Thanks for sending me your unit for review u/mournfulmonk

Dunu kima 2 ( Raven Teal ) - Same Grade in a Different Shade

Hello Everyone, this review is about Dunu Kima 2 (raven teal edition) a single dd iem priced around 100-120$.

Thanks to Dunu for sending the unit for review purpose. All impressions and opinions are my own and not influenced by anybody.

About

DUNU is a Chinese audio brand with over two decades of experience building IEMs and earphones, well respected in the audiophile community for their consistent build quality and thoughtful tuning. If you’ve spent any time in the IEM space, you’ve probably come across a DUNU recommendation - the Titan series, the Falcon series, and more recently the Kima lineup have all made their mark. The Kima 2 Raven Teal is a special edition of their VGP 2024 Gold Award winning Kima 2, featuring an internal upgrade inspired by their premium Falcon Ultra and the limited edition Vernus. Same beloved shape, darker matte finish, and meaningfully improved internals. Let’s see if it lives up to the legacy.

Build and Technical Specifications

The Dunu Kima 2 Raven Teal is built around a next generation DLC ( Diamond like Carbon ) composite dome dynamic driver, powered by a high magnetic flux density circuit system borrowed from the Falcon Ultra, which sits well above this price point. The shell is full metal stainless steel with a premium matte textured finish in a dark moody teal colour. It’s cold to the touch, solid in hand and sits comfortably in the ear without feeling heavy or oversized. If compared to the original Kima 2, the raven teal edition has the same fundamental driver and magnetic circuit platform, with a tweaked diaphragm coating process, plus a nicer included cable and new colour way. The cable is a high purity silver plated mono-crystalline copper with a shock absorbing nylon coating, and features DUNU’s Q-Lock Mini interchangeable plug system so swapping between 3.5mm and 4.4mm is effortless. I like the cable, it is very good for the price and the interchangeable plug system makes things hassle free. Overall build of the Kima 2 is very premium to the feel and comfortable to wear too.

Box Contents :
Dunu Kima 2 Raven Teal IEM
High purity monocrystalline copper hybrid cable
Q-Lock Mini interchangeable termination plugs (3.5mm + 4.4mm)
Multiple eartip options including Candy tips and S&S tips
Acrylic IEM stand
Carry pouch
Cleaning tool
User manual

Sources used for testing :
I tried the Dunu candy tips, S&S tips and the Final audio type e tips, and the best fit for me is with Dunu S&S. So, Kima 2 with Dunu S&S is my pairing.
Snowsky Echo Mini DAP, Fosi audio sk02 desktop dac/amp, iphone 16e ( with a random third party dongle dac )

Sound Profile and Performance

First things first, the kima 2 and the kima 2 raven teal edition has no difference in how they sound.
Kima 2 is a very well balanced iem with everything being just right. Sounds warm but never dull. The imaging is solid, can easily pick out the positioning of instruments and vocals. The soundstage is compact / flat but is not at all congested or claustrophobic. The Separation is clear, even in the busy tracks elements sound quite distinct, the detail retrieval is good. The bass is well presented and mids sound articulately flavourful, The treble is relaxed without any peaks or sibilances.

Lows :

The bass on the Kima 2 is mid-bass forward, with the sub-bass taking a noticeable step back. The bass is more of a “Quality over Quantity” but what stands out immediately is the cleanliness and control, every note is articulate, well defined and easy to follow, with texture that feels precise rather than vague or smeared. There’s no mud, no bleed into the lower mids, nothing lingers longer than it should.

In tracks like,
Other side — Red Hot Chili Peppers
Under Pressure — Queen / David Bowie
Seven Nation Army — The White Stripes

Tracks like Other side, Under Pressure and Seven Nation Army all benefit from this control, the bass grooves come through tight and rhythmic. The trade off is weight, the rumble and physical slam that deep sub-bass provides simply isn’t part of this presentation. It’s a lighter, leaner low end that prioritises definition over impact, clean rather than visceral.

Mids :

The midrange sounds lush, warm and smooth. It is vocal centric but never overly forward or dominant while sitting naturally within the mix. Everything sounds clean, revealing and well resolved without sounding sterile, a slight warmth keeps it relaxing rather than clinical.

In tracks like

1. Hotel California — Eagles
2. Comfortably Numb — Pink Floyd
3. Wish You Were Here — Pink Floyd

Guitars sound lively and natural, the energy feels slightly held back compared to a more forward presentation, but that restraint works in the track’s favour rather than against it, resulting in a pleasing tonality that never sounds thin or hollow. The layered acoustic guitars and vocal harmonies in Hotel California come through with good separation and texture, instruments and vocals are distinct and easy to follow. Gilmour’s vocals and guitar work in Comfortably Numb and Wish You Were Here retain their emotional weight, the detail retrieval lets the subtle dynamics and string work breathe without sounding thin or sharp. This is a midrange that rewards close listening, detailed enough to satisfy critical listening sessions, but with just enough warmth to never feel fatiguing.

Treble :

The treble on the Kima 2 is smooth and composed, lively enough to keep the sound engaging without tipping into aggression or fatigue. It’s not the airiest top end out there, but the extension is satisfying and the sparkle instruments carry feels natural rather than synthetic or boosted.

In tracks like

1. Money - Pink Floyd
2. Africa - Toto
3. Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne

The hi-hat driven rhythm in Money comes through with good timing and clarity, never feeling muffled despite the smoother presentation. ***Africa’***s percussion heavy arrangement lets the cymbals and hi-hats show their body, present and textured rather than thin or splashy. Crazy Train’s fast cymbal work and bright guitar tones carry good energy and bite, with just enough edge to feel exciting without crossing into sibilance. The Kima 2 finds a treble tuning that’s easy to listen to for hours, present and detailed enough to satisfy, composed enough to never wear you down.

Comparisons

NF Acous NM20 :
My personal favourite under 100$, NF Acous NM20 a single DD Iem that impressed me with its cutting edge kind of sharpness on the very first listen when i purchased it. It’s a neutral bright Iem with decent bass shelf and well extended treble region. Let’s see how it fares against the Dunu Kima 2.
On the comfort aspect, both are comfortable but NM20 is more easy to wear for long hours, fits like a charm inside my ears.
Build and package wise, there is not even a competition here, Dunu kima 2 is better built and offers so much more as a package, the full metal shells - the eartips - the cable, It’s no contest at all. Although simple, NF Acous packaging is not modest either, they have their unique CD disk kind of box packaging and a good hard case which is smaller than The kima 2’s but just as sturdy.
On the Detail retrieval part, both are very close with Nm20 slightly being ahead noticeably. Due to being a lean sounding midrange, the subtle sounds in the background have more prominence compared to Kima 2. The separation and Imaging of both of these sets is on par with each other.
The mid-bass is identical in between both of these sets, similar punch and normal decay that doesn’t feel off. The sub-bass however is where the dynamics shift, the Nm20’s sub region bests the Kima 2 in terms of both physicality and texture.
The midrange is where kima 2 shows dominance, kima 2 has a lush sounding midrange which is warm and emotionally engaging to listen to. Whereas Nm20 advances in the sharp and distinct presentation with high energy. The kima 2 takes the game away with vocals sounding natural with full body and proper note weight. Nm20 just tries to stay lean and sharp here making female vocals sound nice but male vocals lack the presence.
Treble on the Dunu kima 2 is very tolerable compared to the Nm20, although both of these are on par with details, because of the bright nature of Nm20 - the top region feels thrilling with the instruments sounding sizzling and sparkly. The kima 2 is not a dull sounding set either, it’s just slightly laid back in this region, the cymbals and hi hats sound clearly but the edges or soft and doesn’t feel like cutting it and thats where the Nm20 excels, while in the pursuit of this said excellence the Nm20 loses composure and reaches sibilance state. So, if practically speaking, kima 2 has almost close technicalities of Nm20 while having better midrange and controlled treble region allowing more relaxed or laid back longer listening sessions.
Conclusion : NF acous Nm20 is a very good iem i own and i honestly love it - its easy to drive, comfortable fit and an allrounder for my music and gaming needs making it my daily driver. But after i heard the kima 2, this kima 2 is something that i would use everyday as my daily driver because of how cohesively comfortable to listen it is. It gives me the same exact details - separation - imaging of my favourite iem ( Nm20 ) and takes it a notch up by making vocals shine, sound signature non fatiguing and a better package.

