:
● Solid and lightweight resin shell chassis.
● Triple driver configuration – dynamic driver, bone conduction driver and balanced armature driver.
● It uses a proven Knowles balanced armature driver.
● The modified UIEM-style shell design offers an ergonomic fitting.
● From its packaging box, it offers three types of ear tips.
● Fun and coloured tuning, good for casual listening
● That contact-type bone conduction driver delivers that surround-like listening experience
● Rumbly and impactful bass response.
● Full-bodied and punchy sound from bass instruments and male vocals.
● Ample warmth with sufficient brightness on its midrange presentation
● Smooth, velvety and rich sounding vocals and instruments.
● Shimmering treble quality with good amount of air.
● Not a hint of sibilance, harshness and piercing sound that it can be recommended to some treble-sensitive folk out there.
● Fairly roomy headstage with good resolution capabilities.
:
● Noticeable a bit boomy bass as its mid bass section tends to bleed to the midrange region.
● Recessed midrange presentation
● No carrying case included on its packaging box.
● Less defined layering and separation.
● Somewhat a bit sluggish transient response.
Alkaid also known as Eta Ursae Majoris in Latin, Benethnasch in Arabic, Hagunsei in Japanese or Yao Kwang in Chinese is an easternmost star found in the Plough asterism and it is known for its visually vivid brightness with its blue-ish white colour as it is one of the brightest stars in the Ursa Major constellation. It has some notable symbolism in both Arabic and European Medieval astrology as it is believed that it brings some protection against incantations, bandits and even assassins.
It seems the KB EAR is getting on fire as they keep releasing more models this year alone, and what I have here is their latest entry-level model. I previously published a full review on their KB02 a few months ago and I actually find it pleasantly fun and engaging to listen as its contact-type bone conduction driver does really deliver those added deep resonance effect on its overall sound experience, and now what I have right now its next iteration model with some new features, The KB EAR KB03 ALKAID.
The KB03 ALKAID is a hybrid driver IEM consisting of three types of driver technology which is a noticeable improvement over its predecessor which only offers two different types. On its three driver type configuration, it features a dynamic driver, a bone conduction driver and a balanced armature driver. The dynamic driver has a 10mm diameter size and it has a beryllium-coated diaphragm inside as this type of material known for its lightweight, stiffness yet rigidity as it capable to deliver a fast transient response for a precise, clear and detailed audio reproduction, while the bone conduction driver is contact-type one as it added some deep vibration power on its low frequency to give that atmospheric-like presence, and the balanced armature driver which is quite an excellent choice that KB EAR done for this model as it was sourced from Knowles, and this particular BA driver model belongs to the FK series, a derivative or a sub-series of their TWFK series line-up, and the FK series model are known to be the smallest BA receivers to date and known for their exceptional full range bandwidth, and it was implemented as a tweeter for the KB03 ALKAID.
The drivers were then housed in a 3D-moulded medium-size resin shell structure with modified UIEM-type shape. It is said that the design of its faceplate is hand-painted as it gives some distinctive patterns that are somewhat inspired from abalone sea shells that makes it look eye-pleasing. The nozzle part on its cavity base is somehow long but a bit lean that assures better insertion inside the outer ear canal and it still utilises a proven 0.78mm connector as its interlocking mechanism for its detachable cable.
The stock cable of this one is decent for its price but nowadays there are some latest IEMs from competitors that offer better stock cables with a bit thicker profile and some of them even have modular termination plugs. The cable consists of multi-strands of high purity oxygen-free copper wire conductors constructed into a 4-core then twisted to improve signal transmission while greatly reducing interference and crosstalk as it delivers a seamlessly smooth transmission of lossless audio signal without distortion or microphonic effects. On its termination end, it has a gold-plated 3.5mm single-ended plug for corrosive resistance and better conductivity.
The shells with its modified UIEM-type shell design offers a good wearability as it comfortably rests well into my lugholes without any discomforts, and also that it securely fits into my outer canal as it gives a good passive noise isolation that blocks unwanted noises from the outside.
