Sony XBA 300AP and Kiwi Ears Septet are in-ear monitors. Sony XBA 300AP costs $295 while Kiwi Ears Septet costs $269. Sony XBA 300AP is $26 more expensive. Kiwi Ears Septet holds a decisive 1.4-point edge in reviewer scores (5.9 vs 7.3). Sony XBA 300AP has better mids with a 0.5-point edge and Kiwi Ears Septet has better soundstage with a 0.5-point edge.
Insights
Metric | Sony XBA 300AP | Kiwi Ears Septet |
---|---|---|
Bass | 6 | 7.3 |
Mids | 5.5 | 5 |
Treble | 5 | 5 |
Details | 6.5 | 7.3 |
Soundstage | 6.5 | 7 |
Imaging | 6 | 7.3 |
Dynamics | 5.9 | 6 |
Gaming capabilities | 6.1 | 7.1 |
Sony XBA 300AP Aggregated Review Score
Sony XBA 300AP Average Reviewer Scores
Kiwi Ears Septet Aggregated Review Score
Kiwi Ears Septet Average Reviewer Scores
Sony XBA 300AP Details
Driver Configuration: n/a
Tuning Type: n/a
Price (Msrp): $295
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Kiwi Ears Septet Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+4BA+1Planar+1PZT
Tuning Type: Neutral-bright
Price (Msrp): $269
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Sony XBA 300AP User Review Score
Sony XBA 300AP Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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Kiwi Ears Septet User Review Score
Kiwi Ears Septet Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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Sony XBA 300AP Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.1Gaming Grade
BKiwi Ears Septet Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.1Gaming Grade
A-Sony XBA 300AP 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.
Kiwi Ears Septet Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A-- Pleasing tonal balance with good technical control. Minor quirks present but not distracting. Demonstrates decent genre versatility.
Average Technical Grade
A-- Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.
Sony XBA 300AP Reviews
Sony XBA 300AP reviewed by: Shuwa-T
Inoffensive tuning, decent extensions Shows limitations in the soundstage depth and width
Kiwi Ears Septet Reviews
Kiwi Ears Septet reviewed by: Jays Audio
Bright-leaning with slight warmness - has an unique sparkly/lush, airy, and spacious sound. Great tech for the price, treble is not overly harsh or peaky (at mid volume), pretty smooth with the extra mid-bass balancing out the treble boost. Vocals are pushed back/not fully extended and not as prominent. Mid-volume set, doesn't scale well. Gets spicy with energetic genres past mid-volume. Great for instrumentals, acoustics, indie, classical, etc. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears Septet reviewed by: Jaytiss
A unique open back iem. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears Septet reviewed by: IEMRanking AI

The Kiwi Ears Septet delivers a neutral-bright sound signature characterized by clear vocals and a notably forward treble that enhances detail retrieval, particularly in female vocals and acoustic instruments. Its bass response is neutral and controlled, lacking the weight of closed-back designs but offering tight, fast decay. While this tuning excels with well-recorded tracks, it can become fatiguing with bright or poorly mastered material due to its upper-midrange and treble emphasis. The open-back design contributes to an airy presentation, though it reduces isolation significantly.
Technically, the Septet showcases a wide soundstage with precise imaging and strong microdynamics, allowing subtle instrumental textures to shine. Its seven-driver quadbrid configuration (dynamic, balanced armature, planar, and piezoelectric) integrates cohesively through a sophisticated 5-way crossover. However, the low sensitivity (95dB) demands powerful sources to avoid dynamic compression, and the open-back design makes it less suitable for noisy environments despite its comfortable fit.
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