First Look Sunday: Kinera Nanna

Kinera Nanna

Today I share my impressions about the $899 USD priced Kinera Nanna Universal IEM for the first time.

 

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Disclaimer: The Kinera Nanna was provided to us by HifiGo. You can purchase the Nanna here.

The Electrostat Driver Trend

Each and everyday, we see new hybrid IEMs with electrostat (EST) drivers in the market and I admit, the new driver technology has brought a breath of fresh air for treble reproduction. However the real question for us remains; are all the IEMs with EST drivers good enough? The answer to that question would be a no for me. But this Kinera Nanna can make a difference.

About Kinera Nanna

Kinera operates in China under Yutai Electronics, which was established in 2010. This electronics company has the determination to develop a new generation of high – tech products for the consumer market. You can go to their Facebook page to get more information.

I have written two Kinera reviews before, and those were of the Idun and Odin respectively. Kinera loves to give the model names after mythology, and this one is no exception. Nanna is a goddess associated with the god Baldr in Norse mythology.

Nanna is a tri-hybrid IEM with one 7 mm Dynamic Driver, one Balanced Armature Driver and two Electrostatic Drivers. The setup is very promising, and it’s nice to see a somewhat cheaper flagship around, compared to some other IEMs that cost twice or triple the price.

Kinera Nanna

Build, Design and Fit

Kinera Nanna is a very nice looking IEM with a gorgeous yet elegant design. The shell has brown and blue-ish colors flowing around on the face plate, and the rest is black with a semi transparent look. The whole body is in a semi-custom shape with a mono-block impression. There’s a small vent on the backside for the dynamic driver.

The IEM has a three-bore design and the tips hold nicely on the nozzles which are provided by Final Audio. These tips are excellent for a rigid and secure fit. Despite the configuration, the Nanna is surprisingly small and that helps to get a very comfortable fit. The package provides a lot of tips to choose from and I’m sure you will find the best pair for their ears.

The cable is a copper one with great softness and non-existent microphonics. The ergonomics of the cable is excellent as well. The connectors sit in slightly recessed socket areas and they’re secure. I really liked the cable and I’m planning to try and use it with some other IEMs in my possession.

Sound

The Kinera Nanna has a striking treble response with incredible definition and articulation. This I think is a great example for the adaptation of the EST drivers. The detail, the timbre, the extension and the transparency in the treble area are absolutely fantastic. I’m not a treble-head myself, but even I wanted to open some treble focused tracks to listen to this beauty. The sparkle is very satisfying and the treble is under control at all times, so there’s no sibilance.

Kinera Nanna

When you get used to the incredibly good treble response, you start to focus on the other frequencies. And the Nanna performs very good in there as well. The bass has good texture and impact and the tuning of the 7 mm driver is very nice. Lows have good resolution and rumble, leaning on the sub-bass area more than mid-bass. I would’ve preferred lesser sub-bass overall, but I’m sure many people will like the kick.

Mids sound awesome as well. But the upper mid range is a bit forward and that makes it a bit of a “fun” IEM rather than a “flat” one. The tonality is excellent however and it presents the instruments in a realistic and natural way. The sound-stage is also impressive in width and nice in depth. Layering is good with plenty of separation and resolution.

Early Verdict

Overall Kinera Nanna is an excellent IEM and I think it has one of the best treble performances in the market right now. Highs are simply phenomenal and if you like your treble to be sparkling, this is one the IEMs that you should look for.

4.4/5 - (12 votes)
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A keen audiophile and hobby photographer, Berkhan is after absolute perfection. Whether it is a full-frame camera or a custom in-ear, his standpoint persists. He tries to keep his photography enthusiasm at the same level as audio. Sometimes photography wins, sometimes his love for music takes over and he puts that camera aside. Simplistic expressions of sound in his reviews are the way to go for him. He enjoys a fine single malt along with his favourite Jazz recordings.

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