KBear KB01
Intro
Hello, this is my full written review of KBear‘s latest budget priced iem, the KBear KB01 ($35). I have had around a month of listening to this set and I have to say that the KB01 is going to compete very well against the competition. I have reviewed a number of KBear iems over the years and it has been somewhat of an up & down road. I’m sure we all would like to see KBear rise again to the place they once were amongst the other big time audio brands that float around the budget space.
Recent reviews
Very recently I reviewed the KBear Ink MK2 (Ink 2 Review HERE) and I was pleasantly surprised. It was a true upgrade over the original KBear Ink (Ink OG Review HERE). I also reviewed the KBear Dumpling (Dumpling Review HERE), KBear Rosefinch (Rosefinch Review HERE), KBear Quinglong (Quinglong Review HERE), KBear Storm (Storm Review HERE), and KBear KW1 (KW1 Review HERE) among many others. To be honest, each set performs pretty well in their respective price points but that is seriously up for debate. There have been mixed feelings about their iems of late. One common thread amongst all of these sets is the fact that they all have some low-end thump. They bump! Now, this latest entry (KB01) is a slight deviation to a small degree in this area, but it also seems that KBear was looking to create a more mature sound this go ’round.
I want to thank KBear for providing the KBear KB01. It was very kind of them to do so. I have a lot to say about this latest budget set. The KB01 has many good qualities to its sound which may just rival some of the best in the price point. I’ve had plenty of time (1 month) to get to know this set and I feel I have a good handle on the sound. With that said, let’s get into it folks… The KBear KB01…
Purchase Links:
KB01 Pros
-Nice build quality for $35
-This set looks sweet
-Nicely done Harman tuning
-Great timbre & tonality
-Snappy, punchy bass
-Energetic midrange
-Non-fatiguing treble region
-Decent technical ability for the tuning
-Price to performance is very good
-Best KBear iem in awhile
KB01 Cons
-Cable (not really a con, this set is $35)
-Could use more low-end rumble
-Note weight is not very dense
-Note definition / resolution
-Treble could use some more vibrance & extension
-Macro-dynamics aren’t the most expressive
Gear used for testing
–iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2
Packaging / Accessories
Unboxing
This will be rather short. Not much to really say about the unboxing. The KB01 comes in a small box. Open that box to reveal the earphones themselves which rest inside of some cardboard cut-outs. Under the earphones you’ll see the cable (tied up) and you’ll also see the eartips in three separate baggies. All things considered the KB01 unboxing is exactly what it should be. If anyone was expecting more… well… why? This set is $35…nuff said.
Cable
The provided cable is a basic budget cable. Do not expect much in the packaging folks. It’s usable but if you have another cable laying around it may make sense to you to swap this one out. Especially if you are going to be using balanced sources. Not that it isn’t a decent cable, because it’s fine. To be exact it is a very usable 3.5 single-ended, 2-pin, 4-core 6N OFC copper cable. It’s all black, tightly braided too. As for myself I swapped cables for the 4.4 balanced metallic brown Letshuoer cable that came with the Letshuoer D13. Obviously, I had to swap out cables for use with my balanced sources and to make use of the KB01’s scaling ability. However, for any single ended use I used the included cable, and it worked as intended. It may be wise to pair the KB01 with at least an SPC cable, but this is certainly not a requirement or even needed. The included cable isn’t bad at all folks, just not very aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
Eartips
KBear actually provides quite a few eartips with the KB01. They add in the package three sets (S, M, L) of white silicone tips, three sets (S, M, L) of some narrow bore gray & red-stem silicone tips, as well as three sets (S, M, L) of some dark gray narrow bore silicone tips. I began looking at the tips a bit closer and it seems that each set of tips is basically similar in almost all ways except the color. Same bore size, firmness of flange, stem firmness, nozzle length too. Perhaps there is very finite differences but not enough in my opinion. These were somewhat of odd choices to include into the packaging but I’m not complaining. Folks, I don’t think that narrow bore tips are the best choice, at least for me. I actually found that shallow fit wide-bore tips made the most sense. I used the JVC EPFX10’s which definitely opened up the top end to a degree or I used the KBear 07 tips. By the way, why in the world is KBear NOT INCLUDING the KBear 07 tips inside of every single earphone? Anyways, I think that semi-wide or ultra-wide work the best for me but I’m not you so… your wholly subjective “mileage” may vary.
