In this article, I review the Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss IEM. The Wyvern Abyss is a budget earphone featuring handsome resin shells and a single 10mm LCP (liquid crystal polymer) dynamic driver. It’s priced at $24.
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by HiFiGo for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.
Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss
Specifications
Impedance: 32Ω.
Sensitivity: 105dB.
Frequency Response Range: 20Hz-20kHz.
Connector Type: 0.78mm 2-pin.
Termination Plug: 3.5mm.
Design
The Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss is visually striking thanks to its Black Dragon theme design. Its faceplates are adorned with a gorgeous dark Wyvern wing pattern with hues of black, blue and silver.
The resin housings have a glossy black finish with a single vent located behind the standard 0.78mm 2-pin sockets. The nozzles flare out slightly to hold eartips securely in place and the opening has a protective mesh cover.
I find the Wyvern Abyss shells very comfortable and can happily keep them in my ears all day. The passive noise isolation is above average, so you can enjoy your music without distractions.
The included grey twisted silver-plated copper cable has metal components, including the chin slider and handles well.
Sound
Gear used for testing includes the FiiO KA17, HiBy R3 II and Audalytic AH90. The Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss is fairly efficient so it doesn’t require a powerful source. An inexpensive dongle DAC will yield good results with this IEM.
Wyvern Abyss has a 2019 Harman Target Tuning with an elevated sub-bass, upper-midrange tilt and a laid-back treble.
Bass
The Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss brings a punch to the bass, with a satisfying yet controlled low end that doesn’t overwhelm the mix. The sub-bass extension is impressive, providing a deep rumble that adds depth and authority and is great for genres like EDM and hip-hop.
Midrange
The midrange is smooth and organic with rich notes and an underlying warmth. Despite the lushness in Abyss’ mids, they still have sufficient clarity and although they’re not the most transparent, they don’t sound muddy. Vocals are fairly forward and both male and female voices sound engaging and intimate.
Treble
The treble on the Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss is smooth and non-fatiguing. The highs roll off rapidly after around 5kHz, creating warm treble notes that won’t win any awards for airiness or precision but are free of harshness and sibilance. There’s not much sparkle but there’s just enough energy to counterbalance the weight of the bass.
Soundstage & Technicalities
The technical performance of the Abyss is a mixed bag. On one hand, the instrument separation is only average, especially during bass-laden tracks. On the other hand, although the soundstage width is moderate, the depth and height are quite impressive. Imaging is reasonably good for a budget IEM but bassy tracks or explosions in games can hinder the accuracy of placement drastically.
Comparisons
ZiiGaat Nuo ($24)
The ZiiGaat Nuo (review here) has a single dynamic driver. There are many similarities between it (Nuo) and the Wyvern Abyss but a couple of minor changes make each distinctly different.
The Nuo has a slightly less enhanced sub-bass. This might look insignificant on the graph above but when combined with Nuo’s additional treble presence, the bass takes on a different character. Nuo’s bass is cleaner and has better definition.
In the mids, Nuo has a little better clarity and snappier instrument attacks – again courtesy of its upper treble lift that provides additional transparency and detail. The differences aren’t huge but they’re enough to give the Nuo more fidelity and a cleaner presentation. Furthermore, the ZiiGaat has a wider stage and sharper imaging.
Both of these IEMs are insanely good value for money. Bassheads will love the Abyss’ sub-bass depth while those who like a bit more treble energy might prefer the Nuo.
Verdict
The Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss is a fantastic budget IEM. It has a unique, stunning design and a bold fun sound signature. It’s an easy recommendation for bass lovers looking for a warm, non-fatiguing sound that doesn’t compromise too much on fidelity and technicalities.