Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite
Intro
Hello friends, recently I was asked to take a look at one of Kiwi Ears more mid-fi earphones, the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite. The Orchestra Lite has been on the market for quite some time and this is certainly a post hype look at a set that was almost universally praised. There were some detractors. However, all things considered the Orchestra Lite has been a smashing success by almost all accounts. However, the only opinion that matters to me is my own. I want to thank Linsoul for providing the Orchestra Lite in exchange for an honest opinion of this set as well as a feature at Mobileaudiophile.com. Thank you very much, as without you I’d have zero idea just how special this iem really is.
Lite?
The Orchestra Lite is named “Lite” for a very good reason. It is actually the little sibling to the more expensive and more premium Kiwi Ears Orchestra which was released in 2021. Of course there isn’t anything “Lite” about this set. However, I suppose it’s better than “Orchestra 2” or “Baby Orchestra”. It actually gets me thinking, how unbelievably good is the more expensive version? This is a valid question. At any rate, the Orchestra Lite is an 8 BA iem which comes in at the price of $249 made wholly of crystal-clear resin in different various faceplate colors and is unabashedly & audaciously beautiful, no matter what way you turn them or how the light hits them. I feel it’s one of the prettiest iem I’ve seen in quite some time.
I’m a believer
Come to think of it, Kiwi Ears has many good-looking sets, and each is tuned very well. In fact, I reviewed the Kiwi Ear Cadenza (Cadenza Review) last year and I felt it was a gorgeous resin iem at an extremely low price that was extremely well tuned. I also have the Kiwi Ears Melody (I was never able to review due to scheduling purposes) which is truly one of the best budget planars that money can buy and I rec that set to anyone wanting to try a planar for the 1st time. Scratch that, I rec that set to anyone who likes things which sound good. Basically, what I’m getting at is that Kiwi Ears isn’t here to play games. They make good products that are very competitive for your consumer dollar in every price point that they dare enter into. I’ll tell you all this, after I heard the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite and spent actual quality time with it… I’m a Kiwi Ears believer.
I don’t want to run this intro too long as I’m ready to get into this review. However, before I begin, please know that I’ve had around three weeks listening daily to the Orchestra Lite and in that time, I’ve grown an attachment to this set. I say that to say this… this isn’t a hype review. Though it may sound that way. The truth is, I love this hobby with all my heart and when I hear something worth talking about, I desperately want to shout from the rooftops to all of you. So, this isn’t hype, this is joy. The Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite…
Non-Affiliated Purchasing Links
–Linsoul Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite
–Amazon (Linsoul) Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite
Orchestra Lite Pros
-Build Quality (fantastic for an all-resin build)
-Just beautiful, the design is absolutely stunning
-The fit is one of the best I’ve ever put into my ears
-Very well-balanced sound
-Bass region has good impact and timbre for a BA set
-The midrange is for vocal lovers
-The treble is musical without leaving out the details
-Non-fatiguing treble and non-offensive sound altogether
-Imaging is fantastic
Orchestra Lite Cons
-Not a DD bass region
-Not for bassheads
-Some may want more dynamism
-Treble isn’t the most airy or brilliant, not for treble heads
-Stage width is only average
-Slight suction effect (it doesn’t bother me)
Gear used for testing
–iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2
Packaging / Accessories
Unboxing
Upon first receiving the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite, I was met at my front door with a smaller square box. The sleeve which covers the box is black with a picture of the Orchestra Lite on the front as well as the slick looking Kiwi Ears logo. Once you remove the sleeve, you’ll see a regular black box and logo again. Open the box and the gorgeous Orchestra Lite will be staring back at you with that seductive gaze while stuck snuggly into a cardboard covered foam cut-out. Lift off that layer and you’ll see the carrying case underneath. Inside the case is the cable and tips. Not a bad unboxing at all. Let’s look at the accessories…
Eartips
Kiwi Ears provides nine pairs of tips in total from three different style tips. The first is a white silicone pair of semi-narrow bore tips (S, M, L). The flange is pretty relaxed and not as firm. The second pair is a dark gray colored silicone pair (S, M L) with a narrower bore and a bit firmer, better for sealing. The last set is a gray and orange set (S, M, L) of silicone eartips which have a semi-wide bore but are also a bit flimsier on the flange. I think these are decent tips, but I honestly didn’t use any of them as they simply arent firm enough at the flange for me. Instead, I actually went with a white pair of Tenmak Whirlwind shallow fit wide bore eartips. Using a wider bore eartip I found the completely open nozzle helped the entirety of the sound come out. I also used KBear 07 tips for a bit as well and those helped the bass impact as well as smoothed the upper mids a hair. However, the Whirlwind fitted my preference a bit better with the Orchestra Lite.
Carrying Case
In the packaging Kiwi Ears also adds in a fabric covered case that opens and closes by way of a zipper. I don’t ever really sue cases but for those who do it is a nice addition. It is all black, covered in fabric with a white Kiwi Ears logo in the center. Pretty cool looking. Nothing crazy but… it’s something. Large enough for the Orchestra Lite, the cable and possible a small dongle dac. Not too bulky for pants pockets and perfect for throwing into a bag or backpack.
