Kiwi Ears X HBB Punch

Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch - Let it rumble

Disclaimer

I got the Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch for free from Linsoul in return for a review, I can say whatever I want without any guidelines.

All impressions are my own subjective thoughts after having used them for a good time. These are my thoughts at this moment, and as time moves I might change my opinion.
This is also a very subjective hobby where everything from experience, anatomy or age will affect what we hear. Also keep in mind that it is easy to use bold words when talking about differences, while it may be perceived as a small change for you.
While I can perceive something as natural sounding, I do believe we can never get a perfect performance similar to what is achieved live.

Ranking System:
1 Very bad or unlistenable
2 Listenable but not good
3 Average
4 Very good
5 Exceptional or having a special sauce

My rating system highly values what is musical for me, so my rating will always be a subjective opinion.







So what is Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch

This is one of the latest collaboration IEMs with HBB, Kiwi Ears and HBB has made an IEM that follows close to the meta tuning but with a big bass shelf.
I will not go deep into my thoughts about collabs, I am not a big fan but it also doesn't keep me away from enjoying IEMs that are from collaboration.

The Punch is priced at $449.00, and has a configuration of 1DD + 2BA + 2EST. The BA and EST are branded drivers, the DD is a 10mm composite dynamic driver.
Knowles RAB 32257 for mids and treble, and Sonion EST for the ultra highs frequencies.

The tuning is made through passive 3 way crossover, with use of sound tubes separating the drivers.

https://kiwiears.com/products/kiwi-ears-x-hbb-punch







The packaging is similar to previous Kiwi Ears models, it have a branded sleeve with foam box inside holding the earpieces. It is nothing special, but also enough for the price we are looking at.



The faceplate design is nice, I love the glitter and differences on it. Only downside is that its branded with a big HBB logo and Kiwi Ears, and would be much more attractive without.



The nozzle and shell is very similar to other IEMs from Kiwi Ears and Thieaduio, it should match well for most ears. The nozzle is 6.2mm wide, and has a small lip to keep tips more secure.

Here you can also see the 2 pin socket, the resin was a little tight on one side covering some of the hole. But with careful wiggle it was still easy to get the cable in, this is not bad and happens on many of the more budget built sets.



The included accessories are okay to get your going, the olive silicon tips is actually stock tips that work for my ears and they provide a balanced sound.

The case does look a little cheap, but it does work to have your Punch safely stored in it. Biggest con is that it's quite small, so you need to be more careful when storing Punch in it.

The cable is delivered with a 3.5mm single ended jack, this is a copper cable and is quite pliable and light.



Sound impression

Going to use the ranges here in review:





Details and soundstage

Detail in IEMs is down mostly to quality driver and how it amplitudes the frequencies, also when the drivers is faster it increases the resolution you hear.

The tuning of Punch is not the best for clarity/resolution, it's still a good set if one compares it with other bass focused IEMs. The upper mids is part of the reason as it's a little safely tuned, making it softer and less clear sounding.

Soundstage is quite average, it doesn't sound closed in and doesnt sound specially deep and holographic.

Timbre

The sound of Punch is what I consider colorful, it has a heavy focus into the bass making it less natural but more fun if you love enhanced bass. The Punch is close to the new meta with an extra bass boost, so if one has heard something like KE4 or Mega5EST this is similar but even warmer.

Bass is clearly one of the main features of Punch, it reaches low and can give some really noticeable sub bass rumble. So much so that some music will sound too bassy if it's already boosted, what is nice is that the bass is almost flat around 200hz making it not be a muddy mess. The name Punch is interesting, as while it can have a punchy sound it's a little soft since decay is not the fastest. It is not slow, but when coming off some other sets with planar and BA the bass is clearly more slow and less punchy/visceral.
I should mention I am overly critical about bass here, I bet many would hear this and find it close to their bass dream. I also find it really good and fun, just a personal preference for it being faster in decay as it matches some genres like metal better. But then listen to some hip hop or electronica(most) and the decay and texture is awesome, so it also depends on the music being played.

Midrange is smooth and sort of balanced, for me it's better for darker instruments/vocals than brighter. Some of this is because bass is boosted so much you need more upper midrange to balance it, what you get in return is a bassy but fatigue free and smooth listen. And its definitely tilted more for darker pitched sounds, they are rich and engaging and match well with the energy of the bass.

