Kiwi Ears ETUDE VS HZSound Luna
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Kiwi Ears ETUDE and HZSound Luna use 1DD+3BA+1VT and 1x Planar (13mm Dual Coil, Dual Magnet) driver setups respectively. Kiwi Ears ETUDE costs $119 while HZSound Luna costs $110. Kiwi Ears ETUDE is $9 more expensive. Kiwi Ears ETUDE holds a decisive 2.5-point edge in reviewer scores (7.1 vs 4.6). Kiwi Ears ETUDE has significantly better bass with a 1.8-point edge, Kiwi Ears ETUDE has better mids with a 0.7-point edge, Kiwi Ears ETUDE has significantly better treble with a 1-point edge, Kiwi Ears ETUDE has significantly better dynamics with a 1.3-point edge, Kiwi Ears ETUDE has significantly better soundstage with a 1.2-point edge, Kiwi Ears ETUDE has significantly better details with a 1.7-point edge and Kiwi Ears ETUDE has significantly better imaging with a 1-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Kiwi Ears ETUDE | HZSound Luna |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 8.1 | 6.3 |
| Mids | 6.8 | 6.1 |
| Treble | 6.9 | 5.9 |
| Details | 7.5 | 5.8 |
| Soundstage | 6.9 | 5.7 |
| Imaging | 7.3 | 6.3 |
| Dynamics | 7.5 | 6.2 |
| Tonality | 7.1 | 6.4 |
| Technicalities | 6.8 | 5.9 |
Kiwi Ears ETUDE Aggregated Review Score
IEMR Normalized Score
IEMR Normalized Score
7.1Generally Favorable
Reviewer Average Score
7.1Generally Favorable
HZSound Luna Aggregated Review Score
IEMR Normalized Score
IEMR Normalized Score
4.6Generally Unfavorable
Reviewer Average Score
5Mixed to Negative
Reviews Comparison
Kiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by Head-Fi.org
7.9
* score rescaled + normalized
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HZSound Luna reviewed by Head-Fi.org
6.8
* score rescaled + normalized
Kiwi Ears ETUDE (more reviews)
Kiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by Joyce's Review
9
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Kiwi Ears Etude is presented as a hybrid set that focuses on delivering a very engaging yet controlled bass foundation. The low end is described as punchy and rumbly in a satisfying way, with a sub bass focused shelf that adds weight and atmosphere without bleeding into the mids or turning boomy. Decay stays on the faster side, so the low frequencies remain tight and separated, expanding the perceived soundstage instead of crowding it.
The midrange comes across smooth and well balanced on the graph, translating into intimate, airy vocals with clear texture and presence. Male voices carry a magnetic warmth while female vocals sound cool and crisp, and overall tonality leans slightly on the cooler side but remains coherent and well structured. Instruments are rendered in a dry, crisp and light manner that is not weak, with excellent resolution and clarity that bring out guitar and piano lines in a very detailed way.
In the treble, the tuning favors a bright, clear and airy presentation with dips to control sibilance and a later lift for openness, resulting in impressive detail retrieval and a highly realistic portrayal of small sounds, though rougher recordings can still let some sibilance poke through. Transient response is quick, clean and punchy, and compared to the warmer and thicker sounding Grit, Etude offers cleaner layering, sharper resolution, wider imaging and more perceived space. Combined with feather light shells and cable that make the set very comfortable even for long sessions, the overall technical and tonal package easily supports the strong 4.5 out of 5 star rating given in the video.
Joyce's Review original ranking
Joyce's Review Youtube ChannelKiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by Jaytiss
7
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
The Kiwi Ears Étude is a $119 hybrid that leans hard into the whole bone-conductor experience: a single beryllium dynamic driver, three BAs and one vibration transducer stuffed into a large, hollow shell. The shell is vented, has a solid anti-tragus catch and holds tips well, but also physically vibrates and gives a little “thump” noise when seated, which some will find cool and others will just nope out of immediately. Visually it’s a win – the faceplate is described as one of the prettier designs around this price, while the included cable and case are more in the “perfectly fine, nothing fancy” category.
Sonically, Étude is a fun, audiophile-tuned toy rather than a safe, studio tool. The bone-conductor-style driver and hollow shell create a big reverb, “ping-pongy” spaciousness that can feel strange at first but also helps break the usual in-ear “mask” and gives a more expansive, immersive stage. Bass is the star: rich, thick and highly engaging, with a response that mostly hugs the target aside from a characteristic 200 Hz dip tied to the bone conductor. It isn’t the cleanest or most analytical presentation; highs and imaging are only decent (roughly a 9/8/7/7 split for bass, mids, treble and imaging), and upper air and micro-detail are not class-leading, but note weight and staging are genuinely satisfying for this price.
