Kinera MIA Review
Kinera MIA Review
Introduction:
Kinera, established in 2011 and based in Dongguan, China, is known for its innovative and high-quality audio products. The company focuses on combining advanced technology with sleek designs to produce a range of IEMs and audio accessories that cater to both casual listeners and dedicated audiophiles.
The Kinera MIA In-Ear Monitor upgrade cable features an 8-core 6N Single Crystal Copper Silver-Plated construction, designed to enhance audio quality and durability. The cable includes interchangeable headphone plugs, such as a 3.5mm single-ended plug and a 4.4mm balanced plug, crafted from gold-plated brass using a precise CNC machining process. It also comes with robust 0.78mm 2-pin and MMCX swapable connectors, with the design focused on providing both functionality and a clean aesthetic.
Disclaimer:
I would like to thank Kinera for providing me the MIA upgrade cable for review purposes. I am not affiliated with Kinera beyond this review and these words reflect my true, unaltered opinions about the product.
Price & Availability:
The actual price of the Kinera MIA upgrade cable is 129.00 US$. More information’s can be found under the link below;
Package & Accessories:
The Kinera MIA upgrade cable arrives in a standard cardboard sleeve with the brand name embossed. Inside, the cable is packaged in a black box with the “MIA” logo.
Inside of the box are the following Items/Accessories:
- Kinera MIA upgrade cable
- A set of 0.78mm 2-pin and MMCX connectors
- Two headphone plug adapters (1x 3.5mm Single Ended + 1x 4.4mm Balanced)
- Storage Case
- User manual
Design & Build Quality:
The Kinera MIA IEM upgrade cable is designed to enhance both functionality and aesthetics for audiophiles and everyday users alike. Crafted with 8-core 6N Single Crystal Copper Silver-Plated conductors, each core boasts 49 strands of silver-plated single crystal copper. This premium material choice is renowned for its excellent conductivity and durability, ensuring high transmission efficiency and improved audio quality.
The cable offers interchangeable headphone plugs, including a 3.5mm single-ended and a 4.4mm balanced option. Both plugs are meticulously machined from gold-plated brass using CNC technology, minimizing sound loss while enhancing durability.
These plugs ensure compatibility with a wide range of audio devices.
Incorporated into the cable’s design are a Y-splitter and a chin slider, both crafted from high-purity metal parts. The Y-splitter effectively manages cable length, preventing tangles and maintaining organization.
The cable features robust and durable connector housings, accommodating standard options such as 0.78mm 2-pin and MMCX connectors. Internal stop mechanisms and threaded locking systems ensure secure attachment, enhancing versatility for various IEMs.
The outer layer of the cable is made from soft PVC, providing flexibility and durability. This ensures the cable remains tangle-free and easy to handle, even during extended use.
Overall, the Kinera MIA is a visually appealing cable with a versatile design. It combines premium materials, interchangeable components, and thoughtful design elements, making it a practical and attractive choice for those seeking to upgrade their IEM cables.
Technical Specifications:
- Model : MIA
- Material : 6N Single Crystal Copper with Silver Plated
- Conductor : 49*0.06mm
- Core : 8
- Outer Layer : PVC
- Cable Length : 1.2m
- Connector : 0.78mm 2pin + MMCX
- Plug : 3.5mm single-ended plug, 4.4mm balanced plug
- External Metal Part : Copper
Equipment’s used for this review:
- Cables : Kinera MIA
- IEM’s : Kinera Hodur, Campfire Audio Astrolith, Meze Audio RAI Penta
- Sources : FiiO M23, iBasso DX180, iBasso D16 Taipan
Albums & tracks used for this review:
- 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)
- Adele – My Little Love (Spotify)
- 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)
- Sonya Yoncheva – (Giuseppe Verdi) II Trovatore, ActI (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)
- Jo Blankenburg – Meraki (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)
- 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)
- Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
- Rush’s – 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)
Sonic Performance:
Campfire Audio Astrolith + Kinera MIA:
When paired with the Kinera MIA cable, the Campfire Audio Astrolith benefits from more defined and impactful bass. The enhanced low-end delivers a tighter and more controlled bass, maintaining depth and precision, particularly noticeable in electronic and bass-heavy genres.
