Kiwi Ears Cadenza

Thaslaya's star rating system:
☆☆☆☆☆ - Best in class/buy it now
☆☆☆☆ - Highly recommended
☆☆☆ - Sound for thee, not for me
☆☆ - Can't see the appeal
☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer:
This product was purchased by me and all opinions are my own.

Gear used:
●LG v30+
●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra
●Samsung dongle

Source:
●Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD. Iems were burned in for 30 hours prior to review.

Introduction:
● The Kiwi Ears Cadenza has earned a good reputation in the budget/ultra budget tier. They are available for $34.99 at the time of this review. The Cadenza contain a single dynamic driver but there are a lot of single DD iems to compete with at this price point. Let's see how they sound and how they stack up to some of the competitors.

Build, fit, ergonomics:
● The resin shells are nicely built. The multiple color choices are a nice touch for customization. The included cable is serviceable but nothing to write home about. It's a bit too thin for me personally. There are plenty of included tips to work with so finding one that fits shouldn't be difficult. The small ergonomic shape and smooth shell make for an easy fit and can easily be worn for long sessions.

Sound impressions:
● Safe. Boring. Lackluster. I think a big reason i hear them this way is because the note weight is thin. The tuning is just "meh" for me. It sounds slightly V-shaped but leans bright. The bass needs more authority and slam to feel present. The upper mids/lower treble are recessed and make the whole tuning feel lifeless. The treble lacks extension and air and rolls off too hard too soon. Cymbal crashes and "S's" sometimes have a tinny, metalic timbre and sibilance. Soundstage sounds flat and lacks depth. Technicalities could be better even in this price range. They struggle with complicated tracks and things get congested.

Comparisons:
● Kiwi Ears Dolce ($24.99) - The Dolce have a more balanced tuning. Most importantly, the note weight is fuller and just sounds more alive. There is a bit more treble air and extension. Both struggle with layering on complicated tracks and have timbre issues with a bit of sibilance and spicy treble. Soundstage is deeper but maybe not as wide. I would take the Dolce over Cadenza and it's cheaper.

● 7Hz Zero 2 ($24.99) - The Zero 2 shares a similar tuning with the Cadenza but just does everything else better. Sub bass is more authoritative and present. Mids sound more natural. Treble has no sibilance, more air, and doesn't roll off as early. Most importantly again is the note weight - fuller sounding with a more natural timbre. Soundstage might be a touch less in the width but has more depth. Technicalities are better as well. It's hard to recommend anything other than the Zero 2 at this price point and it's also cheaper than the Cadenza.

● Simgot EW200 ($39.99) - The EW200 are better in every way and it's not close. They lean a bit on the bright side but the treble quality is much better. The bass is more impactful and sub bass has more rumble. Mids are more forward and give a lot of life to the tuning. Soundstage is more expansive. Technicalities are better and there's improved instrument separation and layering. The note weight is a bit leaner than I prefer but still not as bad as the Cadenza. For $5 more, the Simgot wipes the floor with the Cadenza.

Summary:
The Kiwi Ears Cadenza exist in a very crowded budget tier. Back when these debuted in late 2022 I might recommend them but here in 2024 there are just better options. The safe, boring, and lifeless tuning won't offend but they also won't excite those looking for something better. To anyone considering the Cadenza I would recommend checking out the 7Hz Zero 2 and Simgot EW200.

Kiwi Ears Cadenza
1DD Beryllium
$35USD

Before I even start this review, first let me thank Linsoul for providing this IEM sample for me.
Rest assured, as always my review is independent and 100% my own personal opinion.

Unboxing
What you get inside the box :

• IEM
• Cable
• 3 Sets of Eartips
• Warranty Printing (?)

Build Quality

The IEM shell is made from resin, though I believe it is a hollow resin because it feels really light on your ears.
The IEM is also dual vented and is free from any driver flex

While the cable is just functional, nothing special, it terminates with standard 3.5mm SE.

Comfort
Is very good, it sits nicely without any hot spots on my ears, even tested for long gaming session, I never feel any discomfort with the Cadenza.

Sound

Tested using : FIIO KA17, Stock Cable, Stock Eartips
Music is mostly from Apple Music (J-POP, J-Rock, EDM, RAP, Jazz, Metal)

Sound in General :
Harman Neutral

Bass is focused on the sub-bass region, pretty much sounding like a harman target bass.
The bass control is very good, it is deep and tight, the speed is also speedy enough to use for double pedal and metal songs.

Midrange is very well tuned, no sibilance, not shouty, and has very good note weight, both male and female vocal sounds “correct” to my ears.
As for instruments, it sounds OK, not too forward and has correct placement.
Though one thing I must mention is that if you're individual that want intense midrange sounds, this IEM might be unsatisfactory for you because the mids is not forward and renders in a bit more laidback presentation.

Treble is smooth without any peaks, not the most extended treble either.
It has a very safe tuning for long listening session.
Though if you're treble heads it might be a little bit too safe for you.

Technicality
is Above Average / Good for its asking price.

Stage is not the widest but not intimate either, it has exact wall placement and is symmetrical in shape.

Imaging is a bit depending on the source that you use, lets say if I use FIIO KA17, the sound is no joke almost or even I'd dare say holographical, but with inferior source, it sounds what I like to call as a 2.5D sounding, not exactly 2D but not holographic either.

Detail Retrieval is average, it has decent amount of details but not much micro detail, expected for the price.

Separation and Positioning is good, it has decent separation and good positioning, tested on competitive game such as Valorant, I can easily pinpoint which sound is coming from.
For music tested on lots of nZk songs, the sound is decently separated.

As for comparation, just ask in the comment section, If i have tested the IEM, and I got the notification, I will reply ASAP.

Conclusion
The Kiwi Ears Cadenza is a very well tuned IEM for around $35USD, If you're in search for a daily beater or EDC item, OR if you never tried a Harman Neutral tuned IEM, I can easily recommend this IEM for its asking price.
The Cadenza is enjoyable to listen for long listening session, it offers fatigue free sound and is very comfortable to wear thanks to its lightweight and somewhat ergonomic shell.

Thanks for reaching this far !


-littlenezt.

*I purchased the product myself a few months ago and am writing this review after 80+ hours of listening to it.

*This IEM can be found in the market in the 30-35 dollar range.


Specificaions

• Drivers: 10mm Beryllium Dynamic Driver
• Sensitivity: 110dBSPL/mW
• Frequency Range: 20Hz-20KHz
• Impedance: 32Ω

Build
With a simple structure, the small shells fit well in the ear. The cable is pretty ordinary. On the other hand, all this simplicity does not hinder durability. 2pin is very stable and holds tight.
The subtle patterns on the black resin shells look nice.


Package
The small box includes the cable, user manual, 9 pairs of 3 size tips and the product itself. Actually, it packs a lot of edge for this price. I love this!


Sound
In my personal opinion, sound should be evaluated in two cases for this headset.
In the first case, let's assume that you are powering it with a standard telephone output. In this case you won't get much more than a $30 sound. I don't want to dwell too much on this scenario.

Let's see what happens when you pair it with at least a dongle or a powerful source. I paired it with sources such as dx160, dc05, ua2 and e1da9038d6k. The result? This iem is amazing my friend! When powered well, it has incredible performance in its price range. It's like I'm listening to a $100 iem.

If I were to talk about tone, it would be the exact opposite of bright. The sound sounds warm, comfortable and crisp. Moreover, despite this intonation, you can hear plenty of instruments, there is enough instrument separation.

The lower frequencies are strong, punchy and a bit growly. The sub is clearly in front of the midbass.

Mids are as natural as possible, not pinna light but close. Female vocals do not get in your way and do not disturb you. String and wind instruments are a bit scattered, but they can be heard easily.

Trebles... I think this is going to be a bit controversial. The trebles are clearly not analytical. They are a little behind the rest of the sound, both in terms of resolution and literally.
On the other hand, I liked this soft sound approach. But still, I was pleased when I increased the 10khz part a little with the EQ.

So when I look at the total, I have to say that Kiwi Ears Cadeza is a great in ear monitor for its price. If you like bright sound, you can turn to other earphones. In all other situation I can recommend it.

Disclaimer:

• I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as how earphones should be used.
• Linsoul and Kiwi Ears sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:

• - Hiby R3 Pro Saber
• - Fosi Audio DS1
• - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
• - Shanling UA1 Plus
• - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: stock medium clear eartips, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 3.5 SE plug, 40-60% volume, low gain and high gain.

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Sound signature:

• The Kiwi Ears Cadenza is by far the best IEM under 50 USD in terms of tonal performance. “Neutral”, mild-u-shaped, “harman”, and “balanced” are the main descriptors of the Cadenza, and also lean to a slight warmish tone most of the time.

Lows:

• The bass on the Cadenza is mildly elevated, fairly controlled, and midbass focus. The bass here is nowhere near basshead levels, but is sufficient for most tracks. The decay leans to the average side in terms of attack and decay. There are times that the bass will sound monotonous and will lack texture, especially on bassy or basshead level tracks, creating a somewhat “soft” character to my hearing perception.

Mids:

• The mids are mildly recessed and are on the “natural” side in terms of position. There is a presence of midbass bleed here, making the lower mids warm and thicker than usual. Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith’s voices here are thick, smooth, and may lack texture at times in return. Upper mids are mildly elevated and exhibit a good amount of air, clarity, and sparkle. No abnormal harshness or peaks are present on this IEM during my tests, making it very recommendable for those people who have a set of upper frequency-sensitive ears.

Highs:

• As for the treble, it is “naturally” extended, has decent amount of air and sparkle. It never sounded rolled off nor too extended during my tests. Detail retrieval is average and retrieves most details in a track quite well.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• Technicalities is not the forte of the Kiwi Ears Cadenza. The soundstage is average in terms of depth and height, and wider than taller. Separation and layering is average to below average and it really shows when the tracks get busy. Imaging is average at best as it renders vocal and instrumental positioning decently.

================================================================================================================
Other IEM comparisons!

VS Kiwi Ears Dolce

• The Dolce edges out the Cadenza in the technicalities, but is less smoother and leans to a drier, brighter side of the spectrum. The Cadenza is also bassier as well.

VS KZ Krila (stock config)

• Both share the same sound signature, but the Krila is more technically competent. However, it is less warmer and suffers some metallic timbre, making things not smoother when compared to the Cadenza.

VS Celest Pandamon

• The Pandamon is a more balanced, thicker sounding set that also edges the Cadenza in the technicalities. The Cadenza is a bit airier in the treble department compared to the Pandamon.

VS Simgot EW200

• The Simgot EW200 is definitely better in the technicalities than the Cadenza and is on par in terms of timbre to the Cadenza when compared. The EW200 leans slightly to the brighter side of the spectrum and is miles airier when compared to the Cadenza.

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Pros:

• Has the best tonal performance under 50USD I have tried.
• Non-fatiguing, smooth yet not too warm sound signature.
• “Natural” timbre.
• Mildly elevated smooth lows.
• Well-placed, open lush mids.
• Non-fatiguing upper frequencies.
• Average technical performance.
• Excellent fit, comfort, and isolation. Definitely one of the most comfortable ones!
• Visually-pleasing build quality (subjective).
• Easy to drive.
• Very good amount of eartips.

Cons:

• Bass may sound monotonous and may lack texture at times.
• Technicalities are nothing to write home about for its price.
• A case or a pouch would’ve been a great treat for everybody for its asking price (subjective).

================================================================================================================

The Kiwi Ears Cadenza sure is the best IEM in my book under 50 USD in terms of timbre! I really enjoyed using these daily during my test periods because it sounds really “rich” and “smooth” on most of my test tracks. Its smooth, musical character suits most of genres and everyday, casual listening. This will be one of my top recommendations if you are looking for the best budge IEM in terms of timbre! Well done Kiwi Ears!

Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: This sounds just fine when plugged straight to a phone, but is vastly better when used with a proper source. I suggest using a neutral sounding DAC for this one to trim down some warmth.
• Eartips: The eartips are alright and enough for the most part. You may always use your preferred eartips.
• Cable gets the job done and is sufficient for the most part. You may always use your preferred cable.

Thank you for reading!

Non-affiliated product link here!: https://kiwiears.com/products/kiwi-ears-cadenza?variant=42406993297558

Additional Photos Here:

Introduction

Arriving a little late to the party (about 6 months late, haha), I find myself analyzing one of the most praised in-ear monitors in the sub $50 USD price range: the Kiwi Ears Cadenza.
Kiwi Ears is a brand that has recently made its mark in the world of IEMs. In 2021, they introduced a model aimed at a more premium range, the Kiwi Ears Orchestra, priced at $500 USD, which left a good impression. A year later, in an attempt to reach a larger audience, they designed the Cadenza, which needs no introduction and are the IEMs I'll be talking about today.

Video Review here

If you wish to read this review in spanish, click here


Disclaimers:

• Kiwi Ears kindly provided me with this product for an honest review. You can find the Cadenza here: https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-cadenza
• Analysis over 5 days - Sessions of approximately 2 to 4 hours
• All music is lossless (Qobuz > 16-bit - 44.1kHz)
• Gear Used: IFI Zen Air Can (AMP) + Fiio E10K (DAC)

Unboxing, Build & Comfort

Cadenza comes in a blue box regardless of the color variant you purchased. I found the packaging to be nice for a product considered budget-friendly, with the beautiful pair of IEMs in violet (in my case) displayed on the front, and underneath them, the selection of ear tips along with the cable.




I'm not someone who pays much attention to the aesthetics of my audio gear, but I must admit that Cadenza pleasantly surprised me, and I would dare say they have the most beautiful design under $50 USD. Their construction, using a 3D printing process with resin as material, is solid, very lightweight, and offers the possibility of having a variety of designs with vibrant colors such as blue, violet, red, and green (Design names: Verse, Prelude, Chorus, and Solo, respectively). Each one has two small vents in charge of preventing driver flex and alleviating pressure in the inner ear cavity.



