Kefine Delci Review (Pavan’s take)

Kefine Delci (Pavan’s take)

Introduction

Hello everyone!! I have the Kefine Delci, the latest single DD IEM from Kefine. Kefine has been in the market with the launch of their Planar IEM, the Kefine Klanar. The Delci was their latest offering, featuring a 10mm DLC+PU diaphragm dual-cavity dynamic driver. As per Kefine, the DLC diaphragm delivers a high-quality sound, and the dual-cavity driver ensures a powerful bass response. Kefine has designed Delci through CNC machining giving a gunmetal finish and is exceptionally light on the ears in actual use cases. The IEM comes with a detachable 2-Pin 0.78mm with dual-color, made of 164 copper wires terminating in 3.5mm. Wide and narrow bore silicon tips of 3 sizes are included. The carry case provided is of a very decent size for fitting the IEMs, cable, and tips inside. The build quality of the IEM and its cable appears excellent considering the price point.

The included tips did not provide me a great seal and appear a little flimsy especially the wide bores which I use for most use cases. I tip-rolled and settled with Divinus Velvet – I found them apt for this IEM. At the time of this writing, I have this IEM run for more than 100 hours which includes burn-in. The IEM has a warm-colored sound that extends to the treble and is very musical sounding. I would thank Collin Yang from Kefine for arranging this review sample. Highly appreciate the gesture. This IEM was already reviewed at MBA by Chris Love and Pietro. So without further ado, here we go to the best of my intentions and abilities:

Specifications

Drivers – 10mm DLC + PU Dynamic Drivers

Frequency Response – 20Hz – 20kHz

Sensitivity – 108dB

Impedance – 28 ohms

Disclaimer

• The review is my own based on extensive and critical listening and was not influenced by any written or video review.
•  The review is subject to unit variance and my personal listening preferences.
• The review is subject to the gears I used for testing – DAC/ DAP/ Tips/ quality of the track 
•  Last but not least, I have no affiliation with the supplier of the IEM.

Gears/ Audio used for testing

• S24 Ultra
• Cayin RU7
• Tempotec V6
• Spotify Premium

Test Tracks

This is a representative sample of my favorites – An inclusive list and not exhaustive. There are a lot more.

• Here We Divide – Dead Letters Circus
• Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
• Make My Move – Oliver Micheal
• Astronaut In The Ocean – Alok Remix
• Code Name Vivaldi – The Piano Guys
• Shout – Tears For Fears
• Sandusky – Uncle Tupelo
• Cornflake Girl – Tori Amos
• Ice House – Ray Montford
• Dandelions – Ruth B
• Champion – Bishop Briggs
• Psychofreak – Camila Cabello
• Can You Hear The Music – Ludwig Goransson
• Beat – Tingvall Trio
• Strict Machine – Goldfrapp
• Fountain – Iamamiwhoami
• You Broke Me First – Tate McRae
• Titanium – Sia
• You Need To Calm Down – Taylor Swift
• Vachindha Megham – A R Rahman
• Shut Up and Dance – Walk the Moon
• Rihaayi De – A R Rahman
• Megham Karukatha – Anirudh Ravichandran
• Udi – Sanjay Leela Bhansali
• Danga Maari Oodhari – Harris Jayaraj
• Nan Pogiren (James Vasanthan)
• Naatu Naatu (RRR) – Keeravani
• Kurchi Madathapetti (S S Thaman)
• Agar Tum Saath Ho (A R Rahman)
• Caribbean Blue – Enya
• Roygbiv – Boards of Canada
• Electric Love – Borns
• Take Five – The Dave Brubeck Quartet
• Rapid As Wildfire – Genshin Impact
• Battlefield 4 Warsaw theme – Rami
• At The Speed Of Force – Junkie XL
• Back In Black – AC/DC
• Becoming Insane – Infected Mushroom
• Chain Reaction – Cloud Cult
• Hot Girl Bummer – Blackbear
• Memories Of Dust – Nier Automata
• Ona/ 1154 – Plini
• Stress – Pain Of Salvation
• Love Is Gone – Slander
• You Don’t Own Me – Saygrace
• Angel Of Death – Slayer
• Somebody I used to know (Gotye, Kimbra)
• Leave Them All Behind – 2001 Remaster (Ride)
• Unity – Royksopp
• Unfinished Sympathy – Massive Attack

Driveability/ Scalability

I used Kefine Delci mainly with 2 sources only – Cayin RU7 for the most part and Tempotec V6 sometimes. The IEM is easier to drive and does not require much power to shine. I did not use any other dongles in my possession during my extensive listening. I find the RU7 paired well with Delci as it offered a more musical sound between the two. However, the differences between the two are not contrasting either.

