Kiwi Ears Etude

Premium Hybrid IEM with Vibration Technology

The Kiwi Ears Etude is a interesting hybrid IEM priced at $119, featuring a driver configuration that combines 1x DD, 3x BA, and also includes Kiwi Ears’ new Vibration Transducer (KVT); which is effectively Kiwi Ears unique spin on Bone Conduction drivers.

Having tried a few Bone Conduction drivers in the past to mixed appeal, I was interested to hear did this higher quality combination of drivers give the Etude something unique or was it still more of a gimmick, so lets find out.

After spending several weeks with the Etude, I feel that KVT technology within the Etude does add a very interesting dimension to the listening experience, but it can be somewhat of a mixed blessing. The vibration effect enhances certain bass-heavy tracks but can be distracting in others.

That said, it provides a much better ‘kick’ / vibration effect, and the overall sound quality of the Kiwi Ears Etude is significantly better than other IEMs with similar vibration / bone conduction technology.

But, before I get into the details on the sound signature, let’s have a look at what you get in the box:

Unboxing Experience

The unboxing experience for the Kiwi Ears Etude is premium and thoughtfully designed:

On the back of the box, you’ll find the key specifications:

You can also see the specifications clearly displayed on the side of the box:

Removing the outer sleeve reveals the inner box:

Opening the box reveals the Etude IEMs nestled securely in protective foam:

The complete package includes:

• Kiwi Ears Etude IEMs
• Detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable
• Selection of silicone ear tips (S/M/L)
• Foam ear tips
• Carrying case
• User manual and warranty card

The included carrying case is particularly impressive, a premium leather case that provides excellent protection:

The case neatly holds the IEMs, cable, and eartips:

Here’s a closer look at the generous selection of eartips and quality cable:

The presentation is befitting of the Etude’s price point, with quality accessories that enhance the overall value proposition.

Design, Build Quality, and Comfort

Shell Design

The Kiwi Ears Etude features a well-crafted shell with an ergonomic design that balances aesthetics and functionality:

The shell has a premium feel with a smooth finish and subtle branding. The faceplate design is elegant without being flashy, giving the Etude a sophisticated appearance.

Build Quality

The build quality of the Etude is excellent, with solid construction that feels durable and well-engineered. The seams are tight, and the 2-pin connector ports are reinforced for longevity.

The inclusion of the KVT technology doesn’t add noticeable weight or bulk to the shell, in fact like other configuration the ‘hollow nature’ required for the KVT driver makes these shells very light, which is impressive considering the complex driver arrangement of drivers inside.

Comfort and Fit

The Etude offers excellent comfort for extended listening sessions. The ergonomic shape fits naturally in the ear, and the nozzle angle provides a secure seal without causing discomfort.

And as i mentioned above there is a very generous selecction of eartips to get just the right level of comfort:

Here’s a closer look at the eartip design and quality:

But the nozzle size is standard, making the Etude compatible with a wide range of aftermarket ear tips should you want more.

Cable

The included cable is great with a braided design that resists tangling. The 0.78mm 2-pin connectors are secure, and the cable has minimal microphonics.

Features and Technology

I thought it would be worth including a little bit of information about the internals of the Etude for completeness.

Kiwi Vibration Transducer (KVT)

The standout feature of the Etude is undoubtedly the Kiwi Vibration Transducer (KVT). Similar to bone conduction technology, the KVT creates physical vibrations that enhance the perception of bass and sub-bass frequencies.

Unlike some implementations of vibration technology that can feel gimmicky, Kiwi Ears has integrated the KVT well with the rest of the bass response that mostly complements the overall sound signature rather than dominating it. The effect is most noticeable in bass-heavy tracks, where it adds a tactile dimension to the listening experience.