Final Thoughts :

The Dunu Kima 2 Raven Teal doesn’t try to win you over with a flashy first impression, it wins you over by being the IEM you keep forgetting to take off. Nothing fights for attention here, the bass is tasteful rather than loud, the mids carry real emotional weight, and the treble never asks you to brace yourself. It’s the kind of balance that’s easy to undersell in a review because nothing about it screams for a headline, but live with it for a while and that’s exactly the point. And underneath that darker matte shell and nicer cable lies the same proven Kima 2 sound that earned its reputation in the first place, this edition isn’t reinventing the formula, it’s simply dressing it up better. If you already own the standard Kima 2, there’s no sonic reason to chase this one down. But if you’re coming in fresh, the Raven Teal is the nicer way to arrive at the same excellent destination. Pair that sound with a genuinely premium build, a cable and accessory set that punches above the price, and the Q-Lock convenience, and what you get is a complete package rather than just a tuning. It’s not for the basshead chasing rumble or the listener who wants an aggressive V shaped thrill, but for anyone who wants a neutral, natural and engaging daily driver that never tires you out, for around a 100$, the Dunu Kima 2 Raven Teal is very easy to recommend. Same grade, dressed in a different, better looking shade.

UA Ghuangzhi - Delightful and Fun

About

UA ( Unabridged Audio ) is the iem focused sub-brand of Venture Electronics, a ChiFi audio brand known for making good products at a very reasonable price. Today we are reviewing the UA Ghuangzhi, a 50$ single DD in ear monitor.

This unit was provided to me by u/josephhri for review purposes and all impressions and opinions are my own.

Sources used for testing

I tested the Ghuangzhi with the vita 4.4 cable and Snowsky Echo Mini DAP, fosi audio sk02 desktop dac/amp, iphone 16e ( with a random third party dongle dac )

Build and Technical Information

UA Ghuangzhi has a very lightweight shell made of medical grade resin, its very comfortable for my ears, had no difficulty wearing it for long hours, the dark glossy faceplate is very beautiful to look at, one cool detail about the glitter kind of thing on the faceplate is kind of splashed and its not uniform, that means no shell has identical pattern making it a little unique. the cable that was provided to me was the VITA 4.4mm cable and its very sturdy but the microphonics were a headache to me, i could hear even the small rustles. I used stock eartips, they fit me well so I didn't find a reason to shift ( I don't know much about tip rolling ).

Driver Type: 10mm single dynamic driver

Diaphragm: Beryllium-plated dome.

Impedance: 32 Ohms

Sensitivity: 101 dB

Connectors: Standard 2-pin (0.78mm)

Stock Cable: Typically comes with a silver-plated OFC (Oxygen-Free Copper) cable, though VE offers different cable and dongle bundles.

Sound Profile

Warm sounding set with a punchy mid-bass and not so deep but decent sub-bass, sounds mellow and very comfortable to listen to. Scales very good with power, preferably with something neutral / bright pairings.

Lows :

In tracks like

• Another Celebration at the End of the World - Mammoth
• Your Love - Outfield
• I Will Not Now - Breaking Benjamin

The bass is a nice, it’s not over emphasized than required and sits well within the mix with other instruments. The full bodied presentation portrays enough control to sound rhythmic and fun. it gets muddy but adds to the midrange in a good way. The bass has quantity but the texture which defines clarity is a minus here. The snare drums sound recessed and the kickdrums have the strong thud that I am quite satisfied with. I am not a purist by any means but I usually don't like too much bass and prefer clean sounding sets, but UA Ghuangzhi seems to be my guilty pleasure.

Mids :

• Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
• You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Jovi
• Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits

UA Ghuangzhi has a warm and musical midrange, the vocals are slightly behind due to it being a V shape tuned iem. the warmth adds to the thickness and makes and it enjoyable rather than hollow. The drawback is the detail, the warmth makes it fun and a relaxing listen, but also rounds off the edges that more resolving sets would surface. Freddie Mercury’s rich theatrical vocals in Bohemian Rhapsody survive the tuning, Bon jovi’s vocals carry satisfying weight, but neither are commanding or forward as they should be. Guitars have body and crunch that make tracks genuinely fun and engaging to listen to, but the surface texture is where it loses points, Knopfler’s finger on string nuance in Sultans of Swing, the sharp pick attack in You Give Love a Bad Name, these finer details get rounded off and smoothed over by the warmth. The mids are not a weakness here, they’re actually one of the more enjoyable aspects of this IEM, but the detail ceiling keeps it from being truly immersive on tracks that reward close listening.

Treble :

• Roundabout by Yes
• Hot For Teacher by Van Halen
• Pain killer by Judas Priest

The treble is smooth and relaxed, never pushing into harsh or fatiguing territory. The acoustic guitar intro in Roundabout carries a decent shimmer enough to feel the character of the string. Van Halen’s cymbal-heavy intro in Hot For Teacher lands with reasonable crispness, the hi-hats have presence and the crashes register, but the metallic decay that should ring out and breathe gets reined in a little earlier than it should. Painkiller is where the ceiling becomes most apparent, Scott Travis’s relentless cymbal work and rapid hi-hat patterns come through with decent energy but blur at the edges rather than articulating with razor sharpness. The guitar pick attack across all three tracks is satisfying enough to enjoy, but just falls short of that last layer of bite and texture that would make it truly convincing. The Ghuangzhi gets you close enough to feel the excitement, but leaves you wanting just a little more air and edge.

Technicalities

Imaging : The imaging is decent, placement of instruments and vocals can be easily pinpointed.

Separation : Separation capability is not something that's a sharp cut, but still draws a line in between the layers enough to sound good but not good enough.

Detail : This is where the UA Ghuangzhi falls short, technically this is an okay iem, but the finer details like the slight guitar pick scrapes, string resonances tend to feel smoothened ( veiled ) over rather than sounding transparent or open.

Sound Stage : The soundstage sits comfortably beside you rather than wrapping around you. It’s not a three dimensional (3d) or holographic presentation, but it never feels claustrophobic or clustered either. Everything has enough room to breathe and exist in its own space without crowding the listener.

Final Thoughts

I have never tried any of the venture electronics products before, and didnt know of this UA Ghuangzhi until I saw it in Andy audio vault’s video about best iems for metal / rock under 100$, it caught my eye as most of my music library consists of rock, it really did impress me, The UA Ghuangzhi doesn’t try to be everything, and that’s exactly why it works. It’s not the most detailed set, it won’t satisfy a basshead and it won’t survive a critical listening session without exposing its limitations. But put on a good recorded track, settle in, and what strikes you is how complete it sounds, nothing feels glaringly missing, nothing fights for attention, everything just sits together cohesively and musically. For casual listeners who want an engaging, fatigue free daily driver, or rock/ metal fans who want their music to feel alive without spending serious money, the Ghuangzhi makes a very convincing case for itself. It’s not perfect, but it’s the kind of IEM you keep reaching for, and at this price? that’s the highest compliment you can give.

UA Ghuangzhi - Delightful and Fun

About

UA ( Unabridged Audio ) is the iem focused sub-brand of Venture Electronics, a ChiFi audio brand known for making good products at a very reasonable price. Today we are reviewing the UA Ghuangzhi, a 50$ single DD in ear monitor.

This unit was provided to me by a friend for review purposes and all impressions and opinions are my own.

Sources used for testing

I tested the Ghuangzhi with the vita 4.4 cable and Snowsky Echo Mini DAP, fosi audio sk02 desktop dac/amp, iphone 16e ( with a random third party dongle dac )

Build and Technical Information

UA Ghuangzhi has a very lightweight shell made of medical grade resin, its very comfortable for my ears, had no difficulty wearing it for long hours, the dark glossy faceplate is very beautiful to look at, one cool detail about the glitter kind of thing on the faceplate is kind of splashed and its not uniform, that means no shell has identical pattern making it a little unique. the cable that was provided to me was the VITA 4.4mm cable and its very sturdy but the microphonics were a headache to me, i could hear even the small rustles. I used stock eartips, they fit me well so I didn't find a reason to shift ( I don't know much about tip rolling ).

Driver Type: 10mm single dynamic driver

Diaphragm: Beryllium-plated dome.

