:ย
-Very technical monitor for its segment.
-Versatility to adapt the sound to your taste: the nozzles do their job.
-Excellent level of information: great detail and resolution.
-Very gratifying ergonomic comfort.
-Cleanliness, speed and transparency across the entire range.
:ย
-With the black nozzle you may not feel the low range as very powerful.
-Its brightness may bother people sensitive to treble.
๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ
This time itโs the turn of one of the most famous IEMs in the sector to go through testing. Yes, Iโm talking about the new model from ๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐: the ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ง ๐๐.
ย ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ฌ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ซ:
-Klean SV-3.5: US$54
-Klean SV-USB C-Mic: US$56
-Klean SV-4.4: US$56
๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ก๐๐ฌ๐ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ค๐ฌ:ย 1ย 2ย 3
ย ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ย Lots of words. Summaries at the end.
๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง:
(From the brand I received all available accessories for the Kefine Klean SV plus a DAC dongle without amplification (CX 31993))
Kefine Klean OG, which I reviewed a few weeks ago, left a mark that is hard to surpass in its type of sound signature within its price range. Now the SV version promises greater auditory richness in terms of texture, separation and resolution, but the question we have asked ourselves is: Will it leave behind any characteristic that gave the first version so much success?
You can read about it below.
ย ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ:
-Two shells.
-Cable with 0.78mm terminations and 3.5mm connection. 4.4mm and USB-C options with KT0231 chip.
-Two sets of ear tips in sizes SML.
-Three pairs of interchangeable tuning nozzles.
-Carrying and storage case.
-User manuals.
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ, ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐:
Well, in this section things havenโt changed at all except for one detail that I appreciate: the cable pins on the SV come out of the shells more easily. On the Klean OG you had to apply a lot of force to remove the cable, with the consequent risk of breaking the pins.
The shells are still CNC-milled metal, this time in aluminum color, with a honeycomb-adorned faceplate and the brand logo. The build quality is exquisite, just as Kefine has accustomed us to for years.
The ergonomics are impeccable. Despite not being lightweight IEMs due to the material used, they feel somewhat light at all times. The insertion is adequate both in the outer ear and ear canal. No pressure that causes pain in your ears.
The set includes a new set of translucent silicone ear tips, which greatly improves in quality over the previous ones. Although they are still not something Premium, the improvement is noticeable and appreciated.
๐๐๐๐ก๐ง๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐ฌ:
-1DD 10mm configuration.
-Impedance 32 ohms.
-Sensitivity 107 dB.
-Response 20hz-20khz.
๐๐จ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ:
The product comes with three interchangeable nozzles. Each one gives a different character to the Klean SV.
๐๐๐ก๐ซ๐๐ง: focused on offering a balanced listening experience, with some warmth but without losing focus on clarity and naturalness.
๐๐ค๐ก๐: the objective of this nozzle is detail and transparency in instruments and vocals, extending the upper range to capture information, brightness and energy. The low range takes a secondary role, but is not absent.
๐ฝ๐ก๐๐๐ : the bass takes the lead, but not in a forceful way, rather with control. The high-frequency area is softened.
๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ง ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ ๐ฏ๐ฌ. ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ง ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ:
Well, there is a small change in color schemes. Owners of the original model will wonder about the equivalences. These are the similarities and differences I found:
๐๐ค๐ก๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐ = ๐ฝ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐: this would be the equivalence, but with nuance. In both versions there is a commitment to relaxing the lower frequency sector. Both aim for detail and brightness, but in the Klean SV it is more spaced out and informative and in the OG more energetic.
๐ฝ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐ = ๐๐๐ก๐ซ๐๐ง ๐๐ก๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐: quite similar if I generalize, but in the SV model I perceived more texture, control and less rumble; however, in the OG version, the rumble is greater, the impact has a bit more body and a slower decay.
๐๐๐ข๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ญ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฌ:
-Neutral source.
-Medium amplification.
-Stock ear tips and 3.5mm cable.
-Gold nozzle for all tests.