Build / Design / Internals / Fit
Build Quality
As far as the build quality of the KBear KB01; I think this set is built extremely nice. Please try to remember five years ago and the cheap and plasticky, chinsy and sloppy type of builds to sets which cost around $35. Do you people remember?! Okay, now look at the KBear KB01!! It’s freaking beautiful in comparison. I think that we as a community are so warped and tainted from the competition within the Audioverse of late that we can’t even see how good we have it. I heard a review of the Kiwi Ears Cadenza (which is built almost identical) and the reviewer was proclaiming that it isn’t anything special…. Whuuh?? Are you serious?? The KB01 it is built by way of 3D printing using medical grade resin and there isn’t a glue spot, burr, jagged edge or miss-alignment… Anywhere. The KB01 is very light (4 grams), feels like nothing in the ear and has a medium long nozzle. By the way it appears they used stainless steel on the nozzle too. This set is built very well folks.
Design
This is one of the highlights of this set. Truly it is a gorgeous option at this price point. If you are like me and you enjoy when products actually look dope as well as sound dope then like me, you’ll like the KB01. You can see the swirling pattern on the faceplate with the white KBear logo proudly sitting in the middle. The pattern on the faceplate is very close to the Cadenza in design. The KB01 comes in blue, red, & gold. Obviously, the set I’m using is the gold set. I think it’s a gorgeous iem friends, I really do. Within the price point we have a mountain of good-looking sets anymore, so it isn’t as amazing as it once was. Still, I can look past that and see the KB01 for what it is… Dope!
[3D-Printed Shells Elegant and Unique Appearance]
KBear Promotional
The housing of each KB01 unit is precisely 3D printed using European medical-grade resin often used for hearing aids. This ensures safety to the skin and comfort over many hours of listening. Walking down the street presents not just a pair of headphones, but a work of art that makes you shine. These earphones are a perfect gift for anyone, even if you’re not an audiophile or a audio engineers, musicians.
Internals
Inside the internal cavity, KBear opted for a 10mm Dynamic Driver with a Beryllium-Coated Diaphragm. Clearly KBear did not go through the painstaking process of creating an actual Beryllium Driver, but it’s nice to at least see that they chose a nice material which can provide nice auditory capabilities if implemented well. Especially when fed properly from a decently powerful source. Beryllium seems to provide a bit more transient quickness, punchiness and usually a Beryllium Driver can offer a certain snappiness to the sound. For sure this isn’t always the case as we’ve certainly seen Beryllium drivers not very well executed. Despite that, it’s nice to see at this price anyways and still gets my curiosity going. We shall see.
Fit
What a subjective and completely useless thing to add to a review. However, here I am telling you how the KB01 fits me. Understandably, this only applies to me because my ears aren’t your ears. The KB01 fits… pretty good. I do have to fiddle a bit to get that seal right. Switching to the shallow fit wide-bore JVC Spiral Dots did help tremendously. The medium length nozzle is one where I need either a very firm large sized tips that are longer, or I need very firm flanged large sized shallow fit tips to make for a good seal. Again, I used both types and each provided a good seal. Any tips with a loose flange didn’t work at all. I needed them to be firm. Isolation is decent, nothing to write home about of course. These earphones aren’t designed for stage use and I don’t think casual listening requires perfect isolation. I’d say about average.
Drivability
Mobile listening
The KBear KB01 is a very easy to drive iem folks. Rated at 32 ohms and a sensitivity of around 109 db’s (give or take a couple) the KB01 worked flawlessly with my Fiio UTWS5 (AK4332 dac chip) when out and about. Good synergy too. Also, I used KBear’s own KBear BT5 and actually the KB01 sounded great. By the way, for $19 you will be blown away how good the BT5 can sound when synergized. Moving on. However, once I began using the IFi Go Blu (CS43131 dac chip) I found it hard to go to anything else for mobile purposes. Boy do these two sound great together while out and about or doing work around the house. Scaling to the Go Blu’s powerful 4.4 balanced was a breeze. Using the Moondrop Dawn 4.4 (also CS43131 dac chip) is where listening finally took to the next level though. The Dawn’s energetic and dynamic source tonality and big power shows how well the KB01 will adapt to different sources. The mildly warm KB01 and the neutral-ish Dawn seem made for each other.
