KEFINE DELCI

Introduction​

Hello everyone!! I have the Kefine Delci, the latest single DD IEM from Kefine. Kefine has been in the market with the launch of their Planar IEM, the Kefine Klanar. The Delci was their latest offering, featuring a 10mm DLC+PU diaphragm dual-cavity dynamic driver. As per Kefine, the DLC diaphragm delivers a high-quality sound, and the dual-cavity driver ensures a powerful bass response. Kefine has designed Delci through CNC machining giving a gunmetal finish and is exceptionally light on the ears in actual use cases. The IEM comes with a detachable 2-Pin 0.78mm with dual-color, made of 164 copper wires terminating in 3.5mm. Wide and narrow bore silicon tips of 3 sizes are included. The carry case provided is of a very decent size for fitting the IEMs, cable, and tips inside. The build quality of the IEM and its cable appears excellent considering the price point.



The included tips did not provide me a great seal and appear a little flimsy especially the wide bores which I use for most use cases. I tip-rolled and settled with Divinus Velvet – I found them apt for this IEM. At the time of this writing, I have this IEM run for more than 100 hours which includes burn-in. The IEM has a warm-colored sound that extends to the treble and is very musical sounding. I would thank Collin Yang from Kefine for arranging this review sample. Highly appreciate the gesture. So without further ado, here we go to the best of my intentions and abilities:

Specifications​

- Drivers – 10mm DLC + PU Dynamic Drivers
- Frequency Response – 20Hz – 20kHz
- Sensitivity – 108dB
- Impedance – 28 ohms

Disclaimer​

• The review is my own based on extensive and critical listening and was not influenced by any written or video review.
• The review is subject to unit variance and my personal listening preferences.
• The review is subject to the gears I used for testing – DAC/ DAP/ Tips/ quality of the track
• Last but not least, I have no affiliation with the supplier of the IEM.

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Gears used for testing​

• S24 Ultra
• Cayin RU7
• Tempotec V6
• Spotify Premium

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Driveability/ Scalability​

I used Kefine Delci mainly with 2 sources only – Cayin RU7 for the most part and Tempotec V6 sometimes. The IEM is easier to drive and does not require much power to shine. I did not use any other dongles in my possession during my extensive listening. I find the RU7 paired well with Delci as it offered a more musical sound between the two. However, the differences between the two are not contrasting either.

The Sound Impressions​

Bass​

Sub-bass has a great depth with an excellent rumble and is enveloping with a lot of air. The texture is very decent – Not the best and the quantity dominates the quality of sub-bass at times. Sub-bass separation from the rest of the frequencies was done well.

Mid-bass has an excellent body and is very authoritative in the overall frequency spectrum. The speed is decent and sounds balanced in its execution and decay giving the much-needed impact. However, the slam/ attack is on the softer side and is not very hard-hitting if that is your preference. I find the attack on the kick drums slightly on the softer side.

The sound is warm in general and the control exercised here is great as there is a good balance between the bleed and a boring sound. The tone appears accurate too but can get a little clouded in the complex mix at times due to the overall bass body – However, no complaints considering the price point. I noticed a little boom during my initial listen, however, not much anymore. The resolution/ texture is decent considering the price point. More inclined on quantity and quality is sufficient for an enjoyable listen. I enjoyed the rocking bass performance here but it can get too much for some. This IEM is not for those who prefer a neutral uncolored sound as the sound is colored to an extent. Overall, a proper bass head IEM that bleeds a little and is right on the balance.

Mids​

Instrumentation

The bass bleed from the mid-bass is minimal and appears rightly appropriate for a bass-focused IEM. The note weight is in general fuller and occupies the entire audible space. As a result, the sound is more balanced and rounded than crispy, especially in the bass-heavy tracks. Instrumentation has an excellent body and weight. One of the excellent aspects of this IEM is its tone/ tonality. Sounds very natural imparting a lasting impression.

The timbre appears accurate and authentic with a nice body and is not thin sounding at all. The detail/ resolution is commendable in the midrange considering a bass-boosted IEM with a slightly recessed lower midrange and is adequately balanced between crispiness and roundedness. String instruments sound excellent with good body and dynamics. There is a slight harshness noticed with the upper registers of instruments such as woodwinds and brass, however, well-controlled overall. Not fatiguing. Very well-managed upper mids within decent volume ranges.

Overall, I had a balanced and fantastic listening experience as far as Instrumentals go – accurately balanced among the details, crispiness, and note weight. The technicalities like the accurate staging and excellent imaging contribute to the overall listening experience. Pretty impressive stuff considering the price point.

Vocals​

Male vocals

Warmer with a nice weight and texture. Does not sound distant or dry. Not very forward either and are rightly placed considering my tastes. Clarity is great without unneeded warmth.

Female vocals

Energetic sounding but not on the face with a little warmth present. Placement is good. Can sound a little harsh at times but is very manageable – ‘Sss’ sibilant sound is present but is a very rare sight in my playlist – I wouldn’t worry about this much in the overall scheme of things and I feel it is more of a natural occurrence. Clarity is great overall.

Treble​

The treble is smoother overall with no harshness. A rare sibilance noticed as mentioned above and can be ignored in general – but still present nonetheless. I found the Kefine Delci dark sounding during my initial listening hours however, it has improved much better now making it a better wholesome IEM. There is a slight amount of warmthness that blankets the treble region giving a good body to the treble notes. The details have improved overall and the mid/ upper treble does not sound overlapping/ congested anymore. The hi-hat cymbal strikes are still on the softer side and lack a bit of shimmer/ sparkle up top due to the overall warmth of the IEM and treble roll-off. Still, it is dark sounding especially for treble heads.

The extension is decent with decent air. Not a very detail-oriented treble but the resolving capabilities in the treble region are good considering the price point. Overall, a decent treble performance that contributes positively to the overall sound of the IEM.

Technicalities​

The soundstage appears more accurate than being widely spacious, molding according to the venue. You get spatial cues from the far side of the venue depending on the track. Both the height and depth are great considering the price point. Imaging is excellent and has a pin-point accuracy with nice stereo Imaging. Resolution and detail retrieval are great for a bassy IEM and maintain the balance between the note weight and crispiness. Layering is again done very well considering the price point. Dynamic presentation is above average. Finally, the tonality is top-notch. Impressive techs.

Comparisons​

I have 2 single DD IEMs around the price point – the Simgot EA500LM and the Kotori Audio Dauntless. As soon as I wrapped my comparisons writing with Simgot, I started listening to Dauntless and I found both of them inherently different from each other. Dauntless is a single DD IEM from Kotori Audio and it has been more than 2 years since its launch.

It has been a while since I have listened to Dauntless which has a neutral bright tonality different from the basshead-leaning Delci. After some hearing, it didn’t make sense to me to compare dissimilar tunings intended for varied audiences, although both have a single DD. It is not fair to both of them. So, I did not proceed any further. Also, I wanted to include Delci’s elder brother Klanar for comparison but I have hardly listened to that IEM after my first impressions. Klanar should undergo its due burn-in time before I judge them. I will include a small comparison with Delci in my Klanar review.

Kefine Delci and Simgot EA500LM are equipped with Divinus Velvet tips. Tempotec V6 and Cayin RU7 were used for comparisons. Let’s see how Kefine Delci performs against the Simgot EA500LM.

Build and Fit​

I had no issues in terms of fit with both of them especially after I tip-rolled to Velvet Tips. Both have a snug fit. There is no discomfort with either, but Kefine Delci is more comfortable. Kefine Delci is crafted through CNC machining and is very light on weight and small compared to Simgot. Simgot incorporates a 2nd generation Lithium – Magnesium Dome Diaphragm.

Driveability​

Both are easy to drive, however, Simgot is more audible at a given volume level in comparison.

Sound​

Sub-bass​

Quantity is more or less the same on both with Kefine Delci leading slightly above. Depth and rumble are slightly better with Kefine Delci. There is a feeling of more air with Kefine Delci. I find the texture slightly better with Kefine Delci again because the sub-bass separation from vocals is done well in comparison. Overall, the Sub-bass is more impactful on Kefine Delci.

Mid-bass​

Slam/attack is better on Simgot and is hard-hitting/impactful in comparison to the Kefine Delci. Bass speed is fast with Simgot leading to better dynamics overall and has a more focused approach. Bass is slightly more resolving and textured with Simgot. The Kefine Delci is not far behind in any of the above aspects. Both have a tasteful mid-bass with different minds. Quantity is more with the Kefine Delci appears much fuller in comparison. Kefine Delci leans more toward the Basshead territory whereas Simgot sounds more neutral, less colored, and more clean sounding in comparison. Overall, Simgot is a little more engaging to me because of the better resolution and dynamics, and likewise, Kefine Delci too for its fuller sound. Both are tuned differently that cater to different needs. Listener’s preference in the end.

Instrumentation​

Simgot sounds more clean in comparison due to the less presence of warmth especially in bassy tracks. Simgot has better resolution, clarity, and details in comparison to Kefine Delci. Piano hits, Acoustic guitar sounds more clear and there is a good balance between musicality and being analytical. Whereas Kefine Delci is more musical due to the touch of warmth. Note weight is better on the Kefine Delci and appears fuller. Tonality is better on the Kefine Delci for me and timbre appears more accurate too due to the better-controlled upper registers of instruments such as Violin, Woodwinds, etc. Simgot sounds a little harsh at times to me. Again mitigated to an extent through volume management but my overall preference for the tone and timbre is Kefine Delci. However, I see slightly better separation in complex tracks with Simgot.

Overall they both operate neck on neck here and it all boils down to the listener’s preference. But Kefine Delci is a much smoother and more relaxed listen in comparison. Simgot can be fatiguing at times but can sound slightly clearer in comparison. For me, Kefine Delci achieves a perfect balance here, and I enjoyed listening more to Kefine Delci. I prefer the Simgot too for the clarity and dynamics it offers.

Vocals​

Both the male and female vocals are a little forward and have a tad more clarity and texture on the Simgot. The details surrounding the vocals like the air, breathe are more audible on Simgot. But the female vocals can be fatiguing on the Simgot with a more energetic presentation. Well-controlled on Kefine Delci. However, I prefer the Simgot for vocals. It has some magic with the vocals – vocals are centered well and given more prominence in the mix. At times I prefer the Kefine Delci too when the female vocals are overly energetic and sound harsh on Simgot. Like in Kefine Delci, I noticed rare random sibilance in Simgot as well. Both are not alarming either and tend to be the natural occurrence but the sensitive folks are warned nonetheless.

Treble​

Simgot has an energetic presentation compared to Delci. Can be more fatiguing as a result. Kefine Delci is much smoother in comparison. The presence with its hi-hat cymbals and other upper registers sound not so refined to me at times on Simgot in comparison to the softer sound on Kefine Delci. Combined with an energetic presentation on Simgot, results in a not-very-resolving sound in the mid to upper treble regions. There is sparkle and good air felt with the Simgot but in complex tracks, the resolution is more affected combined with its unforgiving energetic presentation. Airiness within the treble notes is better with Simgot.

In the end, it is kind of even for me but I am slightly more inclined towards the Kefine Delci due to the overall smoother sound not affecting the overall balance. Whereas Simgot is certainly good with some tracks, however, at times in tracks like Pan-Plini, I find them less resolving in treble notes with a comparatively more energetic presentation affecting the balance. I am not a fan of Kefine Delci Treble either.

Technicalities​

Overall resolution and details are better on the Simgot and the way both were tuned has a say in this. Stage width appears accurate on both molding to the venue depending on the track. Depth appears great on both but I’m slightly leaning more towards Simgot here. Height appears to be the same and good. Imaging is very precise on both. Stereo imaging is done well on both but more distinguishably noticeable on Simgot. Layering is more or less similar on both. Dynamics are better with Simgot.

Comparison Conclusion​

Kefine Delci has a more balanced presentation to the overall sound whereas Simgot tends to get more energetic effecting that balance at times. That is the main takeaway here. Simgot is technically more competent in my opinion, especially in the dynamics presentation but Delci is no slouch either. I enjoyed both on their terms and I prefer Delci for more enjoyable laidback listening whereas Simgot for more critical listening. Both complement each other and serve different purposes.

Kefine Delci Review Closing Thoughts​

I see Kefine Delci as an all-round musical IEM with a warm sound and has no major real weakness considering the price point. Balance is the apt word achieved right with this IEM among the note weight, crispiness, and details imparting a very musical sound. The sound is organic with an excellent bass and tonality. Mid-range has good detail and warmth in its presentation. A smooth treble performance that positively contributes to the overall tone of this IEM, but may not satisfy the treble heads in the process. The stage and imaging are impressive contributing to its musical sound. Overall, a well-tuned bassy IEM, favoring balance and ensuring extended relaxed listening.

Hello everyone, and thank you for joining. Today, I am reviewing the Kefine Delci, an IEM with a dynamic driver. This unit was sent by Collin Yang from Kefine for review purposes. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the team for providing me with the sample. The impressions in this review are in no way influenced. I write what I hear.




Kefine, a relatively new company from China, made a surprising debut in the market with their first release, the Klanar. The Klanar, a planar IEM, stands out for its musical nature, particularly its distinctive bass. The warm, musical tuning of the Klanar impressed me so much that I initially found it hard to believe it was a planar IEM. Building on this promising start, Kefine released their second IEM, the Delci, which has been highly praised by the community for its excellent tuning. Let's see what the IEM has to offer.




Rating Criteria:

I want to lay out my rating criteria before we start off. For me, the primary criterion for evaluating audio gear is its intrinsic value rather than its price tag. A higher price doesn't always correlate with superior quality, and similarly, a low-priced product can give enough listening pleasure for it to be called outstanding. I consider the build, features, and, most importantly, the impact on the listening experience. The fundamental purpose of audio gear is to enhance the listening experience. So for me, this degree of enhancement in the listening experience is a key determinant in rating a product.

Rating below 4: I really won't be posting reviews of such items unless someone has asked for them.
Rating of 4: The product is good, and some users may find it more satisfactory, but it does come with a few caveats, such as price, fit, etc.
Rating of 4.5: The product is excellent and comes with an easy recommendation, reflecting its high quality and overall positive attributes.
Rating of 5: This product can be deemed groundbreaking, a trendsetter, and an eye-opener and deserves a spot on everyone's list due to its exceptional features and outstanding performance.



Configuration:






Design, build, and fit:

Delci features a 10mm dynamic driver that combines diamond-like carbon (DLC) and PU composite materials to deliver vibrant highs and powerful lows.

Delci shares many similarities with Kefine's previous release, Klanar. The unboxing experience and presentation remain nearly identical. The shells of Delci, although smaller, are built similarly using a single piece of aluminum alloy through CNC machining. Delci maintains a lightweight build, weighing only 5.3g per side, making it one of the lightest metal earphones I have tried. It is quite comfortable for longer hours of listening.




The nozzle is slightly smaller than typical IEMs, requiring a well-paired ear tip for a good fit. The choice of ear tips significantly impacts the sound, especially the bass reproduction. A narrow bore ear tip slightly tames the treble. The SPifit W1 ear tips pair excellently with the Delci, offering pronounced and deep bass.

The Kefine Delci comes with a matching detachable audio cable and practical accessories. The dual-color cable, constructed of 164 copper wires in a 54x2+28x2 configuration, features a 2-pin interchangeable design and a 3.5mm termination. As with the Klanar, this cable pairs perfectly with the Delci.





Sound:

Delci has nice, warm tuning with a very decent bass and a smooth midrange.

The bass is the star of the show. From the first moment I put the IEM on, I liked what I was hearing. Delci is a nice musical IEM with a very decent amount of bass. Remember, this bass is tasty, provided you get a decent insertion. This is a deep-hitting subbass, with a very balanced midbass that is not overdone and does not overwhelm at any point.

While I like the layering and texture of this bass, it is not the cleanest bass. However, for the price of the IEM, this bass is more than satisfying. It's worth mentioning, the bass on Klanar is also quite nice. Kefine can tune the bass really nicely.

