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KEFINE Delci Review: Sub-bass Del(c)icious

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Disclaimer:

Good morning, readers! It is time for Kefine Delci!

Today we are going to talk about a new brand called Kefine, which is a SIVGA subbrand. Their first IEMs were planars at a very low cost. If you are interested, I recommend you take a look at the KEFINE Klanar.

The brand new ones are called Delci and are a single DD IEM with an excellent quality-to-price ratio. Their goal is to provide high-quality products at low prices, and they appear to be successful.

Thank you, Kefine, for sending me this unit to review.

I am not an audiophile; I am just a guy who enjoys trying out different IEMs and DACs and spending a lot of time listening to music.

So I will not use super-technical terms to review it, but I will do my best to describe it.

Tech Specs:

Packaging:

The new packaging is noticeably more refined than the previous version. The Kefine Delci arrives in a very fine and elegant package, and this time it is well-equipped with accessories.

Front Box
Back box
Unboxing
Delci first look
Peel the film
Good accessories

Inside, we find:

Case
Tips
Cable
Pins macro

Finding a nice cable, absolutely high-quality tips, and a case for such a well-made IEM is truly impressive. The price is only 59 USD, and I do not recall seeing other IEMs with such a comprehensive package. KEFINE has surprised me because, despite being new and unknown, they have managed to keep their prices low. I would have preferred to be given the option of selecting a balanced cable; not much power is required, but a DAC/AMP is extremely beneficial.

Design/Build quality:

The Kefine Delci has a particularity compared to the competition, namely that the shell is not obtained from a mold but is CNC machined from aluminum blocks. In this way, the shells are extremely light and, above all, resistant; furthermore, the gunmetal finish should not present defects over time.

Faceplates
Back & front
Shape
Close look

The design vaguely recalls those of the Klanar; the brand is on the faceplates and is clearly visible but not invasive; the shape of the shell is very ergonomic and, above all, compact; in terms of size, they are approximately the same as the Simgot EW200. In the part facing the inside of the ear, we have two ventilation holes; the rest is all sealed.

These types of shells are usually seen on higher-cost IEMs; the same is true for DLC + PU drivers. 

Initial sound impression:

I noticed right away how similar the overall sound was to Klanar. They decided to stick with the same V-shaped philosophy (staying safe), which I like. If the Simgot EW200 or EPZ Q5 are too bright for you, this IEM could be the solution. As a very first test, I connected the Fosi SK02 to it and I will tell you that it wasn’t bad at all; it was actually a bright and powerful source with a warm IEM.

Nozzle
Double vents
Connetors
Beauty

I gave it a quick listen, focusing primarily on the very full-bodied and energy-rich bass (a slight pressure in the ear canal is felt), and I noticed a very good soundstage. I began with a deep house playlist, and if the track requires a lot of bass, the Delci pushes extremely hard; in my opinion, it enters basshead territory. However, it manages to maintain a high level of detail in the trebles, with a hint of air.

Final sound impression:

Equipment used for testing the above

Device:

Software:

DAC:

After performing a bit of burn-in as usual, whether I needed it or not, the Kefine Delci immediately sounded good and I didn’t notice any extra improvements.

I started trying different dongles and some led to some improvements, especially in terms of depth. I personally stopped on the Fiio Ka11, which has excellent synergy with the Delci. The soundstage has literally opened up compared to the Creative Sfxi Amp; perhaps the greater power of the KA11 or simply the amplification stage, is more refined.

Of the original tips, I liked the wide-bore ones as usual, but it’s definitely a set that deserves some rolling tips.

The shells for my ears are decidedly small but in reality, it is not a problem at all, as you have more positioning possibilities and, above all, greater possibilities with different tips.

Kefine certainly got this model right, and I think many will like it.

360 Overview

Comfort & Fit:

If you have large ears, they may be small, but they should not cause you any problems. If you want them to be more external, consider getting tips like the DUNU S&S or Tri Clarion. In the photos, I am wearing Tri Clarion tips in size L.

Right
Left

Tips Rolling?

The originals are fine; you don’t necessarily have to buy other tips like on similar sets, but since I have a lot of tips to test, I decided to try playing with them a bit.