Cable
The included cable is a nice-looking wire. Nothing that will blow your mind though. However, it is nice looking, and it is made out of very nice materials. To be exact the cable provided is a white, 2-pin, 3.5 single ended 4gcore 7N oxygen-free copper cable with a nice braid. I do like the fittings as they appear as though they used stainless steel or possible polished aluminum. Kiwi Ears states that this cable was crafted for a few reasons; because it looks nice, it has good materials which helps with the sonics of the Orchestra Lite and it was made particularly for stage use. They wanted to provide a cable that wouldn’t weight down on the Orchestra Lite. It isn’t the fattest cable, and it is pretty light on the ear.
Cable swap?
The included cable pairs well aesthetically and the pairing is nice in the sound department as well. I actually use this cable often with this set. However, I have many sources with a 4.4 balanced port and so I did swap cables for these sources. I went with a KBear Chord 4.4 balanced cable which looks so tough together with the Orchestra Lite. Of course, there is no direct need to change cables as the included cable will work just fine.
Build / Design / Internals / Fit
Build Quality
The build quality is one of many areas that I feel Kiwi Ears excels in. Each set I’ve had from this brand has a particular look that is all their own and each is built exceptionally. The Orchestra Lite is no different. Built completely out of a very hard and very ornate looking and perfectly transparent resin. No bubbles, no deviations from perfect. At least the unit I have. I am so very impressed. The Orchestra Lite is not vented anywhere so do understand that some of you may have some vacuum issues or that suction feeling in your ears. I have never had this, but I’ve heard others complain about it. The shell and faceplates are 100% smooth with no sharp or hard angles. The nozzle is a hair longer than average and you can see the tubes leading from the drivers and out of three holes at the tip. I don’t really know how to quantify something like a good build quality, other than to simply say that the Orchestra Lite feels premium to me.
Design
The actual design and aesthetic of the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite is the first thing that I was kind of blown away by when they got to my home and pulled them out. Ya know, I’ve seen many pictures of this set, and I can promise you that they do not do them justice. I really mean that. I tried like hell to capture this set as best I could when taking pictures and I was never happy with the result. None of them are good enough. Of course, I’m just a guy fiddling through trying to figure out how to take a nice shot and I’m certainly not a professional. Still, the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite is somehow charismatic. I don’t know how an inanimate object can be charismatic but… I stand by it. Truly a looker from the front to the back. Whether it be the beautifully rendered faceplate area or the transparent housing which provides a crystal-clear look into the inner workings. I think the style and shape are very nice & ergonomic too. At the end of the day, the Orchestra Lite is very ornate and very handsome.
Looks
The Orchestra Lite comes in five distinct colorways, each one is as gorgeous as the next. You can get clear, orange, purple, green, or my favorite… blue. Each one has the same white logo with white swooshes dancing around adding contrast to the colorway. Of course, clear is simply, well… clear with white swooshes, not really a contrast. Anyways, each has that swirling white which is bold against each of the colors. Also, each colored faceplate is still semitransparent. That leads me to the shells, each one is crystal clear which provides a somewhat distorted glass like view of the drivers, tubes, panels etc. It really is awesome. I’ve always been a fan of transparent housings. Also, I’m not alone in that as it’s a popular look. Like I said in the build section, the Orchestra Lite is smooth everywhere with rounded edges, sides, top, bottom, you name it… it’s smooth and clear and absolutely stunning.
Cool to have options
I should also point out that at Linsoul you can also pick out different styles of design. Of course, you can purchase the default design and simply pick out any colorway. Or you can choose your own favorite colorways (+$50 extra) at the website by choosing the color of the housing (#12 colors in total) and then picking a faceplate design (#20 faceplate designs in total). How dope is that each of the designs looks rad folks. Check it out HERE. That’s not all, you can also choose to have a CIEM (custom fit) crafted to your exact ear shape, and you can still choose any of the color options (+$150 extra). Now, I actually wouldn’t change a thing over the actual default design, but it’s cool to have options.
Quality Control Checked, Warranty Covered
Kiwi Ears Promotional
Each unit produced by Kiwi Ears undergoes two separate rounds of quality control inspection by the engineer, complete with left and right channel frequency matching to ensure that your monitor will perform at its best for the entire duration of its lifetime. Each unit is handcrafted by our engineers who have taken their time and effort to bring you the best IEM that we have to offer, and as such, we too hope that you will come to cherish them. Every Kiwi Ears IEM is covered by a year of warranty to make sure that your monitor is ready to perform whenever you are.