Impedance: 32 Ohms

Sensitivity: 101 dB

Connectors: Standard 2-pin (0.78mm)

Stock Cable: Typically comes with a silver-plated OFC (Oxygen-Free Copper) cable, though VE offers different cable and dongle bundles.

Sound Profile

Warm sounding set with a punchy mid-bass and not so deep but decent sub-bass, sounds mellow and very comfortable to listen to. Scales very good with power, preferably with something neutral / bright pairings.

Lows :

In tracks like

• Another Celebration at the End of the World - Mammoth
• Your Love - Outfield
• I Will Not Now - Breaking Benjamin

The bass is a nice, it’s not over emphasized than required and sits well within the mix with other instruments. The full bodied presentation portrays enough control to sound rhythmic and fun. it gets muddy but adds to the midrange in a good way. The bass has quantity but the texture which defines clarity is a minus here. The snare drums sound recessed and the kickdrums have the strong thud that I am quite satisfied with. I am not a purist by any means but I usually don't like too much bass and prefer clean sounding sets, but UA Ghuangzhi seems to be my guilty pleasure.

Mids :

• Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
• You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Jovi
• Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits

UA Ghuangzhi has a warm and musical midrange, the vocals are slightly behind due to it being a V shape tuned iem. the warmth adds to the thickness and makes and it enjoyable rather than hollow. The drawback is the detail, the warmth makes it fun and a relaxing listen, but also rounds off the edges that more resolving sets would surface. Freddie Mercury’s rich theatrical vocals in Bohemian Rhapsody survive the tuning, Bon jovi’s vocals carry satisfying weight, but neither are commanding or forward as they should be. Guitars have body and crunch that make tracks genuinely fun and engaging to listen to, but the surface texture is where it loses points, Knopfler’s finger on string nuance in Sultans of Swing, the sharp pick attack in You Give Love a Bad Name, these finer details get rounded off and smoothed over by the warmth. The mids are not a weakness here, they’re actually one of the more enjoyable aspects of this IEM, but the detail ceiling keeps it from being truly immersive on tracks that reward close listening.

Treble :

• Roundabout by Yes
• Hot For Teacher by Van Halen
• Pain killer by Judas Priest

The treble is smooth and relaxed, never pushing into harsh or fatiguing territory. The acoustic guitar intro in Roundabout carries a decent shimmer enough to feel the character of the string. Van Halen’s cymbal-heavy intro in Hot For Teacher lands with reasonable crispness, the hi-hats have presence and the crashes register, but the metallic decay that should ring out and breathe gets reined in a little earlier than it should. Painkiller is where the ceiling becomes most apparent, Scott Travis’s relentless cymbal work and rapid hi-hat patterns come through with decent energy but blur at the edges rather than articulating with razor sharpness. The guitar pick attack across all three tracks is satisfying enough to enjoy, but just falls short of that last layer of bite and texture that would make it truly convincing. The Ghuangzhi gets you close enough to feel the excitement, but leaves you wanting just a little more air and edge.

Technicalities

Imaging : The imaging is decent, placement of instruments and vocals can be easily pinpointed.

Separation : Separation capability is not something that's a sharp cut, but still draws a line in between the layers enough to sound good but not good enough.

Detail : This is where the UA Ghuangzhi falls short, technically this is an okay iem, but the finer details like the slight guitar pick scrapes, string resonances tend to feel smoothened ( veiled ) over rather than sounding transparent or open.

Sound Stage : The soundstage sits comfortably beside you rather than wrapping around you. It’s not a three dimensional (3d) or holographic presentation, but it never feels claustrophobic or clustered either. Everything has enough room to breathe and exist in its own space without crowding the listener.

Final Thoughts

I have never tried any of the venture electronics products before, and didnt know of this UA Ghuangzhi until I saw it in Andy audio vault’s video about best iems for metal / rock under 100$, it caught my eye as most of my music library consists of rock, it really did impress me, The UA Ghuangzhi doesn’t try to be everything, and that’s exactly why it works. It’s not the most detailed set, it won’t satisfy a basshead and it won’t survive a critical listening session without exposing its limitations. But put on a good recorded track, settle in, and what strikes you is how complete it sounds, nothing feels glaringly missing, nothing fights for attention, everything just sits together cohesively and musically. For casual listeners who want an engaging, fatigue free daily driver, or rock/ metal fans who want their music to feel alive without spending serious money, the Ghuangzhi makes a very convincing case for itself. It’s not perfect, but it’s the kind of IEM you keep reaching for, and at this price? that’s the highest compliment you can give.

Today’s review is on a 50$ iem, the Kefine Klean SV kleaner Klean? Let’s see about that.

This unit was sent to me by my dear friend u/mournfulmonk for review purposes , all impressions and thoughts are my own.

Pros -

• Detail retrieval / imaging is unbeatable for the price
• Packaging and accessories are a good add on for the price
• Separation is excellent
• Fit is comfortable
• A great value for money considering the sound and also the accessories
• Solid build considering the price point.

Cons -

• Midrange sounds thin
• Bass is on the lighter side and feels hollow
• Sounds too controlled and restrained, instruments sound lifeless.
• Treble being bright still lacks the shimmer / sparkle instruments need.

About

Kefine is a ChiFi brand established in 2022 with a mission set to provide refined audio products for audiences at a very reasonable price tag. If you ever tried them, you know that they did a great job with their products lineup - Kefine Delci, Kefine Klanar, Kefine Klean and so on. The unit we will be talking about now is the Kefine Klean SV a new iteration of their budget offering “Klean” featuring the same driver setup - 10mm Dynamic Driver with a DLC ( Diamond Like Carbon ) diaphragm and same 3 detachable tuning nozzle options. Kefine has been killin’ it with their products since they established. Let’s see if the Klean SV stands up to it.

Build and Technical Specifications

Kefine Klean SV is a single dynamic driver iem with a DLC diaphragm which is lightweight and rigid / stiff. The lightweight material helps in the Fast Transient Responses. Because it is so stiff, the distortion is managed. Although the “Klean” and “Klean SV” share the same driver setup, apparently the SV has gone through some additional works, a dual chamber structure and copper coated aluminium voice coil paired with a neodymium magnet. The shell is fully metal, which is injection moulded, there are 3 nozzle tuning options - Silver tuning nozzle, Black tuning nozzle, Gold tuning nozzle. Fits well in my ears without any discomfort and i paired with the stock clear silicone tips that it came with. The cable feels very sturdy and adequately comfortable. The case is pretty handy and its good.

Box Contents :

• Kefine klean iem
• Detachable 0.78mm 2-pin silver Plated Copper cable
• 6 pairs of silicone eartips ( clear white / clear black )
• Compact semi hard Carry case
• 3 interchangeable acoustic tuning nozzles ( gold,silver,black)
• User manual

Technical Specifications :

• Driver type and size : 10mm dynamic driver
• Frequency response : 20hz - 20khz
• Sensitivity: 107dB +/-3dB
• Impedance: 32 Ohm
• Connector : 0.78mm 2-pin
• Cable length : 1.2M
• Plug termination options : 3.5mm, 4.4mm, Type C

Sources used for testing :

Snowsky Echo Mini DAP, fosi audio sk02 desktop dac/amp, iphone 16e ( with a random third party dongle dac )

Tuning Nozzles :

Kefine has generously provided 3 tuning options in Kefine Klean SV just like in original Klean. Now, I am not saying that the nozzles do not make a difference, but it’s not enough to shift the balance, it’s existent but not substantial. Let’s talk about them.

Black nozzle - The Bass is slightly uplifted and feels moderately well bodied compared to the silver / gold nozzle. But still the sub-bass is just barely existent. The vocals stay the same, sounds a little rounder due to the bass lift. Sounds slightly Mellow compared to silver and gold nozzles

Silver / Steel nozzle - Cleaner presentation, mild bass but best of the 3 worlds here. Vocals pop with that prominent Edges, Quick bass decay - feels like a sharp cut in right tracks. Refined Upper mids energy, non piercing for me, but quite bright for a “Balanced“ tuning nozzle. Open treble.

Gold nozzle - brightest of them all, female vocals have slight sparkle here. Open sounding treble with no restraint, upper mids sound forward, more resolution with brightness and detail but quite sibilant for sensitive ears.

