Kiwi Ears Quintet REVIEW! A lot more than one more driver

No, it's not the 4-driver QUARTET, this is the 5-driver QUINTET, an all-new IEM from Kiwi Ears that arrives with a very unique hybrid driver configuration and a price of $220. Which makes you wonder, how's it different from the cheaper Quartet, or even the similarly-priced Orchestra Lite from the same company? There's only one way to find out.
See the Kiwi Ears Quintet frequency response on Squiglink: squig.link/?share=Super_22_Ta...
00:00 Intro & Pricing
02:00 What's in the box
03:35 Build quality
05:55 Fit & comfort
08:00 Sound signature
09:30 Sound: What I like
11:55 Sound: What I don't
13:20 vs. Quartet and Orchestra Lite
19:45 Conclusion & Rating
See it on Amazon: amzn.to/3pxsua3
On AliExpress: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCL...
On Linsoul: www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi...
FYI: I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
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Disclosure: This video is NOT sponsored, but retailer Linsoul did send these headphones to me free for review. Check them out at www.linsoul.com/
Music by Birocratic. Check him out on Soundcloud: / birocratic
#KiwiEars #IEMs #earphones #headphones #audio #audiophile #SuperReview

[@SuperReview]

I'm in the process of moving (temporarily) and won't be able to stream for a few months, BUT... if you wanna keep up with live interactions, join the community on Discord 👉discord.com/invite/ZBpXZnp

[@samyg123]

Impressive they could squeeze that many driver techs into a well fitting and sounding IEM. Truly year of the Kiwi

[@saucyg6371]

I just hope they dont fall off. I have been looking forward to every realesse from them lately

[@Hijynx87]

This iem really is something special! That high end is just Wow! Great bass, details galore, good separation. It’s kind of like watching an old show with that hyper realistic smooth frame mode on an hdtv, lol. Everything turns into curb your enthusiasm, weird but amazing!

[@kaletv4152]

as a basshead, will the bass of this satify me? i mean thumpy, rumbling, punchy bass?

[@deadline7610]

Moving is never fun and you will be missed. Will check back in a few months. Thanks for always giving it to us straight. The good ,bad and the ugly :)

[@unclethathurts]

Finally!!!!. I have been waiting for this.

[@SuperReview]

Did you get the answers you wanted?

[@unclethathurts]

​@SuperReview I wanted to get the blessing 3, but I was waiting to see if this was a better choice.

[@SuperReview]

I like B3 better personally.

[@unclethathurts]

@@SuperReview thanks

[@housepianist]

I have the Orchestra Lites and I really love their sound. Super coherent with lots of detail and clarity but with just enough warmth to make it musical. And it has no sibilance or peaks in the treble. I admit I’m intrigued by the Qunitet but it seems like they may have taken the signature of the OL and “tweeked” the treble and bass upwards and made the midrange less warm. I’m impressed with the Lites and I’m not giving those up anytime soon.

[@ericfranke1637]

Still rocking them?

[@kaavik47]

Great review - appreciate the comparisons as well. Many people hyping Quintet as the best sub $300, but I'm skeptical, as I am sensitive to artificial timbre, particularly treble.

[@ignacio9151]

Hi, great video as always, very informative! And sorry if I missed it but, do you feel that the mid-treble in the Quintet is smooth despite their energy? Or is it spiky and sibilant besides their intensity?

[@Garrettdx1988]

Kiwi Ears has been killing it this year. The Quintent might be my next set honestly. Unless it's really offensive, I don't mind a bit of sparkle in the top end

[@dingleberry1242]

Chin cinch gang represent! I like that the Quintet has a chin slider but using it tends to affect the braiding of the wires in my experience. Great review as always Mark!

[@rlaiola]

The magnitude response and the price bracket seem similar to Performer5. Are they in the same level or any of them has an edge? Thanks

[@RichardButt]

Do the micro planar and piezo drivers actually add to the sound in a unique way? Do they mess with the cohesiveness and timbre?

[@SuperReview]

I can't hear the individual drivers, I can just describe the end result.

[@AceArnsmar]

Received mine this morning and after the first few listens I can agree with them being a tad bit too aggressive, however, after swapping the cable I find them more manageable. Hoping I’ll find them less fatiguing after a few days as they’re the most premium IEM’s I’ve ever had and I do otherwise enjoy their sound

[@SuperReview]

I think tips will have more impact than cable, if you wanna try that.

