
Beats urBeats vs Kiwi Ears KE4: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Beats urBeats vs Kiwi Ears KE4, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Kiwi Ears KE4 leads on 3 of 4 measures.
- Beats urBeats
- Kiwi Ears KE4
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
The Kiwi Ears KE4 is 6 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 6 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- urBeats2018
- KE420246 yr newer
Specifications
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $100
- $200
- HearWiki score
- Not scored
- 84
- Released
- 2018
- 2024
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Still sold new
- Driver
- dynamic
- 2DD + 2BA hybrid
- Driver type
- dynamic
- hybrid
- Driver configuration
- -
- 2DD + 2BA
- Driver size
- -
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 4
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- -
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 28 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 106 dB/mW
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Transparency mode
- No
- -
- Companion app
- No
- -
- Custom EQ
- No
- -
- Wear detection
- No
- -
- Controls
- none
- -
- Voice assistant
- No
- -
- Weight
- 18 g
- -
- Water resistance
- none
- -
- Foldable
- No
- -
- Detachable cable
- No
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- -
- Connector
- 3.5 mm
- 3.5 mm
- Balanced connection
- No
- -
- Microphones
- 1
- -
- Microphone type
- electret
- -
- Call noise reduction
- No
- -
What reviewers said
Beats urBeats
The Beats urBeats are wired in-ear monitors from 2012 that use a single dynamic driver to deliver a 20 Hz–20 kHz response. They rely on physical noise isolation through adjustable-fit eartips rather than active cancellation, and connect via a standard 3.5 mm jack. With a lightweight 18-gram build and a built-in electret mic, they offer basic call functionality but no inline controls or app support.
- Pro:Lightweight at 18g
- Pro:Physical noise isolation via eartips
- Pro:Wide frequency response 20 Hz–20 kHz
- Con:No inline controls
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:No app support or EQ
Kiwi Ears KE4
The Kiwi Ears KE4 is a wired hybrid IEM that offers a balanced, relaxing sound with a distinct twist on the popular 'New Meta' tuning, adding extra bass and treble sparkle. It delivers solid midrange clarity and a comfortable fit, making it a versatile choice for many genres, though its smooth presentation may not excite those seeking aggressive or highly dynamic sound.
- Pro:Well-balanced hybrid tuning with rich lower mids and airy treble
- Pro:Comfortable fit and broad genre versatility
- Pro:Good resolution and clarity for its price
- Con:Sub-bass can get overpowering at times
- Con:Limited resolving power and dynamic impact
- Con:Smooth tuning may feel less exciting than V-shaped alternatives
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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