The Punch have branded EST drivers, quite impressive to deliver it at this price range. It does have very good extension and can be quite airy when the music calls for it, while it's not often the focus because of the warmth in the low end. Good thing is that when its well extended like this, instruments sound more realistic as they get all the harmonics they need from the highs.

Synergies with accessories and sources

The stock cable does nothing wrong, I did change it out but that was mostly to use a balanced 4.4mm. I do advise that instead of focusing on cable to use some money on different eartips, the stock ones are not the best for my ears. Also since it have such a warm sound a tip reducing some bass can be nice, Eletech Baroque does this for me.

As for sources the Punch played well on both my DAPs, it sounded better on iBasso DX180 than M8T since M8T is a softer sounding DAP. While what I linked the most is the ifi GO bar Kensei, using this with the xSpace opened up the stage and clarity some.



Comparisons

When evaluating the sets I use each of them over longer periods and also some shorter sessions swapping back and forth, it takes a long time and is not done in one sitting. The most critical comparison is done on my desktop setup that is highly resolving, with volume matching to take away loudness variance.

The spider chart is slightly exaggerated on some points to show differences, this is a subjective evaluation and reflects what I prefer.



Hisenior Mega5EST+

This is an IEM that competes directly with Kiwi Ears Punch, they have a similar driver configuration and even measurement. What is the most different is the higher price, it does come with a shell and accessories that are a little better than Punch.

The tonality is close to the same, on paper the Punch have a little more sub bass and treble. But this is not easy to hear, as the difference is really small. Both sets are also equally as technical and resolving, a clean and smooth meta tuning with bass boost. The Punch requires much less power than Bass+, but both sound good from most sources. The isolation is not as good on Punch as with Bass+, so when in noisy environments the bass on Bass+ gets drowned more easily.

Bass is a little more deep on Punch, and on a few test tracks like Massive Attack’s Angel it can be slightly noticeable having more sub bass. But the Mega5EST has a little tighter bass response, so on faster tracks the Punch can sound slower in bass decay than Bass+. Both have drivers that produce an elastic bass response, with a similar quality. I have a slight preference for the quality of Bass+, as it's a little more tactile.

Midrange and highs are the same for me, a few tracks I could hear the Punch being more sharp and V shaped but it's only because of going back and forth testing.

THIEAUDIO Origin

THIEAUDIO Origin is my bass reference under $1000, it is a much more high end set but I know many want to know how close Punch can get to this. Linsoul owns both Kiwi Ears and THIEAUDIO, and Kiwi Ears can be seen as their budget brand.

First of the shell is much larger on Origin, comfort is much better with Punch. I also think Punch has a nice design, someone else will probably disagree. Similar as with Bass+, the isolation is better on Origin than with Punch. I also much more like the accessories from Origin, while some could argue the lighter and softer cable of Punch is more usable.

I mention this in my review of the Origin, it has a texture to the sound that's all over the midrange making it less clean but at the same time more holographic and rich. Since both the Punch and Origin have similar tuning it's quite obvious when ABing them that Origin has something extra going on, this is most likely the bone conduction. This does make listening to a normal set like Punch sound like it's missing something, but it also can make it sound smoother and cleaner.
On a technical level the Origin is a little more resolving, it also has a more wide and deep soundstage that's more holographic.

The bass quality is of higher quality on Origin, it has a stronger amount of force and sounds more tactile. In theory the Punch should have more bass as that's what measurement show, but in real life the softer decay makes it sound less impactful. The softer decay also affect speed, so fast double kicks in metal can sound off compared to Origin.

Midrange is more nuanced and rich on Origin, I do believe this because of the BC more than the 2 extra BA. Both instruments and vocals sound richer and less muted, one could dislike the meta tuning but still like Origin.

Treble is very similar to them, both are sets with good extension and air for being bassy sets.



Music

Click here for Audio with Leo playlist

When comparing Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch I have used the tracks listed here and more, I will also provide a few albums I have enjoyed during these weeks with the Punch.



An EP from Charlotte De Witte, energetic techno.



Enjoy some Psydub with deep bass, really fun on a set like Punch.



Another electronic record, many hours of enjoyment.



