This is a comparison between the FiiO FT1 and the brand new Sivga SV021 Pro V2 (released in May 2026).
Both are closed-back dynamic driver headphones with wooden cups. The SV021 Pro V2 is smaller and typically priced around 189 USD, while the larger FiiO FT1 is currently 165 USD.
The Sivga SV021 Pro V2 is the second version of the SV021 Pro. The first version was released in February 2026, the V2 was released in May 2026.
The two sound distinctly different, with the V2 sounding much better. Confusingly, however, the V2 looks identical to the first version, but if you remove the pads you can identify it by the fixed nylon mesh covering the driver. The V2 has this mesh; the original did not.
The FiiO FT1 hardly needs any introduction. As far as I am concerned, it is the benchmark for any closed-back headphone below 500 USD. My full review can be found here: FT1 Review.
SIVGA SV021 Pro SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: compact over-ear closed-back
- Driver: 50mm dynamic
- Diaphragm: aluminium composite
- Sensitivity: 106 dB
- Impedance: 45 Ohms
- Cable: 1.6 m OFC, braided
- Cable connectors: dual mono 3.5 mm on headphones
- Cable termination: 3.5mm jack
- Two colour options (dark or light brown)
- Cup material: zebra wood or beech
- Weight: 289 g
Current price and availability:
- AliExpress: Sivga SV021 Pro V2
- Sivga Store: SV021 Pro V2
FIIO FT1 SPECIFICATIONS
- Closed-back dynamic headphones
- Driver: 60mm dynamic
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 98dB/mW@1kHz or 113dB/Vrms@1kHz
- Frequency response: 10Hz-40kHz
- Cable material: silver-plated oxygen-free copper
- Cable length: About 1.5 m
- Weight: 340g (excluding cable)
- Headphone connector: Dual 3.5mm TRS
- Audio cable plug: 3.5mm/4.4mm
- Ear cup material: walnut or beech real wood
Current price and availability:
BUILD AND COMFORT
Both are well built and comfortable to wear, with wooden ear cups and memory foam pads with fabric touching the skin.
Both have detachable cables using 3.5mm connectors and padded headbands with no headband strap.
The FT1 and Pro V2 are both available in two colour finishes – dark wood and black or light wood and brown.
The biggest difference is size. The FiiO FT1 is a full-size headphone best suited for home or office use, while the SV021 Pro V2 is significantly smaller and more suited for on-the-go use, whether commuting, travelling, or similar situations.
The FT1 does, however, come with a very nice travel case, whereas the SV021 Pro V2 includes only a hemp bag.
LISTENING COMPARISONS
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
Outlaws by Bill Frisell
The SV021 Pro V2 has very nice bass and a crisp but smooth presence in the mids and highs.
The FT1 is surprisingly similar in tonality, although the guitar sounds a bit warmer in a pleasing way. The FT1 also has better detail and instrument separation, but the difference is far less prominent than I expected. In the big picture, they are actually quite close.
Sandermosen by Maridalen
The V2 has very good bass presence, with warmth and detail. The midrange timbre is excellent and the highs are smooth.
Here too, the FT1 sounds relatively similar, but offers even better detail and instrument separation. The midrange is slightly recessed compared to the V2, however.
Re-Melt by Tord Gustavsen Trio
The V2 sounds very pleasing and well balanced, smooth and gentle with a spacious delivery.
Switching to the FT1, the bass is much more prominent while the piano is comparably recessed. I prefer the tonality of the V2 here, even though the FT1 may offer slightly better detail.
Spontaneous Compositorius by Thomas Agergard
The V2 has a nice, somewhat forward saxophone. The bright percussion is not especially sharp or piercing, but bright and nicely clean. The bass is well balanced.
Moving to the FT1, the bass is again more powerful. The saxophone has a bit more warmth but is less pronounced. The treble is pretty similar.
The Hidden Camera by Photek
Time for some electronic music. The V2 has tight and deep bass with a very good presence without being overpowering. The percussion on this track can often sound a bit dry, but not so with the V2. It has a very good tonality for this track.
The FT1 has very similar bass quality, slightly more pronounced. The percussion is very similar.
