Kiwi Ears Aventus - Dance the Night Away

 4.5⭐️ 

+ Fun and engaging tuning with impactful bass, forward vocals, and no harsh treble

+ ANC works well without negatively impacting the overall experience 

+ Two different modes and included filters offer good versatility and customization 

+ Long lasting battery and fast charging 

+ Stellar accessory package 

- Not for detailed or critical listening

- Tuning could be a bit more energetic 

- Soundstage is somewhat narrow (as most closed back headphones are)

- Warm pads can lead to sweaty ears and material may not hold up well over time

- No companion app

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 for coordinating this unit for review!

Non-affiliate link for those interested:

https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-aventus?srsltid=AfmBOooN4L2u06T7_eCGfjC4tssdBHvTfO37QmMwbXv8nZ3OCFraDgEm

Gear used: 

●Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

●HiBy R3 II

●Various DAC/amps

Source:

●Listening was done using Amazon Music HD/Ultra HD and local FLAC files. 

Introduction: 

Kiwi Ears is well-known for their IEMs, but the company recently decided to enter the full-sized headphone arena, releasing many new models over the last few months. The Aventus is one such new product and it's marketed toward DJs, gamers, and Bluetooth/ANC aficionados. It comes with a very reasonable price tag of $89.99 and features a unique 40mm and 10mm dual dynamic driver configuration. Let's break down this latest full-sized headphone release from Kiwi Ears and see how it performs.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

The unboxing experience is simple but good, and the box features some nice artwork of Aventus. Inside, you will find the travel case containing the headphones and all of the accessories. The build quality of the headphones themselves is decent. They are made from a mix of plastic and metal components but don't feel cheaply made. They have a nice weight balance, and the cups swivel slightly to ensure a good fit and seal. The Aventus has an all black design, and the cups feature the Kiwi Ears logo, which lights up when the lights are enabled. As far as the fit goes, I have pretty large ears, and the Aventus fits me well. The headband is easy to adjust, and the padding ensures it's quite comfortable. The pads do touch the edges of my ears, but it doesn't bother me much. However, they do trap heat, and my ears get warm after a short period. I'm also a little leery of the lifespan of the faux leather material, as I've had some peel badly over time. The pads also appear to be glued to the plastic ring that holds them, meaning they might not be easily replaceable. There are five buttons in total located on the cups: three on the left and two on the right. They are easy enough to locate and use, but I will go over their functions later. The Aventus also includes two long, partly coiled cables for wired use: one terminated in 3.5 mm and one with USB-C. The termination that connects to the headphone side can also be rotated slightly to lock in place, which is helpful to prevent easy disconnections. The headset folds and unfolds easily enough for storage, and the included zippered case is quite nice. It comes with a carabiner clip to easily attach the case to a backpack or bag and two netted sections inside to hold the cables. The fact that the Aventus even includes a case at all at this price is pretty crazy, but to have one this nicely built and sturdy is nearly unheard of. There are sets priced at multiple times the price of the Aventus that don't include a case, so my hat's off to Kiwi Ears for this decision. There are also two sets of foam inserts, of varying densities, included in the accessory package. These can be applied to the back of the pads to slightly alter the tuning, and the process is very simple and straightforward. The pads can be easily removed by simply rotating them counter-clockwise. Once the pads are off, the foam can be applied to the circular cutout on the back of the cups. I will discuss how these inserts affect the sound later in the review. Overall, the Aventus has decent build quality and fantastic accessories for the price.

Technical specifications and features:

● Bluetooth - 5.4

● Drivers - Dynamic 40mm + 10mm (Coaxial)

● Noise Cancellation - Hybrid ANC technology, Noise reduction depth -32dB±3dB

● Battery Capacity - 1000mAh

● Playback Time - 18hrs (ANC + RGB on), 45hrs (ANC on), 82hrs (ANC off)

