Thanks for sharing! Very insightful as always from audio reviews.org
Also very important before you start to DIY anything with the Believe, buy some appropriate parts...Thanks for sharing! Very insightful as always from audio reviews.org
Itās sound sigunature vs purity from my own independent testing observation.
By removing filter, it reveals what the drivers are actually capable of, with a cost of detuned from original curve. If drivers has good curve, removing filters are the pure step up, vice versa.
Yes, I know the thread you mentioned and I have spare filters from the aliexpres, the ones you linked.
Just received a review unit of the KBEAR Neon.
Accessories are very nice, similarly packed like the KBEAR LARK. It comes with a silver plated cable, the IEMs a carry case, and 3 pairs of tips.
The Neon is a bullet shaped IEM, meant to be worn cable down. Fit is good, it isn't as "violating" or deep fitting as the Etymotics series IEMs, I couldn't use the Etys for more than a few minutes due to ear discomfort and ear abrasions (though granted the etys had one of the best passive isolation in a non custom IEM and they did sound good). The Neon is light and comfortable, very minimal microphonics considering it is a cable down IEM that rubs the shirt frequently. The cable is a silver plated cable, very well braided and usable, no need to mess around with aftermarket tips/cables for this set, everything is usable OOTB.
Isolation on the KBEAR Neon is good as per an unvented BA set. As per the single BA config, this IEM is very easy to drive, no amping or heavy powered gear required. The Neon runs off practically any weak source.
I liked that the Neon came with a 2 pin connector, as I had a lot of issues with MMCX type connectors with repeated cable changes. The only issue about the Neon is that one may inadvertantly connect the 2 pin cable in a reversed polarity on one side of the IEM housing as the IEM can be rotated, which may make music out of phase. There's a dot on the IEM to signify the orientation of the IEM housing, so just make sure both dots are facing up or both are facing down. Anyways, if the music is out of phase, it is pretty obvious, music seems to be coming from behind the head and sounds weird. Alternatively, just use a youtube link to check that you are in phase: ()
On one side of the Neon housing, u can see the Knowles 29689 BA serial number, so this set does use high end Knowles drivers. But of course driver brand is secondary to tuning and implementation, as we can see that some TOTL sets (cough cough Campfire Solaris) use Bellsing BA drivers. But the Knowles signature sound does shine thru in the Neon, featuring a well rounded note with good technicalities, without needing to boost the upper frequencies to cheat and get the details in (we'll discuss this below).
So onto the sound. The Neon is a midcentric set (ie higher treble and subbass roll off). It is kind of expected as per the single BA config, there's gonna be some limitations in extension of the FR at both extreme ends. So bassheads best look elsewhere for your subbass rumble, and trebleheads best look elsewhere for your sparkle and air. But the Neon's midcentric tuning is very well done, there's really no harshness or peaks in the tuning, it's a very agreeable and smooth midcentric set. Midcentric tunings, as we discussed, are not the best for bass forward music genres, eg EDM, but it really shines in vocals and acoustics genres.
Midbass is neutral and the subbass rolls off very early, as per the single BA physics. What the Neon cedes in bass quantity, it aces in quality. The midbass is very fast and tight and textured. Literal definition of "Fast and Clean" bass, with no bass bleed. Mids are the star here, being boosted, but not harsh or shouty. It is a very transparent mids that lets all the vocals and instruments shine through. There isn't the harsh 2 - 4 kHz area that plagues a lot of CHIFI tuning, this is a non fatiguing set. Treble wise, there's slight sibilance, but it is still considered a safe treble for me, yet retaining good microdetails, though it isn't the most airy treble.
Note weight on the Neon is on the slightly thinner side, but that allows the single BA to move quite fast without any dulled transients. Timbre is surprisingly good for a BA set, it won't beat a well tuned single DD in the timbral accuracy department, but it is one of the better BA timbre sets I've tried. Definitely trumps the garden variety KZ in timbre for sure. Acoustic instruments and vocals sounded quite natural in timbre, with maybe only a slight "plastic" quality in stringed instruments.
