– Total harmonic distortion (THD): < 1 % @ 1 kHz
– Casing material: Acrylic housing.
– Impedance: 15 Ω
– Sensitivity: 110 dB
– Frequency response range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
– Wire specification: 1.22 m, with a 3.5 mm (single-ended) and 4.4 mm (balanced) jacks, 0.78 mm 2 PIN plug
– Cable materials: High-purity oxygen-free copper silver-plated, 4 cores, braided wire cable.
Total Score
Introduction
Greetings to all Hifitopia readers in the third week of February. Today we will be reviewing one of the first iems of the new year. It is a highly anticipated iem that is frequently requested for comparison. Introducing the Kiwi Ears Orchestra II. The first Orchestra was quite popular and loved. Let’s see if this 10-balanced armature beast can take the throne from its predecessor.
The product in my hands was provided to me by Linsoul. We thank them for supporting independent reviews and upholding our principles of honesty.
The product has been used for approximately 150 hours, except during burn-in, prior to this review.
Design & Build
The Kiwi Ears Orchestra comes with a very satisfying box contents. I really liked the contents, which come with plenty of tips and a sturdy, high-quality hard case. Here is the complete list of contents:
Kiwi Ears Orchestra II IEM x 1 pair
Eartips (S/M/L) × 12 pairs
3.5mm plug x 1
4.4mm plug x 1
Single Crystal Copper Silver-Plated Cable x 1
Carrying Case x 1
User Manual x 1
Shells & Cable
Shiny acrylic honeycomb patterned matte metal faceplate and transparent resin. It’s very nice to see everything, but actually it’s something we’re familiar with now. What’s really interesting is that the bass armatures are transparent. Yes, they’re transparent! They’re not covered with metal like other armatures. They’re covered with transparent plastic. You can see the coil. This is really cool. Other than that, the shells feel solid and sturdy. Despite having 10 drivers, they are not very big and fit well in the ear. The passive isolation is definitely above average.
The cable is made of SP-OCC material and has a replaceable jack. It comes with 3.5mm and 4.4mm jacks. It’s a thick cable. I have to say, this is one of the softest cables I’ve seen in a long time. I could wear a jacket made of this 🙂
Case & Tips
First of all, one thing is very clear: providing four types of plastic storage cases shows that they take this business seriously. From this perspective, I commend Kiwi Ears. Even some high-end companies may not show this level of care.
The hard case that comes with it is also quite nice. It has a zipper, is very sturdy, and is also spacious.
Synergy
Kiwi Ears Orchestra II With FiiO BTR7
I really enjoyed listening with the BTR7. The sound is natural, balanced, and quite realistic for this price range. I think the low frequencies could be a bit more punchy, but they’re still good. The mids and highs were excellent. I particularly liked the vocals, guitar, and cymbals in metal tracks with this pairing. My overall rating for this pairing is 9/10.
Kiwi Ears Orchestra II With Roseselsa RS9039
I really like this pairing because the RS9039 brings out almost all of its technical potential at a very reasonable price. From this perspective, we get a more energetic yet still balanced sound compared to the previous pairing. The resolution is almost the same, only slightly behind in terms of soundstage width and texture. Details and naturalness are at the same level. Considering this, my score is higher due to the overall set’s sound quality not dropping significantly: 9.2/10
Sound
Tonality
It has a natural and balanced sound with a slight V-shaped coloration. The vocals it produces and the midrange in general are very realistic for this price range. The instruments are distinct and sound quite textured. Overall, it is a all-rounded headphone in both sound and technical terms, delivering above-average performance in every aspect.
The Orchestra II has bass that rivals dynamic drivers in the lower frequencies. The dual large transparent drivers deliver a very powerful and textured bass. While it doesn’t extend too far, it produces sufficient sub. Instrumentally, it is extremely successful: in Korn’s “Predictable,” the bass guitar is powerful, realistic, and clear. In the upper frequencies, it is airy and comfortable, yet the air frequencies are not dominant. The treble focus is on the lower treble, and the upper treble has a soft finish. Despite this, the cymbals are extremely realistic and natural. The amount of extension here is just right. I found the cymbals I heard while listening to Dominic Fike’s Babydoll track to be very realistic. At the same time, the guitar in this track is quite satisfying and clean in terms of timbre.
Technique
What can I say: excellent resolution, lots of detail, good soundstaging… Orchestra II is technically very good. Beyond all this, the sound it produces is accurate and realistic in terms of tone. Instrument consistency is very high and it has a homogeneous technical distribution across the spectrum. The bass is very good for balanced armature drivers at this price point. Still, at the end of the day, since I judge IEMs by their sound, I might have preferred the lowest sub-bass to be a bit more pronounced. Nevertheless, the low bass extension is within a natural range and does its job correctly. Moreover, they don’t miss a thing, the driver speed is fantastic: it captures rapid drum hits very well. The trebles? Resolved, clear, natural, detailed. What more could you want?
Last Words
The Kiwi Ears Orchastra II is an IEM that can please everyone except bassheads. It has a balanced, natural, realistic sound that adapts to any music genre. It produces sound with high accuracy across the entire spectrum. Considering the price tag, here’s what I’d say about this IEM: it’s a safe bet. It’s an excellent option, especially for those seeking an upgrade specifically targeting this price range.
