Aful Explorer VS Kiwi Ears Quartet

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Aful Explorer and Kiwi Ears Quartet use 1DD+2BA and 2DD+2BA driver setups respectively. Aful Explorer costs $120 while Kiwi Ears Quartet costs $110. Aful Explorer is $10 more expensive. Aful Explorer holds a decisive 2-point edge in reviewer scores (7.3 vs 5.2). Aful Explorer has significantly better bass with a 2-point edge, Aful Explorer has significantly better mids with a 1.7-point edge, Aful Explorer has significantly better treble with a 4.2-point edge, Aful Explorer has significantly better dynamics with a 3-point edge, Aful Explorer has better soundstage with a 0.5-point edge, Aful Explorer has significantly better details with a 2.5-point edge and Aful Explorer has significantly better imaging with a 2.3-point edge.

Insights

Metric Aful Explorer Kiwi Ears Quartet
Bass 6.5 4.5
Mids 6.2 4.5
Treble 6.8 2.7
Details 6.5 4
Soundstage 6.3 5.8
Imaging 6.5 4.3
Dynamics 7 4
Tonality 7.1 4.8
Technicalities 6.9 3.8

Aful Explorer Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Smirk Audio Gizaudio Axel Shuwa-T Jays Audio
Jaytiss Kois Archive Audionotions
Audio Amigo Z-Reviews Super* Review Head-Fi.org

Average Reviewer Score:

7.3

Generally Favorable


Kiwi Ears Quartet Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Nymz
Jaytiss Super* Review
Fresh Reviews Shuwa-T Jays Audio
Z-Reviews Head-Fi.org

Average Reviewer Score:

5.2

Mixed to Negative


Reviews Comparison

Aful Explorer reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 8* * score rescaled + normalized
Relaxed upper mid-range. Vocals sound a little bit more forward than instruments. Smooth treble performance.

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel

Kiwi Ears Quartet reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 4* * score rescaled + normalized

Aful Explorer reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 7.3 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
A- Tech
The mids still upset me, but it sounds magical.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: C+ Treble: A- Dynamics: A- Soundstage: B

Kiwi Ears Quartet reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 4.3 Reviewer Score
C- Tuning
E- Tech
Silly fun V shaped set, but very not neutral.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: C+ Treble: E- Dynamics: C- Soundstage: B

Aful Explorer reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 6.4 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
B+ Tech
check links for more info:

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

Bass: B Mids: B+ Treble: B+ Soundstage: B+ Details: B+ Imaging: B+

Kiwi Ears Quartet reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 5.3 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
C+ Tech
check links for more info:

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

Bass: B Mids: B- Treble: C- Soundstage: B- Details: C+ Imaging: B-

Aful Explorer reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 6 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
B+ Tech
High volume set, very immersive, scales great with no sharpness, wide staging, enough detail/extension, good bass, just crank it up and enjoy the music.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Kiwi Ears Quartet reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 5 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
B Tech

Aful Explorer reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 8 * score rescaled + normalized
28 community members have rated the AFUL Explorer at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Kiwi Ears Quartet reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 7.8 * score rescaled + normalized
13 community members have rated the Kiwi Ears Quartet at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Aful Explorer (more reviews)

Aful Explorer reviewed by Audio Amigo

Audio Amigo 8.5 * score rescaled + normalized
An amazing hybrid. Trades blows with the S08. Gorgeous Shells

Audio Amigo original ranking

Audio Amigo Youtube Channel

Aful Explorer reviewed by Kois Archive

Kois Archive 7 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
Rating: A- | Value: ⭐⭐ | Gaming: 🎮 | Comfort: 8 wide and unique warm tuning relaxed vocals and treble

Kois Archive original ranking

Kois Archive Youtube Channel

Aful Explorer reviewed by Audionotions

Audionotions 7 Reviewer Score
Relaxed and fun. Easy to listen to. A bit darker than my preferrd signature but I enjoyed this quite a bit.

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

Aful Explorer reviewed by Smirk Audio

Smirk Audio 6.8 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
check links for more info:

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: A- Details: B+ Imaging: B+

Aful Explorer reviewed by Gizaudio Axel

Gizaudio Axel 6.5 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
Perfect for rock and metal. Smooth, relaxing tuning, great bass with good slam, rich mid-range, safe treble. Upper mids may be too relaxed for some, treble is a bit dark.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel

Kiwi Ears Quartet (more reviews)

Kiwi Ears Quartet reviewed by Fresh Reviews

Fresh Reviews 5.5* * The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score

Kiwi Ears Quartet reviewed by Nymz

Nymz 3 Reviewer Score
D Tuning
D Tech
Overly extended bass that bleeds into the mid-range (very warm).

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

Bass: D Mids: D Treble: D Details: D Imaging: D

Aful Explorer User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Kiwi Ears Quartet User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

Aful Explorer Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.9

Gaming Grade

B+

Kiwi Ears Quartet Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

4.1

Gaming Grade

C-

Aful Explorer Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • A smooth, agreeable balance keeps the presentation engaging without obvious flaws. Only sensitive ears will nitpick the bumps.

Average Technical Grade

B+
  • The presentation is steady if unspectacular, holding onto essential details when the music stays simple. Fine details occasionally slip through the cracks.
Bass B+
Expect a solid thump that keeps the rhythm engaging yet controlled. Sub-bass presence is supportive, not overwhelming.
Mids B
Expect a confident midrange that keeps details audible without harshness. Acoustic arrangements sound engaging.
Treble B+
Treble is articulate and clean, adding excitement without harshness. It adds sparkle without harshness.
Dynamics A-
You get outstanding dynamic agility, from subtle nuances to big hits. Impact comes with quick recovery.
Soundstage B
You can map the ensemble with confidence thanks to solid spacing and coherent depth layering. Ambient effects feel believable.
Details B+
Good resolution with clear articulation of nuances that keeps complex passages intelligible. Micro-details pop without sounding forced.
Imaging B+
Depth cues step forward, giving performances a dimensional presence. Front-to-back cues become more immersive.
Gaming B+
Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance.

Kiwi Ears Quartet Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

C
  • Tonality remains inconsistent, with uneven peaks and dips that disrupt musical flow. You'll constantly notice peaks or dips pulling focus.

Average Technical Grade

D+
  • Even moderate complexity exposes the limited resolution and narrow sense of space. Technical fans will find it lacking.
Bass C
Expect a conservative bass profile that maintains order but little excitement. Basslines track along but rarely stand out.
Mids C
The region is listenable but lacks the finesse and clarity of better tuning. A touch of EQ can smooth things out.
Treble D-
Expect a dark-tilted treble that keeps excitement in check. Sibilants are dull, but so is everything else.
Dynamics C-
The system delivers passable punch but never surprises. Punch is modest rather than exciting.
Soundstage B-
The image breathes a little, spacing instruments laterally while sketching a light sense of distance. Separation improves with cleaner recordings.
Details C-
You get the outline of textures, though the finer brushstrokes remain faint. Background information is audible but soft.
Imaging C-
Separation is good enough for casual listening yet misses audiophile precision. Depth remains limited but present.
Gaming C-
Minimal environmental definition provides only general audio cues. Suitable for games where positioning isn't critical.

Aful Explorer User Reviews

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Kiwi Ears Quartet User Reviews

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