Kiwi Ears has announced the release of its latest in-ear monitor (IEM), the Septet, designed with a focus on technical performance and acoustic precision. Priced at $269, the Septet features a hybrid driver configuration that includes a total of seven drivers per earpiece: one dynamic driver, four balanced armature drivers, one planar magnetic driver, and one piezoelectric (PZT) driver. This multi-driver setup is integrated through a five-way passive crossover system and a three-bore acoustic design, aimed at delivering cohesive sound across the frequency spectrum.
The Septet’s driver array begins with a 10 mm composite diaphragm dynamic driver, assigned to handle the sub-bass and bass frequencies. This driver, known for its physical excursion capabilities, enables the Septet to produce deep low-end extension down to 8 Hz. The bass response is tuned to be both impactful and clean, offering depth without overwhelming the rest of the frequency range.
Midrange and upper-mid frequencies are managed by four balanced armature drivers. These drivers are implemented with two independent crossover circuits, allowing precise frequency division and minimizing distortion. Balanced armatures are known for their speed and accuracy, and in the Septet, they contribute to a detailed and articulate presentation, especially in vocal and instrumental reproduction.
For high-frequency duties, the Septet incorporates a microplanar transducer (MPT). This planar driver is optimized for treble extension up to 30 kHz and is intended to provide clarity and detail without introducing harshness. Complementing the MPT is a PZT (piezoelectric) driver, which supports upper-treble reproduction and enhances spatial elements such as soundstage and imaging. Together, the MPT and PZT deliver a refined high-end that retains airiness while preserving tonal texture.
The Septet’s design also includes an open-back structure, allowing airflow through the enclosure to improve driver performance and increase soundstage depth. This design choice is relatively uncommon in in-ear monitors and is implemented here to emulate the more natural sound typically associated with open-back over-ear headphones.
The Septet ships with a custom-designed modular cable made from high-purity 5N OCC copper. The cable features interchangeable terminations, supporting both 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm balanced outputs via detachable connectors. It uses a 0.78 mm 2-pin interface and measures approximately 1.2 meters in length.
On the technical side, the Septet has an impedance of 15 ohms and a sensitivity of 95 dB at 1 kHz with a rated power of 5 mW. The total harmonic distortion is rated at 1% at 1 kHz, indicating a focus on clean signal reproduction.
The Kiwi Ears Septet is available now through the company’s official website and authorized retailers worldwide. With its hybrid driver layout and open-back design, it enters the mid-range IEM market offering a unique configuration not commonly found at this price point.
