The Kiwi Ears Division is the brand’s first foray into full-size, over-ear headphones—and it’s a solid debut. Designed with studio monitoring and DJ use in mind, these closed-back headphones feature a 40mm dynamic driver and retail at an accessible price point of $49. After spending over two weeks testing them across music, movies, podcasts, and light studio work, we’re impressed with the Division’s balance of comfort, sound quality, and value.

In the Box

Kiwi Ears includes a thoughtful selection of accessories:

Two detachable cables: one 2-meter coiled cable for studio use and one shorter straight cable with an inline mic and remote
3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter for compatibility with studio gear
Minimalist packaging that keeps things simple and compact

This level of flexibility adds to the Division’s appeal for both professional and casual users.

Design & Build Quality

The Division’s design is clean and practical. With rotating earcups and a foldable frame, they’re clearly engineered for portability. Despite the budget-friendly pricing, the headphones don’t feel cheap. The earcups are aluminum, while the headband uses spring steel reinforced with soft padding underneath. The protein leather earpads are plush and comfortable, offering a decent amount of passive isolation.

They’re also lightweight, which helps with longer sessions. The clamping force is gentle but secure, and the adjustability of the headband ensures a good fit for different head sizes. Whether you’re DJing, working in a home studio, or just commuting, the Division delivers a surprisingly premium feel for its price.

Sound Quality

For a headphone at this price point, the Kiwi Ears Division delivers impressive technical performance. Let’s break it down:

Bass

The bass leans toward the sub-bass region, with an elevated but controlled low-end. It adds depth and a bit of fun to the overall sound signature without overpowering the mids. The mid-bass remains clean and punchy, contributing to a dynamic yet accurate listening experience.

For studio monitoring or DJ work, this means users can enjoy a more engaging low-end while still maintaining clarity in the mix.

Midrange

This is where the Division shines. The mids are neutral and natural, offering good tonal balance. Vocals come through clearly, though they aren’t overly forward. On complex tracks, the midrange can feel slightly recessed, but the overall presentation stays clean and detailed.

We found the mids particularly effective for acoustic tracks, podcasts, and voice-heavy content, where articulation and separation matter.

Treble

Treble performance is smooth and non-fatiguing, making the Division suitable for long listening sessions. It avoids sharpness and sibilance, yet still reveals subtle details like cymbal trails and background textures. Detail retrieval is above average for this price range, and in some cases, even surpasses more expensive competitors.

Soundstage & Imaging

While the Division uses a closed-back design, the soundstage is surprisingly open for its category. There’s enough space and instrument separation to handle complex mixes without congestion. Imaging is precise, which helps in both music and gaming scenarios.

Microphone Performance

The inline mic on the secondary cable delivers clear and intelligible voice quality, making the Division usable for calls or gaming chat. It won’t replace a dedicated microphone but does the job well for casual communication.

Real-World Usage

During testing, we used the Division with various sources—from desktop interfaces and portable DACs to smartphones. The headphones pair best with higher-quality sources, where their full resolution and clarity can shine.

They perform well for:

Casual listening — with a sound profile that suits everything from hip-hop to classical
Studio monitoring — with reasonably accurate tonality, especially in the mids and treble
DJ practice — thanks to the foldable cups and fun, punchy bass
Gaming — due to their soundstage and positional accuracy

Final Verdict

The Kiwi Ears Division is an impressive debut in the over-ear category. It delivers clear, uncolored sound with just enough low-end boost to keep things lively. The build quality, comfort, and overall audio performance exceed expectations for the price. While it doesn’t aim to replace professional-grade studio monitors, it gets remarkably close—making it a great budget option for musicians, content creators, DJs, and everyday listeners alike.

The Division is not just a budget headphone—it’s a value-packed tool that balances performance with practicality. We’re excited to see what Kiwi Ears brings next to the headphone market.

Also Read: Kiwi Ears Étude Review