TWISTURA Woodnote Review 

 

Introduction:

The TWISTURA Woodnote represents a confident and distinctive voice from a brand that refuses to follow the usual Harman-inspired crowd. This IEM enters the competitive In Ear Monitor (IEM) landscape as the brand’s flagship offering, showcasing a unique blend of craftsmanship and acoustic innovation. This IEM distinguishes itself by utilizing a single 10mm dynamic driver featuring a novel composite membrane composed of natural wood fibers. Complementing this unique driver are three distinct interchangeable tuning nozzles, allowing for subtle customization of the sound profile. Housed in a refined CNC aluminum alloy shell, the Woodnote aims to deliver a warm, dynamic, and musically engaging experience, particularly tailored for those who appreciate a forward and emotive vocal presentation.

Let’s take a deeper look at the packaging, design, and most importantly the sonic performance of the TWISTURA Woodnote.

 

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank AOSHIDA Audio and TWISTURA for providing the Woodnote for review purposes. I am not affiliated with AOSHIDA Audio and TWISTURA beyond this review, and the opinions expressed here are my honest and unbiased impressions of the product.

 

Price & Availability:

The MSRP price for the TWISTURA Woodnote is $159.90 USD. More information’s can be found under the link below;

• TWISTURA Woodnote IEM

  

Box Design & Unboxing Experience:

The TWISTURA Woodnote arrives in a package that immediately signals high value and attention to detail, punching above its price category. The unboxing experience is premium, with items securely and neatly arranged within the box.

Inside the box are the following items/accessories;

• 1 x pair of TWISTURA Woodnote IEMs
• 1 x High quality modular cable (Silver/Copper/Graphene composite)
• 3 x Tuning Nozzles (Standard, Vocal Enhanced, Instrumental)
• 4 sets of S, M, L silicone eartips (in individual cases)
• 1 x 3.5mm Single Ended (SE) plug adapter
• 1 x 4.4mm Balanced plug adapter (often pre installed)
• 1 x High quality storage case (Hard leather like shell with soft velour interior)
• 1 x User Manual

The premium purple hard-shell case immediately tells you this is not a typical budget offering. Inside everything is neatly organized

 

Design & Build Quality:

Each shell is CNC-machined from aluminum alloy and weighs about 7 grams, making the Woodnote a lightweight yet robust full-metal IEM. The overall shape is a gently elongated droplet that hugs the concha perfectly, but the real design highlight is the combination of two distinctive elements that give the Woodnote its instantly recognizable personality.

The branding is executed with quiet elegance. Instead of a printed sticker or cheap decal, TWISTURA laser-etches its name in a clean, modern script directly onto the lower part of the matte gunmetal faceplate. The letters are deep and precise, catching just enough light to be visible without shouting for attention. Right above the name sits the brand’s circular logo: a stylized, dark metallic emblem that adds a subtle touch of sophistication. This etched branding will never wear off, fade, or peel, and it instantly communicates that this is a thoughtfully crafted product rather than a generic one.

The second signature feature is the soft, matte-black rubberized ridge running along the inner edge of the shell. This black piece is not just a color accent; it serves multiple practical purposes. First, it acts as a comfortable finger-grip, making it incredibly easy to insert or remove the IEM without fumbling. Second, its slightly tacky texture prevents the metal shell from slipping against the skin, while also softening any direct contact for hours of pressure-free listening.

Third, it creates a nice visual contrast against the silver-gray metal body, giving the Woodnote a two-tone look that feels modern and premium. Many people who see it for the first time immediately notice and compliment this black detail; it is one of those small touches that elevates the entire design.

On the top are the 0.78mm 2-Pin connectors, subtly recessed and integrated to the housing. This connection area features a slight internal indentation designed to provide extra grip and support to the cable connector, ensuring a sturdy and reliable electrical connection and minimizing cable movement. The shells are acoustically enhanced by a specialized venting system, with a visible vent on the side and a separate back vent, which supports a dual chamber breathability design crucial for dynamic driver performance and acoustic tuning.

