HeadphoneZone x Oriveti Blackbird earphones review

While the OD200 feels a bit more industrial thanks to its brushed metal casings, the Blackbird comes across a bit more stylish with its textured faceplates. It’s also a bit lighter thanks to the use of plastic, but gets the moulded shape that aids in the in-ear fit. Like the earlier model, the Blackbird gets dual branding, with both Oriveti and HPZ logos on the earphones, cable, and carry case.

Although the earphones are light, the HPZ x Oriveti Blackbird does get the bend in the cable that allows you to hook them over your ears, for a more secure fit that stays in place. The cable is detachable and replaceable - you can switch it out with a 2-pin (0.78mm) aftermarket cable if you like. The other end of the included cable connects to a 3.5mm socket, as expected in this price segment.

 

 

 

 

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The HeadphoneZone x Oriveti Blackbird gets a multi-driver hybrid setup featuring one dynamic driver and two balanced armature drivers in each earpiece. As HeadphoneZone describes, this IEM has a V-shaped sonic signature, with the dynamic driver handling the lows and the balanced armature drivers taking care of the mids and highs.

The specifications sheet is decent for a wired headset priced at under Rs. 5,000. You get a frequency response range of 5-20,000Hz, 107dB of peak sensitivity, and 16Ohms of resistance, so you can drive the HPZ x Oriveti Blackbird with even a basic source device such as a laptop, smartphone, or basic audio player. If you do have a decent DAC handy, that’ll help of course.

The V-shaped sonic signature might be looked at weirdly by many in the audiophile space, but it’s the most popular type of sound tuning and audible on most mainstream audio products for a pretty good reason - it suits most popular genres and listening habits. The HeadphoneZone x Oriveti Blackbird promises exactly this, offering budding audiophiles a headset that will agree with contemporary listening, adapt to most tracks, and not force a drastic change in listening habits.

The sonic signature is tuned to suit most popular genres including electronic and hip hop, and that’s what I tended to listen to during my time with the HeadphoneZone x Oriveti Blackbird. Starting with early 2000s house music classic What I Say by Kaskade, which gave the Blackbird a showcase its capabilities. For one, it’s rather loud (paired with the HPZ x ddHiFi DAC), achieving loud levels at just the 50 percent volume mark.

ALSO SEE: HeadphoneZone x Oriveti OD200 review

The sound itself is bass-forward as promised, giving the background beat of What I Say a fair amount of punch. That said, it’s not rumbling or overly aggressive, leaving plenty of room for the rest of the track to be heard clearly. Vocals in particular felt sharp and distinct, while the refined and tight attack of the lows understandably drew much of the attention. 

With fast, upbeat tracks, the multi-driver setup on the HPZ x Oriveti Blackbird really shows its pace and poise. Bad Boy by Yung Bae showed that the Blackbird is very capable of handling busy and quick-tempo tracks, while All The People In The World by Safri Duo once again showcased the Blackbird’s impressive handling of the lows without forgetting about the rest of the track. It’s a detailed and enjoyable sound that fits in with the expectations here.

The great thing about audiophile-focused IEMs is that there is so much variety and choice in the segment, with every headset showcasing the individual tuning talents of its makers. The HeadphoneZone x Oriveti Blackbird is one such example, and its sonic signature makes it a particularly attractive pick for listeners starting out in the audiophile space. Bonus bits such as the design, interchangeable cables, and HeadphoneZone stamp of approval help make this a great deal.