The Kiwi Ears Halcyon is a hybrid driver in-ear monitor (IEM) using three types of drivers: a 10mm dynamic driver, three balanced armatures, and a MEMS driver. It launched in early 2026 and is priced around 259 USD.
The Letshuoer Astralis is a single-driver in-ear monitor using a 15.5mm ring-type planar dynamic driver. It launched in spring 2026 at a price of 189 USD.
Both IEMs are similar in size and use metal shells, and I find them equally comfortable. They come with similarly high-quality cables featuring 0.78mm 2-pin connectors and an interchangeable 3.5mm/4.4mm termination plug system.
The Astralis comes with a USB-C DAC/Amp in the box, the tiny but quite capable DT01 Pro.
LETSHUOER ASTRALIS SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver: 15.5mm 5th-Generation proprietary ring-type planar diaphragm driver
- Impedance: 20 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 104dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz~40kHz
- Chassis Material: Aluminum Alloy
- Cable: 1.2m detachable 216 x 0.05mm strands of silver-plated monocrystalline copper
- Cable connectors: 0.78mm 2-pin
- Cable termination: 3.5mm and 4.4mm interchangeable
- Carrying Case: Puck shaped, screw on lid
- Ear Tips: 2 types in 3 sizes each
- DT01 Pro 3.5mm to Type-C DAC amplifier included
Current price and availability:
KIWI EARS HALCYON SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver Configuration: 1DD + 1 MEMS + 3 BA
- Impedance: 29 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 109 dB/mW
- Frequency response: 10-42kHz
- Distortion <1% (at 1kHz)
- Channel Imbalance <1.5dB
- Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin detachable
- Cable Material: 4N Single Crystal Copper
- Cable Length: 122 cm
- Cable termination: 3.5mm and 4.4mm interchangeable
- Weight: 6 g
- Nozzle Size: 6.2mm
- Carrying case and tips included
Current price and availability:
LISTENING COMPARISONS
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
- Tips: SpinFit CP145
Love Your Grace by Vega Trails
This track is all about the double bass and intentional ambient sounds. Both IEMs deliver strong, high-quality bass and sound very similar overall.
In The Mountains by Espen Eriksen Trio
Again, both deliver powerful, high-quality bass and render the gentle piano and percussion well. There are of course small variations in frequency response, but the general impression is very similar.
Re-Melt by Tord Gustavsen Trio
Here they differ a bit more. The Astralis sounds thicker and richer, while the Halcyon sounds more laid back and refined.
Eye of the Day by Marta del Grandi
Both sound beautiful, especially the vocals. The Astralis is thicker and fuller, while the Halcyon is more refined, with less bass emphasis and better instrument separation.
Spontaneous Compositorius by Thomas Agergard
Both are nicely warm and somewhat lush. The Halcyon offers slightly more refined treble.
It Could Be Sweet by Portishead
They are very similar: both deliver powerful bass and smooth, beautiful vocals with little to no sibilance. The Halcyon is again slightly more refined, while the Astralis is a bit thicker, especially in the bass, and slightly crisper in the highs.
Escape Route by Boris Blank
Again, they’re similar, with powerful, dynamic bass and smooth mids and highs. Both sound dynamic and spacious, but the Halcyon is once again more refined.
Jambi by Tool
Time for some metal. They both sound excellent, with rich bass, textured yet lush mids, and relaxed but detailed highs. The Halcyon is a bit more spacious and refined in direct comparison, while the Astralis sounds a bit rawer in the highs and has an even fuller bass.
Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
They are not identical sounding, even if they are relatively similar. The Astralis has a crisper, rawer character, while the Halcyon is smoother. Both are slightly on the dark side, but they handle the string music very nicely, and it sounds great with both earphones.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The sound signatures are very similar. Both have elevated bass, slightly warm mids, and quite smooth, non-offensive highs.
Treble
The treble is smoother and more detailed on the Halcyon, while the Astralis sounds slightly crisper and more raw. Even so, it remains fairly polite compared to many other alternatives.
Midrange
The midrange is also very similar between the two. The Halcyon once again comes across as the more refined, while the Astralis delivers a similar sense of weight but falls slightly behind in detail retrieval.
Bass
Both have an elevated bass presence and excellent bass quality. Which one sounds more powerful depends somewhat on the track and the bass frequencies being emphasized, but in general the Astralis is perceived as the bassier of the two.
Soundstage and Imaging
Both offer good soundstage and imaging performance, but the Halcyon is generally better. It presents instruments with better-defined spatial separation, greater image depth, and a more expansive overall soundstage.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
Both offer a good level of detail for their price, but the Halcyon generally performs better, particularly in the midrange and treble. Dynamics are more evenly matched. In fact, the Astralis may even come across as the more dynamic of the two in the mids and highs, as its presentation is often more articulated and energetic, whereas the Halcyon takes a more refined and restrained approach.
When it comes to overall timbre, both lean toward the darker, warmer, and lusher side.
CONCLUSION
The Kiwi Ears Halcyon and the Letshuoer Astralis are both excellent IEMs, and if this is the type of tuning you’re after, I don’t think either will disappoint.
That said, I generally find the Halcyon to be the more refined of the two, offering better technical performance overall. The Astralis, on the other hand, sounds a bit rawer and punchier. It is also cheaper and has a nice little DAC/Amp included.
Both come recommended.
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