I always love to have some extra bass for metal, while this is borderline too much it also work quite well.



I am not much of a hip hop/rap listener, but I cannot review a set from HBB without having something here. A little nice gem I discovered randomly some weeks ago.



Jazzy hip hop is much more my thing, it sounds very nice with Punch.



Conclusion

The Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch is a tribrid IEM that has warm and lush sound, in its price range it's one of the best options for the bass lovers. If one has heard any of the new meta tuned IEMs and thought it needed more warmth, this is exactly that. But even if it has a mighty 14dB bass shelf it is clean early into the midrange, making it not be muddy and a thick mess.

The Punch is made in a comfortable resin shell that should suit most ears, and is delivered with all the accessories you need to start enjoying music. If it's anything negative it's that the accessories are a little cheap, and the branding of the Punch is a little too much. There is also the part about having collaboration IEMs, some really dislike collaborations like this while I personally am neutral. Even so this is the best collaboration IEM I have heard from HBB, so if one is looking for bass focused tribrid this should be taken into the list of possible purchases.

My end rating will be 4 stars on head-fi with a personal score of 76/100, it's a recommended set if you need some bass and punch in your life. I want to thank Linsoul for the opportunity to review this, it is possible to buy Punch directly from Linsoul or Kiwi Ears store.

- Introduction -
Hello friends, today in the review we will consider tribrid headphones from the company Kiwi Ears in collaboration with Hawaii Bad Boy.
They come in a small box with a beautiful design, there is an image of the headphones themselves, there is a logo of the company and reviewer HBB, and also indicated the name of this model Punch sounds pretty cool agree,and I can say immediately that this name these headphones definitely justify!

- Technical specifications -
Drivers: 1 dynamic driver 10mm + 2x balanced armature Knowles + 2x Sonion EST
Sensivity: 98dB
Impedance: 12Ω
Frequency Range: 5Hz-44kHz
Plug type: 3.5mm jack or 4.4mm jack

- Let's take a look at what's included -
1.High quality audio cable with connectors 2 pin and 3.5 mm jack.

2.Branded case.

3.User manual.

4.Eartips.

5.Stainless meshes.

The headphones are pretty large and made entirely of medical grade resin and they look great to me, and I really like the look of them decorated with small crystals and the company logo on the right earpiece, and the gold HBB logo on the left one.

These headphones use a standard connector 2 pin for cable connection, and the only hole for compensation here taken back and additionally protected by a metal mesh, ana inside them is a channel marking and the serial number of the model, specifically in my case it is E-1071.


And the nozzle here is very good, it has a diameter of 6 mm, the optimal length, has a bead for better fixation of ear tips and is additionally protected by a metal mesh.

Well and with the fit and comfort as you understand friends here everything is excellent, despite the fact that these headphones are quite large, but in the ears they sit well and generally no questions to the fit I have no, and the sound insulation is at the height, and personally I have long been accustomed to such large headphones and I tell you as the owner of ThieAudio Hype 4 that it does not bother me at all.




- Tuning and Conception -
Well now let's talk about how the Kiwi Ears x HBB PUNCH tribrid headphones sound, and this is what their frequency response graph looks like and these headphones have 15dB of bass boost, with a smooth transition to the lower midrange, and the emphasis in the upper midrange area here will be even less than on my Target, so I can tell you right away that these headphones in this area do not sound sharp or overly energetic, and there is absolutely no fatigue and discomfort here, which can not but please, and the treble is surprisingly good and balanced, they are definitely not bright, but at the same time do not go into some dark pitch, and I would call it literally perfectly observed balance, between good technicality with detail and competently presented musicality and smoothness that excludes any unpleasant sibilants and aggression in the pitch of this range, while the extension of the treble here is very good and they only smoothly fade after 15 kHz, which is absolutely normal.

