Kiwi Ears KE4 - Safety Dance

 

3.5⭐️

+ Well separated and cohesive U-shaped tuning

+ Deep and rumbly sub-bass 

+ Lower midrange is well represented

+ Inoffensive but still well extended treble

+ Good balance of musical and technical

+ Comfortable fit and solid build quality 

- Tuning might be too boring/safe for some

- Bass emphasis won't be to everyone's liking

- Vocals lack a little heart/soul/magic

- Accessories could be better for the price

- Soundstage could be more expansive

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended

☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This product was provided to me by Linsoul in exchange for my impartial and honest review. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own. A special thanks to Carina at Linsoul for coordinating this unit for review.

Non-affiliate link for those interested:

https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-ke4?variant=45846825763033

Gear used: 

●LG v30+

●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra

●iBasso DX180 

●Samsung dongle

●Hiby FC4

●Kiwi Ears Allegro 

●Letshuoer DT03 

●Dunu DTC480

●BLON V1

Source:

●Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction: 

Kiwi Ears' releases have been somewhat hit-or-miss with me personally and, it seems, the community at large. Some IEMs like the Cadenza are still highly regarded in the budget tier. Others like the Quartet and Melody received overall less-than-stellar reviews. I still use the Allegro DAC/amp in most of my reviews, and the Orchestra Lite quickly climbed the ranks to become my favorite all-BA set to date, so I know Kiwi Ears makes some really great stuff. Their most recent IEM is the KE4, a hybrid featuring two dynamic and two balanced armature drivers. It is available on Linsoul for $199. There's also a bundle that includes the new Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini amplifier for only $10 more. Let's break down this newest hybrid from Kiwi Ears and see how it stacks up.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

The packaging and unboxing are a bit utilitarian and similar to other Kiwi Ears products. It's somewhat disappointing at this price point, but the necessities are all there: the IEMs, a 3.5mm-terminated cable (there is not an option for 4.4mm), three sets of the new Kiwi Ears Flex tips, and a small branded zipper case. The shells are solid black resin and feature a silver/pearl style inlay on the faceplate with the Kiwi Ears logo as well. The shell has a semi-custom shape and is just north of average in size. It features a flat 2-pin connection, making cable swapping a breeze, and there's also a vent hole located on the backside of the shell. The nozzle measures 5.9 mm at its widest point, where there is a lip to help hold tips in place. The length of the nozzle is about average, as well as the insertion depth. The fit is comfortable for me, and I had no issues with fatigue or pressure spots. I tried the new Flex tips and did find them comfortable, but I prefer the Penon Liqueur for a better seal since they have a slightly sticky texture. The cable is well-woven, lightweight, and doesn't tangle, but it feels a bit cheap in hand. It's fine, but I would really like a modular cable at this price, or at least a balanced option. The zipper case is small and pocketable, but it doesn't feel very sturdy and might not provide a ton of protection. Overall, I would expect this level of accessories with a set around the $50-100 range, so it is disappointing to find in a $200 package. 

Sound impressions:

The KE4 features a well-balanced, well-extended U-shaped tuning with more focus on the sub-bass and the upper limits of the midrange/lower treble. It presents a very smooth listening experience with little to no objectionable peaks or valleys, but it also might be lacking in excitement for some, myself included. The note weight is neither thin nor thick, but I would prefer a little more thickness, specifically in the vocals. The tuning lends itself to a more musical over-analytical style, but there's no shortage of details on display. In fact, I hear a lot more of the rhythm and secondary instruments with the KE4 that aren't always apparent on other sets. The soundstage creates a nice orbital presentation, but I do feel that it would benefit from more width and depth as it sounds just outside the head. Overall, it's good for me, but it's not the biggest soundstage and creates a bit more of an intimate sound. The timbre is mostly spot-on and very natural, but if the vocals were more forward, I think it would sound more organic. The imaging is very accurate and a strong suit of the technicalities. The dynamics are a bit lacking and could come off as somewhat boring or safe. The separation is adequate and cohesive, with good transients and an uncongested sound that has enough room between notes without sounding disjointed. This is not an especially difficult IEM to drive, but I did find that it benefits from a bit of amplification. After trying my various dongles, I found that the KE4 pairs best with a source that is a bit brighter or neutral, as warm sources can color the sound too much. Even though a combo is available that includes the Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini, I found the KE4 pairs better with the full-sized Allegro. The Mini is capable enough, but the Allegro adds a bit of extra energy and snap to keep things interesting. Also, I received the iBasso DX180 through a separate tour at the tail end of this review, and I found that pairing to be spectacular, especially through the 4.4mm connection on high gain with the short delay fast roll-off filter. It's very early in my time with the DX180, but it sounds like a mostly neutral, perhaps slightly energetic and revealing DAP, which makes for a good match with overly warm or relaxed IEMs.

●Lows - The bass is a bit more sub-bass focused, but the mid-bass is still well represented. There is a decent amount of rumble and good extension and reverberation. The speed and tactility are impressive, and double kick drums are very easily discerned. The impact and slam are good but not super authoritative; however, for my preference, it's just about right. The bass texture is maybe a tiny bit wet but not muddy. The bass is well separated from the lower midrange, and there is no bleed to my ears. Overall, the bass is full-bodied with good extension, punch, and rumble to make it quite enjoyable. It's enough to be fun without dominating the other frequencies.

●Mids - The midrange, I think, is where the KE4 starts to lose me. On the one hand, the lower midrange has more presence and authority than I'm used to hearing, which helps to showcase some often-neglected instruments. On the other hand, the slower rise of the pinna gain means vocals aren't as forward and enjoyable as I prefer and come across as missing some life and soul. There's nothing inherently offensive or "wrong," but the middle to upper midrange being more recessed means vocals and instruments lose some of the magic qualities that other tunings bring to the table. Therefore, I think the upper midrange is a little too safe and lacks engagement. To my ear, vocals also lack a distinct weight and can feel like an afterthought, especially male vocals. Those seeking a well-separated and clear midrange, at the cost of a bit of vocal presence, can find it here in the KE4. Though personally, I wish the midrange had a little more energy and fullness, like that found in the bass region.

●Highs - The treble is quite polite but not boring. It's free of sibilance and fatigue but still quite well extended. The KE4 handles treble well for my tastes, but there is an inherent thinness and dry quality. I would argue that the highs are less safe than the mids because there is a bit of excitement here that is lacking in the midrange. Cymbals, snares, claps, and hi-hats sound just about right for my preferences. It's very natural, crisp, and clear but not overly energetic or fatiguing, although there can be a bit of harshness on "s" and "sh" sounds with some tracks. While the extension is good, I do feel like the air is a bit lacking. Those seeking more sparkle and brightness will be left wanting.

Comparison:

Credit to Jaytiss for the graph.

● Dunu DaVinci ($300) - Looking at the graph, it appears that the DaVinci may have been close to the new Meta tuning target before its rise in popularity, although the key takeaway would be the DaVinci's earlier pinna gain rise. Both IEMs have solid resin shells, fit my ears well, and caused no fatigue issues with extended use. The overall unboxing experience and accessories easily go in the DaVinci's favor. The bass responses do graph very closely, but the DaVinci's impact and slam hit harder, and it has a little more rumble. The KE4's approach from the lower to upper mids is flatter, which gives added weight and presence to the lower mids. It also has a little more treble energy and air with more crispness to notes. With the DaVinci, I don't hear any of that slight thinness in the treble that I pick up with the KE4. I can't discern a large difference in the technical performance between the two. The soundstage of the KE4 might be a bit wider. The DaVinci is a little more resolving and cohesive, with a more natural timbre and vocal presentation. This one essentially comes down to personal preference. The DaVinci is slightly warmer, analog, and more lively with a fuller sound, whereas the KE4 is a bit smoother and more relaxed with better treble extension and crispness. For a smooth, more relaxed sound, the KE4 would be a great choice. For a slightly more V-shaped, fun tuning with more vocal presence, the DaVinci is an easy recommendation, and the included accessories are far superior to the KE4's. So you have to ask yourself what tuning you might prefer and whether the better accessories are worth the extra $100. I think these two are more alike than they are different, but the DaVinci just hits almost everything perfectly for me, so there really is no debate.

My pick: DaVinci 

In conclusion:

If you, the reader, will indulge me, I'd like to attempt to paint a picture of sorts. If we think of different tunings as different light sources, then maybe I can better communicate my thoughts on the KE4. Imagine one of the most common light sources that we come across in our daily lives: the fluorescent bulb. Now, not every person is bothered by fluorescent lights, just as not every IEM that I consider bright will be interpreted that way by others. But for the sake of my metaphor, this is a source that I consider to be bright, even irritating and fatiguing at times. However, it can also be very revealing, showing details that could be missed with less bright or technical sources. This would be akin one of the more traditionally tuned planars like the Letshuoer S12 or Celest Pandamon 2.0. Moving on to the next light source on the opposite spectrum—a campfire. It's relaxing, inviting, and somewhat dark but still with occasional flickers of brightness. This would be a warm, smooth, inoffensive tuning like the DaVinci, but perhaps it also comes at the cost of some excitement and detail that other light sources offer. Third, let's consider a common light source found in most homes: soft white bulbs. A tuning in this vein may be interpreted as relaxing to some or bright for others, but it would also probably be considered the most neutral by a majority of people. This would perhaps equate to something like the Hexa. Finally, that brings us to the last light source in this ill-begotten metaphor: a streetlight or street lamp. This tuning might be representative of the comfort and safety that can be found in the light against the coming of night, meaning that it might be the best option at the moment, but you wouldn't necessarily want to linger there. It's a bit dark but still offers enough light against the setting sun to see your surroundings. This, for me, is where the KE4 lies. I wouldn’t necessarily call it warm and inviting, but neither is it bright and offensive. It’s neither overly exciting nor is it boring; it’s not the most revealing nor is it lacking in detail. It’s a safe and inoffensive option, and it can sometimes come across as overly cautious or a bit lifeless depending on the source and genre of music. I would probably not recommend the KE4 for those who primarily listen to high-energy genres like hard rock, metal, and some pop, as these may lack excitement. Where the KE4 truly excels is with instrumental and orchestral arrangements because of its superb bass, extra emphasis on the lower midrange, and the well-extended, fatigue-free treble. I also enjoy the tuning with female vocalists as they are better represented than their male counterparts. Singer-songwriters such as Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, and Billie Eilish sound fantastic for the most part. If you're a bit treble-sensitive like me, the KE4 could be a great option, though you might find yourself looking for a bit more vocal emphasis. If this Meta tuning becomes the next big thing in the market, it could be a refreshing change from the constant Harman-targeted sets of the last few years. However, I personally hope that we do not see a flood of Meta-tuned IEMs in the near future, as it just feels too safe.