Kinera Mia

Summary
The Mia is a recently released premium iem cable from Kinera. This is a gorgeous looking, well built and versatile cable, coming in at 130$. The Mia features a bold and flashy aesthetic, with a combination of intricately designed connectors and Y-split, and premium wiring. Construction wise this uses silver plated 6N single crystalline copper wires in an 8core braid. One of its standout features is the modular design, offering compatibility with both MMCX and 2pin connectors. Additionally, it includes interchangeable 3.5mm and 4.4mm interchangeable plugs.
When evaluating cables, I prioritize build quality, design, and versatility, and Kinera has excelled in all these aspects with the Mia for the price. It’s a well thought out product that combines style with functionality.



Introduction
Cables play a crucial role in providing a good over all audio experience in any iem set up. In recent years, most iems have started shipping with fairly decent stock cables, which raises an important question, is an upgrade cable really worth the investment? As an audiophile and a reviewer, I’ve had the privilege of trying many iems, each paired with a variety of cables differing in build, material, sound and design. Through this vast experience, I have developed a specific preference for certain types of cables. This is like a “double edged sword”, as it sometimes prevents me from fully enjoying or evaluating an iem if it’s not paired with what I consider an optimal cable.
From a broader perspective, a premium or upgrade cable might not be a necessity for everyone’s audio journey. However, if you are someone like me, who values an uncompromised listening experience and is constantly chasing that perfect synergy, exploring and investing in the right cable can make a significant difference.

Today, I am taking a closer look at the Kinera Mia, a premium cable priced at $130. Besides its solid build quality and visually appealing design, what sets the Mia apart is its fully modular setup at this price. It features interchangeable 2-pin and MMCX connectors, along with swappable 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations, offering excellent versatility.
Let’s dive deeper into what the Kinera Mia brings to the table.



About the brand:
First, lets get to know the brand, Kinera is one of the most well-known and respected names in the audio community. They’ve been a prominent player in the industry for quite some time, crafting a wide range of iems and audio products that span from budget friendly options to ultra high end offerings. Throughout my personal audio journey, I have had the chance to test and experience many of Kinera’s products, though I have only reviewed a few. In terms of cables, I’ve previously owned two of their budget options, the Kinera Leyding and Kinera Ace, additionally I also used their premium Orlog cable, made in collaboration with Effect Audio, for a short period. However, the Leyding remains the only one I have formally reviewed until now, making this my second official Kinera cable review. Anyways, lets get back to the Mia.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Kinera for providing a discount during purchase but note that this review reflects my honest and unbiased opinion. I strive for transparency in all my reviews, whether the product is self-purchased, a free sample, loaned or received at a discount.

Specs
> Material: 6N Single Crystal Copper with Silver Plating
> Conductor: 49 × 0.06mm
> Core: 8
> Outer Layer: PVC
> Cable Length: 1.2m
> Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin / MMCX
> Plug: 3.5mm single-ended / 4.4mm balanced
> External Metal Part: Copper
= PRICE: 130$

Packaging
Continuing on to the packaging section, this comes in a simple yet decent looking box. Sliding off the outer sleeve you are greeted with simple black box with some branding on top. Openning the lid you will find the 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations, a leather carrying case and a manual. Inside the leather case you will find the cable wrapped with a velkro tie and the modular 2 pin and mmcx connectors. I am disappointed to see a velkro tie at this price, I expect a leather cable tie. The carrying case is nice, with decent build and good looks. Unfortunately I forgot to include more pictures of the carrying case. List of box contents:
-Kinera Mia
-Modular Connectors (2pin and mmcx)
-Modular Terminations (3.5mm and 4.4mm)
-Carrying Case
-Manual


Moving on to the design and build of the Mia, it is really good. Kinera has gone for a silvery white cable accented with a subtle yellowish gold tint, creating a refined and elegant appearance. The connectors and Y split feature a combination of smooth matte black finishes paired with intricately detailed gold elements, delivering a bold and sophisticated look.
Build wise the Mia is constructed with 6N single crystalline copper with silver plating. The cable is nicely and tightly braided into 8 cores, with each core consisting of 49 strands. The cable leans on the thicker side, likely around 20 AWG or 22 AWG.
The outer PVC is layer is soft and flexible. There is no audible microphonics. The connectors and Y-split are constructed with a combination of brass and metal. The chin slider stays in place and is properly functional. All in all Kinera nailed it in the build and design department, balancing luxury, functionality and durability in a cohesive manner.

Modular Connectors
One of the main features of the Mia is its modular connectors. Kinera has provided 2pin and mmcx connectors as shown in the pictures. The connectors are screw in type, they feel fairly secure, but I am not sure how will this hold up to regular usage.


Y Split
The Y Split feels exceptionally robust and looks great. This is on the chunky and heavier side, which I quite like.


Modular Terminations
The Mia has a very secure modular termination system, and I feel confident that it will hold up well with regular usage. Kinera has provided us with only 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations, theres no 2.5mm in the box.


Disclaimer: As we all know cables are a very debated topic among audiophiles, whether they actually make a difference in sound or not. I am not here to argue or debate but just to share my own personal opinion/ experience. In my opinion and experience cables do “influence” the sound of certain iems a bit more than others. The changes are generally very minimal thats why I call it “influence” rather than change.
When I am out shopping for a cable, the physical construction and feel is more important to me than what it sounds like.

Kinera has been a prominent player in the cable market for quite some time, and their expertise in craftsmanship is evident. However, as with most products, perfection remains elusive. The Mia cable excels in many ways, ticking off most boxes for what makes a versatile and reliable cable.
That said, there are a few points worth mentioning. While the bold and luxurious design undeniably makes a statement, it can sometimes feel overly flashy or even a bit gaudy. This aesthetic does not always complement every iem and can result in an unbalanced visual pairing.
Additionally, while the wire feels decent in hand, it does not quite match the more premium feel offered by some competitors in this price range. A slight refinement in material choice could elevate the Mia from good to great option.

Moving on to the sound department, the Mia delivers a well balanced tonal performance with some subtle coloration. The lower frequencies are slightly emphasized, adding slight warmth to the overall sound signature. The midrange remains natural, and true to the iem’s sound with very subtle smoothness carried over from the lows. In the highs, there's a subtle lift that enhances clarity and adds a hint of sparkle, contributing to an airier presentation. The soundstage feels bit more open and spacious.

Pairing
I tested and used the Mia with many iems from my collection. They are: Kinera Freya 2.0, Kinera Norn, Thie Audio Hype 4, Thie Audio Oracle mk3, Thie Audio Hype 2, Simgot Supermix 4, Dunu DaVinci, Kiwi Ears KE4.



So to conclude the review, the Kinera Mia is a great cable specially because of its versatility and design. If you are out shopping for an all rounder good cable, this is a solid option. I personally quite enjoyed this cable and will be using this as one of my daily drivers.


I hope, I was able to provide some idea about this product and help you make a purchase decision. If you have any questions, please leave them down below, I will try my best to answer them.
Big props to Kinera for doing a great job with this cable. And huge thanks to you all for sticking around this far. See yall in the next one.