KBEAR KB04 Review (1) – Love In A Time Of Cholera
KBEAR KB04 1DD +1BA hybrid—because I got these for free (and Larry and Jürgen had some input on the tuning) you might question my objectivity, but these are awfully impressive for $30. Well-machined alloy headshells have an impressive solidity and extremely ergonomic fit, with excellent seal and good isolation. The KBEAR KB04 worked fine my LG G8 but really scaled well from more powerful sources, with noticeably more dynamic presentation. Somewhat tip-sensitive (the included foams deadened the sound while Spin-fit type silicons seemed to provide the best combo of detail and drive).
The KBEAR KB04 present a classic “consumer” tuning—gently V-shaped, bright and energetic, with an enhanced, well-etched low end, mildly recessed mids and an extended, impressively detailed high end. Notes have considerable thickness and coherence is good. Soundstage is about average in size but is quite enveloping; stereo separation is very impressive. These are less natural sounding than the Blon BL03 or comparably-priced BQEYZ—the KBEAR KB04 sound somewhat digital in comparison—but are livelier and less clinical than either (they also isolate and fit better); while you’ll hear some modest treble shrillness on certain material, the KBEAR KB04 largely steer clear of the sharpness/peaky high end of many KZ hybrids.
Unsurprisingly, the KBEAR KB04 sound very similar to the ($79) KB Diamond, which also present a weighty note presentation and impressive imaging across a nicely holographic stage; the pricier Diamond have a more refined treble, though I actually prefer the meatier low end of the KBEAR KB04, which presents a fuller midbass. The KBEAR KB04 trumps the very enjoyable Cambridge SE-1, with tighter bass and better overall clarity; I also prefer them to the Tin Hifi T4, which have a more expansive stage and presents more detail but don’t image as well and sound thinner and less engaging overall.
Ultimately, the KBEAR KB04 are sorta the Honda Civic of IEMs—unflashy and modestly-priced, but solidly engineered and well put together; you can spend exponentially more and get a bigger stage, a more transparent high end or a flashier design, but the qualitative differences are becoming much more incremental and less cost-effective. Good stuff.
You find an INDEX of all our earphone reviews HERE.
DISCLAIMER
The review unit was supplied by KBEAR. Thank you very much. It is available from KBEAR Official Store and Wooeasy Earphones Store.
Our generic standard disclaimer.
You find an INDEX of our most relevant technical articles HERE.
RELATED…
Baskingshark’s review of the KBEAR KB04
KopiOkaya’s reflections on the tuning of the KBEAR KB04
Jürgen’s photos of the KBEAR KB04
Durwood’s review of the Tin Hifi T4
Loomis’s review of the Tin Hifi T4
Loomis’s review of the Cambridge Audio SE1
