@pylaczynski brought me to this track, thanks for that 
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KIWI EARS KE4 REVIEW:
SOUND:
The Kiwi Ear KE4s are one of my new favourites under $200. At mid volume they are very smooth, relaxing, and warm-leaning with a full low-end. Perfect for chilling and a non-fatiguing listen as the vocals are laid back with a good sense of space and noteweight…But the real magic happens once you crank these up because the KE4 also scales very well, not quite Explorer levels, but just as immersive, and it’s how I would recommend them to be listened to.
SCALING & VOCALS
Once you crank these up the KE4s become more all-rounded, and less laid back, almost like it woke up from a slumber. The vocals that were pushed back at mid-volume now moves closer without being in your face as you hear the details better in both the uppermids and treble. The bass also gets thumpier, it becomes more prominent, hitting deeper, and the KE4 goes from warm-leaning to a more bassy sound that also has a natural vocal and treble presentation that isn’t buried.
Normally with scaling everything becomes more forward because of the increased volume, and usually that’s where the issue happens with some vocal fatigue or treble sharpness. But because there’s a scoop at 1K, this pushes the vocals back and gives the KE4 a sense of distance making the vocals feel not shoved in your face, but also still feel extended enough because of the 3K boost that’s also less than harman which means it’s not shouty as well.
So what you end up getting are vocals that are non-fatiguing, but still extended and open at high volume, which is difficult to balance, so bravo to kiwiears on that. However, the vocals still aren’t perfect, if you’re looking for more power and intensity and that deep vibrato, then that’s where the KE4 falls short on. Even though the vocals are extended with good note-weight, they can still feel a bit weak since in order to strike that balance at both mid and higher volumes, some trade-off needs to happen, and in this case, it’s in the power department.
2DD ISOBARIC BASS
But the good news is that the dual isobaric dynamic drivers gives the KE4 one of the best low-end under $200 when it comes to the texture, impact, and noteweight. It makes the overall tuning sound full and grounded and doesn’t feel overly airy or light, and kickdrums especially hits very deep followed by a nice rumble in the sub.
TREBLE & TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
The separation and imaging is good, and it’s what is expected at its price, but when you compare it to the planars the KE4 isn’t quite as fast in its transients and sharpness. In-terms of pure detail retrieval and technical performance both the Supermix4 and Canta would be the better value in that sense, as well as similar all-rounders like the Nova, Chopin, and Quintet.
Although the trade off is in-return for a slower pacing you do get better slam, heavier noteweight, and more natural timbre, and personally I would take the KE4’s bass over something like the 2024 S12 that is evidently quicker, but not as enjoyable musically. Treble wise the KE4 is pretty balanced overall, it’s not exciting or jumps out, but it’s also not dark or hidden in the background. There’s no timbre issues when it comes to the BAs, it’s not overly airy or sizzly, not sharp, nor super smooth, it’s kind of just solid treble, it does its job.
vs KIWI EARS Quintet, Orchestra Lite, Canta
Now, versus the Quintet and Orchestra Lite both of those will have better detail, imaging, and separation, and just overall more technical than the KE4. The Orchestra Lite is going to be the cleanest and most neutral of the bunch, it’s vanilla and balanced, very inoffensive if that’s your vibe, the low-end isn’t nearly as good as the KE4, but they are more complete vocal wise because it’s not scooped in the 1K.
Even the cheaper Canta is more detailed when it comes to the treble, and also cleaner in the separation, but both the Canta and the Quintet have a little bit of that planar timbre to them on top of their extra treble, which can get a bit much, and not as natural timbre wise. And in-terms of the low-end texture, slam, noteweight, and overall musicality the KE4 to me is much more enjoyable, and with scaling they’re just so much more immersive.But I will say if you listen at mid-volume then those other 3 kiwis are going to better and more well-rounded.
vs SUPERMIX4
Now, versus the Supermix4 these 2 are total opposites, the SM4 is cleaner, quicker in it’s low-end with more forward vocals, and more lively and airy in the overall presentation. You’ll get more micro-details and resolution with the SM4, and they are a much better mid-volume set since the vocals and uppermids can be a bit too pushed back on the KE4. However, if you want a fuller sound and are open to cranking up that volume knob, then the KE4 is much more immersive with a heavier and better textured low-end, and just more unique and special.
vs CKLVX/PULA
But speaking of a “special” tuning, we gotta talk about the CKLVX and Pula. Compared to those 2, the KE4 is actually fairly similar when it comes to the vocals with all 3 lacking a bit of power and final extension, but still relatively well extended and aren’t shouty with the main difference being that the KE4 isn’t as airy and light as the CKLVX/PULA.