In the wider Kiwi Ears lineup, Étude sits as the “experience” set next to more traditional options: Astral for neutral studio work, Aether as the plain “good” planar, and Aroso as the simple, non-annoying benchmark around this bracket. Étude instead targets listeners who already own several IEMs and want something unique, expressive and a bit wild without spending a fortune. Against other bone-conductor-style IEMs like Plutus Beast, Z Empire or Pula Anvil, Étude’s frequency response and fun factor make it easier to enjoy as a daily guilty pleasure. It’s a good, engaging IEM with obvious quirks: people who can handle the shell vibrations and reverb will get a visceral, entertaining listen, while those seeking a safe, conventional tuning are better off with Kiwi’s tamer models.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by Jays Audio
6.5
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
The Kiwi Ears Étude builds its whole identity around the new KVT vibrational driver, which doesn’t boost rumble like a subwoofer but instead adds extra reverb, echo and prolonged decay to the low end. Bass notes feel more bouncy and linger after impact, giving drums and guitar plucks a more textured, atmospheric character without turning muddy. Even the shell has an audible resonance when tapped or when the jaw moves, underlining how strongly this driver imprints that echoey character on the sound.
This “special sauce” works great in the bass and with genres like hip-hop, rock, R&B, jazz and many instrumentals, where the reverb adds pleasing texture and space to the instruments while treble stays relatively smooth and natural. The downside is the vocal timbre: on stripped-back ballads and acoustic tracks, the same prolonged decay bleeds into the mids, making singers sound like they’re stuck under a cheap reverb filter, which can feel gimmicky and distracting. Technical performance is solid but not class-leading for the price—roughly on par with the Odyssey—with good dynamics and an engaging low end, but without the air, micro-detail and layering of sets like Astro or Septet.
Tonally, Étude comes across as a slightly more V-shaped, bassier alternative to other Kiwi Ears sets: richer and more textured in the low end than Performer 5+2, smoother and more natural in the treble, yet less convincing in vocal realism. Versus Odyssey and Astro, it feels more like a sidegrade or niche pick: Odyssey offers heavier slam and more natural mids, while Astro is the safer allrounder with better resolution, space and sub-bass rumble without the vocal weirdness. Overall, Étude earns a half recommendation: a fun, unique collector’s piece for those who want to experience the KVT driver and a bouncy, reverby bass presentation, but not the best choice for anyone seeking a balanced daily driver or vocal-focused set—where Astro, Odyssey or other vocal-centric IEMs will be the better fit.
Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by ATechReviews
6.4
* Score computed by IEMRanking.com
Youtube Video Summary
Kiwi Ears Etude comes in around 119 USD as a tribrid with a very striking shell and the KVT bone conduction driver that literally vibrates in the hand and in the ear. The package is practical rather than flashy, with a pocket friendly hard case, nine pairs of silicone tips and a thin but very usable cable that stays flat and does not tangle. The shell is on the chunky side but offers a secure seal with no pressure build up thanks to its vents, making comfort good for medium to larger ears as long as bulky shells are not a problem.
The KVT driver adds a very noticeable physical layer to the music, similar to a softer smartphone vibration that shows up not only with bass hits but also in vocals and acoustic instruments, turning the Etude into a kind of 3D movie for the ears. Bass is punchy with clear slam and a mid bass focused thump that can even tickle the ears at higher volume, though the decay is slow and rumbling texture is not extremely strong. Mids are smooth and never shouty, but carry a hollow, echoey quality that makes vocals and instruments feel like they are in an empty room, which blurs separation. Treble is the most conventional part of the tuning, coming across as smooth, well extended and easy to listen to with no harshness and no added echo, even if it is not the last word in micro detail.
Imaging and staging are very much a mixed bag: there is a wide, floaty presentation, yet instrument edges feel blurred and it is hard to pinpoint positions, with the midrange echo masking finer details and clean separation on tracks like Hello by Adele. Compared with regular in ear monitors around 100 USD, many competitors offer a more balanced, natural midrange and cleaner imaging, but none provide the same intense vibration effect. Etude therefore feels like a fun and very strong implementation of bone conduction for listeners who want to feel their music and explore this technology, rather than a natural reference pick for vocal clarity, realism and precise spatial cues.
ATechReviews Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by Z-Reviews
6
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
The Kiwi Ears Étude comes in the usual Kiwi Ears packaging with the standard case and cable, but the shells themselves are ridiculously pretty — like layers of gold sand swirling in the ear while the vibration module buzzes away. The driver setup is a beryllium dynamic driver plus 3 BAs and a vibration transducer, which can be felt physically humming, but doesn’t quite behave like true bone conduction. At normal listening levels the extra transducer mostly feels like a party trick; it really only wakes up and starts “doing something” when the volume is pushed into “probably too loud” territory.
Sonically, the Étude is clear, warm and a bit wide, with focused vocals and a bass response that sits at acceptable to slightly above average for the price. It doesn’t slam like high-end bass monsters, but there’s enough low-end to keep most people happy, especially with the right tips. The soundstage isn’t huge, yet the overall presentation is clean and competent, more about normal, easy listening than chasing some wild, ultra-engaging signature.
