The Kiwi Ears Halcyon boasts a unique blend of drivers but struggles in the midrange. Its bass is powerful and detailed, excelling on hip hop and jazz tracks, yet the midrange can feel lean and shouty, making vocals stand out too much or too little.
At $259, it faces stiff competition from other high-end IEMs like Binary Acoustics EP321, despite its claimed ‘World’s First’ MEMS+1DD+3BA tribrid driver status. The sound profile is enjoyable but not entirely neutral, with a noticeable elevation at 8kHz that can make songs feel slightly brittle.
The build quality and cable are solid, and the CNC machined aluminum shell adds to its appeal, but for $209 on Kickstarter, it doesn't quite cut it. Its performance is impressive but overshadowed by more established players in the MEMS driver market.
In conclusion, the Kiwi Ears Halcyon offers a distinctive sound profile that might win over fans of bold bass and coloured tones, but at its price point, there are better options available for those seeking a balanced listening experience.