Internals
Kiwi Ears chose to go with the same number of balanced armature drivers as in its older and much more expensive sibling (OG Orchestra) with eight in total per earphone. Hence why they are a hint larger than most iems. Kiwi Ears speaks on these drivers saying that they are custom BA’s that were handpicked to provide the same tonal balance as the OG Orchestra as well as the same natural tonality, all the while being more efficient. I haven’t heard the OG Orchestra (boy do I want to) so I cannot speak on that, but I will say that the Orchestra Lite does provide a natural timbre across the board. They added two subwoofers for the lows, four midrange BA’s and two tweeters for the highs. Again, all custom balanced armatures. Really quick, I did read a HiFri Facebook post in which he had suggested the make and model of the BA’s like this: lows are Knowles 22955, midrange is covered by Belsing 11011/21, and the highs operate using E-Audio 31736 BA’s. Also, to reduce total harmonic distortion and develop a strategy for layering of sounds and separation of the three frequencies Kiwi Ears chose to use a three-way passive crossover. Obviously, a lot of time, expertise, and careful planning was conducted to properly mimic the sound of the OG all the while coming in at a much lower price. By all accounts… I’d say they did a nice job.
A Natural Sound – Tonal Balance
Kiwi Ears Promotional
The most important factor of the Orchestra Lite was to preserve a natural and balanced tonal signature as its predecessor. The Orchestra Lite still had to perform at studio monitor-like calibers in order to be suitable for professional musicians and audio engineers. For this reason, the Orchestra Lite utilizes a three-way passive crossover strategy to achieve intricate layering and reduce total harmonic distortion. The bass has been restricted to sub-bass frequencies, with a peak of 8dB volume from 20Hz to 200Hz. The mids region is retained at neutral, with only a 1dB difference from 200Hz to 800Hz. The treble has been perfectly matched with the human ear’s pinna perception, with a 7dB peak at 2.5kHz and a slow natural decay towards 10kHz. This precise treble engineering allows every detail and nuisance to be heard, while remaining comfortable and free of any harshness. In short, the Orchestra Lite perfectly reflects the sound of professional studio monitors and is the perfect companion to stage musicians, audio engineers, and music enjoyers who want to listen to music as it was intended.
Fit / Isolation
One thing which is so underappreciated when choosing an earphone is the actual ergonomics of a set. I don’t know how Kiwi Ears managed to literally create a perfect mold of my ear. I have no idea how well the Orchestra Lite is going to fit your ears, but they fit me perfectly. It’s a little crazy, friends. I’ve already said it but the Orchestra Lite does tend to have a vacuum or a suction when putting them in your ears for some people. Again, I’ve never had this issue, but they didn’t put any vents in this set to relieve some of the built-up pressure so again, be aware. That aside, the fit is very much ergonomic with a slightly longer nozzle than usual which really provides a fantastic seal. Isolation is one huge benefactor from this. I have no qualms stating that the Orchestra Lite is stage ready. I hear very good passive noise isolation. Obviously, they don’t have ANC but are very good at attenuating outside noises.
Drivability
The Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite is actually a very easy set to drive to good volume and even give you decent to very good sonics & fidelity from even low powered sources. With an impedance of roughly 18 ohms and a sensitivity of 112 db’s the Orchestra Lite never gave me an issue. Whether I used the simple 3.5 port in my iPad or even extremely low powered dongle dacs, I really never had an issue. I still had plenty of headroom on everything I used. However, headroom isn’t the greatest indicator of how well a set can come across sonically. Obviously, with better and more powerful sources the Orchestra Lite responded with an even tighter and more refined way.
Mobile Listening
Here at Mobileaudiophile.com we look almost entirely for mobile options for our audio. I used every dongle dac that I own, and I can promise that the Orchestra Lite sounded lovely on each. Cooler and more treble focused dongle dacs like the Fiio KA3 were a bit strident and harsh at times but that was the worst offender of any of my sources. I primarily used the IFi Go Blu, Aful SnowyNight, and the EPZ TP50. I used each with 4.4 balanced and 3.5 single ended. Without question the 4.4 balanced sounded better. There is an increase in dynamism that is easily apparent. Simply more evolved & refined with more energy while at the same time coming across with a tighter grip & control over the note structure. It’s cleaner with more power and the Orchestra Lite will most certainly mimic the tonality and timbre of your source device.
More juice
I use three different listening devices interchangeably and in constant rotation. The iBasso DX240 (using Amp8 MK2), the Fiio Q15, and the Shanling M6 Ultra. I hate to give you a blanket statement like this, but I love the sound in each device. Usually, I can pick out what a set pairs best with as each of these has a slightly different take on timbre, tonality, dynamics, technicalities, the whole nine yards. This is why I kept the devices that I have, for different situations. The Orchestra Lite was slightly altered by each and each gave its own hue to the sound. Out of the three I seemed to gravitate to the Q15, but I really don’t have a favorite. I will say with certainty that it seems the balanced armature drivers Housed within the Orchestra Lite seem to really “wake-up” with more power. I feel like I didn’t get the most out of this set until I gave it at least medium gain. Having said that, in no way is the Orchestra Lite hard to drive. I am not saying that. I am saying… give em’ a lil juice and it’ll make for the best listening experience with the Orchestra Lite.
What you need
I figure if you have the $250 to purchase the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite then chances are you have a good source too. At which point, give this set some power and enjoy. Be reasonable though, I’m not saying a million watts. However, if all you can afford is something less expensive to drive the Orchestra Lite than you are perfectly fine. Just get yourself a low-cost dongle dac. You can find good devices under $60 anymore that’ll bring your listening to the next level. I actually love how this set sounds on my dongle dacs. You don’t need anything crazy folks.