The product packaging of this one has a sufficient amount of accessories inside of its packaging box, and the contents were neatly organised and it was divided into two compartments. The only thing that KB EAR doesn't include is a carrying case that can be used as a storage container to protect the earpieces.
These are the following contents inside of its packaging box:
- Pair of KB EAR KB03 ALKAID transducer earpieces.
- Stock cable
- Three (3) pairs of balance bore white-coloured silicone eartips in different standard sizes.
- Three (3) pairs of balance bore opaque grey-coloured silicone eartips in different standard sizes.
- Three (3) pairs of balance bore white-coloured silicone eartips in different standard sizes.
- Paperwork like user's manual and postcard.
When it comes to driveability and amplification, this set is fairly sensitive that it can be driven by a device/source with standard gain mode output. With a sufficient power output enough to amplify the KB03 ALKAID, it sounds pretty dynamic that it encompasses the full range of the frequency response.
The tonal profile of this one is definitely a V-shaped sounding one on how prominent both the low frequency and high frequency are as it has a balanced-warmish tonality on them.
LOWS/BASS:
Impactful, rumbly and quite boomy, those are my initial impressions on how I characterised the quality of its bass response, and it still sounds the same as I've tested this set for a few days, so no notable changes at all. It seems that the combination of contact-type bone conduction driver and dynamic driver delivers that ambient-like sound with some sense of layering on it that adds that depth and reverberating effect although there are some issues that I encountered like a bit veiled and too reverberant sounding.
The sub bass presence can be felt clearly as some electronic and string instruments such as synthesisers, drum machines, low-tuned bass guitars and double-basses as they produce a deep and grumbling sound, while the mid bass have well-bodied texture that gives more punchier and robust sound on bass-clef instruments and deep male vocals. Bass guitars sound earthy and weighty, double-basses have a broader and duller sound, bass kick drums sound full and thunderous, and then on male vocals, bass and bass-baritones, they have those dark timbre and deep resonance on their vocals as they sound dense, heavy and gravelly that sometimes they smeared over the midrange frequency part.
MIDRANGE:
The midrange presentation of this one is definitely recessed on how the some vocals and instruments were less prominent as it somewhat laid back or even quite veiled on how they are presented, but it has a warm and energetic sound as the give some note weight texture on some vocal types notably on male ones and instruments, and also a clarity and shimmer on female vocals, and also on instruments like strings and woodwinds. In general, the midrange quality of this one is lively, well-textured and clear.
The male vocals sound full and well-bodied; baritones sound warm and lush, tenors have brassy and juicy sound, and countertenors sound tender and coppery from their falsettos. Meanwhile, on the female vocals, contraltos have that heavy and rich sound from their chesty vocals, while mezzo-sopranos have more velvety and glowing sound and the sopranos have a bell-like and gleaming sound on their vocals whether it is either dramatic, lyric or coloratura type of soprano voices.
As for instruments, on strings instruments on how they sound, guitars have a bit buttery sound, while the violins sound full, soft and clear, and then cellos have a warm and sensuous sound on them. When it comes to woodwinds, concert flutes sound rich and soft, piccolos have a graceful and sensitive sound, clarinets sound mellow and lively, and then the saxophones sound velvety and mild. In regards to brass instruments, trumpets, trombones and horns, they have a full, powerful and velvety sound respectively. In percussive ones, snares sound hard and incisive with a bit of boominess, tom-toms have a warm and resonant sound, field drums sound sonorous, and kettle drums sound resonant with a hint of dry tone.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
The treble quality is somewhat tuned in the brighter side as on how it sound shimmering and sparkling with a sufficient amount of airy extension due to the accentuated peak on the upper-mids then a gradual slope down somewhere in the presence section of the treble region that highlights the sense of clarity and definition on the articulation of vocals and a sharp attack on instruments on either percussives or rhythmic ones. Despite its bright tuning, it doesn't produce too much sibilance, piercing or harshness that might be unpleasant to treble-sensitive folk out there.