The sound nozzle, where the tuning nozzles are attached, is sturdy and designed for the secure screwing on of the three included filters.

The Twistura WoodNote cable features a 2-core hybrid construction using a blend of oxygen-free copper, alloy copper, silver-copper alloy, and graphene copper. This multi-material core is wrapped in a transparent matte sheath, balancing aesthetic transparency with a tangle-resistant texture. The hardware consists of CNC-machined aluminum housings for the 0.78mm 2-pin connectors and the Y-splitter, providing a sturdy build that remains flexible and lightweight during use.

Functionality is centered on a modular termination system that allows for quick swapping of the source connectors. The package includes both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced plugs, which attach via a flush-fitting socket to maintain a compact profile. This design eliminates the need for external adapters, ensuring a direct connection to various balanced and unbalanced audio sources while maintaining a secure, low-profile fit at the jack.

Overall, the build quality is excellent, feeling solid and premium in hand.

 

Driver Configuration:

The TWISTURA Woodnote is driven by a single 10mm dynamic driver. The key feature of this driver is its diaphragm, which is a composite membrane made from natural wood fiber. This single DD configuration is housed within a dual magnet system, designed to maximize efficiency and dynamic range. The emphasis on the wood fiber composite diaphragm is to achieve a natural sound reproduction with emotional texture, particularly in the midrange.

 

Fit, Comfort & Isolation:

The Woodnote excels in fit and comfort. The ergonomic shape and relatively small size of the CNC alloy shells mean they tuck neatly into the ear canal, accommodating most ear shapes with ease. The low weight (7 grams) further ensures they can be worn for hours without causing fatigue. The nozzle length is slightly shorter than average, which necessitates finding the right ear tip for an optimal seal, especially for deep insertion users. With a good seal, the passive noise isolation is adequate and relative sufficient to reduce noticeable ambient sound for focused listening in typical environments.

Pairing & Drivability:

With an impedance of 18Ω and a high sensitivity of 108dB SPL, the Woodnote is an efficient IEM that is easy to drive. It performs well with any standard source, including smartphones or basic dongle DACs. However, its sonic character benefits from quality sources, where the dynamic range and clarity are further enhanced when paired with devices like FiiO M23 and TimeEar BTE-9 using the 4.4mm balanced connection.

 

Technical Specifications:

• Model: TWISTURA Woodnote
• Driver: Single 10mm Dynamic Driver with Wood Fiber Composite Membrane
• Sensitivity: 108 dB SPL
• Impedance: 18Ω
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 22 kHz
• Connection: 0.78mm 2 Pin connector
• Cable: Modular (3.5mm SE / 4.4mm Balanced)

 

Sources used for this review:

• IEM’s              : TWISTURA Woodnote, Moondrop Kadenz, EarAcoustic SPA-Hi End Ultra
• DAP/DAC’s   : FiiO M23, TimeEar BTE-9

Albums & Tracks Used for this Review:

Vocal Jazz / Smooth Jazz

• Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
• 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)
• Otto Liebert & Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)

Soul / R&B

• Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Prayer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Adele – My Little Love (Apple Lossless)
• George Michael – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)

Pop / Rock Classics

• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Elton John – Rocket Man (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Lorde – Royals (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Apple Lossless)

Electronic / Experimental

• Daft Punk – Instant Crush (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Daft Punk – Doin’ it Right (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Apple Lossless)
• Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Apple Lossless)
• Toutant – Rebirth (Apple Lossless)

Alternative / Indie / Art Rock

• Radiohead – Live in Berlin “Album” (Apple Lossless)
• Radiohead – Pyramid Song (Apple Lossless)
• Muse – Hysteria (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Red Hot Chili Peppers – Nobody Weird Like Me (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Apple Lossless)
• Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Gogo Penguin – Murmuration (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Bear McCreary – Valkyries (Apple Lossless)

