- ISOLATION The KBEAR KS1 has above average isolation. Not too bad considering it is dual vented, though some pure BA type IEMs without vents will probably beat it in the isolation department.
- DRIVABILITY I tested the KBEAR KS1 with a Khadas Tone Board -> Topping L30 amp, Sony NW A-55 DAP (DMP-A50 FEv2 Classic Mr Walkman Mod), smartphone, Shanling Q1 DAP, Tempotec Sonata HD Pro, ESS ES9280C PRO DAC/AMP, and a Khadas Tone Board -> Fiio A3 Amp. The KBEAR KS1 is quite easy to drive, and amping is not really required. Though like other single DD types, amping can increase dynamics, soundstage and perhaps microdetails a tinge. The KBEAR KS1 is a bassy and warm set, so in general, I found it paired better with perhaps neutral or brighter sources. Warmer sources may make the sound too thick, veiled and bassy, but YMMV.
- SOUND & TECHNICALITIES Graph courtesy of KopiOKaya from Audioreviews (IEC711 compliant coupler). 8ish kHZ area is probably a resonance peak.In a nutshell, the KBEAR KS1 is a well done bassy V shaped set, featuring good timbre and tonality. It doesn’t suffer from the usual sibilant hyperboosted treble/upper mids that plague a lot of budget CHIFI sets. In fact, the KBEAR KS1 is warm and analoguish and the tuning is pretty non offensive and non fatiguing. Some might even find the KBEAR KS1 too safe in tuning actually. As this is an intended V shaped tuning, mid and vocal lovers best look elsewhere, as vocals and the mids are in the background, and at times may be a bit hollow. Bass on the KBEAR KS1 is midbass focused with some subbass roll off. In terms of quantity, I would classify it at a level shy of true basshead levels. Quality wise, unfortunately, the midbass bleeds into the mids and isn’t too textured. Bass is also at times boomy and one noted. Mids are recessed as per the V shaped tuning. The lower mids are obscured not only due to the V shaped tuning but because of the midbass bleed from the copious bass. Some may like the added warmth, but some may not, so kind of a YMMV situation. Upper mids are mildly boosted but are very smooth and not shouty. As discussed, mid and vocal lovers best consider alternative IEMs as this is a deliberately tuned V shaped set. Female vocals are more forward than male vocals, but the vocals (especially male ones) do take a backseat in this tuning, but consequently, this is a very safe upper mids tuned set, with not an ounce of fatigue with longer listening sessions. This set is a far cry from the usual hyper boosted upper mids section we frequently encounter at the budget CHIFI segment. Treble in the KBEAR KS1 is a safe and very non fatiguing treble, so this is not a very airy set. Sibilance is not present. Notes are rounded and smooth, and may at times lack bite. This can be a pro or con depending on whether you want more edge definition/bite in the notes.Soundstage width and height are about average, but soundstage depth is below average. The tuning is rather analoguish, technicalities like clarity, imaging details, instrument separation are below average at this price bracket, music can occasionally be congested especially with faster/complex instrumentation or competing riffs. So this is not a technical set for critical listening or analytical listening, but more for sitting back to chill and enjoy the music.In terms of timbral accuracy, the KBEAR KS1 is very natural and organic for acoustic instruments, as per its single DD roots. It may be a bit too bassy and V shaped for classical and jazz genres per se, but if your music incorporates acoustic instruments, no worries about any instrument sounding artificial or fake as per some budget hybrids/multi BA sets. The tonality of the KBEAR KS1 is quite similar to the BLON BL-01, perhaps the KBEAR KS1 is a tinge more V shaped (slightly more midbass and slightly more treble). Like the BLON BL-03, in terms of technicalities, both of these sets are below average in this department. I think the BLON BL-01 just nudges ahead a tinge in the imaging, instrument separation, details and soundstage departments. Timbre is slightly better on the KBEAR KS1. The KBEAR KS1 is much easier to drive and has a much better fit. The BLON BL-01 also has quite a bad fit, though probably not as bad as the aforementioned BL-03. However, the BLON BL-01 sounds very meh from a low powered source, and really needs amping to shine. No offence though, I’ve seen some audiophiles on audio forums recommending $200 USD amps just to get the BLON BL-01 to sound good, which IMHO, is a bit of an overkill for a $20 USD IEM. It is kind of putting the cart before the horse to get a source costing 10 times more than a budget IEM, especially since the clientele purchasing at the budget segment are probably not that interested in delving into expensive sources and amps when they are first dipping their toes into CHIFI waters. If we were talking about more hardcore CHIFI connoisseurs who purchase midfi to TOTL gear, then yes, they have different priorities and perhaps an amp will unlock the sound for audio nirvana and future proof this hobby, but I honestly won’t recommend beginners to invest so much into sources when they are getting a budget CHIFI set. Between the 2 sets, the BLON BL-01 is probably a tinge better in sound (if amped), but the fitting issues and the need for a higher powered source would mean I would give my recommendation to the KBEAR KS1, unless you have a good amp on hand.
- CONCLUSIONS KBEAR KS1 Dynamic Wired Earphones is a well done bassy V shaped set, featuring good timbre and tonality. It features a warm and analoguish non fatiguing tuning. It is bottlenecked at the technicalities aspect and in the bass quality area, but I feel it would otherwise make a fine addition for those who are new to this hobby or those who want a laid back tuning that is different from the usual budget CHIFI fare. It is a set well suited to sitting back and chilling and enjoying the music for what it is, not the gear. Indeed, the KBEAR KS1 will also make a good alternative to the hypertrain BLON BL-03 and BLON BL-01, especially since there is no need to worry about fixing the fit with aftermarket tips/cables and there is also no need to source for a powerful source (no pun intended), just to get the IEM to sing. Perhaps hardcore CHIFI addicts who have amassed a drawer full of CHIFI trinklets would have owned and heard something better, but for the price of sub $20 USD, it is far from bad and I would easily skip the price of a restaurant meal just to get my paws on this one. Once again, enjoy the music!
- Brand: KBEAR
- Model: KS1
- Interface: 2PIN 0.78mm(TFZ)
- Frequency response: 20-20kHz
- Sensitivity: 109dB
- Impedance: 16ohm
- Earphone material:
- Color: black, white
- Cable material: 4 core 4N pure copper cable
- Plug type: 3.5mm L-type gold-plated plug
- Driver Unit: Dual Magnetic Circuit Single Dynamic driver











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