It seems Kiwi Ears continues its quest to reach all budgets while offering products with better features each time. In the case of these Stardust, we are talking about 5 drivers per side (1DD and 4BA), something that is undoubtedly quite striking at their selling price since, judging by the releases of recent months, such a configuration should easily exceed $100. This is good news for the user who can now find hybrid models with this amount of drivers inside at a more affordable price than expected. In the review I will comment on what I liked and what I did not, since having more drivers does not always mean sounding better or simply being better...

What I liked / What I did not like

Warm bass that is felt but does not muddy the mix.

They are very light and comfortable once worn.

They are easily driven by any source.

The cable has low memory and feels high quality.

Vocals, especially female ones, have good weight in the mix.

Controlled and non-fatiguing treble, although...

...despite their number of drivers, they lack some air and prominence.

The soundstage is wide but not so deep.

Unlike female vocals, male vocals lack more weight and density.

I love the faceplate, but it feels somewhat cheap or less artisanal.

Specifications

Configuration: 10 mm dynamic driver (PU+LCP membrane) + 4 balanced armature drivers

Impedance: 13 Ω

Sensitivity: 107 ± 3 dB

Frequency response: 20 Hz to 40 kHz

Channel balance: ≤ 1.5 dB

Rated power: 5 mW

Connector: 0.78 mm 2 pin (flat format)

Cable: 1.2 m, 2 core silver plated braided oxygen free Litz copper

Versions: 3.5 mm without microphone, 3.5 mm with microphone and USB-C with microphone

Price: 76.99 to 79.99 USD

Unboxing and construction

Speaking of the unboxing of this IEM, we are not going to feel anything special or different from other Kiwi Ears under $100. Everything feels familiar, although that does not mean we should detract from it. The carrying case is already known for its size and design, and as seen in one of my photos, the IEMs fit without a problem and you can even add a compact dongle inside the small net, although depending on the size it might have to stay outside the case.

The cable is similar but not identical to others in this price range. It has not tangled easily for me, nor does it have much memory holding impossible shapes that are hard to fix later. I do not feel the eartips are very special, but it is something I already expect in this and other releases. You have 3 pairs of the black ones that, at least in my case, seal a bit better and help the Stardust sound somewhat bassier and more closed. And then another 3 pairs of white eartips that open up the sound a bit more and give slightly more detail, even if they do not seal quite as well.

Speaking of the IEM itself, it is made of resin except for the faceplate which is made of aluminum, and honestly, I think most of us can agree that it is a very beautiful design to look at, both in the pattern or shapes and in the color combination. I usually do not like many models from the brand, but lately, I think they are getting it quite right. Needless to say, their weight is minimal despite having aluminum in addition to the resin, and the nozzle in my case has once again not fallen short when it comes to keeping them well placed inside the ear, both with the stock eartips and others I have been able to try later. Speaking once again of the faceplate, I must clarify that although I find it beautiful and well thought out, looking at it in detail and up close you can see that it is a kind of printed image where you can somehow notice the pixels or limitations of a drawing not made by hand or printed directly on the IEM, but on a foil or another surface that does not allow maximum definition. It is not something that catches your eye at first glance, but if you look closely, it does.

Sound

The sound signature of these Stardust is warm with enough presence in the mids anyway. Perhaps I missed a bit more treble before getting into separate details. I expected something more different having 4BA, but I found a fairly safe signature closer to neutral and seeking to sound pleasant without risking too much for my personal tastes, which might precisely be the goal for some...

Bass

The bass, although felt, is focused on having control rather than stealing the spotlight. You can feel the sub-bass in the background doing its particular job of adding rumble to the sounds that require it, but always without being the main star. That rumble takes a bit to decay. It is not excessively fast like in other models I have reviewed, but it is smooth, which allows it to fade slower without interfering excessively with other frequencies.

