For some time now we have started to talk to you about earphones defined as in-ear monitors, therefore dedicated exclusively to listening to music, podcasts and multimedia content in general, without the possibility of being used to answer calls since they do not have a microphone. A niche product perhaps, but today I present to you the KeepHifi KBEAR KB02 which have a decidedly attractive price and a particularity that I personally had never heard of on a product of this kind, namely a bone conduction driver. I am always looking for cheap products that compete with more famous brands by offering the average consumer good sound at low costs and this is exactly the case.
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CONTENT OF THE PACKAGE
The KBear KB02 will arrive inside a very well-finished and effective package thanks to a well-decorated graphic and some specifications on the back. Once the sales box is opened, we immediately find the KB02 placed in foam scraps, immediately offering a feast for the eyes thanks to the rich and bright colors and a manual polishing that enhances their qualities. Under the headphones there is a small box that contains the rest of the accessories, namely 3 bags with the rubber tips with dimensions S/M/L offered in 3 different colors, white, black and smoke, for a total of 18 silicone rubber tips. Finally we also have the connection cable to the drivers, of cheap workmanship relative to the materials used on the outside, but of above-average quality as regards the conduction of audio frequencies. Not bad considering the low price of the set.
EAR BUDS AND CABLE
One thing that is certainly surprising is the supply of nine pairs of ear tips inside the package. I would never have expected it. It must be said, however, that the quality of these is not at the highest levels, as the silicone used appears fragile in the flange for each set. It should also be noted that the hole appears very rigid, so you will struggle to insert the rubber on the driver of the KBear KB02, but once inserted they will hardly come off. The rubber tips are all the same, except for the black, white or smoke color, so the choice of use will be solely aesthetic.
As for the cable, as anticipated the workmanship is cheap but it is in the substance that is appreciated. KBear KB02 adopt a 1,25 meter black braided cable, 3.5 mm jack and 0.78 mm pin. We are talking about a 6N OFC cable, that is, oxygen-free copper is used, a particular high-conductivity copper alloy that prevents signal loss and also offers good resistance to corrosion and high flexibility, which makes it long-lasting as it is not easy to damage. But if you really break it, the beauty of in-ear monitor headphones is that you can replace the cable while keeping the drivers. I have not had any problems with it, it does its job and does not take up much space or weigh down the earphones.
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
As for the actual build quality of the KB02, I think KeepHifi did a really good job in making a very clean set of all-resin earphones. We have a 3D printed resin cavity and oil injection technology, so they present a rich texture and bright colors with a final touch of hand polishing. It's a pleasure both in terms of appearance and touch.
The earphones feature a dual 10mm dynamic driver. One diaphragm is beryllium plated for improved mid-high frequency response while the other is bone conduction perfect for electronic and other rhythmic music as well as immersive games such as shooters. Sound vibrations are transmitted through the bones of the skull, rather than through the air in the external auditory canal.
Additionally, bone conduction earphones reduce the risk of hearing damage that can result from direct stimulation of the eardrum by traditional wired earphones. The tips are about medium length, made of silver aluminum that makes this set look a bit more premium. The tip itself is about 6mm wide. The earphones come in 3 different colors/shades: brown, blue, and purple, a beautiful tapestry of marbled and shimmering colors.
As for the bone conduction driver, the company claims it is a springy type. I have never heard of a “springy” bone conduction driver but I would imagine it is made of some sort of rubber, silicone material. I can tell you though that I can feel a slight touch of tactile feedback on some of the bass. It takes a very keen ear to really pay attention to it, but it works. Regardless, I definitely think the beryllium plated driver is a solid driver that doesn’t break down into distortion at higher volumes and maintains decent control. Not bad.
COMFORT AND SPECIFICATIONS
I would say that the KBear KB02 fit my ears well. There is nothing uncomfortable or non-ergonomic about this set. They are very comfortable. Of course, you need to find the right ear tips for your ears that create a good seal. We are talking about a product with an impedance of 40 ohms, a sensitivity of 108 dB and a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 KHz. In short, the KB02 are in-ear monitors sensitive enough to sound very good even with less powerful source devices. They give their best at high volumes, I do not know if it is because of the beryllium plating or the bone conduction driver but the more power you give to the volume the better the audio quality will be. However, without a doubt, the best sound comes when used in combination with a DAC, in my case a HIDIZS XO S10.
SOUND IMPRESSIONS
At first glance, the KeepHifi KBear KB02 seem to return too much bass, annoying, and sharp, muddy and distant highs. In short, they are a no-go for audiophiles, but in reality, after days of use, my ear has begun to appreciate the sound nuances that these in-ear monitors return. I should point out that I did my tests using FLAC files. The result after days of running-in was a good timbre and great dynamics. Slightly warm bass with a firm focus on the medium-high frequencies, essentially a very euphonic performance that I assume is mainly due to the resonances of the beryllium driver in tandem with the bone conduction driver.
CONCLUSIONS AND PRICE
The KeepHifi KBear KB02 have a recommended price of around 48 euros on Amazon, with Prime shipping, but you can redeem a 12% coupon from the purchase page that brings the list price to €42,23. The KB02 can hold their own against the competition and in some cases will do even better. Ideal for those who want to approach this type of semi-professional music listening, counting on a high quality construction and a particularity, such as the bone conduction driver. The sound is very fun with vibrant macro-dynamics and a very musically expressive tuning without losing sight of the more intricate, mature and technical aspects of the sound. What I want to say is that the KBear KB02 are worth every penny and therefore it is worth buying them.