Sound Profile :

I am using the default (Steel / Silver) for listening, will talk about other nozzles below. Regardless of nozzles, the sound is “klean” and feels balanced overall without emphasising anything overly or specifically. Sounds normal to my ears, although being on the brighter side i felt no hints of sibilance / fatigue whatsoever. Sound staging is holographic. Easy to drive but needs a little power than usual to not sound thin. Soft mid-bass, clear vocals and good treble. The imaging and detail retrieval are very good for the price. Separation is clear.

Lows :

The bass has petite physicality - a loose cannon. The decay is quick and lacks the bite or slam. It’s a subtle feeling of incompleteness. I find it to be thin, a little hollow too. Unfortunately doesn't get better with an increase in volume, it just sounds loud and not substantial.

Numb by Linkin park is a track with consistent mid-bass (drums) throughout the track, Punchy but not boomy, it hits with a sharp mid-bass thud rather than a deep sub rumble. Each kick hit feels like a chest thump rather than a floor-shaking sub hit. On bass-light iems like the Klean, the kick will sound present but thin, you’ll hear it but won’t feel it. Klean handled this track reasonably well in the lows since the track doesn’t demand deep sub extension. But the kick lacked slam and physicality, and the strings lost some of their warmth, making the song feel slightly cold and clinical rather than emotionally heavy as intended.

In the track Sicko Mode by Travis scott, a sub-bass aggressive track with 808’s going extremely deep - you almost feel them. But on klean, it’s too controlled. There is presence, but almost no weight. The mid-bass where the kicks layer on top of the 808’s with a sharp punchy thud is where the Klean will partially rescue itself the mid-bass punch will come through somewhat to balance out the underwhelming sub-bass region. The Bass drops feel flat because of too much restraint of the lows on the klean. It’s like you know that the bass is there and you should feel it, but you anticipate it and it never comes through, you wont feel it. Sicko Mode on the Klean will actually highlight its balance well, everything above the bass will sound great. Travis’s vocals, the synth layers, the hi-hats sound all clean and well-separated. But the soul of the track which lives in the lows, will be completely missing. It’s like watching a fireworks show with no sound, visually there but feels hollow.

Mids :

The mids are open and sound spacious with instruments and vocals sounding very coherently nuanced. The upper mids are bright, but it doesn’t bother me enough to call it sibilant or noisy. The imaging / staging are good enough to not make anything sound cramped or undistinguishable. Vocals have a pronounced “ss” , “ch” edges making them sound sharp but not piercing. An overall pleasant tuning in which the vocals are forward but nothing feels shoved / recessed backward by a mile. Here’s the curveball, while having a very clean presentation, it lacks in note weight and presence. Guitars, drums sound dull and very thin. Guitars lack the sizzling kind of sharpness / sparkle and drums lack the slam. Percussions feel washed out when in busy tracks. Klean sounds very refined, refined in the terms of Balance and not in the terms of dynamics.

I was listening to this Punkrocker by Iggy pop a track used in the Superman (2025) Movie. Iggy Pop’s vocals are generally forward and sits on top of mix, but when listening on klean, his vocals are placed in the mix, which means that they are slightly recessed. This is a synth punk anyway, not refined enough to talk about clarity or detail. But while having like a dirty analog synth texture, the synth carries most of the melodic weight of this track. This track proves the thinness in the midrange, while the track already sounding thin and slightly dry, on klean it loses that grimy weight texture that gives the track that “punk” character.

Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, is one of the most vocally and instrumentally complex midrange tracks. Opera, rock, ballad - it’s like an all in one song. Freddie’s voice has an incredibly unique mid range resonance which sounds rich, theatrical and powerful, on klean - the vocals sound very detailed and well layered but loses the thickness and grandeur of his powerful voice notes due to thin midrange presentation of klean. The piano in the track is wide, the left hand bass notes sound very clean and well defined but lacks the weight on the lower register notes. The attack of each key feels precise and detailed. Guitar by Brian May is nothing short of legendary here, the guitar solo section has mid-range density, the guitar tone and presence feels almost vocal like in character. On klean, guitar sounds very clear and articulate but thickness and warmth of the tone comes leaner than it should sound, the note definition is very good but lacks the note weight. The song was designed to feel massive and overwhelming. Klean’s refined, balanced nature will make it feel more like a carefully observed performance rather than an experience that consumes you or engages you. Simply put, Bohemian Rhapsody on the Klean is like watching it in a small intimate theater vs a grand opera house. Every word is clearer in the small theater, but this music was built for the opera house.

Treble

The Treble of Klean SV is smooth and sounds clean, separation is very good making everything sound distinct and imaging being good enough, but very controlled - it is so caged that i was waiting for it explode with energy and ended up getting disappointed multiple times. It’s very listenable but not enjoyable enough. Although being on bright side, it’s too restrained to immerse in the shimmer of instruments pulsating / enthralling.

Roundabout by Yes, it is such an electrifying listen that has plenty of treble. The acoustic guitar is immediately a treble test, the fingerpicked acoustic guitar has a harmonic sparkle. Every string pluck has a bright, airy shimmer. But on the Klean, it sounds controlled, lacks that sparkle that makes the intro feel alive. The ride cymbals, hi-hats and crash cymbals are fast, crisp and detailed. Cymbals on klean sound detailed and controlled but lacks the shimmer and explosiveness that gives them their dynamic character. They sound precise but not thrilling. The entire emotional energy of the song lives in the treble. The Klean’s refined, non-fatiguing tuning works against the song’s intended excitement. The song should feel electrifying, pulsating. On the Klean it’ll feel more like watching a storm from behind a window, you see all the drama but feel none of the rain or wind.

Final Thoughts

For the price of around 50$, Kefine Klean SV is a very good product thats absolutely value for money. Almost everything is done very good, the nozzles are fine, the carry case is good, The cable is decent, impressive technicalities for something priced like this. The bass is Punchy but lacks composure and bite. The mids are very well done but lacks the flavour instrumentally due to midrange being thin. It being so controlled over the finer aspects such as treble and upper mids strips away any vivacious quality the sound could have had. The treble is tuned well, almost fatigue free but feels dull for someone who wants that spiking energy / thrill in their music. For someone who wants an iem that delivers technicality and sounds Clean without any bloats or resonances / distortions what so over, this is your pick. The bass might be a lacklustre but rest all are manageable, Kefine Klean SV is excellent as an entire package, it cant get better than this. (for this price)

Today’s review is about a 50$ iem, the Kefine Klean SV - Kleaner Klean? Let’s see about that.

This unit was sent to me by my dear friend u/mournfulmonk**, all impressions and thoughts are my own.**

Pros -

• Detail retrieval / imaging is unbeatable for the price
• Packaging and accessories are a good add on for the price
• Separation is excellent
• Fit is comfortable
• A great value for money considering the sound and also the accessories
• Solid build considering the price point.

Cons -

• Midrange sounds thin
• Bass is on the lighter side and feels hollow
• Too controlled and restrained, instruments sound lifeless.
• Treble being bright still lacks the shimmer / sparkle instruments need.

About

Kefine is a ChiFi brand established in 2022 with a mission set to provide refined audio products for audiences at a very reasonable price tag. If you ever tried them, you know that they did a great job with their products lineup - Kefine Delci, Kefine Klanar, Kefine Klean and so on. The unit we will be talking about now is the Kefine Klean SV a new iteration of their budget offering “Klean” featuring the same driver setup - 10mm Dynamic Driver with a DLC ( Diamond Like Carbon ) diaphragm and same 3 detachable tuning nozzle options. Kefine has been killin’ it with their products since they established. Let’s see if the Klean SV stands up to it.

Build and Technical Specifications

Kefine Klean SV is a single dynamic driver iem with a DLC diaphragm which is lightweight and rigid / stiff. The lightweight material helps in the Fast Transient Responses. Because it is so stiff, the distortion is managed. Although the “Klean” and “Klean SV” share the same driver setup, apparently the SV has gone through some additional works, a dual chamber structure and copper coated aluminium voice coil paired with a neodymium magnet. The shell is fully metal, which is injection moulded, there are 3 nozzle tuning options - Silver tuning nozzle, Black tuning nozzle, Gold tuning nozzle. Fits well in my ears without any discomfort and i paired with the stock clear silicone tips that it came with. The cable feels very sturdy and adequately comfortable. The case is pretty handy and its good.