Condensed Sound Impressions
What does it sound like
Kiwi Ears set out to reproduce the apparent magic that they created with the original Kiwi Ears Orchestra within the new Orchestra Lite, just at a much more friendly price tag. Altogether the Orchestra Lite has a very nice dynamic balance across the mix with equal parts for each 3rd of the mix. I do detect a nice and punchy mid-bass which helps to give the Orchestra Lite a warmth that’s north of neutral. If I were to call this set anything I’d say it’s a slightly warm W-shaped sound signature.
Pint Sized Look Between the 20’s
The low-end is much more elevated than I would’ve thought. Certainly not a basshead set but elevated and fun. What we have is a rounded and punchy bass that’s fantastic for a BA. Certainly, more emphasized in the mid-bass area. Slam is less rigid and textured but has a good impact that’s fast and satisfying with a convex and controlled boom.
The Orchestra Lite has a forward midrange that is very inviting and engaging. In fact, the midrange is the Orchestra Lite’s superpower if you ask me. I enjoy the tuning of the midrange as it may be one of the nicest in the price point. It’s lush, rich, wavelike and any other descriptor suggesting something smooth. Simply bewitching to my ears for the price of $249.
The Orchestra Lite has a non-offensive treble region which has just enough shimmer and openness with subtle hints of sparkle & shine too. The Orchestra Lite also has pretty good detail retrieval. However, it also isn’t quite as illuminated as some greater accentuated sets in its price range.
Additional quick thoughts about the sound
The sound is smooth across the board. It’s lush in a sense, yet the sound has a cleanliness within each area of the mix. Not smooth like silk, but smooth like glass. If that makes any sense. It’s clean, resolution is very good, Imaging is spot on. I don’t hear any one frequency section masking over the rest to any detrimental degree. The sound is always milky in its approach which is utterly appealing. I hear good presence, but it isn’t the type which stands out as a resplendent texture. Not as vibrant as some may like. No sir. What we have is creamy all the way, yet at the same time the note structure isn’t flat and tamped down or too dull. Note weight is natural. It’s not thick, not thin… natural. To be honest, tonality and timbre are spot-on for me. Notes have density and an attractive natural weight to them that’s aided by a holographic display of the sound field. Transients aren’t too fast to lose the emotion in a track but are fast enough and pinpoint enough to dance around most genres with relative ease. I hear nothing even close to harsh as the pinna is at a comfortable rise. I hear no sibilance, sharpness or metallic type timbre either.
Musical
To wrap up this condensed portion of my review I want to reiterate that the sound is very natural. Tone and timbre are lovely. Now, the Orchestra Lite doesn’t have the most vibrant and liveliest macro-dynamics and dynamic energy, but it also isn’t boring by any stretch of the imagination. There’s a good balance but that balance still has some pep to it with that forward sound midrange and nice mid-bass punch. What this equates to is a musical sound that is both fun and technical while never sounding too strident or sharp. At the end of the day, the Orchestra Lite is a very melodic set that is a joy to listen to. I’m actually trying to keep my word count down and trying to condense things a bit but I’m having a hard time doing so. I want to say much more in the pint-sized sound impressions, but I will do so in the next three sections…
Bass Region
One thing I’m always worried about when listening to an iem with balanced armatures covering the lows, is how plasticky, weightless, hollow or pillowy it may possibly sound. Like fast pitter-patter, rather than a solid resonant and tangible boom like a DD. Usually, the decay is so instant that it sends all harmonics into the ether, kinda like “attack & done”. Okay, I’m being a little ridiculous in my exaggerated depiction of some BA bass, but the sentiment remains. There’s nothing like a good DD bass. I’ve yet to hear a balanced armature bass which carries the natural mass and timbre of a dynamic driver. I guess I’m saying all of this to include the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite as one of the few all-BA iems which almost defies this well-known deficiency of this type of driver. Now, I’ve heard great BA bass before, please don’t get me wrong. I went a bit hard in the paint on balanced armatures right there, but I find the Orchestra Lite to have very solid bass. Okay it isn’t as tactile in its texture and the sub-bass is a bit less rumbly than I’d like, but the timbre is there. This is a naturally weighted and accurate bass that puts quality and refinement over the fun style thunder and boom. I suppose I could’ve said “quality over quantity”.
Sub-bass
The lowest of the lows comes across slightly less guttural than I’d like. As I said, You don’t get the bass-boi DD-like “feel” like some folk’s desire. Of course I wouldn’t always expect that. However, I feel the amount, or quantity in the sub-bass is very nice and great for a BA. Obviously, stuff like kick drums won’t always reverb in my eyeballs and bass drops don’t tickle the backs of my ears. The truth is, I don’t always want that. I find that stuff like kick-drums sound very natural and beyond just adequate to my listening ears. Furthermore, the sub-bass on the Orchestra Lite does have some sonorous mass to it and a nicely compartmentalized from the mid-bass. It’s clean in its attack thru sustain. It’s also quick and tidy while remaining warm and relatively smooth in its approach. Certainly not flat and not anemic, there is some good rumbly fullness to the Orchestra Lite’s sub-bass.