- ThieAudio HYPE 4 vs Kiwi Ears x HBB PUNCH -
But in comparison with ThieAudio Hype 4, it is immediately noticeable that Kiwi Ears x HBB PUNCH are much more bassy headphones, and it would seem that there seems to be a difference of only 5dB, but believe me guys, it is very noticeable, listening to Punch in contrast it is immediately clear that they are much more bassy, with a more powerful sub bass, and even more punchy mid bass, and in terms of quality and speed characteristics of both models are equally good, but in my opinion, the Hype 4 is much more suitable for those who want to get a more balanced and universal for different musical genres without excessive emphasis on low frequencies, but the Punch is already a pure ideal for true real bassheads, and note that the accent in the upper midrange of the Punch will be less than that of the Hype 4,so when comparing it is immediately noticeable that Kiwi Ears x HBB PUNCH sound here much more neutral and smooth, and personally to me here they remind Tangzu Nezha they have here the same relaxed and very accurate presentation, and Hype 4 here sound a little more bold, energetic and driving, with a more forward vocal in the construction of the sound stage, so here you can see for yourself who likes what more, and the treble frequencies, if you pay attention to the graph they also differ, and when comparing it is immediately noticeable that the Hype 4 will have more of them, and in general they sound in this range more angry and more technical, and more emphasize the attack of the cymbals with transients due to the use of armature radiators, but the highs of the punch will be less, and they sound in general much more delicate and a little more careful, but still with good detail and transparency, you just have to take into account that all sorts of micro nuances are a little more highlighted in the Hype 4, and the Punch try to bring us everything a little more careful, and if for example it happened that you had a lot of highs in Hype 4, then I think that you can now safely consider punch to replace Hype 4, but of course friends, provided that you feel that you are really a basshead and need more bass, well now let's better discuss the sound of Kiwi Ears x HBB PUNCH in more detail.

