Kefine Delci AE Review – Goal Line And Inches

INTRO

A minor refresh to the Delci brings us the Kefine Delci AE with the AE indicating a joint venture with AngelEars or AngelHifi. The original Kefine Delci was my happy spot for minimum requirement budget IEMS. The $20-30 range leaves a lot to be desired like a quick meal at McDonalds, while the $50+ range provides better options like a sit down restaurant. The Kefine Delci AE at $69 tuned to a diffuse field similar to Moondrop’s VSDF tuning, provides subsistence for your ears.

Not sure who AngelHifi is, but they seem to be collaborating with multiple brands. They might just be a Aliexpress store that is trying to become another distributor outside of Aliexpress focusing solely on collaborations. I really have no information, but their website www.angelhifi.com contains a handful of models if anyone was curious who they are.

Disclaimer: Like Halloween candy, I accepted these free from Kefine without any tricks.

DESIGN AND PACKAGE

Kefine Delci AE maintains the same slim protrusion as the original Delci. Isolation is above average due to the CNC metal shell. What is new would be the included removable filters hitting both popular markets for tuning- one to appease the Eastern tuning and one to appease Western tuning preferences. They are referred to as the Pop/Rock (silver) vs Classical / Jazz (gold) filters.

The eartips are initially frustrating as the size is too small for the thick nozzle.  After a couple of swaps back and forth they stretch out and go on easier, but it still becomes a mastery in patience exercise. I remember this frustration with the original Delci too.

With the new silver cable there is no change in feel, but there is a stereotype associated with silver vs copper cables. Use your imagination, for me it is purely a preference in appearance with all things equal. They did send me the 4.4mm balanced option, but it can also be ordered in classic 3.5mm.

The zipper carrying case also carries over from before, and provides ample room for the ear-tips, tuning filters.

SOUND

Tested with LG G8, HIDIZS AP80-X Pro, HIDIZS S8 Pro, SMSL DO400

So overall tuning of the Kefine Delci AE is extremely similar when using my preferred silver tuning filters. The major change is overall clarity in the treble. It feels cleaned up and more airiness than the original Delci. Cymbals shimmer and play a more prominent role. I thought maybe it was a level difference, but my frequency response measurements show little change, with a more likely insertion difference in the fixture.

Subdued treble on the original Delci might sound a tad more balanced or warmer, but also some might think it was less exciting comparing the two directly. If you prefer a more relaxed treble presentation, the original Delci might fit your goals better.

Midrange feels improved as well with the Delci AE offering slightly more depth. I lowered some treble between around 8-10Khz to see if I was being tricked, but it still retains a slight improvement in spaciousness added through the midrange and vocals.

Bass remains unchanged, with both Delci AE and Delci having a rounded punchiness that extended tastefully into sub-bass territory. It is elevated, to give it warmth and fullness, perhaps with a touch of boxiness. I equate it to a larger 3 way speaker sound with a 10 or 12 inch driver covering the bass region. At low volumes it covers the full range but if you are expecting dedicated subwoofer beats, its not going to sound overly bassy in that sense.

Although not my tuning, the gold Kefine Delci AE filters add extra zing and twang to guitar plucks. Trumpets and saxophones get extra bite and sound extra sharp while still sounding un-strained. Flutes and woodwinds are very present as to be expected with such a forward tuning. If you like front of the house sound, step right up. 

COMPARISONS

Kefine Delci AE competes directly with the Truthear Hexa ($79) in price, the difference is a single dynamic driver inside the Delci AE to the 4 way hybrid  BA setup of the Hexa. The Truthears sounds thinner in the lower midrange and sharper in the treble. The Delci AE sounds more homogeneous and realistic. Cabasas or shakers in Dead Can Dance – Song of the Stars sound damped with less decay.

Sennheiser IE 200 is a step above the Kefine Delci AE in price and performance, however they are close in technical abilities. The Delci AE boxy bass is more noticeable, whereas the Truthears Hexa is thinner, the Sennheiser IE200 sits right in the Goldilocks zone. Timbre is also close to the IE 200 with maybe a touch too much energy around the 8-10Khz. The nice thing is that if you remove that with EQ by about 2db the Kefine Delci AE still retains the depth and clarity qualities. Sometimes the extra boost is there to mask the drawbacks, but not in this case.

FINAL REMARKS

This is the part where someone will say the new version is better than the older one, but I think the Delci and Delci AE are siblings, both equally loved but one gets more attention. If you find yourself enjoying more shimmer and air in your treble get the Delci AE. If you prefer a dried out treble decay, the original might be better suited for listening.

I still find both great entry level as the $20-40 price range is always just meh, leave that for TWS and Apple earphones. Metal shell, carrying case and tuning filters provides good value at $69, and the DLC dynamic driver has real capabilities, not accentuated fake clarity and resolution. I will not use cliche terms as punch of above their weight, or giant killers, instead it is a good starting point and will keep you off the budget treadmill.

KEFINE DELCI AE SPECIFICATIONS

GRAPHS

• Silver Filters
• Gold Filters
• Silver Vs Gold Filters
• Kefine Delci vs Delci AE
• Kefine Delci AE vs Delci vs Hexa vs Sennheiser IE 200

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DISCLAIMER

Our generic standard disclaimer.

About my measurements.