Kiwiears Septet

The ‘Magnificent Seven’ Drivers delivery Harmony in Complexity

As IEMs grow increasingly complex, the Kiwiears Septet showcases Kiwi Ears’ expertise in finding a way to squeeze seven drivers with four different technologies into a relatively small and very cool-looking shell. With its 1 dynamic driver, 4 balanced armatures, 1 micro-planar, and 1 piezoelectric (PZT) driver configuration, the Septet delivers a refined, detailed sound that maintains musicality across all frequencies.

Priced at $269, it sits at the higher end of Kiwiears’ lineup. But does the sound quality, build excellence, and comfort justify this price point and still make it a pragmatic choice?

Read on to find out.

Unboxing Experience

The unboxing experience it typical for a Kiwi Ears IEM which is to say it is a well-organised package:

The back of the box proudly mentions all the different driver types:

Sliding out the sleeve, reveals the inner box:

The IEMs themselves are carefully secured in the packaging:

Further unpacking shows the manual and the carry case tucked underneath:

The signature Kiwiears carrying case is well-made and provides excellent protection for the IEMs:

All the accessories are carefully packed inside the carry case:

You get a good range of ear tips with both wide and narrow bore:

Though it is a pity that no foam ear tips are included, but the wide bore ear tips are a great choice for a wide variety of ear sizes.

Inside the package, you’ll find:

• The Septet IEM shells
• A high-quality 5N OCC cable with 0.78mm 2-pin connectors
• Interchangeable 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs
• Multiple pairs of ear tips in various sizes
• Documentation and warranty information

The packaging and accessories are impressive but appropriate for an IEM in this price range.

Design, Build Quality, and Comfort

The Kiwiears Septet is one of the most visually striking IEMs I’ve reviewed, with exceptional attention to detail in its construction:

Shell and Faceplate Design

The Septet features an elegant shell design with a premium finish. The open-back design isn’t just for aesthetics—it contributes to the expansive soundstage that the Septet delivers:

The precision engineering is evident in every aspect of the shell. Despite housing seven drivers of four different types, the form factor remains comfortable and not overly bulky.

This shell was very comfortable in daily use, though since it has a smooth shell, getting a good tight fit via Eartips is vital to get a good bass sound, so I would experiment with different eartip sizes until you find the shell does not move in your ear.

The faceplate design is sophisticated and eye-catching without being ostentatious:

Cable

The included cable is of excellent quality, a significant step up from Kiwi Ears was offering until recently, it has a lovely feel, very tactile, doesn’t tangle, and doesn’t have any microphonic issues:

The 2-pin connectors are well-designed and secure:

The interchangeable plug system works flawlessly, allowing for easy switching between 3.5mm and 4.4mm connections:

The interchangeable adapter system uses a 4-pin connector internally, ensuring reliable connections:

I think it’s excellent that this flexibility is now becoming standard with IEMs in this price range.

Sound Impressions

The Kiwiears Septet delivers a beautifully balanced sound signature that leans toward a modified Harman tuning with a specifically tailored treble tuning. This results in a detailed yet for me never fatiguing listening experience that showcases the advantages of its quadbrid driver configuration.

Bass

The bass response from the 10mm dynamic driver is exceptionally well-executed, delivering both impact and precision:

• Excellent sub-bass extension with natural decay
• Tight, well-controlled mid-bass that never bleeds into the midrange
• Textured and detailed bass notes with impressive dynamic range
• Punchy when the track demands it, but never overwhelming

Test Tracks:

• “Massive Attack - Angel”: The ominous bassline shows excellent weight and texture, with impressive sub-bass rumble that maintains definition throughout.
• “Daft Punk - Giorgio by Moroder”: The bass drops demonstrate the Septet’s ability to deliver impact while maintaining control and separation from other elements.

Midrange

The midrange, handled primarily by the balanced armature drivers, is natural and exceptionally well-balanced:

• Smooth transition from upper bass to lower mids
• Voices sound natural and present without being pushed too forward
• Excellent instrument separation and detail retrieval
• The slightly recessed presence region (compared to Harman IE2019) prevents any hint of shoutiness

Test Tracks:

• “Norah Jones - Come Away With Me”: Her vocals sound intimate and natural, with a beautiful timbre that captures the emotional nuance of her performance.
• “Radiohead - Weird Fishes/Arpeggi”: The intricate guitar work and layered instrumentation demonstrate the Septet’s ability to maintain clarity in complex passages.

Treble

The treble region, where the PZT driver and micro-planar work in harmony, is perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Septet, but Kiwiears are really pushing the envelope here, so to show off the micro-planar and the PZT driver, the treble has some extra airy emphasis (though not overly so), for me this makes the Septet a very special listening experience but might be too much for some users.

