Behold! The GLORIOUS Kiwi Ears KE4

[@listener-reviews]

If anyone wants a more in-depth piece comparing the new wave of neutral IEMs-DaVinci, KE4, and DUSK-to each other, keep your eyes on The Audio Files on Headphones.com! Fc-Construct has a piece coming shortly that does exactly that :) Thanks so much to everyone watching!

[@DizzyVizzle]

Listener you are the best over there! EQ settings you gave me for megafest are awesome. thanks again!

[@Chinatown18]

Thumbnail game remains undefeated

[@abrahamkimu8683]

Frrr

[@Dauntl4ssFake]

We have been blessed with another glorious vid!

[@jozef_franek]

Justin Trudeau came to review IEMs :D

[@KmtS9]

I demand more Griffin content! Edit: i would be genuinely interested in a comparison with the Hexa!

[@zyvixm]

I see Happy Andrew thumbnail, I watch.

[@GadZookz]

Thanks Resolve and Listener! Seems like venting is grabbing more gravitas of late. Until quite recently, the vention never got a mention and thus gained no attention. It makes me cringe to think about all those unvented IEMs, suffering inside our ears! 🤔

[@listener-reviews]

The vention deserves attention!

[@migadepancito]

Personally I want unvented iems because of better isolation. If I don't need isolation, better to use headphones.

[@listener-reviews]

@@migadepancito A totally valid preference!

[@GadZookz]

@@listener-reviewsLooks like some simple mods are in order. Time to buy a dental drill and air my collection out! 😃

[@MrSmitheroons]

Glad to see a lot of well-rounded discussion fitting in with the often graph-sniffing-heavy discourse. Things I like a lot here: Talking about fit/individual ears (maybe preference as well) to put disclaimers on sound, like the treble difference in your two preferences. Talking about how the bass/mids/treble are complementary or conflicting, not just each on its own in isolation (confusing to understand what the big picture sound is like if not talking about how they fit with each-other, IMO). Trying to fit "technicalities" into something measurable like FR (comments about your experience EQing "for the benefit of the 'technicality'" was helpful to put some evidence behind a claim, even if it's still an anecdote it's something concrete we can reason about.) Talking about comfort/fit. It's a huge caveat if something sounds great but you can't stand wearing it. Comfort matters. It might be hard to do this sort of discussion without at least two people like this video, which I get is logistically harder to schedule. On the other hand, this didn't seem to need much scripting, so maybe that makes up for it at least partly? Thanks for the video, I feel like I have a really good basic grasp of this product to consider when watching other reviews.

[@TouzeenHussain]

Please do a Price Tier List

[@StartCodonUST]

Always glad to see new IEMs praised for their ergonomics. People jump into this hobby at multiple price points, and this could be someone's first IEM if they're already planning on spending Apple Air Pods Pro 2 money. However much they plan on spending when they first get into the hobby, I feel like the first thing they pick up should be, if nothing else, comfortable and inoffensive. Nothing worse than the only audio product you own being painful to listen to for extended periods of time due to bad ergonomics or fatiguing treble. If you're beating consumer brands on sound quality but are falling way behind on ergonomics, you're not going to expand the market for IEMs.

[@xeruskun]

You should make the video split screen instead of switching back and forth. Its kind of annoying when Andrew speaks then it switches back to Listener out of nowhere.

[@reluctant_engineer]

Based thumbnail

[@moots27]

Daddy's back with more killer content

[@reluctant_engineer]

Thanks for the review. I wonder if the bass quality improves if you bring up the 2khz region and dial down the bass quantity.

[@listener-reviews]

It deeeeeeefinitely does. To be clear, my unit also had less bass than Andrew's, and I think as a result I ended up liking KE4's bass a bit more than he did. That said, would still prefer less, and the 2 kHz being filled in a bit + less bass fixes basically all of my concerns re: bass "quality." Thanks for watching!

[@reluctant_engineer]

@@listener-reviews Thanks for the reply! The bass quantity variance is a bit concerning, and should be considered as minor con imo. Still I'm quite a bit interested in this iem. Might cop it soon.

[@listener-reviews]

@@reluctant_engineer No disagreement here, hoss. If anything its similar to the other options I like (DaVinci and Mega5) in that they seem to vary a bit between units in this region in particular. Maybe something to do with variation in rear venting or something like that? Hard to say.

[@reluctant_engineer]

@@listener-reviews That's interesting, didn't know the other iems you mentioned had unit variance too. A bit disappointing (more for mega5 given the price) but I guess it can be fixed with minor EQ.

[@the-mr-paul]

A comparison to the Orchestra Lite would be nice.