Examples
Listening to “Groove” by Ray Wylie Hubbard has a more natural sound to it while at the same time not coming across quite as growling and granite dense as some other sets with good dynamic drivers. Still satisfying to me and hardly a “con”. However, listening to “Move Along” by The All-American Rejects I have to say, take back everything I just said about kick-drums not reverbing in my eyeballs, because this set really accentuates the big hollow-boom of the successive drum beats wonderfully. Turning up the volume (preferred with his set) makes these drums some of the more satisfying I’ve heard. There is very nice presence in attack with fast moving transients that come across so punchy. I do feel that this is just because of the way this track was recorded but, it’s very nice to my ears.
Mid-bass
As I said before, the mid-bass does carry the most prominence within the low-end. I do hear a very nice slam and a punchy nature to the mid-bass. It’s also warm, softer on texture and not as crisply defined but somehow there is still good separation between sub & mid-bass along with a sense of openness. It certainly is not a congested mid-bass or a one-noted bass. I keep coming back to “clean & tidy” because that’s what I hear. Which is somewhat odd because at face value the Orchestra Lite doesn’t have that hard note outline. I do feel a slightly soft attack. Again, it’s warm, naturally weighted, resolute and separated well too, which I think would explain things. I love that the sound is ridiculously cohesive as the mid-bass is certainly smooth like the rest of the mix. There’s still good weight afforded to any instrument or bass drop. It’s nice folks.
Mid-bass cont…
I actually love the mid-bass on this set. Tracks like “Stylo” by the Gorillaz off their Plastic Beach album have this odd electric bass which has some weird distortions in the recording. This track also has solid fundamental note weight and needs a set which can replay such a thing well. I am overly satisfied with the way the Orchestra Lite is able to dance through this track having good BA authority. Or “Rich Off Pain” by Lil Baby & Lil Durk is another track which was fantastic on the clean & tidy Orchestra Lite. First off, most tracks I use in my testing aren’t always some of my favorite jams. I do enjoy this track though. It hits hard on the Orchestra Lite folks, yet not so much to distract from the melody or the lyrics they’re spittin’ in the mic. The melody of the song is well separated from the heavy bass. This track actually made me re-think my statement that the Orchestra Lite is softer on attack. It’s actually very solid at the crest of notes here. This is another case where us reviewers speak in absolutes so often! Yet so many individual tracks can defy our words so often too.
Downsides to the Bass Region
Obviously, the main issue will be “for some folks” that the bass doesn’t exactly have that DD-like tonality, timbre, or organic boom. This is correct to a point, but the more I listened, the more I realized that… the bass fits the overall character of this tuning so very well. Anyways, this is a downside to some though. I’d also say that the Orchestra Lite may have too much bass presence for some folks as well. Another subjective issue some hobbyists may have is that the bass doesn’t really have that lingering atmospheric decay that some DD’s will have. Some bass notes are clipped a hint early. Granted, I could care less as I feel the bass is great for what the Orchestra Lite is but, I’m not everyone else. For all intents and purposes, I am very happy with the low-end here. Yes, I could use a hint more sub-bass and a bit more sonic boom type bass. However, I’d also say this; be careful what you wish for because even little changes can totally ruin the charm of this set.
Midrange
Oh, the midrange, what a pleasant and gratifying area of the Orchestra Lite’s sound spectrum. Folks, please hear me, if you will, the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite’s midrange is something to behold. It is the bread and butter of this set, and every area of the mix seems crafted and tuned simply to uphold this area of the mix. I wouldn’t even call it a vocal dream of a set, though vocals are nice. It’s a midrange specialist set with extremely good cohesion and balance across the entirety of the tuning. One thing which matters more than almost anything else is a good midrange… to this guy anyways. The bulk of our music is heard in this region. So naturally I am overjoyed (that’s a bit strong) over the midrange performance on the Orchestra Lite. The mids are what I would consider tonally accurate. Of course, we all have different ideas of what accurate tonality & timbre sounds like. I stand by my opinion though. It’s just a very melodic and musical midrange. They’re never harsh, they’re lean enough and fast enough to make a good “technical” showing, yet lush enough to sound realistic and so very musical.
There’s a slight warmth which embodies the midrange with a lean-lush note weight that isn’t burdened by encroaching bass. Instead, the slight push into the midrange from the low-end provides a natural hue, or an organic quality while at the same time remaining very clean with a highly resolute playback. The mids are also somewhat forward and not pushed back in the sound field with decent separation of instrumentation and voices.
Technical/Musical
I think the most rewarding point about the midrange for me is how well Kiwi Ears tuned this set to melt musicality and technical proficiency in a manner that keeps the overall sound as natural as possible. They found the secret sauce folks. It’s all in the timbre. Vocals, both male and female, sing back at me with a very nice and mellifluous expression. Instruments are lively, yet not over-cooked, detailed very well yet never dry. I hear a smoothened sound, but that smoothness doesn’t tamp down the note definition resulting in a natural rendition of what instruments should sound like. Details aren’t the bread and butter of the Orchestra Lite, but yet good midrange details are what you get. Maybe not to the degree as a dry and analytical iem that is tuned for detail retrieval. But honestly, who wants dry? This set is budding with emotion and atmosphere as it flowers my mindscape in sublime musicality. It’s a great midrange, maybe the best in the price point. The funny thing is, the Orchestra Lite isn’t a midrange first set, this is a balanced set with a great midrange. Way to go Kiwi Ears and thank you so much to Linsoul for providing this set.
