Disclaimer:
The Kinera Celest Plutus Beast was sent to me as a review sample from HiFIGO, for which I thank them! But I also thank Celest because they are the ones who choose the reviewers.
I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to collaborate with this store. I must admit that they are another important contributor to my hobby. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to have all these opportunities to try out so many headphones.
I definitely liked the Phoenixcall and these, in addition to the design, also reflect that philosophy a bit. The setup is extremely interesting and honestly, Celest always gets a very good result.
I would like to inform you that the original tips were missing from my package. The package was closed perfectly and from what I can guess, they must have been in the case together with the cable.
However, the review will still be 100% honest and, in no way, biased.
I’m not an audiophile; I’m just a guy that likes to test out different IEMs and DACs and spends a lot of time listening to music.
So I’m not going to use super-technical words to review it, but I will do my best to describe it.
Tech Specs:
- 1 Bone Conduction Driver + 1BA + 1 SPD™ ( Square Planar Driver )
- Impedance: 8 ohm
- Sensitivity: 108 dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- 5N Copper Silver Plated
- Plug: 3.5mm or 4.4mm Balanced
- Celest 221 Vocal Eartips
- Celest 608 Balanced Eartips
Packaging:
The Celest Plutus Beast packaging is of excellent quality but if you remember the Phoenixcall box, it was much more elaborate. In any case, even simpler packaging is fine; we are interested in the quality of the accessories and the sound.
The box is particularly luxurious considering its cost.
Inside, we find various accessories, such as:
- Hard case
- 5N copper silver plating 8-core cable
- 6 pairs of tips (missing in my case)
- Pendant with Plutus Beast)
- Manual/Warranty
As mentioned in the first part, the tips are missing from my package, I think due to someone’s mistake. Nothing serious but right to tell you. I recovered the tips present in the Phoenixcall, as the wide bore tips are the same. The hard case is of excellent workmanship, and the cable, I must say, is softer and thinner but of the right size and quality.
Design/Build quality:
The Celest Plutus Beasts share the same design as previously seen. Needless to say, they wear wonderfully even if their shape is a little bulky; the shapes are sinuous. The faceplates are beautiful and reflect all the lights around them. The dark resin hides the internal structure and its drivers, but something shines through. What is certainly noticeable is the SPD driver, which is at the forefront. In the nozzle, we have the BA firing straight into the ear canal.
I’ll have to see if I can capture some images of the drivers and their internal structure. In the meantime, I hope my photos can give you an idea of the build quality.
Comfort/Fit:
Regarding comfort, I don’t change my opinion; the shape is identical to the Phoenixcall. I report what I have written in the form of a quote.
“The dimensions of the shell seemed chunky to me at first glance. I thought they were uncomfortable, but that’s not the case! I took the medium-wide bore tips, and on the first try, I immediately found the perfect seal. Very high insulation from external noises and excellent comfort.”
Here, the cable is better and therefore the comfort is superior.
Initial sound impression:
Before putting on the Celest Plutus Beast, I noticed how the internal BC driver is very sensitive to vibrations. In fact, when you handle it or lightly tap the faceplates, you will feel something moving inside them. A sort of driver resonance that you can feel even if you wear them and cough. I don’t consider it a defect but simply a peculiarity of the driver.
As soon as I put them on, they reminded me a lot of the Phoenixcall. They have fairly neutral tuning, to be honest but it’s fun because it’s a singular and unique interpretation. The bass is not excessive but has a different touch due to the particular driver. The vowels are sometimes slightly nasal, slightly recessed, and not particularly refined. It is pleasant, but there are IEMs that are certainly more accurate on the vocal part. The trebles are very relaxed, despite the fact that the BA driver is into the nozzle.
Tips Rolling?
I tried all the tips that seemed to be suitable. Among the originals, the wide-bore ones are the most suitable, without a shadow of a doubt. If you close the nozzle with tips with a narrow hole, you increase the bass and lose details.
The Divinus velvets are excellent and fit practically perfectly but they keep the nozzle a little too far back for my tastes and a bit of shine is lost.
The Kbear/Nicehck 07 are excellent but they too have a slightly too-closed nozzle.
The Tri Clarion is an excellent alternative to the Celest wide bore. Here, you actually gain something on the high end and the midrange also benefits considerably. The bass is unchanged.
Since there is a BC driver, the IEM must be in contact with the ear as much as possible. In my case, I was able to wear the Tri Clarion in size S and have a deeper insertion.
Comfort/Fit:
In terms of comfort, they are exactly like the Phoenixcall, as the shell is the same. It looks different but it’s the fault of the dark resin, which reflects the light differently. The cable is slightly thinner and therefore more comfortable to use. I must say that they also have excellent insulation from external noise.
Final sound impression:
Equipment was used for the testing above.
Device:
- iMac
- Redmi Note 7 Snapdragon
- Poco M4 Pro
Software:
- Foobar2000 24bit 192kHz (iMac)
- Amazon music UHD 24bit 96kHz (Both)
- Tidal Hifi Plus
DAC:
- LessFox Da1 (AK4493EQ)
- F.audio KS01 (ESS)
- EPZ TP20 (Dual Cirrus)
- Hidizs XO (Dual ESS)
- EPZ TP30 (Dual ESS)
- Hidizs S9 Pro Plus
- Fosi SK02
- Fiio Ka11
- Hidizs S3 pro
I performed a few hours of burn-in, even if for many it is just a myth. When in doubt, why not?
