In the ever-evolving world of In-Ear Monitors (IEMs), Kiwi Ears has emerged as a promising contender, challenging the notion that premium sound comes with a premium price tag. This relatively new brand, founded by a team with extensive experience in designing and tuning earphones for popular brands, aims to produce IEMs that cater to both critical music listening and professional use while maintaining a budget-friendly product anyone can enjoy.
What sets Kiwi Ears apart is their commitment to handcrafting each unit with meticulous attention to detail. Their focus on creating professional-grade IEMs that reveal every nuance in music and performance has resulted in a lineup that promises to deliver exceptional value. In this review, we'll explore three of their standout models: the Quintet, Quartet, and Orchestra Lite.
- Reference tuning
- Natural and realistic highs
- Neutral bass, not boomy
- Crystal clear and transparent mids
- Spacious soundstage
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Exceptional value for money
- Nice carrying case
- Limited ear-tip options, wish there was more sizes
- Mediocre, non-modular cable options
- No balanced cable option
- Lack of comprehensive spec sheets
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The Quintet is Kiwi Ears' tour de force, featuring a complex 5-driver setup per ear. This hybrid configuration includes a 10mm Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) dynamic driver, two balanced armature (BA) drivers, a planar magnetic driver, and a piezoelectric (PZT) bone conductor. The result is a truly impressive audio experience that punches well above its weight class.
The Quintet's sound signature is remarkably balanced and studio-monitor-like. The DLC driver, chosen for its high responsiveness and tensile strength, delivers impactful yet fast-decaying bass. This ensures that low frequencies are present and felt without overwhelming the mix. The transition from sub-bass to mid-bass is handled expertly, with a 9dB shelf that smoothly flattens out around 300Hz, providing just enough warmth in the lower mids to keep bass guitar notes present without compromising overall neutrality.
The two Knowles BA drivers are responsible for the midrange, and they excel at their job. Vocals and instruments in this range come through with exceptional clarity and natural timbre. The mids are neither recessed nor forward, striking a delicate balance that allows for an immersive yet analytical listening experience.
Where the Quintet truly shines is in its treble reproduction. The inclusion of Micro Planar Transducers (MPT) for treble is a standout feature, offering crisp and detailed high frequencies that extend up to 40kHz. This contributes to an airy, spacious soundstage that's rare in this price range. The planar magnetic drivers provide a unique treble presentation that's distinct from typical BA or electrostatic tweeters, offering exceptional detail without becoming harsh or fatiguing.
The piezoelectric driver adds another layer of refinement, enhancing perceived audio resolution, texture, and soundstage. Its presence significantly contributes to the Quintet's ability to reveal micro-details in recordings, making it an excellent choice for critical listening.
The Quintet's build quality is impressive, especially considering its price point. The IEMs are lightweight and comfortable, allowing for extended listening sessions without fatigue. The included carrying case is a nice touch, providing both protection and convenience.
However, there are a few minor drawbacks. The cable, while functional, is not modular and falls short of the quality one might expect from a product in this category. Additionally, the limited selection of ear tips may make it challenging for some users to achieve an optimal fit and comfort.
What's truly astonishing about the Quintet is its price-to-performance ratio. The sound quality and build are comparable to IEMs in the $500+ range, making it an exceptional value proposition for those looking to enter the world of high-end IEMs without breaking the bank. Despite the few shortcomings in accessories, the overall package is incredibly compelling.
- Multiple tuning options (this is cool!)
- Solid bass
- Good design and overall comfort
- Versatile sound profiles
- Below-average mid-range detail for an IEM
- Bass can be overwhelming (unless that's your thing)
The Quartet takes a different approach with its 4-driver hybrid setup, featuring two 10mm dynamic drivers and two custom balanced armatures. What sets it apart is the inclusion of two tuning switches, allowing users to choose from four different sound profiles.
The star of the show here is the bass response, thanks to the isobaric double dynamic driver subwoofer with titanium diaphragms. This configuration delivers a powerful and impactful low-end that's sure to please bass enthusiasts. The use of titanium diaphragms contributes to the driver's speed and control, ensuring that while the bass is prominent, it doesn't become muddy or overwhelmingly boomy.
The two custom balanced armature drivers handle the mid-high and ultra-high frequencies. This split allows for more precise control over the upper range of the frequency spectrum, contributing to the Quartet's ability to present detail in the higher registers.
The inclusion of tuning switches is a standout feature, offering four distinct sound profiles:
1. Balanced: Aims for a neutral presentation across the frequency range.
2. Bass Boost: Enhances the already strong low-end for a more visceral experience.
3. Vocal Emphasis: Slightly recesses the bass and boosts the upper mids for clearer vocals.
4. Treble Sparkle: Adds more energy to the high frequencies for increased perceived detail.
Despite its bass-forward tuning, the Quartet manages to maintain a relatively flat midrange, ensuring vocals and instruments don't get completely overshadowed. However, it's worth noting that the mids, while pleasant, lack some of the detail retrieval capabilities found in the Quintet or Orchestra Lite models.
The bass response is the Quartet's standout feature. It's deep, impactful, and can be further enhanced with the tuning switches. This makes the Quartet an excellent choice for genres that benefit from strong bass reproduction, such as EDM, hip-hop, and certain rock subgenres.
