Kefine X-Angel Ears Delci AE Review
Intro
Hello everyone, I have with me today the absolute latest from the audio brand Kefine named the Kefine X-Angel Ears Delci AE (MSRP=$89, Sale=$69). By the way, for review purposes I will refer to it simply as “Delci AE”. The Delci AE is a collaboration effort between Kefine & the long time brand Angel Ears. Angel Ears has been involved in a number of collaboration sets with many different iem makers over the years. In my mind, I couldn’t think of a better budget-oriented earphone to upgrade with the Angel Ears name than the Delci. At any rate, the Delci AE is a single dynamic driver earphone which comes with a slightly tweaked tuning from its predecessor, a better cable, added tuning nozzles, a fresh new paint job, among other things. This should be a highly regarded set which should be in the conversation to land on most folks “Top 5 under $100” lists. I have my thoughts, and I will explain further within my review.
Intrigued
Now, I actually reviewed the original Kefine Delci (Delci Review) earlier this year (April 2024) and enjoyed its warm and musical sound, its rich note weight, the smoothness, fluency, as well as the bulbous and controlled bass region and many more attributes. It had that warm blanket effect and did so in a way that made it stand out amongst the ocean of iems which find their way into the market every year. So where does Kefine go from there with this latest AE model? It was my first curiosity. The original Delci basically came out of nowhere and landed squarely within my personal “Top Sets Under $100”. It was a very remarkable uprising for this young brand. It was only the beginning of this year and yet here we have what most would assume is supposed to be an upgrade. I am wholly intrigued and fortunate to be able to find that answer for myself. That said, I’d like to thank Kefine and Collin Yang for giving me the opportunity to feature the Delci AE and once again revisit what made the OG Delci so special.
Kefine
About Kefine, they got their start in a very wholesome way. The way it was explained to me was that Kefine was built by a group of audio loving friends who felt they could create better sound for less. Kefine strives to not only give other audio loving hobbyists something good to add to their collection, but they also give a person like me something to quietly root for. I am a huge fan of the smaller outfit, or the team who is in it for the right reasons. What a good story, a group of friends, a grand mission, true to the passion. That’s where good stuff comes from ladies and gentlemen. Yes, I review many brands iems whether they are big or small and I can find the positive in all of it. However, I have a special place for a brand who started out with salt-of-the-earth type love and anxiously took the plunge and created the thing they dreamt of. Also, I realize that I dramatize everything. Lol. Every ounce of me is seeking out romance in every moment. However, I think we can all get behind the “Kefines” of the world. The name Kefine was actually derived from the founders’ name “KE” and the word “Fine”. Only friends could come up with that. Here is an actual excerpt from their “About Us” section on their website:
Excerpt
“High quality is not equal to high price. We make good use of each single cent during the development of the product with tireless effort to meet the price target but use the finest materials and craftsmanship when the cost permits. There are no unnecessary features or accessories for our products, and package is as simple as possible for saving the money for consumers and protecting the environment as well.
The team also strives for perfection for the price and cares every detail. Each product should look like a work of art, and we develop and polish each product as if it is our child and try to make the best quality products with budget. KEFINE hopes every music lover can enjoy music to get happiness under the highest quality but with the lowest cost.” – Kefine
Competition
So, there’s a lot to like and a lot to root for with this young brand who seem to be going about everything in the right way. I should also add (like I do in every review anymore) that the competition is thriving in the $50 to $100 price point and there are quality sets at every dollar amount in between. During my testing I will get out every set I have at my disposal to try to compare (a couple) as well as run ratings against the Delci AE so that I have a good idea where it stands from my perspective and hopefully that is a help to you. You have to think of the sets sandwiched between $50 and $100. I just reviewed the Simgot EW300 (EW300 Review), the Letshuoer S08 (S08 Review), the OG Delci (Delci Review), Simgot EA500LM (EA500LM Review), as well as others like the Artti R1 (R1 Review), Fiio JD7 (JD7 Review) along with a very long list of great iems that I don’t have the patience to type out. There’re so many folks. I hope to explain this set to help you find out if the Delci AE is worth your dollar. Whether I am able to satisfactorily do so remains to be seen.
Upgrade?
Lastly, I don’t feel that Kefine was necessarily trying to create a bonafide upgrade from the OG Delci. I really don’t. I feel that the Delci AE is a slight upgrade in a few areas sonically as well as some aesthetic changes which come across as upgrades. However, I don’t feel that Kefine was trying to craft and create a true successor. My feelings are that Angel Ears presented them a unique opportunity to take something which was a massive success and expound upon that success by refining certain aspects of that successful set. They heard the people, took in the complaints, took in the praise, and made some subtle changes. Little changes, little refinements, which when added up and looked at from a panned-out view makes it seem like a legitimate upgrade moment. Despite that, I do feel that the Delci OG still has its place amongst one of the best under $100. I’m just curious where the AE version sits in that esteemed company of great sets. I think I’m ready to critically listen for a few weeks and get to know the Delci AE a lot better.
Side note…
Also, please understand that I am just one man, I have my own opinions and biases, and they will show up in my writing. I am very opinionated and sometimes those opinions are embellished with my choice of words. I say that, to say this; remember that I am reviewing a $89 iem and all descriptive words I use are from the standpoint of a under $100 iem. The word “Great” describing a $89 iem is not the same “Great” as a $890 iem. So basically, it’s all relative to the price point and I hope you understand that. With all that said I think I’m ready to do a deep dive into this set. Without further ado, the Kefine Delci AE everyone…
Disclaimer:
I received the Kefine Delci AE from Kefine as a review sample and in exchange I will conduct a full review and feature at Mobileaudiophile.com. I have not received any payment or any other form of compensation for this review. This set is a review sample iem. Kefine has not requested to pre-read any review and doesn’t have any control over “what” or “when” anything gets published to mobileaudiophile.com. All thoughts within this review are my own, though please take note that I will always have my own biases. This is impossible to get around. I try to be as objective as my subjective self can be, but this is an opinion piece folks. Thank you to Kefine and thanks for reading.
Non-Affiliated Purchasing Links:
Delci AE Pros
-Great price-to-performance
-Build Quality is really wonderful (Aviation Grade Aluminum)
-One of the best design/aesthetic iems within the price point
-Very comfortable and lightweight set
-Well working tuning nozzles
-Organic timbre with a very musical sound
-Deep rumbly bass with refined definition
-Clean midrange, lush, nice for vocals
-Non-fatiguing & well controlled treble
-Good stage
-Simply well-tuned
Delci AE Cons
-Is this an improvement over the OG Delci?
-Fit may not work for everyone
-Bass may too much for some hobbyists
-Could use some more treble lift
-Nothing else glaring enough to list here
Gear used for testing
–Ifi Go Blu
–EPZ TP50
–Simgot Dew4x
–Aful SnowyNight
–Fiio Q15
–iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2
–Shanling M6 Ultra
Packaging / Accessories
Unboxing
The Kefine Delci AE arrived at my home in a reasonably sized black box (roughly 6″x4” give or take) with an outer sleeve which shows a picture of the Delci AE along with the brand names “Kefine / Angel Ears” imprinted on the front cover of that sleeve. On the back you’ll see a few usual specs and also some highlights about the Delci AE. Slip off the sleeve and you get a straight black box with only a simple “Kefine” on the front. Open the box and the Delci AE are sitting in foam cut-outs on top with the carrying case next to it. Inside of the case you’ll find the eartips, cable, and tuning nozzles which all come. Packaged inside of little plastic baggies. To be honest, this is the unboxing you expect for this price point. Nothing over the top or anything and not wasteful either. It’s a good unboxing.