The KE4 doesn’t have that dreamy feeling of the CKLVX/PULA, but instead it’s more grounded with more depth, and it’s more natural in that sense. Basically, if you found the CKLVX/PULA to be too airy and sometimes sharp in the treble, then the KE4 fixes that with a smoother presentation with better textured bass, and a thumpier, deeper slam. Tech wise all 3 are around the same, meaning they’re decent, but nothing crazy like the Supermix4 or Quintet, and tuning wise they’re equally as good to me and switches depending on my mood.
vs AFUL EXPLORER
Then lastly some have been asking for an Explorer at mid volume, and the KE4s are pretty much that. Now, the Explorer will still be more intimate in its presentation, the vocals are closer, the stage feels more forward, and they scale better. Whereas the KE4 has more air which makes the stage feel more open, but because the 1K region is also scooped this pushes the vocals back, and creates a sense of distance on top of the air boost, which gives you an open sense of space that the Explorer doesn’t have.
Low-end wise the KE4s are an improvement overall from the texture to how deep the bass goes, and the overall impact, as well as having more overall detail, so basically what I’m trying to say is, if you like cranking things up, then the KE4s are a solid upgrade over the Explorers, less neutral, more open and bassy, but still very immersive.
Kiwi Ears KE4 Final Rankings (HIGH-VOLUME):
Tonality: A+/S- (8/10)
Tech: A- (6/10)
Overall: A (7/10)
Thanks for reading!
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Not the most exciting shells, but not ugly. Super interesting review…
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Not my picture but my coworker is listening to the Estrella and slapped on a Yongse Alpine cable. Literally is a perfect match.
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Jay, I must salute you as one of the few reviewers who pays attention to how volume affects an IEM’s sound signature. That is SO helpful, especially as I often listen to different genres at different volumes.
Well done, man! Thanks.
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Beautiful 
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Thank you man appreciate that 
Volume and scaling makes a huge difference and can change an IEM from doo doo to god tier, or the opposite (Cantor I’m looking at you 
)
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Will someone explain the idea of Cantor’s long nozzle. I guess it’s made to touch the first layer of cells in your brain 
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It doesn’t bother me, but I’m kinda tall and have big ears. It’s about the same size as any other iem nozzle and goes to be on the same level as the ear tips. It is a set that you should demo first due to fit concerns.
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Fit is fine… sound… controversial to say the least, review soon 
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AFUL CANTOR REVIEW
So, the Cantor, aka the long boy… It’s a mixed bag. But first, I want to congratulate AFUL for making one of the most detailed and resolving IEMs under $1000. Whatever AFUL’S doing with their 14BAs seems to be working because the clarity, resolution, and layering is nuts for the price, and the Cantor probably would’ve been my new benchmark under $1K if it wasn’t for the fact that… this is the only IEM that has physically given me multiple headaches.
AFUL “HEADACHE” CANTOR
I tested the Cantor with the Topping G5, and the first time after I tried these I literally had to call it a night because I got a headache from listening. As much as I enjoy the technical aspect of the Cantor, I simply just can’t listen to this more than 15-30 minutes, and I wasn’t even blasting these, maybe 70-80 dbs or so depending on the song. And you know I thought maybe I just had a bad day and maybe I was just tired, so I went to bed, and was ready to give the Cantor another shot the next morning… But, after listening to these for a week now I always end up with a slight headache in my temple region afterwards, and this is when I’m around 70-75dbs.
Just for reference my ears are pretty healthy, I got them checked a few months ago and I can hear up to 20K as well as being harman trained, so I don’t believe it’s a hearing thing because I haven’t had this issue with literally any other IEM. At first I thought it was just my HRTF didn’t vibe with the tuning, so to address this I EQed my EM10 to the Cantor’s tuning… but absolutely no issues there. Which leads me to think that this probably has something to do with AFUL’s custom BAs or the way the vents and drivers work - Although at lower volumes, like we’re talking 50 to 60 dbs max, I didn’t run into any headaches, and I actually enjoyed them for what they were.
TIMBRE & BASS
However, even though the Cantors are good for low volume listening, depending on the song and volume you will hear some metallic timbre, especially once you crank them. But let’s talk about the pros first, at lower volumes the timbre on the Cantor is pretty natural overall. It does have a light and airy presentation to them kind of like a planar almost, but there’s no peakiness or brittleness, it’s very smooth, and it reminds me of a more resolving Supernova that’s less warm and more analytical.
The low-end is very fast when it comes to the attack and decay, the bass is lean with a tight rumble in the sub-bass, and texture is what you’d expect around $1K with great separation and clarity, however, the Cantor doesn’t feel very full, or engaging since the impact just isn’t there in the mid-bass, and it doesn’t have the rumble or authority you’d get with a dual isobaric setup like in the MMK3s - It’s good, it does the job, but this isn’t a set for hiphop, rock, or if you’re looking for something fuller and thicker.
VOCALS
Vocals on the other hand are on the flatter and lighter side, more pushed back, and a bit weak and not fully extended and powerful because there’s no gain, and the note-weight is a bit floaty and not that grounded. Male vocals are just a bit too light and borderline thin, lacking that power, and although female vocals are better, they’re sweeter, lighter, more “angelic”, the Cantor still lacks the final parts of the extension as well as power in the voices. But overall the mids are very clean with the instrument layering being a strong point, as wel as the treble is smooth, light, and airy if you listen at lower volumes… However, once you give these a little juice that’s where the issues starts popping up.