In addition, it features a 10mm beryllium diaphragm dynamic driver, which the company tells us: "Beryllium diaphragm drivers are still considered the pinnacle of dynamic drivers in speakers, headphones, and earphones."

The cable provided with the Cadenza is decent for the price. It's not "wow" and it won't be better than a separately purchasable cable, but it serves its purpose well (providing good sound and complementing the aesthetics). I don't see a reason to change it unless you want to use the IEM with balanced connections. It uses a 0.78mm 2-pin configuration and consists of 4 cores of braided copper.



The quantity of silicone ear tips is more than adequate for the price. Kiwi Ears provides us with 9 pairs of tips that have a normal-sized bore. Personally, I would have liked the variety of eartips to include not only normal bore tips but also 3 pairs of wide bore tips and 3 pairs of narrow bore tips to allow for more customization. In my analysis, I ended up using different eartips (wide bore ones) which helped enhance treble definition and slightly widen the soundstage.

Comfortwise, these earphones are spectacular once you put them on. They disappear after being inserted due to their small size and how lightweight they are. Additionally, with various types of tips (both included and others I used), they always provided an exceptional seal to the ear, I had to take one out of my ear to understand what someone next to me was trying to say. Comfort and isolation, overall, are almost a 10. The small detail I would mention is that they protrude slightly due to their shape, but it's not something that bothers me except for specific use cases like using them while lying down.


Frequency response description


Credits: Aftersound

• Sound signature in a slight U shape
• Powerful but not excessive subbass and bass
• Present mids without strange peaks
• Treble bordering on bright but remaining under control
• Decent amount of air

Subjective sound description



Bass

Cadenza offers an interesting amount of subbass and bass, closely following the Harman target curve (although with a slightly increased bass), which may leave bassheads wanting more.

The bass is an intriguing aspect of the Cadenza. It adds a certain warmth to their sound signature, but the notes in this range lack clear definition and exhibit a slightly slow speed, as I noticed in "Back to Black" by Amy Winehouse. This doesn't mean that the bass disrupts the overall sound signature. In fact, Amy's vocals never got lost behind the bass, as it remained well-controlled. Moreover, the pronounced punch they bring to EDM songs like "Sacrifice" by Deadmau5 makes these tracks a very enjoyable experience. However, the mentioned characteristics result in a slight lack of detail in this range (although, considering the price of $35 USD, I still find the level of detail decent).


Mids

Amy Winehouse, Sinatra and Bruce Dickinson didn't have to fight against any other sounds to stand out. The mids have a timbre that remains faithful to the real sound, just slightly warmer, with male vocals standing out a bit more. The articulation between voices and instruments in this range is accurate, but the Cadenza can become congested when multiple instruments play simultaneously, as I noticed in the aforementioned "Back to Black."

Apart from that, string instruments sound natural but lack some clarity in their reproduction; they don't have as much character when playing their notes. This became evident in the electric guitars of "The Book of Souls" by Iron Maiden and the violins in "The Creatures of Prometheus, Op. 43: Overture. Adagio - Allegro molto e con brio" by Beethoven performed by Freiburger Barockorchester.

In the last mentioned song, the wind instruments blend well with the rest of the ensemble: the trumpets don't aggressively impact the ear and the flutes sound soft thanks to the warmth provided by the tuning Cadenza brings.

Lastly, while listening to live performances by Sinatra, I noticed that the tuning is somewhat dry. By this, I mean that during "Come Rain Or Come Shine" (Live at Carnegie Hall), the reverberations typically present in the theater are reduced in quantity/volume.


Treble

Cymbals and bells in various Tchaikovsky pieces ("Swan Lake" by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and "The Tempest" by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra) pass my "stridency" test, but I can understand if others find them a bit bright.

The splashes in these frequencies remain in check across most genres. As a fan of Heavy Metal, I never felt the need to lower the volume when listening to bands like Megadeth, Arch Enemy, and Iron Maiden. With that being said, I don't find that the Cadenza lose much detail despite not having the most resolving treble, and they provide enough definition to maintain the musicality they are known for. That's why I loved using these IEMs for extended classical and Heavy Metal sessions as I could get lost in the music for hours, but when I focused, it wasn't difficult to hear small details in the music.


Soundstage & Imaging

"Libertango" by Astor Piazzolla was a track which helped me describe the soundstage and imaging provided by the Cadenza.

In this tango, the instruments have well-defined positions, and Kiwi Ears’ IEM had no trouble accurately placing them on the stage (bandoneon on the left, organ to the right, and drums in the center). With this placement, a decent distance was also created between the center and the sides, giving it a soundstage with proper width. However, the depth of it is rather short because the drum cymbals were heard at the same level as the bandoneon, which should be the main star of the show.


Kiwi Ears Cadenza vs 7HZ Salnotes Zero

I'm facing two of the most talked about and highly recommended IEMs under $50 USD (Zero $20 USD and Cadenza $35 USD).


Credits: Aftersound

• The quantity and extension of the subbass are similar, with good authority in both sets
• Cadenza has the impactful bass that the Zero lacks. It provides a visceral experience and allow for a pronounced "thump" when reproducing the bass drum in genres like Rock/Heavy Metal. This also plays a role making them more fun sounding and suitable for EDM.
• The transition to the mids is quite similar in both, although I give a slight smoother transition to the Zero. This frequency sounds organic in both IEMs, but the Zero is more resolving with a slight advantage.
• The treble is similar to my ears. I have read that some users find them slightly sibilant, but that's not the case for me, and both manage to avoid excessive brightness with a level of definition that I find appropriate for the price (and mainly because I consider these two IEMs more musical than analytical). There might be a small, but insignificant, difference at the upper end of the spectrum in my experience.
• Imaging accuracy is better on the Cadenza.
• Soundstage width is similar, but the Zero wins in terms of depth.
• The timbre of both sound signatures has a natural character, with the Cadenza being slightly warmer.

After my comparison, I can assure you that you get what you paid for. Both the Zero and the Cadenza deliver an astonishing performance for their price.


Conclusion



I had high expectations for this Kiwi Ears’ IEM, and they clearly did not disappoint. They offer a generous package with accessories of sufficient quality, IEMs with a solid and lightweight build, and the most beautiful design I've seen in IEMs at this price point. The sound quality is also remarkable, with warmth and musicality while still maintaining a good level of detail, allowing the Cadenza to easily adapt to various genres.

Kiwi Ears did not miss the mark with these IEMs in the sub $50 USD range. They are IEMs that anyone would be satisfied with.

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES

Kiwi Ears Cadenza IEMs(10mm,beryllium-plated dynamic drivers)
3 pairs of narrow-bore silicone ear tips (S/M/L)
3 pairs of wide-bore silicone ear tips (S/M/L)
3 pairs of intermediate-bore silicone ear tips (S/M/L)
Cable(4-core braided copper)






Sound Impression :

source: Dongle: xduoo link2 bal , jcally ja04
desktop: ifi zen dac v2+ ifi zen can




[BASS]

Not satisfactory for bassheads but its quite sufficient .
There is a hint of sub-bass extension in the lower frequencies, which are primarily concentrated in the mid-bass.
The bass is on the slower side in terms of quality & there isn't much bleed in mids .
For budget it is fairly good quantity of bass out there .

[MIDS]

The midrange has a small deflection.
The lower mids are not significantly touched by mid-bass bleed .
Although they weren't the most accentuated, detailed, or technically perfect but managed to create a very nice & natural sound & seemed to be well tuned.
Vocal sometimes feel bit behind but for the price it is really a nitpicking.

[TREBLE]

I wouldn't characterize the Cadenza as having a gloomy set, the top treble rolls off quickly, & the resolution & clarity are pretty good in 35$ region.
The treble in the Cadenza is smooth with little sibilance sometimes might occur based on tracks.
Treblehead might be search for the energy .
Smoothen treble can be a plus point for long listening .


Technicalities:

Intimate soundstage .
Note edges are softened, layering, micro-detailing & imaging is about average.
I play CS:GO fps game with them ,they give fairly accurate position but when there is too much shooting or footstep or stuffs happening in background it falls short in separation & stage width & height.




Rating:
Bass: 4/5
Mids: 3.7/5
Treble: 4.0/5
Imaging/Separation: 3.8/5
Staging: 3.5/5
Dynamics/Speed: 4.0/5

Good genres: EDM, Hip-hop
Bad genres: Rock



Conclusion :

The Cadenza by Kiwi Ears is an IEM in the moderately priced range.
Price to performance ratio is not the best but not that bad either.
very ligth weight, comfortable & not very hard to drive them .
I would say give it a shot it wont dissapoint you .

Here is pic of kiwiear little family( kiwi ears orchestra lite with kiwi ears cadenza )

Kiwi ears cadenza

Prelude: So amazing headphones for ridiculous money, they are currently the cheapest offer from the portfolio of the kiwi-ears brand. Costing $39, the headphones made entirely of resin with metal sleeves look much more expensive than the price we will pay for them. However, in this budget we have quite a lot of competition on the market and quite a lot of saturation. Did the kiwi ears in the cadenza model defend itself not only with the quality of workmanship, but also with the sound? Let’s check for ourselves. Welcome to the MatAudiophiles review.


Unboxing: Kiwi ears makes sure that we have the feeling of a solid product, despite the surprisingly low price, we get a complete and fully functional product. In a small box we find the headphones themselves, the quality of which is absolutely exemplary, three pairs of silicone overlays that significantly affect the comfort of use, and a standard 3.5mm cable in which the splitter has not been forgotten, which is a nice touch. No case was included, which is a pity because the headphones are really beautiful, but in this price range it is acceptable and does not constitute any, even the smallest disadvantage. After all, I recommend buying a cover, the resin polished to a high gloss looks beautiful and it is worth preserving its charm and beauty.



ergonomics: The Cadenza are medium-sized headphones with a single dynamic driver. They fit my smaller ears perfectly, as well as those slightly larger ones. Insulation and comfort were phenomenal. The headphones provided me with comfort and great listening quality even for many hours.

Sound: Bass: The lower registers are well accentuated, but with full neutrality and naturalness. The well-developed lower range does not tire even after many hours of listening. Of course, it’s not on the same level as in the case of equipment from higher price ranges, but the cadenza can successfully compete with models up to $ 50, thanks to a balanced and very well implemented bass presentation.

Vocals: The mid-range looks very smooth, in my opinion a bit to the front, which allows you to enjoy smooth and pleasant vocals, despite the darker side of the presentation. The midrange is saturated and extended, although I slightly miss the detail characteristic of more expensive constructions, especially those with multiple fittings. On the other hand, the vocals, in particular the female ones, are really great and engaging.

Treble: The high range presentation is very smooth and safe, completely free of any sibilants or unpleasantness, which I personally prefer over the glamorous classic „Asian tuning”. Quite a large resolution and great presentation of string instruments additionally set the bar high.

Stage: Moderate depth and correct width allow you to increase the sense of intimacy and directness of the message. At the price of 39 USD, such a presentation gives a greater sense of realism, communing with music, than artificial inflation.


Comparison:

Kiwi Ears Cadenza ($39) VS KBAR KS1 ($9.99)

Incomparably, the four times more expensive cadenza sounds much better, first of all less bass, more natural and complete. The Cadenza has more air and detail, the higher tones are much more pleasant.

Kiwi ears cadenza ($39) VS KBAR ROBIN ($59)

KBAR is famous for its excellent value for money and, in most cases, for the good matching of its headphone models. In direct comparison, the kiwi ears put more emphasis on the midrange, while the highs in the robins are shiny and strongly accentuated, which of course has the right to please, not everyone prefers the smooth and safe presentation offered by the cadenza. However, I like it much more, especially because of the much nicer vocals, which are very well realized in the cadenza. The Robins are mainly focused on the bass, and therefore in my personal opinion they sound a bit less realistic in their presentation.

Kiwi ears cadenza (USD 39) VS Tin HIFI T2 EVO (USD 59)

Comparing these two models directly, I would put comfort first, when it comes to insulation, the cadenza is the undisputed leader, but taking into account the fit, the T2 EVO is a safer choice thanks to its unique design. The Cadenza is darker and a bit less resolving. Tin HIFI in the T2EVO model, focusing primarily on a brighter presentation and a stronger accent, shows a bit more details, but the cadenza has a much smoother and creamier presentation.

Summary: Kiwi ears cadenza are surprisingly good headphones, the price of which suggests a completely different use. Great balanced tuning, on the slightly darker side I like it and it’s definitely the presentation I’m looking for. Of course, you should not expect resolution and momentum characteristic of more expensive models, but we can still enjoy the sound. Kiwi ears creates not only beautiful, but also functional and, above all, well-matched headphones, which should be emphasized. In this price range, it’s hard for me to find any,, but, if I had to look for strength, I would like a small case and I would be fully satisfied. If you like this model, you can buy it at a very good price in the official store on aliexpress or in the linsoul store.

Who am I? I have over fifty full sized headphones and over fifty headphone amplifiers in my collection. My favorite headphones are ZMF Aeolus paired with my Ray Samuels Emmeline II The Raptor tube amp. However, I have recently begun reviving my IEM collection due to the overwhelming abundance of budget IEMs that have flooded the market.

My favorite budget IEMs to date have been the CCA CRA and the Moondrop Chu. Each having been purchased right around $20. I have been blown away at the sound quality they have provided for just $20. Will the Kiwi Ears Cadenza dethrone them as the best budget IEMs? Let's find out.



Kiwi Ears Cadenza arrived the same day in typical Amazon fashion. What truly lured me in was that the Kiwi Ears Cadenza were on sale for $29.99. So, I figured, why not give them a shot? Extremely excited to hear what these could do, I opened up the package which revealed a tidy blue box that stated, "Live the music." That sounds like my kind of life.