Once the price tag shows up at around $113, the whole picture makes sense: this is basically a $100 IEM that looks gorgeous, sounds good, and adds a slightly awkward vibration gimmick that’s fun but not essential. It doesn’t dethrone Kiwi Ears’ more impressive sets, and it’s not the kind of thing that demands an instant purchase, but it’s also far from a dud. In the end, the Étude is a very pretty, fine-sounding set that feels worth about $100 for those who want clear, clean audio with some visual flair and can live with “they’re fine” instead of “this changes everything.”
Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by Web Search
7
Reviewer Score
The Kiwi Ears Étude offers a distinctive listening experience centered around its Kiwi Vibration Transducer (KVT), which adds a subtle tactile sensation to bass frequencies. This isn’t a gimmick—it lends sustained notes like bass guitars or synth lines an organic, textured quality that feels immersive without overpowering the mix. That said, the KVT can introduce mild reverb in lower-mid frequencies, occasionally coloring male vocals in podcasts or sparse tracks.
Tuning-wise, the Étude follows a mild V-shaped signature with an 8dB sub-bass lift and smooth, relaxed treble. The midrange remains relatively neutral, though vocals can lack body in acoustic tracks without bass accompaniment. While the beryllium dynamic driver delivers punchy kicks, the real star is the KVT’s physicality, which creates a holographic low-end that enhances EDM and hip-hop. Technical performance is competent for the price, with average soundstage width and decent separation, though imaging lacks precision.
Fit may be divisive due to the large shells housing the transducer, and the nozzle’s lack of ridges limits eartip options. Source pairing is critical too: the KVT scales noticeably with powerful amplification, unlocking fuller dynamics. Despite quirks, the Étude succeeds as a fun, genre-specific IEM that stands out in a crowded market.
HZSound Luna (more reviews)
HZSound Luna reviewed by Paul Wasabii
6.1
* Score computed by IEMRanking.com
Youtube Video Summary
Build and accessories on HZSound Luna revive the legacy of the brand with a 13 mm planar driver in a resin and alloy shell that feels solid, slightly weighty and generally well executed, backed by a modular cable, tip selection and case that make the accessory package feel genuinely premium. Despite this, the roughly 109 dollar price positions it on the high side for 13 mm planar sets, especially when similar sounding competitors undercut it, so Luna becomes much more attractive once discounts and big sale events pull the cost closer to the sub 100 dollar bracket where this driver class really belongs.
Tuning and tonality closely follow the familiar 13 mm planar template seen on competing models, but with a more natural balance than earlier attempts, thanks to a raised low end and slightly reduced treble that avoid the lean, thin presentation and planar timbre glare that can plague this driver type. The result is a bassy, upper mid focused shallow V that keeps coherence with the low end, avoids fatigue and gives popular music a thick, fun weight, yet voices do not sound as transparent as on more mid centric planars and the selective emphasis in the treble leaves clear peaks and valleys where different tracks may either sit comfortably or constantly remind the listener of that unevenness.
Technical performance falls in line with other 13 mm planars: clarity is good and imaging remains nicely defined, but resolution and overall capability sit a step behind 14 mm big brothers, and the stage is flatter and more intimate due to the emphasis on bass and lower treble rather than air and upper treble openness. Taken together, Luna offers a clear, bass boosted, timbre focused signature that will appeal to listeners who want a fun but controlled planar style sound without brightness or fatigue, while those chasing the most spacious staging, mid forward vocals or maximum value at full retail may find better options and should ideally target this set during major sale periods.
Paul Wasabii Youtube Channel
HZSound Luna reviewed by Audio Amigo
2
* score rescaled + normalized
Audio Amigo Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears ETUDE Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+3BA+1VT
Tuning Type: V-Shaped
Brand: Kiwi Ears Top Kiwi Ears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $119
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HZSound Luna Details
Driver Configuration: 1x Planar (13mm Dual Coil, Dual Magnet)
Tuning Type: V-Shaped
Price (Msrp): $110
Support our free service! Buying through our affiliate links costs you nothing extra:
Kiwi Ears ETUDE User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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HZSound Luna User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Kiwi Ears ETUDE Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.9Gaming Grade
B+HZSound Luna Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.1Gaming Grade
BKiwi Ears ETUDE Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A-- The tonal character feels settled and versatile, with just a few gentle bumps. You can listen for hours without fatigue.
Average Technical Grade
B+- The presentation is steady if unspectacular, holding onto essential details when the music stays simple. Fine details occasionally slip through the cracks.
HZSound Luna Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B- Tonality is generally agreeable, though a few bumps remind you of its limits. Certain tracks spotlight its tonal quirks.
Average Technical Grade
B-- It offers a competent showing, maintaining cohesion on straightforward arrangements. Complex passages start to challenge it, but never derail the show.
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