ISSUES & SCALING
At higher volumes on songs with a lot of cymbals the Cantor has this slight metallic timbre to the treble. This is more obvious on songs with a lot of cymbals or electronic elements like Model by Li rong Hao, and electric guitars sound way too energetic and shrill on Say It by Yorushika. Although at the same time the timbre is also not noticeable and pretty natural on slower tracks like Wildflower, so it kind of depends on the song. But more importantly on a lot of the tracks I tested at higher volumes, the Cantor sounds shrill to my ears.
It gives off that high pitched ringing sensation if you listen too long afterwards, and is too fatiguing for me personally which ends up causing discomfort in my temple region which lead to some headaches if I wasn’t being careful. To me there’s just too much energy, and a bit overwhelming in the higher harmonics. The a cut in the uppermids along with the lean mid-bass ends up making the treble come across too intense because there’s no low-end or vocals that it can “hide” behind or be balanced out by, and it’s funny because overall the Cantor is actually pretty smooth, but it’s just shrill.
GENRES & NOZZLE
At higher volumes I wouldn’t recommend these with energetic tracks like rock, metal, kpop, jpop, EDC because those are gonna fry your ears, speaking from experience, and even at lower volumes I would still be cautious to not listen too long with more exciting tracks. I don’t believe it’s a nozzle or fit issue because I tried different tips with both the deep and shallow insertion depth, and at higher volumes the shrillness never really goes away, so scaling wise, not great.
EM10 vs CANTOR EQ A/B
For example, at higher volumes the EM10 has pretty much the same treble tuning, even a little more, but it doesn’t give me a headache after I listen to it, and it doesn’t sound shrill - it’s smoother, and softer than the Cantor while also being pretty airy, and in theory the EM10 should be even slightly shoutier because of the boosted uppermids and late treble, but it’s not.
So I got curious and EQed the EM10 directly to the Cantor’s tuning to test it out if it’s a driver thing or tuning… and I had no issues with the EQed EM10. In-fact it sounds very smooth and airy with the Cantor EQ, obviously not as detailed and resolving as the Cantor, but tuning wise there’s no shrillness. Whereas when I EQ the Cantor to the EM10 it still had that shrillness to it, but less obvious now because it’s more hidden by the extra bass and uppermids which leads me to believe that the energy probably has to do something with AFUL’s drivers that does give you a ton of detail, but in-return, for your ears. I would not recommend the Cantor stock if you listen to more energetic genres or past 70dbs or so.
vs SUPERNOVA
The Supernova is warmer and fuller than the Cantor and not shrill, and I do prefer the Supernova a lot more, the timbre is just much more natural, it’s smoother, more balanced, and less thin, and most importantly, not shrill at higher volumes. The Cantor on the other hand is going to be a step up in-terms of the technical aspect, it’s more HD you can say, it feels sharper, cleaner, and more surgical in the separation and detail, and I would only recommend it if you listen at lower volumes.
vs RSV
Both the Cantor and Supernova aren’t the best for vocals because the gain is cut around 3K, so vocal wise the RSV would still be my pick under $1K and just in general. The RSV is fuller, more extended, more powerful and just feels more complete vocal wise. Although the RSV isn’t going to touch the Cantor when it comes to the resolution, separation, and detail, especially in the treble, but timbre wise it’s much better, and also not shrill - although at higher volumes the RSV does run into a different issue of being too intense in the vocals.
vs MONARCH MK3
If you’re looking for an all-rounder, the Monarch MK3 is still the king under $1K, as it just has the best balance to performance out of all the frequencies. It’s got a full, impactful, textured low-end, extended and clean vocals, and not overly intense treble while still being very detailed and decently smooth. It’s not shrill, and sounds more natural.
The Cantor on the other hand will be more resolving and technical than the MK3s, it’s cleaner, less bassy, airier and lighter in the note-weight, but unless you listen at lower volumes or have “older ears”, then the trade offs in the timbre, note-weight, vocals, and treble at mid to higher volumes are just not worth it imo, especially the fatigue factor.
CONCLUSION
Overall, it’s hard to recommend the Cantor because of the shrillness past a certain volume… I would definitely demo these if you can, and see if that 10K+ is an issue for you personally. Although if you listen at lower volumes and you aren’t sensitive in the treble (older ears), then go for it, it’s highly resolving with lots of details, very clean and airy, and tech wise it’s very close to the ceiling.
Cantor Final Ranking (Past ~65dbs depending):
NOT RECOMMENDED
Cantor Final Rankings (LOWER VOLUME/ OLD EARS):
Tonality: A
Tech: S-/S
Overall: A+
Thanks for reading!
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I suspected “something rotten in Denmark” 
Cantor -the ear breaker…
The next Flagship will be better, wait 
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Gave it one last shot before shipping it off, and Butterfly (by LOONA) and Say it (by Yorushika) is actually unlistenable at normal volumes unless you crank the Cantors WAY down, but at that volume what is even the point if you can’t enjoy the track 
Also, my temples near my ears hurt again 
You can’t make this shit up
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Instructions unclear, opened a Mutant Academy.
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lfg sign me up
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