The Sound Impressions

Bass

Sub-bass has a great depth with an excellent rumble and is enveloping with a lot of air. The texture is very decent – Not the best and the quantity dominates the quality of sub-bass at times. Sub-bass separation from the rest of the frequencies was done well.

Mid-bass has an excellent body and is very authoritative in the overall frequency spectrum. The speed is decent and sounds balanced in its execution and decay giving the much-needed impact. However, the slam/ attack is on the softer side and is not very hard-hitting if that is your preference. I find the attack on the kick drums slightly on the softer side.

The sound is warm in general and the control exercised here is great as there is a good balance between the bleed and a boring sound. The tone appears accurate too but can get a little clouded in the complex mix at times due to the overall bass body – However, no complaints considering the price point. I noticed a little boom during my initial listen, however, not much anymore. The resolution/ texture is decent considering the price point. More inclined on quantity and quality is sufficient for an enjoyable listen. I enjoyed the rocking bass performance here but it can get too much for some. This IEM is not for those who prefer a neutral uncolored sound as the sound is colored to an extent. Overall, a proper bass head IEM that bleeds a little and is right on the balance.

Sample test tracks – Jiya Jale (A R Rahman), Lavender Haze (Taylor Swift), Don’t Start Now (Dua Lipa)

Mids

Instrumentation

The bass bleed from the mid-bass is minimal and appears rightly appropriate for a bass-focused IEM. The note weight is in general fuller and occupies the entire audible space. As a result, the sound is more balanced and rounded than crispy, especially in the bass-heavy tracks. Instrumentation has an excellent body and weight. One of the excellent aspects of this IEM is its tone/ tonality. Sounds very natural imparting a lasting impression.

The timbre appears accurate and authentic with a nice body and is not thin sounding at all. The detail/ resolution is commendable in the midrange considering a bass-boosted IEM with a slightly recessed lower midrange and is adequately balanced between crispiness and roundedness. String instruments sound excellent with good body and dynamics. There is a slight harshness noticed with the upper registers of instruments such as woodwinds and brass, however, well-controlled overall. Not fatiguing. Very well-managed upper mids within decent volume ranges.

Overall, I had a balanced and fantastic listening experience as far as Instrumentals go – accurately balanced among the details, crispiness, and note weight. The technicalities like the accurate staging and excellent imaging contribute to the overall listening experience. Pretty impressive stuff considering the price point.

Sample test tracks – The Imitation Game (Alexandre Desplat), Becoming Insane (Infected Mushroom)

Vocals

Male vocals

Warmer with a nice weight and texture. Does not sound distant or dry. Not very forward either and are rightly placed considering my tastes. Clarity is great without unneeded warmth.

Female vocals

Energetic sounding but not on the face with a little warmth present. Placement is good. Can sound a little harsh at times but is very manageable – ‘Sss’ sibilant sound is present but is a very rare sight in my playlist – I wouldn’t worry about this much in the overall scheme of things and I feel it is more of a natural occurrence. Clarity is great overall.

Sample test tracks – 2002 (Anne-Marie), Two Two Two (Anirudh Ravichander)

Treble

The treble is smoother overall with no harshness. A rare sibilance noticed as mentioned above and can be ignored in general – but still present nonetheless. I found the Kefine Delci dark sounding during my initial listening hours however, it has improved much better now making it a better wholesome IEM. There is a slight amount of warmthness that blankets the treble region giving a good body to the treble notes. The details have improved overall and the mid/ upper treble does not sound overlapping/ congested anymore. The hi-hat cymbal strikes are still on the softer side and lack a bit of shimmer/ sparkle up top due to the overall warmth of the IEM and treble roll-off. Still, it is dark sounding especially for treble heads.

