KIWI EARS Melody

General/Build/Comfort/Packaging
This is my 5th Kiwi Ears and so far i liked most of them. Let’s see how Melody stack up against others. Most should be quite familiar with Kiwi Ears now. Melody sports a 12mm planar driver within it. Overall build quality is alright in my opinion, my unit doesn’t seem to have a very good finish, the shell is matte and looks classy and premium (personal opinion and its subjective). The packaging is in fact rather similar across most Kiwi Ears products, the IEM itself, a storage case, cable and 6 pairs of silicone eartips. In terms of comfort, i have been listening to it for a long session of approximately 3-4 hours and I did not feel any discomfort at all.

Gears used for this review

• Fiio Q15
• Earmen Angel
• iFi Hip Dac 3
• Macbook Air M2
• Kiwi Ears Melody Stock Cable and Final Type E Eartips

Foreword
My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far

Sound Impression
Melody’s tonality is leaning towards slight V shaped and a little energetic for some, there’s a hint of planar timbre but other than that, in terms of price performance ratio, it is really good. If you’re sensitive to the highs, tip rolling will help, Final Type E can help to tame the treble.

Bass

• Sub bass does rumble but it doesn’t go that deep to bass head territory, sufficient to add “fun” to overall listening experience
• Mid bass is punchy and has good body to it overall, speed is rather good
• Thankfully, the bass doesn’t bleed into the mids
• On certain tracks, the bass can be really fun, such as some low fi music or EDM, but on certain tracks, it can be slightly overwhelming, depending on your personal preferences, occasionally, i do find it quite fun and i enjoy it

Mids

• Mids are not recessed but not too forward either
• Vocal has good enough texture and body for both male and female
• Female vocal somehow sounded a little bit more energetic due to slight lift from the upper mids, but never shouty
• Male vocal sounded full and never thin
• The mids are not thin sounding nor has a very good body overall, somewhere in between

Treble

• The treble based on my listening impression, does have quite an energetic profile, with sufficient air and sparkles
• They do have quite an energetic profile, but they’re never harsh nor sibilant, but personally, i am a little sensitive hence i’m using it with Final Type E eartips to bring down the treble a little and it is perfect for me

Imaging/Soundstage

• Imaging is good as instruments can be pinpointed easily
• Soundstage is good for the price, it is wide and have good depth to it, lacking height to contribute to overall in terms of sounding big, nonetheless, considered very good given the asking price

Driveability

• Melody does requires a bit of power to sound good, pairing it with a weaker source will make it sound quite harsh and bass aren’t that controlled
• Tried using it with Apple’s dongle and sure, it does sound loud but it is lacking in terms of dynamics, bass control and treble response as well
• At the very least, a budget/mid tiered dongle such as Fiio’s KA13 will be able to drive Melody without any hiccups

Final Thoughts
I have to admit, the out of the box listening impression is rather bad for me in terms of the highs, but I have decided to burn in the Melody for about 20 hours +- and it does tone down a little, the bass is also tighter and slightly better in terms of control. If you like a bit of fun or looking to get your first planar IEM without breaking the bank, get the Melody!
Kiwi Ears certainly hit the right spot in terms of their releases, with this planar offering from the brand, they’re set to capture more audiophiles to the brand.

Kiwi Ears Melody was sent over by Linsoul for this review. I thank them for the opportunity as always.

Head over to the store if you are interested in getting one:
Kiwi Ears Melody - Non affiliated

Introduction

In a short time, I'm already on my third Kiwi Ears IEMS review from the brand based in Ireland and Manchester, but manufactured in China. It's the turn of the Kiwi Ears Melody, the first model with a single planar driver. In this case, its size is 12mm, a far cry from the classic 14.5mm. According to the brand itself, this new model offers the same fast response and high audio resolution as high-end headphones. Its frequency range extends from 5Hz to 40kHz. This new Melody model has been designed for bass enthusiasts, although its emphasis is on full-bodied mid-bass. The mid-highs are smooth, as are the highs. On the other hand, with an impedance of just 18Ω and a sensitivity of 102dB, the Melody is relatively easy to move and is as widely used as more traditional IEMS. As is usual with the best IEMS, the cable is detachable and uses the 2Pin 0.78mm interface. Let's take a look at what Kiwi Ears has to offer with the Melody.



Specifications

• Driver Type: 12mm Planar.
• Frequency Response: 5HZ-40KHz
• Sensitivity: 102dB(at 1KHz/mW)
• Impedance: 18 ohms
• THD: < 0.5% (at 1KHz)
• Jack Connector: SE 3.5 gold plated.
• Capsule Connection Type: 2Pin 0.78mm
• Price: $89

Packaging

The Kiwi Ears Melody come in a small black box with white lettering. Its dimensions are 83x116x32mm. The main side features the brand logo on the top left, the slogan on the top right, an actual image of the capsules in the centre and the model name and driver used on the bottom right. The back is practically empty. At the top are the logos of the certifications it holds. In the centre is the model name, with each syllable on a different line. Underneath are the brand's contact details. After removing the outer cellophane, the cardboard is pulled upwards, revealing a black box with the brand logo in the centre, written in silver holographic ink. After lifting the lid, the two capsules are revealed inside a first layer of foam covered with black cardboard. Underneath this layer is the cable, the tips and a small user manual. The complete contents are as follows:

• Kiwi Ears Melody capsules.
• One four-strand copper cable with 2Pin 0.78mm interface and SE plug.
• One set of narrow core grey silicone tips, sizes SxMxL.
• One set of wider core black silicone tips, sizes SxMxL.
• One instruction manual.

There is no carrying bag, let alone a zippered case. Very poor accessories for the price of the product.



Construction and Design

To be honest, the construction of the Kiwi Ears Melody is surprising. Behind a classic, slightly semi-custom, but more rounded shape, the outer face has a triangular silhouette with very rounded corners and sides. On it is a dark grey metal plate with the brand logo in white ink. The 2Pin 0.78mm connection interface is on the edge, recessed in the capsule. It is an oval base that lies on the surface of the capsule with gold-plated connections. Nearby there is a small hole and there is another one at the foot of the nozzles. But, the most striking thing about the construction seems to be that they have been manufactured using 3D printing and that the finishing has been done by hand with sandpaper. On the surface you can see the lines from the sanding. As I say, it looks like the entire inside face is made of the same dark, almost black, resinous material. The inner shape is smooth, rounded, with a small step at the far edge of the mouthpiece and a small valley in the middle, to favour ergonomics. These integral mouthpieces are not very long and have two diameters, one narrower at the base, 5.4mm and the crown of the mouthpiece 6.1mm. Both are protected by a dense metal grille.
The cable consists of four strands of clear PVC coated copper. The connector is a gold-plated 3.5mm SE connector. Its sleeve is a regular black metal cylinder, with a circle inscribed near the jack and two near the cable exit. The splitter piece is a cylinder of the same style but shorter, with two circles inscribed near the cable inlet and outlet. The pin is a black metal disc with two through holes that performs its function relatively well, passable I might say. There are two semi-rigid, transparent over-ear guides. While the sleeves of the 2Pin 0.78mm connectors are two black metal cylinders. This time the two inscribed circles are near the cable entry. The two pins are gold plated and come out of a rectangular base of red plastic for the right channel and translucent white plastic for the left channel. A small blue dot indicates the polarity. The cable is not very stiff, nor is it very thick. For my judgement, I would have used a silver cable to enhance the transparency and warmth of the set. However, the quality of the cable is sufficient to avoid having to change it, unless you are looking for a balanced connection.
On the other hand, the capsules have a somewhat peculiar construction, with a subtly sloppy handmade finish. It gives the impression that a low-cost manufacture has been chosen, where the most expensive part seems to be the driver used.



Adjustment and Ergonomics

From the type of construction one might think that low cost has been a priority. But there is also a good design that offers a great fit and ergonomics. The weight is very light and the inner side is curved and smooth enough to fit gracefully into the pinna. Yes, the design is not trivial at all and you can feel that when you fit the capsules in your ears. The fit is immediate, without rotation, the angle of the nozzles is precise, there is hardly any friction with any external parts and the fit is shallow but quite occlusive, if the corresponding tips are used. The result is an excellent level of ergonomics, minimal weight and a durable, very pleasant fit. The over-ear cable is unobtrusive and the level of microphony is non-existent. Overall, this section scores very high, excellent. So don't get carried away with the level of finish of the capsule until you've assessed its motivation. And I think this is to reduce the cost a lot, but without giving up great ergonomics.



Sound

Profile

The Kiwik Ears Melody's profile is close to a tiny V, with one peak in the mid-bass and another at 2.5kHz. There is a good balance, the whole graph moves in a 10dB range, so the peaks are smooth. The bass is not as punchy as the brand claims in its introduction and I don't think it reaches a Bass-Head level in terms of energy, although the tuning in the lower range is boosted and rounded. On the other hand, the mids are quite present and the central dip is relatively slight, with a gradual but not very pronounced rise towards 2.5kHz. Then, deliberately, there is again a subtle drop in the treble, seeking to iron out the energy demonstrated in previous planar IEMS. The result is a bass-boosted profile, slightly warm, with a spike in transparency/clarity and softness in the high end, but with great extension.