Coming to the midrange, the midrange is not quite clean and detailed, but it tries to stay musical for sure. The lower mids are lush and rich, with a good hint of warmth, but not to the level I would like them to be. The string instruments sound good with enough weight, but there is some thinness in the vocals.

The upper mids have nice energy and can reach a level of sibilance, occasionally. The resolution is just average, which is evident from the level of clarity in the midrange.


The treble is decent, with a good amount of detailing and energy. The strikes of cymbals have good decay and do not sound too bright. On busier metal tracks with more cymbal attacks and busier passages, it can overlap and get shrill sometimes, and the resolution is just average. All said, there is a well-controlled treble that does not miss out much.

In terms of technical aspects, the soundstage is decent, with a decent width and depth. There is a good sense of spaciousness, which is even greater when the IEM is fed by a decent source. The other technical aspects are decent enough.




With a better cable, there is a nice refinement in the sound, and the midrange has better resolution, which makes the IEM a lot more pleasant. If we consider the musical aspect of the IEM, I think some of the shortcomings in the technical aspects can be forgiven.


Comparisons:

SIMGOT EA500LM:


SIMGOT released the EA500LM earlier this year. The IEM received quite a nice welcome from the enthusiasts. I like the build of the shells. It feels really solid, and it fits really well. The shells are on the smaller side. The weight is very well distributed and does not feel heavy. The mirror finish on the shells gives them a great shine but can also be a fingerprint magnet. I find the builds of both the IEM and the Delci to be equally good; however, the Delci is my preference for build and fit.

The isolation is above average, and the shells block some noise from outside; however, they are not super isolated.


In terms of the sound signature, these iems have a bright tuning, and there is a lot of energy maintained throughout the upper midrange and frequency regions.

The bass is good in terms of both quantity and quality. I find the quantity a bit lacking, and it has less quantity than the Delci.

The mids on these iems are rather on the thinner side if compared to the Delci.

The treble has good energy and extension on the EA500LM, a bit more than what we have on Delci. The treble on these IEMs can be a bit fatiguing in longer sessions.

In terms of technical aspects, both of these IEMs are quite similar, so we don't have a clear winner here. Resolution may be a bit better on the EA500LM. Delci has a better spaciousness in its sound.


Conclusion:

Kefine has made a strong entry into the budget market, distinguishing itself with the release of Delci. Much like their earlier model, Klanar, Delci features a well-tuned single dynamic driver that has already garnered a solid fan base in the budget segment. The tuning, especially the bass, is impressive, and the shell design is quite attractive. Most notably, Delci comes with an appealing price tag. As we look to the future, it's clear that Kefine is a brand to watch. Delci is an easy recommendation for anyone seeking a quality budget IEM.

Introduction

The Kefine Delci is the second model of the brand from Dongguan (China). Their first model was the Kefine Klanar, an IEMS with a 14.5mm magnetic planar driver with very good performance and a V-W profile. They were a big surprise in the wide range of planar drivers. For this occasion, Kefine has opted for a classic dynamic driver with a relaxed, warm and musical tuning. Undoubtedly, it seems that Kefine starts from a similar design for both models, as if it were already a trademark of the company. It features a durable and elegant metal housing, CNC-machined from a single piece of aviation-grade aluminium alloy. Each capsule has been polished and anodised to achieve a bronze-coloured texture. It has a dynamic driver with a 10mm diaphragm made of DLC (diamond-like carbon) and PU composite material. It is a dual-cavity driver and neodymium magnet. The double coloured cable is made of 164 copper wires (54x2 + 28x2). It uses the secure 2Pin 0.78mm connection interface and a comprehensive and complete set of accessories. All this for a current price of $75. Let's see what these big IEMS are capable of.



Specifications

• Driver Type: 10mm dual-cavity dynamic driver with DLC + PU diaphragm.
• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz.
• Sensitivity: 108dB ± 3dB.
• Impedance: 28Ω ± 15%.
• Jack Connector: 3.5mm SE gold plated.
• Capsule Connection Type: 2pin 0.78mm.
• Cable Length: 1.2m ± 0.2m.
• Weight per capsule: 5.3g.

Packaging

The Kefine Delci come in a relatively large black box, whose dimensions are 160x124x43mm. On the main side there is a real picture of a capsule and its cable. In the top left corner is the brand name and in the bottom right corner is the model name, all in white letters. On the back side are the product specifications, in English and Chinese. Underneath is a box with the brand name and other information, all in white lettering. Removing the outer carton reveals a black box with the brand name in silver in the centre. Lifting the lid reveals a user manual and warranty card. The capsules are encased in a foam mould at the top and at the bottom is a black zippered case with gold brand lettering. The complete contents are as follows:

• The two Kefine Delci capsules.
• One 4-strand hybrid cable and gold-plated 3.5mm SE connector.
• One user manual and warranty card.
• A zippered carrying case.
• One warranty certificate.
• Three pairs of black silicone tips, sizes SxMxL and wide core.
• Four pairs of black silicone tips, sizes XSxSxMxL and narrow core.

The outer face of the capsules are protected by a plastic foil. The cable is good for the price and I think it is not necessary to replace it, unless you are looking for a balanced connection. A very good zippered case and two sets of tips complete a more than reasonable set of accessories for the price of the set.



Construction and Design

The capsules are manufactured from one-piece aviation-grade aluminium alloy and machined by high-precision CNC machining, polished and anodised afterwards. The external shape of the capsules resembles a semicircle, the top of which has two flat sides. The outer face has two flat sides, a more depressed rim and a higher central circular area, which is where the brand logo is located. They are not too thick. The 2Pin 0.78mm connection interface is integrated into the body, on the short flat side. The connections are gold-plated. The inner side is rounded and has a clear rise to the mouthpieces, which feel well projected. On the inner side there are two holes, one closer to the mouthpiece and one closer to the rim, precisely next to the white lettering indicating the capsule channel. The nozzles are part of the same face and have an inner diameter of 5.5mm and an outer crown of 6.2mm. The approximate total length is 4.5mm. The mouthpieces are protected by two metal filters in the form of a crossed spiral, as well as a white textile sheet.
The dual-coloured hybrid cable is made of 164 copper wires (54x2 + 28x2). It is wound in four strands. The sleeve of the gold-plated 3.5mm SE connector is straight, metallic and of a similar colour to the capsules, in dark bronze. It has two circular notches around it, close to the cable exit. Then there is a small gradient in diameter and it ends in a black rubber sleeve that protects the wires from exiting. The splitter is a metal cylinder of the same type, slightly shorter and with a larger diameter rim at the ends. The pin is a metal ring of the same style which performs its function adequately. The sleeve of the 2Pin 0.78mm gold-plated connectors are both perfect metal cylinders, in keeping with the rest of the cable parts. The pins are mounted on a transparent hard plastic disc. There is white lettering to indicate the channel. The cable that comes out of the sleeves has a coating that gives it the over-ear shape. Finally, the cable has a long black velcro strap which is securely attached by a wide loop to the base of the cable.
Both the cable and capsules are of the same design, and the build quality of both elements fully lives up to the price, even better than some of the nearby competition. Perhaps, some might have thought that a silver-plated cable might give some compensating properties to the warm and relaxed sound of the Delci. But I also find the choice of materials for the whole set to be a good one. Undoubtedly, totally elegant, understated, durable and also very light, despite its metal construction.



Adjustment and Ergonomics

Specifications state that each capsule weighs 5.3g. Without a doubt, this is a lightweight and very effective design. The semi-circular shape with the asymmetrical and differently sized double flat sides fits the external morphology of my ears precisely and completely. There is no rotation and the fit is unique. Then, the good angle of the mouthpieces, in conjunction with their adequate length, provide a fairly tight fit. The insertion can vary from shallow to medium, depending on our morphology. With my classic large foam-filled tips, the seal is superior, the fit unique and precise. The full integration in my ear is complete, the capsules barely protrude from my ears and stay fully engaged, without movement and achieving a very occlusive, durable, effective and comfortable fit. In addition, the level of sound insulation achieved is superior, thanks to such perfect integration. Undoubtedly one of the best fits I have ever had. Excellent ergonomics.



Sound

Profile

The profile of the Kefine Delci is in the current trend of smooth tuning in upper midrange and treble, starting from an emphasised sub-bass area. It is a relatively balanced, musical and very pleasant profile for those who like full, yet clean bass and a controlled high end. It is true that this is the current trend, but the Delci has been on the market for a few months now and is undoubtedly one of the clear exponents of this tuning capable of providing hours of musical enjoyment.
On the other hand, Delci's require a bit of power to shine to their full potential.



Bass

The sub-bass is the star of the show. Noticeably lifted, maintained just enough to keep it clean, but ample to retain body, punch and a deep, natural sonority. It's comforting to see a bass curve like the Delci's, it's something I look for and this model doesn't disappoint. And, of course, it has all the attributes you would expect from a dynamic driver of this level: punch, power, presence, body, quickness, speed, accuracy, depth and dryness. It is agile in the hit and has a concrete fade, without a lot of aftertaste. It even has a little more texture than other drier, more technical and smoother drivers. The elevation in the sub-bass gives it a more sensory sonority that slightly shies away from the grandeur and exaggerated volume of other, more mid-bass oriented drivers. In this way, the Delci trades physicality for punch, body and volume. This is certainly a way to clean and thin the bass, but give it a dark, deep colour, with a more sensory and less aggressive base. The advantage is to mitigate the heaviness of the bass and limit the bleed.
In the very low frequency pure tone test, the true response of the Delci in the sub-bass is proven: the undulatory character is almost minimal, that physical and sensory sensation is appreciated in the LFOs, with no trace of colouration, with a very adequate behaviour and execution. The 30Hz sound is canonical, a mixture of strength, depth, naturalness, physical and sensory sensation. Without a doubt, the Delci's are an example of very adequate reproduction in this price range.
The real-world translation of dirty, complex and unfiltered bass is easy: the behaviour is as good as it is supposed to be. There is no problem at all in reproducing complicated, mixed, fuzzy and badly recorded bass lines. The Delci sounds natural, punchy, tight, well-defined, controlled and never loses control, even if the bass passages are heavy or poorly recorded. It has good layering power, separation and defines bass lines with ease. And all this, with that extra energy and punch in the low end. As it should be.



Mids

The Delci have a powerful bass and the smoothness of the upper midrange makes them quite balanced at these extremes. This also contributes to the first half of the mids having a firm and forceful base, while the obvious unevenness between the midranges is not very representative. In that way, the male voices are not completely lean, but enjoy that good base that makes them warmer, stronger, even fuller. They are not shown in the foreground, but they are represented quite fully, with a mixture of musical exuberance and warmth. On very similar terms are the female voices. Admittedly, they possess a little more punch and height, but always under a smooth, sibilance-free control that makes them very pleasant and honeyed. In this way, the midrange is certainly thick, broad and full, it has two generous extremes and its centre is not too decayed. The result is rich, with a sense of brightness, cleanness and clarity that pushes it out of the dark class, but without over-elevating it, in order to maintain balance and an always enjoyable and pleasing smoothness. The balance also shows in the instrumentation, the Delci have found a good level of homogeneity in the centre range. It is clear that the middle of the centre is the weakest point, but this has been minimised as much as possible. In that sense, the timbre is shown to have that point of warmth, but with some sparkle as well, as well as being very well represented harmonically, from its base to the upper treble. It is certainly not a splashy sound and the details are not pushed, but are in keeping with the full presence of the basic elements. As a result, the sound is very harmonious, even, full, relatively dense and rich, but just crisp, clean and clear, with just enough transparency to enliven the whole. These are not mid-centric IEMS, but the Delci's have a well-flanked structure in bass and treble, as well as a good balance of their own, to deliver a midrange rich and brimming enough to be enjoyed in a relaxed and full manner.



Treble

In my opinion, the Delci's achieve a great balance between representation and smoothness. Overall, the treble is relaxed, but has a certain sparkle that makes it sound realistic and not nuanced. It is not a dulled or over-controlled high end, but has just the right amount of brightness to emphasise the high notes. Even the extension is quite good, while the transition between upper midrange, first treble and second treble is quite homogeneous, making the sound natural and coherent. One could say that the treble is neutral but with a certain lively grace. Those looking for fine, crisp and energetic treble will have to look elsewhere, but if they are satisfied with an accurate and realistic representation, albeit softened in terms of energy, the Delci's are within that pleasant, yet descriptive range without coming across as coarse. Admittedly, at the limit, the amount of air is just a little bit fair, but not negligible.



Soundstage, Separation

The scene feels deep, quite full, relatively dense, but also broad, well rounded, with a large oval shape, which is clearly intruding laterally. There is a good height and a remarkable relationship between the base of the elements and the macro detail. In this respect, the sound is vivid, subtly splashy and distinctly dynamic. In terms of technical performance, the Delci can show some level of micro detail, they have a good level of resolution to do so, but it is not explicit enough to decipher them fully and separately. There is a noticeable sense of transparency and separation, but it lacks better layering so that background elements show up more clearly. In reality, they can be glimpsed, but somewhat mixed in with the rest of the closer nuances. Nevertheless, I don't find the Delci's sound lacking in resolution. I stress again the remarkable balance between the descriptive level of the ensemble, the smoothness and the overall musicality, a compendium that makes it quite rich, even generous. The macro detail is shown more in the foreground and its density can overshadow those nimble elements.
On the other hand, the recreation of the image is very coherent, with a natural arrangement of the elements, without being too precise in the placement, rather relaxed, but with a soft, medium, almost fluid positioning and distance.



Comparisons

JIALAI Carat

The JIALAI Carat is an IEMS from a new sister brand of NiceHCK. They are certainly a direct contender to the Kefine Delci, with a slightly cheaper current price and similar features. The Carat is an IEMS with a 10mm DLC titanium-plated 10mm dynamic driver, while the Delci has a 10mm dynamic driver with DLC + PU diaphragm. Both capsules are made of aluminium alloy, while the Carat have a mirror finish, the Delci have a matt finish. Good accessories on both models, but I prefer the Delci's cable over the Carat's matte cable. I also like the Kefine's case better. In terms of ergonomics, the capsules of the Carat are small and light, they fit well in my ear. But their short mouthpieces penalise the final fit compared to the excellent fit of the Delci. In terms of construction, design, fit and ergonomics, Kefine is a step ahead.
In terms of sound, both follow a similar frequency response, although the Carat has a higher midrange and more emphasised first treble, while the Delci has a higher sub-bass. The Delci's sound is more relaxed, but there is a large part of the curve that is exactly the same, both in the bass and in much of the midrange.
The JIALAI Carat are a little harder to move than the Kefine Delci. But both appreciate a relatively powerful source.
The Carat's bass is a bit slower than the Delci's. Their punch is not as concise and feels a bit more rubbery, springy and extended. The Delci's have a more technical and precise bass, but one that also has good texture. There is a slightly more undulatory character in the Carat's pure tone test, but the behaviour is quite similar, with a comparable timbre and execution. The difference is in the deeper tone where the Carats are less physical and more audible. There is a point of better control and higher retrieval in the Delci, something that defines it as more slick and dynamic.
In the midrange, this technical difference persists in favour of the Delci. There is a point of higher resolution and separation in them, while the Carats are more homogeneous and more blended. Although there is more excitement in the upper midrange of the Carat, the Delci have better definition, even clarity and a sense of openness and transparency than the JIALAI. The sound is not as vivid and dynamic in the Carat and offers a more unified and mixed musicality. On the other hand, that upper midrange is a little rougher, despite the more fluid feel. The Delci is more dynamic, with a more pronounced distance between elements, as well as a more discernible, darker background feel. Its notes are finer and more elevated, it has a more descriptive feel and is also more volatile and expansive.
The treble is a little crisper on the Carat, with a little more overall energy, which gives it a slightly brighter and punchier appearance. The Delci are more relaxed, but also more refined, something that makes them finer and better represented. In my opinion, the Delci sound more natural, better integrated into the overall sound. Meanwhile, the Carat's offer a bit more punch and extension into the air zone.
Neither of the two models are very detailed, they could almost match each other in terms of micro detail. But the Delci have a more open and expansive soundstage. Their better resolution, separation and definition make the nuances and details more discernible and obvious. In the same sense, the image is more precise and obvious on the Kefine.