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐:
With gold nozzle: transparent, with emphasis on detailed mids, bright highs, present but not exaggerated bass, wide stage, good instrumental separation with focus on precision, texture and dynamism.
โช ๐๐ค๐ฌ ๐ง๐๐ฃ๐๐: the bass of the Klean SV seems more disciplined than spectacular. It doesnโt seek to impress you in an easy and โcheapโ way, but rather to mark the rhythm with firmness and cleanliness. The sub-bass goes down with enough authority to give weight to electronic music or cinema, but without invading the rest of the spectrum. The mid-bass is well contained; it hits quickly and withdraws in time, which helps bass lines feel defined and not like a diffuse mass.
What I like most is its texture: it is not flat or soft bass, but with a certain pleasant roughness that allows you to distinguish layers in modern recordings. It is not a profile for die-hard bassheads, but for those who want impact with control. The transition to the mids is quite clean, and that is appreciated in dense mixes.
โซ ๐๐๐ ๐ง๐๐ฃ๐๐: this is where I began to notice the real personality of the gold filter. The Klean SV becomes more expressive. I perceive a clear midrange, with good energy in the upper part (around vocal presence and main instruments), which makes guitars, pianos and voices come forward with a certain sparkle.
I would not say it is an ultra warm or ultra musical midrange; rather I feel it slightly focused on clarity. Electric guitars caught my attention for their bite and instruments maintain a believable timbre. In complex recordings, the separation seems quite competent to me: everything does not pile up in the center.
That said, there is a small push in the upper mids that can give a sensation of constant liveliness. To me it feels stimulating and detailed, although in already bright mixes it can feel a bit insistent. In general, it conveys dynamism more than smoothness.
ย ๐๐๐๐ ๐ง๐๐ฃ๐๐: In the treble, with the gold filter, I notice an open and airy presentation. I do not feel it is rolled off at all; on the contrary, it provides a sense of space and definition.
Cymbals have shine, reverberations extend clearly and small nuances in the upper range are easily perceived.
It does not sound piercing to me under normal conditions, but it is an IEM that makes it clear that it likes detail. If the recording is aggressive up top, it will not mask it too much. Even so, the general balance seems quite well achieved to me: there is energy and extension without falling into exaggerated sibilance.
It is not an ultra refined high-end treble, but within its category I find it resolute and with a good dose of freshness.
ย ๐๐ค๐๐๐ก๐จ: Deep male vocals sound to me with sufficient body, without becoming dense. Standard male vocals feel clear and with good presence, slightly forward. In female vocals I notice more prominence and air; they stand out easily and convey emotion. In bright recordings they can border on intense, but in general I perceive them as lively and expressive.
ย ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ฃ๐: The stereo image seems quite precise to me. I can locate instruments clearly left and right, and the center is well defined. I do not feel a diffuse stage; rather everything occupies its place in an orderly way. For its price range, it seems to me a very competent spatial performance.
ย ๐๐ค๐ช๐ฃ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐๐: The stage is not gigantic, but it is perceived as open laterally. There is good width and a slight sense of height. Depth is more moderate, although sufficient so as not to sound flat or enclosed since the scale at different distances is sufficiently perceptible.
ย ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ง๐๐ฃ๐: In busy passages, I notice that the Klean SV maintains a certain organization. It is not surgical like more expensive models, but it differentiates layers competently. Bass, vocals and main instruments do not easily step on each other. At all times I had the feeling of being in front of one of the dynamic drivers with an extremely high level of organizational capacity.
ย ๐ฟ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ก ๐ง๐๐ฉ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก: I get the impression that it extracts more microdetail than one would expect in this range. Small nuances in the upper mids and treble appear clearly. It is not an analytical monster, but it is resolute enough to keep me attentive to textures and subtleties.
๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐-๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฒ๐๐ซ ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐๐จ ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฌ:
Always seeking the most cinematic experience possible, tested in narrative and intensive action titles.ย Check my blog to see the specific gamesย and the audio analysis conditions in video games. Source used: FiiO K11 with filter nยบ5 (neutral), white stock ear tips, gold nozzle and medium gain.