Bass

Kiwi Ears say in the introduction to this Melody model that they have moved away from the tonal balance that characterises their other models, to demonstrate that you can produce powerful bass with a planar driver. Well, from my experience with planar IEMS, I have never doubted the power of their bass. But I don't think the Melody is the model with the most bass either. It is perhaps worth noting that it has a fair amount of mid-bass, something that is not characteristic of other planar IEMS, which seek a greater emphasis on sub-bass. However, the Melody suffers in this respect. Starting from the very low frequency pure tone test, at the low end, the first audible note at 20Hz has very little presence and punch. Its rumble is small but there is a mixture of darkness and faintly coloured BA-style sonority. The notes become more audible but with an average behaviour in that aspect, until the 40hz barrier is reached. It is here that the naturalness returns and the demonstration of power begins. But, all in all, in this test I miss a more sensory perception of the bass and a behaviour more similar to the dynamic drivers, apart from a more extreme tuning. However, the actual performance improves, as usual. But not in terms of punch or energy level. It is true that the bass is predominant, but it is not an overwhelming power that fills my ears. I find a relatively docile bass, with good punch, albeit with a medium body and a physical level that doesn't surpass the rest of its rivals. Yes, there is a tuning that lengthens the mid-bass, something that rounds out the area and makes it bigger, but not more powerful or punchy. So, for my judgement, these are not fully bass-heavy IEMS, but they are bassy. And certainly dark. I think the nuance that these Melody's have over other IEMS is more in the behaviour of the three bands, rather than just the lower range. In terms of behaviour, the Melody presents a smooth texture, with a slight roughness, rounded like its bass curve. The punch is compact, dry and controlled, I don't find it to be excessive, nor loaded with physical power. It is rather wide, but it suffers from a certain sensory corpulence at the audible limit that it compensates for with a certain degree of pleasant darkness. Its technical behaviour is quite adequate, it has the speed of the planars, smoother on the surface, perhaps even drier and with a slight decay. It is true that it does not behave the same as the other planars and I think the smaller size of the driver has something to say, in relation to the amount of power, viscerality, physicality and density of the bass response. All of these characteristics are minor. Kiwi Ears have wanted to fill the bass with a more mid-bass focused tuning, lengthening and rounding out the lower range. But on the physical side it doesn't reach the level of the other 14.5mm planars. Is this a bad thing? Not at all. There is a different colour, a technical ability that is agile and dynamic, but a behaviour that feels a little more forced on the timbre side and in the response to the lower frequencies, which makes it lose some realism and naturalness, as well as depth. Perhaps I am being a little harsh with the lower range of the Melody. I would say, rather strict.



Mids

One thing you feel as soon as you try the Melody is that it is a soft tuning. In this way, the mids are presented with a certain warmth, coming from both the low end and its restraint in the high end. The result is a nuanced midrange, which drags a faint darkness from that lack of sparkle and brightness. However, they get an analogue nuance that makes them pleasant and musical, very suitable for long listening.
The low-mids are relatively sunken, but to a lesser degree than expected. The male vocals are not foregrounded, but they do enjoy a broader physical level that completes their staging, filling a larger space and giving them a kind of distinctive, though not close, presence. In this way a potential balance between distance and width is achieved that favours both the instrumentation of this first part and the male voices. It is in this way that a sense of body prevails over a closer presence, in a way that enriches the mids to sweetly fatten them.
On the other hand, the excitement in the upper-mids does not clash with this mellow sensation. However, it is not enough to provide a perception of transparency or high clarity. Its incidence is rather fair and proportionate, it doesn't push away the darkness, but it doesn't bring a pronounced brightness. In this way, the female voices do not feel much more elevated over the male ones, but present a certain homogeneity and parallel behaviour. They are a step closer, they also have a good base, but it is the more accentuated harmonics that raise their prominence, as well as a more visible detail.
As a whole, the mids are not very dense. The Melody doesn't have that wall-of-sound feel that characterises the S12s. Their staging is lighter, less heavy. The softness in the top end can add a certain sense of opacity between notes. But I think it's really about the planar homogeneity that keeps the gaps small and the sound full, complete, cohesive, but without feeling as tight as the competition. Perhaps this lightness gives them a degree of freedom that makes them more emotional and enjoyable.



Treble

After what could be called the first wave of planar IEMS, all brands have taken note of the treble response offered by this technology. Undoubtedly, planar treble is extended and energetic without the need to create peaks. Their linearity makes them very full, but matching the response expands their power and this seems to become fatiguing. The new planars seem to be trying to cut back on this aspect and the Melody's are noticeable in this way. So it is that the treble is smooth, controlled and extended, with a great sense of air. They are not characterised by a crisp or piercing sparkle, their expressiveness is restrained, though very well distributed. Perhaps it lacks a little more delicacy, finesse, thinness, bringing more incisive detail and allowing it to be more minuscule, with the intention of extolling micro elements, but this is not the case. Thus, although the harmonics are quite full, their enhancement is limited to technical and descriptive skill, which is not very high. These are not analytical IEMS and this lack of finesse makes them present treble and detail in a more rounded way.



Soundstage, Separation

The presentation of the stage is predominantly frontal, with good width and height, but without being very special in depth. There is a good stereo feel, offering good laterality, especially in the bass. The stage does not feel congested, although it is not particularly spacious, nor is it separated. There is not much three-dimensionality, nor much vapour or ethereal feeling, although there is a good amount of air that provides some transparency and distance between elements, but without discernible background clarity.
On a technical level it is not very critical and micro detail feels under-represented, especially in the middle area. It is also not very skilful at rendering layers and appears uniform and homogeneous in this respect. It does a relatively good job of rendering the image, but without much effort to place the elements accurately. I don't find it particularly resolute, analytical or detailed, remaining at a simplistic macro level.



Comparisons

Tripowin x HBB Kailua

The Tripowin x HBB Kailua are IEMS that cost $10 less than the Kiwi Ears Melody. They use two dynamic drivers (10mm and 6mm) and have a very similar frequency response to the Melody. They are very small and have a very slim oval shape, but I find the ergonomics a little awkward for my ears and finding suitable tips has been problematic. In that respect, the Melody is much better, although the finish of the resin used for their construction is not superior, while the Kailua is metallic and has a very nice surface texture. Another thing is the design, while the special shape of the Kailua seems distinctive, I'll stick with a more traditional shape, even less flashy, but much more effective, even though they are bigger. I also prefer the Melody's wire to the stiffer, thinner silver-plated wire of the Kailua.
In terms of sensitivity, the Kailua moves more easily than the Melody, which requires more power to match the volume.
According to the FR, the two are similar, but the Kailua are brighter, compared to the dull, dark and nuanced Melody. Even the detail and level of transparency is more evident in the Kailua.
In the low end, starting with the sub-bass, the Kailua's behave more realistically, sounding more natural in the pure tone test and also with music. The punch is more concise, tighter and drier, being more agile and faster than the Melody. The result is a more skilful low end, with better layering and stratification. The Melody's bass is distinctly darker, slightly thicker, a little more rubbery and rounded. Neither stands out for its texture, while the volume occupied is higher in the Melody.
In the middle zone, the greater luminosity and expressiveness of the Kailua brings more sparkle and life than in the Melody. The difference is greater than is apparent in the FR. There is a clear difference in the amount of brightness in the mids. The Melody comes across as more matted, darker, with less dynamics and less distance between elements, offering a more cohesive, even, warm and muted sound. It is clear that the Kiwi is more relaxed, but I miss the lightness of the Kailua and that slightly more explicit and descriptive sound. These aspects improve the visibility of details, they are more eye-catching, even the micro detail is more perceptible, without being analytical or very resolute. But they are clearly better than the Melody.
The highs of the Kailua are more natural to my ears, offering a sonority more in keeping with my habits. They also have more sparkle, brilliance and projection. The high notes are thinner and crisper, compared to the nuanced, flatter and softer notes of the Melody. Timbre-wise, the Kailua's are more accurate, while the Melody's are more muted, but also more confident, compared to a Kailua that, by comparison, can seem a little more undisciplined in the high end.
The Kailua has better separation, more distance between elements, more transparency and the background is more discernible, the notes are thinner and the details more visible, even at the micro level. The positioning of the elements is more precise and concise in the Kailua, while its scene appears wider and more volatile, it has a greater sense of movement and dynamics, not as flat and homogeneous as in the Melody. Clearly, the soundstage is wider in the Melody, but only in width, as the cohesion of its sound makes the music more unified and together, tight in depth and with less transparency.



Conclusion

The Kiwi Ears Melody is a commendable choice for making more affordable planar IEMS, using a smaller driver and very comfortable 3D printed capsules. They have excellent ergonomics and weigh very little. The fit is outstanding and the comfort lasts for hours. They have been tuned for powerful bass, although the result is that they focus more on the low-mid range. Tuning is smooth, cohesive, musical, warm, but also somewhat dark and nuanced. The treble is extended but too flat and controlled. It has a timbre with an analogue tendency, resting in its high notes. It is not characterised by a detailed sound, nor too resolute, but it has body in the mids, something that favours the voices, recreating them fuller and more physical. On the other hand, the bass is not as heavy as it might seem and is respectful with the rest of the range. Without a doubt, these are IEMS for those who are looking for secure treble but with good extension, as well as those characteristics that only planar drivers can provide.



Sources Used During the Analysis

• Aune Yuki.
• Aune M1p.
• Hidizs S9 Pro Plus Martha.
• Burson Audio Playmate II.
• Fiio R7.

