KBear KB02

General Information

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Latest reviews

andrewchoppa

500+ Head-Fier
What does a $40 bone conduction iem actually give you??? KBear KB02 review
Pros: ✔ Bass, bass, bass – Deep, well-controlled, and not muddy.
✔ Fun, punchy, dynamic – A real joy to listen to.
✔ Good clarity and separation – Impressive at this price point.
✔ Great value – You’re getting more than you paid for.
✔ Scales impressively well – Improves noticeably with better gear.
Cons: ✖ Cable is too short and a bit thin.
✖ For $40? Nothing else.
KeepHifi generously sent these to me for review asking nothing but an honest review.
Which is lucky because that’s the only type I give.

Everything below is based on my personal experience—using only my ears, my gear, and my preferences.

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Background:

I’m relatively new to the IEM world—just six months ago, I didn’t like them at all because of the pressure they created in my ears. I still get that feeling occasionally, but I’m now thoroughly enjoying the differences between IEMs and my over-ear headphones (of which I have many).


I’ve owned and loved the Yanyin Canon 2s (before losing one), replaced them with KZ Sonatas (Tuning Version), and also had the CCA Polaris (which I passed on to a friend starting their IEM journey). Right now, I have the Xenns Mangird Tops on loan, but I won’t compare them to the KB02s—that wouldn’t be fair. However, I will compare them to the KZ Sonatas ($179 USD) to give some context.


I always take my IEMs and a pair of cheap-ish closed-back headphones when I travel. My portable listening source? Fiio M23—an amazing DAP!

Note:

I have had no experience with bone-conduction so I can’t compare it to anything. It mentions on the website “Best Bass In-ear Earphones Beryllium Dynamic Driver Hybrid HiFi Elastic-piece Type Bone Conduction Best IEM Headphones for singers” and “Due to bone conduction, coupled with the vibration of the shrapnel, the low-frequency effect is particularly prominent and strong. The tone is bright and smooth, and the whole is transparent without losing atmosphere”. Well, the bass is certainly excellent. And there is a shake inside the iem when flicked or banged lightly, like there’s a spring inside – is this the “vibration of the shrapnel”?

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Design, Fit & Accessories:

First impressions: they look and feel great. The cable? It’s fine for the price, but a bit short (1m). I prefer 1.5m for portable use and 2m+ for desktop sessions.

The fit is comfortable (I only tested the large grey-and-red tips). The package includes three types of ear tips—black, white, and grey with red. The packaging is simple, but that’s fine. I’d rather see every cent go into the product itself!

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Sound Breakdown:

Bass:


Wow. Deep, controlled, and no roll-off. It slams when needed and stays polite when asked. If you love rich, satisfying bass, you’re in for a treat.


Mids:

Well-balanced. I get easily fatigued by mid-forward tunings, but that’s not an issue here. The KB02s don’t push vocals too far forward, making them easy to listen to for extended periods.



Treble:

Neutral—neither bright nor shrill. There’s enough detail and clarity to make me reach for them repeatedly. Are they endgame in clarity? No, but for $40, they’re fantastic.

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Soundstage & Imaging:


The soundstage is very good for the price—more left-to-right than top-to-bottom or full 3D. Instruments are well-separated and placed nicely in the mix. Not intimate, but not huge either.


Timbre:


Natural. No fake or plasticky tonality. Some reviewers pick up on subtle timbre differences—I don’t hear anything "off" here.

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My Motley Crew of listening pleasure:



Bobby Bass – Hoist the Colours, and O’ Death (haunted version). Bass is just amazing on both tracks. It literally rumbles but it it’s not overpowering. Vocals go deep and aren’t forward. Treble is very good also.

Sister Doll (a great Aussie glam rock/metal band) – Purgatory (instrumental) and Change. Spanish style accoustic guitar sounded crisp, clean, with depth of sound on Purgatory. Electric guitar was just on point. Wow. On Change, distortion from electric guitar was….well, electric!! Mids and treble here were lush and sweet. All balanced so well.

Jamie Berry – Lost in the Rhythm and Grandiose – punchy, energetic, dynamic, clear and bassy (as it should be). Engaging and fun. Bass really does go low.