Eartips
So Kefine decided to add to different types of eartips with the Delci AE. Both sets are made from silicone. The first set of three tips (S, M, L) are a dark gray narrow bore set with a firm flange, not flimsy (thankfully) and have a decently deep fit. We’ve seen these tips many times in the past. The second set (S, M, L) is made of a blue colored silicone and also a narrow bore and different colored inner stems per the size. These tips also have a very firm flange, thicker stem, more rigid and they too are a deeper style fit. I can’t remember which one was a hair flimsier on the flange. It’s a miniscule difference between them. Both sets of tips are useful and are made well. Again, both sets of tips can be found as accessories to many iems. I have piles of both of these style tips in my “tip-collection”. That said, I didn’t use either set of tips for my listening as I wanted a slightly wider bore which I got from the KBear 07 tips. Plus, the 07’s simply fit my ears like a glove. I used a few other style tips as well. At one point I was convinced the sound was best with wide-bore and shallow fit tips like the Letshuoer blue wide-bores which come with the Letshuoer S15. However, I feel the 07’s outplayed the wide-bores by adding just a bit more smoothness in the upper mids and crispness to the bass region. You may have a different experience depending on your own ears’ anatomy.
Carrying case
Like is said, the Delci AE does come with a carrying case which isn’t always a given at this price. So, it was a very nice addition. Especially coming from a brand who is trying to keep prices as low as possible. The case provided is your standard black zipper case. It’s of a decent size. Big enough for your earphones and some extra tips. Maybe you can fit in a very small dongle dac, something like that Simgot Dew4x for example. Maybe. I feel the case is actually nice looking with its black faux leather covering and the slick looking “Kefine” which is imposed on the top. It is a hard case and so your precious earphones will be protected from getting beaten up. Perfect for throwing into a handbag or backpack without much worry. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before, but also, Kefine didn’t “need” to add it in as an accessory to the Delci AE which is nice to see.
Tuning Nozzles
Like I’ve mentioned a few times, the Delci AE comes equipped with two sets of tuning nozzles. These nozzles have a threaded connection which takes screwing on and off of the actual nozzle ends on the Delci AE. Kefine provided colors to differentiate the two nozzle filters. One set is the “Silver Nozzle” which comes with a smoother sound, deeper and more textured bass, thicker note weight, less energy up top, more organic and probably more natural sounding. The next set of tuning nozzles are the “Gold Nozzles” which have quite a bit more energy in the highs, more brilliant sounding, more forward energy, probably better resolution, slightly thinner sounding, less bass energy coming through and basically brighter. Folks, most of the time the tuning nozzles you get don’t really make much of a difference. However, Kefine made sure to put some filter mesh inside of each set of tuning nozzles which does affect the upper portions of the spectrum and really makes some sweeping differences in tonality depending on what gauge of mesh is used. Thicker mesh that’s more tightly wound will effectively suppress the highs a bit more which the silver nozzles have, and less dense and less thick mesh will obviously sound a bit more open and brighter letting those highs come through less dampened. I really like Kefine’s version of tuning nozzles as I do feel I’m getting two different variations of the same basic tuning.
Real quick
I should add one more thing. These tuning nozzles are the type which have the female threads on them and so they are much smaller and less easy to handle depending on how fat your fingers are. They actually screw “onto” the earphone nozzle rather than screw “into” the nozzles and so they are flatter and can get lost very easily. If I were you, I’d change out these nozzles over a larger surface so if you drop them, you won’t lose them. Over a table or over a bed etc. I wouldn’t change them over long or thick carpet where they can be easily lost and hidden from veiw.
Cable
The cable is another inclusion that we’ve seen with many other iems within the price point. In fact, this cable is almost identical to the cable which came with the Hidizs MP143. At purchasing you can order either a 3.5 single ended cable or a 4.4 balanced cable. It’s roughly $2 more for the 4.4. Now, the cable provided is a very light which I feel was done on purpose. I don’t think Kefine wanted to add in some fat cable due to how lightweight the actual Delci AE are (5.3 g). Heavier cables do have the tendency to pull lighter iems from ears and so I believe this inclusion was done with that in mind. Still, it’s a nice cable. Again, very lightweight and made of oxygen-free copper and silver plated with a total of 164 cores. It’s a 2-pin (.078) and ends in either a 3.5 or 4.4 termination and comes with a nice braiding. I really like the look of this cable alongside the Delci AE and trust me I’d change it if it didn’t look good to me. Of course, this is a 2-pin connection and so you can swap cables till your heart’s content if you don’t feel the same way as I do. Not bad at all folks.
Build / Design / Internals / Fit
Build Quality
Friends, I really appreciate the build of the Delci AE. Not that it is highly unlike the original Delci, but there is something more streamlined about it. I’m sure a lot has to do with how dope this set “looks”, but the build is very premium looking to me. Made entirely of Aviation Grade Aluminum the Delci AE are truly built to last. They are CNC machined and have a very smooth surface with no rough or sharp edges. The aluminum used is very durable and won’t rust or corrode over time. Now, shells made of all alloy will condense in more humid climates so be aware of that. Still, I am happy to report that the Delci AE has one of the best builds I’ve seen under $100. Just due to the fact that not only are they built rugged and durable against wear and tear, but they are also some of lightest earphones you can buy that come in all alloy. 5.3 grams to be exact. If you are not aware, that’s really lightweight. Now this is not a large set and should be great for smaller ears. Again, nothing sharp and no 90-degree angles. It’s all smooth, rounded and comfy. I’d say the nozzles are a bit shorter than most and so I definitely needed a large sized eartip to seal in my ears. The nozzles themselves are roughly around 6mm in width. Nothing out of the ordinary. I feel that Kefine definitely gets a passing grade here. Nice work.
Design
Of course, it’s the actual design and aesthetic makeup of the Delci AE that really stands out. Just a slick looking set. Minimalist in its truest form. All silver aluminum, pretty bare bones, nothing flashy or overdone here. From my perspective I feel the Delci AE is “Class” from front to back. The word I’d say to best describe this set is definitely “handsome”. The Delci AE is simply handsome. Usually, I don’t enjoy logos anywhere on a set except off to the side, small writing, small logo. However, the Delci AE kind of bucks that idea as the logo on the center of the faceplate is really kind of cool looking as the name “Kefine” sits inside a circle which is slightly discolored from all silver color exterior. You also see the “ae” Angel Ears logo on the side of the Delci AE as well. I am impressed with this design, friends. Really a fly looking set no matter how you turn them.
