Kiwi Ears KE4 VS TWISTURA WoodNote

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Kiwi Ears KE4 is a $200 hybrid (2DD+2BA) that showcases the so-called “new meta” tuning—more body in the lower mids and a calmer lower treble versus the Harman Target. Packaging is simple: a pocketable case and bespoke silicone tips (usable, though even shorter tips can improve comfort). The cable handles well but feels a bit thin/kinky with heat-shrink earhooks, and the shells look plain, prototype-like. Fit is secure and comfy with a semi-custom shape, albeit a touch thick, so they can protrude from the ear.

Sonically, KE4 delivers a warm, low-contrast midrange that makes vocals sound natural and well-placed, with a pleasant mid-treble “frothiness” adding texture. Bass quantity leans on the mid-bass, but quality is the weak spot—soft/bloomy and a bit poofy, lacking density and punch, which can dull drive on bass-heavy tracks. Imaging is decent, treble is safe and balanced (not sharp or dark), and overall technicalities are respectable without chasing wow-factor.

Against peers: Truthear Hexa mirrors the new-meta mids with tighter, better-controlled bass; AFUL Explorer is more engaging with tighter slam and slightly crisper treble; the Harman-leaning Binary Chopin brings the best bass attack. KE4 is a strong choice for vocal-first listening and a clear example of the new meta, but the bass bloom can hold it back across a broad library. Verdict: a very solid 4/5 stars.

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TWISTURA WoodNote comes in on the pricier side at $180, touting a wood diaphragm and a surprisingly excellent cable—arguably the nicest of the bunch. The shells fit well and feel thoughtfully built, though the chin slider is basically decorative without a DIY fix. Ergonomics aside, this package reads premium where it counts: comfort, accessories, and overall presentation.

Sonically it’s a lively, V-shaped tuning with a bit of lower-treble/presence lift that pushes vocals forward without tipping into sharpness or sibilance. Imaging is tidy with a decent headstage; the bass isn’t the tightest or most incisive among peers, but the whole presentation stays engaging and balanced enough for long sessions. More energetic than a safer, neutral set yet less fatiguing than the spicier options in the round-up, WoodNote earns a confident B-tier placement—an easy pick for listeners wanting a brighter, livelier single-DD that still plays nice over time.

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Build & accessories: understated box, a surprisingly nice cable with a “juicy” feel and flat 2-pin connectors, plus extra filters. The stock tips are the weak link—thin out note weight and feel downright horrific, so a tip swap is recommended. The medium-to-large shell is a highlight: secure fit, comfy nozzle size, and a handsome faceplate that looks premium in ear. Overall ergonomics and finish scream daily-driver friendly.

Sound: impactful, well-judged bass, lively upper mids, and a touch of upper-air jank; for $200 it’s a strong value with a clean, modern JM1-style tuning. Easily the most convincing Kiwi Ears to date: more balanced and natural than Quintet (which pushes upper mids/10 kHz energy), far more sensible than the treble-shouty Forteza, a clear upgrade over budget options like DLS and the tiny, poorly packaged Singolo, and less fatiguing than the bass-and-upper-mid heavy Melody. Against $200 benchmarks, KE4 becomes a new reference—cleaner male vocals and better build than “Chopin,” and a tighter low end plus tidier mids than AFUL Performer 5. Trades blows with Hype 4 at a fraction of the price; those craving a pricier step-up in the same vein can eye HiSenior Mega5EST. Measured verdict: Tier A, 3-star, 8.8 for tone—good imaging, solid soundstage, gamer-friendly, not flawless but genuinely excellent once re-tipped. A handsome, comfortable set that delivers outstanding value for newcomers and gift-givers alike.

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TWISTURA WoodNote is a single dynamic-driver IEM that leans premium in presentation: compact metal shells with recessed 2-pin, proper venting, and a smooth, durable finish. The kit is generous—multiple eartip sets, a plush case, and a supple modular cable with a twist-lock plug (swap to 4.4 mm if needed) plus a firm chin slider. Its party trick is the trio of tuning nozzles—Normal, Vocal, and Instrumental—that subtly shift energy through the mids/upper-mids; Normal comes across the most balanced, while Vocal and Instrumental add presence and bite. MSRP hovers around $189 (previously spotted lower), and availability is broad through the usual audio retailers.

Tonally, this set pursues a warm, mild V-shape with easygoing musicality: full mid-bass, rich lower mids, and a smooth, inoffensive treble. There’s a touch of metallic timbre at times and the top end trades precision and “air” for comfort, so micro detail is merely decent. What stands out is the sense of space—a slightly “hollowish” stage that feels open without turning sharp—and an overall engaging, fatigue-light listen. Nozzle rolling meaningfully nudges its character, but the core signature stays clean, fun, and broadly genre-friendly.

Against peers, AFUL Explorer offers more technical clarity, air, and bass control, while WoodNote counters with better build, packaging, and tunability. Versus sets like Binary Chopin, expect thicker upper mids from WoodNote but less etched detail; compared with “Volume S,” the similarity in warmth is clear, though WoodNote’s treble is less incisive. In a crowded ~$180 bracket (think JM1, ZiiGaat Lush, Cadenza, etc.), this feels like a dark-horse: not the most unique or analytical, yet strikingly well-rounded, gift-ready, and satisfying for DD-timbre fans who value smoothness over scrutiny. Final word: a solid 83/100—competitive at MSRP and an even sweeter pick if found closer to that lower street price.

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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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TWISTURA WoodNote shows up with a surprisingly premium kit: a super-nice box, a plush purple case, chunky stock cable (beefy and good-looking, though the earhook angle begs a quick heat-gun/hair-dryer fix), and interchangeable nozzles labeled Standard, Vocal, and Instrumental. The shells are small and comfy, with a soft grip fin that makes insertion easy. Under the hood: a single 10 mm dual-cavity DD with a “revitalized wood diaphragm” pitch. The accessory flex continues with four custom tip trays—including sticky/tacky clears and wide-bore options—so there’s plenty to tune before touching EQ.

Sonically, this is a big-stage, high-energy single-DD that favors imaging and note weight. With the Standard nozzle, the balance clicks: bass hits confidently without smearing, mids stay forward/focused, and treble extends cleanly without turning spicy. The Instrumental nozzle pushes air and sparkle but tips into too-much-treble territory; the Vocal option feels “off” versus Standard. Drive is easy, and character shifts nicely with source—clean/linear, warm, even tube bloom. Played too loud, the midrange can get shouty; back off a couple dB and it snaps back to “ahh, that’s right.”

Value check: discovered around $180, which feels like a cheeky sale price on a set that performs closer to $220. The cable angle quirk is fixable, the nozzle filter deltas are subtle (stick to Standard), and the accessory spread is downright generous. Net take: a solid, fun, aggressively big-sounding single-dynamic that earns full marks for the money—great for music, totally game-ready, and easy to recommend if a lively stage and crisp imaging are the brief.