Deadmau5 - I remember – bass bass bass. Clarity shines here. Fun, dynamic and no distortion as I go to dangerous levels (only for a couple of seconds).

Toto – Hold the Line – Clarity, excellent detail and separation, engaging. Everything has it’s place and is well balanced. Timbre is very natural to me.

Kansas – Carry on Wayward Son – this is quite a well staged (wide sound) song and it excels on the KB02s. Once again, everything is in balance with no complaints from me at all. When the piano kicks in, it’s just beautifully done. The timbre of the piano is natural and lively, then the bass guitar enters the scene. Wow. Lovely gobs of clean, well controlled bass. Great song to listen through the KB02s.

The Omnific – The Labryrinth Chronicles (instrumental). Bass is clean, deep and slappy (it’s a slappy bass-driven song). Really exciting, energetic and punchy.



Scalability – Big Surprise!

I hooked the KB02s up to my Burson Soloist 3X GT, Geshelli J2 DAC, and Eversolo DMP-A6 on low gain, 3.5mm output and...

Everything improved DRAMATICALLY!!

Soundstage expanded.

Clarity improved.

Everything became weightier and more solid. A real step up from the M23.

I could now here instruments expanding wider and placed more spaciously. Clarity improved (without showcasing more treble), and everything was, for want of a better term, weightier and more solid. These did not sound like $40 iems on my Fiio M23. On my desktop setup, they genuinely sounded like $200+ iems. The improvement was amazing!!!


Cable – way too short for desktop, but that’s a minor complaint.

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Comparison:


KBEAR KB02 vs. KZ Sonatas ($179 USD)

The KZ Sonatas are better, as expected for 4x the price:

✔ More open and full-sounding across all frequencies.

✔ Better separation and staging—closer to a "hall" effect.

✖ Less prominent bass—more neutral tuning.


However, considering the KB02s cost just $40, they hold their own incredibly well.



Final Thoughts – Are They Worth It?

Absolutely.



✔Do you love great bass? Buy these.

✔ Want excellent value? Buy these.

✔ Not unfairly comparing them to much pricier IEMs? Buy these.



Would I take them when I travel? ✅ Happily.

Would I be okay with just these if I lost my Sonatas? ✅ Yes, yes, YES!

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KBEAR, you’ve made one hell of a budget-friendly bone conduction IEM. Well done!

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Build/comfort/aesthetics – 8/10

Sound quality – 8/10

Value for money – 9/10

Overall Score:
A solid 8/10, especially considering their low price.



Would love to see a longer, thicker cable, but aside from that? A total steal at $40.
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SherryLion

New Head-Fier
The Best Implementation Of Bone Conduction Driver At An Affordable Price! The KBEAR KB02
Pros: 1. V-shape tuning with intuitive bass
2. Seamless integration of both types of drivers
3. Safe sounding tuning
Cons: 1. Lacks in some technical aspects

Review Of The KBEAR KB02


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Introduction


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While this is my first experience with a KBEAR product, I've previously explored and reviewed TRI products, which I understand to be a subsidiary of KBEAR. Learning that KBEAR is one of the pioneering and trustworthy names in the electro-acoustic industry, they've earned a reputation for providing great value in both cables and in-ear monitors (IEMs). Their cables, in particular, have been highly acclaimed for their quality and user satisfaction.

I've kept an eye on their developments, and they've been consistently launching budget-friendly IEMs. The latest, the KB02, is among them. As an upgrade from the KB01, it boasts several enhanced features, which I will detail shortly. But first, I want to address a few key points.


Disclaimer


*Since this unit tour was organised by the kindly people at Keephifi, I am grateful to them. As I've said in all of my evaluations, the same is true for this one: all of the concepts I've expressed below are entirely my own, original ideas that haven't been influenced by anyone else. If interested, go to this link.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to these IEMs as “KB02.”
*I am using different ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the KB02 based on its performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.
*Please understand that all opinions expressed in this review are my personal perspective and are not intended to offend anyone’s beliefs or experiences. Therefore, I kindly request a respectful and thoughtful approach to this review, even if it differs from your viewpoint.


