The Cadenza 4 and the Orchestra Lite are two very interesting earphones to compare because they are both quite midrange-oriented, something that is way too unusual in the world of in-ear monitors (IEMs).
Both are multi-driver IEMs. The Cadenza 4 has, as the name suggests, four drivers, while the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite has eight. However, where the Cadenza 4 utilize a hybrid solution with a dynamic driver and three balanced armatures, the Orchestra Lite uses eight balanced armature drivers only.
My Letshuoer Cadenza 4 review can be found here
My Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite review can be found here
LETSHUOER CADENZA 4 SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: 4 driver hybrid
- Drivers: 10mm beryllium coated DD, 1 Sonion BA, and 2 Knowles BA
- Impedance: 15 ohms
- Sensitivity: 102 dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz – 40kHz
- Chassis Material: 3D-printed resin, anodized aluminum faceplate
- Cable: 1.2 m, 392-strand silver-plated monocrystalline copper
- Earphone connectors: 0.78 mm dual pin
- Audio Connectors: 90-degree angled 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm interchangeable connectors
Check out the current price here:
KIWI EARS ORCHESTRA LITE SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: Eight balanced armature drivers
- Drivers: Kiwi Ears Customized HI*2+Kiwi Ears Customized MID*4+Knowles LOW*2
- Impedance: 18 ohms
- Sensitivity: 112dB
- Detachable Cable: 1.2 m oxygen-free silver-plated copper
- IEM cable socket 0.78mm 2 Pin
- Cable termination plug 3.5mm single-ended
Check out the current price here:
- Linsoul: Kiwi Orchestra Lite
- Amazon: Kiwi Orchestra Lite
ABOUT EAR TIPS
The Cadenza 4 is especially susceptible to tip-rolling. I believe it has to do with the unusually wide nozzle, with the three acoustic tubes going all the way to the tip of the nozzle. It comes with two sets of silicone tips: wide bore tips called “vocal” and narrow bore tips called “neutral.” Sound-wise, they resemble my preferred wide-bore Azla SednaEarFit Crystal and narrow-bore Spinfit CP145 tips, respectively.
The Orchestra Lite is not as susceptible to tip changes; the differences are subtle in comparison, and it sounds very similar with both tips.
For this comparison, I used the AZLA SednaEarFit Crystal tips on both earphones.
LISTENING IMPRESSIONS
I used the Topping A90 as an amplifier and the RME ADI-2 DAC FS as source for this comparison.
In The Mountains by Espen Eriksen Trio
Cadenza 4: Starting out with a nice jazz trio The standing bass is strong, but not as overly powerful as it often is rendered. It is quite perfect; it has great definition and enough presence for me. The piano is clear yet has a good amount of body. The percussion is beautiful, and the treble is effortless. Imaging is good.
Orchestra Lite: The Orchestra Lite is very similar, but the bass isn’t as tight and the tones feel a tad thicker in general.
Jambi by Tool
Cadenza 4: The guitar riffs are very textured without being edgy. The bass is definitely not on the heavier side, but it has great definition. The vocals stand out clearly in the mix. It sounds effortless, detailed, and smooth.
Orchestra Lite: The vocals are fatter, and the general impression is that of a more rounded sound.
Smile by Pearl Jam
Cadenza 4: Again, the bass is just right and rendered with great definition. The percussion is very snappy, and the separation of instruments is excellent. You can easily identify what is going on on this rather busy track. Eddie Vedder’s vocals stand out clearly and are rendered without sibilance.
Orchestra Lite: Again, they have a very similar sound, a very similar frequency response. The vocals are fatter and not as clear sounding as with the Cadenza 4.
Almost Like The Blues by Leonard Cohen
Cadenza 4: Leonard Cohen’s vocals are what really stand out. It is full of detail and texture in a very organic-sounding manner. The bass is sufficient in quantity and has a very good definition. The percussion is very present in the treble region, but in a very smooth and delicate way.
Orchestra Lite: The bass is much more dominant, fuller, and thicker. There’s less space between instruments and a more rounded feeling. It’s different, but equally enjoyable.
Black Crow by Cassandra Wilson
Cadenza 4: The imaging and separation are very good; there is a great sense of depth and spaciousness. Again, the vocals are in the center of attention, and the bass is relatively polite sounding but not lacking in quantity. .
Orchestra Lite: The difference is smaller here than with many previous tracks; they’re definitely more similar than different.
Desert Island Disk by Radiohead
Cadenza 4: The guitar is crisp, and the bass is pulsing nicely underneath. Thom Yorke’s vocals are brought to the front in an excellent manner.
Orchestra Lite: The guitar has a more rounded character. The bass is similar. The vocals are thicker.
As Before by Olga Konkova
Cadenza 4: The cajôn drum throws a punch, but the piano gets in focus, like it should. The female vocals are absolutely wonderful. Natural and organic, effortless, and clear without sharp edges.
Orchestra Lite: Quite similar, a bit less crisp. The bass quantity is identical.
It Could Be Sweet by Portishead
Cadenza 4: The female vocals are perfectly rendered. They’re clear and natural; there is not a hint of sibilance. The bass is powerful, with great control and authority, but not overly dominant.
