Source: Head-Fi
ACCESSORIES
The box is minimalistic, slightly different from most IEM packaging; slim like those tempered glass screen protector boxes you often buy.
With a clear image of the IEM on the front, no waifu in sight.
The included eartips are generous: 3 sets in 3 sizes; a total of 9 pairs. Comfort is another story, though.
Box contents:
1x Kbear KB02 IEM
1x OFC Cable
3x eartip sets (9 pairs)
1x Pouch
1x Paperwork
CONFIGURATION & DRIVEABILITY
The KBear KB02 features Dynamic Driver and Bone Conduction technology. Yes, you heard that right… Bone Conduction that makes a “tung tung tung” sound when tapped, just like typical BC units.
Tested with the EPZ TP35 Pro Single Ended DAC with 112mW @32ohm output, I didn’t feel it was underpowered; so it's safe to say the KB02 benefits from DAC amplification.
With more power from the KAEI TAP2 DAC (max output 1W @30 ohm), in low gain mode I had to turn the knob to around 11 o’clock for optimal listening.
FITTING
The fit is fairly comfortable, but the stock eartips are a bit uncomfortable.
It’s a bit of a waste considering the large number of eartips included. The bass was reduced when using the stock eartips, suggesting poor sealing.
I chose to use Dunu S&S eartips for the entire review.
SOUND IMPRESSION
BASS:
The bass emphasizes sub-bass, reminiscent of cinematic rumble, grandeur, atmospheric, and immersive.
For bassheads? Maybe yes, maybe no. Depends on what kind of bass you’re after. The KB02 lacks body and punch, giving it a floaty impression.
This kind of bass gives a satisfying “brr brr” sensation while maintaining sound transparency.
Though floaty, the rumble feels physical, as if vibrating and crawling inside the ear canal. Likely thanks to the Bone Conduction effect, which vibrates when tapped, feels like a spring.
Mid-bass is gently rolled off. Drum hits in rock or metal tracks lack weight, sounding like “tuk tuk” instead of “dhug dhug,” just present without standing out.
MIDRANGE:
Following from the bass frequency, the lower midrange is similarly relatively neutral, with minimal coloration from mid-bass, resulting in a cold presentation for vocals and instruments.
Take the example of my favorite soundtrack, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean live at Vienna by Hans Zimmer’. The violin strokes feel raw, and I could probably count the number of instruments playing simultaneously, a strength of this cold/dry presentation.
In general pop tracks, this coldness creates a sense of separation between instruments and vocals, though again at the cost of vocal emotion.
Occasionally, a metallic timbre appears in both male and female vocals.
I found no sibilance, even in sibilance-prone tracks.
TREBLE:
The treble leans toward a smooth sound with snappy attack. Trebleheads might itch for more brilliance, as it’s smooth but not dull.
Lower treble has good, natural texture; no metallic or thin feel. Cymbals and percussion sound organic, close to real-life sound, not splashy nor tinny.
The attack is quick with fast decay for this price point, without excessive boost. Detail retrieval feels natural, not artificially forced, yet some newcomer might crave something with a little bit more popped out presentation of detail which personally I don't really like.
Cymbal positioning sits behind bass as it should, and anisong sparkles don’t feel overbearingly peaky.
TECHNICALITIES
For me, the technicalities exceed the price range. IEMs at this price often still chase good tonality, KB02 is already playing with technical performance.
SOUNDSTAGE:
Soundstage feels grand and wide.
If I had to visualize it, it’s like being in a cinema studio with Dolby Surround sound coming from all directions.
IMAGING AND LAYERING:
Left-right AND front-back imaging is, surprisingly… I repeat… SURPRISINGLY excellent, even beyond its price range.
Possibly due to the BCD (Bone Conduction Driver) effect, the spatial impression is nearly 3D, with accurate sound placement.
TIMBRE:
I find the timbre slightly lacking in analog warmth. It's dry, so pairing it with a warm source helps make it more lifelike for personal taste.
SYNERGY
This IEM is moderately hard to drive to get optimal performance. You definitely need an external DAC.
Plugging directly into a laptop, it needed volume 40/100 (twice the volume needed for my Xelento) to reach proper loudness.
Even so, dynamics, technicalities, and rumble were all there.
Paired with the EPZ TP35 Pro single-ended 112mW@32 ohm, this was the best match for KB02.
The TP35 Pro’s extra energy brings out more treble sparkle without introducing peaks, perfect match.
With the TAP 2 DAC 1000mW @30ohm, notes sounded sharper and more defined. I thought it would be overkill, but it turned out great.
It's safe to assume that KBEAR KB02 has good scalability.
COMPARISON
VS. Tangzu Wan’er Studio Edition
Wan’er SE is my best sub-1M IDR recommendation. Tonal balance is spot-on, with bass, vocals, and treble in harmony. KB02’s midrange can sometimes lose out to its bass and treble.
KB02 bass is bigger and more textured; Wan’er SE bass is smaller but cleaner.
Midrange on Wan’er SE retains vocal weight without sounding thin.
Treble is similar, but KB02 has more texture.
VS. Moondrop Chu 2
Chu 2 and KB02 are in the same price range. Chu 2 has a blurrier tonality overall.
Vocals are similar, but Chu 2 has more sweetness.
Treble is somewhat alike, but KB02 sparkles with better texture.
Bass? No contest. KB02’s Bone Conduction-enhanced sub-bass gives a physical rumble inside your ear.
FINAL VERDICT
Honestly, I’m mindblown by what I heard over the past 3 weeks of listening.
It makes me think, you newcomers are already enjoying technicalities that used to cost over a hundred bucks.
It makes me wonder, what next? And how long until Chi-fi hits a performance ceiling at the budget level?
Back to topic, KB02 made me consider starting a personal sub-70 USD recommendation list because it deserves a spot among the best.
…But I still don’t like saying “best under …”
What should I do?
Maybe I’ll decide later.
SONGS USED:
• Frank Sinatra – Fly Me to the Moon
• Avril Lavigne – Sk8ter Boi
• Lisa – Money
• Hans Zimmer – Pirates of the Caribbean
• Blackpink – Typa Girl
• 50 Cent – In Da Club
• Nao Touyama – off
• Utada Hikaru – Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence
• Linkin Park – Faint
• Eminem – Till I Collapse
• Versailles Philharmonic Quintet – Silent Knight
Want to test with the same tracks? You can check my playlist here!
REFERENCES AND LINK:
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