Kiwi Ears Astral - New Meta, Who Dis?

4⭐️

+ Smooth and somewhat relaxed meta-style tuning 

+ Tasteful bass boost

+ Clean uncolored midrange

+ Well-extended, airy treble that's sibilance-free

+ Strong technical performance 

+ Better stock cable (finally!)

+ Great price to performance ratio

- Would like more bass quantity, especially mid-bass 

- Vocals a bit recessed for my taste

- Treble is too airy and unbalanced for me

- More technical over musical

- Accessory package still needs work when it comes to the tips and case

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-astral?

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 needs little introduction for seasoned audiophiles that dabble in the budget and mid-fi tiers of the hobby. The Chinese-based company has had its fair share of success, especially within the last couple of years. The Astral is one of their newest releases, and it also happens to be one of their more expensive offerings, coming in with a price tag of $300. It sports a 1DD, 6BA hybrid configuration and is currently available through Linsoul as well as other retailers worldwide. Let's break down this latest offering from Kiwi Ears and see how it performs in the market today.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

The Astral has a fairly simple and straightforward unboxing experience, and there's not a lot to unpack as far as the accessories go. The shells are about average sized and are made of black resin with a metal nozzle. The Astral is available in either blue or yellow colorways, and the unit I received is the blue variant. The faceplates feature the Kiwi Ears logo and a combination of blue, silver, green, and purple glitter that changes color depending on the light. I did initially have some issues finding a comfortable fit, and I think it's due to the straighter nozzle angle. I typically prefer when the nozzle is a bit more angled, but I was still able to wear them for extended periods without much fatigue. The insertion depth is about average, and the nozzle measures 5.9mm at the widest part of the lip. There's a single large vent on each shell located behind the flat 2-pin connection. The accessory package is one thing I have complained about in the past with Kiwi Ears, and while the Astral includes most of the standard fare, we finally get a better quality cable here. It's a blue-ish gray color, a little thick with a tight weave, and nicely pliable. In the right light, you can see that it has some sparkle and iridescence to it, which makes it more aesthetically interesting too. It could feel a little softer, but that's a nitpick. Also, the modular termination is long and can be a bit cumbersome, and I prefer a screw-on system, but I like the cable a lot, and I used it throughout my testing. Unfortunately, only three pairs of tips are included, and while they are decent, I preferred the Final Type E tips. The case is the same old zipper case that comes with most other Kiwi Ears sets regardless of price. It looks and feels a little cheap, especially for a $300 IEM, but it does the job. There are also four filter replacements that round out the accessories. Overall, everything here is fine. I really appreciate the improved cable, but Kiwi Ears needs to elevate their game when it comes to the number of tip options and a more premium-feeling case to be competitive.

Sound impressions:

I would describe the overall tuning as meta tuned, targeting one of the newer targets. It has a good sub-bass boost, a mid-bass tuck, a flatter midrange with shallow pinna gain, and a decently extended treble with good air. The note weight is just on the thinner side of average, which isn't ideal for my preferences, but it also doesn't come across as overly thin, so it's not too bad. This set isn't particularly hard to drive, though it does scale well with power. The Astral has very good detail retrieval, layering, and separation that punches above its weight, though it does come across as a bit more clinical sounding. The soundstage is decently wide but lacks just a bit of depth and can sound a bit flat at times. The timbre is quite natural and enjoyable, and the imaging accuracy is impressive. The one area of the technical performance that I think could really be improved is the dynamics. The tuning really comes to life at higher volumes for me, and at low levels, it simply doesn't hold up as well. Overall, while the Astral may not be an absolute technical marvel or the most standout performer in the $300 tier, it's very strong nonetheless.

The Astral isn't the most source-sensitive set, but finding the right pairing is definitely important. The Muse M5 Ultra's tube mode adds a touch of warmth and a bit more weight and body, but it also gets a little too syrupy and loses some of the crisp texture. The iFi GO link Max has slightly improved dynamics, an energetic touch, and the extended bass is welcome, but it can be thin in the treble. It's still generally a good pairing for me, but I think my synergy of choice is another Kiwi Ears product, the Allegro. It emphasizes vocals a bit more and helps control the brightness in the treble without sacrificing bass impact.

