Aful Performer 5+2 VS Kiwi Ears Septet

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Aful Performer 5+2 lands as a hybrid of the beloved Performer 5 and the punchier Explorer. The unboxing is the familiar P5 affair—same case, same style of tips—nothing flashy, but solid. The shell mirrors the P5 in size with a comfy little stabilizing wing that locks in well. No metal nozzle or front filter here, yet tip retention is secure and hassle-free. The flat 2-pin socket is straightforward, and the stock cable feels thick and supple with a reliable chin slider and handy red/blue channel markers. Overall: understated build, great ergonomics, daily-driver ready.

Sonically, this one aims neutral with a very distinct top end—clean, dynamic, incisive. Think switching from black-and-white to color; cymbals and overtones pop with a slightly crunchy/pristine edge that energizes detail without turning harsh on good recordings. Bass isn’t about sheer quantity; it’s about slam and dynamics—quick on the draw, well-controlled, and satisfying when called upon. Vocals sit a notch forward, microdetail is strong, and the overall presentation is coherent, clear, and technical with convincing stage, resolution, and imaging. Not a treble-shy or bass-bombed tuning—more a refined all-rounder for those who want clarity and bite.

Versus the original P5, the 5+2 fixes the missing “air” and soft edges, trading them for crisper transients and better extension. Compared with Explorer (a value champ), the 5+2 brings superior upper-treble reach, detail, and vocal focus. Against Performer 8 and Cantor, it feels more visceral—the P8 is smoother and more relaxed, while Cantor pulls finer microdetail but with less bass slam. Sets like Dino Quattro or J’s Estrella bring bigger fun or treble theatrics, yet the 5+2’s balance and everyday versatility win more often. Net take: a neutral-leaning, highly technical upgrade that stands tall in its bracket—easy to recommend to anyone chasing clarity, speed, and controlled impact over pure warmth or excess bass.

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The Kiwi Ears Septet is a multi-driver oddball in the best way: a single DD + 4BA + planar + PZT hybrid with an open-back shell at $259. Build is solid with a metal body, flat 2-pin sockets and a handsome modular cable; fit is stable and isolation would be strong if it weren’t vented. It’s clearly aimed at listeners who want something different in both design and presentation.

Sonically it’s a down-tilted, slightly L-shaped tuning: deep, thumpy bass, subdued upper-mids, and a sparkly 4–6 kHz region that adds air and detail. The open structure creates a speaker-like stage—wide, clean imaging with a sense of room—but it can show a hint of hiss and benefits from more power (dongle/DAP recommended) to wake up dynamics. It’s a unique, spacious listen that some will love and others won’t; while the treble and imaging impress and it earns a recommendation (even a spot in a price-tier top 10), those wanting stronger presence in vocals may prefer Kiwi Ears’ more conventional tunings or adjacent sets like Astral or Performer series.