Purchase Link



You can read the full review in Spanish here

Intro​

Disclaimer: The Kiwi Ears Melody was provided to us at no charge courtesy of Linsoul. However, this was done in understanding I was to give my honest thoughts and opinions of the Melody. For more of our reviews, visit perrivanaudio.com

The Kiwi Ears Melody is the company’s first planar earphones. Kiwi Ears also mentioned that tuning-wise, the Melody is quite deviant. Straying away from “the normally neutral tonal balance” in their other IEMs, the Melody was declared to be “truly a bass lover’s dream”. It seems like the mission they had with the Melody was to push the Planar driver to deliver the maximum quality and quantity it could at the reasonable price point of US$90. Without further ado, let’s dive right in.

Accessories​

This time from Kiwi Ears, you won’t be getting any cases or pouches. However, the cable is a nice 4-wire braided cable with thick cores. That is pretty much it besides the standard silicone tips.

Build Quality and Fit​

For a relatively budget set, the build quality is quite decent with a metallic faceplate and a resin shell. The design is very bland and understated but it’s not something I would pick on. The simple design of the shell helps give it a predictable and comfortable fit as well. The nozzle is a little on the short side so for a deeper snug fit you might want to opt for your own eartips with longer and firmer stems.

Sound​

Sources

• Lotoo Paw S2
• Fiio BTR7
• SMSL M200 – Schiit Magnius

Bass

The standout of the Melody has got to be the bass. It’s a very interesting approach to a planar earphone considering my experiences with the Timeless. The bass on the Melody is thick, deep, and unashamedly boosted. There is quite a significant amount of rumble as well. The detail is also being delivered as much as possible, and generally not considered muddy (for its price). Bass lines are rather well defined and satisfying to be able to hear a new take on some of the songs in my library.

Mids

The mids are a little suppressed and pushed back in the overall sound signature. The vocals sound okay but have little character or texture. The mids certainly aren’t the star of the show. Details from the midrange melodies still manage to come through quite well and the Melody is technically competent to handle complicated mids. If you are looking for an earphone to do more in the upper mids or mid-focused then perhaps you might need to look elsewhere, for example, maybe something like the 7Hz Sonus.

Treble

The treble is present and extends well, though I would say it plays very well into the sound to not give off any hint of sibilance, harshness or thinness. This helps build a tuning that bass lovers would be able to listen to for hours on end. There is enough sparkle in the highs, that come through in the cymbals and high hats for the sound to not be too dull.

Overall

One of my bigger gripes of the melody would be the tonality and timbre of the sound. Due to the bass-boosted tuning, it definitely is not the most natural-sounding pair of earphones. The weighed-down mids were quite a bit of a disappointment for me as well, though this may very well be an issue of personal preference. Detail retrieval is on par with what one would expect at this price range.

Conclusion​

I was quite intrigued with what Kiwi Ears Melody would do with their first Planar earphone, and with my previous experiences with Planar earphones, I must admit I was taken by surprise. The tuning of the Melody was certainly not what I was expecting. It took me a while to get used to it and to enjoy its charms. All things considered, I would say don’t come into the Melody thinking you want a planar earphone.

Objectively, I wouldn’t say the Melody would be a good recommendation for everyone as it seems to cater to certain preferences, and its other aspects like detail retrieval, soundstage, and tonality aren’t stellar enough for it to compete at such a saturated price point. The Melody is a niche take on the planar driver and for under $90, it does quite a good job at delivering value for the basshead or bass lovers, for whom there may not be that many other options currently that deliver good quality and detail.

"Music is the melody whose text is the world"

~~Arthur Schopenhauer, German Philosopher during Romantic Period, Author of "Die Welt als Wille und Vorstellung". (The World As Will and Representation)



Kiwi Ears recently released a lot of models and all of them have diverse driver configuration from single dynamic drivers up to quad drivers set-up. And now, they are now releasing an IEM with planar magnetic driver and they are really eager to introduce it in an even more competitive audio market.



This is Kiwi Ears Melody, Kiwi Ears' first IEM with planar magnetic driver. Planar magnetic drivers in a small form factor became readily available and many audio companies are taking its potential performance and implementing it with their products. Planar magnetics have different principles compared to dynamic drivers and balanced armature drivers, it is a magnet that is suspended in a thin flat diaphragm with some wires embedded on it and it will react responsively via electromagnetic signals which makes it even more sensitive compared to traditional dynamic drivers. Planar magnetics drivers are known to have a consistent motion and agility that gives them a faster transient response and even more precise sound.



The planar magnetic that was implemented on Kiwi Ears Melody is 12mm of a diameter which makes it one of the smallest sizes in this type of driver. The drivers were encased in a medium-sized UIEM-shaped composite shell structure consisting of 3D-moulded acrylic resin on its cavity base and a metal alloy material alloy on its faceplate. The faceplate has a Kiwi Ears logo printed on it and I find it appropriate and fits well on its overall aesthetics. Like all Kiwi Ears products, Kiwi Ears Melody uses a 0.78mm 2-pin connector as it is more logical and proven to be more stable.




Fitting and comfort of this set is excellent as it rests well into my lug holes and gives me a good passive noise isolation due to its good sealing that blocks some unwarranted external noises from the outside surroundings. I can certainly wear them during long listening sessions and even during my daily physical activities.



The stock cable of Kiwi Ears Melody is of 4-core oxygen free copper wirings that were braided to ensure durability and better signal output. On its end, it has a 3.5mm termination plug that was gold-plated for better conductivity and resistant to corrosion.



The product packaging of Kiwi Ears Melody appears to be elementary and minimalist with basic inclusions inside of its small packaging box.



Here are the following contents inside the box:

■ Pair of Kiwi Ears Melody IEMs
■ Stock cable
■ 3 pairs of balanced bore ear tips in different standard sizes.
■ 3 pairs of wide bore ear tips in different standard sizes.
■ Instruction manual



Regarding its power scaling and amplification, it is given that planar magnetic drivers need more powerful output from its sources to generate more electromagnetic signals to its transducers and this set appears to be in that case too. But once this set is amplified properly, it delivers a more dynamic and full range sound that benefited from the performance of its driver.



To determine its tonality, Kiwi Ears Melody has a V-shaped sound signature which is quite warm sounding for a planar set which is quite uncommon.




LOWS/BASS:

This is the most prominent part of this set's frequency range. It is unusual to encounter a planar bass which sounds quite authoritative, borderline boomy and impactful bass response. In my lugholes, this is definitely a mid-bass focus bass response as it has a quantity of texture on it to give more body on certain instruments and vocals. I even thought this one sounds like inbetween good quality dynamic driver and vented Sonion subwoofer balanced armatures that I have in my collection.

There's a decent sub-bass presence as I was able to felt some grumbling and reverberation from instruments in some genres like old school hip-hop, RnB and synth-pop. These sub-bass focused instruments like low tone bass guitar, synthesisers, drum machines..you name it. As I aforementioned regarding of its mid-bass quantity, it definitely gives more volume and texture on some instruments and male vocals, particularly bass to bass-baritone ones. Bass kick drums have a full, thunderous and pounding sound to give more authority and tactility, while bass guitars have a weighty and mighty sound on how it roars and growls, and cellos have a thick and dark sound on every motion of its bow string or plucking. Bass and bass-baritone vocals sound quite deep with dark tones on them to have a guttural, resonating and voluminous sound as I enjoy listening to Andrew Eldritch, Bryn Terfel, Louis Armstrong, Barry White and Peter Steele.


MIDRANGE:

The midrange is definitely recessed on its presentation on the overall frequency spectrum. But despite its recession, it has a warmth and well-bodied texture to give an even more broadness and density on its note weight on vocals and instruments but there are some caveats on which I will expound later.

This type of tuning will give more emphasis and definition on vocals mostly baritones, some tenors and contraltos but on some tenors, countertenors, mezzo-sopranos and sopranos, they might sound less expessive and less energetic as there are some instances that they sound lethargic and a tad dull in my liking. On baritones, it appears that it favours more on Kavalier baritone, Verdi and dramatic ones as they sound steely, richer and fuller respectively. Light and lyric baritones appear to have too warm, a tad less mellow and too rich sounding on its intended tonal colour. As for tenors, it seems that spinto, robusto, dramatic and heldentenor types fares better on how this set was tuned for them as their voices have more weight, ringing, rich and deep sound while on higher pitch tenor vocals like lyric and leggero sounds too warm and less brighter that it sounds less spicy, hefty and dazzling. Contraltos sounds very prominent on this one and somehow natural albeit there are some instances they might sound too exaggerated on their intended timbre and tonality as they have a distinctive husky, rich and lush sound. Countertenors, mezzo-sopranos and sopranos will sound less engaging and bright sounding as countertenors and mezzo-sopranos have less tender, too velvety and too "coppery" sounding that these vocal types should sound lighter, less warmer, sensitive and smooth as their vocal characteristics intended to sound like. Then on the sopranos, they have less brighter, quite monotone and less gleaming sounding as if that they have almost the same range and pitch with mezzo-sopranos which shouldn't sound like that. Despite this shortcoming on correlation of its tuning and its effects on its timbre quality, we will still be able to enjoy them as they sound fruity and luscious to our ears.

