Kiwi Ears Astral VS Xenns Top Pro
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Kiwi Ears Astral and Xenns Top Pro use 1DD+6BA and 2DD+8BA driver setups respectively. Kiwi Ears Astral costs $299 while Xenns Top Pro costs $499. Xenns Top Pro is $200 more expensive. Xenns Top Pro holds a slight 0.3-point edge in reviewer scores (8.5 vs 8.8). User ratings place Kiwi Ears Astral at 8.3 and Xenns Top Pro at 8.4. Xenns Top Pro has significantly better treble with a 1-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Kiwi Ears Astral | Xenns Top Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Mids | 8 | 8 |
| Treble | 7 | 8 |
| Soundstage | 8 | 8 |
| Dynamics | 7 | 7 |
| Tonality | 7.5 | 7.8 |
| Technicalities | 7 | 8 |
Jaytiss Reviews Comparison
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.
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Xenns Top Pro reviewed by
8.8
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
The Xenns Top Pro boasts an exceedingly comfortable, vented resin shell with a metal nozzle, praised as one of the better shells out there. It's light, isolates well, and features a flat two-pin connector. The included case feels extremely premium, matching cases found on more expensive IEMs. Accessories are generous, including a 4.4mm cable, 6.3mm adapter, three sets of tips, a pouch, and a shirt clip. The cable itself is appropriate for the price, described as plush and nice with a Dunu-style locking system, though the chin slider feels slightly loose.
Sonically, the Top Pro presents an interesting and effective mild V-shaped tuning that aligns perfectly with the reviewer's preferences. It features slightly elevated bass and mids with a hint of darkness, delivering clean, pristine mids and great treble extension and air without sibilance. Technical performance is strong across imaging, note weight, and detail. Graph comparisons show similarities to sets like the Dusk DSP and Annihilator, but the Top Pro distinguishes itself with better bass impact than its metallic-shelled sibling (the Tea Pro) and a more comfortable, all-day listen compared to the ultra-detailed but potentially fatiguing AFUL Cantor. It holds its own against flagships like the Monarch MkIII (offering potentially better bass) and the Astral (with minor tonal differences), proving highly competitive in the $400-$900 range.
Ultimately, the Xenns Top Pro emerges as a standout offering from the brand and a top contender at its $500 price point. It hits a sweet spot with very few faults, combining a world-class comfortable shell, generous premium accessories, and a cohesive, engaging sound signature. It delivers nice everything – impactful bass, clean mids, well-extended treble, and strong technicals – making it an easy all-day listen and a set that's hard to beat for this specific tuning philosophy. While responsible purchasing and demos are always advised, it earns a full recommendation as an excellent all-rounder.
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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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Xenns Top Pro Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+8BA
Tuning Type: Neutral with Bass Boost
Brand: XENNS Top XENNS IEMs
Price (Msrp): $499
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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.
Xenns Top Pro Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- The response is even and composed, lending itself to effortless genre hopping. Voices sit comfortably in the mix.
Average Technical Grade
A+- The tuning feels expertly organized, marrying agile dynamics with well-defined spatial cues. Technical listeners will appreciate the poise.
Kiwi 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.Xenns Top Pro User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewA near-flagship experience at $500, offering superb detail retrieval and balanced tuning that competes with IEMs twice its price, though tip-rolling is recommended for optimal treble smoothness.
Pros
Exceptional technical performance with detailed, expansive soundstage; deep textured bass and crystal-clear mids suit diverse genres; premium accessories and comfortable fit for long sessions.Cons
Included ear tips are mediocre and may require aftermarket replacements; treble can occasionally feel peaky or harsh at higher volumes, especially with analytical sources.Find your next IEM:
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