The original Kiwi Ears Cadenza (mk1) is a single dynamic driver IEM (in-ear monitor) that launched in 2022. It soon became very popular, and really helped put Kiwi Ears on the map.
The successor, Cadenza II, was launched in February 2026. Kiwi Ears have made several changes. First, even though both use a 10 mm driver, the diaphragm on the new version is no longer beryllium-coated but titanium-coated. The internal acoustic dampening design has also been revised.
The shells on the Cadenza II are larger and no longer made of resin, but the more durable polycarbonate. Kiwi Ears also added a metal decorative faceplate, and the cable has been upgraded.
The original Cadenza is currently priced around 30 USD, the new version 49 USD.
KIWI EARS CADENZA II SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver: 10mm dynamic
- Diaphragm: Titanium coated PET
- Impedance: 18 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 106 dB
- Frequency Response Range: 10Hz–29KHz
- Earphone housing material: polycarbonate
- Cable: 1.2m, Single-Crystal Copper
- Cable connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
- Cable termination plug: 3.5mm
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: Kiwi Ears Cadenza II
- Linsoul : Kiwi Ears Cadenza II
- Kiwi Ears: Cadenza II
KIWI EARS CADENZA mk1/original SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver: 10mm dynamic
- Diaphragm: Beryllium coated
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW
- Frequency Range: 20Hz-20KHz
- Earphone housing material: medical-grade resin
- Cable: 1.2 m detachable
- Cable connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
- Cable termination plug: 3.5mm
Check the current price here:
- Linsoul: Kiwi Cadenza
- Amazon Kiwi Cadenza
LISTENING COMPARISONS
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
- Tips: SpinFit CP145
My Friends by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Both deliver a well-balanced presentation, with good detail and instrument separation. The two are very similar. The original Cadenza sounds a touch crisper, if anything. I have no clear preference here.
Eye of the Day by Marta del Grandi
The original Cadenza delivers stunning, smooth vocals and a warm, smooth delivery. The Cadenza II is very similar, but with a touch more bass on this track. Here, I slightly prefer the newer version, it’s slightly warmer.
In The Mountains by Espen Eriksen Trio
Again I find them similar, but the Cadenza II is a bit warmer and smoother in a pleasing way, making me prefer it.
Re-Melt by Tord Gustavsen Trio
The Cadenza II is smooth and pleasantly warm. The original is somewhat crisper and sharper, and a touch thinner sounding, making me prefer the newer version.
Teardrop by Massive Attack
Here, in direct comparison, the original Cadenza has a more recessed midrange and relatively more pronounced bass than the Cadenza II. The original sounds a touch crisper and brighter, although the two are still very similar.
The Hidden Camera by Photek
The original has a nicely balanced, rich bass and crisp but not sharp percussion. The Cadenza II is a bit smoother and better balanced, with a bit more present mids. The difference on this track is however minimal.
Spontaneous Compositorius by Thomas Agergard
The Cadenza II presents the saxophone lush and smooth. The percussion is certainly not too sharp, being rather laid back compared to many other earphones, but in a very pleasing way. The bass is nice, present without being overpowering.
In comparison, the original has more recessed mids and slightly crisper highs. I prefer the newer version here.
Sandermosen by Maridalen
The Cadenza II has a rich bass, smooth saxophone, and sounds quite spacious. The original Cadenza is very similar here.
Sujet Tabou by Renaudin and Cahours
The Cadenza II is smooth and warm, but still nicely balanced. The original Cadenza, in direct comparison, is crisper and feels snappier, and also a touch more open.
Don’t Stay by Linkin Park
The original Cadenza sounds very good, with a nice, smooth crispness. The Cadenza II is similar, but with warmer, thicker mids.
Bullet in Your Head by Rage Against the Machine
Again, both are relatively smooth and balanced. The original has more bass and less prominent mids compared to the Cadenza II.
Young Vivaldi by Modo Antiquo
Here, the original is crisper and sharper, while the Cadenza II is a touch more laid back. The original has more bite and attack, sounding more aggressive in direct comparison, in a good way.
Summer 3 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
Here too, the original Cadenza sounds sharper and more upfront than the newer version, which is smoother and less aggressive in direct comparison. The Cadenza II is very smooth.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The original Cadenza and the Cadenza II sound very similar, broadly speaking. Both are smooth, slightly warm but quite natural sounding, well-balanced IEMs. When comparing them directly, however, I find that the original sounds a touch sharper and crisper, with the newer version having warmer, richer mids.
Treble
The treble is very similar on the two versions. Both are nicely detailed for the price, neither sharp and offensive nor too laid back. When there is a difference, the original tends to sound a touch crisper.
Midrange
The midrange is perhaps the most differentiated of the two, even though the difference is not large. The Cadenza II has warmer and richer mids than the original, which feels slightly recessed in direct comparison.
Bass
The bass is very similar, but when compared directly I often find the original Cadenza to have slightly more bass, likely a result of its less pronounced midrange. It also depends on the track, as they have slightly different frequency response curves in the lowest regions.
Soundstage and Imaging
In terms of soundstage size and imaging capabilities the two are also very similar, but more often than not I find the original Cadenza has better instrument separation than the Cadenza II. I attribute this mostly to more recessed midrange tuning of the original.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
The level of detail and overall dynamics are very comparable between the Cadenza II and the original.
In terms of instrument timbre the two are generally very close, but again the original Cadenza has a touch crisper treble and mids, while the Cadenza II is smoother and warmer, especially in the midrange. This can have a distinctly positive influence on vocals and midrange instrument timbre.
CONCLUSION
The original Cadenza and the Cadenza II are closely matched IEMs that share the same broadly smooth, natural, and well-balanced character.
In my setup and with my playlist, the two sound very similar. In terms of technicalities I do not prefer one over the other. The main difference is the tuning, where the Cadenza II has more present, warmer mids. Preference is often a toss-up, but my hand tends to reach for the newer version, as the Cadenza II offers even sweeter mids, which is my soft spot.
In conclusion, both are great, very similar sounding budget IEMs.
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- Amazon: Kiwi Ears Cadenza II
- Linsoul : Kiwi Ears Cadenza II
- Kiwi Ears: Cadenza II
- Linsoul: Kiwi Cadenza (mk1)
- Amazon Kiwi Cadenza (mk1)
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