Kiwi Ears Cadenza II
Warm, smooth wired earphones with a titanium driver
Pros
- Smooth, relaxed treble that doesn't tire you out
- Warm, full mids that suit vocals
- More sub-bass than mid-bass, so bass is deep without muddying the mids
- Sturdier shell and a better braided cable than the original Cadenza
Cons
- Detail and dynamics are decent but not class-leading
- Soundstage and imaging are good for the price, not standout
- The laid-back tuning can feel mellow if you want bite
- Slightly larger shell than the original
Updated
Details and specs
The Kiwi Ears Cadenza II is the 2026 follow-up to the Cadenza, one of the most recommended cheap earphones. It has a single 10 mm dynamic driver with a titanium-coated diaphragm and a bass-tuning chamber that Kiwi Ears calls KARS 2.0.
Reviewers describe a smooth, warm and relaxed sound that stays fairly neutral, with a gentle treble and full mids, and a little warmer than the original. Detail and soundstage are good for around $45 but not the best in the class. It’s easy to pair with a phone or a small dongle. Check which listing you open: there are several resellers, and the price is the “from” price of the cheapest we found.
- One 10 mm dynamic driver (titanium-coated PET diaphragm) per side
- Impedance 18 Ω, sensitivity 106 dB (at 1 kHz); easy to drive from a phone
- Frequency response 10 Hz to 29 kHz (maker’s figure)
- Polycarbonate shell with an aluminum faceplate
- Detachable 1.2 m braided cable with a 0.78 mm 2-pin connector, 3.5 mm plug
- Six pairs of silicone ear tips in the box
- Released early 2026
