Kiwi Ears Halcyon Review: The world’s first MEMS tribrid IEM

The Kiwi Ears Halcyon in-ear screens take an attention-grabbing danger that’s unparalleled on this worth vary. The producer has mixed a Dynamic Driver, Balanced Armatures and a MEMS driver in a single in-ear monitor. The abbreviation MEMS stands for Micro-Electromechanical Systems and describes a solid-state know-how that (in brief) works with out conventional acoustic parts resembling coils or diaphragms. 5 drivers do their job within the IEMs and at a price starting at 170 euros via Kickstarter – no less than for individuals who are fast to resolve. The Kiwi Ears Halcyon take a look at clarifies how the entire thing sounds and whether or not it’s value shopping for.

Technical specs of the Kiwi Ears Halcyon

Kiwi Ears Halcyon Review: design and workmanship

The very first thing you discover when unpacking is the easy housing. The silver look instantly catches the attention. A purist eye-catcher that doesn’t depend on pointless ornamentation, however as an alternative radiates a critical seriousness because of the easy, trendy CNC-milled aluminum. Kiwi Ears has clearly invested an excessive amount of care within the end and design.

The entrance panel is embellished with a repeating sample of the letters Ok and E for Kiwi Ears, the emblem and the lettering “Halcyon” might be discovered on the highest subsequent to the 2-pin connector. The remainder of the housing is totally easily contoured with a textured metallic floor. The consequence seems to be as if it has been forged from a single mould. No seen seams, no creaking, no low cost plastic wherever.

The IEMs are product of high-quality aluminum and home 1 dynamic driver, 3 balanced armatures and a MEMS driver. The housing has a remarkably high-quality end for the value. It is typical for in-ear screens that the mannequin must be assembled first. In this case, this considerations the connection to the cable, which is sort of difficult for non-experts for 2 causes:

1. The connection of the cable to the 2-pin connector is relatively stiff so it requires some drive
2. Contrary to the directions, the Halycon don’t have any indication of which is the left and which is the appropriate earphone

But after some experimentation and trial and error, the Kiwi Ears Halcyon are lastly prepared to be used. The lengthy, thick and copper-colored cable leaves a great impression within the take a look at and scores with a excessive diploma of flexibility, which has a optimistic impact on carrying consolation. What I don’t like in regards to the cable, nonetheless, is that it recurrently slips over my proper ear. But that is very particular person, as my ear form (no less than on the appropriate facet) is clearly very distinctive. I’ve this drawback with some IEMs (though not all).

The scope of supply of the Kiwi Ears Halcyon can also be coherent. In addition to a compact carrying case, the producer contains two units of ear suggestions in three sizes every, the standard paperwork and a removable 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm plug, which noticeably will increase flexibility. With gold-plated contacts, thoughts you, so very top quality.

There are additionally two units of substitute filters for the motive force nozzle. These filters are presumably used to attenuate the excessive frequencies if essential. A helpful element for customers who need to fine-tune the sound with out resorting to third-party earplugs.

Wearing consolation of the Halcyon

Keyword carrying consolation: Compared to most resin IEMs, the Halcyon are noticeably extra angular. Nevertheless, the in-ear screens match very comfortably within the ear and keep in place for hours on finish. I actually like that. The shells are comparatively small and lightweight regardless of the hybrid driver configuration and may match most ears with none issues. This is a bonus that can’t be taken as a right: many multi-driver IEMs are inclined to have housings that pinch throughout longer periods because of their dimension. The Halcyon stays snug even after hours.

With the appropriate earplugs, a sort of pure noise suppression is created. Even in a relatively loud bus surroundings, music might be loved nicely. If you might have delicate ears or are used to circumstances with noticeable stress, the Kiwi Ears Halcyon will come as a nice shock. Very optimistic.

Sound high quality of the Kiwi Ears Halcyon

Sound high quality is after all the decisive consider headphones or earphones and the Kiwi Ears Halcyon particularly do loads otherwise right here because of their driver design. But are they actually higher? The technical foundation: the ten mm composite cone dynamic driver takes care of the sub-bass for highly effective, managed low bass replica. The mids are coated by two DEK Series Custom Balanced Armature drivers and the excessive frequencies come from a WBFK Series Balanced Armature tweeter together with the USound MEMS driver for extremely excessive frequency decision. The declared frequency response is 10 Hz to 42,000 Hz, which already marks spectacular specs. And to sum up: the Kiwi Ears Halcyon ship an amazingly clear, exact and pure sound that’s pleasing nearly throughout the board.