Daps
As far as my dap situation, I own the iBasso DX240 (flagship level ES9038Pro dac chip) which has a more neutral leaning but completely energetic source tonality. I actually liken it to the Moondrop Dawn 4.4 on steroids. They sound somewhat similar. These two (KB01 & DX240) pair like a dream. Plus, the DX240 has mammoth power at almost desktop levels so it’s easy to see how well the KB01 can scale without any obvious distortion of the driver. The Shanling M6 Ultra (Flagship level AK4493SEQ dac chip) was equally as nice. However, the tonality of the M6 Ultra is a bit more velvet in sound which made the note weight a hint lusher and weighted. Both daps worked wonders in their own way. For me I do enjoy a bit more of a neutral leaning source with good energy and dynamics to drive the KB01.
In the end
At the end of the day, I can tell you 100% that the KB01 can be driven to good fidelity with most any source. Now, if you have a decently powered dongle dac or something similar then you’ll be more than fine. You don’t need much, thankfully. Still, the KB01 most certainly does scale to both power (to a degree) and to the auditory ability of the source being used.
Sound Impressions
Now we get to the good part. The KBear KB01 has got a very nice Harman balance across the mix. Very much in line with some other iems that did very well in 2022 and 2023 which followed the same tuning curve yet with slight deviations. The KB01 comes across with a slight warmth and a tinge of neutrality and sounds very nice without any great coloration across the mix. Personally, I find the timbre on the KB01 to be very nice and one of its selling points. There’s an emphasis in the sub-bass as well as the upper-midrange but that’s about it as far as coloring is concerned. Not quite balanced but also not overtly saturated in any one area. To be completely honest, the KB01 is not the most dynamically expressive or engaging set within the subset of iems that it’s tuned and priced similarly to. Namely the Kiwi Ears Cadenza, EPZ Q5 etc. Certainly, the KB01 has many redeeming qualities though…
I find transients to be well accomplished and perceivably pretty tight. You don’t have the long and drawn-out decay like some iems will have. I would Chalk it up to the fact that KBear is using a Beryllium Coated Diaphragm. Overall note structure is on the smooth side rather than crisp or sharp. The KB01 has a very nice timbre for the price as well as some good musicality. Perhaps not as energetic as some other iems in the price point but I find the KB01 to have decent macro-dynamic projection. Not as expressive as some sets in this regard but dynamically charged, nonetheless.
Between the 20’s (pint sized)
If this is all you’re going to read than I’ll quickly complete a pint-sized rundown of the sound across the mix. Beginning with the bass, there is an emphasis and the KB01 can bump pretty nicely. The bass is deep enough and rumbly enough though not basshead levels. The midrange has a bit of a recession, but it doesn’t really take away from the mids, in particular the vocals. They are still nicely highlighted. The treble is a completely non-fatiguing and non-offensive affair and there is a nice uplift across the midrange due to the rise in the treble. It’s actually pretty safe. However, I feel the treble is well tuned per what the KB01 is and per the tuning. The KB01 is not a detail-oriented type iem but in the same breath it certainly doesn’t lack in this area. Stage is about average across the board; separation is decent, and imaging is good. All in all, the KB01 is a great sounding iem.
Bass Region
The low-end is not super extended or ultra deep like a true basshead iem but I feel the bass has enough emphasis to satisfy some of the bass lovers. The bass has a nice sound for instruments which require some low-end oomph and decent punch. I find the bass to be pretty well separated with decent macro-details as well. Not completely clinical or forward but nice in its approach.
