Kiwi Ears Airoso VS Tanchjim NORA
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Kiwi Ears Airoso and Tanchjim NORA use 1DD+4BA and 1DD driver setups respectively. Kiwi Ears Airoso costs $130 while Tanchjim NORA costs $110. Kiwi Ears Airoso is $20 more expensive. Both score 7 from reviewers.
Insights
| Metric | Kiwi Ears Airoso | Tanchjim NORA |
|---|---|---|
| Mids | 6 | 7 |
| Treble | 5 | 7 |
| Soundstage | 6 | 7 |
| Dynamics | 7 | 7 |
| Tonality | 7 | 8 |
| Technicalities | 6.2 | 6.5 |
Kiwi Ears Airoso Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
7Generally Favorable
Tanchjim NORA Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
7Generally Favorable
Reviews Comparison
Kiwi Ears Airoso reviewed by Z-Reviews
6.5
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
Kiwi Ears Airoso brings a hybrid recipe that just works: 1DD + 4BA with the dynamic driver clearly doing the low-end heavy lifting while the BAs keep mids and highs clean and balanced. The presentation is warm, musical, and staged with satisfying depth—vocals sit a step back without getting hazy, and the overall image is organized rather than in-your-face. Comfort is on point, the stock cable is light and nicely straight, and the box tosses in a case plus three styles of silicone tips. At around $129.99, the feature set and tuning feel cheekily generous.
On music, the Airoso delivers sub-bass authority without bloat, stellar imaging that pins pianos and cellos in distinct spaces, and treble that’s controlled enough to survive vinyl/tape hiss tests without turning sharp—there’s only a hint of “S” energy on some tracks. Separation through the midrange is strong for the price, and the whole signature has that “sing-along” ease that makes long sessions effortless. Isolation is decent with the right tips, and at about 15 Ω it’s easy to drive from modest sources.
Nitpicks? The look is not a showpiece—plain metal faceplates and a logo font that won’t win design awards. The cable is 3.5 mm only, so balanced users will want an upgrade. Beyond that, it’s hard to gripe: this set behaves like a confident all-rounder with better-than-budget control up top and real weight down low. Value talk veers bold—easily feels like a $160–$200 tuner—so at the actual tag it’s an easy recommend, nudging into “nine-ish” territory on a scorecard.
Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
Buy Kiwi Ears Airoso on Linsoul
Ad
Price: $129
Buy Kiwi Ears Airoso on Linsoul
Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Z-Reviews
6.2
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
Tanchjim NORA lands as a monitor-tuned set: a single dynamic with dual magnets aimed at mixing/mastering, not Friday-night fun. The presentation is flat, neutral, low-energy—the “plain hamburger” of IEMs—delivering the track as-is without sauce, sparkle, or party tricks. Expect honesty over hype: music quality and recording flaws show up immediately.
It’s very sensitive, revealing amp hiss on noisier chains yet taking power without complaint; bass stays dead flat and the treble avoids harshness while refusing to sweeten anything. This is a homework IEM: great for students or engineers who need a budget reference to judge balance, timbre, and mix decisions rather than to vibe out. Pleasure listening isn’t the brief; accuracy is.
Build is neat: a tiny, see-through shell with a glass back, a big nozzle for the size, and an interchangeable-termination cable (balanced or single-ended) that’ll puzzle some studio folks but proves handy. Fit can be quirky—small body/large nozzle means tip rolling, with even SS tips included for smaller ears. At around $120, it’s a respectable, purpose-built tool: boring by design, and the right kind of boring when the job is to tell the truth.
Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
Buy Tanchjim NORA on HiFiGO
Ad
Price: $109
Buy Tanchjim NORA on HiFiGO
Kiwi Ears Airoso reviewed by Head-Fi.org
8.1
* score rescaled + normalized
Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Head-Fi.org
7.9
* score rescaled + normalized
Kiwi Ears Airoso reviewed by Web Search
7
Reviewer Score
The Kiwi Ears Airoso offers a warm, smooth sound signature characterized by a full-bodied bass with satisfying sub-bass rumble and quick decay, though mid-bass impact remains reserved. Its midrange shines with a natural and organic presentation, particularly excelling with female vocals, though some male vocals lack weight. Treble is relaxed and non-fatiguing, providing decent air but lacking sparkle and ultimate detail retrieval.
Comfort is a mixed bag; the lightweight resin shells with CNC aluminum/titanium faceplates are praised by some, but others report significant fit challenges due to the shell shape and nozzle design, requiring tip rolling beyond the included selection. The stock cable is widely criticized as basic and low-quality for the price point, though the detachable 2-pin design allows for upgrades. Soundstage is reasonably spacious but not particularly expansive, with imaging being competent rather than exceptional.
Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Web Search
7
Reviewer Score
Tanchjim NORA aims for a monitor-leaning, balanced presentation using a single dynamic driver (1DD) built on the brand’s fifth-gen DMT5 dual-magnetic, dual-cavity architecture. Official materials describe it as their first “HiFi monitoring” tuning with a balanced sound profile, and it launches at $109.99.