Proceeding to slide the inner box through I was met with the company labeled black box. Nice touch. A feeling reminiscent of Christmas morning overwhelmed me as I was anxious to open the final box to reveal the shiny gems that awaited.



There they were. Shiny marbled purple wonders. I hoped they would sound as beautiful as they looked.



The cables were fantastic. Connectors were snug into the sockets. I was very happy with this factory detachable cable. Win!



Suddenly, a very disappointing realization. My heart sank as I could see that there was a hodgepodge selection of silicone ear tips. Somehow, mine was missing ear tips, leaving many incomplete pairs.



Was I going to invest wasted time having to deal with returning these? What a major hassle for $29.99 IEMs.



Anyhow, with severe disappointment in my heart I proceeded to connect the Kiwi Ears Cadenza to a SanDisk Clip portable audio player. I was met with a full, fun presentation. Also, full bass! The Moondrop Chu had always lacked full bass. I was content in the past having the lack of bass when everything else more than made up for it. Instantly I was aware that this was no ordinary budget IEM. I was onto something worth much more than it costs. This made me feel a little better.



Next, I proceeded to one of my computer setups to listen with a headphone amplifier. The amplifier that happened to be hooked up at the time is my Schiit Jotunheim 2. I knew that this meant that a slight hiss would likely be introduced into quiet passages of the music as the Jotunheim 2 is not an IEM friendly amplifier. However, listening beyond audible hiss the overall all around reliable performer and upfront presentation that this amplifier provides would reveal much. Plus, later I would go over to my office system to hear how Kiwi Ears Cadenza sound on higher end gear.



Firing up the album Songs From A Secret Garden, I was immediately drawn to the emotional reproduction of the violin. Blissful! Some instruments are extremely difficult to reproduce as resonant properties of the instruments are often lost. When the violin wept, so did my heart. In my best Jedi Knight hand gesture I waved to my Kiwi Ears Cadenza and said aloud, "These are the violins emotional resonances you have been listening for."



At this point I have already become convinced that the Kiwi Ears Cadenza are the budget IEM kings. They have defeated both my Moondrop Chu and my CCA CRA. I don’t need to listen any further. However, I did promise to give them a listen on higher end gear. So, off to the office system we go.



Here we have a Questyle CMA Twelve DAC/Amplifier. The amplifier section in the Twelve is amazing. It has consistently brought out the most performance out of every single headphone I own compared to any other amplifier, of course with the exception of my tube amplifiers.

With the Twelve there was no hiss from Kiwi Ears Cadenza as they were dead silent during quiet passages. I plugged in all three IEMs for a final comparison and it has solidified my conviction that the Kiwi Ears Cadenza is the absolute budget IEM king. Technical performance was improved slightly over the other two. The overall tonality is outstanding. Reproduced clarity is good. The reproduction of hard to reproduce instruments such as violin, french horn, trombone is excellent. In fact, I will no longer be recommending my usual go to full-size headphone/DAC/amplifier setups to those on extreme budgets. This Kiwi Ears Cadenza connected to ones phone or laptop would fit the bill just fine at a fraction of the cost.

-------------------

Update April 15, 2023
Is Amazon selling USED Kiwi Ears Cadenza IEMs as new?

Since the original Kiwi Ears Cadenza I had ordered was missing so many ear tips, I checked on my Amazon account which avenues were available to remedy my issue. I chose the option to contact the manufacture. When I clicked on that option, it directed my web browser to the Linsoul website. A Linsoul pop-up window requested me to input my issue and informed me that someone would get back to me. Well, no one contacted me. So I issued a replacement from Amazon.com.
.

My replacement Kiwi Ears Cadenza arrived the following day. Upon first inspection I noticed that this new Kiwi Ears Cadenza package box was different from my first Kiwi Ears Cadenza package box. The first box had a sticker placed over the UPC barcode. This new UPC barcode was free of stickers. The only sticker this replacement Kiwi Ears Cadenza box contained was on the cellophane wrapper that I had pealed off. This lead me to believe that my original order from Amazon had probably been a used product that had been sold to me as new! Great! I have been mixing someone else's earwax in with my earwax this entire time.



.

Lesson - Amazon sucks donkey donuts.

If you purchase Kiwi Ears Cadenza from Amazon, return them if the UPC barcode is covered by a sticker as there is a possibility that it has already been used. I didn't sign up for this Amazon earwax sharing service.

I've seen people talking about them having insufficient treble, but I can't confirm that, treble rolls off only after 15kHz, which is a nice result.
$30 is an adequate price for Cadenza, nothing groundbreaking.
If you've heard one decent $30 set, you've heard them all, I guess.

Kiwi Ear Cadenza: Not so solo


|| Introduction ||

Kiwi Ears is a somewhat new brand in the IEM scene with only having 3 releases including the topic of our review today, that being the Kiwi Ears Cadenza. The Cadenza comes in green, red, blue, and what we have today, purple.

Priced at the sub $50 bracket, can the Kiwi Ears Cadenza stand out like a soloist in their passage at the end of a performance?

|| Disclaimers ||

I don’t consider myself as an audiophile or an enthusiast, therefore the terminology and the overall review will be more mainstream.

• We prefer to keep our reviews simple without too much confusing lingo and terminologies
  
  
• This review set is a part of a review tour and was sent free of charge in exchange for an honest review. There is no material or financial incentive for us to do this review. We guarantee no exchange has been done by both parties to influence or sway our opinions on this product.

• My thoughts and opinions are of my own. My experience will entirely differ from everybody else. The contents of this review should not be considered factual as this hobby heavily leans on subjectivity. YMMV.

| Packaging |

The Cadenza comes with a really compact dark violet slide box with branding and an overview render of the IEM drivers, color variant and other information for the product and it’s manufacturer.



| Unboxing & Accessories |

Upon opening the box and removing the outer layer of packaging paper, you are greeted with some paperwork and then the IEMs themselves. Underneath the piece that encloses the IEMs is the stock cable and some tips

Item Breakdown:
Paperwork
IEM shells
Stock L-type cable
3 Sets of medium-bore tips(S,M,L)


| Build & Driver Configuration |

The Cadenza sports a 10mm beryllium dynamic driver that was once one of the popular types of dynamic drivers that now is just replaced with LCP, eating majority of the the budget DD sets which is a refreshing sight to see.

The build is made out of a 3D printed housing according to KiwiEars which I find okay-ish, seeing as I just came from using and reviewing the TinHifi C2 which is more or less in the same price bracket but with a much more hefty and sturdy metal build. The Cadenza however is much lighter than the C2, which is a given for the material used.

The design is akin to those of much more pricier IEMs with a resin shell which is nice to look at, but is still less flashy due to the darker overall look. The other color options also look great. I find myself to quite like the green one compared to the rest.

There is a single golden KiwiEars branding on the left shell, in its faceplate, whilst the right side has no other design cues and interruptions. There are two vents on each driver facing upwards, and the other one facing towards your ear.

There is no wing on the Cadenza so myself as well as many others can find this not so intrusive in terms of the fit.

Fit is very subjective but this shell design is very safe in terms of curves to probably accommodate most potential buyers.

| Isolation |

I couldn’t get as sealed off of a fit on this compared to other IEMs, but it’s doable for the passive noise removal.


| Comfort |

As stated earlier, I couldn’t get a good enough seal for me to use this without much issue and or as little issues as possible. It hindered the experience because of the lack of curves. I almost find this “too safe” that it hurts my ears because of how it doesnt contour to my ear. But then again this is VERY subjective.


(This is the same reason my ears hurt with flathead earbuds)


** I used the stock cable included with Tanchjim TAPB wide bore eartips(small) through the Zishan U1 **


|| Sound ||

Over the course of me using this for psychological burn-in and reviewing purposes, I find this very hard to fault with most complaints are nitpicks, as it plays safe with the sound that is great for new people who still haven’t acquired their tastes yet.

| Drivability |

I find these pretty easy to drive and most phones can power this IEM at a comfortable level

| Bass |

Subbass is good as it is present but not abundant. I think it could've used more texture on the lowest of lows.

The midbass punch is nice and adequate but probably lacking for those who like the really punchy bass performance but is definitely satisfactory to me.

Bleed is non-existent based on my experience.

| Mids |

Mids sound okay and have no major qualms about it. Instruments sound good and vocals do too with a few instances of being a tad bit thin sounding. I would also like it if this sounded more engaging.

| Highs |

The highs are smooth and are not sibilant, so no peeking present as per my experience. It extends relatively well with a decent amount of air. The issue still continues here that I would love if the Cadenza is a bit more exciting/engaging with more sparkle.

| Technicalities |

The technicalities of this set is quite uneventful, which means no major problems but also no major highlights in its performance. Staging is wider than tall and sound sources are spaced well. Layering is pretty good with no confusing overlaps from other sources and imaging is decent too.


|| Conclusions ||

This review is a hard one to write without sounding too much like a hard sell or a hater. I genuinely have a hard time finding issues with KiwiEars besides the 2 major things it highlighted: being “over-smoothing” and the safety of a shell for an IEM. These things are also one of it’s capabilities as it can probably cater to multiple people and find this pleasing but not being the best at it. This is still great value for this price and would definitely recommend it to a newcomer to the hobby that is dabbling about his tastes as they are a blank canvas.

Kiwi Ears Cadenza Review
by Nick Smith

From time to time a product of universal appeal with a paltry price tag comes along, leading many of us to furrow our brows over reasons not to recommend it. After all it is the responsibility of the reviewer to present a balanced perspective without the appearance of bias, but how can we do that when the product in question is seemingly without any of the major drawbacks one associates with this price range? You can see the dilemma.

Having recently delved back into the world of entry-level IEMs, a YouTube review alerted me to the Cadenza's existence. After living with them for weeks I now find myself in an existential audiophile crisis, questioning past & future purchases from a value perspective. Which is not to say the Cadenzas are perfect, or I could happily daily drive them indefinitely, But so much for so little shakes up my audiophile mental landscape - bringing with it renewed memories of the Sonic Impact T-amp!





The Cadenzas are a USD $35 set of 10mm beryllium-coated, single dynamic driver IEMs which I purchased from Linsoul here.

Inside the small, no-frills cardboard box is a single ended 3.5mm cable any experienced Head-Fier will know better than to use, three sets of eartips of dubious usefulness, some words printed on paper I quickly discarded, and the IEMs themselves. The Cadenzas are available in a choice of four colours, I chose red.

I'm not a fan of lavish unboxing experiences knowing my money is being spend on accessories I'll never use and a heavy box that will cost a fortune to ship. So I heartily approve of Kiwi Ears' approach, funnelling the lion's share of manufacturing costs into what actually matters - the IEMs.
Speaking of them, my first impression of handling the Cadenzas was how unexpectedly premium they look and feel. It will sound trite, but I'd never in a million years have guessed these are a $35 set of earphones. Not only do they feel extremely smooth against the skin but the shells are as comfortable as any earphones in my possession, though the IE600s I recently sold would've taken that crown.


Sound Impressions

Simply put, almost universally favourable. I hear the Cadenzas as having a neutral tuning with tastefully lifted sub bass. They're fairly energetic but I wouldn't call them bright, the midrange is present enough to perform well with male & female vocals, treble is sufficiently vivid to represent classical music acceptably, and though these are by no means bass cannons I do find them offering enough down low to be very enjoyable with electronic music.

What surprised me mostis just how fast these dynamic drivers are, something I'd never have expected for $35. There is no sluggishness here, and I can't recall a time they struggled to articulate their way through busy passages of music as is often the case with budget single-DD IEMs.

One minor quibble is tonality, where I feel they are not the most natural sounding DD I've heard. I wouldn't label them as possessing a metallic sheen, but rather having a slight tendency in that direction - halted before going so far as to render them unenjoyable. My only other gripe is bass impact isn't something they do as well as other single-DDs (especially in higher price brackets) perhaps as a tradeoff in exchange for raw driver speed.

Their technicalities are as good or better than other budget single-DDs in my collection, absolutely not so inferior that my enjoyment of the music is infringed, but conversely their technical chops rarely call attention to themselves. The soundstage is perfectly adequate but not huge, imaging & separation are fairly middling, although detail retrieval is quite good for a single driver.

The Cadenzas stand out as doing very little wrong with any genre I throw at them, without sounding veiled or "boring" like some IEMs known as all-rounders. (ie. U12T)





IEM Comparisons

The Cadenzas were pitted against my collection of budget DD IEMs, using my very-much-not-so-budget Cayin N8ii. The DAP was put into Class A, Solid State, P Mode with High Gain activated as this is the configuration I find most transparent. Local FLAC & DSD files were played from a Micron micro-sd card.

CCA CRA+ ($27)
I used a volume of 27 on the N8ii for the CRA+, compared with 28 for the Cadenzas so they're similarly easy to drive. The CRA+ I purchased last year, and until the Cadenzas arrived were the best value IEM's I'd ever heard. It's amazing how slow and sluggish they now sound by comparison, although to be fair their sub bass does decay with more visceral rumble, but slightly less impact.

CRA+ dynamics may be a touch better than those of the Cadenza, and with a stronger lower-frequency emphasis I find they can sometimes represent male & female vocals with more body. Having said that the Cadenzas feel much better balanced with a slightly broader stage, and are infinitely faster, doing better with more genres. The CRA+ are also larger, made of cheap plastic and significantly less comfortable than the Cadenzas for longer listening sessions.

