Forte Ears Macbeth and Kinera Imperial Loki use 5BA+4EST+2BC and 1DD+6BA+4EST+1BC driver setups respectively. Forte Ears Macbeth costs $4,000 while Kinera Imperial Loki costs $3,099. Forte Ears Macbeth is $901 more expensive. Both score 8.5 from reviewers. Kinera Imperial Loki has better bass with a 0.8-point edge, Forte Ears Macbeth has significantly better mids with a 1-point edge, Forte Ears Macbeth has significantly better treble with a 1.5-point edge, Forte Ears Macbeth has significantly better dynamics with a 3-point edge, Forte Ears Macbeth has significantly better soundstage with a 2-point edge, Kinera Imperial Loki has slightly better details with a 0.3-point edge and Forte Ears Macbeth has slightly better imaging with a 0.3-point edge.
Insights
Metric | Forte Ears Macbeth | Kinera Imperial Loki |
---|---|---|
Bass | 8.3 | 9 |
Mids | 8 | 7 |
Treble | 8.5 | 7 |
Details | 8.8 | 9 |
Soundstage | 9 | 7 |
Imaging | 8.8 | 8.5 |
Dynamics | 8 | 5 |
Gaming capabilities | 7 | 6.7 |
Forte Ears Macbeth Aggregated Review Score
Forte Ears Macbeth Average Reviewer Scores
Kinera Imperial Loki Aggregated Review Score
Kinera Imperial Loki Average Reviewer Scores
Forte Ears Macbeth Details
Driver Configuration: 5BA+4EST+2BC
Tuning Type: U-Shaped
Price (Msrp): $4,000
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Kinera Imperial Loki Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+6BA+4EST+1BC
Tuning Type: W-Shaped
Price (Msrp): $3,099
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Forte Ears Macbeth User Review Score
Forte Ears Macbeth Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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Kinera Imperial Loki User Review Score
Kinera Imperial Loki Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Forte Ears Macbeth Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7Gaming Grade
A-Kinera Imperial Loki Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.7Gaming Grade
B+Forte Ears Macbeth Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A+- Refined execution with coherent frequency integration. Natural timbre reproduction and engaging presentation. Strong versatility.
Average Technical Grade
S-- Excellent clarity and detail. Precise imaging and expansive soundstage. Manages complex passages with minimal smearing and good transient speed.
Kinera Imperial Loki Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A+- Refined execution with coherent frequency integration. Natural timbre reproduction and engaging presentation. Strong versatility.
Average Technical Grade
A+- Very competent with articulate presentation. Well-defined layers and precise imaging. Soundstage is immersive and handles dynamics well.
Forte Ears Macbeth Reviews
Forte Ears Macbeth reviewed by: Smirk Audio
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Forte Ears Macbeth reviewed by: Shuwa-T
Feels like a remastered VX in terms of clarity and staging The tonality is too off for regular listening, timbre is also off in general
Kinera Imperial Loki Reviews
Kinera Imperial Loki reviewed by: Jays Audio
Super clean and clear sound. Beautiful vocals. Everyhting is extremely well balanced. No special sauce tho. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Kinera Imperial Loki reviewed by: Jaytiss
Packaged well but feels like an Alien is in your ear. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Kinera Imperial Loki reviewed by: Nymz
Great bass texture with slightly hot upper mid-range and well extended treble. Remarkable technical performance.
Kinera Imperial Loki reviewed by: IEMRanking AI

The Kinera Imperial Loki delivers a technically impressive W-shaped signature that balances sub-bass depth, vocal clarity, and sparkling treble extension. Its standout feature is the bone conduction driver, which adds palpable texture and physicality to low frequencies, creating a uniquely visceral rumble without bleeding into the mids. While the slightly scooped lower mids can thin out some male vocals or brass instruments in busy tracks, the overall presentation excels in detail retrieval and holographic imaging, offering an expansive soundstage with precise instrument placement.
Accessories elevate the experience, including 13 ear tips (Final E, AZLA Crystal, SpinFit CP145, Symbio F) for fine-tuning fit and sound, plus two quality cables—Effect Audio’s copper cable for warmth and Kinera’s hybrid cable for enhanced resolution. The lightweight resin shells ensure comfort despite the complex driver array, though fit-dependent bass response and occasional BC driver "ringing" during voice playback are minor quirks. At $3,099, it competes fiercely in the summit-fi tier, particularly for those prioritizing technical prowess and dynamic engagement over absolute neutrality.
Forte Ears Macbeth User Reviews
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