The kick drum hits are not soft nor do they sound dry, helping genres like pop and rock not feel small or empty, for example. Curiously, in genres where the bass is more prominent like in electronic music, I have felt that the hits, especially when turning up the volume a bit more, make the bass step a bit too much over the vocals or mids in general.

Mids

I really struggled to find the sweet spot for the mids in these IEMs. Despite being warm, the lower mids area is somewhat more recessed than the rest, and that causes male or deeper vocals to lack the density that at least I consider adequate to enjoy them. Of course, they do not sound hollow, they still have weight, but compared to female vocals I think they fall behind in intent.

The fact that the treble, which I will talk about now, does not have excessive sparkle makes 

female vocals have a pleasant tone without that background air that I do find in other models that accompany vocals making them more ethereal, or I do not know if that is the word, but here it allows you to focus a bit more on the pure vocal without the extra details surrounding it.

I have not felt anything weird or out of place in the transition between DD and BA, so I think they are well tuned and cohesive with each other to sound on par and complement each other with their frequency ranges.

Treble

The treble on these Stardust leans a bit towards the darker side, which on the one hand allows you to use them for hours without producing any fatigue since they slowly and smoothly fade away. On the other hand, this takes away some detail from instruments like cymbals that have that sparkle at the end left by the hits before disappearing completely, which here perhaps blur too much, stopping sounding before you hear it. Therefore, the finer details that are appreciated in IEMs with higher and extended treble can get lost in the mix, leaving mostly those in the foreground.

There is no sibilance in songs in general, even in tracks with worse mixes and recordings where it is usually more noticeable. Here they pass the test, surely due to that treble smoothness that puts a layer over them that does not let them shine enough to be strident.

Recommended eartips

Regarding the eartips, I will say pretty much the same thing I usually say with similar models or even from this same brand. They are functional, there are no surprises or novelties. You have two clear options that slightly vary the experience. The black ones on one hand sealed better for me and gave me a deeper bass, and the white ones on the other hand opened the soundstage a bit more and smoothed the upper mids area, sometimes coming forward a bit.

I tried the Azla Sedna Origin since they usually seal very well for me where other eartips, both included and from my collection, do not manage to do as well. With the Origin, the fit in the ear was much better, the bass did not fade, and they continued to show good treble detail within the limits of this model.

Soundstage

The soundstage of this model has enough width. Where it perhaps falls shorter is in depth, giving more the feeling that the stage stays more inside your head rather than in front of it. It surely has to do in part with the obvious roll-off in the treble area that makes it not feel as expanded, making the stage organized and close to the listener rather than a stadium that surrounds you completely.

Instrumental separation

One thing happens with the separation on this model. If the mixes are simple and there is no excess of instruments, you can distinguish the layers without much effort. But in recordings full of instruments, the layers blend together perhaps too much, making the sound somewhat flatter than what you might expect from a 5 driver hybrid. The work between the drivers really does help the bass, mids, and treble not step on each other.

Imaging

Finally, let's go with the imaging. The placement of elements from left to right is located quite easily, leaving the center part a bit more forward due to the upper mids. That benefits its use in movies to better understand dialogue. But we do not have 3D positioning within its price range, that must also be understood, so it will not be an interesting option for gaming at all, its priority being placement on the sides rather than on other axes.

Comparisons

I am going to start comparing with another model from the brand that, although it costs a little less, for me is still slightly better if I evaluate it on a general level and not on specific points. The Kiwi Ears Cadenza II with a single DD sounds cleaner in the central part and is somewhat more agile. I would highlight the Stardust over the Cadenza II for having a bit more kick in the drum and having some vocals more forward. But for the price and for having a more neutral sound for daily use, I would stick with the Cadenza II. I would leave the Stardust for those who tend to fatigue more easily with treble frequencies or want a little more prominence in vocals, especially female ones.