●Lows - While the Astral's bass is not particularly bombastic, it is elevated above neutral. It's more sub-bass focused with a mid-bass dip that resembles the typical meta tuning style. Even with the mid-bass being tucked, it still has a decent enough amount for most genres. It's the kind of bass that gets out of the way of the mids and treble but still manages to stay relevant on bass-heavy tracks. Though tracks that are light on bass can make this set sound a little anemic. I think the Astral could benefit from having more mid-bass quantity, which would help add a sense of warmth and body to the entire frequency response; however, that could also betray the tuning style it's aiming for. The bass does have a clean texture and is decently resolving, which helps it compete above its price. The impact and slam are not really lacking per se, but maybe lean a little more on the polite side. The sub-bass extension reaches fairly low when called upon, but the rumble and reverberation are not up to par for my preferences. I'd really like to have a slightly slower decay too, to help notes last a little longer, but this quick, clean, and efficient style of bass response will definitely appeal to many.

●Mids - In the midrange, vocals impress from a technical standpoint, but they aren't the most emotionally moving and lack a little heart and depth at times. They are ever so slightly recessed for what I like and are positioned a little closer to the ear too. I sometimes like the intimacy of this kind of presentation, but I do miss the sense of space. Vocals aren't necessarily thin, but they could use more weight and body. The same could be said of the instruments here as well; however, their timbre and tonality are exquisitely natural and refined, but also with a touch of sweetness. While the balance between lower and upper mids is very well done for instruments, the same can't be said for vocals since female artists are bit more forward over their male counterparts. Overall, I feel like the Astral's midrange adheres well to the typical, somewhat flatter and laid-back presentation that's indicative of the new meta style tuning, but a little more emphasis on vocals would go a long way here, at least for me.

●Highs - The treble of the Astral is well extended and has plenty of air and sparkle, at least for my preferences. In fact, maybe a bit too much, as I usually prefer a more rolled-off style of treble, and the Astral isn't that. Now it's not necessarily bright, and I don't have any issues with harshness outside of the occasional more sibilant-prone tracks, but the innate airiness does throw me off a little because I don't feel like it's particularly well balanced with the bass and midrange. Cymbals and hi-hats sound very accurate and not splashy, but they can be a tad bit too energetic at times. Claps and snaps fare a bit better, but still very crisp and precise. The treble does have a little extra energy, but it's not an overtly energetic presentation. There are no real sibilance issues to speak of, but some notes can be ever so incisive at times, particularly at higher volumes. Overall, I think the treble is well done from a technical standpoint and has good extension, but it's a little too airy for me personally. I think a more rolled-off response would help the bass and midrange to come forward a little more, which would make it much better for me. Having said that, I'm sure treble enthusiasts will be more than satisfied with both the quality and quantity of what's here.

Comparisons: Credit to Audio Amigo, Jaytiss, and Soundcheck39 for the graphs.

● DUNU DK3001BD ($500) - For this matchup, we have the 1DD, 4BA, 4 micro planar driver tribrid configuration of the BrainDance versus the 1DD, 6BA hybrid of the Astral. This is actually the comparison I was most looking forward to when I saw the initial graph for the Astral because it reminded me a lot of the BrainDance. I thought it would be great if Kiwi Ears could produce a similar tuning on a smaller budget, so let's see how these two stack up. As far as accessories go, the BD is in a totally different league. DUNU really goes above and beyond on their accessory game. The BD has a much more premium-feeling cable and case, as well as more tip options. These two sets also have quite different build qualities. The shells of the BD are made of ceramic-plated aluminum and feel quite durable compared to the standard resin build of the Astral. They are similar in size, but the Astral has a more contoured shell shape and a longer nozzle. Both offer a decent fit and seal, but the Astral's deeper insertion is slightly better for me. As for the design, the Astral's sparkly faceplate aesthetic is a common trope in the market today, whereas the BD has a very unique cyberpunk style that I find very appealing. When it comes to the sound signature, both have a meta style tuning and graph quite similarly but with a few key differences, particularly the BD's further tucked mid-bass and accentuated treble. In the bass, these two have similar quantities and both have a generally clean presentation, but the Astral does come across a bit better balanced between mid- and sub-bass. However, the BD has superior sub-bass extension, better resolution, and a cleaner texture. The Astral has a little extra mid-bass impact, which I do miss on the BD, but the latter makes up for with superior rumble and reverberation. The midrange is where these two are most similar to my ear. Both have great natural vocal presentations, though the Astral has a little more weight and a slightly relaxed tonality, while the BD has more width, depth, and a touch more energy and emotion. Instrument timbre and separation are better on the BD, but the Astral is commendable as well. In the treble, the BD has a slightly brighter and more energetic tilt, and an airier presentation, thanks no doubt to the microplanars. The Astral doesn't necessarily sound dark in comparison but it is somewhat more relaxed. Claps and snares can be a bit more incisive on the BD, but I find the overall balance of the treble to be better for me. The Astral's influx of air is a bit over done compared to the presence region which gives it a bit of a weird presentation to my ear. When it comes to the technical performance, the BD is definitely superior, and it's not as close as I thought it might be. The BD wins handedly in just about every category, though the Astral does manage to hold its own well enough in detail retrieval, soundstage width, and imaging. The DUNU DK3001BD is one set I reviewed recently that, while not having my usual preferred tuning, really impressed me with its technical performance, phenomenal execution, and price-to-performance ratio. The Astral is tuned in a similar vein, but slightly less energetic and perhaps more palatable for the masses, and at an even cheaper price of $300. Neither tuning is exactly what I'm usually drawn to, but they both have impressive technical capabilities for their prices and well-executed tunings. I'd like to say that the Astral is a baby BrainDance, but it simply doesn't meet the high standard. The BD is clearly the superior choice, not to mention the accessory package is leagues ahead.

