Kiwi Ears Astral Review

 

Introduction:

The Kiwi Ears Astral is a professional In-Ear Monitor with a hybrid driver system, combining one dynamic driver (1DD) and six balanced armature (6BA) drivers. This setup, paired with a tuned crossover, aims to deliver clear, balanced sound suitable for audio professionals and discerning listeners. The Astral has carefully designed shells, likely made from quality materials, with a unique faceplate design. Its detachable cable with standard 2-pin connectors allows users to swap cables for customization.

This review will delve into the Astral’s design elements, technical features, and, most importantly, its sonic performance.

 

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank Linsoul and Kiwi Ears for providing the Astral In-Ear Monitor for review purposes. I am not affiliated with Linsoul or Kiwi Ears beyond this review and these words reflect my true and unaltered opinions about the product.

 

Price & Availability:

The Kiwi Ears Astral Hybrid In-Ear Monitors are currently priced at 299.00 US$, These IEMs are available in two distinct color options, Blue and Yellow. More information’s can be found under the link below;

• Kiwi Ears Astral Hybrid Driver IEM

 

Package & Accessories:

The Kiwi Ears Astral is housed in a surprisingly compact box featuring a clean, light-colored design. The front of the box prominently showcases the “Kiwi Ears” brand name, the “Astral” model designation, and a clear image of the in-ear monitors themselves. The packaging maintains a straightforward aesthetic, prioritizing product visibility and essential branding elements within its small form factor.

Inside the box are the following contents/accessories; 

• 1 x pair of Kiwi Ears Astral In-Ear Monitors
• 1 x Detachable Cable with 2-Pin Connectors and Interchangeable Plugs
• 1 x 3.5mm Single-Ended Headphone Adapter
• 1 x 4.4mm Balanced Headphone Adapter
• 3 x pairs of Silicone Ear Tips (1 pair came pre-installed)
• 2 x sets of Spare Filters
• 1 x Zipper Case
• 1 x Print Material

 

  

Design & Build Quality:

The design of the Kiwi Ears Astral shows a sense of refined elegance with a subtle yet captivating aesthetic. The shells, crafted from medical-grade resin, shows a smooth, glossy finish that balances lightweight construction with a solid feel.

The faceplate stands out as the most visually striking element, featuring a deep, glossy surface adorned with a starry pattern that sparkles under light, reminiscent of tiny constellations. The iridescent flecks reflect subtle shifts in color, lending a galactic charm that complements the “Astral” name. The Kiwi Ears logo, scripted in silver at the center, adds a refined touch without overpowering the cosmic aesthetic.

The Astral is available in two color variants: the Blue option features a rich, ocean-like depth that enhances the starry motif, while the Brown version offers a warmer, earthy tone with golden flecks, catering to diverse style preferences.

The inner surface reveals a contoured shape designed for ergonomic comfort. Clear L/R markings are etched near the sound nozzle, with “L” on the left and “R” on the right, ensuring easy identification even in low-light conditions. The sound nozzle is equipped with a protective mesh on top, a practical detail that prevents debris from entering while maintaining acoustic clarity.

On the top surface, a 0.78mm 2-pin connector is integrated, providing a secure connection for the detachable cable.

The rear surface warrants specific attention due to a notable design element. A discreet acoustic opening is positioned near the bottom of the shell, subtly releasing air pressure during use. This vent, paired with the 10mm bioceramic dynamic driver, plays a key role in delivering the open, spacious soundstage experienced during listening.

The detachable cable of the Kiwi Ears Astral is crafted from high-purity oxygen-free copper and features a black braided sheath that is notably soft and designed to resist tangling.

The 0.78mm 2-pin connectors include a red indicator on the right and a transparent one on the left, facilitating easy identification.

The detachable cable of the Kiwi Ears Astral features interchangeable headphone plugs, including a 3.5mm single-ended and a 4.4mm balanced adapter, ensuring compatibility with a variety of audio sources.

Regarding build quality, the Astral is constructed to withstand regular use while maintaining its premium appeal. The medical-grade resin shells are lightweight yet robust.