Internals
Once again, Kefine chose a single dynamic driver setup for their 2nd in the Delci series. They actually once again decided upon a 10 mm DLC (Diamond-like-carbon) dome diaphragm driver with a PU+ suspension along the outside of the diaphragm. The DLC material has a high tensile strength along with very good rigidity. Many earphones have gone with this material for their diaphragms over the years, but few have really gotten the most out of it. There are so many materials to choose from, but I feel that Kefine didn’t want to mess with a good thing. Especially since the OG Delci was received as well as it was. Beyond the driver internally, Kefine also decided once again to give the new Delci AE a dual cavity structure. Needless to say, there is a vent for each cavity on the underside of the set for pressure build-up etc. Other than those Internals there really isn’t a whole lot more to it. Very nice.
Fit / Comfort / Isolation
As far as the fitment is concerned, I feel the Delci AE is almost perfect. I really love how this smaller set fits my ears. Remember the Delci AE is only 5.3 grams in total weight and so it really doesn’t even feel like anything is there. All you have to do is find a set of tips which work with your ears, get that seal and you should have a good fit which is way more comfortable than it isn’t. Now, I have no idea exactly how this set would fit you, but I have to assume most people will get a solid fit. Also, isolation is about average. Meaning, the passive noise isolation from outside noises isn’t a problem but I wouldn’t call it great for stage purposes. Just for fun and casual listening. Really a comfortable iem and one that should pique the interest of anyone who values comfort in their earphones.
Drivability / Pairings
The Kefine Delci AE are rated with an impedance of around 28 ohms and a sensitivity of about 108 db’s give or take. Of course, this means that the Delci AE is a very sensitive iem. Well, sensitive enough that most source devices drive it fairly easily. I listened for a pinch on my iPad just to see how sensitive the Delci AE is, and I got to good volume straight from the 3.5 single ended jack. Another point is that you can definitely get the most out of this single DD iem with more power output. I found this to be the case with most iems. However, I also don’t feel that it needs a ton of power to bring the Delci AE to its best fidelity. Just a bit more than a simple phone jack. More so like a good dongle dac as far as power is concerned. There’s more though. The Delci AE will also most certainly reward your ears with more talented and sonically gifted sources. I found you can push these drivers to bend to the will of most any source. At least to a degree. Basically, feed the Delci AE some good and clean power with good sonics and the Delci AE will rise to the occasion. So naturally my more powerful sources also happen to be my “better” sources. Definitely the Delci AE sounded it’s best with my best sources. It’s pretty simple and it’s also a fine iem.
Mobile Listening
Out and about I usually bring my Ifi Go Blu with me and I found the pairing to be more than adequate for a solid listening session. The CS43131 dac chips in the Go Blu and its dynamic sound matches the strengths of the Delci AE very nicely. I feel that of my mobile pairings, the best I heard was the EPZ TP50, the Simgot Dew4x, and the Hidizs S9 Pro Plus. Each device has its own flavor but the Delci AE adapted quite well to each.
Tonality pairing
Now, the Delci AE is a warmer sounding set, maybe warm/neutral with more of a lean towards the warmth, especially with the silver nozzle attached which definitely comes across as more warm and full. That said, I don’t necessarily feel that contrasting tonality source devices sound best with the Delci AE. I think to make this set sound it’s best you have to pair it with a very resolving and dynamic sounding source device. This could be a cool, neutral, or warm source, doesn’t matter. Anything but flat. The Delci AE wants to be pushed, and of my more mobile devices I found that the three I mentioned above worked the best for my taste. Granted there were plenty of others I used which sounded nice too. To each their own though. The truth is that whatever sounds good to you is the good pairing. Does that make sense? My opinion is that the Delci AE sounds best when there’s some grunt dynamism. Again, doesn’t matter if it’s a cool, neutral, or a warm sounding source device. That’s for me though. You may feel different. The Delci AE is just like many sets I’ve reviewed recently in that it sits right in that slightly warm pocket which kind of sounds great with most any source device tonality. I’m sure many will say it’s best with a more neutral source, but I have to say, my Shanling M6 Ultra is warmer and sounds fantastic with the Delci AE. So once again it’s all in the ear of the beholder.
More juice
Listening with the iBasso DX240 which has Amp8 MK2 attached is great, good dynamics, clean, and there is a nice offset of the warmth of the Delci AE. The Fiio Q15 is the same but I found the dynamism to be a bit greater on the Q15 which came across very nice. Any source which pushes the dynamic abilities of the Delci AE seems to shine and having more power helps too. Of course, there is a cap on that where the benefits begin to dwindle as you throw more power at it. Then I have my Shanling M6 Ultra which is a warmer and more velvet sounding device. It’s highly resolving and has great energy and dynamism and so I feel that is what makes this pairing so nice. I liked that this warmer device didn’t cause veil or any exaggerated warmth to occur. Actually, the M6 Ultra seemed to open up this set nicely. Generally, I think more power tightens the low-end to a degree as well as helps in separation of instruments, extension both ways.
What do you need?
If you have a decent Dongle Dac you’ll be in business. However, if all you have is a phone with a 3.5 single ended port, then I think you’ll get some decent sound from even that. It really doesn’t take much to drive this set but having a bit cleaner & brute power does seem to help.
Sound Impressions
Like I’ve already stated a few times, the Kefine Delci AE comes across warmer than it isn’t. I could see an argument that the Delci AE is closer to warm/neutral as well. Either way, this set has some warmth which comes across pretty clearly. Much the same as the original Delci. In fact, the AE version isn’t all that different from the original if you ask me. I do believe that the AE is a better set, however. By a small degree that is. Certainly, refined in a few key areas. Anyways, the Delci AE comes across as smooth and with good and rich note weight. However, that warmth is not enough to cause a veil across the mix. I also wouldn’t say it is so thick that separation between instruments becomes congested or details become too fuzzy. To my ears the Delci AE actually has good warm resolution. You’d think that a single DD with a richer note weight probably wouldn’t be the picture of separation. In fact, my opinion is that the Delci AE is very nice technically. Obviously, this is not as technically gifted as a set which is literally tuned to bring out the minutiae, but there is some presence of air, transients are better than you’d think and even in the face of the underlying smoothness, I still hear some fine lines and clean-cut edges to notes.
What’s I sound like?
To me, the Kefine Delci AE has what I would consider a very slight V-shaped sound to a U-shaped sound depending on your tuning nozzle situation. As for me, I like the silver nozzle which comes across with a slightly more forward midrange to my ears, warmer, smoother, better for vocals, more musically inclined, less technical to a small extent too and a beefier and more physical bass. The gold nozzle has a much brighter hue to the sound, more energetic, thinner note weight, more edgy and a bit more abrasive, and comes across a titch more V-shaped, but also better detailed. That said, the silver nozzle creates a very nicely refined warmish sound which appeals to me more. I don’t hear anything overly softened, notes have density, rigidity, and a sense of dimensionality which is nice to hear in an under $100 single DD.