Sub-bass and low bass: The Halcyon’s sub-bass is resolutely deep, has presence and delivers a nice rumble when the observe calls for it, normally with a number of cleanliness and pace. Not a thick or notably wealthy bass, however moderately agile, with good texture and precisely as an alternative. The sub-bass has a balanced 8 dB bass enhance in order that the mid-range stays cleanly accentuated. In follow, which means when you like bass, you get it with out the remainder of the frequency spectrum struggling.

Mids: In the mids, the Halcyon performs the cardboard of order and cleanliness. A transparent presentation, well-placed devices and a separation that ensures that every part is transmitted in a pleasantly ethereal method. No tremendous heat or dense sound that envelops you. Rather recent, disciplined and clear. Female vocals come throughout notably nicely, with good presence and a full of life high quality. Deep male vocals can lose a few of their physique in comparison with hotter options, however nonetheless sound extraordinarily good.

High frequencies and MEMS drivers: This is the realm that arouses essentially the most curiosity. Yes, there may be air, there may be element, there may be good extension and a reliable sense of openness, however I’d have anticipated a bit extra by way of upward brilliance. Of course, the IEMs sound superb right here too, however their efficiency is assured and acquainted. You shouldn’t anticipate a sonic revolution. It needs to be talked about that the treble generally is a little sharp with sure sources or recordings: On first hear, the treble can sound shrill and overemphasized with the improper EQ settings – relying in your private style. However, this could simply be curbed utilizing an equalizer.

The Kiwi Ears Halcyon are reasonably heavy to drive and appear to work higher with a number of energy. In conjunction with a USB-C DAC on the smartphone, the IEMs lack a little bit of energy in my eyes. With a DAC on a PC/pocket book or an audio system, nonetheless, issues look fairly completely different once more. The in-ear screens really feel noticeably extra snug right here. What is especially pleasing is that there isn’t a style by which the Halcyon notably shines or performs notably weakly. Tracks with a number of bass get a number of bass. Intense vocals or shut harmonies sound precisely as they need to. It’s as if the Halcyon has a reserve of energy that makes every part sound splendidly easy and feels equally at dwelling in every single place.

What I additionally like is that the passive isolation is extraordinarily good with the appropriate ear inserts. Sure: no lively noise suppression, however ambient noise is constantly blocked out, which lets you immerse your self even higher within the music.

Kiwi Ears Halcyon Review: Conclusion

The Kiwi Ears Halcyon depend on an revolutionary driver configuration that clearly demonstrates the producer’s declare. MEMS tribrid IEMs on this worth vary? That merely hasn’t been seen earlier than. Fortunately, the in-ear screens dwell as much as this declare. Kiwi Ears delivers a product that, with a couple of exceptions, is convincing throughout the board. Beautifully completed, light-weight and comfy to put on, with an nearly completely impartial studio monitor tuning with out extreme emphasis on particular person frequency ranges. The bass particularly is surprisingly wealthy for IEMs (in a optimistic method).

And but there are a couple of factors that I don’t like a lot. Some of those are subjective, others purely goal: establishing the headphones is a bit more sophisticated than essential for non-experts, as there isn’t a labeling on the perimeters and becoming the ear suggestions is a bit difficult. The cable additionally retains slipping over my proper ear. However, you’ll be able to’t essentially blame the Halcyon for this, as I even have this drawback with cables from different producers (and when you’ve purchased a great cable, you’ll negate this flaw anyway).

The impartial combine makes the Kiwi Ears Halcyon a convincing all-rounder that feels equally at dwelling in all genres. However, these searching for a heat sound picture will solely be blissful to a restricted extent. What stays ultimately is a profitable IEM with a singular driver setup (no less than on this worth vary), which – for my part – is completely definitely worth the asking worth. Especially when you catch the Early Bird offer on Kickstarter.

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