The KEFINE Delci was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links. The price of the KEFINE Delci is $59 and you can buy it from Linsoul or AliExpress or Amazon.
KEFINE Audio
KEFINE audio is a new brand of earphones established by a group of enthusiasts who are truly passionate about music and chose to transform their hobby into a part-time profession to share their unique perspective on sound. KEFINE’s mission is to create earphones that offer an outstanding price-to-performance ratio while maintaining high quality. To achieve this, they avoid unnecessary features and accessories, opting for a straightforward packaging approach that not only reduces costs for consumers but also contributes to environmental sustainability. Their first product, the KEFINE Klanar, features a single 14.5mm planar magnetic driver and is priced at $119.
KEFINE Delci
The KEFINE Delci is their second offering, designed as an affordable earphone featuring a single 10mm dynamic driver. This driver utilizes a combination of DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) and PU composite materials, delivering lively high frequencies and robust low-end sound. Additionally, the Delci incorporates a dual-cavity driver to further improve bass response.
Design and wearing comfort
The ear shells of the Delci are crafted from aviation-grade aluminum, which undergoes CNC machining and fine polishing. They have an attractive gun-metal finish and incorporate a rounded faceplate adorned with the KEFINE logo. Weighing in at only 5.3g, these ear cups are both lightweight and compact, exhibiting remarkable craftsmanship. The build quality is outstanding for their category, featuring a unique scratch-resistant anodized coating that enhances their durability and resilience against drops and rough handling.
The fit is both comfortable and stable; however, individuals with larger ear cavities may require double flange ear-tips due to the swallow shape and low-profile design of the shells. Additionally, this design influences the passive noise isolation of the Delci, which is considered to be average.
Stock cable
The Delci features an aesthetically pleasing cable constructed from 164 copper wires. This high-quality, well-crafted 2-pin detachable cable comes with an aluminum 3.5mm plug and splitter. It is soft and lightweight, allowing for easy bending without tangling, and it produces minimal microphonic noise. While it is an excellent cable, it is unfortunate that there is no option to order it with a 4.4mm plug, which would enable compatibility with the increasingly common balanced audio sources.
Accessories
The package features a durable carrying case equipped with a side zipper, along with two sets of silicone ear tips available in three different sizes. One set is designed to enhance bass, while the other provides additional transparency.
Power requirements
The KEFINE Delci features an impedance of 28Ω and a sensitivity rating of 108dB, making them an easy load that is relatively insensitive to source noise. USB DAC dongles such as the Neutron HiFi DAC V1 or the ddHiFi TC44Pro E2 are suitable options. However, for the ddHiFi T44Pro E2, an aftermarket balanced cable will be necessary.
Listening impressions
The KEFINE Delci offers a well-rounded sound profile characterized by great sub-bass extension, slightly enhanced bass, outstanding mid-range clarity, and a treble that is smooth while still retaining a sense of energy. This tuning results in a natural timbre across the entire frequency spectrum, providing good tonal accuracy for both instruments and vocals. The sound signature is likely to appeal to a wide range of listeners, regardless of their musical preferences. The Delci delivers a musical and warm experience that remains light and enjoyable, allowing for extended listening sessions without fatigue.
The sub-bass reaches the lowest octave without being overly pronounced, ensuring that the mids and treble remain clear. The bass is subtly enhanced, primarily focusing on the mid-bass, yet it maintains a level of intensity that does not significantly disrupt tonal accuracy or encroach upon the mids. While classical music can be enjoyed, one should not anticipate absolute neutrality. The bass delivers a punchy and dynamic performance, characterized by good control, rapid decay, natural reverb, and weighty textures. Although the definition, layering, and articulation may not be exceptional, they are certainly adequate for this category and it would be unjust to critique them harshly.
The mid-range exhibits a well-balanced tuning, featuring lower-mids that are not recessed and an upper mid-range that is smooth and controlled. The timbre is both natural and organic, making the Delci a musical and captivating choice, showcasing a rich variety of harmonics and vibrant tonal colors. Tonal accuracy is satisfying, with instruments and vocals sounding convincingly realistic, free from noticeable artificiality. The Delci offers clarity and articulation, delivering an overall resolution that surpasses typical expectations for its category.
More listening impressions
The treble is lively and dynamic, effectively balancing the warmth to prevent an excessively dark sound profile. The overall presentation is bright and clear, offering good detail retrieval. High frequencies are well-managed, providing a smooth experience without excessive sharpness or brightness. While the texture quality may not be the Delci’s standout feature, the treble remains relatively refined and avoids sounding overly metallic, thin, or dry.
The soundstage offers impressive width and sense of spaciousness; however, it is primarily arranged horizontally, resulting in a deficiency in depth and holographic quality. This limitation is typical at this price range, where extraordinary performance is rare. Nevertheless, the Delci stands out among its competitors in terms of imaging and positioning accuracy, at least in the horizontal plane.
Vs the Sivga Que
A notable contender that offers an impressive price-to-performance ratio is the Sivga Que, priced at $69. For an additional $10, you receive a carrying case featuring a faux-leather exterior and attractive wooden faceplates. The cable of the Que appears sturdier but also thicker and less flexible, while the package contains the same quantity of ear tips. Both earphones are constructed with high quality, but the ear shells of the Que are twice as heavy as those of the Delci which offers slightly more comfortable fit.
The Que exhibits a slight deficiency in sub-bass extension and features a tuning that emphasizes mid-bass, which subtly bleeds into the midrange frequencies. It showcases a pronounced upper mid-range that avoids excessive sibilance or harshness and a less aggressive treble , a tuning that contributes to a warmer and darker sound profile compared to the Delci. Both earphones offer sufficient resolution for their category and possess a musical and engaging sound signature.
In the end
KEFINE has achieved a remarkable feat with the Delci, delivering a budget friendly earphone that maintains impressive sound and construction quality, just as stated in their promotional material. The KEFINE Delci provides excellent value for money, with no significant drawbacks in its category. It delivers a pleasing and engaging audio experience across multiple music genres, features exceptional craftsmanship, and offers comfort during extended use. Additionally, it includes a premium cable and an attractive carrying case. What more could one desire for just $59?
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2024.
+ Balanced tuning suitable for most kinds of music + Natural and realistic timbre + Plenty of impactful bass + Rich mids and smooth treble + Spacious soundstage with good imaging + Excellent build quality + Lightweight and comfortable + High quality cable + Plenty of accessories - Not for reference applications - Not the most refined treble - Slightly lacking in low-end layering and definition - Soundstage lacks depth - You can't order it with a balanced cable - Average passive noise isolation
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