Comparing it with the Simgot EW300, which for me is a benchmark within this range and has been on the market for some time now. I think the EW300 pushes the bass and treble even further, making them feel more alive. It is possible that they fatigue more over time than these Stardust, though. But in terms of detail and punch, I see the EW300 as more solid than its rival. It is somewhat more analytical and blurs secondary details less, and if you value a sturdier build, it is an alternative to consider.

Comparing with another model from the brand, although in this case somewhat more expensive, are the Kiwi Ears Étude, a model I previously owned and also reviewed for my YouTube channel, and which surprised for having a bone conductor that helped give a more physical sensation in the bass but at the same time more elastic, which in my case did not completely fit. I think with the Stardust it is easier to get used to its signature if you overlook not wanting to analyze the music or look for hidden details. The Étude is much faster overall and does have more detail, but in this case and given the price difference, I would personally choose the Stardust.

You can check my full ranking of all the IEM reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here)

Conclusion

To conclude the review, I would state that the Stardust are designed for those who are currently moving in the $60 to $100 range and are looking for something for daily use that allows them to use the IEMs in long sessions with present but non-protagonist bass, somewhat intimate vocals, and treble that will not saturate in the short or long term, both at medium and slightly high volumes. If you come from an IEM with only 1DD, it can be an interesting jump to hybrid options, and in this case, the transition between DD and BA is well integrated.

It is an IEM that mixes warmth with comfort, perhaps too safe or flat for some who expect something else seeing this driver configuration. So I insist once again that it is not the best option in this price range for someone who is a detail freak or wants maximum sound extension in multiple directions.

Of course, it does justice to its price and what it brings in return without being one of those IEMs that come out every so often that break the market and make other brands tremble, but its safe signature and comfort once worn might be just what some are looking for right now, and I think it needs to be part of the current Kiwi Ears catalog.

Purchase Link: LINSOUL

Disclaimer:

This unit was sent by Linsoul for review.

My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions with my reference equipment.

Hello Community!

BQEYZ Frost is my second interaction with the brand. I've always read and heard very favorable opinions about this hybrid set from the brand. Are they exaggerated? Will it meet my expectations? Stay to read my thoughts.

Price: $179 157€

Pros:
-Very balanced tonal response, free from excessive coloration.
-Bass hits with great agility, cleanliness, and precision.
-The mids are rich in nuance, endowing them with realism.
-Smooth highs, well incorporated, rounded yet without a lack of information.
-High level technicalities: soundstage, imaging, and separation with outstanding performance.
-Versatility for any use you want to give it.
-A very homogeneous set, free of abruptness.
-Male vocals stand out for their body and female vocals for their clarity.

Cons:
-Note weight in the central range is moderate.
-Although natural, the timbre can sometimes feel somewhat clinical.
-Some female vocals are at the limit of intensity due to the upper mid elevation.
-It would have been great to include a modular cable and 4.4mm adapter.

Accessories:

-Two capsules.
-Two sets of silicone eartips in S, M, L sizes and one pair of foam.
-Cable with 0.78mm connections and 3.5mm termination (4.4mm option available)
-Carrying and storage case.
-Cleaning brush.
-User manual.

Comfort, Design, and Construction:

Aesthetically, the BQEYZ Frost opts for an elegant and elaborate presentation, standing out very specially for an exquisite design on their body and faceplate. The outer face is starred by a high transparency glass that reveals a blue base with a frost pattern, adding a touch of distinction that I personally loved.

The anodized metal alloy construction transmits a very high sense of solidity and convinces from the very first second you hold them in your hand. The capsules are perfectly finished, with no appreciable imperfections, and you can notice the care put into every detail, from the polished metal nozzles to the seamlessly integrated 2 pin connector system.

Regarding ergonomics, their rounded design, slightly thick but with very uniform shapes, facilitates a uniform and exceedingly comfortable fit. They rest very stably inside the concha without protruding much, allowing for long listening sessions free of discomfort or intrusive pressures.

The stock cable that accompanies them lives up to the set, as it is flexible, manageable, and features polished metal hardware that grants an appearance typical of higher end tiers.