● Fast Charging - 10 mins = 4 hours playback

● Impedance - 16Ω±10% @1K Hz

● Sensitivity - 102±3dB @1KHz 1mW

● Frequency Response - 20Hz ~ 40KHz

● Connectivity - Can connect with two devices simultaneously

● Ear Cup Design - Foldable and rotatable

● RGB Lighting - With RGB light + plastic decorated pad

The Aventus is packed with an impressive number of features, even without app support. There are the standard ANC and transparency modes, as well as "normal" and "music" modes offering slightly varied tunings. The ANC button on the right cup cycles through ANC on/off and transparency modes; a double-click toggles between normal and music modes. The LED button, also located on the right cup, cycles through three options: on, blinking, and off. Kiwi Ears' promotional material states that the LED lights are customizable, so I expected an app or some way to control the lights, but there is no such option. On the left cup, there are three buttons for volume up, volume down, and pause/play. A long press of the volume buttons can be used to navigate to the next/previous track as well. Interestingly, the Aventus can be used wired directly to a source using the 3.5mm port on the left cup. When using a wired connection, the Bluetooth, ANC, transparency, lights, and buttons will all be disabled upon connection. The lights and most other features are still available when wired, but the buttons function differently. The pause/play button becomes a mute button, there are no next/previous track functions or normal/music modes, and the ANC can be turned off completely by holding the button instead of a short press. Having the capability to use the Aventus wired and wirelessly is a great option, so even if the battery dies while on the go, music remains accessible.

Bluetooth, ANC, and battery performance:

The Bluetooth range is decent, and I easily walked around the house without losing connection. However, going about 25 yards from the source causes the signal to drop, so it is not overly impressive. There is also slight input lag when pausing and switching tracks, but it does not detract much from the overall experience. Generally, the ANC mode on other headsets I have tried causes an uncomfortable pressure feeling in my ears, but the Aventus is much more tolerable and barely noticeable after a short period, which is a nice surprise. Transparency mode is not the greatest, but it works well enough. To be honest, I don't use this option often. There are some slight tuning differences when switching between ANC on and off. I noticed more bass fullness and a warmer tilt when ANC is disabled, but the overall balance sounds a bit off to my ear, so I prefer the tuning with ANC on. There are also subtle differences when alternating between music and normal modes. To my ear, the music mode sounds a bit better balanced, with a lower bass shelf, less accentuated vocals, and a more even treble response. Normal mode is a bit more W-shaped, with an added fullness and note weight, extra sub-bass emphasis, more forward vocals, and a little more treble sparkle. Keep in mind that these impressions are while using the thicker tuning foam inserts. I did hear similar changes without the foam, but they were less pronounced. Between the different modes and thicknesses of foam, there are a ton of tuning combinations. I'm really impressed by the amount of customization, as it's not often seen at this price point outside of EQ or a companion app.

The battery life of the Aventus is excellent. Kiwi Ears boasts about 80 hours without ANC or LEDs, and about 40 hours with ANC only. In my experience, it did not last quite that long, but it's pretty close and plenty long enough for me. Because I rotate through so many different sets daily, I was able to use the Aventus for well over a week without even thinking of charging it. Also, the battery benefits from quick charging, providing a few hours of run time after only about 10 minutes of charging.

Sound impressions:

My preferred way to listen to the Aventus is with ANC and music modes enabled and utilizing the thicker foam filter inserts. The following impressions were made using these settings. I would describe the overall tuning as a darker take on a U-shaped sound signature, but overall still fun. The note weight is on the thicker side, which I generally prefer, but it might be a bit too syrupy for some. The Aventus can get very loud through the Bluetooth connection and is also easily driven with a simple dongle or the included USB-C cable when used in a wired setting. Detail retrieval is suboptimal, but this set is more geared toward fun and musicality than resolution and nuance, so don't expect much when dissecting tracks. The soundstage also lacks width and has a bit of an echo effect, likely due to the general nature of closed-back headphones. There's nothing inherently wrong with the timbre, but it does lack a more natural and organic quality at times. The imaging is not terrible, but it is not especially strong either. There is some echo at times, which diminishes imaging accuracy and makes judging distance more difficult. The dynamics are just okay—not great, not terrible. It could definitely use more nuance between loudness levels to extract more dynamism. The separation and layering are a bit messy and not up to the standard I'm used to from IEMs in the same price range. Overall, the Aventus will not win any awards for its technical performance, but I also don't believe it was Kiwi Ears' intention to do so anyway. This set strives for a fun and musical experience, and in this vein, I think it accomplishes its mission.

●Lows - The tuning of the Aventus is not inherently bass-heavy, but there is plenty here for me to enjoy. The bass has a good balance of sub- and mid-bass, but the latter is a bit more prominent. The extension is just okay, but I would like a lower-reaching sub-bass. The texture is fairly clean, and the bass is about as resolving as can be expected at this price point. The attack is not particularly punchy, and the impact is about average or slightly on the more polite side. The speed is fairly quick, and the double kick drums are audible, but the separation is a bit muddled, and they do tend to blur together somewhat. The decay is perhaps on the quicker side of average, and I would prefer the reverberation to last a bit longer to sound more natural to my ear. The mid-bass does bleed over into the midrange just a smidge, but it is not too bad. Overall, the bass does a great job of remaining a feature of the tuning without impeding on other frequencies. It is especially adept at allowing the midrange room to shine, which makes it quite enjoyable for me.