• Excellent extension and air presence in the treble
• Detailed and textured high frequencies that reveal nuances in recordings
• For me, there was no sibilance or fatigue even during extended listening
• Cymbals and high-hat details sound natural with proper decay

Test Tracks:

• “Diana Krall - The Look of Love”: The cymbal work and piano overtones demonstrate the Septet’s ability to render fine details without becoming harsh.
• “Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (Berlin Philharmonic)”: The string sections and timpani showcase the Septet’s ability to maintain composure during complex orchestral crescendos.

Soundstage & Imaging

The open-back design contributes to an impressive soundstage that defies the typical limitations of IEMs:

• Above-average width for an IEM at any price point
• Excellent soundstage for a wide variety of music genres
• Good height and depth perception
• Precise instrument placement and layering
• Excellent separation even in busy, complex tracks

Test Tracks:

• “Yosi Horikawa - Bubbles”: The spatial positioning of the bouncing balls demonstrates the Septet’s impressive imaging capabilities.
• “Pink Floyd - Time”: The clock sounds at the beginning spread across the soundstage with remarkable precision, showcasing the spatial abilities of these IEMs.

Power Requirements

It’s worth noting that the Septet is slightly harder to drive than most other IEMs given its complex driver configuration. Its specification of 15Ω impedance with a sensitivity of 95 dB SPL/mW means you it will scale better with a decent DAC/amp setup that can provide clean power. But I was still able to use the Septet with my Apple USB-C dongle, though at noticeably higher volume settings than most other IEMs in my collection. For some users this dongle will not be enough to drive the Septet so a DAP or desktop amp is recommended.

Specifications and Measurements

Measurements:

Frequency Response

The frequency response measurements confirm the well-balanced bass and midrange tuning of the Septet:

The graph shows an excellent bass extension, a smooth midrange and a slightly reduced presence region (1). But then there is also a little treble (2) extension which I feel is to show off the micro-planar and the PZT driver. For me this gives this IEM a very nice and detailed sound, and I think it helps to provide that excellent sound stage.

Here is a comparison of the Septet’s frequency response with some other Kiwiears IEMs to give you an idea of the relative differences in sound: Specifically, I have highlighted (1) where the Septet has that more relaxed presence region more typical of JM-1 tuned IEMs, yet does still have that detail and airiness later in the treble region.

Distortion

Distortion measurements demonstrate the excellent technical performance of the Septet:

Distortion as a percentage shows the excellent control across all frequencies:

Distortion remains well below perceptible levels throughout the frequency range, indicating excellent driver quality and integration.

Rating Explanation

I’ve given the Kiwiears Septet a pragmatic rating of 5/5 stars. Here’s why:

• Strengths: Exceptional sound quality with balanced, refined tuning; excellent technical performance; premium build quality and comfort; high-quality accessories; versatile with interchangeable plugs; impressive soundstage for an IEM
• Weaknesses: Price point puts it beyond “budget” territory; might be slightly bulky for smaller ears; open-back design means limited noise isolation

While the $269 price tag places the Septet beyond what many would consider strictly “pragmatic,” the exceptional performance-to-price ratio and the fact that it competes with IEMs costing significantly more justify the top rating. This is an IEM that could serve as an endgame solution for many enthusiasts.

Who is this for?

• Audiophiles seeking exceptional sound quality without moving to flagship price points
• Listeners who appreciate a balanced yet detailed sound, airy treble without harshness
• Those who value a wide soundstage and precise imaging
• Users who appreciate the versatility of interchangeable plugs
• Anyone curious about trying an IEM with many different drivers and technologies.

Who should look elsewhere?

• Budget-conscious listeners with strict price limitations
• Bassheads seeking overwhelming low-end emphasis
• Users with tiny ear canals who might find the fit challenging

Conclusion

While its price point of $269 places it beyond casual purchase territory, there is something very special about the treble in the Septet that I feel is unique and gives the Septet some exceptional sound quality. This combined with the quality build, comfort, gorgeous shell and nice cable make it a genuine value proposition for serious audio enthusiasts.

Technically, what impresses me most about the Septet is how Kiwiears have managed the challenging task of making these different driver types work together seamlessly in a ’normal’ size shell. The piezoelectric driver, in particular, delivers on its promise of adding air and detail to the upper registers without introducing harshness or fatigue.

For those willing to invest in a premium listening experience, the Kiwiears Septet delivers performance that rivals IEMs costing significantly more. It’s a testament to the rapid advancement of personal audio technology and a worthy flagship for the Kiwiears brand.