When it comes to instruments, it looks that brasses and most percussives will sound more natural and on The Melody than strings and woodwinds which I will describe later on. On brasses, all of them have substantial darker timbre for a planar set as the trumpets have full and warm sound while horns have full and resounding yet occasionally it has this ponderous tone that lingers, and then on trombones, they have these rounded, brassy and solid sound. In regards of percussive instruments particularly snares, toms, field drums and kettledrums, there's a hardness and sharpness on sound of snares, tom-tom drums have warm, full and resonant sound, field drums have booming and sonorous sound on them, and last but not least, kettledrums have a deep and substantial sound from them. Pianos have a rather a tad warm and richer tone that sounds akin to German antique pianos. On string instruments, guitars have a rather warmer and buttery sound while violins have less vibrant sound as they have this solemn and lustrous sound. As for woodwinds, concert flutes have rich and mellow sound, piccolos have graceful sound on them, clarinets have sonorous and warm while the saxophones have sombre and forceful sound.


HIGHS/TREBLE:

Due to the prominent and more emphasis on the low frequencies, it appears that it balanced out the peaks on upper-mids up to the presence part of the treble region that the treble response appears to have a smooth and quite well-balanced while maintaining a sparkling and airy treble extension. Sibilance are well-controlled and harshness is nigh to impossible on how this set was tuned. That emphasis on the upper-mids will give more precise attack on instruments particularly on percussive ones and a bit of vocal articulation.

Cymbals have a full and resonant sound with a good amount of sizzle while hi-hats have a correct timbre as it has a shortened buzzing sound. Glockenspiel have some lustrous with a hint of glistening sound, and celestas have a sweet and velvety sound on them.


SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

Its overall sound/speaker stage proportion appears to be above-average as it has a fairly wide span on its vertical axis, has a sufficient height reach and incredibly immersive depth which gives me a rather moderately spacious headroom within my aural sphere.

Its imaging projects an ambient 3D-like stereo presentation where I was able to pinpoint decently the positioning on instruments and vocals on its sound field. It has good separation of instruments and vocals with well-defined arrangement of frequency and tonal layers which makes them able to play the most complex tracks without being congested or disorganised sounding at all.

Coherency of its planar magnetic driver is quite excellent as it was able to perform a fast transient response with good control on decay. It also has a commendable resolution capability as it has a solid macro-dynamics with good micro-detailing as it was able to extract some details and nuances like note ends and notation attacks from an audio track.


PEER COMPARISONS:

KEFINE KLANAR

■ This set is somewhat a competitor of Kiwi Ears Melody as both sets were also released at the same time. Klanar has a larger planar magnetic driver and it was encapsulated in an aluminium alloy shell chassis and surprisingly it has a smaller form factor. And also, Klanar has storage case while the Melody doesn't have one.

■ Both sets have similar tuning as Klanar also takes a V-shaped sound signature albeit its sounds a bit more balanced than the Melody. It has a more balanced bass response as sub-bass is more present and a rather ample mid bass. Midrange is definitively recessed on this one but somehow, it has fairly balanced texture and apparently has a more transparent sounding. Treble response of both sets are quite similar but the upper-mids of Klanar is quite more emphasised. On technical capabilities, both sets are similar on soundstage, imaging, layering and coherency performance. On resolution aspect, Klanar has a tad less solid macro-dynamics but it has more sharper micro-detail retrieval compared to the Melody. Klanar is a bit more easier to drive though for a planar set.




KZ PR1 (Standard/Balanced variant)

■ KZ's first foray on planar magnetic IEM and was considered as the cheapest planar IEM in the market. It uses a smaller planar magnetic driver like the Melody and it was encased in a shell chassis made of composite materials. both of them are packed with rudimentary accessories but the KZ PR1 stock cable is of a lesser quality compare to the Melody's better stock cable.

■ PR1 is also a V-shaped sounding set but compare to the Melody, it has less authoritative and incisive bass response, a noticeable more recessed and even leaner midrange but it has brighter and energetic sound that will be benefiting to female vocals and string instruments then a more prominent and peaky upper-mids that there are some instances of mild sibilance and has less snappier crashing on cymbals. On technical capabilities, compared to Melody, it has less spacious sound field but it has similar imaging, layering and separation. On resolution capabilities, PR1 is a bit inferior as it has less solid macro-dynamics and less sharper micro-detail retrieval capabilities. It is also noted the PR1 is even harder to drive as it requires more power output to sound more dynamic.




HIDIZS MP145

■ HIDIZS' first planar magnetic IEM product and it uses a larger planar magnetic driver. It has a rather humongous solid shell chassis made of aluminium alloy and it has detachable nozzle filter system. Like all Hidizs products, it has a lot of accesories like variety of ear tips, other detachable nozzle filters parts and even an IEM storage bin.

■ Due to its detachable nozzle filters, MP145 offers a variety of sound profiles from warm L-shaped sound signature up to bright U-shaped ones. The red nozzle tuning filter mode which has warm L-shaped sound signature is the closest comparison to the Melody in terms of tonal aspect, while the Melody is quite more authoritative and has more slam on its bass response compared to the MP145 (red tuning filter mode), but overall, MP145 sounds more balanced as it has sufficient bright and energy for female vocals and for instruments like strings and woodwinds while maintaining smooth and evened treble response. Technicality-wise, it has a tad wider sound/speaker stage dimensions compared to the Melody but the rest of technical aspects are similar to one another. On power scaling, this is quite astonishing as the MP145 is somehow a bit more easier to drive compared to the Melody despite its larger driver.




To summarise my review on Kiwi Ears Melody. This is one of the latest planar sets at under US$100/£80 thats offer a rather unusual tuning for planar set which is quite bassy and it managed to tame down some "planar sheen" timbre which are usually associated to the majority of planar magnetic sets available in the market.

As I conclude my review on this set, Kiwi Ears Melody will probably stand out among the planar sets out there due to its tuning philosophy which make truly a peculiar and "The Unlike One" compared to its peers. If you searching for an planar IEM with more fun and engaging factor in an affordable price, simply checkout this set and you will absolutely feel its uniqueness of sound quality.

Kiwi Ears Melody is now available at LINSOUL, you can check out the unaffiliated link below.


★★ KIWI EARS MELODY - LINSOUL ★★


Also, check out my previous reviews on other Kiwi Ears products.


● KIWI EARS CADENZA

● KIWI EARS QUARTET

● KIWI EARS QUINTET




SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: KIWI EARS MELODY
IMPEDANCE: 18Ω
SENSITIVITY: 102dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 40KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m
PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR (0.78mm)
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) PLANAR MAGNETIC 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 *
Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *
Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*
Type O Negative - Black No.1 *
Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **
Three Tenors - Nessum Dorma *
Mercyful Fate - Witches' Dance *

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 send my gratitude to MS. KAREENA TANG of LINSOUL for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate her generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.

Introduction!
Hello friends!
Today we’ll talk about planar headphones from the company KiwiEars, the model is called Melody and their cost is $89!
And they come in a very small box with a nice design, on the front there are the headphones themselves and the company logo and model name here.

Well, here on the side the technical characteristics are indicated a 12mm planar driver is responsible for the sound, and the sensitivity of the headphones is 102db, and they have an 18ohm impedance, and I’ll say right away that they are not very heavy to drive.

Let's take a look at what's included!
And here we are immediately greeted first by the headphones, neatly fixed here.

And they look very brutal, their body is made of pure black and the front panel is made of metal and has a large KiwiEars logo on both headphones!

Well, it’s also good that there is a reliable 2-pin connector installed here that goes exactly in line with the body, and next to it there is one acoustic hole!

And the second is located on the inside of the body next to this small nozzle under which there is a mesh and, as you can see, it has a protrusion, so the ear pads are held here very securely and its diameter is 0.5, and by the way, the inside of the body is already made of matte plastic.

Ergonomics and convenience!
Absolute good fit!
Accessories!
Well, the kit includes two more types of ear pads: the black ones are wider, and the gray ones are narrower and denser, I recommend using them, and there are also instructions and a cable.

This is a pretty good copper 4-core cable, which has 2pin connectors for connecting to headphones, and a straight 3.5 jack plug, the cable is pretty good and doesn’t get tangled much, so you can use it without problems.
How do these headphones sound?
Well, now friends, let's talk about the most important thing, namely the sound of this model!
And this is what their graph looks like!

