IEM Comparisons
I used a L&P W4 with a Penon Totem USB-C cable to compare the KB02s to other IEMs.
NiceHCK F1 Pro – 1xPlanar (USD $99)
The F1 Pros are far brighter with a strong bias towards the upper frequencies, almost taking the opposite tonal approach to the KB02s.
Soundstage is similarly wide but much flatter, but instruments separation is better & the overall presentation feels cleaner, whereas the KB02s are darker & more congested.
The F1 Pro’s DD responds faster, resolution’s higher across the board & dynamics are better, but tonality is definitely brighter than I prefer.
ISN Neo 3 – 2xDD 1xPlanar (USD $199)
The Neo3s are almost the polar opposite of the F1 Pros, rather than being brighter than the KB02s they double down on much greater warmth, note weight & bass emphasis.
Both sub & midbass hit quite a bit harder, surprisingly I find the drivers feel slower but this does seem to help add bass slam, but can also make the Neo3s feel congested at times.
The Neo3 midrange is much meatier & lower midrange focused with smoother, more refined vocals and instruments that sound larger, but the spacious 3D soundstage of the KB02’s BCDs is absent. The Neo3s are also brighter but treble can jut out from the rest of the frequency spectrum at times.
Kiwi Ears KE4 – 2xDD 2xBA (USD $199) with NiceHCK BlackCat Ultra Cable (USD $35)
The KE4s boast bass and midbass in particular that’s tighter & more defined with better texture.
Notes generally feel more bodied, vocals are warmer yet clearer and indeed resolution is higher across the board which is particularly noticeable in the treble, and dynamics are also improved.
What the KE4s lack is the front to back staging depth the KB02’s BCDs provide, also missing the illusion of more space between individual notes though this may be a consequence of instruments feeling larger.
Page 1 – Introduction, Packaging & Ergonomics
Page 2 – Sound Impressions & Technical Performance
Page 3 – IEM Comparisons
Page 4 – Conclusion
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