Kiwi Ears KE4 VS Simgot ET142

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The Simgot ET142 is a $220 planar–piezo hybrid that arrives like a mini system: full-metal shells, the chunky but well-behaved LC7 modular cable (3.5/4.4 included), a sturdy magnetic case, and four tuning nozzles (titanium stock, gold, short black foam, short red foam). Build is solid and venting prevents pressure issues; finish is a fingerprint magnet and the shell+cable combo is heavy, comfortable for average ears but failing the “tiny ears” test in stock form. Accessory spread is excellent at the price, with multiple tip sets and spare O-rings/foams rounding out a thoughtful package.

Sonically, this is textbook planar bass: clean sub-bass rumble with punchy, textured mid-bass that doesn’t bleed. The midrange stays clear and unmasked, presenting busy mixes with ease, while vocal presence shifts with nozzle choice (short nozzles push fundamentals slightly forward). Treble is where the nozzles matter most: short red = relaxed and smooth; short black = balanced sparkle; titanium/gold = vivid, edging toward “hot” for treble-sensitive listeners. Technical chops impress—crisp microdetail from the PZT without harshness, precise imaging, strong separation, and a notably 3D soundstage. It’s also very easy to drive, playing happily from modest sources.

Think of ET142 as a three-in-one planar: titanium delivers a bright, energetic V-shape (S12/“classic planar” territory), short black dials it to a balanced, less aggressive profile (S12 Pro/2024 vibe), and short red shifts into the modern warm planar lane (akin to S15/S08). Compared with other nozzle-swap sets (e.g., Timeless 2), ET142 offers a wider tuning range up top, trading fine micro-timbre tweaks for genuinely distinct signatures. Caveats: none of the nozzles are truly neutral and the low end stays boosted, so lean-bass seekers should look elsewhere; the weight may be a deal-breaker for small ears. For anyone wanting a versatile planar that can swing from sparkly and fun to warm and relaxing with a quick nozzle swap, this earns a confident “you should buy this” recommendation on value and flexibility alone.

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Kiwi Ears KE4 plays a warm-leaning, smooth and relaxing set at mid volume with slightly laid-back vocals and a good sense of space. The real trick is volume scaling: turn it up and the upper-mids/treble step forward with more detail without becoming shouty, while the bass grows thumpier and digs deeper. A 1 kHz scoop plus a tasteful ~3 kHz lift (gentler than Harman) keeps vocals extended yet non-fatiguing; the trade-off is vocal power/weight, which stays a touch mild compared to sets like RS5.

Driven by dual dynamic drivers, the KE4’s low end is among the best under $200 for texture, slam, and note weight, making the tuning feel full and grounded. It’s not as razor-quick in transients or as surgical in imaging as certain planars or techy hybrids, but the payoff is a more natural timbre. Treble sits in a balanced pocket—neither splashy nor dark—with none of the plasticky shimmer or planar/PZT glare.

Against peers: Supermix 4 and Quintet (and even the cheaper “Conta”) push more micro-detail and separation; Orchestra Light is the cleanest/most neutral but softer in bass and more complete in vocals. Versus CKLVX and PULA, KE4 trades their airy, sometimes peaky sparkle for a smoother, more grounded presentation and richer bass grip. Compared with Explorer, KE4 offers a clear step up in technicalities and low-end authority, while Explorer stays more intimate. Net: not the new “benchmark” at $200, but as a crank-it-up, musical all-rounder with standout bass and fatigue-free top end, KE4 is an easy favorite.

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SIMGOT’s ET142 pairs a planar driver with a PZT, delivering a bright-leaning, lively all-rounder that feels like a more mature, slightly more detailed take on the original S12 tonality. Treble is the surprise: it carries bite and air without the usual planar “sizzle”, landing closer to a well-implemented PZT sheen. Micro-nuance on cymbal work is improved, vocals are open, and technical performance is among the best heard from planars in this bracket. The 2 kHz region can read a touch shy, while overall treble sits above Harman, so expect sparkle and energy rather than warmth.

Volume and fit matter. At mid levels (~60–65 dB) the ET142 sounds engaging and airy; push past ~70–75 dB and the upper energy can turn fatiguing, with forward vocals and sharper highs on busy tracks. Tip choice is critical: treble-boosting tips can be too much, whereas wide-bore, smoother tips (e.g., “Senai Wide”) keep the top end in check. Both included nozzles measure and sound essentially the same—an opportunity missed for a second, tamer tuning. Genre-wise, rock, indie and slower pop benefit from the speed and air; dense electronic can edge bright, while K-/J-pop stays bouncy at moderate volume.

Bass is quick, punchy and clean with tight decay and excellent separation—don’t expect DD-level rumble or lingering reverb, but do expect balance and definition. Versus safer, more relaxed tunings (S8/S15/S12 2024), the ET142 is the more exciting pick; against neutral all-rounders (e.g., “Pilgrim”), it trades smoothness for air and sparkle; compared to sets like “Dusk,” it’s livelier with less treble fizzle but a more forward top end. At around $200, build is excellent (metal shells, braided cable) and the value strong—competing with some $300–$400 options. In short: choose ET142 for a bright, technical, energetic listen; skip it if a laid-back or dark tilt is the goal.

