variant with a sheath that is more rubbery than I would like but a very compliant nature that resists memory and tangles better than most. The cable also has minimal microphonics due to the combination of braiding and an over ear fit.

The design is almost identical to that on the UE900 with a similar tight braid and flexible nature. I do appreciate the absence of any intrusive memory wire and the rotating MMCX connector does well to prevent the cable from flicking over the ear (silicone ear guides are included should you experience such issues). The jack is straight but luckily very compact to avoid too much strain in the pocket (also case friendly) whilst the Y-split is a simple heat-shrink affair. Whilst it doesn’t present quite as well as a moulded one, these splits tend to be more durable than molded y-splits as the cable doesn’t need to be terminated.

This leads up to a straight and very tightly fitting gold-plated mmcx connector that I found to be absolutely reliable during my testing, free of any stuttering or static; I think manufacturers have mostly sorted this connector out by this point in time. There’s also a basic chin slider that gets the job done in a pinch. I do have one main caveat with the cable. I noticed that when running with my synthetic top, the cable seemed to pick up static, resulting in a kind of clicking, in that sense the cable probably isn’t adequately shielded. That being said, I didn’t notice this issue in any other instance but I also didn’t notice the static with any other premium earphone I’ve tested.

I think Oriveti really nailed the design and fitment on the Primacy. They look as premium as any high end earphone and beat out almost every competitor in long term comfort whilst retaining high levels of passive noise isolation. They also have quite a lot of stability in the ear, they’re actually not a bad choice for discerning runners but I wouldn’t push them too hard given the top mounted vent that may be prone to liquid ingress. Given that most hybrid earphones have housings that defy human ergonomics, the fact the the Primacy’s outdo most conventional earphones only heightens Oriveti’s achievement.

 

Sound – 

Modern hybrids have never disappointed in the audio department with a vivid, contrasty sound derived from the combination of tried and tested drivers. Oriveti is no different, more or less following this structure by combing the impeccable dual TWFK setup with an in-house dynamic driver. I love the TWFK setup to bits and have been impressed by a number of earphones using such drivers, the Audio Technica CK10, Fischer DBA-02 Mkii and Rockit R-50 of note. All had their own sound per say but remained a TWFK earphone at their base level; if you’re unfamiliar, they all sound leaner and brighter than neutral but also extremely detailed and crisp. But the Oriveti strays the furthest out of all I’ve tested and the vast majority of the time in a good way, it’s high end is smoother and the midrange tonality is closer to neutral.

Bass - 

The low end, of course, has the biggest deviation from the TWFK sound with a very extended bass response that actually has a decent sub-bass emphasis. This leads up to the nicely textured mid and upper bass responses that are slightly elevated from neutral but otherwise very thoughtfully tuned. From basic comparison to other TWFK earphones, the dynamic driver seems to be tuned to exclusively reproduce only very low frequencies, leaving the midrange clear and the low end tight and without bloat.

Compared to some higher end earphones, the primacy's low end response remains pretty competitive. Bass extension as aforementioned is very good, in-between the bottomless ie800 and the 5 driver UM 50 Pro, which is to say, impeccable for a $300 earphone. They are missing some bass texture in comparison to both the UM 50 Pro and ie800, though they are also around half the price. Sub-bass is boosted a few dB more than the ie800 which is slightly too much for me when listening to songs which are already mastered with a lot of low end. Luckily, sub-bass notes remain relatively tight through quick decay times and the earphones rarely sound boomy or uncontrolled. Mid and upper bass responses are fairly neutral, mid-bass slightly elevated and upper bass perhaps slightly reduced from neutral resulting in a colder but not sterile midrange. As a result there is also no bass spill and I didn't notice any coherency issues between the dynamic driver and armatures, keeping the sound nice and consistent throughout. The bass performance is very good but not quite as flawless as higher priced models, within their price range, the Primacy's are a strong performer, suiting those who like a little more sub-bass slam whilst maintaining a super clean mid-bass response.

Mids - 

The midrange maintains the TWFK sound, in this case, the slightly forward tuning achieving a nice balance with the similarly elevated low end. The body is slightly thinner than neutral though the lower midrange is still more natural than pure TWFK earphones. The upper mids are sublime, aggressively detailed and super clean. Vocals are sweet and nicely layered with a sharper tone than dynamic earphones without sounding grating or sibilant.

As expected, the midrange of the Primacy is clearer than the UM 50 Pro, especially lower mids and upper mids are not as dark resulting in a more balanced midrange on a whole. The Primacy also has more clarity than the UM 50 Pro but slightly less detail overall. The ie800 is a more fair comparison with it's more linear tuning, both are bright but the ie800 sounds more natural with more lower midrange body. Upper mids keep up well with both of these earphones and outpaces most I have heard in their own price range. They are slightly more detailed and details are more forward than the Westone W30 and W40 but the Primacy is also brighter. They lack just a bit of micro detail in comparison to the  UM 50 Pro and ie800 however they are not that far behind. The upper midrange presentation is actually very similar to the ie800, I'm sure listeners that like a lot of clarity whilst retaining smoothness and a decent price tag will really enjoy the Primacy.

Treble - 

The treble response takes a bit of a dip, just about neutral overall but slightly below in certain regions. For my tastes, there's just enough to maintain an interesting listen but treble details don't pop like the upper mids. Now by no means is the Primacy's treble sedate or recessed, it's just not as crisp as one would expect from a TWFK setup. I do think this will be the most polarizing aspect of the earphones, the treble is thinner than neutral and nicely extended but the quantity will not be enough for those coming from more vanilla armature earphones. I have the luxury of owning both the ie800's and Primacy's and I find them to compliment each other really well with a similar low end and midrange response but opposing treble tuning. Whilst the ie800 is more immediately engaging and even impressive, the Oriveti has the smoother, more listenable response of the two. The same goes for Westone's W30 and W40, both of which boasting similar extension but a more linear tuning with additional sparkle and texture. The Primacy's treble is smooth but slightly uneven, there's a dip somewhere in the middle of the high end that saps presence from certain high notes. Otherwise, I didn't notive any raspiness or graininess to the treble and the majority of the time, instruments were well reproduced.

Soundstage & Imaging - 

The soundstage is really nice for a sealed earphone with very impressive width and great depth. They still lack the outright space and pinpoint imaging of the vented ie800's and perhaps lose a little depth to the UM 50 Pro's but compared to other $300 earphones I've tested, the Primacy's are among the best. Imaging is probably the weakest part of the soundstage due to the more oval presentation, the Westone's and Sennheisers are more well rounded in that regard, but separation is fantastic, just behind these much more expensive models. Westone's W30 and W40 both lose out in terms of space but have a slight advantage in terms of imaging accuracy and I do slightly prefer the more rounded presentation of the Shure SE535 LTD.

Drive-ability and Sources - 

The Primacy's have a very low impedance of 11ohms but still aren't the most sensitive earphone out there, being slightly less sensitive than the Westone UM 50 Pro and similar to the ie800's. I also didn't notice too much impedance swing with my HTC M8 when compared to my Oppo HA-2 which will suit portable listeners running the Primacy's through their phones. Due to the low impedance, amping isn't required, the earphones don't benefit a lot from an amp besides reduces background hiss, to which they are decently but not outrageously sensitive, and will scale nicely with a solid DAC. I couldn't hear any noise from my HTC 10 but could discern a slight hiss from my Oppo HA-2 on high gain.

 

Verdict - 

If you`re new to audio, a little bit of research and a mindset open to new, perhaps slightly more budget orientated brands, could save you a whole lot of time and money. If it isn't apparent already, the Primacy is a very impressive earphone, not only in the ever important sound department but also pretty much everywhere else. The un-boxing experience oozes character with that same meticulous detail extending to the perfectly machined alumium housings and custom tuned drivers. The Primacy provides some of the best comfort I've experienced from an over ear iem whilst retaining isolation, something that's a lot harder to find than one might think.

Oriveti have done a fine job tuning the sound as well, you can see that I've made comparisons to some much more expensive earphones and whilst they still out perform the Primacy, the law of diminishing returns has never been so pertinent. But comparisons to similarly priced models such as the Westone W30 and Shure SE535 (both are actually more expensive) reveals that the Primacy is undoubtedly the better performer, with a more versatile sound that has greater extension on either side of the spectrum with some extra finesse in between. When compared to similar "flagship killers" such as the Dunu DN2000, from my brief time with the Dunu's I would say that the Primacy is on par, not wose, not better, just different, but is ergonomically far superior.

Accessories - 9.5/10, Nice un-boxing experience with a huge selection of accessories. Great for travel, plenty of tips for almost every buyer. Wish they would come with Spinfits since they have great synergy. Fantastic aluminium case is not portable but very protective.

Design - 10/10, Super solid housings that are both extremely comfortable and stable. Still a little more prone to losing seal than traditional monitors due to less ear contact but also have more long term comfort as a result. Great isolation for travelers both with silicone and foams. Cable is nice but still less supple than the Westone EPIC cable, also has some shielding issues. Wish it had a right angle 3.5mm plug but at least the straight plug is compact. Logos laser etched for longevity.

Bass - 8.25/10, Very extended, elevated sub-bass but otherwise quite neutral. Very clean response without flab or bloat, no midrange spill. Great texture and PRAT, faster decay times retain punchiness without sacrificing slam.

Mids - 8.75/10, Very clear mids with spot on vocal presence and a slightly brighter than neutral tonal tilt. Great clarity, nice sense of body and a lot of detail up top.

Treble - 8.5/10, Crisp and clear with just a slight dip in the middle. Sits slightly behind the upper midrange but never gets overshadowed. Retains enough clarity for an engaging listen but doesn't put emphasis on treble notes. Slightly thin body. Higher details can get messy.

Soundstage, Imaging and Seperation – 7.5/10, Great sense of space with an emphasis on width. Imaging is very good but not quite as accurate as pure armature earphones. Separation is also impressive, with much more delineation between notes than the Westone W30.

Overall - 9.25/10, Ultimately, Oriveti have nailed hybrid technology and provided it within an approachable form factor and price point. The combination of ergonomic and sonic excellence create a truly compelling listening experience whether plugged into a smartphone or dedicated source, just don't expect tons of mid-bass punch or treble shimmer.
 
Thanks for reading! This review was taken from my blog, please have a look for guides and more reviews like this:

https://everydaylisteningblog.wordpress.com/2016/10/16/oriveti-primacy-review-less-is-more/

Oriveti Primacy: Making music sound like music
 
Introduction
 
Oriveti seems to be a rather obscure company, without any big breaks or long-running hype trains. They offer a single model that seems to be highly regarded, but hasn't really seem to caught on and taken off. The Primacy is a hybrid IEM, with a single dual-driver accompanied by two balanced-armature drivers. It retails at $299. The Primacy is seemingly well regarded, but its pricing falls in the gray zone between entry-level IEMs and higher-end IEMs; I purchased it in hopes of adding it to my recommendation lineup for those who look for suggestions around this range. Let's see if Oriveti is able to provide a good value and find a place on my list.  
 
