The KBEAR Dumplings is literally as budget as it can be, with a low price tag, even lower than the Little Q - For only 12 USD! Usually when you're purchasing something for this price you don't expect much, but then again, anything can happen, so let's give this a sort-of in depth review.
Foreword
If you are interested in purchasing this pair of IEM, you can do so with these non-affiliated link :
Keephifi : https://keephifi.com/products/kbear-little-q?_pos=1&_sid=c21b7944e&_ss=r
Amazon : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7NGPMM...bDg6Lg7FiXQq6AKZb0ImtkR7WKsVBLmfRIuI0H8bZ4lz4
UNBOXING & ACCESSORIES
Being identical with the KBEAR Little Q, packaging is as simple as it can be. Nothing much I can say but it gets the job done but also does present it to the consumer very well.
BUILD & FIT
The headshells of the KBEAR Dumpling comprises of a metal design in a piston shape, where the outside portion is kind-of a semi-circle, and the nozzle is non-existent, because the other half of the IEM is identical in diameter. Hence, this pair will be having a more proprietary type of eartip to complement the wide body, in which is not very third-party tip friendly. The
non-detachable cables are average and identical to the ones on the Little Q, where it has some memory when winding it up. Nevertheless (again), it gets the job done.
In terms of fit, personally I feel like there is some weird negative pressure created when fitting it, where my eardrums feel like its being pressured. Maybe it might be my ear canals' anatomy problem because most people on the internet and 2 of my friends did said it fits well, but personally, it seals well, but feels uncomfortable Becuase of that pressure thing I mentioned.
SOUND
Source : Foobar 2000 -> JM10 Dongle (Cirrus Logic CS43131) -> S.M.S.L. SH-6 Amplifier -> stock KBEAR Dumpling
COWON Plenue D2 -> stock KBEAR Dumpling
In general, the KBEAR Dumpling is a V-shaped IEM with maybe an ever-so-slightly warmth to it.
BASS
Comparing to the KBear Little Q, the Little Q will have slightly less bass while this one has its low end more elevated throughout
MIDS
Vocals :
With more or less the same consensus as I said with my review on the KBEAR Little Q, the vocal presence for a V shape is definitely considered the least recessed from what I've heard.
Little Q has a warmth signature to it, Dumplings will probably sound more neutral and slightly cold for vocals overall
Instruments :
HIGHS
TECHNICALITIES
In terms of technicalities, I think the first thing I noticed with this is almost similar with the Little Q, where its imaging and separation, as well as detail retrieval was definitely up there in the ranks for budget IEMs. Having good imaging followed by the amount of detail retrieval especially nearing the upper-mid region makes songs overall sound full and complete.
Soundstage for this pair, is decent for its price. Maybe one thing that's interesting is that there is more depth to the soundstage than anything else.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In my opinion, I would totally recommend this to people who are finding a pair of decent buds to listen to music. It doesn't even have to be audiophiles, like I can literally recommend these to an average Joe for such an acceptable price.
Personally, would call this the alternate version of the Little Q, where it overall sounds more on the neutral and slight cold-ish side.
Again, if you are interested in purchasing this pair of IEM, you can do so with these non-affiliated link :
Keephifi : https://keephifi.com/products/kbear-little-q?_pos=1&_sid=c21b7944e&_ss=r
Amazon : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7NGPMM...bDg6Lg7FiXQq6AKZb0ImtkR7WKsVBLmfRIuI0H8bZ4lz4
Foreword
- The following reviews of IEMs will always be based on its own prowess relative to its price. When I say something about an IEM is good or bad, it will always be relative to how much is the retail of it.
- I will be using DACs relative to the price of the IEM to review them. This is because using high end stuff like the Questyle M15 over-exaggerates the capabilities of the IEM itself.
- This pair of IEM was sent to me by Keephifi, thank you for that. However, they are in NO WAY influencing this review, hence all the opinions are of my own.
If you are interested in purchasing this pair of IEM, you can do so with these non-affiliated link :
Keephifi : https://keephifi.com/products/kbear-little-q?_pos=1&_sid=c21b7944e&_ss=r
Amazon : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7NGPMM...bDg6Lg7FiXQq6AKZb0ImtkR7WKsVBLmfRIuI0H8bZ4lz4
UNBOXING & ACCESSORIES
Being identical with the KBEAR Little Q, packaging is as simple as it can be. Nothing much I can say but it gets the job done but also does present it to the consumer very well.