Sub-bass
The sub-bass can dig moderately deep while not coming across too greatly emphasized in this area. Listening to “Groove” by Ray Wylie Hubbard as I always use this track to test the pitch, tone and haptic of the lowest of lows for review purposes. The KB01 has a small bit of vibratory sensation but not ultra physical in my mind. Certainly, there are plenty of iems which dig deeper, especially at this price point. The sub-bass of the KB01 is nicely controlled, not pillowy, and has an easy time making its way around complicated tracks.
Mid-bass
The boom and slam are there, but again, this is not the type of set to blow your mind with bass boom. I feel it’s just enough. Beryllium coated drivers for whatever reason aren’t always the most pounding in their projection. The bass is definitely boosted (to a degree) but not really super dense. I say this all, but I actually enjoy the low-end just fine. Now, bass guitar could use a bit more fullness and energy, but I find kick drums do have that hollow resonant boom yet with a subtly soft edge to the note. “Billie Jean” by Weezer begins with some huge kick-drums followed by loud snares with a ton of energy. I wouldn’t call the KB01 flat, but I would say that the intensity isn’t as great as some sets. Is this a problem? Well, yes. To those who enjoy that intensity. However, many folks will be perfectly happy with the output of the mid-bass. It still bumps, just not over escalated and emphasized. I’ll make another quick note; the mid-bass doesn’t really bleed over into the midrange all that much. There is a slight warmth there but for the most part the mid-bass stays clean.
Downsides to the Bass Region
The issue that I would find with the bass region is its lack of that strident and beefy or jarring type of boom down low for them Bass Bois. Let’s face it, the KB01 is in that price range where it isn’t out of the question to see some more raucous bass. Or a more fun low-end. The KB01 is a bit more articulate, mature and can be pretty speedy too. The bass also isn’t the cleanest in definition as there is the slightest bit of a pillowy timbre at note edge, at times. I will say that turning up the volume & getting some more bass friendly tips does add some low-end energy. For me personally, I think KBear did a great job, I really do. The bass is not one-noted, it’s even layered a bit, details are able to emerge, and it can take on speedy tracks to an extent.
Midrange
The midrange is actually pretty nice. Definitely not mid-centric or vocal-centric but also not so recessed that the midrange comes across bland. I hear a more neutral midrange with a slight bit more warmth in the lower half of the midrange. There is still a pretty nice presence in this area of the mix and due to the fairly well-balanced tuning I don’t find the midrange is dealt too horrible a recession. No one area of the frequency overtakes any other area of the mix and that goes for the midrange too. The sound comes across mildly organic, good energy, nice perceived transient agility, and pretty musical for a $38 iem. Resolution isn’t perfect but it still sounds clean enough to my ears. Also, details in this region really aren’t too bad depending on the track.
Lower-midrange
The lower midrange mostly hosts male vocals. Listening with the KBear KB01 I don’t find males to be especially rich in note weight but on the same token they aren’t thin. Somewhere in between I would say. Better yet, I wouldn’t call them lush in comparison to other sets in the price point. The lower-mids are smoother than they aren’t, and male vocalists come across rich enough to sound authoritative and realistic… Respectively. Listening to a voice like Jason Isbell in the track “Middle of the Morning“, he has a very soft and svelte sounding voice that plays to the KB01’s strengths. However, listening to a voice like Avi Kaplan’s (who is far deeper in pitch) on the track “First Place I Go“, the KB01 doesn’t quite get you that resonant depth and his voice almost sounds a hair artificial. Understand that I’m being extremely picky here. For the most part males sound good, not recessed, not lacking energy, and not weak. They sound good.
Upper-Midrange
Females on the other hand sit a bit closer to the listener. They sound elegant, uplifted and shimmery at times. I don’t hear anything piercing in this area either. There’s nothing that is offensive to the ear. There’s a nicely rendered pinna gain that is a very gradual uphill climb without that shouty energy… thankfully. Listening to Caitlyn Smith sing “High” sounds both clean and powerful through the KB01. Her voice begins the track mellow and sweet but slowly crescendos into a powerful ballad style when the chorus hits and the KB01 plays it very well. However, even a raspy country female like Grace Potter in the song “Good Time” comes across really well. Her voice is coarse, and you hear that roughness to her cadence. Her voice is forward enough, highlighted enough and the music around her voice is nicely separated. Definitely I enjoy females a bit more listening with the KB01. I could possibly use a little bit more note weight but females sound more polished than males.
