Kiwi Ears Airoso

An airy lightweight IEM with a knockout sound

The Kiwi Ears Airoso is a new entry in the mid-tier IEM market, featuring a hybrid driver setup with a custom dynamic driver and four balanced armatures all in a very comfortable and lightweight package.

Because Kiwi Ears have released some of my favourite IEMs in the past few years, especially the Orchestra Lite and the KE4, I was delighted with the opportunity to try the Airoso.

So, having listened to the Airoso for a few weeks now, there are many things I really like about the Airoso including its comfort but especially that the tuning is a subtle twist on some familiar tuning targets, but to find out if you should add it to your collection, please read on.

Let’s start with the unboxing:

Unboxing and Build Quality

The unboxing experience of the Kiwi Ears Airoso is simple yet elegant, reflecting its premium-tier status: Though not that much information on the back:

Sliding it out of its sleeve reveals the box:

Opening the box we finally we see the Airoso:

The carry case is a nice upgrade on some previous Kiwiears cases I received with a more premium texture:

And you get a good selection of eartips in 3 bags - though mostly these are fairly generic eartips:

I used my own eartips for the majority of my listening tests, but I did do my measurements of the Airoso with a medium-sized stock eartips.

Cable

The detachable cable is of decent quality, though not outstanding. While it’s lightweight and functional it does tangle a little too easily:

The 2-pin connectors ensure easy cable updates though I actually prefer recessed 2-pin connections for extra security:

The IEMs

The Airoso’s shell is small and exceptionally lightweight, making it one of the most comfortable IEMs I’ve worn for extended listening sessions, here is a little video showing the Airoso from all angles:

The CNC aluminum alloy and titanium faceplate give it a high-end feel while maintaining durability.

The nozzles are medium-sized and have a good angle at least for me, ensuring a very secure fit even when out walking:

They are also a good length, some IEM’s like the Truthear Zero family are very long and not always that comfortable:

Here are some comparison photos and videos - first with the Kiwi ears KE4, Orchestra Lite, the new Truthear Zero Blue 2 and the smaller FiiO FD15 - hopefully this shows with the Airoso, Kiwi ears went for good compromise of size (and it is lightest of these IEMs):

Some photo comparisons:

And just with the larger IEMs:

A close comparison with the other 2 Kiwi ears IEMs:

And finally a comparison with the Truthear Zero Blue 2:

So, comfort is a strong point of the Airoso, and I had no issues with long listening sessions.

Sound Impressions

So “Airoso” is a Spanish and Italian word that translates to “airy”, “graceful”, or “melodious” in English. It is often used in musical contexts to describe something flowing, expressive, and elegant, and these descriptions align extremely well with the tuning philosophy of the Kiwi Ears Airoso providing a spacious, detailed, and well-balanced sound.

That name might make you feel the Airoso has limited bass but that would be the wrong assumption this IEM has exceptional sub-bass extension as well as that airy upper treble textures that the name implies, though I never found the treble to be sibilant.

Bass

The bass is deep, textured, and well-extended, thanks to the custom dynamic driver with an LCP+PU composite diaphragm. It delivers a satisfying low-end punch without overwhelming the mids. Compared to the KE4, the Airoso offers a slightly more powerful sub-bass response, while the Orchestra Lite leans towards a more neutral presentation.

Mids

The midrange is clear and natural, though slightly recessed due to the V-shaped tuning. Vocals come through with good presence, and instruments retain a realistic tonality. Compared to the FiiO FD15, the Airoso maintains better balance, ensuring mids are not overly overshadowed by the bass.

Treble

The four balanced armature drivers shine in the high frequencies, offering excellent detail retrieval and an airy presentation. The treble is crisp and extended but never harsh, making it a more refined option than the Truthear Zero Blue 2, which can sometimes exhibit sharpness in the highs.

Soundstage and Imaging

The Airoso’s soundstage is wider than expected for an IEM in this price range. Imaging is precise, with a strong sense of instrument separation. While the Orchestra Lite may have a slightly more spacious presentation, the Airoso holds its own with strong spatial cues.

Specifications and Measurements

Frequency Response

The Airoso has in my opinion a very nice tuning which mostly Harman but with 2 nice twists:

The slightly warmer bass is very typical of the new “JM-1 with bass boost” still tuning as is the slightly darker treble in the 4-6Khz region. The only thing possible worth considering might be that “airy” upper treble peak.

If that peak is too much for you, swapping to Foam eartips alters that treble region for the better:

I thought it was worth a little comparison and analyse between 2 of my favourite IEMs from last year, the “JM-1” / “New Meta” favourite the KE4 and the nicely tuned Harman Meze Alba :

I marked a few areas of interest:

1. They all have similar sub-bass and bass
2. The KE4 has a now typical JM-1 recessed midrange
3. The Alba has a more typical Harman presence in this region
4. The Airoso as I mentioned earlier possible has a treble peak (measurements in this region are never accurate to you may not hear a peak)

These frequency response graphs I hope show what a nice twist on a “modern” tuning you get with the Airoso.

Distortion

The Airoso maintains low distortion levels across all frequencies, showcasing its high-quality crossover implementation and driver design.

And from a percentage minimal distortion:

Rating

I am giving the Kiwi Ears Airoso a 5-star pragmatic rating due to its exceptional comfort, superb bass, and detailed treble performance especially at its price point. I like how Kiwi Ears have filled their line-up with good alternative tunings and the Airoso fits that excatly, it is not Harman 2019 tuned and not “JM-1” but something very pleasing in between those targets and a very good addition to Kiwi Ears lineup.

Conclusion

The Kiwi Ears Airoso is an outstanding choice for those seeking a mildly V-shaped tuning with deep bass, some warmth, very decent midrange and clear highs, all in a very comfortable lightweight design. With a well-executed hybrid driver setup and excellent build quality, it’s a solid recommendation for audiophiles and casual listeners alike.