Today, we present the Kinera Thorking Flagship Universal IEM. It is selling for $2,499.
Disclaimer: Kinera directly provided us with the Kinera Thorking. We thank them for their generosity.
Kinera
Kinera operates as an IEM manufacturer in China under Yutai Electronics, established in 2010. This electronics company is determined to develop a new generation of high–tech products for the consumer market. The Headfonia team and I have written many Kinera reviews before. You can check them out here.
Our goal is to bring the most valuable earphones to the market.
Kinera loves to name its models after mythology, and this one is no exception. You can access Kinera’s fully established site here. You can also get information on its Facebook page.
ThorKing
ThorKing is a tri-hybrid IEM with one 10 mm composite dynamic driver, six Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers, and four Sonion Electrostatic Drivers in a four-way system. The setup is very promising, but of course, the important thing is the harmony and cohesiveness of the sound.
Kinera claims that the ThorKing’s sound is refined, with a micro-v-shaped tuning, for a transparent, clean, and delicate sound. Apart from the engineering of the sound output, the ThorKing has jewelry-grade earpieces with a fantastic-looking design.
You can see an exploded view of the ThorKing internals below:
Packaging
The Thorking has a luxurious white box which opens through the left and right lids. Inside, you’re greeted with messages from the product designer and the CEO. The IEMs rest on the top, and the underside compartment stores the carrying case with the ear tips.
The selection of ear tips is limited when you consider the price tag. The tips are high quality, but having foam/hybrid tips inside the package would’ve been nicer. I have my aftermarket tips, but not many people have. Besides, the unpacking experience is excellent and leaves nothing to be desired. One small note is that the carrying case is very nice and premium, but this is a flagship Kinera. So, in my mind, it should have its carrying case design. Considering the design of the faceplates, they could’ve gone a striking route with the case, probably something out of aluminium or brass, as the IEMs.
Build & Design
The Kinera ThorKing is a genuinely stunning IEM with an eye-catching design. The shell features a beautiful metallic finish and a striking faceplate. Its semi-custom shape is crafted from brass, giving it a solid, mono block appearance. There are two small vents on the backside to accommodate the dynamic driver. This design is outstanding, and I can confidently say that it is one of the best-looking IEMs available today. Kinera drew inspiration from Asgard, the realm of the gods in Norse mythology, blending Greek, Roman, Neoclassical, and Renaissance art styles for a sculpted effect.
The build quality is impressive, with a seamless transition and an integrated nozzle structure, leaving no room for concern. Excellent workmanship is evident here. The cable is advertised as a 7N OCC with a 4-core design and a standard 4.4mm balanced jack. The ergonomics of the cable are also commendable, with connectors that fit securely into slightly recessed socket areas. However, I had hoped for a more premium cable, possibly collaborating with Eletech or Effect Audio. Nonetheless, this is their choice so that we will continue from here.
Fit
The ThorKing has slightly bulky shells, making it a bit larger overall, but surprisingly, it offers a very comfortable fit. The package includes tips of various sizes, allowing you to find the best pair for your ears. However, the earpieces stick out slightly, so you can’t lie comfortably. Aside from that, the fit is secure and comfortable.
Sound General
The Kinera Thorking surprised me when I first put them in my ears. Given the brand’s recent track record, I expected a slightly fun, warm, or somewhat coloured sound. I listened to Loki in Canjam 2023 and wasn’t impressed much. But the Thorking is different, and I mean, very different.
The new Thorking has a reference-style tuning with a flat response from start to finish. This is a fascinating new tuning direction from Kinera, and it works perfectly with classical music. I would never believe a Kinera IEM for classical music until I heard it in person. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s not an all-rounder. On the contrary, ThorKing can blend in with many genres. I agree with Kinera’s claim that the ThorKing is a mildly v-shaped IEM, as it prioritizes the treble a bit, and the mid-range is not pushed forward.
Overall, the ThorKing is reference, colourless, sometimes a bit dry, but rich in technical performance, especially in terms of staging and layering. It’s a cheaper Viking Ragnar, with slightly less performance than that, but it’s a little less fatiguing in the treble range.
The review continues on the second page, click here or use the jumps below.
Page 2: Sound Classics, Technical Performance
Page 3: Comparisons, Conclusion