BUILD & FIT
The headshells of the KBEAR Dumpling comprises of a metal design in a piston shape, where the outside portion is kind-of a semi-circle, and the nozzle is non-existent, because the other half of the IEM is identical in diameter. Hence, this pair will be having a more proprietary type of eartip to complement the wide body, in which is not very third-party tip friendly. The
non-detachable cables are average and identical to the ones on the Little Q, where it has some memory when winding it up. Nevertheless (again), it gets the job done.
In terms of fit, personally I feel like there is some weird negative pressure created when fitting it, where my eardrums feel like its being pressured. Maybe it might be my ear canals' anatomy problem because most people on the internet and 2 of my friends did said it fits well, but personally, it seals well, but feels uncomfortable Becuase of that pressure thing I mentioned.
SOUND
Source : Foobar 2000 -> JM10 Dongle (Cirrus Logic CS43131) -> S.M.S.L. SH-6 Amplifier -> stock KBEAR Dumpling
COWON Plenue D2 -> stock KBEAR Dumpling
In general, the KBEAR Dumpling is a V-shaped IEM with maybe an ever-so-slightly warmth to it.
BASS
Comparing to the KBear Little Q, the Little Q will have slightly less bass while this one has its low end more elevated throughout
- Subbass has quite a decent amount of presence and good rumble
- Amount of bass is definitely one of those where I would classify this as a "basshead IEM"
- Kick drums will sound thumpy with a quick airy decay to it
- Occasional bass notes sounding rounded and bloaty
- Midbass of the IEM definitely is boosted in this pair, making fast basslines sound more smooth than more staccato
- Overall note definition on this pair is suprisingly good, which might be helped by its technical prowess
- Bass bleed happens occasionally to the mids (only happened if I do not use the DAC and tested on Plenue, your mileage may vary)
MIDS
Vocals :
With more or less the same consensus as I said with my review on the KBEAR Little Q, the vocal presence for a V shape is definitely considered the least recessed from what I've heard.
Little Q has a warmth signature to it, Dumplings will probably sound more neutral and slightly cold for vocals overall
- Male vocals - overall natural tonality, occasionally might be because of the mix that causes it to sound a little cold
- Female vocals - definitely a little more laid back than male vocals, but still quite enjoyable. Sibilance is occasional but its very vocalist dependent (again, J-pop is a good example)
Instruments :
- Personally from my listening, synths would be the special region the Dumplings are good at. They have enough body to make notes hit when they need to but does the presentation well when its just soft modulations like the typical sine wave synth
- Guitars from Polyphia would sound quite aggresive and in-your-face in a good way, and arpeggios are very enjoyable where every note is distinguishable
- Complementing macrodetailed tracks from gutiar ensembles to choirs all present themselves well, fills up the ambience of songs well
- Pianos and violins sound relaxing but in very rare occasions might have a lack of body/ hollow, if you will.
HIGHS
- Treble region has slight warm characteristics to it but does not affect the crispiness of certain elements
- Hi hats might come off sounding a little hot in certain tracks
- Hats, cymbals and rides have decent treble extension for that feel
- Details in this range
TECHNICALITIES
In terms of technicalities, I think the first thing I noticed with this is almost similar with the Little Q, where its imaging and separation, as well as detail retrieval was definitely up there in the ranks for budget IEMs. Having good imaging followed by the amount of detail retrieval especially nearing the upper-mid region makes songs overall sound full and complete.
Soundstage for this pair, is decent for its price. Maybe one thing that's interesting is that there is more depth to the soundstage than anything else.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In my opinion, I would totally recommend this to people who are finding a pair of decent buds to listen to music. It doesn't even have to be audiophiles, like I can literally recommend these to an average Joe for such an acceptable price.
Personally, would call this the alternate version of the Little Q, where it overall sounds more on the neutral and slight cold-ish side.
Again, if you are interested in purchasing this pair of IEM, you can do so with these non-affiliated link :
Keephifi : https://keephifi.com/products/kbear-little-q?_pos=1&_sid=c21b7944e&_ss=r
Amazon : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7NGPMM...bDg6Lg7FiXQq6AKZb0ImtkR7WKsVBLmfRIuI0H8bZ4lz4