Specification


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KB02 is a hybrid driver IEM that features two drivers on each side. The drivers include a 10mm deryllium-plated dynamic driver and a 10mm elastic-piece type bone conduction driver. I’m not sure if they use a crossover, but the implementation of this configuration is very cohesive, which I’ll explain more about later.

The shells are significantly larger than average resin-built IEM shells due to the bone conduction driver. I believe this positioning is intentional to achieve the desired sound presentation. Regardless, the comfort and fit are excellent. The body is ergonomically shaped and accommodates most ear shapes without any issues.

The shells have a beautiful glittering blue faceplate with the KBEAR logo in the center and a black body. The cable is a 6N OFC cable, which I believe is the same as the one included with Kiwi Ears IEMs. I think this is a great cable for the price because it’s thin, flexible, and behaves well. It doesn’t retain much shape and complements the shells’ shade and color. The cable has a two-pin connection on one side and a 3.5mm straight plug on the other.

The package also includes various eartips in different sizes and types.

Moving on to technical specifications, the impedance is 40 Ohms, the sensitivity is 108dB, and the frequency response range is from 20Hz to 20kHz.


Sound


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Now, to break the silence on the shouty response that I heard people anticipating after looking at the graph, the response is not shouty, sibilant, or peaky, especially when it comes to the vocals. Surprisingly, the response has one of the best vocals I have ever heard. Perhaps the credit goes to how the bone conduction driver is implemented. To be honest, the lively and vibrant quality of the bone conduction driver produces a unique sound that is not new but noticeably different, which I will explain in more detail.

It is not uncommon to see a tuck before 300Hz, an elevated midrange, and a 12k peak in the treble region, which creates that sense of air and space in the overall mix. Consequently, such a response sounds V-shaped, with a focus on clarity and liveliness across the spectrum. And with the bone conduction driver, it becomes a truly magical experience.


Treble


As the graph suggests, the response has an unusual appearance. After 12kHz, it drastically drops but improves the tonal balance, even though it lacks realistic quality. Such a response creates a sense of air and openness in the mix, making the overall sound spacious and well-proportioned. The vocals reciprocate this airiness and linearity, while the instruments sound revealing and energetic. The upper treble has an unevenness that benefits the mix by preventing sibilance and metallic qualities from introducing harshness. Consequently, the upper treble is laidback and relaxed. On the other hand, the lower treble is full of energy and brings a vibrant sound where the vocals and instruments have a forward approach, engaging the listener without any offensive characteristics. For example, listening to “Mizukagami no Sekai” by Marina Horiuchi sounds well-controlled in terms of its spice and bite in the upper frequencies, which becomes noticeable with many IEMs. However, listening through the KB02, the response sounded blissful, especially for her vocals and the percussion that sounded a bit closed in. Therefore, the overall presentation of the treble region is uneven, energetic, and safe-sounding.

Mid Range


Now, let’s talk about the midrange. Vocal enthusiasts will absolutely adore these IEMs. The treble region adds a spacious and airy quality to the mix, positioning the vocals in the center and the instruments around them, complementing them perfectly. The notes have more weight and better tonality, resulting in a rich and fuller sound that’s forward and engaging. The upper midrange is elevated, sharing the synergy of the lower treble and creating an open and light presentation without compromising the integrity of the notes.

On the other hand, the lower midrange is where I have a different perspective. Even though the response is subdued, the notes have structural perfection when it comes to reproducing vocals and certain instruments that surface effortlessly. The girth and low tone of the male vocals are noticeable, while the female vocals have a softness and vibrance in the notes. The guitars and toms have strong base notes that produce a fuller response without any heaviness or dullness.

I believe this is possible because of the bone conduction driver and how it’s implemented. Listening to tracks like “With Or Without You” by U2 and “Africa” by Toto, the instruments come alive with physicality, creating an enigmatic and vibrant sound, especially when compared to IEMs like MEXT and Grit. The male vocals sound breathy and more revealing, while the female vocals sound vivacious and fresh. The drums also have a notable impact and dynamics.

Overall, the midrange region of these IEMs presents a lively, airy, and forward-sounding sound.


