Kinera Celest Relentless Review
Kinera Celest comes up with its first flagship-level hybrid set of IEMs featuring a seven-driver setup on each side. The pair houses a 1DD+6BA driver setup on each side.
Just like Kinera, its sub-brand Celest also has a background story for each of its products. The latest Relentless originates from the Chinese fantasy literature, “Shanhaijing”, Classic of Mountains and Seas. It tells the tale of Lass, the youngest daughter of Yan Di, who tragically drowned while swimming in the East China Sea. She was subsequently transformed into the bird known as Relentless. Relentless determined to prevent such a tragedy from befalling others. She took it upon herself to protect the living beings by reclaiming the Sea. The design and tuning theme of the pair is based on its tragic and heroic tale from fantasy literature.
Celest has equipped the Relentless with a seven-driver hybrid setup featuring a traditional combination of dynamic and balanced armature driver units. The pair houses an 8mm custom dynamic driver for a robust low-frequency and mid-frequency response. Two Celest Custom 29689 units produce a crisp, clear, and high-resolution mid-high frequency band.
The four Celest Custom 10012 balanced armature drivers are here to produce an impeccable high-frequency band. The overall response with the pair is highly balanced producing a fast, deep-hitting bass response with clear and crisp vocals in the midrange, and exceptional instrument details in the treble region.
Celest has joined hands with HeyGears, a premium 3D printing service provider from China. They have designed the ear cavities of the Relentless with high precision. The shells are made up of high-quality skin-friendly resin material. They boast exciting looks with hand-painted face plates by skillful artists. Sketched with a brush, the faceplates of Relentless feature intricate patterns depicting the feathers of the Relentless bird and the waves of the East China Sea.
Celest Relentless comes with a set of high-quality accessories. The pair has eight sets of ear tips featuring vocal, balanced ear tips, and foam ear tips. It comes with a 5N copper silver-plated high-quality stock cable with interchangeable plugs. We have a 3.5mm and a 4.4mm plug included in the package.
Features
- 1DD+6BA Hybrid Driver Configuration.
- 8mm Dynamic Driver Unit.
- Celest Customized BA Driver Units.
- Highly-balanced Sound Tonality.
- Exclusive Looks with Hand-Painted Ear Shells.
- 3D Printed Ear Cavities.
- Skillfully 3D printed by HeyGears.
- 5N Copper Silver-Plated Cable.
- 3.5mm+4.4mm Interchangeable Plugs.
Specs
- Impedance: 27Ω.
- Sensitivity: 105dB.
- Connector Type: 0.78mm 2-pin.
- Frequency response range: 20Hz-20kHz.
- Price: $169.99
I would like to thank Celest Audio for providing me with the review sample of Celest Relentless.
Unboxing
- Kinera Celest Relentless IEM
- Detachable modular 0.78mm 2-pin SPC cable (3.5mm + 4.4mm plugs)
- Celest 221 Vocal ear tips x 3
- Celest 608 Balanced ear tips x 3
- Celest custom foam tips x 2
- Storage case
- Metal bookmark
- Cleaning brush
- User manual
Sound
The Celest Relentless features a pronounced V-shaped sound signature, offering an effective blend of musicality and technical prowess.
Celest Relentless brings a strong sound with a rich tonality. Relentless delivers full-bodied impactful bass response with rich layers and quick rebound. It has an accurate mid-range response that is perfect for instruments and vocals. And the treble has a smooth, delicate, charming presentation. The three-frequency band is perfectly balanced and we have a rich, warm tonality and a dense atmosphere.
Bass
The bass is robust, resonant, and captivating. The lows in Relentless penetrate deeply, exhibiting a commendable sense of authority and strength. This contributes to a sound that possesses an inherent richness and a fuller note size. However, the added depth does not result in a bloated or muddled presentation, owing to the well-balanced treble tuning.
The sub-bass frequencies can produce a deep rumble, while the mid-bass delivers a vigorous punch. Although I would not categorize Relentless as a bass-centric in-ear monitor, it does tend to have that characteristic, providing a bass response that is both impactful and well-balanced.
Midrange
The Celest Relentless’s midrange is a showcase of clarity and intricate detailing. It takes a front-and-center position, offering an upfront presentation that’s intimate and immersive. Vocals are rendered with articulation, striking a perfect balance between expressiveness and restraint. They deliver their message with precision and authenticity, yet without any hint of overemphasis or shoutiness.
One of the standout features of the midrange is its impressive accuracy. Each note is faithfully represented, ensuring that the timbre of instruments and voices is preserved. Additionally, the midrange exhibits a natural body size to the notes, providing a rich and textured foundation to the presentation.
Treble
The treble is one of Celest Relentless’s most outstanding characteristics. It exhibits a level of precision and intricacy that elevates the overall expression. Moreover, this precision is complemented by a remarkable density and body in the treble, providing a substantial presence that adds depth to the sound profile.
It’s a bright and clear treble response that never crosses into the realm of harshness. The high frequencies are delivered with sparkling brilliance, enhancing the overall clarity and adding an air of liveliness to the music.
Soundstage & Technicalities
The soundstage is average in dimensions but stands out for its naturally rounded shape. It’s not especially wide but it demonstrates a good sense of height. Instrument separation is good, showcasing good overall resolution. One highlight of Celest Relentless’s technicalities is its detail retrieval which is well above average despite maintaining a smooth and non-fatiguing sound.
Sum-Up
The Kinera Celest Relentless provides a robust and captivating audio experience, particularly appealing to bass enthusiasts. Its rich midrange and prominent, detailed treble allow for clear differentiation between vocals and instruments.
Overall, it’s one of my top picks in 2024, giving fantastic value for its performance. The Celest Relentless delivers an enjoyable and impactful listening experience. This IEM is a gem in its price range, in both audio quality and aesthetics.