Box Contents :

• Kefine klean iem
• Detachable 0.78mm 2-pin silver Plated Copper cable
• 6 pairs of silicone eartips ( clear white / clear black )
• Compact semi hard Carry case
• 3 interchangeable acoustic tuning nozzles ( gold,silver,black)
• User manual

Technical Specifications :

• Driver type and size : 10mm dynamic driver
• Frequency response : 20hz - 20khz
• Sensitivity: 107dB +/-3dB
• Impedance: 32 Ohm
• Connector : 0.78mm 2-pin
• Cable length : 1.2M
• Plug termination options : 3.5mm, 4.4mm, Type C

Sources used for testing :

Snowsky Echo Mini DAP, fosi audio sk02 desktop dac/amp, iphone 16e ( with a random third party dongle dac )

Tuning Nozzles :

Kefine has generously provided 3 tuning options in Kefine Klean SV just like in original Klean. Now, I am not saying that the nozzles do not make a difference, but it’s not enough to shift the balance, it’s existent but not substantial. Let’s talk about them.

Black nozzle - The Bass is slightly uplifted and feels moderately well bodied compared to the silver / gold nozzle. But still the sub-bass is just barely existent. The vocals stay the same, sounds a little rounder due to the bass lift. Sounds slightly Mellow compared to silver and gold nozzles

Silver / Steel nozzle - Cleaner presentation, mild bass but best of the 3 worlds here. Vocals pop with that prominent Edges, Quick bass decay - feels like a sharp cut in right tracks. Refined Upper mids energy, non piercing for me, but quite bright for a “Balanced“ tuning nozzle. Open treble.

Gold nozzle - brightest of them all, female vocals have slight sparkle here. Open sounding treble with no restraint, upper mids sound forward, more resolution with brightness and detail but quite sibilant for sensitive ears.

Sound Profile :

I am using the default (Steel / Silver) for listening, will talk about other nozzles below. Regardless of nozzles, the sound is “klean” and feels balanced overall without emphasizing anything overly or specifically. Sounds normal to my ears, although being on the brighter side i felt no hints of sibilance / fatigue whatsoever. Sound staging is holographic. Easy to drive but needs a little power than usual to not sound thin. Soft mid-bass, clear vocals and good treble. The imaging and detail retrieval are very good for the price. Separation is clear.

Lows :

The bass has petite physicality - a loose cannon. The decay is quick and lacks the bite or slam. It’s a subtle feeling of incompleteness. I find it to be thin, a little hollow too. Unfortunately doesn't get better with an increase in volume, it just sounds loud and not substantial.

Numb by Linkin park is a track with consistent mid-bass (drums) throughout the track, Punchy but not boomy, it hits with a sharp mid-bass thud rather than a deep sub rumble. Each kick hit feels like a chest thump rather than a floor-shaking sub hit. On bass-light iems like the Klean, the kick will sound present but thin, you’ll hear it but won’t feel it. Klean handled this track reasonably well in the lows since the track doesn’t demand deep sub extension. But the kick lacked slam and physicality, and the strings lost some of their warmth, making the song feel slightly cold and clinical rather than emotionally heavy as intended.

In the track Sicko Mode by Travis scott, a sub-bass aggressive track with 808’s going extremely deep - you almost feel them. But on klean, it’s too controlled. There is presence, but almost no weight. The mid-bass where the kicks layer on top of the 808’s with a sharp punchy thud is where the Klean will partially rescue itself the mid-bass punch will come through somewhat to balance out the underwhelming sub-bass region. The Bass drops feel flat because of too much restraint of the lows on the klean. It’s like you know that the bass is there and you should feel it, but you anticipate it and it never comes through, you wont feel it. Sicko Mode on the Klean will actually highlight its balance well, everything above the bass will sound great. Travis’s vocals, the synth layers, the hi-hats sound all clean and well-separated. But the soul of the track which lives in the lows, will be completely missing. It’s like watching a fireworks show with no sound, visually there but feels hollow.

Mids :

The mids are open and sound spacious with instruments and vocals sounding very coherently nuanced. The upper mids are bright, but it doesn’t bother me enough to call it sibilant or noisy. The imaging / staging are good enough to not make anything sound cramped or undistinguishable. Vocals have a pronounced “ss” , “ch” edges making them sound sharp but not piercing. An overall pleasant tuning in which the vocals are forward but nothing feels shoved / recessed backward by a mile. Here’s the curveball, while having a very clean presentation, it lacks in note weight and presence. Guitars, drums sound dull and very thin. Guitars lack the sizzling kind of sharpness / sparkle and drums lack the slam. Percussions feel washed out when in busy tracks. Klean sounds very refined, refined in the terms of Balance and not in the terms of dynamics.

I was listening to this Punkrocker by Iggy pop a track used in the Superman (2025) Movie. Iggy Pop’s vocals are generally forward and sits on top of mix, but when listening on klean, his vocals are placed in the mix, which means that they are slightly recessed. This is a synth punk anyway, not refined enough to talk about clarity or detail. But while having like a dirty analog synth texture, the synth carries most of the melodic weight of this track. This track proves the thinness in the midrange, while the track already sounding thin and slightly dry, on klean it loses that grimy weight texture that gives the track that “punk” character.

Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, is one of the most vocally and instrumentally complex midrange tracks. Opera, rock, ballad - it’s like an all in one song. Freddie’s voice has an incredibly unique mid range resonance which sounds rich, theatrical and powerful, on klean - the vocals sound very detailed and well layered but loses the thickness and grandeur of his powerful voice notes due to thin midrange presentation of klean. The piano in the track is wide, the left hand bass notes sound very clean and well defined but lacks the weight on the lower register notes. The attack of each key feels precise and detailed. Guitar by Brian May is nothing short of legendary here, the guitar solo section has mid-range density, the guitar tone and presence feels almost vocal like in character. On klean, guitar sounds very clear and articulate but thickness and warmth of the tone comes leaner than it should sound, the note definition is very good but lacks the note weight. The song was designed to feel massive and overwhelming. Klean’s refined, balanced nature will make it feel more like a carefully observed performance rather than an experience that consumes you or engages you. Simply put, Bohemian Rhapsody on the Klean is like watching it in a small intimate theater vs a grand opera house. Every word is clearer in the small theater, but this music was built for the opera house.

Treble :

The Treble of Klean SV is smooth and sounds clean, separation is very good making everything sound distinct and imaging being good enough, but very controlled - it is so caged that i was waiting for it explode with energy and ended up getting disappointed multiple times. It’s very listenable but not enjoyable enough. Although being on bright side, it’s too restrained to immerse in the shimmer of instruments pulsating / enthralling.

Roundabout by Yes, it is such an electrifying listen that has plenty of treble. The acoustic guitar is immediately a treble test, the fingerpicked acoustic guitar has a harmonic sparkle. Every string pluck has a bright, airy shimmer. But on the Klean, it sounds controlled, lacks that sparkle that makes the intro feel alive. The ride cymbals, hi-hats and crash cymbals are fast, crisp and detailed. Cymbals on klean sound detailed and controlled but lacks the shimmer and explosiveness that gives them their dynamic character. They sound precise but not thrilling. The entire emotional energy of the song lives in the treble. The Klean’s refined, non-fatiguing tuning works against the song’s intended excitement. The song should feel electrifying, pulsating. On the Klean it’ll feel more like watching a storm from behind a window, you see all the drama but feel none of the rain or wind.

Final Thoughts

For the price of around 50$, Kefine Klean SV is a very good product thats absolutely value for money. Almost everything is done very good, the nozzles are fine, the carry case is good, The cable is decent, impressive technicalities for something priced like this. The bass is Punchy but lacks composure and bite. The mids are very well done but lacks the flavour instrumentally due to midrange being thin. It being so controlled over the finer aspects such as treble and upper mids strips away any vivacious quality the sound could have had. The treble is tuned well, almost fatigue free but feels dull for someone who wants that spiking energy / thrill in their music. For someone who wants an iem that delivers technicality and sounds Clean without any bloats or resonances / distortions what so over, this is your pick. The bass might be a lacklustre but rest all are manageable, Kefine Klean SV is excellent as an entire package, it cant get better than this. (for this price)

“May The Force Be With You” ( Or Not )

Hello, today's review is about Tanchjim x Effect audio Force, priced at 279$.
Thanks to my very Good Friend u/mournfulmonk for providing me this unit for review and supporting me from the beginning of my review journey and guiding me in the hobby. Rest assured, all thoughts / impressions are my own. No further ado, lets dive in.