Musical-over-technical
Now that I’ve said all of this, I do want to backtrack a little by stating that the Delci AE is not going to be the most detail rich set that $89 can get you. This is a musical-over-technical iem which just so happens to be pretty darn articulate. Really, a nice job by Kefine of refining the OG Delci’s sound with a pinch more cleanliness while keeping that same note viscosity, that full note delivery with tighter transients yet still just as emotionally charged. So, the Delci AE has great fluency through the mix. Of course, cohesion is good as it’s a single DD, but I like how the Delci AE transitions into each area of the spectrum. There’re no surprises, no harsh peaks (perhaps a hair with the gold nozzle), no annoying sibilance and each transition sounds natural. This is a fun sound with a fun low-end and with good energy even in the face of the warmth. Macro-dynamics aren’t as obvious on the Delci silver nozzle, but I maintain that just like the OG Delci, the AE version also has good dynamics, nothing flat, nothing boring and there is a good stage presence with some dimension to the sound, some roundness to notes. I hear some warmth, but in that warmth is a moderately hard-edged note outline without any grain, fuzz, or anything pillowy. It’s a relatively transparent sound for what the Delci AE is.
Condensed Sound Between the 20’s
The low-end has roughly a 11-12 dB bass shelf which comes through as sub-bass focused yet still with a full mid-bass. This bass is deep, physical, tight for its quantity and decently defined. Not basshead but it has good bass. The midrange has great note weight without clogging up the lines between elements of the stage. Vocals come through rich, focused, and with good presence. I hear slightly more vibrance in the upper midrange with zero glare or shout using the silver nozzle. Similar to the OG Delci. The treble is more laid-back, safe, less intense and not the most brilliant treble my ears have ever heard. However, the treble works well with this particular tuning with good body to notes, smooth and non-offensive. Extension won’t win any awards either, but I am not missing much past 8k. I’d say the treble has just enough lift or just enough brilliance. Details are not the calling card of this set either. It’s smooth, lush, and with a less emphasized treble to bring levity and better resolve to the spectrum. That said, I also feel detail retrieval is pretty good considering the tuning. Notes are tight enough, clean enough and with the limited air the Delci AE has, it does a good job of illuminating what it can. The stage is roughly average in width but with good depth. Still, this set is musical through and through with an emotional feel to my music.
Bass Region
The bass can get it folks. This is a fun low-end which makes its presence felt in any track which displays this region. This isn’t a basshead set by any means, but it has a very healthy bass shelf which happens to be the tallest peak of the spectrum. The Delci AE has a warm bass, a full bass, and a bass that can get very physical adding a meaty rumble to big bass moments in my music. The bass on the Delci AE does cross over into the midrange a bit adding weight and warmth to that region (just as the Delci OG) with a very effective spill over without becoming a detriment. I enjoy the Delci as it has that warm vibrance which carries what feels like palpable mass and density to the sound. Obviously, the track you are playing can alter that a bit, but for the most part the bass has that textured and kinetic density to it. However, it isn’t simply characterized by its quantity. No sir. The low-end is also fairly agile, with good macro-details, good separation for the quantity, not one-noted and with a clean note outline. Certainly not dry, definitely not weak, not pillowy, and never the type which sounds muddy or congested.
Sub-bass
Like I said, the bass region has a sub-bass focus to it which adds all the bulbous rumble that anyone short of a basshead could want. Minus those who are allergic to bass of course. Come to think of it, I bet even bassheads could appreciate the quality of the low end for the price. From the OG Delci, this newer AE version does have a noticeably more exact sub-bass with a more pointed and concise attack and a reasonably tight decay per the size. In fact, I perceive the decay as closer to natural as you still have some lingering harmonics which give off that semi-atmospheric vibe. Yet for the size the sub-bass still comes across as clean and quick enough for most tracks. As good as the OG was, Kefine definitely built on that. They trimmed off the fat, added some lean muscle, but kept the density, kept the corporeal mass and weight and added some more low droning vibrance. Notes in the sub-bass are fairly rounded with some haptic feel to bass guitar, double bass, meaty bass drops etc.
Sub-bass cont…
In “Adore You” by Khalid you can feel what I’m referring to. The Delci AE replays this track with a vibrational bass and a low pitch. It gets guttural and is very satisfying. Or “The Hardest Part” from the band Washed Out. This is a slightly quicker moving bassline that the Delci has no issue keeping up with, but that’s not all that I enjoy as many sets can do that. What I like is how the Delci AE follows the cadence of the rumble to the tee and does so with round notes, convex, and a ductile ability to meandor around the low bass energy while remaining bullish and meaty. It’s a darker vibrance. Good for the price and good for a 12 dB bass shelf to not sound too overbearing against the rest of the spectrum.
Mid-bass
The mid-bass doesn’t mess around either. It’s close to a “hit-n-git” type of mid-bass that has the fullness to fill out bass guitars but also the edginess and clean lined note outline to make those bass guitars sound effortless. On top of that it’s nicely tactile and textured. Now, there are some other sets in the price point which have similar style bass replays and so I don’t want to oversell here. However, it is a nice attribute. To be more robust in body and weight but also dexterous and nimble enough to make its way around most any track fairly well is a good thing for fans of well done larger bass. Without a doubt there are cleaner bass replays from other sets with better definition, so keep that in mind. I’m referring to the cleanliness in regard to the emphasis. Just atmospheric enough to sound authentic but also colored enough to make it fun. Never overdone, never too much, never really muddy and never causing the sound to come across as veiled. This is what I enjoy. It shows up most when a track calls for it and, in the meantime, the mid-bass simply adds some extra clean weight.
Mid-bass cont…
The bass guitar in Waxahatchee’s track “The Wolves” is flat-out meaty. Or the kick drums in “Billie Jean” by Weezer. This track begins right out the gate with fast, tight and booming kick drums in rapid succession. I use this track to hear the cleanliness and force behind certain iems low-end. The Delci AE sounds fantastic. Each kick on the drum is solid in rigidity, tacky on attack, cavernous and booming in its harmonics but also a hard edged outline. It’s very nice folks. Definitely better than the original Delci. My opinion of course but I feel it’s pretty obvious. Beyond that, the Delci AE mid-bass has the capability to feel ductile and acrobatic on faster bass lines while having the raw capacity to sound bullish when it needs to as well.
Downsides to the Bass Region
The obvious first downside of this bass region would be the overall emphasis on the Delci AE. It can be a slight bit too much and sound less controlled than some would like. A huge portion of the listening Audioverse really does not enjoy a fun and bigger bass. They really don’t. I know many of these people and I get where they are coming from. A big bass steals a lot of energy and will mask certain frequencies from time to time. Sometimes they can sound less clean or less defined strictly due to that larger bass profile. Even a clean “big bass” like the Delci AE will corrupt some of the clarity and will douse some of the resolution. It’s just the nature of sound and how we perceive it when all of those sounds collect into this small nozzle ultimately shooting those sounds direct to our primary auditory cortex. Yes, the Delci AE has a bit more of an emphasis which is why I keep saying that the bass is tight and clean for its size and clearly, I feel that this is a good thing. It’s as clean as it can be per the size. Does that make sense?
