The YanYin Canon Pro is the third iteration in Yanyin’s Canon series of in-ear monitors (IEMs), priced at 399 USD. It is a hybrid design, featuring one dynamic driver for the bass and six balanced armature drivers for the mids and treble.
In contrast, the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite is a balanced armature-only IEM, utilizing a total of eight BA drivers: two ultra tweeters for the treble, four midrange drivers for the mids, and two subwoofer drivers for the lows. The Orchestra Lite is the more affordable version of Kiwi Ears’ flagship model, the Orchestra, and is very similar in key aspects.
YANYIN CANON PRO SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver Units: 1DD + 6BA Driver Configuration
- Impedance: 18 Ω @ 1 kHz
- Sensitivity: 104 dB
- Detachable Cable: 1.2 m
- IEM cable socket 0.78mm 2 Pin
- Cable termination plug: 4.4mm, 3.5mm or 2.5mm by choice at purchase.
- An exclusive leather puck-shaped case is included.
Current price and availability:
- Linsoul : YanYin Canon Pro
- Amazon: YanYin Canon Pro
KIWI EARS ORCHESTRA LITE SPECIFICATIONS
- Drivers: Kiwi Ears Customized HI*2+Kiwi Ears Customized MID*4+Knowles LOW*2
- Impedance: 18 ohms
- Sensitivity: 112dB
- Detachable Cable: 1.2 m oxygen-free silver-plated copper
- IEM cable socket 0.78mm 2 Pin
- Cable termination plug 3.5mm single-ended
- Multiple color and faceplate design combinations are available for both the universal (UIEM) and custom (CIEM) versions. The CIEM option requires ear impressions done by a professional.
- A basic soft-case is included, pleather case sold separately.
Current price and availability:
- Linsoul: Orchestra Lite
- Amazon: Orchestra Lite
BUILD AND COMFORT
Both are lightweight, medical-grade resin universal-fit IEMs with baked-in faceplates and ergonomic shapes. I find them both very comfortable to wear. They also come with quality cables, though the Canon Pro’s cable looks more premium, as does its leather pouch compared to the more basic but practical soft case of the Orchestra Lite.
COMPARISONS
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
- Tips: SpinFit CP145 on both
Rocket Man by Bob James Trio
The tonal balance is quite similar between the two. The Canon Pro has a somewhat airier presentation, while the Orchestra Lite delivers a thicker tone, yet still maintains excellent separation.
Aquela Muhler by Vinicius Cantuaria
The timbre of vocals on the Orchestra Lite is excellent—slightly thick, but not overly so. Its bass isn’t the tightest, whereas the Canon Pro performs better in that area. Further, the Canon Pro has a more brittle midrange timbre but offers greater instrument separation, along with improved micro-detail and micro-dynamics.
Jambi by Tool
The Orchestra Lite has a fuller-bodied sound that suits this track well. In comparison, the Canon Pro’s brittleness is less satisfying for metal, where the thicker, richer tone of the Orchestra Lite is more appealing.
Golden Age by Beck
The Canon Pro sounds more open and detailed, offering superior resolution and microdynamics. The Orchestra Lite, however, presents a thicker yet very seductive tonality—less crisp, but still rich in detail.
Sue by David Bowie
The Canon Pro is highly detailed but has a drier presentation compared to the Orchestra Lite. In contrast, the Orchestra Lite sounds significantly smaller, with a more intimate soundstage and less refined detail.
New Life Baby Paris by Mala
Here, both sound quite open and airy. The Canon Pro has a drier tonality but remains nuanced and delicate, with more fine detail, while the Orchestra Lite is slightly thicker and rounder in presentation.
Calle 7 by Vinicius Cantuaria
The Orchestra Lite is excellent, with superb tonality. The Canon Pro offers more detail, better separation, and more micro-detail, but it sounds a bit thinner and more brittle in comparison.
Spring 1 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
The Canon Pro sounds clear, like mountain creek water —rich in texture and detail. The Orchestra Lite, by contrast, is thicker and fuller; some may find it more musical, as it emphasizes tone over sheer detail.
The Departure, Max Richter by Lang Lang
The theme from the brilliant but melancholic TV series The Leftovers is a true gem. The Orchestra Lite sounds good, but the Canon Pro offers more detail, greater delicacy, and renders the piece in a more emotionally compelling way.
Never Enough by Loren Allred
This track is poorly mixed and often sounds dry and harsh with many earphones, making it my go-to test for evaluating whether an earphone is overly crisp. The Orchestra Lite passes the test with its thicker, rounded tonality. The Canon Pro also sounds great, but is definitely more revealing.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The tonal balance of these two earphones is quite similar, with no radical variations in frequency response. Both feel very neutral. However, they still differ: the Canon Pro sounds more detailed, crisp and brittle, while the Orchestra Lite is thicker and more rounded.
Treble
Both have a clean, smooth treble with good articulation that never gets harsh. However, the Canon Pro reveals more detail.
Midrange
The midrange is similar in many ways, but the Orchestra Lite sounds thicker, fuller, and somewhat warmer. The Canon Pro has a thinner, more brittle timbre, revealing more detail but lacking some of the body and weight that the Orchestra Lite offers.
Bass
The bass is similar in quantity but of better quality on the Canon Pro.
Soundstage and Imaging
Both have a nicely sized soundstage, but the Canon Pro offers more space between instruments, feeling more three-dimensional with better imaging.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
The Canon Pro is more revealing, with greater detail and better microdynamics. In terms of macrodynamics, the Orchestra Lite might have the edge, though both perform well.
The timbre is quite different, despite the similar tonal balance. The Canon Pro sounds thinner, more brittle, and delicate, while the Orchestra Lite is thicker, with more body and a more robust sound.
CONCLUSION
The tonal balance of these two earphones is quite similar, with no radical variations in frequency response. Both feel very neutral. However, they differ significantly: the Canon Pro sounds more detailed and brittle, while the Orchestra Lite is thicker and more rounded.
On the technical side, the Canon Pro excels across the board. However, the Orchestra Lite has a very nice timbre, offering a robustness that is often quite appealing. It sounds warmer without altering the tonality, giving the music a different character.
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Current price and availability:
- Linsoul : YanYin Canon Pro
- Amazon: YanYin Canon Pro
- Linsoul: Orchestra Lite
- Amazon: Orchestra Lite
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