Kiwi Ears continues to expand its entry-level lineup with the Belle, a new budget in-ear monitor priced at around $29. While the market is crowded at this segment, the Belle stands out with its compact design, comfortable fit, and a sound signature tailored for relaxed listening and everyday use. After spending time with it across music, gaming, and voice monitoring, we found it to be a well-rounded option that performs above its price bracket.
Design & Build Quality
The Belle features a compact shell with a metal faceplate and a lightweight resin housing. The transparent shell offers a clear view of the internal components, while the faceplate adds a more premium look compared to other sets in this price range. Labelled left and right markings on the shells are a welcome detail many budget IEMs overlook.
Comfort is generally good thanks to the small, ergonomic form factor. The only potential drawback is a slightly pointy contour on the upper part of the shell, which may cause minor pressure during longer listening sessions depending on ear shape. The nozzle length is also slightly forward, making fit dependent on tip selection.
Kiwi Ears includes six pairs of silicone tips—three clear and three dark—as well as a 3.5mm cable. The cable itself is flexible, easy to manage, and behaves well during everyday use. It is noticeably better than the more generic cables often found with IEMs in this price range.
Sound Quality
The Belle uses a single 10mm dynamic driver with a diamond-like carbon (DLC) diaphragm and a 32-ohm impedance. It is easy to drive and works well with basic dongles, smartphones, and portable DAC/amps.
Overall Tuning
The Belle delivers a warm, smooth, and mildly V-shaped sound signature with emphasis on bass and a relaxed treble response. It prioritizes clarity and comfort over aggressiveness or analytical detail, making it ideal for long sessions.
Bass
The low end has strong presence, delivering both sub-bass rumble and mid-bass impact. Drum hits carry satisfying weight, and genres such as hip-hop, R&B, and EDM benefit from the added fullness. Despite its warmth, bass remains controlled and avoids overwhelming the midrange unless the track itself is heavily bass-focused. Bass-focused listeners may still find it moderate compared to true basshead IEMs.
Midrange
The midrange carries a warm tone due to the elevated bass region. Male vocals sound natural and full, while instruments have pleasing body. In busy tracks, some midrange clarity is reduced, but vocals remain generally well-placed in the mix. There is a lift in the upper mids around 3 kHz that enhances vocal presence and guitar detail without introducing sharpness.
Treble
The treble is smooth and non-fatiguing, making the Belle suitable for treble-sensitive users. It does not aim for airiness or sparkle, but it provides enough brightness to prevent the sound from becoming dull. The relaxed upper end contributes to the Belle’s easygoing character, though detail-focused listeners may find it understated.
Technical Performance
For its price, the Belle performs respectably in terms of separation, detail retrieval, and imaging. It does not reach the technical level of higher-priced models, but it exceeds expectations for a $29 single-driver IEM. Vocals stay articulate, complex tracks hold together well, and instrument separation remains coherent.
Gaming & Voice Monitoring Performance
The Belle performs surprisingly well for gaming. Bass never overshadows midrange cues such as footsteps, and positional awareness remains consistent even during loud in-game events. This makes it a viable option for competitive shooters.
For voice monitoring, the controlled low end helps maintain vocal clarity without encouraging over-modulation. This makes the Belle a practical choice for basic voice-over work or online calls.
Value
At its price point, the Belle offers strong value. Its warm, smooth tuning supports a wide range of content—from music and gaming to everyday media consumption. While not designed for users seeking a neutral or analytical presentation, it excels as a relaxed, easy-listening IEM with solid build quality and thoughtful accessories.
Verdict
The Kiwi Ears Belle is a well-executed budget IEM that prioritizes comfort, warmth, and smoothness. Its bass-forward yet controlled tuning, natural vocals, and relaxed treble make it an enjoyable choice for listeners who prefer a fatigue-free sound signature. With competent gaming performance and better-than-expected technical ability, the Belle stands as an impressive value at under $30.
