Kinera Audio: Bringing Pocket-Sized Hi-Fi to the Masses
Every audio brand becomes popular in its own way, offering something unique to its listeners. Kinera has focused on high technology and excellent quality combined with relatively affordable pricing.
The history of Kinera Audio began in 2011 when YuTai Electronic Acoustics was officially established, with its headquarters located in the small town of Dongguan, Gansu Province, China. This period coincided with the peak popularity of mobile audio technology, and headphones, embodying personal mobility and youth fashion, became particularly sought after. The newly established company engaged in the development and production of drivers for other headphone manufacturers.
Headphones:
Earpads material: silicone, foam
Headphone type: wired
Kind of headphones: in-ear
Earpads material: silicone, foam
Headphone type: wired
Kind of headphones: in-ear
Earpads material: silicone, foam
Headphone type: wired
In-Ear headphone type: with a wire
Brand: Kinera
Headphone type: wired
The lowest frequency, Hz: 20
Brand: Kinera
Headphone type: wired
The lowest frequency, Hz: 20
Preparing for Launch
In 2012, YuTai Electronic Acoustics introduced the world’s first 5mm high-impedance driver for military hearing aids. For the small company, this was akin to a winning ticket—they secured a lucrative long-term contract. This provided the motivation to continue working on promising projects.
Just a year later, in 2013, Chinese specialists began mass-producing balanced armature drivers, which allowed them to reduce the size of the driver by half compared to standard dynamic ones. From that moment on, YuTai Electronic Acoustics became a well-known supplier of balanced armature drivers not only in the local market but also internationally.
In the following two years, the company focused on developing and refining patents for various emitter manufacturing technologies, including those for bone conduction headphones. It is unknown how much longer they would have continued working for third-party clients if audio expert and designer Zhang Shunyan had not proposed producing in-ear monitors under their own brand—especially since the team was already producing excellent drivers for other companies.
From Drivers to Headphones
The idea seemed promising to management, and in 2016, YuTai Electronic Acoustics introduced its first hybrid in-ear monitors (IEMs), the BD005, under the Kinera brand. They turned out to be some of the most in-demand and competitive entry-level hybrid IEMs. For just $25, customers received a model with a traditional dynamic driver and a balanced armature, boasting a sensitivity of 103 dB and delivering rich, saturated sound across the entire range from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. The set also included three pairs of silicone tips and a high-quality elastic detachable cable, typically found in more expensive models.
For their price range, the BD005 sounded more than decent. As one audio expert wrote about them: “The bass dominates the playback here. However, the bass doesn’t overpower or suffocate the mids. The highs are pushed to the background, but there’s enough of them to create a sense of volume. The Kinera BD005 is definitely worth the money.” It’s no surprise that a year later, the model ranked second in the headphone market according to leading Japanese portable audio retailer E-earphone.
The first attempt was far from a failure, and just a year later, in 2017, the BD005 successor was released—the H3 hybrid in-ear monitors. They featured three drivers: one dynamic and two balanced armature drivers. The specifications remained close to the predecessor, but the package became slightly richer, with six pairs of silicone tips included. The model was well-developed in terms of design and comfort: it looked expensive and self-sufficient, with a comfortable and secure fit.
Perfecting Technology
The company’s marketing team decided to link the release of a new series of headphones with Scandinavian mythology. In 2018, Kinera introduced the first products in this series: the Seed (a divine creature living in hills, caves, and rock crevices), then Idun (the goddess of eternal youth), and Odin (the supreme god of war and victory). With these new models, the company signaled its exit from the budget segment. Now, some of Kinera’s gadgets are vying for full-fledged Hi-End status. Externally, they feature unique designs, and the flagship models are even hand-painted. Moreover, all of the company’s headphones now have a casing reminiscent of custom-made items in shape and finish.
Such a sharp shift in market positioning not only attracted potential customers but also sparked genuine interest comparable to a fervent buzz. At the very end of 2018, the company released a trial limited batch of 500 Idun models—and they were all sold out within a month. After this, the company’s management became fully confident in the market success of the new products. Besides luxurious packaging and generous accessories, Kinera offers advanced designs in its top-tier headphones.
For example, the Odin model used eight drivers: a pair from one of the world’s leading manufacturers, Knowles, and four drivers from the equally reputable Sonion company, complemented by specially selected crossovers of their own production. The choice was based on the fact that Knowles drivers had long established themselves as quality drivers for high frequencies and upper mids, while Sonion drivers faithfully reproduced the lower midrange and bass. As a result, the headphones deliver even, transparent, and balanced sound, with excellent detail and smooth nuances, without excessive aggression in dynamic passages.
In 2019, Kinera introduced the Nanna—their first model with electrostatic drivers, as well as their first fully wireless (TWS) earbuds, the YH623. The Nanna featured a hybrid technology with four drivers, delivering sound with an impressive volume and accuracy, with excellent frequency response characteristics ranging from 5 to 50,000 Hz. The wireless YH623, along with its popular updated version, the YH802, also demonstrated very respectable performance and sound quality in their class.
Deserved Recognition
It’s no surprise that the company’s technically advanced products have garnered numerous awards and accolades in the audio field. In 2019, Kinera received an award at CanJam Singapore in the "Best Headphone Brand" category. At the same event a year later, the Kinera Nanna was awarded the highest honor in the "Best In-Ear Monitors" category. Kinera models such as the H3 and Idun have also repeatedly received positive reviews and awards from reputable publications and experts in the personal audio field. The brand’s reputation has been steadily growing.
Today, the majority of the company’s lineup consists of wired in-ear monitors with various driver combinations, including those with bone conduction technology, which the company developed in 2014-2015. These are available in models ranging from the affordable but visually striking Celect Plutus Beast to the expensive premium Imperial Loki. But regardless of which headphones the listener chooses, they will always meet high Hi-Fi or Hi-End standards, depending on the price and applied know-how.
It’s worth noting that even the deliberately budget models like the Sif and Celect Pandamon will please with excellent build quality, good specifications, and great sound. The slightly more expensive Celect, Idun, and Freya series headphones will provide even more positive emotions for advanced listeners. The Nanna, Vernandi, and Odin models are intended for discerning audiophiles who spare no expense for their passion.
Anyone familiar with Kinera gadgets already knows about their high quality. All of the company’s products are made in China, specifically at the most modern factories using innovative technological equipment, staffed exclusively by highly qualified personnel. The selection process is rigorous: it’s said that employees must go through multiple interviews to prove their professional suitability before they are hired at Kinera’s factories—this is why the company practically has no defects.
Headphones:
Earpads material: silicone, foam
Headphone type: wired
Kind of headphones: in-ear
Earpads material: silicone, foam
Headphone type: wired
Kind of headphones: in-ear
Earpads material: silicone, foam
Headphone type: wired
In-Ear headphone type: with a wire
Brand: Kinera
Headphone type: wired
The lowest frequency, Hz: 20
Brand: Kinera
Headphone type: wired
The lowest frequency, Hz: 20
Interestingly, the company’s products first became popular abroad. Kinera’s products gained recognition worldwide—from Europe, America, and Southeast Asia to Russia and the former CIS countries. It’s only in recent years that the company began investing resources in its domestic market, including Hong Kong and China. Now, YuTai is focused on developing headphones with hybrid and dynamic sound drivers. Speaking about upcoming releases, the company promises to pay attention to micro-dynamic drivers with diameters of less than 4 mm—all to provide customers with efficient, high-quality, and affordable products. These plans align with Kinera Audio’s philosophy—to delight fans and potential customers with Hi-Fi and Hi-End class equipment at reasonable prices.
