The Linsoul Kiwi Ears Septet is a multi-driver in-ear monitor positioned in the highly competitive midrange IEM market.
This review analyzes the impact of its unique driver configuration on the listening experience, including product quality, included accessories, ergonomic design for extended use, and sonic performance across a wide range of frequencies and music genres.
Linsoul Kiwi Ears Septet Features
The Kiwi Ears Septet utilizes a seven-driver array divided into four driver types, making it one of the most sophisticated hybrid products in the lineup.
A 10mm composite dynamic driver handles the sub-bass and mid-bass. The midrange and midtreble are handled by four balanced armature drivers, each assigned to a specific frequency range via a separate crossover network.
High frequencies are handled by a micro-planar driver and a single piezoelectric driver for ultra-high frequencies. A five-way passive crossover and a three-bore nozzle system control all seven drivers.
With an SPL of 95dB/mW @1kHz into a 15Ω impedance, the Kiwi Ears are inefficient in-ear monitors that require adequate power for optimal sound.
Design
The Kiwi Ears Septet adopts an open-back design, providing ample space for the drivers and expanding the soundstage.
The full-metal shell feels solid in the hand, and the faceplate is simple yet not boring. It features a series of horizontal cutouts surrounding a concave center engraved with the Kiwi Ears logo.
It’s a unique design that stands out without being overpowering.
Inside the Septet, there’s a rather unique driver configuration. A 10mm dynamic driver handles the bass, while four balanced armatures handle the lows, mids, and mid-highs.
A microplanar driver and a piezoelectric transducer handle the highs.
All of this is tied together by a five-way passive crossover and a three-bore nozzle system.
It’s a complex setup, but cohesive sound is no easy feat. This is precisely why the engineering team invested nearly two years in its development.
I found the Septet comfortable, but I had to test several eartip types before finding a secure fit. This could be just me, or it could vary depending on your ear anatomy.
Because of its open design, passive noise isolation isn’t great, making the Septet an ideal choice for noisy environments.
Comfort and Sound Isolation
Kiwi Ears’ comfortable Septet earbuds have a shell shape that seals naturally in your ear. Despite featuring seven drivers, the IEMs are relatively standard-sized and don’t feel bulky or awkward during use.
Eartip selection has a significant impact on comfort, as eartips with long stems tend to protrude outward from the shell. Smaller eartips provide a better seal, helping the Septet seal better.
The open-back design allows outside noise to pass through, so sound isolation isn’t a major advantage. I could still hear ambient noise, including conversations and street noise, even while playing music.
The lack of sound isolation was even more pronounced during travel, with traffic, conversations, and other background noise easily filtering in.
Therefore, the Septet is not suitable for use in noisy environments or on the commute.
Kiwi Ears Septet Sound
The sources used for testing were the SMSL DO300EX, HiBy R6 III 2025, and FiiO KA17. The Kiwi Ears Septet has quite a bit of power.
I found myself turning up the volume more than usual, regardless of the source I was using.
Furthermore, a sufficiently powerful source delivers vibrant bass, resulting in a tighter, more powerful sound and showcasing the Septet’s rich dynamic range.
It’s important to note that the Septet’s fit is highly dependent on the fit. If it doesn’t fit snugly, the bass will lose its punch and the midrange will sound thin.
While the sound isn’t vibrant or dense, it’s airy and cleanly articulated. The tuning feels intentional, which purists will appreciate.
However, others may desire a richer, more three-dimensional sound.
Bass
The Kiwi Ears Septet’s bass response is both deep and powerful. The sub-bass, particularly its extended lows, provides a rich foundation for genres like electronic dance music and orchestral works.
Tracks featuring a prominent bassline display this depth with distinct resonance.
The mid-low end exhibits a punchy and dynamic character, infusing instruments like the kick drum and bass guitar with energy and giving them a distinct presence in the mix.
A key characteristic of the Septet’s bass is its ability to layer and separate low-frequency elements, further enhanced by the interplay between the dynamic and planar magnetic drivers.
Even in complex musical arrangements, individual bass notes and drum beats are distinct, maintaining clarity even in dense passages.
This clarity avoids the muddy or excessive bloom often found in IEMs in this price range.
The bass is balanced, dominant yet uninhibited, offering versatility across a wide range of genres, from bass-heavy hip-hop to delicate acoustic music.
Listeners seeking a bass response that combines depth, punch, and textured detail will appreciate the Septet’s well-integrated and cohesive low-frequency sound.
