Chi-Fi is best known for its cables, digital players, and, of course, IEMs. However, headphones have always been a threshold that few Chinese brands have dared to cross. There have, of course, been brands that have attempted this endeavour—Moondrop and Thieaudio are two such examples in recent times.

Despite these attempts, however, none have truly taken off, and some releases, particularly from Moondrop, have even been the subject of heavy criticism. This lack of success has made Chi-Fi brands hesitant to invest in headphone R&D, with many opting to leave the segment to more established players. However, this time, Kiwi Ears is taking the plunge.

Kiwi Ears is, of course, a household name within Chi-Fi, and their Quintet remains one of my favourite IEMs that I’ve reviewed. Starting 2025 with a bang, Kiwi Ears is launching not one but five headphones: the Division (monitoring/DJ headphones), the Ellipse (studio headphones), the Ardor (Bluetooth ANC headphones), the Aventus (DJ and gaming headphones), and the Atheia (dynamic + planar magnetic dual-driver headphones).

Safe to say, Kiwi Ears is hitting the ground running, launching multiple headphones at multiple price points for multiple use cases. Thanks to Linsoul, we’ve been given the opportunity to review the Kiwi Ears Atheia, which retails for $349 (around RM1,600).

What It Is

The Kiwi Ears Atheia is a hybrid, dual-driver headphone featuring a 50mm dynamic driver paired with a 14.5mm planar magnetic driver. This hybrid configuration is certainly unorthodox and aims to deliver a balance between the punchy, dynamic qualities of traditional drivers and the detail retrieval of planar magnetic technology.

Inside the packaging, the Atheia comes with a hard-shell carrying case—the kind typically paired with noise-canceling headphones. Inside the case, you’ll find a cable that connects to both ear cups and a 3.5mm termination, along with the headphones themselves. Notably, the package does not include a 1/4″ adapter or an airline adapter.

The included cable is an interesting blend of materials, with half of it being nylon-sleeved and the other half finished with a silicone or rubber sleeve. The latter, positioned closer to the headphones, is likely designed to reduce microphonics when the cable moves around.

While it does its job to some extent, the microphonics are still noticeable when the silicone section of the cable is tapped. One standout feature is the twist-to-lock mechanism on both ear cup connectors, which secures them in place—an uncommon but welcome addition for mid-range headphones.

Design & Comfort

The build of the Atheia features walnut wood ear cups, aluminum alloy brackets, and vegan leather linings. The headband adopts a self-adjusting design, helping to ensure a secure and comfortable fit while minimizing fatigue over long listening sessions. However, the ear cups only swivel inwards and not outwards, which may limit flexibility in certain use cases.

The headphones sits well on my head without any fit or comfort issues. The ear pads can get a tad steamy if you’re in an air-conditioned room but such is the norm here in Malaysia.

How Does It Sound?

The Atheia follows the Harman target curve on paper and lands close to a neutral sound signature but leans slightly toward a V-shaped profile. On initial listen, the tuning comes across as a bit bright and dry, though it does become a little smoother after a period of burn-in.

At 35 ohms, the Atheia isn’t overly difficult to drive, but it does require more power than your typical IEM. It also benefits greatly from additional power, exhibiting noticeable differences when paired with different sources. Imaging is above average, with good soundstage width despite its closed-back nature, though it lacks a touch in depth or height. One of the more impressive aspects is its ability to present details at the far edges of the soundstage, revealing nuances that may go unnoticed with other headphones or IEMs.

Bass

The bass performance of the Atheia is a mixed bag. Sub-bass rumble is present but subtle, with limited decay, making it feel somewhat restrained. The mid-bass is textured but lacks a strong sense of impact, and at times, it can sound a bit loose. While not entirely lacking in bass presence, it doesn’t deliver the tight, punchy response that you might expect from cans with 50mm drivers.

Mids

The midrange leans toward the upper registers, contributing to a bright tonality that sounds slightly unnatural to my ears. Vocals and instruments can also feel a tad distant, depending on the track and the source being used. I would have preferred a fuller, warmer midrange with thicker note weight – a more organic sound, if you will.

Highs

The treble is perhaps the most distinctive part of the Atheia’s tuning, with the timbre of the planar driver on full display here. Snaps and claps have a crisp and lively character, making percussion sound engaging. However, the treble is also relatively smooth and rolled off, meaning that cymbals and snares lack a bit of sparkle. This tuning choice helps prevent harshness but may leave some wanting more airiness and extension.

Dongle Pairing Comparison

The Atheia’s sound signature changes noticeably depending on the DAC it is paired with. When used with DACs featuring dual Cirrus Logic CS43131 chips, such as the iBasso DC03Pro and Snowsky Retro Nano, the sound becomes brighter and more V-shaped, with vocals feeling slightly more distant. Meanwhile, pairing the Atheia with the Hidisz S9 Pro, which uses an ESS9038Q2M DAC, results in a more forward presentation with better balance between the mids and highs.

Is It Worth It?

There is always a level of skepticism when it comes to headphones from Chinese brands, given the historical challenges they’ve faced in breaking into the market. However, the Kiwi Ears Atheia feels like a step in the right direction, offering a unique hybrid driver design and solid technical performance at a competitive price.

That being said, whether the Atheia is the right fit for you will depend on your sonic preferences. The tuning, while close to neutral, may not be ideal for those seeking a more natural-sounding midrange. Additionally, the bass could use a bit more impact, and the rolled-off treble might leave those wanting a bit more sparkle feeling slightly underwhelmed.

If you listen to mainly instrumentals and maybe hip-hop, the Atheia would handle those quite well. But if you listen to a lot of pop or vocal-heavy tracks, you might want to look elsewhere. That said, even if the Atheia isn’t a perfect match for your needs, Kiwi Ears’ ambitious headphone lineup means that there are still other models to explore. The brand’s push into the headphone market is exciting for sure, and while the Atheia isn’t a game-changer, it shows promise for what Kiwi Ears might achieve in the future.