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Kiwi Ears Quartet Review

Our review of Kiwi Ears Quartet, a high-fidelity earphone renowned for its exceptional sound quality, ergonomic design, and customizable tuning options.
kiwi ears quartet review

Disclosure: The Kiwi Ears Quartet was provided by Linsoul for this review. Please read more about our product review disclosure here.

The IEM market is vast, and finding the right pair of IEMs can be daunting with so many choices. To help narrow the field a bit, today we focus on the Kiwi Ears Quartet, a remarkable piece from the esteemed collection available at Linsoul. Renowned for their meticulous attention to detail, Kiwi Ears has steadily garnered acclaim for producing IEMs that not only meet but often exceed audiophile expectations, while staying on the budget side of the spectrum. With an emphasis on good bass, detailed mid-range, and sound profile options, the Quartet is poised to captivate users with its acoustic capabilities and ergonomic design.


Key Specifications

  • Type: IEM (in-ear monitor)
  • Driver Type: 4 total drivers: 2 x 10mm Dynamic Drivers (DD), 2 x custom Balanced Armatures (BA)
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
  • Impedance: 32 ohms
  • Sensitivity: 110 dB SPL
  • Weight: 4g per earpiece
  • Connection: 0.78mm 2-pin connectors on each earpiece, 3.5mm cable termination
  • Detachable Cable: Yes

In The Box

  • Kiwi Ears Quartet IEMs
  • 0.78mm 2-pin high-quality oxygen-free silver-plated copper 3.5mm cable
  • 3 types of silicone eartips, 3 sizes each (18 total eartips)
  • Carrying case
  • Dip switch tool

Packaging and Accessories

The box is a solid, purple-themed container that feels substantial in hand. Inside, the Quartet earpieces are nestled securely, surrounded by a foam cutout that ensures they remain in pristine condition during shipping. The earpieces themselves catch the eye with their black and purple color scheme, featuring swirly, whirly accents that add a touch of artistic flair to the design. The overall packaging is not just functional but also visually appealing, making the initial interaction with the IEMs quite satisfying.

Diving deeper into the box reveals the accessories. The set includes a high-quality oxygen-free silver-plated copper cable known for its lightweight and noise-free audio transmission. This cable uses a 2-pin connector system, allowing for easy replacement or upgrade. Additionally, the box contains a variety of silicone ear tips in different sizes and designs, enabling users to find the perfect fit and isolation for their listening experience.

A hard-shell zippered carrying case also included, features the Kiwi Ears logo, and offers robust protection for the earphones when not in use. This attention to detail in the accessories ensures that every user can tailor their Quartet experience right from the start, without the need for immediate extras.

The Quartet also provides a tool for adjusting the tuning dip switches, a feature that highlights the customizable nature of these earphones.


Design & Comfort

The Kiwi Ears Quartet showcases a meticulous approach to build quality, blending both aesthetic appeal and functional durability.

Material and Finish

The Quartet’s shells are crafted from black medical-grade resin, and adorned with metallic purple swirls. This not only creates a visually stunning appearance but also contributes to the earphone’s durability. The finish is flawless, with no imperfections such as bubbles or uneven textures, which speaks volumes about the quality control processes at Kiwi Ears.

Comfort

My experience with the Quartet reveals that despite its larger shell size, the earphones are surprisingly comfortable, even during extended listening sessions. This comfort is largely due to the lightweight design and the ergonomic shape of the earpieces, which fit securely and snugly in the ear. I had no issue finding a size of eartip that would fit me among the included ear tips, which is sometimes a challenge for my smaller ear canals.

Sturdiness and Durability

In terms of sturdiness and build, the Quartet impresses with its solid construction. The earpieces feel substantial and are well-made, capable of withstanding regular use without showing signs of wear. The included cable is robust, featuring a wound 4-wire design that has the reliable 2-pin connectors to connect to the earpieces and terminates to a single-ended 3.5mm connector. This cable is not only durable but also minimizes microphonics, enhancing the user’s listening experience by reducing unwanted noise. When moving around I heard absolutely no noise from the cable during use.


Features

The Kiwi Ears Quartet is engineered with a hybrid driver configuration that combines the best of dynamic and balanced armature technologies. This setup includes two 10mm dynamic drivers and two custom-balanced armatures, ensuring a rich and detailed sound reproduction across all frequencies. As well, it gives you 4 choices of sound profiles, which I will elaborate on in the Sound Quality section.

Drivers and Configuration

The coaxial double dynamic driver subwoofer is a standout feature, utilizing two 10mm titanium diaphragm drivers. Each driver is independently driven by dual magnetic circuits, enhancing the overall audio precision. Accompanying these are a custom mid-high frequency balanced armature and a custom ultra-high tweeter balanced armature. These are specifically modified with a tuned venting system to allow more airflow, optimizing the balance with the dynamic drivers.


Sound Quality

Sources used for this review:

  • Sony NW-WM1AM2 DAP
  • Samsung Galaxy Fold 5 with USB-C to 3.5mm dongle
  • iFi Zen DAC V2
  • Qudelix T71

Before getting to my sound quality thoughts and observations, we must first talk about the dip switches, and how they change and shape the sound profile.