In single-player video games, the Kefine Klean SV becomes quite an interesting companion if you like a clearer and more detailed experience rather than an explosive one. Here the focus does not follow the mantra of โmore bass equals more epic,โ but instead grants cleanliness, speed and microdetail.
๐๐ฃ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐จ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐จ, explosions and hits have punch, but they do not shake your head. The bass is firm and well controlled, with good texture, but without that massive subwoofer-type rumble. In exchange, everything sounds fast and defined, so gunshots, clashing swords or magical abilities are perceived with a clean outline and without smearing the mix.
๐ฟ๐๐๐ก๐ค๐๐ช๐๐จ shine quite a lot. The gold filter enhances the upper area and that makes voices, whispers and narrations sound crisp and forward. In very narrative games this is greatly appreciated because every phrase has clarity and presence without needing to raise the volume.
In terms of ๐๐ข๐ข๐๐ง๐จ๐๐ค๐ฃ, it surprises with how it rescues environmental sounds that normally go unnoticed: wind between trees, echoes in caves, distant footsteps or small creaks. It is not a physical immersion of sound pressure, but a more atmospheric and detailed one, as if the game were breathing around you.
The ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐ค๐ ๐ก๐๐ฎ๐๐ง๐จ is very solid for its range. In busy moments with orchestral music, effects, voices and simultaneous chaos it maintains order. The bass does not invade and each element keeps its space, something that with the gold filter is enhanced thanks to that extra clarity.
๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐๐ is not gigantic or ultra holographic, but it is airy. There is a good lateral sensation and decent frontal depth, enough so that the world does not feel flat. It is not a cinema, but neither is it a closed room.
In terms ofย sibilance, the additional brightness can make certain metallic effects or strong consonants more noticeable. It does not usually become annoying, but if you are very sensitive to treble, an extra bit of sparkle may appear in intense scenes.
And regarding ๐ฅ๐ค๐จ๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐, it is precise and coherent. It allows you to locate sounds clearly laterally and perceive relative distances quite naturally. It is not designed for hardcore competitive play, but for exploration, narrative and cinematic action it performs well.
In summary: with the gold filter, the Klean SV turns your games into a more detailed and defined experience rather than a visceral one.ย Less โboomโ but more โwow, listen to that which was hidden there.โ
If you want a more cinematic, explosive and impactful experience, use the black nozzle, but you will sacrifice some clarity in positioning and dialogue.
ย ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ข-๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฒ๐๐ซ ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐๐จ ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฌ:
Always seeking the most analytical scenario experience possible, tested in competitive shooter titles.ย Check my blog to see the specific shooter gamesย and the audio analysis conditions in video games. Source used: FiiO K11 with filter nยบ5 (neutral), white stock silicone ear tips, gold nozzle and medium gain.
In competitive multiplayer, the Kefine Klean SV puts on the suit of a tactical analyst rather than a fan of spectacle. It will not make your skull shake with every explosion, but it constantly whispers useful information to you. And in competitive, information is power.
In ๐ช๐๐๐๐๐๐-๐บ๐๐๐๐๐ 2 it shines especially: footsteps are drawn with a clean outline, surface changes are well differentiated and the stage, although not gigantic, is coherent and easy to read. It is not magic nor an auditory wallhack, but it gives you a clear and quick reading of the environment.
In ๐ผ๐ฅ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐จ, where everything is verticality and chaos, it helps separate abilities, shots and movements without the bass dirtying things up. Here it does not amplify the spectacle, but it reduces confusion, which can make a difference in fast pushes.
In ๐พ๐๐ก๐ก ๐ค๐ ๐ฟ๐ช๐ฉ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ง๐ฏ๐ค๐ฃ๐, footsteps and reloads stand out clearly. It does not exaggerate the sub-bass of distant explosions, so it does not distract you. It is not an ultra competitive IEM, but it performs a reasonably satisfactory and honest job.
And in ๐ฝ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ก๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ 6, in the midst of full war chaos, it maintains separation and order. It does not turn noise into silence, but into usable information. A real advantage compared to warmer sound profiles or those with more rumble dominance.