And it is immediately noticeable that the main emphasis here is on low frequencies, such a good and very noticeable emphasis is placed here on the mid-bass, bassheads and punch lovers will definitely be satisfied, and the approach to medium frequencies is done quite neatly, as is the transition to the upper middle area, which goes exactly according to my target, that is, there is exactly as much of it as it is necessary that it does not sound bright at least for me, but at high frequencies there is a complete order, we just stressed the plates quite a bit and added air at the very edges of the range, again, everything is like on my target.
Low Frequencies:
At low frequencies, the headphones demonstrate a very precise and powerful rise of the rolling bass with a clear emphasis on the mid-bass, which has an excellent and already, as for me, bass-heavy weight and volume, and surprisingly from this the bass control has not been lost anywhere, yes, it goes a little to the middle frequencies, but it is not as noticeable as it could be, especially if you look for other basehead models of the 7hz legato type, I think the regular viewers of my channel still remember them, and someone probably even uses them to this day.
Yes, and with the sub bass there is a complete order, the depth is excellent and the subwoofer effect is also very noticeable, and even in my opinion it is not at all inferior to dynamic headphones, and it is worth saying that of the advantages of the planar emitter there is a pronounced very emphasized attack and the same transparent texture, which is sometimes so lacking in dynamic headphones, therefore the bass doesn't sound monotonous here.
Mid Frequencies:
Well, the midrange frequencies in these headphones immediately from the first listening are noticeable that they are served as very transparent saturated and energetic with a bunch of emphasized attacks and transients in the drum part, the vocals are transmitted very pleasantly with good weight and filling of space, and does not sound closed and deaf, on the contrary, the overall presentation of this range is very clear and clean and without sibilants, even on female vocals!
Of the last planar headphones that I listened to, I would definitely put these ahead of everything, because here there is that very fervent and cheerful music transmission, that is, those who are tired of neutral calm feeds and you, for example, want to get more of those missing emotions when listening, then this will definitely be your choice.
High Frequencies:
Well, the high frequencies here are just my respect, unrealistically long with very long aftershocks and attenuations from reverberation, sometimes I haven't even met this in top hybrids, but here headphones cost only $89!
And of course, since these are planar headphones, there is also excellent obvious technicality and there is a good bias in analytics and there is a very large amount of air for a better separation of cymbals and percussion in this range and in general the cymbals are transmitted in super detail here, what surprised me more is that even the structure of the cymbal is literally audible, literally it can be disassembled!!!
And of course it's worth saying that the headphones are perfect for heavy and high-speed genres that require a good stressed attack and a very small pleasant-to-hear accentuation of plates without sibilants.
Stage and stereo panorama:
In KiwiEars Melody, everything is in perfect order here, the stage itself is wide enough and has an excellent slope in depth, that is, the space and instruments do not feel flat, but on the contrary have good weight and volume, and all images are drawn in great detail and separately from each other, therefore, with the separation of plans, there is complete order.
My conclusion on these headphones:

KiwiEars Melody turned out to be excellent planar headphones with an emotional and insanely very energetic over-detailed presentation giving only real positive emotions, they are suitable both for basheads and for fans of technical and attacking sound, which is especially important for heavy genres, and for those who just want to literally disassemble the music into parts because analytics is here on a very high level.
Link where you can buy them!
Aliexpress: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805908747099.html
Linsoul: https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-melody
Icygenius was with you, I will be glad if you subscribe to my YouTube channel and watch this full review on KIWIEARS MELODY !

Review Of The Kiwi Ears Melody​

Introduction​

With their numerous releases, such as the Orchestra Lite, Cadenza, Quintet, etc.—whether in a single driver configuration or multiple ones—China-based Kiwi Ears has already established a dominant presence in the budget and mid-tier market. They have revealed every conceivable scenario to accommodate a wide range of customer preferences and tastes. They have established themselves with their well-liked IEMs, which are well-regarded for both their price and quality. Kiwi Ears has returned with new IEMs, the Melody being their first planar model. Although I am fortunate enough to review the melody, I would like to address a few points first.

Disclaimer​

*Since this unit tour was organised by the kindly 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, go to 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 “Melody.”
*I am using different Ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the Melody based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

Specification​

Melody uses a 12mm in-house developed full range planar magnetic driver configuration. While the faceplate is made of metal, the shell is composed of medical resin. The company's name is printed on the faceplate above both of the shells, which are smaller than they appear. Because of its ergonomic design, the shells fit comfortably, and listening to it for extended periods of time did not cause any weariness or unease. Although the cable that comes with the IEM is attractive and functional, it has a memory hold problem. The cable is 1.2 meters long, with a 3.5 mm straight termination plug on one end and a two pin connection on the other. Six pairs of eartips in two distinct styles and three sizes are among the additional accessories. Regarding the technical details, the sensitivity is 102dB and the impedance is 18 Ohms. At 1 kHz, the total harmonic distortion is less than 0.5%, and the frequency response spans from 5 Hz to 40 kHz.

Sound​

After hearing the Melody, my concept of a Planar IEM has changed. I never imagined that a planar could have such beautiful sound. Whatever the graph suggests, the melody sounds pleasant and well-balanced, making it easy to listen to. It is not clarity that you would get, but the physicality and advantages of the planar. Its vibrant and round tone belies its quickness and responsiveness, giving it a surprisingly realistic and mature sound. The wet response, which seemed to provide clarity and details but actually leaned the sound toward artificiality, was my only issue with today's planar IEM. Most other IEMs in this price range struggle to produce a soothing sound with subtle nuances, but the presentation succeeds in doing so. Even though it's one of the most affordable planars on the market, it functions similarly to a planar driver and a dynamic driver crossed over. Let us investigate the sound in more detail.

Treble​

After losing at the FR, all I could think of was that the treble would sound sibilant and shimmery, but I was mistaken because the treble region is actually quite smooth and extended. The vocals and instruments sound excellent and clear, with good details that stretch without any problems, giving the impression that the music is much farther away. The cymbal crashes in particular are particularly noticeable. The upper treble presence of air is actually present without sounding brittle or tiring in any way. Even though I don't think planar IEMs sound particularly spacious, I don't mind because I value the lack of a surprising tonal quality. While maintaining the same level of quality as the upper treble, I find the lower treble to have a little more energy than the upper, which makes the vocals and instruments sound more alive. I also find the vocals to be more polished and transparent, making them more pleasant to listen to. Overall, the treble region is presented in a seamless, orderly, and detailed manner.

Mid Range​

My testing indicates that the mid range is satisfying, rich, and natural. Although the notes are not very refined or detailed, how well they are received reveals something about the driver's caliber. Yes, some 'ss' sounds are audible, but there isn't any heaviness in the vocals or flangy effect to any notes. With greater emphasis on the vocals and instruments, the upper mid range is just as energetic as the lower treble, bringing the vocals and instruments closer together in the mix and enhancing the harmony. The fun nature of the instruments and vocals doesn't detract from the accuracy of the details or have an impact on the high or low frequencies. The vocals sound rich and dense without being overbearing, and the instruments blend in with the vocals to create a melodic sound. The vocals also have the appropriate note weight. One issue I do have, though, is that while the male and female voices are both rich and natural-sounding, the female vocals tend to sound a little sibilant in the higher octaves, as if the driver's limitations are being revealed. Granted, not everything has to be fruit and candy. Due to the abundance of details, the lower mid range sounds thick and dense rather than hazy. It is nearly impossible for a dynamic driver to sound mostly resolved and appealing like the vocals and instruments do. The lower frequencies provide the foundation for this response, which results in the warmth and organic sound. As a result, the mid range region is presented in a natural, melodic, and pleasing manner overall.

Bass​

Now for the bass: I adore it so much. It feels like anything is possible because of the thick response's speed and transient response. With a Planar IEM, the bass response is a novel experience. Despite its powerful presence, the bass is subtle enough not to irritate you. The response is obviously not as punchy and refined as it is intricate and detailed, but it still sounds better than dynamic drivers because it has a thumpy and boomy sound that is effective without sounding erratic or out of control. The sub bass area is highlighted because it is sufficiently deep to produce a satisfying rumble in the ear canals, but it is not as well exposed as the midrange slams and thump, which overpower the response as a whole. For the first time, I found the mid bass to be so enjoyable that I would actually prefer it over the sub bass. The slams and thumps are strong without having an overpowering sound because they resolve quickly. There is a noticeable warmth in the mix and a more laid-back sound because the bass does seep into the lower mid range. Regarding bass quality, the details and texture are excellent, but they are not on level with other Planar IEMs. All things considered, the bass region sounds warm, clear, and enjoyable overall.

Technical Performance​

Regarding technical performance, I would say that planar IEMs are superior, but this one falls short in my opinion, albeit naturally at the expense of being rich and have natural tones. The details, in my opinion, are not fully expressed. But let's talk about this in more detail.

Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation​

​

Even though the space is more elliptical than flat, the soundstage is sufficiently large and far enough apart to sound roomy. The imaging is sharp but could have been more clear, and the sound is more left to right, giving it a stereo effect. It is easier to identify the source of the sound when there is good separation between the notes due to variations in their distance and distinction.

Speed & Resolution​

I find the details to be averagely expressed, perhaps because I was expecting more from a Planar IEM, but the resolution is excellent and the detail retrieval is sufficient to bring in sufficient micro and macro nuances. However, the notes' attack and decay are tactical and incredibly paced.

Sound Impressions ​

Sources​

Sony WM1A - As usual, the sound is smooth, warm, and has more dynamics in the lower frequencies. With the exception of the nuances produced in the higher frequencies as the bell chimes and cymbal crashes sound captivating, the entire presentation sounds denser and richer without sacrificing the quality of the notes or their details. Although I do find the bass to be a little influencing, it sounds a little looser than usual and has no effect on the IEM's integrity of tuning.

Tempotec V6 - More clarity and genuine Planar capabilities are brought out by the V6, which gives Melody a faster, more detailed sound with excellent details. The instruments sound clearer and more forward, but the ss sound is more audible. The vocals sound more forward and distinct. It sounds tighter and more focused with a more nuanced bass. As a result, I prefer the V6's sound.