My general structure for the review will consist of:
 

1. Introduction 
2. Packaging / Accessories
3. Build Quality / Design
4. Sound
5. Comparisons

 
 

 
 
 

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Packaging / Accessories

Unpacking a well-presented IEM is always a great experience, that can really affect someone's overall thoughts on the product. The Primacy's packaging is organized, premium, and clean. It comes with an unexpected amount of tips in various sizes, both foam and silicone. The accessories are packed in snugly and the presentation is impressive.
 
The Primacy comes with:

1. Metal storage cylinder
2. Ear guides
3. Cleaning tool
4. 1/4'' adapter
5. Plane adapter
6. Tons of tips

 
 

 
 
 
The carrying case is really nice -- cold to the touch, precision-machined, and just badass. Aggressive edges on the metal feel premium and every thing is cut to the millimeter. It looks amazing. However, it's not very practical in terms of use as a carrying case. The lid is replaced and removed by a direct pulling motion ... there is no actual mechanism to keep the lid sealed other than the gradual vacuum pressure. If you hold the case by the lid, the bottom will slide out in a few seconds. It's more of a storage case to keep on your desk or something. The inside is lined with a soft velvet surface, but it's not plush. 
 

 

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Build / Design
 
The build of the Primacy feels very solid, but there are some questionable aspects to its design. I don't see any major downfalls to its design, except for the cable's connection point. The MMCX connector seems to be angled a little too high, compared to other IEMs with a similar fit. The connector might be more comfortable if it were angled lower. Also, I found the MMCX cables to be extremely difficult to remove from the Primacy -- but that's more a downfall of MMCX in general than the IEM itself.
 

 
 
 
 

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Sound Signature
 
My preferred signature is usually a balanced sound with a slight emphasis in the bass, gentle slope into the midrange, and good treble extension. I would say that I listen to the music more than the equipment -- I don't want to pay too close attention, I want to get lost in the music. In other words, I am not a critical listener. I found the Primacy to suit my tastes best when paired with the included silicone tips, so I will describe the sound as I hear it with those specific tips.
 

 
 
 
Bass
 
The bass on these feels to be feel plenty in quantity, but probably not enough to satisfy bassheads. I've seen some other reviewers state that the Primacy's bass is 'neutral', but I'd classify it as slightly north of neutral. The impact is average while the rumble is a little greater. It's a little faster than what I would typically expect from dynamic drivers, which is a good thing -- I don't like sloppy bass. Considering the Primacy is a hybrid, the bass from the dynamic driver feels a little less detailed than full balanced-armature IEMs; texture is a little smoothed down as a cost of the greater impact. Thankfully it's clean and extended, but the bass doesn't necessarily provide anything to write home about. 
 
Midrange
 
The most distinctive aspect to the Primacy's sound is its mids: they are slightly pushed forward ahead of the treble, and have a slight emphasis on the lower end of it. In other words, vocals are full and with plenty of body -- these excel on male vocals, and perform quite admirably with female vocals. Most IEMs actually have an upper mid emphasis, these switch it up and put the emphasis on the lower mids. Vocals can sometimes be seen as a bit 'rounded-off', i.e. it doesn't sound incredibly sharp at the end of female vocals. However, there's this characteristic texture to the mids that makes them sound really appealing; I'd go as far as to say that the Primacy's mids are the most alluring aspect to its overall sound. I don't feel it sounds overly lush or congested with its lower-mid emphasis, while it doesn't come off as completely dry either.
 
Treble
 
The treble is characterized by its relaxed nature; it sits behind the vocals and provides enough detail and air to keep the sound from becoming too stuffy / suffocating. There are some times where I wish there were more treble quantity (extension is fine) to make the sound more detailed. The upside to the laid-back treble is that Primacy doesn't get fatiguing after long periods of listening, something that high quantities of treble can definitely do. This contributes a lot to my overall impression on its sound.
 
Other
 
I don't like to comment too much on psychoacoustics much, but I don't think Primacy does too well in the soundstage department. It sounds slightly closed-in in terms of size, but imaging is pretty decent in terms of directional placement. 
 
 
Sound Summary
 
The best way for me to describe the overall sound of the Primacy is slightly relaxed, and plenty musical. When I listen to the Primacy, I find it harder and harder for me to focus my attention on the actual lyrics of a song. Music tends to stray into the back of my head, playing like soft background music. It seems to perform well overall: a warm, slightly laid-back sound without being too boring -- as a positive of this, it's also never really fatiguing. It's the ideal sound sig I think of when someone mentions 'natural'. Though the sound is not the most technically capable, nor is it without imperfections, something about the sound is so enchanting and musical. it's an addicting sound that works. However, Primacy probably is likely not a prime choice for you if you want your IEMs to sound spacious and huge, or you are looking for a treble / detail focused sound.
 
 

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Brief Comparisons
 
 
When it comes to my style of comparisons, I tend to make a list of obvious bullet points that characterize the sound of the IEM. I feel that this is helpful to those who are looking for a reference point of the IEM’s sound, compared to something that they may have already heard. However, I don't own all these IEMs at the moment/have them on hand so I won't go into detail about the small differences.
 
Mee M6 Pro ($50): M6 Pro has very slightly greater bass quantity, but has some sort of 'gap' between the bass and midrange. The mids are a lot colder and thinner on the M6 Pro when compared against the Primacy. Treble on M6 seems peakier and much harsher in comparison, exhibits sibilance much more often. Build quality seems to be very good on both, but Primacy feels more premium
 
TFZ Series 5 ($80): The TFZ 5 is a very hard value to beat, its sound is IMO worth more than its asking price. The TFZ 5 has more bass quantity and quality, the bass is tighter while sounding more detailed and textured. However, mids are thinner on the TFZ 5 compared to the Primacy, with more apparent bleeding from the midbass into the lower mids. TFZ 5 has less treble extension and a harsher treble peak than Primacy. Overall the Primacy sounds similar, but with superior mids + filling all the missing gaps of the TFZ 5.
 
Audio Technica ATH-IM02 ($150): The IM02 is leaner sounding than the Primacy. With much less bass quantity, the IM02 pulls ahead in terms of vocal isolation and mid presentation. However, the Primacy outdoes the IM02 in terms of male vocals, as there's an authoritative heft to the mids. IM02 sounds cleaner overall, switching between them will probably leave the Primacy feeling slightly veiled. In terms of musicality I think the Primacy is more emotional and much less fatiguing. IM02 is a lot pickier about its source though.
 
Mee Pinnacle P1 ($199): The Primacy has greater bass quantity, more forward mids, and more relaxed treble. I would say that the P1 is more versatile in genres, as it's not nearly as warm. P1 has a much larger soundstage, which sounds great -- but sometimes, instruments can sound a little distant (maybe a little unengaging). The P1 shows a better sense of balance, but subbass is lacking in comparison to Primacy. Build quality on both is exceptional, but the P1 offers a better value IMO.
 
Alclair RSM ($649): Kind of similar signatures here -- the RSM had emphasized bass, followed by mids, which was on the same level of treble. Personally, I felt the Primacy sounds cleaner and less coloured by the bass emphasis. The bass also feels faster; the RSM's bass was surprisingly slow in decay for a balanced-armature CIEM. Mids are similar in which lower-mids are emphasized over upper-mids, but RSM has more bass-bleed than Primacy. Primacy's vocals are more forward/isolated than RSM for this reason. Treble is about the same in that they tend not to highlight sibilance. 
 
Vibro Labs ARIA ($599): The Primacy is what the Aria should have been, if not better. Slightly north-of-neutral bass, forward mids, and extended treble. The Aria does a better job creating pleasing texture in the bass, as well as subbass extenstion. The punch : rumble ratio seems more accurate on Aria as well. However, that seems to be Aria's only upper hand in this comparison. Primacy's mids leave Aria in the dust -- Aria has a large dip in the lower mids while Primacy emphasizes it. Aria might have a very slight advantage in treble extension, but Primacy remains competitive and superior in terms of overall coherence.
 
Shure SE846 ($999): Had a brief listening from this one but was straight out of my phone output, as usual. Much more bass than the Primacy, similar quantity mids. But I felt that the SE846's transition between bass and mids was hard to detect. Treble is superior on the Primacy as it's extended much further. Take it with a grain of salt as I don't have a top-notch source to run the SE846 from, which people keep telling me I need.
 
Unique Melody Miracle ($1049): Layering on the Miracle is better as well as spacial imaging. Miracle tends to highlight sibilance more than the Primacy. Bass quantity is about the same, but Miracle hits with better impact and detail/texture. Primacy's mids are more forward and fuller, they have better body but can sometimes sound unnaturally emphasized when compared to Miracle. Extension on Miracle's treble goes further, but tends to be more fatiguing than the Primacy.
 

---

 
Conclusion
 
The Primacy sounds good, though not entirely versatile as it doesn't excel in detail. I found myself reaching for it over my customs at times, and I'm not 100% sure why. I'm going to blame it on the simple fact that it makes my music sound like music -- it's a relaxing, enjoyable IEM that doesn't fatigue. It doesn't feel too boring nor does it feel too exciting, which proves to be a good thing at times. They're very easy to listen to, as it stops me from trying to analyze the sound or whatever else audiophiles tend to do. Sound is mid-forward, with sufficient bass and slightly relaxed highs. Soundstage is not too big, but imaging seems natural. At $299 it feels like a pretty safe purchase, I don't think anyone would feel disappointed or upset with the Primacy. Is it an 'excellent value'? Not really, but it sounds really good and I am definitely going to be recommending these.
 
Packaging & Accessories: 5/5 (full array of accessories, luxurious packaging)
Build & Design: 4.5/5 (solid build, slightly misangled MMCX connection imo)
Sound: 4.6/5 (relaxed, musical, addicting)
 
Overall: 4.7/5

The first time I saw the Oriveti Primacy in person was a few months ago on a busy street in Singapore, wore by a stranger, not far away from E1 Audio, a small audiophile headphone store. As a self-proclaimed IEM addict, I tend to recognize just about every IEM I saw in ‘the wild’ – but that time I didn’t, which sort of bother me (*and of course I found out what it is in E1 Audio right then). Not long after that, Oriveti Primacy seems to be everywhere – on the street, on Amazon.com, and on quite a few review site gaining a lot of traction. That kind of sum up my impression on Oriveti as a company: like a ghost one day, and then suddenly the new internet viral sensation the next day - and that is with just one IEM model. Truth being told, I still don’t know much about the company after all these time, but I do have the Primacy with me now and I can finally understand the popularity – it is an IEM that is meant to impress from the first listening.
 

