Reecho OVA SG-01

Introduction: Reecho Audio is one of the newer ChiFi companies which have appeared in the past few years; I remember first hearing of them in connection with the rather astonishingly-named “Insects Awaken” all-BA monitor. Last year I read some positive reviews of both their SG-03 and SG-01 budget single-DD offerings, but never heard either of them for myself. However I was intrigued enough to be pleased when the opportunity arose for me to review their new SG-01 OVA, a revised and repackaged edition of the original SG-01. While I cannot offer a comparison with the original model, in this review I will do my best to evaluate how it competes at the incredibly crowded $50 price point in which it finds itself.

I would like to thank Penon Audio for providing me with a sample of the SG-01 OVA in exchange for my honest review. The MSRP is $49 at time of publication, and you can purchase a copy for yourself here. The specifications are as follows:

Driver: 10mm N52 Graphene composite diaphragm
Cable: 5N 96 Core Sliver-Plated OCC Cable
Frequency range: 20Hz-20kHz
Impedance: 32 ohms
Sensitivity: 112dB*2dB
T.H.D: < 2%at 1kHz
Connector: 2Pin 0.78mm



Packaging & Accessories: Right off the bat, Reecho manages to easily impress with its packaging and accessorizing given the modest $50 price bracket of the SG-01 OVA. The embossed box which greets us upon removing the dust cover is more reminiscent of packaging typically found in the $100-$300 price range rather than a budget model such as this. However, let’s be honest: most of us forget about the packaging entirely right after the unboxing experience. What really matters to me — and, I suspect, to most buyers as well — are the accessories.



And the accessories are the first area in which Reecho really sets itself apart from the competition in its price range. At $50 you’ll probably be receiving a canvas draw-bag for carrying and storage, if you receive anything at all; Reecho on the contrary includes a zippered hardshell carry case, which is slimmer than normal and thus easily pocketable. Even better, rather than the usual throw-in cable and generic eartips we here receive three sets of excellent tips in varying bore sizes, and an extremely nice SPC cable which is thin, lightweight, well-constructed, supple, comfortable in the earhooks, and possessing a working chin-slider.

All too often a budget model deceives us with the price point, since purchasing aftermarket tips and/or cables is almost a necessity to achieve proper fit and comfort. With this Reecho, on the other hand, I think practically everyone will be more than satisfied with the included accessories; I personally settled on the white wide-bore stock tips and felt no need to reach into my own box of aftermarket accessories for either tips or cable.



Build & Comfort: But Reecho certainly did not skimp on the build quality as a result of splurging on included accessories. The zinc alloy shells feel very solid despite being relatively lightweight and extremely ergonomic. The 2-pin connectors are portruding, giving confidence in their longevity (flush connectors can be risky). Despite the double-vented shells, isolation is nevertheless above average, perhaps aided by the fact that the medium-small shells fill my ear cavity extremely well (so your mileage may vary). They sit flush with my ear, making them an excellent candidate for those who like to fall sleep with their IEMs.



Internally, the SG-01 OVA possesses an upgraded graphene composite driver and a stronger N52 magnet as compared to the original. Externally, the black finish of the original has been replaced by an iridescent electric blue that shifts to purple when it catches the light in a certin way. Me, I’m an understated kind of guy, I would have preferred the black, but the new finish is undoubtedly more eye-catching.



Signature: The SG-01 OVA possesses a very nicely balanced W-shaped tonality. The emphasis leans a bit toward the quite high quality bass you are getting for the price (moderately elevated and slightly sub-bass biased, with absolutely outstanding extension for a budget IEM), but this does not at all overshadow either the mids or the treble. There is a mild amount of warmth in the lower mids, giving male vocals a nicely bodied presentation. Upper mids in their turn are slightly emphasized over the lower, giving female vocals and strings a nice energy and presence but staying shy of any sort of shoutiness. Lower treble inherits some energy from the upper mids before dipping a bit, but then the SG-01 OVA picks back up with quite a shocking degree of extension in the upper treble for a budget single-DD, easily surpassing many IEMs I have heard at multiples of this price point. This allows enough air to keep an open and balanced presentation despite the moderate emphasis of low end.