Midrange
The Kiwi Ears Septet’s midrange is characterized by a forward and bright presentation, while vocals are prominently placed and airy, likely influenced by the multi-driver configuration and crossover design.
The low-mid range provides a subtle warmth, adding richness to instruments like piano, cello, and male vocals, and creating a stable tone suited to genres that emphasize emotional resonance, such as folk and classical music.
The deep tones of baritone vocals and the timbre of the cello are richly expressed.
As the frequency transitions into the upper mid range, a noticeable rise enhances the clarity of instruments like electric guitar, brass, and female vocals, ensuring a delicate and expressive presentation.
The delicate details of acoustic guitar picking and the high notes of soprano vocals are precisely conveyed.
The transition between the lower mid and upper mid ranges is relatively even, creating a cohesive sonic image that maintains rich harmonies between instrumental and vocal elements.
Vocals from various genres are rendered with sufficient detail to capture even the subtlest changes.
The mid range remains neutral in its response, providing a balanced and adaptable presentation across a wide range of musical styles, including rock, jazz, and classical.
This balance, combined with a forward, airy feel, delivers a comfortable listening experience for extended periods.
Listeners who value a vibrant, accurate midrange and clear vocals will find the Septet a capable performer, delivering a detailed and engaging sound.
Treble
The Septet’s treble performance is characterized by detailed and clear high-frequency reproduction, highlighting high-frequency elements like cymbals and high-pitched strings with crisp articulation and a vibrant presence.
This is further enhanced by the contribution of the PZT drivers. The clarity in this range clearly conveys percussive sounds like hi-hats and cymbals in rock music, adding a dynamic feel to the music.
The highs exhibit a restrained, airy quality, imbuing instruments like flutes and chimes with a sense of spaciousness, creating a lively atmosphere.
A notable aspect of the Septet’s treble is its ability to preserve subtle detail, even on recordings prone to harshness or sibilance.
The subtle decay of instruments, such as the triangles in orchestral music, and the resonance of bells in minimalist compositions, are clearly distinguishable without being overemphasized, demonstrating a refined tuning approach.
These characteristics allow the Septet to adapt to a variety of recording qualities, providing a consistent listening experience.
The treble can sound vibrant to those who prefer a more subdued sound, but is generally comfortable and non-fatiguing, striking a balance between detail and ease of listening.
The treble blends well with the midrange and bass, providing an overall clear and open sound across a wide range of genres.
Kiwi Ears Septet Eartips
The Kiwi Ears Septet includes a total of 12 eartips, three pairs of each style to suit your needs: short, wide-bore, and standard balanced eartips, all finished in black silicone for a simple, brand-free design.
The short, wide-bore tips provide a secure seal with the nozzle, but the flange is too wide and short, making prolonged use uncomfortable.
The flange shape interferes with the seal, making it difficult to achieve adequate sound isolation or bass response.
Balanced tips offer better overall seal and adhesion than wide-bore tips. However, even with balanced tips, there was still some room, preventing a perfect seal.
This required multiple adjustments and reinsertions to achieve a satisfactory fit.
Original Cable
The Kiwi Ears Septet’s original cable features a smooth, slightly glossy copper finish. It begins with four twisted wires leading to the splitter, which are then split into two thinner braids that connect to each earpiece.
The splitter is a simple, clean black color with no markings or decorative details. Both sides of the cable above the splitter maintain a consistent braid structure, maintaining a uniform, clean appearance.
Channel identification is indicated by small blue and red square dots on the connector housing, with blue indicating left and red indicating right. There are no L or R markings printed anywhere on the cable.
Both the 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs feature a matte black finish, with the Kiwi Ears logo printed in white.
The cable features a modular pull-and-fit system, allowing for quick and easy replacement without the need to twist or secure the plug.
Conclusion
The advanced Quadbrid driver system delivers a balanced and engaging sound signature featuring powerful yet controlled bass, clear and vibrant midrange, and detailed and airy highs.
This sonic tapestry is further enriched by an expansive soundstage that surpasses the performance of comparable IEMs.
The Kiwi Ears Septet’s premium construction consists of a lightweight yet robust metal alloy chassis and an aesthetically pleasing open faceplate, complementing its comfortable ergonomic design for extended listening comfort.
While compatibility with high-power sources and the inherent sound leakage of the open design suggest optimal use in quiet environments, the Septet offers exceptional value to discerning audiophiles seeking a dynamic and immersive listening experience in the midrange price range.
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