Kinera Celest Yaksha Review (2)

Kinera Celest Yaksha Review

Kinera Celest Yaksha Review – 2DD+1BA+1 Micro-Planar Beauty

Celest welcomes the all-new Yaksha to its ever-growing line-up of high-performance in-ear monitors. Yaksha is an all-new IEM with a unique quad driver setup featuring dual dynamic drivers, one Knowles BA driver, and one micro planar driver. This quad driver setup is arranged in a four-way crossover, enabling true high-fidelity sound reproduction with ultimate clarity and low distortion characteristics.

Kinera Celest Yaksha Review (16)

Inspired By the Deity Yaksha

The “Yaksha” is an attendant of Vaisravana, the heavenly king of the North, and is one of the eight classes of Divine Beings. The Yaksha is subordinate to Vaisravana and is a kind of ghostly being dwelling in the Trayasrimsha Heaven. There is a very detailed backstory linked to the Yaksha from the mythological tales.

Kinera Celest Yaksha Review (2)

It is a deity that is both sweet and ferocious. Both the design and tuning of the pair are deeply inspired by this beautiful deity, Yaksha.

Diverse, Charming Looks

Kinera and its sub-brands are known for their exclusive designer look. Celest has marked its proficiency in designing premium, unique-looking shells with its ever-growing catalog of IEMs as well. The latest Yaksha is no different here; the pair has an ergonomic form factor and features diverse, swift wing-like patterns on the face covers.

Kinera Celest Yaksha Review (16)

The Yaksha is available in two colour options, Blood Red and Divine Blue. It looks exquisite, premium in both options.

Four-Driver Hybrid Design

Celest has equipped the Yaksha with a quad Driver setup. The pair features a hybrid combination of dual dynamic drivers, one Knowles Balanced armature driver, and a specially crafted micro planar driver. Enjoy a defined lower end, rich, accurate midrange, and a sweet, extended treble region.

Kinera Celest Yaksha Review (2)

This quad-driver hybrid design promises top-quality performance with unmatched clarity and a musical tone across the frequency band.

Professionally Designed Quad-Way Crossover

The four-unit hybrid driver setup is fitted with a four-way crossover to ensure clean and crisp sound reproduction. We have an 8mm customized dynamic driver for a deep, rumbling lower end, and a 10mm LCP dynamic driver handles lower mid and midrange response.

Kinera Celest Yaksha Review (2)

One Knowles RAN-62462 composite unit is responsible for crisp response in the mid-frequency to mid-high-frequency segments, and lastly, we have a specially developed micro-planar magnetic driver that delivers immaculate response in the high and ultra-high frequency bands. Using this advanced crossover, the response with the Celes Yaksha is highly coherent, and the multi-driver arrangement sounds like a single high-performance unit.

High-Quality Stock Cable

Great components ensure great sound performance. Celest bundles the Yaksha with a high-purity stock cable. This is a 6N OCC Litz braided cable. The cable has a 4-wire configuration with a hand-woven Litz braided structure.

Kinera Celest Yaksha Review (2)
One of the best, if not the best,t stock cable in this price range by far.

Each strand here features multiple cores of OCC Silver-plated and OCC Copper wire cores. The cable adopts 0.78mm 2-pin connectors and comes in 3.5mm or 4.4mm termination plug options.

Features
  • High-Performance Four-Driver Hybrid IEMs.
  • 2DD+1BA+1 Micro-Planar Driver Setup Per Side.
  • Four-Way Crossover.
  • Inspired by the Deity Yaksha, a Subordinate to Vaisravana.
  • Unique, Ferocious Designer Faceplates.
  • Comfortable and Ergonomic Design.
  • Rich, Fuller Sound Profile.
  • Comfortable Fit with Two Colour Options
  • High-Quality 6N OCC Silver+OCC Hybrid Cable.
  • Connector Type: 0.78mm Two-Pin Connectors.
  • Termination Plug: 3.5mm/4.4mm.
Specifications
  • Brand: Kinera Celest
  • Model: Yaksha
  • Driver configuration: 2DD+1BA+1MPD
  • lmpedance:12Ω
  • Sensitivity: 105dB
  • Frequency Range: 20Hz-20kHz
  • Connector: 0.78 2-pin
  • Plug: 3.5mm/4.4mm
  • Cable: 1.2m
  • Price: $139 (Official), (Aliexpress Link)

Disclaimer: The Celest Yaksha was kindly provided by Kinera Audio for review.

In the Box

  • The Celest Yaksha IEM
  • The detachable cable
  • A storage case
  • 3 sets of tips consisting of three different sizes each (S/M/L)
  • A Celest-branded cleaning cloth
  • User manual

Sound

Kinera Celest Yaksha FR Graph

The Kinera Celest Yaksha likely offers a sound signature with a strong and impactful bass. Vocals and instruments in the upper midrange and lower treble are brought forward and sound quite energetic due to the distinct peaks in those regions. While this can make for an exciting and detailed listening experience, the emphasized treble might be perceived as bright, and the rapid roll-off in the extreme high frequencies suggests a sound that is not exceptionally open or spacious in the ‘air’ region.