[@thaflybear]

how do you feel about them now?

[@fra6802]

​@@thaflybearthey need burn in and a cable swao doesn ' t hurt.. They sound a bit more complete that what the price suggest imp..they sound harshy at first but that goes away after 100hr burnin

[@RNeeko]

​@@fra6802 These IEMs don't have an impedance low enough for cables to matter (like with the Campfire Andromeda) and burn in has been debunked many times already. It just very barely makes a difference for much larger speaker drivers. How much do you honestly expect the tiny little IEM drivers that have barely any movement to them to experience 'burn in'. Worst part? As far as discussion around IEM burn in goes it's almost always about the dynamic drivers. It is generally accepted that BAs don't experience burn in and even for planars it's generally accepted among those that believe in it only the bass is affected. The dynamic drivers in these only handle the lower frequencies. Mid range and treble are handled by BAs and the tiniest planar driver you will ever see. So this harshness disappearing is definitely not due to burn in. Any harshness you're no longer hearing is simply your brain getting used to the sound.

[@fra6802]

@@RNeeko not sure what you hearing and talking..of course BA have burn in ( all BA IEMS change signature over first 100hr use..not my words but experienced reviewers..also my ears...musician here.. Noproblem whatsoever , enjoy the iem you like the most

[@jayadiambar7491]

4 Star from you is enough for me to pull the trigger

[@anatol1204]

Nice review Mark..The next step up in technical performance-separation in this around 300 $ price range which iem is-are without being fatiguing?

[@NyteStalker89]

As sound is subjective, something someone doesn’t find fatiguing could be fatiguing to you. BUT Aful performer 5 or Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite could be good contenders. Or possibly Sennheiser IE 300.

[@anatol1204]

@@NyteStalker89 I think Aful has problematic mids

[@PleaseGoAllTheWay]

I bought these. Linsoul $204.99. Tracking shows they'll be here by Wednesday. Looking forward to getting them.

[@Mastermnd1]

Are they comfortable? Im worried about that shape being painful after a few hours of wearing it. Did you like the treble?

[@ericfranke1637]

Update please sir

[@Error-tr9ke]

This is why I always wait for reviews before pre-ordering. That aggressive treble is a dealbreaker for me. Hoping that the Oracle Mk1 won't have it.

[@arghadeepmisra7865]

Dude Oracle MK1 is kinda endgame for tonality this thing shouldn't come close. Only thing that can rival Oracle is Issabella.

[@Error-tr9ke]

I actually bought it sometime last month and it's been my endgame ever since. I'm also already contemplating selling my Ananda because of how sharp and metallic it sounds compared to the wholeness of Oracle Mk1.

[@pandygrafics1410]

man gird tea 2 vs this ????? nice video bro

[@AndrewSilivestrov]

What eartips and cable do you use with these headphones?

[@glsracer]

@SuperReview you mentioned that this sounds like it's almost over sharpened. Did you happen to do your primary testing with an ESS equipped DAC?

[@SuperReview]

No, and it doesn't matter.

[@glsracer]

@@SuperReview thanks, I'm glad to hear that you've not noticed an issue from the DAC. The reason I ask is because the Sabre DACs that I have seem to produce a more digital but also a more detailed sound. I've not experienced this with Sony S-Master, AKM, or Cirrus DACs. Though it could have been the DACs I had, Ikko Zerda, LG V30 Quad DAC, etc. That said, I'm interested in the detail and resolution of these. I really like my Letshouer Galileos but I'm looking for something a bit extra in the detail department. I have not found that with any of my single DD IEMs which is why I'm looking up the range a bit.

[@WilliamToll]

Thanks for this review. Hope to see you at CanJam NYC

[@SuperReview]

🤙

[@VSN-wb2ly]

Do you have any chances to review tanchjim kara? Thanks for the review btw, I'll skip this anyway

[@vael_]

Pretty sure he's getting one sent his way

[@dangabriel4732]

Are these noticeably more resolving than the Hexas? I'm looking for something a little more detailed and engaging to complement them.

