Kiwi Ears x Z Reviews Serene Review: When Serenity Hits Hard

Collaborations in the world of Chi-Fi audio aren’t slowing down anytime soon, and YouTuber Zeos Pantera (better known as Z Reviews) is back with another one. This time, he’s teamed up with Kiwi Ears for the Kiwi Ears x Z Reviews Serene, a planar magnetic headphone that promises speed, accuracy, and that signature Zeos-tuned fun factor.

Our last brush with a Z Reviews collaboration was with the Defiant IEMs — a surprisingly clean and balanced pair despite the man’s usual affinity for bass-heavy tuning. So naturally, I was curious to see whether the Serene would follow that same…’defiant’ path or lean back into the rumble.

What Is It?

The Serene houses a custom 72mm x 89mm planar magnetic driver, which on paper should deliver fast transients, clean details, and tight, well-controlled bass that stays composed even at higher volumes.

That said, the presentation is a bit of a letdown. The Serene arrives in a rather barebones box — the headphones rest in a basic plastic tray, the cable’s stuffed in a bag, and even the pads come wrapped in plastic sheets. It’s not exactly the premium unboxing experience you’d expect from a 159USD (around RM670) pair of planar headphones. With the amount of plastic present here, environmentalists, please avert your gaze.

We’d like to thank Linsoul for sending the Serene for review.

Build quality is… fine. The combination of aluminium frame and polymer cups keeps the Serene lightweight, though it does lean toward the cheap-feeling side. The protein leather pads and headband are plush and comfortable, and the cups pivot up to 125°, allowing a better fit for different head shapes.

The spring steel headband feels sturdy enough, but adjusting it is far from smooth — it takes some effort to pull out, though on the bright side, it doesn’t shift out of place when you set the headphones down or over your neck.

The included braided cable is decent, flexible, and soft to the touch, though it does transmit some microphonics if it brushes against your shirt or the chin slider.

Comfort

The Serene fits comfortably for long listening sessions thanks to its thick, cushiony pads that provide good seal and support. However, like most closed-back designs wrapped in synthetic leather, things do get a bit warm after a while — especially in our climate. You’ll definitely appreciate some air-conditioning if you plan to listen for extended periods.

How Does It Sound?

At first listen, the Serene presents a warm, slightly veiled signature with a boomy low-end that immediately stands out. Despite its modest 50-ohm impedance, it’s actually quite power-hungry — I had to push my amp to nearly twice my usual gain for IEMs to get to my usual listening levels. The extra juice does benefit the Serene and the more you feed it the more the sound opens up.

Soundstage has good depth but limited width; it feels more intimate than open, which can be pleasant for vocal tracks but less ideal for orchestral or spatial mixes.

Bass

The Serene leans more toward mid-bass emphasis than sub-bass extension. There’s a satisfying low-end presence with a mild rumble you can feel, but it doesn’t dig particularly deep or hit especially hard. The mid-bass itself is loose and somewhat bloated, bleeding slightly into the lower mids and giving the overall presentation a thicker tone. Speed isn’t its strong suit either and that’s despite being a planar.

Mids

The midrange is lush and full-bodied, with a warm coloration that benefits male vocals in particular. Female vocals sound smooth and rich, though not especially airy or crisp. The warmth gives instruments a pleasing weight, but the trade-off is a bit of congestion in busy tracks.

Highs

This is where the Serene plays it safe — perhaps a bit too safe. Treble is blunt and rolled-off, lacking the sparkle or air that would normally open up the sound. There’s little shimmer in cymbals or strings, and treble extension feels limited. The overall tuning tilts dark, which may appeal to treble-sensitive listeners but leaves detail lovers wanting more.

Burn-In Required?

Possibly, depending on your beliefs on the topic. The planar drivers do seem to loosen up slightly over time, yielding a touch more definition in the low-end and upper mids after several hours of play. But even then, the overall tuning remains warm, thick, and relaxed.

Is It Worth It?

At 159USD, the Kiwi Ears x Z Reviews Serene sits in a competitive segment, while the planar driver brings potential, the overall execution feels a little uneven. The packaging is minimal, the accessories are basic, and the sound leans heavily into warmth and bass over technicality.

If you enjoy a fun, bass-forward signature with a relaxed treble and full midrange, the Serene could be your cup of tea. It’s a smooth, easy listen for long sessions, especially for those who are treble-sensitive.

But if you’re after speed, clarity, or a neutral-natural tuning, there are cleaner and more resolving options out there at a similar price.