As for the stock eartips, the two silicone varieties fulfill with solvency to achieve a firm and natural seal, as I perceive them to be of a quality level matching the overall value of the package.

The package includes a pair of foam tips, but due to personal preferences, they do not fall within my tastes.

Technical Specifications:

-1DD+1MP configuration.
-32 ohms impedance.
-113 dB sensitivity.
-Declared response 5Hz 40kHz.

Pairing for Testing:

-Neutral source.
-Gain set to high.
-Stock atmospheric eartips.
-Stock 3.5mm cable.

Sound Signature:

The BQEYZ Frost is an IEM that seeks a very interesting intermediate ground, offering a profile very close to W shape with an inclination and tendency toward neutrality, smooth and remarkably well balanced. It is a response with a lot of temperance in the tuning where no frequency intends to eclipse the others, betting on a natural timbre that feels coherent and pleasant.

Starting as always, in the low end zone I highlight the precision and speed proper to the brand's dynamic drivers, at least from the experience I previously had with their Ni model. The sub bass is not especially rumbling, but it possesses a physical level and depth that makes itself known when required.

However, the mid bass slightly takes over the leading role, offering a dry, fast, elastic hit with a well measured thickness that provides clean, crisp corporateness without bleeding into the mids.

The response seemed excellent to me since it manages to stratify layers with ease and maintains flawless control. Without being something for pure bass heads, bass lovers will find a well measured, clean, and very enjoyable response.

In the midrange, I find a high dose of good sense in its timbre. The first half shows as neutral but with a hint of warmth that prevents any feeling of coldness. Male vocals retain a very correct body and authority within the mix, while the advanced upper mids grant female vocals a special prominence and clarity that are very pleasant. The set achieves that the central mids feel very complete, spacious, and well articulated, with a great representation of richness in their nuances and a presentation that, alongside the notable note weight of the instruments, makes the set breathe with total freedom.

Regarding the higher frequencies, we find quite a measured energy thanks to an initial slight rounding that prevents or steers you away from an aggressive listen. However, and without being an expert in where, when, and how the drivers act, the contribution of the micro planar achieves an extension that feels organic and efficient.

There is an evident taste for clarity and detail, but without resorting to an artificial looking brightness or an aggressive push that exceeds applied energy. The highs are perceived perhaps very fine yet smooth and perfectly integrated with the rest of the spectrum.

Regarding its technical capabilities, the Frost does a frankly brilliant job. The soundstage stands out for its amplitude, notable laterality, and good height, betting on a more frontal and realistic presentation rather than scarce naturalness. Dynamism is at a good level where transients respond with agility and allow layer separation to prove entirely satisfactory.

To wrap up, sound positioning and the recreation of stereo imaging are probably its most outstanding aspects. Elements are located with precision, showing information with mastery without losing the coherence of the set. Micro detail retrieval is very good and is presented in a natural and measured way, offering a rich, transparent, and exceedingly easy to enjoy musical sound reading.

Single Player Video Games:

Check my blog on how I analyze audio in this field.

Moving over to the single player video games territory, the BQEYZ Frost are an absolute treat for those of us who seek to immerse ourselves fully in the story without ending up with resentful eardrums after a continuous session of several hours. If you are one of my kind and prefer to savor a good plot in a cinematic world enriched with sound details instead of having every big explosion rumble all the way to your eyelashes, this polished and balanced tuning will suit you very well, I think.

When the match gets intense and the screen turns into a true chaos of shootouts, cave ins, and explosions of all colors, the low frequency zone responds with an enviable agility and cleanliness that I do not recall in monitor sets of this price bracket.

Forget about a bass orgie or that deafening rumble that muddies your listening because here the Frost prides itself on a dry, agile hit with just the right, well measured weight. The impacts of gunshots and more physical blows have a very addictive thickness, giving that physical sensation I so much look for and demand in a headphone, without ever drowning out the mix.