My pick: DK3001BD 

● DUNU DaVinci ($300) - Here we have a battle of two hybrids but with slightly different driver configurations: 2DD, 4BA of the DaVinci against the 1 DD, 6 BA of the Astral. When it comes to the accessories, DUNU again comes out on top. These two sets might cost the same, but the DaVinci has a much better accessory package. The Astral's cable has a slightly tighter weave and is a little more pliable, but I prefer the DaVinci's screw-on modular termination system. It also has a much nicer zipper case and more tip options. As for the build quality, both have resin shells with metal nozzles. The Astral is slightly larger with a more contoured shell shape and a longer nozzle for deeper insertion, but both offer a comfortable enough fit for me. The faceplate of the DaVinci features a unique wooden aesthetic, which I prefer over the sparkly blue faceplate of the Astral. These two sets do graph fairly similarly, but they have some key differences. They both have somewhat of a meta-style tuning, but I'd say the DaVinci leans more U-shaped due to the additional mid-bass boost and lower treble emphasis. The bass might be where the starkest difference lies between these sets. The DaVinci has more quantity, while the Astral arguably has better quality. I do prefer the DaVinci's presentation here, thanks to the warming effect from the mid-bass, not to mention the improved impact. The Astral sounds a little cleaner in both texture and resolution, but in doing so, it loses some of the character that makes the DaVinci unique, at least for me. The Astral is more clean and analytical while the DaVinci is more voluptuous and fun. The midrange is more of the same too, and this is a prime example of the graph not being able to tell the whole story. Both the lower and upper midrange of the DaVinci are much better for me. Instruments have a fullness that I really like, and vocals are more forward with a greater sense of warmth and emotion. The Astral's vocals are a bit more relaxed, and it has better separation between the bass and midrange, whereas the DaVinci exhibits some bass bleed. In the treble, the trend continues, and the DaVinci has a better top end for me too. The Astral is airier, a bit brighter, and has a nice, clean presentation compared to the DaVinci, which rolls off a little more but still has a sense of excitement and energy to help balance the bigger bass shelf. Even at higher volumes, the DaVinci's treble is better behaved without any harshness or sibilance, whereas the Astral sounds a little thinner and has some trouble with "s" and "sh" notes. When it comes to the technical performance, the Astral has better detail retrieval, separation, and imaging, while the DaVinci has better timbre, layering, dynamics, note weight, and a bit more soundstage depth. For me, this matchup comes down to the balance of the tuning and also the tonality. It's true that the Astral has a little better bass quality, but the DaVinci's low end has more flavor, fullness, and an intangible quality that hits my ear just right. The added warmth from the mid-bass also helps to color the midrange presentation, which I thoroughly enjoy, and the rolled-off treble is much more my style. I will admit that the Astral could be a great choice for those seeking better technical performance and a less in-your-face style of bass, but I'll keep enjoying the DaVinci for a long time to come, and it has yet to meet a foe worthy enough to knock it off its throne.