The extension is decent with decent air. Not a very detail-oriented treble but the resolving capabilities in the treble region are good considering the price point. Overall, a decent treble performance that contributes positively to the overall sound of the IEM.

Sample test tracks – Temple (The Helix Nebula), what I Have Done (Linkin Park)

Technicalities

The soundstage appears more accurate than being widely spacious, molding according to the venue. You get spatial cues from the far side of the venue depending on the track. Both the height and depth are great considering the price point. Imaging is excellent and has a pin-point accuracy with nice stereo Imaging. Resolution and detail retrieval are great for a bassy IEM and maintain the balance between the note weight and crispiness. Layering is again done very well considering the price point. Dynamic presentation is above average. Finally, the tonality is top-notch. Impressive techs.

Sample test tracks – Zariya (A R Rahman), Jeenge (Infected Mushroom), Army Of Thieves (Hans Zimmer)

Comparisons

I have 2 single DD IEMs around the price point – the Simgot EA500LM and the Kotori Audio Dauntless. As soon as I wrapped my comparisons writing with Simgot, I started listening to Dauntless and I found both of them inherently different from each other. Dauntless is a single DD IEM from Kotori Audio and it has been more than 2 years since its launch.

It has been a while since I have listened to Dauntless which has a neutral bright tonality different from the basshead-leaning Delci. After some hearing, it didn’t make sense to me to compare dissimilar tunings intended for varied audiences, although both have a single DD. It is not fair to both of them. So, I did not proceed any further. Also, I wanted to include Delci’s elder brother Klanar in for comparison but I have hardly listened to that IEM after my first impressions. Klanar should undergo its due burn-in time before I judge them. I will include a small comparison with Delci in my Klanar review.

Kefine Delci and Simgot EA500LM are equipped with Divinus Velvet tips. Tempotec V6 and Cayin RU7 were used for comparisons. Let’s see how Kefine Delci performs against the Simgot EA500LM.

Kefine Delci (75 USD) vs Simgot EA500LM (89 USD)

Build and Fit

I had no issues in terms of fit with both of them especially after I tip-rolled to Velvet Tips. Both have a snug fit. There is no discomfort with either, but Kefine Delci is more comfortable. Kefine Delci is crafted through CNC machining and is very light on weight and small compared to Simgot. Simgot incorporates a 2nd generation Lithium – Magnesium Dome Diaphragm.

Driveability

Both are easy to drive, however, Simgot is more audible at a given volume level in comparison.

Sound

Sub-bass

Quantity is more or less the same on both with Kefine Delci leading slightly above. Depth and rumble are slightly better with Kefine Delci. There is a feeling of more air with Kefine Delci. I find the texture slightly better with Kefine Delci again because the sub-bass separation from vocals is done well in comparison. Overall, the Sub-bass is more impactful on Kefine Delci.

Mid-bass

Slam/attack is better on Simgot and is hard-hitting/impactful in comparison to the Kefine Delci. Bass speed is fast with Simgot leading to better dynamics overall and has a more focused approach. Bass is slightly more resolving and textured with Simgot. The Kefine Delci is not far behind in any of the above aspects. Both have a tasteful mid-bass with different minds. Quantity is more with the Kefine Delci appears much fuller in comparison. Kefine Delci leans more toward the Basshead territory whereas Simgot sounds more neutral, less colored, and more clean sounding in comparison. Overall, Simgot is a little more engaging to me because of the better resolution and dynamics, and likewise, Kefine Delci too for its fuller sound. Both are tuned differently that cater to different needs. Listener’s preference in the end.

Instrumentation

Simgot sounds more clean in comparison due to the less presence of warmth especially in bassy tracks. Simgot has better resolution, clarity, and details in comparison to Kefine Delci. Piano hits, Acoustic guitar sounds more clear and there is a good balance between musicality and being analytical. Whereas Kefine Delci is more musical due to the touch of warmth. Note weight is better on the Kefine Delci and appears fuller. Tonality is better on the Kefine Delci for me and timbre appears more accurate too due to the better-controlled upper registers of instruments such as Violin, Woodwinds, etc. Simgot sounds a little harsh at times to me. Again mitigated to an extent through volume management but my overall preference for the tone and timbre is Kefine Delci. However, I see slightly better separation in complex tracks with Simgot.

