HeadphoneZone x Kiwi Ears Cadenza wired earphones review

While high-end IEMs might get all-metal builds, affordably priced options usually stick to plastic for good reason. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, since plastic helps keep the weight down, and the Cadenza feels light and handy, with a single-mould design for the earpieces. The HPZ edition gets the custom blue faceplates, with Kiwi Ears branding on the left earpiece and the HeadphoneZone logo on the right. It looks and feels good, and is comfortable to wear even over long listening sessions.

As with the HPZ x OrivetiOD 200, the HPZ x Kiwi Ears Cadenza is, at its core, the standard Kiwi Ears Cadenza in-ear headset. This means that all other aspects of the design are standard, from the detachable cable to the ear tips included in the sales package. Setting it up for use is also fairly simple, as a result.

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The included cable is a four-core braided copper option, and gets a standard 0.78mm 2-pin connector for the earpieces, and a 3.5mm plug to connect to source devices. The earphones themselves have 10mm beryllium dynamic drivers, and a frequency response range of 20-20000Hz. Impedance is rated at 32Ohms, so you should be able to drive these earphones easily with even basic equipment or source devices.

While the absolute entry-level segment for IEMs typically starts at under Rs. 2,000, I’d still consider the Rs. 2,999 HPZ x Kiwi Ears Cadenza to be a starter option for new audiophiles. The ease and comfort of use, and the fact that it can be plugged into even a laptop for home listening, makes this a versatile option for what’s on offer.

Coming to sound quality, the Cadenza is evidently tuned for everyday use - you could put your playlist on shuffle, listen to just about any genre of music, and the Cadenza will deliver a decent performance. At the same time, the tuning is perhaps too safe, sticking to something that will work for everyone and sound comfortable, but without really going the extra bit.

To be fair, that extra attack or drive tends to come in mid-range and high-end options, and entry-level IEMs typically work with core tuning and getting the sonic signature on point with the engineering vision. The Cadenza is a straightforward offering in that sense, delivering a likable sound, which is reasonably detailed.

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Listening to various electronic tracks including Galvanize by Chemical Brothers and One Thing (Nora en Pure Remix) by Me & My Toothbrush, the HPZ x Kiwi Ears Cadenza delivered a calculatedly aggressive performance, without really letting the lows and highs overpower the mid-range. There was detail to be heard in the mid-range at higher volumes, including faint bits that I wouldn’t have immediately detected with even high-end wireless earphones.

 

 

 

 

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Low volume doesn’t really let the Cadenza shine, which is tuned for performance at higher volume levels. There was plenty of sparkle in tracks of all genres, with the vocals in particular getting a decent bit of space thanks to the relatively balanced sonic signature. There’s no push or stretch in terms of how far the earphones can push the sound, but for Rs. 3,000 the HPZ x Kiwi Ears Cadenza doesn’t really give you anything to complain about.

The HeadphoneZone x Kiwi Ears Cadenza may not be as radical as some of the other options available in the sub-Rs. 5,000 price segment, but not everything needs to be. This one plays it safe with a reasonably balanced sonic signature and the ability to get loud, which also brings out the best in terms of performance. There is some detail to be heard, but in general you’re getting a straightforward and pleasing pair of earphones.

The custom faceplates and HPZ seal of approval add to the value preposition here, making the Kiwi Ears Cadenza a good option to consider for the price. It’s also easy to work with, you can swap out the cable at some point if you like, and is comfortable, making it a decent starter option for those looking for audiophile IEMs.