[@CrazyKnkb]

This

[@alberk77]

Try Letshuoer Cadenza 4, maybe you change your opinion about a good value fit comfort sound around 200$-250$

[@eduardobonifaz]

Hello, excellent video! Ive just subscribed to the channel, I have a question here if I may. ive recently entered into the audiophile world, Im a total newbie trying to learn an enjoy. Mi initial setup are : Phillips SHP openback 9600 headphones, and using the FiiOQ3 DAC, Im amazed with the results! But Im considering using this kiwi IEMs , my idea of this setup is Kiwi ears KE4; upgrade the cable to the Linsoul tripowin zonie 16 silver plated, and use the Linsoul kiwi ears Allegro as a DAC. Whats do you think about this intended setup? Any suggestions about it, and also, how my audio enjoying experience would change with this? In this context, when do hu recommend to use IEMs instead of overear headphones? Thanks in advance

[@vankork]

hi eduardo, you wont need a different dac. save that money for more headphones instead, until you have a nice portable and a nice desktop amp to drive all your headphones someday. amps/dacs dont make as much of a difference as everybody says on youtube. regarding iem vs. over ear: it depends. iem are smaller, sometimes more comfortable because it doesnt sit on your head. on the other hand, over ears have a generally wider soundstage and a more "roomy" feeling. also, sometimes i dont want something to sit in my ear for a few hours. so i own both kind of headphones and pick the one that im in the mood for. that being said - iem are way better value under 300$. only then headphones start to outperform them (sometimes). youd be surprised how much better a 100$ iem can sound compared to your 100$ 9600s.

[@JeffreyPanza]

How does the KE4 compare to the Orchestra Lite?

[@nemonas2019]

found an answer?

[@Tssukiii]

I find the KE4 to be better in every regard except for looks I owned both, but not at the same time (sold the Orchestra Lite months ago and now enjoy the KE4) The KE4 have a very mature tuning compared to OL and are quite a bit more comfortable to me

[@bbfoto7248]

@TheHeadphoneShow So just HOW MUCH does the spectral balance improve when you add a Low Cut Bass Shelf for the bass region and a band or two of PEQ for the upper mids/overall?

[@listener-reviews]

Significantly. Though personally I'd also have to make a cut or two in the treble as well.

[@bbfoto7248]

@@listener-reviews Appreciate the prompt reply and info. 👍 Cheers

[@victorzuniga5187]

Hello, can you guys look into the airpods 4 (cheaper one) that just came out for a review? I know, I know.. but to see if something different that's not actually in-ear that just sits outside of the ear canal and to see if its good sounding and where it would rank in your guys' opinion. Other channel that talk about it aren't audio people they just like apple cause its apple.

[@Elrics_Allenn]

Harmonic distortion of this IEM literally looks like a rainbow, a single second I've seen thought what a ranbow that is. Think never seen any IEMs that does that yet

[@greenhat7618]

I feel like it’s really only hyped because it’s the cheapest iem tuned to the current meta, which still doesn’t have that many options. Seems like the resolution, technicalities, and bass are all just so-so, and with the meta tuning beginning to spread and the trend of price wars, I’m fairly certain some other meta iem that performs better at a similar price will come out in the coming 6 to 9 months, and I’m happy to wait.

[@wardprocter2371]

Andrew is the fun guy!

[@stevenmctowelie416]

Thanks for your video, do you both have a recommended EQ setting for the KE4?

[@opus64kbps]

try this Preamp: -1.9 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 100 Hz Gain -5.0 dB Q 0.700 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 3500 Hz Gain 2.0 dB Q 2.000 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 9500 Hz Gain 3.0 dB Q 3.000 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 13000 Hz Gain -4.0 dB Q 1.000

[@taidee]

We want more! We want more! We want more of this, for those who know only capitalizing every word, the exclamation mark (!) represents that 🤣🤣

[@Thiccolo]

I am dying for a tws variant of this meta tuning. I have enjoyed the DUSK and the Mega5est, a tws irm with this tuning would make me never look back at wired iems lol

[@humanbean-f2s]

APP2’s are pretty close to that

[@zblus]

Which do you prefer? Dusk or mega5est?

[@3ildcard]

Well, even with Resolve being extra critical, KE4 still seem to hold its ground considering the "top5" mentioned consist of IEM's double or triple the price.

[@hartyewh1]

Looks like a hard fit, but I'm willing to try.

[@wrbrown571]

I'm chasing detail. I'm looking for an analytical IEM set. Can you give some recommendations and prices. Looking at sub $200 and below. Something with detail retrieval better than NiceHCK F1 Pro, which I have.

[@cavemandan543210]

I like this informal chat style format. I also liked the more structured style, but if this saves you guys time and the numbers work out favorably, then I guess it’s a win win

[@miki890098]

You should measure this iem with different tips on the 5128

[@Lead_Foot]

I can't use tips like that or spinfits. They sometimes totally collapse when I insert them.

[@HobbyTalk]

I really want to try this one… anyone in Canada have one they can loan me?