Overall they both operate neck on neck here and it all boils down to the listener’s preference. But Kefine Delci is a much smoother and more relaxed listen in comparison. Simgot can be fatiguing at times but can sound slightly clearer in comparison. For me, Kefine Delci achieves a perfect balance here, and I enjoyed listening more to Kefine Delci. I prefer the Simgot too for the clarity and dynamics it offers.

Vocals

Both the male and female vocals are a little forward and have a tad more clarity and texture on the Simgot. The details surrounding the vocals like the air, breathe are more audible on Simgot. But the female vocals can be fatiguing on the Simgot with a more energetic presentation. Well-controlled on Kefine Delci. However, I prefer the Simgot for vocals. It has some magic with the vocals – vocals are centered well and given more prominence in the mix. At times I prefer the Kefine Delci too when the female vocals are overly energetic and sound harsh on Simgot. Like in Kefine Delci, I noticed rare random sibilance in Simgot as well. Both are not alarming either and tend to be the natural occurrence but the sensitive folks are warned nonetheless.

Treble

Simgot has an energetic presentation compared to Delci. Can be more fatiguing as a result. Kefine Delci is much smoother in comparison. The presence with its hi-hat cymbals and other upper registers sound not so refined to me at times on Simgot in comparison to the softer sound on Kefine Delci. Combined with an energetic presentation on Simgot, results in a not-very-resolving sound in the mid to upper treble regions. There is sparkle and good air felt with the Simgot but in complex tracks, the resolution is more affected combined with its unforgiving energetic presentation. Airiness within the treble notes is better with Simgot.

In the end, it is kind of even for me but I am slightly more inclined towards the Kefine Delci due to the overall smoother sound not affecting the overall balance. Whereas Simgot is certainly good with some tracks, however, at times in tracks like Pan-Plini, I find them less resolving in treble notes with a comparatively more energetic presentation affecting the balance. I am not a fan of Kefine Delci Treble either.

Technicalities

Overall resolution and details are better on the Simgot and the way both were tuned has a say in this. Stage width appears accurate on both molding to the venue depending on the track. Depth appears great on both but I’m slightly leaning more towards Simgot here. Height appears to be the same and good. Imaging is very precise on both. Stereo imaging is done well on both but more distinguishably noticeable on Simgot. Layering is more or less similar on both. Dynamics are better with Simgot.

Comparison Conclusion

Kefine Delci has a more balanced presentation to the overall sound whereas Simgot tends to get more energetic effecting that balance at times. That is the main takeaway here. Simgot is technically more competent in my opinion, especially in the dynamics presentation but Delci is no slouch either. I enjoyed both on their terms and I prefer Delci for more enjoyable laidback listening whereas Simgot for more critical listening. Both complement each other and serve different purposes.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Balanced, smooth, and musical sound

• Sub-bass depth and authority

• Weighty, fuller mid-bass

• Good resolution and details in the mid-region

• Excellent tonality

• Warm and clear vocals

• Controlled and smooth upper-mid-range

• Smooth treble performance with decent extension and air

• The stage appears accurate with excellent imaging

• Exceedingly light on ears with excellent build quality

Cons

• The bass attack is slightly on the softer side 

• Treble at times is overly smooth and lacks a bit of sparkle/ shimmer up the top

• Random instances of sibilance which are quite rare

• Eartips could have been better, especially the wide bores which appear very flimsy

Kefine Delci Review Closing Thoughts

I see Kefine Delci as an all-round musical IEM with a warm sound and has no major real weakness considering the price point. Balance is the apt word achieved right with this IEM among the note weight, crispiness, and details imparting a very musical sound. The sound is organic with an excellent bass and tonality. Mid-range has good detail and warmth in its presentation. A smooth treble performance that positively contributes to the overall tone of this IEM, but may not satisfy the treble heads in the process. The stage and imaging are impressive contributing to its musical sound. Overall, a well-tuned bassy IEM, favoring balance and ensuring extended relaxed listening.      

You may buy the IEM from the below non-affiliated links:

https://www.amazon.com/HiFiGo-Delci-Monitors-Diaphgram-Earphones

KEFINE – Delci Dynamic Driver IEM