Pros :

~ Bass is engagingly pleasing to listen to
~ Modular cable and carry case are a nice add on.
~ Vocals are well emphasized and sounds right for my preference

Cons :

~ Separation capability is Average.
~ Imaging could be better
~ Can get a little sibilant
~ Detail retrieval is not a strong suit
~ Fit is not good for me because of the longer nozzle
~ Poor mixed / recorded tracks just bring out the flaws ( technically speaking, this might be a pro as its clinical performative )

​

About

Tanchjim X Effect Audio Force is a collaborative in ear monitor by two major names in the audiophile world - Tanchjim and Effect Audio. Founded in Singapore in 2009, Effect Audio focuses on developing audio products that aim to balance usability with sound quality. They are quite famous for their cables. Established in 2015 Tanchjim, a well known brand that makes in house dynamic driver Tech ( DMT ) for their audio gear collaborated with Effect Audio for the development of the “Force”. The partnership covered everything from internal wiring to the stock cable, with each element designed to meet both acoustic and aesthetic requirements.

Build and Technical Specifications​

Tanchjim Force combines a lightweight resin shell with a CNC Machined aluminum faceplate. Its solid but a metal build like Origin would have been nice. The nozzles are long, the seal is not perfect but it didn't cause me much discomfort fit wise. On the tech side, it uses dual composite metal dome dynamic drivers (DMT 4 Ultra 8.2mm mid frequency driver and 10mm bass driver) HPFD - High precision full range frequency division technology segmentation technology, and a pressure-relief vent design, aimed at providing accurate, detailed sound and long listening comfort. The cable is modular which offers 3.5mm, 4.4mm and Type C which I really appreciate, it’s pretty convenient. The cable is just okay, kind of a low ball considering the partnership with a well known Cable manufacturer Brand. It’s not robust or anything that stands out, it just works. Open back rear chamber design is something I don't have enough knowledge or expertise about, couldn't compare it sonically to anything else, so I would rather choose to ignore this than sharing misinformation.

Box contents :​

• Tanchjim Force iem
• Effect audio modular cable
• 3.5mm, 4.4mm, Type C terminations
• Asano Collectible Card
• User Manuals
• T- APB Eartips ( 3 pairs of wide bore and 3 pairs of narrow bore )

Tech Specs :

THD : ≤0.05%@1kHz 94dB

Impedance : 170-10%

Sensitivity : 120dB/Vrms

Frequency response range : 8-48kHz

Driver setup : 8.2MM dynamic driver + 10MM double chamber composite dynamic driver

Sources used :​

• iPod 5th gen
• Aiyima h1 amp
• Snowsky Echo mini
• Iphone 16e
• Fosi sk02

Sound Profile : ​

Well Balanced - Vocal forward, Organic sounding iem, but got me fatiguing fast ( a little sibilant ) . I think the good point of this set is its tonality - doesn't feel artificial with and on point vocal clarity. Imaging could be better, separation is average, staging is intimate - sounds in my face. I prefer wider sound stage ( like kiwi ears etude ). Good bass that has depth but the decay and roll off is kind of quick, leaves me hungry for more . Well extended treble feels airy and detailed but in the process of sounding open it turns out to be quite sibilant resulting in a fast fatigue.

Lows :​

I like this track in my library better for bass test other than Another celebration at the end of the world by Mammoth, its a great track that directly starts with such powerful bass that pumps me up instantly, and for this track to shine, any iem should have a tight bass with good texture, without any loose ends or roll offs. I noticed that Force required a little more power than my other iems, and this does sound thin if the volume is not pushed enough. The bass is good - nothing exceptional or mind blowing - just an okay punchy mid-bass. Impactful, but soft edged and a little bit bloated which i personally do not like, the bass is big but doesn't dominate the vocals and rest of the mids. It has the presence but lacks the bite leaving me with an itch for more. As the track goes on, the bass is shoved far behind sounding muffled and soft, yes the track in general is like that, but the recession is more evident on Force than on my Nf Acous NM25 ( daily driver ).
The sub-bass on the other hand is controlled with not so much rumble. In the track Angel by Massive Attack, the low end feels very controlled and doesn't have much prominence, the pulsating kind of feel that i usually get when listening to this track is a little underwhelming when listening on Force. It’s not bad in any sort, it’s just caged. The underwhelming part is the detail and resolution. It feels veiled / subdued.

Mids :​

The mids are a mixed feeling for me. The vocals are very pleasant to listen to. I liked Tanchjim house sound signature so far because of the vocals ( Zero Ultima, Origin, Nora ). Force has the clarity, the presentation of vocals takes the stage while sounding emotional and has depth in note weight. But the upper mids on the other hand are presented a little harsher. ( volume dependent, track dependent ) When pushed above moderate volume, force sounds shouty and in lower volumes it's thin sounding. upper-mid region is pushed enough to make vocals and lead instruments sound immediate and present. This helps clarity but also brings those elements closer to the listener, I find Force to be Brighter but Neutral. Dependent on the track recordings or production, Force provides a neutral but slightly bright listen - not a clinical Iem perhaps, but the brightness adds a sense of detail to the presentation.
I was talking about Another Celebration at the End of the World by Mammoth in the Lows section, I shall continue here as well, in this track, the mids should be clear to hear the vocals placed in the mix without them feeling distant or muffled like a gibberish yap. It’s a track with a few things going on the background, not that complex but a powerful bass line that is forward coming to the mids at the beginning. So good sets can truly make me enjoy this track. as soon as the wolf gang Van Halen’s vocals start - everything feels packed together with vocals in focus, the staging feels intimate and not that spacious. The imaging is not that great. The background feels slightly noisy / distorted in the upper mids region. Decreasing the volume took away the noise a little, but in the process everything sounded thin, I paired multiple setups and still felt same (ipod + aiyima h1 amp) (fosi audio sk02) fosi sk02 + aiyima h1 amp worked out comparatively better with Force. Everything in the back already feel suppressed and with less volume it’s not kick-ass fun for me. The guitar solo sounds sharp. The entire presentation is closer to my ears with a slightly messy / untidy upper-mid region. The micro details of background elements in the track are slightly shortcoming. I find the upper mids to be “uncontrolled energy”.
Piano Man by Billy Joel, a track that I truly enjoyed listening to on Force. The vocals are very pleasant sounding without piercing my ears. The harmonica was on the verge of sibilance, it was enough to sound sharp and a little more would have pierced my ears probably. On the vocal aspect, Force impressed me - I like the Note weight of male vocals and the sharp but sweet tone of female vocals. Both equally sound very enjoyable to me. Vocal lead or Vocal centric tracks are pleasant to listen to. Metal / rock is a far cry from delight because of the sibilance. I did listen to the genre for a while ( Linkin Park, AC/DC, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica ) it was fun but it’s a dream lived short for me as I felt the sound to be slightly sibilant fatiguing me quick. Although the sibilance is very track dependent, the fatigue is something that occurs regardless.

Treble :​

The treble of Force is open, airy and extended well enough to make it sound “in front” which adds a sense of sparkle and detail to the sound and presentation. Because the treble sits forward and leans bright, sibilant consonants and sharp harmonics can become emphasized and fatiguing at higher volumes. Bright tracks or recordings with strong sibilance will likely feel harsh. High frequencies deliver good micro details and a sense of space, so cymbals, high hats, and delicate overtones come through clearly. The emphasis on air and detail gives a polished, analytical edge rather than a warm, rounded one. some background elements can sound like bright noise when the mix is busy.

Final Thoughts ​

Tanchjim Force carries the typical house sound with a nice Dynamic Driver Bass and Mids (Especially Vocals) implementation. I like the convenience of force having a modular cable and offering type c , 4.4mm and 3.5mm connectors. Build wise, i think it’s sturdy but not something that would fill you with confidence. Although being modular cable and collaborating with a cable Manufacturer ( Effect Audio ) The cable is not that great. It works, but I expected something more premium. this aside, I like force sound wise in certain aspects like vocals and bass - slight bloat but nothing that muddies the presentation, on good tracks its a balanced sounding iem without any drawbacks. I cant say if its value for money as i didn't try many iems above 250$. but i expected more out of Force, like better separation or imaging, I don't like how recessed instruments feel in tracks where vocals are leading. noticeably, the background sounds too veiled or less detailed. for someone not caring about technicalities and want that Tanchjim sound, this is it. force is a good iem but with several shortcomings. I for one would probably not get this for retail price.