My pick: DaVinci

● KBEAR Cepheus ($250) - Here we have two hybrids with very similar driver configurations: 2DD, 6BA in the Cepheus versus 1DD, 6BA in the Astral. When it comes to accessories, the Astral has a better-quality modular cable, while the Cepheus offers more tip options. Both have cheaper-feeling zipper cases that could be better. As for the build, both sets have resin shells that are very similar in quality, shape, and size, though the Astral has a metal nozzle. The Astral's nozzle is also angled a bit better for my ears and is the more comfortable of the two. As for aesthetics, I like the purple design of the Cepheus, but slightly prefer the sparkly blue faceplate of the Astral. I would describe both sets as having a U-shaped tuning style, but the Cepheus has more midrange emphasis, while the Astral is almost meta-tuned, with a slightly flatter overall frequency response. In the bass, both sets are more sub-bass focused, but the Astral has less bass quantity overall. It's also a little more impactful and better balanced, to my ear, thanks to the less severe mid-bass tuck. The Astral's bass is a little cleaner-sounding, but the Cepheus has slightly more rumble, fullness, and a deeper extension. In the midrange, the Astral is more balanced and even-keeled, which is more in line with the meta-tuning style. The Cepheus has a richer, more forward, and slightly more energetic vocal presentation, while the Astral is better balanced, airier, and a bit more natural-sounding. It also lends more weight to lower midrange instruments, which I like. As for the treble, these two are quite different. The Cepheus puts all its proverbial eggs in the lower and middle treble baskets, making it sound devoid of air. The Astral actually has a small dip in the lower treble, with quite a lot more air, leading to a more natural-sounding top end. It can get a bit spicy on some tracks, whereas the Cepheus never sounds bright or peaky. When it comes to the technical performance, the Astral has better detail retrieval, imaging, separation, and layering. The Cepheus has better timbre, dynamics, note weight, and a slightly bigger soundstage. This matchup essentially comes down to overall tuning philosophy and which works better for your music library. The Astral is much better balanced but a little less musical-sounding and can sound a bit clinical at times. It performs better in some areas but can also be a little peaky in the treble. The Cepheus, while definitely not the most balanced set, has more of a musical quality, and its big bass shelf and midrange-forward tuning lend themselves well to certain genres. My choice here is the one that makes for a better all-rounder, and has a more balanced tuning that doesn't sound particularly deficient in any one area.

My pick: Astral

● Ziigaat Lush ($180) - There's a lot of comparisons between hybrids in this review, and this is yet another. The Lush sports a 1DD, 4BA configuration against the Astral's 1DD, 6BAs. When it comes to the accessories, both of these sets leave much to be desired. Admittedly, Kiwi Ears did step up their game a bit with the Astral's modular cable, especially compared to the typical Ziigaat inclusion, which feels quite cheap. Neither has a particularly nice carrying case, but I suppose I prefer the Astral's due to it being slightly more pocketable. Both sets come with only three pairs of silicone tips, but the Lush does include one pair of foam as well. Disappointing accessories aside, these two have remarkably similar shell shapes and sizes, nozzle lengths, and overall designs. Both feature resin builds with metal nozzles and a blue sparkly faceplate, although I personally prefer the Lush's aestetic over the Astral's. The fit is about equal, and both are easy to wear for extended periods without fatigue. As for the tuning, the Astral's is meta flavored, but the Lush leans full-on meta with a much flatter frequency response, capped on one end by a smaller bass shelf and a more rolled-off treble on the other. Looking at the graph, it's no surprise that the Astral is the bassier sounding of the two, but it comes with more rumble, reverberation, impact, and a cleaner overall presentation. Even though the Lush has less quantity, it's not devoid of bass. The difference between the two is not huge because the Lush also has less upper midrange and treble emphasis, which helps the overall balance, and the bass is still elevated just enough for my usual preference. In the lower midrange, these two measure almost identically and both lend good weight and representation to instruments, but the Lush is a bit better for me. The upper midrange is where these two differ a bit more. While the Lush does have less emphasized vocals, they still come through very clearly and have more of a relaxed but emotive quality to them. The Astral's upper midrange can come across as a little too clinical-sounding in comparison, but it does have a more energetic presentation. As for the treble, the Lush's rolled-off response is almost perfect for my preferences, and there is not a hint of harshness or sibilance in sight. The Astral will definitely appeal more to treble enthusiasts, though, thanks to its brighter and airier presentation. For me, the Lush gets the top-end balance just right, whereas the Astral has a bit too much air and too little presence region. When it comes to the technicalities, the Astral has the advantage in soundstage depth, detail retrieval, separation, and imaging, whereas the Lush has better timbre, layering, and note weight. In conclusion, while it's true both sets take inspiration from the new meta tuning target, ultimately I prefer the Lush for diving headfirst into it rather than dipping its toe in the proverbial waters. The somewhat warmer and more relaxed presentation of the Lush might not be for everyone, but I'd be lying if I said it doesn't tick a lot of boxes for me. It's just so easy to listen to for hours on end, and I really enjoy getting lost in its innate musicality compared to the Astral's more analytical style. Sure, the Astral's technical performance is impressive, and there are perhaps a few nuanced things that get lost on the Lush, but I will almost always prefer musicality over technicality, and the Astral fails to buck that trend here.