There's a good amount of air from its brilliance section along with a sparkle that makes the treble-noted instruments sound crisper and shimmering. The cymbals sound while the hi-hats, and then glockenspiel and celestas.
SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:
The KB03 seems capable of projecting a fairly roomy headstage as it has a decent broadness on its lateral span, a good height ceiling reach and a good stage depth within my aural perception.
As for its imaging, it somehow presents a concave-like stereo panning in which we can locate the placement of vocals and instrument within its decently-layered soundscape, but it isn't the most pinpoint in terms of accuracy and also, its separation isn't that well-defined.
The cohesiveness of its triple driver set-up seemingly perform satisfactory although I noticed that its dynamic driver seems to deliver a bit sluggish transient response on its low frequency as it was also compounded with that reverberant effect from the bone conduction driver, but its balanced armature driver is capable on delivering a clear and detail sound from midrange up to the high frequency. On its resolution capabilities, it has a firm macro-dynamics in which it can highlight the varying volume on individual notes or instrumental passages from loudness to its quietest level, while its micro-dynamics has a reasonably sharp definition on extracting fine details and nuances from an audio track like instrumental and vocal reverb tails and notational attacks.
PEER COMPARISONS:
KB EAR KB02
- The preceding model of the KB03 ALKAID, and like its successor, it has a hybrid driver set-up but with less driver count.
- It has a dynamic driver with beryllium-coated diaphragm along with a contact-type bone conduction driver and it is encased in a modified UIEM-type acrylic resin shell chassis.
- Product packaging on this one seems adequate as it has a pouch for storage along with 9 pairs of silicone eartips of different bore sizes.
- Like its successor, it has a coloured and fun tonality as it also has V-shaped sound profile but it has less bass smudging due to its leaner mid bass response, a recessed but more balanced midrange as it has an ample warmth and energy for vocals and instruments and smoother treble response with less airy extension.
- As for its technical performance, it has a perceived modest sound/speaker stage presentation and with less detail capabilities on its resolution aspect.
As I conclude this product review, it seems that KB EAR is keeping striving on improving the models of their KB series line-up and the KB03 Alkaid is the result of its effort. With the inclusion of a good quality balanced armature driver source from a reputation audio solution yields a good result as it adds more clarity and detail compared to its predecessor.
My slight concern of this model would be the implementation of its bone conduction as I mentioned its performance as it produces an exaggerated reverberating effect that smudges the bass and initial part of the midrange region that makes them sound somewhat boxy. But even with those issues that I have encountered, I think that KB03 ALKAID has its own strengths as it has a fun and coloured sound that listening to our favourite tracks makes it more pleasant and delightful to enjoy the rhythm and beat of the music.
KBEAR KB03 ALKAID is now available on KEEPHIFI and I will provide a non-affiliated like below:
LINK:
https://keephifi.com/products/kbear-alkaid-kb03-in-ear-monitors-1-dd-1-ba-1-bone-conduction-hybrid-hifi-iem-earphones-upgraded-vibration-bone-conduction-driver
SPECIFICATION:
MODEL: KB EAR KB03
IMPEDANCE: 9.4Ω
SENSITIVITY: 101dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 20KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M
PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR (0.78mm)
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER + (1) ELASCTIC-TYPE BONE CONDUCTION DRIVER + (1) BALANCED ARMATURE DRIVER
MICROPHONE SUPPORT: NO
TRACKS TESTED: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)
Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
Lauren Christy – Steep *
Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *
Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*
Type O Negative - Black No.1 *
Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **
Three Tenors - Nessum Dorma *
Mercyful Fate - Witches' Dance *
P.S.
I am not affiliated to KB EAR nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.
Once again, I would like to send my gratitude to KB EAR REP for providing this review unit as a loaner unit. I truly appreciate her generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.
