Kiwi Ears Airoso VS KZ AST

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.

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.

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.