Conclusion

Kefine has launched its second model called Delci. And it is certainly their second success. The Kefine Delci is a sub-$100 IEMS that is in line with the current trend of pronounced low end bass with upper midrange and relaxed, musical highs. In this respect, they are not inventing anything, because this is already a classic tuning. However, there is now a new twist that seeks to refine or deepen this curve. The Delci's limit themselves to improving small key points: a good design, a good construction, better ergonomics, a precise adjustment, a more than decent cable, useful accessories... And then there is defending what the FR demonstrates, with quality, precision and refinement. And Kefine delivers. Two out of two.



Sources Used During the Analysis

• Aune X8 XVIII Magic DAC + EarMen ST-Amp.
• Burson Audio Playmate II.
• EPZ TP50.
• Hidizs S8 Pro Robin.
• Tempotec V3.

Purchase Link



You can read the full review in Spanish here

Disclaimers

This is a loan unit. I don’t own this IEM. This review is completely subjective.



Accessories

Delci comes with a carrying bag, silicone ear tips and IEM itself. Pretty standard accessories for the price.



Build

Delci is fully made out of metal and it has a good quality cable for the price. Thumbs up for the build quality.



Equipments used for this review

Kefine Delci, Tanchjim Space Lite,Moondrop CDSP, cx31993 dongle


Sound-Tonality and Technicalities

I just love how this IEM sounds. It’s warm and smooth, easy to listen to. Resolution and detail production is alright. Treble range is smooth and it has enough amount. Mid range is not the cleanest but it does the job i think. Vocals feel natural and have a good presentation. Soundstage is above average but the imaging is a bit blurry. Bass is the best thing about Delci. It has a good depth and great note weight. Sub bass is just big and rumbly. Mid bass presentation is a bit too much for my taste but that amount of mid bass is really helping the note weight. Dynamics are average and transient performance is not the best because of bass amount.



Conclusion

Another winner after Klanar by Kefine. Delci is a amazing, warm IEM that costs just around 40-50 dollars. Good job Kefine!

Introduction

Delci is a relatively new iem company. They seem to have appeared from the end of 2023, offering the Klanar – their first ever iem. At the time, it seems to be one of the most sound value planar iem in the market, with its balance tonality and an ergonomic full metal housing. And now, they have released another high sound value iem – The Delci. It is a single DD iem with a 10mm DLC-PU composite diaphragm, with a metal outer shell.

Disclaimer: I would like to thank Mr Collin Yang from Kefine for sending this unit for touring purposes as well as making this review possible. I did not receive any financial benefit from him. Everything I said in this review will be my subjective opinion only.

Packaging

The package of the Delci is quite minimal. It arrives in a small rectangular box. Open it up, you’ll see the iem and the accessories

The accessories include:

· A cable

· A PU-leather carrying case

· 3 pairs of normal bore silicone tips in 3 different sizes

· 3 pairs of wide bore silicone tips in 3 different sizes
· A user manual and a quality certificate paper.

Design/Build quality/Comfort

The Delci has a full metal shell and faceplate. The faceplate has the Kefine logo on it. The shell feels very smooth and has no rough edges around it. The matte finish doesn’t attract fingerprints as well as fine scratches. I have no complaints regarding the build quality of the Delci.

The comfort is very top notch as well. Its smooth surface makes the iem slide in my ears very easily and comfortably. The isolation was only above average though.

The cable is a 4 cores, OFC cable with a 3.5mm connector. It’s soft, neither too thin nor too thick and has no memory. Other hardwares of the cable are made out of metal too. Overall, this is a really nice cable.

Sound impression:

Tonality: Warm neutral

Bass

- Subbass over midbass presentation.

- Heavy dose of bass, yet doesn’t feel overwhelming.

- Subbass rumble is well textured with lots of air movement. Suitable for EDM

- Midbass punches are rounded, yet not clear cutted in definition.

- Kick drums sound present and full with just enough body to them. The plucking of doublebass and cello are more heard than felt, not that it’s too lacking by any means.

- Show the driver’s limitation with aggressive, super fast pace metal tracks.

Mid

- Instruments sound very natural with just enough warmth.

- Surprisingly low amount of bleediness.

- Piano sounds natural, light with good resonance. The stroke of violin feels very smooth and not abrasive

- Goldilock vocals: as in thick - thin, lush - lean at the same time. Good, but weirdly good. Is it neutral? I’d say no due to the apparent coloration.

- Female vocals sound vibrant, lively and just forward enough, but are more prone to sililance at higher volume due to seemingly high 7-10 khz energy.

- Female vocals > Male vocals. Deep male vocals or baritones sound a bit thin to my taste.

Treble

- Smooth, laid back and forgiving treble response

- Light and wispy, decently airy, although with not much bite to it.

- Percussion instruments sounds natural with sufficient sparkle and lingering decay, but they serve more as a background support for the bass and mid

- Not enough brilliance for hardcore treble chaser

Tech

- Around average spatiality, with more width and height than depth.

- Imaging is decent, although the layering is not clear cutted, noticeable in busy orchestra tracks. Instruments and vocals can sound jumbled up together with those tracks.

Comparison

1/ QKZ HBB

Both have a very warm, smooth, relaxing tonality.

For the bass, the Delci is more well controlled, faster and has better texture. The midbass has more girth, thumpier, slam harder on the QKZ HBB, but it sounds more sluggish, evident in many quick paced rock songs. In the grand scheme of things, the bass line on both iems are quite blurry though.

Both sets’ midrange are smooth, however on the QKZ HBB, it has this darker edge tone to it. Delci’s midrange is leaner and thinner. It’s also less sibilant. The instrument has more breathing room with the Delci with more edginess to it. At higher volume, the Delci is a more fatiguing set for sure. Male vocal has more heft on the QKZ HBB, whereas the female vocal is better on the Delci because they sound clearer and a bit more energetic.

Treble is noticeably smoother yet snappier on the Delci, whereas the QKZ HBB’s treble is more jagged, a bit recessed. Less detailed overall.

Soundstage and layering is better on the Delci, unsurprisingly. The resolution is also a notch higher too, with detail retrieval felt more effortless.

All in all, even if the QKZ HBB is a great basshead iem for starters, but if you plan to upgrade it, the Kefine Delci is a very viable candidate.

2/ Simgot EA500LM

These two iem graph may have very similar graph, especially from the bass upto 2khz, but in real life listening, there are more differences to them.

Starting with the bass. The bass on the EA500LM sounds tighter, cleaner, yet doesn’t have that rounded feeling to it like the Delci’s. The EA500LM’s sounds more technical while the Delci’s bass sounds more musical. Bass line felt more distinct with the EA500LM

The midrange on the Delci are a bit lusher, note weight is also denser. Instruments’ timbre are more natural on the Delci. Female vocals sound a bit more forward on the EA500LM. At higher volume, the EA500LM appears to be shoutier.

Treble on the EA500LM is more energetic and sparklier. Cymbals and hihats sounds sharper and crisper.

Soundstage wise, these two are on a similar level, with the Delci being slightly wider, but the EA500LM has better depth. Layering is better on the EA500LM. The EA500LM is also more resolving but more fatiguing in tradeoff.

3/ Tanchjim 4U

On the graph, the stock/Atmosphere mode is the closest to Delci's graph. However, because I felt like this mode is sort of hindering the 4U’s performance, I'll compare the Delci against the 4U’s Pop mode instead. It’s the one that I felt sounded the best.

For the bass, the Pop mode makes the 4U have a heavier subbass roll off and this is quite easy to spot. What this does is that it lowers the bass presence, makes the midrange stand out more, clearer and more align with the treble’s energy. In short, the texture was on a similar level, but if you want a fun type of bass, get the Delci, else if you want a more natural bass line, get the 4U.

On graphs, both are VERY similar to each other, and yes, in real life listening, it can be categorize as warm and smooth. However, with the 4U, the midrange just sounds compressed. Instruments sound natural, although the timbre is a bit dry and analytical. Both male and female vocals sound more forward, open, clearer, less muted on the Delci. With the 4U, it sounds as if everything was coming out of the box, like it is overly filtered or something was holding it back. The 4U begs you to listen to it at a higher volume level.

First thing that comes to mind when listening to the 4U at low volume level, is that it seems like the 4U has this effect putting over it when coming from clearer sets.



The treble on the 4U is more energetic and crisper. With a lower bass energy, percussion instruments seem to sit more forward as well. Cymbals and hihats have more bite to them. However, the treble on the Delci is smoother with better decay and more natural to my ears.

Soundstage is a bit better, more holographic with the 4U, yet the separation was less than the 4U. More claustrophobic.

Another thing to note: The 4U is noticeably harder to drive. At the same volume setting with the Mojo, with the Delci producing sound at 75db, the 4U only managed to reach 68db. When doing comparison, I have tried volume matching on both sets.

Conclusion

I really like the Kefine Delci. The well balanced tonality of it makes it a very easy to enjoy and easy to recommend iem. Because my library has a lot of pop, rock and hiphop songs, the Delci also has great compatibility with it.

If you’re looking for a great value iem at 75$ with warm, smooth and relaxing tuning, I would highly recommend the Delci. But if you’re looking for an iem that has thick midbass, lush and dense lower midrange, brighter and more forward vocal as well as has better treble brilliance and microdetail, then sadly, this iem is not it.

That’s it for my review and thank you for reading.

KEFINE DELCI REVIEW: WARMTH MASTERCLASS​

WATCH FULL REVIEW HERE:​

PRICE: $75​

PROS:​

• Superb warm u-shaped tuning
• Deep, rich and tactile bass
• Balanced, clean but well-bodied midrange
• Snappy and well-detailed treble
• Natural vocal timbre
• Great stage depth
• Comfortable, small fit
• Aesthetically pleasing cable

CONS:​

• Occasional sibilance on higher volumes
• Not the most technical or resolving sounding set
• Not the most refined sounding set

WHO THIS SET IS FOR​

• Warm heads
• People who want a deep, engaging but tight bass presentation
• People who want a fun but natural sound
• People who want a well-balanced lower and upper midrange presentation

WHO THIS SET ISN’T FOR:​

• People who want a smooth and warm set
• People who want a more technical sound
• People who want a wider sound
• People who want the most refined-sounding set

RECOMMENDED GENRES:​

• R&B
• Soul
• HipHop
• Rock

SHORT REVIEW:​

The Kefine Delci is a masterclass of how a fun but clean warm U-shaped IEM should sound like. The superb bass tuning is both rich and tight with the well-balanced midrange that makes both the lower and upper midrange sound exceptional and a sufficiently bright and detailed treble to top it all off. The potential issues come at the treble with the odd peak that gets emphasized on some tracks. But besides that along with the average technical detailing, the Kefine Delci stands as a top contender for a rich listening experience in the budget realm. RECOMMENDED WITH CAVEATS

FULL REVIEW:​

When you think of audio trends, you might think of driver configurations or quirky tuning filters that blow up for a couple of months and either become the norm or get completely benched. But a trend people often miss is the tuning that many of the big brands follow that is the effect of one brand blowing up with that kind of tuning.

V-shaped sets were all the craze in the years before 2020, then the Aria came in and every single brand started releasing their own renditions. Then it tilts to the brighter side with the Simgot domination until 2024 when the likes of the Tangzu Xuan NV, Dunu DaVinci, and the likes made warmth the ideal tuning.

Today, we’ll be taking an in depth look at one such warmer-leaning IEM from a VERY new company that subtly entered the market and has begun to make the waves in the community. Is this set worth being talked about, or is it just another flavor of the month?

DISCLAIMER:
The Delci was sent in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not paid or compensated in any way to say anything about the product.

DELICIOUSLY WARM!​

Kefine is one of the newest brands on the block with only 2 products in their catalogue so far. The Klanar turned heads early in 2024 with what seemed to be the Letshuoer S12 but warmer and considerably cheaper. This value notion got people talking about Klanar as a brand with a lot of potential. The Delci marks as their second product to date and boasts a rather familiar DLC + PU setup for $75. With a setup that isn’t necessarily a stand-out, how can the Delci stand out in a market filled with giants with years to develop their reputation?

UNBOXING​

The unboxing experience of the Kefine Delci is quite basic but very cleanly done. It’s a minimalist box with the Delci’s photo up front and the specs and contact at the box.


Opening the box, you’re met with the following inclusions:

• Kefine Delci IEMs
• 3.5mm 2-pin cable
• 6 pairs of eartips
• Leather carrying case
• Paperwork

The accessories included with the Delci may not be the best that you can find for the price, but the quality is more than acceptable in my opinion. The case, while smaller than the usual carrying pouch, feels well built and is large enough for the Delci, some eartips and a cleaning tool.



The eartips on the other hand are your basic ear tips that may or may not work for you but come included with 3 sets of semi-wide bore and 3 sets of narrow bored eartips for your choosing

BUILD & FIT​

The Delci features a single DLC+PU diaphragm dynamic driver housed in a CNC-machined aluminum alloy with a 0.78mm 2-pin connector.



The design of the Delci is minimal but tasteful with its very round and smooth curves that showcase the excellent machining of the IEM. It’s rather small, so small ears gang would have a field day with the Delci.



The build quality of the Delci is quite nice and balances feeling premium and being lightweight. I had no issues with fatigue or discomfort with this IEM whatsoever.



While I do find Delci’s design to not really stand out (especially compared to the shinier, more colorful, or weirder IEMs that I’ve been reviewing recently), the fit is where Delci really stands out. I think Delci’s fit is one of the best amongst the smaller in-ears like the EW200, Chu and the like.



The cable is nice but a little tangled and memory-prone. It’s an aesthetically pleasing pairing with the brown and black cable and grey shell, but I’m not fond of this kind of cable when actually using it and not just displaying it. The interface feels quite premium which is a plus for me.

SOUND​

Sound Signature:​

The Kefine Delci has a warm U-shaped sound signature with an emphasis on the low end, a slightly pulled-back midrange, and a generous amount of top-end energy. The Decli’s overall coherency is fantastic with a very slight hiccup in the mid treble region on certain tracks.

Source Pairing:​

One of the best things about the Delci is how well it responds to sources. Even in cheaper or lower-powered sources, I found the Delci to still retain all the positive qualities that make it a solid set. The experience is improved with better sources with better bass texture, cleaner mids and treble.

Volume:​

The Delci is primarily a mid to high-level listening set due to the warmth balancing the frequency really well and the treble being quite safe in general. Low-volume listening sounds adequate but is hampered by the rather soft transient response. However, pushing the volume higher might cause issues for some people which I’ll talk more about in its own section.

Bass​

Arguably the highlight of the Delci, the bass walks the fine line of sounding very thick and impactful but tight and nuanced. It has a solid sub bass and midbass balance that makes both really deep subfrequencies audible but also makes the midbass sound very punchy and adequately tactile. This makes it perfect for heavier tracks that emphasize bass like electronic music but without totally coloring or making the midrange muddy or lacking. I honestly have very little issues with the bass of the Delci besides being a little bit too thick and bassy on some bassier and losing tactility, but that’s a very small nitpick that even I can’t justify as that’s just the kind of sound Delci wants to present.

Once again, we have the usual culprits that fit this kind of sound really well. Daniel Caeasar’s thick and punchy bass lines, D’Angelo’s deep licks and riffs, and Remi’s expertly crafted low-end tunes. But I want to highlight one particular artist that does surprisingly well with the Delci and that is Chappell Roan. She has been a recent obsession of mine and the way she does low-end synths on the track Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl is absolutely wonderful on the Delci. It just sounds so raw and impactful while going VERY deep to provide such an engaging low-end.

