KBEAR INK: Drawn Into Sonic Canvass
Welcome mates to my another IEM review article and I'll do a product assessment from KBEar, The KBEar Ink.
I did some previous product reviews for KBEar before and I actually like how KBEar prepares a reasonable packaging on their products as they are one of the most generous audio companies when it comes to a number of inclusions. And KBEar Ink is no different as it is loaded with accessories.
KBEar Ink is a single dynamic driver set-up. Its transducer inside is an 8.8mm dynamic driver with Diamond-like carbon diaphragm (DLC) that we all know that delivers a faster fate of vibration to reduce the possible loss of sound transmission and at the same time for less distortion. Some of my favourite single DD IEMs are of DLC diaphragm dynamic drivers so I am aware of how it performs.
The shell housing of KBEar Ink is made of two parts, an aluminium alloy mould on its cavity base and an epoxy resin on its faceplate with very intricate honeycomb design look that gives an assurance to its user that their product is of good quality standard for its build quality and aesthetically-pleasing. The cavity base part of KBEar Ink is somewhat of a matte-finish and it has a vent hole for escaping excess air pressure coming out from its transducer. Like KBEar products, it uses a recessed 2-pin connector that is similar to TFZ's as it is more stable and even sturdier.
As I mentioned a while ago that KBEar Ink has some good bundle inclusions and it was packed in a medium-size packaging box. Its packaging box has a black colour sleeve with print consist of KB Ear logo and the word "INK" at the front and some basic infos of the product like specifications and company address.
Here are the included accessories inside the packaging box:
KBEar INK IEMs.
An 8-core litz high purity OFC silver plated black cable.
A faux-leather IEM storage bag
Cleaning brush
Cleaning cloth
Extra two (2) of black Ear tips of different sizes (small and large)
4 pairs of white ear tips of different standard sizes.
An instruction manual.
With an impedance rating of 16 ohms, KB Ear Ink is an easy to drive as it amplifies well to decent sources like smartphones and tablets. It is loud enough even at 60% of its volume level and it gives a satisfying dynamic sounding experience to its user
As for tonality, KBEar is more of a V-shaped sound signature as it has a prominent bass, notched midrange and elevated treble. It is somewhat a bright sounding set for a single DD set-up.
Like all my IEM reviews, I will explain what I observe from each part of the audio frequency spectrum.
LOWS/BASS:
This is what I observe on all KBEar products when it comes to its usual tuning and its bass is always boosted. It is punchy and thumpy that makes the overall tuning of KB Ear very enjoyable for casual listening.
It has substantial depth and extension that you will feel its rumbling and roll that defines a good sub bass quantity. Midbass is somehow the most prominent part of mid bass region as it has an adequate texture that gives a more attack of bass kicks to have pounding and sonorous sound, a heavier and broader sound on bass guitar that it has added growl and lastly, a somber and boomy nature of bass baritone vocals.
Due to mid bass boost, I perceive that occurrences of bass bleeds that smudges on the midrange section in some bass-laden tracks. If you are a basshead then you will enjoy this type of tuning.
MIDRANGE:
There is no doubt that this particular part of the frequency range spectrum of KBEar Ink is indeed recessed. Despite that recession it remains to have a sufficient texture that it gives a warm sounding and energetic sound to that gradual rise towards the upper mids.
Male vocals were displayed to have an ample texture to give a more depth and power but they are not presented on a forepart rather than they are on the back or middling. Female vocals shows that have a forward, bright and airy to all types of vocal types from contralto to soprano but it does sometimes give me that leaner, edgy and aggressive one that makes voice quality a bit raspy and shrilly.
As for instruments, strings like acoustic guitar have this crisp and yet somewhat dry sound and violins have that metallic and "glassy" feel for every bow string struck. Percussive like snare and field drums have sharp, bright and hard sound. As for piano, it is leaning towards a brighter tone as it sounds a bit metallic and brilliant.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
As this is one of the prominent emphasis of in general sound of KBEar Ink. It has bright and sheen due to those noticeable peaks on the upper mids to presence treble. Sibilance does really show up on this one and there was some instances of a jarring note that might be an issue to some treble-sensitive individuals.
As for extension and clarity, It has a decent airy and sparkle that cymbals has that shimmer and scintillating sound but sometimes that its gives off a bit too splashy.
Overall, the treble quality is decent but it still needed some improvements.
SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:
This is a bit baffling to me when it comes to this aspect of a comprehensive tuning. Soundstage definitely has an average width, decent depth and good height which I estimate has a proper proportionate sound field. As for imaging, it is as usual stereo panning on an appropriated transition of sound from left to right on how instruments and singers are placed but in some cases it is indistinct I can't clearly define its exact positioning. Separation is decent but layering isn't exactly my ideal on how its frequency layering of each placement of distinct frequent and dynamic of each tone to the overall sonic canvas gives a congested and jumbled sound especially on complex instrumental tracks.
As for coherency due to its single DD set-up, it gives a very cohesive and homogenous performance but I also observed that speed of the driver is more on moderate pace rather than fast compared to most DLCs and it performs more similar to a CNT (Carbon Nanotube) driver.
As for resolution capability, it has decent detail retrieval with good macro dynamic fundamentals that is somewhat impressive for a dynamic driver set. Timbre-wise, it's leaning more on brighter and mellow tone.
PEER COMPARISONS:
Zerest Audio Kagami Plus
Both are on the same price range but when it comes to packaging and composition of contents, Kagami plus is just a bare bone and too plain compare to the one of the most generous audio companies in the market when it comes to inclusions. Build quality is even better on KBEar INK as it has a combination of aluminium alloy and resin while Kagami plus housing is an ABS plastic that will be problematic in a long run especially if you are in a tropical country.
Both have distinctive tuning, KBEar INK is more aggressive V-shape tuning while Kagami Plus is more a smoother U-shape sound. Bass is more authoritative on KBEar INK. Mids are more pleasant and sounds more balanced on Kagami Plus but treble extension is better on KBEar INK.
Technicalities are comparable on both sets from soundstage to imaging but when it comes to resolution capability, KBEar INK is better due to better detail retrieval due to a more sharp and precise definition.
Audiosense AQ0
As I mentioned, KB Ear is one of the most generous audio companies out there and it also happens that Audiosense is in that category too. AQ0 is a more expensive set compared to KBEar INK. AQ0 is made of high quality resin moulded in a 3D printed process with an eye-pleasing aesthetics while KBEar INK is constructed in a durable composite shell consist of aluminium alloy and resin with also good face plate design so I leave to you this subjective comparison. Stock cable is a bit better on KBEar INK as it has an 8-core and thicker to give a sense of a high quality accessory.
This is where the aspect where AQ0 tuning is tonally better, it is more refined and more mature tuning as it has more balanced sounding with better bass response, a cleaner and detailed mids and smoother and refined treble quality and even quantity. KBEar INK was simply outclassed on this aspect unless you want a more V-shape sounding IEM.
Soundstage is even better on AQ0 as it is more spacious and good separation compare to an average width and enough gaps on separation of elements on KB EAR.
To put up my conclusion on KB Ear INK. This set is actually decent given to its price offered to its customer that will be more suitable to budget audio enthusiasts who wants a capable and enjoyable, fun sounding IEM with decent technical capablities.
For sure that in under £82/$100 price range where there are a lot of competitors which also offers other alternative tuning that might sound even better but KBEar INK's main asset to stay relevant on this even tighter audio market game was its overall product packaging and presentation with good inclusions of a good quality accessories and a proven "in-house" V-shaped tonality that will give a gratifying and pleasant experience to some casual type listeners who wants a bit better tuning coming out to from a "consumer-grade" tuning for more details and clearer quality.
KB EAR INK is currently price at around £56/US$69.
And also, check out my reviews on other KB Ear products:
I hope that you will enjoy reading my content, cheers!
SPECIFICATION:
MODEL: KBEAR INK
IMPEDANCE: 16Ω
SENSITIVITY: 102dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 20KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M
PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR (0.78mm)
PLUG TYPE: 3.5MM
DRIVER UNIT(S): 1 DYNAMIC DRIVER
PROS:
·
Robust and consistent build quality
·
Shell housing are made of aluminium alloy and resin with good
design.
·
Inclusion of a high quality, 8-core stock cable.
·
As expected for a KBEar products, substantial quantity content of
inclusion of accessories.
·
Authoritative bass
·
Decent resolution with acceptable clarity for a single dynamic
driver set-up.
CONS:
·
Recessed mids.
·
Bass bleeds and sibilance are definitely present and observable.
·
Average technicalities.
Some Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)
Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
Lucretia my Reflection – The Sisters of Mercy **
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
P.S.
I am not affiliated to KBEAR nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.
Once again, I would like to thank Keephifi for providing this review unit, I truly appreciate their generosity towards me and other reviewers.
Comments
Post a Comment