Bass


The bass region is particularly intriguing to me due to the seamless integration of the bone conduction driver. The response delivers good bass texture and details that evoke a similar sensation to listening to bass. While it may not be entirely realistic, the impact and physicality of the driver have remarkable control over the overall presentation. Although the emphasis is on the sub bass region, the presence of the mid bass is not underpowered. In fact, it adds vibrancy and embodies the natural tonality without elevating the boominess or bloat. The sub bass sounds deep and produces subtle rumbles with well-controlled punches. The mid bass, on the other hand, has good heft in its impact, creating weighty notes while maintaining control and preventing it from leaking into the mids.

Such a response does bring some bass notes to the forefront and become prominent in the mix. However, the bass dynamic and texture are fantastic for the price. For instance, listening to “What A Feeling” by Irene Clara sounds absolutely fantastic without overpowering her vocals, which sound high and mighty. The bass brings forward some notes that aren’t very prominent in the mix. The bass sounds authoritative when necessary and produces deep notes that become noticeable in the mix without hindering the overall response.

For example, listening to many EDM tracks with heavy bass, such as “Signal” by ISOxo, “Condition” by JEANIE, or “Rumble” by Skrillex, all emphasize the sub bass and are very well-surfaced, which tends to sound powerful but doesn’t affect the upper frequencies.

In conclusion, the overall presentation of the bass region is physical, impactful, and controlled.


Technical Performance


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Now, let’s talk about the technical agility of this IEM. It certainly holds its own against its peers in the same segment, especially when it comes to stage, imaging, and separation. However, the details and resolution are average for the price, neither impressive nor weak. But overall, the presentation works exceptionally well for such a response. Let me provide more detailed explanation.

Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation


The stage is incredibly holographic and bears a resemblance to the TRI Starriver, another 40USD IEM. The image is clear and sharp, but it could have been enhanced if the stage were spread out more. However, the separation between notes is truly remarkable, and the distinction between them aids in pinpointing the source of the sound.

Speed & Resolution


Now, let’s discuss the resolution. The macro details are excellent, but the micro details lag behind. The rapid attack and decay of the notes can sometimes sound unclear, particularly in tracks that prioritize the bass. Nevertheless, it doesn’t result in any bloatiness or a vague response.

Sound Impressions


Sources


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Sony WM1A - While listening to the WM1A, the response sounded less holographic but more widespread, with vocals still being the centerpiece of the presentation. Although the presentation as a whole sounds a bit less forward and more spacious, with vocals and instruments in the lower treble and upper midrange taking a backseat. The bass retains its authoritative characteristic but sounds more centered and less physical, yet more dynamic. The treble sounds better extended and smoother.

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FiiO M15S - While listening to the M15S, the response sounded stagnant and prominent across the entire spectrum. However, the midrange and bass sounds were more prominent and engaging. The vocals sounded vibrant, while the instruments had a clear response. The low notes produced an authoritative approach and sounded much more impactful and textured.

Tracks


Millet - Anytime Anywhere
Anri - I can’t stop the loneliness
Kohana Lam - A Few Sentimental
Kohana Lam - Loving Me, Loving You
Uru - Kimino Shiawasewo
Uru - Kamihitoe
Kujira Yumemi - Kenka
Majiko - Kokoronashi
Anly - Sukinishinayo
Kohama Lam - A Few Sentimental
Kohana Lam - Loving Me, Loving You
Miliyah - Kono Yumega Samerumade
Rokudenashi - The Flame Of Love
Yu-Peng Chen - A New Day with Hope
Yu-Peng Chen - Another Hopeful Tomorrow
Yu-Peng Chen - For Riddles, for Wonders
Valentino Khan - Satellite
Kai Wachi - Happier By Now
Jawns - Erotica
ISOxo - how2fly
Kai Wachi - Happier By Now
Weeknd - Popular
YUNGBLUD - When We Die(Can We Still Get High)
Bring to Horizon - Kool-Aid
Middle Kids - Bend
FLETCHER - Leads Me On
Loathe - Aggressive Evolution
The Weeknd - Save Your Tears
Sigrid - Burning Bridges
AURORA - Black Water Lilies
AURORA - Runaway
X Ambassadors - Renegades
Lupe Fiasco - Words I Never Said
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Can’t Hold Us
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
Jay-Z - Run This Town
Lady Gaga - Poker Face
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Ladytron - Ghost
Travis - Love Will Come Through
LINKIN PARK - Somewhere I Belong
DJ Shadow - Six Days (Remix)
Hoobastank - The Reason
Ricky Martin - I Don’t Care
Tool - 7empest
Tool - Vicarious
A Flock Of Seagulls - Space Age Love Song
Zack Hemsey - Vengeance
Elton John - I’m Still Standing
The Moody Blues - Nights In White Satin
Micheal Sembello - Maniac
Guns N’ Roses - Sweet Child O’ Mine
A.R. Rahman - Kun Faya Kun


