Trusted where it counts.

More than fifteen VGP Awards in Japan, plus a quiet, steady following in the places that don't hand out praise easily.

10 Verified recognitionsEvery archive entry names its program and links to the organizer or publication.

3 VGP programsVGP 2025 Summer, VGP 2026 and VGP Lifestyle Summer 2026 — plus a publication award.

4 Reviewer collaborationsCrinacle, HBB, Z Reviews and B_Media have shaped signature editions.

Recognition

Judged by other people.

Recognition from VGP, one of Japan's longest-running audio-visual juries — five products honoured in 2025, and the wins kept coming through 2026.

VGP Awards
Headfonia
MajorHiFi
The Headphone Show
Gizaudio
HangoutAudio
SoundGuys
Head-Fi

Read the write-up

Kiwi Ears

Ellipse

VGP 2025 Summer
Project Award
Kiwi Ears

Aether

VGP 2025 Summer
Gold Award (金賞)
Kiwi Ears

Airoso

VGP 2025 Summer
Gold Award (金賞)
Kiwi Ears

Atheia

VGP 2025 Summer
Gold Award (金賞)
Kiwi Ears

Division

VGP 2025 Summer
Gold Award (金賞)
Kiwi Ears

Septet

VGP 2026
VGP Award
Kiwi Ears

Étude

VGP 2026
VGP Award
Kiwi Ears

Cadenza II

VGP Lifestyle Summer 2026
VGP Lifestyle Award
Kiwi Ears

Orchestra II

VGP Lifestyle Summer 2026
VGP Lifestyle Award

Recognition archive

The archive, entry by entry.

Use the archive as proof, not decoration — every entry carries its program, year, product configuration and a link to the official result.

2026 · VGP 2026

VGP Award · Septet
1DD + 4BA + micro-planar + PZT quadbrid

Septet was selected in the VGP 2026 program, recognizing a seven-driver, four-technology IEM architecture built for scale, air, and integration.
VGP 2026 results(opens in a new tab)
2026 · VGP 2026

VGP Award · Étude
Hybrid IEM · KVT vibration transducer

Étude received recognition in VGP 2026, marking the debut of the KVT tactile-vibration platform within an award-listed product.
VGP 2026 results(opens in a new tab)
2026 · VGP Lifestyle Summer 2026

VGP Lifestyle Award · Cadenza II
10mm dynamic · KARS 2.0

Cadenza II received VGP Lifestyle Summer 2026 recognition, adding an award milestone to its single-dynamic, KARS 2.0 platform.
VGP Lifestyle Summer 2026 results(opens in a new tab)
2026 · VGP Lifestyle Summer 2026

VGP Lifestyle Award · Orchestra II
10 balanced armatures per side

Orchestra II earned VGP Lifestyle Summer 2026 recognition for the ten-balanced-armature reference platform.
VGP Lifestyle Summer 2026 results(opens in a new tab)
2025 · VGP 2025 Summer

Project Award · Ellipse
50mm dynamic · open-back headphone

Ellipse received a Project Award in the VGP 2025 Summer program, recognizing the open-back headphone as a notable product concept within the season.
VGP 2025 Summer results(opens in a new tab)
2025 · VGP 2025 Summer

Gold Award · Aether
15.3mm planar magnetic IEM

Aether earned Gold recognition in VGP 2025 Summer, adding external recognition to its full-range planar platform and open, fast presentation.
VGP 2025 Summer results(opens in a new tab)
2025 · VGP 2025 Summer

Gold Award · Airoso
1DD + 4BA hybrid IEM

Airoso received a VGP 2025 Summer Gold Award, highlighting a hybrid IEM built around crossover control, detail, and everyday usability.
VGP 2025 Summer results(opens in a new tab)
2025 · VGP 2025 Summer

Gold Award · Atheia
50mm dynamic + 14.5mm planar headphone

Atheia earned VGP 2025 Summer Gold recognition for a dual-driver headphone platform combining full-size dynamic and planar technologies.
VGP 2025 Summer results(opens in a new tab)
2025 · VGP 2025 Summer

Gold Award · Division
40mm dynamic · monitor/DJ headphone

Division received Gold recognition in VGP 2025 Summer, placing its accessible monitor and DJ headphone design within the award program.
VGP 2025 Summer results(opens in a new tab)
2025 · El Chapuzas Informático

Platinum Award · Serene
72 × 89mm planar magnetic headphone

Serene received the publication’s Platinum distinction after a review that emphasized its warm, enjoyable presentation, definition, and value.
El Chapuzas review(opens in a new tab)

Juried programs, publication awards and store ratings are different kinds of recognition — each entry names its program and links to the source. Reference badges are replaced with organizer-approved marks before anything ships.

Worldwide press