Sound Impressions

The DD and the 2 BAs in the Etude are much higher quality than you get in typical bone conduction IEM’s and I feel without the KVT vibration the Etude sounds fantastic with most tracks with a very nicely balanced sound signature. The added ‘kick’ you get from the KVT certainly adds some unique fun in many bass heavy tracks. However, I found myself often sometimes focusing on hearing the unique bass kick rather than just enjoying the overall tonality of the Etude, but I guess that is the fun of having something unique like this in your IEM collection. I imagine after a few more weeks listening that bass vibration will just feel natural, and at that point I feel you miss the KVT if you switch back to a normal IEM.

Bass

The bass response of the Etude is where the KVT technology truly creates something unique, working with the beryllium dynamic driver, the vibration transducer works with a spring mechanism to provide a physical vibration in your ear.

Traditional audiophile bass-heavy tracks like “Limit to Your Love” by James Blake showcase exactly what this IEM is designed for. The deep sub-bass extension and tactile response are spectacular, and you can literally feel the low-end energy.

However, the nature of the vibration technology means it doesn’t work consistently across all bass-heavy tracks. The specific bass frequencies that trigger the vibration effect can sometimes be distracting, particularly when there are multiple low-end instruments playing simultaneously.

Midrange

The midrange presentation on the Etude showcases the sophistication of its balanced armature configuration, delivering vocals with exceptional clarity and natural timbre. What sets the Etude apart from typical hybrid designs is its ability to maintain vocal intimacy while providing substantial low-end presence - a balance that many manufacturers struggle to achieve without compromising one or the other.

Testing with Diana Krall’s “The Look of Love” reveals the Etude’s midrange prowess beautifully. Her sultry vocals are rendered with remarkable texture and emotional nuance, positioned perfectly in the mix without being overshadowed by the prominent bass line. The piano accompaniment maintains its woody resonance while her voice floats effortlessly above, demonstrating the Etude’s ability to handle complex midrange interactions with finesse.

Treble

The treble presentation on the Etude demonstrates remarkable restraint and sophistication, avoiding the common pitfall of over-emphasizing upper frequencies to create artificial detail. What makes the Etude unique is its ability to deliver smooth, fatigue-free highs while maintaining excellent extension and air - a characteristic that becomes increasingly rare in today’s market where manufacturers often prioritize initial impact over long-term listening comfort.

Patricia Barber’s “Modern Cool” serves as an excellent test for the Etude’s treble capabilities. The delicate brush work on cymbals retains its metallic shimmer without becoming harsh, while her breathy vocals maintain their intimate character. The piano’s upper register sparkles with natural harmonics, and the subtle room ambience is preserved without any artificial brightness that might fatigue the listener during extended sessions.

Soundstage and Imaging

The Etude presents a moderately wide soundstage with good depth. Instrument placement is precise, creating an immersive listening experience.

The KVT technology, interestingly, seems to enhance the perception of space in certain tracks, particularly those with significant bass content. This is especially noticeable in “Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd, where the album’s renowned spatial effects and deep bass passages create a more three-dimensional soundstage than typically expected from IEMs in this price range.

Specifications and Measurements

Measurements

The frequency response RAW measurements reveal the bass peak caused by the KVT, which aligns with the subjective listening experience, the KVT does provide a much larger ‘kick’ that I have seen in other bone conductor drivers:

Here’s a smoothed view that still shows the vibration conductor’s impact on the frequency response:

This peak in the bass region is what gives the Etude its distinctive character. While it enhances bass-heavy tracks, it can be somewhat overwhelming in certain music genres.

However, it should be noted that without the ‘distraction’ of the KVT on this graph the rest of the frequency response is excellent and definitely shows off the nice hybrid driver configuration that Kiwi Ears have implemented in this IEM.

Distortion measurements show that despite the vibration technology, the Etude maintains good technical performance:

Here’s the distortion shown as a percentage for easier interpretation:

The distortion is well-controlled across most of the frequency range, with only slight increases in the areas where the KVT is most active.