 

Fit, Comfort & Isolation:

The Kiwi Ears Astral features a notably compact monitor shell, housing its 1DD+6BA driver configuration within a contoured design that prioritizes ergonomics. The shell fits comfortably in my medium-sized ears, achieving a secure and natural fit. I experienced no discomfort during long listening sessions, with the smooth resin surface effectively minimizing pressure points even after several hours of use. The included silicone ear tips offered flexibility to find the right seal, which improved passive noise isolation. This makes the Astral well-suited for moderately noisy environments, such as commutes or busy offices, where external sounds were noticeably reduced.

 

Technical Specifications: 

• Model: Astral
• Driver Technology: 1 x 10mm Bioceramic Dynamic Driver, 6 x Balanced Armature Drivers (2 Dual Midrange, 1 Dual Ultra-High-Frequency Tweeter)
• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
• Sensitivity: 105dB (±1dB)
• Impedance: 23Ω (±1Ω)
• Connector Type: 0.78mm 2-Pin Connector
• Plug: 3.5mm Single-Ended and 4.4mm Balnced Adapters
• Cable Length: Approx. 120cm

 

Drivability & Pairing:

With an impedance of 23Ω and a sensitivity of 105dB, the Kiwi Ears Astral is pretty efficient and pairs well with a variety of sources, from smartphones and USB DAC dongles to Digital Audio Players (DAPs). Having tested it with my setup, it delivered consistent performance without requiring high-powered amplification, though a quality source enhanced detail and dynamics.

 

Equipment’s used for this review:

IEM’s              : Kiwi Ears Astral, Hidizs MS5
DAP&DAC’s  : Sony WM1ZM2, iBasso DX340, iBasso Nunchaku
 

 

Albums & tracks used for this review:

• Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (Apple Music Lossless)
• Adele – My Little Love (Apple Music Lossless)
• 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)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• George Michael – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• 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)
• Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Radiohead – Live in Berlin “Album” (Apple Music Lossless)
• Radiohead – Pyramid Song (Apple Music Lossless)
• U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Muse – Hysteria (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Red Hot Chili Peppers – Nobody Weird Like Me (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Bear McCreary’s – Valkyries (Deezer HiFi)
• Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
• Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Daft Punk – Instant Crush (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Daft Punk – Doin’ it Right (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Lorde – Royals (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
• Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Gogo Penguin – Murmuration (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Apple Music Lossless)
• Hans Zimmer – The Dark Knight OST (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Max Richter – On the Nature of Daylight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy (Spotify)
• Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Apple Music Lossless)
• Pink Floyd – Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Apple Music Lossless)
• Miles Davis – So What (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 – Dyers Eve (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Rush’s – Tom Sawyer (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Slayer – Angel of Death (Spotify)
• Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
• Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Spotify)

 

The Sound:

The Kiwi Ears Astral delivers a refined sound signature that balances precision with musicality, making it a standout in its price range. Its bass is punchy and controlled, offering depth without overpowering the mix, while the midrange is neutral yet engaging, rendering vocals and instruments with clarity and natural warmth. The treble is crisp and airy, adding sparkle while maintaining smoothness to avoid fatigue. With a wide soundstage and precise imaging, the Astral creates an immersive listening experience that excels across genres, from jazz to electronic and classical to metal.

This review reflects my listening experience after a burn-in period of approx. 50 to 55 hours, which is a standard practice to allow the drivers to settle and achieve their optimal performance. Throughout this evaluation, I primarily utilized the stock cable included in the packaging and the black silicone ear tips that came with the Kiwi Ears Astral. My sound impressions detailed below are primarily shaped by my listening sessions with audio sources, including the Sony WM1ZM2 and iBasso DX340 Digital Audio Players (DAPs), as well as the iBasso Nunchaku USB DAC/AMP dongle.

 

Bass:

The Astral’s bass, driven by its 10mm bioceramic dynamic driver, offers a well-balanced low-end that prioritizes depth and control, making it a versatile performer across various genres. The subbass delivers a satisfying rumble that adds a tangible sense of weight to tracks with deep basslines, as heard in Massive Attack’s Angel. This low-end presence is rich and immersive, filling the sound with a subtle intensity that enhances atmospheric tracks without overwhelming other frequencies. It remains disciplined, ensuring clarity by preventing any bleed into the midrange, which keeps the overall presentation clean and articulate.

