Hello friends!
Today the review is about a new product, hot, intriguing and for some, controversial.
Kefine company has released another dynamic IEM. Two versions of Delci have not had time to rattle off, another interesting thing appeared.
Today the review is about a new product, hot, intriguing and for some, controversial.
Kefine company has released another dynamic IEM. Two versions of Delci have not had time to rattle off, another interesting thing appeared.
The name of the model is Klean. With a “K”. The name is based on the English word Clean, and the first letter is replaced in favor of the company's name. A little symbolism.
Today will be a comparison with current models, we will analyze the sound on different sources.The cost is about 55$ for today, without taking into account sales and discounts.
Let's go to the main part!
Packaging
The packaging and bundling has been redesigned. The box is completely different. It is smaller in size and of higher quality.
The front part shows us the appearance of the headphones with the full name.
On the back part there are classic configuration information in several languages and manufacturer's contacts.
Sliding the shirt we get access to the main box with a hinged lid, reminiscent of Simgot's packaging solution. Inside there are 2 boxes inside - for the IEM and accessories.
There is a dense fabric case, which reminds me of a similar case from ARTTI. Inside silver-plated cable, two cores, metal quality fittings and functional separator. The plug is 3,5 mm with 2Pin 0,78 mm connectors. And of course a set of 3 pairs of good quality silicone eartips.
Сonfiguration
The IEM have one dynamic driver 10 mm with DLC diaphragm. From the features of the magnetic system N52 and high-performance voice coil, named DAIKOKU CCAW.
There are also interchangeable filters that have a real impact on the sound.
Sensitivity is 107dB, impedance 32 ohms.
Frequency range 20 Hz-20 kHz.
I used Xinhs 7N copper cable and JVC Spiral DOT Pro fx 12 eartips.
Appearance
The shells have also been completely redesigned compared to past models.
The eartips fitting issue is completely gone now. The IEM fit 99% of the time comfortably with any eartips. Passive noise isolation is excellent.
The IEM have one dynamic driver 10 mm with DLC diaphragm. From the features of the magnetic system N52 and high-performance voice coil, named DAIKOKU CCAW.
There are also interchangeable filters that have a real impact on the sound.
Sensitivity is 107dB, impedance 32 ohms.
Frequency range 20 Hz-20 kHz.
I used Xinhs 7N copper cable and JVC Spiral DOT Pro fx 12 eartips.
Appearance
The shells have also been completely redesigned compared to past models.
The eartips fitting issue is completely gone now. The IEM fit 99% of the time comfortably with any eartips. Passive noise isolation is excellent.
Shells are made of metal by casting method. They have a matte black coloration. The faceplates with a nice mesh-rhomboidal pattern with a large inscription KEFINE. The sound nozzle is made of metal as a separate element and has a gold color. Replaceable filters are made as threaded caps screwed to the nozzles. There are two compensation holes and channel marks on the inside of the shelves . The 2Pin sockets are made exactly flush with the housings and are very high quality.
There is also a large screw on the inside of the shells that holds the two halves of the shells together. Glueless screw construction is used.
There is also a large screw on the inside of the shells that holds the two halves of the shells together. Glueless screw construction is used.
Sound impressions
The nozzle filters
The silver one has a more balanced sound with tidy upper mids and presense and more developed lows. The far treble stands out better against this, which is a very good thing in my opinion.
The black filter gives more resolution in the upper mids and presense, but it slightly reduces the highs by shifting the overall balance. Low frequencies with this filter also become a little less.
For myself I definitely chose the silver filter. All the test was done with it.
The sources
The Shanling H2 DAC has a pronounced excess of mid-bass and in general a warmer and more massive delivery. In the same metal there are often excessively heavy notes of percussion and guitar parts.
There is darkening and smoothing on the upper mids and highs. Among the features is a very wide stage, vocals are a bit farther away compared to Tempotec V6.
Music source with a balanced delivery in the right side and a boost in the left. Can be listened to comfortably for a long time without tiring.
There is darkening and smoothing on the upper mids and highs. Among the features is a very wide stage, vocals are a bit farther away compared to Tempotec V6.
Music source with a balanced delivery in the right side and a boost in the left. Can be listened to comfortably for a long time without tiring.
