DUNU x KOTO ITO VS Kiwi Ears KE4

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

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DUNU x KOTO ITO and Kiwi Ears KE4 are 2DD+2BA in-ear monitors. DUNU x KOTO ITO costs $199 while Kiwi Ears KE4 costs $199. DUNU x KOTO ITO holds a slight 0.3-point edge in reviewer scores (7.3 vs 6.9). Kiwi Ears KE4 carries a user score of 6.5. DUNU x KOTO ITO has significantly better bass with a 1.1-point edge, Kiwi Ears KE4 has significantly better mids with a 1.2-point edge, Kiwi Ears KE4 has better treble with a 0.5-point edge, DUNU x KOTO ITO has significantly better dynamics with a 1.8-point edge and DUNU x KOTO ITO has slightly better soundstage with a 0.3-point edge.

Insights

Metric DUNU x KOTO ITO Kiwi Ears KE4
Bass 8.1 7
Mids 6.1 7.3
Treble 6.2 6.7
Details 7.2 6.9
Soundstage 7.3 7
Imaging 7.4 6.9
Dynamics 7.8 6
Tonality 7.1 7.1
Technicalities 6.2 6.8

DUNU x KOTO ITO Aggregated Review Score

DUNU x KOTO ITO Average Reviewer Scores

Z-Reviews
Jaytiss IEMRanking AI

Average Reviewer Score:

7.3

Generally Favorable


Kiwi Ears KE4 Aggregated Review Score

Kiwi Ears KE4 Average Reviewer Scores

Fresh Reviews
Z-Reviews Gizaudio Axel
Jaytiss Bad Guy Good Audio Jays Audio Tim Tuned
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

6.9

Cautiously Favorable


DUNU x KOTO ITO User Review Score

DUNU x KOTO ITO Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Kiwi Ears KE4 User Review Score

Kiwi Ears KE4 Average User Scores

Average User Score:

Based on 1 user reviews

6.5

Cautiously Favorable

DUNU x KOTO ITO Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

5.4

Gaming Grade

C+

Kiwi Ears KE4 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

6.4

Gaming Grade

B

DUNU x KOTO ITO Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • Pleasing tonal balance with good technical control. Minor quirks present but not distracting. Demonstrates decent genre versatility.

Average Technical Grade

B
  • Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Bass A+
Excellent bass response - powerful yet controlled. Deep extension with authoritative slam while maintaining clarity.
Mids B
Good midrange presence with solid clarity. Vocals are clear and instruments have reasonable texture and body.
Treble B
Good treble response - clear and detailed without fatigue. Well-extended with proper air and sparkle.
Dynamics A
Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.
Soundstage A-
Excellent spatial presentation - wide, deep and tall. Precise instrument placement with clear separation in all dimensions.
Details A-
Excellent detail retrieval: highly resolving without being clinical. Effortlessly reveals micro-details and textural subtleties.
Imaging A-
Excellent imaging: precise and stable placement. Instruments occupy specific points in space with tangible positions.
Gaming C+
Fundamental left/right positioning with limited depth perception. Works for non-competitive gaming but lacks precision.

Kiwi Ears KE4 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • Pleasing tonal balance with good technical control. Minor quirks present but not distracting. Demonstrates decent genre versatility.

Average Technical Grade

B+
  • Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Bass A-
Strong, well-defined bass with good texture. Delivers satisfying punch and rumble without overwhelming other frequencies.
Mids A-
Excellent midrange with natural timbre and great detail retrieval. Vocals are forward and emotive with lifelike instrument reproduction.
Treble B+
Good treble response - clear and detailed without fatigue. Well-extended with proper air and sparkle.
Dynamics B
Good dynamic expression with solid impact. Handles volume contrasts well while maintaining good transient snap.
Soundstage A-
Excellent spatial presentation - wide, deep and tall. Precise instrument placement with clear separation in all dimensions.
Gaming B
Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues.

DUNU x KOTO ITO Reviews

DUNU x KOTO ITO reviewed by: Jaytiss

2025-09-11
Jaytiss 7.4 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
C+ Tech
It's a fun tuning that I think people will like.

Jaytiss original ranking

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

Build & accessories land in a solid spot for the price: comfortable shells with secure nozzles, clear L/R marks, and a supple modular cable that swaps between 4.4mm and 3.5mm (no USB-C in-box). The hard case is nicely made and pocketable, and the whole package feels durable if not premium. Nothing glaring in QC—just a clean, practical presentation.

Sonically, this is a bold V-shape—huge sub-bass punch with elevated upper mids to keep things lively. The bass can turn boomy/pillowy on some tracks, and a scoop around 300–800 Hz can leave female vocals a touch recessed; treble is clean and controlled, a little dark up top with limited sparkle. Technicalities are decent rather than class-leading—separation and air trail sets like Punch Audio Martillo or Crescent, while tuning kinships show up against DUNU Glacier and even Grand Maestro-style balances. Compared to value darlings (e.g., Truth Ear Pure, Jazzer Defiant), ITO feels more audiophile-flavored fun than an all-rounder.

In DUNU’s lineup it reads as a unique basshead option: very engaging slam, thick note weight, and non-fatiguing treble, but only average mids/technicalities. Think hip-hop/EDM-friendly impact over neutral precision. Verdict: around 3–3.5 stars—competitive at $200 for those chasing thump and excitement; listeners wanting neutrality, vocal presence, or extra air may prefer other picks or a “tactful V” with less bass and less upper-mid bite.