Orchestra Lite: The bass is not as tight, and the vocals are a little bit thicker and rounder, but still very delicious.
Escape Route by Boris Blank
Cadenza 4: This is a great electronic track. Very snappy sounding, the bass gives a good foundation and doesn’t need to be stronger. There’s a good sense of space, and everything has an organic touch.
Orchestra Lite: The bass is pretty similar, but not as tight. The sound is thicker and fuller, with less distinct separation of instruments. However, I don’t feel like I’m losing out; it’s just different.
Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 III by Paavo Järvi
Cadenza 4: The kettledrums are quite massive, and the bass goes deep, but they’re not too dominant. The strings and wind instruments are beautifully rendered. The separation of instruments is excellent, and even though there is good space between them, they are rendered with a good amount of body and presence.
Orchestra Lite: There is no doubt that the Cadenza 4 is technically superior on this track. The Orchestra Light sounds great by itself, but in comparison, it sounds a bit veiled. As usual, there’s a thicker character to the tones.
Young Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto RV 813 III by Ensemble Modo Antiquo
Cadenza 4: The strings are absolutely terrific sounding. They have bite and attack, but at the same time, they have a rounded and organic feeling. There is no harshness, but they’re not sounding laid-back either.
Orchestra Lite: Here, they’re very similar sounding. Not identical, but close enough.
Limit to Your Love by James Blake
Cadenza 4: Blake’s vocals are clear and crisp. The bass is really excellently rendered, and the sub-bass is very present. I have found the Cadenza 4’s bass refreshingly undominant in many tracks, but it’s not rolling off with the sub-bass. I wouldn’t want more bass, especially on this track.
Orchestra Lite: Very similar. Slightly thicker and fuller tonality.
Sunrise by Norah Jones
Cadenza 4: The guitar is crisp, and there is good separation of instruments. The bass is polite but well defined. The vocals are very precise sounding and full of nuance.
Orchestra Lite: It is very similar, but at the same time it is not. Again, the tonality has a thicker quality to it that has its own charm. Even though the Cadenza 4 feels technically superior, the Orchestra Lite feels well resolved and very nice.
Bullet In The Head by Rage Against The Machine
Cadenza 4: Another bass-heavy track where the Cadenza 4 delivers a well-balanced bass that reaches deep with great definition. Good separation as always, everything is very detailed and organic sounding, clear but not too crisp.
Orchestra Lite: The bass is a bit fuller but not as tight, and the general presentation is fuller and thicker. Nice, in a different way than the Cadenza 4.
The Tunnel by Tord Gustavsen Trio
Cadenza 4: Everything is clear, and the piano is very delicate and present. The percussion is extremely snappy. The imaging is great.
Orchestra Lite: The sound is a bit warmer, somewhat rounder, and the bass is stronger.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
In terms of frequency response, these two are pretty similar, with quite equal amounts of bass, midrange and treble. They both have a relatively polite bass presence and non-intrusive highs, giving lots of room for the midrange to shine.They are, however, different in the way they present the music. The Cadenza 4 is more technical; it is tighter and crisper, while the Orchestra Lite is fuller and thicker.
Treble
The treble is clearer and cleaner with the Cadenza 4, and it’s rounder and thicker with the Orchestra Lite.
Midrange
The midrange is clearer and more defined with the Cadenza 4, and it’s fuller and more rounded with the Orchestra Lite.
Bass
The bass is tighter with more articulated dynamic contrasts with the Cadenza 4, and it is thicker and slightly meatier with the Orchestra Lite, although they are mostly quite similar in quality.
Soundstage and Imaging
The soundstage is pretty similar on both earphones. When it comes to imaging capabilities, their separation is notably better with the Cadenza 4. It’s generally more precise, and sometimes it’s very obvious, like Brahms’s second symphony. However, surprisingly often, the Orchestra Lite sounds very close.
Detail, Dynamics and Timbre
Both are detailed-sounding earphones. More often than not, they are in the same ballpark when it comes to detail retrieval. However, sometimes it becomes very apparent that the Cadenza 4 is more technically capable. That said, the Orchestra Lite manages, in a magical way, to sound thick and detailed at the same time. It’s quite appealing, and this is one of its main strengths.
In terms of dynamics, I think they are somewhat similar, but again, there’s no denying that the Cadenza 4 is technically a better performer, both in terms of macro- and microdynamics.
When it comes to timbre, it’s a bit difficult to pick a winner. They are very different in that regard. The Orchestra Lite has a unique tone, as I’ve mentioned many times by now. It’s thick and nuanced sounding at the same time, and it sounds very alive. The Cadenza also sounds very organic and natural, in another way; I often think that the Cadenza 4 sounds true to the recording, while the Orchestra Lite sounds true to the performance.
CONCLUSION
There are not too many great midrange-focused IEMs, but the Cadenza 4 and Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite are two of them. For a richer timbre and denser tonal weight, the Orchestra Lite might be for you, while the Cadenza 4 offers a more delicate touch and a more technically able presentation. I appreciate them both.
You can purchase here:
- Linsoul: Kiwi Orchestra Lite
- Amazon: Kiwi Orchestra Lite
My Letshuoer Cadenza 4 review can be found here
My Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite review can be found here