 
Spec
Driver: Exclusive Dual Armature Driver + 8.6mm Dynamic Driver
Impedance: 11 Ohm
Frequency Response: 20 - 20000Hz
Sensitivity: 107+-3dB/mW, 1000Hz
Distortion: Less than 1%
Plug: Gold-plated 3.5mm Stereo Plug
Cable: 1.2 m
 

 

 
Packaging, Accessories and Build Quality
The packaging is classy but not fancy – heavy stocked black paper box with simple design. Inside sits the Primacy on a velvety pad, with all the accessories underneath the pad. For accessories, you will find a pair of ear guide, an earwax cleaning stick, 6.4mm-to-3.5mm adapter, airplane adapter, 8 pairs of silicone eartips (2 pair per size with 4 different sizes), 2 pair of foam tip as well as a good looking cylindrical aluminum case. All the accessories are pretty good in quality. If I were to suggest a change, I think I’ll make the aluminum case a screw top and right now it is keep tight purely on the vacuum created when the top and bottom half open up, which means it isn’t exactly a very tight fit. But it probably is more of a home storage as it is a bit too heavy to carry around. You might want to invest in a fabric or pleather hard case instead for out and about.
 

 
Build quality is quite excellent. The earpiece itself is entirely made out of aluminum and looks to be finished very well. The cable employ MMCX connector, which isn’t my favorite, but it is still pretty decent overall. It is braided and quite soft with no microphonics to speak of. Of course, you can always swap out the cable if you want. In fact, Oriveti does sell an upgrade cable themselves. One thing to note is that the nozzle on Primacy also houses the dual BA driver inside, so it is a little on the wider side. It shouldn’t be a problem for most except those who have very small ear canal. Beyond that, the actual size of the whole ear piece is actually very small for a triple driver hybrid and looks rather stealthy when use.
 

 
Sound Quality
Primacy’s sound signature is kind of hard to sum up – it has sort of a warm + sweet sound with good treble presence, and I would have called it more of a V-shaped sound if there is a little less mid. But kudos to Oriveti, Primacy’s sound signature strikes a really good balance from bass to treble that it has somehow gotten the best of both worlds – with a mix of richness and texture of a warm + sweet sound signature, plus a good bass / treble extension and excellent soundstage of a V-shaped sound, resulting in a fun and energetic sound. Bass reaches down very deep, more than enough in quantity to satisfy even bass head though the decay is slightly short from actual bass perfection. Mid is well textured and decently sweet but it isn’t upfront. Vocal is placed just far enough to give good spacial orientation but not too far to sound dull. Treble is well extended and quite crisp. Not detail as a true analytical sounding IEM but it complements the mid and bass quite well. Soundstage is well above average, though not the widest around.
 
Overall the Primacy is fairly well composed. The fun and energetic sound goes well with just about every kind of mainstream music, but it isn’t extreme enough that you can’t listen to classical or indie without feeling funny. The strength in Primacy is in its versatility, and you can’t always say the same to many of the $300 IEM out there.
 
See basic measurement here.
 

 
Sum-up
These days you can get dual or even triple driver hybrid for very cheap price. Besides many small Chinese brands, even Xiaomi and its design’s arm 1More have pumped out one after another sub-$100 hybrid IEM that almost seems to make it look easy. But the truth is, as good as those cheap hybrid are, their sound quality really doesn’t go beyond the scope of their price range, as even sub-$100 single dynamic driver IEM are still relatively good sounding these days. Adding one or two driver of the same or different kind doesn’t automatically make an IEM good sounding - it is still good tuning and solid engineering that determines the sound quality. That perhaps is why Primacy is worth three times the price over the 1More triple driver hybrid. Making something cheap doesn’t always equal to making something better. In this case, you will be glad you didn’t pick up 1More just to save some money over Primacy. It is well worth it.
 
A thanks to Oriveti for the sample.

INTRODUCTION

I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing a lot of triple hybrids over the last few years, and was heavily involved in the reviews and tours when products like the Altone200 and Dunu DN-1000 captured the enthusiasts attention with triple hybrids appearing for the first time at sub $200.  Since then we’ve seen some absolutely excellent triple hybrids in the 250-350 bracket including Fidue’s A83, Dunu’s DN2000 and 2000J, and recently the FLC8S.
The idea behind the hybrid is to play on the different driver’s strengths – bass response and texture with the dynamic, and mid-range cohesion, detail and speed with multiple BA’s.
 
So I was contacted 8 weeks ago regarding a new triple hybrid, from a new company (who I didn’t know), and asked if I would be interested in taking the new Primacy from Oriveti for a spin. What really attracted me to them was that I’d received a frequency response chart from my good friend Alex, and they had a very similar frequency graph to two multi-BA driver earphones I have (the Jays q-Jays and 1964Ears Adel U6), so naturally a triple hybrid having that sort of natural balance was intriguing to say the least.  The other thing that kept my interest up is that I knew a couple of the principals involved at Oriveti, and past knowledge of them was that they were extremely competent with very good design ideas.  So the Primacy had some high expectations from me.
 
 
Unfortunately I’ve been asked by Oriveti to keep the details about the company reasonably quiet for now – but what I can tell you is that some of the people involved have had more than 10 years industry experience, and that if the Primacy is an example of what we can expect in future, I will be following them closely from this point onward.
 
DISCLAIMER
The Oriveti Primacy was provided to me gratis as a review sample.  I have made it clear to Oriveti that I still regard any product they send me as their sole property and available for return any time at their request. But I thank them for the ability to continue use of the Primacy – both for follow up comparisons and also for my own personal use.
 
The Oriveti Primacy can be sourced from Amazon for USD 299
 
PREAMBLE - 'ABOUT ME'.
(This is to give any readers a baseline for interpreting the review).
 
Over the last 6 weeks I’ve used the Primacy paired with most of the sources I have at my disposal – from the tiny M3, all the way through to the L5Pro and X7.  But for the review I’ve used my main work horses – the X3ii + E17K, and also the X7. In the time I’ve been using the Primacy, I haven’t noticed any sonic change. And although I used the Primacy coupled with several different amplifiers, they are easily driven, and will pair nicely with most sources straight from the headphone out.
 
This is a purely subjective review - my gear, my ears, and my experience.  Please take it all with a grain of salt - especially if it does not match your own experience.
 

THE REVIEW

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES          
The Oriveti Primacy arrived in a 180 x 180 x 58 cm black retail box and lid case with a picture of the Primacy on the front cover, and exploded diagram + specifications and package contents on the rear. I absolutely love it when companies go out of their way to show the inner workings of the product you’re considering buying, and it is really nice to see how much information Oriveti has given.  My only suggestion with the outer print is that the light grey on black text is not the easiest to read, and something with a little more contrast (perhaps closer to white) may have been a little better.
 
 
Removing the lid reveals a felt lined foam cut-out with the Primacy safely nestled in the provided grooves.  Removing the top layer reveals another foam tray underneath with the storage case, a multitude of tips, cleaning tool, 3.5-6.3mm adaptor, airline adaptor, ear-hooks, and a “quick-guide”.
 
The tip selection includes 2 sets of medium foams, and 2 sets each of XS, S, M and L silicone tips.
 
 

The storage case is 8cm in diameter, 3cm deep, and therefore not really a carry case as such (although it is great for storage purposes). It is made of very light aluminium, and has felt lining top and bottom.  It’s not actually a screw top, but rather relies on vacuum pressure (it is really quite well fitted) to keep the lid intact.
 
Everything about the packaging and accessories included shows real quality and overall thought in what Oriveti have included, and whilst I love the case for storage purposes, the only thing I would have liked to see would have been an actual smaller carry case for when you are out and about.
 
 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
(From Oriveti’s packaging / website)
 
I’ve listed the main specifications for the Primacy, and because I’ll be comparing later in the review, a couple of similarly priced triple hybrid IEMs.
 
FREQUENCY GRAPH
The graphs below are generated using the Vibro Veritas coupler and ARTA software.  I must stress that they aren’t calibrated to IEC measurement standards, but the raw data I’m getting has been very consistent, and is actually not too far away from the raw data measured by Innerfidelity where we have the same IEMs. It is not compensated in any way, and I use the graphs mainly for comparison purposes (to other earphones), measuring channel matching, and also comparing with my subjective impressions.  So don’t take the data as gospel – but I do find it a useful tool for getting a reasonable idea of the frequency response of the Primacy.
 
In the graph below – you’ll see the channel matching (which is unbelievably good and testament to the QC going into driver matching by Oriveti). This will also give an idea for the base sound of the Primacy.
 

 
What I’m hearing (subjective) – noted before I ever had these on the measurement bench.

1. Very linear bass response which is well extended but shows little emphasis in mid-bass (might be a slight mid bass bump – but to me sounds pretty flat)
2. Relatively clean and coherent mid-range which is accentuated in the primary vocal range which brings vocals forward. At a guess I’d say that the bump is evenly distributed between 1-2 kHz as male and female vocals sound equally present.
3. Reasonably well extended but smooth lower treble which mostly falls short of excessive sibilance (for me) yet remains detailed with sufficient air for clarity.
4. Although there is a bump in the lower treble, the overall feel for me is one of balance rather than a V shape (if there is one, it is extremely mild), and the Primacy sounds more smooth to me than bright, or accentuated in the upper registers.

 
BUILD & DESIGN
When I first saw the Primacy, the first thing I thought of (regarding the shape) was of the Phonaks or Trinity Techne (ergonomic shape with an upright cable exit).  My second was of the Jays q-Jays (small, smooth, black, and very well made).
 
 

The Primacy is really quite small for an ergonomic design – just 18mm from end to end, 18 mm tall (body only) and 8-9mm deep.  The entire body is crafted of an extremely smoothly finished aluminium alloy with black matte finish, and there are no sharp edges on the extremely well shaped body.  The Primacy is forged in two sections, but the join is smoothed so well, that although it is faintly visible, it may as well be a one-piece. The nozzle extends another 7-8mm and has a 5mm diameter bore with a very generous lip. On the right hand earpiece is the name Oriveti, and on the left hand the Oriveti logo. There is a small R and L indicator inside each earpiece body – and they are very easy to identify (besides that, the shape always tells you which earpiece is which).
 
 

The cable has a standard MMCX connection which fits extremely firmly in the socket, and although you can rotate the cable in the socket, it doesn’t rotate freely (a good sign of a great fitting connection). On the inside strain relief of the left hand connector are 3 raised bumps (so you always know which is left), and there are also discreet L/R markings.
 