Classical / Orchestral

• Max Richter – On the Nature of Daylight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Chopin – Nocturne No. 20 in C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy (Apple Lossless)
• Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Vivaldi – Le Quattro Stagioni “The Four Seasons” (Apple Lossless)
• Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)

Jazz / Instrumental

• Miles Davis – So What (Apple Lossless)

World / Traditional

• Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)

Metal / Progressive Rock

• Metallica – Dyers Eve (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Apple Lossless)
• Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove It) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Rush – Tom Sawyer (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Slayer – Angel of Death (Apple Lossless)

 

The Sound:

After spending significant time with them, the TWISTURA Woodnote gives you a compelling, slightly V shaped sound profile with a distinct warm feel. Its tuning is immediately musical and engaging, clearly designed for listeners who love dynamics, clarity, and, most importantly, a captivating vocal performance. The overall delivery is smooth and lively, yet controlled, offering a unique sonic signature that sets it apart from the neutral or Harman style tunings you often see in this price range. This specific sound comes from the smooth teamwork between its wood fiber diaphragm and dual chamber acoustic design.

I did most of my listening using the Standard and Vocal Enhanced nozzles, along with the stock cable and a variety of tracks from my review list. The FiiO M23 and TimeEar BTE 9 provided more than enough power and resolution for a complete assessment.

 

Bass:

The Woodnote’s bass is both well controlled and deeply satisfying, giving the music a solid, warm anchor. The low frequencies lean toward a warm tonality, providing a pleasing depth in the sub bass that genuinely injects substance and body into tracks. When you listen to deep electronic basslines, the Woodnote shows it can deliver a palpable rumble with visceral intensity, all while staying structurally sound without ever sounding bloated or boomy. This strong low end presence truly underpins the music effectively. The mid bass area hits with good texture and impactful punch. Drum kicks are rendered with clear, satisfying impact, and bass guitar lines are articulate and full. Critically, even with this enthusiastic presence, the bass stays composed and successfully avoids spilling too much into the midrange frequencies. This separation keeps the overall sound clear and balanced, preventing muddiness even in rhythmically complex tracks like punk rock. However, listeners who are used to a more voluminous, bass heavy presentation might find the overall quantity slightly reserved, as its focus is clearly on linear quality over sheer volume. The quantity is perfectly judged to be musical and energetic, making it a great anchor for rock, pop, and electronic genres while remaining quick and clean enough for acoustic recordings. The bass decay is natural and controlled, maintaining definition without lingering, which really helps the IEM’s dynamic character.

 

Midrange:

The midrange is, without a doubt, the focal point and greatest strength of the Woodnote. It’s presented in a way that is distinctly forward and exceptionally emotive. This tuning ensures that vocals and core instrument harmonics are brought right to the front of the mix, making the listening experience feel highly personal and engaging. Male vocals are delivered with excellent texture, body, and emotional depth. They avoid sounding overly thick yet retain enough richness to convey subtle details like breath control and throaty texture. The clean transition from the mid bass ensures that the lower octave of male voices remains clear, defined, and impactful. Female vocals truly shine with the Woodnote, sounding notably open, free, and airy. The clarity in the upper midrange is remarkable, delivering dynamic female voices and instruments like guitars and strings without introducing sibilance or becoming harsh. Even with the Vocal Enhanced nozzle, which nudges the mids slightly further, the control remains impressive. The open and airy quality contributes to the natural feel of the sound. While the overall tuning is mildly V shaped, the pronounced forwardness of the midrange cleverly prevents any sense of recession, ensuring that the core melodic and emotional elements of the music remain captivating and prominent. This synergy makes it a superb choice for vocal lovers across almost all genres.

