Review: Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite – Beauty And Brilliance

‘Lite’ doesn’t imply ‘not up to.’

The unique Orchestra style used to be a large good fortune for Kiwi Ears, receiving an excessive amount of certain consideration. The more moderen Orchestra Lite (hereafter “OL”) used to be constructed at the identical basis and redesigned to be extra environment friendly and more economical.

The OL options the similar 8 balanced armature motive force configuration and tonal stability as their predecessor. In shut partnership with the motive force producers, Kiwi Ears advanced customized balanced armature drivers that ship a extra environment friendly efficiency on the identical specifications.

Unboxing and First Impact

Design and Construct

Every OL faceplate is hand-crafted and distinctive, with the customized Kiwi Ears BA drivers wrapped in clear medical-grade resin. The blue and inexperienced variations are similarly enchanting within the mild.

I like the crystal transparent our bodies, revealing a wonderfully arranged use of inside house. This transparency alerts to me that Kiwi Ears is fully assured appearing off the OL’s portions and their design/construct prowess.

There are 0 edges, and the end may be very top quality. They feel and look a lot more pricey than they’re. Every unit undergoes two separate rounds of high quality regulate inspection.

The two-pin connectors are flush with the frame. The cable connectors take a seat snugly towards the frame and not using a gaps. The nozzles disclose the go out of 3 sound tubes and are collarless. All the dozen ear guidelines I attempted had no problems conserving on.

Cable

The shimmery white 4-core 7n oxygen-free copper (OFC) cable is mild and comfy, assisting the IEMs’ usefulness for level responsibility and transportable listening. The inventory cable comes same old with 2-pin connectors and a three.5mm plug. Terminations really feel well-reinforced and sturdy. The cable doesn’t tangle, and the chin slider remains anywhere I put it.

There are 0 microphonics, which is important for musicians and different audio execs who carry out or actively transfer round whilst dressed in IEMs.

Convenience

The OL are light-weight, ergonomic, and comfy sufficient to disregard about them, in spite of the 8 drivers and medium-large frame to suit them. The cable ear hooks hang to their form, are versatile, and do their process properly, securing the IEMs in position.

Kiwi Ears comprises 3 units of numerous silicone guidelines (all in S, M, and L). Huzzah!

From an ease of listening viewpoint, Dekoni Bulletz Mercury reminiscence foam guidelines labored absolute best for me (now not incorporated). Whilst they’ve the added advantages of enhanced convenience and smoothing some treble sharpness, some element and determination might be dampened.

Underneath the Hood

The OL space a complete of 8 balanced armature drivers in each and every IEM. There are two customized ultra-tweeters for the treble, 4 customized midrange drivers for the mids, and two extensive subwoofer drivers for the lows.

How Do the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite Sound?

For analysis, I concentrate to a perfect number of track via a lot of assets, together with DAPs (FiiO M15S), telephones (LG V20, LG V60), moveable DAC/amps (HELM Audio Bolt, DB12 AAAMP, TempoTec Sonata E44, Khadas Tea, Qudelix-5K) and desktop DAC/amps (S.M.S.L SP200, HIFIMAN EF400).

With an overly low impedance of 16 ohms and a excessive sensitivity of 112dB, the OL are simple to power from any supply. Tuning is absolute best described as neutral-bright. A results of the aforementioned three-way passive crossover technique is an intentional restriction of the sub-bass frequencies, with a height of 8dB quantity from 20Hz to 200Hz.

Kiwi Ears intends the OL IEMs to imitate the sound {of professional} studio displays in order that execs will revel in a extra acquainted and constant sound profile. For performers, that is best possible, as there’s no want to reproduction those frequencies within the inside ears when they’re felt within the atmosphere.

The soundstage is reasonable and herbal, with even-sounding channel stability. Timbre is usually excellent and relatively correct, simplest compromised by means of occasional over the top splashiness within the treble and a few loss of word weight and resonance for tools similar to drums, cello, and piano.

For this evaluate, I visited the next artists and their house places:

An interesting assortment from a number of continents, those numerous musical productions vary in ethnic origins, musical types, and explorations in audio.

Bass

The OL don’t really feel or sound lite by any means except for for the intentional bass restriction. Because the frequency reaction graph suggests, the bass is well-tuned and balanced. The bass sounds fast and metaphorically mild on its toes.