ย ๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ง ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ ๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ฏ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ง ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ค ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ญ๐๐ซ:
Comparing the Kefine Klean SV with gold nozzle against the Kefine Klean original with black nozzle, the difference is perceived from the bass to the uppermost end. In sub-bass, the gold SV offers correct but contained extension, with a cleaner rather than forceful approach where the bass is firm, fast and well defined, without invading the mids. The Klean original with the black nozzle has a similar amount of bass, but the perception changes because the upper area emphasis makes it feel more contrasted and somewhat less resolute in the base.
In the mids, the gold SV stands out for its clarity and naturalness since I perceived that voices sound centered, with good texture and without marked nasality. There is a sense of air between instruments and better separation. The black Klean pushes upper-mid presence more, giving vocal prominence and more immediacy, but it can harden certain recordings or make them somewhat more piercing to some ears.
In the highs is where they differ most in terms of quality: the gold SV extends with fine and controlled shine, providing detail without becoming strident. The black Klean is more incisive and energetic up top, conveying more sparkle and sense of attack, although at high volumes it can be more fatiguing.
๐๐๐ง ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐๐ฑ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐
The question many of us have asked. Definitely yes. After having tried both, I do not feel that the Kefine Klean SV truly replaces the Kefine Klean original. For me it is not an update that invalidates the previous one, but rather another way of approaching sound.
The SV feels more mature to me. When I use it, I have the sensation that everything is better placed: the bass is cleaner, it does not invade; voices sound clear and natural; and the highs have shine, but an elegant, more controlled shine, without losing ornamentation. It conveys more precision and a more orderly, more technical listening experience. It is the one I use when I want to enjoy nuances or small details in the mix.
The original Klean, on the other hand, feels more visceral to me. It has more sparkle up top, more immediate energy. Sometimes it sounds more exciting, more alive, even a bit more aggressive, but precisely for that reason it hooks with certain genres and even more with my personality and way of life. I do not feel it as refined next to the new model, but I do feel it as more direct.
That is why I believe they can perfectly coexist. One gives me control and detail; the other gives me character and electricity.
๐
๐ข๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ:
The Kefine Klean SV leaves me with very clear sensations: it is an IEM that makes you listen attentively without shouting anything at you. It does not seek to impress you through blows or roar, but to invite you to discover details that would normally go unnoticed. Each sound has its space, and that is noticeable: instruments, voices, everything appears in its place and with personality.
When I use it in any field, I feel that I am inside the scene, but without anything overwhelming me. There is a sense of speed and clarity in everything I hear: every note, every bar, every video game scene is perceived with definition and order. It is not a set that beautifies things; it shows you what is there, and that generates a kind of complicity with what you are listening to.
What I like most is how it keeps everything alive and present. Both what stands out most in the tracks and the small nuances, even details that I would normally ignore, are perceived with freshness and character. It does not distract me, but invites me to pay attention and enjoy every moment.
It is an honest and resolute companion that does not intend to cheat, but makes you feel that you are perceiving more than you normally could.
An explorerโs experience more than a spectatorโs.
If you made it this far, ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง๐ค ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ .
More reviews on my blog.
Social media on my profile.
๐๐๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ง๐๐ฑ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ
ย ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ซ:
This set of monitors has been sent by ๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to be able to test one of their products at no cost and that no conditions were imposed when creating this analysis.
Despite this, my priority is to be as impartial as possible within the subjectivity that comes with analyzing an audio product. My opinion belongs only to me and I develop it around the perception of my ears. If you have a different one, it is equally valid. Please feel free to share it.
ย ๐๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ:
-FiiO K11 for music and video games on the main PC.
-FiiO KA13 while I work.
-FiiO BTA30 Pro + FiiO BTR13 for wireless LDAC listening at home.
-FiiO BTR13 + FiiO BT11 + iPhone 16 Pro Max for wireless listening on the street.
-FiiO KA11.
-FiiO Jiezi 3.5mm/4.4mm
-BQEYZ Lin.
-Shanling M0 Pro 3.5mm/4.4mm.
-Apple Music.
