Kiwi Ears ETUDE VS Tipsy M1

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Kiwi Ears ETUDE and Tipsy M1 are in-ear monitors. Kiwi Ears ETUDE costs $119 while Tipsy M1 costs $99. Kiwi Ears ETUDE is $20 more expensive. Tipsy M1 holds a slight 0.3-point edge in reviewer scores (6.9 vs 7.2). Tipsy M1 has better soundstage with a 0.8-point edge.

Insights

Metric Kiwi Ears ETUDE Tipsy M1
Mids 6 6
Treble 5 5
Soundstage 6 6.8
Dynamics 7 7
Tonality 6.9 6.2
Technicalities 6.4 5
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough Tipsy M1 reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

Kiwi Ears ETUDE Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Jays Audio Z-Reviews
Jaytiss Head-Fi.org Web Search

Average Reviewer Score:

6.9

Cautiously Favorable


Tipsy M1 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Jaytiss Head-Fi.org

Average Reviewer Score:

7.2

Generally Favorable


Reviews Comparison

Tipsy M1 reviewed by Jaytiss

2025-09-03
Jaytiss 7.2 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
C+ Tech
Humpy, rich note weight, Dank. Needs strong dialing in with tips and high volume.
Youtube Video Summary

Tipsy M1 brings a novel bamboo-fiber diaphragm to the ~$99 bracket, wrapped in a tiny, lightweight shell with a metal nozzle, QDC connectors, venting, and a tidy accessory set (puck case, 6.3 mm adapter, labeled cable with a firm chin slider). The petite housing is a double-edged sword: comfort for small-ear fits, but seal and stability can be finicky and demand tip-rolling—sticky tips help. Build and finish are attractive (notably the green and the red/orange colorways), and the cable feels good if not “hyper-premium.”

Sonically, M1 leans into a thick, rich bass with a downward-sloping balance and agreeable mids; it benefits from being cranked and carefully dialed in. The FR shows a small dip around ~500 Hz, a solid bass shelf, and a fair amount of upper mids; while treble extension and micro-detail aren’t the star, the overall tonality is pleasant and cohesive. Versus its stablemates, it’s judged better than Star One, preferred over SPA 260 and Drummer (those trend hotter up top), and competitive against a crowded ~$100 field: sets like the Pula/Pool Unic trade comfort and accessories, Defiant offers a touch more mid-treble air, planars like S08 push detail and sparkle, while something “lean-clean” like Truthear Pure dials back bass/upper-mids.

What emerges is a fun, bass-forward single-DD with good dynamics, surprisingly tidy FR for its price, and a cautious recommendation for listeners who value warmth and musicality over ultimate air and incisive technicalities. It’s described as Tipsy’s strongest recent effort—a set that can occasionally underwhelm in treble finesse but, when the fit and power are right, delivers a sweet, engaging tonality and even a hint of soundstage expansion. Call it a competitive <$100 option that would shine even brighter with a more secure shell and a touch more top-end refinement.

Mids: B Treble: C+ Dynamics: A- Soundstage: B+

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
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Kiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 7.8 * score rescaled + normalized
24 community members have rated the Kiwi Ears ETUDE at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Tipsy M1 reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 7.2 * score rescaled + normalized
2 community members have rated the Tipsy M1 at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Kiwi Ears ETUDE (more reviews)

Kiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 6.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A Tech
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 original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Kiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by Z-Reviews

2025-08-09
Z-Reviews 6 * score rescaled + normalized

Kiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by Web Search

2025-07-12
uses AI-Search to turn user, reddit and head-fi reviews into clear, concise summaries.
Web Search 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech

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.


Kiwi Ears ETUDE User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Tipsy M1 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

6.6

Gaming Grade

B+

Tipsy M1 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

5.4

Gaming Grade

C+

Kiwi Ears ETUDE Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B+
  • A mostly enjoyable signature keeps things listenable despite a handful of quirks. It handles most playlists without major complaints.

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.
Mids B
It offers engaging mid frequencies with pleasing clarity and layering. Details emerge without becoming harsh.
Treble C+
Treble is decent, offering acceptable extension without harshness. It balances presence with a touch of restraint.
Dynamics A-
The system snaps into action with precision, highlighting every swell. Recordings feel energetic and alive.
Soundstage B
A satisfying balance of width and depth yields a stage that feels organized and engaging. Imaging lines up with the intended mix.
Gaming B+
Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance.

Tipsy M1 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

C+
  • The presentation is steady if unspectacular, holding onto essential details when the music stays simple. Fine details occasionally slip through the cracks.
Mids B
The mids are articulate and well-balanced, lending body to instruments. Instrument layering remains stable.
Treble C+
Treble is decent, offering acceptable extension without harshness. It balances presence with a touch of restraint.
Dynamics A-
Expect excellent punch and micro-detail that render rhythmic shifts effortlessly. It keeps up with complex rhythmic swings.
Soundstage B+
Lateral spread stretches comfortably while front/back cues start to feel convincing. You can trace front-to-back movement.
Gaming C+
Fundamental left/right positioning with limited depth perception. Works for non-competitive gaming but lacks precision.

Kiwi Ears ETUDE User Reviews

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Tipsy M1 User Reviews

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