Divinus Velvet: I don’t know how but they are universal; any IEM I pair them with makes sense. In this case, they slightly reduce the bass pressure in the ear canal while keeping the sound almost unchanged. There are some small improvements in the high frequencies.

DUNU S&S: What a pleasure, Excellent combination. The Delci have a slightly short nozzle so even if the Dunu are a little longer, they don’t create any problems. Improved soundstage, slightly softer bass, and a slight recovery of medium and high frequencies.

Tri Clarion: If you want to keep your budget low, these tips are great on the Delci, and I honestly do not notice any loss of bass; in fact, because they are so wide, they do not compress the sound, and they keep the soundstage open. Excellent comfort.

Treble

Kefine Delci managed to maintain a certain brilliance on the high frequencies, although they remained in the safe zone. The driver has sparks, brightness, and even a bit of air. There is energy but even the most sensitive can tolerate it. The macro details are present and I would say that even some micro details manage to emerge. I was greatly surprised by these controlled trebles.

Mids

In terms of mids, I thought they were much more recessed. Although they are not protagonists, they are particularly natural and well represented. The mids feel thick, silky, and rich. Vocals are pitch correct but not tonally neutral. It’s an IEM that focuses a lot on the fun factor without losing too much seriousness. Excellent both male and female voices. Cymbals and musical instruments sound vivid and full of energy. There is a certain musicality.

Bass

Kefine has a decidedly heavy and abundant hand. The bass has great emphasis, transporting you to the dark side of the bass as soon as the track calls for it. I must say that they are fast and well defined for the quantity.

The subbass doesn’t have much roll-off and overpowers with harmony. I would describe him as nice, rich, and thunderous. Despite its weight, the driver manages to maintain a certain level of control even through complex tracks. If you are looking for something neutral, this IEM is not for you.

Soundstage and Imaging 

Both the driver and the CNC-machined shell have resulted in accurate acoustics, and the soundstage is decidedly wide for the average. In this price range, I hadn’t yet tried the IEMs that Bassheads would like so for 59 USD, they are truly amazing. The image is very good, in some cases, it loses a bit of resolution but overall, it is really well done from several points of view.

Comparison:

vs EPZ Q5 & Simgot EW200

I have grouped them together as they are not comparable as they aim at two user targets that, in my opinion, are different. Here we are talking about very high-value IEMs, characterized by a bright and detailed sound signature. The bass sounds more natural and overall, it is less fun-oriented than the Kefine Delci. I can say that Delci easily competes with them but in the bassheads category.

vs EPZ x Tipsy Star One

Front & back

The EPZ x Tipsy are the ones we can compare the most in terms of musicality. The Tipsy driver is 64 ohm with excellent scalability and is characterized by a totally dark background that highlights the track in the center. The shell is made of resin (with handmade details), and the accessories included are a little scarce for the cost but I must say that it still has something that makes me buy it. A slightly more balanced sound is characterized by less emphasis on subbass and a slightly more natural sound.

vs Kefine Klanar

I was forgetting to compare them with the Kefine Klanar; the planar driver has a much less accentuated but still very strong bass and sub-bass. If you have the opportunity to purchase both (both are excellent and cheap), you will notice how the DD provides a fuller bass, perhaps a little slower. The mids feel less recessed, and macro and micro details come out more easily from the tracks. It has another level of definition and resolution. However, it is noticeable that they come from the same brand, even if this is slightly more balanced.

Conclusion:

Kefine is proving to be a brand that knows what it’s doing, and despite following a safe path, the results are still worthy of note. The Kefine Delci enters the Simgot and EPZ markets, targeting the segment that loves full-bodied basses. The bass also has a lot of pressure in the ear canal; my left ear has become particularly sensitive to moving air so I’m pretty confident. If you are sensitive to the acoustic pressure exerted in the ear canal, these are certainly borderline; however, if bass & subbass is your secret love, this IEM will certainly be a joy. For 59 USD, you get a complete IEM, full of well-made accessories, a very light and robust CNC-machined shell, and a DLC + PU driver (more expensive than an LCP).

Congratulations to Kefine, who is following a decidedly successful path. Thanks to Collin Yang for sending me this unit to review. I am delighted with it and it will stay with me for future comparisons.

9.5/10

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Pros: 

Cons: 

Where to buy?

Hifigo Official Store

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