Instrumentation
As far as instruments, I’ll be brief. Honestly, I don’t really hear any issues in this region when listening to instruments. The sound is separated well for a single DD in this price point. Piano sounds resounding enough. Maybe it’s a hint to uplifted on more energetic piano tracks but good. Strings have some bite with pretty nice harmonics to my ears. Percussion isn’t too bad either though most drums would thrive with a hair more low-end muscle. Snares have a nice “pang”, cymbals “chisk” with a full enough note body too. Violin doesn’t sound attenuated and has plenty of sharpness when it needs to sound sharp and smoothness when it needs to be smooth. Nothing stands out as artificial or grainy. Resolution isn’t the best in the world in this set but for $38 it isn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination.
Downsides to the Midrange
As far as troubles in the midrange, I think the biggest issue I could identify would be note weight. Not that the KB01 is thin, but it certainly isn’t rich or robust. Also, in the upper midrange things can sound a tinge artificial or “not perfectly natural”. Again, not bad at all but something to make a note of. I suppose I could also go for a hint more macro-dynamic auditory expression or a more strident and effortless projection of midrange sound. The KB01 sounds even keeled and pretty mature for the price. Not flat or boring or lifeless but simply not energetic and full. Still a very good set at its price point.
Treble Region
The treble region kind of floats under the radar in the KB01. However, it’s actually pretty nice. Without question I would like a bit more energy in the highs on some tracks. Now, I wouldn’t call the treble rolled off or dark because the extension is decent and there is still good info into the high-highs. The treble simply isn’t an ultra-brilliant top-end that will add lustery vibrance to the whole of the mix. Not subdued, but also not the life of the party… So, to speak. The treble comes across more smoothly than it is crisp. You don’t have that satisfying bite and haptic body to notes up top. Of course, this set is $38 and a single DD, so maybe I need to check myself a bit. There is still plenty of lift up top for most any track and the treble never sounds out of place or non-coherent to the rest of the mix.
Treble is just fine folks…
Listening to Ben Howard in the track “The Wolves” actually shows off on the KB01 a bit with some good palpable harmonics in this region. Note weight lacks that treble punch but I have no issue with the vibrance in this track and what the treble does for the overall tonality and timbre. Could it use more? Sure, it could. Would it help the rest of the mix? Probably not. In fact, it may be a detriment and make things even more thin sounding. Truth is, I think KBear did what they could with what they were working with and per the tuning they were going for. I don’t mind it as it is. In the song “Keel Over and Die” by Old Crow Medicine Show I am actually quite impressed with the speed of the KB01’s top end. I don’t just hear a mishmash of treble sheen like some sets present. Now, resolution could be a bit better, but all things considered… The treble is just fine folks.
Downsides to the Treble Region
The biggest issue to the treble would be for treble heads who desire better resolution and a cleaner treble punch and bite up top. The projection of treble notes isn’t bad so long as the volume is not super low. I don’t hear anything grating to my ears or piercing up top and I don’t hear anything blatantly sibilant. I guess detail retrieval could be better but… $38…single DD. Folks, it is good for what it is.
Technicalities
Soundstage
The stage size of the KBear KB01 feels average to slightly above average all the way around. I know this because #1- I’m not blown away by the stage and #2-it also doesn’t feel cramped or hindered at all. That’s what I call average. Also, being average isn’t a bad thing. It is what we should expect. Average means it’s good, it’s listenable, and I won’t get distracted by any congestion. There’s nothing wrong with average. Width is good, height is okay and there is some depth. Like I said, the KB01 isn’t lacking in my mind. The stage is appropriate to the music and sounds nice. Average is good.
Separation
Separation slightly suffers from some slight (and I do mean slight) lack of resolution on “some” tracks. This is not an across the board “lacking”. I find that resolution takes a hit on complicated songs. The timbre and note structure are on the smoother side of the scale, so when you add in a litany of musical instruments and fast tracks you can get some blending of sounds. What the KB01 has going for it is that there isn’t one frequency that masks over everything else. Perhaps on super bass driven and bass heavy songs you’ll get some of that but by-and-large the KB01 stays in check and does a pretty solid job for the price. There is a caveat, however. That is… Some sets priced at or around the $30 to $45 price point can do it better. So anyways, separation is decent depending on the song. Easier to digest tracks are pretty good.