 

The cable is brilliant, one of the best I have seen.  It is very similar to the Trinity design with two pairs or spring twined cables below the Y split separating to single pairs above the Y split. The appearance below the Y actually looks like a braid, but in reality it is just the very tight almost spring loaded twining.   This is brilliant design because it means that the pairs are unbroken from Jack to connector (the Y is just a simply bit of heat-shrink), so they would be very easy to convert to fully balanced. There is excellent strain relief at the housings and the jack. The Jack has the Oriveti branding on the outer casing, is straight, gold plated, and very case friendly. To complete the cable there is a piece of clear plastic tube for the cinch – and again this is one of the best implementations I’ve seen.  It slides relatively easily, but holds without moving, and it feels solid (unlike some of the other options I’ve seen on some far more expensive earphones).
 
 

I cannot fault a single part of the build or design at this point – it really is impeccable.
 
FIT / COMFORT / ISOLATION
Because the Primacy has such a great design and is so tiny and lightweight, I’ve had no need to engage the ear guides at all. I think one of the secrets to this is the length of the nozzles – far too many IEM companies make the nozzles of ergonomically fitted IEMs too short.  The Primacy however is perfect, and although ergonomic designs for me are often shallow fitting, the Primacy is actually able to go far deeper because the body can actually slide inside the tragus.  This aids fit, comfort, and isolation for me personally.  It is one of the most comfortable IEM’s I’ve worn.
 
 
I have one ear canal slightly different to the other one (my right is very slightly smaller) - so I tend to find that usually single silicon flanges don't fit overly well. This is often even more of an issue with shallow fitting IEMs.  However with the Primacy, their included silicone tips fit like a glove – although I eventually settled with the medium foams (slightly more comfortable for me).
 
I also fit and had great success with Ostry’s blue and black tuning tips, Sony Isolation tips (a tight fit but achievable), Spin-fits, and also Spiral Dots. The lip on the Primacy is great for most tips and I really wish more IEM designers would take a leaf out of Oriveti’s book with both their nozzle length and outer lip.
 
 

Worn over ear the Primacy actually sits well inside my outer ear, so lying down and listening is never an issue, and I’ve been able to sleep with them intact.  Cable noise worn over ear is slightly microphonic if the cable is worn loose (depending on your clothing), but cinched it is amazingly absent.
 
Isolation is above average for a hybrid, and although I have tried, I am yet to find an external vent or port.  They exhibit no signs of any flex.
 
So for me anyway – fit comfort and isolation are pretty close to perfection again.
 
SOUND QUALITY
The following is what I hear from the Oriveti Primacy.  YMMV – and probably will – as my tastes are likely different to yours (read the preamble I gave earlier for a baseline).  Most of the testing at this point (unless otherwise stated) was done with my Fiio X3ii as source paired with the E17K, no EQ, and the included foam tips.  For the record – on most tracks, the volume level on the E17K was around 18-20/60 which was giving me around an average SPL around 70-75 dB and peaks at around 80-85dB (A weighted measurements from my SPL meter).
 
 

Tracks used were across a variety of genres – and can be viewed in this list http://www.head-fi.org/a/brookos-test-tracks.
 
Initial Thoughts
When I first listened to the Primacy, I wasn’t wowed.  My first thought was “well these sound nice”, but also “they could use a little more in the upper mid-range”. What I did like though was the overall balance, and it’s this that kept me interested as I slowly got used to the overall signature. The one thing I have found is that often the slow burners (the IEMs that don’t wow me) are the ones which I end up liking the most, and I suspect that this could become the case with the Primacy.
 
If I was to now describe the signature in a few words/phrases – I’d choose the words clear, forward, balanced, intimate, and smooth.
 
Overall Detail / Clarity / Resolution
Tracks used: “Gaucho”, “Sultans of Swing”
 
Both tracks are very clear, and the first thing that is noticeable is how the initial focus is squarely in the mid-range – vocals, sax, and guitars. The second noticeable thing is how well both tracks are balanced – particularly in the bass – it is practically perfect with everything coming together to perform a whole.  However the one area that is just slightly muted and I guess this is the bit that took some getting used to, is that some of the high resolution detail (especially cymbal hits and the after-shimmer) sit in the background.  They are still there – but where I am used to hearing them clearly, they are a little muted.
 
The mid-range is definitely the focus, and it is here that the click of drumsticks, the fingers on a fret board, and the effect of vibrato on a guitar is extremely clear.  But the overall smoothness comes at a slight cost of upper end resolution.
 
Sound-stage & Imaging
Tracks used: “Tundra”, “Dante’s Prayer”, “Let it Rain”
 
Amber Rubarth’s binaural track Tundra is my go to for measuring depth and width of stage as it provides good cues and you can get a really accurate sense of distance with different earphones. The imaging is very good and is quite precise, but it would be fair to say that the Primacy is more intimate than expansive with this track. I’m pretty sure it is the forwardness of the mid-range, and I would say that the overall stage is within my headspace rather than projected out, and to me is slightly wider than it is deep.  The Primacy does deliver pretty well with the sense of precision within the stage it creates thought. There is a genuine sense of 3D space, but it is a relatively small space.
 
“Dante’s Prayer” is next and I use it because I know this live track well, and I know (from video) where the real placement of instruments is on stage. The miking never gives a real sense of depth in the performance, but can often give a good idea of imaging. The Primacy has great tonal balance with this track, and I could listen to this sort of music for hours.  The totality between vocals, piano and cello is excellent. But the real test is at the end with the applause. With some earphones it is possible to get total immersion (HD600) where you can be right in the audience.  The Primacy gives me reasonable width, but no real depth or immersion.  Again – this is probably the very forward mid-range at play – few earphones are able to really provide immersion.
 
The last track in this section is Amanda Marshall’s “Let It Rain” and I use it for two reasons – it has been miked to give a holographic feel (which the Primacy portrays really nicely – a real sense of instruments being around me), and it’s a good track to test sibilance (I know it is in the recording). At my normal listening levels, the sibilance is there, but not highlighted unless the volume is really high (I tend to be a quieter listener), and simple EQ would help to clear this up if it bothers you
 
Bass Quality and Quantity
Tracks used: “Bleeding Muddy Waters”, “Royals”, “You Know I’m No Good”
 
Mark Lanegan’s track is always my first test for bass quality, quantity and also any bass bleed.  The track could be described as dark and brooding – but usually has nice contrast between deep drum beats and Marks throaty vocals. The first thing I noticed is that the visceral impact just isn’t quite there – at least not what I’m normally used to.  Mark’s vocals are fantastic though – rich and full with wonderful texture and clarity.  It is probably a slightly different presentation to what I am used to – but it is genuinely enjoyable, and the brilliance of the vocal presentation makes up for any loss in impact. There is no sign of bass bleed at all, and the bass that is there is very clean.
Lorde’s track “Royals” is my sub-bass impact test – and the Primacy shows its extension by reaching pretty low – but again it’s a little more polite than visceral.  The rumble shows reasonable extension, and Ella’s vocals are very clear, but the overall energy is more in balance than weighted toward the dynamic driver’s strengths.  Again I’m a little torn – the presentation is different, but still very enjoyable.
 
Because I was a little conflicted on my opinion of the bass performance, I finished with Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good”.  It’s a good reasonably bass heavy track which is a good test of speed.  And it is this type of track that shows the Primacy’s real strength – the bass quality (speed and texture).  This really shines through now.  Definitely what the Primacy may lack (for some) is impact, but more than makes up for in texture and speed.
 
Female Vocals
Tracks used: “Aventine”, “Strong”, “For You”, “The Bad In Each Other”, “Howl”, “Safer”, “Light as a Feather”
 
The Primacy has an interesting balance between male and female vocals, and I guess it steps nicely between both, with both sounding really good, but not exceptional (for my tastes anyway). As I flipped through my test tracks, I was struck again by how well balanced and easy to listen to each track was.
 
But for my personal taste, I know I tend to like a little recession at around 1 kHz and a little bump more toward 2-3 kHz.  This gives female vocals a real lift, admittedly usually at a slight cost to the richness of male vocals.  Sometimes it is a price I’m willing to pay though.
 
As I flipped from track to track the one thing that was missing was the sense of euphony I prefer. Don’t get me wrong though, the Primacy rally does all vocals well – but that sense of euphony, of sweetness and of harmony was just not quite there. So very briefly I engaged the E17K’s tone controls, and lifted the treble by +4.  Boom – perfect, and another reason I just love the E17K.
 
But back to no EQ again, and I have to admit that the Primacy really does very little wrong.  It’s default tuning would be one I’d be tempted to adjust (via EQ) if I was listening to some of my female artists though.  YMMV.
 
Male Vocals
Tracks used: “Away From the Sun”, “Art for Art’s Sake”, “Broken Wings”, “Diary of Jayne”, “Hotel California”, “Keith Don’t Go”, “EWBTCIAST”
 
The contrast with female vocals (for me) is that male vocals sound exceptional with the Oriveti Primacy. What comes though is really good balance and tonality, and it is the fullness of the mid-range which is brilliant with a lot of guitar and male vocal based rock.
 
3 Door’s Down’s “Away From the Sun” has its usual rock anthem feel, and shows a wonderful coherency on a variety of fronts – bass quality, lower mid-range with Todd’s vocals, and upper mid-range with guitar crunch.
Switching out to more acoustic music (Eagles / Lofgren) and this is really getting to one of the strengths of the Primacy.  Stringed instruments in particular are a joy to listen to, and the smoothness and balance just make me want to sit back, close my eyes and savour each moment.
 
Ramping up a notch (speed) and slipping into a bit of Breaking Benjamin, and again I’m pleasantly surprised at the coherency and harmony of the drivers. Some drivers can be overwhelmed by the complexity of this track, and become almost a wall of sound, but the Primacy is nimble and really well articulated in this normally very busy track.  Again impressive.
 
My real test is always Pearl Jam though – if Vedder works, then it has a pass in my book. The Primacy knocks it out of the park.  Really good tonality and balance, and perfectly captures the timbre of Eddies vocals. The one comment I would make though is that this track usually has quite prominent cymbals, and the one thing I’ve always loved about it with other earphones is the detail in the cymbal decay. The Primacy captures it well – but just that last maybe 5-10% is a little subdued.  For my tastes – brilliant (yes!), but perfect (not quite).
 
Other Genre Specific Notes
Again for tracks, albums, artists – please refer to this list:  http://www.head-fi.org/a/brookos-test-tracks
 
Alt Rock – generally pretty good but the smooth nature of the Primacy meant that tracks with a lot of high end detail (Floyd’s Money) could be a little muted. Still thoroughly enjoyable though and really nails mid-range sax and other instruments. PT’s “Trains” was wonderful – beautifully coherent.
 
