This time, I received a pair of hearphones from Kinera, specifically the Kinera Wyvern Abyss from their Celest line. These wired in-ear monitors immediately catch the eye with their elegant design and affordable price. The Wyvern Abyss is a budget model equipped with a dynamic driver featuring an LCP diaphragm. I’m curious to see how the claimed specifications translate into practice and what these headphones are like in terms of sound and comfort. Let’s take a detailed look at what’s hidden behind the stylish exterior and what features the Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss has to offer.
What does the manufacturer offer in Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss wired IEMs?
Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss in-ear headphones – the sound
- Overall presentation — 7: Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss has a V-shaped tuning with an emphasis on macro dynamics. The Abyss stands out with its enhanced sub-bass and energetic upper mids. However, its warmth and smoothness may seem overly subdued at times, which can make it challenging to perceive details in complex compositions.
- Low frequencies — 7.5: sub-bass on the Abyss is deep and powerful, but its dominance sometimes results in a lack of speed and clarity during fast attacks and long decays. The mid-bass adds mass to the sound but can sometimes overshadow other ranges, disrupting balance; it also tends to be thick and weighty. In tracks requiring precise and structured bass, such as “Angel” by Massive Attack and “Hysteria” by Muse, this deficiency becomes particularly apparent.
- Mid frequencies — 6.5: mid frequencies are somewhat damped and not fully revealed, but they feel closer to natural sound without any synthetic overtones. The low mids are not sufficiently highlighted. Male voices, trombone, and saxophone sound blurred and lacking emotion. Female vocals are pleasant and bright, as are the trumpet. Sibilance is noticeable on sibilant sounds. The high mids overshadow the low mids, though they are not particularly bright or expressive on their own. For example, in tracks like “The Night We Met” by Lord Huron and “Skyfall” by Adele, the mid frequencies could be richer and more detailed.
- High frequencies — 5.5: highs do not sound bright; they come across as subdued, with limited extension and narrow range. This shortcoming is especially noticeable in compositions emphasizing high frequencies, such as “Breathe Me” by Sia and “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac. While the highs are not fatiguing, some listeners might miss their sparkle and openness.
- Detail retrieval — 6: meets expectations for IEMs in this price range but is not without flaws. Micro-details can be blurred in dense compositions with multiple instruments.
- Soundstage — 6.5: The Abyss has a below-average soundstage, which limits the sense of space and separation of instruments. This makes the listening experience less immersive compared to models offering a wider sound field.
- Conclusion: Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss is aimed at fans of V-shaped sound signatures, with an emphasis on macro dynamics and pronounced sub-bass. They offer an energetic presentation with powerful low frequencies and enhanced upper mids, giving the sound weight and richness. These headphones are suitable for those who appreciate strong bass and dynamic sound, but may not satisfy those seeking a more neutral and detailed sound. The Wyvern Abyss is well-suited for genres where powerful bass and energetic presentation are important, such as hip-hop, electronic music, and bass-heavy rock, but may not be ideal for styles requiring high detail and balance, such as classical music or acoustic folk.
Comparison with competitors
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- Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss
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- Truthear Gate
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- ARTTI R2
A nice but modest set: Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss is geared towards fans of V-shaped sound signatures with an emphasis on macro-dynamics and pronounced sub-bass. While these earbuds offer energetic playback with powerful low frequencies and enhanced upper mids, their warmth and smoothness sometimes hinder the perception of details, especially in complex compositions. Abyss may not be suitable for those who prefer a more neutral and detailed sound, but they perform well with genres where powerful bass and dynamic presentation are important, such as hip-hop, electronic music, and bass-heavy rock. Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss’s packaging leaves a mixed impression. Despite the attractive dragon-skin-inspired design of the earbuds and the well-made included cable, which tends to tangle and lacks optimal convenience, the absence of a case replaced only by a basic plastic pouch falls short of expectations, even for a budget model. The included ear tips, while available in three sizes, seem unconventional and may not fit most users, reducing overall comfort. For these reasons, I do not recommend purchasing this model, as the drawbacks in sound and packaging outweigh its visual appeal and potential listening enjoyment.
Design, kit, and comfort – Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss
Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss Characteristics
What’s in the Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss box?
Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss Conclusion