My pick: Lush

● Meze Alba ($160) - Finally, not another hybrid matchup! This one pits the single DD of the Alba against the 1DD, 6BA hybrid of the Astral. I think the accessories here are pretty evenly matched, but that really says more about the Alba's value. I do like the thicker modular cable of the Astral more, but the Alba's cable is very soft and pliable, which makes it quite comfortable to use. The Alba's case does feel a little more premium in hand, but it's simply way too small for me. However the Alba does include an extra pair of tips and a USB-C dongle, which is nice. When it comes to build quality and overall design, these two sets are very different. The Astral is quite a bit larger with a more standard-shaped resin shell and deeper insertion depth, while the Alba is quite small and sports a painted metal shell with a very unique design. The aesthetic of the Alba is premium and clean-looking thanks to the white color and silver accents, which I do prefer over the Astral's combination of black shell and sparkly faceplate. My ears usually fare better with larger-sized IEMs, but the Alba is actually quite comfortable and easy to wear for extended periods. When it comes to the sound signature, these two do graph fairly similarly but sound pretty different in ear. The Astral follows more of a meta-tuned target with a larger bass shelf, flatter midrange, and less treble emphasis, while the Alba is more U-shaped with a little more mid-bass emphasis, a scooped lower midrange, and an increased presence region. The Astral comes across a little more relaxed, whereas the Alba is a bit more engaging and emotive. In the bass, the Astral has more quantity, with a little more resolution and a cleaner texture. The slightly elevated sub-bass reaches deeper with a more satisfying rumble, but the less tucked mid-bass response of the Alba is also quite nice. It helps to add a bit of warmth throughout the frequency response that I really enjoy, and it has a slightly longer decay that sounds more natural to my ear. The midrange is where the Alba really shines for me. It has a slightly more forward vocal presentation with a combination of sweetness, warmth, and soul that I'm really drawn to. The flatter midrange of the Astral doesn't sound bad by any means, but the vocals lack the same expressiveness, and the instrument timbre just isn't as sweet. In the lower midrange, the Astral may lend a bit more weight to instruments, but the Alba's scooped midrange helps vocals come forward a bit more. As for the treble, even though the air of these two measures is quite similar, the Astral is definitely the airier-sounding set. The Alba's treble has a superior balance thanks to the extra emphasis on the presence region. Neither are very incisive or sibilant prone, and cymbals and snares are well behaved, but the Astral does exhibit a slight harshness on certain vocal notes at higher volumes. As far as technical performance goes, the Astral has better detail retrieval, imaging, separation, layering, and a wider soundstage, while the Alba takes the win in dynamics, timbre, and note weight. This matchup is quite interesting to me, and the outcome is somewhat unexpected. On paper, or perhaps I should say on "graph," I would think the Astral would be the clear winner for me, but there is something about the Alba that hits my ear just right. Perhaps it's the extra energy in the lower treble or the slightly more linear bass response, but whatever it is, it sounds very, very good. I will concede that the Astral does have the better technical performance, a deeper sub-bass extension, and a nicer stock cable, but for overall musicality and a more emotive vocal presentation, the Alba is hands down the way to go. It's simply more enjoyable to listen to, which is really what this hobby is all about. Also, it doesn't hurt that it's cheaper and makes for a better all-rounder for my library, which is hard to overlook.