Lower-midrange
The lower-mids come across effortlessly. They have this propped up presence that’s not overburdened with bass, but instead they sound all the better for it. You have an ever-so-slight warmth giving some authority to the neutral underbody. I hear some good weight with a lean form of density which sounds more organic than anything else. It’s smooth, just like the rest of the mix. Nothing different here. Now that I’ve said all of that good stuff, I should also add that the lower-midrange is also the most pensive or restrained, out of the midrange frequencies anyways. However, this is not an issue friends. The entire mix holds up this more subdued region to where it really isn’t subdued at all but instead is a great part to a fantastic whole. Never once did I feel that I needed more presence in males. Possibly a hair more authoritative dynamics but presence? No way subdued or not, males sound very well done. Instruments too. Instrumentation in this region is well detailed and even harmonics aren’t so cut off from transient swift ess that I feel I’m lacking anything. Which isn’t usual in BA sets.
Dripping
“Patina” by Brent Cobb is a track that shows off Brent’s southern laid-back voice which sounds prominent and poised. Blanketed in this easy listening energy that still remains vibrant enough without sounding overbearing or edgy. The strumming guitar has this harmonious twinkle of tunefulness that is perfectly placed on the stage… it’s captivating. It’s all just so easy for the Orchestra Lite. Again, I have to ask… what is “LITE” about this set? This set is either a killer or a lover, I haven’t figured out which. “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi is another track that simply sounds better on the Orchestra Lite. I love how well the Orchestra Lite takes his voice and elevates it with perfect portions of smoothness and clean-lined resolution. The inflections to Lewis’s voice come to my ears with creamy vibrance, out in front but not overtaking the mix. With the Orchestra Lite his voice seems to never come across knife edged, like so many sets can come across. Never grainy and not fuzzy or pixelated. The Red Clay Strays sing “Wondering Why” and it is just wonderful. The vocals, the strumming guitar, the bass guitar. This track comes across dripping in musicality and emotion with the Orchestra Lite in my ears.
Upper-Midrange
The upper-mids have the same effect on me. Really done well. Tonality and timbre are fantastic. The Orchestra Lite has roughly about a 7-8db pinna rise which is such a good number and it’s a very slow ascent into the lower treble. It’s very gradual. Nothing too steep or spiky and no huge peaks that will kill your ears in shout or glare. This is another area that’s smooth like porcelain. This helps females to sound so sweet and soft when they need to sound sweet and soft. All the same, the Orchestra Lite has all the tools to also sound resounding in a ballad and crisp when a track demands it. The Orchestra Lite is not a one trick pony folks. Just because it comes across smooth and creamy doesn’t mean it can’t produce glass-lined definition and crispness. We like to label a thing and speak in absolutes quite a lot in this hobby. Anyways, the Orchestra Lite seems to excel in many different areas, especially in dealing with vocalists and the timbre or realistic cadence to vocalists, of any sort. Instruments in this region are so well reproduced through the Orchestra Lite that I was having a hard time finding “overt cons” for the price of $249. If anything, some folks will likely hear some “subjective” issues. However, I am personally smitten. Taylor Swift sings “The 1” in her Folklore Long Pond Studio Sessions album. There is such a whisper sweet yet bold elegance to her voice listening with the Orchestra Lite and the presence in her voice is up front as though it is put on a pedestal. I have yet to find a female which doesn’t sound good listening with this set.
Downsides to the Midrange
If I were to cook up some issues within the midrange, I just want to inform each and every one of you that I am reaching here. I don’t feel there are many drawbacks, but everything has some issues. I’d first say that while the Orchestra Lite is great at resolving midrange details, it could always be better. Crisper, more air between instruments, snappier, better separation too. It isn’t perfect in the technicality space, but the Orchestra Lite is pretty nice. There are some instances of shouty behavior in the right tracks and probably hooked to the right source too. Not a regular occurrence but should be noted. Those who enjoy a warm/dark sounding set with ultra thick and lush mids will likely want to look elsewhere as well. Nothing is for everyone friends, but I can tell you one thing for sure… the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite is most certainly for me.
Treble Region
The treble region of the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite is nicely lifted to fit within the framework of the Orchestra Lite’s overall tuning. I could probably sum the treble up with that. It fits the other frequencies very well and follows suit the bass and the midrange. I’ve told you the Orchestra Lite is non-offensive (as a whole), no fatigue or harshness, nothing sharp. Also, I’ve told you there isn’t anything sibilant or metallic. I’ve gone on and on about the smooth nature of the sound, the resolute playback etc. The treble fits these descriptions too. The point is the treble of the Orchestra Lite is emphasized to perfectly keep this overall dynamic and presentation. To fit within the framework. A good part of a magnificent whole! It isn’t overly boosted, just like the rest of the mix. It’s smooth and clean, like the rest of the mix. It’s musical yet doesn’t lose sight of the finer details, like the rest of the mix. I can keep doing this folks. The highs on this set are cohesive with the rest of the frequency. Like they’re measured and weighed to just… fit. And “fit” they do. There isn’t anyone defining characteristic that the treble region is a master of, yet here I am speaking glowing words over it. If you ask me, that kinda sounds like the rest of the mix too.