Jazz / Blues – For the most part the Primacy was very good with Jazz and Portico Quartet and Miles were both excellent (especially both sax and trumpet).  Double bass is nicely present, but again for me maybe just missing a tiny bit of upper end detail. With my age and hearing, I prefer things just a little brighter. Jazz piano (Krall) was fantastic though and with her slightly deeper vocals, the album “The Girl in the Other Room” was really quite sublime. Standout in this section was Bonamassa though – and again the perfect balance and slight emphasis in the mid-range really suited the combination of vocals and guitar.
 
Hip-hop / EDM / Trance – This bit surprised me, because what I felt was missing slightly with Lorde and Mark Lanegan was actually pretty good with the likes of Eminem, Little Dragon and AVB.  While the bass isn’t massively visceral, it is sufficient, and the added extension into the sub-bass really helps.  I mentioned earlier that I really liked the Primacy with strings, and I switched to a little Lindsay Stirling at one stage and the combo of clean quick bass and violin really worked well.
 
Pop / Indie – Definitely better than a pass mark here.  Adele was nicely presented and the mid-range emphasis again leant well to her vocals, and this was repeated with Coldplay and Snow Patrol.  I’ve become a big Indie fan the last few years, and for me this was another area the Primacy shone. Some Indie bands can tend to have recordings a little on the bright side and both Band of Horses and Yesper were utterly fantastic. The smoothness and balance of the Primacy with the raw edge of some of the Indie bands I listen to married together really well.
 
Classical / Opera – Generally very good, especially solo cello and piano.  Zoe Keating was stunning. Full orchestral pieces will depend on how you like your presentation.  Sometimes I would have liked just a tiny bit more air.
 
AMPLIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
The Primacy is easily driven out of a smartphone or DAP, and on my iPhone 5S I’m sitting around 25-30%, and in the 25-35/120 range on the Fiio.
 
As per usual, I also volume matched and compared X3ii vs X3ii + E17K, and there was no discernible audible difference in dynamic presentation – so I think it is pretty safe to say that extra amping won’t be necessary.  Based on the specs alone (11 ohm and 107dB SPL), straight out of the headphone-out of most sources should be more than enough.
 
The one thing you will need to be aware of though is the relatively high sensitivity and low impedance of the Primacy, so ideally a source with under 1 ohm output impedance is desirable. I tried – with the X3ii and E17K – to detect any hiss, but as expected (my high frequency hearing is hopeless), I couldn’t hear any.  So I asked very nicely for my lovely wife to “lend an ear”.  She’s pretty good at hearing hiss, and she couldn’t detect any via the E17K at right up to 50/60, so with my set-up, they are pretty good.
 
RESPONSE TO EQ?
I mentioned earlier that my own personal preference would be for a little bump in the upper mid-range (for female vocals), and possibly a little bit of bass adjustment for some tracks. So I took the X7, loaded my test tracks and applied a -2dB cut at 1 kHz and +2dB bump at 2 kHz – effectively shifting the current bump up an octave.  For my personal tastes with female vocalists this was perfect, and the X7 and Primacy soared with my female artists.  This won’t suit everyone, but is an example of a simple EQ tweak to meet personal preference. And if you own the E17K, a simple nudge on the tone controls can really help as an alternative. About +4 treble was ideal for my preferences, and although I like the bass the way it is, you see the response just by adding a little more via the E17K tone control.
 
 
EDIT 3rd March and thanks to HiFiChris for the information! Just (using my X7) added ~ 5dB to 4 kHz region via EQ, and all the cymbal overtones are back again (shimmer etc).  Went a little further and deducted 2 dB from 1 kHz and added 1 dB to 2 kHz.  For my sonic tastes, these are pretty much perfect now.  Smooth but with very good resolution.  Fantastic. Changing rating to 4.5 stars.
 
COMPARISONS
I ummed and ahhed about what to include in this section, and eventually decided on using the DN2000 (because they sound kind of similar), DN2000J and Fidue A83 (because they are triple hybrids in the same price bracket), and also the new q-Jays, which although they are more expensive and dual BA, have a somewhat similar tonality.
 
As always, the IEMs were compared after volume matching (SPL meter and test tones), but the comparisons are completely subjective.
 

• Primacy $299 vs DN2000 $248

  Frequency comparison Primacy vs DN2000​	Primacy and DN2000 - quite similar in many ways​

  
  The build on both is impeccable, but for fit and comfort, the ergonomics and smaller size of the Primacy feel a lot better to me. Both have quite a smooth but quite clear sound, and both show a nice sense of overall balance. The DN2000 is a little bassier, and has better overall low bass extension, and sounds slightly more spacious where the Primacy is more intimate and closer with vocals.  The DN-2000 does sound ever so slightly clearer, but I guess this could be the additional air through the 3-6K range.  I was a little surprised how close these two very good triple hybrids are.  I expected the 2000 to be a lot bassier, but it’s not evident with the overall tuning. The smaller size and more comfortable fit would ultimately win the day for me in this match up – Primacy edges ahead for my tastes.
  
• Primacy $299 vs Fidue A83 $270

  Frequency Primacy vs A83​	Primacy and A83 - balance vs V shape, smoothness vs detailed and edgy ​

   
  
  Build quality is pretty good on both, but as a long term A83 owner, I’m aware of the mmcx connector issues (cut-outs), I’m on my second pair, and I still get cut-outs from time to time.  So build quality to Primacy.  On fit and overall comfort – both are pretty good in this area, but ultimately the Primacy gets the nod again – the slightly smaller size means a little deeper and more secure fit, and it’s actually easier to get a good seal (the Fidue for me is slightly shallow).  When we switch to sonics, I constantly look at the A83 graph, and ask myself how it can sound so good to me. But the simple matter is that it does.  The A83 is definitely bassier, and also more v-shaped.  Both are vocal centric and relatively intimate sounding, but the A83 has a slightly better sense of space to me. It can sometimes sound a little hazy – where the Primacy is really smooth.  The weird thing is that the Primacy sounds like the darker earphone.  Sonically I like the A83 slightly better (my own personal tastes) – but everything points me toward the Primacy.  Because I can use EQ (or the E17K tone controls) and achieve the sonics I really like – ultimately I’d choose the Primacy based on superior build and comfort.
   
• Primacy $299 vs DN2000J $299

  Frequency Primacy vs DN2000J​	Primacy and 2000J - balanced smooth vs balanced detailed ​

   
  
  This was never going to be a fair fight, but I’ll try to be as objective as I can (I love the sonics on the 2000J). Build quality is immaculate on both – you can’t get a much more sturdy build than these two fine audio companies. As far as fit and comfort goes, it’s pretty close.  Ultimately if I could have the Primacy design with the DN2000J tuning, I’d take it – so we’ll give overall comfort to the Primacy – but noting that the 2000J is not an uncomfortable fit. Moving to the sonics, although they are very different, there are a lot of similarities as well. The bass quality and quantity is very similar, and both are very clear in the vocal area, but each have different strengths with the Primacy being more balanced between male and female, and the 2000J sounding glorious with female vocals, but slightly thin with males. The lower treble extension is the main point of difference, and here is where preference really hits. I like a brighter earphone, and the 2000J just soars for me.  The Primacy has its own strengths (balance and vocal clarity in particular), but skipping back and forth between the two, and it’s the upper end detail of the 2000J which continues to appeal. The funny thing is that as I’ve spent more time with the Primacy I’ve come to appreciate its strength more and more, and there is something to be said for its smooth and easy nature. If you’re at all sensitive to the brighter side, the Primacy is definitely your winner here.  For me personally it’s the 2000J by the barest of whiskers – but if I could have the Primacy build and 2000J sonics I personally would be a very happy man. I did try the EQ again with the Primacy though, and with it engaged I’d actually take the Primacy – take that as you will.
   
• Primacy $299 vs q-Jays $400

  Frequency Primacy vs q-Jays	Similar but Primacy does not have q-Jays resolution

   
  
  The big one. A disclaimer before I start – I liked the q-Jays so much, I bought the review pair from q-Jays (paid real cash).  They are not my normal signature, as you can tell by the graphs – no bump at around 2-3 kHz, and to me, they are very close to the primacy’s overall shape. But let’s go back to build first and here it is practically a tie.  Both are impeccably made.  Ultimately I think the q-Jays would nudge ahead for overall precision, but I definitely like the Primacy cable more.  Let’s call it a tie.  Fit and comfort – finally the Primacy meets its match.  The q-Jays are the most comfortable IEMs I own, allow me a deep fit, and have isolation that is top tier (even as good as Shure). Both are superbly comfortable but the q-Jays edge ahead slightly.  The Primacy again has that vocal clarity and very intimate presentation that is very addictive.  And for the first time, it is actually a little bassier than its competition.  The q-Jays has a little more air and space in its presentation, and is a little more distant.  Both do really well with male and female vocals (nice balance), but again it is the upper end air that is the major difference – with the q-Jays having a little more life and resolution, maybe at the cost of smoothness.  This will purely come done to preference again, and like the 2000J comparison, if you value smoother slightly warmer overall presentation the Primacy is a wonderful choice.  For me though the extra detail level for cymbals (shimmer), and upper end harmonics continue to make the q-Jays one of the best earphones (for my personal tastes) I’ve ever heard.

 

ORIVETI PRIMACY – SUMMARY

Oops – another long review.  If you’ve skipped most of the above and just want the condensed version, I guess I’ll see if I can get it down to a few short observations.
 
The Oriveti Primacy is an extremely well built triple hybrid IEM with a brilliantly sized ergonomic fit which almost guarantees long term comfort.
 
It has a well thought out accessory package (although be prepared to find an aftermarket more suitable carry case).  It is easy to drive (perfect with any smartphone or low power device).  It responds exceptionally well to EQ, and if you’re used to tweaking to get the optimum sound, it’s other attributes may just make it too compelling not to buy.
 
Sonically it has very good balance, with a slight bump in the vocal presence area which brings very good vocal clarity but comes at a slight cost in soundstage.  The Primacy has a very smooth easy going upper mid-range and lower treble, and it does come at a slight cost of obvious resolution (it is there, but sits back).
 
The Primacy will likely suit:

1. Fans of balanced presentation, and those who like more vocal presence
2. Those who value a smoother slightly more relaxed treble presentation, or are treble sensitive
3. Those who don’t mind EQing to get their ideal sound.

 
The Primacy may not suit anyone who:

1. Likes a more expansive stage
2. Prefers more obvious detail and brighter presentation (especially if you don’t like to EQ)

 
At a current RRP of USD 299, the Primacy still represents very good value in my opinion, and the overall quality of build, fit/comfort and sonics (for those who like its particular presentation) is a very high standard. My usual question I ask myself is would I buy these, and would I recommend them to friends or family.  The answer this time is “it depends”. If I knew that they preferred a specific tonality (smoother balanced relaxed sound), then I’d recommend them without question.  For me though, unless I apply EQ, the lack of upper end air and detail would deter me from actually purchasing them for my own preference.
 