Tanchjim Oxygen ($270)
With an N8ii volume of 27 the Oxygens sound much more open than the Cadenzas, though I suspect this is a reflection of the difficulty I have achieving a tight seal with their unusually tiny shells. They seemed to possess warmer air betwen instruments and slightly fuzzier imaging as a result, with a slight upper frequency emphasis. Notes had less bite & attack, and the rounded presentation extended down to the sub bass which hit with less impact than the Cadenzas, but perhaps a tad more rumble.

Generally I found the Cadenzas to be slightly more holographic and resolving, and have never been a fan of the Oxygens though they are very non-fatiguing. They're also a reminder spending more money in this hobby doesn't automatically equate to "better" sound.

Blon BL-03 ($27)
Requiring only 25 on the N8ii, the BL-03s are legendary budget-friendly IEMs that are still going strong. They possess deeper (but more bloated) sub bass than the Cadenzas, with a more present lower midrange and a smoother organic tonality. Unfortunately their soundstage is more congested and imaging is also poorer, with the Cadenzas being faster, slightly more resolving and having more sub bass impact. I still regard the BL-03s as a solid purchase, finding them extremely comfortable.

Truthear x Crinacle Zero ($50)
Harder to drive at 30 on the N8ii, the Zeros possess dual dynamic-drivers. They have a more laidback presentation with a wider soundstage that appeared more spread out in front of the listener, as opposed to the Cadenza's feeling wrapped around the head. The Zeroes are somewhat more muted in the upper frequencies, but as a result delivered a very smooth sound with slightly more lower midrange presence.

Zero bass definitely goes deeper than Cadenza's, with more texture and authority. Cadenzas are more upfront in their vocal presentation and deliver greater resolution, with what I feel is a more lively and engaging sound. However the smoother Zero's may be a better choice for harsh, poorly-mastered music.





Source Comparisons

I was curious to know how the Cadenzas responded to different sources, here are those findings.

3.5mm Apple Lightning Dongle ($10)
The Cadenzas were listenable and even enjoyable from the Apple dongle (in the way a cheap car stereo can be) but did not deliver what I consider audiophile sound. The presentation was fairly muddy, with a narrow soundstage & very muddled separation. Dynamics were poor and everything sounded veiled.

iFi Go Bar Anniversary Edition ($500)
Both the Go Bar & SR25 proved a massive step up from the Apple Dongle. Surprisingly for such a tiny device, the Go Bar delivered slightly higher resolution than the SR25, but sounded slightly less punchy. The Go Bar also had a slightly narrower stage, with a marginally less-warm tonality but a bit more treble sparkle. The Go Bar's biggest sonic disadvantage is an appreciably higher noise floor than the other sources.

Astell & Kern SR25 ($600)
Offering deeper bass and a slightly wider stage than the Go Bar, it was easier to make out the trailing echoes of notes on the SR25. Nuances in the throats of vocalists and the sound of their breathing were also more apparent on the SR25, despite the Go Bar somehow maintaining the impression of greater resolution perhaps due to increased treble emphasis. The Cadenzas and the SR25 were an extremely satisfying pairing.

Cayin N8ii ($3500)
The N8ii offered increased naturalness over the previous two sources, providing a smoother, more analgoe presentation without sacrificing any detail. The Go Bar in particular sounded noticeably more digital or artificial by comparison. The N8ii also demonstrated better dynamics, better separation, and maintained control during busy passages more easily. It provided a more refined, effortless sound that was freer of harshness and glare, a slightly wider stage and deeper sub bass with perhaps a touch more resolution. Having saying all that, these differences were actually quite subtle (at least when heard through the Cadenzas) and a much higher-end IEM would be needed to justify the n8ii's significant expense. The Cadenzas were however resolving enough to reveal those differences.





Cable Comparisons

Cables sound different and if you believe otherwise you're in the wrong place. I made these comparisons on the N8ii in AB Mode with Tube activated, with High Gain and P+ engaged, as this is the configuration I find most satisfying for dynamic drivers.

Stock Cable
Useful for non-audiophiles who have nothing better. Ergonomics are fine and it seems well-enough made for a cheap stock cable, but (as expected) it delivered a muted presentation with poor dynamics, a compressed soundstage, and notes that lacked impact. Sad to think many Cadenza owners will use it, leaving so much room for improvement on the table.

Thieaudio EST ($70)
An unfair comparison, given both the EST & Ares S are balanced cables and many portable sources use different amp sections for balanced & unbalanced jacks - often with more power & quality on the balanced side, often making balanced cables instant improvements. The EST is a basic 4 core OCC silver-plated litz cable that delivered a leaner sound compared with the Ares S, with marginally more upper midrange but a slightly narrower stage. (yet still larger than stock)

Effect Audio Ares S ($180)
The Ares S had more lower midrange presence, a slightly wider stage & deeper sub bass. Music flowed a little easier and sounded a touch more analogue. Both cables improved Cadenza's performance in different ways, with Ares S making it sound a little earthier and EST imparting more sheen and upper frequency sparkle.





Eartip Comparisons

Eartips can change an IEM's presentation substantially and I've built quite a collection. Here are my findings, but do bear in mind the performance of eartips will depend on how they fit your ear canals so experimentation with a wide assortment is recommended.

AZLA Xelastec
I find their sticky texture awkwardly discomforting. They delivered slightly less bass impact than some alternatives, with a somewhat narrower soundstage, affecting something of a tunnel effect in the midrange that I found fatiguing.

Spinfit W1
I won't disguise these being my current favourites and possibly best audio purchase in years. Not only are they close to the most comfortable, but somehow achieve the best seal of any tips I've tried - providing a massive boost to sub bass rumble I would never have believed possible. They do make the upper midrange seem to come forward slightly, and deliver a pristine clarity I can't get enough of.

Symbio W
These have never pleased me, the larger sizes are simply too firm & huge to use comfortably and the biggest size that's bearable usually seals poorly, resulting in most of the bass disappearing. Though I normally use size L tips, with Symbios I can't use larger than a medium without significant discomfort.

JVC Spiral Dot
Once my previous favourites and still supremely soft, Spiral Dots emphasise treble and deliver a broad stage with instruments coming more from behind my ears than in front of them. Unfortunately they provide far less bass than W1s, but are definitely on par in comfort.

Final Audio Type E
Hugely comfortable with very good bass, yet not as much sub bass as W1s by some margin, and with a narrower stage than Spiral Dots. I find Type Es provide more of a midbass emphasis which I don't always want.

AZLA SednaEarfitLight Short
These seal extremely well and provide great bass, though again less sub bass than W1s. Imaging felt very well defined as a reflection of the strong seal, but being slightly firmer they are not as comfortable as Type Es, and further behind Spiral Dots & W1s. Sonically probably my second favourite tips behind W1s.



Conclusion

Congratulations, you made it this far. Thanks for reading.

There is little more to be said except that if you don't own a pair of Kiwi Ears Cadenzas you risk little by purchasing them, and will very likely be pleased for doing so. They're one of the easiest audio products to recommend I've come across in over 20 years in the hobby.

Are they perfect? Of course not, nothing is. However they're inoffensively pleasing without being excessively polite or boring, work well with every genre I've tried, and feel far better built than any $35 earphone has a right to be. In fact I've had some downright thrilling listening sessions with them lasting hours at a stretch, and my ears are no stranger to IEMs literally a hundred times more expensive.

Where on earth is this hobby going? You do have to wonder when a measly $35 can purchase sound of this quality, assuming you provide a balanced cable and a decent source. I for one welcome our new budget IEM overlords!

TONALITY: 7.8/10
TECHNICALITIES: 8/10
CONSTRUCTION: 8.5/10
VALUE: 8.5/10

Well, indeed, the Kiwi Ears Cadenza impress for 35$, maturely balance U shape, safe yet not boring tuning. Mids presence is boosted smoothly and we have great sens of transparency-something rare in this price range.
Technical performance is above average, not in term of detailing, since upper treble is softed a bit, but layering and attack speed are good, these arent IEM that goo muddy easily.
Sure, with sub bass boost, we lack this mid bass well define punch immediacy, something that is begining to invade chifi market, but it permit to keep it fatigue free enough while maintening just the minimum fun factor we need.
All in all, quite refined tuning for an ultra budget IEM, and to put in similar league than Tripowin Lea or (a better tuned) Tinhifi C2.

Full detailed review with comparisons against Moondrop Snow and Reecho OVA here:

https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-cadenza

The box art and style makes this seem like its far more expensive. Inside you will find the Cadenza IEM, a cable, and three sets of tips. Unfortunately, no case or pouch to protect such a lovely IEM. I found its rounded shape to be perfectly comfortable and I think that for most this will be also.


So, Isolation was excellent, as was fit and build. the cable was more than adequate in durability. The bore on the tips all seems similar with only material providing the difference. Personal opinion these look so gorgeous!

Technical Details​

DRIVERS​

10mm Beryllium Dynamic Driver

SENSITIVITY​

110dBSPL/mW

FREQUENCY RANGE​

20Hz-20KHz

IMPEDANCE​

32Ω

EARPHONE MATERIAL​

Medical grade resin

CABLE INTERFACE​

0.78-2PIN

CABLE PLUG​

3.5mm

PRICE​

$34.99 USD

Let's get to the sound.

Bass: The Beryllium driver produces nice punch with decent speed and control, it is not the best I've heard but yet it's so pleasant and big sounding. Sub-Bass is the focus here, Mid-Bass hangs a little back, but it is heard just fine due to forwardness of the Bass in general.


Midrange: Mids are full bodied are rich, there are no harsh edges here just simple organic and with just the right, well everything. No they are not the most emphasized or detailed or technically best but what they are is well tuned, well placed and very pleasant and natural sounding.

Treble: The highs are very well balanced with a smooth tonality yet have details and presence. They seem to have just enough air and sparkle to be heard without harsh spikes. I found the treble as with the other frequencies pleasant and safe.
Soundstage: Is an average and natural field both depth and width, but accurate and with very good details and separation for something in this price.

Afterthoughts:
I really like the Cadenza in looks, comfort and performance. This is by no means the best in class, but it is amazingly well tuned with its safe but not boring tuning with smooth but detailed performance, it's an enigma for sure.

Cadenza Universal IEM


$34.99
https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-cadenza?variant=43568431694041

Linsoul website: https://www.linsoul.com/
Linsoul Aliexpress Store: https://ddaudio.aliexpress.com/store/2894006
Linsoul USA Amazon Store link: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=merchant-items&me=A267P2DT104U3C

Disclaimer:
I want to thank Kareena of Linsoul for the love and the Kiwi ears Cadenza Universal IEM review sample.

Disclaimer:
These are one persons ideas and concepts, your results may vary.

Equipment Used:
Sony WM1Z Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm and 3.5mm
Sony WM1A Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm and 3.5mm
Sony TA-ZH1ES DAC/AMP Firmware 1.03
Electra Glide Audio Reference Glide-Reference Standard "Fatboy" Power Cord
Sony Walkman Cradle BCR-NWH10
AudioQuest Carbon USB
UA3 Dongle DAC/Amplifier 4.4mm and 3.5mm
Samsung Android Smartphone 3.5mm output




Kiwi ears Cadenza Universal In Ear Monitors

Technical Details
DRIVERS-10mm Beryllium Dynamic Driver
SENSITIVITY 110dBSPL/mW
FREQUENCY RANGE-20Hz-20KHz
IMPEDANCE-32Ω
EARPHONE MATERIAL-Medical grade resin
CABLE INTERFACE-0.78-2PIN
CABLE PLUG-3.5mm

Kiwi ears is a new brand to me. Yet they truly delivered here with the Cadenza. Why? Such qualities as a mid-shaped 3D Medical Grade Resin build guarantee you a comfortable fit. The fact that the Cadenza has a smooth demeanor with a touch of warmth and no frequency out of place. They come in your choice of four colors, though my color of red “Chorus” is sightly on the pinkish side.

Lets face it we thought the Planar wars were populated, no…….the single full-range dynamic driver budget wars turned out to be even more crowded. It borders on the ridiculous (maybe) just how many single full-range drivers are for sale at this point in time. Just the last few I’ve reviewed have been the TinHiFi C2, C3 (in the works), T4 PLUS the TANGZU Wan’er S.G. In many ways these IEMs emulate the same frequency goals…..I can only guess they chose this due to maybe how the dynamic driver reacts?



The Cadenza v the TinHiFi C3
Coming out almost at exactly the same time, by two different companies, it’s remarkable how similar they are. Graphically, while the Cadenza seemly looks the same (as far as the low-end) when compared to the TinHiFi C3, really there are slightly (just slight) noticeable bass differences. But the question you always have to ask yourself is are the lows are only more noticeable due to the balance of the highs? Or is it simply the characteristic of the Cadenza Beryllium dynamic driver? After multiple tests of changing IEMs and going back and forth with the same cable, DAP and ear-tips, the lows are really pretty much the same. Truly there are very small differences if any on the bass between the two. Amazingly I got the same ear-tip to fit on both, being the Cadenza nozzle is actually on the large circumference side of the street.



If you note the comparison graph here the Cadenza starts to drop at 3.5 kHz until it meets up again with the C3 response at 5.5 kHz………This upper midrange “boost” was actually heard before seeing a graph on primary back-to-back tests. And while the C3 makes more of an anti-sibilance dip at just after 6 kHz, the Cadenza travels up higher (than the C3) at just before 8 kHz. The C3 taking a final peak at about 13 kHz to finish. The ends in the Cadenza having a slight less bright tone up-top, the C3 is slightly more busy and some would maybe call of more even temperament? Yet while the Cadenza shows a basically more subdued treble, these two IEM share more in common than differences upon hearing them. The C3 still though is offering a more energetic midrange creating an expanded out soundstage. Still, as far as top end, you can notice how they trade blows for up-top inclusions, being the C3 goes about it’s business one way and the Cadenza another. But in total the IEMs are really close to the same. Probably if you want more (slightly) more soundstage expansion go with the C3, and if you want a slightly smoother treble go with the Cadenza. Truly these Beryllium or Liquid Crystal Polymer diaphragms can be tuned to be quite similar.

