Short answer: the Kiwi Ears Cadenza. Both are rated 4.3/5 for sound quality (#142 and #123 of 297 in-ear headphones), and the Kiwi Ears Cadenza costs $34.99 against $49.99 for the Kiwi Ears Cadenza II, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
Buy the Kiwi Ears Cadenza. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $15 less than the Kiwi Ears Cadenza II.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kiwi Ears Cadenza | Kiwi Ears Cadenza II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $34.99 | $49.99 |
| Ranked | #142 of 297 in In-Ear Headphones | #123 of 297 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 77 (median of 42 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 78 (median of 14 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.53 dB standard deviation | 1.52 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.56 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.43 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB SPL/mW | 106 dB |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 29kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Kiwi Ears Cadenza II:
- Truthear x Crinacle Zero RED vs Tin HiFi T3 Plus
- Shuoer Cadenza 12 vs Shuoer Cadenza 4
- AUNE Jasper vs Beats Powerbeats Pro
- AUNE Jasper vs Samsung Galaxy Buds2
- Beats Powerbeats Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Buds2
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
Kiwi Ears Cadenza: $34.99 Amazon eBay
Full Kiwi Ears Cadenza review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2022 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.53 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 77 (median of 42 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.56 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Kiwi Ears Cadenza II: $49.99 Amazon eBay
Full Kiwi Ears Cadenza II review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2026 (8 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.52 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 29kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (median of 14 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.43 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples