The $199 KE4 is a brand new hybrid driver IEM from Kiwi Ears. It utilizes a dual 10 mm dynamic driver for the bass, a balanced armature driver for the mids and lower highs, and a dedicated balanced armature tweeter for the highest frequencies.
The $89 Canta is also a new IEM from Kiwi Ears, featuring one dynamic driver and two planar magnetic drivers. Kiwi Ears claims to have paid special attention to the midrange, which is also reflected in the name: the word “canta” means “singing” in Spanish.
The KE4 and Canta share a similar build, both primarily constructed from 3D-printed resin. The KE4 features a “universal-custom” design, while the Canta has a more rounded inner shape paired with a flat black faceplate, while the KE4 is all resin with a backed-in decorative silver finish on the face.
KIWI EARS KE4 SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver configuration: 2 dynamic drivers + 2 balanced armature drivers
- Sensitivity: 102 dB (±1dB)
- Impedance: 28 ohm
- Cable length: 1.25M
- Earphone cable connection: 0.78mm 2-pin
- Cable termination: 3.5 mm TRS jack
Check the current price here:
- Linsoul: Kiwi Ears KE4
- Amazon: Kiwi Ears KE4
KIWI EARS CANTA SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver Configuration: 1 dynamic driver + 2 planar drivers
- Sensitivity: 104 dB SPL/mW (1KHz)
- Frequency Range: 20Hz-20KHz
- Impedance: 14Ω (1KHz)
- Cable length: 1.25M
- Earphone cable connection: 0.78mm 2-pin
- Cable termination: 3.5 mm TRS jack
Check the current price here:
- Amazon: Kiwi Ears Canta
- Linsoul: Kiwi Ears Canta
LISTENING COMPARISONS
Associated equipment: I used the Topping A90 as an amplifier and the RME ADI-2 DAC FS as a source. Both pairs had the Spinfit CP145 tips mounted.
Here are my track-by-track impressions:
Aquela Muhler by Vinicius Cantuaria
Starting with the Canta, the bass is powerful, and the vocals are clear and textured. There’s a good sense of space and separation.
The KE4 also has a powerful bass. Everything is rounder, yet still very detailed. The soundstage is smaller, but the sense of depth is higher. There is more fine nuance with the KE4.
Filth Pig by Ministry
This is a noisy, but complex track with some delicate elements. It’s hard to get right. They both do a good job, but the KE4 is more effortless and smooth, yet very detailed. The Canta gets a bit bright and strained sounding in comparison.
Bored by Deftones
Another metal track. Both are good, but they have a different tonality, but the KE4 is yet again smoother, richer, and more detailed at the same time.
Almost Like the Blues by Leonard Cohen
The Canta offers rich vocals and a full sounding bass. The KE4 is quite similar, but feels more organic and liquid.
Limit to Your Love by James Blake
The KE4 has a thick and full rendition. It’s warm and intimate and the soundstage isn’t huge. The Canta sounds more open, crisper, and slightly drier, but not in a bad way. The bass might be a tad better on the KE4, otherwise I clearly prefer the Canta here.
Scratch Bass by Lamb
Another bass-heavy electronic production. The Canta delivers a very good presentation with very impressive bass, good detail, and texture. The KE4 is also here thicker and less open sounding. It has the smoother and more liquid rendition, which has its appeal although I miss some of the openness from the Canta.
Never Forget The Good Ones by Solveig Slettahjell
This is a very vocally focused track, and they both deliver but in different ways. The KE4 is thicker, richer, smoother, and more liquid; the Canta is drier and crisper in comparison, yet still not too much, in absolute terms. The Canta is also more airy and open sounding. Both have a rather powerful bass presence.
As Before by Olga Konkova
The cajôn drum punches hard with the KE4, the piano is clear and slightly crisp. The vocals are beautiful and textured. With the Canta, the vocals are pulled slightly back, but they are still present enough. The Canta also has a powerful bass. It’s slightly more airy than the KE4, but the difference isn’t very big here.
Maple Noise by Greene Serene
One of my favorite, dynamic jazz improv tracks. The Canta certainly does a good job. The drums are super fast, and there is lots of texture and a good sense of spaciousness. The Canta is crisper than the KE4, which is smoother, thicker, richer, and again more organic sounding but less open.
Summer 3 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
In direct comparison, it is apparent that the tonal balance is a bit different, but they both sound very good once I adjust. The KE4 is smoother, the Canta crisper and airier.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The KE4 and Canta are not too far apart; they are both darker sounding, with more weighty bass and mids than treble. However, they feel nicely balanced and are not too far from neutral.
Treble
The treble is not overdone with either earphone. It’s slightly crisper with the Canta, smoother and more liquid with the KE4.
Midrange
They both have great midrange presence. The KE4 is thicker and fuller, the Canta has some more polite presence with a drier tonality.
Bass
Both have quite a strong bass presence, and great bass quality. Even though it is very present, I do not find that the bass is overpowering the mids and highs. Both deliver well-controlled and deep-reaching bass. The KE4 has a thicker tonality without losing definition.
Soundstage and Imaging
The KE4 offers an intimate soundstage, with solid imaging and impressive depth. However, its sense of width and height leaves room for improvement. In contrast, the Canta delivers a more open presentation, offering greater air and a broader sense of space, though it doesn’t match the KE4’s depth.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
Both the KE4 and the Canta deliver a good amount of detail, but in different ways. The Canta presents details with a crisp, sharper edge, while the KE4 offers a smoother, more fluid, and refined sound.
In terms of dynamics, I find it then both to deliver good macrodynamics as well as microdynamics. When it comes to timbre, it’s subjective, but the KE4 delivers a thicker, lusher, and smoother presentation while maintaining impressive detail. The Canta, though crisper, still retains a relatively lush sound.
CONCLUSION
Kiwi Ears have made two great IEMs that are worthy competitors, while defending their different price tags. They have a different tonality and character, but also share similarities.
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- Amazon: Kiwi Ears Canta
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