Mids​

As a result of the rather thick low end, the mids of the Delci sound smooth and rich but surprisingly clean. The emphasis on the bass was just enough to keep the music from sounding lean and thin while keeping the midrange thick and weighty. The lower mids in particular were quite the treat as they were nuanced to bring out small tactile details while having solid note definition on top of having solid note weight. The upper mids on the other hand was quite generous in terms of emphasis as it brought out vocals and instruments nicely but free from sounding shouty or overly forward. It’s perfect for shout-sensitive people, but it doesn’t skimp out on the upper midrange as it balances and contrasts the lower mids pretty well.

One of my favorite things about the Delci is how well it does both male and female vocals. Obviously the warmth leads male vocals to sound better, but female vocals still sound clean and crisp. The perfect example of this is on the track In Too Deep by Jacob Collier and Tori Kelly. It has the perfect balance of low, thick, and lush vocals and brighter, more energetic, and airier vocals. I will note that female vocals have a very slight issue when it comes to S and T sounds which I’ll talk more about soon, but it sounds generally well-balanced throughout the entire midrange and provides a very soothing and natural vocal presentation. Instruments follow a very similar trend with brassier instruments like bass guitars, cellos, and some synths sounding complementary with the violins, pianos, flutes, and higher frequency instruments.

Treble​

This is arguably the weakest part of the Delci and might cause issues for some people. To start, the treble follows the upper mids with a rather generous, fatigue-free but nicely detailed presentation. The lower treble in particular sounds clean with the attack of higher frequency instruments and vocals sounding energetic without any harshness or sibilance. However, a rather odd peak in the mid-treble followed by a dip in the upper treble energy makes S and T sounds a little sharp. It’s even more emphasized on poorly mixed tracks that bring out these artifacts that makes the treble presentation a little rough and unrefined sounding. The air region would’ve sounded a lot better if it wasn’t for that peak as the sudden peak and drop had the effect of making some tracks sound a little low-res. This affects treble timbre quite considerably on poorly mixed tracks and reveals the less appealing factors more than it should. However, this is thankfully on isolated tracks and when listening to at the highest volumes and sounds quite snappy on mid to lower listening volumes. This can also give the impression that sounds more detailed on lower volumes, but harsher and less natural on higher volumes.

This is especially evident during my listening session with Chappell Roan as, despite having a very clean low end, the sharpness of the treble was also emphasized in many of her tracks in “The Fall of the Midwest Princess”. Bringing this into a brighter track like Earth, Wind & Fire also brings out the harshness that songs like Fantasy hide, especially when pumping the volume high up. This is a very odd peak that completely contrasts the smooth and warm low end. This could be to compensate for the warmer sound and to emphasize top-end details more, but it ended up making the treble sound a little rough and edgy on some tracks rather than bringing a consistent level of detail. However, I will say that it does add much-needed energy from the low-frequencies as Fantasy does not sound as anemic and dry as it usually is on most neutral or brighter sets in this price range.

Technicalities​

As for technicalities, the Delci is just about average. This is by design as the Delci has a clear focus on musicality over technicality and it’s further emphasized in this price point where you’re forced to go down the musical route if you want the most success. However, bass depth was quite impressive on the Delci as the subbass goes VERY deep and provides a very expansive listening experience in the low end. Separation and layering are quite adequate, along with headstage and imaging. Dynamics are quite impressive in the low end, but the transients are a little bit sharp, especially in the aforementioned mid-treble peak that gets a little harsh.

REAL WORLD USAGE​

Casual Use​

One of the things I really appreciate the Delci is the combination of a small and comfortable fit with a warmer but clean sound. This makes consuming not only content but just going about in life a rather musical and soothing experience. Oddly, that peak isn’t as emphasized when just listening casually to videos and podcasts. It starts to rear its ugly head with movies, particularly large setpieces, but so does the amazing stage depth that the Delci provides. Essentially, it’s a back and forth of the sharpness and the deepness of the sound that makes it a rather exciting, albeit a little scary experience.

Gaming Use​

On one end, the warmth definitely brings out the low-end nuances like footsteps and other environmental sounds that usually get forced out by the upper mids. But you’ll be surprised as the upper midrange presentation of this can still bring out the important details in the upper frequencies. Once again, that treble peak may make certain sounds a little harsh and unbearable (especially when gaming at high volumes), but is very well balanced in general. If it wasn’t for that peak, I would say this is the best gaming IEM you can get today.

COMPARISONS​

vs Letshuoer D13​

In short, the D13 is the Delci with better bass but a worse timbre and peak in the mid-treble. Both exhibit a warmer and richer sound that is occasionally barred with the odd peak and dip in the treble. The main difference is that the Delci maintains superb timbre by pushing the vocals a little further and not having as drastic of a peak and dip as the D13. The D13 is still better in terms of tactility and bass tightness, but it’s hard to justify the D13’s one-trick pony status over the Delci’s well-rounded sound.

vs Simgot EA500LM​

Both sets feature a similar U-Shaped presentation with the main difference being where their emphasis on the sound is. The Delci focuses on the bass and warmth while the EA500LM focuses on clarity and the treble. It’s honestly a perfect contrast between the two and you can comfortably get either depending on your preferences or get both to have a solid hot and cold kind of set. Technicalities are definitely better on the EA500LM, but the Delci is a more natural, soothing, and richer sounding set. I will say that the EA500LM is the more consistent set between the two due to the peak of the Delci

vs Truthear Zero: RED​

Compared to the neutral reference set under $100, the Red has a less engaging overall sound with more focus on the upper mids and keeping everything neutral. The Delci is more musical, deeper (compared to stock Red), and richer sounding overall. However, the peak of the Delci makes the Red the more consistent set if you’re pitting each of them on timbre. In short, Delci is the more fun and engaging set between the two while the Red is more consistent and has better timbre

vs Simgot EW200​

Going down in price a little bit, the EW200 is the more technical, energetic, and detailed set while the Delci provides better bass tactility, richness, bass depth, and tactility. The main selling point of either sets are, just like the EA500LM, on both ends and picking either one will depend on what you’re looking for. You have to give it to the EW200 to still be able to compete with the Delci for being almost twice the price.

vs Tangzu Xuan NV​

Two seemingly similar sets on paper but sounds quite different. While both sets focus on warmth and lushness, the Xuan NV is considerably smoother overall with focus on sounding very relaxed without sounding dark. The Delci on the other hand has more energy on both sides and sounds more U-Shaped with a deeper, more engaging, and more impactful bass and a brighter, snappier but also harsher treble. So your choice ends up coming down to whether you want something more neutral or something more fun. Both sets have superb timbre, but like the EA500LM, the Xuan NV is more consistent due to the peak of the Delci.

CONCLUSIONS​

Warmer-leaning IEMs are honestly underrated and the Delci is a step in the right direction when it comes to warm IEMs in the budget realm. It may not be the most technical nor the most refined, but I have had fun listening to this set more than other sets today.

The combination of a thick, deep, and impactful low end with the clean, well-balanced midrange with superb timbre makes this an instant buy for warm and timbre heads. The small but comfortable form factor and admittedly solid cable make it a rather aesthetic and comfort pick for me as well.

However, that peak might be an issue for some people especially those sensitive to mid treble peaks. It also had the added effect of emphasizing the imperfections of a poorly mixed track which has to do more with how uneven the treble of the Delci is. It’s also not your technical beast for $75 as more technical sets exist at almost half the price of the Delci

But all of that honestly doesn’t matter personally as the personal enjoyment I had with this set is unlike anything I’ve heard in a while. This is such an addicting set to listen to with my current library and this has been my go-to set since I got these and will most likely stay in my rotations for a long time.

Thank you for reading my review on the Kefine Delci. If you would like to order one, consider using the non-affiliated link below:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/HiFiGo-Delci-Monitors-Diaphgram-Earphones/dp/B0CXXY4Q3W
Linsoul:
https://www.linsoul.com/products/kefine-delci
Aliexpress:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005006684461433.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Kefine Delci (I'm too scared to take the seal off)

Quite easy fit, i think it will work for everyone

If you're interested in graph comparision, here's the link

+ i'm a normal asian dude with some music producing background
+ i like clean balanced sound signature with focus on sub bass and lower treble, especially looking for a good dynamism and harmonic playthrough, i like vocal, not necessary mid dominant, can consider myself as treblehead
+ 60-68db listening session
+ Avarage score 4/10 (Quarks/ 7hz Zero) Middle score 6/10 (Tanchjim Kara)
+ Bias score is i like it or not, doesn't sum on overall score

Click to expand...

- Bass (8/10): lack a little bit of body/thickness for me, overall very punchy and detail is really good. it sound super deep but not very deep (flat before 70hz). I would say this tuning do have strong and weakness, but i think it will work for most folk who like rock, pop, edm, ... i mean maybe jazz will be lacking.
- Mid (9/10): i could say 10/10 but the mid definitetion isn't on the top tier, very correct sounding and natural, beautiful. isn't good with busy song but the overall separation was okay, quite balanced between emotional connect and analytical.
- Vocals (6/10): natural position, male vocals < female vocals, too thin in presentation and probably gonna fade in a swamp of intrument, cymbal and bass.
- Treble (6.5/10): maybe sound a little "cheap"? good cymbal and percussion rendering, decay were pretty good, lack resonance and attack isn't the best i heard. Sounds airy and wet
- Detail (6.5/10): Macro (7/10), Micro (6,3/10)
- Soundstage (5,8/10): small film stage (good width height and a little bit of depth, sounds quite limited in all directions)
- Imaging (6/10): pinpoint but blurry? you can get a rough positioning but not quite sure if it's actually there or not
Bias (8/10): bass boosted neutral
Overall : 6.8/10
Oh no only 6,8/10, i gonna remind you that the Dunu Davinci which about 300$ is 7/10, and this is what, 75$ and 6,8/10, seriously?
The mid is really really good and i'll pick these over Moondrop counterpart.

Kefine is a relatively new brand in audio, and Delci is their second offering in the IEM market. Their first IEM, Klanar, received good reviews, although I haven't had the chance to try it myself. Delci has been getting rave reviews as well, which raised my expectations considerably. Let's find out if Delci is as good as others say for 75 USD.

Disclaimers​

Kefine Delci was provided to me by Kefine for free. As I always say, everyone is biased one way or another, so take everything you read with a grain of salt. Additionally, I will try to be more concise and to the point in my reviews from now on, without worrying about word count. If you have any questions, please ask me in the comments, and I will try to answer them to the best of my abilities.

Packaging, Build and Accessories of Kefine Delci​

Kefine Delci comes in a simple black box. The ear pieces are well protected in their soft foam slots. Delci is adequately accessorized for its price, with a black carrying case, a decent cable, and 7 pairs of eartips.



Delci is among the better-built IEMs under 100 USD, featuring fully metal shells. The faceplates have a panel with Kefine branding. The cable connector used on Delci is a 0.78 2-pin. The shells are surprisingly thin and very comfortable. With suitable ear tips, they provide a secure fit as well.

Sound of Kefine Delci​

Tonality​

Kefine Delci has a very balanced warm sound. The bass is emphasized but not overpowering. Although it has good power, it doesn’t always hit as hard as I expect. I wouldn't call it pillowy, but it's safe to say that Delci is warmer rather than bass-heavy, if that makes sense.



Delci has great treble, which is very balanced and tastefully colored. It balances the bass wonderfully without becoming harsh, piercing, or splashy. There is a slight peak probably around 8 kHz that might go unnoticed by most. It almost never bothered me, but it’s worth mentioning.

With such good balance, the mids yield a natural, lovely tone that is highly musical and emotional.

Technicalities​

Delci has very good technical capabilities. It might not be top of the class, but it performs above average in many aspects. Especially notable is the timbre, which might be the best I've heard in a long time around this price range. Apart from timbre, Delci offers good staging and imaging capabilities, as well as more than enough detail rendition.

Comparisons​

All comparisons are done with volume matching at 500 Hz.

Kefine Delci vs. Simgot EA500LM​

• Delci is bassier, warmer and more full bodied but EA500LM is tighter and more impactful in the bass. Delci’s bass is a little more pillowy compared to EA500LM’s bass. Delci has more subbass extension. Particularly bass guitars sound lovely on Delci.
• Vocals are more forward on the EA500LM, which can get shouty occasionally. Delci’s mids and vocals have enough emphasis but never become overbearing.
• Neither is sibilant or harsh at similar listening levels, but Delci has a safer tuning in the lower treble area. The EA500LM is overall brighter with more energy and bite in the treble.
• Delci has a more natural timbre. In all other technical and subjective attributes, the EA500LM wins. The EA500LM is more resolving and detailed, feels more spacious, and has better imaging.

Kefine Delci vs BLON x HBB Z300,​

• Their bass renditions are almost identical. Both have elevated and slightly pillowy bass.
• Kefine Delci is brighter and sounds more balanced. The Z300 is darker and highlights mids and vocals more.
• Neither is particularly harsh, but Delci would become harsh and fatiguing first if you raise the volume. The Z300 has a real peak around 8k that bites occasionally. Delci is slightly smoother in that sense.
• Delci is technically superior in every aspect. It has a more natural timbre and feels more spacious. Details and layering are also better on Delci, and it draws a clearer image. The only area where the Z300 might be better is highlighting lower frequency details due to its darker tonality.

Conclusion​

Hopefully my comparisons clarified how Delci fits in the market. In my opinion, it filled a gap that has been neglected wonderfully. While Simgot IEMs have been dominating technicality oriented bright sound signature, we needed a more balanced IEM with great timbre that wouldn’t sound too blunted. Delci doesn’t sacrifice technicalities in the favor of musicality too much and strikes a great balance. If you think the highly praised IEMs like EA500LM are too bright or harsh for you, Delci might be the choice for you. Lastly, you can follow Kefine's facebook account for the latest updates.

KEFINE makes a name on the audio industry since of its inception last year as the subsequent release of their first ever product model, The KEFINE KLANAR in which is an exceptional device on its own right with its build quality, comfortability and sound quality for a planar magnetic IEM. The KEFINE espousing this particular view that we consumers can have a high quality product at a fairly affordable price for budget-conscious audio enthusiasts.




And now I will introduce their latest product, the KEFINE DELCI. The DELCI is a single driver IEM and it uses a 10mm dynamic driver as its transducer's main component to transmit audio signals. The dynamic driver itself is a dual-cavity layout with composite diaphragm made of DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) and PU (Polyurethane) materials and these materials will ensure a precise and responsive vibration for a rich and deep bass, clear midrange and smooth yet detailed treble.



The driver is encased in a compact, CNC-milled solid aluminium alloy chassis that is rated to be an aircraft-grade one as it offers a high yield strength and fatigue resistance while maintaining a lightweight. The chassis were sandblasted and anodised to achieve that texture on its surface and it has gun metal grey colour finish on it. On its faceplate, there's an embossing circle with the brand logo inside and also, there's two vent holes at the cavity base part of the shell chassis for releasing excess air pressure generated from its high performance driver. The connector that KEFINE implemented on DELCI is a standard bi-pin connector which makes cable swapping more easier to do and somehow more stable in connection.



As for its stock cable, it is quite flexible and supple to hold and its overall construction is sturdy enough and somehow of a good quality. It has a four-core structure with multi-strand copper wires with a 3.5mm termination plug on its end.



On product packaging, the DELCI is quite neat and simple in presentation in a rectangular packaging box but at least it has some accessories that will be useful and touches the bases.



Here are the following contents included in KEFINE DELCI packaging box:

• Pair of KEFINE DELCI IEM transducers.
• Stock cable
• 3 pairs of balanced bore silicone eartips in different standard sizes.
• 3 pairs of wide bore silicone eartips in different standard sizes.
• PU-leather storage case.
• Paperwork like user manual, warranty card and Q.C. stub.