The bass presentation is blank, outlined, and well mannered. The BAs do a excellent process of rendering high quality over amount.

When track demanding situations the IEMs to provide low-end grunt, the OL don’t ship.

They lack have an effect on, weight, and authority.

I will be able to pay attention the bass. I will be able to’t really feel the bass. For common listening, it’s now not sufficient to revel in a lot of my most popular track to the fullest. For crucial listening, the OL are terrific equipment.

Midrange

The midrange is each outstanding and easy, and not using a trace of recession in mixes. Kiwi Ears asserts that the mids area is impartial, with just a 2dB distinction from 200Hz to 800Hz to offer an ever-slight trace of heat with out muddying. I agree.

Treble

I guess with such a lot element, you might be able to pay attention each and every “nuisance.”

I consider Kiwi Ears intended “nuance,” to which I agree. Readability and difference of sounds are the OL’s strengths. To my ears, there may be much less treble roll-off over 10kHz than the graph signifies. Some customers preferring extra ‘air and sparkle’ might understand the deficiency.

The treble will lower in the course of the combine at any quantity, a large plus for musicians in are living settings the place ambient decrease frequencies and quantity can drown out computer screen main points. Element is to be had at decrease volumes, which may be very useful for blending and manufacturing paintings.

If you’re treble-sensitive, the OL will be an excessive amount of or take some being used to. In spite of the spikes, there isn’t a lot sibilance. The peaks from roughly 5.5kHz – 8kHz can also be obtrusive by means of shouting and oversharpening particular tools and results similar to cymbal moves.

Comparisons

The Kiwi Ears Quintet are a in a similar fashion priced style with a fully other hybrid motive force configuration. The Quintet are superb all-around performers with a extra consumer-friendly sound signature. The bass frequencies are extra outstanding and bodily than the OL.

The Quintet excel in attaining the uncommon aggregate of enormous soundstage and actual imaging, with outstanding readability and treble extension of their value vary. In line with the advanced configuration, hybrid motive force aggregate, sound, and luxury, the Quintet are a offered worth and sound a lot more pricey than they’re.

The place to Purchase

Who Will have to Purchase This?

Kiwi Ears designed the OL for execs. I consider the group hit their mark, and for my part, they’re a perfect selection at a shockingly horny value for his or her efficiency. It’s slightly an advantage to have such stunning and wonderfully made paintings equipment.

Should you want IEMs with a brighter signature and superb technical chops, the OL are a wise selection. This is applicable as properly to element and treble fans. The OL are nice for quick, technical, advanced track and crowded mixes, from Baroque-period classical to hurry and thrash steel.

The OL aren’t for you if you need a definite, coloured, or distinctive sound signature. Should you dig deep grooves, believe Kiwi Ears’ Cadenza or Quartet.

Ultimate Ideas

What I admire essentially the most in regards to the OL is that Kiwi Ears didn’t try to produce an IEM to enchantment to the overall inhabitants of customers. They mentioned their intentions obviously and performed the method. Smartly finished!

I’d were upset if I used to be now not conscious about that. I’m hoping that that is useful for you to remember in deciding if the OL are best for you. Given the low price for prime efficiency, the OL are spectacular and, if used correctly, will serve you properly.

Corporate Evaluation

What’s within the Field?

• Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite IEMs
• 9 pairs of silicone ear guidelines (S, M, L)
• 1.2m (4 feet) silver-plated monocrystalline copper cable
• Wearing/coverage case
• Instruction handbook

Technical Specs

• Taste: In-ear computer screen
• Shell Subject material: Scientific grade resin
• Drivers: 8 balanced armature drivers; Kiwi Ears custom designed HIGH x2 + Kiwi Ears Custom designed MID x4 + Knowles LOW x2
• Impedance: 16 ohms
• Sensitivity: 112 dB/mW
• Frequency Reaction Vary: 20Hz – 20kHz
• Plug Sort: 3.5mm gold-plated connector
• Pin Sort: 0.78mm 2-pin
• Cable Period and Sort: 1.2m (4 feet) 4-core 7n oxygen-free copper cable
• Weight: 16 grams/pair (now not together with ear guidelines)