On to technicalities. As this set is a deep insertion type IEM, as per some Etymotics, soundstage is kinda 2D. Soundstage width is good, but height and depth are below average. But what the Neon cedes in soundstage, it makes up for in good imaging. I'd take a set with a good imaging and more intimate soundstage, over a set with big soundstage but fuzzy and nebulous imaging. Details and instrument separation are good for this price range, the Neon doesn't use the typical overly boosted upper mids/treble cheatcode that a lot of budget CHIFI use to boost clarity and give fake details. The Neon manages to get the details in without going to shouty territory, and yet being quite a chill laid back tuning that one can use for hours without fatigue. Think of a monitoring type analytical sound signature with good details, in fact I think the Neon can be a good entry level stage monitor due to its isolation, good fit and good technicalities.
I have an admission to make, I'm not a single BA fan. I'm a single DD guy for general music listening, as they tend to give better timbral accuracy and tonality/coherency at the budget/midfi CHIFI segment, when compared to multi BA sets. Single BA types also tend to lack subbass and may be weaker in technicalities, when compared to multi BA/hybrids, as expected of a single BA physics limitation. Even if I do use multi BA types, I use them for stage monitoring exclusively, due to their better isolation (generally unvented) and better technicalities than DD types.
However, despite my biasedness against single BA sets, the Neon is a set I think is a keeper, as it shines in vocals and acoustic genres. Granted, midcentric tunings are niche, and due to the lack of subbass, the Neon won't fair well for bass forward music eg EDM, but the Neon is really suited for mid and vocal lovers. There are not many midcentric sets in budget CHIFI (most are V shaped or harmanish), the 2 cheapest midcentric ones I have are the Hisenior B5+ ($80 USD) and the SMABAT X1 ($49 USD), and I think those 2 sets have worse peaks/troughs in the tuning. I have a Westone UM1 single BA set and the Neon beats the daylights out of them in timbre, tonality and technicalities, for a fraction of the price, that's how good CHIFI tuning has evolved the past couple of years. Anyways most of us in this hobby have a few pairs of IEMs lying about, to suit different sonic signatures and music genres, and I think for those who don't have a midcentric set in your Pokemon collection, the Neon is a worthy set to try, or if someone is looking for an entry level stage monitor.
Will do some A/B testing against other sets and report back!
Here you go.
Only 53% positive feedback on that Ali store for the diamond.
Thanks for respond mate.
There is a Japanese seller on eBay...Thanks for respond mate.
I've lready bought a btr5 for 60 euros (used one)
I check that store an open a chat... But not answer and they have bad evaluations. Keep looking
Just received a review unit of the KBEAR Neon.
Accessories are very nice, similarly packed like the KBEAR LARK. It comes with a silver plated cable, the IEMs a carry case, and 3 pairs of tips.
The Neon is a bullet shaped IEM, meant to be worn cable down. Fit is good, it isn't as "violating" or deep fitting as the Etymotics series IEMs, I couldn't use the Etys for more than a few minutes due to ear discomfort and ear abrasions (though granted the etys had one of the best passive isolation in a non custom IEM and they did sound good). The Neon is light and comfortable, very minimal microphonics considering it is a cable down IEM that rubs the shirt frequently. The cable is a silver plated cable, very well braided and usable, no need to mess around with aftermarket tips/cables for this set, everything is usable OOTB.
Isolation on the KBEAR Neon is good as per an unvented BA set. As per the single BA config, this IEM is very easy to drive, no amping or heavy powered gear required. The Neon runs off practically any weak source.
I liked that the Neon came with a 2 pin connector, as I had a lot of issues with MMCX type connectors with repeated cable changes. The only issue about the Neon is that one may inadvertantly connect the 2 pin cable in a reversed polarity on one side of the IEM housing as the IEM can be rotated, which may make music out of phase. There's a dot on the IEM to signify the orientation of the IEM housing, so just make sure both dots are facing up or both are facing down. Anyways, if the music is out of phase, it is pretty obvious, music seems to be coming from behind the head and sounds weird. Alternatively, just use a youtube link to check that you are in phase: ()
On one side of the Neon housing, u can see the Knowles 29689 BA serial number, so this set does use high end Knowles drivers. But of course driver brand is secondary to tuning and implementation, as we can see that some TOTL sets (cough cough Campfire Solaris) use Bellsing BA drivers. But the Knowles signature sound does shine thru in the Neon, featuring a well rounded note with good technicalities, without needing to boost the upper frequencies to cheat and get the details in (we'll discuss this below).