My pick: Alba

● Juzear Defiant ($100) - Here's another hybrid showdown between the 1DD, 3BA configuration of the Defiant versus the 1DD, 6BA in the Astral. Regarding the accessories, the Defiant has some great inclusions, especially for the price, but I slightly prefer the Astral's cable even though it's a bit more prone to tangling. The Defiant does have the better case though and includes more tip options and a cleaning cloth. The build qualities are very similar, with both having resin shells and metal nozzles, but the Astral is a little bigger and has a better contoured shape. It offers a better fit for me, and the venting system works better to alleviate pressure buildup. When it comes to the design, the Astral's sparkly faceplate is more commonplace in the market while the Defiant has a fun rainbow aesthetic that I like a little more. As for the sound, these two graph pretty similarly, but the Astral has more of a meta style tuning while the Defiant is U-shaped with a further scooped lower midrange. In the bass, the quantity is about the same, but the quality is pretty different. The Defiant has a more linear bass response with a little less sub-bass extension and a slower decay, while the Astral has much better quality thanks to the improved texture and resolution. It also has a slightly more impactful mid-bass response, which I do enjoy. The Defiant has a somewhat sloppy yet fun style of bass, while the Astral's more articulate and clean. As for the midrange, the Defiant has an earlier pinna gain rise, which helps vocals come forward just a bit more in the mix. However, the lower midrange of the Astral is flatter, which lends more weight to instruments. In general, the Defiant has a slightly more emotive and exciting midrange presentation, while the Astral is somewhat relaxed but still engaging enough not to be boring. The treble of these two also measures quite close, but in ear, the differences are a little more obvious. The Astral's treble sounds a bit smoother and better balanced, whereas the Defiant has a little more airiness and some very slight harshness at higher volumes. The Defiant is also a little more energetic, but the Astral can be a bit incisive at times with certain vocal notes. Luckily, neither exhibits any true sibilance. As for the technicalities, the Astral comes out on top in almost every category save for the dynamics, and though it performs better, it's not night and day. Ultimately, this matchup comes down to use case and your individual collection. The Astral is clearly the better performer, as it should be for three times the price, and it has a slightly superior tonality and overall balance to my ear. The Defiant offers a great price-to-performance ratio and would be my recommendation to newcomers to the hobby who may not know exactly what kind of tuning they want. Since I already own more than a few IEMs, I do prefer having the Astral in my collection because of its technical performance and genre-specific strengths in things like orchestral and acoustic music.

My pick: Astral

In conclusion:

Kiwi Ears has been a staple in the portable audiophile world for the last few years, and in that time, they've had a steady flow of releases. Unfortunately, they are a little hit or miss for me, but that also means the company is experimenting with new tunings and not just sitting back on their laurels or previous successes. For example, I really love the Orchestra Lite for its midrange-focused tuning and innate musicality, but I wasn't particularly impressed by the recently released Aether, which has received a lot of praise from others. The Astral kind of falls somewhere in the middle of the two for me. It has a clean and technical meta-tuning style, but it lacks some of the usual warmth and musicality that I prefer. Ultimately, it's a very capable and enjoyable IEM; however, for me, it's lacking a little bit of that "it" factor or some special qualities to push it over the edge. It doesn't really do anything wrong, but neither is it particularly exciting or engaging either. I would like some more mid-bass impact, an injection of warmth, and a slightly more rolled-off treble. It's not quite a technical powerhouse, but it is one of the better performers I've heard in its price bracket. It makes a serviceable all-rounder, but for me, it really excels with instrumental and orchestral arrangements. I can definitely recommend this one to those looking for a very capable and technically proficient one-and-done IEM in the $300 price bracket that sacrifices a little engagement and musicality for better technical performance. I have to give credit to my friend Mr. Audio Amigo for highlighting that the Astral's tuning is impacted by the use of an impedance adapter. If you refer to his squiglink, you will see that it's a pretty subtle change, but adding a 50-ohm impedance adapter does wonders for altering the tuning just enough for me to enjoy it much more. The sub-bass gets slightly deeper and more robust, and it also reduces the treble air a little, which in turn helps the midrange come forward just a bit more. Honestly, if this was the stock tuning, I'd easily award the Astral another half star, but I never make my review impressions while utilizing impedance adapters or EQ. Ultimately, going forward, I will likely use the Astral with the adapter for personal enjoyment, but I can still recommend it with its stock tuning. I'm happy to see Kiwi Ears continue to experiment with new tuning targets, and I do believe the Astral is another strong release in today's market.