KBear Little Q has been reviewed thoroughly below. Thanks to keephifi for the sample. I will remain unbiased as I always was. But before I start, I have to say a WOW for $15. You’ll see why below. Because 1) we have a true sleeping iem. Looking like Etymotic in your ears, but insertion is not that very deep. 2) High SQ for 6mm composite driver. Now first impressions before all. 3) Power need to shine.
“”Suzie Q is the first impressions track. Source is ibasso dx300, M gain.
I am hearing controlled basses in this not so clear recording (year was 68. Expecting more would be empty) Soundstage is laid back and extensions fade out fast. Basses are fast. Timbre is dark and warmish. Mid is not recessed which is a big + for me. Treble is nice. Layering is more than nice. I guess looks aren’t the only thing that is like Ety 😉
It helped me have a time of 17:10 without getting bored in the long solos of Susie Q, when the main concern was the music. Its review will be on my standard live and studio reference tracks and include comparisons other similar priced iems.””
PROS
Neutral and good SQ for its price
Well dynamics at electronics
Dirt cheap
CONS
Mundane box and cable
Need power to shine
Lack of chin guard and replaceable cable
Box, Cable, KBear Little Q
Box is so mundane and little as its name says. Contents are poor either. s m l Eartips ad some paperwork. Disappointing for sure.
Cable is an ordinary looking PVC isolated electric wire. However first connector and the Y split are clad in purplish light metal. The non detachable cable is feeling sturdy for sure.
Units are covered is the same metal construction. The already very tiny (tinier than TRN CS3) unit’s backplate is stylesized in beehive hexagonal design and venting hole is cleverly disguised in the center.
Impedance: 32Ω
FR Range: 20-20KHz
Sensitivity: 118dB
Driver unit: 6mm Composite Diaphragm
Color: Black/Gun/Blue
Shell Material: Aluminum Alloy
Microphone: With mic/No mic
Plug type: 3.5mm Straight
Cable: 1.2m PVC material
Sound
In short; Pretty satisfactory for its price if you stick to simple arrangements
In long; Neutral to somewhat bright timbre is blessed with high 3d imaging and cursed with slightly bumpy and low res basses. Soundstage is not huge, slightly compressed but extensions score big. I’d score 6/10 at smooth jazz. But 5.5/10 at Zimmer’s symphonic progressive rock due to I am getting somewhat more than it’s price tag. The low res basses continue and instrument separation is suffering.
At electronics, an impressed face is guaranteed even at 45/100 after the bass began pounding in your face. Now you can see the beast hidden beneath its neutral nature. While the laid back nature is gone, began an electronic oriented ultra budget iem’s joyful minutes. An easy 8/10 here.
Octopus’s arms tangle around you in shivering whispers and pounding bass. But its failing to keep all separated after instruments began. Track is Electronic Suite from Hans Zimmer. 5.5/10 again.
Playing God’s eargasmic minutes have the same pounding bass and probably due to it’s excellent recording; guitars are seperable. However when the bossa nova influenced moments began on top of all the master work, its lagging behind. I can’t score with more than 5/10 at Polyphia.
Gaming
Game is COD and MP/BR mode. And weapons are some large caliber guns. It will be an unconventional test of its basses, positioning. My benchmark is HM at gaming.Ne
Used Oden AR. One of the heaviest hitters. Was my dream AR. Regarding pure gunshot pressure; if AQ4 is no 2, this might be no 3.
And when it comes to positioning, I estimated and scored more than Audiosense AQ4.
It’s not crystal clear positioning like HM but combining best of all in a $15 piece. And compared to Chu at gaming? Nah, Chu is below than this at gaming IMO. By the way, I won the BT match I played wearing the Q. Coincidence? I hardly believe so.
Comparisons with KBear Little Q
With Moondrop Chu, you are getting a crispy and less meaty sound in general. The soundstage is wider at live recordings. Detail level is higher too. With all the bonus points, can be tiring at electronics with its enthusiastic and forward nature. And basses aren’t pounding at all.
With Moondrop Quarks, you can get a more recessed performance. And the bass is less boomy than Chu but more than Q at smooth jazz. Details are higher than Q too. However the bass at electronics is failing to give that excited and impressed face.
KBear Little Q Review
Conclusions
With the rise of tech, both miniaturising and sound enhancement is going up as well. Latest example is KBear Little Q. However this trend began with Pioneer CH3, Final Audio e500, continued with TRN mt1, displayed some legendaries like Tanya and finally this Little Q after TRN Cs3…Have fun with the micro iems with ultra budget prices! (hey Q, Cs3, mt1 and Chu I am talking to you)
You can purchase it from this non affiliated link.