Tracks​

Luna Haruna - Glory days
Luna Haruna - Overfly
Rokudenashi - The Flame of Love
LMYK - 0 (zero)
ORESKABAND - Jitensya
Marina Horiuchi - Mizukagami no Sekai
RADWIMPS - Suzume
Indila - Love Story
Indila - Tourner dans le vide
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Tom Petty - Free Fallin'
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Blue Oyester Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
Guns 'N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
The Police - Every Breath You Take
Gojira - Amazonia
TV on the radio - Wolf Like Me
Bring Me To The Horizon - Can You Feel My Heart
Bring Me To The Horizon - sTraNgeRs
Avril Lavigne - Dare To Love Me
Travis - Love Will Come Through
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
DJ Shadows - Six Days (Remix) [feat. Mos Def]
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Lil Wayne - Lollipop
Flo Rida - Low
Sebastian Lopez & Flug - Electronic Measures
Federico Mecozzi - Blue (Da Ba Dee)
Wayve - Not Enough
Kai Wachi & TeZATalks - Ghost
NGHTMRE, Zeds Dead & Tori Levett - Shady Intentions
Zeds Dead, DNMO & GG Magree - Save My Grave
Skrillex, Noisia, josh pan & Dylan Brady - Supersonic
Skrillex & Nai Barghouti - Xena
Skrillex, Missy Elliott & Mr. Oizo - RATATA
Kaifi Khalil, Eva B & Wahab Bugti - Kana Yaari
A.R. Rahman, Javed Ali & Mohit Chauhan - Kun Faya Kun

Conclusion​

To conclude this review, I will acknowledge that this is one of the most reasonably priced Planar IEMs. It also has a unique tuning approach that is well-executed, making it worthwhile to try, especially for people who prefer planers to dynamic drivers because it sounds similar and, in my opinion, has better properties. For that reason, I heartily suggest this IEM to anyone looking to experience a warm, well-balanced planar sound.

Disclaimer: The Kiwi ears Melody was provided to me by Linsoul for an unbiased review.

NOTES:

The Kiwi Ears Melody is an interesting release, insomuch as it is the only iem in their lineup that uses a planar driver. The Melody sports a 12mm planar driver as its sole noise maker. Kiwi Ears does state that the driver is an in-house design.

The iem itself is of an unassuming design and retail presentation. Not much to see here really and as usual, any iem I listen to will be judged primarily by sound quality.

The Melody offer a warm v-shaped tuning with bass emphasis. The mid-bass here has more of a spotlight than the sub-bass. Out of the box I did find the Melody somewhat peaky in the upper midrange with some sibilance noted, but this vanished after a 48h burn-in while also paying attention to tip selection.

The Melody is moderately easy to drive but do like power. I did notice that I had to rotate the volume knob on my trusty Topping a50s amplifier more than some iems I have recently listened to. Still not much more than usual so this was of little consequence. I did notice that with adequate power the Melody does open up, in particular in the upper frequency regions. This is a must to balance out the prodigious bass output. The Melody does need to be driven by a more capable source to really flesh out the sound and flex its sonic muscles.

Wide bore tips are a must for the Melody, both to let the upper midrange and treble breath as well as making the sound more open improving the soundstage. I have found is somewhat of an issue for planar iems, at least in general, and with sufficient power the Melody does better than most planar based iems I have heard.

SPECS:
THD: < 0.5%(at 1KHz)
Drivers: 12mm Planar Driver
Freq: Response: 5HZ-40KHz
Impedance: 18 ohms
Cable Interface: 3.5mm 2-pin
Sensitivity: 102dB(at 1KHz/mW)
PRICE: $89.00 USD

BUILD, FIT & QUALITY:

The Kiwi Ears Melody is a well built iem with an understated look. The charcoal grey/black colour adds to the plainness of its look.

The included accessories are of good quality with the cable being the standout here as something actually worth keeping.

The Melody is a medium sized iem with a snug and comfortable fit easy to attain.

There is really not much to say or see here. Time to get to the sound.









SOUND:

BASS:

Taken straight from Kiwi Ears this is how the Melody is described. “Deviating from the normally neutral tonal balance found in our other IEM’s, the Melody is truly a bass-lover’s dream. The Melody was tuned to fully demonstrate the powerful bass that a planar driver can output.”

I both agree and disagree with this statement. While the Melody does showcase impressive planar bass, I think it still falls short of being a “Basshead” iem. Still that moniker is not something that I personally equate with good sound as there is much more to quality audio reproduction than just bass.

The Melody can dig deep but mid-bass is more emphasized than sub-bass. Still, when called for by a track, there is a satisfying amount of rumble heard. Bass impact is good with the planar characteristics of good speed and control on display here. The bass also has a satisfying “thickness” to it.

Genres that have lots of bass energy will be well served by the Melody. It also does well with less bass dominant genres like Jazz, but one of its strengths is how it can bring those bass demanding tracks to life.

Lacking though is a measure of definition and texturing heard on such tracks as “No Worries” by the Robert Glasper Trio and “Angel” by Massive Attack. While bass speed and impact were good the “thickness” became too much of a good thing occasionally obscuring finer details.

Still, this is a good showing by the Kiwi Ears Melody with bass that does highlight to a great extent what planar drivers are capable of.

MIDRANGE:

The midrange of the Kiwi Ears Melody is more intimate than recessed with a smooth delivery that while favoring macro over micro details is quite enjoyable with no harshness noted. The trick here is to use wide bored tips. In this regard the midrange presentation is tip sensitive and can sound closed in and more constrained when using narrow bore tips.

On “Away from the Noise” by Amber Navran, her wispy vocals sounded silky. Likewise for her vocals on “Cure” by Moonchild. “Sweet Love” by Anita Baker continued this trend with her vocals sounding clear and distinct, the Melody being capable of relaying the emotions in the vocals.

Moving on to male vocals, the mid-bass does impart some warmth to the lower midrange that is clearly audible but not a negative at all. There is no muddiness heard due to this added warmth, wide bore tips required of course. On “Tenderhearted Lover” by John Stoddart, his vocals and emotional delivery were clearly heard for example.

Timbre was good, though not class leading, and the handling of transients was well done with sharp attack and natural decay. Layering and separation were also pleasing although at times I found the mid-bass prominence did reduce this slightly, masking the separation of details in the mids. This was very slight though and for an iem with such notable bass output its coherence was good indeed. The handling of dynamics was also well done with great impact and control.

I would say that the midrange of the Kiwi Ears Melody a win. It does have the ability to pull the listener into the music which is not as common as many may think. For all the talk about the bass, the midrange thankfully does not take a backseat. It can actually be quite engaging. Nicely done.

TREBLE:

The treble of the Kiwi Ears Melody has ample energy with satisfactory extension and detail retrieval. There is a moderate but acceptable amount of air and sparkle. This is a treble that when called for can be energetic but without any corresponding harshness. The treble does help in no small part to balance out the strong bass output of the Melody. Again, tip selection is critical here.




IMAGING & SOUNDSTAGE:

This has been a weakness of a number of planar drivers based iems. The Melody does better than most including more expensive models having a more intimate than expansive soundstage with solid instrument placement.

Width is somewhere beyond the ears combined with moderate height and to a lesser extent depth. The Melody does not sound closed in at all. There is an open nature to the sound which made tracks such as “Stimelah” by Hugh Masekela engaging.


CONCLUSION:

The Kiwi Ears Melody is a good sounding iem. In some respects, it does not sound like a traditional planar. Much like some newer all BA sets, Hisenior T4 for example, have almost eradicated BA timbre, the Melody goes a long way in banishing planar timbre. It can be seen as a gateway product for those who cherish the sound of dynamic drivers but may wish to try a planar set.

Still, it retains the positive attributes of the planar driver tech being speed and clarity of sound. Overall, the Kiwi Ears Melody offers a coherent and pleasant sound that goes well with long listening sessions.

The Kiwi Ears Melody is one of the batter "budget" planar iem I have listened to and gets a recommendation.

Sound signature: mild V shape

Disclaimer: Thanks to linsoul for providing this unit, but I am in no way biased for this review

Overview:
Kiwi Ears Melody is a planar iem with a single 12mm planar driver.
Talking about Kiwi Ears, they are one of my favorite chi fi brands and for good reason. I used the orchestra lite for a long while as my only iem and recently I also tried the quintet which is one of my fav sub 200$ iem, so I had high hopes for this.


Sound
Bass
Bass performance is Melody’s strongest suit in my opinion, it is boosted but not overwhelming. Melody’s single planar driver handles the bass like a champ, this has the classic planar bass attributes. It has good speed keeping bass notes separated. Sub bass has decent rumble as well good tightness to it. Transition from sub bass to mid bass is linear. Mid bass slams hard but also having good body. This has that physicality factor. Thanks to the planar the tightness in the bass keeps it from sounding muddy. This is one of the more resolving and engaging planar bass in my opinion. Score 4.75/5

Midrange
Coming to Melody’s midrange performance, it is laid back as a whole. Transition from mid bass to lower mids is warm. Male vocals are mellow sounding but are a bit too recessed. Female vocals have a bit more details are crispness compared to male vocals. There is a audible peak in the upper mids which could be a bit sibilant for treble sensitive listeners. Personally I would have preferred a bit more extension in the male vocals. I found some instruments sound weird or honky due to the upper mids peak in some tracks. Score: 3/5

Treble
Melody’s treble is satisfactory. This has a lively presentation with good energy. I find this to sound accurate. Top end extension is done well. Treble is tuned generally to my liking but a touch more additional sparkle would go well. There is good energy and detail without it sounding harsh or sibilant. It has decent note weight and resolving capabilities. This is not the most analytical type of treble but rather more musical, with over all good resolution. Details are crisp and it has good body. Melody’s treble sounds spacious with good sense of air. I did find a similarity between its treble and Quintet’s treble. Score 4.5/5

Technical performance (score: 4.5/5)
Soundstage: above average
Imaging:above average
Sound separation: very good
Dynamics: good
Resolution:good



Conclusion
This is the best planar under 100$ in my opinion. If you like planar bass, this would be right up your alley. But I should mention this is not like DD bass, so this might not satisfy bass heads. Kiwi Ears team did a great job with this set. Once again thanks to linsoul for providing this unit.

