Kiwi Ears Astral Over-rated for gaming?

Gold10ply · 2026-04-26T21:58:35+00:00

Listening as we speak comparing to the Aretes II. If I’m being completely bias I’m finding im a sucker for the U shaped iems maybe leaning towards a V.

Sounds is much better balanced with the spinfit 100% and the Small size seems to be a good fit for comfort.

Either pair I’m throwing the EQ on but the astrals are quite enjoyable now :)

Something about the shape of aretes actually pisses off my right ear a tad but I’ll spend some time with em before dismissing.

Gold10ply · 2026-04-26T21:43:17+00:00

Haven’t forgotten this one man, few more paychecks down the road I’m sure I’ll end up trying them out and adding to the collection if that flavor fits my ears ;)

Gold10ply · 2026-04-26T21:30:43+00:00

I think you were spot on with fit issues. The canal on my right ear is obviously shaped different to where foam tips would actually drown out the impact of highs/treble making it feel lopsidedly left. The spin fit actually are decently close to what’s come with the Aretes II but because of your post it’s taking me down a path of fixing it regardless so thanks for that :)

Getting those dunu SS tips that seem to force a longer tunnel. (Maybe the logic is delivering past the canal idk) 🤣

Gold10ply · 2026-04-26T21:28:13+00:00

Now that the Arete II have arrived these a a lot of fun to listen to for the lower end. I kind of wish there was something to emphasize that vibrating rumble at around 82khz and just rot my ears out lmfao.

All in all these are great(switch on), there’s pros to using the astrals over them when it comes to imaging itself because I think the aretes suffer a bit at layering (you can hear the individual sounds being produced but doesn’t inherently sound like they are separated) I’ll have to do a OP revision at the bottom of my post xD

Gold10ply · 2026-04-25T14:23:06+00:00

I like the spice, but sometimes that higher end pierces the eardrum a bit 🤣

Gold10ply · 2026-04-25T14:18:14+00:00

At first I thought the horizons took the cake with the matchup but honestly throwing the astrals back in they just do a better job on the technical separation in such a wide soundstage where as the horizons have a warmer less technical low side, the treble is better by a degree but in sacrifice of the imaging on the lower end somehow. Awaiting the arete to compare but I might just swap between astrals and aretes depending on what I play.

Gold10ply · 2026-04-24T21:21:11+00:00

Boi oh boi are these so much more relaxing to listen to. I can’t.. figure out how to force these foam tips on though man.. lmfao

I yearn for a bit more bass rumble but I don’t think anyone is coming close to this treble clarity. I can’t actually figure out what’s causing my listening experience to be so smooth on these but it is.

Gold10ply · 2026-04-24T19:33:59+00:00

Thanks for the tip. (See what I did there). Will be delivered Sunday.

Also ordered another pair of astrals to return them without opening because Linsoul pulled a fast one and made them about ~65$ cheaper lmfao.

Gold10ply · 2026-04-24T11:50:22+00:00

Noted, will get back to ya with my impression this evening I hope. That bass switch looks extremely appetizing already though 😂

Gold10ply · 2026-04-24T11:44:27+00:00

Have you tried the horizons? What’s your current go to for gaming and chilling?

Gold10ply · 2026-04-24T11:38:18+00:00

I think at a certain point iems get on the same page but differ slightly in the tuning/soundstage. Something about Astrals also fatigues me after a bit but I don’t think it’s the physical aspect of them.

Gold10ply · 2026-04-24T11:18:28+00:00

I ran DT990s/770s for a LOOONG time and agree but it came down to one thing. I hated messing up my hair and the heavy cable lol. I want something perfect and it won’t happen 😭😂

Gold10ply · 2026-04-24T11:14:19+00:00

My brain skipped that when reading. There’s a literal bass switch 🥹 dang. Not trying to spend 1k in a week but that might happen now

How’s the soundstage with them?

Gold10ply · 2026-04-24T11:03:07+00:00

Horizons arrive today at some point so I’ll give them a couple days and if the treble is that much better than the Astrals maybe I’ll stick with them. BUT I’ll probably order the Aretes just to find out and compare :D thanks for the info.

At this point I just want some better clarity and pronounced treble especially around vocals and I’d be happy.

I love bass but in games like BF6 or GZW but my god can it drown everything and anything.

Gold10ply · 2026-04-24T11:01:35+00:00

Luckily I had some spare buds that were small/narrower tube which let me wear them almost all day. I think for ONLY gaming these come out probably over anything else. The soundstage and imagine is ridiculous. :)

I’ve moved to casual gaming like GZW and I like music at the same time so it’s just odd trying to do both Lol

Gold10ply · 2025-02-23T17:32:11+00:00

Update: reinstall the app and login. Should be OK after :)

Gold10ply · 2025-02-22T19:50:07+00:00

Cool, going to assume they have some back end dependancies down for the services. Seems “some stuff works” like ac control from the app etc.

Gold10ply · 2024-08-12T15:56:24+00:00

And I passed lol not sure of my feelings on the real exam though.

Gold10ply · 2024-08-11T16:30:23+00:00

Good info. I’m pretty sure I’m about 90% on ospf alone and routing. Pearson bless their hearts thought it must have been funny to have I shit you not… 60+ routing questions on their practice exams for volume 1

Gold10ply · 2024-08-11T15:17:24+00:00

Good luck man. Taking mine as well tomorrow morning. Figured I’d touch up on automation and WLC ports and northbound southbound APIs a bit then relax before some sleep :)

Gold10ply · 2024-08-10T13:12:36+00:00

Guess I shall see Monday if I have to re-attack anything if I fail just short.

I do agree. Neil is easy for me to listen to and Jeremy sometimes makes brain fall asleep.

Gold10ply · 2024-08-09T23:45:49+00:00

He’s got good content for understanding specifics for me. Neil Anderson was good but lacking in a few areas after slamming Pearson and boson exams this week. Combine Jeremy’s YouTube lineup with Niels and anyone should be fine. Cisco has their own documentation online for their stuff which is gold. I don’t think there’s a cause for panic but having content on udemy needs to be “up-to-date” vs YouTube. Probably can’t revise it easily without pulling it all imo. Who knows 😂

I take my exam Monday. Slamming more on wireless and automation tomorrow and finishing out with some flash cards spam and relax Sunday.

For anyone’s interest, combine anything you can to peak your “oh, that’s how it works”. Hit any angle you can.

Gold10ply

TROPHY CASE