 

Treble:

The upper frequencies are lively, adding necessary sparkle and detail to the Woodnote’s presentation, complementing its dynamic sound. The treble has sufficient extension and airiness to stop the sound from feeling closed in or dull. High frequency elements such as cymbals, hi hats, and flutes are clearly audible, possessing a crisp and natural texture. This clarity really boosts micro detail retrieval, particularly noticeable in intricate jazz and orchestral passages, where the delicate shimmer of percussion stands out. However, extended listening revealed certain sonic characteristics in this region. Depending on the recording quality (especially with older, less refined, or inherently aggressive masterings), the upper frequencies can occasionally sound a little peaky or grainy. While the overall presentation is refined, the Woodnote doesn’t quite achieve the ultra smooth, effortless resolution found in flagship tier competitors. Despite this occasional roughness, the tuning is carefully managed to avoid excessive harshness or fatiguing brightness. The treble generally stays within comfortable limits, maintaining a pleasant balance between detail retrieval and long term listening comfort. The overall upper frequency presentation remains detailed and contributes significantly to the spaciousness of the soundstage. The effective upper treble extension gives the Woodnote an open character, which is particularly beneficial for genres that thrive on a sense of space and high frequency lift.

 

Soundstage & Imaging:

The Woodnote provides a technically solid basis for spatial presentation. The soundstage is generally modest yet well balanced. It offers a respectable sense of width and depth that is quite competitive for its price point. Its presentation leans towards a coherent, intimate scale rather than the grand, expansive soundstage some high end models can deliver.Imaging is impressively clear and precise. Instruments and voices are accurately pinpointed within the three dimensional soundscape, making for an enjoyable sense of immersion. In tracks with complex layering, the Woodnote manages to clearly separate different sonic elements, preventing clutter. The open and airy presentation, helped by the treble extension, enhances live recordings and electronic music, where a sense of space is paramount.

 

Comparison:

TWISTURA Woodnote versus Moondrop Kadenz:

The TWISTURA Woodnote and the Moondrop Kadenz are both excellent single dynamic driver IEMs that deliver two very different listening experiences from similar price territory. The Woodnote is the choice for natural timbre and emotional vocal intimacy, while the Kadenz is built for technical precision and airy spaciousness. The low end on the Kadenz is fast, tight and precisely textured, delivering sub-bass extension with remarkable control and absolutely no bleed into the mids.

The Woodnote takes a warmer, fuller approach, offering noticeably deeper rumble and richer mid-bass weight that gives music a physical, organic foundation. If you want clean, reference-level bass that stays out of the way, the Kadenz is the clear winner, but if you love feeling the warmth and texture of real instruments or electronic drops, the Woodnote provides the more satisfying and musical low end. The Kadenz provides a forward, transparent and slightly bright-leaning midrange where vocals and instruments are rendered with outstanding clarity and separation. The Woodnote’s midrange is warmer, smoother and a touch more forward in vocal placement, giving voices an almost lifelike breathiness and humanity that the wood-fiber diaphragm enhances beautifully. This makes the Kadenz the better option when analytical detail and neutral tonal balance matter most, while the Woodnote turns every singer into someone standing right in front of you, making it the emotional champion for vocal-focused genres.

A key strength of the Woodnote is its three genuinely useful tuning nozzles, letting you shift from relaxed and smooth (Standard) to intimate vocal emphasis (Vocal Enhanced) or slightly brighter air (Instrumental). The Kadenz offers its own nozzle system as well, but the differences are subtler and lean toward refinement rather than character change. While the Kadenz keeps its treble consistently crisp, extended and fatigue-free across configurations, the Woodnote gives you real control over how relaxed or lively you want the top end to be on any given day. The Kadenz excels in creating a wide, deep and exceptionally well-layered soundstage with pinpoint imaging that makes complex arrangements feel holographic.

The Woodnote also delivers an above-average stage with excellent width and convincing instrument placement, but its presentation feels more intimate and cohesive rather than openly expansive. Ultimately, the Kadenz is the superior technical performer for critical listening and large-scale music, while the Woodnote, with its outstanding comfort, richer timbre, and highly practical tuning flexibility, becomes the more addictive daily companion for anyone whose playlist revolves around voices and musicality rather than pure analysis.

 

TWISTURA Woodnote versus EarAcoustic SPA-Hi End Ultra:

The TWISTURA Woodnote and the EarAcoustic SPA-Hi End Ultra are both compelling single dynamic driver IEMs that showcase innovative materials to craft engaging sound profiles. The Woodnote is the choice for organic timbre and vocal intimacy, while the SPA-Hi End Ultra is built for vibrant energy and dynamic punch. The low end on the Woodnote is focused on texture and natural depth, resulting in bass notes that are full and controlled without overwhelming the overall balance.

The SPA-Hi End Ultra takes a bolder approach, offering noticeably greater impact and substantial mid-bass punch that drives rhythm with visceral warmth. If you enjoy a clean, organic foundation that supports the music without dominating, the Woodnote delivers, but if you crave that fuller, more physical rhythm in rock or electronic tracks, the SPA-Hi End Ultra provides the more exciting low-end presence. The Woodnote provides a forward, natural, and mildly warm midrange where vocals sit prominently with lifelike breathiness and emotional nuance. The SPA-Hi End Ultra’s midrange is clearer and slightly recessed in the mix, giving primary focus to the bass and treble for a more layered instrumental flow. This makes the Woodnote the more suitable option for music where vocal presence and human-like timbre are paramount, while the SPA-Hi End Ultra lets the energy of the full arrangement envelop the voices. One of the Woodnote’s most practical advantages lies in its set of three genuinely effective tuning nozzles, which let you shift the entire character from relaxed and vocal-centric to slightly brighter and more open in seconds.

The SPA-Hi End Ultra’s high frequencies are fast, lively, and sparkling, supporting its energetic overall sound. While the SPA-Hi End Ultra brings vivid highs without harshness, the Woodnote hands you real-time control over treble behavior and overall balance, making it far easier to adapt to different recordings or personal mood. The Woodnote excels in creating a cohesive sound.csproj with precise placement of elements in a believable, intimate space. The SPA-Hi End Ultra also offers a spacious sound, primarily defined by its strong dynamic contrast and width that enhances live-like immersion. Ultimately, the Woodnote offers superior musical versatility with its instantly switchable tuning profiles and natural timbre, making it the more adaptable companion for vocal lovers and relaxed sessions, while the SPA-Hi End Ultra, with its premium build and bold dynamics, becomes the go-to for those seeking excitement in high-energy playback.

 

Conclusion:

The TWISTURA Woodnote is a confidently tuned IEM that offers a unique and highly musical listening experience at its price point. Its strengths namely the exceptional comfort, premium accessories (especially the modular cable), and an emotionally engaging, forward vocal presentation make it a standout choice. The incorporation of a wood fiber composite driver lends a distinctive, organic flavor to the sound that is genuinely special.

It is an easy recommendation for listeners who prioritize a vocal centric, warm, and lively sound and who want a high value package with great build quality and accessories right out of the box. While the tuning nozzles offer minor flexibility, and the treble can occasionally be slightly rough, these are minor concessions for an IEM that otherwise delivers a highly satisfying and musical performance. The Woodnote is a statement piece from TWISTURA, showing they can deliver both value and a compelling, individualistic sound signature.

 

Pros & Cons:

• + Distinctly forward and emotionally engaging vocals
• + Well controlled, textured, and satisfying bass response
• + Exceptional comfort and lightweight, ergonomic fit
• + High quality, modular stock cable is a massive value add
• + Premium build quality with CNC aluminum shells
• + Attractive and comprehensive accessory package 

• – Upper frequencies can occasionally sound slightly grainy or peaky
• – Not the best option for bass intesive genres

 

Thank you for the Read!