The midbass, while less prominent, remains sufficient to provide warmth and texture to instruments like kick drums and bass guitars, as noticeable in Isaac Hayes’ Walk On By. Here, the midbass supports the track’s groovy rhythm with a subtle punch, giving the bassline a natural warmth without overshadowing the accompanying instruments. The Astral excels at maintaining separation in complex bass arrangements, allowing each element, like the interplay between deep subbass notes and rhythmic kicks, to stand out distinctly. This layered approach ensures that even in busier tracks, such as those in progressive rock or jazz fusion, the low-end feels cohesive and detailed, offering a satisfying foundation that doesn’t dominate the mix. While it may not cater to those seeking an overly aggressive bass response, the Astral’s controlled and nuanced low-end makes it adaptable for listeners who appreciate a balanced yet impactful bass experience.

 

Midrange:

The midrange of the Kiwi Ears Astral stands out with a neutral yet expressive character that brings both male and female vocals to the forefront with exceptional clarity and warmth, making it a highlight for vocal-centric and acoustic music. The lower midrange adds a gentle fullness to male vocals, such as Eric Clapton’s in Wonderful Tonight, where his voice carries a natural intimacy and depth, complemented by the rich, resonant tone of the accompanying guitar. This warmth extends to instruments like cellos and pianos, lending them a full-bodied presence that feels authentic and uncolored. The upper midrange enhances female vocals, giving Norah Jones’ performance in Come Away With Me a delicate, airy quality that highlights the nuanced vibrato and emotional depth in her delivery. The piano in the same track benefits from this clarity, with each note ringing out with a natural timbre that captures the instrument’s harmonic richness.

The transition between the lower and upper ranges feels smooth and cohesive, avoiding any abrupt shifts that could disrupt the balance. The Astral’s midrange reveals subtle microdetails, like the breathiness in Jones’ voice or the gentle pluck of Clapton’s strings, adding a layer of intimacy that draws the listener into the music. This makes it particularly engaging for genres like jazz, folk, and singer-songwriter tracks, where vocal and instrumental textures are paramount. The midrange strikes a fine balance between neutrality and musicality, ensuring that it neither overly colors the sound nor feels too analytical, making it a pleasure for extended listening sessions across a wide variety of styles.

 

 

Treble:

The Astral’s treble is crisp, well-defined, and airy, contributing to an open and spacious sound that enhances the overall listening experience without veering into harshness. It excels at bringing out fine details in high-frequency elements, as heard in Gogo Penguin’s Murmuration, where the cymbals and hi-hats shimmer with clarity and precision, each strike distinct and articulate, adding a lively sparkle to the track’s intricate percussion. This attention to detail extends to the natural decay of these elements, allowing the listener to appreciate the subtle trails of sound that linger after each hit. The treble maintains a smooth quality that avoids fatigue, evident in Vivaldi’s Le Quattro Stagioni The Four Seasons, where the high strings of the violins sound bright and vibrant yet controlled, preserving their airy quality without any sharpness. This smoothness ensures that even during extended listening, the treble remains comfortable, making it ideal for classical and acoustic genres that rely on upper-frequency clarity.

The Kiwi Ears Astral resolves subtle nuances with impressive finesse, such as the faint resonance of a cymbal crash or the breathy texture of wind instruments like flutes, adding a layer of refinement to the sound. While the treble is lively and energetic, it steers clear of sibilance, making it forgiving even with brighter recordings that might otherwise sound fatiguing. This refined treble performance caters to listeners who value detail and openness in the upper range, enhancing the Astral’s ability to deliver a polished and immersive experience across diverse musical styles.

 

Soundstage & Imaging:

The Kiwi Ears Astral delivers a well-defined soundstage within its price range, providing noticeable width and depth. In Yosi Horikawa’s Bubbles, the spatial distribution of bouncing sounds creates a three-dimensional effect, with elements distinctly positioned across the soundfield. This contributes to a perceived sense of space and immersion. Imaging is precise, enabling clear localization of individual sounds, which enhances the track’s spatial presentation. While not as expansive as higher-end IEMs, the Astral’s soundstage minimizes congestion and maintains an open presentation, making it suitable for both analytical listening and casual use.