I struggled a little deciding the score for these, because they are extremely close to being perfect. Ultimately for $300 though I would expect just a little more upper end resolution, and that is probably the main reason I give the Primacy a hugely respectable 80% score.
 
EDIT 3rd March - added 1/2 a star - see EQ section in review for settings and reason for change.  Practically perfect IEM now.
 
Once again I’d like to thank the wonderful people at Oriveti for giving me this opportunity to review the new Primacy.
 
RECOMMENDATIONS
It’s hard to recommend too much with such a good earphone.  But the first would be to consider including a smaller carry case.  The second might be a bit off the wall – but if you could produce a Primacy with three filters – the current default sonics, a more V shaped one, and one with similar bass, but a touch more upper mid-range and lower treble (and less in the 1-1.5 kHz area), you can take my credit card details now.
 

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Preamble:

Before I start with my review, I would like to thank ORIVETI for providing me with a sample of their PRIMACY in-ears (http://www.oriveti.com/#!earphones/qhbta) in exchange for my honest opinion.

Having established in 2015, ORIVETI is still a 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 – therefore it was not much surprising for me that the PRIMACY in-ears turned out to be very good products and a great discovery of the new year, but more about that in my review.


Technical Specifications:

Drivers: exclusive dual Balanced Armature & 8.6 mm Dynamic driver
Impedance: 11 Ohms
Frequency Response: 20 – 20000 Hz
Sensitivity: 107 +/- 3 dB/mW, @1000 Hz
Distortion: < 1%
Cable Length: 1.2 m


About hybrid In-Ears:

As you can read from the technical specifications, the PRIMACY is a little different from most In-Ears and doesn’t only use dynamic or Balanced Armature transducers, but combines both in one shell.

Most In-Ears use dynamic transducers for audio playback which have the advantage of covering the whole audible spectrum and achieving a strong bass emphasis without much effort. Valuable dynamic drivers are often said to have a more bodied and musical bass that has a more soft impact and decay and lacks of the analytical character that BA transducers are known for. On the downside, in contrast to headphones with other driver principles, dynamic transducers often have a lower resolution.

Higher-priced and professional IEMs mostly use Balanced Armature transducers, which usually have got a higher resolution than dynamic drivers, are faster, more precise and have got the better high-level stability, which is important for stage musicians that often require higher than average listening levels. On the downside, it is quite hard to cover the whole audible spectrum with just a single BA transducer and strongly emphasised bass is only possible with multiple or big drivers. Some people also find In-Ears with BA transducers to sound too analytical, clinical or cold (in several active years in a German audio community where I wrote multiple reviews, gave dozens of purchase advice and help, from time to time I heard people that got into BA earphones for the first time using these attributes for describing BA earphones, especially their lower frequencies).

Hybrid IEMs unite the positive aspects of both driver principles and use one dynamic transducer for lows reproduction and at least one BA driver for covering mids and highs, wherefore the often as “musical” described bass character remains and the BA transducers add resolution and precision to the mids and highs – and that’s what the PRIMACY does with its technology. It is addressed to those people who perceive the clinically-fast character of BA transducers as unnatural, but want to keep the mids’ and highs’ resolution, speed and precision.


Delivery Content:

These are really premium products, providing a good and valuable experience right from the beginning, starting with the package and the way the accessories are layered in the squared box.

The outside is all matte black, showing a large glossy picture of the left earpiece with attached cable and foam tip in the front, along with the manufacturer and product name as well as a description of what they are (“Premium Triple Drivers Hybrid Hi-Fi In Ear Headphones”).
The sides each show an ORIVETI logo; the rear displays a really nice labelled exploded diagram along with stating the specifications and delivery content.
Taking off the lid, one will find the in-ears, safely cushioned in a block of foam with a black velvet top side. What I personally really like about it and find quite smart is that the cable is wrapped around it on the sides which have revolving cut-outs especially for that purpose.
Taking off that layer, one will find the only bright thing about the case/delivery content, namely a quick-start guide that has a large ORIVETI logo on one side and the instructions on the opposite.
The next is something I really like: all of the accessories are embedded in a layer of foam, having precise cut-outs for each part that comes included (and there is a good amount of accessories). What I like about it too is that yonder layer can be taken out for easy access to the ear-tips and additional content that can be simply pushed out.

Besides the in-ears and their removable cable, these things come included: a nice black aluminium carrying case, an airplane adapter, a 6.3 to 3.5 mm adapter, an earwax cleaning tool, two silicone ear guides, two pairs of foam tips (same size) and last but not least 8 pairs of soft white silicone tips (four sizes, two pairs per size).


The whole unboxing experience is understatement yet very premium at the same time.
 

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Looks, Feels, Build Quality:

The in-ear bodies are made of black anodised metal, carrying the matte white ORIVETI logo on the left and the ORIVETI lettering on the right in-ear body’s outside. The insides of the bodies show large white side-markers, guaranteeing for easy side recognition.
The bodies share similarities with Shure’s and Westone’s shape, however nozzle and connector angles are different. Size is about comparable with my Shure SE425.
The bodies look and feel very well made as well as really sturdy. On the nozzle’s end is a lip that holds the ear-tips very firmly and securely.

What I really love is the cable (which is by the way replaceable and has MMCX connectors): the straight, small footprint 3.5 mm connector is made of anodised black metal, like the in-ears, and contains white ORIVETI labelling, but that isn’t the thing about it I love and am talking about – just like some other premium in-ears and custom in-ears, it is twisted/braided and therefore extremely flexible, conveying a really premium feel.
Very positively, it is made out of four single braids, which means that there are no solder points in the y-split, hence its footprint can be kept small. A transparent chin-slider is also present.
 

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The included carrying/storage case looks and feels also really nice, as it is made of anodised black metal as well and has white ORIVETI lettering. Although it is very solid, it is more show and shine than fulfilling real portable purpose – the lid isn’t threaded, instead it is slid over the bottom part (the lid contains four tiny air passages in the sides, slowly breaking the tight air seal that holds the case together, hence little force has to be applied for opening and closing for pressure equalisation).
Although it shouldn’t open unintentionally, it could happen when held in one hand – personally, I would prefer threads at the bottom instead of the air cushion seal (although it looks and feels nice when opening and closing).
Although on the inside, the top and bottom are covered with felt, the sides are bare aluminium, wherefore scratches in the case and on the in-ears could occur over time which would be quite sad.
Due to its quite heavy weight, I personally don’t even think that it is really meant for portable use but for a nice boutique object on the desk – maybe a more practical and portable revision of the current case would be a good idea.
 

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Comfort, Isolation:

As just mentioned, the in-ears kind of follow Shure’s/Westone’s shape except for the nozzle and connector angle, wherefore insertion and fit are very easily achievable and excellent for me. The rather small size will also help people with small ears.
The in-ears are supposed to be worn over the ears, which is the professional way and also only offers benefits wherefore it is my preferred method anyway and how I wear all of my in-ears.
Without using the silicone ear-guides, microphonics are very little and far from being obtrusive and disappear completely when the guides are installed, however I prefer to use the PRIMACY without them as then weight is even lower and fit as well as comfort are excellent anyway.

Although the bodies are completely closed, isolation is a bit lower than I expected, however still very good and above average (although not as strong as for example the UE900’s).
 

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Sound:

Just in case, the in-ears were burnt in before critical listening took place.
My main devices for listening were the iBasso DX90, LH Labs Geek Out IEM 100 as well as iBasso DX80; music files were mainly my CDs which I ripped to FLAC format in foobar2000.
For listening and evaluation, I used the largest stock silicone tips.

Tonality:

Having quite wide and straight ear canals, I can often experiment with different insertion depths in my ears. What I’ve noticed with the ORIVETI PRIMACY is that with deep insertion, sound becomes thicker, warmer in the mids and that the bass gains a bit of quantity, whereas with regular insertion depth (yet I get a perfect seal and the IEMs are still sitting invisible in my concha when looking at me from the front) bass isn’t as warm and a bit less strong.
As the latter sounds (and feels) more correct to me, I always listened with normal instead of very deep insertion depth.

In short, I would describe the in-ears’ sound as a smooth, relaxed and very moderately distinctive v-shape.

Bass is very evenly emphasised from the lowest mid-bass up to 200 Hz by about 6 dB in comparison to neutral in-ears. From 200 to 600 Hz, lows decrease to a normal level again. Sub-bass isn’t rolled off however slightly less present than mid-bass – focus lays mainly on midbass, upper bass and lower fundamental tone without shining into the mids.
Slightly above 1 kHz is a small, rather broad-banded emphasis which helps the mids to remain present however without sounding emphasised. As it is located a bit higher than 1 kHz, upper mids are more focussed however without altering tonal balance, as vocals sound natural and tonally very correct. Above 1.5 kHz level decreases in the highs, forming pushed-back lower and middle treble with the lowest point being at 5 kHz. As a result, the in-ears gain a really good long-term usability, sound smooth as well as relaxed. Just as I have also experienced with other in-ears that have a dip at 5 kHz (such as the Westone W4R and Fischer Amps FA-3E), this area guarantees for smooth and effortless mids which can also be found on the ORIVETI. As PRIMACY’s mids are slightly emphasised (only really audible with a sine generator), vocals keep their detailed character despite being relaxed and smooth.
After the 5 kHz dip, level increases again and forms a narrow peak at 7 kHz which adds crispness/airiness, the rest of the upper treble at 8, 9 and 10 kHz is more in the background again. Above 10 kHz, extension is good, with still good level around 15 kHz and a peak at 13 kHz.

Bass and fundamental tone area don’t bleed into the mids, however lows appear a little warm which may very well be due to the more relaxed treble character.
Using a sine generator, the peak at 7 kHz sounds quite harsh and cutting, but isn’t obtrusive or unpleasant when listening to music. Instead, it compensates for the relaxed lower and middle treble and balances the whole sound out, kind of similar like the Sennheiser Amperior’s upper treble emphasis which also compensates for the recessed middle treble and emphasised bass, adding tonal balance. Nonetheless, as the 7 kHz emphasis is quite narrow, highs don’t sound 100% natural but a little artificial – a more broad-banded peak would have probably been the better way to go for a more realistically sounding upper treble (it doesn’t sound artificial but could be a bit more natural sounding with cymbals and trumpets).

Resolution:

I have to admit that I wasn’t much thrilled by PRIMACY’s resolution at first (in some cases, like this one, this is a good sign though): everything was there, but nothing appeared really outstanding but also not bad at all. It took some more tracks until I realised that the PRIMACY in-ears rendered and revealed all details very cleanly and clearly, but rather subtle instead of obtrusively.
Indeed, detail retrieval is really high, everything is revealed precisely and meticulously, and unobtrusively in a very positive way, due to the relaxed and smooth yet very detailed tonality. Overall sound is effortless and smooth, yet also very detailed and refined at the same time.