Regarding its power scaling, this set is fairly sensitive that it can be even amplified with sources with decent power output. However, if this set will be paired with more capable sources with better power output, it will sound more vivid that it encompasses the full range of its frequency spectrum



The KEFINE DELCI has a warmish-balanced tonality in a U-shaped sound signature as it has evident emphasis on lows and high frequencies rather than midrange frequency.


(Frequency graph was provided by @baskingshark , credits to him)




LOWS/BASS:

The first notion that comes to my thoughts about this particular section in the frequency range is that bass quantity and quality are somehow balanced between sub bass and mid bass section. The overall bass response is quite punchy, tactile and exudes with authority that makes it more smashing

I clearly felt the reverberating subbass presence that were generated from instruments like octobasses, synthesisers, drum machines and low octave sound from both bass guitars and double-bass. The midbass part is fairly well-textured as it gives more depth and volume on bass clef instruments and some male vocals note weight. The bass guitars have a broad, weighty and sombre sound in which the double bass also share similar sound characteristics while bass kick drums have full and pounding sound that surprisingly can play well with fast double bass drums from metal tracks, and bass trumpets have full, warm and dark timbre on them. Meanwhile, both bass and bass-baritone vocals have ample deep, heft and volume on their respective guttural and boomy characteristics.


MIDRANGE:

On its midrange presentation, it is quite notched on its overall arrangement across its frequency range but it has a warmth, density and smoothness on vocals and instruments to sound full and natural. I consider this set as a versatile and all-rounder one on both instrument and vocal presentation.

When it comes to the vocal department on both male and female, baritones have smooth, lushness and velvety on their voices that covers from lightest light baritone up to the deep and fuller noble baritone type. Tenors have brassy, ringy and luscious on their voices as they sound tremulous and well-modulated while countertenors have tender, light and sweet characteristics on their vocals. Contralto vocals are depicted accurately on this one as it has rich, smokey and strong with a sufficient fullness and volume on their voices while mezzo-sopranos have velvety and golden sound to give an emotive and soothing feel, and then sopranos have creamy and silkiness that suits well with dramatic and lyric types of this particular voice type.

On instruments, It appears that they sound quite natural and pleasant on how most types of instruments are depicted on this set. Strings like guitars (acoustic) and violins sound a bit meaty with good decay and lustrous yet solemn respectively. The brass instruments with the likes of trumpets, trombones, tubas and horns, trumpets have magnificent and full sound, trombones sound solid and rounded, tubas have a sonorous yet soothing sound and then horns have these velvety and clear sounds. In reference with woodwinds on their sound, concert flutes have a mellow yet rich sound while piccolos have graceful sound, clarinets have warmth with some richness of its sound and saxophones have warm and a tad sombre sound on it. Regarding percussive instruments, snares drums have hard and sharp while tom-toms have warm and resonant sound, field drums have sonorous and tad boominess on their sound and kettledrums have a ponderous and heavy sound. Pianos seem to have a warm to balanced sound with some rich overtones on them.


HIGHS/TREBLE:

Smooth, relaxed and inoffensive, those are my initial impressions on how the treble response of DELCI was tuned. That noticeable evenness across the upper-mids and presence part of the treble region will give an overall pleasant sound even to the treble-sensitive folk out there will have less peaky and shrilly female vocals, so sibilance and harshness will be non-existent that will ever occur.

The airy presentation on its brilliance treble region appears to have less extension but somehow, it has a sufficient sparkle for cymbals, hi-hats, glockenspiels and celestas. Cymbals have full and resonant sound while hi-hats have a shortened buzzing sound. And then, glockenspiels have bell-like and lustrous sound either on keyboard or mallet-type and celestas have sweet and velvety sound on them to give that distinctly “heavenly tone”.


SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

The overall sound/speaker stage presentation is quite pretty above-average on its sound field dimensions with a median size lateral span on its width, excellent height reach and depth distance on how I perceived it within my head room that makes it a bit more intimate.

On its stereo imaging, it projects an almost atmospheric-like presentation in a decently layer of frequencies and tones from each instrument and vocals in a soundscape with remarkable separation for a single DD set. And so, playing some complex tracks will not be an issue on this one as it doesn't sound veiled and congested at all.

Coherence performance of its driver is quite pretty responsive on how it delivers a fast transient response without any distortion at all. Regarding its resolution capabilities, while this is not the most resolving single DD set that was tested, it has solid macro-dynamics and a rather acceptable micro-detail retrieval on extracting some nuances and details from an audio track.


PEER COMPARISONS:

ORIVETI OD100

• ORIVETI's current entry-level set at under US$100/£80 and like the DELCI, It has single driver configuration with a 9.2mm dynamic driver along with DLC diaphragm that was also encased in a solid aluminium alloy shell. In terms of quality and quantity of accessories, both OD100 and DELCI are quite similar as the two of them have good quality cables, some choices of ear tips and storage cases.
• The OD100 has a similar tonality with the DELCI but it has a more V-shaped sound profile with more emphasis on upper-mids and presence treble aside from a more recessed midrange presentation. It has a punchy with some hint of mid bass bleeding across the midrange to give that warmer and textured sound on vocals and instruments. Treble is a tad brighter compared to the DELCI but it has a corresponding modest airy extension.
• As for technicalities, if it was collated with the DELCI, the OD100 has a narrower sound/speaker stage size, a typical two-dimensional stereo panning, a rather bog standard layering and separation and less resolving particularly on micro-dynamics.

SIMGOT EW200

• Like the DELCI, it has a metal shell chassis and single dynamic driver arrayed in a dual chambered configuration with a newer hybrid composite material on its diaphragm. The shells of the EW200 have a mirror-finished surface with similar compact size with the DELCI. While it has a good amount of inclusions but it only has one type of eartips inside the box.
• The EW200's sound signature still has a Harmanish-tuning that most SIMGOT sets are aligned with some slight modification to give some differentiating sound profile. Compared to DELCI, EW200 has more sub-bass presence with less textured mid bass to give that clean and tight bass response, a leaner but an energetic and more transparent midrange presentation and then, a bright, crisper and more sparkling treble response with moderate airy extension for single dynamic driver set.
• Regarding its technical performance, it has a similar sound field size and a typical two-dimensional stereo presentation in comparison with DELCI but EW200 is a bit better on layering and separation and pretty resolving in particular resolution aspect, micro-detail retrieval.

EPZ Q1 PRO

• While this set is also a single driver IEM with composite diaphragm on its 10mm dynamic driver, but its shell structure was made of medical-grade resin that was 3D-printed and takes a shape on a more UIEM-type form factor. On its included accessories, it has a velvet bag pouch as its storage case, a balanced bore eartips and a monocrystalline copper cable which are elementary compared to the DELCI which has more quantity in terms of inclusions.
• The EPZ Q1 PRO has a quite similar tuning with DELCI which also has a warm U-shaped sound profile. It has rumbly with ample textured mid bass to give a more tactile bass response, a warm and well-balanced midrange presentation and it has an accentuated upper mids up to the presence part but still retain some semblance of its smooth and inoffensive treble presentation with a moderate airy extension on its brilliance part of the treble region.
• As for its technical performance, the Q1 PRO has an average to above average sound field size, a concave stereo imaging presentation with mediocre layering but decent separation. On resolution capability, this set is also quite pretty resolving in both macro-dynamics and micro-detail retrieval for a single DD set.

Despite of being a new player in a portable audio industry, KEFINE seems to know the current state of the audio market pretty well and this product is the result of diligent research that it was developed to cater the demands of audio enthusiasts who were budget-conscious but wants a well-tuned IEM with good build quality at reasonable price.

This set is truly aimed towards audio enthusiasts who want a fun, musical and engaging type of tuning as it gives some vibes of a good analogue-ish type of tuning which is warm and pleasant to enjoy on a listening session. No doubt that I will truly recommend this set especially if you are a type of audio enthusiast that I mentioned to whom the DELCI is aiming for.

The KEFINE DELCI is now available to some online vendor platforms. Just simply check out the links below.

★★KEFINE DELCI - OFFICIAL STORE★★

★★KEFINE DELCI - LINSOUL★★

★★KEFINE DELCI - HIFIGO★★


For more KEFINE product reviews, here is my review of KEFINE KLANAR.




SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: KEFINE DELCI
IMPEDANCE: 28Ω
SENSITIVITY: 108dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 20KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m
PIN TYPE: 0.78 2-PIN CONNECTOR
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER


TRACKS TESTED: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)

Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
Lauren Christy – Steep *
Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *
Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*
Type O Negative - Black No.1 *
Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **
Three Tenors - Nessum Dorma *
Mercyful Fate - Witches' Dance *

P.S.

I am not affiliated to KEFINE nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.

Once again, I would like to send my gratitude to Mr. Collin Yang for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate his generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.

TL;DR: A warm/bassy fun yet still balanced addition to your library if you don't have one yet

Overview/History
Hi all.

Back again with more typed words with the Kefine Delci.

Everything that I had read and heard about this set was that it was an 'under $100 King' and everything about the signature seemed to fit what I typically enjoy for an all rounder.

Smooth sound with some extra elevated bass? Yes please. Inject that bass into my veins.

Disclaimers: No real disclaimers here. All of this is my subjective opinion.

Build Quality, Comfort and Accesories
Photo dump time!









The Kefine Delci comes a very competent cable and a bag full of nondescript tips.




While these are metal, they remain relatively lightweight and comfortable. They fit extremely easily into my ears and remind me a bit of my steel Moondrop Kato in size (though the Delci's nozzles are slightly bigger).

You aren't getting anything extremely pretty printed on a resin shell or anything but there's a certain characteristic with the industrial look they've nailed here.

Tip Rolling
Stock tips are not good, IMO. If you have an awesome experience out the box with them, that's awesome. I did not.



I had to go through my usual round up to find the best fit. With the size of the nozzles, I didn't actually find my best fit with them as my usual contenders but I -was- able to find the best fit without going full Singolo treasure hunting (took a lot of tips, lot of listening and trial & error and then realizing something didn't fit nearly as good, etc. etc.)



Stock tips: Not the best. Tried them for a moment, went through the bag. I couldn't get a great seal with any of them and they felt like a budget Divinus set.
Final Type E Clear Reds: While these sounded great, the fit was not perfect. These usually are my Go To so I was surprised with how they didn't seal properly for me.
Spinfit W1: These fit well but these tend to dull the bass by a small amount compared to the rest of my tips.
Dunu S&S: Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner. These fit extremely well with the nozzles, in my ears and gave me the bass I was expecting. They actually gave a bit more mid-bass sensation but this is likely due to the best seal.


*This cable is the NiceHCK Luna, not the stock cable. Just thought the Delci looked great with them along with the Dunu S&S.*

Cable
The cable is actually very nice and reminds me a lot of the cable that came on the Legato. They fit with the industrial type of look of the Kefine Delci. No complaints about the stock cable at all; I wish it was a bit softer but it doesn't feel cheap at all.



Sound
So, how do these sound? Warm, bassy, competent but intimate. It's definitely more of a V-shaped IEM (I would categorize it as more V vs U shaped simply because I feel the vocals/mids do take a bit of a backstage to the bass but it's not super drastic).

Gear Tested On: Primarily streamed music via either dedicated Streamer, Laptop or Phone
Phone chain: Pixel 8 Pro -> Abigail Pro
Phone chain: Pixel 8 Pro -> Fosi Audio DS2
Streamed Music Chain Workstation: Laptop -> Fiio K11 (used both single ended and balanced in this case)
Streamed Music chain: WiiM Mini -> JDS Labs Atom DAC+ -> JDS Labs OL Switcher -> Geshelli Labs Archel 3 Pro

Lows/Bass: This is the star of the show.

This set has very good impactful bass with more of the sub bass being elevated/emphasized. I think the quality of the bass is very good for a sub $100 IEM and is close to providing the same slam/quality of the Legato which is my "BASS"line.



That being said, there are certain really bass heavy tracks where it feels like the bass bleeds over a bit into the mids but it feels very controlled for the vast majority of my library.

Another quick point: these really opened up when you provide them power. Plugging them into the balanced side of the K11 (as an example), the bass tightened up a bit while giving a bit more impact with each note.

Mids: The mids are extremely smooth. They sound very natural, for the most part, though I will say that, again, sometimes the bass does (on certain tracks) bleed over into the mids by a small margin where it's nitpicking at best in this case.

Otherwise, vocals and all the mids sound very full and satisfactory. I think they handle male vocals way better than female vocals. There were a few tracks that female vocals came off a bit more husky to me but, again, this was nitpicking as a lot of other female vocal tracks sounded fine.

Treble: Another use of the word smooth. I think the treble comes off very detailed with decent layering.

Throughout several genres, there was nothing I found that would be offensive and I think this is tuned be extremely easy to listen to for hours on end.

Specific songs listened to and other Etc.:
I've listened to my library for a few days straight and can highlight some songs that I think that the Delci does well. Asterisks for ones that I think they really excelled in.

Black Keys - Lo/Hi, Gold on the Ceiling*
Florence & the Machine - Dog Days Are Over
ACDC - Thunderstruck
Fleetwood Mac - Dreams
Camile - Le Festin
Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child of Mine*
Death Cab for Cutie - Everything's a Ceiling*
SEATBELTS - Gotta Knock a Little Higher
Earth, Wind and Fire - September
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Three Little Birds*

Technicalities on the Delci are good. Timbre is very good across the board; it sounds very natural and there was nothing I could pick out that did not sound correct. Layering/imaging is very adequate. While this may be a very safe, overall, IEM with it's tuning, I think it hits all it's intended marks extremely well which is being a very fun and musical set to enjoy your music more than analyze. But it does -not- skimp on the other aspects of sound. It's just not the emphasis, IMO.

I think my only ding I can place on these is that they sound extremely intimate/small soundstage when I'm running them single ended.

But, I think with a good amount of power to spare (running balanced or on a desktop set up), they can really open up a bit so it doesn't feel as claustrophobic. This tells me that they do take the extra power very well and scale accordingly.

Comparisons:
Since I've got a few in this price range, I think it would be worth comparing the Delci to my current line up.



Xuan NV: Considering how recently the Xuan NV came out and given the similar price range, this feels like a good starting point to compare.

I think the Xuan NV's midrange/vocals are done a bit better than the Delci. But, I think the Delci has more satisfying bass. I think both are otherwise very comparable to the sound signature and what they bring to the table so it's really a coin toss on what you're looking for.

Moondrop Kato: The Kato were my first higher end IEM and I've put a lot of time on them. So, how does one metal boi compare to another?

Delci are better to me, IMHO. The Kato have better mids/vocals and slightly better soundstage/technicalities/layering but, unless you're getting them second hand, they're also double the price. Conversely, the Delci has a more fun element to it with the warm bassy goodness but you're also getting an awesome package for the price that gets you very close. I got my Kato second hand and I would be hard pressed to spend the additional money for the incremental difference.

That it not a knock on the Kato, really, but more just how the market is now; there are a lot of more budget friendly IEMs that really perform well and compete with some of the IEM staples of the past.

Legato: Going to compare this to my current resident basshead IEM.

I love the Legato for it's unabashed basshead tuning. That being said, while the Legato gets a solid B for it's bass (to me anyways), the Delci does it well enough to be satisfying.

The Delci feel almost like if I was to take the Zero Red/Xuan NV tuning and mix it with the Legato lows.

Zero RED: Get the Delci. Way more comfortable, it's like having the 10 ohm adapter plugged in already from the start.

Other Things to be aware of:
The current price on these are listed higher but you can get them on 'sale' at $59.

I also want to reemphasize that I wasn't a fan of the stock tips but these absolutely rock out with the Dunu S&S both seal and sound wise to me.

Conclusion:
I think these are another awesome sub $100 set that would be very easy to hype up.

There's something to be said for a set that really provides a good amount of bass without taking away from any of the other aspects of the music and Kefine has done an excellent job with these.