Imaging
Imaging is good. I don’t have a problem locating anything on a psycho-acoustically rendered stage within my mind space. Left to right is as it should be. Front to back is okay. I wouldn’t say the KB01 has mind bending layering abilities but there’s enough depth to perceive around instruments and voices and to place those elements on an imaginary stage. Honestly guys and gals… I didn’t have an issue. Again, the only real flipside to everything I just said is when listening to complicated songs. Furthermore, most budget single DDs aren’t going to handle these tracks perfectly either. Of course, there are exceptions, but most will struggle.
Details
Detail retrieval isn’t bad. It’s above average. Transient attack and decay are on the quicker side from what I can perceive. It sounds as though notes don’t hang around and have more of an expedient replay. Resolution isn’t perfect but the KB01 makes up for it with nice handling from the driver and a more balanced Harman type tuning. I feel that the KB01 is most definitely NOT a detail monster. It wasn’t tuned to be. I don’t feel the KB01 can illuminate the real finite and miniscule details within a track as well as some. However, just as easily I can say that the KB01 doesn’t do a bad job highlighting the minutiae within a track and does better than many sets. More macro than micro but… There’s still some micro. Not bad.
Comparisons
Kiwi Ears Cadenza ($35)
The Kiwi Ears Cadenza is one of those iems that took over the market for a short time but has also remained deeply entrenched in the argument of “best in price point”. I actually reviewed the Cadenza earlier in the year and gave it very high marks (Cadenza review HERE). There are more than a handful of sets which fight for supremacy in the relative price point and without question the Kiwi Ears Cadenza will represent one of those spots. The Cadenza also has a single DD with a Beryllium Coated Diaphragm, just like the KB01. The shape is very similar to the KB01 as well. Both sets are made beautifully with an all-resin build. Both sets have a swirl pattern with different contrasting colors. There are a lot of similarities here. Of course, there’s some differences too. However, don’t judge by the frequency graph I’m sharing below because what you actually hear doesn’t completely reflect what the chart says.
Sound Differences
Beginning with the timbre, I find the Cadenza to have a thicker and warmer type of note body across the mix. The KB01 simply comes across a hint thin in comparison. I say that but I also wouldn’t consider the KB01 a “thin sounding” iem. Just… thinner. The Cadenza has a deeper sub-bass and a bit more slam in the mid-bass while coming across just as clean as the KB01 (to me anyways). The midrange of the Cadenza is of course thicker, but I find the KB01 may have a bit better separation. The Cadenza is warmer and has a hair more vibrancy in the upper midrange. The treble area has more shine and extension (by a small degree) on the Cadenza while the KB01 is a bit more laid-back. Technically speaking, the stage of the KB01 sounds wider by a hair yet the Cadenza has a bit more depth. Detail retrieval goes to the KB01 in the midrange but the Cadenza in the treble. I would probably say that resolution as a whole is a bit better on the Cadenza too. Transients are a bit snappier on the KB01.
In the end
Honestly folks, between the two sets I find the Cadenza simply more energetic and livelier. The Cadenza is more fun too. KBear made a valiant effort and really tried to dial in the tuning to match some of these other Harman tuned sets. I’d say they did a nice job. It’s a good set. Just a hair more balanced than the Cadenza which comes across as a bit more flat and less dynamically expressive than the Cadenza as well. Both sets are very similar in almost all ways, and I don’t think owning both makes total sense. Unless of course you love to collect. In the end, if you would’ve liked to have seen the Cadenza with a hint less vibrancy and bass than I’d say the KB01 is your jam. Both are great at the price.