●Mids - This is one of the stronger aspects of the Aventus' tuning. There is a sense of musicality and a slight lushness here that is quite compelling. Vocals are forward, well-separated, and prominently featured without being overzealous. They are not shouty and have a certain emotive quality that helps me connect with the music. Both male and female artists are equally featured, and neither overshadows the other. While vocals have a fairly natural timbre, instruments in this range suffer a bit. They tend to sound a little less organic and a bit muffled. I would also like the lower midrange instruments to have more representation, especially in orchestral arrangements where they come across a bit flat. Those who value a vocal-first style of midrange while still exhibiting a nice overall balance with other frequencies should find the Aventus quite enjoyable.

●Highs - The treble presentation is mostly rolled off and polite. It will definitely not be enough for treble aficionados or those looking for air, sparkle, and detail. But for me, it's pretty close to my ideal target. The extension is enough that I don't hear it as devoid of air, and although it doesn't have a particularly energetic presentation, there is still a sense of crispness and a slight edge to the notes to keep things interesting. Cymbals and hi-hats can sound a bit metallic at times but don't come across as splashy. Claps and snares are well-behaved, although they could use just a bit more incisiveness to stand out further. Maybe the biggest praise I can afford the Aventus as a treble-sensitive listener is that it performs very well on sibilant-prone tracks with absolutely no issues. There is also no thinness or ethereal quality to the vocals. Sure, the treble could use a bit more extension and energy, but otherwise, I am quite satisfied with its presentation.

Comparisons: Credit to Kuulokenurkka for the graphs. Keep in mind that these Aventus measurements were made using the thinner foam inserts, while my impressions were made with the thicker foam. These graphs should only serve as a rough guide. 

● Moondrop Edge ($90) - The Aventus features a dual 40mm and 10mm dynamic driver configuration, and the Edge a single 40mm dynamic driver. Both are obviously Bluetooth headphones; however, the Aventus can also be used wired. The Aventus lacks a companion app, but the Edge has the Moondrop Link app for EQ and other customization options. For this comparison, I utilized the Country Style EQ setting on the Edge, which, in my opinion, is honestly the only EQ option of value. Unfortunately, it is locked behind the app and cannot be accessed without it. Please take the graph with an extra grain of salt, as this EQ would undoubtedly graph a bit differently. This EQ setting is also noticeably louder than the others, which is a bit strange. In terms of accessories, the Aventus pretty much blows the Edge out of the water. Kiwi Ears includes two cables for wired listening, a charging cord, foam inserts for tuning, and a nice hard-shell case. Moondrop only includes a charging cord and a carrying bag. As for build quality, both sets are made of a mix of plastic and metal, with the Aventus being the heavier and bulkier of the two. The earcups of the Edge are much more oval-shaped, whereas the Aventus are rounder. Both have plush and soft padding on the cups and headbands and are comfortable to wear. My large ears fit a bit better in the Edge's cups, but the Aventus offers better overall fit, seal, and isolation. I think the Edge has a much more premium-looking design and aesthetic, but some may prefer the more traditional-looking Aventus. When it comes to overall tuning, the Aventus has a well-balanced U-shaped sound signature with a nice bass shelf and plenty of energy in the upper mids and lower treble. The Edge has a slightly sharper V-shaped tuning with a more recessed midrange. The Aventus has a fuller bass response with more of a mid-bass focus, whereas the Edge is less bassy overall and has more of a sub-bass focus. The Edge does come across as the cleaner and more resolving of the two, but the Aventus is punchier and more fun. In the mids, the Aventus has a smoother and more balanced midrange with both male and female vocals prominently featured. The Edge's midrange is recessed, and male vocals, in particular, sound too distant for my taste. Instruments also lack weight and have a slightly unnatural and brittle timbre. In the upper frequencies, the Aventus has a treble response that more aligns with my preferences. It is rolled off but still has enough energy and excitement to keep things interesting. It does lack extension and air, though, so it may not be for everyone. The Edge, on the other hand, has quite an energetic lower treble that can be fatiguing and also lacks air to balance it out. It is not inherently bright per se, but the recessed mids certainly do not help the overall balance. When it comes to ANC, the function works well on both sets, but perhaps a bit better for me on the Aventus, which could also be due to a better seal. The Aventus boasts longer battery life and can reach much higher volume levels than the Edge. Both have buttons on the cups that are easy enough to use, but those on the Aventus work better for me due to their size and placement. In the technicalities, I might give the Edge a slight nod in detail retrieval, separation, and layering, but the Aventus easily wins in soundstage, dynamics, and timbre. In conclusion, the Aventus offers a decent amount of features and versatility and a much more enjoyable listening experience for me. The Edge's stock tuning out of the box is bad, and the EQ features are inaccessible without the app. It is also limited to Bluetooth connection only and just sounds generally worse to my ear. To be honest, I expected these two to trades blows, but Kiwi Ears has really surprised me. I would easily choose the Aventus every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