Bon appetit, budget audiophiles. You've got another DELiCIous (I couldn't help it, I'm sorry, queue the drum roll) IEM served for the masses.



Thanks for reading!

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Kefine Delci

The Kefine Delci have been sent to me by Kefine for me to try them out and to share my opinions in this review. Kefine have not made any requests and, as usual, I will attempt to be as unbiased as humanly possible.

I was going to post the official page of the Delci, as usual, but looking around it seems that it is available from many retailers. I mention the price of 55€ in my review but it is available are various prices from various places, so I suggest you look around and pick the deal that interests you the most.

To avoid being repetitive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews



Intro…

This is not the first set of IEMs that I have reviewed from Kefine, although they are still a new brand, with the Delci being only their second set of IEMs (as far as I am aware). Their first set, the Klanar, is a planar set that I reviewed in November last year. I said that, while the Klanar wasn’t my favourite tuning, there was no doubt that they had done a good job with their first entry into the market.

The Delci moves away from the planar driver and opts for a 10mm dynamic driver that combines DLC and PU. Priced at just over 50€, 55€ to be exact, it falls only just outside my ultra budget limit buy only by 5€, so I would still consider it to be a very well priced IEM.

So, how have Kefine done with their second set? Let’s find out.



Presentation…

As far as packaging, there is very little difference between this model and the Klanar, which comes in at almost twice the price. The outer sleeve is black instead of white but still features an image of the IEM, with some basic specs on the back.

Opening the simple black box that slides out from the sleeve reveals content that us also very similar to the previous model. The IEMs sitting in a simple piece of foam and a storage case underneath that contains the cable and 6 extra sets of tips (so 7 in total) in 2 core sizes.

As with the Klanar, the presentation of the Delci is nothing special but it is half the price of the previous model so I have no complaints.



Build and aesthetics…

As far as build and aesthetics, we again find they are very similar to the planar model. In this case we get gunmetal grey shells rather than black, and there is a slightly more pronounced elevation to where the simple Kefine lettering sits in the center.

The cable also opts for gunmetal grey hardware and connectors, this time in metal rather than plastic in the case of the Klanar.

In general, I find the IEMs to be simple but very well built and extremely comfortable. I literally put them in my ears with the tips that were already on them and they instantly felt great.

I actually feel that these are a step up from the Klanar, which is great news at the price!



Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

I first placed the Delci in my ears one afternoon in the office while listening to some blues, acoustic jazz and other simple relaxed music. I was immediately surprised by how much I liked what I was hearing. Things were relaxed yet detailed, smooth and warm but not dark, just a very nice listen.

I could honestly stop there and say that I really like these IEMs but I did my usual stint of using them for 5 days or so before moving on to my test track list and looking for specific points of good or bad, so I guess I will be a little more in depth than that

Before moving on, here is the frequency response in comparison to my usual preference graph:



I really am glad that I listen to things before measuring them as, looking at the graph above, I would have immediately thought that they were dark and bassy, yet that is not the case.

Don’t get me wrong, they are certainly not bright and bass thin, but the warm smoothness that they offer doesn’t make me feel like it is missing detail and treble.

In the subbass region, I of course put them through my “Chameleon” test, which brought back quite a bit of rumble, making the track sound pretty impressive, but what was more impressive was that it managed to do so without becoming out of control or overshadowing the remaining frequencies too much. It is not the most subbass I have heard, nor is it the most balanced outcome that can be achieved with this track, but it is certainly not a bad rendition of the craziness that “Chameleon” can be.

With “Sun Is Shining”, there is a little too much in the lower ranges in comparison to the upper ranges, yet it is not something that I immediately dislike. In fact, I found it quite a pleasant and relaxed listen, with maybe a bit too much in the bass department but doing a good job of controlling it.

“No Sanctuary Here” gives me a similar impression to “Sun Is Shining”, where I would not say that the Delci presents the track in the way I would consider my favourite, but even with that emphasis on the bass, it makes for a bassy electronic listen that I don’t find as tiring as I usually do with this kind of reproduction.

In my midbass fatigue test, I do find “Crazy” to have a little too much boom in that low end of the guitar but not enough to make me feel fatigued, meaning that it does a good job of both controlling the midbass, with good detail, and not bleeding into the lower mids too much.

In fact, I find that the midbass throughout the mids is the highlight of these IEMs. I spent a lot of time enjoying the Delci with a lot of blues and other electric guitar focused music and found the overall tonality to be very nicely presented. It is maybe missing some of the crunch that you would get on sets with a more present upper minds/lower treble range, but it does not lack detail and gives a great smoothness to the guitars that I find very enjoyable.

Vocals may be a little further back that usual but they are by no means absent and they have a great body and smoothness to them. For example, “Dreamin'” puts quite a bit of emphasis on the low end with the vocals not being the centre of attention but it does work well and presents a very relaxed sound that does not come across as anything being lost, just presented in a smoother way.

This presentation also works well for tracks that were a little too bright in their original recording and maybe missing a little warmth to the bass. “Walking On The Moon” by The Police makes the bass, and track in general, a lot more pleasurable than usual, although Sting is pushed back slightly more than I would prefer. This may not be the best for balancing the vocals against the music but it certainly helps get rid of the harshness that is present in this recording.

While the signature is not something that focuses on details, it also doesn’t give the impression of details missing, the driver does a great job of presenting them in a more subdued way.

In fact, my only complaint would be a peak that appears in the treble ranges that can sometimes coincide with cymbals and other metallic high pitched sounds, making them a little harsh on occasions. This is not a regular occurrence, at least I haven’t found it to be, but sometimes the percussion on a track will just find this peak and suddenly stand out against a very smooth track otherwise.

Don’t think that this is something that puts me off the Delci, it is not like they are sibilant or harsh at all, just that peak that sometimes pops up and says high, sort of bringing me out of the trance into which these IEMs seem to place me.



Conclusion…

The Delci are a set of IEMs that have a musicality that I never thought I wanted, until placing them in my ears and just finding great pleasure from listening to them. They are not a set that makes details stand out, yet they are detailed. They are not shy on bass, yet they are not overpowering. They don’t make vocals the center of attention, yet vocals don’t get lost. They are just a very musical set of IEMs.

As I mentioned in the sound section, I found these to be an absolute pleasure for a lot of blues recording, especially those that are a little older and can be harsh and lacking a bit of warmth in the bass. The add body and warmth yet sound very natural doing it. They don’t sound like they are boosting the bass, they sound like they are smoothing it but without losing definition.

These are not a sound signature that I see people specifically asking for, yet I do see them as a sound signature that people will enjoy if they just sit back and listen to them. Yes, there is that peak that can make an appearance at times, but I really can’t find myself complaining about anything else.

While I found the Klanar to be a good first try by Kefine, I think that the Delci are a win, especially at the price point they come in at. They will obviously not be everybody’s taste as far as sound signature, they aren’t even my taste as sound signature, but I think they are a great set to have on hand when you just want to relax.

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As always, this review can be found in Spanish both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

<small>All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

Hello peeps, here is my take on Kfine Delci


Disclaimer:
this unit is lend from a friend. I won't get any benefits from this review. I'm just here to share my experience with it

Sound signature:
Bass is clearly boosted, and mid-range is little bit recessed, and highs are boosted (not extended just boosted). hence, I'm considering it's U shaped signature
Well, the first thing I noticed at my first listen is how crazy the bass is, they do reach bass head territory.

Construction & tech:
It is a single Dynamic driver. it is built like a tank, made of CNC aluminum alloy and the finish is gunmetal. provided cable is very soft and thick
It has two vents closer to nozzle which can be blocked if we insert in ears hence it is giving more bass in sound.


My preference:
I'm kind of guy who prefer neutrality with little bit of musical presentation either warm or bright doesn't matter.

Equipment:
Aful snowyNight dac
Final E tips
<16bits-44.4hz Offline flac files
Roon
foobar
UAPP
Hiby music player
Tidal app
Qobuz app
*All tracks are played in USB exclusive mode

bass:
It has It has great subbass ruble. throw whatever the song you like and clearly you will feel the rumble and the best part is bass never gives muddy sensation which quite surprising and bass decay is not really fast like planners but it's decent
good amount of mid-bass but I wish it could have more tight response. and texture is just fine.
Snare drums and Kick drums are just okay. instrumental bass is not that great but electronic and Edm bass is excellent
best part is bass has wide attack which make your head bang

Mid-range:
Due to the it's big bass, mid-range instruments sometimes masked but elevated treble helped them and added brightness hence midrange sounds thick as well as thin depending on the track. All the midrange instruments are more refined from engaging factor made them sound clear and snappy.
however, vocals are little recessed from my liking, but they have good clarity rather than engaging sometimes. Male vocals has heftiness due to big bass and female vocals sounds sweet, sometimes female vocals sounds little aggressive, but never found sibilant and still vocals have good details and sounds very Cohesive

treble:
Early roll off in treble but good thing is still treble is elevated enough to balance out the other frequencies. It has perfect amount of shimmer and shine
splashy instruments sounds really exciting due to it's boosted treble
and often times some instruments like guitar, violin and clarinet sounds little edgy, but percussion instruments sounds really nice.


technicalities:
bass hits wider that give you the wide soundstage sensation definitely than all bassy Iems
imaging is excellent I can say we can clearly Identify all individual instruments. I do play FPS games and they really standout in terms of stereo imaging
it has good tonality and natural timber never sounded any metallic nor plasticky

conclusion:
It is definitively best entry level Iem handles most of the genres and doesn't require additional power.
this one has solid bass impact without sacrificing details offers good sound quality, for 60 Dollars it makes your head bang.


Tracks used:
Aaj ki raat - A.R. Rehman
rolling in the deep - Adele
oxytocin - Billie Eilish
get lucky - Draft punk
Raaftarien - A.R. Rehman
teardrop - Massive attack
thundercloud - Sia feat diplo
uptown funk - Mark Ranson
Happy nation - ace of base
Another one bites the dust - Queen
The four season summer - Vivaldi
Starboy - Weekend
Legendary - Weshly Arms
Take on me - Aha
Redrum - 21 Savage
Happy face - Ibrahim Maalouf
L-O-V-E - Diana Krall
Porcelain - Moby
Concorde - Gregory Porter
Music sounds better with you - Stardust
Unfinished sympathy - Massive Attack
Fast land - Moderat
Leaving Caladan - Hans Zimmer
Rose Rough - St Germain
Outrageous - Britney Spears
Poker face - Lady gaga

Kefine is a fairly newcomer in budget Chi-fi audio realm, initially they came up with Klanar which was their first planar iem which I really liked and now they’ve came up with Delci which is their first Dynamic driver IEM with a price tag of just $75 USD which I feel like is a fantastic price range for beginner audiophiles who want to try something better than $20 kz and blons. I expect fantastic tuning and above competition sonic performance from Delci, lets see how it turns out and fulfills my expectations or not.



Disclaimer: -
I received the Kefine Delci directly from Kefine for the purpose of this review. I have no monetary benefit (I wish I had) with this review, neither I am influenced by anyone to write positive or negative about the pair. All thoughts are based on my usage consisting of mostly Anime, Bollywood, EDM, Hiphop, Alt rock, electronic and R&B music (pretty much whatever is currently trending or was trending in last few decades). I am no professional reviewer and I’m just sharing my thoughts and opinions.

Design & Build:-
Build quality wise, Delci is very similar to Klanar, which means metal solid shells, light weight and comfortable in ears. It has 3 venting to give you that solid bass and eliminate any pressure in you rears. It comes with a quality cable for the price which pairs very well with the IEM. The nozzle is a little short for my liking and the eartips came with it are also short nozzle. So getting long nozzle eartips becomes sort of mandatory for optimal fit. Spinfits and Azla worked great for me with Delci.

Technical Specs:-

• DRIVER TYPE Dynamic Driver
• DRIVERS 10 Mm DLC + PU Dynamic Drivers
• FREQUENCY RESPONSE 20Hz-20kHz
• SENSITIVITY 108dB+/-3dB
• IMPEDANCE 28Ω +/-15%
• WEIGHT 5.3 Grams For One Side
• CABLE Dual-Color Cable Made Of 164 Copper Wires

Power Requirements
Delci is decently demanding IEM, requiring close to Planar IEM levels of power but it scales and improves the sound too. I used it with Fiio Q15, Aful Snowynight and Also my Topping A70 Pro (sounded the best among others).

Sound Quality:-
To start with, I find the Delci to had an tasteful emphasis on the bass and sub-bass region giving it a weighty sound. It’s decently detailed, imaging is precise and with a more realistic tonal approach. The coherency on these is amazing and timbre is very organic.
The bass on these is a tiny bit boosted in the sub bass which adds to the over experience, it’s detailed, and transitions are speedy and does not interfere with the mids at all. Mid-bass on these is fast, precise, and got a lot of texture to it.
Mids in Delci is really amazing and sound very natural, this gives new life to all the vocal centric track you have in your collection. Overall midrange is very sweet sounding.
The treble on these is smooth and comfortable sound, It’s a bit rolled off but that makes it easy to listen to it for hours.



Soundstage on these is decent but imaging is very precise on these, you can easily identify multiple instruments in the stage. Soundstage on these depends on how deep you put on the eartip on the nozzle but it’s still average to below average depending upon your track preference
Clarity is very good and the detail retrieval is on par with the competition and at times better than most single DD and Hybrid IEM under 100 dollors and only gets surpassed by planar iems.

This is a very versatile IEM with a very safe tuning which will suite pretty much every genre of track you through at it, it plays like a champ. Only gripe and this is a very subjective point but I feel like if the treble was a tiny bit more airier it would’ve added to the special feeling and more separated.

Short note on Tiprolling
The stock tips come with shot stems, so, you need to change to something from Spinfits or azla which will improve the fits and could also improve the sound by helping with the treble extension. I liked the CP100+ and Azla sednafit light for it as it smoothens the sound and also provides a better response in the air region.

Quick Comparisons

Kefine Delci vs DDhifi Janus 3
Janus 3 is a well tuned IEM which came from DDhifi and Moondrop collab providing a decent tuning and comfy sound in earbud style in comparison Delci has better bass quality and quantity along with better separation but Stage width is a tad bit wider in Janus 3. Delci is smooth with decent extension but her Janus 3 wins by giving a better treble extension.



Kefine Delci vs Truthear Nova
Nova is one of my favorite IEMs launched last year due to it’s fantastic tuning and how well it handles every genre, In comparison Delci is pretty similar sounding with a little more weighty and faster bass but rest Nova takes the cake by giving you more details, better separation and a more realistically wide soundstage.



Kefine Delci vs Kefine Klanar
Here bigger brother just wins in every regards Hands down, better bass, better treble extension, better dynamics but but but if you want a bit more earfriendly and natural sound the Delci wins by a tiny margin.


Tracks used for testing
My playlist consists of Anime/jpop tracks, Hip-Hop, Jazz, R&B and some Bollywood but not limited to this only.

• Shinunoga E-Wa · Fujii Kaza
• 夜に駆ける · YOASOBI · Ayase
• KICK BACK · Kenshi Yonezu
• NIGHT DANCER · imase
• Fire · Queen Bee
• Suzume (feat. Toaka) · RADWIMPS
• Royals · Lorde
• Low · SZA
• Sign of the Times · Harry Styles
• Glimpse of Us · Joji
• Until I Found You (Em Beihold Version) · Stephen Sanchez
• Under the Influence · Chris brown
• Starboy · The Weeknd
• Creepin' · Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, 21 Savage
• Do It Again – Pia Mia feat. Chris Brown and Tyga
• Collide (feat. Tyga) · Justine Skye
• Don’t gamble with love – Paul Anka

Conclusion:-
My time with Delci was very enjoyable, it’s a fun, agile, comfy sound IEM that’s very accessible to the masses providing a well tuned enough to suite most genre and specially fullfil those audiophile basshead needs without compromising in details and clarity. Under $100 it’s a very good option and surely deserves atleast 4 Stars from me !!

