EarAcoustics Hi End Max and Kiwi Ears Septet use 3dd BA and 1DD+4BA+1Planar+1PZT driver setups respectively. EarAcoustics Hi End Max costs $289 while Kiwi Ears Septet costs $269. EarAcoustics Hi End Max is $20 more expensive. Kiwi Ears Septet holds a clear 0.8-point edge in reviewer scores (6.5 vs 7.3). EarAcoustics Hi End Max has significantly better treble with a 1-point edge and Kiwi Ears Septet has significantly better dynamics with a 1-point edge.
Insights
Metric | EarAcoustics Hi End Max | Kiwi Ears Septet |
---|---|---|
Mids | 5 | 5 |
Treble | 6 | 5 |
Soundstage | 7 | 7 |
Dynamics | 5 | 6 |
Tonality | 5.5 | 7.1 |
Technicalities | 6 | 7.2 |
EarAcoustics Hi End Max Aggregated Review Score
EarAcoustics Hi End Max Average Reviewer Scores
Kiwi Ears Septet Aggregated Review Score
Kiwi Ears Septet Average Reviewer Scores
EarAcoustics Hi End Max Details
Driver Configuration: 3dd BA
Tuning Type: BIG V
Price (Msrp): $289
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Kiwi Ears Septet Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+4BA+1Planar+1PZT
Tuning Type: Neutral-bright
Price (Msrp): $269
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EarAcoustics Hi End Max User Review Score
EarAcoustics Hi End Max Average User Scores
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Kiwi Ears Septet User Review Score
Kiwi Ears Septet Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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EarAcoustics Hi End Max Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
5.9Gaming Grade
B-Kiwi Ears Septet Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.1Gaming Grade
A-EarAcoustics Hi End Max Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B-- Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.
Average Technical Grade
B- Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Kiwi Ears Septet 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
A-- Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.
EarAcoustics Hi End Max Reviews
EarAcoustics Hi End Max reviewed by: Jaytiss
2025-07-25Strong V, not weak, STRONG. Not for mid heads. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears Septet Reviews
Kiwi Ears Septet reviewed by: Jays Audio
Bright-leaning with slight warmness - has an unique sparkly/lush, airy, and spacious sound. Great tech for the price, treble is not overly harsh or peaky (at mid volume), pretty smooth with the extra mid-bass balancing out the treble boost. Vocals are pushed back/not fully extended and not as prominent. Mid-volume set, doesn't scale well. Gets spicy with energetic genres past mid-volume. Great for instrumentals, acoustics, indie, classical, etc. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears Septet reviewed by: Jaytiss
A unique open back iem. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears Septet reviewed by: IEMRanking AI

The Kiwi Ears Septet delivers a neutral-bright sound signature characterized by clear vocals and a notably forward treble that enhances detail retrieval, particularly in female vocals and acoustic instruments. Its bass response is neutral and controlled, lacking the weight of closed-back designs but offering tight, fast decay. While this tuning excels with well-recorded tracks, it can become fatiguing with bright or poorly mastered material due to its upper-midrange and treble emphasis. The open-back design contributes to an airy presentation, though it reduces isolation significantly.
Technically, the Septet showcases a wide soundstage with precise imaging and strong microdynamics, allowing subtle instrumental textures to shine. Its seven-driver quadbrid configuration (dynamic, balanced armature, planar, and piezoelectric) integrates cohesively through a sophisticated 5-way crossover. However, the low sensitivity (95dB) demands powerful sources to avoid dynamic compression, and the open-back design makes it less suitable for noisy environments despite its comfortable fit.
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