Downsides cont…
Despite that, there will be plenty of folks who would much rather have that ultra tight, ultra snappy, and pristinely defined bass that comes with a visceral punch. Hard lined but slim in profile. Similar to the Simgot EA1000. Or at least in that vein. Also, the bass will mask a hair in congested big bass tracks. Can’t get around that. That said, nobody is listening to heavy bass jams trying to piece out every last Instrument and sound. Still, that is one casualty of a bigger bass. Lastly, the bass will add some warmth to the midrange as well as weight. Believe it or not, there are plenty of folks who don’t enjoy that. Many people want their midrange untouched, unsullied and that’s it. No encroachment at all of the bass. Again, I truly understand this, and I love many sets which have such a sound. The Delci AE simply isn’t that. But guess what, it’s damn good for what it is and for the price it’s being sold at.
Midrange
I really enjoy what Kefine did with this midrange. Now, you have the gold nozzle, which is more energetic, brighter, more forward, but also more glaring. Beyond that, the gold nozzle does have a touch of sibilance. I did say a touch. However, you also have the nozzle that I love (silver nozzle) which gives me a midrange which is slightly more smooth-over-crisp, but not without some crispness. The silver nozzle is more organic, better note body, and also is an easier listen over long periods. So, the midrange will alter quite a bit depending on your nozzle situation. Again, for all of my critical listening I used the silver nozzle.
Smooth sailor
This is a musicality first midrange with well bodied notes, lush yet refined, textured yet also velvet in its note structure. However, this is not the type of lush which is also cast underneath any veil. The Delci AE is instead a clean midrange with slightly quicker than natural transients. Meaning, secondary harmonics are heard easily but decay doesn’t drag on mucking up the sound field. You have a smooth yet dense attack leading to a compact body to most notes, which are followed by a proportionally succinct decay. The point is that the Delci AE doesn’t come across as opaque or cloudy but instead there is some transparency there. Not quite glass lined but certainly polished. You could call that last sentence a bit “opaque” actually. Seriously though, the Delci AE represents a cleaner version of the OG without losing the charm of the OG within this region. Actually, within every region. However, the midrange especially has that milky type of sound with decent detail retrieval, good separation for the tuning with natural transients to help bring upon some openness between instruments and vocalists. Again, slightly warmed, never shouty (silver nozzle), never sibilant, very natural to the ear with semi-warm dynamics and some spunky energy, it’s just in a less bright setting.
Timbre
Timbre is (in my opinion) better on this set using the silver nozzle than I heard in the Delci OG as well. I’m sure you could argue either way here but having that slight bit of neutrality gives notes a more natural sound to my ears. Not as colored by the bass. With less fuzz at the note ends. Clean but not pristine. Slightly wetted and never dry or moist and never papery. We can all give our account of what organic or natural sounds like and each of us may say something completely different. I honestly can’t put my finger on what it takes for me to state that any one set has organic timbre but more often than not it has to do with the tonal color and note body in conjunction with the transient decay. Natural and organic is not an exact science and not an across-the-board understanding. Definitions veer left and right between reviewers. It’s just like the word “musical” which I’ve spoken of in many reviews. However, as far as the Delci AE is concerned (this is the Delci AE Review after all) the timbre does lean closer to organic than anything else. Even with the bigger bass and warmer climate. Not perfectly natural but darn close and very tuneful. There’s another one… “tuneful”.
Instruments
Instruments tilt a titch warmer than life with stuff like piano, trumpet, yet still have that resounding quality to them. Strings have just enough upper-mid/lower treble energy to bring the bite and abrasiveness to violin and guitar. It’s subtle, but it’s there. However, there is a fullness which sounds very pleasing most of the time. Violin plays nice with this set actually. I like the mellifluous nature of the sound for violin, not thin and not too bright. Of course, there are definitely tracks which will call BS on what I’m saying, but for the most part this is what I hear. Percussion has some snap as well, like the violent initial attack on a hard snare, it “paps” with some crispness and with good energy. Or the fundamental tone of a cymbal strike which usually sits dab smack in the middle of the midrange and usually has a solid and hard “tisk” followed by secondary harmonics which tend towards the treble region. I usually cut off speaking on instruments fairly quickly as every track can display them differently. It doesn’t make much sense for a reviewer to “declare” that this instrument sounds like this, and this instrument sounds like that. Basically, take any instrument and give it the slightest shade of warmth, a full body and just enough sparkle to give it some edginess. Is the Delci AE perfect for all instrumentation? Of course not. However, I have grown to really enjoy the AE’s flavor and the way it portrays certain instruments.
Lower-midrange
The Delci AE does male vocals a huge solid by giving male vocalists some note body and warmth. More aggressive and edgy voices like Chris Stapleton in the track “Sometimes I Cry” somewhat smooths over the edginess yet also won’t kill my ears in pinna glare during his truly amazing moments where he BELTS out. This is a great thing. There’s control to this set in this regard. Anything edgy and sharp in a male voice (I have a lot of examples) doesn’t get exaggerated by the Delci AE. Other male voices have just enough plump body to sound authoritative. You see I don’t hear any real recession in this region because of how well highlighted male voices sound. There is separation between notes, and those notes seem more elliptical or rounded. It gives some of that “dimensionality” that I was referring to earlier. Now, there are sets which perform male vocals better, however those sets usually lack in some other areas. Also, it all really depends on what you enjoy. So, for me, males sound pretty nice on this set. Better than a handful of supposed “best sets under $100” in my opinion. Another track which just sounds awesome is the Red Clay Strays track from their latest album “I’m Still Fine” portrays the lead’s voice as almost haunting, nice presence, very clean while also emotionally pregnant with “the feels”. His voice sits just in front of the rest of the mix and sounds great. These are simply a couple examples but there are many more. The Delci AE does a nice job here.
Upper-Midrange
Now females usually find a home near the upper midrange but that obviously isn’t always true. Still, in my opinion I see females in this region. Now, the Delci AE with the silver nozzle attached seems to have just enough shimmer and enough body to come across nice for female vocalists. Granted, there will be plenty of hobbyists who want more sparkle in this region. Nevertheless, I tended to really enjoy most females like “Twenty-Five” by Lake Street Dive. Her voice is simply awesome with the Delci AE. I feel that her voice is the type which can get abrasive or sharp with a brighter set at higher volumes whereas with the Delci AE I can listen to her voice on any track perfectly comfortably while not losing the seductiveness of that magnetic charisma that she has. There is power in her voice and the Delci AE owns just the type of tuning to display that power appropriately without losing control. Transients in this region have just enough nimbleness, mixed with just enough spunk, just enough levity and openness, and just enough rigidity and body to notes. Add all of this together and it equates to very nice female vocals. Perhaps it misses a touch of that shimmer I was talking about but folks… It’s good. Again, no the Delci AE isn’t perfect, but for $89 dollars… C’mon! This is a very well done set and yes, it plays with the big boys under $100 in many ways.
Downsides to the Midrange
Why do I force myself to complete “downsides”? Every review the actual downsides are usually subjective areas which won’t suit a certain type of listener. Most of the time whoever is reading will already have come up with the downside in their own head reading the review. Just the same, I must carry on. Okay, so the Delci AE will not have a midrange which pleases those who enjoy that ultra spic-n’-span style, speedy transient, ultra detailed and dry analytical type sound. There are times that this is what I’m yearning for too. The AE is not a midrange detail king, and the midrange is not a neutral lover’s dream. Some folks only want that perfectly untouched midrange where the bass region has a brick wall stopping any encroachment. They don’t want warmth or extra body. They want the mids to be pristine. The AE is not that. Yes, it’s clean for the tuning and yes, the Delci AE is very good for what it is. However, I’m sure it won’t please everyone and as positive as this midrange section has been… there will be those who think I’m nuts. It is what it is. Nothing is for everyone. I tend to enjoy damn near every sound signature and so I understand. Still, for a single DD under $90 to have this type of smoothness, richness and still not lack technically while at the same time “not” killing my ears in pinna gain glare and shout or annoying sibilance is a pretty cool thing to be for an earphone. My opinion of course.
