Kinera Freya 2.0 Review
Kinera Freya 2.0 Review
Introduction:
Kinera Electronic Co. Ltd. is a well-known Chinese HiFi Brand that is specialized in the production, design and development of portable audio equipment’s such like “In-Ear Monitors, TWS Earbuds and Cables”. The company is also known for its attention to the design of their products and the packaging.
The Freya 2.0 is the successor of the original Freya In-Ear Monitor. It comes with a Hybrid Driver configuration that consists of 3x Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers + 1x 7mm Custom Dynamic Driver that is connected to a 3-way crossover design. The drivers are located inside a very esthetic looking transparent resin shell with a reverse coating that has 2-Pin connectors on the top. The Freya 2.0 comes with a detachable Copper Alloy wire cable with a modular headphone plug design.
Background of the Freya in the Norse Mythology:
Freya, a prominent figure in Norse mythology, is associated with love, beauty, war, and gold. Born in the Vanir tribe, she possesses exceptional magical skills. Her parents are the god of plenty, Njord, and Nerthus, her twin sister. Freya is married to the wanderer Od, and her eternal search for him often brings tears of sorrow. The couple has two daughters, Hnoss and Gersemi. Following the alliance between the Vanir and Aesir tribes, conflicts with giants intensified. Odin, the chief god, dispatched Freya and the thunder god Thor to lead the Aesir army against the giants. The Aesir emerged victorious, and Freya’s valor earned her the title of “Goddess of War.” Odin rewarded her with a grand palace, dedicating half to fallen heroes in Valhalla and the other half for training warriors when needed.
Disclaimer:
I would like to thank Kinera for providing me with the Freya 2.0 sample for review purposes. I have no affiliation with Kinera beyond this review, and all opinions expressed here are my own, true, and unaltered. I hope this review will be helpful to anyone considering purchasing the Freya 2.0.
Price & Availability:
The actual price for the Kinera Freya 2.0 is 269.00 US$. More information’s can be found under the link below;
Package & Accessories:
Kinera is known with its attention to the design of their monitors and to its packaging, which makes it to one of my favorite companies when it comes to the presentation of their products. The Freya 2.0 came inside a very stylish looking hexagonal box with a blue and white marbled design on the lid that sports some product related brandings on the top.
Inside the box of the Freya 2.0 are the following contents/accessories;
- 1 x pair of Kinera Freya 2.0 In-Ear Monitors
- 1 x 4 core Copper Alloy Cable with 2-Pin connectors and modular design
- 2 x Modular Headphone Plug Adapters (1x 4.4mm + 1x 3.5mm Plug Adapter)
- 5 x pairs Final Type-E Silicone Ear Tips (SS/S/M/L/LL)
- 3 x pairs Kinera K-07 Balanced Silicone Ear Tips (S/M/L)
- 3 x pairs Kinera 221 Vocal Silicone Ear Tips (S/M/L)
- 1 x Storage Case
- 1 x Cleaning Brush
- 1 x User Manual
The Kinera Freya 2.0 offers a very rich set of accessories that includes Kinera’s K-07 Balanced and 221 Vocal ear tips, as well as 5 pairs of Final Type-E silicone ear tips.
Moreover, the Freya 2.0 comes with a pretty esthetic looking storage case, a detachable 2-pin cable with modular headphone plug design and a cleaning brush, which is a nice addition.
Design & Build Quality:
Kinera Freya 2.0 is a beautiful looking In-Ear Monitor made of transparent resin material with a hand-painted faceplate design. The shells are crafted using high-precision 3D printing technology and do have a semi-custom shape.
Inside the monitors is a Hybrid Driver configuration that consists of 3x Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers + 1x 7mm diameter Custom Dynamic Driver that is connected to the sound nozzle with a 3-way crossover design. Freya 2.0 Glitter particles are added to the empty areas as decorations and add depth and layers. Dark color pigments are applied diagonally to enhance the colors. When exposed to natural light, a shiny shine is created that is reminiscent of the deep sea or twinkling stars.
One of the main highlights of the Kinera Freya 2.0 monitor shells is the artistic design of the faceplates. Each monitor is hand-painted, which means that every monitor is unique in appearance from the other. This adds a personal touch to the IEMs and makes them even more special.
The left faceplate features the Kinera logo, while the right earpiece boasts the Freya logo, both prominently displayed against a captivating blue background. This background is further enhanced by shimmering glitter decorations, adding a touch of sparkle and visual interest that elevates the beauty of the faceplates.