Sound quality:
While offering an accessible and easy-going demeanor, the sound is even and balanced. The Cadenza is not the best resolving IEM, missing separation and definition. At times I wonder if I perceive this due to listening to BA/Hybrids so much? Meaning it isn’t always what you are listening to that forms your opinion, it’s what you have already been listening to before and the contrast of the two IEMs. Typically single full-range dynamic drivers will not offer the finite definition of Hybrids which use a BA driver. Yet the benefits are the the sound is coming from one area, bypassing the needs for sound tubes and filters to adjust the frequency or actual electronic crossovers to separate each divers job. Often single DDs will not have the total detail of in the attack of the note, a kind of blunted in texture, and that is what we have here. Yet one of the total benefits of single DDs is the often include correct timbre which is arrived at by not using Balanced Armatures. Still the last year has really included surprising advancements in BA timbre, with much of that metallic sheen somehow not present or buried in the mix.

Treble:
It just gets there, meaning there is just enough complexity and energy of output to make the high-end features enjoyable. While (still) this very much could still be the definitive poster-child for entry level top-end detail, meaning it does not offer what high-end TOTLs offer as far as upper eccentricities. Yet cymbals and the such are still shown for their musical value in the song, and surprisingly note weight prevails here, starting from the very bottom up.

Midrange:
Male vocals are placed just were they need to be, female vocals offer the sparkle to make it out of the mix. Separation is the challenge, as well as the pace. The main issue here is there is a smearing of musical elements when attempting faster songs. Meaning there is found to be a full-on layer of confusion and slurs, that better (more expensive) IEMs do with ease. This “sound” can often be perceived as too much lower midrange as the sonic effect is the same…….elements getting lost in transition, a fog amongst the details. Such blending of colors goes to amount to a subtle gray in sound……yet still rock songs have a groove and a sway that is still very musical and captivating for what they are.

Bass:
Of course this groove described above is due to the rocking bass, and while slightly stifled in composure, the low end still offers adequate pace while still being held down a smearing of absolute pace. There are some IEMs that have bypassed much of the bass frequencies, yet not here, the bass in included, and has a bounce and flair to it, it’s just probably average in technicalities for what bass you have. All this talk, yet bass timbre is actually OK, I mean I have heard way worse timbre in the bass department. The drums when they are to go low, include a great tonality as does the bass guitar, yet only of adequate definition.

Soundstage:
Strangely you always get what you pay for, and while these show a great tone and accessible tune, the soundstage is average, when you combine that average soundstage with a loss of separation, it almost seems like less soundstage in the end. But it’s OK, and not really bad, bad.

Pace:
Imaging, transient response, pace…….technically not that great, yet the saving factor is they somehow groove and sway with the (musically) of the artists intent. Meaning there is still something of value here, just don’t be prepared for any transient response thrills, because you won’t find them.



Conclusion:
In many ways KiwI ears has played it safe. A tune that is totally forgiving of bad sources and bad files, as the Cadenza makes everything musical and fun. While lacking resolution in pace, there are still ample joys to behold in the final output, showing you this tune was not by accident, but thoroughly thought out and orchestrated. While also there is nothing unique or different from 10 other IEMs coming out right about now, the Kiwi ears Cadenza is still a great value if you only want (to buy) one IEM this year. They are built fantastically, offer your choice of four colors and fit like a dream, yet the TinHiFi C3 fit a little better! The exact way these are tuned shows a style of grace and perfection, and being that frequency response becomes 80% of why you like an IEM in the first place, there is a lot of win here to be found. The question here isn’t if you should buy this particular IEM, no, the question is how many more IEMs are out there that do relatively the same job? And while I imagine there are a few, I haven’t heard them all. Though from what I have heard, the Kiwi ears Cadenza is a safe purchase, like many of these new additions are, not ruffling any feathers or trying to do any one thing different than the rest. While nothing the Cadenza does is groundbreaking, nothing it does is offensive either. So what does that make it? It is just one of the pack, yet the price is special for what it does……….and the price is probably one of the main reasons you are reading this?

There are no surprises here as far as playback, the Cadenza does a carful and correct tune. The frequencies are even and correct, it just offering so-so technicalities in pace for what it is.

Build:
Note your choice of four colors, which are basically red, blue, green or purple….yet they added poetic names for each color. Normally I count just how many holes are placed into the nozzle screen, but this time there are too many. Sitting just out of harms way, the nozzle circumference is on the larger size, yet all works out with a lip to hold many of the tips you already have if you don’t choose the included nine pairs. Coming in at 4 grams a piece, they are really the perfect weight. The shape and nozzle angle are just right. While two vents provide airflow to the 10mm DD, the noise occlusion is on par for a simi-custom shape.



Cable:
The 4 core braded cable is simply OK, and probably goes with the price bracket, though it was easy to upgrade to a different cable with the 0.78 2pin connectors.




Package:
Probably the ear-tips come to mind as a stand-out feature of the whole package, that and the exquisite attention to detail with the IEMs and their build. While no case is included the IEMs themselves have a look that far exceeds there purchase price.

Review Of The Kiwi Ears Cadenza​

Introduction​

A group of committed, like-minded independent engineers founded Kiwi Ears in China with the intention of creating the greatest sound possible. Upon the launching of the Orchestra mid-fi IEM, a company gained notoriety. This IEM was hailed by seasoned audiophiles for its performance and likened to a number of high-end IEMs. Kiwi Ears was founded by an unidentified veteran who is known for creating numerous well-known chi-fi in-ear monitors. Unfortunately, I was unable to review the Orchestra; however, I was given the chance to do so for their most recent, more affordable model, the 35 USD Kiwi Ears Cadenza in-ear monitor. Keep the attention high by beginning with some points of discussion.

Disclaimer​

*Since this unit was sent by the generous people at Linsoul, I am grateful to them. And as I've said in all of my evaluations, the same is true for this one: all of the concepts I've expressed below are entirely my own, original ideas that haven't been influenced by anyone else. If interested, visit this link.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to these IEMs as "Cadenza."
*I am using different Ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the Cadenza based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

Specification​

Cadenza is an IEM with a single dynamic driver that is a 10mm beryllium dynamic driver. The shell is constructed of medical-grade resin and is a custom-designed, three - dimensional housing structure for audiophile sound balancing. The shells are completely black, and the company's initials are printed on a gorgeous, sleek, and illuminative-colored faceplate. These come in four colours: Perlude (purple), Verse (blue), Chorus (red), and Solo (Green). The shell finish is of the highest caliber and seems lustrous and expensive. The shells are smaller than KZ IEMs and readily fit in my ears without hurting or wearing me out after extended listening sessions. The detachable cable has a 3.5 single ended termination and is a 2pin(0.78mm) 4-core braided copper cable. The cable has the same feel and quality as the one included with the Tripowin mele. Nine sets of eartips in three different styles and sizes (small, medium, and large) are among the additional accessories that come with the Cadenza. When it comes to the technical specifications, these feature an impedance of 32 ohms and a sensitivity of 110 dB. The range of frequencies is 20Hz to 20kHz.

Sound​

The Cadenza is an IEM with safe tuning that has a V-shaped tuning. It feels like the note weight and density is deep and weighty, which makes them sound more realistic. The sound is tonally lovely with good presentation throughout the mix. The treble is incredibly clear and incredibly calming; it seems as though each note melts in your ears. I thought they were a little laid back but play fairly with the overall reaction; the mid range is clear and focal with the response. The bass lacks tightness and isn't boomy either. It appears to be in perfect harmony with the proper impact of the slam and strikes. In general, it is a really enjoyable IEM to listen to; now, let's explore sound more closely.

Treble​

Everything sounds clean and presentative, the treble is calming and smooth, and there are no overtly irritating undertones. I'm delighted to report that the musicality is not all over the place but under control, and the top treble has enough extension to sound fuller and richer with good note weight. The female vocals don't strike me as being as expressive as they should be, but tonally they are correct. The vocals have a nice feeling of depth and resonate extremely well in the treble range. The instruments have a dubious tone; they are not shrill or drab, but neither do they sound sparkly. Practically speaking, they have the right traits and environment to sound pure and natural. More vigor and resolving abilities are released in the lower mid range. They have a direct presentation and a silken voice. There is an excellent balance between the lower treble and upper midrange. The instruments have more floor and presence in the mix, while the vocals are more good and emotive. The treble area has a calm and dense overall appearance.

Mid Range​

In the middle range, the presentation is incredibly melodic, aesthetically attractive, and organic. Everything seems to be in order and correct. It is more comprehensive and suitably positioned due to the presentation's central focus. Similar to the lower treble, the upper mid range is more dynamic and forward-presented, and it is fixated on a control to avoid seeming harsh, hot, or sibilant. The voices are presented in a lovely and enjoyable way. The symbiotic relationship between the vocals and instruments is comforting and melodic. The instruments have a fuller, thicker tone. The female vocals feel a little lost in the mix whereas the male voices have decent weight and sound nice. Due to the relaxed tuning in the upper frequencies, the lower mid range is quite thick and compressed. Well, it doesn't sound muddy or dull and still manages to maintain the most genuine note weight and richness possible. Both the vocals and the instruments respond correctly and tonally naturally. The mid range has a more pleasant and richer overall response.

Bass​

I initially found it confusing that the bass sounds normal rather than exciting or monotonous. However, the more I used these to listen to music, the more I realised how powerful this bass' tuning is. In particular, the bass plays well with the entire response and enhances its realism. The bass enhances the overall musicality of the response, which leads me to believe that the mid-range and treble frequencies are not being produced separately from the bass but rather in harmony. The mid bass has a strong forward presence, however the bass focus is more on the sub bass than the mid bass. Punches and slams have their proper impact, however they sound a touch sloppy. It seems a little more natural and respectable to me. The mid-range bassline is really effective and matches the lower mid range, giving it a thick sound. The sub bass extension rumbles and is deep enough to be pleasing. Overall, the bass region has just the proper amount of slam and punch.

Technical Performance​

Although the Cadenza's technical performance is not very spectacular, it maintains its position without bias. The imaging is fairly clear, but the separation is just a hair above sounding muddled. The soundstage is immersive and three-dimensional. The speed is slower than I anticipated, and the resolution isn't outstanding because retrieving details suffers.

Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation​

It is highly commendable that the sound is holographic, but it also sounds immersive, which in no way felt like a drawback because everything was simpler to reach. For the cost of these, the imaging is fairly standard. Although it is difficult to distinguish the separation since it is not very distinct, it is acceptable to identify the source of the sound.

Speed & Resolution​

The Cadenza appears to suffer in terms of resolution because the details aren't particularly full or crisp. The notes do neither attack or diminish at a particularly rapid rate. However, I am aware that many releases seem to have taken advantage of the cadenza's pricing range. Therefore, it appears that they compensate fairly for the technological resolvability.

Sound Impressions​

Sources​

Tempotec V6 - When using Cadenza with the V6, the sound was soothing and clear while maintaining the same resolution. The treble was as smooth as honey, the midrange was a little forward, and the bass had more of a distinct sound, sounding more boomy and slammy. Although the stage was larger, it appears that the technicalities were not significantly changed. Although Cadenza did seem to be operating to its full potential when paired with V6, I really enjoyed it.

iFi Hipdac - The mid range was more presentable and the treble got more crisp when I used Cadenza with the Hipdac, but they didn't sound more resolving. Because the mid bass had more texture, the bass was superior in terms of both quantity and overall quality. I discovered that the Cadenza sounded more expressive and slightly better when paired with the hipdac, yet personally, I prefer the V6.

Tracks Used​

Curtis Mayfield - Pusherman
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Earth, Wind & Fire - Let's Groove
Boston - More Than A Feeling
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere(Remastered)
Toto - Africa
The Police - Every Breath You Take
George Benson - Affirmation
Daft Punk - Doin' It Right
Daft Punk - Derezzed
Daft Punk - Tron Legacy (End Titles)
GOJIRA - Amazonia
The Mars Volta - Inertiatic ESP
Fergie - Glamorous
50 Cent - In Da Club
Jay Z - Holy Grail
Erbes - Lies
Nitti Gritti - The Loud
Juelz - Inferno

Conclusion​

I've owned a ton of IEMs, from the most affordable to those in this price range, but I've never come across one that wasn't completely non-offensive. When it comes to safe tuning, the Cadenza truly outperforms the competition thanks to a full-bodied bass and a later-on relaxed tuning. Regarding sound quality and general aesthetics, I adore the Candeza. I have no problem recommending this IEM.

The Kiwi Ears Cadenza have been sent to me by Linsoul for me to test and to share my opinions in this review. As always with Linsoul, no specific requests have been made and I will do my best, as always, to be as unbiased and sincere as possible.

As always, I have shared a non affiliate link to the Kiwi Ears Cadenza via Linsoul on my blog, you can find the link to my blog at the end of this review.



Intro…

I ended 2022 on a good note and with the aim of 2023 being a good year, I am going to start it on a good note also.

Over the last 6 months or so, the extreme budget range has seen some very good entries, each one raising the bar just a little bit more than the last. Some had tunings that I preferred more than others but there was no doubt that the ultra cheap IEM world has seen some fierce competition, which is great for those looking for good sound at an even better price.

The last set of IEMs that I reviewed were the Tangzu Wan’er and I said that they were a very good set that raised the, already high, extreme budget bar a little bit more, placing themselves in the top spot for ultra cheap sets together with the 7Hz Salnotes Zero. Well, I’m afraid that their time at the top didn’t last long as the first set I am going to review this year just placed itself firmly at the top, in my personal opinion of course.