The dynamic woofer is decently plus coherently integrated into the system and plays well-controlled, light-footed as well as precisely, generating high quality dynamic bass. Additionally, it is among the faster dynamic driver types. Detail retrieval is differentiated, sound is controlled and arid (the closed bodies may also play an important role in this regard). The dynamic woofer’s character slightly heads into the direction of back-vented BA woofers, but without losing its typical dynamic character.
Bass impact is slightly on the softer side, decay however is really fast wherefore the lows appear controlled, quick and punchy. This goes a bit at the expense of bass body (mainly decay is responsible for the perception of body), but compensation for it are more speed and les softness, which I personally prefer over a better perceptible body.
The dynamic driver handles very fast double-bass punches very clean with good control.

Although PRIMACY’s resolution is very evenly distributed, I perceive the mids as even a slice higher resolving than the treble and especially lows. The midrange sounds very detailed, with high speech intelligibility, sounding natural and revealing singers’ variations very well. This is mainly achieved by genuine resolution instead of emphasises, as PRIMACY’s mids are definitely not really accentuated and I’d even describe them as being very slightly in the background, compared to the lows and highs.

As lower and middle treble are more in the background, highs are neither obtrusive nor flashy but fine resolving and well differentiated. As already mentioned further above, the upper treble peak doesn’t strike negatively when listening to music (as it is neither cutting nor sharp in my ears), which is a good indicator for a really high upper frequency resolution (quite analogous to W4R’s treble).

Soundstage:

Soundstage’s lateral expansion is wider than average, though I am missing some spatial depth. Don’t get me wrong, the PRIMACY do have spatial depth, but it is rather average (about one third of the width) and doesn’t give you the deep and bottomless feel, rather generating a more intimate presentation – frontal projection could be a bit better.
Instrument separation together with placement are good as well as precise and therefore about on the same level as the Fischer Amps FA-3E, however the PRIMACY doesn’t reach DUNU DN-2000J’s spatial precision or Westone W4R’s precise separation. Nonetheless, for the price, soundstage is quite decent.

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Short comparison with other hybrid In-Ears:

Fidue A73:
The A73 is a hybrid in-ear as well, however with two drivers in 2-way configuration.
A73’s tonality is also a relaxed v-shape, though the Fidue is darker in the treble area and has got more fundamental warmth. Bass quantity of both in-ears is identical (except for A73’s stronger middle and upper fundamental tone area), A73’s upper mids are more emphasised which makes them a bit sibilant at times. Middle highs are recessed as well, however a bit less than PRIMACY’s. The ORIVETI is brighter in the upper treble.
For a dynamic woofer, Fidue’s bass is relatively fast, however ORIVETI’s is faster by quite a bit, especially in terms of decay. Fidue’s impact isn’t that much slower, but decay on the other hand is, wherefore A73 has more voluminous, full-bodied lows – PRIMACY decays faster, wherefore its lows are more precise, punchier and better controlled, with more low-range details. However, as decay is faster, there is not much bass body compared to the Fidue.
ORIVETI’s resolution is audibly higher with the better minute detail retrieval; the whole sound appears faster, crisper and better controlled – I consider the A73 as a really good IEM for its price, but compared to the PRIMACY, it appears a bit muddy and foggy, especially with fast music.
PRIMACY’s soundstage is a slightly wider than A73’s but with slightly less depth. Instrument separation and placement is about identical with both in-ears, but PRIMACY’s stage retains better control and cohency with fast tracks.
The A73 is still one of my favourite in-ears in its price range, but for twice the price, the PRIMACY does almost everything much better.
 

DUNU DN-2000J:
Just like the PRIMACY, DN-2000J is a triple-driver hybrid in-ear in three-way configuration.
The DUNU has a little less bass quantity, the brighter midrange and more treble, especially in the lower and middle highs. This makes it more analytical sounding, but long-term listening comfort may not be the best due to the bright treble – personally, I like ORIVETI’s mids and treble a little more.
Both in-ears have got a fast and very controlled low-end, but a different bass character: DN-2000J’s lows strongly remind me of my Audeze LCD-X, whose lows are also more tactile and slightly soft, despite really good speed and excellent control; ORIVETI’s lows are more arid and firmer (though as a consequence with less tactile body), at about the same amount of speed and control (DUNU’s lows may be a little bit faster though – it sounds paradox, but the DN-2000J’s bass has excellent speed combined with a gorgeous body, however at the expense of a slightly softer character).
Regarding resolution, both in-ears are almost on par, but I see the DUNU as very slightly more refined (especially in the lows where the DN-2000J seems to reveal little more details), but the PRIMACY is easier to listen to over a long period of time.
DUNU’s soundstage is a bit wider and especially deeper, wherefore it creates a more three-dimensional field. DN-2000J’s instrument separation is slightly better as well.


Conclusion:

The ORIVETI PRIMACY are really good in-ears for the money, offering very good value, excellent build quality as well as a sublime cable.
They sound (in a very positive way) smooth and unexciting yet very detailed, have got good extension both ways and really combine the best of “both worlds”, uniting the dynamic driver’s bass character and the BAs’ detailed mids and treble.
The overall package is really good. What could be slightly improved however would be a very slightly more realistic upper treble, a slightly better extending soundstage with better separation (though that is no real complaint at the price, as only very few in-ears come close to my sense of perfection at $299) and a more practical carrying case (it looks excellent but isn’t really suited for portable use).

If you are looking for a smooth and effortless sound with detailed mids and treble but without the often “dry, analytical” sound BA drivers tend to have in the lows (while still keeping a quite quick and controlled dynamic bass impact), the PRIMACY may be what you’re looking for.

89% or 4.5 out of 5 stars and a distinct thumbs up.

At the time of the review, the Oriveti Primacy was on sale on Amazon.com. Here is a link to their listing of the product:
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019TAJRPA?keywords=oriveti%20primacy&qid=1453662990&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
 
Introduction
I love reviewing hybrid in-ear monitors. Technology has advanced to the point I personally feel that with the right combination of source and earphone they can sound just as good and sometimes better than many top of the line full size headphones. I’m sure there are some who will disagree with this. In a hobby based on perspective and experience, I’m sure there are also many experienced reviewers who will agree with my statement as well. The science behind creating great sounding earphones is not limited to just a couple elite earphone manufacturers. With the right knowledge and resources, we are seeing quite a few smaller and more obscure companies release products that are downright incredible.
 
A couple reasons for this are advancements in designs and materials used for both dynamic and armature drivers, but even more so the advancing technology and application of both dynamic and armature drivers into one cohesive sound. If you haven’t experiences a highly touted hybrid earphone for yourself you definitely should. Their combination of dynamics and detail are taking in-ear monitor technology to another level that couldn’t be achieved five years ago.
 
We are in a time where earphones couldn’t be more popular. Although the market is huge, it is usually split between two very different demographics. There are the budget minded consumers looking for a formidable pair of earphones to replace the pair that came with their smartphone, and then there is the audiophile who doesn’t mind shelling out massive wads of cash, getting impressions for their next set of multiple driver custom monitors. To be completely honest, I consider myself somewhere in the middle of these groups at this point. I can see the reason for both motivations.
 
Smack dab in between these groups is the mid-fi market. The one to five hundred dollar market is a unique one where you will find models that can be ridiculously over or underpriced. Let it be known that once you get beyond the realm of budget-fi, you are increasing your risk to reward factor when spending your hard earned dollars. Just like all things bought and sold, the law of diminishing returns becomes more and more apparent the higher you get on the price bracket.
 
The best advice I can give you if you are in the market for a great fitting or great sounding piece of audio gear, it is smart to dabble in the budget-fi world first to see what you like. Create a Head-Fi account and ask questions. There’s lots of very helpful people on the threads that can help answer any questions you have. When you’re ready upgrade to something better, read the reviews of people you trust and see if their impressions of an earphone are in line with what you’re looking for. More times than not this is a recipe for success, and a formula to make the most of your money when buying audio gear.
 
So where am I going with this conversation? I guess what I’m trying to say is that a product is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. I’m also saying that in this hobby where customers are usually paying for either performance or exclusivity, occasionally both. Any time I purchase or review an in-ear monitor that eclipses the hundred dollar mark, I often times ask myself which of the two it is that’s driving the manufacturer’s current asking price. Are they selling performance, or are they marking up the price just so consumers will think that because of the price it has to be good?
 
When I was asked to review the newly released Oriveti Primacy, I was very excited to have the opportunity. I was looking forward to figuring out not only if the Primacy could compete with comparable models in its price range, but also if they were worthy of their asking price. I’m happy to say that Oriveti is selling an awesome combination of performance and sleek style. The Primacy is a rock star of an earphone!

 
Disclaimer
I was given an opportunity to review the Oriveti 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 them for the opportunity.
 
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, especially if they can be had for low prices. I will buy the $5 to $500 earphone that looks promising, in hopes that I will discover that one new gem that can compete with the big names in this industry. If you look at my Head-Fi profile you will see that I have purchased MANY different headphones and earphones, ranging from from dirt cheap to higher end products. For me, this hobby is more about getting great price to performance ratio from a product, and have a variety of different gears with varying builds and sound 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 ergonomic, and the sound is pleasing to the ear. It is my pleasure to share my experiences with audio products and make recommendations based gear I have owned and used.

 
REVIEW

The primacy comes in a Black box with gray letters. The front of the box displays the model name with a very brief description, as well as a nice photo of the earphone housing.
 

The back of the box features very nicely drawn schematics explaining all the technology that goes into the Primacy construction. There is also a listing of specifications and accessories.
 

Opening the box, I was greeted with felt lined foam cutout displaying the Primacy earphones and a part of the braided cable. I immediately smiled from ear to ear. Their sleek and slim profile reeks of luxury. Lifting the foam containing the earphones revealed another foam cutout holding the accessories. This is a very high end presentation and accessories package. Just opening the box, I could tell the folks at Oriveti definitely know what they’re doing. The way the earphones and accessories are displayed, the product pretty much sells itself.

 
Specifications and Accessories
 
Specification
Driver: Exclusive Dual Armature Driver & 8.6mm Dynamic Driver
Impedance: 11 Ohm
Frequency Response: 20 - 20000Hz
Sensitivity: 107+-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
Earwax Cleaning tool - 1pc
3.5mm to 6.5mm plug -1pc
Ear Hook - 1pair
 

The accessories package is exquisite. There are plenty of high quality tips to help guarantee customers will get a good seal. Although the the metal case is top of the line, I do wish Oriveti would have provided a more pocket friendly case that prevents the Primacy earphones from rattling around. I can use the Oriveti case for storing them, but I make sure to use an aftermarket clamshell case when traveling with them. The Primacy is so nice, I don’t want to risk chipping the shells.
 
