KBear is a rising name in the world of budget and mid-range audio gear, known for delivering impressive sound quality at an affordable price. With a focus on in-ear monitors (IEMs) and audio accessories, KBear combines solid engineering, stylish designs, and competitive pricing to attract both casual listeners and audiophiles on a budget. While not as established as some high-end brands, KBear has built a reputation for offering great value, often punching above its weight in sound performance.

In this review, I’ll take a closer look at KB02, exploring its sound, build quality, and whether it lives up to the KBear name. They were provided by KEEPHIFI.



The KB02 is equipped with a dual-driver configuration, featuring a 10mm beryllium-plated dynamic driver alongside a 10mm bone conduction driver. The implementation delivers a well-balanced sound signature.

I have been familiar with the KBear brand for quite some time, primarily for their IEM cables. They have built a strong reputation for offering high-quality cables at remarkably affordable prices. While some other brands charge exorbitant amounts for similar materials. I own a few pair of those cables as well.

What is in the box:
- A sleek, nice thin ofc cable (I am a fan of those lighter thin cables)
- A generous selection of silicone eartips (which did not work for me, more on that later)
- Two elegantly polished in-ear monitors that exceed their price point in appearance and sound.



I must mention that the included eartips doesn’t do the KB02 justice. Achieving a proper, tight seal proved to be quite challenging for me with the included one’s, which significantly impacted the bass response.

I opted to replace them for this review with foam eartips and better silicone one’s to give a fair honest review, the difference after changing these was remarkable. The improved fit and isolation enhanced the overall sound quality substantially. I would highly recommend upgrading the eartips for the best possible experience. Why I mention this, because with not having a tight fit, there is a change you misjudge the KB02. So it might well be with different shape ears, the included one's are adequate

Since I primarily use gear from the much higher-end segment, I wasn’t sure what to expect. However, this turned out to be a very positive and enjoyable experience, an eye-opener, even. $40 in the hifi is not expensive, so let's see how it performs.

My test equipment:
- Mojo2 +Poly
- TT2 + MScaler + Lumin U2
- Astell and Kern se180 + SEM3/SEM4
- MacBook Pro 2024

Tested Tracks:
Sami Yusuf Live in Amsterdam – The meeting
Compay Segunda – Te Doy La Vida (from the Buena Vista Family)
Willie Nelson – The Nearness of you
Diana Krall – L-o-v-e
Herbert von Karajan – Ludwig van Beethoven 9 symphonies
Cristina Santori – Alleria
HAEVN – One Day
Melody Gardot – There where he Lives
Stacey Kent – Thinking about the rain
Eva Cassidy - Wade in the water Acoustic
Oscar Peterson – There Will Never be Another You (Album City Lights)
Nat King Cole – Mona Lisa
Myriam Alter - Come with me


Treble:
The graph shown a steep drop-off in the higher frequences (so it seems) which in this case enhances tonal balance but still adds a sense of air and openness, Vocals benefit from this airiness and linearity, while instruments sound detailed and energetic. The upper treble is never sibilant or shows harshness, resulting in a laid-back and relaxed presentation. Vocals and instruments has a forward yet non-fatiguing presence. The result is a enjoyable listening experience.

Mid:
I always love a smooth midrange, here the KB02 does not dissapoint. The vocals are exceptionally well-articulated. Notes carry weight and warmth, resulting in a rich, engaging sound. The upper midrange blends seamlessly with the lower treble, delivering an open and airy presentation without sacrificing body or detail. The smoothness is just right, without being excessive.

The lower midrange, while slightly recessed, maintains excellent structure, allowing female, male vocals and instruments to surface effortlessly.

Male vocals sound deep and nuanced and have a noticeable depth , while female vocals feel fresh and lively. While female vocals retain a soft yet vibrant quality. I could hear some moments where I heared better IEM's, but nothing disturbing. Melody's voice came through with amazing tone...

Instruments had weight to them.

Overall, the midrange is lively, airy, and forward, striking a great balance between presence and musicality.
I would say the focus is realism with a hint of warmth without taking it to far.


Bass:
Here the bone conductor comes into place:
Bone conduction drivers transmit vibrations directly through the skull rather than relying solely on air conduction. This results in a more tactile, physical bass experience, making low frequencies feel more immersive without overwhelming the mix. It adds depth and impact to sub-bass without requiring excessive air movement, which can sometimes cause bloating in traditional dynamic drivers.

The KB02 delivers a impressive texture and detail, creating a tactile sensation that mimics the feel of bass rather than just the sound. The impact and physicality are remarkably well-controlled. The sub-bass reaches deep, producing subtle rumbles and well-controlled punches, while the mid-bass provides weight and impact without bleeding into the mids.

The track Compay Segunda – Te Doy La Vida, let you clearly feel that deeper bass, as well as Melody's There where he lives.

Myriam Alter's bass, has a deep bass drum part, around 5:10 min in the track, here the bone conductor showed it could cope, it lacked a little micro details, but impressive nonetheless in this price range.

The Iem's tuning brings certain bass notes to the forefront, making them more prominent in the mix. However, the bass dynamics and texture are exceptional in this price range.



Overal conclusion

I think the KB02, is a very nice sounding IEM, you can enjoy. What you get for around $40 is a very nice and smooth sounding IEM with very good note separation, the soundstage is impressively holographic and airy, allowing for effortless distinction between instruments and pinpointing their positions with accuracy.

I would call the KB02 a very balanced IEM. These are not for the ultra bass happy fans, although for some very enjoyable, it is far from realistic, the KB02 is more focussed on realism, with a hint of warmth.

Is everything perfect, in this price range you can't expect that, with the KB02 you won’t get the smallest macro details in treble or the best layers in lower bass regions. Is that a bad thing or a flaw, ofcourse not!

The KB02 performs well and way beyond their price point, eventhough I am used to very expensive IEM's , I enjoyed listening to the KB02, it had a very nice detailed and smooth sound.