BGVP P05 ($49)
I recently reviewed the BGVP P05 (P05 Review HERE) and found that it was easy to be impressed with this under $50 overachiever. BGVP went crazy and added both tuning nozzle filters as well as back vent filters to switch up the sound to your liking. I’ll be perfectly honest, the P05 is a bit out of the KB01’s league in many respects but they aren’t so far apart that it doesn’t warrant a quick comparison to better explain the KB01. The P05 is a 10 mm single DD with a PU+Ceramic Diaphragm and an inventive internal cavity. The build is exceptional looking very reminiscent of some Tin Hifi sets, which if you ask me are great looking all alloy iems. The P05 leans warm/neutral, it’s very clean and very resolute and replays my music close to accurate. Also, I used the “Silver rear vent and the Gold front vent” when conducting the comparison. You can see the graph comparison using these filters below. Let’s take a look at some differences.
Differences
To begin, both sets are built well but the P05 is a step up with an all metal (aluminum) material. Both sets look very nice as the P05 has a very modern & industrial looking design language yet still remains fresh looking too. The KB01 is just as nice yet they are instead made of all resin. The P05 is definitely much better for those with small ears, though neither set is large. The P05 has much better accessories and feels a bit closer to premium for the price point. There’s about a $10 price difference give or take a couple bucks as well. The P05 leans a bit cooler in sound with a more balanced take on my music. The KB01 is the thinnest of hairs warmer in tonality. Both sets are pretty easy to drive, and both play nice with most sources.
Sound Differences
To start, the P05 has better resolution across the board with cleaner note definition and also has better detail retrieval as well. The bass on the KB01 bass region has a bit more sub-bass growl and rumble but it is very close between the two. Mid-bass emphasis and slam also is a bit greater in the KB01. However, I find the P05 to be less fuzzy at note ends, better defined notes and better separation in the bass region. Basically, it is a more mature or audiophile type bass. The midrange on both sets sits about the same place in the mix. The KB01 just isn’t as resolute in this area as the P05 keeps it clean folks. However, the KB01’s note weight is a pinch thicker. The treble region is not overly emphasized on either set and both have a laid-back treble. Still, I would say that the P05 has a bit more bite in this area as well as extension. Technicalities all go to the BGVP P05.
In the end
When comparing these two sets I don’t know if this quick comparison format really helps. With that said, both of these sets compete very well. The main differences between the two are really cleanliness and build style. The P05 is simply more pristine in its delivery, and it is very well evident when comparing. Another main difference is the macro dynamic expression of the P05 is a bit fuller and more alive… so to speak. There’s more energy and vibrance in the P05’s projection of notes. You could make an argument that the KB01 has a slightly more fun sound, if by “fun” you mean “a hair bassier”. That’s just me throwing the KB01 a bone though. Honestly, the P05 does separate itself here and the price difference is certainly justified in my mind. Spend a bit more and get a very clean and more polished version of a similar tuning. Of course, the P05 can also change the sound to a degree with the filters too. Both nice sets but the P05 shines a bit more.
Is it worth the asking price?
This is very easy to answer. Absolutely the KBear KB01 is worth the low price of $38. This is a very easy answer for me anyways. If a shop near you only has the KB01 in the price point, or the online shop… Get it. It’s a very well-done set. The biggest issue of the KBear KB01 however isn’t the price, the build, the look or the tuning. No, no, the biggest issue of the KBear KB01 is the sets being sold within its same price point. The better question would be, “What’s the best set to purchase at the price point of $30-$45?”. That’s the real question. In fact, the biggest drawback to the KB01 are the sets it fights against. It’s bad enough that I stopped at one comparison for this review.
The competition is real
There are so many folks! The Reecho SG-01 Ova (Mahir’s SG-01 Ova Review HERE), the OG SG-01, the EPZ G10 (Review coming soon) and at times (if on sale) the EPZ Q5 (Q5 Review HERE), QOA Gimlet (Gimlet Review HERE) Fiio FD11 & Fiio FH11. There’re also many KZ sets like the KZ D-Fi (D-Fi Review HERE), the CCA Duo (Duo Review HERE), the KZ X-HBB PR2 (PR2 Review HERE) among a few others. And then you have some other beasts of the field in the Kiwi Ears Cadenza that I just compared (Cadenza review HERE), the BGVP P05 (P05 Review HERE), and the Simgot EW200 (Mahir’s EW200 Review HERE). I promise you folks, I could make this paragraph much longer. I’m stopping because it is annoying gathering all of these links. Lol. I do it for you, remember that. Still, none of these sets can take away what the KBear KB01 is and how good it is for the price. I’ll leave it up to you to do some of the leg work in deciding what works for you personally. However, let’s look at why the KB01 is worth it.