Bass: Despite the balanced presentation, the bass is the heart of the SG-01 OVA’s sound: it has a self-confident presence, able to convince with its authority and physicality of impact, yet always maintaining excellent control and restraint. It isn’t the tightest or the fastest bass I have ever heard, but neither is it slow or wooly by any stretch; It has a full note weight, yet without bloat or bloom; in everything it strives to find the proper balance. Texture is very good for a budget DD. Attack is perhaps a bit blunted, while decay is extended enough to give a sense of atmospheric musicality to the presentation — yet it always remains nimble enough not to descent into any kind of boominess. All in all, I consider this a “fun” low end that nevertheless at no point surpasses the bounds of naturality.

Mids: Although the U-shaped signature of the SG-01 means that the midrange is not the focus of its presentation, even so I really like the mids on offer here — and I say this as generally mid-centric listener. The mild warmth of the lower midrange allows male vocals and the “meat” of the instrumentation to achieve a body and fullness of note weight that is extremely pleasing. This is extremely judiciously counterbalanced by the somewhat lifted upper mids, bringing a zest to the presentation which keeps the warmth from bogging anything down. With this kind of tuning and in a budget-DD, details are of course not the focus of this midrange more musical than analytical; yet given these constraints, I never found resolution to be lacking either. And despite the energetic lift to the upper mids, shoutiness, glare and sibilance where absolutely nowhere to be heard; the SG-01 OVA is quite accommodating to both various musical genres as well as recording quality.

Treble: The lower treble carries on the energy of the upper mids for a time, with a few dips around 5K and 8-10K, and then comes back with a frankly incredible amount of even extension and air in the upper treble for a budget single DD; well, frankly, for any single DD. Upper treble is traditionally the Achilles heel of this driver setup, but somehow Reecho has accomplished an amazing feat here and really hit the nail on the head with its treble tuning. And thanks to the judicious dips in the mid-treble, I never encountered any fatigue even over longer listening sessions. Yes, on some occasions the harmonics were a bit lacking in some instrumentation due to these dips, but choices must always be made, and Reecho has shown a deftness and refinement here that utterly belies the price point.



Soundstage & Technicalities: Reecho keeps its streak going when it comes to technicalities, with the SG-01 OVA being undeniably extremely accomplished for the price. The soundstage is not only wide but also fairly tall — although unsurprisingly it struggles somewhat more with depth as do most IEMs at this price point. The imaging is quite good, not holographic but very focused and well-defined on both X and Y axes. Instrument separation and layering are likewise excellent, aided by the extension and air of the upper treble (though due to the slight warmth the amount of air between the instruments is not the widest quantitatively). Resolution is certainly respectable and nothing to complain about, although this is another area where it cannot totally break free of the constraints of a budget model, especially when it comes to the leading edges in the transients which tend to be somewhat on the blunt side. Timbre is really quite good, with only the slightest tinge of hollowness caused by the muted harmonics at certain points in the treble response. To sum up, as a whole and considering the price point and driver configuration, the SG-01 OVA is a phenomenal total package of technical performance.

Select Comparisons:
vs. Tin T2 Plus: The T2 Plus has long been my default $50 recommendation as an all-rounder, but the Reecho SG-01 OVA now thoroughly displaces it (unless someone is highly averse to a noticeable bass boost). Both the bass and the upper-mids/lower treble have somewhat greater emphasis on the SG-01 OVA, although the midranges are equally full and pleasing to me on both units. The SG-01 beats it on technicalities, especially when it comes to soundstage height and consequent 2D imaging capabilities, as well as layering. Both have excellent builds and stock cables, though the Reecho wins out as far as other accessories go and possesses much better isolation (it also avoids potential problems with the MMCX connectors on the Tin).

vs. Moondrop Aria: The Aria is getting close to twice the price of the Reecho, but I would choose the SG-01 OVA in a heartbeat. The Aria has a bit more of a safe and polite tuning — especially in the treble — which likely manages not to offend, yet often on the other hand fails to engage. Especially over time it comes across as somewhat anodyne; the Reecho, on the other hand, is to me equally inoffensive yet undeniably more emotionally engaging. It also possesses markedly better imaging, which I found to be the major technical deficiency of the Aria.