[@BamPlan]

Andrew the type of guy to say “by a country mile”

[@onepieceatatime]

Wait, the Dusk has DSP so to be objectively fair, can you rank these *with* EQ?

[@paulok2153]

is the fit slimmer than Orchestra lite? I find that a good sounding IEM but boy is it chunky.

[@SuperEnforcer88]

Better than the QoA Aviation?

[@krishnakk999]

Hi Andrew bro please review of OnePlus buds pro 3 and best eq settings.

[@YurttheSilentChief1]

Can the shrink wrap used to form the ear hooks be cut off for most cables?

[@bernardoandrade88]

How does KE4 compares against the Quintet? Thank you.

[@listener-reviews]

Quintet is leaner in the mids and brighter in the treble. Similar late ear-gain rise. Overall I think Quintet is a solid IEM but overall thinner than I'd prefer, KE4 has a more realistic midrange balance and is more well behaved in the lower/mid treble.

[@MW-xv4mu]

PX8 on your head! Any difference in opinion since the 3.[whatever] firmware update?

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

Definitely. It's better now

[@MW-xv4mu]

@@TheHEADPHONEShow thank you!

[@055_donisaputra6]

I didn't The Canada President was an audiophile.

[@killaforma]

How does the KE4 stack against the Pula PA02?

[@anatol1204]

Ergonomics is everything

[@renatobdc]

Nice! Comfort and ergonomics are about 50% of the iem experience for me! What about the Sliivo SL41? It is supposed to be meta, too.

[@listener-reviews]

I wouldn't quite call SL41 meta due to the excess treble. Doesn't mean its bad, but it probably wasn't made with a population average HRTF in mind, and the treble would likely occupy the upper end of the bounds we use (or might even exceed them) as a result.

[@renatobdc]

@@listener-reviews thanks 🥰

[@yupanquid5538]

Is the Timeless already out of the question?

[@vianhoho19]

WHAT IS WITH THE THUMBNAIL? 🤣

[@Foobymaster1]

I guess since I already have binky, it's not even worth looking at these other ones.

[@kzr83]

Long time lurker, 1st comment: Andrew, Listener, how would you compare this to the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite? (Which I love and I remember Andrew liking it a lot too, if memory serves) Thanks a lot!

[@listener-reviews]

I'd say they are *very* different. Orchestra LIte's midrange is kind of a hybrid of Harman IE (lower midrange dip) and IEF 2020 (1.5 kHz forward, relaxed 3 kHz) with a fairly reserved treble profile. I would say the ergonomics of Orchestra Lite are significantly blockier and harder to wear, the midrange isn't quite as nice, but I like the upper treble in particualr more than KE4. But KE4 is the better overall package by a significant margin, IMO. Better bass for my taste (and DD bass, so its better vented), better midrange, and *way* better comfort. Thanks for watching!

[@bernardoandrade88]

And Quintet also please.

[@chrisbianchi8876]

I know it's not in the same price category but is this really four times better than the truthear crinicle red? I've been really enjoying it for the last 3 months so I want to make sure if I spend more for an upgrade that it's significantly better

[@ucnguyenminh9393]

What the hell is with the thumbnail lol

[@Whyamibzsdmh]

I don't know what they're doing with the thumbnails but I'm all for it

[@aesonone]

grey like his soul etc. etc.

[@anatol1204]

With a few words good but they have to refine it

[@Nope-gu3ph]

Would I not just get the Kato over this one? In terms of sound that is. Genuine question.

[@listener-reviews]

I personally wouldn't; Kato has a shoutier midrange and lower treble. Hard to say which you'd personally prefer, of course, but I think Resolve and I would both *easily* take the KE4

[@Nope-gu3ph]

@@listener-reviews makes sense. Thank you for the prompt reply :)

[@epicgamer496]

NO WAY KIWI EARS 🇳🇿 🇳🇿

[@brutus-r3w]

So, poor bass, lacking upper midrange, peaky upper treble...good IEM? I'm confused, do you guys like this IEM?

[@fuzail3379]

Because it's still better than under 300$

[@JohnClarkW]

The Ziigaat Cinno is nearly the same tuning, and half the price tag.

[@fuzail3379]

Lol. Idk where they are similar. Cinno has more lower treble than upper midrange and worst treble extention.

[@dalejail]

i can feel long hair guys dorky superiority ego complex through my screen and it makes me uncomfortably cringe lol

[@pappsa8]

What was the sources on the both sides???!! Without that info the whole video is worthless!

[@daniel.909]

Listener was using an Apple Dongle soaked in snake oil every time and Resolve was using a 10,000 dollar fully balanced tube setup with a +30db bass shelf. Hope this helps!

[@kr33k00]

TLDR: It’s a pass 😢

[@lowstaar]

They said its the best value under 200, how is that a pass?

[@x-techgaming]

KZ PR2 HBB > all