Kiwi Ears has carved a niche in the audiophile market with its diverse range of headphones and earphones, each boasting unique sonic signatures. This review dives deep into the Kiwi Ears lineup, examining several key models to determine their strengths and weaknesses. We'll be exploring the Aether, Airosos, Ellipse, AA, Artor, and Division, assessing their sound quality, comfort, and overall value proposition. From balanced signatures to bass-heavy profiles and even noise-canceling options, Kiwi Ears offers something for a wide variety of listening preferences.This in-depth analysis will provide a comprehensive overview of each model, comparing and contrasting their performance across different genres of music. We'll dissect their frequency responses, analyze their technical capabilities, and ultimately help you determine which Kiwi Ears product best suits your individual needs and musical tastes. Prepare to discover which headphone or earphone will deliver the perfect listening experience for you.
Pros And Cons
- Slightly warm leaning sound
- Smooth
- Good amount of air and contrast to treble
- More musical sound with extra body and contrast
- Solid treble extension
- Warmer, smoother, less peaky than competitors
- Well-balanced coloration
- Good scaling depending on the song
- Competitive at its price
- Not as smooth, airy, and well-separated as competitors
- Less detailed than competitors
- Not a value pick for pure performance
- Treble can be too energetic at high volume
- Full, natural sound
- Punchy but textured low end
- Well-balanced overall
- Slight emphasis on treble for shimmer
- Authoritative attack with satisfying slam on mid-bass
- Well-controlled bass, doesn't bleed into mids
- Full-sounding but not warm
- Natural vocals, well-extended and balanced
- Good amount of micro-details
- Good scaling from mid to mid-high volume
- Easy to drive
- Top tier for the price
- Treble doesn't scale as well as some competitors at higher volumes
- Not Peak Comfort
- Bassy but well-balanced sound
- Not overly bright or thin
- Vocals not recessed
- Better sound isolation than Ardor
- Better than Ardor overall
- Easier on the ears than Ardor and AA
- Can be cranked up more than Ardor and AA
- Heavier and less comfy fit than Ardor
- Not as sleek looking as Ardor
- Less detailed than AA and Aether
- Balanced sound signature
- Thumpy, well-textured low end
- Clean vocals
- Airy treble
- Good impact
- Grounded sound, not light or floaty
- Punchy but quick bass
- Correct vocal sound, not sharp or peaky
- Enough extension to notes
- Clean and well-layered mid-range
- Well-extended treble, great clarity and micro-details without being fatiguing
- Good scaling on slower genres
- Undercuts more expensive competitors with similar sound
- Slightly brighter leaning
- Treble can get too hot at high volumes on energetic tracks
Read more: EPZ P50 In-Ear Monitor Review: A Breakout Performer?
Kiwi Ears Aether: A Planar Magnetic Masterpiece?
The Kiwi Ears Aether boasts a balanced sound signature, characterized by a well-textured, punchy low-end, clean vocals, and airy treble. Its planar magnetic driver offers a surprisingly impactful sound, defying expectations for a lightweight design. The bass is quick and punchy, not muddy or bloated.
The Aether's mid-range is exceptionally clean and layered. Vocals sound accurate and natural, neither sharp nor recessed. There's ample extension to the notes without any bleeding into other frequencies. This detailed sound extends to the upper mids and treble, which are well-extended and clear without being fatiguing.
Scaling is impressive for a mid-volume set, maintaining performance even on high-energy tracks. While certain genres might require minor volume adjustments, it handles everything from pop and hip-hop to more delicate ballads with grace. This versatility places the Aether slightly above other options in its class, such as the Timeless 2, making it quite a contender.
Kiwi Ears Airosos: A Warm and Musical Hybrid
The Kiwi Ears Airosos is a OnePlus 4 hybrid IEM with a warmer, smoother sound signature than some competitors. While not as airy or well-separated as some other IEMs, its warmth adds a sense of musicality and body. It features good treble extension and contrast.
Compared to the EM6L and the Meyersla3, the Airosos occupies a middle ground; warmer and more contrasty than the EM6L, but smoother and less peaky than the sla3. The Airosos also offers a thicker, huskier vocal presentation without congestion, maintaining good air and extension.
Technically, the EM6L and sla3 are more detailed, but the Airosos remains competitive at its price point. It is best suited for users who appreciate a warmer, slightly colored sound with good extension and a musical presentation, rather than pure technical performance.
Kiwi Ears Ellipse: Open-Back Excellence for the Discerning Listener
The Kiwi Ears Ellipse open-back headphones, despite their form factor limitations, provide top-tier sound quality for their price. The sound is full, natural, and well-balanced, with a punchy yet textured low-end and a slightly emphasized treble for shimmer. The mid-bass has an authoritative attack and satisfying slam.
Vocals are natural, well-extended, and neither too forward nor recessed. Although the sub-bass might not be quite as deep as some competitors, the impact of the drums is significantly more realistic and natural-sounding. The 50mm driver makes a noticeable difference in impact while maintaining control.
While the treble might become a bit prominent at higher volumes, the overall detail and extension are impressive. Its micro-detail in cymbals, combined with its full sound, places it in a class above others for its price. The comfort level is quite good for extended listening sessions.
Kiwi Ears AA and Artor: Mixed Results
The Kiwi Ears AA and Artor both lean towards a brighter sound signature with energetic treble. The AA's technical prowess and sub-bass texture are undeniable, but its treble can be overwhelming at higher volumes, and the sound can feel disjointed at times. The vocals feel slightly lacking in extension and have a noticeable peak.
The Artor, while offering ANC, shares the AA’s bright treble, though with less detail. It's less fatiguing than the AA but also less detailed and sounds less technical. While its noise cancellation is solid for the price, scaling poorly with brighter tracks.
Neither the AA nor the Artor are recommended for listening at high volumes. Both may be suitable for specific genres at lower to mid-volumes, but the bright treble can become problematic. Other models in the lineup prove more versatile and enjoyable in most scenarios.
Kiwi Ears Division: A Bass-Focused Option
The Kiwi Ears Division offers a bass-heavy V-shaped sound signature. While the bass is prominent, the mids show some coloring, affecting vocal clarity and extension. The treble remains present but doesn’t reach the energetic levels of the AA or Artor.
It is less balanced and bassier than the Aventus, lacking the ANC features and more technical aspects. While not lacking in impact, the texture and resolution of the bass can't compete with the Ellipse or the AA. The Division is more of a niche product for bass heads.
The Division's comfort is acceptable, although the pads could be softer. Its simple design and low profile are advantageous. At $50, the Division is a budget-friendly option, but its technical limitations make it less versatile than other models in the Kiwi Ears lineup.
Overall Conclusion and Recommendations
The Kiwi Ears lineup offers a diverse range of sound signatures and price points. The Ellipse stands out as a top-tier option in its price range, providing exceptional quality. The Aether is highly competitive, offering impressive balance and performance, especially considering the cost.
The Airosos provides a more musical and warm experience. However, the AA and Artor fall short of the others due to overly bright trebles. The Division has a niche appeal due to its bass-heavy signature but sacrifices detail and balance.
Ultimately, choosing the right Kiwi Ears product depends on individual preferences and priorities. The Ellipse and Aether stand out in terms of overall balance and performance, while others excel in specific aspects. Each one provides an interesting listening experience, although certain aspects and potential improvements could be made.