So onto the sound. The Neon is a midcentric set (ie higher treble and subbass roll off). It is kind of expected as per the single BA config, there's gonna be some limitations in extension of the FR at both extreme ends. So bassheads best look elsewhere for your subbass rumble, and trebleheads best look elsewhere for your sparkle and air. But the Neon's midcentric tuning is very well done, there's really no harshness or peaks in the tuning, it's a very agreeable and smooth midcentric set. Midcentric tunings, as we discussed, are not the best for bass forward music genres, eg EDM, but it really shines in vocals and acoustics genres.
Midbass is neutral and the subbass rolls off very early, as per the single BA physics. What the Neon cedes in bass quantity, it aces in quality. The midbass is very fast and tight and textured. Literal definition of "Fast and Clean" bass, with no bass bleed. Mids are the star here, being boosted, but not harsh or shouty. It is a very transparent mids that lets all the vocals and instruments shine through. There isn't the harsh 2 - 4 kHz area that plagues a lot of CHIFI tuning, this is a non fatiguing set. Treble wise, there's slight sibilance, but it is still considered a safe treble for me, yet retaining good microdetails, though it isn't the most airy treble.
Note weight on the Neon is on the slightly thinner side, but that allows the single BA to move quite fast without any dulled transients. Timbre is surprisingly good for a BA set, it won't beat a well tuned single DD in the timbral accuracy department, but it is one of the better BA timbre sets I've tried. Definitely trumps the garden variety KZ in timbre for sure. Acoustic instruments and vocals sounded quite natural in timbre, with maybe only a slight "plastic" quality in stringed instruments.
On to technicalities. As this set is a deep insertion type IEM, as per some Etymotics, soundstage is kinda 2D. Soundstage width is good, but height and depth are below average. But what the Neon cedes in soundstage, it makes up for in good imaging. I'd take a set with a good imaging and more intimate soundstage, over a set with big soundstage but fuzzy and nebulous imaging. Details and instrument separation are good for this price range, the Neon doesn't use the typical overly boosted upper mids/treble cheatcode that a lot of budget CHIFI use to boost clarity and give fake details. The Neon manages to get the details in without going to shouty territory, and yet being quite a chill laid back tuning that one can use for hours without fatigue. Think of a monitoring type analytical sound signature with good details, in fact I think the Neon can be a good entry level stage monitor due to its isolation, good fit and good technicalities.
I have an admission to make, I'm not a single BA fan. I'm a single DD guy for general music listening, as they tend to give better timbral accuracy and tonality/coherency at the budget/midfi CHIFI segment, when compared to multi BA sets. Single BA types also tend to lack subbass and may be weaker in technicalities, when compared to multi BA/hybrids, as expected of a single BA physics limitation. Even if I do use multi BA types, I use them for stage monitoring exclusively, due to their better isolation (generally unvented) and better technicalities than DD types.
However, despite my biasedness against single BA sets, the Neon is a set I think is a keeper, as it shines in vocals and acoustic genres. Granted, midcentric tunings are niche, and due to the lack of subbass, the Neon won't fair well for bass forward music eg EDM, but the Neon is really suited for mid and vocal lovers. There are not many midcentric sets in budget CHIFI (most are V shaped or harmanish), the 2 cheapest midcentric ones I have are the Hisenior B5+ ($80 USD) and the SMABAT X1 ($49 USD), and I think those 2 sets have worse peaks/troughs in the tuning. I have a Westone UM1 single BA set and the Neon beats the daylights out of them in timbre, tonality and technicalities, for a fraction of the price, that's how good CHIFI tuning has evolved the past couple of years. Anyways most of us in this hobby have a few pairs of IEMs lying about, to suit different sonic signatures and music genres, and I think for those who don't have a midcentric set in your Pokemon collection, the Neon is a worthy set to try, or if someone is looking for an entry level stage monitor.
Will do some A/B testing against other sets and report back!
With Aurora, the wonderments of sound are infinite and real.The light is spectacular, changeable, and mysterious.
Could you use one sentence to describe this attractive scene?
#kbear #aurora #light