- Low Frequencies -
The bass in these headphones is, to me, their real element. As they are super massive, powerful, but at the same time extremely clear and detailed. This is exactly the case when bass does not just fill the space, but forms the whole sound picture, creating depth and scale of sound. And the sub-bass in these headphones goes to some simply prohibitive depth, literally enveloping the listener with a powerful sound wave, but at the same time I like that it does not lose its texture, it does not sound like something invited or excessively warm. And the most important thing is that it is literally felt physically, and I note that in these headphones there is not the slightest hint of hum or any blurring, as the bass remains very clean, focused and most importantly perfectly controlled, yes, a slight overhang on the lower middle is certainly there, but I think that in the case of these headphones is even better, because in this case, this area gains some added lushness and additional weight, which works very well on both vocals and instruments.
And listening to electronica and hip hop, as for me it is those genres on which these headphones are primarily oriented, the bass here gives literally the very fundamental power, which makes absolutely any tracks alive and rich, and for example in acoustic genres allows you to clearly hear the depth of double bass, and the massiveness of the big drum and soft vibrations of the low notes of the cello.
The mid-bass, on the other hand, adds a lot of relief and drive. It is very dynamic, fast and elastic.
And each percussion part is felt as naturally as possible drums sound with a brightly emphasized attack and bass guitar acquires the very rich sound, where you can perfectly hear nuances of distortion, saturation and even the smallest vibrations of the strings. And in rock and metal, this range plays a key role, emphasizing the hardness of guitar riffs and providing the sound with a very solid foundation.
But what's particularly impressive is the absolute control, and for bass-headphones, that's a great result.
Because despite all its power, the bass never overpowers the midrange, never blurs the instruments or makes the sound muddy. And even in the densest tracks, where a huge number of instruments sound simultaneously, it remains very clear, crisp and perfectly readable.
And at the same time, these headphones hold the rhythm perfectly, without letting the bass get muddy or lose clarity, even at high volume. And believe me, with these headphones, you can easily turn the volume up to almost maximum, and the bass remains just as fast, energetic, and as controlled as possible. And I believe that this is the type of sound that is ideal for both deep immersion in the atmosphere of music, and for active listening, when you just want to take and feel literally every note, every beat and every vibration of the bass range.
And in the end, these headphones are a real find for true bassheads. They provide not just powerful and massive bass, but detailed, textured and incredibly expressive bass, capable of conveying absolutely all the dynamics and energy of any music.
- Mid Frequencies -
The midrange in these headphones has a truly neutral and natural character, but with a very noticeable warm coloration, creating a comfortable and maximally smooth sound. They are not as energetic and punchy as the Thieaudio Hype 4, but rather more relaxed, softer and I would say more fluid, which makes the delivery particularly pleasant for extended listening. There is no excessive harshness or aggressive accents, but on the contrary, the sound seems to envelope you, forming such a very cozy and atmospheric sound picture.
Vocals in these headphones sound very smooth and neat, without any extra emphasizing or extra emphasis.
It is strongly forward in construction, but remains very well readable and quite detailed. Female voices are conveyed with a slight roundness, and male voices with a very noticeable and weighty thoroughness, but without excessive saturation in the lower mids. And instruments also keep their naturalness in presentation, for example, acoustic guitar sounds rather softly, and without excessive brightness, and wind instruments are transmitted cleanly, but with a slight added and pleasant warmth, well, but the strings already acquire a beautiful and amazing velvety, especially noticeable in the lowest register.
And thanks to good transparency and dynamics, the midrange doesn't lose detail and allows you to hear all the nuances of a recording perfectly. Even in complex arrangements, the instruments remain intelligible, not blending into each other, but not bulging.
And as for me in this range reigns literally perfect balance, as it does not press on you with its sharpness, but also does not go into excessive analog softness. Everything sounds natural and restrained, absolutely without any artificial accents, which is especially well manifested in live music, jazz and acoustics, and even more so in modern music trends like pop and electronica.
And in general, this is exactly that midrange presentation that makes the sound as versatile, comfortable and relaxed as possible. There is definitely no aggressive vigor or excessive assertiveness, but on the contrary, the sound flows at you as smoothly as possible, creating a feeling of coziness and depth. And it is this setup that makes these headphones a great option for those who like a rather detailed, but unobtrusive sound, which just can be listened to for hours without any fatigue.
- High Frequencies -
The treble in these headphones is, to me, a model of balance and comfort. They are smooth, natural, without excessive brightness, but at the same time remain absolutely clear and transparent. There is no hint of aggression or harshness here, as the delivery of these headphones is as delicate, pleasant and not tiring as possible, even when listening for long periods of time. At the same time, the treble is definitely not dark and not muted, they are well read, providing you with the necessary detail and airiness, but I note do it without unnecessary emphasis on some added sparkle as in brighter models.
But certainly in comparison with the Thieaudio Hype 4, it is immediately noticeable that the treble here is less emphasized and not so emphasized in the mix, but at the same time retains exactly the same correct timbre and natural intelligibility. Cymbals sound very even, without excessive hiss or residual ringing, and string instruments are conveyed in detail, but without any harsh attacks, and vocals do not go into excessive airiness as in some planar headphones, remaining here very balanced and comfortable in their presentation.
And thanks to the excellent transparency of this range does not lose detail, even the most subtle nuances such as reverberation, fades and various after-sounds from instruments remain very audible.
But most importantly, there is no unpleasant harshness that could tire you out or take you out of the atmosphere of the music. The pitch in these headphones guys remains as natural and pleasant as possible, making the punchy sounds an excellent choice for long listening sessions, as well as for those who appreciate good detail, but do not want to face excessive brightness or dryness of the upper range.
As a result, the treble in these headphones is not about excessive hyper-detail or an emphasis on ultra-bright and analytical presentation, but about harmony, timbral accuracy and comfort. They provide just the right amount of information for natural live sound, while maintaining a good balance between detail and softness.
- Sound Stage -
And the soundstage in these headphones is a real immersion into the music, as if you were inside a voluminous, spacious acoustic space. It is wide, but at the same time not artificially inflated, but natural, giving the right sense of depth and three-dimensionality.
And believe me depth is expressed perfectly here instruments are located on different plans, creating you a beautiful multi-layered sound. All elements of the mix are felt separately, without any crowding and with the right distance between them.
This is especially noticeable in tracks with a lot of instruments, such as orchestral music, where it is very noticeable that each instrument has its own place and does not merge with others.
And the width of the stage is impressive, the sound goes far beyond the head, forming the effect of open space.And this gives excellent atmospherics, creating some effect of presence, whether it is a chamber recording or some super large-scale symphony orchestra. And the sound in these headphones seems to envelope you, filling the entire sound field.
At the same time, the positioning of instruments and sound sources in these headphones is very accurate, you can clearly identify where the drums are, where the vocals are located, and where the guitar parts sound.
And this adds even more realism and depth, enhancing the effect of complete immersion in the music.
And as a result, the soundstage in these headphones combines excellent breadth, depth and ambience, creating the effect of being in the thick of the musical action. And it's not just a technically advanced space, but a truly vibrant, immersive acoustic atmosphere that makes you want to stay as long as possible.
My conclusion on this headphones!
Well, the conclusion of the Kiwi Ears Punch tribrid headphones is as follows: Without any doubt friends, these are great headphones that I can safely recommend to both bassheads and lovers of truly neutral and very smooth presentation, and for the last week I've been literally every day listening mainly to these headphones and I'm not a super basshead, but guys, I'll be honest, I like their presentation so much that it's just impossible not to take these headphones and listen to some music at least a couple hours a day, well really so cool they present everything that at least listen to them every hour, and happy that there is enough detail, and listening to micro nuances is on the height, and no shouting and unnecessary energy in the upper middle is not here at all, and the bass guys it is just a space that takes you to a completely different dimension from which you really do not want to get out, so I safely recommend these headphones to buy!
Buy this headphones on Linsoul Official Website: https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-x-hbb-punch

