Etymotic ER4XR VS Kiwi Ears KE4

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

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Etymotic ER4XR and Kiwi Ears KE4 use 1BA and 2DD+2BA driver setups respectively. Etymotic ER4XR costs $200 while Kiwi Ears KE4 costs $199. Etymotic ER4XR is $1 more expensive. Kiwi Ears KE4 holds a clear 0.5-point edge in reviewer scores (6.5 vs 6.9). Kiwi Ears KE4 carries a user score of 6.5. Kiwi Ears KE4 has significantly better bass with a 2-point edge, Kiwi Ears KE4 has slightly better mids with a 0.3-point edge, Kiwi Ears KE4 has significantly better treble with a 1.7-point edge and Kiwi Ears KE4 has significantly better dynamics with a 1-point edge.

Insights

Metric Etymotic ER4XR Kiwi Ears KE4
Bass 5 7
Mids 7 7.3
Treble 5 6.7
Details 6 6.9
Soundstage 6.5 7
Imaging 5 6.9
Dynamics 5 6
Tonality 6.4 7.1
Technicalities 6.2 6.8

Etymotic ER4XR Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Audionotions Precogvision
Crin
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

6.5

Mixed to Positive


Kiwi Ears KE4 Aggregated Review Score

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


Etymotic ER4XR 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!

Kiwi Ears KE4 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score:

Based on 1 user reviews

6.5

Cautiously Favorable

Etymotic ER4XR Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

6.2

Gaming Grade

B

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

Etymotic ER4XR 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.
Bass C+
Average bass performance - present but unremarkable. Has reasonable texture but lacks depth and physicality.
Mids A-
Excellent midrange with natural timbre and great detail retrieval. Vocals are forward and emotive with lifelike instrument reproduction.
Treble C+
Decent treble with acceptable extension and detail. Can sound slightly unrefined but avoids being harsh or sibilant.
Dynamics C+
Decent dynamic performance. Good macro-contrast but micro-dynamics could be more nuanced. Satisfactory impact.
Details B
Good resolution with clear articulation of nuances. Reveals recording nuances and maintains clarity in complex passages.
Imaging C+
Decent positional accuracy. Good left/right placement with acceptable center image, though depth positioning is approximate.
Gaming B
Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues.

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.

Etymotic ER4XR Reviews

Reviewed by: Super* Review

Super* Review 8* * score normalized

Reviewed by: Crin

Crin 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A- Tech
A more mainstream tuning of the ER4S/SR with slightly boosted bass.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Audionotions

Audionotions 5.5 Reviewer Score
Three words. Detail. Boring. Intrusive. Previously Owned

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

Reviewed by: Precogvision

Precogvision 5.3 Reviewer Score
B- Tuning
C+ Tech
So. Darn. Boring. But yes, it's the BA benchmark.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: C+ Mids: A- Treble: C+ Dynamics: C+ Details: B Imaging: C+

Kiwi Ears KE4 Reviews

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
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Price: $199

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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
Mids: A- Treble: B Dynamics: B Soundstage: A-

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
Bass: A- Mids: B Treble: B

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

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
Bass: A- Mids: S Treble: A+

Reviewed by: Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 6 * score normalized

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

Reviewed by: Fresh Reviews

Fresh Reviews 5* * The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score
Ad
Using this affiliate link for ordering your Kiwi Ears KE4 or any other IEM helps fund our free service at no extra cost to you.

Price: $171

Buy Kiwi Ears KE4 on Aliexpress

Etymotic ER4XR User Reviews

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Kiwi Ears KE4 User Reviews

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Makavelian
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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