On the top of each monitor shell is the one 0.78mm diameter 2Pin female connector that offer a pretty tight and secure connection with the male connectors of the detachable cable.
At the rear side of the monitor shell is a small opening, which a vent is dedicated for the 7 mm Custom Dynamic Driver that is responsible for the lower frequency production.
The sound nozzle has 3 bores on the top that is part of the 3-Way Frequency Crossover design, connected with small “Acoustic Tubes” to the 3xBA + 1xDD hybrid driver configuration.
The craftsmanship of the monitors is excellent, as with all In-Ear Monitors I have reviewed from Kinera in the past. The shells are made of high-quality materials and are assembled with precision. The hand-painted faceplates are a particularly nice touch, and they add a touch of personality to the IEM’s.
The Kinera Freya 2.0 comes with a detachable 4-core cable featuring a modular headphone plug design. The cable is constructed from copper alloy, boasting a core diameter of 1.3mm and individual strand diameters of 0.06mm. Each core comprises 112 strands, totaling 448 strands overall.
The cable employs an independent winding LITZ structure, protected by a relatively soft PVC isolation layer.
The 0.78mm diameter 2-pin connectors feature metal housings with L/R markings. Additionally, the cable has flexible heat shrink ear guides on both sides, enhancing comfort, particularly during mobile use.
The detachable cable is equipped with a Y-splitter and a chin slider, both sporting a stylish design and crafted from the same metal material as the connector and headphone jack housings.
The Freya 2.0 includes a modular headphone plug system, with both 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm single-ended terminations provided in the package. The headphone jack features a straight-profiled metal housing with the Kinera brand logo that is displayed on the top.
The build quality and design of both the monitors and the cable are impressive, meeting my expectations for a product at this price level. The cable is thick and braided, and feels like they can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Fit, Comfort & Isolation:
Due to its small size and comfortable shape, the Kinera Freya 2.0 fits perfectly in my ears with a medium-sized concha. This snug fit provides above-average passive noise isolation, making the Freya 2.0 suitable for use in moderately noisy environments like buses or trains.
Drivability & Pairing:
The Kinera Freya 2.0 is an easily driven In-Ear Monitor thanks to its low impedance of 20 Ω and high sensitivity of 105 dB. This makes it compatible with relatively weak sources like USB audio dongles, smartphones, or tablets.
Technical Specifications:
- Model : Freya 2.0
- Driver Combination : 3x Knowles Balanced Armature + 1x 7mm Custom Dynamic Driver
- Sensitivity : 105dB
- Impedance : 20 Ω
- Frequency Range : 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Rated Power : 3mW
- Connector Type : 0.78mm Diameter 2-Pin
- Cable Length : about 123cm
- Plug Type : 3.5mm Single Ended & 4.4mm Balanced Modular Plug
Equipment’s used for this review:
- IEM’s : Kinera Freya 2.0, SeeAudio Bravery
- Sources : FiiO M11 Plus ESS, Quloos MUB1
Albums & tracks used for this review:
- Adele – My Little Love (Spotify)
- Randy Crawford – On Day I Will Fly Away (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Hayley Westenra – Odyssey Album (Dezzer HiFi)
- Dionne Warwick – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Sarah McLachlan – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
- Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Payer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Elton John – Rocket Man ((Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Barry White – Just The Way You Are (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Sting – Englishman in New York – (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- B.B. King – Riding With The King (Tidal Hi-Fi)
- Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
- U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
- Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Really Slow Motion – Deadwood (Deezer HiFi)
- Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Twerl – Lishu (Spotify)
- Lorde – Royal (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
- Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Spotify)
- Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Deezer HiFi)
- Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove it) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Photek – The Hiden Camera (Spotify)
- Muse – Hysteria (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
- Rush – YYZ (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Rush – Leave That Thing Alone (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Slayer – Angel of Death (Spotify)s
- Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
- Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Spotify)
The Sound:
The Kinera Freya 2.0 shows relatively balanced sound with a slight emphasis on the treble range. The bass and midrange are in general linear and neutral, delivering clear and detailed vocals and instruments. The treble area is fairly bright and lively, while it has to be smoothed out with some tips rolling.
The Kinera Freya 2.0 review was written after a burn-in process of approximately 80 hours. Please note that the Freya 2.0 offers a significantly improved sound experience when used with the Final Type-E ear tips included in the package. These ear tips provide a smoother, more relaxed upper midrange and treble response, which I found to be slightly too energetic and bright with the other included tips. My sound impressions below are primarily based on my experience with the Freya 2.0 connected to the FiiO M11 Plus ESS (DAP) and Quloos MUB1 (DAC/AMP) using the 4.4mm modular plug.
