This a a/b comparison of the Kiwi Quintet and the iKKO OH10 Obsidian In Ear Monitors. They’re in the same price range. I’ve done separate reviews of both if you want to read more.
The Quintet has 5 drivers per side. There are 4 different types of drivers: 1 Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) dynamic driver, 2 balanced armature (BA) drivers, 1 planar magnetic driver, and 1 piezoelectric (PZT) bone conductor. All this is fitted into quite a surprisingly small housing made of a polymer material, with a metal faceplate.
The iKKO OH10 has two drivers per side; a single Dynamic Driver with a polymer titanium-coated diaphragm and a Knowles 33518 balanced electric driver. The housing is made of a copper alloy and covered with a very exclusive-looking skin-friendly coating.
Both are solid and well-built. I have no issues fitting either of them into my ear. However, it must be said that the iKKO OH10 is a very heavy IEM. I personally don’t mind, but it’s not necessarily ideal for workout sessions. The Quintet is both smaller and much lighter. Both come with a 3.5 mm cable
iKKO OH10 SPECIFICATIONS
- Balanced Armature: Knowles 33518
- Dynamic driver: 10mm polymer composite titanium-plated diaphragm dynamic driver
- Sensitivity: 106dB
- Frequency range: 20-40kHZ
- Impedance: 18ohm
- Cable length: 120 cm / 47 inches
- Connector IEM: 2-pin 0.78mm
- Cable Plug 3.5 mm jack
KIWI EARS QUINTET SPECIFICATIONS
- Drivers: 1 Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) dynamic driver, 2 balanced armature (BA) drivers, 1 planar magnetic driver, and 1 piezoelectric (PZT) bone conductor
- Impedance 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 106 dB
- Included cable: 1.2 m Detachable Silver-Plated OFC Cable
- Cable plug type amp: 3.5mm
- Cable plug IEM: Detachable 0.78mm 2 Pin
COMPARISONS
I used my Topping A90 as an amplifier and the RME ADI-2 DAC FS as a source.
Fading Sorrow by Marcin Wasilewski Trio
The Quintet does a beautiful job. The bass is extremely well-defined without being too much. The saxophone takes center stage, it’s almost glowing. Great imaging.
The OH10 also delivers the goods. There’s lots of space, the bass is deep and warm. The saxophone is a bit further back in the mix.
Black Crow, by Cassandra Wilson
The bass is very rich and powerful with the OH10. Great sense of space. Delicate vocals. Plenty of detail.
The Quintet has less but tighter bass, the vocals are brought more forward in the mix. There’s similarly good imaging with a more open sound stage. Nicely balanced tonality.
Electrified by Boris Blank
Tight bass, generally snappy and detailed across the frequency spectrum from the Quintet. Spacious.
The OH10 has more bass and sounds darker. It’s less neutral. The Quintet has better definition, imaging and a wider stage. However, the OH10 still sounds very good here. Just different.
Janacek and Ligeti – String Quartets by the Belcea Quartet
The OH10 delivers a fantastic presentation. The strings are gently but powerfully rendered, the bass really gives some extra body to the instruments. There is great instrument separation and imaging.
The Quintet also delivers a stunning performance. The tuning is a bit different. It’s got more midrange energy. They are both very enjoyable, but the imaging and detail level are even better than the OH10.
Don’t Panic by Coldplay
Sounds stunning with the Quintet. The bass is very present and tight. The vocals are beautiful, great instrument separation.
The OH10 also sounds great, but it’s not as ultra-precise as the Quintet. The vocals are a bit drawn back. The bass is fuller but less tight.
CONCLUSION
These IEMs have a lot in common. They both have great imaging and bass, smooth and detailed mids and clear highs. However, they also have a difference in tonal balance. The Quintet is quite neutral, the OH10 slightly V-shaped with the mids a bit drawn back in the mix. Both are dynamic and snappy.
The iKKO OH10 and the Kiwi Ears Quintet are among my absolute favorite IEMs, and I can easily recommend both.
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