The midrange of the Astrolith becomes clearer and more detailed, with vocals and instruments sounding more natural and engaging. The slight coloration in the mid-high frequencies is complemented by a warmth that adds to the musicality of the sound.
In the treble region, the Astrolith gains a brighter and more airy response. The treble becomes smoother and more detailed, avoiding harshness and providing ample air and sparkle, making intricate details more apparent.
The soundstage of the Astrolith, known for its wide and holographic presentation, sees improved instrument separation and overall depth, creating a more immersive and spacious listening experience.
Meze Rai Penta + Kinera MIA:
The Kinera MIA cable enhances the Meze Rai Penta’s balanced and controlled bass, making it deeper and more impactful without sacrificing control. The added depth and texture provide a solid foundation for the overall sound, ensuring well-defined bass notes.
In the midrange, the Rai Penta gains clarity and warmth, making vocals and acoustic instruments sound more natural and expressive. The copper core of the MIA cable adds warmth, making the midrange fuller and more engaging.
The treble of the Rai Penta benefits from the Kinera MIA cable’s brighter and more airy response. The extended treble provides greater detail and clarity, adding a touch of airiness to the overall sound, enhancing the listening experience.
The soundstage of the Rai Penta, already known for its wide and open presentation, is further enhanced with improved instrument placement and a greater sense of depth, creating a more immersive listening experience.
Kinera Hodur + Kinera MIA:
With the Kinera MIA cable, the Kinera Hodur’s powerful and dynamic bass gains additional depth and control, enhancing its impact without becoming muddy. The improved low-end response makes the bass sound tighter and more authoritative, suitable for bass-heavy genres.
The midrange of the Hodur becomes clearer and more detailed. The slightly forward presentation of the midrange gains warmth and naturalness, making vocals and instruments more engaging and balanced.
In the treble region, the Hodur experiences an extension and brightening effect. The treble becomes more detailed and sparkly, enhancing overall clarity and resolution, while avoiding listener fatigue.
The soundstage of the Hodur benefits from improved instrument separation and a sense of airiness, making the listening experience more immersive. The overall spatial presentation gains a more precise and airy feel.
Conclusion:
The Kinera MIA In-Ear Monitor upgrade cable demonstrates meticulous craftsmanship, featuring an 8-core 6N Single Crystal Copper Silver-Plated construction. Designed to enhance both audio quality and aesthetics, the cable includes interchangeable headphone plugs, such as a 3.5mm single-ended plug and a 4.4mm balanced plug, along with robust swappable 0.78mm 2-pin and MMCX connectors, ensuring versatility and functionality.
In terms of sonic performance, the Kinera MIA cable significantly enhances the low-end response, offering deeper, more defined, and impactful bass. The silver plating ensures tighter and more controlled bass, preventing muddiness. The midrange benefits from improved clarity and detail, with a warmer and more natural presentation thanks to the high purity copper core. Treble extension is also notable, resulting in a brighter, more airy sound with enhanced detail and resolution. Overall, the combination of copper and silver creates a balanced and harmonious sound signature, with many users reporting a wider soundstage and better instrument separation. The Kinera MIA cable is a valuable upgrade for those seeking to elevate their audio experience with enhanced performance and build quality.
Pros & Cons:
- + Enhanced depth, defined, and impactful bass response
- + Improved midrange clarity and detail for vocals and instruments
- + Interchangeable Headphone Plug Design (3.5mm Single-Ended & 4.4mm Balanced)
- + Swappable MMCX and 2-pin Connectors
- + Build Quality & Aesthetics
- + Comes with a nice storage case
- – None at this price point