Conclusion: In case you fell asleep during the review, the tl;dr is that I am quite unexpectedly blown away by the Reecho SG-01 OVA. It really is the whole package: you get an extremely refined and versatile tuning combined with surprisingly competent technicalities for a budget single DD, in a very comfortable shell, with all the accessories you need, at an extremely attractive price point. Naturally it is not the last word in anything and has its few minor faults, yet for me it manages to absolutely redefine what $50 can buy you in an earphone these days. This is the second 5/5 rating I have yet awarded.

Reecho SG-01 OVA edition

One of the bigger surprises for me last year was the onset of some truly well-done budget offerings by Reecho. The SG-03 is an all-metal sub bass focused v shaped tuned earphone done right and even more surprising was the cheaper SG-01. Even though at $40 the SG-01 was their intro budget offering, the SG-01 turned out to be the better-balanced dynamic earphone vs the bass specialist SG-03. The SG-01 was for me one of the best budget IEMS I have heard all year. Just my opinion but not too many earphones for the bucks will give you the sound of these two earphones.

Fast forward to today and the SG-01 gets a newer version now called the OVA SG-01. This new single dynamic IEM has a few upgraded components as well as a slight tuning tweak to enhance the sonics of the new OVA version. The new OVA SG-01 now has an upgraded 7micron thick 10mm graphene composite dynamic as well as using a stronger magnet in the N52 vs the N50 used in the prior version. It also gets a new upgraded 5N 96 strands of silver-plated OCC cable for greater transparency. Tuning now has better optimization for its treble and mids while retaining similar bass ability of the older SG-01. The zinc alloy acoustic cavity is an all-metal build with a new electric blue color.

Standardly proclaimers. The OVA SG-01 was provided for the purpose of a review by Penon Audio. You can get yourself a set here. They have been burned in for a period of a week and are now ready for evaluation using my sources. IBasso DX300Max, Fiio M15, Shanling M6 pro, M5s, M3s, IBasso DX160, Sony ZX300, Fiio K3 2021, Ibasso PB3, IFI Black Label for amping.

The new OVA version even before burning in had a slightly cleaner sound tuning vs the standard SG-01 most evident in the treble area. Its treble has better articulation and definition while not more emphasized. The balancing is clearly there; the tuning is not all that different from the standard SG-01 but somehow these minor tweaks all come together and make for an upgraded version.

If you have never experienced a Reecho made earphone. The $49 OVA SG-01 is more than an introduction of their sound. It is what they can do with a nicely resolving graphene dynamic. As I mentioned in the original SG-01 review. These earphones have nothing to do with an intro level sound. Reecho now has a catalog of earphones they have made and even though the older SG-01 and the new OVA version are both well priced in the budget category. Drive them correctly with the right cable and tips and you will not think they sound anywhere close to the price you paid for a set. As much as prior budget single dynamics goes. These sound markedly more dynamic sounding than any of the Tin Hifi offerings being sold at this price as a frame of reference. Well that is unless you're into your no bass neutral bright signatures.

It goes without saying but budget offerings are not going to be known for their included accessories, however the OVA SG-01 and their prior SG-01s are the exceptions. You're not just getting a decent variety of silicone tips here, 3 sets or 9 pairs to be exact. But each set of tips actually has an effect on the sound of the SG-01 and are not just throw-in tips you are more accustomed to at this price level. It seems Reecho has done some actual tip rolling and listening on the behalf of the consumer to figure out what works best for the sound of the SG-01. These were the same set of tips provided from their prior SG-01. Why change a good thing right? Here is what I mean.

These three sets all have varying sizes of openings and varies in silicone thickness and make up from one another.

The most narrow bored gray colored tips are equivalent in nozzle opening and function to something like Sony hybrids and or Final E tips. These lessen the treble perception a touch bringing out a more forward mids presentation. Vocal tips? If you want the mids to be the focus of the OVA. These are the tips to try.