[@SuperReview]

Wait for my next review 🤞

[@renatobdc]

I'm curious about how it compares to the Juzear 41t and the hexa. Cheers!

[@SuperReview]

More contrasty and aggressive.

[@ericfranke1637]

@@SuperReview maybe a little EQ to bring down the 5-8 kHz area and these could be great?

[@disastrousemouse]

Versus Blessing 2 Dusk?

[@Hijynx87]

I wish it had a 4.4 option, but idk if it really would benefit. It’s super easy to drive, even on a Nintendo Switch.

[@SuperReview]

What benefit do you expect 4.4mm to give?

[@chrissimons5872]

i saw the hifiman ananda nano on the squig!!! What did you think of it!!!

[@SuperReview]

Sounded like an Edition XS to me 👍

[@Mastermnd1]

Could you advise which IEM sounds like the arya organic?

[@filosavage7475]

How does it compare to the blessing 2s

[@SuperReview]

This is more aggressive, less vocally transparent.

[@Danger0use]

This in comparison to the Performer 5?

[@SuperReview]

I don't have Performer5 around to compare directly. By memory, the Performer5 is smoother presentation overall, less engaging but also less aggressive. Short term I'd prefer the Quintet, long term probably the Performer5.

[@1fareast14]

Anyone tried these vs kz as24? Both sets have me intrigued

[@NiToNi2002]

The AS24 is more ragged in the high-end on paper but can be tuned using the onboard switches to be warmer and fuller than the thinner, brighter and analytical Quintet (that you’d need to EQ to achieve the same).

[@fra6802]

Me . Have both. The quintet wins is way better on many fronts.

[@1fareast14]

@fra6802 Sounds good. I tried the quintet since then and didn't like it for some reason. Thanks!

[@fra6802]

@@1fareast14 they need burn in. They punch **very** much above their price...but do not listem before 50/100hr burnin .

[@filipepires2699]

Juzear 41t or this?

[@SuperReview]

Juzear for me, but they have different strengths outlined in each review.

[@filipepires2699]

@@SuperReview many thanks. I have the Sundara. I was looking for a technical iem for around these price points, with good details and separation. I also like something more neutral just with a little warmth to not get a thin sound

[@wiesolos]

@@filipepires2699 if you don't mind to wait a little bit .. dunu falcon ultra 🙂

[@siddharthtandon7588]

Hi @@SuperReview , how does the bass compare between the two?

[@hpwrotethis]

Given that this wasn't done live, how do I know if you didn't edit yourself into the video?? Were you recording this from a beach resort without us knowing. What if the iem is CGI?? bring back live reviews!

[@SuperReview]

Wait 'til you see what's next.

[@hpwrotethis]

@@SuperReview Wait... Are you doing Beach Resort reviews now?

[@SuperReview]

Actually not far off.

[@StarBuccaneers168]

The name of these Kiwi Ears is super confusing vs Quartet. Not sure if you caught yourself saying Quintet instead of Quartet. Thanks for the super review!

[@SuperReview]

A quarter-quintile. I'm looking forward to the Octotet.

[@duchieu235]

2 types of driver: hybrid 3 drivers: tribrid 4 drivers: -quadbrid- hybrid

[@SuperReview]

I prefer the Devil May Cry numbering system. devilmaycry.fandom.com/wiki/Stylish_Rank

[@cielo_ciel_]

Personal taste😂 I HATE HATE HATE bright marble faceplates with gold branding so it’s kinda funny to listen to your minutes long rant on aesthetics of an iem

[@SuperReview]

What's an example of bright marble faceplates with gold branding?

[@KiwiNickG]

Performer 5 still the one to beat at this price point, more natural sound less digital

[@Phillip-ms4xg]

I really like the look of this one. Seems a little overpriced though for its sound. Not sure I agree with encouraging wastage of more environmentally damaging rubber though. Most enthusiasts I know tip roll onto their own tips anyway. If we multiply all of the unused tips It can't be denied this is a scandalous waste. I've always believed we should have purchase options of not including tips.Or you choose a size you want. Just a thought. But I don't feel good about the hundreds of thousands maybe even more, waste rubber buying IEMs generates.👍

[@SuperReview]

Eh, I've been doing IEM reviews for years now, and the totality of spare tips still fits into a ziplock bag. I don't think it's significant volume.