Pros: Versatile Tuning, Comfortable Fit, Gorgeous Design, Punchy and Lively Bass

Cons: Sound could be more detailed, Soundstage is intimate

Driver Setup: Dual 10mm Titanium Dynamic Drivers + 2BA

Price: US$109

Intro

Disclaimer: The Kiwi Ears Quartet was provided to us at no charge courtesy of Linsoul. However, this was done in understanding I was to give my honest thoughts and opinions of the Quartet. The Kiwi Ears Quartet is available for purchase here should you find yourself interested in a pair, or feel free to use your own links.

The Kiwi Ears Quartet caught my attention the moment I laid my eyes on the pictures, and these earphones look as gorgeous in real life as in the photos. It’s my first experience with the brand Kiwi Ears and after hearing pretty good things about their other products, I was definitely intrigued. Without further ado, let’s dive in.

Accessories (Score: 8/10)

The Kiwi Ears Quartet comes equipped with a decent array of accessories for its price point. Alongside the earphones themselves, the package includes various sets of ear tips in different sizes. I wasn’t a fan of the quality of tips provided and switched them out to a pair of SpinFits which I enjoyed the fit with. Additionally, a rather high-quality and soft 2-pin cable is provided. The inclusion of a sturdy carrying case is a nice touch as well.

Build Quality and Fit (Score: 8.5/10)

The Kiwi Ears Quartet has exceptional build quality and a really comfortable, secure fit. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, these earphones exude durability and reliability. The resin-shell housing feels and looks premium while remaining lightweight. The ergonomic design ensures a comfortable fit, allowing for extended listening sessions without discomfort. The shell design is a gorgeous blend of black and purple, and pictures can’t seem to do it justice as glitter reflects the light shining on it.

Sound (Score: 8/10)

Frequency Response of the Kiwi Ears Quartet

Sources

• Lotoo Paw S2
• Fiio BTR7

Music listened to

• Eagles
• Kanye West
• Tears for Fears
• INXS – Need You Tonight
• McFly – Memory Lane
• Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams
• Noah Kahan – Stick Season
• NEEDTOBREATHE
• Kygo
• etc

Bass

The Bass response is definitely one of the stars of the show on the Kiwi Ears Quartet. The dual dynamic drivers deliver an impressive bass response that will satisfy most bassheads. With a deep and impactful low end, the earphones offer a rich and immersive listening experience. The bass is tight and authoritative. From punchy beats to rumbling sub-bass tones, the Kiwi Ears Quartet reproduces the lower frequencies with impressive accuracy and control for its price point. Whether it’s electronic beats and synths from Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams or the kick drums in Pop and Rock songs, the Quartet excels in producing a punchy bass that will scratch that itch.

Mids

The mid-range response is generally satisfactory. The mid-range frequencies are adequately represented with decent clarity and definition. Forward but never shouty, which is how I usually like balance in the mids. However, I thought that the vocals came across as a little flatter than I would have liked. Instruments are presented with a respectable level of accuracy, though they may lack a bit of the natural timbre and resonance found in higher-end models. While the mids of the Kiwi Ears Quartet are decent overall, they may not offer the same level of refinement as more premium options on the market.

Highs

The highs of the Quartet do enough. It neatly avoids sibilance and provides a good inoffensive tonality to the sound. However, I would go as far as to say this is the Achilles heel of the Quartet. The tame and laid-back treble also reveals a lack of technicalities in the tuning that holds the Quartet back from shining and competing with the big boys.

Overall

The Quartet also comes with tuning switches, however, I don’t feel that it makes a huge difference to the sound and I didn’t go out of my way to experiment with the different switch configurations after some preliminary listening with different switch positions. The soundstage of the Quartet isn’t the widest, and it can sound a little crowded at times. Otherwise, I quite like the comfortable fit and overall tuning of the Quartet and it makes a really good daily driver to bring on my daily commute.

Conclusion

The Kiwi Ears Quartet lies in exactly the same price point as the 7Hz Legato. They both are quite interesting options that potentially appeal to different crowds despite both their rather bass-focused sounds. The 7Hz Legato has a much more niche tuning with a bass emphasis that the Quartet cannot match without EQ. However, the Quartet shines in its extremely versatile tuning. I find it really excels in 80s and 90s Pop/Rock music. The instruments and drums really deliver a satisfying kick and punch along with the melodious overall coherency of the tuning. The only thing that I would argue lets the Quartet is its lack of treble extension. This gives it a rather small-ish soundstage and a lack of detail retrieval. Nevertheless, at this price point, it’s pretty much nitpicking. I would say the Quartet positions itself as a solid option for an all-rounder to be considered by many looking to take a step out of the budget range and get do-it-all pair without breaking the bank.

Overall Grade: B

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