Presentation…

The packaging and accessories are nothing special, including just the IEMs, cable and 9 sets of silicone tips (which is actually quite a generous number). The packaging is a simple black box, with the Kiwi Ears logo, that is packed inside a blue sleeve and not much more to really discuss.

If you are looking for an amazing unboxing experience, well, these are nothing special, but does that really matter when we are focusing on the contents and not the container?



Build and aesthetics…

The build is also simple, with plain black shells which I believe are 3D printed, yet the front plate sports a nice design on it. In my case they have a purple swirl with “Kiwi Ears” in gold text and I have to say that I have absolutely no issues with the aesthetics. Ok, I am not saying these are an amazing looking set of IEMs but they do have a nice touch to them and we really can’t ask for more at this price range.

The included cable is not exactly top of the line but it does do its job and the only real reason to swap it out would be for either a balanced connection or for aesthetic reasons. It is thin and comfortable, without me having to suffer it tangling too many times.

I would say that, in general, build quality and aesthetics are more than adequate for the price range and, due to the size and shape, I find them to be comfortable also.

My only real complaint would probably be with the included tips. They are by no means the worst tips I have encountered with IEMs (regardless of the price) but I did find that I preferred the comfort and performance when paired with Moondrop Spring tips. Obviously tips are a very personal thing but in this case, I feel that the swap benefitted the performance of the IEMs and not just the comfort.



Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Spotify, etc.)

Now we get to the good part!

As usual, let’s start off with a look at the graph in comparison to my personal preference target.



In the low ranges we can see that they are elevated above my usual target, however, the clarity that these IEMs offer make that a non issue. There is no sensation of bloat nor loss of control, with every note being clean, clear and decisive.

The subbass in my usual “Chameleon” test is a demonstration of how the lower notes can be very present without being intrusive. There is no lack of definition, nor does the rumble interfere with other frequencies. The Cadenza just present the subbass as it should be.

Midbass, which is always more of a worry for me when it is too elevated, is a continuation of the subbass performance. While we can see on the graph that the midbass is elevated, it is again well controlled and never seems to lose control or definition. There is enough warmth to enjoy the bass guitar in older rock recordings, such as “Whole Lotta Love”, yet at the same time, tracks like “Crazy” that can become boomy in these regions do not suffer from that issue.

From impressive bass response in “No Santuary Here” to just the right amount of body in things like “Tears in Heaven”, the Cadenza seem to adapt to the music and never seem to interfere with the timbre of natural instruments nor lack punch with electronic alternatives.

The mids are well balanced, without anything seeming to lack presence and as we move up to the higher part of the mids, the climb is smooth and is almost perfect for my preferences. I find that vocals such as Pentatonix in “Hallelujah” have just enough balance of warmth and presence, without either male or female vocals taking preference.

There is no real harshness, although recordings that are already harsh in their presentation are not tamed, showing no sign of anything being dampened in this regard.

In the higher regions, the extension is good although we do find a couple of little peaks in the treble regions. These are not really irritating but they can sometimes give a slight artificial “airyness” to certain tracks. This is really a minor thing but can be noticed in the higher regions of things like “The Next Episode”.

Sibilance is not exaggerated, with my usual “Code Cool” test placing the vocals just on the verge, noticing the sibilance but without it being uncomfortable. Based on the intro of “Hope is a Dangerous Thing”, I would say that the Cadenza even tame sibilance just slightly.

Details are impressive on the Cadenza, presented in a way that just blends in with the music. They didn’t strike me as detail monsters yet when actually paying attention, they do a very good job and things are just where they should be.

Soundstage is about the average for a set of IEMs but the image placement is good and they use the space to their advantage, seeming to leave space between layers in tracks like “Strange Fruit”.



Isolation is also decent, with most of the frequency ranges falling above average and not really lacking in comparison to other models in any specific range.



Conclusion…

Based on the performance we are seeing lately in the budget ranges, I really shouldn’t be surprised that the Cadenza offers the quality of sound that they do, but I still am. It really is crazy how much improvement there has been in the extreme budget section over the past 6 to 12 months.

I honestly feel a little guilty when I say that something is amazing for the price and then in the following review, I say that this is even more amazing, as it feels like I am following the “FOTM” trend. Yet, when the quality is there, it can’t be denied.

If you are looking for something in the ultra cheap bracket, there are some very good options, however, up to now, the Kiwi Ears Cadenza would be my first choice. Now let’s see who is next to take the crown!

_______________________________________________________________

As always, this review can also be found in Spanish both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

Cadenza is a section in a movement within a concerto where the soloist performs a virtuosic display of technical capabilities and prowess on musicianship.


Kiwi Ears is a new audio company in China and it is exclusively distributed by Linsoul. They aim to create IEMs specifically for audio professionals and audiophiles alike. The Kiwi Ears Orchestra was the first product that I've encountered from them around 2021 when doing some searching on new audio products and it is a midrange set that cost around US$500/£415.


And this is their first product in the entry-level segment, The Kiwi Cadenza. The Cadenza is a single dynamic driver IEM with a 10mm beryllium diaphragm on its transducer. The typical characteristic of Beryllium-coated diaphragm driver is a malleable, durable and lighter that delivers a nimble response that will result in less distortion, precision and superb clarity performance. It was encapsulated in an aesthetically eye-catching 3D printed resin chassis in a custom, UIEM form factor. It uses a proven 2-pin connector for ease of doing a cable replacement.




As for fitting, Cadenza rests well into my lug holes comfortably. It has a good passive sound isolation that blocks external noises from the surroundings. With light weight and smooth contours of the shell provides a very cosy feel that I can use for a long listening session.




Another impressive feature of Kiwi Ears Cadenza was its product packaging. It was packed in a small purple box with a product picture and a small print of international address at the front and back and a basic information of product specification at the side.


Here are the following inclusions inside the box:

◆ Kiwi Ears Cadenza IEM
◆ A four-core braided SPC cable with an L-shaped 3.5mm termination plug.
◆ (3) three pairs of grey, narrow-bored ear tips in different standard sizes.
◆ (3) three pairs of white, narrow-bored ear tips in different standard sizes.
◆ (3) three pairs of matte black, narrow bored ear tips in different standard sizes.
◆ Instruction manual.




Driveability-wise, Kiwi Ears Cadenza scales enough on decent power output from multi-media devices sources like smartphones, tablets and laptops. But scaling them with devices with better DAC/amp will even improve its performance like better dynamics and handling its resonances.




When it comes to tonal quality, Kiwi Cadenza takes a mild U-shaped sound profile with some warmth and smoothness but there are some caveats on which I will explain later.



LOWS/BASS:

The bass of Cadenza seems to have just enough punch and depth but not that tactile and impact that a basshead would really appreciate.

It has a sub bass presence that I was able to hear some rumble from instruments like synthesisers, low tuned bass guitars and electric drums. Mid bass is rather more prominent that the sub bass but despite being more protrusive in the bass region, it has a lack of texture that gives bass instruments a more transparent sound. Bass guitars sound a bit hollow and dull while bass kicks seem to be soft and less pound sounding. And bass baritone vocals seem to lack depth and density to sound a bit more guttural.

It is quite evident that it has some occurrences of bass bleed that smudges the midrange. And probably not for upbeat and uptempo




MIDRANGE:

Midrange seems to have some warmth to add a sense of lushness and at the same time it has this some sort of transparency. It gives at least a decent note weight on male vocals but it gives rather less energetic female vocals. Male voices have a decent firmness and orotund on it in any vocal range while females vocals have these euphonic, sweet and velvety quality but hitting on soprano range is rather lacklustre in my opinion on Cadenza as it has lack of crisp and bright to make it more captivating.

As for instruments, both percussive and woodwinds seem to have a more organic sound but on a softer and translucent side.

Snare drum takes a more rustling and soft sound and it has lack of penetration on every strikes, Field drums sounds quite sonorous and sombre but has an inadequate fullness and Glockenspiels have lustrous and yet thin sounding . Woodwinds like flutes and saxophones sound rather mellow, vapid and light. Strings ones like acoustic and rhythms guitars sound a bit buttery rather than crisp and lingering then violins sound a bit dark and austere in my liking. Brass instruments like trumpet and trombone sound rounded and soft as they lack brassy and blaring characteristics. Pianos takes a warmer and richer sound rather than vivid.



HIGHS/TREBLE:

Treble of Cadenza takes a smoother and relaxed approach; it sounds a bit laid back in my opinion. With smoothen upper mids up to presence, it doesn't exhibit any sibilance and harshness but at the expense of clarity and detail which I will explain later on the technicalities.

Sounds of cymbal strikes have just enough shimmer and sizzle on it while high hats have that distinct shortened "chicky" sound. air seems to have a moderate extension compared to most single DD IEMs which is quite commendable but harmonics are tad clogged as it is still less accentuated.



SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING & TECHNICALITIES:

The proportion of Cadenza's sound field is rather in the balance as it has an average width, decent height reach and sufficient depth which is enough to fill up your head room. Imaging is presented in a linear and flat manner with a typical stereo panning as I was able to locate the placements of vocals and instruments but not that precise. Separation seems decent with a reasonable spacing but layering isn't that well-defined on how the dynamic and frequency of specific instruments as they aren't in order as it will be an issue if a more complex tracks like orchestra will sound congested and muddled on the mix.

Coherency performance seems to be good on how the drivers perform very cohesively and quite fast that it can sustain a good attack and decay.

Regarding its resolution capabilities, it has decent micro-detail retrieval though it has a softer and less edgy definition. Macro dynamics have adequate firmness to render its texture.

Its timbre takes a very natural sounding with a hint of warmth to make it more pleasing to listeners.



PEER COMPARISONS:

TRIPOWIN CENCIBLE

● From build quality, choice of materials, and inclusions (except that Cencible has a hard bound IEM case), both IEMs are eerily similar or rather identical, the termination plug of the stock cable of Cencible is straight one.

● Both have U-shaped sound signature although Cencible has a more shimmer and crisp compare to a smoother and relaxed tuning of Cadenza. Cencible's bass has more impact and texture. When it comes to midrange, female vocals on Cencible are more energetic and gleaming yet there are some instances of a bit shouty and shrill sound. String instruments on Cencible are more vivid and more engaging sounding. On Treble, they are contrasting on one another, smooth and laid back on Cadenza, bright and intense on Cencible.

● Both have similar technical performance, but evidently Cencible has a sharper definition on detail retrieval.



TINHIFI T2 DLC

● T2 DLC uses the same chassis with the original T2 and is made of aluminium alloy, while Cadenza is made of resin shell. Both have decent inclusions.

● Both have U-shaped sound signatures but in different flavours. T2 DLC tonality tries to be more neutral sounding and yet retain its balanced tuning aspect while Cadenza is more of warmer and relaxed tonality. T2 DLC has more air in brilliance treble region.

● As for technicalities, T2 DLC has a bit wider soundstage with more crisp and detailed resolution. Imaging, Separation and Layering of both sets performs similarly.


To end my assessment on Kiwi Ears Cadenza, how does it place itself in an intended price range segment where there are a lot of competitors that also offer similar tonal quality and quantity of inclusions? In my opinion, Kiwi Ears Cadenza has a chance to be a very sellable merchandise as it has likeable tuning, adequate inclusion but it has a bit lacklustre technical performance in which Kiwi Ears should look upon. It is also noted that Kiwi Ears Cadenza has good pairing on a specific instrument in classical music genre rather than an upbeat and intense modern pop genre.


Despite the shortcomings that I aforementioned regarding technical capability, I certainly recommend these sets to some listeners who are treble sensitives and can enjoy a long listening session with its natural tonality and a very pleasant organic timbre.

Kiwi Ears Cadenza is available in LINSOUL, you can check it out HERE if you are interested to purchase it.




SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: KIWI EARS CADENZA
IMPEDANCE: 32Ω
SENSITIVITY: 110dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz-20KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M
PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR (0.78MM)
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER



Some Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)


Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *

Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**

Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **

Mountain - Mississippi Queen *

Queen - Killer Queen **

Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*

Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'

Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'

Pearl Jam - Daughter **

Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *

Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*

Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *

New Order - Blue Monday *

The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *

Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *

The Madness- Buggy Trousers *

Metallica - Motorbreath **

Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *

Destiny's Child - Say My Name *

Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *

Mozart - Lacrimosa *

New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *

Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*

Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *

Exciter - Violence and Force *

Diana Krall - Stop This World **

Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*

The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**

Suzanne Vega – Luka **

Lauren Christy – Steep *




P.S.

I am not affiliated to KIWI EARS nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.

Once again, I would like to MS. KAREENA TANG of LINSOUL for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate her generosity towards me and other reviewers.

General Info/Comfort/Build/Packaging
Kiwi Ears is another brand that has gone under the radar for many Chi-Fi enthusiasts. They released their flagship IEM last year, namely Kiwi Ears Orchestra, a full BA set consisting of 8 BAs. If you are interested in the Orchestra, feel free to go here to look for more info, we’re here for Cadenza today after all. Cadenza is Kiwi Ear’s first budget IEM, a single dynamic driver with Beryllium plated. The build quality is quite solid, it is made out of medical grade resin with beautiful faceplate, very lightweight and doesn’t feel hefty at all on your ears. I have no issues listening with them for several hours straight, there are no rough edges that will cause discomfort.
Packaging is rather straightforward, it consists of the IEM,cable and eartips itself in a very presentable box set. Nothing much to shout out about.