Tempotec V6 shows interesting and emotional vocals, it is closer to the listener, deeper. Tangibly better midrange and higher resolution compared to H2. Guitars are angrier. In terms of bass frequencies we hear a good depth of sub-bass and a dense and clear mid-bass. On the highs, the V6 is also prioritized for better resolution and quantity factor. Qualitatively the source is higher level than the previous device.
Xuelin 780 is a very catchy, intense and sounding dude.
If we compare it with V6, of course, it is simpler on the top, it has less spectacular scene and there are not so bit noticeable but important nuances. But it has an excellent pressure on the lows in its arsenal, with powerful percussion and extended mids. A spectacular sound! On the second output, it's more laid-back and soulful. But the fact that he was beating with a full-fledged player with a price more than twice as high already tells a lot. I really liked the Klean's pairing with this source.
If we compare it with V6, of course, it is simpler on the top, it has less spectacular scene and there are not so bit noticeable but important nuances. But it has an excellent pressure on the lows in its arsenal, with powerful percussion and extended mids. A spectacular sound! On the second output, it's more laid-back and soulful. But the fact that he was beating with a full-fledged player with a price more than twice as high already tells a lot. I really liked the Klean's pairing with this source.
Topping NX7. Surprisingly I did not like the sound. It's the first time it's like this. In general, there seems to be no loss in the high frequencies, but the sound became somehow dried up and lost volume and airiness. The scene is narrowed. I feel that the presense and upper midrange are in a slump. Everything sounds more muffled somehow. I must admit that this is a very unexpected result.
HifiMan 901R with IEM card. The source has an emphasis on low frequencies. In general, the resolution at the top and middle is restrained, not fully pulling all the possibilities from the headphones.
The stage is more collected in the center. In general, the sound is somewhat simplistic. Warm, bassy but with little resolution.
The stage is more collected in the center. In general, the sound is somewhat simplistic. Warm, bassy but with little resolution.
Fosi Audio DS2 2024. Wow, how cheerful and saturated it turned out to be! I didn't expect such energy. So much dynamics and expression in the sound. I recommend current and future owners to listen to these IEM in conjunction with this device. Unexpectedly cool sound. Excellent DAC with virtually no alternatives in its budget.
And now along the concrete frequencies.
Treble
Let's start with high frequencies. Listening to music, I couldn't help thinking how the Kleans manage to show the high-frequency range so cleanly and clearly, having a configuration with a single DD. And the engineers managed to adjust so that even HF-phobic will not wince and moderate HF-phile, which I am, will be not only satisfied but also surprised.
Comfort and praiseworthy resolution are at the top of the list. There are no unpleasant overdrive and any kind of resis not even close, but a lot of information is available. Admittedly, many hybrids and even tribrids that I own have been relegated to the background and are likely to go to the flea market.
Overall Simgot are technicians who are able to lay things out. Klean have more analog timbres, sounding a bit warmer thanks to more developed lows. But, oddly enough, the Klean's treble is better developed. More air and a more pronounced presence zone. But remember that it is not quite correct to correlate the sound of a dynamic driver with the sound of an armature or a piezo. But in this case the frequency response confirms what I actually heard.
And now along the concrete frequencies.
Treble
Let's start with high frequencies. Listening to music, I couldn't help thinking how the Kleans manage to show the high-frequency range so cleanly and clearly, having a configuration with a single DD. And the engineers managed to adjust so that even HF-phobic will not wince and moderate HF-phile, which I am, will be not only satisfied but also surprised.
Comfort and praiseworthy resolution are at the top of the list. There are no unpleasant overdrive and any kind of resis not even close, but a lot of information is available. Admittedly, many hybrids and even tribrids that I own have been relegated to the background and are likely to go to the flea market.
For example, at the very beginning of the intro in Mastodon's Black Tongue, our heroes showed the interruptions on the hi-hat as clearly and clearly as possible. At this point, many IEM mask this nuance, or rather completely ignore it.
And in the chorus of Metallica's Room of Mirrors, you can hear the Klean's ability to work out the distant highs with a nice sparkle that contrasts and only enhances the perception of other frequencies. Excellent high frequencies that do not have the property of fatigue in the realization of these particular IEM and give a new experience and emotions.