In collaboration with the reviewer HBB (Hawaii Bad Boy), Kiwi Ears has released an IEM that should satisfy every bass lover. And even more than that. Not only should the bass deliver tremendous slam and punch, but the rest of the frequency response should also bring this bass under control. In the following, I would like to explain in a short review how this bass-strong IEM nevertheless delivers a balanced sound signature.

Let's start with the technical details and they are impressive! A basshead IEM that uses 2 EST drivers from Sonion for the ultra high frequencies. Plus 2 BA drivers from Knowles for the mids and highs. The bass range with a low bass emphasis of around 15dB is produced by a 10mm composite dynamic driver. The 5-driver IEM x HBB Punch combines its 5 drivers via a 3-way crossover network to create an overall sound.



The scope of delivery of the 449 USD x HBB Punch is limited to the bare essentials. A very small package contains the 4-wire 3.5mm connection cable made of single crystal copper, a few silicone tips, some protective stickers for the nozzle and a very small textile storage box with a zipper. The cable is pleasantly soft and does not produce any microphonic effects. The sound is solid, but you can do even better with after-market cables! More on this later. The x HBB Punch doesn't exactly score points for the scope of delivery, but all the more for the sound. I can already say that much. The workmanship and design are very good. I like the color composition. It is also comfortable to wear due to its small size and weight.

I use my iBasso DX320 MAX Ti for the sound test. Experience has shown that the Sonion EST drivers need a little more power. However, the first gain level of the MAX Ti is completely sufficient to make the x HBB Punch really punch! And it's got a killer bottom end, my goodness!



Tonally, the x HBB Punch plays similarly to a Kinera Imperial Loki. From 2.5Khz the frequency response is very similar to the Loki and many people know that this is one of my favorite IEMs. In addition, the bass range is about 7-8 dB higher than that of the Loki. In terms of coherence and technical finesse, it easily beats a FatFreq Scarlet Mini. The very strong low and mid-bass range sounds much more controlled and doesn't protrude so much into the other ranges. With EDM, metal and rock, the x HBB Punch has a powerful presence at the bottom end, which is a lot of fun.

The mids sound warm and natural and not overly thickened. The separation is good, but of course it can't keep up with more neutrally tuned IEMs due to the increased bass range. Nevertheless, the x HBB Punch does this very well.

One of the most outstanding features is the treble. Despite the very high level in the bass range, the EST drivers still illuminate enough detail and provide a little airiness, bringing the balance back into equilibrium. I completely missed that with the Scarlet Mini, for example. Of course, the x HBB Punch isn't a resolution miracle, but the bass range doesn't overlay the details so much, which is a big plus.

The soundstage is very solid with sufficient width and depth. It doesn't play as “in your face” as you might expect. The action takes place at some distance in front of the listener. I find that very pleasant. I don't like these very intimate presentations and prefer something more expansive.

With an aftermarket cable such as the Grand Silver pure silver cable from Lavricables, you can take the x HBB Punch up another notch. The bass range is minimally reduced and gains even more control and audibility. The stage becomes much wider and the separation increases further. Overall, for IEMs under 500 USD, this is a performance that I can't think of any other IEM in this price segment that would be better.