Hello , Today’s review is about CCA Xyraa - a gaming hybrid iem priced around 20$

Disclaimer : This unit was sent out to me by the CCA Brand in exchange for an honest review. Everything is my own impression / experience and is not influenced by the brand or any other person. Thanks to Garcia Kate from CCA for sending me this unit.

About

CCA Audio (Clear Concept Audio) is a Chinese high-fidelity audio brand which used to be sub-brand of KZ (Knowledge Zenith). Founded in 2014 in Dongguan, China, CCA operates with its own R&D labs and manufacturing facilities, focusing on engineering precision and modern design. The CCA Xyraa is a hybrid IEM featuring a 10mm dynamic driver and a customized 30118 balanced armature driver. It has a mild V-shaped sound signature , now lets get into the finer details.

Pros :

~ Good Detail retrieval

~ Sounds sharp and fun to listen to

~ Fits comfortable in my ears

~ Imaging is good

~ Love the bass

~ Treble’s spicy, I like the energy.

Cons :

~ Treble might not be for everybody

~ Staging is average, feels narrow at times

~ slight unnatural timbre

~ Cheap packaging and accessories (nitpicking)

Sources used

Snowsky echo mini

Ipod 5th gen

Aiyima h1 amp

Fosi Sk02 desktop dac/amp

Build and Technical Specifications :

The Xyraa is built with a resin plastic shell and a zinc-alloy “liquid metal” faceplate. The faceplate is high-pressure injection molded, it has a mirror-like finish that looks premium. The shell is opaque, so there’s no driver sneak peek happening here, just a clean, sleek look with a distinctive circular design on the face plate that looks fancy. You could see the inside via the side and the back as it is transparent. Ergonomics are good for my ears, fits like a charm and feels no pressure or discomfort during listening. The stock eartips seal well, I didn’t see any reason to change the eartips for fit purposes, but tips like dunu candy or final ear type e might be good pairing to even out the slight harsh upper region. The nozzle is of standard size and gets the job done. the typical KZ “Meh” cable that everyone knows. It’s not that bad, but it’s nothing to talk about either. The QDC 0.75mm 2-pin connector is standard, the ear hooks are okay. Overall, Xyraa is built sturdy, looks premium and has a solid feel to it. Xyraa consists of a Hybrid 10mm Dynamic + 30118 Balance armature driver and a Polymer-Laminated Metal Diaphragm known for its fast response.

Frequency Range - 20 Hz – 40 kHz

Impedance - 27 Ω

Sensitivity - 110 ± 3 dB

Box contents :

• 1× CCA Xyraa IEM (1 Pair)
• 3× Eartips (S/M/L)
• 1× High-Purity OFC Dual-Parallel
• 1x User Manual

Sound profile :

Bright, detailed and energetic set. Average staging , good imaging and detail retrieval is on point for the price range. Sounds a little narrow / slightly in your face at times. But the separation capability is something that actually makes CCA Xyraa stand out for its price. I played CODM and BGMI ( PUBG ) and the placement of footsteps or gunfire were very accurate and though the sound signature being on the brighter side, didn't cause me any discomfort or pierce my ear, I wouldn’t call this warm / soft - but its not as shouty either. The only thing I dislike here is the slight artificial timbre / sound, it sounds good but not tonally pleasant for me.

Lows

Sub-bass is very well extended, rumbly and enjoyable. but lacks the composure or grip. It’s better described as “Quantity over Quality”. The Mid-bass has decent texture and impact to it without feeling bloated, it is controlled and sharp to listen to. The powerful bass presence is very fun and engaging to listen to.

I wanted to explore new music and I stumbled upon Too Old To Die Young by Brother Gege, an American Folk song which was used in Quentin Tarantino’s Django unchained, it is such a powerful track with deep bass throughout the track and clean solo vocals placed well within the mix. I am really pleased with Xyraa’s Bass attack here, it’s thunderous, rumbly and doesn't overdo it too much to hollow out vocals. Vocals sounded crisp, nothing was veiled or recessed here.

Midrange

Mids are well done, You could hear things well without them feeling dull / veiled. Even though the bass has a impactful presence, there is minimal bleed into the mids and doesn’t soup out the mix generally, but it does have slight trouble in presentation due to slightly narrow soundstage, feels a little more like in your face rather than around you. Both the female vocals and male vocals have enough note weight to not sound thin, but female vocals can be a bit sibilant at times depending on track you are listening to. The vocals are on the good side of this iem, vocals are sharp, clean and sits well within the mix without being shoved way backward. The upper mids do get a little noisy and feels chaotic / clustered all over the region in some energetic tracks that have too much going on in the background, but the imaging is fine. You can identify the instruments and place them quite easily. Apart from the overall tonality - which is a bit unnatural, there is nothing that bad here.

I am listening to Brain Stew by Green day and the guitars at the beginning sound so clear and the drums are snappy. But there is slight distortion at the volume I am listening to ( slightly above mid volume ), I had to turn down the volume to listen comfortably or clearly. It’s not overly shouty but just bright. The instrumental separation is good, distinguishable. After 2 minutes in the track, everything is slightly mixed up. This part does sound a bit worse usually in this budget segment iems which are tuned for the masses to be warm or safe, but Xyraa did it decently well, due to its good separation ability and bright tone, the sound seemed less confusing and more forward / open than i expected.

Treble

This is where things get interesting, this is where Xyraa is different to usual to usual iems in this budget, treble here is sparkly and lively. I wouldn’t call this smooth and I felt the sibilance to be volume dependent, on a moderate volume which is listener’s comfort spot , the treble isn’t piercing or hurting, but when volume is increased, it sounds shrill. While being Sparkly, it doesn’t noise out the entire upper frequency. It has good detail and airiness with a good energy that is engaging and fun to listen to. But the sound in general can get fatiguing over time in longer listening sessions. for someone who wants a smoother or more neutral listen, can occasionally cross into sibilance territory ( again, volume dependent ). It’s not as airy but quite sharp, people with sensitive ears might have a problem with high volume, but in lower volumes, I find it to be okay. It doesn’t sound that thin in lower volume either. So, listenable at moderate volume. Energetic treble, not a refined one. It’s lively and present, but don’t expect it to be smooth, push it with the wrong tracks and the roughness will show up.

Chandelier by Sia, is the track I am listening to right now. Sia’s voice reaches into upper registers frequently, and the Xyraa’s sibilance tendency makes this a tricky listen at higher volumes. At moderate volume the airiness and detail in the treble actually do her vocals justice , present it forward without completely crossing into harshness.

Comparisons :

GK kunten :

Very good textured mid-bass, rumbled and tight with punchiness. Doesn’t feel muddy or overly boosted. GK Kunten is the closest rival to the Xyraa in treble character, but with a rougher edge. Its treble can sound grainy or sibilant. The Xyraa is more refined than the Kunten’s treble the Xyraa has sparkle and airiness while the Kunten trends more toward gritty brightness. Both are energetic, but the Xyraa handles it with more composure.

GK Streak :

GK Streak is the most technically accomplished set here. Fun U-shaped tuning with real bass authority, cleaner lower mids than expected, and treble that stays lively without getting harsh. Better in almost every technical way. But vocals are flat and treble is dull compared to Xyraa.

Tangzu Waner Sg 2 :

Tangzu Waner SG2 is the safest and most refined here. Well-balanced with vocal-centric mids, controlled bass that avoids muddiness, and smooth treble that avoids sibilance and fatigue. Wide and deep enough soundstage with well-done instrument positioning. It lacks the Xyraa’s excitement but beats it in vocal naturalness, staging, and long session comfort. The go-to recommendation for most people.

7hz x Crinacle Salnotes Zero 2 :

7Hz Zero 2 is the warmest and most relaxed of the group. Bass-boosted with natural tonality, smooth gentle treble, and assertive but not dominant vocals. Surprisingly spacious soundstage that punches above its weight class. Less exciting than the Xyraa but more forgiving and easier to live with daily. Great all-rounder.