The treble is generally smooth and fatigue-free, though some listeners might find it a bit rolled off, especially in the balanced setting. The treble sparkle switch can help alleviate this, adding more energy to the high frequencies, but it may introduce some sibilance in poorly recorded tracks.
Like its siblings, the Quartet boasts good build quality and comfort. The IEMs are well-designed for long listening sessions, with a shape that fits comfortably in most ears. The Quartet is an excellent choice for those who prioritize bass response and value versatility in sound signatures. It's particularly well-suited for genres like EDM, hip-hop, and pop, as well as for drummers and bass guitarists looking for impactful low-end reproduction. While it may not offer the same level of refinement as the Quintet, its tuning options make it a versatile choice for listeners who enjoy experimenting with different sound profiles.
- Natural, studio monitor-like sound
- Fantastic highs
- Custom-designed balanced armature drivers
- Comfortable for extended listening sessions
- Excellent value proposition
- May lack solid bass impact
The Orchestra Lite is Kiwi Ears' reimagining of their original Orchestra model, offering similar performance at a more accessible price point. Featuring eight balanced armature drivers (two custom ultra tweeters, four midrange, and two subwoofers), this IEM is tuned to deliver a natural and balanced sound signature.
The Orchestra Lite's eight-driver setup is impressive, especially considering its price point. The configuration breaks down as follows:
- Two custom ultra tweeters for precise high-frequency reproduction
- Four midrange balanced armature drivers for clear and detailed mids
- Two subwoofer drivers for low-frequency response
What sets the Orchestra Lite apart is its sophisticated three-way passive crossover system. This ensures minimal distortion and precise layering across the frequency spectrum, allowing each driver to operate in its optimal range.
What stands out about the Orchestra Lite is its tonal accuracy and detail retrieval. The frequency response has been carefully tuned to emulate professional studio monitors:
- Bass is present but not overpowering, with a subtle 8dB peak from 20Hz to 200Hz. This provides just enough low-end foundation without bleeding into the mids.
- The mids are impressively neutral, varying only 1dB from 200Hz to 800Hz. This flatness contributes to the Orchestra Lite's exceptional accuracy in vocal and instrumental reproduction.
- The treble is expertly aligned with the human ear's natural perception, providing detail and air without becoming harsh or fatiguing.
The result is a sound signature that prioritizes accuracy and neutrality. The Orchestra Lite excels in revealing the nuances of a mix, making it an excellent tool for critical listening and audio production work. The soundstage is well-defined, with precise instrument separation and positioning.
However, listeners accustomed to more colored or bass-heavy IEMs might initially find the Orchestra Lite less engaging. Its neutral presentation may be perceived as lacking excitement, especially for genres that benefit from enhanced low-end or sparkly highs.
The Orchestra Lite continues Kiwi Ears' tradition of solid build quality. The IEMs are comfortable for extended listening sessions, which is crucial for their intended use in professional environments. The included cable is a 4-core 7N oxygen-free copper design, striking a good balance between quality and flexibility.
For those seeking a more analytical and true-to-source sound, the Orchestra Lite is a compelling option. It's particularly well-suited for audio professionals, mixing engineers, and audiophiles who prioritize accuracy over coloration. The level of performance it offers at its price point is truly impressive, making it a strong contender in the budget-friendly professional IEM market.
Kiwi Ears has made a strong entrance into the IEM market with these three models, each catering to different preferences and use cases. The brand's commitment to delivering high-quality sound at accessible price points is evident across their lineup.
The Quintet stands out as an exceptional all-rounder, offering performance that rivals much more expensive IEMs. Its hybrid driver configuration and expert tuning result in a balanced, detailed sound that should satisfy even discerning audiophiles. The value proposition here is simply outstanding, potentially redefining expectations for what's possible in this price range.
The Quartet will appeal to bass enthusiasts and those who appreciate tuning flexibility. While it may not match the Quintet in overall refinement, its powerful low-end and customizable sound profiles make it a versatile choice for various genres and listening preferences. It's an excellent option for those who want a fun, engaging sound with the ability to tweak it to their liking.
The Orchestra Lite, with its balanced and accurate reproduction, is perfect for professionals and purists alike. Its neutral tuning and exceptional detail retrieval make it an invaluable tool for critical listening and audio production work. While it may not have the bass impact of its siblings, its faithful reproduction of source material is commendable.
What's most impressive about Kiwi Ears' lineup is the consistent value proposition across all models. These IEMs consistently punch above their weight class, offering sound quality and features typically found in much more expensive models. While there are minor quibbles like limited accessory options or cable quality, these are easily forgiven given the overall package and price point.
The introduction of Kiwi Ears to the market is a welcome development for budget-conscious audiophiles and professionals alike. They've managed to strike an impressive balance between performance, build quality, and affordability, potentially redefining what we can expect from budget-friendly audiophile gear. Their approach of utilizing advanced driver technologies and careful tuning, while keeping prices accessible, sets a new standard in the industry.
Check out Kiwi Ears on Amazon!
For anyone looking to step into the world of high-quality IEMs without breaking the bank, Kiwi Ears deserves serious consideration. Whether you're a basshead, a critical listener, or someone in between, there's likely a Kiwi Ears model that will meet your needs and exceed your expectations. As the brand continues to evolve and refine their offerings, they are definitely one to watch in the coming years. Kiwi Ears has not just entered the market; they've made a statement, challenging established players and proving that exceptional audio experiences don't have to come with a premium price tag.
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