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Price: $199

Buy DUNU x KOTO ITO on Hifigo

DUNU x KOTO ITO reviewed by: Z-Reviews

2025-09-07
Z-Reviews 6.8 * score normalized

Dunu’s collab with Japanese creator Kaji Kaji lands as the ITO, tuned nothing like the stereotype of “treble ’til you die.” The presentation leans smooth, warm, and open, with a notably wide soundstage that flatters jazz and intimate acoustic sets—think late-night, bourbon-and-smoky-room mood without the glare. It’s built for relaxed musicality rather than forensic detail extraction.

Low end carries a thick, satisfying sub-bass that stays tasteful—present when the track calls for it, not a constant spotlight. The ITO plays “fun first”: big space, plush tone, and enough detail to keep things engaging, landing beside a “T Pro”-type set but with the clinical edges dialed back to emphasize bass and stage. In short, a “perfect fun IEM” vibe that prefers groove and atmosphere over microscope listening.

Ergonomically the shells are a bit thick, but build and accessories impress: a quality Dunu cable with interchangeable plugs, a case, and a spread of tips (including Dunu SS). The hybrid 2DD+2BA setup (ultra-low DD + low/mid DD, mid BA, ultra-high BA) at around 37 Ω runs well from modest sources and scales nicely; pricing circles the $200 mark, making it an easy recommendation for listeners who want warm, expansive, and genuinely musical tuning without chasing every last micro-detail.

DUNU x KOTO ITO reviewed by: IEMRanking AI

2025-09-07
IEMRanking AI 7.6 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A- Tech

DUNU x KOTO ITO is a $199.99 hybrid IEM built with Japanese reviewer Kaji Kaji (“Koto”). It uses a 2DD+2BA array (10 mm bio-diaphragm DD + 8 mm LCP DD, plus two treble BAs), comes with DUNU’s Q-Lock quick-swap plugs, and lists 105 dB sensitivity at 37 Ω with shells at ~6.5 g each.

Tonally, ITO aims for a U-shaped, bass-tilted balance: sub/mid-bass punch is elevated, mids sit slightly back but avoid haze, and treble is smooth with workable extension rather than bite. Early community impressions frame it as energetic and a touch V-leaning versus DUNU’s more neutral sets, which tracks with the collab’s “full-bodied” intent.

Technicalities are competent for the class: dynamics and imaging keep up with busy mixes, while soundstage and microdetail are closer to average among sub-$200 hybrids; driveability is friendly given 105 dB/37 Ω. As a package—tuning, accessories, and fit—it offers good value for listeners wanting engaging bass without sharp treble, though those chasing expansive stage or strict neutrality may prefer other options.

Buy DUNU x KOTO ITO on Hifigo (affiliate)

- IEMRanking AI
Bass: A+ Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: A Soundstage: A- Details: A- Imaging: A-

Kiwi Ears KE4 Reviews

Kiwi Ears KE4 reviewed by: Super* Review

Super* Review 8* * score normalized
New Meta tuned IEM. This gives you a bass boost and it's not the best bass. If you want the Hexa + Bass this is what you want.

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
- Super* Review
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Price: $199

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Kiwi Ears KE4 reviewed by: Jaytiss

Jaytiss 7.5 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
B Tech
It's boring. So boring, like mega boring to the max.

Jaytiss original ranking

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

Kiwi Ears KE4 reviewed by: Bad Guy Good Audio

Bad Guy Good Audio 7.1 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A- Tech
check links for more info:

Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking

Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube Channel
- Bad Guy Good Audio
Bass: A- Mids: B Treble: B

Kiwi Ears KE4 reviewed by: Jays Audio

Jays Audio 7 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A- Tech
Just get Odyssey it's better. Warm/bassy with solid vocal and treble extension (not buried) that scales really well with good treble air to not sound too intimate. Has a fuller noteweight with one of the best low-ends under $200. Recommended to be listened at higher volumes. A mid-volume version of the Explorer, bassier, and more open.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio

Kiwi Ears KE4 reviewed by: Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A+ Tech
Almost dead neutral tuning in the best of ways Lacks excitement, bass is alright

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
- Tim Tuned
Bass: A- Mids: S Treble: A+

Kiwi Ears KE4 reviewed by: Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 6 * score normalized

Kiwi Ears KE4 reviewed by: Gizaudio Axel

Gizaudio Axel 6 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B Tech
Solid reference. Great Meta tuning. Could use more detail, not very engaging.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
- Gizaudio Axel

Kiwi Ears KE4 reviewed by: Fresh Reviews

Fresh Reviews 5* * The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score
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Price: $171

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DUNU x KOTO ITO User Reviews

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Kiwi Ears KE4 User Reviews

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Makavelian 2025-06-15 21:53:45
6.5

Solid pick for the price, if you're after a warm neutral sound.

Pros
Overall very pleasant balance with good tonality and perceived technicalities for the price.
Cons
Bass can come off slightly boomy and a bit disjointed sounding at times, and somewhat relaxed upper mids gives a perception of bluntness to the sound, most evident on snare and other percussive strikes.

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