Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) for Focus & Isolation, ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) for Purists
Price: ~$159.00 USD
The audiophile world is obsessed with “critical listening.” We are told to sit in a dark room, close our eyes, and analyze the microscopic sound of a violinist breathing. But what if you just want to listen to lo-fi hip-hop while answering 400 emails?
Enter the Kiwi Ears x Z Reviews Serene.
Built in collaboration with YouTube audio personality Zeos Pantera, Kiwi Ears set out to do the impossible: create a closed-back, planar magnetic headphone under $200 USD that is specifically tuned for “Quiet Listening” or Background Music (BGM).
I spent two weeks using the Kiwi Ears Serene as my daily driver—coding, gaming, and relaxing—to see if this dark, warm sound signature is a productivity hack or just a muddy mess. Here is my honest, real-world review.
Test 1: The “Anti-Fatigue” Sound Signature
The Claim: Tuned for the Fletcher-Munson curve for low-volume listening.
The Reality: The ultimate “flow state” headphones.
Most planar magnetic headphones are highly detailed and treble-heavy. The Kiwi Ears Serene flips the script. Kiwi Ears tuned these to be intentionally dark and warm.
- The Low-End Thump: There is a massive mid-bass boost (40Hz-120Hz). When I listen to jazz or acoustic tracks at low volume, the bass guitar still feels fat and punchy. Because it uses a fast planar driver, the bass decays quickly and doesn’t bleed too much, but it definitely hits hard.
- The “Safe” Treble: The treble is completely rolled off. There is zero harshness, zero sibilance, and zero “ice-pick” highs. You won’t hear the extreme sparkling “air” of a cymbal, but you also won’t get a headache after wearing them for 8 hours.
- The Midrange Scoop: Vocals are pushed slightly back. This makes the Kiwi Ears Serene sound spacious (avoiding that claustrophobic closed-back feeling) but means electric guitars lack a bit of “crunch” for hard rock.
Test 2: The Hardware & Amplification
The Claim: Custom 72mm x 89mm Planar Magnetic Drivers.
The Reality: Feed them power, or they get cranky.
Kiwi Ears packed a massive planar driver into these closed cups. To stop the sound from bouncing around inside and ruining the audio (the “rear wave” problem), they used a proprietary refractory filter.
- The Power Requirement: At 50-60 ohms and 102dB sensitivity, you can plug the Kiwi Ears Serene directly into a cellphone or laptop, but you really shouldn’t. These are planar magnetic drivers; they are best paired with Amps because they need some actual power to move those cans. When underpowered by a weak cellphone jack, they sound harsh and compressed. Plug them into a dedicated desktop DAC/Amp (or a beefy portable amplifier), and they immediately smooth out and open up.
- The Cable: The included braided cable looks great, but it is highly microphonic. If the cable rubs against your hoodie zipper, you will hear a loud scratching sound in your ear. I highly recommend swapping it for a softer aftermarket balanced cable.
Test 3: Comfort and the “Vacuum Seal”
The Claim: Ultra-lightweight at 270 grams.
The Reality: Incredibly light, but check your ear size.
Most planar headphones feel like wearing a medieval helmet. Because Kiwi Ears used an aluminum frame and polymer cups, the Serene weighs only 270g.
- The Fit: The spring steel headband and vegan leather strap distribute the weight perfectly. The memory foam pads create an intense, vacuum-like seal that blocks out a shocking amount of background noise (keyboard clacking, AC units).
- The Catch: The earcups are small. If you have larger-than-average ears, these might sit on your ears rather than around them, which breaks the bass seal and causes physical fatigue.
Test 4: The “22-Screw” Elephant in the Room
The Claim: Enthusiast-grade planar technology.
The Reality: You might have to do some DIY maintenance.
Because the Kiwi Ears Serene creates such a tight vacuum seal, putting them on your head pushes air against the ultra-thin planar membrane. This can cause “driver flex”—a crinkling or popping sound.
- The Fix: Zeos and Kiwi Ears actually released a “22-Screw Treatment” guide. If your pair crinkles, you take a screwdriver, slightly loosen the 22 screws holding the driver to relieve the membrane tension, and retighten them.
- The Vibe: For an enthusiast, tweaking the hardware is a fun Saturday afternoon project. For a casual buyer dropping $159 USD, having to perform surgery on brand-new headphones is a tough pill to swallow.
Comparison: The Sub-$200 Closed-Back Battle
| Feature | Kiwi Ears Serene | FiiO FT1 | Hifiman Sundara Closed |
| Price (USD) | ~$159 | ~$159 | ~$129 |
| Driver Type | Planar Magnetic | Dynamic (Wood Cups) | Planar Magnetic |
| Sound Profile | Warm, Dark, Bassy | Balanced, Punchy | Neutral, Mid-Forward |
| Weight | 270g (Ultra-Light) | 340g (Medium) | 432g (Heavy) |
| Best For | Background / Work | Generalist / Fun | Analytical Listening |
Vs. FiiO FT1: The FT1 is the safer recommendation for most people. It sounds more “correct” and natural. But the Kiwi Ears Serene offers far better noise isolation and that addictive, fast planar bass.
Vs. Sundara Closed: The Sundara is incredibly heavy and lacks low-end bass. If you want a fun, comfortable planar, the Kiwi Ears model easily wins.
The Verdict: A Flawed, Beautiful Niche
The Kiwi Ears x Z Reviews Serene is not a headphone for everyone. If you are looking for an analytical, perfectly neutral studio monitor to master audio tracks, run far away.
But if you are a coder, a writer, or an office worker who wants to put on a lo-fi playlist, block out the world, and work for 8 hours without an ounce of treble fatigue, the Kiwi Ears Serene is a masterpiece of specific engineering. Just keep a screwdriver handy.
Pros:
- Unbeatable for BGM: Warm, non-fatiguing sound profile.
- Incredible Comfort: At 270g, it is shockingly light for a planar.
- Great Isolation: The memory foam pads block out the world.
- Fast Bass: Planar drivers deliver thumpy, articulate low-end.
Cons:
- Driver Flex: The “crinkle” issue requires a DIY screw adjustment.
- Small Earcups: Not ideal for larger ears.
- Microphonic Cable: Rubbing the cable transmits noise to the cups.
Disclaimer: I performed the 22-screw treatment on my pair. I felt like a certified audio engineer for about ten minutes.
