Heartfield CU8 VS Kiwi Ears Astral
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Heartfield CU8 and Kiwi Ears Astral use 4BA and 1DD+6BA driver setups respectively. Heartfield CU8 costs $279 while Kiwi Ears Astral costs $299. Kiwi Ears Astral is $20 more expensive. Kiwi Ears Astral holds a decisive 1-point edge in reviewer scores (6.7 vs 7.7). Kiwi Ears Astral carries a user score of 8. Kiwi Ears Astral has significantly better mids with a 3-point edge, Kiwi Ears Astral has significantly better treble with a 1-point edge and Kiwi Ears Astral has significantly better soundstage with a 2-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Heartfield CU8 | Kiwi Ears Astral |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 6.7 | 8 |
| Mids | 5 | 8 |
| Treble | 6 | 7 |
| Soundstage | 6 | 8 |
| Dynamics | 7 | 7 |
| Gaming capabilities | 6.7 | 8.8 |
Heartfield CU8 Aggregated Review Score
Heartfield CU8 Average Reviewer Scores
Kiwi Ears Astral Aggregated Review Score
Kiwi Ears Astral Average Reviewer Scores
Heartfield CU8 Details
Driver Configuration: 4BA
Tuning Type: harman
Price (Msrp): $279
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Kiwi Ears Astral Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+6BA
Tuning Type: Meta + mild V-Shaped
Price (Msrp): $299
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Heartfield CU8 User Review Score
Heartfield CU8 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 Astral User Review Score
Kiwi Ears Astral Average User Scores
Average User Score:
Based on 1 user reviews
8Very Positive
Heartfield CU8 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+Kiwi Ears Astral Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
8.8Gaming Grade
S-Heartfield CU8 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 Astral Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- Well-executed tonal character. No major flaws with good technical control. Smooth presentation works with multiple genres.
Average Technical Grade
A- Good technical performance. Clear separation and decent detail retrieval across various tracks. Soundstage shows reasonable width and depth.
Heartfield CU8 Reviews
Heartfield CU8 reviewed by: Jays Audio
2025-07-16
6
Reviewer Score
Warmer Harman 2019 with less shouty vocals. Bassy all-rounder with decent tech. Build and plate design is very pretty... but price is a bit high and not that competitive - wait for sale unless you really dig the look. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Heartfield CU8 reviewed by: Jaytiss
2025-07-10
7
Reviewer Score
It's fine, but is fine worth your purchase? Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Heartfield CU8 reviewed by: IEMRanking AI
2025-08-30
7.1
Reviewer Score
The Heartfield CU8 delivers a neutral sound that closely follows the Harman target curve, providing a balanced and accurate listening experience suitable for both critical monitoring and musical enjoyment. Its bass response is tight and textured, with a slight mid-bass bump that adds a touch of warmth without bleeding into the mids, while the treble remains smooth and free of sibilance.
Build quality is a standout, featuring a hand-finished brass chamber that feels premium but contributes to a heavier design, which might affect fit for some users during extended wear. The included cable is thin relative to the IEM's weight, though the deep recessed 2-pin connectors ensure a secure connection.
Overall, the CU8 excels with a natural timbre and cohesive presentation, making it a strong choice for those seeking an analytical yet engaging signature across genres, though its weight and sparse accessories are minor drawbacks. The PUR vibration control system effectively enhances dynamics, allowing its four balanced armatures to perform with the impact of more complex driver setups.
Kiwi Ears Astral Reviews
Kiwi Ears Astral reviewed by:
Fresh Reviews
7.5*
* The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score
The Kiwi Ears Astral, priced at $299, combines one dynamic driver and six balanced armatures in an exceptionally ergonomic and lightweight 3D printed resin chassis. Comfort is phenomenal, allowing for extended listening sessions exceeding eight hours without discomfort. Available in striking blue or gold faceplates, the Astral impresses immediately with its build and feel.
Tonally, the Astral offers a fantastic, well-balanced V-shaped tuning. It features punchy, airy, and well-separated bass with notable sub-bass rumble that avoids muddying the exceptionally clear and resolving mids. The treble provides very good extension, feeling airy, technical, clean, and fast, contributing to an overall presentation that sounds more expensive than its price tag. While generally excellent, providing too much power can make the upper region slightly spicy with certain intense audio cues. The technical performance – imaging, separation, layering, and micro-detail retrieval – is phenomenal across various music genres.
