Kiwi Ears Cadenza: beryllium coated single DD
….? Red? To my eye this color is
Vitoria’s Secret’s Pink
Careful ordering Red color.
I ordered from Amazon’s linsoul store
Sound Impression will follow. On this post.
Stock ear tips (3 variations x 3 sizes) all with normal bore size, which doesn’t really match with nozzle outlet size…which means with default stock ear tips, you will have sound interference of ear tip. Wide bore ear tips may save the sound outlet uninterrupted. SpinFit W1, Softears UC, AZLA Zelastec Crystal Clear may fit for single dynamic.
Sound out of box: with stock ear tips, impressions may change after tip roll
-reminds me of Tripowin-Mele in terms of ouf of box performance and tuning
-5-6khz a bit spicy, we will see if this gets tamed over the time
-the popular warm-harman tuned one, considering Mele is around $50, $35 isn’t bad pricing with the nice shell
-hmm, right out of the box, nothing stands out, not a bad single DD, but not exceptionally good (I have same notes on Tripowin Mele even after 100 hours of burn-in, so this may not change as well).
-tuning is classy, harman U, with main weight on upper-bass, people with bass bleed may feel a bit uncomfortable
Testing bass with this modern piano d’n’b. Bass region expressions are very sensitive and fast paced, of which it will be a challenging ground for dynamic drivers
Tips Roll:
I couldn’t stand mushy sound with default ear tips, tried several and found Unique Melody’s Blue Core (extra wide bore, with bass boosting soft black thin silicones, but solid bore barrel) is a good match.
This is the right bore size for cadenza:
UM bluecore & stock cable(feels pretty premium)
Timbre now feels more natural.
Dear Kiwi Ears:
Match your stock ear tip bore size with nozzle outlet unless you absolutely need the ear tip to timbre sound right. lack of “hifi” consciousness for stock ear tips will not leave a good impression upon box opening.
—Sound impressions upon proper ear tips fitted:
▶︎Harman with slight adjustments on bass floor, pretty natural and intimate
▶︎Sound stage is average
▶︎Rich & Natural timbre, acoustic instruments sounds welcoming
▶︎Good choice between Tripowin Lea once burn-in is completed, but do not expect an LCP bass speed
▶︎pretty cohesive imaging across the spectrum, no visible flaws unless using the stock ear tips
Moondrop Chu vs Tripowin Lea vs 7Hz Salnotes Zero vs CCA CRA+ vs Kiwi Ears Cadenza
Technical expressions:
Chu > Lea > Cadenza ≧ Salnotes Zero > CRA+
Overall tonal balance:
Salnotes Zero > Cadenza > Chu > Lea > CRA+
Timbre consistency : harmonic distortion
Chu > Lea > Salnotes Zero ≧ CRA+ ≧ Cadenza
My preference: tuning x technicality
Salnotes Zero > Chu > Lea ≧ Cadenza > CRA+
I would find myself comfortably listening with Cadenza for acoustic music, especially with duo /trio /quartet level small ensemble, due to the limitations in instrument separation, for full orchestra I wouldn’t use Cadenza unless all I needed is a macro listening or as a BGM. Cadenza is well balanced, so the tonal balance makes acoustic music to sound “right”.
For modern electronically mixed tracks, with wide variety of artificial sounds, Cadenza may sound “your average single DD” , lacks speed and layering, Cadenza has pretty wide frequency range, from very sub-bass to treble (disregarding that’s distorted or not), which makes at least Cadenza a bare minimum “Pass” for modern tracks.
I would pick Chu or Lea, the higher technicality ones as an entry-level solution.
For $35, it a good gift (just don’t choose Red, it will be pink unless you want Pink), “safe” sound with No visible flaws except basso-phobia, cable feels pretty premium (at least some aluminum components). Only let down is stock ear tips that has no good compatibility with Cadenza.