 

Comparison:

Kiwi Ears Astral versus Hidizs MS5:

The Kiwi Ears Astral and Hidizs MS5 present distinct sonic profiles within their price range, with the Astral emerging as the stronger overall performer due to its natural and balanced sound signature, though the MS5 offers notable strengths of its own.

The Astral’s bass, driven by its 10mm bioceramic dynamic driver, provides a controlled and nuanced low-end with a rich subbass that delivers depth and a subtle rumble, while its midbass is less prominent yet sufficient for warmth and texture. The MS5’s 10mm custom dynamic driver, however, delivers a faster and tighter bass response with a strong sense of authority, featuring efficient subbass depth and adequate rumble, alongside a slightly more highlighted midbass that adds warmth and fullness to instruments without muddiness. While the MS5 excels in speed and low-end presence, the Astral’s balanced approach ensures greater clarity and cohesion across the frequency spectrum.

In the midrange, the Astral stands out with a neutral yet expressive character, offering exceptional clarity and warmth for both male and female vocals, with a smooth transition and subtle microdetails that enhance its natural presentation. The MS5 provides a mildly warm midrange with a smooth and transparent quality, where instruments sound open and vocals are lively and detailed, though both male and female voices can feel slightly compressed and nasal. The Astral’s upper midrange, in particular, feels more natural and refined, avoiding the MS5’s occasional compression, giving it an edge in vocal reproduction, while the MS5’s excellent presence and resolution without sibilance remain a competitive strength.

The Astral’s treble is crisp, airy, and well-defined, delivering fine details and a smooth presentation that avoids fatigue, with strong resolution of subtle nuances, making it notably more natural than the MS5’s treble. The MS5’s lower treble is slightly less highlighted than its upper midrange, featuring a smooth transition and a moderate peak for a detailed yet controlled presentation, while its upper treble shows sufficient brilliance but is less pronounced and detailed, with recessed hi-hats and limited extension. The Astral’s refined and open treble performance gives it an advantage in clarity and openness, though the MS5’s controlled presentation offers a different flavor that some may prefer.

Regarding soundstage and imaging, the Astral offers notable width and depth with precise imaging, creating a convincing three-dimensional space that reduces congestion. The MS5 also performs well, providing an airy and expansive soundstage with decent depth and wideness, enhanced by its treble filter, and supports fairly precise separation and placement of instruments and vocals. The Astral’s immersive spatial experience slightly edges out the MS5’s airy quality, but both IEMs deliver strong performance for their price class. Overall, the Astral’s natural tonality and cohesive sound signature make it the more versatile and refined option, though the MS5’s strengths in bass authority and midrange transparency ensure it remains a compelling alternative.

 

Conclusion:

The Kiwi Ears Astral offers a compelling option at its $299 price point, delivering a reference-oriented sound signature that prioritizes balance and clarity for discerning listeners. Its hybrid 1DD+6BA driver configuration produces a well-tuned audio profile, with controlled bass, a neutral midrange, and clear, smooth treble, making it suitable for critical listening across various genres, including jazz, classical, and acoustic music. The Astral’s medical-grade resin shells, accented by an attractive starry faceplate, combine durability with a comfortable, ergonomic design. A detachable cable with interchangeable 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs adds versatility, while the included carrying case and spare filters enhance practicality. While the selection of ear tips could be more varied, this does not significantly detract from the Astral’s strengths.

 

Pros & Cons:

• + Balanced, reference-quality sound with clear and accurate audio
• + Detailed and neutral midrange, well-suited for vocals and instruments
• + Controlled bass with adequate subbass depth for critical listening
• + Smooth, clear treble that avoids harshness
• + Beuatiful Looking lightweight resin shells with an appealing starry faceplate
• + Comfortable fit for extended listening sessions
• + Detachable cable with 3.5mm and 4.4mm plug options
• + Good soundstage and precise imaging for the price

 

• – Limited ear tip size options may not suit all users
• – Midbass slightly restrained for bass-focused genres
• – Soundstage, while competent, not as wide as higher-end IEMs

 

Thank you for the Read!