Bass / Midrange / Treble / Soundstage & Imaging:
The Kinera Freya 2.0 shows a bass tuning that is well-balanced and controlled; delivering a fairly deep, impactful, and nuanced experience that complements the overall sound signature without overwhelming the other frequency ranges. The subbass response of the Freya 2.0 is in general relatively flat and consistent, and offers a tight and controlled presentation, while listen to instruments like bass guitars and kick drums that do sound well-defined and impactful without becoming overly boomy or muddy.
The midbass region of Freya 2.0 is also relatively linear and consistent, which helps instruments like guitars and drums to have a smooth and dynamic presence, adding a sense of weight and power to the overall sound signature. The bass of the Freya 2.0 has in general a good level speed and resolution.
The Kinera Freya 2.0 delivers clear and detailed vocals and instruments, especially in the upper midrange region. This is remarkable feature while listening to genres like rock and pop, where vocals and guitars often take center stage. However, there’s a slight dip in the lower midrange. I noticed this while listening to male vocals such like Isaac Hayes and Barry White and instruments like cellos or pianos, which sounded a touch less full-bodied than I’d prefer.
The upper midrange is more accentuated and nuanced compared to the lower midrange region, delivering a good level of clarity and resolution. The tonal character of instruments and vocals within this range is relatively natural, although I recommend using the Final Type-E ear tips to mitigate any sibilance or harshness that may occur from poorly recorded tracks.
The Kinera Freya 2.0’s treble range avoids major peaks and dips, offering a smooth and balanced presentation. Neither bright nor fatiguing, the Freya 2.0 shows a pleasing balance in the treble, maintaining a natural presentation. While the Freya 2.0 shows a slightly audible roll-off in the upper treble, sacrificing some air and sparkle, it avoids any unpleasant sibilance or harshness, making it a comfortable choice for longer listening periods.
The treble takes in general a backseat to the midrange, while it maintains a subtle presence with a mild peak around 5-6 kHz. This adds a hint of clarity and brilliance without overextending. I have to say that the extension and control of this area is pretty decent while listening to instruments like strings and percussion.
The Kinera Freya 2.0 shows an efficient performance in terms of separation between the right and the left channels, as well as the placement of instruments and vocals. The soundstage is relatively wide and moderately deep, while the neutral air between the instruments gives the stage a fairly airy atmosphere.
Comparison:
Kinera Freya 2.0 versus SeeAudio Bravery:
The Freya 2.0 has a slightly brighter overall sound compared to the Bravery, with more emphasis on the lows and upper midrange. The bass of the Freya 2.0 is punchier and more present, while the Bravery offers a warmer and more subtle bass response. The Freya 2.0 has a higher bass response than the Bravery, especially in the sub-bass region.
The midrange of the Freya 2.0 is more detailed and articulate. It offers a more forward oriented and clear presentation while listen to vocals and instruments. The Bravery on the other hand sounds more laid-back and smooth in this area. The upper midrange of the Bravery shows an audible dip that reduces the clarity and resolution, while it is less prone to sibilance and sharpness.
The treble tuning of the Freya 2.0 leans towards a brighter and more detailed presentation compared to the SeeAudio Bravery’s smoother and more subdued approach. The Freya 2.0’s lower treble region offers a greater sense of clarity, definition, and extension, while the Bravery’s upper treble region exhibits slightly more air and sparkle, though it can sometimes border on sounding metallic.
In terms of soundstage performance, the Kinera Freya 2.0 takes the lead in terms of width, offering a more expansive and open listening experience. However, the SeeAudio Bravery counters with a better sense of depth, creating a more immersive and intimate listening environment.
Conclusion:
The Kinera Freya 2.0 offers a balanced sound with a lean towards the treble, delivering clear and detailed vocals and instruments. While the bass and midrange are generally neutral, the upper midrange can benefit from tip adjustments for a smoother listening experience. Its balanced presentation, combined with its attractive design and customizable cable, makes the Freya 2.0 a compelling option for audiophiles seeking a versatile IEM.
Pros & Cons:
- + Balanced and controlled bass response
- + Clear and detailed vocals and instrument
- + Smooth and balanced treble
- + Amazing Monitor Design
- + Fit & Comfort
- + Rich Set of Accessories (Cable with Modular Plugs, Various Ear Tips, Fancy Carry Case)
- – Slight dip in the lower midrange
- – Average depth of the stage
- – Requires tip adjustments for optimal upper midrange experience
Thank you for the Read!