The Kiwi ears Melody Planar Magnetic IEM


Truth to be told Kiwi ears has been on a roll for 2023. The business of IEMs is kinda like that, where an IEM manufacturer will come out of nowhere and surprise everyone with not one but a few good releases, all in a short time. I mean, what better way to show-off your stuff? And in my experience I have been lucky enough to review a few. I reviewed the Orchestra Lite, the Cadenza, the Quintet, and the Dolce. Pretty much all of them except the original Kiwi ears Orchestra, and the Quartet……I even have the brand new Kiwi ears 1BAX2DD Forteza showing up for review any day!

Why am I saying all this? Because the Melody is way different, it’s Kiwi ears' very first Planar Driver IEM, and what is different from many other Planar IEMs is the driver is only 12mm. But more than that it sounds cool, better than many Planar Magnetic IEMs and probably the very best under $100.00 Planar IEM!



Comparisons:
I know of no better way to both have a blast, and find out the true sound of an IEM through contrasts. Yep, trying a few IEMs out is one of the best ways to approach the subjective reality of playback. Why? Because if you just go by old memories, those very memories can be misleading. Reason being is that old IEM that was in your ears six months ago is judged by even older past IEMs in playback. So there is nothing relevant to go by. We as listeners are moved by the very emotions of the music, which in and of itself can be incredibly subjective and fickle. Now you say that this is a science and we can go by graphs……yes and no. Reason being......I'm sure you can measure two IEMs and learn a lot, but things like decay, timbre, transients and stage are not included with graph measurements. Still there is more, a graph doesn’t tell you how an IEM sounds at different volumes, graphs don’t show how different ear shapes and canal resonances affect tone. And the kind of maniac I am, I can even gain a massive level of quality change from ear-tips, cables and sources. Yet graphs can be a useful tool especially in understanding differences between IEMs, and more critically.......the differences between ear-gains and their effect on tonal balance. So to keep this simple, graphs can show balance of bass, to midrange, to treble energies and show how those differ from one IEM to another. Yet what we are doing today with comparisons is way more simple. Yep, we are going and learning about the Kiwi ears Melody by interfacing it with different IEMs. Showing how if you are already familiar with a few IEMs, how the Melody differs in contrast.

How I chose the test vehicles:
I use instinct as part of the plan, as often I will just grab a comparably priced IEM and say this I will throw in. Then I start to analyze the reasons why I chose it……backwards I know. But take for example the 7Hz Salnotes Dioko. Why on earth would I choose that one? Because I thought when I reviewed it that the low-end needed some better authority and overall the Dioko needed note-weight. Guess what, yep we are describing the sound of the Kiwi ears Melody…..so a perfect side-by-side. Sure I chose others like the Orchestra Lite because it was a more expensive Kiwi ears model. I chose the Quintet because it was a Kiwi ears model, but also because it is very different from the Melody. More expensive too, but the Quintet is a Hybrid and also goes ahead and has those Hybrid attributes which are different and unique in comparison to the Melody. Plus you have brand groupies who fear they will make a redundant purchase if they get all the Kiwi ears IEMs. I will say this right now, that so far (from what I have heard) there is no sonic overlapping going on. Yet, the box opening experience is always limited, so I just say they spent their money on tuning personnel and put the cost to where it will be used the most…..in the sound of the darn IEM thing.

Letshuoer S12PRO:
The Letshuoer S12PRO is a 14.8mm Planar Driver which now comes in normally at $169.00. The big difference though is it also comes with a 3-in-1 Modular Cable. In our photograph it is the purple top right IEM that says Letshuoer S12PRO on the side………..sorry. Anyway I’m starting these comparisons with this one as I was asked to try them out side-by-side. And let me tell you, I’m glad as the results were flooring. It seems if you already have the S12PRO it would still be incredibly advantageous to get the Melody. Why? The first thing you may notice is the pure stage size difference. Where the Melody is farther out to the sides, up and down and back-to-back. Where the frequency of bass is almost comparable, yet the Melody sounds like more because it takes up more space (bass imaging) in the stage. There is a nice lower midrange to the Melody, that makes it very different from a recessed lower midrange with sub-bass. But the truly biggest thing, once you get to it, is the vocal size difference here between the two. The S12PRO is like a 42 inch TV in vocal display, where the Melody size and stature of vocals is way, way bigger…..in every direction, putting out the effect of size, like an 85 inch TV.

All this is very perplexing as the S12PRO sports a 14.8mm driver and our Melody has a 12mm driver? All and all the Melody is airier, bigger and seems faster to musical changes than the S12PRO, and lastly there is an intensity due to this forwardness that almost makes the S12PRO seem sleepy. Truly they do share almost the same physical size, the S12Pro weighs 6 grams and the Melody weighs 5 grams. They both have great fit, and while the S12PRO is more expensive, it also has a more involved box opening experience, still if you care about sound, the Melody is the clear winner.

7Hz Salnotes Dioko: 2nd row, last one to the right.
The Crinacle tuned Dioko is a Planar IEM from the first wave of Planars. And also the Letshuoer S12 was too, along with the 7HZ Timeless and Hook-X rounded out the popularity. Moments later came the TINHIFI P1 Max, the TANGZU Zetian Wu, and a few others which generated much sales and talk. While the Dioko did generate some sales, it may have been the very different shape which had a glass weight faceplate which made ergonomics a little off, I mean the weight is supposed to be inside the ear, not the farthest out of the IEM? Weighing in at a full 9 grams…..the Diako is on the heavy (and big) side of Planar examples. But my biggest issue with the Dioko is note-weight and lower midrange authority? Sure the Dioko has great mids, but the rest could use some work. Even when Crinacle put out his Zero at the exact same time…..I felt the $19.99 Salnotes Zero was really the better IEM, and better way to go, regardless of the original $99.00 Dioko price. So you can only imagine my festive mood here when the Melody goes ahead to offer a smaller, more low-weight and more balanced (in ergonomics) Planar IEM design! Then Kiwi ears moves ahead to bestow it with a thick lower midrange and hefty note-weight. I may be a reviewer and I might be critical at times, but get me what I want and watch me purr.

The Kiwi ears Orchestra Lite: Top row, 1st IEM on the left.
This is a good example of the total opposite in sound. Really these two could be considered opposite IEMs in so many ways. Probably the Lite is for classical listeners the most, meaning the way BAs will separate the signal, it is like having literally 8 miniature speakers playing every stratification of sound. And yes, that stage IS big from simply a midrange going full tilt. But get some music into play with an electronic drum and watch the Orchestra make a slapping sound, that can be at times what BAs do.....and they will sound different. And that same slapping sound will actually be heard as more natural with the Melody. Where the Lite has great deep bass, only with the Melody there is this faster yet deeper and more provocative bass that is somehow more evenly connected? Even if I was only a Rock listener, I would find the extra lower midrange girth that the Melody put out to be simply easier to digest? You make trades as the Lite is fantastic at a big stage, and while the stage is enormous too with the Melody, it is not quite as itemized or as populated with contrasts.

The Kiwi ears Quintet: 2nd row, 1st IEM on the left.
First off, really I didn’t want to bring the Quintet into this battle. Except maybe people are curious as to how the two IEMs are anyway.........the same or different? 1st off note the size difference. The Quintet is long and looks to almost have a longer nozzle. But hold tight, both are world-class examples of really perfect fit, they both really are. Both weigh in at 5 grams each…....though priced at $219.00 the Quintet is considerably more money. And to answer your question about why I didn’t want to compare them in ways, is because the Quintet is precious to me. What can happen is when you start to compare IEMs often you will start to see one that you thought was close to perfect, as slightly lesser than. Now of course there are no perfect IEMs in this world, just better and lesser examples of the art form, each with special sauce at times, doing different renditions of the same song you have heard over and over again.

The Quintet is better.....maybe?
First off I will say that the Quintet is better, but I say this subjectively as I like Hybrids the best, There is just a lot to go over with what the Quintet does. Big wide staging, wider than the Melody. And there are all these parts to the display of music..............to try and select out different textures and themes.

1 Diamond-Like Carbon 10mm (DLC) dynamic driver
2 balanced armature (BA) drivers
1 planar magnetic driver
1 piezoelectric (PZT) bone conduction driver

So what I’m trying to say is that there is a dynamic authority to how everything is presented, it isn’t exactly all thicker note-weight but most of it is. Meaning since it’s a hybrid made up of 4 different driver methodologies, there is a deep bass, and a rumble, that while not as connected as the Melody and probably not as thick, it’s satisfying. That electronic drum I was talking about earlier has a nice tone and not a slapping sound like the Orchestra Lite. Due to such easygoingness the Quintet goes with all styles of music too. But that Quintet bass is slightly separated and doesn’t have this funny familiar connection being it is a full-on separate driver sitting off to the side, and sounds as such. But the other aspect is the treble, where the Quintet has this fully formed and actualized treble itemization experience. This takes place with a few new listeners hearing a slight unnatural timbre maybe, but later after a few hours of brain-burn-in……..they normally understand where the tones are coming from and learn to accept it as real life sounding. Except there is this wild card the Melody has in its back pocket………..and this is why I didn’t want to compare the two. There is something…..they way the output is connected and displayed. That while we don’t have the separations of Quintet playback, we have something more, and something different. Bigger more forward bass which is traveling outward to the sides to make stage. Then there is a deep lower midrange that adds warmth to everything, then the actual midrange which is smooth and textured and detailed in its own way, totally keeping up with what the Quintet does, but not showcasing the treble itemizations as delineated or as separated?