KZ Castor Bass improved bass edition :

CCA Xyraa sits closer to the Castor than the others in terms of fun factor, but it’s a very different kind of fun. Where the Castor is warm and smooth, the Xyraa is bright and sparkly. The Xyraa has more treble energy and detail, better imaging, and vocals that sit more naturally in the mix. The Castor has more raw bass quantity and a more fatigue-free listen. For long sessions the Castor wins, for engagement and detail the Xyraa wins. Neither has an impressive soundstage and both feel intimate and in your face, though the Xyraa edges slightly ahead in imaging precision.

In one line each - Xyraa is exciting, Waner SG2 is safe, Zero 2 is warm and easy, Kunten is raw value, Streak is technically the best, Castor is for bass-heads.

Final Thoughts :

When I got this unit, I didn't expect much from it as it being a gaming iem, I thought its just going to be flat or tuned to be average / dull. But Xyraa surprised me, They weren’t lying about the “Dual scene Acoustic Tuning” part. For something that’s gaming oriented, this does the job well musically too, Gaming wise you would want your earphones to be open and revealing, and CCA Xyraa does that pretty good. Musically, the energizing sound is quite engaging and fun to listen to. And I really like the fit, it’s very comfortable in my ears. i find this to be a very fun set to listen to, the bass is very good, the vocals are good, the staging is good, technically everything feels right except for the slight treble harshness which does help the iem sound open and detailed. If you are looking for something that’s sharp enough to sound energizing, fun and not too sharp that it cuts your pocket ( 20$ ) this is the way to go. its a Solid choice. if you want something warm or safe sounding - this is not it for you.

Aria Ear Sylva - A Cozy Warm Feeling

Pros:

~ Very Natural sounding

~ Organically lively tonality

~ non sibilant , non fatiguing sound signature

~ Sub-bass is fun

Cons:

~ Mid-bass could be better

~ missing a little energy in the highs (Personal preference)

Hello Everyone, Today's review is on Aria Ear Sylva, priced 160$ is a tough contender under 200$, let me tell you why.

Thanks to Aural Café for sending me this unit as a part of tour for review purposes.

Disclaimer : All my Impressions are my own and subjective and not influenced by anyone.

About the Brand

Aria Ear is a Vietnam based Hi-fi brand established in 2023 Making their way out into the world of Hifi audio with their debutants Azuri and Sylva.

Azuri and Sylva are the fruits of 2 years of Meticulous Research and Development by Aria Ear. Aria Ear have thoughtfully come out with the Azuri and Sylva, where Sylva is lenient towards organic musicality, while the Azuri’s true intention lies within the details. The name Sylva, Sylvia or Silva in Latin means “Wood” or “Forest“. Let us dive into more information about the "Sylva of the Forest."

I will compare Sylva to Azuri in segments, the difference is not day and night - but at the core, they both serve different purposes. Sylva being Cozy warm, and Azuri being Scrupulous.

Build

Sylva’s shell is 3d crafted with resin and has large scales like textured faceplate. The subtle tint of green and blue color is a nice essence. The size of the shell is a little big for my small ears but I did not feel much discomfort. The 6N OCC copper cable is decent and feels sturdy. The leather case is good , a nice add on. I already covered their engineering and tech in the review of Azuri so I wont put all that here, but will try to be informative without dragging much. 10mm birchwood diaphragm driver - The use of birchwood as a diaphragm is one of the key elements, it’s scientifically more durable and acoustically more organic than the usual metal diaphragms making it a good choice as Aria Ear’s intention with the Sylva is to provide organically natural and warm sound. Sonically, it has internal damping properties that help subdue resonances and distortion resulting in a clean and more accurate sound production. It is thicker and heavier than the li-mg ( lithium magnesium ) Diaphragm in Azuri, so to overcome this, Aria Ear integrated a Dual Magnet Structure for the Sylva.

Sound Profile

Sylva has a Warm, Organic Timbre and Sweet Tonality while not compromising on details by a mile. The imaging and separation is decent - i could pinpoint the instruments and the subtle details in tracks that are complex or has a lot going on in the background. Layering is nuanced, the soundstage is holographic, wide and feels open.

Lows :

The sylva’s low end really stood out to me because of its control and immersive tuning.

The bass is textured, controlled. Not snappy or authoritatively punchy or has that slam but its not too underewhelming, initially it was not enough for my usual taste, but after a few hours of listening in, it kind of grew on me. I gave a listen to Xanny by Billie Eilish, Sylva’s precision in low end control is displayed here, handling the fast panning elements with accuracy and clarity. When you listen to music like Angel by Massive Attack, you will immediately notice the precision in the bassline . The iconic Billie jean by Michael Jackson is always one of my go-to to test the bass. The Thump mid-bass presence is pleasant but not satisfactory enough to my liking, I feel like the mid-bass is a little underwhelming but the sub-bass is good, a little more mid-bass would be have been great . Comparing it to its Akin - Azuri, Sylva has taken the lead here by having a better low end rumble and presence. Although both of them are very identical in the mid-bass aspect, Azuri has better punch but Sylva feels a little more organic, I still like the bass of my NF ACOUS NM25 though, its more agile and tight - it might not be as warm or smooth as the sylva, but sure has that snap and punch that i love.

Mids :

The Mids of Sylva are Sweet and Emotional having decent imaging and wide soundstage with realism and naturalism. Just like the Azuri, Sylva also has a midrange tuned to be precise, clear and balanced. Sylva takes it to a level up from Azuri when it comes to natural timbre or sound signature making vocals feel more emotional and felt, instruments more lifelike. There is no dryness that I sometimes feel in the NF ACOUS NM25 and NM20.

In the track Crawling by Linkin park, the entirety of instruments and vocals are coherent, the layering is quite articulate. The bass do not bleed into the mids, not a hint of sibilance even while Chester is screaming his lungs out. I was listening to this track Just the two of us by Grover Washington Jr ( ft Bill withers ) and got mesmerized by the harmony in between instruments and melodious velvety vocals of Bill Withers, Especially the Saxophone.

Then I shifted to Brain Stew by Green Day ( Punk rock/ Alternative rock ) and I could feel the guitar just riff through my ears, the feel of the strings were clear. The instrumental presentation of Sylva in general is more tonally pleasing and lush compared to Azuri and the NM25. I like the vocal presentation, carries well with texture and tone, not feeling hollow or artificial.

Highs :

Smooth and Soulful with a touch of airiness. To Test out this range, I tried some jazz tracks ( not usually my genre ).

Lonesome Lover by Max Roach , a track with Hi-hats, ride cymbals and the saxophone sounded harmonious without a hint of sibilance or harshness. They sound crisp and metallic with good texture due to the airy extension in the treble region. The transients attack is not as quick as the azuri, but feels more melodic, Clifford Jordan’s saxophone highs convey raw emotion, notes sustain with bite yet decay smoothly.

I like the Sylva here more than the Azuri, although being very identical, The Sylva feels more musical, yes the Azuri has that extra slight spark and a little more sharpness in the highs, and I am all for the sparks and shimmers, But presentation wise, the Sylva is well rounded and more comforting to listen to. The treble in sylva is smooth, airy and free of sibilance or harshness. It felt as if I was listening to headphones at some point due to its impressive open soundstage and clarity.

Thanks to the work of Birchwood diaphragm and Helmholtz resonance system damping the excess energy and resonances to provide a warmer, cleaner and natural sound.

Final Thoughts

Coming from something highly detailed and bright like NF ACOUS NM25 ( the iem that I daily drive ), Sylva seemed like not my cup of tea at first even though I like the naturality it portrays. I missed the engaging and bright energy that I feel with the Nm25. But after a few good hours, I started to like this. This is a good set for those who seek natural timbre and tone that's warm and comforting to pull out an "all nighter" easily. I think Aria Ear has done a good job with Sylva - making sound Lively, Emotional and Organic. Sure, it does miss out that little sizzling spark or high end detail or basshead bass, but has a mid-bass that does not bleed, Sub-bass that trembles, vocals that drive feelings through, Imaging that's crystal clear, Staging that’s spacious making Sylva a good buy to anyone looking to get something that performs well. For under 200$ I think this is a very good set to have that can almost do it all and is a great value for money proposition.