Dip Switches and How They Work

The Kiwi Ears Quartet features two tuning switches present on both earpieces, each capable of being toggled on or off. These switches allow users to customize the sound signature according to their personal preferences and the genre of music they are listening to. Each switch affects different frequency ranges, adding a layer of versatility to the earphones. Switch 1 primarily impacts the bass and mid frequencies, adding warmth and energy, especially noticeable in male vocals and instruments like guitars. Switch 2, on the other hand, adjusts the treble frequencies, enhancing the clarity and presence of higher tones, such as female vocals and brass instruments.

Switch Configurations

The Quartet offers four distinct tuning configurations, each providing a unique auditory experience. Here’s a breakdown of each setting, with 1 being the up or on position, and 0 being the down or off position:

  1. 1-0 Configuration (More bass): This setting maximizes the bass output while softening the treble, ideal for genres that thrive on deep, resonant bass. It creates a lush, immersive sound where the bass takes center stage.
  2. 1-1 Configuration (Stock): This is the mode that the Kiwi Ears Quartet ships in. Often referred to as the V-shaped tuning, this configuration provides a balanced boost to both bass and treble, maintaining a dynamic and exciting sound profile. The treble remains rounded and non-fatiguing, making it a versatile choice for a wide array of musical styles.
  3. 0-1 Configuration (More treble): With reduced bass and elevated treble, this setting offers clarity and brightness, bringing forward the upper mids and lower treble. It’s particularly effective for acoustic genres, where the finer details of instruments and vocals are crucial.
  4. 0-0 Configuration (More midrange): This setting focuses on delivering a rich midrange, reducing both bass and treble to highlight vocal performances and mid-frequency instruments. It’s excellent for listeners who appreciate a more vocal-centric presentation, such as in jazz and classical music.

Each configuration affects the overall soundstage and imaging, with the 0-1 setting noted for its technical prowess and enhanced resolution, making it ideal for detailed or critical listening sessions. Conversely, the 1-0 setting offers a more relaxed and less fatiguing listening experience, suitable for casual, all-day listening. The ability to switch between these profiles not only caters to different audio preferences but also adapts to various listening environments, ensuring that the Quartet remains a highly adaptable and user-centric earphone.

For the purposes of reviewing the overall sound quality of the Kiwi Ears Quartet, I’ll mainly be focusing on the stock 1-1 mode.

Bass Performance

The bass is warm, and thick, and maintains a solid presence that is dynamic and punchy, particularly impressive given its price point. The Quartet handles bass with a level of mastery that is seldom seen in its range—providing a powerful and deep output without bloating or bleeding excessively into the mids. Despite some muddiness in the lower mids, the overall bass quality is clean, and textured, and maintains good speed, satisfying most bass-loving audiophiles.

Midrange Performance

The Quartet offers a smooth and somewhat mellow midrange sound, with a delicate and lush presentation. The midrange, while mildly recessed, exhibits a thicker and warmer characteristic due to some mid-bass bleed. This lends a silky character to the midrange, making vocals and instruments sound rich though occasionally distant on busier tracks. The upper mids are forward and well-defined, providing clarity and air.

Treble Performance

Treble in the Kiwi Ears Quartet is crafted to be smooth and detailed, avoiding the harshness that can often accompany elevated highs. The treble is slightly elevated but not excessively so, allowing it to remain detailed and airy. This results in highs that are pleasing and fatigue-free, suitable for extended listening sessions. The sound signature in the treble range is described as dark and a bit compressed, which might contribute to a lo-fi feel when mixed with the pronounced bass. However, it retains enough clarity and detail to make the high frequencies enjoyable and well-integrated into the overall sound profile.

Imaging and Soundstage

In my tests, the Quartet demonstrates decent holographic imaging capability, with a soundstage that is impressively symmetrical in both width and depth. This spatial quality makes the Quartet not only suitable for music but also enhances experiences where precise sound positioning is crucial, such as in gaming. The combination of its powerful bass, smooth midrange, and detailed treble makes the Kiwi Ears Quartet a compelling choice for those seeking a rich and immersive audio experience.


Final Thoughts

The Kiwi Ears Quartet sets a high standard for sound quality and ergonomic design at the ~$100 price point for IEMs. The inclusion of customizable tuning options not only reflects a deep understanding of listeners’ varied preferences but also showcases Kiwi Ears’ commitment to delivering a tailored audio experience. Some listeners may find the bass to be too present in most sound configurations, but I think most listeners will enjoy the impactful bass, smooth and lush midrange, and clear treble performance. This is not a neutral IEM, and detail retrieval and accuracy could be better, so I would not use these for critical or detailed listening. Instead, the Quartet is fun and enjoyable to listen to and provides an energy to the music. The ability to change the tuning via the dip switches is simply icing on the cake.


We are not always able to cover all the details of a product, both hardware and software, in our reviews. If you have any specific questions you’d like answered about this product please feel free to leave a comment or contact us directly.

HiFi Oasis Verdict

HiFi Oasis Verdict
8 10 0 1
8/10
Total Score
  • Design & Comfort
    8/10 Very good
  • Sound
    8/10 Very good
  • Features
    8/10 Very good

Pros

  • 4 sound tuning options
  • Excellent design and comfort
  • Great bass performance
  • High quality accessories for the price
  • Good value

Cons

  • Some mid-bass bleed
  • Mid-range detail could be better
Total
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