Intro
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The number of personal audio products from Kiwi Ears continues to grow. We were sent a pair of closed-back planar headphones, the Serene. The looks are already special; let’s find out how they sound!
Planar
What do we mean by planar headphones? Planar is the same as magnetostatic. And to make it easy, a brand like Yamaha calls it orthodynamic.
In a magnetostatic system (loudspeaker or headphones), the driver is a very thin film with a fine network of thin wires that act as conductors. This film is “clamped” in a magnetic field. When the audio signal passes through the conductors of the membrane, a magnetic field is created. Because the energy is distributed evenly across the entire surface of the film, it moves as a flat surface. Hence the name “planar”.
Unlike a dynamic driver, which is cone-shaped, this ensures fast reproduction and minimal distortion. With closed headphones, the relatively large and flat air displacement also allows for good bass response.
Kiwi Ears Serene
The Serene was developed by Kiwi Ears in collaboration with “Z Reviews” (ZEOS Panttera), a reviewer who tests personal audio gear on YouTube. The over-ear headphones have a 72 x 89 mm membrane. The Serene is one of the smallest and lightest planar headphones we have ever held; from a distance, it looks more like an on-ear headphone. The Serene weighs no more than 269 grams.
The ear cushions are pleasantly thick and the material (aluminium/plastic) feels comfortable. The ear cups and headband are finished in a turquoise colour, which gives them a trendy look. The cable is detachable. A simple cable with a 3.5 mm stereo connection is included.
Kiwi Ears writes the following about it:
Unlike conventional dynamic drivers, the fully enclosed planar driver in the Serene is engineered to eliminate rear wave reflections with a proprietary refractory filter. This design provides natural tonality, deep controlled bass, and crystal-clear highs. Fast transients ensure every note is reproduced with lifelike speed and detail, creating an engaging and immersive listening experience.
We looked up “refractory” and found synonyms such as obstinate, unchangeable, heat-resistant, does not fall apart, does not respond to stimuli. Duly noted.
The low weight and large soft ear cushions make them very comfortable to wear; the Serene’s are comfortable. The ear cup is a bit small, though. For people with larger ears, it will be more of an on-ear fit. The position of the ear cup also matters. More forward or backward, more toed in; it makes a difference. And this will also vary from person to person.
The supplied cable yields microphonics. Every movement of the cable is transmitted and audible. Fortunately, it is easy to connect a different cable to the Kiwi Ears Serene.