It points towards a dynamic and engaging, V-shaped sound profile. The Yaksha is all about delivering a fun, energetic, and deeply musical sound. It’s not trying to be a flat, neutral studio monitor; it’s designed to make your favorite tracks come alive.

Kinera Celest Yaksha Review (33)

Bass

The bass region is notably elevated. The deepest lows have a strong presence, providing a sense of rumble and impact. This elevation continues into the mid-bass, suggesting a full-bodied and powerful low-end. This emphasis on the bass will likely contribute to a warm sound signature, adding weight to kick drums and basslines.

The low end is arguably the star of the show. The Yaksha delivers a bass that is deep, powerful, and incredibly satisfying. You don’t just hear the bass; you feel it. There’s a physical rumble and a weight behind every kick drum and bassline that provides a solid, groovy foundation for any genre.

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It’s a warm and inviting bass that adds richness to the sound without becoming a muddy, distorted mess. While it might not be the absolute fastest or tightest bass for lightning-fast metal tracks, its primary goal is to provide a rhythmic, impactful experience, and it succeeds brilliantly.

Mids

Following the bass, there’s a noticeable dip in the lower midrange. This dip might cause some male vocals or lower-pitched instruments to sound a little recessed or less prominent. However, as the frequency increases into the upper midrange, the response gradually rises. This rise is important for bringing out the fundamental frequencies of many instruments and the clarity of vocals.

Kinera Celest Yaksha Review
The red-black color combo looks amazing.

The midrange is where vocals and primary instruments live, and the Yaksha pushes them forward with energy and emotion. Voices, especially female vocals, are presented with a captivating intensity and clarity. This tuning makes singers sound like they are right there with you, pouring their hearts out.

This forwardness is a deliberate choice that adds to the Yaksha’s exciting character. However, this intensity can occasionally be a double-edged sword. On some recordings, this energetic upper-midrange can come across as a bit “shouty” or aggressive. It’s a sound signature that will thrill those who love their vocals to cut through the mix, but it might be a bit much for listeners who prefer a more relaxed, laid-back presentation.

Kinera Celest Yaksha Review

Treble

The presence region shows a significant boost, creating a prominent peak. This elevation is designed to bring vocals forward and enhance the detail and clarity of instruments, adding a sense of ‘presence’ to the sound. Depending on the listener’s sensitivity, this peak could make the sound quite energetic.

Further into the treble, there’s another, slightly less pronounced, elevation in the mid-treble. This peak can contribute to the perceived detail and sparkle of cymbals and higher-pitched sounds.

Kinera Celest Yaksha Review

Beyond this second treble peak, the response drops off quite rapidly and significantly in the highest frequencies, often referred to as the ‘air’ region. This suggests that the very highest harmonics and the sense of spaciousness might be less pronounced, potentially leading to a sound that is not as airy or extended at the very top end.

Up top, the Yaksha plays it safe, and that’s a good thing for most listeners. The treble is smooth, clear, and specifically tuned to avoid any sharp or piercing sounds that can cause listening fatigue. You can turn up the volume and listen for hours without any wincing or discomfort. Cymbals and high-hats have a pleasant shimmer without ever sounding harsh.

Kinera Celest Yaksha Review

The trade-off for this smoothness is that the Yaksha doesn’t have the most sparkly or airy treble on the market. It sacrifices that last bit of micro-detail and “air” in favor of an easygoing, enjoyable listen. For those who are sensitive to high frequencies or simply want to relax into their music, this is a perfect compromise.

Technical Performance

When it comes to the “stage” the music plays on, the Yaksha creates a wonderfully wide and immersive experience. The sound stretches far to the left and right, making you feel like you’re in the front row of a concert rather than just having earbuds in. Instrument separation is also good, so you can easily pick out where the guitarist is standing to the drummer.

Kinera Celest Yaksha Review

While the stage is wide, it is more intimate in its depth. It doesn’t create a massive, three-dimensional concert hall so much as an engaging, room-filling performance. It retrieves a good amount of detail for its price, allowing you to hear subtle elements in the music without ever feeling like you’re dissecting the track under a microscope. The focus always remains on the overall musical picture.

Sum-Up

The Kinera Celest Yaksha is not an all-rounder that tries to please everyone. It is a specialist, a vibrant performer designed for a specific listener: the person who wants to be moved by their music. It’s for those who crave a powerful bass response, energetic vocals, and a sound that is fundamentally fun and engaging.

Kinera Celest Yaksha Review

If you are a music lover who listens to pop, EDM, rock, or hip-hop and wants an IEM that brings a dynamic, rhythmic, and beautiful presentation to your favorite songs, the Yaksha is an outstanding choice. It’s a gorgeous IEM that delivers a sound that is just as exciting as its looks.