For competitive gaming, the Astral truly shines, demonstrating holographic imaging and precise depth perception. In Valorant, it excels at differentiating multiple footsteps and gunfire sources with urgency and precise horizontal and vertical placement. It handles chaotic moments in CS2, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty exceptionally well, maintaining clear separation during intense firefights, grenade explosions, and air strikes without becoming fatiguing or overwhelming. Tip selection is crucial for optimal performance, with recommendations leaning towards options like the Azla EarFit Light. Despite including a decent interchangeable cable and silicone tips, third-party tips are suggested. Ultimately, the Kiwi Ears Astral is a fantastic all-rounder, delivering top-tier performance for both music and competitive gaming at its mid-range price point.
Kiwi Ears Astral reviewed by: Z-Reviews
7.5
* score normalized
Priced at $300, the Kiwi Ears Astral stands as the brand's most expensive IEM, featuring a 10mm dynamic driver and six balanced armatures. The build is notably large and deep, with a design described as "pepper" yellow or more appealing "blue crystal" – though the included accessories are minimal, offering just one set of tips, replacement filters, and an interchangeable connector (3.5mm or 4.4mm). The gunmetal gray four-wire cable earns praise for its quality and flexibility, but the deep connector adds significant length, potentially hindering portability. Simply put, at this price with so little included, the sound must deliver.
And deliver it does. The Astral produces an exceptionally wide and holographic soundstage, achieving impressive "instrument realization" – creating an almost unsettling sense of space where sounds can emerge from above, below, behind, or beside the listener. The tuning is decidedly chill and smooth, prioritizing effortless listening over aggressive detail. The dynamic driver handles frequencies up to 300Hz, providing satisfying warmth and weight to the bass, while the six BAs contribute significantly to the expansive staging and air. This isn't a sound easily found in sub-$100 IEMs; it offers a unique, relaxed presentation reminiscent of far more expensive models, like certain $1,500 Final Audio IEMs known for holographic imaging.
The Kiwi Ears Astral emerges as a strong contender for favorite IEM of the year. While it lacks accessories and its large, somewhat plain design might not win beauty contests, its unique sonic character justifies the $300 price tag. It carves out a niche as a "big wide smooth" option, perfect for extended, fatigue-free listening sessions where the goal is pure enjoyment and astonishment rather than analytical treble scrutiny. It competes favorably with $500+ IEMs known for soundstage, offering a glorious, spacious, and utterly engaging listening experience that makes revisiting tracks a joy. For those seeking a high-end, chill sound with exceptional staging and bass foundation, the Astral is a magnum opus worth serious consideration.
Kiwi Ears Astral reviewed by: Tim Tuned
7
Reviewer Score
Clean, techinical v-shape signature with great midrange upper treble too much Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
The Kiwi Ears Astral arrives in a package typical for the brand, featuring a resin shell and a metal nozzle. While the design isn't groundbreaking, the build feels sturdy. The included cable is a pleasant surprise, better than expected and features interchangeable terminations. A major highlight is the inclusion of Sancai ear tips, considered valuable accessories at this price point. However, the fit presents some challenges: the shells are notably bulky and chunky, pushing comfort limits for larger ears, and the angled cable hooks can cause sealing issues, though switching to larger tips helps significantly.
Sonically, the Astral delivers a solid bass and mid-range balance. Yet, the standout issue is the treble presentation. It's perceived as quite forward and adds a noticeable digital edginess to the timbre, making details sound overly prominent and somewhat unnatural. While technical performance seems improved over models like the original Wan'er, this treble character overshadows the positives. Initial impressions suggest it falls short of previous Kiwi Ears releases like the Quartet or Singolo, with even the Lush potentially being preferred. The Sancai tips and overall package offer good value, but the tuning needs refinement.
Kiwi Ears Astral reviewed by: Jays Audio
7.5
Reviewer Score
Great all-rounder. Slighty airy with good sub-bass extenion. Balanced but still fun. A cleaner, airier, and less sharp & sparkly version of the Meta - vocals pop out more than Meta. Tip rec Sancai regular or Softears Ultra clears. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
The Kiwi Ears Astral presents a well-rounded, balanced sound signature characterized by a boost in sub-bass and treble air, sharing some DNA with the Meta but offering significant improvements. It delivers a punchier, harder-slamming low end with better texture, making drums feel livelier and more impactful compared to the Meta. The mid-range and vocals are also more forward and less relaxed, creating a fuller sound versus the Meta's brighter, leaner presentation that highlights treble sparkle. While not vocal-centric like the Arcanis, the Astral excels as a true all-rounder.