The Why…
For one, look at this all-resin shell that has zero issues or deformities and perfectly smooth, small, light, and durable in hand. Look at the aesthetically pleasing design, how dope would these Lil Baddies be strolling down the street? I’ll answer that for you… Dope! Still, at the beginning and at the end of the day, the reason we purchase earphones will always revolve mostly around the sound. Thankfully the KB01 sounds damn good. The bass is on the tighter side and there is still some decent thump there, but it doesn’t muddy the mix, at all. The midrange isn’t too recessed and there is nice vibrancy and decent separation. The treble is completely non-offensive and yet still will provide some lift up top and slight vibrancy. The KB01 is a good option at this price folks, that’s the absolute truth. Now, will it fit your perfectly subjective and individualized sound preferences… Who can know but you? Yes, the KBear KB01 is well worth the $38 that KBear is asking for.
Ratings (0-10)
Note: all ratings are based upon my subjective judgment. These ratings are garnered against either similarly priced sets or with similar driver implementations or styles with the unique parameters of my choosing. In the case of the KBear KB01 ratings below, that would be $30-$45 iems of any driver configuration. Please remember that “ratings” don’t tell the whole story. This leaves out nuance and a number of other qualities which make an iem what it is. A “5” is exactly average and please take into consideration the “lot” of iems these ratings are gathered against. $30-$45 US is a decent sized scope of iems and so seeing a 9 should probably be pretty special. My ratings are never the same and each set of ratings tells a different story. Each time you read one of my ratings it will be unique to that review. Basically, I create a Rating that makes sense to me.
Aesthetic
-Build Quality: 9.4
-Look: 9.2
-Accessories: 9.0
–Overall: 9.2
Sound Rating
-Timbre: 9.4 The timbre and tonality are fantastic.
-Bass: 7.9 It just needs a hair more in quantity, otherwise great!
-Midrange: 8.9 The mids are very nice on this set.
-Treble: 8.0 Sounds fine but could’ve been more polished.
-Technicalities: 7.9 Overall technicalities are decent.
–Overall: 8.4🔥🔥
Ratings Summary:
I feel like my ratings kind of speak exactly what I wanted to say here. There isn’t much that is missing in translation which is unlike nearly every review I complete. Which usually involves me explaining my reasoning so that I don’t get DMs from you folks concerning my horrible ratings. Not joking. Hence, why I even have a “Ratings Summary”. That’s okay because it gives me a chance to further dial in what I want to say from a different angle. I do feel the “Timbre & Tonality” are probably the best quality of the KB01. Maybe the Midrange will have something to say about that, but we are really splitting hairs. The KB01 is a good set. An “Overall” of an “8.4” is a darn good score against all and any sets between $30 and $45!
Conclusion
To conclude my full written review of KBear’s latest budget iem I have to say that this set is a great sign for the storied Chi-fi brand. I’ve enjoyed my time with this set. As a stand-alone set, the KB01 is a very well done iem across the board. From the build to the design, to the sound we have a very good offering that I’m sure will pique the interest of many hobbyists. For the low cost of $38 the KB01 is very good for the price as price to performance is high here. With all that said, I want to thank KBear for providing this well-done set-in exchange for a feature at Mobileaudiophile.com. Thank you very much.
Other perspectives
Something I always make sure to add to the end of the review is that I implore you to seek out other views and opinions about this set. We are all very much different, even those who review. What’s good to one may be horrible to another and that’s just the truth. It makes good and wise sense to check out other thoughts before shelling out the money for this set. $38 is a ton of money for so many people in our world and I do want to make sure that you have a good and educated leg up on finding the right set for your life. That should involve as many thoughts as you can read, listen to, or watch. Lastly, I thank you, the reader. Thank you for readings and clicking the link, it means a lot friends. Please take care, stay as safe as possible and always… God Bless!