TONALITY: 8.2/10
TECHNICALITIES: 7.8/10
TIMBRE: 8/10
SOUNDSTAGE: 8.5/10
IMAGING: 7.5/10
MUSICALITY (subjective): 8.2/10
CONSTRUCTION: 8.5/10
ACCESSORIES: 8/10
SOUND VALUE: 8.5/10

Kefine is a newcomer IEM company from China that has release a planar IEM call Klanar about 6 months ago and aim budget friendly IEM release that deliver high sound performance value.

Today I will review their second release call Delci.

Priced 60$ right now (msrp:75$), the Delci is a single dynamic driver IEM using a 10mm DLC+PU driver.

Let see in my review if the Delci is competitive enough to worth consideration in over crowded sub-100$ IEM offering.

CONSTRUCTION&ACCESSORIES QUALITY




The construction is all made of CNC aluminum alloy and feels extremely sturdy. The finish is gunmetal and has a pleasant texture, it doesn't seem easily scratchable which is a big plus.
As well, this one piece alloy is very lightweight at only 5.3grams.



On top we have the 2 pin connector, solidly embedded and aligned with the rest of the shell.
The nozzle is angled, and long enough for both shallow and deep fit.
This nozzle is a bit thick but doesn’t create discomfort.
Overall design is sober and elegant, not very colorful and striking to look at but I love low profile IEM too.



The included cable isn’t bad but comes only in the 3.5mm single ended option which is a bummer if most of your audio sources are balanced like me. Cable is a 4 cores braided with 164 copper wires, it's soft and flexible, looks good and feels durable.



As for the packaging, it's a minimalist box with a generous amount of eartips (6 pairs of silicone eartips in 2 models: short and long wide bore). The carrying case is basic quality but it has plenty of space for more than one IEM and 1 cable, which is a plus for compact portability.

All in all, I'm very satisfied with the construction as well as accessories for the price though lack of balanced cable option is a con nowaday.


SOUND IMPRESSIONS



Overall tonality of the Delci can be summarized as warmish U shape with big sub bass boost, mild mid bass boost, smooth upper mids-lower treble boost then mostly lean and dark treble until ultra highs crispness that add brilliance, sparkle and snap to a widely open and airy musicality with wide resonance rumble capacity that stretched headroom.
Electric bass, digital kick, female vocal and metallic high pitch percussions and sound are what get more intensity in tonal balance.
The Delci are near basshead IEM, they aren’t too bright nor too dark and aim for an immersive musicality with plenty of bass juice to bite in. It’s laid back yet near W shape in balance due to this extra upper treble extension that is something rare in sub-100$ IEM, which often lack proper sparkle.

The bass is thunderous in rumble, wide and heavy in slam, but not super speedy or cleanly rounded in mid bass so the kick while having minimum punch can’t compete with more dynamic sub bass, it feel thinner too, but does have this subtle tuck even with acoustic kick, it’s ‘’hidden’’ under bass line release resonance which benefit rumble density and tactility but not the sharpness of presence and positioning.
Bassist specialist then? I think so, electric bass lines are vibrant in texture and grunt and can get their own physical roundness, it magnifies the sense of layering even if as said the kick drum doesn't get the same treatment and isn’t as forwarded in soundscape.
I did enjoy jazz rock trio Autoryno with the Delci, since even if i nitpick kick drum definition perfection, the punch ‘’oomph’’ is there and mix well with more define bass line, it cohabit closely, sometime mixing their impact energy which benefit trip-hop, rap, R&B and soul as well as electronic music.
All in all, the bass is the main highlight of those Delci, but it excels with slower music genres as well as not too complex and busy tracks.

The mids sit between lush and bright, lean way. The female vocal are at risk of sibilance due to a slightly forwards and energetic presence, yet it’s not shouty or too loud, sibilance occur in 5-10 khz range so it’s pass upper mids and this is how instrument and vocal feel clearer too but not perfectly define. Without this extra attack edge, it would lack dynamic in fact so this is a well done balance afterall.
So again, lukewarm territory in term of resolution since it’s a mix of darkness and crispness here, definition edge of sound envelope is a bit messed up, it lack proper contour and has its harmonic more upfront than fundamentals, underlining a lower mid scoop that make instrument thinner and brighter that they naturally are, this is why i can’t say it’s 100% lush, sweet or warm.
Mids sound open and airy, piano has light note weight and clean rendering but lack attack lead definition as if piano was a wind instrument.
Male vocals are a bit thin too, but the presence is bright and clear, it’s not veil nor warm by bass, timbre of Kurt Eiling vocal can feel a bit nasally and harsh. It lacks lower range vibrancy and fullness and focuses more on upper range presence and grain, which benefit intelligibility of lyric but not musicality of the tone.
Female vocal are better and lusher and thicker, Jorja Smith breathy vocal sound very good, presence is wide and upfront yet not shouty or too aggressive.


The treble is the most impressive part with the bass, it’s plenty crisp and sparkly with an open and airy delivery. Not to imply that Delci are analytical but we have a good amount of micro details that pop up in soundscape with snappy energy.
Folk fans will be spoiled here since acoustic guitar sounds marvelously brilliant and well defined, cohabiting with vocals in an airy scintillating way.
Fine details of metal string pulling or scratching are delivered in ultra HD resolution, making separation of melodic line easier, it avoids too euphonic sustain too so the attack release while thin is clean too.
Some might find it extract unwanted or distracting micro details in instrument texture or percussions range, i’m one of those but mostly for percussions since when their a wide variety of high pitch sound some will be sharper and louder, gaining this metallic brilliance boost that make harder to follow full rhythmic richness, some cymbals lack proper atack lead while other are ultra snappy popping in with more authority and clarity, yet not being always fully restitute. So, in busy rock with plenty of crash cymbals, the air can get noisy with lean shrill resonance and the hit of each cymbal isn’t well felt or perceived.
This is a imprevisible treble response that can make violin attack super edgy and speedy sometimes, but this violin will sound thin and borderline metallic in timbre.
It must be noted that I judge treble without taking the price in account, like I do with EW200 which is superior in this department and I will show why in the comparison section.

The soundstage is quite impressive in term of wideness, it give a vast stereo sound tapestry that don't feel compressed. It's not a very deep and clean spatiality though.

Imaging is just average here, nothing to write about, even percussions are that sharp in positioning. Bass line are easier to position and extract. I would never suggest those for monitoring purpose.



Side Notes

At 28ohm of impedance and 108db of sensitivity, the Delci aren't hardest IEM to drive but benefit from proper amping to get all it's bass goodness as well as soundstage openess.

A balanced source do improve it's imaging and macro dynamic clarity, so in that regard, upgrading cable is legit.

As for eartips, i find wide bore the go to choice.

Since these are a bit warm, it pair better with clean source that have lively dynamic too.

COMPARISONS



VS SIMGOT EW200 (1DD-40$)

EW200 is notably brighter, crisper and more W shaped, it feels more neutral too in an energetic way, suddenly Delci feels more basshead L shape, darker as a whole and sloppier in bass response.

The bass is faster, tighter and more textured and defined in presence with EW200, mid bass is more focused, kick drum is less dark, bass line doesn't veil lower mids as much too. The punch is harder and dryer, while wide and juicier with Delci which has notably more boosted sub bass that offer longer thicker rumble release as well as wider slam. Overall transition in mids is warmer and more prompt to resonance fog that will affect definition sharpness of mid range instruments.

Mids are brighter and more technical, clearer and cleaner, as well as fuller and sharper in presence. Resolution is notably superior in this range (and above), attack is more controlled and I can see people using EW200 for monitoring purposes which I will never do with Delci. Both male and female vocals are less prompt to slight sibilance, they are about as loud but their presence isn’t as wide and diffuse and other instruments are clearer as well as air is cleaner around it. We have more note weight and faster attack control. Upper mids are a bit louder, nearer to shoutyness than smoother yet more sibilant Delci.

Treble is where the Delci has no chance to compete, EW200 is an abnormality in sub-100$ price range and offers notably fuller and more extended treble with faster snappier attack, more articulated, energic and edgy percussions dynamic. We have more micro details, not just random sound info boost, acoustic guitar isn’t just about brilliance, it sound fuller but as sparkly, Delci has more air and greater ultra high spike which feel like one-trick pony when it come to fast busy track with energetic percussions and drum since EW200 will not go as muddy and foggy in macro dynamic.

Soundstage wise, Delci go upper hand here, it’s way wider and taller, and even deeper due to more recessed center stage that have leaner amplitude intensity, so it feels more contemplative while you're in the middle of the jam with the EW200.

If resolution and attack control is from another league with EW200 it means imaging is superior even if it feels more compressed in sound layer, which are closer to each other but brighter and more defined in each sound envelope which doesn’t mix up in resonant diffusion like the darker Delci.

All in all, in term of plain musicality I would be lying to say I prefer EW200, this is due to the fact im both a fan of dense well layered enough rumble, not shouty mids and big soundstage as well as sparkle which Delci deliver, yet in term of plain technical performance the EW200 feel like a 200$ IEM vs a 80$ warm basshead one.

VS ARTTI R1 (3DD-70$)

Those 2 are quite similar in harmanish tonal balance but R1 is more technical sounding, a notch more W shape and crisper in mid range as well as cleaner and more capable in imaging.

The limitation of single DD vs 3DD is real here, it’s more evident with complex busy tracks that need proper macro dynamic layering where the R1 feels from another league.

But it doesn’t mean tonality is more musical, it’s less lush and laid back, thinner and dryer in timbre, less natural and warm in balance.

The bass is rounder, thicker, warmer and punchier with Delci, rumble is more vibrant and lush but separation is less clean. R1 bass is thinner and dryer, lighter in impact but faster in attack and not as prompt to bass bleed, bass lines are cleaner and better articulate too as well as more textured and edgier in definition.

Mids is darker and lusher with the Delci, vocals are less brightened in presence, smoother and creamier more colorful in timbre, male vocals are less bright and thin. vocal and instrument has wider but less edgy presence, timbre is more natural and upper mids less spiky with Delci. R1 has more open spatiality and clean crisper mids as well as more transparent layering, it’s less euphonic and prompt to macro muddyness

Treble is where Delci can’t compete since we have a whole DD for this task the R1 is way crisper and more detailed, airier even if both these IEMs can deliver sparkle. R1 percussions are better extracted and snappier in attack, we don't lose sound info as much as darker Delci. Treble sensitive people will find Delci safer too.

Soundstage is wider with Delci while it's notably deeper and taller and airier with R1.

Imaging and sound layering is from another league with R1, no competition here, even fast busy tracks keep their macro dynamic articulated and don't mix their sound layers easily unlike Delci that show its transient limitation.

All in all, i come to similar conclusion with R1 than i do for EW200, the Delci musicality is more natural and balance, bass is thicker and lusher and more pleasant as well as mids are more focused on vocals which are smoother and wider in lush presence with Delci, but technical performance can’t compete with 3DDs here even with an overall similar U shape tonal balance.


CONCLUSION



The Kefine Delci are a very pleasant sounding IEM, one of few well balanced warm U shapes I've heard under 100$. It would be the logical upgrade to something like Blon Z300, KBear Rosefinch or CCA CRA+.

Sure, these are no end games in terms of technical performance, but I've heard way worse and the sound signature isn’t technical in the first place. It aims for a smooth laid back bassy musicality which is very well achieved here.

If you like bass and rumble as well as lush warm vocals and need some sparkle on top, I think Delci is a very safe bet. Just the fact I'm underwhelmed 99% of the time by lack of sparkle on top and these deliver some is a big deal, due to keeping balance gently bright and not aggressive too.

All in all, Kefine is more than Fine and their second release confirms they know how to tune IEM since the Klanar is a very musical IEM too with similar tonality, slightly superior in technical performance due to the use of a planar driver.

Recommended!




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PS: I want to thanks Kefine for sending me the Delci. As well as for their patience because i took more than one month to accept this reviewing task. This was due to overwhelming suggestion from other audiophile buddies which are legit. I'm happy to have enjoy this budget IEM which I have zero affiliation with nor zero $ compensation (i don't resell IEMs 99% of time).

You can buy the Delci for 52$ here (non affiliated link and cleaned from cookies): https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806495115861.html

Kefine is a new audio brand out of China that have launched a couple products to market. This review will take a look at their dynamic driver IEM, the Delci. The product was provided directly from Kefine for reviewing.

The Delci features a 10mm Polyurethane + Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) driver within aluminum gunmetal gray shells. The product is $59 and available on various online retailers.

The product also comes with a very nice cable that is a 4-wire braid mixing 2 wires of light copper with 2 wires of dark brown color that gives the cable a bit of a unique and luxurious look. The connectors are all aluminum and match the IEM shells, while terminating in 3.5mm stereo jack and 2-pin connectors.

Sound Impressions​

Kefine went with a very warm and balanced tuning choice with the Delci and its tuned quite well, with a fairly smooth and lifted bass range through the mids. The upper mid-range and treble are very easy to listen to, but there is a small peak in the mid-treble that only sometimes peeks out to be sharp on some cymbal attacks. Overall, the tuning is very nicely done and can be considered a gentle V-shaped tuning.




The low end is quite punchy with good impact. The dynamics are quite lively on Daft Punk's Fragments of Time, and surprisingly handles this track very well. Cymbals don't sound too bright and the busy passages are well controlled as is the bass section. The Delci's texturing may not be the best here, but it's really great for a budget IEM.

On a rock track like Vatican by Laterns on the Lake, the haunting lead vocals come across very clear and the echoes of Hazel Wilde's voice as it disappears in the background whisper away on the Delci. Again, I am very impressed with how smooth and engaging this IEM sounds with this track. Like on Daft Punk, the drumming from Radiohead's Phil Selway is punchy, and provides a good kick when needed.

I also tried a bit of piano jazz with the Delci, listening to the live recording of Bill Laurance Trio at Ronnie Scott's. On "The Good Things", the IEM was able to handle all the most intense parts with Laurance's piano melodies in full swing, and the electric bass guitar strumming heavily and drums on high octane. Kick drums are heavy on this track and the Delci had great impact when they struck. The soundstage felt more intimate overall, like I was sitting in the front of the show, but surprisingly did not feel like it was overwhelmed with poor separation here.

Final Thoughts​

The Delci is a great single DD IEM from Kefine. It's tuned very well to my preferences, and works well with all the genres I threw at it. I am pretty impressed with the sound for the low price of just $59, and this easily becomes one of my recommendations at this price point. If I were to change anything with it, I'd consider lowering the treble slightly after 7KHz to reduce it for those who are more sensitive to brightness, but overall this tuning works well.

"What a relaxed sound," said the nearly deaf emperor.

I approach reviews with a philosophy rooted in appreciation; I choose to evaluate products that resonate with me; because, as an artist, I recognize the immense challenge inherent in creation. My focus is on constructive critique and celebrating innovation and excellence. I will only review products that I enjoy.

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To say that the Kefine Delci earphones were a surprise would be an understatement. Periodically, a new IEM bursts onto the scene, garnished with praise that often borders on hyperbolic. My past experiences, marred by disappointments, humiliations and cope, had led me to regard such acclaim with a healthy dose of skepticism.

In the past, this skepticism has isolated me, making me feel like an edgy contrarian, as I struggled to reconcile the universal adulation of certain models with my distinctly negative experiences. Was I the only one able to discern that the so-called "ultimate giant killer with perfect tuning" was, to my ears, mediocre at best? Or my ignorance was so big that I literally cannot hear competently?

Therefore, when I first encountered the enthusiastic reviews of the Kefine Delci—a modestly priced single dynamic earphone—I braced myself for another letdown, expecting to see my resentment grow. However, the reality was starkly different.

Perfect:

Upon first use, my skepticism was not just mitigated; it was obliterated. This revelation also offered a window into why my auditory preferences often diverge from the mainstream. Contrary to expectations set by previous reviews, the Kefine Delci does not indulge in a warm, relaxed sound. Rather, it is a paragon of reference tuning—crisp, meticulous, and astonishingly balanced.