And in the chorus of Metallica's Room of Mirrors, you can hear the Klean's ability to work out the distant highs with a nice sparkle that contrasts and only enhances the perception of other frequencies. Excellent high frequencies that do not have the property of fatigue in the realization of these particular IEM and give a new experience and emotions.
Mids
And smoothly moving to the middle frequencies, the above track can also be taken as an example of working out dynamic and rather speedy drums with contrasting bursts on bass toms and with dense massive drumming. Guitars also gives a delight with tasty riffs and attention to nuances from the upper middle. Speaking about vocal parts, whether it's velvet baritone in Chris Isaak's performance in Wicked game track or expression on female vocals in The Last Dinner Party composition called Nothing Matters or assertive aggression of male vocals in heavy hardcore track performed by Terror and their This World Never Wanted Me are absolutely convincing and captivating. Full throttle! By the way, the last track is generally recorded with excessive information on the top and upper middle. But the Klean's performance is comfortable, not tiring.
And who wants to listen to some boring&heavy stuff - the track Edin in Ashes of the unpronounceable named Shylmagoghnar team is here. Heavy vocals, very heavy music and medium speed tempo. The speaker did a decent job. To the best of his ability. It would have been easier for hybrids, of course. But such a workout - is still very commendable for a single DD.
Lows
As for the bass, I was satisfied with the depth and mid-bass. Both quantity and quality of the overall range.
The mid-bass and great saturation of layers can be appreciated in the track by Massive Attack - I Against I. In the middle the track develops and shows an interesting bass, with lots of layers and smooth transitions. It's addictive. In it, by the way, many IEMgo into hum and flat sound. But here I did not hear any of this.
And for an example of sub-bass realization I will recommend a composition by Drumsound & Bassline Smith called Close. Very deep and layered sub, tightly enveloping the perception. Who likes drum & bass, check it out guys!
Commendable, very commendable behavior in all scenarios and at all frequencies. In my humble opinion and to my ear, as they say.
The soundstage is very solid and coherent. There is not a single aspect in the pitch that would scare me off and strain me.
The mid-bass and great saturation of layers can be appreciated in the track by Massive Attack - I Against I. In the middle the track develops and shows an interesting bass, with lots of layers and smooth transitions. It's addictive. In it, by the way, many IEMgo into hum and flat sound. But here I did not hear any of this.
And for an example of sub-bass realization I will recommend a composition by Drumsound & Bassline Smith called Close. Very deep and layered sub, tightly enveloping the perception. Who likes drum & bass, check it out guys!
Commendable, very commendable behavior in all scenarios and at all frequencies. In my humble opinion and to my ear, as they say.
The soundstage is very solid and coherent. There is not a single aspect in the pitch that would scare me off and strain me.
Comparisons
vs Kefine Delci AE
vs Kefine Delci AE
Here is very revealing and interesting, the battle of two dynamos of the same company. You can see the development of the company in terms of sound customization.
So, Delci, the gold filter. The AFC shows everything exactly as it is. The bass is less and it is clearly audible in direct comparison. The upper midrange and presense is the very thing that pushes Delci to the second place at once. The midrange sounds decently brighter and the peach in the presense zone at 6 kHz gives often unpleasant moments on vocals and instrumental parts.
vs Simgot EA500 LM, bronze filter
The second curious comparison. The king of the party in Simgot is the upper middle. And alas, that's not a plus. The point is that the IEM have commendably developed highs, in particular, the distant ones. But the volume in the midrange is in substantial excess and they simply cover all the beauty of the distant treble, and it's as if they don't exist. And that's what the Kleans do. How great they can show the edges of the range, on HF in particular. And the Simgot's sub-bass is inferior. The mid-bass and lower mid are absolutely identical, you can see it in the graph. I like to refresh my perception sometimes with a bright sound like Simgot. But it's an occasional story. It's hard to base something like this on a permanent basis.
vs Simgot EW300
And probably the hottest comparison of all. EW300s are much more confident and clearer in laying out rich instrumental genres. It's all tribrid, the frequencies are separated. It is easier for one driver to work one range than three at once. I also noticed that Simgot's upper midrange in the overall balance with the top is a little higher in volume, and because of this, some nuances, often important nuances, are simply overlapped in the midrange, lost behind it. Simgot is inferior in the low end, specifically in the low bass area. The difference can be seen on the graph and heard in fact. Not critical, but the sound is lighter and less fundamental.