Housings

The Primacy housings are awesome. They are constructed of a black aluminum shell. For a hybrid they are very small, and I was scratching my head wondering how they were able to fit three drivers in each side. It was very easy to tell the channels apart. Not only did they have the R and L written in white on the inside of each housing, they also had variances on the outside of the housings as well. The Oriveti name is printed on the right channel, and the Oriveti “O” logo is printed on the outside of the left channel.
 

The housings are a rounded bean shape that contours seamlessly into the nozzle and cable connection. The nozzle is perfect in terms of it’s length and width. Tip rolling was easily done. One thing to note is how narrow the inside of the nozzle is. This makes sense why Oriveti would Include a wax cleaning tool in the accessories package.

 
Cable, Y-Split, Cable Jack, Strain Reliefs

The cable is a black braided cable that has very little to no spring or memory. It is fairly tangle resistant and matches the rest of the design in terms of sleekness and sophistication. The rotatable MMCX jacks snug to the housing and sit flush with the Primacy housing. The Y-split is somewhat underwhelming. It is nothing more than split braided cable covered in a piece of heat-shrink tubing. There is a clear firm rubber chin/neck slider that works well to snug the monitors into place. The cable jack is a straight gold plated 3.5 mm jack with a black metal housing displaying the Oriveti name. Strain reliefs are subtle but seem adequate.
 
NOTE: One issue I have is that Oriveti didn’t include a cable with a microphone and remote. In today’s day and age I almost feel this is a necessity when selling more expensive earphones. On a positive note, replacement cables are pretty reasonably priced and relatively easy to find. I tested and confirmed that the Primacy has a standard MMCX cable adapter.
 
Functionality
The Primacy is a plug and play device. Plug in, play, enjoy, repeat.
 
NOTE: As mentioned in the previous criteria, the detachable cable design allows Primacy owners to replace the cable with mic/remote or upgrade cables if so desired. They can be found on eBay, Aliexpress, Amazon and many other websites that sell earphones and accessories.
 
Ergonomics, Fit and Microphonics, Isolation
For a long time the Phonak PFE012 was the best fitting in-ear monitor I’ve ever used, but now that title is shared with the Oriveti Primacy. Their bean shape and small size will make questioning whether or not it will fit customer’s ears a non issue.
 
The Primacy can be worn cable down, but they are better set up to be worn up and over the ear. Wearing them cable down, the braided cable is noticeably microphonic. Worn over the ear, microphonics are eliminated. Isolation is average for an in-ear monitor.
 
NOTE: The Primacy is a tip dependent earphone. Variances in how well a tip seals your ears will have a noticeable effect on how they sound. Just like all in-ear monitors, maximizing the seal when wearing them is the key to getting the highest quality sound from them. Although I was able to get a good fit and seal using some of the stock tips, the tips I was able to get a consistent seal and sound with the most was a pair of RHA silicone tips. Your mileage may vary.


 
Sound Review
I did my demo with my usual gear. I used an LG-G3 with the latest firmware for portable and smartphone use, and either my Shanling H3 or Sony Walkman F806/Cayin C5 amplifier for a high fidelity portable use. For desktop use I used my Toshiba Satellite Laptop in combination with a HIFIMEDIY Sabre ES9023 USB DAC/Bravo Audio Ocean Tube amplifier with a Mullard 12AU7 tube for higher impedance, and a Fiio E18 USB DAC & Amplifier in both high and low gain. Both were run at 24 bit, 96000 Hz. I also tested them with other DAPs and amplifiers as well. I used Google Music downloaded in its highest download quality (320 KBPS) and I 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
At eleven ohms, the Primacy can be driven by anything you plug into them. I didn’t necessarily get any added benefit from plugging them into my amplified sources. The Primacy is a very detailed and precise sounding earphone, so make sure to feed them high bit rate and high quality recordings for best results.
 
Sound Signature

*Measurement take with the Vibro Veritas. This is not an exact measurement but should give you an idea of the earphone response
 
The Primacy is a world class combination of dynamics and detail that makes it one of the best sounding earphones I’ve ever heard. They have a relatively balanced frequency response that is void of any radical spikes. The overall feel of them are slightly warm tilted and smooth with great dynamics, detail and extension on both ends.
 
The Primacy flat out rocks. You can throw just about any genre of music at them and you would think that they were made for it. I can listen to the Primacy all day and not get fatigued, yet still feel like I’m getting every single bit of the frequency response in good balance.
 
Bass
Bass is extended, dynamic, and very tight. You get equal amounts of punch and rumble and it is at a level of resolution that you can’t fault it. Attack and decay are very fast for a dynamic driver.
 
The bass digs as deep as your ears can hear and is as tight and responsive at the lowest of lows as it is at any other frequency. Sub bass is tonally accurate and I get no hint of the bass causing any type of distortion.
 
Midbass is presented the same way. Honestly I can’t break it down because it’s so cohesive and almost flawless in its presentation. Midbass bleed? What’s that? When we’re talking about the Primacy we don’t even need to bring this type of nonsense up!
 
Dynamic, balanced, responsive, extended. That’s the Primacy bass in a nutshell.
 
Midrange
The Primacy midrange is in very nice balance with bass tones. The most elevated range of the Primacy response is around the 1-2k mark. This is much different than the industry standard, as many manufacturers place a dip at this range to make earphones sound more spacious. What this does for the Primacy is give them a nice forwardness to vocals, especially female vocals. When listening to female singers they stand out from the track but in a very good way. Aside from this bump, just about everything from sub bass to about 4k is spectacularly well balanced. I can’t say the Pimacy is midrange forward. From what I hear, I will say that they are vocals forward and in a spectacular and slightly unconventional fashion.
 
Upper midrange to treble drops off a bit, but without seeing a graph I can guarantee anyone who listens to it wouldn’t be able to tell. The entire midrange has a very detailed presentation, finishing with a smoothness that makes them non fatiguing. This is all done without feeling like I’ve lost any of the music in the process.
 
Treble
Treble is smooth and natural with great extension. Many will enjoy how these are tuned. Where I feel Oriveti really got it right is with cymbal crashes and sibilant sounds. You can hear them but they aren’t forward enough to be fatiguing. They sit in a really good spot that you can turn them up and hear these sounds and without being bothered by it. Also, the sound of cymbals is very, very natural and without that harshness that we often hear from armature drivers.
 
Soundstage and Imaging
While I don’t feel that soundstage is Primacy’s best attribute, it is still a solid performer. The clarity and detail however helps me perceive a great sense of instrument placement. A+ in terms of imaging.
 
Comparisons
 
Fidue A83 ($250 to $350 USD on many sites)
The Fidue A83 has been at the top of my list of favorites for a long time. It is a top notch performing triple driver hybrid featuring an epic design, cable and accessories package.
 
Comparing the two, the A83 is a more V-shaped earphone. MIdrange and vocals on the A83 sound more intimate, and upper frequencies are more forward from what I hear. The Primacy seems to be more natural and slightly more neutral to my ears. The Primacy is an all around more cohesive sound. Although soundstage goes to the A83, the Primacy gives me a better sense of instrument placement. The Primacy is definitely less fatiguing and slightly smoother. Bass response is a draw. The A83 bass seems more sub focused but just as fun to listen to as compared to the more balanced bass of the Primacy.
 
I give a slight edge to the A83 in terms of accessories. Their case is more pocket friendly and their stock cable is out of this world awesome. Primacy gets a decisive advantage in terms of ergonomics and fit. Their sleek and small shape and cable design with chin/neck slider gives me a much better fit than the A83.
 
All in all this a VERY close contest. Both earphones are phenomenal in their own right. At the moment I give a slight edge to the Primacy.

 
Dunu DN2000J ($325 to $375 USD on many sites)
The DN2000J is another triple hybrid earphone, offering an incredibly fast and extended bass response, razor sharp response and extended upper frequency range. They are without a doubt the most clear and detailed sounding earphone I’ve ever heard. Because I prefer their sound with the Dunu bass rings attached to the DN200J, I will do my comparison with them installed.
 
Comparing the two, the DN2000J definitely has a more extended and crisper top end to their sound. Despite the fact that the Primacy bass is excellent, bass is actually tighter and more responsive on the DN2000J. Let that be more of a testament of how good the DN2000J bass is (I feel it’s the best in-ear monitor bass I’ve heard at the time of writing this review). The top end of the DN2000J is the more fatiguing of the two. The Primacy is more engaging and musical to my ears. Although the DN2000J puts on a clinic in terms of response, If I had to pick one sound over the other I would go for the Primacy. Simply put, I find it more fun to listen to.
 
Accessories goes to the DN2000J. Ergonomics and fit goes to the Primacy.

 
Conclusion
There are times when I’m getting ready to leave the house and I make a pit stop to grab a pair of earphones. It’s not easy picking from over a hundred pairs. One thing is for certain, I catch myself reaching for the Oriveti Primacy more and more often the longer I have them. While many earphones come and go, one thing is certain. I have the Primacy ranked very high on my list and they will be in my rotation of favorites for a long time.  
 
If you’re ready to take the next step up from the budget-fi ranks, or are an audiophile who wants to experience the best of what the mid-fi earphone market has to offer, put the Oriveti Primacy on the top of your list. They are an excellent earphone that will win the ears of just about anyone who hears them.
 

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

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I would like to Thank Oriveti for providing me with a review sample in exchange for my honest opinion.
 
Manufacturer website: http://www.oriveti.com/

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Intro.
 
I find the evolution of multi-driver IEMs to be quite fascinating: from configurations with a single and dual dynamic drivers, to realizing that you can squeeze in more by switching to Balanced Armature (BA) drivers where we recently seen the number go up to 14 per side.  But the fundamental multi-driver config has always been around the design with 3 drivers to cover your bass, mids, and treble, which also became a baseline for a number of hybrid designs where a dynamic driver replaced low end BA.  In my opinion, 3-way hybrid still remains among the most popular configurations which yield the best price/performance ratio.  But I only found a few companies to get the tuning of this config right (based on my personal subjective opinion), while the rest, including some newcomers, are thinking they can just throw in together a dynamic driver with either a single or a dual BA and sell it like a hotcake.  I have seen quite a few new releases that failed in this pursuit, where even their budget price couldn't save them.
 
Fueled by skepticism, I didn't know what to expect when I got contacted by a brand new company with yet another 3-way hybrid IEM, priced around $300 mark.  I thought to myself, it takes a lot of confidence to jump into the water filled with seasoned sharks, especially when you price your product on a very competitive level with other established players.  I did have a chance to see the picture of their IEM beforehand, which left me impressed, but I didn’t want to jump into any conclusion until I had Oriveti in my hands and my ears to judge it firsthand.  I usually like to spend a few weeks with headphones before posting my review, but