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Kiwi Ears KE4 is a 2DD + 2BA hybrid touting an isobaric subwoofer system and “sub-bass impact and slam.” The reality doesn’t match the brochure: the $200 package feels plain—simple box, basic case, few tips, and a generic 3.5 mm cable—while the tuning comes across as safe to a fault. Marketing promises of kick drum thump and bass guitar presence give way to a presentation that’s competent but uninvolving.

On music, the low end skews mushy rather than tight, transients lack bite, and the overall tone reads flat—the kind of “waiting-room” vibe that prompts a double-check of DSP settings. Even with a strong seal from premium tips, energy and excitement refuse to show up; it’s “fine ingredients, bland dish.” Technicals aren’t a disaster (it’s not unclear), but fun factor feels negative, recalling ultra-neutral sets like Softears Studio 4S that impress more than they engage. Verdict: about a 6/10 (maybe 7/10 on a generous day), with better value found in a cheaper Kiwi alternative at roughly half the price—skip the KE4 if musical thrill is the goal.

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SIMGOT ET142 comes across as a sleek, chrome-heavy hybrid with a planar + PZT setup, dressed in CNC’d stainless shells and a surprisingly thick premium cable, plus a magnetic case and swappable 4.4/3.5 plug. Two tuning nozzles are included; differences are subtle, but the gold nozzles give a warmer, more relaxed balance versus the blued “airier” set. At a listed ~$220, the build and accessories feel upscale, though that cable is borderline overkill for an IEM.

On power, the ET142’s 14 Ω load behaves better with a more linear solid-state source (e.g., JDS Labs Element) than with tubes; an impedance adapter can tame noise. The tuning reads smooth, non-aggressive, with bass present but not the star; sub-bass “slam” isn’t the focus, yet vocals and staging are clean and pleasing. Treble with the gold nozzles stays polite, while the blued set adds some sparkle without turning harsh.

The special sauce is the imaging: sound feels “inside” and slightly behind the head, creating a quirky but engaging sense of placement that should be excellent for gaming. Overall it fits neatly among planar hybrids at this price—refined, smooth, and easy to enjoy rather than a fireworks show—earning a straightforward recommendation, especially for SIMGOT fans who value comfort, build, and that distinctive spatial presentation over brute-force bass.

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$199 hybrid with 2DD+2BA, the Kiwi Ears KE4 pairs a glossy, translucent faceplate with an ergonomic 3D-printed resin shell for all-day comfort. The stock 3.5 mm cable is light and flexible, the new silicone tips seal well, and spare filters are included. Sonically it follows the diffuse-field “new meta” tuning popularized by sets like Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk, Dunu Da Vinci, and Mega5 EST—but arrives as the most affordable in that crowd. Tonality leans a touch warm with a smooth upper-mid/treble that keeps gunshots from sounding harsh; for music, the presentation feels immersive and lively at the price.

For competitive play, performance varies by title. In Valorant: B, horizontal imaging and depth cues are convincing, and footstep “thumps” pop through clearly, aiding reaction time. In Apex Legends: B–, basic imaging and map awareness are fine, but busy fights expose separation/layering limits and a slight haze to light taps and micro-details. In Call of Duty: C+ (borderline B–), clarity and detail retrieval dip during chaotic moments and the game’s occlusion/breathing effects mask cues more than preferred. Overall, a stylish, comfortable DF-tuned IEM that’s great for music and a solid pick for Valorant, but not the first choice for top-tier Apex/CoD grinders—though it still makes the Wallhack Certified list.

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Build & accessories: ET142 arrives with an all-metal chassis, a tidy two-pin cable with interchangeable termination, and swappable nozzles (blue default vs. gold). The blue nozzle proves smoother, as the gold adds extra 2–3 kHz energy that can edge into shout. Ergonomics are compact, vented, and well-finished, though not as feather-light as some resin competitors.

Tuning & technicals: The hybrid architecture (planar plus bone-conduction) projects an expansive, airy stage with clean separation and layering. However, that upper-mid peak can make gunfire and busy mixes feel a bit spicy, leading to a “deer-in-headlights” sensation during chaotic moments. Tonally it’s clear and detailed, but the extra air sometimes pushes nearfield cues slightly forward in the stage instead of delivering immediate urgency.

Gaming performance: Imaging and verticality are solid and footstep cues are intelligible, placing ET142 in a B+ to B range for competitive play. Against a warmer rival with stronger low-end presence, ET142 is less fatiguing than the gold-nozzle setup but still brighter than ideal for Apex/Valorant chaos; the rival’s bass weighting keeps gunfire tamed and localization snappier. Overall, ET142 is good for gaming with strong separation and stage, best for players who value clarity and air over maximum urgency.