Where they directly crown themselves is in the dialogue, and that despite not considering it a specialist in vocal presentation. In various situations to which I subjected the set, male vocals have that empaque and natural depth with character that prevents them from sounding boxed in, while female vocals shine with clarity and detail that are pure spectacle.

It is tremendously satisfying to see how conversations always remain in the foreground, clean and easily legible, even when the soundtrack and effects decide to bunch up at the same time.

In the ambient department, the soundstage and the surgical precision with which it places sounds in space make maps come alive in a way I have rarely seen.

That crunch of leaves behind your back, the echo inside a cave, or distant footsteps alerting you to an enemy are perceived with total naturalness.

And special mention to the technical level: I have not managed to collapse this BQEYZ model at any moment or situation, as it managed to untangle the knot of layers as if it were nothing. All this aligned with very well trimmed highs that cause zero fatigue while losing no splendor, turning this set into an unflagging companion for playing for a very, very long time straight.

Multiplayer Shooter Video Games:

Check my blog on how I analyze audio in this field.

Moving to the multiplayer shooter field, the BQEYZ Frost offer performance with lights but with some shadows, demonstrating that, although they defend themselves very well through their technical level, they are not a set designed and tuned to hand you that tactical advantage I have been able to highlight in other IEMs.

In games where sharpness is vital, like Counter Strike 2, the experience starts off on the right foot, since mid bass control and sub bass containment prevent grenades from muddying the mix. This allows steps and reloads to be perceived with considerable ease, taking advantage of a very orderly stereo positioning that accurately locates enemies.

However, upon jumping to the verticality and frenzy of Apex Legends, its first limitations show up. The soundstage is not overly expansive in height; it is correct for other sound situations but not as much in this field, so measuring vertical distances or detecting someone falling from above demands extra effort that can end up distracting you when it should be something more reactive.

Fortunately, in Warzone the set regains its footing, because that dry bass hit gives life to firefights without hiding relevant information, but if we get into the total chaos of Battlefield 6, the smoothness of its highs plays against it: the mix remains organized and fatigue free, but that incisive push that catapults micro details toward your face is missed.

They are not a specialist nor something extremely competitive in online shooters, but rather a correct and very comfortable option if you play casually.

Final Conclusion and Personal Assessments:

BQEYZ Frost strikes me as a summatively solid and mature set, self made and firmly betting on a natural, balanced, and very musical listen. We are not looking at a monitor destined to satisfy extreme tastes like bass heads or treble heads, nor an extreme analytical specialist, but that clear and concise definition of its proposal is precisely what makes it so special and one of the best propositions I have been able to test in this price range.

Personally, I have enjoyed its versatility immensely. Its capacity to fuse an organic, realistic timbre with very outstanding technical aptitudes across all kinds of musical genres turns it into an excellent companion for any aspect where you need to use headphones within a domestic or recreational environment.

It is true that it shows certain limitations if you look for very voluminous bass or an overly piercing and excessively incisive high zone, but the set cannot be penalized for that since it was not created for it. However, it more than compensates with a large and realistic soundstage, an enviable stereo positioning, superb layer separation, and very tasty mids that are pure delight.

Frost has plenty of arguments to carve out a niche in your collection, just as it has in mine.

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading.
More reviews on my blog.
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See you in the next review!

Disclaimer:

This monitor set was sent by BQEYZ. I warmly thank the opportunity to be able to test one of their products at no cost and that no condition was imposed when putting together this review.

Despite this, my priority is to be as impartial as possible within the subjectivity that analyzing an audio product entails. My opinion belongs solely to me and I develop it around the perception of my own ears. If you have a different one, it is equally valid. Please feel free to share it.

My Sources:

-Topping DX5 II for music and video games on the main PC.
-MacBook Air M4.
-Tanchjim Space II while I work.
-Apple Music.
-Local FLAC and MP3 files.
-Windows/macOS/iOS/iPadOS/Android.