The KIWI Ears Halcyon are set to redefine the IEM industry. While cheaper KIWI Ears IEM solutions haven’t come close to high-end quality IEM products from other companies, the Halcyon takes KIWI to the next level in terms of quality, design, and overall functionality.
I have been testing these out for the last few weeks, skeptical due to past KIWI Ear audio solutions, but have found that the Halcyon brings the expected quality of an IEM set, while also delivering fantastic functionality and design. It’s quite the leap from previous KIWI IEM products.
Design
On the design side, upon opening the package for the first time and seeing the shiny aluminum IEM units set the tone for the rest of what to expect from them. The sleek design, the comfortable fit, and a hefty and durable feel just screamed professional-grade solutions. Don’t get me wrong, I have seen KIWI Ears products that looked spectacular, as they are typically visually pretty and welcoming, but the Halcyon were different. They felt heavy, felt like they could take some abuse if the situation called for it, and they oozed with longevity.
The braided wire also felt durable, hard to tangle, and, again, professional-grade. The design of these IEMs was a much-needed visual and design upgrade to the previous KIWI Ear IEMs that we have reviewed. It’s as if the company saw what should be done to achieve a higher-tier quality of product and then executed it perfectly. The Halcyon is a gorgeous design that any IEM enthusiast or professional will agree was the correct choice right out of the box.
In addition to the feel, look, and constant reminder of professionalism, the Halcyon comes with a carrying case, as well as multiple earbuds and audio adapters to adjust to the user’s needs. No matter how the user wants to listen to it or use it, the Halcyon is prepared for the situation. And switching out anything on the IEMs is super-darn easy, especially the audio adapters. They just slide on and off.
The Halcyon is a good example of what companies should be designing and delivering to the user. KIWI Ears has figured out the best way to design an IEM, and this product just reinforces that notion. I was impressed right from the get-go, and the product didn’t stop there.
Functionality
The Halcyon comes packed with an incredible amount of audio power in its IEMs. It features a dynamic driver, MEMS, and 3 BA. The dynamic driver is a regular metal coil that ensures the proper delivery of good sound. It’s a tried and true traditional audio delivery method. The 1DD is backed up by three balanced armatures that reinforce the high-quality and ultra-fast delivery of precision audio. Combined, the Halcyon delivers some of the sweetest and highest-quality sound that I have had the pleasure of listening to through an IEM solution. My GOAT Alison Goldfrapp’s music sounded bassy, beautiful, and brought me to the music swimmingly.
No doubt that those inner-ear items alone will pique the interest of audiophiles and any audio professional when they’re considering a low-cost IEM with an incredible upside. The fact that the audio sounds this good for only $259 is bonkers. My darling, go-to IEMs from ZiiGaat cost over $ 350, and the KIWI Ears are on par with them.
As for the MEMS inclusion, if you don’t know much about this tech, then listen up. It’s the future of IEM drivers and one that will most certainly dissect any recording or audio mistake made. Originally, it was made for speaker solutions for smartphones, but recently, the technology has been more common in IEM solutions and used to create an analysis of sorts about the audio pouring through. Its inclusion with the Halcyon only helps to back up the claim that this IEM release from KIWI Ears was built for professionals and audiophiles in mind. Delivering ultra-fast, precise audio to the user means the difference between good audio performance and flawed audio. It’s a wonderful part of the Halcyon driver family and makes a huge difference when it comes to hearing all the parts, good and bad, of the audio delivered through the IEMs.
All three parts combined make for a professional solution for anyone trying not to break the bank while also getting quality IEMs. Again, I am enormously impressed with KIWI Ears and what they did with this IEM release. The Halcyon refines and redefines the brand for me and gives me hope that even bigger and better IEM solutions are heading our way in the future.
On that sweet note, let’s wrap up this review.
Conclusion
The Halcyon is a top-tier solution for audio professionals without a top-tier cost attached. KIWI Ears nailed the design and functionality with these IEMs inside and out.
