The Kiwi Ears Belle is proof that you don’t need to spend silly money to get a decent pair of in-ear monitors. At around the £25 mark, these tiny wired earphones have no business sounding as good as they do.
These little devices house a tuned 10mm Diamond Like Carbon dynamic driver, designed to deliver plenty of detail while keeping the sound lively rather than clinical. The tuning is warm with a decent bass, clear vocals and smooth treble, making them particularly enjoyable with pop, rock, EDM and anything where you want a bit of low end without turning everything into mush.
They are lightweight, with each earpiece weighing only a few grams. The resin shells have CNC machined metal faceplates, giving them a considerably more expensive look than the price suggests. They sit securely in the ears and are comfortable enough for longer listening sessions, assuming you find the right tips. Six pairs of silicone tips in different sizes are included, so there’s a good chance of getting a decent seal.
The detachable 2 pin cable lets you choose between a standard 3.5mm connection, 3.5mm with a microphone or USB C with a microphone, making the Belle rather more flexible than many budget wired earphones.
Naturally, there are limits at this price. Soundstage and instrument separation cannot compete with much pricier IEMs, and there’s no carry case included. Complex tracks can also become a little crowded when things get busy.
Still, the Belle gets the important things right. They’re comfortable, well made and genuinely enjoyable to listen to. For anyone curious about trying IEMs without emptying their bank account, these are an easy recommendation. RRP From $29.99
- Punchy, enjoyable sound
- Good vocal clarity
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Detachable cable
- Several cable options
- Six pairs of ear tips
- Premium looking design for the price
- Excellent value
- No carry case included
- Soundstage isn't particularly wide
- Busy tracks can sound slightly crowded
- Wired only
