Kefine Klean / The new 50$ king?

Disclaimer

First of all, a big thank you to Kefine for providing this review unit, which made this review possible. As always, I’ll be sharing my honest and real-life experience with this product. I hope my review gives you a clear picture of both the strengths and weaknesses of this IEM, helping you decide if it’s the right fit for you.

If you’re interested in purchasing it, here are some links to check out:

Amazon US:

HiFiGo:

Kefine Aliexpress:

For those in Bangladesh, you’re in luck! The Kefine Klean is now available at Geek Mart. You can even visit their store to test it out in person before buying, which I think is an amazing opportunity to experience it firsthand.

I sincerely hope this review helps you in making a confident decision. Feel free to share your thoughts or ask any questions. At the end of the day, it’s all about finding the right gear that fits your needs.

Build Quality and Design

For the price, the build quality for the Kefine Klean is a real treat. A fully metal build just screams premium quality when picked up. To this day, very few IEMs under the mark of $50 came out as refined as this one. Kefine truly appears to have held nothing back on giving their absolute best here. The brass nozzle adds a touch of durability, but one should know that if not well taken care of, it may oxidize over time and hence cause discoloration. While oxidation may occur, it’s primarily an aesthetic issue and doesn’t impact performance.As for the design, it’s simple yet elegant. The black finish is sleek and feels durable enough to resist chipping or fading with regular use.

Fit and Comfort

In terms of fit, the Klean does a great job—not too big, not too small—so most people won’t have any trouble, but I personally didn’t have any issues with the fit; it was rather ergonomic in my ears and felt secure. The weak link here is the stock tips, which may become uncomfortable over longer periods. Upgrading these to a better pair will be highly recommended to maximize an exceptional performance; out of the box, tips have mediocre quality. When it becomes paired with good-quality tips, the Klean gets comfortable for long sessions. Additionally, both nozzle sizes and thickness are spot-on as there is no excessive tension but never too loose. It comfortably pushes to excellent with the perfect pair of tips.

Cable and Tips

The price of the Kefine Klean justifies having a decently made cable. The cable consists of silver-plated copper material with 2 cores featuring 18 wires per strand, 3 strands per core giving a total of 108 wires. This high-quality thick cable assists in providing a clean transparent sound, and the material extends the treble for better clarity. The stock cable is more than capable of delivering great performance, so there’s no immediate need to upgrade. However, if you prefer a 4.4mm or any balanced termination, an aftermarket cable is a good option to consider because Klean only comes with 3.5mm (s.e).

Tips

The stock tips, however, don’t quite unlock the full potential of the Klean. They’re not the most comfortable, and the sound doesn’t feel as dynamic as it could be. The bass response is reduced, and the treble can sound a bit sharp. However, with some better aftermarket tips, like the Final E clear or Dunu Candy, things get significantly better. With such tips, the Klean’s sound becomes tighter and more controlled; the bass improves, the vocals get more even, and the treble smooths out for a much more refined listen. For the best sound, upgrading the tips is definitely recommended.

Tuning Nozzle

One of the standout features of the Kefine Klean is its two tuning filters—Silver and Black—that allow you to tailor the sound to your preferences. These filters aren’t just for show; they genuinely impact the sound signature.

Silver Filter

The silver filter comes pre-installed, and honestly, it’s my favorite of the two. The treble feels perfectly balanced: airy and energetic without being overwhelming.Vocals sound smoother and more refined, with no harshness, making it ideal for extended listening sessions. The bass also feels tighter and more controlled, contributing to an overall balanced sound signature. This filter is all about refinement and balance—it’s simply a joy to listen to.

Black Filter

The black filter, on the other hand, brings a different vibe. It injects more energy into the sound, particularly in the vocals, making them feel more forward and lively. This can be fantastic for high-energy tracks, but there are trade-offs. The added energy slightly reduces the bass impact, and the treble can lean toward brightness, occasionally becoming sharp on some tracks. Vocals are more vivid but might feel aggressive for those with sensitive ears.

Which One to Choose?

Both filters shine in their own way. If you prefer a smoother, more balanced listening experience that you can enjoy for hours without fatigue, the silver filter is the way to go. Meanwhile, the black filter is better for those who love energetic, punchy sound with a touch of extra treble sparkle. Personally, I find myself gravitating toward the silver filter because of its natural and cohesive sound. But the flexibility to switch between the two is a fantastic feature, letting you adapt to different moods and genres.

Pouch

practical and pocketable

Testing Source

• Cowon Plenue R2
• Astell & kern SP1000M
• Cayin N3 Ultra
• Ibasso DX180
• Hiby R3 ii

• Ibasso DC Elite
• Cayin ru7
• Questyle M15
• ONIX Alpha Xl 1
• Ddhifi TC44 PRO E2
• Epz Tp35
• Epz Tp20 pro
• Moondrop Dawn Pro

Cable

Stock cable and Dunu lyre Mini

Tips

Dunu candy , Final clear ( Pink ), Divines Velvet

Bass performance

Sub-Bass

The bass extension in the Klean is very impressive, reaching deep down into the lower frequencies. The rumble is satisfying and there, which makes for a rich and immersive listen, especially in most genres like hip-hop. A track like Angel by Massive Attack really brings this out-you can feel the sub-bass come alive without overpowering the rest of the mix.

Most striking is how controlled it is, sub-bass stays clean and defined without bleeding into midrange; that, in turn, speaks for clarity and separation, even on tracks that really hammer the bass, but one could say that the physical presence of the sub-bass-that “thump” that bass heads go for-is somewhat understated. If the overwhelming impact of the bass is what you’re looking for, you may leave wanting. That said, for those who are looking for a more neutral and balanced tuning, the sub-bass performance is nothing short of excellent.

Mid-Bass

That’s where the Kefine Klean shines: the mid-bass is tight, punchy, and ridiculously well-controlled. Each kick drum hits with spot-on accuracy, and the bass notes are clean and separated, even in the most complicated tracks. Take Ticks & Leeches by TOOL, for example—the Klean tackles the rapid-fire basswork with ease, putting in a dynamic and engaging performance.

This mid-bass is very versatile, especially for genres like rock and instrumental music, as it provides great speed and strong impact. Even in layered tracks containing a bassline, there is no hint of muddiness or congestion. It has that perfect amount of energy to make you feel the rhythm without drowning the other elements in the sound.

Mid-Range

Male Vocals

The male vocals on the Klean sound rich, full-bodied, with a natural weight and warmth to the presentation, making them sound very organic in nature. For instance, Gregory Porter’s Musical Genocide sounds great here; his deep, soulful voice is rendered with good clarity and presence. The Klean does not shy away from painting the finer details of male vocals and gives them a natural, ground-like intimacy without introducing artificial coloration.

Female Vocals

The Klean also impresses with female voices: clear, energetic, and detailed. Tracks like My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion present it with no issues regarding higher-pitched female voices. There is excellent clarity and liveliness in Celine’s voice, with no harshness or sharp edges that can make listening fatiguing. The “sss” and “shh” sounds are smooth and refined, quite remarkable for an IEM in this range.

Midrange Instruments

Midrange instruments are equally pleasant to listen to. The bass instruments on Gregory Porter’s song, the swooping melodies of pop ballads-all come through with the Klean making sure every detail is audible. Natural timbre is conveyed without even the slightest hint of harshness, even when listening for hours on end.

One of the striking things with the midrange is just how non-fatiguing it is. With no sharpness or harsh peaks, you can easily consider doing very long listening sessions with absolutely no discomfort, and that will make the Klean a reliable choice for extended use.

The Treble

The treble performance of the Kefine Klean sounds as clean and clear as its name can lead you to feel. The treble extends decently, providing an airy and open sound that gives the music room to breathe, adding a sense of space to the overall presentation. For its price, the Klein is impressive in delivering good micro details; subtle nuances come through with the music.

While the treble is slightly energetic, it retains its smooth and non-fatiguing character. There’s no sharpness or harshness in the upper frequencies, making them even-handed to provide long comfortable listening. This makes it ideal for detailed and intricate tracks.

Speaking of the string instruments, the Klean copes excellently with them. For example, Clair de Lune by Debussy—its treble presents strings naturally and vividly, catching their delicacy without artificial brightness.

Take Five by Joe Morello would be perfect for high-end reference. The cymbals and higher frequencies are quite clear, great in texture, never sounding forward or sharp. Treble is smooth but keeps the required energy and air to make music alive.

Technical Performance

Soundstage

One of the first things that came to mind upon listening to the Klean – it’s spacious. It gives music room to breathe, and while not as wide as some of the more high-end IEMs out there, for what it costs, it does a stellar job. Play something like “Layla (Live)” by Eric Clapton, and you’ll notice how it captures that “live concert” feel. The instruments and vocals spread out just enough to make you feel like a part of the crowd. The instruments and vocals spread out just enough to have you feel like a part of the crowd. It’s not super wide, but precise enough to make things natural and immersive.

Imaging

it’s here where Klean really shines. Imaging is sharp and concise. Each and every instrument and vocal comes across as being placed exactly where it should be. Just listen to “Bubbles” by Yosi Horikawa, and you should know exactly what I am talking about; It’s like assembling a sound puzzle, where every element fits perfectly into place. It doesn’t matter whether it is a clear voice in the fore or subtle background details that fade away; with Klean finding all those minute elements to create a more realistic listening experience was way easier.

Separation of Instruments

If from the very outset, there has been one thing that Klean could do supremely well, it is to make everything clear and separate. Even when the songs have frenetic, multi-layer arrangements, it can still avoid any muddiness. Take, as an example, the chaotic instrument-filled track “Cha Cha Bonita” by Charly Antolini. The Klean handles it marvelously. Every struck drum, crashing cymbal, and blaring bass note comes through crystal clear. If you are into genres like jazz, classical, or progressive rock, this degree of separation will make all the difference; you’ll pick up on things you might have never heard with other IEMs.

Conclusion

If you’re someone who appreciates a neutral, balanced sound and you’re on a budget, the Kefine Klean might just be the right choice for you. It delivers a clean and detailed listening experience, with a satisfying bass response, natural mids, and airy treble that bring out the finer details in your music.

However, to truly make the most of its performance, a good pair of ear tips is essential. Something like the Dunu Candy, Final Clear, or Velvet tips can enhance the overall sound presentation, providing a better seal and a more immersive experience.

In short, the Kefine Klean is an IEM that offers solid performance for its price, especially if you’re into neutral tuning and enjoy clear, refined audio. It’s not flashy or overly exaggerated—it’s simply a reliable option for those who value sound quality and detail. If that’s what you’re after, this IEM is worth considering.