My pick: Aventus

●Bose QuietComfort ($350) - Bose has been a major player in the portable headphone game for many years, so it's good to see how Kiwi Ears' newer products compare to the old guard. The QC utilizes a 40 mm DD, while the Aventus sports a dual 40 mm and 10 mm DD configuration. The accessory packages are similar, each including a charging cable, a 3.5 mm terminated cable, and a case. The Aventus' inclusions are better, though, since it also includes a USB-C terminated cable and tuning foams. Unfortunately, the Aventus does not have an app, but the QC works with the Bose companion app, which offers some simple EQ and other customization options. As for build quality, both sets are made of a mix of plastic and metal, and the Aventus is the heavier and bulkier of the two. The QC's cups are more oval-shaped, and the Aventus' are rounder with thicker padding. I personally find the Aventus to be more comfortable, but both are easy to wear for long periods. The overall designs are very similar, but the QC is available in a variety of colors, while the Aventus only comes in black. I will award a point in Kiwi Ears' favor for the LED lights on the cup which is a fun inclusion. When it comes to tuning, the Aventus definitely has a more fun and energetic sound signature, while the QC is more V-shaped but not super exciting. In the bass, the QC is more sub-bass focused with lower-reaching extension and a slightly more prevalent rumble, but it generally has less bass quantity. The Aventus is more mid-bass focused and has better impact, slam, fullness, and weight in the low end. The Aventus also has a more lush-sounding midrange, with vocals coming through clearer and more forward in the mix. The QC's midrange is cleaner, with better separation from the bass and a smoother presentation, if a bit recessed. Both headphones have a polite treble free of harshness and sibilance, but the Aventus sounds a bit brighter in comparison, especially without the foam inserts. Both are also a little deficient in air and treble extension, which suits me fine but may not appeal to everyone. The QC's ANC is better at blocking ambient noise, but it causes uncomfortable ear pressure, which bothers me quite a bit. Its transparency mode is also better, but the Aventus has a longer-lasting battery, and its ANC can be completely disabled. As for the technicalities, the QC has better detail retrieval, imaging, and a deeper soundstage, while the Aventus offers better timbre, dynamics, and a wider soundstage. For me, this comparison comes down to overall tuning preference and comfort. While the QC does offer better ANC performance, the tuning is not my preferred style. The Aventus is more engaging, with a lusher, more colorful midrange, making it more enjoyable for me. I also find the fit more comfortable, the battery life better, and, not to mention, it's only about a quarter of the price—hard to argue with that.

My pick: Aventus 

In conclusion: 

I haven't had the opportunity to experience many full-sized headphones during my time as a reviewer, and none in the budget tier, so I was very excited to get my hands on the Kiwi Ears Aventus. For me, this set is all about having fun and enjoying music on the go. The bass is full but not overbearing, the midrange is great at showcasing vocals, and the polite treble is easy on the ears. The Aventus's technical prowess leaves much to be desired, but it's still very easy to like and has a lot to offer. It makes for a decent all-rounder for my music library but definitely excels in more upbeat and fun genres like pop, rock, and EDM. For only $89, you get the convenience of Bluetooth and ANC, a fantastic accessory package, the option of a wired connection, impressive battery life, and plenty of tuning customization with included foam inserts and normal and music modes. In my opinion, Aventus stands as a testament that one doesn't have to spend a lot of money on this hobby to get something truly enjoyable. At the end of the day, I honestly struggle to find much to complain about. The quality of the pads is probably my main concern, as the faux leather material tends to peel over time; but at this price, I highly recommend picking up a pair. Simply throw on your favorite dance music, switch on the lights on the cups, and enjoy!