Kiwi Ears Airoso Review

The Kiwi Ears Airoso is an affordable in-ear monitor (IEM) that aims to deliver a premium experience without the hefty price tag. Featuring a hybrid driver setup one dynamic driver and four balanced armatures the Airoso promises a well-rounded sound signature with a spacious soundstage. But does it live up to expectations? In this review, we’ll dive into its design, comfort, durability, and most importantly, sound quality to see if it stands out in the increasingly competitive chi-fi market.

What You Get

• Kiwi Ears Airoso
• 2-pin 3.5mm cable
• Zipper case
• 3 sets of S/M/L ear tips
• User manual

Look & Feel

The Kiwi Ears Airoso has the appearance of a premium build, but it’s a different quality when you’re holding them in your hand. It uses an aluminum alloy faceplate on top of a 3D-printed shell. From its design, I had the impression the housing would feel a bit heavier, but it is actually very light. These are fairly low-priced IEMs and the look of the Airoso would make you believe it was shooting above that with its perceived durability. I don’t get that impression when I’m holding them though, as the Airoso feels more like a plastic cavity. Nothing is wrong with this build for the price, but there was a chance to have a stronger body.

The Airoso could be more durable than I’m letting on but based on my impression the build is reminiscent of other chi-fi models. None of this matters that much as long as it fits right, and the Airoso does. I never felt like the housing obstructed my listening experience, as it sat in my concha naturally for many hours without feeling fatigued.

Design

The Airoso combines a custom dynamic driver and four balanced armatures. This is great if you’re looking for a budget IEM with multiple drivers, as most IEMs you’ll see here only have a single dynamic unit. If you have a 3.5mm plug available you should be able to drive the Airoso without issue.

Soundstage 

For a budget IEM, the Airoso’s soundstage is quite impressive. While confined to a small headspace, the Airoso shows dimension and articulation within its stereo field. You’re not going to find a ton of spatial accuracy here, but all of the instruments and effects heard within a track appear very floaty, like the sounds terminating just outside of your head. It takes on an almost dome-like appearance that is more concerned with encapsulating your head rather than distinct separation and positioning. It’s immersive in its own way, portraying spaciousness without being very technical.

Low End

The bottom end of the Airoso has a lot of color. It has a thick tone that keeps itself out of the spotlight but still provides smooth grooves. While it’s not the weightiest response, the frequencies feel full and establish a good foundation for the bass to be lifted up in. There’s the slightest amount of rumble to it, but most of the time, it just supports the sound signature rather than extends it. The low end is something the sound signature falls back on when it needs it, resulting in good dynamics but not always with the most detail. You’ll still find this bass to be quite gripping, but imperfect.

Mids

For the most part, the midrange comes through clearly but has a few setbacks. The timbre is primarily neutral, but the mid-bass warmth seeps through the cracks a bit and doesn’t leave the mids a ton of room to explore. This keeps the midrange sounding pretty tight but only engages with surface-level detail. It causes some instruments to never appear in full shape or physicality. However, when the bass is calmed, the midrange sound elements stand out way better and showcase more clarity and detail. If the low mids synergized with the rest of the range a little more articulately, the Airoso could be much more resolving.

Highs

If the high frequencies didn’t have as much height as they do they probably wouldn’t stick out as much. Luckily, the highs extend to the most separated part of the sound signature and feature good detail and clarity in return. I would have even preferred if there was a bit more gain to them, but if you’re treble-sensitive in the first place, this is a good level of energy for the highs. You don’t have to worry about brightness or harsh areas, you can just enjoy some sizzling treble with an airy texture.

Summary

The Kiwi Ears Airoso is a solid option for budget-conscious audiophiles looking for a multi-driver IEM with a smooth and immersive sound signature. While its build quality feels lighter than expected, its ergonomic fit ensures a comfortable listening experience. The soundstage is surprisingly spacious, and the balanced tuning of the lows, mids, and highs makes it a versatile pick. However, its midrange could use more refinement, and the bass, while engaging, lacks the deepest extension. If you’re seeking an entry-level IEM with an airy treble and a full-bodied sound, the Airoso is worth considering.

The Kiwi Ears Airoso is available from Amazon and from Kiwi Ears directly.