Oriolus Szalayi II

Szalayi II

Szalayi II builds on the distinctive character of the original Szalayi while refining it in all the right places.

Szalayi II isn't chasing technical resolution or bass impact for their own sake. It delivers a full-bodied low end without losing vocals or individual instruments in the mix, and keeps the natural coherence that made the original Szalayi feel remarkably seamless for a multi-driver design. Background silence, vocal presence, sub-bass extension, and smoothness through the upper midrange and treble have all been pushed further still.

Instrument contours are crisp and articulate, yet each note retains a natural warmth and gentle roundness. Fine detail comes through clearly, without tipping the presentation into clinical analysis.

This is the Oriolus sound: rich and immersive, built for genuine musical enjoyment rather than technical bragging rights.

The Szalayi Legacy, Refined

At Oriolus, our sound philosophy is simple: music should be genuinely enjoyable to listen to.

Within that philosophy, each Oriolus product explores its own distinct sonic identity. The original Szalayi earned acclaim in Japan and abroad for its dense, authoritative bass, full-bodied vocals, natural harmonic texture, and a spacious presentation that conveyed individual instruments as well as the distance and air between them.

For Szalayi II, we went back through the interaction between each driver, the crossover network, and the overall acoustic architecture. Vocal definition is sharper as a result, spatial presentation more convincing, and low-frequency texture noticeably richer.

Three Driver Technologies, One Cohesive Sound

Szalayi II features a tribrid configuration: a 14 mm planar magnetic driver, a 10 mm dynamic driver, and a balanced armature driver, carefully integrated to draw out the unique strengths of each technology.

This combination keeps bloom and congestion in check, so vocal articulation can emerge naturally. Delicate high-frequency information is preserved too, adding clarity and openness to a rich, full-bodied tonal picture.

Vocals remain clearly defined, while the low frequencies that form the foundation of the music are given both depth and physical presence. Frequencies that can easily turn fatiguing are deliberately kept in check.

Voices remain distinct from the accompaniment. Bass reaches deep without becoming overly swollen. Treble is smooth and gentle on the ear while retaining fine detail and texture.

With its deep-reaching low end and richly textured vocals at the core, Szalayi II suits music built on rhythm, groove, and emotional weight: hip-hop, R&B, soul, and anything in that vein.

Key Tuning Decisions Reflected in the Frequency Response

A frequency-response graph alone does not define the final sound of an earphone.

Szalayi II was tuned by examining the complete acoustic system: driver response, crossover behavior, acoustic tubes, internal shell volume, and the seal achieved when worn. Through repeated measurement and critical listening, each element was refined until the intended balance was achieved.

Greater Vocal Presence and Clearer Articulation

The region around 1 kHz, which plays an important role in vocal presence and intelligibility, has been deliberately brought forward so that voices can emerge naturally from the mix without being overshadowed by the instrumentation.

The objective was not simply to make vocals louder.

Instead, the tuning makes it easier to perceive the shape of vowels and consonants, subtle breaths, and the fine nuances of a singer's articulation. With female vocals and intimate acoustic performances in particular, the presentation aims for a stronger sense of proximity, as though the performer were standing a little closer to you.

Even against Szalayi II's substantial low end, vocals stay firmly positioned and forward, keeping both body and focus intact. Female vocals open up, gaining extension and air; male vocals pick up more chest resonance and weight, with articulation that holds together even at volume. Piano and guitar melodies come through with similar clarity, without artificially sharpened attack.

For vocal-centered genres such as pop, R&B, and soul, this tuning makes the interplay between singer and accompaniment easier to follow, allowing the emotional center of the performance to come through more clearly.

Sub-Bass Depth and Physical Air, Without Mid-Bass Bloat

Rather than simply increasing the perceived quantity of bass, Szalayi II places greater emphasis on the lowest audible frequencies, approximately 20–50 Hz. This enhances the sensation of air moving beneath the music, giving the presentation greater physical scale and foundation.

The energy of kick drums and large percussion instruments, the spaciousness of a concert hall, the downward extension of synthesizer bass, and even the atmosphere of a live venue can all be reproduced with greater natural depth.

By avoiding excessive emphasis in the mid-bass, Szalayi II achieves substantial weight without sacrificing openness or definition. The result is bass that feels deep and controlled, not just loud.

Natural Definition and Spatial Depth with Reduced Listening Fatigue

The 3–5 kHz region, where the ear is particularly sensitive to harshness and excessive intensity, has been carefully controlled.

As a result, Szalayi II holds onto a high level of detail and definition, with less glare, sharpness, and listening fatigue.

Female vocals retain their natural contours and texture without becoming overly aggressive. With violin and acoustic guitar, the sound emphasizes not only the initial bite of the strings, but also the resonance of the instrument body and the natural character of wood.

Brass instruments, cymbals, and hi-hats keep their transient energy and metallic decay, staying smooth and comfortable through long listening sessions.

Ergonomic Shell Design for All-Day Comfort and Consistent Acoustic Performance

The newly designed shells are individually handcrafted from premium German resin.

Despite housing a large 14 mm planar magnetic driver and 10 mm dynamic driver, the shell's internal structure delivers the acoustic volume each driver needs, while its ergonomic form follows the natural contours of the ear. The shell geometry and fit were repeatedly refined to achieve stable, comfortable wear even after hours of continuous use.

A secure and consistent fit also helps maintain the intended acoustic seal, so Szalayi II preserves its carefully tuned tonal balance and stays put, without shifting or working loose during use.

The shells are finished in a vivid tangerine orange, bringing a contemporary and approachable character to the design. The color also carries an auspicious meaning in Chinese culture: the character for orange, 橙 (chéng), shares a similar pronunciation with 成 (chéng), associated with achievement and success.

It's a vibrant color choice, chosen as much for what it represents as for how it looks: an expression of energy to match your immersion in the music.

High-Purity Copper Cable with Dual-Layer Shielding

Szalayi II includes a newly designed balanced cable featuring highly compatible recessed CIEM 2-pin connectors.

Constructed with high-purity copper conductors and a dual-layer shielding structure, the cable stays supple and easy to handle, while cutting down on external electrical interference.

The result is a stable, precisely focused sonic image that complements the acoustic performance of Szalayi II.

Specifications

Model: Szalayi II
Type: In-Ear Monitors
Driver Configuration:
1 × Planar Magnetic Driver
1 × Dynamic Driver
1 × Balanced Armature Driver
Frequency Response: 10 Hz–40 kHz
Sensitivity: 110 dB
Impedance: 15 Ω
Weight: Approx. 12 g, excluding cable
Connector: CIEM 2-pin (0.78 mm)
Cable Conductor: High-Purity Copper
Cable Length: Approx. 140 cm
Plug: 4.4 mm balanced

Included Accessories

Cleaning tool, dedicated cable clip, and Oriolus silicone and foam ear tips in multiple sizes.