EQ Recommendations

For those who find the KVT effect too pronounced, some simple EQ adjustments can help balance the sound:

Preamp: -3.5 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 180 Hz Gain -3.5 dB Q 3
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 4000 Hz Gain 2.0 dB Q 1.5

These adjustments reduce the bass peak while slightly enhancing the presence region to bring vocals more forward in the mix.

Comparisons

Kiwi Ears Etude vs. KBear KB02

The most relevant comparison for the Etude is with the KBear KB02, as both feature vibration/bone conduction technology:

But looking closely at the frequency response other than the bone conduction effect (which is significantly better on the Etude) is that the treble is too much on the KB02 while the Etude has a nicely recessed treble. This area reminded me of the Aful Explorer so I added that to the graph:

Some more comparisons with the KB02:

• Driver Configuration: The Etude’s 1DD+3BA+KVT setup is significantly more sophisticated than the KB02’s single DD with bone conductor.
• Sound Quality: The Etude delivers substantially better overall sound quality, with more refined treble, clearer midrange, and more controlled bass.
• Vibration Effect: While both IEMs use vibration technology, the Etude’s implementation is more subtle and integrated. The KB02’s bone conduction effect can feel more gimmicky and less natural.
• Build Quality: The Etude offers superior build quality and materials compared to the KB02’s more budget-oriented construction.
• Price: At $119, the Etude is considerably more expensive than the $40 KB02, but the difference in sound quality and build justifies much of this price gap.

The Etude represents a more mature implementation of vibration technology, showing how this feature can be integrated into a higher-end IEM given a much more dramatic ‘kick’ in the right tracks while maintaining a nice sound signature for other tracks.

Etude vs. Other Kiwi Ears IEMs

Compared to other models in the Kiwi Ears lineup, the Etude positions itself as a unique offering with its vibration technology. While models like the Astral and KE4 focus on balanced sound signatures through conventional driver setups, the Etude carves its own niche with the KVT technology.

I personally, still favour these other fantastic Kiwi Ears IEMs but the Etude does at some fun to their line up.

Rating Explanation

The Kiwi Ears Etude earns a 4-star pragmatic rating for providing some unique audio fun, but with important caveats. While I’m relatively positive about the experience overall, the nature of how the specific bass frequencies get enhanced with the vibration technology means it doesn’t work as consistently as I would like across my bass-heavy tracks. That said, it’s still a fun listening experience that can definitely add a unique IEM to your collection.

The general audio quality of the Etude is much better than similar vibration-based/bone conduction drivers, giving it better overall sound even when the vibrations are triggered by the tracks I was listening to.

The Etude excels in:

• Unique and fun listening experience when the vibration kicks in
• Superior implementation of vibration technology compared to competitors
• Excellent beryllium dynamic driver performance
• Well-balanced tuning that avoids the “screamy” treble boost common in bass-enhanced IEMs
• Quality build and accessories are excellent

Areas where it might be problematic for some people:

• Inconsistent vibration effect across different bass-heavy tracks as it only very specific bass frequency trigger the effect
• Can be distracting during vocal-focused content

Conclusion

The Kiwi Ears Etude represents an interesting addition to Kiwiears already impressive collection of IEMs, offering a fun and unique listening experience that stands apart from conventional IEMs. The beryllium dynamic driver combined with the interesting vibration transducer creates an engaging tactile dimension that works particularly well with hip-hop, electronic music, and tracks with prominent bass in that 180-200hz region, like 808 bass drops.

But this is not an IEM I would recommend as someone’s first purchase - it’s too specialized for that role. However, for enthusiasts looking to add something unique and entertaining to their collection, the Etude offers an experience that conventional IEMs simply cannot match. It’s a well-executed specialist product that successfully demonstrates how vibration technology can be integrated into a higher-end IEM without compromising overall sound quality.

The Etude is best suited for those who appreciate its unique approach to bass reproduction and understand that they’re getting a fun, engaging listening experience rather than a reference-tuned monitor.