Kiwi Ears KE4 II keeps four drivers, adds planar treble

Kiwi Ears is now selling the KE4 II, a wired in-ear model that keeps four drivers per earpiece but now combines three types: dynamic, balanced-armature and planar. The new mix gives the highest treble its own planar tweeter.

How the four drivers divide the work

A 10mm biocellulose dynamic driver handles bass, two custom balanced-armature drivers cover the midrange and lower treble, and a custom microplanar tweeter handles the ultra-high frequencies.

Kiwi Ears says the redesigned architecture improves resolution, midrange texture and timbre compared with the original KE4. Those improvements are manufacturer claims, rather than a benefit established by the driver count alone.

Two plugs included, without replacing the cable

The supplied cable attaches to the earpieces through detachable 0.78mm two-pin connectors. At the source end, interchangeable 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs are both included. Choose the one that matches your player or DAC’s headphone output, rather than treating the larger connector as an automatic sound-quality upgrade.

$199, with a USB-C connection to consider

The official store and authorized dealer Linsoul both list the KE4 II at $199. The supplied accessories include three pairs of silicone ear tips in S, M and L sizes.

If your phone has only USB-C, you’ll need a separate compatible DAC or audio adapter; no USB-C plug or DAC is included. Before upgrading, check your player’s output connection and whether the available ear-tip sizes suit you.