Kiwi Ears Singolo - An IEM with Unique Character?
Introduction:
Firstly, I would like to thank the Kiwi Ears team for sending me this IEM for review.
Let's discuss the packaging first - it's a bit disappointing. The 6 pairs of included eartips are of poor quality and unusable, a characteristic of Kiwi Ears from the Cadenza era. I recommend replacing them immediately. I used Fiio HS20 eartips for this review.
Regarding other accessories, there is no case, and the cable is of standard quality with a thin gauge. Fortunately, the cable's sound quality is decent, not significantly impacting the IEM's performance.
The housing is made entirely of resin, offering good quality for the price. The resin feels more solid compared to the resin used in the Sonus and Tin T3. The fit is comfortable and secure in my ears.
This IEM requires moderate power, and a budget DAC like the Fiio JA11 is sufficient. Now, let's move on to the sound impressions.
Bass:
The Singolo has a warm tonal balance with a slight sub-bass boost. The eartips significantly influence the bass response, as the Singolo is quite sensitive to them. If the fit is incorrect, the mid-bass texture and impact can become thin and lacking in fullness.
Fortunately, the Fiio HS20 eartips provide a good fit, resulting in a full and rounded bass. The Kars technology, previously considered a gimmick by some, actually plays a crucial role. In my opinion, the perceived "gimmick" arises from improper eartip selection. The bass sensation of the Singolo is distinct from other single dynamic driver (DD) IEMs like the Blon BL03 II or Tin T3.
The deep and spacious sub-bass creates an engaging bass experience.
Listening to other IEMs without Kars technology can make you yearn for the bass sensation of the Singolo.
While the implementation of Kars in the Singolo differs from the Magic One (where the sub-bass feels excessive and less controlled), the bass decay, although extended, doesn't negatively impact other frequency ranges.
Despite the generally positive impression of the bass, I find the mid-bass control to be slightly lacking. With the stock cable, the mid-bass on tracks with fast tempos can sound less focused and appear less defined than in other IEMs, where it would typically be more rounded.
This makes the bass speed of the Singolo appear average in my opinion. Fortunately, this can be mitigated by using a different cable, such as the Xinhs SCC, which improves bass roundness and speed.
Mids:
The mids are positioned slightly behind the bass. The presentation of male and female vocals is balanced. While not exceptionally special, the vocal reproduction is well-balanced and safe. For example, the vocal weight is sufficient, the upper mids are relatively open, and the vocals sound smooth and slightly sweet.
Another aspect I appreciate about the mids is the minimal peak and sibilance. This makes the Singolo comfortable for extended listening sessions. The midrange instruments also sound natural and energetic, despite the IEM's relaxed tuning.
Treble:
Due to the relaxed tuning, the treble is positioned slightly laid-back. The treble energy is balanced, neither excessive nor deficient. The treble weight is relatively dense, especially in the lower treble region, although the extension and sparkle are adequate. There's a slight roll-off in the treble extension.
Similar to the mids, the treble in the Singolo exhibits minimal peak, graininess, and sibilance, particularly in the 8kHz region. The treble tuning feels natural, mature, and not overly emphasized, perfectly aligning with the target of a relaxed and musical IEM.
Technical Performance:
Initially, I underestimated the technical performance of this IEM. However, upon closer listening, it can compete with other IEMs in its class, such as the 7Hz Sonus, Sivga Que, or Soratune YI01.
The soundstage is relatively wide, with good depth and height. Imaging is reasonably precise, although not as precise as the Soratune YI01. The separation, for a single DD IEM, is quite good, but still not on the level of the YI01.
Detail, resolution, and micro-detail retrieval are good and sufficiently clear, despite the less prominent treble. The key lies in the well-balanced tuning without excessive dips in the 3.5-6kHz range. The Xuan Ji should aim for this level of tuning.
Transient speed is reasonably fast with good dynamics, but it's not suitable for hardcore metal music, as it doesn't match the less tight bass character.
Clarity is adequate, and the overall tuning is well-balanced and safe.
Outro:
As the title suggests, this IEM truly has a unique character. The single DD technology with Kars acoustic chamber creates a unique bass tuning, although it may not be ideal for hardcore metal music.
The overall sound direction leans towards musicality with a relaxed tuning. It's comfortable for extended listening and suitable for various music genres except for hardcore metal.
The main shortcomings lie in the packaging and accessories. The included eartips are useless, the cable is thin, and there is no case in the box.
