Aful Explorer VS Kiwi Ears ETUDE
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Aful Explorer and Kiwi Ears ETUDE use 1DD+2BA and 1DD+3BA+1VT driver setups respectively. Aful Explorer costs $120 while Kiwi Ears ETUDE costs $119. Aful Explorer is $1 more expensive. Aful Explorer holds a clear 0.5-point edge in reviewer scores (7.1 vs 6.6). Aful Explorer has significantly better treble with a 1.8-point edge and Aful Explorer has significantly better soundstage with a 1-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Aful Explorer | Kiwi Ears ETUDE |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 6.5 | 6.6 |
| Mids | 6.2 | 6 |
| Treble | 6.8 | 5 |
| Details | 6.5 | 6.6 |
| Soundstage | 7 | 6 |
| Imaging | 6.5 | 6.6 |
| Dynamics | 7 | 7 |
| Tonality | 7 | 6.9 |
| Technicalities | 6.6 | 6.4 |
Aful Explorer Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Kiwi Ears ETUDE Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Aful Explorer Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+2BA
Tuning Type: bass-boosted neutral
Brand: AFUL Top AFUL IEMs
Price (Msrp): $120
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Kiwi Ears ETUDE Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+3BA+1VT
Tuning Type: V-shaped with tactile bass
Brand: Kiwi Ears Top Kiwi Ears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $119
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Aful Explorer User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Kiwi Ears ETUDE User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Aful Explorer 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 ETUDE Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.6Gaming Grade
B+Aful Explorer Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A-- 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 ETUDE 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.
Aful Explorer Reviews
8.5
* score normalized
8*
* score normalized
Relaxed upper mid-range. Vocals sound a little bit more forward than instruments. Smooth treble performance.Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube Channel
7.6
Reviewer Score
The mids still upset me, but it sounds magical. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
7
Reviewer Score
Relaxed and fun. Easy to listen to. A bit darker than my preferrd signature but I enjoyed this quite a bit. Loaner
6.8
Reviewer Score
check links for more info:
6.5
Reviewer Score
Perfect for rock and metal. Smooth, relaxing tuning, great bass with good slam, rich mid-range, safe treble. Upper mids may be too relaxed for some, treble is a bit dark.Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
6.4
Reviewer Score
check links for more info:
6
Reviewer Score
High volume set, very immersive, scales great with no sharpness, wide staging, enough detail/extension, good bass, just crank it up and enjoy the music. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears ETUDE Reviews
7
Reviewer Score
This is a unique sound, for neutral I prefere Airoso. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
6.5
Reviewer Score
Reverby, bouncy, and extended decay in the sub-bass. Unique bass play back and adds more texture to the low-end. Although reverb can bleed into the vocals - maybe the drivers work too well lol. A bassier 5+2 with better texutre and scaling. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Z-Reviews
2025-08-09
6
* score normalized
IEMRanking AI
2025-07-12
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.
Aful Explorer User Reviews
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