Tonally, NORA reads as neutral/monitoring with a tidy low end, even mids, and clean but non-piercing treble—bass is described as smooth with decent texture and good coherency into the mids, while micro-detail is fair for the price. Separation and layering are competent, giving a clear sense of placement without exaggerating stage width.
It’s easy to drive—rated at 16 Ω with high sensitivity—so phones and basic dongles are plenty, though a clean source helps it keep that “monitor” clarity. The trade-off is that while treble is well-behaved and non-fatiguing, ultimate air and micro-nuance trail some pricier single-DD peers.
Kiwi Ears Airoso (more reviews)
Kiwi Ears Airoso reviewed by Jaytiss
7
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Solid build for the price: compact metal shells that feel durable, a metal nozzle with a small lip, and a flat 2-pin cable with a working chin slider and clearly marked channels. The accessories are straightforward but good—three tip sets and a surprisingly nice, leatherette-style case. Overall fit is comfortable and the presentation feels a notch above typical budget fare.
Tonally, Airoso is a fun, slightly V-shaped hybrid (1DD+4BA) with punchy bass, weighty mids, and a lively top end. The graph shows a tasteful bass rise to ~300 Hz, a small presence dip around 4–5 kHz, and extra energy through the 6–8 kHz and upper “air” region—peaking near 13 kHz—that can sound brilliant on many tracks yet occasionally spicy for sensitive ears. Note weight, air/space, and overall engagement are strong; however, that treble character can nudge imaging and highs to about 7/10 depending on the listener and fit.
Comparisons paint it as a smart tuner’s set: echoes of high-end shapes (e.g., Annihilator and X-Elise Audio Europa) with less 6 kHz sting and less ultimate air; kinship with the Kiwi Ears Quintet (Airoso has more bass, Quintet’s zing is nearer 10 kHz), and a more energetic, “not boring” alternative to K4. Versus the AFUL Explorer, Airoso brings bigger upper-mid punch while Explorer offers a tidier treble; think of AFUL P7 as a cautionary tale for those sensitive to upper air—Airoso can poke similar nerves if that 13 k region doesn’t agree. At $129—often discounted—this is an excellent value for anyone wanting bold bass, confident mids, and sparkle, with the caveat that treble-sensitive listeners may prefer something smoother.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears Airoso reviewed by Jays Audio
6.5
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
The Kiwi Ears Airoso (1DD + 4BA) goes for a slightly warm-leaning, smooth presentation with a bit of treble air and contrast. It sits between sets like the EM6L and SLA3: fuller and more contrasty than the EM6L, but smoother and less peaky than the SLA3. Vocals are thicker/huskier without congestion, and treble reaches cleanly for a sense of openness; overall the tuning feels intentional and musical rather than clinical.
Technical performance is solid for the price, though options like Nova and SuperMix 4 still edge it for neutral/Harman value. The Airoso scales well but watch the 8–10 kHz region, which can get lively on energetic tracks—best enjoyed at moderate volume. As an all-rounder it fits pop, hip-hop, ballads, and instrumentals, with the appeal driven more by its tonality than by raw resolution. Versus its sibling Aether, the Airoso is warmer and more colored, while Aether is cleaner and more technical. Think of Airoso as a tasteful upgrade over sets like EW300—better timbre and a touch more air—delivering an engaging, musical listen that’s recommended if this tuning profile hits the sweet spot.
Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears Airoso Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+4BA
Tuning Type: Neutral, Warm
Brand: Kiwi Ears Top Kiwi Ears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $129.99
Support our free service! Buying through our affiliate links costs you nothing extra:
Tanchjim NORA Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD
Tuning Type: Neutral
Brand: TANCHJIM Top TANCHJIM IEMs
Price (Msrp): $109.99
Support our free service! Buying through our affiliate links costs you nothing extra:
Kiwi Ears Airoso 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!
Tanchjim NORA 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 Airoso Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.4Gaming Grade
BTanchjim NORA 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-Kiwi Ears Airoso 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- It offers a competent showing, maintaining cohesion on straightforward arrangements. Complex passages start to challenge it, but never derail the show.
Tanchjim NORA Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A+- You hear a mature integration of lows, mids, and highs that keeps music lifelike. Small tuning tweaks showcase expert restraint.
Average Technical Grade
B+- An honest, middle-of-the-road performance preserves structure without chasing micro-detail. It's respectable for everyday listening sessions.
Kiwi Ears Airoso User Reviews
"This is an example review"
Pros
- Example pro 1
- Example pro 2
Cons
- Example con 1
- Example con 2
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewTanchjim NORA User Reviews
"This is an example review"
Pros
- Example pro 1
- Example pro 2
Cons
- Example con 1
- Example con 2
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewFind your next IEM:
IEM Finder Quiz
newIEM Comparison Tool
newVS