Softears Volume S VS Kiwi Ears Astral
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Softears Volume S and Kiwi Ears Astral use 2DD+2BA and 1DD+6BA driver setups respectively. Softears Volume S costs $320 while Kiwi Ears Astral costs $299. Softears Volume S is $21 more expensive. Both score 8.5 from reviewers. User ratings place Softears Volume S at 8.2 and Kiwi Ears Astral at 8.3. Softears Volume S has significantly better mids with a 1-point edge, Softears Volume S has significantly better treble with a 1-point edge and Kiwi Ears Astral has significantly better dynamics with a 2-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Softears Volume S | Kiwi Ears Astral |
|---|---|---|
| Mids | 9 | 8 |
| Treble | 8 | 7 |
| Soundstage | 8 | 8 |
| Dynamics | 5 | 7 |
| Tonality | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Technicalities | 8 | 7 |
Jaytiss Reviews Comparison
Softears Volume S reviewed by
8.5
Reviewer Score
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
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Kiwi Ears Astral reviewed by
8.5
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
The Kiwi Ears Astral offers a solid build quality with comfortable shells that fit well, featuring a practical nozzle design that holds ear tips securely. The included cable is notably high-quality, featuring a functional chin slider, a sleek bluish-purplish-gray hue, and connectors that are exceptionally easy to swap. While the case is utilitarian and similar to other Kiwi Ears offerings, the overall package is practical and well-appointed.
Sonically, the Astral stands out as a special and highly competitive set at its $299 price point. It delivers a beautifully tuned, balanced tonality that hugs the target curve closely, offering a satisfying amount of bass, well-executed upper mids, and a generally pleasing, non-fatiguing sound. While it may occasionally lean slightly shouty or risk sounding dull on certain tracks compared to more aggressively tuned alternatives, it excels as a refined all-rounder. Its technical performance – including spaciousness, detail retrieval, and rich bass texturing – is impressive for the price, though micro-details and ultimate pristine clarity aren't class-leading.
The Astral trades blows with top competitors like the Performer 7 (slightly darker/richer) and the Volume S (better dynamics but less sub-bass), often coming out ahead for its cohesive balance. It significantly improves upon predecessors like the Kiwi Ears Quartet or Singolo, offering better upper-mid presence and technicalities. Ultimately, it represents a fantastic option for those seeking a well-tuned, balanced IEM, delivering a highly enjoyable and versatile listening experience with minimal faults. For its price, it's exceptionally hard to beat, earning strong marks across the board.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
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Softears Volume S Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+2BA
Tuning Type: Neutral with Bass Boost
Brand: Softears Top Softears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $320
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Kiwi Ears Astral Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+6BA
Tuning Type: U-Shaped
Brand: Kiwi Ears Top Kiwi Ears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $299
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Softears Volume S Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- Tuning feels well executed, keeping a natural flow across the spectrum. Switching genres feels seamless.
Average Technical Grade
A+- A very capable technical display delivers articulate layers and poised imaging. It portrays reverbs and echoes with confidence.
Kiwi Ears Astral Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- It presents a smooth, well-integrated tonal balance that plays nicely with many styles. It maintains natural timbre across the range.
Average Technical Grade
A-- You get a controlled, composed performance, marrying decent clarity with a still-modest sense of space. A safe technical performer for the price bracket.
Softears Volume S User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewA well-rounded, coherent IEM that shines in low-impedance tuning with excellent midrange clarity.
Pros
Balanced, natural midrange with solid bass and rich accessories.Cons
High-impedance mode feels unnecessary and shells may be bulky for small ears.RSV with more bass quantity and better quality, at less than half the price.
Pros
Very nicely balanced sound signature for all-rounder duties, with tonality and technical performance that punches above its price. More even sub - mid bass profile which results in a more cohesive, better textured bass vs harman/meta tuned sets.Cons
Pinna gain isn't an ideal fit for my HRTF, hearing slightly too much upper-mid emphasis after extended listening and comparisons. Upper treble is lacking air vs more expensive sets, most evident in cymbal hits coming across dulled, not unlike the RSVKiwi Ears Astral User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewImaging and separation performance on this IEM gives a holographic nature to tracks of all genres. Extremely versatile. Technical performance competes with many higher-priced sets.
Pros
Extremely clean separation and technical performance. Treble is very clean at price point. Mids are clear and transparent, and are simply good with little to no coloration. Forward vocal region, but does so in a way that should be great for all.Cons
Midbass could be raised slightly, and sub bass can be too forward at times. Treble clarity only slightly behind much more expensive sets. Raised 7-9khz region, but not peaky.A technically adept IEM with a balanced, engaging U-shaped signature that excels in bass texture, vocal clarity, and spatial presentation—offering exceptional value despite sparse accessories.
Pros
Powerful, textured sub-bass with deep rumble; natural vocals with excellent clarity; airy, non-fatiguing treble with strong extension; and outstanding imaging/soundstage for the price.Cons
Limited eartip selection affects fit optimization; bulky shells may cause discomfort during extended use; mids occasionally lack warmth and can feel slightly recessed.Find your next IEM:
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