Guitars sound more correct and a bit dryer.
Guitars sound more correct and a bit dryer.
Overall Simgot are technicians who are able to lay things out. Klean have more analog timbres, sounding a bit warmer thanks to more developed lows. But, oddly enough, the Klean's treble is better developed. More air and a more pronounced presence zone. But remember that it is not quite correct to correlate the sound of a dynamic driver with the sound of an armature or a piezo. But in this case the frequency response confirms what I actually heard.
Conclusion
Once again I'm convinced that dynamas are our everything. But not only everyone can cook it correctly and comfortably, I emphasize COMFORTFULLY. Once again, Kefain has done it. Honestly, I'm not lying.
They are rich in timbre, able to calm down in chillout or classical, to blow you off your seat in heavy metal or hardcore, or to envelop you in the velvet of low-frequency rumblings in electronica and dramatics. They will work everything beautifully and emotionally.
Once again I'm convinced that dynamas are our everything. But not only everyone can cook it correctly and comfortably, I emphasize COMFORTFULLY. Once again, Kefain has done it. Honestly, I'm not lying.
They are rich in timbre, able to calm down in chillout or classical, to blow you off your seat in heavy metal or hardcore, or to envelop you in the velvet of low-frequency rumblings in electronica and dramatics. They will work everything beautifully and emotionally.
The IEM give a positive attitude and cheerful spirit by the way they show us our favorite tracks. They do it skillfully, qualitatively and to the fullest.
I heard neither dirt on the highs nor simplifications on the key and most saturated for the human ear midrange nor lightness and lightness on the lows.
Personally from myself, for everyone and anyone, for any genre and direction, for old and young, I recommend these model. I'm sure no one will be disappointed.
And if we remember the cost and unpretentiousness in terms of amplification of the reviewed item so in general all barriers are erased.
Comparisons with other competitors in a similar budget showed that the Klean were a real competitor. Many were defeated. Some expectedly, I'm talking about Delci.
Others unexpectedly. I'm talking about the EW300. For me, I haven't come to a definitive conclusion yet. Simgot still has its undeniable advantages. But these are my personal issues.
The Kefine company has worked hard, and very efficiently. Both on packaging and on shells, and by the way quite fruitfully and the result was very good. And about the sound I have already told you everything. In my opinion it is a big step in the right direction!
I heard neither dirt on the highs nor simplifications on the key and most saturated for the human ear midrange nor lightness and lightness on the lows.
Personally from myself, for everyone and anyone, for any genre and direction, for old and young, I recommend these model. I'm sure no one will be disappointed.
And if we remember the cost and unpretentiousness in terms of amplification of the reviewed item so in general all barriers are erased.
Comparisons with other competitors in a similar budget showed that the Klean were a real competitor. Many were defeated. Some expectedly, I'm talking about Delci.
Others unexpectedly. I'm talking about the EW300. For me, I haven't come to a definitive conclusion yet. Simgot still has its undeniable advantages. But these are my personal issues.
The Kefine company has worked hard, and very efficiently. Both on packaging and on shells, and by the way quite fruitfully and the result was very good. And about the sound I have already told you everything. In my opinion it is a big step in the right direction!
All right friends, today's review is over.
Thank you for your attention. Do not forget that the above is my subjective opinion. There is a chance that it will coincide with yours, but not 100 percent.
I'll leave you to it.
I wish you a great mood and great sound.
See you soon, bye!
Links to purhase on Aliexpress:
Kefine Store
DD Audio store
HiFiGo
Linsoul Audio Store
Thank you for your attention. Do not forget that the above is my subjective opinion. There is a chance that it will coincide with yours, but not 100 percent.
I'll leave you to it.
I wish you a great mood and great sound.
See you soon, bye!
Links to purhase on Aliexpress:
Kefine Store
DD Audio store
HiFiGo
Linsoul Audio Store