While yes, the Melody is slightly intense, that intensity is filled with wonderful balance and connectivity. All is one so to speak. Now the other main difference is the size of display, in that in no way is this like a DD. None of that congestion DDs have. Here there are wonderful Planar sounding textures and fast transients that only Planar IEMs can do. Only they got the total tone balance right with this one, so it’s fun and not boring, warm and friendly, yet detailed musically just enough. And of course note-weight…….we have more note-weight in places that out maneuvers the Quintet! Where that section of BAs in the Quintet don’t have it, but that is only a section of playback.


Build:
Solid two piece build with a metal, maybe aluminum faceplate. 3D printed back areas, no driver flex? Great noise occlusion and close fit. The perfect nozzle length that holds my regularly used clear silicone ear-tips on fine. Note lip on nozzle. Flush 2Pin cable mounts, and no smudge faceplates. The actual shell back has a very warm feel, not hot.........but is so very comfortable, I’ve never seen an IEM like it? You can kind of get a feel for how comfortable they would be by looking at the pictures, maybe?


Cable:
The Melody comes standard with a detachable cable featuring 0.78mm 2pin connectors. The supplied cable is nice, while needing to access 4.4mm amplification I did put on other cables, though I kept coming back to the included cable, and used it the most for this review. I know this sounds crazy, but there was a special synergy which the cable added to the sound, maybe it was the lower mid-bass warmth, the stage maybe, whatever it was.......it was good and useable. As far as cable build it was fine, with metal hardware, in the form of 2Pin barrels and plug, chin-cinch and splitter. The only small issue I had was the chin-cinch was a little loose and would travel up the cable when not desired.

Packaging:

Drivability:
Interestingly normally when an IEM is underpowered the bass suffers which gives off a more midrange and treble tone positioning. And while yes, these are on the more difficult side to find drivability, they just work from a Samsung Phone. Meaning yes, the volume is almost maxed out, yet the sound is full and fun. Big staging, and correct timbre, large amazingly robust texture of phone output. A DAP or Dongle will allow you to experience deeper blacker backgrounds and fuller tone and better separated vocal and instrument replay.



Graph:
You can see by the graph the lower midrange hump, yet really 2.5kHz to 5kHz is what is getting the forward vocals, and the presence region of 5.8 kHz is adding presence at just the best side of sibilance…….meaning there is none. The other treble peaks may be there, but this is a fully balanced style of playback, where the treble energies are simply balancing out the lows, to bring about fantastic tonality and a well rounded tune that goes with all music, but maybe best with rock, metal and EDM? There is also a very careful and correctly done midrange which allows for surprisingly fast imaging and spatial clues. Yet that midrange is also holding a smoothness which becomes endearing. As you can see, treble activity only goes to the same levels as the bass, and really nothing is too bright or forward, as it seems just right. The decline at 2.5kHz down to 5kHz enables a firm, yet big and robust style of Pinna Gain. Such displays go forward to give the vocal forward character, yet because of the bass balance, vocals never seem wrong or two intense, yet it is on the border of intense at times, yet what this does in the end is create clarity……..a balanced clarity along with the bass action. What you end-up with is a subtle V shape response that actually has character, as a robust departure from the Harman Tune. But more than that it is the Planar Bass personality, a personality that Kiwi ears are exploiting to make the Planar Bass special and of value due to the low-end detail, textures and speed. It is in-fact transients that enable amazing imaging in the lower sections of response, allowing there to become a new and different relationship with music you have heard before.



Conclusion:
There you have it. Really the best priced, best performing sub $90.00 IEM on earth. Sure there is a part of this decision that’s subjective, except the Kiwi ears Melody is so safely tuned, and so correctly tuned that I don’t see anyone having an issue with it. Sure there may be the old-school ruler flat listener who could care less about Planar Bass technicalities, yet still even that listener may be persuaded once the Melody is in his or her ears? There is just so much to love here, and very little (if anything) that Kiwi ears have done wrong. At times a lower midrange boost can alter pace with the notes smearing together, but not here. Maybe it’s the basic technicalities of the Planar Driver, but this style of replay does not come off muddy or lacking clarity due to excessive lower mid bass? It’s the ultimate fun IEM, that still delivers vocals for those vocal lovers out there. Often tuned vocal IEMs and tuned Bass IEMs don’t go together; you have to choose one or the other, but it’s rare to get both, yet that’s what we have here. Go ahead and find your best vocal album and you tell me if anything is missing, same with deep bass music like electronic or rock……go ahead and engage in that style of replay and you tell me if anything is left out, or if there were sonic compromises made to enable such success using opposing musical genres? Yet, it is all here, that is why they get the full 5 stars, as how can you even find fault with something that does so much for so little money? Truly if you were waiting for that one under $100 IEM that will rock your world, you have found it, now don’t let it go!

$89.00
https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-melody

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 from Linsoul for the Kiwi ears Melody review sample.

Disclaimer:
These are one person's ideas and concepts, your results may vary.

Equipment Used:
Sony WM1Z Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 3.5mm and 4.4mm
Sony WM1A Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 3.5mm and 4.4mm
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
Shanling UA3 Dongle DAC/Amplifier 3.5mm and 4.4mm
Samsung phone 3.5mm
HiBy R3 II in 4.4mm and 3.5mm

AUDIO SPECIFICATIONS

Kiwi Ears Melody
1x Planar
$89

Before I start this review, I want to say thank you Linsoul for sending me this IEM for review
Rest assured this review is 100% my own personal opinion.

Just in case you're interested on getting the Kiwi Ears Melody, you can get it here :
https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-melody
Unboxing
What you get inside the box :

• IEM
• Cable
• Eartips
• Manual

Build Quality

The faceplate is made from metal that I believed to be aluminum, while the main shell is made from rubberized resin. It is very lightweight and not feeling cheap to the touch at all.
BUT, I don't know how it is going to hold up long term.

The cable is also pretty good for its price, its nothing special but still pretty good. It has minimal microphonic effect when you rub it on your shirt and not easy to get tangled.


Fitting
Is quite comfortable for my big ears, it practically disappears from my ears due to how lightweight the IEM is.

Sound
Tested Using : FiiO Q15, Truthear Shio, Stock Cable, Stock Eartips
Music is mostly from Apple Music (J-POP, J-Rock, EDM, Jazz, Metal, Rap, Anisong)
Sound : Bass Boosted
Bass : It has a very generous bass boost ranging from sub-bass up to 400hz (lower midrange).
The bass is very deep and punchy and thanks to the planar driver it is also very speedy despite the very generous bass boost and it has superb bass control.

Tested on Hit 'Em Up by 2Pac, the bass punch so hard it almost makes my eardrum vibrates. Not only that, the rumble and humming is also very detailed and very resolving.

Midrange : Due to the bass boost that drops around 400hz, it does color the lower midrange a bit with a bit more weighty presentation. The good news is that it is not muddy at all.
Male and female vocal sounds a bit more authoritative and thick compared to your normal referenced type midrange.

Instrument such as trumpet, saxophone, violin also sounds a bit on the thicker side.
Midrange positioning is a bit recessed / behind the bass, and it almost sounds like v shape presentation to my ears.

Treble : Is pretty energic sounding, it has very good energy without sounding too intense and piercing, extension is normal, it drops around mid treble then have another peak around high treble to give sense of air.

Technicalities
Stage : Above average. It is decently wide with symmetrical shape between width and depth.

Imaging : Very good. It has that 2.5D sounding that I usually describe. It has very good object rendition but is missing that “holographic pop-up” sound.

Separation and Positioning : Very good. Probably thanks to the planar driver used, it helps a lot with separation and positioning despites the bass boost. Sound is well separated and positioning tested on games such as Valorant is very good, it is so easy to spot where foot steps is coming from.

Detail Retrieval : Above average - very good. Detail retrieval here is to be honest it depends on the source the Kiwi Ears Melody is plugged in. With a very good source such as the FiiO Q15, the detail retrieval is simply mind blowing for its price. But with source such as your typical entry level dongle, it sounds just above average. I do give score “above average - very good” because usually people who purchase this kind of price range still using their smartphone audio / entry level dongle, but it can be very good with better sources.

Source Scaling : The Kiwi Ears Melody has a very good scaling between sources, and it means please try use your best sources available at hand.
It sounds very different for example plugging in the Melody to your typical entry level dongle vs the upcoming FiiO Q15, the technicality is like getting leveled up two times better than your standard entry level dongle.

Comparation

7Hz Dioko
The Dioko sounds thin and bright compared to the Melody. Dioko bass boost is focused on the sub-bass only, while the Melody has a very generous boost that colors the midrange giving it more weight to the overall sound.
Technicality wise, the Melody is simply better compared to the Dioko, especially using higher end sources.

Conclusion :
Is the Kiwi Ears Melody worth your money?

Well.. for $89 USD if you're a bass lovers then YES, why not? It has a very good bass control, superb bass presentation and has a very good sound separation despites of the bass boost.
But then again, please do judge and think by yourself, I'm here only giving you more free reference data on the Internet for you to process by yourself.


thanks for reading this far

Just in case you're Indonesian or understand Bahasa Indonesia, you can watch this review here


-littlenezt.