The x HBB Punch is a great IEM for people who like a lot of bass and for whom punch is the top priority. This is exactly what the x HBB Punch delivers in a very controlled and high quality and at a very good technical level with an overall very coherent sound. For the price, the best basshead IEM I know! A winner from Kiwi Ears!

Almost a Knockout!​

Starting out...​

This is my first review, so please go easy on me! I do not think myself a great writer, but I'll do my best here.

I started my IEM journey in March 2024 with Dunu DaVinci and what a start that was! My personal preferences align well with those, so I thought it was a one-and-done. Boy was I wrong! Since then, I am incredibly fortunate enough to have owned and sold: Dita Dream XLS, Fatfreq Maestro SE, 64 Audio Volur, Mega 5 EST, Mega5EST Bass, 64 Audio U4S (twice lol), Symphonium Titan, FatFreq Deuce, Tancjim Origin, and have tried and returned quite a few others.

My preferences lean towards neutral with a bass boost, which many recent IEMs appear to be doing, so it is a perfect time for me to seemingly enter the space.

Enough about me, on with the show...​

Directly from Kiwi Ears website:​

Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch 1 10mm DD + 2 Knowles 32257 BA + 2 Sonion EST

The Punch employs a 3-way passive crossover network with dedicated sound tubes for each driver type, ensuring a cohesive and finely tuned sound.

Model​

Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch

Drivers​

Sonion EST × 2, Knowles 32257 × 2, 10mm Dynamic Driver

Sensitivity​

98 dB (±1 dB) @ 1 kHz

Frequency Response​

5 Hz – 44 kHz

Configuration​

3-way crossover with 3 sound tubes

Impedance​

12Ω

Cable​

Conductor: Single crystal copper (7 groups * 17 strands * 0.08) * 4 strands Cable Diameter: 1.45mm Structure: Braided Outer Layer: PVC AWG: 20 Connector: 3.5mm

Subjective Impressions:​

Unboxing:​

The unboxing experience is very underwhelming for $450. They come with a rather nice cable. The included ear tips are above average. And the included case is rather small but will fit everything, albeit, squished.

Comfort:​

Surprisingly, I find these to be quite comfortable for longer sessions, including the cable. The provided ear-tips are quite good, but I found AZLA SednaEarfit Crystal much more comfortable More often than not, I find most twisted cables to be uncomfortable if not shielded properly on the ear hooks, especially if the y-split is heavy. This is not the case with the Punch's included cable.

Sound:​

Again, this will be my first time putting to words my thoughts on things, so here goes:

Bass:​

As I'm sure you can imagine, it is plentiful, punchy (no pun intended), and full-bodied. It is incredibly well done, both quality and quantity, and makes for a very fun listen to various music and gaming. Call of Duty showcases the bass incredibly well with the sheer amount of explosions, doors getting kicked in, lower register of gun sounds, etc. Drums sound exceptional on these! Dreams - 2004 Remaster by Fleetwood Mac has a heartbeat-like bass note throughout the song and helps to build on the emotion of the song. Norway by The Brummies is very similar with the thumping bass drum throughout the song pounding its way into your heart. Granted, once the second verse comes in, the bass overpowers the strings. At lower volumes, it's not as much of an issue, but it's just something to be aware of. If you like Techno/EDM, Simply Being Loved by BT is produced incredibly well, with the bass pounding, but not too much to let the rest of the frequency shine on this set.

Mids:​

Another thing I appreciate in music is a more warm, natural timbre when it comes to vocals and instruments. These do a great job of reproducing a very natural-sounding tonality. The vocals do take a backseat, making busier songs harder to understand. Interestingly, Pices by Jinjer (a GREAT metal song by a fantastic band if you haven't heard it) is light on the vocals when Tatiana is singing and much more pronounced when she is screaming. It does depend on how the song is mixed. Johnny Cash's version of Hurt is wonderful and does his voice justice. But it is a give and take.

Highs:​

This one is kind of a hard one for me. Acoustic guitars have a crisp twang to them and you can tell when someone is using a guitar pick, but you won't hear the subtle nuances that you might hear on a more bass-neutral set. That being said, when bass takes a back seat in the mix the ESTs perform exactly as they are supposed to and can produce some wonderful highs. Michicant by Bon Iver there is a tactility to the guitar being played in the background and Justin Vernon's falsetto is presented very well. Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven (Paul Lewis rendition) is interesting to listen to as you can hear Paul breathing ever so slightly in the mix showing that when bass isn't at the forefront, you still can get subtleties out of these. I am treble sensitive at about the 10k region, and these have not been sibilant even a single time.

