Headphone Zone x Oriveti Blackbird Review: Audiophile Theatre For The Masses, Minus The Controls
Headphone Zone x Oriveti Blackbird Review: The Oriveti Blackbird, brought to you in collaboration with Headphone Zone, aims to bring audiophile-grade sound to everyday listeners without the jaw-dropping price tag. Priced at just Rs 4,999, these wired in-ear monitors (IEM) combine a 10mm dynamic driver with dual balanced armatures to deliver thumping bass and pristine clarity in one sleek package. Whether you're stepping up from entry-level gear or hunting for serious sound under Rs 5K, the Blackbird promises an immersive listening experience. But while the sound soars, a few key conveniences are noticeably missing. So, is it a deal or a detour? Let’s find out.
Headphone Zone x Oriveti Blackbird Review: Quick Pointers
What I Loved:
- Stunning clarity and separation — vocals and instruments shine
- Bass has body without bleeding into mids
- Comfortable, lightweight design with detachable cable and super-premium case
- Great value for the driver configuration and sound signature
What I Didn’t:
- No volume or playback controls
- No mic support for calls or commands
- Constantly reaching for your phone can get tiring on the move
When Phantom of the Opera Hits Like Front Row at NMACC
Let’s not beat around the bush — the Oriveti Blackbird sounds fantastic. I plugged it in and queued up The Phantom of the Opera in lossless, and honestly, I was transported. While the equally priced TWS JBL Tune Beam 2 gave me thumping bass and energy, the Blackbird gave me clarity.
Every voice stood out, every instrument had space, and not once did the sound feel crowded or jarbled. It felt like I was seated inside the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, watching the drama unfold live.
That’s the real magic here. The 10mm dynamic driver gives you that mass-pleasing bass, while the two balanced armature drivers ensure the mids and highs remain sharp, clean, and expressive. It’s a bass-forward signature, yes, but with none of the muddiness or fatigue that plagues cheaper IEMs.
Fit, Feel, Finish — The Blackbird Doesn’t Miss
Build-wise, Oriveti’s got the formula right. The 3D-printed acrylic shell is feather-light and fits like it was moulded for your ears. You get six pairs of tips (both bullet and bowl-shaped), a premium braided detachable cable, and a travel case that doesn’t feel like a cheap add-on. Matter of fact, the beautiful cloth finish is a sure-shot head-turner among audiophile circles.
Sound isolation is solid, and the ergonomic fit means you can listen for hours without discomfort. It’s the kind of package that makes you question why you ever settled for less.
As a bonus, it always feels lovely wearing an IEM. If you, like this author, have grown up with videos of Chester Bennington and Billie Joe Armstrong coolly adjusting their IEMs behind the ears during roaring concerts, you can't help but feel like a rockstar yourself when you tuck those braided wires behind your ear.
The Big Miss — No Controls, No Excuses
Here’s where things get dicey.
There are zero onboard controls — no volume buttons, no track skip, no mic. Just pure listening.
That might be fine if you’re lounging on your couch, but if you’re out running, riding, or commuting, it gets annoying fast. Having to constantly pull out your phone just to skip a track or adjust volume — or even to pause a track when someone talks to you randomly — is a major downer, especially when even budget TWS earbuds manage to offer basic playback functions.
Also, the Blackbird comes with a 3.5mm jack, which means you'd need a USB-C adapter or a DAC to be able to plug into most of the modern phones out there now.
Headphone Zone x Oriveti Blackbird Review: Final Verdict
Oriveti’s Blackbird brings crystal-clear sound with rich, satisfying bass to the sub-Rs 5K bracket — and that alone makes it a serious contender for anyone looking to upgrade from entry-level audio gear.
But for all the sonic brilliance, it’s hard to ignore the missing playback controls. If you’re someone who values sound over convenience, it’s an easy recommendation. But if you're after an all-rounder for everyday use on the move, this might not be the one.
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