Treble Region
The Delci AE treble region is not the shining star of this set. It’s more like a good supporting actor, or a solid leg to a very nice three-legged table. I have to stop using this metaphor. Anyways, the Delci AE treble region is certainly more laid back than a brighter set and was tuned in such a way that it won’t be a problem for those sensitive to treble loudness. Having said that, I think that Kefine tuned this set right to the edge of too forward. There is some brilliance here. This is not a dark treble and definitely has more sprightliness and brilliance than the OG Delci. Even using the silver nozzle. I should add that the gold nozzle actually is flat-out “bright”. So be aware if you are the type who enjoys a more treble forward and bright replay. Again, my review covers the nozzle I enjoy the most. The silver nozzle. The silver nozzle has more pep than the OG and is more detailed, cleaner, with more refined notes. Yet Kefine did so in such a way that doesn’t produce shrillness. It’s a fine line. Maybe some tracks recorded with more of a treble sheen will come across a bit too forward on the Delci AE but by-and-large this set keeps it all under control. So not the shining star or not the focus of the Delci AE… but the treble is still a pretty darn good leg.
Bite, crunch, punch, & sparkle
Now, I do hear some of that treble bite. The necessary edginess that a good treble will have. I did say “some”. It’s there. There is some sparkle in this region and some treble punch. On some tracks you’ll hear that treble crunch. That rounded crispness. Still, generally this is on the smoother side. This will not be a treble lover’s paradise unless they go with the gold nozzle. In that case I’d say there’s even more crunch, bite, punch and brightly crisp notes. The silver nozzle is for those who enjoyed the original Delci but simply wanted a hint more levity from this region. For those who just wanted a pinch more luster and shine. Just a pinch. In fact, there really isn’t much that separates the OG from the silver nozzle on the AE. It simply sounds more open by a small margin, which, for people who will pay hundreds of dollars for minimal improvements… this subtle difference should seal the deal. Whether it’s an improvement is up to the ear of the beholder. At any rate, there is some edginess and crispness at the outer edges of some notes, and I find that great as the treble really fits the rest of the mix very well. Just enough lift to give the midrange some buoyancy and openness, which leads to a hair better instrument separation, that also helps the sound to come across with better resolution leading to easier to discern details and micro-dynamics. That little touch helps.
Examples
I try to fit in some examples from the treble region in most of my reviews, but the treble is such a touchy subject to many hobbyists. How I hear it… you may not, and what I enjoy… you may hate. In doing, I usually will drop a track in here from someone like Billy Strings and his rapid-fire banjo and acoustic guitar play. One of those tracks is “Highway Hypnosis” from his brand-new live album. This track is fast, banjo/guitar notes come flying to begin this track during a 15-minute grind fest of different improved riffs laid by expert hands. There’s some much treble activity. The Delci AE does very well. Round notes, clean distinctions between overlapping sounds which frequently occur. The timbre sounds great, details shine through easily. Now, once he begins his vocals there is a hair of masking that some multi driver sets could handle better but the timbre is fantastic, and the sound is very musical or harmonious. Basically, I don’t even notice any blending. For the most part it’s clean for a single DD. Another track is “Untamed” by Lindsey Stirling. That violin sounds effortless, bright, with that sharp edged coarseness and silvery style sound. It’s really nice. I just find the Delci AE to be a nice vehicle to drive through these tracks with. Her songs are. Always over the top, dramatic, but also so very melodic and the Delci AE does a wonderful job of portraying her melodies. There’re many more examples of treble heavy songs but these two do pretty well for a treble I characterized as a “good supporting actor”.
Downsides to the Treble Region
The first downside or subjective issue would really be for those who desire a warm or dark treble. The Delci AE doesn’t have the brightest treble experience, but it definitely isn’t dark or rolled-off. There is some extension and some air along with enough brightness to fall out of favor with these types of listeners. Also, the Delci AE will likely not appease treble heads. Maybe with the gold nozzle but I still feel that real treble heads may want a bit more treble bite. I could be wrong as I am not a “treble-head”. The Delci AE is not a case of what some of us call “forced-resolution” or “forced-brightness” which equates to an overtly lifted treble emphasis. It isn’t that thankfully. I suppose with the gold nozzle it gets close as there are some peaks in the lower treble and past 5k that really add some zing to this set. Too much for my sensitivities when I have a perfectly dialed in silver nozzle. Perhaps if this set was tuned only with the gold nozzle my brain could adapt as I certainly have been able to do in the past. However, I do feel the gold nozzle is a little bit too over-emphasized for my taste. Still, is it what treble heads delight in? I wouldn’t know. Overall, the treble really does fit the tuning, it’s more polished than the OG Delci and the OG Delci was an absolute hit. Easily one of the best, and arguably thee best single DD sets under $100. I think Simgot has a few iems which would argue against that, but this was the company the OG Delci played ball with. So where does that put a slightly improved Delci AE?
Technicalities
Soundstage
This brings us to the “Technicalities” portion of my review and feature of the Kefine Delci AE, starting with the “Soundstage”. The stage on the Delci AE isn’t as closed in as the OG Delci. It feels and sounds more open. Probably “average” to “slightly above average” against the competition, but not quite as intimate as the original. I found the lift up top helped and the clean depth of the sub-bass along with the macro-dynamic energy throughout kind of helps this set to sound as though the stage is stretched a bit. Not just wide and tall but also slightly deeper, rounder notes, better layering to a degree. I wouldn’t confuse the Delci AE with the best-in-class sets, in this regard, but no doubt I don’t hear any true congestion either. I feel Kefine did a great job addressing the issues the OG did have while not destroying what made the Delci special. It has a nice stage folks. Certainly not some cavernous chasm of sound and not some arena style stage and there is some intimacy here. The stage does seem closer to the listener in a charming way. There’re distinct lines between instruments brought on by jsut a touch more air to the overall sound. Again, not best in class but pretty darn good for a single dynamic driver earphone.
Separation / Imaging
Yes, these notes are lusher, but there are clean lines between instruments. Definitely I hear a more intimate portrayal of my music than some other sets. Yet in the very same breath the stage does reach out wide enough while centering certain elements of that stage, delineating and partitioning off instruments and vocalists fairly well. Yes, the sound is smoother than it isn’t, which usually doesn’t bode well for a single dynamic driver set to sound separated and layered. That said, I feel the Delci AE has clean enough note outlines to come across above average in separation. At worst it’s average. But I suppose it comes down to the listener. I can tell you that I’m very happy with the sound. I like that note weight is good and bodied well enough and each note is textured well enough to sound realistic while still feeling somewhat separated. By no means am I saying the Delci AE is some separation master or a technical wizard. I am not saying that so don’t get it twisted. I am saying that for how this set was tuned, it’s better in this regard than it should be. Imaging can get a hint hairy on bigger bass tracks, but it too is at worst… average. Usually, a set good in imaging will have a hint more vibrance and airiness to the sound. So, I’m not saying this is the best set in these attributes, but it holds its own for what it is.