The prevailing earphone tuning that seems to cater to the Harman curve of 2019, which often strikes me as overly shouty and fatiguing. The trend towards 'resolving' and 'bright' sound signatures frequently results in sibilance and discomfort. My hypothesis? The age demographic of typical reviewers, skewing towards older individuals possibly experiencing high-frequency hearing loss, might explain their preference for brighter profiles—which they erroneously perceive as 'warm and relaxed'.

I would argue that USound is the way to go for people with undamaged hearing. That is, at least, what my experience and my personal testing with friends have revealed in the past.

Far for being laid-back and unresolving, I find that the Kefine Delci excels in its class with an impressive soundstage width, engaging bass, and vocals that are both restrained and lucid. The detail retrieval and separation capabilities are exceptional, rivaling those of earphones that boast multiple drivers and command much higher prices. As a professional who has spent countless hours in various recording studios, I would probably rely on these earphones for an honest, and quick, assessment of audio mixes. They exhibit a sonic fidelity that is both uncolored and impeccably natural.

The name 'Kefine', purportedly derived from 'refine', aptly reflects the mature and professional sound profile these earphones offer—a flawless execution that stands beyond reproach.

Almost:

However, no product is without its flaws. The machining of the Kefine Delci earphones, while allegedly unique, shows signs of inconsistency. For instance, in my set, the cable connects seamlessly with the left monitor but poses a significant challenge on the right due to imprecise machining. This forced me to choose between potentially damaging the unit or returning it—a dilemma no enthusiast wants to face. Luckily, I didn’t break anything. But very easily could I have destroyed the connector.

Additionally, the included ear tips are subpar in quality; even the largest sizes are too small and too weird to secure a fit. Fortunately, as an "audiophile" with an extensive collection of tips, this was a manageable shortcoming for me, but it could be a significant deterrent for others.

Conclusion:

Despite these very minor grievances, the Kefine Delci earphones are a revelation in the realm of audio precision. They may not deliver the 'fun' factor some seek through emphasized bass or treble, but for pure, unadulterated sound, they are unparalleled at this price. With their refined tuning and spatial accuracy, they deserve nothing less than a full five-star rating. I cannot bring myself to give them any other score. The Kefine Delci set a benchmark for what an affordable single-driver earphones can achieve, redefining expectations for audiophiles and professionals alike.

Introduction​

Kefine is a pretty new brand in the Chi-Fi industry, but it’s directly related to SIVGA that instead is not new on the market.
After the success of their Klanar (which I haven’t had the chance to try), they are back with a single DD set named “Delci”, and in this review I’ll dive deeper to understand their value and how they compare with other products.

Disclaimer: the Kefine Delci were sent to me by Kefine so that I could write an honest review. This review represents my personal opinion on the set, it isn’t a promotional or paid content and I don’t get any revenue from the sales of this product.
At the time of the review, the Kefine Delci were on sale for around 59$ at HiFiGO.

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Technical Specifications​

• Driver Configuration → 1 x 10mm DD
• Impedance → 28 Ω
• Sensitivity → 95 dB
• Frequency Response Range → 20Hz-40kHz
• Cable → 1,2m copper cable with 0.72mm 2-PIN connectors
• Plug Type → Straight gold plated 3.5mm jack connector

Packaging​

The packaging of the Delci is quite simple and contains:

• The Kefine Delci
• A detachable cable
• One set of wide bore tips and one set of narrow bore tips (S, M, L) along with the ones that are already mounted on the nozzles
• A hard carry case
• User manual

Design, Build Quality, Comfort and Isolation​

The Kefine Delci look very elegant and come in a dark grey color that I really dig, even though those who already own the Klanar will find them looking too similar (maybe Kefine should have found a way to differentiate them a bit more).
The build quality is excellent and there’s nothing to complain about.
Comfort is great as long as one uses the correct tips as these need a particularly deep insertion. At the same time, it’s better if the used tips have a stiffer inner tube since the nozzle is on the bigger side.
Isolation is decent in general.

Cable​

The cable is pretty good, even though I’ve already seen better cables in this price range: it has a chin slider, it’s well built and it feels durable. Let’s say that nowadays having braided cable in this price range would be even better, but I don’t wanna push so much on this since it’s a minor complaint.

Sound​

GEAR USED FOR THE TEST

• DAC: Topping E30
• AMP: Topping L30, Fiio A3
• Mobile phones: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, Xiaomi Mi A3, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
• Moondrop May’s DSP cable with PEQ=0
• Dongle: Apple Type-C dongle, Fosi DS2, Hidizs XO
• Portable DAPs: Benjie S8/AGPTEK M30B
• Other sources: Presonus AudioBox iONE, Elgato Wave XLR, KZ AZ10

Do they need an amplifier?
No, they don’t strictly need an amplifier.

Sound signature
The Kefine Delci follow a very warm U-shaped signature.

Lows
The sub-bass is deep and builds very solid foundations for every track or genre one can think of. It’s not exaggerated though, which is very good news.
The bass is punchy and full bodied (for a 10mm driver, nice job Kefine!), even though the texturing ability is just ok. Let’s say it’s not a set for those who usually prefer extreme basshead L-shaped sets, but you’ll definitely feel at home when using the Delci if you love bass in general.

Mids
The midrange sounds slightly recessed, with a lot of warmth in the lower midrange and a very refined upper midrange. Male vocals sound very deep and warm, even though sometimes this warmth can be a bit too much for some, while female vocals are deliciously intimate yet energetic at the right point. Acoustic instruments are weighty and portrayed with a very nice and pleasant warm tinge, a thing that also impacts some other instruments like violins or electric guitars that should sound a tad drier in some situations.
The layering is very nice too, which is good news.

Highs
The highs are non fatiguing overall but there’s some spice. I have noticed that the shallower the fit, the spicier the treble gets, so a deep insertion will actually improve the overall sound experience.
The treble carries a good amount of details and the extension is not bad. For sure the Delci are not extremely analytical nor do they aim to reproduce the smallest nuances of the tracks, but this also goes along with the tuner's intention, clearly focused on music enjoyment.

The soundstage is well rounded with good width and average depth and height. Imaging is very good both considering the signature and the price.

Some comparisons:​

Kefine Delci vs Truthear Hola
Very briefly, the Delci are the direct upgrade from the Hola. Except for the technical ability, the cable and the build quality, that are superior on the Delci, the Hola sound a bit more natural when it comes to male vocals and acoustic instruments whereas the Delci sound even warmer than the already warm Hola. The Hola are a bit spicier in the treble but also have a slightly more extended upper end.
Comfort and isolation are very similar.

Kefine Delci vs QoA Gimlet
The Delci are superior in terms of imaging and sub-bass extension, and they also have a tighter and faster low-end, whereas the Gimlet have more details and energy in the upper midrange and treble and play in a slightly wider soundstage. I find female vocals smoother and less borderline-hot on the Delci, whereas I find male vocals a bit more “correct” on the Gimlet. Overall it’s very hard for me to choose, and I gotta admit that the Gimlet still competes very well with newer stuff when it comes to music enjoyment.
Build quality is good on both sets, whereas cable, comfort and isolation are better on the more lightweight Delci.

Kefine Delci vs EW200
Two very different animals: bassy and warm vs bright Harman-neutral. The Delci have better low-end with more punch and better body, they reproduce deeper male vocals and more intimate female vocals and they play in a wider stage. The EW200, instead, have faster bass, a more linear and natural sounding midrange, more energetic (yet also more fatiguing) female vocals and better detail retrieval. Let’s say that it’s the usual warm vs bright battle but both are very competent. Imaging is on par more or less which is very nice for the Delci considering their warmer approach.

Kefine Delci vs TRI x HBB KAI
Those who love very warm stuff have probably heard about the TRI x HBB KAI, and you know what? Those who were interested but didn’t pull the trigger should instead replace the KAI with the Delci in the wishlist.
The Delci sounds smoother, more accurate, more detailed than the KAI. The KAI have a bit more emphasis on female vocals but somehow the same vocals sound better on the Delci, probably because of the better treble and midrange tuning. Soundstage is also bigger on the Delci.
Build quality and cable are better on the Delci, whereas comfort and isolation are slightly better with the KAI in the ears.

Final Thoughts​

The Delci are a great set overall and they are probably the best DD IEMs around the 50$ mark. Their biggest strength is the effortless and smooth reproduction of every track, the technical performance is very good for budget single DD IEM (especially considering it’s a 10mm driver) and the tuning is properly executed.
Maybe it will be too warm for some, but those who love bass and like to just sit and enjoy the music will definitely consider the Delci as a great day-to-day set.

Foreward:

I'm grateful to Pulkit (@gadgetgod) for providing me with this unit as part of the audition tour. After the release of its affordable and unique sounding iem the Klanar, Kefine is back with another IEM. Its a
single dynamic driver with 10mm DLC+PU diaphragm. Let's dig deeper on its build and my sound impressions.

Please Note: I lack the comprehension of audiophile jargon so I will try to explain my review like a 9 year old to avoid ambiguity in my review.

Build:

The Build is light and comfortable making it sit on the ears for longer sessions. The shell is light which weighs around 5.3 grams, and the finishing feels premium. The case and tips are decent for the asking price but the braided cable quality is above par. My review unit had the 3.5mm cable but I never felt the need for a balanced 4.4 cable. Read my sound impressions to know why..

Gear used:

• -Samsung M51 paired with Cayin Ru6
• -iPhone 15 paired with iBasso DC03Pro
• - iFi Go Blu on Bluetooth

Streaming Apps: Spotify & Apple Music


Driveability 5/5

Delci can be easily driven from any source, and even from my Samsung M51's 3.5 headphone jack. However, with a good source it scales pretty well which shows the driver's versatile nature.

Sound:

To describe the sound I would say that the Delci has an overall warm presentation with a fun and engaging high end. That's not it. Keep reading to find out more.

Bass : 5/5

Sub Bass Depth and Rumble
Testing sub-bass depth and rumble in an IEM requires tracks that feature deep bass frequencies and powerful sub-bass elements.

• In the track Massive Attack - "Teardrop" I felt the rumble was good enough. I was clearly able to hear the low sounds distinctively. It shows that Delci has a good bass extension.
• In another track by The Weeknd - "Starboy" it almost gave me a subwoofer effect.

Control and Tightness
To test bass control and tightness in an IEM, you’ll want tracks that feature well-defined basslines and controlled low-frequency elements.

• In the track Daft Punk - "One More Time" the bass wasn't very tight but it was not loose either, I'd say it was sufficient enough not to sound sluggish.
• I used another track, Stevie Wonder - "Superstition" where i felt the bass was just tight enough.

Mid Bass Punch and Slam
Testing mid-bass punch and slam in an IEM requires tracks that emphasize the lower frequencies with impact and depth.

• In the track Beastie Boys - "Sabotage" the bassline the punch is adequate.
• I also verified with another track from Muse - "Hysteria" and I felt the mid bass in the distorted bass guitar.

Mids: 3/5

Lower mids: Body and Warmth
To evaluate lower mids body and warmth in an IEM, you'll want tracks that feature rich vocals, acoustic instruments, and low-register instruments like guitars and cellos.

• The track Norah Jones - "Come Away With Me" felt smooth and warm with rich female vocals. However, the bassy instruments felt slightly recessed. Piano, Strings and cymbals were easier to notice.
• In another track Coldplay - "Yellow", here the male vocals felt fuller and warm as well.

Upper Mids - Clarity and Detail
To test upper mids clarity and detail in an IEM, you'll want tracks that feature prominent vocals, guitars, and other mid-range instruments with intricate textures and nuances.

• In Radiohead - "Pyramid Song" as the track advances, Delci starts losing clarity and it feels like a few instruments get muffled with the vocals, the separation is not quite evident.
• In another track Diana Krall - "S'Wonderful" the vocals are forward but the instruments come out cleaner. Delci performs well with Jazz tracks.

Midrange Balance and Timbre
Testing midrange balance and timbre in an IEM requires tracks that showcase a variety of instruments and vocal performances across the midrange spectrum.

• The track Pink Floyd - "Wish You Were Here" features a variety of instruments like guitars, piano, and vocals all occupy the midrange. Delci is quite Balanced and presents a cohesive soundscape where each instrument has its own distinct and natural timbre.
• The track Antonio Vivaldi - "The Four Seasons - Spring" relies heavily on violins and cellos, both prominent in the mids. Delci is able to showcase the natural timbres of these instruments.

Overall Midrange Performance:

• The track Adele - "Someone Like You" features vocals which spans a wide range of the midrange. Delci is able to present her voice with warmth without being harsh.
• The track Steely Dan - "Aja" features a meticulously crafted mix with instruments and vocals seamlessly integrated across the midrange. Delci is quite Balanced and resolving and it reveals the intricate details and textures within the song.
• Upper mids are at times harsh. I noticed it on some tracks. Instruments like trumpets and electric guitar felt slightly harsh when I used a DC04pro but on ru6 it was fine.

Treble: 4/5

Treble Extension - Air and Brightness
Testing treble extension and brightness in an IEM requires tracks that feature prominent high-frequency elements such as cymbals, hi-hats, and vocal sibilance.

• In the track Led Zeppelin - "When the Levee Breaks" the cymbal strikes are not so well isolated but they are by no means harsh or sibilant. I would say the treble extension is just average.
• In another track Steely Dan - "Do it Again" the high hats cymbals crispness is decent and is not harsh

Treble Detail and Resolution:
To test treble detail and resolution in an IEM, you’ll want tracks that contain intricate high-frequency elements and subtle nuances.

• In the track Antonio Vivaldi - "The Four Seasons - Summer " , Delci is able to resolve intricate details in the treble. The fast violin passages in this summer movement. The separation of notes isn't very clear and slightly sounds smeared together.
• In a bollywood track Surili Akhiyon Wale - Veer Delci picks up nuances and the bar chimes are very clean which plays at the back of the guitar picks layered with accordion.

Smoothness and Sibilance Control:
To test treble smoothness and sibilance control in an IEM, you’ll want tracks that contain vocals with sibilant sounds (like “s” and “sh” sounds) and high-frequency elements without being harsh or piercing.

• The track Nora Jones - "Don't Know Why", had peaks in the vocals but was not sibilant at all. Delci tamed the sibilance while maintaining clarity in the voice.

Overall Treble Quality and Balance:

The track Pink Floyd - "Comfortably Numb" features a layered soundscape with guitars, synths, and vocals all sharing the treble space. Delci somehow managed to present a clear and detailed treble without any particular element being overpowering but it didnt excel which is understandable at the price point.

The track Mozart - "Piano Concerto No. 21 - III. Rondo (Alla Turca)" has a bright melody played on the piano. I chose this track to test the balance and smoothness in Delci. The overall presentation was smooth and enjoyable without excessive brightness or harshness.


Technicalities: 4/5

• In most tracks I was able to hear the instruments crisp and clear. The Soundstage is spacious at average and has good width. The forward vocals also help with the stage height and I also got a hint of depth in some jazz tracks. One reference would be the track Miles Davis - "So What" where the instruments are spaced decently enough but not wide.
• Imaging is quite decent enough for the asking price. In tracks involving 1-3 instruments, I was able to tell where the sound is coming from and how far but it was mostly left, right, behind my ears and behind my head. Using the same track as above I was able to feel the distance of all instruments.
• Resolution is great, it picks up nuances and expressed it so well. The cymbal reverbs sound beautiful. Layering is also something I feel it does very well. in the track Snarky Puppy - Lingus (We Like It Here), I was able to hear a lot of details. Also as the track progresses it adds on layers of each instrument.

Final Verdict:

Well, with all that said, It's a green flag for me. Delci has proven that good IEMs can be affordable. By no means it's a perfect IEM but with its offering at the given price point I really think this should be your go to iem for longer listening sessions. Bassheads would really enjoy this iem.