INTRO
Today it's time to talk about Kiwi Ears Quintet. Here is another video I made as a comparison between several headphones and the Quintet. In this video we are going to focus only on this headset...since it seems that the commercial boom of certain YouTube channels has passed and it is the ideal time to not generate more hype or be just another channel.
When I saw that there was a headphone for less than €300 that had a dynamic driver, a planar, 2 balanced armatures and an electric piezo...I said this is just another invention...I don't think it sounds coherent...but boy was I wrong.
I always thought that more drivers don't have to be better. In this case, Kiwi has opted to achieve a purist sound in a very curious way.
UNBOXING
In general we have a somewhat fair unboxing but honestly sufficient. We got the headset with a very good cable for the asking price of this set. A cable with a grayish tone like the IEM that I actually find very pleasant to the touch. Quite rigid and attractive, without being flashy. Don't expect a modular design because there isn't one. Something that would have been good because extra energy is necessary to squeeze out this product. The termination is a 3.5 mm jack and the iem connects with a 2-pin connection.
On the other hand, we have a fairly strong case, somewhat small, with an ugly design. I don't really like the Quintet's carrying case but I can tell you that this will be one of the few things I don't like about this set. Perhaps another design or another color would have made it more attractive. What matters most here is that it protects...and boy does it do.
On the other hand, and to finish we have a set of silicone tips of various sizes. I recommend playing with the tips to experience slight sonic differences.
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DESIGN, insulation, weight and comfort
In terms of design, weight, and comfort, I have to give Kiwi Ears a good mark. The Quintet fits like a glove in my ear. I have always preferred these sets with a slightly deeper insertion, although I do not consider it as deep as, for example, that of a Mangird Tea. It gives a considerable seal without being uncomfortable. I have not tried an iem under €300 that has this good combination of weight, comfort and insulation.
The weight feels very light perhaps because of the construction material. I like its minimalist design. It is not flashy and looks elegant, very elegant...and that is something that usually catches my attention more than colorful or ornate designs. The faceplates feature a soft matte silver finish (with the brand logo), avoiding any glare and contrasting harmoniously with the glossy black and softly contoured casings.
SOUND
As for sound, I don't think you can go wrong if you buy it. It can satisfy anyone since it has a balanced profile in all aspects. It is not bass-heavy or basshead but it has enough impact to make you enjoy the music. It doesn't have very forward midrange, but it has a very complete and present midrange. Its present treble is not fatiguing, but it has that analytical touch, sometimes brilliant, that brings out the best in the iem to experience details in the sound.
Therefore, we are faced with a complete IEM that can satisfy any audience because there are no weak points.
-The signature
We can consider this IEM as a product with a neutral or flat profile but with good dynamics and not boring at all. It has highlights in the lower area and highlights in the upper area. We should not confuse enhancements with extension. It is an iem that is capable of having a good “rumble” in the low zone and good extension beyond 15hhz without major drops.
Will a powerful amplifier be needed?
Regarding amplification, I want to highlight that the IEM has 32 ohms of impedance and 106 decibels of sensitivity. A dongle dac amplifier will be well received and improves the sound in dynamics and some bass impact. Don't expect huge changes either.
SOUND SECTION – BASS
The bass, although they offer a lot of power; more than could be expected; Sometimes they feel a little slow and not as fast and attractive as the Hype 2 which has spectacular meatiness.
Even so, the Quintet presents quite tight bass. But in terms of presence and depth, I certainly got the bass solution I needed. At sub-bass frequencies, the bass descends very well up to 50 Hz. The experience becomes visceral at good volume. In fact, with additional amplification, I had to take a break from heavy sub-bass tracks for a while, because it was similar to hearing/feeling your own heartbeat.
In short, the bears will be delighted
ted.
The strings of this range also seemed heavy and majestic. And although the timbre was slightly dark in color, the high level of texture and transparency was enough to bring a sense of realism to the acoustic elements.
SOUND SECTION – MIDS
Although you will hear some lower-mid presence, these frequencies take a step back, allowing the upper half of the midrange to shine in the mix.
The problem with this product or rather the only problem is that the Quintet lacks noticeable body. Don't prejudge me. It has a body; but if we compare it with an Oh5 we are going to notice that lack of midrange as a result of having a less obvious mid-bass. But in the tests that I carried out, the truth is that I was not too hungry for body, since the extended bass provided enough warmth to complement the tuning of the mids. Still, the more enjoyable low-mids also allow for a tidy space between the intense bass and higher frequencies. And certainly, there was no confusion in the lower mids.
In the rest of the spectrum. The upper midrange is thinned out a bit, giving the sound clarity and precision. The guitars, for example, are very complex, slender and avant-garde with a touch of shine. And this dramatic contrast in relation to the powerful and juicy bass creates a good balance in the overall weight of the sound signature.
SOUND SECTION – TREBLE
It's been a while since I heard this much brightness in the high end. Having the Ikko Oh5 as a reference makes any IEM brilliant for me. And listening to the intro to “Lose Yourself to Dance” by Daft Punk, I felt like they were throwing little diamonds into the air. Don't get me wrong. The Quintet is not a bright IEM, but it has highlights that can make it appear that way. It doesn't have very obvious roll-offs, so if you're used to a more conservative product, it's probably like me and you'll feel brilliant.
Percussion in this range also has a lean crispness, adding energy to modern tracks. At times I expected a little more character in the vocal performances. There's surely some air here, but the note progressions didn't feel distinctly fun or joyous because of the weight.
That said, the Quintet presents a fantastic extension in this range. And the resolution is top-notch, revealing every breath and crunch in the vocal deliveries. The trumpets in the treble, for example, were never piercing or uncomfortable.
The air or the sensation of air is evident in this product giving an even larger scene than it really is. But we'll talk about that later.
SOUND SECTION – TECHS
The Quintet presents a greatness that seems somewhat exaggerated. Above all, in terms of lateral width. The anthemic tracks, as well as those with intricate image arrangements, feel enormous, creating a huge wow factor, especially on first listen.
The most notable thing, as I said, is the great width of the stage. And what's particularly entertaining about the stereo image is that even the most distant elements maintain the same color and definition as those closer to the ear. So while it may not be the most realistic scenario, it's a lot of fun. The Quintet has also mastered depth perception. While most IEMs in this price range can achieve clear forward placement, it's not often that you hear elements truly behind your ear. In fact, there is no angle that the Quintet does not reach. And without a doubt, the Quintet's broadly circular and nuanced soundscape is one of the most notable features of its sonic signature.
SUMMARY SECTION
KiwiEars did something that many brands need to do. Daring to break the price range is something that many other brands should try because I think the public wants different and realistic flavors.
The Quintet is neither a hybrid nor a tribrid IEM. Its 4 types of controllers make it a strange set on the outside because it is coherent, realistic and honestly perhaps the best value for money in 2023. Suitable for any purpose you can think of and the best. Its price is more than fair.
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