Smooth demeanor
Listening to the treble I find it is lifted just enough to bring up the overall tonal color, it lifts the spectrum adding some levity & slightly toned-down brilliance to the mix. Nothing is over emphasized, no forced resolution drawing out unnatural sounding details, no harshness, nothing oversaturated. However, the sound still has some semblance of air and openness. That said, some folks will certainly want more of that shining and sparkly brilliance up top. Some will desire more air, more treble bite, and more of a crisp attack snap at the leading edge of notes. This is not a glittery treble and it’s not boosted in a manner that’d suggest it’s the… “icing on the cake”. At least I don’t see it that way. There’s also some decent extension up top past 10k with plenty of info and not much missing to my ears. The treble has a smooth demeanor all the while keeping a clean profile and most importantly keeping the overall tonal balance in check. I am impressed. I find the treble clarity and resolution to be wonderful and really enjoy how well the treble helps the overall musicality of the Orchestra Lite.
Downsides to the Treble Region
Without question, treble heads or even moderate fans of a brighter treble will not be impressed. This is not an ultra-snappy treble with tons of crisp bite. This isn’t the type of brilliant that makes your eyes squint. Detail retrieval is good, separation I’d pretty good too, but the real strength of this treble region is in its balance, cohesion, and timbre. Not the sparkliest treble I’ve ever heard, but also… I wouldn’t want it to be.
Technicalities
Soundstage
The soundstage is closer to the listener, so in that aspect it is more intimate. However, the stage has very nice width, height and even good depth to my ears. Really, it’s a nicely holographic sounding iem, in that it’s three dimensional in the way it comes across to the listener. I find layering of sounds (instruments, voices) very well accomplished on the Orchestra Lite. Without question there is great front to back information that is easily discernible. I really feel the stage is one of the best aspects of the Orchestra Lite. However, there will be those who don’t enjoy a stage that is closer to the listener as the Orchestra Lite’s soundstage doesn’t come across pushed back or distant, it isn’t a half circle in front of me basically. Everyone has different ideas about what is or isn’t good. To me this is excellent for the price when I figure in everything else the Orchestra Lite is talented at.
Separation / Imaging
Okay, this is an area where the Orchestra Lite is partially less proficient at. That is in its ability to separate and partition off instruments and vocals. Now, it certainly isn’t a “con” in my book and a solid trade-off. The smoother replay of the Orchestra Lite with its less defined note distinction somewhat blurs those lines when comparing to other sets with a drier playback, or a more analytical playback. I say that but honestly… it isn’t an issue folks. It simply isn’t razor sharp, but also… Why would I ever want to ruin the gorgeous sound character of this set to have “slightly” more distinct separation? I can answer that for me… Um, I wouldn’t want that. I like it just the way it is actually. I have my ultra defined iems and I like them too but there is so much they lack. Everything is a give and take in audio. However, one shining aspect of the Orchestra Lite’s replay is its ability to create a great and accurate image of the stage. The imaging is very well done. Whether left to right or front to back everything is placed very well, the stage is locked in, dialed in, and nicely situated. So, I’d say average in separation and above average imaging. I’ll take it.
Detail Retrieval
Details are a funny thing folks. Sometimes I feel we put way too much emphasis on hearing miniscule, little fine details which most of the time add almost nothing to the experience of listening to music. That’s an opinion though. The truth is many folks really enjoy picking apart sounds and harmonics within their music. I’d say this, on less congested tracks the Orchestra Lite is a bonafide stud. Once the track gets a bit more complicated you will lose some of that definition. I say that but I also feel that details are above average across the board. Plenty of moments I was able to hear those finger slides, the sounds in the crowd in a live track, those necessary harmonics etc. I’m not missing many folks. That said, the Orchestra Lite wasn’t tuned to be a detail beast. That’s not exactly what Kiwi Ears was going for. At the end of the day, I think people within the hobby will be pretty impressed with Orchestra Lite’s level of detail and refinement in the sound while still coming across emotional, musical and melodic. Also… That timbre!
Ratings (0-10)
Note: all ratings are based upon my subjective judgment. These ratings are garnered against either similarly priced sets or with similar driver implementations or styles with the unique parameters of my choosing. In the case of the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite ratings below, that would be $200-$275 iems of any driver configuration. Please remember that “ratings” don’t tell the whole story. This leaves out nuance and a number of other qualities which make an iem what it is. A “5-6” is roughly average and please take into consideration the “lot” of iems these ratings are gathered against. $200-$275 US is not the largest scope of iems, and so seeing a 9 is reasonable depending on the set. My ratings are never the same and each set of ratings tells a different story. Each time you read one of my ratings will be unique to that review. Basically, I create a Rating that makes sense to me.
Aesthetic
–Build Quality: 9.0 Built very well.