Conclusion


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To conclude this review, I want to commend KBEAR’s efforts in integrating bone conduction technology into an affordable in-ear monitor. The overall package appears appealing and engaging, offering listeners a taste of bone conduction drivers at an affordable price.

The implementation is seamless, and both drivers blend together harmoniously. The treble is airy and energetic, while the midrange is lively and vibrant. The bass delivers a physical and immersive experience, reminiscent of the Unique Melody MEXT.

Whether you’re listening to EDM, pop, orchestral, metal, or rock music, the KBEAR KB02 consistently delivers exceptional sound quality. It’s an easy recommendation, especially considering the value for money and the impressive sound performance it offers.
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Comments

$39.99 BUDGET Bone Conduction IEM?? | KB02 IEM Review | Sourse:kvn (oImagine)

Disclaimer: Product was provided to me by @KEEPHIFI . But all opinions are my own.

KB EAR is a semi well known budget CHIFI IEM brand and is known to produce some great products in their targetted price range.


What's Included?
- 3 variations of tips with 3 sizes for each
- Cable
- KB EAR KB02 IEM
- Instruction Manual

Build Quality & Initial Thoughts
The build of the KB02 actually feels quite nice for the price, it's a very light IEM with a hand polished resin shell which looks clean. With the faceplate, they went with purple, blue and a orange blue mix for colour options and they all look pretty clean. When tapping on the shell there's this springy echoey vibrating sound that travels through the shell which I'm assuming is to do with the bone conduction, it's something I've never felt before in an IEM. The cable though, is thin and not that impressive, and the seal of the KB02 is very good.

Comfort
This IEM is surprisingly comfortable, the way the shell feels is quite universal, very lightweight, medium sized shell with not too many weird curvatures, just a shell that fits in your ear very snug and doesn't hurt during long hours of gaming or music listening (I have medium sized ears).

Sound - Music
Here's where the fun happens, the KB02 honestly sounds pretty good for $40, the mids are acceptable but not amazing, upper mid range lacked a bit and almost has a harman ish sound when it gets into the upper range, however when a lower sub bass came during a song there was rumbling but subtle. The bass does surprise me though and is a punchy IEM. Vocals do feel a bit weaker here with these, treble is quite weak and the bass sorta overpowers everything else in a way. Sound is GOOD for the price, I'm just saying these things because I have to note down my testing, but they're all nothing major especially for this level of an IEM.

Sound - Gaming (VALORANT)
For gaming, the imaging is quite clear with gunshot sounds sounding heavy and a tad bloated most likely due to the bass tuning, footsteps can be a little hard to distinguish sometimes but 9/10 times were fine. Imaging and layering is pretty good overall but not super clear or crazy accruate. It was honestly quite good for gaming and I was on these IEMS for a week and I wasn't opposed to using them at all.

Comparison vs Wraith Sense IEMs
KB02 blows the Wraith Sense IEM out of the water as it sounds just unclear like 1080p vs 480p and very uncomfortable, wanted to take them out after 2 comp games in valorant. It sounds a hell of a lot better overall with clear more detailed sounds.

Comparison vs Truthear Crinacle Zero
I would say it sounds quite similar to the zero but with a more bassy punchy sound, I would say that the clarity and imaging is ever so slightly better with the zero for gaming but for music I prefer the KB02.

Conclusion
These IEMs are worth the $40, and punch above it's price point in my opinion, I honestly don't have a lot of time and experience with low budget IEMs but I don't feel opposed to using these whatsoever and would happily use them. An IEM perfect for those wanting to get a first IEM.


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