:
Balanced and pleasing tonality
Nice timbre
Great imaging
:
Pillowy bass
Mediocre soundstage
Introduction
Kefine has been one of the more successful IEM makers of the last couple of years. I reviewed Delci and praised it for its lifelike timbre and enjoyable tuning. Klean is the latest release from Kefine that pulled down the price more while offering two different tuning nozzles. Coming at 49$, Klean looks like it offers a better value but does it really?
Disclaimers
Kefine Klean was provided to me by Kefine for free. As I always say, everyone is biased one way or another, so take everything you read with a grain of salt. Additionally, I will try to be more concise and to the point in my reviews from now on, without worrying about word count. If you have any questions, please ask me in the comments, and I will try to answer them to the best of my abilities.
Packaging, Build and Accessories of Kefine Klean
Klean comes in a smaller and more compact packaging than its bigger brothers, which isn’t exactly a downgrade since it comes with pretty much the same accessories. Carrying case this time is covered with fabric instead of faux leather. Cable that’s provided with the IEMs is again different but similar in thickness and behavior which is quite manageable. Only single ended termination is available but at this price it’s not really a con.
3 pairs of generic eartips come out of the package as usual along with tuning filters for the nozzles. Interestingly nozzles aren't screwed out completely like other IEMs like Moondrop Kato, Kadenz or Simgot EA500, EA1000 and the like. Instead only filter parts can be removed and replaced, similar to AKG N5005. It might have reduced the costs and resulted in the very affordable price of Klean but only time will tell if it’s durable or not.
Earpieces themselves are made out of metal and stay comfortably in my ears. Shape is pretty much the same with the Delci however, probably due to the painting, Delci looked more premium as it should considering the price.
Sound of Kefine Klean
I used mostly the silver filters in my testing. Compared to the silver filters, the black filters sound more detailed but also leaner and more intense. The tonal balance that silver filters presented suited me more.
Tonality
Klean has a slightly warm and pleasing tonality that somehow can still sound relatively clean so Klean name isn’t just there for the sake of it.
Bass on the Klean is elevated but not overbearing. In terms of the quality however, I can’t say it’s top notch. Maybe I’m spoiled with the bass of higher quality gear but couldn’t get the impact I got used to from Klean. Let’s say I have heard tighter, more impactful and satisfying bass in this price range and leave it at that.
Klean’s mids sound pretty much on point. Overall slightly warm and pleasing. Probably trade-off at the bass improves clarity of mids so vocals sound clean, intimate yet not honky, shouty or overbearing. The balance struck here is exceptional.
Treble rendition of Klean safe to say the least. It doesn’t have any erratic peaks that would sound harsh or piercing but I can say there is a slight unevenness that can throw off the timbre occasionally. It might be because of the fit and others might not notice it but to my ears Klean doesn’t have the most even or smooth treble.
Technicalities
Klean isn’t exactly an overachiever when it comes to technical ability. It has a moderate sound stage size. Resolving capability is also average for its price but imaging is surprisingly good. I couldn’t not only pinpoint the locations of the instruments but also I could almost tell their shapes and directions.
Comparisons
Kefine Klean vs. Kefine Delci
- Delci has a little more impactful and rumbly bass. Klean’s bass is sloppy and boomy compared to that.
- Delci is warmer in the lower mids, Klean sounds a little bit cleaner.
- Klean is slightly tidier and more relaxed in the lower treble but more zingy in the upper treble.
- Delci sounds more natural to my ears in terms of timbre however it fits more snugly in my ears which might be affecting my perception.
- Delci is slightly more detailed but they aren’t really that far apart. Delci’s soundstage is wider and deeper, however imaging on Klean is somehow more precise.
Kefine Klean vs. EPZ Q5 Pro
- Q5 Pro has a better fit and comfort in my ears.
- One doesn’t sound particularly bassier than the other however, Q5 Pro has a deeper, more tactile and satisfying bass. Klean’s bass sounds a little pillowy compared to Q5 Pro.
- Both have slightly warm and rather forward mids but Q5 Pro sounds even more forward and shoutier.
- Q5 Pro is brighter while Klean sounds more neutral and natural. While the Q5 Pro has a more elevated upper mids and treble, it still sounds smooth, probably because of the fit. It fits more snugly in my ears so treble peaks are pushed above the sibilance region (mostly between 6k and 8k).
- Technically, the Q5 Pro is mostly superior to the Klean, It sounds more open, spacious and airy. Klean’s stage is rather moderate. Q5 Pro is also a more resolving pair of earphones. Klean sounds a little blunted compared to Q5 Pro. Imaging and layering however, feel more precise on Klean. I could almost feel the shapes of the objects even though they felt closer than I’m used to.
Kefine Klean vs. RG15 (Analog)
- RG15 sounds much warmer, thicker and has a boomier and more powerful bass. RG15 also extends deeper into the subbass. Klean, as the name suggests, sounds cleaner and more natural.
- RG15 has an unapologetic V-Shaped tuning. Mids are recessed but upper mids and lower treble are elevated so it sounds a little shouty and borderline sibilant. Klean on the other hand sounds very natural and on point. It has a nice intimacy without getting honky, shouty or too personal.
- Klean has just enough treble energy. Cymbals and hi-hat attacks are there but they lack some bite and splash that I like. RG15 might look too aggressive in the graphs when it comes to treble but it actually sounds pretty good. It really depends on the taste but overall Klean sounds more natural and safe while RG15 sounds brighter and more exciting.
- RG15 has a more capable driver and it actually feels faster and more effortless however due to its tuning, masking is unavoidable therefore some details get lost in the mix. Klean reveals details more evenly. Klean also has a more lifelike timbre. Klean’s soundstage is slightly wider but RG15 has a much deeper soundstage. Klean’s imaging and layering capability also feels superior. In terms of technical capabilities, it’s a fight between superior tuning and better drivers.
Conclusion
Kefine has another winner in their hands. With a great metal build and comfortable fit at only 49$ it’s hard to find a fault really. It has an inoffensive pleasing tonality that goes with a wide variety of genres. For me it lacks the last bit of magic to be one of my top IEMs but I can still recommend it without hesitation. Looks like other reviewers liked it even more than me so check them out as well and if you are interested, some non-affiliated purchase links are below.
KEEPHIFI:
https://keephifi.com/products/kefine-klean-10mm-dlc-diaphragm-dd-in-ear-earphones-two-interchangeable-nozzles-two-different-sound?_pos=1&_psq=kef&_ss=e&_v=1.0
35%OFF SHOP HERE
HiFiGo:
https://hifigo.com/products/kefine-klean
Aliexpress：
Hifigo: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256807735705434.html
Kefine: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1103187464/pages/all-items.html