Teardrop by Massive Attack
The V2 delivers high-quality bass with a very good and well-balanced quantity. The vocals are smooth and delicate, and the percussion is snappy in a relaxed way.
The FT1 sounds very similar here. There is slightly better instrument separation, the vocals are a bit recessed, and the bass is more pronounced, though the overall tonal character is pretty similar.
Jambi by Tool
The V2 offers textured guitars in a smooth way, with vocals that are equally smooth but stand out nicely in the mix. The bass is tight but still pleasingly present.
The FT1 offers similarly sounding guitars but with more bass quantity and less pronounced vocals. The detail level is pretty similar.
Escape Route by Boris Blank
The V2 sounds very organic, here with very good instrument separation while remaining slightly laid-back and smooth.
The FT1 is quite similar in character. It has better instrument separation and a blacker background, but the midrange is a bit more recessed in the mix.
It Could Be Sweet by Portishead
The V2 offers a nicely powerful and detailed bass while the vocals remain upfront in a smooth way, with no sibilance, which is often an issue on this track with many other headphones.
The FT1 is similar but sounds clearer and better separated, though the vocals are slightly sibilant.
Young Vivaldi by Modo Antiquo
The V2 has a generally pleasing instrumental presentation, but it sounds a bit flat and less organic than the best competitors.
The FT1 has better timbre and sounds more natural and organic with the strings here.
Summer 3 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
The V2 sounds decent, but with this more complex material I think some issues with internal reflections become more noticeable than on most tracks. The string timbre is not entirely accurate, and there is a sense of diffuseness that I find unsatisfying.
The FT1 sounds significantly cleaner and more natural, and the fuzziness that bothered me with the V2 is gone.
Never Enough by Loren Alred
This is a track with fabulous vocal performance but poorly done mastering, and the vocals can often sound dry. The V2 sounds quite decent, although it does not add much warmth.
The FT1 sounds warmer, smoother, and cleaner here.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The FiiO FT1 has a somewhat V-shaped sound signature with elevated bass, modest mids, and slightly brighter highs. It does not stray too far from neutral, but it has some colour to it. The SV021 Pro V2 has slightly less bass, more midrange presence, and marginally less energetic highs.
Treble
Neither headphone has overly sharp or aggressive highs. Both are nicely detailed, but the V2 is a bit less energetic in that regard.
Midrange
The SV021 Pro V2 has a more pronounced and often a bit brighter midrange presence than the FT1, though the two often sound relatively similar. The FT1 generally offers better clarity, however.
Bass
Both headphones have very good bass. The FT1 has more quantity, but I find them quite comparable in terms of quality. The FT1 might be a tad better detail occasionally, but mostly they are very comparable.
Soundstage and Imaging
The soundstage size is quite comparable, with both being relatively spacious for closed-back designs. When it comes to imaging, the SV021 Pro V2 is quite good, but the FT1 has better instrument separation, a blacker background, and as a result, better imaging.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
The SV021 Pro V2 offers good detail and dynamics, but the FT1 is a step above in both regards. In terms of detail especially, it is simply cleaner with fewer resonances. The difference varies somewhat depending on the track and which frequencies are dominant.
When it comes to timbre, it is more of a toss-up, especially in the all-important midrange. Sometimes the SV021 Pro V2 nails it, but other times it is troubled by resonances, and the FT1 is significantly cleaner and sounds more natural and effortless.
CONCLUSION
The FiiO FT1 is the more technically accomplished headphone of the two, offering better detail retrieval, fewer resonance issues, improved instrument separation, and a blacker background. That said, I was genuinely impressed by how closely the Sivga SV021 Pro V2 approaches it in overall technical performance – and, importantly, it is a significant improvement over the previous Pro version.
In terms of sound signature, the FT1 may come across as too bass-heavy for some listeners, while the SV021 Pro V2 delivers a more forward and sometimes more engaging midrange presentation.
The Pro V2 also has an advantage when it comes to physical size and overall compactness.
Both are excellent headphones, offering impressive build quality and strong sonic performance for the price.
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- AliExpress: Sivga SV021 Pro V2
- Sivga Store: SV021 Pro V2
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