–Look: 9.9 Is this the best looking iem in its price point?
–Accessories: 8.4 Decent for the price
–Overall: 9.1🔥🔥
Sound Rating
–Timbre: 9.8 Within the top class in timbre.
–Bass: 8.9 Quality over quantity.
–Midrange: 9.8 Very resolute, very smooth, very musical.
–Treble: 8.8 Sparkly yet extension could be better.
–Technicalities: 8.9 Technically a fine set.
–Musicality: 9.5 Fantastic musicality.
–Overall: 9.3🔥🔥
Ratings Summary:
The ratings above are fairly easy to understand without needing too much explanation. I pitted the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite against any and all iems within the price range of $200 to $275 that I’ve had the pleasure of listening to. I’ve heard a lot, however I haven’t heard em’ all. So, keep that in mind. Anyways, the Orchestra Lite scored extremely high for such a pool of iems. I could go down the list of sets that I rated against and it’s pretty extensive. Of course, that’s boring and uses too much digital ink, also, I don’t feel like it. Anyways, the Orchestra Lite is a tough set to rate for me. When doing so I don’t just consider my own subjective preferences. I really try to consider others to the extent that I’m able. Of course, even those are tainted by my own likes and dislikes so… grains of salt. However, if this review was from me and for me, the Orchestra Lite would rate much higher. That’s how well I think of this set. I scored a “9.3” and if I’m being honest to myself, that’s low.
Explain Yourself!
Not much to explain, but I’ll give it a shot. I gave the Orchestra Lite an outstanding score of “9.8” in the midrange. That is basically me saying that there isn’t a better midrange between $200 to $275. Or that it’s at least in the top three. It’s high. I could certainly see other folks’ rate that much lower. Those who enjoy a more cleanly defined midrange with even sharper details. I could see that, and I wouldn’t argue with those folks either. Actually, I get it. We are all different. I honestly don’t have another score I’d budge on. Also, yes, I put the “Timbre” score at a ridiculously high rating of “9.8” as well. Again, I wouldn’t budge on that. Yes, I think it’s that good. Maybe some folks would argue the bass at “8.9”. Especially people who yearn for bug dynamic driver bass, bass bois, or just folks who feel the quantity isn’t enough to warrant an “8.9”. To those people I say… okay. I’m sure I’ll hear from some of you and I’m always happy to further explain myself. Anyways, that’s about it. I feel the Orchestra Lite is certainly worth a “9.3” overall in sound.
Is it worth the asking price?
I want to make this simple… Yes! Yes, the Orchestra Lite is worth the $249 asking price. Not just yes, but absolutely! Friends there is too much that this set does right. Now, is it worth it to the person who cannot really afford the Orchestra Lite? Probably not. Lord knows I was there for most of my life. $249 is a ton of money for a hobby when you are trying to feed a family. However, for those who have the loot to spend and are perusing all the iems caked within its price point I say with absolute assurance that the Orchestra Lite is worth every penny. Of course this is spoken from my preferential bias. At the end of the day, I don’t see many sets matching what the Orchestra Lite can do as a whole for the asking price. Granted, there certainly are a few solid iems that are just a s good, heck maybe even better. Yet nothing which would provoke me to say that it isn’t worth $249.
The Why…
To begin, the build is fantastic, and the look is stunning. Look at this set people! This should get some kind of award. It’s beautiful, sick, dope, pristine and any other descriptor meaning something gorgeous. The comfort level is perfect for long sessions. The unboxing is pretty good too but the reason the Orchestra Lite is really worth the $249 that Kiwi Ears and Linsoul is asking for is because of the wonderful sound quality. The balance is so very good with a smooth replay that doesn’t skimp on details, Imaging, or soundstage. This set comes across 3D and is very realistic to my ears. Timbre is second to none, or at worst only a few. The Orchestra Lite is a very musical iem that adds emotion and an atmospheric feel to every track I listen to. Lastly, because I simply don’t see another set that is outright better. Yes, there are some I could debate that could outduel the Orchestra Lite, but really, I’d just be splitting hairs. Of course, the Orchestra Lite is worth the asking price.
Conclusion
To conclude my full written review of the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite I want to again thank the good people at Linsoul for providing this set in exchange for a feature at Mobileaudiophile.com. I’ve had a blast getting to know this wonderful all-BA iem. Without question I recommend the Orchestra Lite if anyone in the market for an iem around this price point.
Please check out other reviews of the Orchestra Lite. By now, there are more reviews than you can read covering this set and so you should have a very good idea if it will fit your listening preferences if you do a little homework. I really think it’s important because we are all very much different folks. Each and 3verhone of us may hear the same music, from the same set, using the same device…differently. There are so many variables into how each one of us perceive sound. On top of that we all can have different likes and dislikes, hearing abilities, music libraries, and we all haven’t been down the same journey through audio. A reviewer with less experience who’s not heard a set like the Orchestra Lite before and a seasoned person who has reviewed Kilo-Buck sets may have drastically different opinions. Take it all in, do yourself a favor. With that all said, I think I’m done. Please take good care of you and yours, stay safe as possible and always… God Bless!
