Introduction
Kinera is a well-known brand within the Chi-Fi circle, renowned for crafting exquisite and exceptional-sounding IEMs. With their new sub-brand, Celest, they aim to make high-quality audio accessible to everyone. In this review, we'll delve into the world of the PhoenixCall in-ear monitors.
Design and Build Quality
Celest has taken a bold step by introducing the PhoenixCall at an attractive $129 price point. It's undoubtedly one of the most visually striking IEMs we've encountered. The faceplate boasts an intricate phoenix bird and blue sky design, while the IEM shell itself comes in a transparent pink and blue variant (in addition to a transparent option). This transparency allows you to peek inside and admire the driver arrangement and other electronic components.
What's more, the IEM cable matches the shell color, making this one of the best-designed IEMs we've encountered to date. When it comes to build quality, both the IEM and cable exude a robust, high-quality feel. We are genuinely impressed by the attention to detail in design and construction.
Comfort and Fit
The ergonomically designed and lightweight IEM shell ensures a comfortable fit that remains snug even during extended listening sessions.
Sound Quality
The PhoenixCall IEM offers a finely-tuned V-shaped sound signature. It possesses an energetic yet non-fatiguing tonal quality. While the soundstage and imaging are decent considering the price point, this headset caters to those who love pronounced bass and treble with a slightly recessed midrange.
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Bass - For bass enthusiasts or those who appreciate a balanced bass response, the PhoenixCall delivers with its rich bass presence, full body, impressive texture, speed, and rumble. The bass hits with precision, providing an experience akin to a subwoofer.
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Midrange - Given its V-shaped tuning, the midrange might feel somewhat recessed and thin, but it avoids any harsh or sharp qualities, presenting an overall enjoyable midrange experience.
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Treble - The PhoenixCall's use of a BA + Micro planar driver combination results in an immersive high-frequency experience. The treble is crisp, clear, layered, and pleasant, allowing you to vividly perceive each musical instrument in tracks like "Jeev Rangla By Ajay-Atul & Shreya Goshal." The instrument notes are full and never congested, providing an immersive listening experience.
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Soundstage - While the soundstage is average, it still manages to create a sense that the music is unfolding both in front of you and around you.
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Imaging - The imaging is precise, enabling you to pinpoint the exact location and distance of each musical instrument.
Value and Competition
The Kinera Celest PhoenixCall is priced at $129.99, placing it in competition with several other IEMs such as the 7HZ Legato, Moondrop Starfield, TRI Starsea, and Letsshuoer S12 Pro.
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7HZ Legato vs. PhoenixCall - Legato leans heavily towards bass, sacrificing some detail present in the PhoenixCall. PhoenixCall is versatile enough for daily use, while Legato's excessive bass and less comfortable shell size make it less practical.
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Moondrop Starfield vs. PhoenixCall - Moondrop Starfield focuses predominantly on the midrange, lacking the bass rumble and energy found in the PhoenixCall. Additionally, Starfield's shell is heavier than PhoenixCall's.
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TRI Starsea vs. PhoenixCall - Starsea is similar in performance to the PhoenixCall, offering more sub-bass but sounding slightly darker. In terms of detailing, PhoenixCall emerges as the winner.
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Letsshuoer S12 Pro vs. PhoenixCall - S12 Pro shines in the midrange and treble but falls short in bass rumble. If you prioritize bass and treble with a slightly recessed midrange, PhoenixCall is the better choice; otherwise, S12 Pro may suit your preferences.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| - Exceptional unboxing experience | - Slightly recessed midrange |
| - Outstanding design and build quality | |
| - Great value for money | |
| - V-shaped tuning | |
| - Impressive bass and treble |
Conclusion
If you're in search of a V-shaped sound signature, combined with stunning design and build quality, the Kinera Celest PhoenixCall in-ear monitors should undoubtedly be on your list. These IEMs offer excellent value for their price, and we highly recommend them. We'd like to extend our thanks to Mr. Pulkit for providing us with this unit for review. Rest assured, our views remain uninfluenced by any external factors. See you in our next review.