The medium bored colored stemmed tips, the stems of these tips are thicker in makeup but again moderate in opening. About the same as the very popular Symbio W tips with a similar shape. These produce the best focused bass presentation, mids are not as focused as the prior mentioned gray narrow bored tips and also has a moderate amount of treble emphasis. These are a happy medium vs the other two tips in what it does but also has the best bass presentation. Balanced bass tips?

Finally we have the clear wide bored silicone tips. These are very similar to Azla sendafit or JVC spiral dot tips. These seem to enhance the treble and slightly for the bass with the widest open mid range presentation from the OVA SG-01 hence giving the widest sound presentation as a side effect. Imaging seems to be the best out of the 3 tips used. These tips inject a bit of air and stage vs the other two. Transparent treble tips?

WUT!!??Actual tips that not only affect the sound but meshes with the SG-01 to your liking? No need to use your own aftermarket tips? Since when have you seen a budget offering actually include not one but 3 different sets of tips that optimizes the sound of the IEM it is attached to? That is quite refreshing to be honest. ( A note to other manufacturers. Tips don’t cost much but here is a rare case where Reecho clearly gave it some careful thought with some trial and error. This does make a difference for the end user in a positive way. Kudos to Reecho for not just throwing in some random set of tips. )

Then there is the new upgraded OCC silver plated cable. A more transparent better quality cable vs their prior cable provided on the older SG-01. A more transparent cable, some added massaging for its tuning, an upgraded driver with a stronger magnet and you get a nice little upgrade on the original SG-01.

Going back and forth from the standard version vs the new OVA. The sound balancing/ tuning is identical but now with a slightly better treble and mids definition. Yes and this is going back and forth from the original SG-01 vs the OVA version using the same source, same cable and same tips. This being said I still think the original version easily holds its own for being $10 less but hey if you can afford $10 more. Then why not? Truth be told, you can get fairly close to the new OVA version just using a better cable and the right tips on the older SG-01. So the new OVA version is not drastically different. More similar than anything sonically.

The all metal shells are solid in form and build. The form factor is a smaller side of medium in physical size and so far the new color scheme seems to have a rock solid finish. No scratches or marks during casual use and putting the earphones into the case. The isolation is roughly average for metal builds but not the best when it comes to passive isolation. Overall there is not much to complain about for the OVA in build or form factor. If I remember correctly it was the cable that was included on the older SG-01 I had an issue with. The cable did nothing for the SG-01 sound. The new cable is clearly upgraded and is much more proper to the sound of the new OVA version. Quite thin in build and simple but some folks love their thin cables. As a side note, yes the OVA does well with your aftermarket cables.

Sound
OVA SG-01 is a balanced v with a u mixed signature. Which seems to be the house tuning for Reecho. Has a moderate upper mid presence that brings a clean yet natural tonal quality to the SG-01. Versatile in its balance and dynamic in its bass presence. The OVA SG-01s technical aspects are well above average at the price point. Sound separation, imaging, timbre and stage are all quite good in their abilities for using a single dynamic. The dynamic earphone has seen so many releases you might be saying. OK yet another one? But if they are tuned this well and have this type of balanced versatility. Then why not.

Trebles.
Treble presentation has a moderate amount of emphasis for the lower treble to mid trebles and then gradually lessens in emphasis toward the upper trebles. Trebles have good balance with surprising extension. To be honest the difference in treble emphasis from the original is really not much different. Where the difference that I can hear has to do with treble articulation. Treble now has a more realistic sustain and attack vs the prior SG-01. The treble on the new OVA has a bit more tonal range and I don't know if it is due to the newer upgraded dynamic or the upgraded magnet, maybe the combo of both. Either way, unless you're actually doing a head to head against both sets like I did. You are less likely to hear a clear difference. The differences only seem to appear on well recorded tracks with clean treble recordings.

Overall the treble detail is slightly cleaner vs the prior version and does not show much in the way of glare or sibilance. It does have a mild 8khz peak that some might take some issue with but it is nothing like the older Tin Hifi earphones where treble sticks out. Its treble character is ever so slightly on the bright side but again nothing to make you fast forward an EDM or your rock tracks. Its detail level for the treble here is clean, its articulation and transients as good as it gets in the price range. Besides that mild 8Khz peak there is really nothing to complain about on the treble end. Treble can sound airy and with a good rangy tonal character. Depending on how sensitive you are to the treble region the OVA SG-01 provides some really nice silicone tips to help lessen or open up that sound tuning of the SG-01 to your liking. Can’t say that about any other earphone I have reviewed anywhere around this price range. None to be exact.

Mids
Much like the treble aspects having a bit more in the way of tonal range and definition, so does the mids of the OVA version. Its Instrumental timbre has good accuracy, lacking that final bit of weight and nuance of higher end in ears. For the price however, it is about as good as it gets for timbre. Vocals are done well showing an impressive dynamic range but due to a central mid dip has a mildly thinner note weight for some male vocals. Female vocals and stringed instruments seem to fare better for the OVA SG-01. Mids sound relatively spacious from left to right in your auditory presentation but lack a bit of depth hence not having the best dimensional sound. I suppose you can’t expect that on a $50 earphone so for what it is, I will gladly take it. But this is more or less nitpicking. Mids have that emotive roomy quality you want to hear from a proper sounding IEM and the OVA has a good fundamental layering of the mid bands.

It has ample upper mid presence with no shoutiness. Has a moderate note weight combined with very good imaging. Its upper mids have more emphasis vs the lower mids in the tuning but nothing that will make you think the mids are too unbalanced or one sided. Its tonal character here is clean yet natural showing just a hint of warmth. The mid bands benefit from the upper mid lift of the OVA, which shows in the way of vocal and instrument highlights. While the mids does not have the dimensional sound aspect of a more resolving higher end dynamic earphone presentations, it easily makes up for this aspect with a rangy tonal quality that is about as good as it gets for the price.

Bass
Is the strong suit for the Reecho IEMs and here the OVA version has identical bass presence vs their prior SG-01. Bass leans a touch more sub bass focused vs mid bass but has equal parts of well timed impact and good low end sub bass rumble. The strength of the carbon based composite dynamic would be for its bass end and the OVA here shows good ability for the region. Here is where these budget Reechos really separate themselves from the rest of the dynamic crop in the price range. The bass end of the OVA is fantastic. It clearly shows versatility for any music with a low end emphasis.

It has enough bass to actually put the SG-01 into the fun category in sound but is not overly pronounced, it is well controlled and gifted. The bass end here has no business being at this price level. Truth be told I have earphones that cost way more that don’t have this bass. If you're a fan of having good bass emphasis for your earphone sound tunings, the OVA is just the ticket. It's not too much and certainly not too little.

You don’t have to worry about a wooly uncontrolled sloppiness or Un emphasized limp weakness. None of that applies to the OVA bass. If your tunes have bass, you're gonna get a very good textured impactful bass. You can’t expect world class bass presentation from a $50 phone but you can expect good bass in all forms from the OVA. The bass end of the OVA is not the final word in speed, tightness or texture but hey what do you want for your $50? I can safely say the OVA SG-01 will actually be pretty much the best you can get for bass for quality and ability at the price point.

In the end
The OVA SG-01 is a revision of one of their more affordable in-ears. Its natural tonal character with well perceived dynamics does wonders for its sound presentation. It has a surprisingly technically proficient versatile yet fun tuning, has good energy and presence that lets you enjoy the vast majority of music types and genres. The OVA scales well to more powerful sources but is efficient enough to be run through with your phone.

Reecho has done something that most manufacturers ignore and that is the included tip selection that actually makes a difference. If you're looking for a budget set and are a fan of good bass, a versatile sound and are looking for something you can actually enjoy your music with without too much fuss, these are not only affordable but a good solid value at the price point. I can’t recommend a set highly enough at the price. If I was to put a price value for the included tips alone, they are easily worth the asking price for the OVA SG-01 by themselves. Overall, this one is an easy recommendation to folks that take a stock to well tuned, well designed dynamic earphones at a very affordable price. As always, thanks for taking the time to read.