SIVGA Anser Review (2026): My Favourite Wired Headphones
The more wired headphones I test, the more I realise that convenience isn't everything. Bluetooth headphones are fantastic for everyday life, but when I want to sit down with a coffee and simply enjoy music without distractions, I still prefer plugging in a cable.
After spending the past three weeks with the SIVGA Anser, they've become my favourite wired headphones I've tested so far. They combine beautiful craftsmanship, outstanding comfort and a warm, engaging sound that kept me coming back day after day. At around $200, they also feel considerably more expensive than their price suggests.
If you're wondering whether I'd buy them with my own money, the answer is an easy yes.
The handcrafted wooden ear cups are the standout feature of the SIVGA Anser.
How I Tested the SIVGA Anser & Why You Can Trust My Opinion
Before moving to the UK, I spent almost 20 years working in the entertainment industry in Spain, where I regularly worked alongside live bands and music performances. That's where my appreciation for good sound really began. Although I'm not an audio engineer, I've always enjoyed listening to quality equipment and understanding what makes music sound engaging rather than simply loud.
For this review, I used the SIVGA Anser for three weeks as part of my daily routine, listening for several hours each day directly from my MacBook Air M1 without using a separate DAC or headphone amplifier.
Most of my listening took place in my home office and during relaxed evening music sessions. I listened to a wide range of music, but I kept coming back to two tracks that I know extremely well: Moby – Porcelain and Dire Straits – Money for Nothing. I also watched my usual YouTube vlogs to see how the headphones performed with spoken voices as well as music.
This review reflects my own experience after living with the headphones for three weeks, rather than simply listening to them for a few hours before writing.
Beautifully made, extremely comfortable and wonderfully easy to listen to. At around $200, the SIVGA Anser delivers a spacious, natural sound that makes every listening session feel special. If you're ready to rediscover wired headphones without spending over $300, these are an easy recommendation.
How Do the SIVGA Anser Sound?
This is the reason to buy them.
The first thing I noticed wasn't the bass or the treble. It was simply how enjoyable they were to listen to. Nothing felt exaggerated. Nothing tried too hard to impress. Instead, everything sounded balanced, natural and incredibly easy to enjoy for hours.
The bass has warmth and enough punch to give music energy without becoming overwhelming. Personally, I'm not a fan of overly boosted bass, and I found the Anser struck exactly the right balance.
Vocals sound clean and neutral. Whether I was listening to Moby or Dire Straits, voices always felt clear, realistic and beautifully separated from the instruments.
Treble is detailed but remains smooth. Even after several hours of listening, I never experienced the harshness or listening fatigue that some brighter headphones can produce.
What impressed me most, however, was the soundstage.
Being an open-back design, the Anser creates a wonderfully spacious presentation that makes you feel much closer to the performance. At times it genuinely felt as though I was sitting in the middle of a live concert rather than wearing headphones. Jazz, classic rock and acoustic recordings particularly benefited from this openness.
One thing I quickly noticed is that the Anser can get surprisingly loud. Personally, I found the sweet spot to be around 70–75% volume. Above that, the treble starts to become a little too energetic for my taste. Thankfully, there's really no need to push them that far because they're already more than loud enough at lower volumes.
I also asked my wife to give them a try, even though she wasn't particularly interested at first. Her reaction was, "Really? Another pair of headphones?" After a bit of persuasion, she agreed to listen to Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit. A few minutes later, she looked at me, smiled and simply carried on listening. I actually had to ask for them back. That probably tells you everything you need to know.
Perhaps the biggest compliment I can give them is this:
Every time I picked up the SIVGA Anser, I wanted to enjoy the best and most intimate music session—just me and the music.
Design and Build Quality
Premium materials and excellent attention to detail throughout the design.
Before I even listened to them, I was impressed.
The combination of real wood ear cups, metal components and a vegan leather headband gives the Anser a premium look that immediately stands out. It's refreshing to see so much attention paid to materials rather than relying on glossy plastic finishes.
Everything feels solid without becoming heavy, and the craftsmanship is excellent throughout. In fact, when I first held them, I genuinely thought they felt more expensive than their asking price.
For me, the mix of wood, metal and vegan leather is a winning combination. It's elegant, understated and timeless.
Comfort
The padded headband remained comfortable during long listening sessions.
Comfort is one area where the SIVGA Anser excels.
I regularly wore them for several hours at a time and never experienced any pressure on my head or ears.
The ear pads strike a lovely balance between soft and supportive while also being deep enough that my ears never touched the drivers inside.
Even after long listening sessions, they remained comfortable and never became noticeably warm during my normal use.
They're simply a pleasure to wear.
Unboxing Experience
The packaging is simple and understated, putting the focus on the headphones themselves.
The retail packaging is quite plain and minimalist. Personally, I liked that. It feels understated and lets the headphones do the talking rather than relying on flashy graphics or oversized marketing claims.
I can appreciate that some people might expect a little more excitement when opening a $200 pair of headphones, but the moment you lift the Anser out of the box, any doubts disappear. The combination of real wood, metal and vegan leather immediately gives them a premium feel.
The braided cable is another nice touch. It feels durable, has just the right length for desktop listening and complements the overall quality of the headphones. The only thing I would have liked to see included is a hard carry case for added protection when they're not being used.
Who Are the SIVGA Anser For?
I'd recommend them to anyone who enjoys sitting down and properly listening to music.
They're ideal for people who don't need Bluetooth connectivity and would rather invest their money in sound quality and craftsmanship.
If your budget doesn't stretch to premium audiophile headphones costing $300 or more, I think the Anser sits in a real sweet spot. At around $200, it's difficult to think of many headphones that combine this level of comfort, build quality and enjoyable sound.
Who Should Skip Them?
If your priority is Bluetooth, active noise cancellation or using headphones while travelling, these probably aren't the right choice.
They're open-back headphones designed for quiet environments, and they perform best when you can simply relax, sit back and enjoy your music without distractions.
The aluminium frame gives the headphones a reassuringly premium feel.
Final Thoughts
The more wired headphones I review, the more I appreciate what makes them special. There's something refreshingly simple about sitting down, plugging in a cable and focusing entirely on the music.
That's exactly what the SIVGA Anser encouraged me to do over the past three weeks.
They're beautifully built, exceptionally comfortable and, most importantly, they make listening to music genuinely enjoyable. Whether I was revisiting Moby's Porcelain, turning up Dire Straits' Money for Nothing, or simply catching up on my favourite YouTube channels, I always found myself looking forward to the next listening session.
The Anser isn't trying to be the most analytical or the most technically impressive headphone on the market. Instead, it delivers a warm, balanced and engaging sound that simply makes you want to keep listening.
For me, that's what great headphones are all about, and it's why the SIVGA Anser has become my favourite wired headphones I've tested so far.
Jerome
