Bose QuietComfort 20 vs Kiwi Ears KE4: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Bose QuietComfort 20 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 4 of 4 measures.
- Bose QuietComfort 20
- Kiwi Ears KE4
Specifications
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $300
- $200
- HearWiki score
- Not scored
- 84
- Released
- 2013
- 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
- 4 Ω
- 28 Ω
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- No
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- -
- Weight
- 42.5 g
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- -
- Connector
- -
- 3.5 mm
- Microphones
- 4
- -
- Microphone type
- MEMS
- -
What reviewers said
Bose QuietComfort 20
The Bose QuietComfort 20 is a wired in-ear headphone with active noise cancellation, designed to reduce ambient sound for focused listening. It features a lightweight build, a transparency mode for hearing your surroundings, and a detachable cable for convenience. With a dynamic driver and a wide frequency response, it aims to deliver balanced audio in a portable form.
- Pro:Effective active noise cancellation for a wired in-ear design
- Pro:Transparency mode allows ambient sound when needed
- Pro:Lightweight at 42.5g for comfortable extended wear
- Con:Wired-only connectivity may limit modern device compatibility
- Con:4-ohm impedance could demand more from some sources
- Con:No USB-C support for charging or digital audio
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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