Detail Retrieval
Carry over what I said in the last section to this section. Same argument and same appraisal. Detail retrieval is better than it should be. Certainly, better than the OG Delci which wasn’t too bad itself. So long as the bass isn’t blaring or the track isn’t too complicated and congested, I feel you’ll hear better details than I would’ve personally expected. When I first saw the graph of the silver nozzle, I thought that the Delci AE would be the spitting image of the OG. However, details do come through easier, it is more open, it is cleaner, transients do attack and decay sprightlier, it does have very nice precision, and the subtleties do rise to the surface. Without question there are better iems under $100 for detail retrieval than the Delci AE and if details are what you are after then I’d keep looking. Notwithstanding, if you want that cohesive single DD flavor which usually has better timbre and all the other luxuries which come with a good single DD then the Delci AE does do well in detail retrieval. Now, in the realm of single DD’s under $100 is the Delci AE within the top class in details. Probably not. Sets like the Simgot EA500 and EA500LM or sets like the Fiio JD7 etc. do resolve the minutiae a hair better… maybe. In the end the Delci AE is much better than expected and as a whole it has absolutely zero to be ashamed of. It’s a fine set and technically it does just fine.
There is the gold nozzle…
Of course, if you want better details, you can always swap over to the gold nozzle which is the more resolving nozzle of the two. Of course, you must then take all of the other attributes that the gold nozzle has into account as well. Certainly, I do hear finer details with this nozzle as the treble is brighter, the bass isn’t as intrusive, and the overall character of this nozzle is more technically inclined. This goes for all of the Technicalities explained in this section. The gold nozzle is most certainly the better separated of the two, slightly better imaging, thinner in note weight too. Just something to remember.
Comparisons
Note: I am going to be very quick with these comparisons. I am going to also be very general in my explanations of the differences as I am going quite long with this review. So forgive me for that and I hope they help. One more thing, I already have compared the OG Delci within this whole review and so I’m not going to reiterate all the points I’ve made again in the comparison section. If you want a reference to the OG… here is my review.
Tanchjim 4U ($60)
The Tanchjim 4U is a set that I wasn’t able to review due to timing and scheduling, but I have been able to use it as a comparison set a couple times now. I find the 4U to be an awesome single DD iem. The 4U is a dual-chamber single DD with an LCP diaphragm and a very useful and unique adjustable filter system. Really a cool set that’s worth every penny of the price. Let’s see how it differs from the Delci AE.
Differences
For one, both sets are made of all alloy, built like tanks, and both are gorgeous. I tend to like the Delci AE design better but I’m not you. Both sets offer some way of changing the sound up. The 4U has their filter system which requires a screwdriver to change, and the Delci AE requires screwing on and off tuning nozzles. Both work and both make big changes to the sound. I like the 4U system a bit better but that’s just because it really is different from what I’m used to. I feel the cable and most inclusions or accessories are better on the Delci AE but the Apple style unboxing of the Tanchjim 4U is simply dope. Very nice. Both sets are phenomenal at their price points.
Sound Differences
Using the “Atmospheric” setting of the 4U and the silver nozzle for the Delci AE I found the 4U to be closer to neutral, thinner in note weight, maybe slightly better detail retrieval (very close), better imaging by a very small margin too. However, the Delci AE is more traditionally musical, better timbre, more fun, deeper bass with a more tactile and deeper rumble. Like I said, it has lusher note weight with a better stage which features slightly better layering of sounds. Better 3D image of the stage. There’s just a touch more depth on the Delci AE. Not taking anything away from the 4U either. I love that set. Still, I do feel the Delci AE is worth the extra cost to own it over the 4U. It’s just more organic of a presentation and the note weight and lushness really brings this one home for me.
Final thoughts on this comparison
Both are great. I really enjoy both sets quite a lot and depending on what my mood is I’d go for either set. I think the Delci AE is probably the better iem though. This isn’t even an argument with the current sale price of the Delci AE ($69). Again, this is in no way a belittling of the Tanchjim 4U. If you only have $60 and want a fantastic single DD with some cool features, then I’d point you directly towards the 4U. Still, in my opinion the Delci AE is worth the extra cash to own it.
Simgot EA500LM ($89)
I reviewed the EA500LM earlier this year (EA500LM Review) and it had my ringing endorsement. I went right to the brink of calling it the best iem under $100 at the time. To be honest, my thoughts haven’t changed much. What a special iem from a special brand! Now, the EA500LM has a single 10mm lithium-magnesium dynamic driver with dual-cavities and dual magnets. It is a fantastic driver and Simgot really did get the most out of it. That said, not everyone feels the same as I do and some would characterize the EA500LM as being a bit too shouty. However, there aren’t many sets which do exactly what the EA500LM can do which was the exact thing which sparked my curiosity in regard to how well the Delci AE stacks up to one of the best.
Differences
First off once again both iems are made of all alloy. I have no idea which build I like better, but I can tell you the Delci AE is much-much lighter. It’s not even close. The AE is lighter and more comfortable as the EA500LM is actually one of the heaviest sets under $100. Now, the EA500LM arguably has a hair better accessory with a slightly fatter and prettier cable. But it is close. Both sets use tuning nozzles to change up the sound though the Delci AE’s tuning nozzles definitely effect more of a change in sound. I honestly couldn’t tell you which set I feel is designed better, both are absolutely gorgeous, both feel and look premium at every angle. This is a true shoot out, but somehow, I feel they both win.
Sound Differences
Right away you’ll notice the EA500LM is brighter and less bass oriented with a slightly more forward midrange leaning bright/neutral. The Delci AE is warmer and has thicker note weight across the board, deeper bass, more engaging vocals. It’s clear that the EA500LM has a cleaner sound, more resolute, tighter more well defined low-end. Friends, this is the true definition of a “preference battle”. Both sets are different enough that it’ll be easy to tell which you’d rather go with. The EA500LM is crisper, faster in transients, and better detailed, more resolving. The Delci AE has the more organic sound, more holographic, still very well detailed but more melodic and musical. The EA500LM leans more to the analytical side as the treble is emphasized more and extends further into the upper treble with less bass emphasis. At the same time the Delci AE has less treble emphasis and a bigger, more fun bass replay along with more engaging vocals for me.
Final thoughts on this comparison
I love them both. Once again, I chose two sets which are very good at what they do. These two are quite different but both offer a high return in the sound quality department, and both have great price to performance. It really comes down to what sound signature and tonal coloration (warm, bright, neutral) you find best suits you. There are days that the EA500LM is the set I want replaying my music and there are definitely days (most recently) that I would much rather have the Delci AE in my ears.
Is it worth the asking price?
