In this review, I put the Kiwi Ears Astral IEM through its paces. The Astral features a single 10mm bioceramic dynamic driver with six balanced armature drivers shells and 3D-printed resin shells. It’s priced at 299 USD.

Kiwi Ears Astral

Specifications

Drivers: 1 Dynamic Driver + 6 Balanced Armatures
Sensitivity: 105dB (±1)
Impedance: 23Ω (±1)
THD: <1%
Frequency Response: 10Hz-22kHz
Cable Details: 1.2 Meter Detachable Cable
PRICE: 299.00 USD

Inside the Box

• Kiwi Ears Astral x1
• Detachable Cable x1
• 3.5mm Plug x1
• 4.4mm Plug x1
• Ear Tips x3
• Headphone Case x1
• Warranty Card x1

Design

The Kiwi Ears Astral’s shells are crafted from 3D-printed resin. The body has an opaque, glossy black finish and a pseudo-custom shape that fills the ear concha. There are 2 colours available, blue and yellow. I received the blue variant, which has a black background adorned with striking, iridescent fragments that resemble pieces of abalone shell or crushed opal. Centred on the faceplate is the Kiwi Ears brand name in silver script.

There are two vents: one in front of the 2-pin sockets and another near the base of the aluminium nozzle. These vents help equalise air pressure, allow the dynamic driver to move more freely, and play a role in controlling resonance and bass quantity, among other things.

When it comes to comfort, the Astral IEMs feel great in my ears, despite being on the wider side. All the edges are rounded and smooth, which helps prevent any hotspots or discomfort. Passive noise isolation is above average, making them a good choice for noisy environments or even as stage monitors for live performances.

The included silver-plated copper cable feels premium and handles well, without any noticeable microphonics. It’s a modular cable, so you can easily switch between the included 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced plugs.

Sound

Gear used for testing includes the iFi Zen DAC V3, iBasso DX180 and FiiO KA17. The Astral has a low impedance (23 Ω) and high sensitivity (105 dB), so it generally pairs well with most sources and doesn’t require a lot of power.

The Astral has a U-shaped sound signature and presents a largely uncoloured sound, offering a slight variation on the new meta tuning. What sets it apart is a slightly less robust lower midrange. It isn’t an IEM that chases warmth or sparkle; instead, it maintains neutrality, putting a strong emphasis on clarity and articulation. This makes it particularly well-suited to vocal-centric music, especially female vocals.

Bass

Astral has an enhanced sub-bass shelf and a scooped-out mid-bass. Despite the lift in the sub-bass, notes don’t carry much authority and have a light, controlled rumble. While this doesn’t offer much in the way of visceral impact, it allows ample space for the midrange to shine through. The mid-bass is attenuated, leaving male vocals articulate but ultimately lacking power and richness.

Midrange

The midrange is spacious and airy, a result of the attenuated upper bass and extended treble. Vocals and instruments are forward in the mix, making them clear and easy to distinguish. Astral is great for listening to vocals, portraying them with clarity and nuance, but they could use a touch more warmth for naturalness.

A subtle dip in the lower mids contributes to that sense of distance, giving vocals and instruments a lighter, more analytical tone. At the same time, a rise in the upper mids around 2 kHz brings presence and separation, making vocals easy to follow without sounding sharp or artificial.

Treble

The treble has a light, airy character with impressive extension. It brings clarity to the overall presentation and adds a crisp snap to percussion. It’s a clever tuning: the main treble region is kept smooth and restrained, avoiding harshness or fatigue, while a lift in the uppermost frequencies adds sparkle and air without tipping into sharpness or brittleness.

Soundstage & Technicalities

The Astral has some serious technical chops, especially regarding its soundstage, imaging and resolution. There’s a real sense of space and air around instruments, with pinpoint imaging that makes positioning feel effortless. The Astral also pulls ahead in resolution, capturing low-level detail without sounding clinical. The soundstage reaches wide, projecting sounds beyond the ears while preserving solid note density.

Comparisons

Kiwi Ears Septet

The Septet has more bass and lower midrange presence, but it takes serious driving power to get it going. Its midrange feels more spacious thanks to the open-back design and added upper treble energy, though it lacks the note density and vividness of the Astral. While the Septet offers a more expansive stage and sharper detail retrieval, the Astral comes across as more grounded and tonally contrasted.

ZiiGaat Arcanis

These 2 IEMs mirror each other pretty closely in the measurements, with the main difference being the Arcanis has less upper-midrange and lower-treble energy. As a result, Arcanis isn’t as dynamic or vivid in its presentation, although it might be a better choice for treble-sensitive listeners.

Verdict

Among the flurry of recent products released by the brand, the Kiwi Ears Astral stands out for its clarity and resolution. Utimately, it’s a great IEM but it comes priced highly and thus faces a lot of tough competition. However, I think it performs well enough to stand out from the crowd and will be popular among the enthusiast crowd.