Kiwi Ears Cadenza II Review: The new budget king under 50 euros?

The Kiwi Ears Cadenza II are the successor to a cult classic from 2022 and promise significantly improved materials, a revised driver and refined tuning. After intensive days of testing these in-ear monitors, I can confirm this: Kiwi Ears has indeed created an exceptional IEM here for around 50 euros that sets new standards in this price range.

Technical data of the Kiwi Ears Cadenza II

The product	Cadenza II
Driver construction	10mm Titanium Dynamic Driver with KARS 2.0
Impedance	18 Ohm
Frequency response	10 Hz – 29,000 Hz
Connection	3.5 mm
Cable plug	0.78 mm, 2-pin
Cable length	120 mm
Ear inserts	6 × pair of silicone earplugs
price	Price not available *

Design and workmanship

The Cadenza II marks a significant leap in quality compared to the original. While the first Cadenza still relied on 3D-printed medical resin, a higher-quality polycarbonate housing is used here, which feels surprisingly high-quality. The shells look robust and have a velvety, pleasant feel that you wouldn’t expect in this price range. The CNC-milled aluminum front panel is particularly impressive, giving the design an elegant, minimalist touch while remaining completely free of fingerprints.

At only around 4 to 5 grams per earphone, the Cadenza II are light as a feather and barely noticeable in the ear. The ergonomic design is based on the natural auricle and ensures a universal fit that easily accommodates both small and larger ears. The flat 2-pin system (0.78mm) enables uncomplicated cable changes and has become the standard in the IEM world.

The supplied cable made of single-crystal oxygen-free copper feels supple, hardly gets tangled and shows no microphonic effects when worn. The ear hooks fit comfortably and the cable makes a much higher quality impression overall than you would expect for just under 50 euros. The only downside is that a protective bag is not included, which is almost a shame considering the high-quality materials. After using the Cadenza II, you would prefer to store it safely.

Kiwi Ears Cadenza II test: Scope of delivery

The packaging is compact, but presents the IEMs attractively. When you open it, you will find the earphones themselves and a decent package of accessories, which is absolutely appropriate for this price range. The heart of the package is the aforementioned 1.2 meter long cable made of monocrystalline copper with a 2-pin connection and 3.5 mm jack plug.

The selection of ear tips is particularly noteworthy: Kiwi Ears includes a total of six pairs of ear tips in three sizes (S, M, L). These are three pairs of standard silicone tips and three pairs of wide-bore tips with a large opening. The latter in particular are a real asset and have proven to be the ideal choice for the Cadenza II in my tests. The wide-bore tips maximize the stage, provide a tighter, faster bass and match the tuning of the IEMs perfectly. These short but wide-bore “donut” ear tips have become my preferred choice for about 75 percent of my tests.

What is missing, as already mentioned, is a transport case – with this quality of material, a protective cover would have been desirable, even if its omission certainly helps to control costs.

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Wearing comfort

Wearing comfort is definitely one of the Cadenza II’s greatest strengths. The lightweight polycarbonate housings feel almost weightless in the ear and the ergonomic design ensures that they fit naturally without creating pressure points. During my extended listening sessions over several hours, I didn’t notice any signs of fatigue, hotspots or pressure points. The cups are flat enough to remain comfortable even when worn for long periods of time.

The ventilation system works effectively and prevents the unpleasant suction effect that some sealed IEMs can cause. This pressure equalization contributes significantly to long-term comfort. The fit is pleasingly universal. My medium-sized ears had no problems at all, but users with smaller or larger ear canals should also be well served here. The passive noise isolation is good, but not outstanding.

Sound quality of the Kiwi Ears Cadenza II

The sound quality of the Cadenza II is where these in-ears really shine. Kiwi Ears has created a neutral yet appealing tuning here, with a slight warmth and impressive tonal coherence. The Cadenza II rely on a newly developed 10mm dynamic driver with a titanium-coated PET diaphragm, combined with the revised KARS 2.0 Acoustic Tuning technology. The result is a balanced signature that is reminiscent of a refined, more mature version of the Harman target.

Bass and sub-bass: The low end is controlled, textured and impressive for the price. The KARS 2.0 technology enables a sub-bass that reaches surprisingly deep, yet is dry, fast and textured, reminiscent of a dedicated subwoofer. The mid-bass has enough punch to make drums sound weighty, but remains cleanly separated from the mid-range thanks to the precise cut at around 200Hz.

Mids and vocals: The midrange is undoubtedly the Cadenza II’s greatest strength, and Kiwi Ears has tuned the mids with a subtle boost that adds warmth and fullness to vocals without sacrificing neutrality. Male and female vocals benefit equally from this tuning. They sound natural, intimate and emotionally appealing.

The detail reproduction in the mid-range is impressive for the price. You can pick out subtle nuances in vocal performances and follow individual instrument lines in moderately complex arrangements. Of course, they can’t match more expensive multi-driver configurations for micro-detail resolution, but they deliver more clarity than many competitors in the 50-100 euro range.

Treble and airiness: The treble is tuned for smoothness and long-term audibility. They peak at around 3kHz and then gently extend with a further peak at around 14kHz providing sufficient airiness and openness. The upper treble is controlled to avoid any harshness or sibilance, which is a significant advantage for treble-sensitive listeners.

Kiwi Ears Cadenza II Review: Conclusion

The Kiwi Ears Cadenza II are an exceptional performer in the budget segment and set new standards for what is possible for around 50 euros. They offer a balanced, fatigue-free sound quality that works across almost all genres and is suitable for hours of listening sessions. The titanium-coated driver technology delivers faster transients and better clarity than typical budget dynamic drivers, while the KARS 2.0 tuning creates a sound signature that is neutral enough for monitoring work, but warm and musical enough for pure enjoyment.

PRO