I feel that this will be a different answer for different people. All I can really do is answer for myself and if that rings true to you then you know we at least somewhat align. I think you already know after reading this review that I feel the Delci AE is well worth the $89 ($69 on sale) that Kefine has priced this set at. In fact, for me it’s a no brainer. That said, the competition is fierce in this price point as the under $100 range of iems is probably the most competitive in all of audio. I feel this is the price where one really starts trying to dial into what the sound signature is and how it suits each individual. Basically, what I’m getting at is that to one person the Delci AE doesn’t even crack their top 50 of best under $100 and to another the Delci AE will be exactly what they wanted. There is an element of the tuning which can be a hair polarizing in that it is a warm leaning set, it is bassy, and it can be a bit less “Simgot-ish” for some folks. It’s all in how you enjoy your music. However, for this guy, I feel the Delci AE is a very nice iem and worth the money to own it.
The Why…
Because the build is almost perfect. It’s small, extremely lightweight, the perfect size to sit comfortably in most anyone’s ears. Then the design is striking. Just like the previous Delci the design is very simple, elegant, unique, and has this awesome appeal to it. I found the tuning nozzles are actually great in that they help the Delci AE to have two distinct sound profiles. The unboxing is good and altogether it has a nice package. Still, it is and always will be about the sound quality. The Delci AE has that rich toned yet clean sound that has beefy bass which stays in its lane enough to allow areas of the mix to shine. It has that good and full note weight and easy listening style that doesn’t fatigue the listener yet offers good enough dynamics to feel energetic and fun. The treble fits the overall tuning scheme very well with just enough treble bite and crispness. It’s just a well-tuned set folks. I cannot see a world in which this set is not absolutely worth $89. Furthermore, the sale price is only $69!
Ticks the right boxes
Ya know, I have to reiterate something, I only review sets that I enjoy folks. I don’t know if you know this or not? Well, there is a caveat, I also review iems that I feel a large swath of hobbyists could enjoy as well. Maybe a set isn’t perfect for me, but I know many will enjoy it, that’s another good reason to review for me. However, mostly I review a set because I truly enjoy the sound. I don’t have time for reviews that I don’t enjoy and so I turn many sets away or send them on to somebody else to review. I say all of this so that you know where I stand on the Delci AE. Here I am reviewing and featuring it… so basically… It is a very fine set in my opinion. I thoroughly have enjoyed my time with the Delci AE as it ticks so many of my boxes for a single DD. I say all of this to communicate what I truly believe is a very worthy competitor in the under $100 space. Again, yes the Delci AE is more than worth the asking price.
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 Kefine Delci AE ratings below, that would be $50-$100 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 “5-6” is roughly average and please take into consideration the “lot” of iems these ratings are gathered against. $50-$100 US is a huge 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 will be unique to that review. Basically, I create a Rating that makes sense to me.
Aesthetic
–Build Quality: 9.5 Built very well, all aluminum.
–Look: 9.5 Simple, bold, masculine.
–Accessories: 9.0 Pretty nice!
–Overall: 9.3🔥🔥🔥
Sound Rating
–Timbre: 9.7 Top of class timbre (my opinion).
–Bass: 9.4 Hello quality… meet quantity 🥂.
–Midrange: 9.3 Warm, rich, musical.
–Treble: 8.7 Non-Offensive, fits the tuning.
–Technicalities: 8.3 Technically better than it should be.
–Musicality: 9.7 Musicality over technicalities.
–Overall: 9.2🔥🔥🔥
Ratings Summary:
There really aren’t many issues with this rating section except just about every score I posted. This is the type of set that you will either go one way or the other and little in between. The OG Delci was the same way. For fans of a warmer and richer sound the Delci AE is going to hit every sweet spot under $100. For those who would much rather have a snappier sound, leaner, more energetic, bigger macro-dynamics, more detailed and resolute sound, they will likely not be on board with these ratings. Now, these ratings were completed against a bunch of under $100 iems. I have a slew of them in my collection which have been loosely called some of the best under $100. I then quickly go through and rate against portions of songs in each relative rating. That said, these ratings explain very little. There’s no nuance, no in-depth direction as to how I got to those ratings and so I hope you guys take these as a grain of salt. Just like every one of my reviews…lol. Also, please don’t let ratings determine your purchases. Now, beyond that, I don’t believe there is much I’d change here. I did the work to get to this point but it’s from my perspective, and my perspective may not be your perspective. I do feel the Delci AE is worth every bit of that “9.2” overall sound score. That is a very high rating against the field. I rated the Delci AE against any and all iems of any driver configuration within the prices of $50 and $100. I have a bunch on me but nowhere near all of the great sets in this range. So please also take that into consideration too.
Explain Yourself!!
First off, the bass rating is going to get me some messages from the peanut gallery. For sure. I gave this set a very lofty “9.4” in the low-end rating and I know that bass preferences are so very much different for so many different people. It is by far the hardest area to score without folks thinking I’m nuts. Which is fine and expected. Also, I never disagree with anyone. I simply say “Okay” and “To each their own”. We are all always correct in his audio game. To explain, the bass is so much fun, well defined for the size, deep, rumbly, yet tight for what it is. I wrote “Hello quantity…meet quality” above and I really mean it. It is a high-quality larger bass that is very nice to my ears. The rest of the ratings can obviously be argued but I don’t think it’s worth it to explain those other ratings. All in all, I do feel the Delci AE is right at that “9.2” overall which winds up being one of the best in the price point.
Conclusion
To conclude my full written review and feature of the Kefine Delci AE at Mobileaudiophile.com I’d like to first thank the awesome group of people at Kefine. This is a special young brand folks and I hope the best for them. It isn’t everyday you come across an overnight success like Kefine. A group of friends, small operation, and they create something very nice. Kudos to Angel Ears for recognizing how special the brand and the Delci name is. I really do feel that Kefine wasn’t going for an absolute upgrade in the AE version, but I do think that the AE version is a slight upgrade. It’s a side-grade-upgrade. Make sense? It’s really just a polished version of the same set in a prettier colorway and improved tuning. I don’t know if it’s worth it for owners of the OG Delci to pick up a set of the Delci AE. There really isn’t some huge difference between the two but there is enough of a difference to call this an improvement. Either way I’ve had a blast reviewing this set and spending time with it. It has been a great few weeks and I do hope to try out future audio products from Kefine. So, thank you once again. Also, thank you to the reader. I cannot thank you enough for clicking the link and making your time to read my words. It means everything to our team and to our whole operation. Every click helps and the amount of time you spend helps. We are a small operation ourselves and we try to give the best review possible, and I do hope that this review has helped you. That is always the goal. Thank you!
Different perspectives
Remember that we are all different folks. Each one of us can hear our music a little bit differently than the next guy. Not all of us have been down similar roads through audio, we may not all have similar musical tastes or libraries. We may have different likes and dislikes and who knows, we may not even hear the same. So many variables. Please, I am asking you to watch, read, or listen to other reviews of the Delci AE. I’m telling you it will help you to make a more educated decision. Also, there are so many great reviewers out there with fantastic perspectives. It’s worth it to check em’ out. Beyond that, I think I’m done friends. I hope you enjoyed this review, and I hope each and every single last one of you are well and good. Please take good care, stay as safe as possible and always… God Bless!