Gears used for this review

• Topping DX1 + Topping NX7
• Hidizs XO Dongle
• Sony Walkman ZX300 with MrWalkman’s Firmware
• iPod Touch 5th Gen
• Macbook Air M2’s 3.5mm port

Sound Impression
Cadenza has got the U shaped sounding profile to my ears, tuning wise it is rather safe and it will not get offensive. In terms of technicalities, they are ok for the price but certainly not excellent. The timbre sounds natural to me and slightly warm in terms of tonality. Let’s take a look at the breakdown:

Bass

• The sub bass has enough rumble to it when it’s called for, certainly not basshead kind of rumble, but it is sufficient to enjoy EDM or even watch some action movies with it
• Mid bass has good slam to it and it doesn’t bleed into the mids
• Very good speed for the price, capable to reproducing the drumming of Metallica’s Lux Aeterna’s high speed drumming without sounding muddy

Mids

• The mids are clean overall and they’re neither recessed or forward, somewhere in between
• There is a slight recess in terms of vocal, but they don’t really sound too off or bad
• Male vocal especially Zhao Peng who sings at low baritone has a very good texture to it, doesn’t sound thin at all
• Female vocal sounds very pleasant as well, listening to Faye Wang’s song, i would say the voice is rather sweet and well textured, and also thanks to the slight boost of the upper mids, it is also very lively
• The upper mids as i mentioned earlier, good energy and lively, but never once shouty

Treble

• The treble is rather smooth and non offensive, a little lacking in my opinion, but certainly hold its ground at the price point
• Detail retrieval is average, this set is not tuned to be an analytical set anyway
• Nothing to shout out about the treble as it is neither energetic nor dark, cymbal and hi hats are not prominent due to the smooth nature of the treble, but they are not overly recessed as well

Soundstage/Imaging

• Cadenza’s soundstage is not overly huge nor 2D-ish, it is slightly wide with good width and depth, considering its price point, i think it is really good for the asking price
• Imaging is good, not pinpoint accuracy but you will be able to hear where the instruments are coming from/positioned without trying very hard

Driveability

• Cadenza is easy to drive, straight out of my M2 Macbook Air’s 3.5mm, i’m getting decent listening volume at about 3/10 volume level
• It does scale with source, Hidizs XO for example, will make the soundstage slightly bigger whereas on M2 Macbook Air’s 3.5mm dac, soundstage is slightly small and everything is quite forward
• Amping it does tighten the bass a little and exhibited better control in terms of dynamics and slighter better imaging

Comparison
TinHifi C2

• In terms of tuning, they are different, C2 is more on the slight bright and energetic side while Cadenza is smoother and less energetic
• Different build quality, Metal (C2) vs Plastic (Cadenza), nothing bad or good about it, C2 is solid and a little hefty, Cadenza is light
• C2 is tuned to be more detailed whereas Cadenza is slightly more laid back
• C2 sounds a little thinner due to its slight bright nature, whereas Cadenza has slightly thicker note weight

Final Thoughts
Cadenza is a solid product overall, it does everything right even the price point, this is not to say that Cadenza is without any cons, the treble itself can be improved on the air region and I think it will sound a little more lively. A solid product in the budget segment nonetheless, at 35$, you won’t have much to lose, not to mention it is also a beryllium plated dynamic driver, you are definitely getting a lot of bang for your buck.

*a big thanks to @Linsoul Audio as always for sending this over for the purpose of this review



Head over to their store if you are interested in getting a pair:
Kiwi Ears Cadenza - Non Affiliated

Kiwi Ears Cadenza ($35)​

Intro​

Today I am reviewing the newest budget iem from Kiwi Ears, the Kiwi Ears Cadenza. I picked this set up from Amazon US for $35 and did so the second it went up for sale. Kiwi Ears is a relatively new company and truthfully, I don’t know much about them. I know the Kiwi Ears Orchestra did very well. Of course, the Orchestra goes for $499. That is a hard cry from the ultra-budget Cadenza. Kiwi Ears made a good decision to try their hand at the ultra-budget segment in my opinion. If looks were the standard by which we judge iems, I’d say the Cadenza gives them a solid A+. Of course, there is much more that goes into the making of a great iem, no matter the price.

What’s in a name?​

So, what is a “Cadenza”? Ya know, normally I don’t even give a name another thought, not even a fleeting glance. After all, most of these names in Chi-Fi are simply just random numbers and letters spliced together. You’ll see that many brands come up with names which have zero to do with the iem and more to do with garnering attention.

Care about the craft​

What I like about Kiwi Ears is that they cared enough to dream up a solid and meaningful name. At the very least it begs the illusion that you care about your craft. I realize this is of little importance and a surface level observation. If we peel back the layers a bit you begin to see the regard given, which speaks volumes. These are human beings doing the creating after all. In this case Kiwi Ears decided upon… Cadenza. What is a Cadenza? Why choose such a name beyond just sounding cool. Well, I’m glad you asked.

Cadenza: A cadenza is a section in a piece of music, usually an aria or a concerto, that allows for a dramatic solo performance. Typically, near the end of a movement, or section, the orchestra will stop playing, and a solo musician will perform a short piece designed to showcase his or her skills.

Cadenza it is​

Need I say more? After spending some time with the Cadenza, the name begins to make perfect sense. It’s brilliant and thoughtful and it takes giving a damn about what you are creating. Bravo Kiwi Ears! You thoughtfully distinguished even your ultra-budget iem with a perfectly descriptive name or a personality if you will. I realize I’ve already spent too much time on this, but I like to think that there are still artists who perform their craft with care and purposeful intent. Perhaps I’m naive…but at least I have a clue what exactly the Cadenza is supposed to be.

Better budget​

The budget segment is absolutely blowing up and I can’t imagine this brush fire stopping anytime soon. Over the last year we have seen a tsunami of sub $50, even sub $30 iems which perform very well. They perform so well that it seems diminishing returns are kicking in at a much lower price anymore. Gone are the days which required the purchase of a $250 iem to finally get good fidelity and auditory joy. The hobby has come a long way. I have a boatload of multi hundred-dollar iems, yet I reach for budget segment sets often. Now I’m not saying that ultra-budget sets overtake the more expensive sets. Still there is a gap which appears to be closing to a degree.

The set I’m reviewing here shows a lot of promise. I’ve spent a good amount of time critically and leisurely listening to the Cadenza. I’ve burned them in, swapped cables, tip rolled, and I think I’ve gotten this set to a solid place for an educated review. So, I think I’ve wasted enough digital ink on the mindless blabber… friends, the Kiwi Ears Cadenza…

*Please visit mobileaudiophile.com and check out Mahir’s fantastic take on the Cadenza HERE.
My full review of the Cadenza is HERE.



Later Comparisons: QKZ X-HBB / Reecho SG-01 Ova

Purchase the Kiwi Ears Cadenza: –Amazon US / AliExpress / Linsoul / Reverb US

Gear Used​

–Shanling UA2
–IFi Go Blu
–Shanling M6 Ultra

Packaging ​

The Cadenza arrived in quick Amazon fashion, order on a Monday and it’ll be dropped off on Wednesday. Gotta love it. Anyways, the packaging and contents are pretty well laid out for something which is so inexpensive. The box has a nice sleeve with a graphic (as you can see in my pictures). Quite different from the Waifu art that litters the ChiFi world and I’m okay with that. Slip off the sleeve and you are met with a black box with “Kiwi Ears” written on it. Open the box and the beautiful earphones sit staring at you within the foam cutouts. Inside you receive three sets of tips, a manual and the cable.

Cable​

The included cable is a black and braided 2-pin, 3.5 single ended, 4 core copper cable of okay quality. I mean, I didn’t know what I was expecting at $35 but… It’s a foregone conclusion that I will swap cables on every set I get; the Cadenza was no different. I listen mainly on 4.4 balanced so I went with a HifiHear SPC cable with the Cadenza for around $18. I found no sonic difference using this cable other than the boost in output power using a 4.4 balanced cable.

Eartips​

The eartips that are provided are actually of good quality. It’s very generous of Kiwi Ears to add three sets of three size tips at the price they are asking. Each set has a different flange stiffness to a slight degree. It is kind of odd that each set of tips has a narrower bore as well. I went with my usual KBear 07 Large yellow tips. They have a medium-wide bore which seems to open the Cadenza up a bit.

Build/Look/Fit​

Build & Look​

Kiwi Ears went above and beyond in this category in my opinion. The Cadenza can be purchased in four different colorways (Blue, Green, Red, Purple). I chose my favorite color of blue, and they look just as nice in person than on the Amazon website. The housing was made using resin and a 3D printing process. I see no visual discontinuities or defects but rather a smooth and clean look with no rough edges. The blue-on-black is very striking and I applause Kiwi Ears for such a nicely dreamed-up design. Very nice looking, hopefully I can capture the look in my pictures.

Internals​

Kiwi Ears decided upon a single Dynamic Driver with a 10mm Beryllium Diaphragm. Beryllium, when implemented as intended should provide a snappy and punchy sound with quick decay in its transient behavior. Like I said, when it is implemented correctly of course. This is not always the case as many earphones are promoted as having Beryllium but not always do they share the characteristics of the material.

Fit/Isolation​

The fit is phenomenal for me. I am assuming that nobody will have much of an issue here. Isolation is also very nice on the Cadenza providing you get a nice seal with the eartips of your choosing. I love that I can wear these for very long periods without any physical discomfort at all.

Drivability​

The Cadenza rates at 32 ohms, with sensitivity of 110 dB, driving them is not an issue with most sources. Using a decent Dongle such as the Shanling UA2 you will have plenty of headroom for a set like this. Listening on either single ended or 2.5 balanced was plenty of driving power for a nicely dynamic and expressive sound. Using the IFi Go Blu is just so nice with the Cadenza attached on 4.4 balanced. Jumping up to the Shanling M6 Ultra with its AK4493SEQ dac chip on medium gain setting creates a nice synergy. I actually enjoyed this set-up a bit more than the Ibasso DX240 and the Cadenza.

You should have zero issues driving this set. I do think that better gear will obviously show listening with the Cadenza. Also, with decent power added there is good scaling going on with the Cadenza. Technicalities come out a bit, it sounds more open and visceral in its dynamism.

Quick Sound Impressions​

Very quickly, the Cadenza is a slightly left of neutral sounding earphone with slight warmth. I hear a Harman to an almost U-shaped sound. Sub-bass has more of an emphasis than mid-bass as the bass region has nice authority without over doing it. Midrange is pronounced a bit with nice vocal delivery and instrumentation that comes across nicely with my library of music. Last, the treble region is slightly airy and smooth with decent illumination of details and strays from any peaks. I will break down each area a bit more as we move-on in this review. Technically this set is not tuned for perfection but there is a nice balancing act of atmospheric and mature qualities.

Bass Region​

The sub-bass has a nice tactile imagery with decent texture and nice speed. The Cadenza is not so emphasized in this region to be a real banger and should not be looked at for its bass-head qualities. Instead, what you get is a good rumble and nice timbre that is appropriate to the recording with subtle coloration. Surface texture is gritty with a nice leading edge to kick drums or bass drops. Nothing soft or hollow here people. I could use a dB or three more in the transition and slope down through the mid-bass, but the tuning down low provides a clean sound that doesn’t distract other frequencies.

For example…​

“John Wayne” by Whiskey Myers begins with a dirty bass guitar riff that is deep and a good gauge for the rendering, timbre, transient attack and weight of bass guitars and this area of the spectrum in general. Listening with the Cadenza I am not blown away but there is still a harder edged attack and swift decay along with a presentable tonality and timbre. This sound kind of teeters between sub and mid bass and if I could only get a two to three decibel rise in the slope down from the sub-bass, I believe I would hear that robust and sonorous depth of vibration that I love. Please don’t get me wrong though, the Cadenza will replay this area perfectly for many people. This is me being ultra-picky over a $35 iem.

Mid-bass​

The mid-bass has a bit less in quantity than the sub-bass, but I hear decent slam for genres which require it. However, I could use a bit more to provide better grit and presence to the bass guitar and even some of my favorite rap albums could use just a bit more oomph. That said, this mid-bass doesn’t bleed over in a detrimental way at all, but in a mature Harman style with pretty good separation of elements due to the quicker than usual attack and decay per its quantity. Timbre is very nice and comes across natural enough for a $35 single DD.

​

Midrange​

The lower midrange presents a clean and pretty resolute male vocal. Both Baritone and Tenor have a nice sound even though there is a recession here. Still that recession is very appropriate and natural to life as males have a well-defined delivery and a natural bodied note weight. I’d say that male vocals are well rendered as a whole with a nice transient behavior. They could use a bit of refinement in acute focus and definition, but I suppose that is to be expected for $35. I would also say that instruments and voices share the same space very well on the Cadenza.

For example, “Cover Me Up” by Jason Isbell is a track which highlights the vocal and the acoustic guitar. Both share the stage nicely and Jason’s voice is untarnished and speckless next to the string pulls of the guitar creating a very atmospheric and even detailed sound. Really nice.

Upper-mids​

The Upper midrange is boosted with a slightly large pinna-gain rise and come across energetic and lively. I wouldn’t call this area so boosted that it is a problem. Females have a nice shimmer and shine to them while not leaving out an emotional sense of musicality. The upper-mids are closer or more forward than the rest of the midrange with better contrast and crispness than male vocals.

Lady Gaga sings “Always Remember Us This Way” with a well bodied but also ardent and impassioned vocal delivery. Her voice has a melodic rasp with an empathetic boldness and power behind it that isn’t lost on the Cadenza. Now, there are moments in certain tracks when glare will rear its ugly face, but it is few and far in between and really is a situational occurrence and not the norm. I honestly don’t feel it is a con to the degree that it is a bother as the Cadenza keeps things under control and peak free for the majority of my listening. Another thing I noticed is that females can sound a bit dry and even slightly thin yet still keeping nice form and body with a good sense of depth for the price point.