Technically, the Astral edges out the Meta, offering better bass texture, improved vocal clarity, and slightly more micro-details in the mid-range and treble. Its value is strong at roughly $50 more than the Meta. However, the boosted air region can make the treble sound slightly wispy or fatiguing at higher volumes on very energetic tracks laden with symbols or air, making it best suited for mid-volume listening (around 65 dB). Genre-wise, it shines as an all-rounder at this volume, providing clean, extended, natural vocals, a thumpy low end with good rumble, and extended, airy treble. Compared to the Odyssey, the Astral is cleaner, more detailed, smoother, and airier, working better for mid-centric genres like indie, acoustic, and classical, though the Odyssey scales better at higher volumes and feels fuller for pop, metal, R&B, and hip-hop.
Positioned as a strong contender for the best all-rounder under $300, the Astral is seen as a more complete version of sets like the Pilgrim and Dusk, offering better sub-bass extension, texture, and rumble with less shouty vocals and sizzly treble. It significantly outperforms the Performer 5+2 technically for only $50 more and is a tier above the Kiwi Ears KE4 in clarity and technicalities. While specific alternatives like the EPZ P50, Tanchjim Origin, or Cadenza 4 are better for vocal focus, and sets like the Estrella or Deuce excel for bass, the Astral stands out for its balanced, engaging, and technically proficient performance across most genres at mid-volume. Expecting potential sales around $260, it's heralded as the new all-rounder benchmark under $300, ideal for listeners who want a single versatile IEM where "everything just sounds great."
Kiwi Ears Astral reviewed by: Gizaudio Axel
7.5
Reviewer Score
Great all-rounder with a bright, airy top end. Deep, textured sub-bass, clean and forward mids, airy treble, and great detail. Upper treble can be a bit much, and the bass tuck isn’t for everyone.Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears Astral reviewed by: Jaytiss
8.5
Reviewer Score
The Kiwi Ears Astral offers a solid build quality with comfortable shells that fit well, featuring a practical nozzle design that holds ear tips securely. The included cable is notably high-quality, featuring a functional chin slider, a sleek bluish-purplish-gray hue, and connectors that are exceptionally easy to swap. While the case is utilitarian and similar to other Kiwi Ears offerings, the overall package is practical and well-appointed.
Sonically, the Astral stands out as a special and highly competitive set at its $299 price point. It delivers a beautifully tuned, balanced tonality that hugs the target curve closely, offering a satisfying amount of bass, well-executed upper mids, and a generally pleasing, non-fatiguing sound. While it may occasionally lean slightly shouty or risk sounding dull on certain tracks compared to more aggressively tuned alternatives, it excels as a refined all-rounder. Its technical performance – including spaciousness, detail retrieval, and rich bass texturing – is impressive for the price, though micro-details and ultimate pristine clarity aren't class-leading.
The Astral trades blows with top competitors like the Performer 7 (slightly darker/richer) and the Volume S (better dynamics but less sub-bass), often coming out ahead for its cohesive balance. It significantly improves upon predecessors like the Kiwi Ears Quartet or Singolo, offering better upper-mid presence and technicalities. Ultimately, it represents a fantastic option for those seeking a well-tuned, balanced IEM, delivering a highly enjoyable and versatile listening experience with minimal faults. For its price, it's exceptionally hard to beat, earning strong marks across the board.
Kiwi Ears Astral reviewed by: IEMRanking AI
8
Reviewer Score
The Kiwi Ears Astral offers a Meta + mild V-Shaped signature with a pronounced sub-bass shelf and energetic treble extension, deviating from its marketed "reference" label. The 10mm bioceramic dynamic driver delivers deep, textured lows, though some may find the mid-bass slightly lean for warmth. Mids remain clean but recessed compared to the lows and highs, with vocals occasionally lacking body.
Technically, the Astral excels with sharp imaging and a spacious soundstage, leveraging its six balanced armatures for precise instrument separation. Treble is well-extended and airy without harshness, though its emphasis can overshadow the midrange at times. While dynamics improve at higher volumes, the tuning feels more analytical than engaging for some genres.
Build quality is robust with resin shells, but the accessories are underwhelming for the price—only three tip pairs and a basic case are included. The modular cable is a welcome upgrade, though its stiffness may annoy some users. Fit varies due to the straight nozzle angle, demanding tip experimentation for comfort.
Heartfield CU8 User Reviews
"This is an example review"
Pros
- Example pro 1
- Example pro 2
Cons
- Example con 1
- Example con 2
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You need to be signed in to write your own reviewKiwi Ears Astral User Reviews
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You need to be signed in to write your own reviewA technically adept IEM with a balanced, engaging U-shaped signature that excels in bass texture, vocal clarity, and spatial presentation—offering exceptional value despite sparse accessories.