The incredibly accurate layering of the Celest Phoenixcall is what hits you right away. It is much simpler to follow the tracks and their details because of the extremely high separation of frequencies and sounds. Every musical instrument is represented with clarity and a true tone.
Despite the presence of multiple drivers, their design succeeded perfectly; in this case, I congratulate Kinera Celest. I haven’t had many opportunities to hear good-sounding multi-drivers, but this set rightfully ends up in my favorites.
Without being harsh or overbearing, the treble region gives the music vitality and sparkle and is rich in resolution, a little bright, and energizing. It’s a perfect blend, providing me with just enough knowledge to keep me engaged and calming enough to listen to for a long period of time. More specifically, Celest achieved a tuning that works with a wide range of musical genres.
Treble
On the midrange issue, the Phoenixcall perform slightly better; they are both particular and personally, I think they are more fun than technical. The vocals sometimes sound slightly nasal but it really depends on the track. Generally, they are a little behind the rest. However, the roll-off is noticeable and makes the scene dark and smooth, removing some micro-details. If you are looking for something very resolute, you should look elsewhere.
Mids
The midrange is decidedly warm, and that is absorbed starting from the low range. The mids are a little recessed; sometimes there is a hint of nasality but I must say that in most of the tracks I listened to, it didn’t bother me that much. They are fun IEMs and I consider them as such. I always consider something different to be welcome. The positioning of the musical instruments is good but not excellent, but stringed instruments like guitars are quite pleasant.
Bass
The BC driver is responsible for the bass and I must say that it gives a certain thickness to the bass, as if it worked in loudness; you can hear it even at very low volume. The emphasis on the sub-bass is notable compared to the mid-bass section.
Listening to the track “Out of Luck by Mariah the Scientist” reveals the iem’s full bass potential. Same result with “Carry Me Higher (7 Inch version) by The Blessed Madonna”.
If you turn up the volume on bass-heavy tracks and hold the IEMs in your hand you can feel the vibration of the BC driver. I had never tried this type of driver but I must admit that it enriches the final user experience.
It’s definitely the kind of bass that resonates in your head and it’s also one that managed to give me goosebumps. I don’t think it’s for quantity or quality but more for how it is transmitted to you. I must say that for electronic music, this tuning is particularly suitable. I listened to different genres, but R&B, jazz, pop, and EDM are definitely good.
Soundstage/Separation/Imaging:
It is not an IEM with absurd technical performances; if you are looking for something with these characteristics, you should look further. In terms of soundstage, in my opinion, it doesn’t do badly but the lack of air at the top closes the perception of space a bit. The image is good but on somewhat complex tracks, it loses a little vividness. The separation is good but could be better, especially regarding the bass and mids. In any case, for my personal taste, it is an extremely fun set.
Comparison:
vs Hidizs MS3
The MS3 could be the technical beast you’re looking for. Be careful that the trebles here are spicy. The tuning is not absolutely neutral but macro and micro details are there. They are a set that definitely gives satisfaction, track after track, with more careful listening. In any case, these are IEMs with a different price and target.
Here, however, we are talking about a similarly priced set. We have 3 drivers but they are all the same; there is no exotic or particular configuration other than the presence of a passive filter inside. I can tell you that personally, the Plutus Beasts are much more exciting and fun. They are two very different IEMs, as the DZ4 is more of a W-shape.
The bond between Phoenixcall and Plutus Beast is tangible; I would say that if you loved the first ones, you will like these too! Both have a sound that is not suitable for critical listening but for entertainment listening. I love this kind of easy listening. Maybe it’s because reviewing IEMs and paying attention to everything makes you love simplicity. Let’s be clear: you don’t need 3 types of drivers for a well-sounding IEM; a well-made single DD is enough. Celest hybrids like this are so much fun.
In any case, they are different, and I recommend you read the reviews. The bass is heavier on the Plutus Beast.
Of the group, the Geek Wold Gk20 are probably the ones that are closest to the technical. These also have an excellent performance, a little less fun but more competent and serious. However, the Plutus Beasts hold a special place in my heart.
I recommend the full review in case you are interested.
Conclusion:
Are you looking for fun? A nice-looking IEM? The Celest Plutus Beast is definitely something to take into account. They cost less than the Phoenixcall, probably due to their much simpler internal structure; I don’t see any tubing. In terms of performance, there are many extremely technical IEMs, even for a few dollars less. I honestly find them excellent and if you find the right tracks, they enrich the sound experience. Too bad about the missing tips but fortunately I had the Phoenixcall ones, which are identical. In my opinion, the nozzle has the correct length, and the shell is quite big; perhaps smaller ears would have some sealing problems, but its elongated shape should allow a certain comfort even on small ears.
What I like about Kinera Celest is that it does not necessarily follow Harman targets but is committed to creating different tunings, perhaps less technical but still managing to entertain for long sessions.
I thank Hifigo again for the numerous opportunities it offers me to try so many DACs and IEMs.
8/10
Pros:
- Similar design and high-quality shell to Phoenixcall
- Nice comfort and fit
- Removable cable
- Interesting drivers configuration
- Nice quality tips
- Bass hits are different thanks to the BC driver (L-shaped, Bassheads approved)
- Average details and no harshness
- Price/quality ratio
- Easy to drive (you don’t need anything expensive)
Cons:
- You can feel the BC driver vibrating when you touch the shell (no issue when playing; not really an issue in my opinion)
- Could be more airy, trebles lack extension and upper mid is slightly forwarded
- Not extremely analytical or neutral
- Low impedance , slightly hissing in background