Midrange conclusion​

Instruments and voices come across naturally enough for the most part. I am very happy with what Kiwi Ears was able to achieve here. I wouldn’t call the Cadenza’s midrange as “mid-centric”, but I do feel that the midrange is one of the highlights of the Cadenza. The easy-going nature of the sound may lose a bit in perfect clarity but for the asking price it is difficult to ask for more, considering the entire spectrum as a whole. Thankfully the Cadenza is a well-tuned iem with a good driver, with nice speed, and a natural timbre, and all these attributes help with the overall auditory experience of the midrange as a whole.

Treble Region ​

If there was a downside of the Cadenza without actually labeling it as a “downside” it would likely be the Treble for most people. Not that there is anything inherently wrong and for the most part the treble is perfectly fine. We are talking about a $35 iem for crying out loud. I really need to remember this fact when conducting a review. Still, I’m quite sure many would like a bit more air. This is not to say that the treble isn’t well enough represented as it is.

The treble-region has a thinner and smoother sound and is adequately capable of illuminating details with some pretty nice technical capabilities. No, this set is not tuned to be a detail monster but considering the price, considering it’s a single DD, and considering it is Harman tuned, I have to say that the technical chops of the Cadenza are pretty darn nice.

Instruments​

Instrumentation like violin, flute etc. they all have good definition and sound full enough to pull off a realistic performance on most of my library. Cymbals and HI-Hats could use a bit more body, but they aren’t too recessed for my liking on most recordings.

I do have to admit that it isn’t the airiest and most boosted treble region, and I would certainly like more energy up top. That’s me though, I like a well extended treble, but also, I like my treble slightly boosted for a more open feeling. Also, the treble can come across a bit dry and thin at times. Still there is enough energy to form a good balance with the rest of the spectrum. I can easily see how many will love the smooth and easy-going sound of the Cadenza. I hear a mostly natural decline through the highs without any peaks or sibilance and at the end of the day I’m not missing much up top.

Technicalities​

Soundstage​

The soundstage is not one which I find to be very wide as I consider the width to be about average and right at my ears. I wouldn’t call it lacking though as nothing sounds overly congested, but width is not a highlight. Height is the same, about average to my ears, nothing I hear is super tall. I do hear some depth to my music which is nice and helps to give an account of the front to back instrumentation and vocals. We have to remember that this is a set of iems. You will not hear some ultra-expansive sound no matter the set you are listening with. It is all psycho-acoustic trickery and when all is said and done some iems manipulate our auditory cortex better than others.

The Cadenza stage size is not massive and while I don’t hear a stadium sized stage, I definitely do hear an appropriate stage to my musical library. The width, height and depth are well enough laid out to make perfect sense of the music the Cadenza is tasked with replaying. Like I said I don’t hear anything too congested and truthfully that is all I really need to hear.

Separation​

Separation isn’t the worst I’ve ever heard but it also is probably the Cadenza’s weak spot as far as technicalities are concerned. I would have thought that the beryllium driver and tuning would be nimble enough to etch out delineations between elements of the stage but really this is not a strong suit. I don’t want to dissuade anyone either as the Cadenza separates just fine when a track isn’t too chaotic. A lot depends on the recording you are listening to and the quality of the recording as well and I’m not talking about bit rate either. Most of my music I hear absolutely no issues, however, there are sets that handle complicated recordings better, even at a lower cost. I should add that so long as you aren’t critically listening you will likely never notice as the Cadenza does a lot well to make up for it.

Imaging ​

Imaging is spot on to me with any track I seem to throw at the Cadenza. Basically, I don’t hear anything which takes my attention away from my music and I intentionally listen to elements of a stage and positioning of those instruments and voices. Truthfully, imaging should be pretty good, on any set. I think we get this twisted more often than not. In fact, all technicalities are helped or derailed by many different factors. The iem itself is only one of those factors. As far as imaging goes on the Cadenza, compared to the competition, listening with my sources and my ears, I’d say the Cadenza does very well. Layering can be identified with good delineation of elements and textures are easily presented as well. All of these attributes help to aid the Cadenza in its overall prestige for a low-cost iem.

Details​

I’ve already laid this out a bit, but I will reiterate what I’ve basically said. No, the Cadenza is certainly not tuned to be a detailed marvel. You can find that in other sets which are actually tuned to be more proficient in the subtleties within a track. That said, the Cadenza do hold their own just fine. Thankfully Kiwi Ears put a nice driver inside a well carved cavity and created a set with a cleaner sound which is robust and pretty dynamic but also agile enough and resolute enough to pick up some fine details. You absolutely can find better, but with those other sets there is a big trade off in the form of musicality and dynamism. The Cadenza really does a nice job of being musical, not too dry and analytical while remaining clean enough to not lose information.

Comparisons​

QKZ X-HBB ($19)​

Talk about an over-achieving phenom, the X-HBB is just that. Priced at a ridiculous $19 this QKZ product quite literally is awesome. That is, if the tuning fits your preferences. Luckily, I only speak for myself, and I know myself pretty well by now. The X-HBB is another single DD with a 10mm Titanium-Coated Diaphragm and is tuned by none other than the Hawaiian Bad Boy himself, aka HBB from “Bad Guy Good Audio” YouTube fame. He did a helluva job on this set which gave so many who had no chance of affording a decently tuned set a shot at, well… A decently tuned set.

Differences ​

Both the Cadenza and the X-HBB are built extremely well, and both look very nice. There are some differences to note though. Starting at the bass region I do hear a much denser bass drop from the X-HBB, but I also hear a slightly cleaner bass region on the Cadenza. The Cadenza in comparison is slightly more pillowy but also has better separation and definition.

Both sets do not lack in the bass department but if quantity is your thing, then the less expensive set wins out. If a more natural and resolute sound is your bag, then the Cadenza wins out. I do think that the bass region is one of the highlights of the X-HBB and for me personally I really enjoy the depth and authority here. Not taking anything away from the Cadenza as I don’t feel anything lacking in its bass replay, I simply don’t hear the same presence as on the X-HBB.

Midrange​

The midrange of the X-HBB is moister with a more forward nature. Males on the X-HBB are thicker and fuller but also warmer and again they are less defined than on the Cadenza. The Cadenza come across more natural and truer to life. Moving onto female vocals, the Cadenza has a thinner sound, but also more of a detailed playback whereas the X-HBB come across more in your face and are simply drawn closer to the listener. This completely goes against what a graph comparison will tell you as the rise in the upper midrange shows the Cadenza a few decibels greater around 3k. However, to my ear I don’t hear that.

Treble​

The treble region has a more technical and drier playback listening with the Cadenza while the X-HBB has a bit more energy and extension. The Cadenza has less in body but is better at illuminating details and is almost more refined in overall texture and definition. For me I like the X-HBB’s body and note weight a bit better as less info is attenuated up top, but the Cadenza does sound a bit cleaner and technical.

Preference battle​

There is a definite preference battle going on here. The X-HBB represents a more dynamic sound with bigger bass and just more aggressive overall. The Cadenza has the mature tuning of the two and while it is still dynamic in its own right, in comparison it is dialed back a bit while also being much better technically speaking. Still, the X-HBB is more robust with thicker note weight throughout.

Reecho SG-01 Ova ($40-$45)​

I love this set. Reecho added the SG-01 Ova to the market earlier in 2022 without any huge applause, as the Ova was mostly relegated to the few Reecho fanboys out there and some Facebook postings. There wasn’t any hype train either. Which is odd to me because if any set deserved at least some minimal praise, I do believe that the Ova is one of those sets.

The SG-01 Ova is part of Reecho’s Star Gate series and followed the success of the OG SG-01 which reviewed extremely well. As for the Ova, it too received nice praise from those who actually reviewed it and in my opinion is a proper side grade or a different take to the OG. I really wanted to review this set, but I simply have not had time. You can read Mahir’s review of the Ova here. I only added the Ova because I think it presents a good contrast in tuning from the Cadenza.

The Ova incorporates a 7-micron Graphene Composite 10mm single Dynamic Driver using N52 Magnets. The sound is an energetic W-shape with a cooler tonality and more of a mid-centric type of sound yet with a nice bass region and well extended treble. Like I said, I really enjoy the energy of the Ova and adore the look of this set. Really, a very well made and well-tuned iem that could easily find it’s spot somewhere on many ‘best under $50’ lists.

Differences​

I hear a cooler and closer to neutral tonal character from the Ova, but overall balance is better on the Cadenza…for the most part. The Ova is simply more energetic and alive. I picture a downed electric line just sparking and sputtering against everything it touches when I think of the Ova. Forgive me if that makes no sense to you. The Cadenza is easier, smoother and better proportionally weighted across the spectrum to my ears. Does that make it better? Who knows, I’d say it’s another matter of preference.

Bass Region​

Between these two, the Ova is the more V-shaped set with less of a sub-bass emphasis than you will find on the Cadenza. Not by much though. The Ova is snappier in attack with more of a crisp edge to notes yet similar in the speed of decay. Slam is also more present on the Ova coming from the mid-bass region with similar definition but more of a robust boom. I would say that the transient speed goes to the Cadenza which also provides the more detailed bass region of the two. Two different styles which offer slightly different flavors, and both do well in the price point.

Midrange​

The lower mids show male vocals fuller on the Ova and more forward with a thicker weight to baritone and tenor. The Cadenza sounds very nice and in control yet are a bit thinner but also somehow more stabilized and structured. The Ova is more aggressive and dynamic but also have slightly worse resolution and tiny fuzzy particles at note definition. Again, two different styles that both replay well at the price they are at.

Female vocals have a much greater chance at shoutiness on the Ova. There are some tracks which beg me to turn the volume down. This is not a constant and really, it’s a give and take situation listening to the Ova. I love the energy but sometimes a loud soprano will cause some glare as well as certain instruments. The Cadenza has more of a controlled energy with slight shimmer verses the Ova’s shimmery energy with periodic shout. Like I said it a give and take as well as a preference battle.

Treble​

The treble of the Ova extends outward a bit better with sharper notes and still better weight and body to those notes. The plus on the Cadenza is the more disciplined sound up top. Not better but possibly more composed. Also, I think the Cadenza has the more natural treble tuning with a much more authentic rise and decline through the treble. However, details are drawn to the surface a hair better on the Ova possibly out of sheer boost in the presence and air regions but that is only by a hair, and also that is very easily debatable. The Ova is simply more energetic in its treble to the more reserved and tolerable Cadenza and sound a bit further extended and airy.

I really like these two iems and both come in at similar prices. I do think that the Cadenza is the more tolerable set over long periods. The Ova is nice in shorter bursts and can give me that electric energy that I crave sometimes. I feel the Ova are sharper and crisper in overall delivery but also looser in control. The Cadenza are calmer and more guarded while still sounding pretty dynamic and fun. The Cadenza are more of an all-rounder type iem which can handle more genres and if I was a betting man, I would think more people would go for it over the energetic Ova. For me it is a toss-up between the two. I like em’ both for different purposes and situations and have them both very high on my own ‘best under $50’ list.

Is the Cadenza worth the asking price?​

The all-important question is, is the Cadenza worth the price. In this case, to me, this is almost a silly question. The Cadenza is tuned very well and performs very well, they are beautiful and built very well… my answer is a resounding yes! In fact, this is one of the rare times I’d say for certain that the iem I’m reviewing punches above its price. 100% yes!

Now, competition is so damn stiff anymore and companies are really creating some great sets at EVERY PRICE POINT! Also, yes there are some cons here but at $35 a minor con is much easier to stomach than say a $200 set. Still, in my opinion, for my tastes, listening to my library, on my gear, and tuned to my liking, with a look that I like, and considering the price they are asking… I can’t help but to give a definitive yes to this question. Well done Kiwi Ears!

Conclusion​

To finish up my review and comparison of the Kiwi Ears Cadenza I would like to give Kiwi Ears themselves a round of applause. I personally feel that the Cadenza is a bona-fide no-brainier of a budget iem. At times I cannot believe that I am listening to such a low-cost iem and I really mean that. The audio hobby has surpassed previous years by leaps and bounds and the Cadenza is the beneficiary of such advances. I’m talking from the beautiful design, coloration, build and fit, to the tuning and overall sound quality…the Cadenza really does outclass many iems at or around the price point.

A fine set at any price​

I try to hide my true feelings a bit as I review but the ‘conclusion area’ is mine to speak on my true feelings from my perspective. I can find an issue with every set that I review, no matter the cost. After all, such is life. Nothing is perfect but my Creator. Still, every now and again something special comes along and breaks apart old paradigms and lately we have seen an overabundance of iems and audio gear which decimates those old archetypes. I’m happy about it to be perfectly honest.

Never would I want to be considered a hype-boy as there are certainly things I would change about the Cadenza, just like any iem out there but if I’m looking at the big picture it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep composure. I say it all the time, I’m simply a big kid and I’m talking about my toys. I don’t consider myself an expert, thankfully, what an odd thing to be an expert of. Something so subjective is this audio hobby that even objectivity is littered in our subjective opinions no matter how hard we try to convince you otherwise. Sure, technicalities are easier to objectively rate and discern but at some point, even those fall victim to the child within us. I type all that to simply say the Kiwi Ears Cadenza is a fine set at the price.

Thank you​

Well, that is it. Please take my advice and listen to, watch or read other views and perspectives. I say it in every review for good reason. Audio gear can be expensive, and the great majority of audio hobbyists are not made of money. It is wise to hear more than one opinion. We all have different likes and dislikes, gear, hearing as well as different audio journeys which shape and mold our opinions. Please take in other thoughts. With that I want to say thank you to anyone who chose to read my thoughts. Please take good care and stay safe as best you can.

The Kiwi Ears Cadenza is capable of outperforming other IEMs in its price range. It has the potential to scale when paired with a powerful source or at the very least a good DAC.

I recommend using wide bore eartips because it may sound narrow without them. Cable rolling is also optional because the stock cable is boring but reasonable for the price. The disadvantages of this IEM are minor, and I believe the Kiwi Ears Cadenza is worth adding to your collection.