Soundstage:​

To my ears, the soundstage is presented in a way as if you were an audience in a concert hall. Music is presented to you, the instruments surrounding you, and the vocals center stage. The same can be said about the spatial awareness while gaming. Footsteps are presented above, below, behind, beside, etc. the way they are supposed to be. Granted, the only truly expansive soundstage I have heard is Dita Dream XLS, and that was crazy! But these do a good job, in my opinion.

Comparisons:​

Take these with a grain of salt as I haven't heard many of these in either a few days or a few months. But I have reasons that I didn't keep most of these sets.

Hisenior Mega5EST: I thought they were very good, but couldn't see a reason to keep them vs. Dunu DaVinci which I owned at the time. I found the Mega5 to be boring and muddy (if I'm remembering correctly). The DaVinci did a much better job with its layering and separation. And to that vain, the Punch is similar. Excellent separation and a much better soundstage compared to both DaVinci and Mega5. Which leads to...

Dunu x Gizaudio DaVinci: DaVinci will always hold a place in my heart as my first set. But Punch is the next step compared to DaVinci. The things I loved about DaVinci, the Punch does better and fixes the higher peaks that would become sibilant to me on DaVinci.

FatFreq Maestro SE/x HBB Deuce: I'll start with Maestro SE. I don't know what it was about MSE. I thought it sounded great! But not in the way that others expressed. The bass was excellent, both quality and quantity. The soundstage was great, the separation, layering, *insert audiophile word here*. But the bass didn't have exactly what I was looking for. It didn't sound the way it graphed. Enter the Deuce. Now the Deuce has the bass. But is much more intimate sounding. Rather than music being played for you, it sounds like you are on the stage with the band around you. The Punch definitely is a step up in terms of technicalities, layering, separation, resolution, etc. but the Deuce does do a great job at being a fun bassy set. They are similar in some aspects, but Punch knocks out the competition here.

Symphonium Titan: Ahhh this guy. I LOVED the Titan. Absolutely adored it. My ONLY issue with Titan is it was honestly too much bass. But only in certain things, like CoD, some movies, and some music. When there was a track, game, movie, or video that was mixed well, Titan shined! All the other frequencies were great. My only reason for staying with the Punch over Titans is the level of bass, easier to drive, and my horrendous FOMO. They are a truly wonderful set, and the bass is the best I have heard, but it is just too much.

Test Songs:​

I've already mentioned a few, but some of these are my personal favorites:

Long After You're Gone by Chris Jones - Recorded SO well! Crispy acoustic guitar, FAT bass, warm vocals. Overall a great test track and a beautiful song.

imperfect for you by Ariana Grande - I am generally not into pop. But this song is mixed insanely well and highlights female vocals very well and, again, FAT bass.

Norway by The Brummies - I already mentioned it, but it's just a great chill song to close your eyes and enjoy.

Old Friends by Ben Rector - A surprise in the intro, wonderful lyrics, and so many different fun things to hear throughout.

Time by Hans Zimmer - I don't really think I need to talk about this song. And if you don't know it, you definitely should.

Beautiful Losers by Coheed and Cambria (all-time favorite band) - Multiple guitarists, great harmonies, WONDERFUL dynamics, pounding incredible drums a la Josh Eppard (legend), and Claudio Sanchez's voice is one that I have found is difficult to present correctly.

There are SO many more, but if you listen to a single song from this list (outside of Coheed and Cambria because they are incredible) PLEASE listen to
Defying Gravity (Movie Recording) off of the Wicked Soundtrack - The emotion on display, dynamics, thunderous drums, it is just... it is an experience! But so far the Punch has presented this song in a way I haven't experienced in an IEM to date. Not even my beloved Titan.

Conclusion:​

I'm not sure what else to say, outside of what has already been said!

If you are looking for a very fun and bassy set, these should make your shortlist! Out of all of the sets I have personally purchased or traded, these are staying in my collection. They aren't perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But for what I was looking for, they are close enough!

If you read this, thank you very much for taking the time, and if you have music recommendations, I am all ears!