Two Out Of Two

Ratings

Pros

• Deep, warm, relaxed, pleasant, rich and musical tuning.
• Bass behaviour.
• Realistic and pleasant timbre.
• Treble under control, smooth, but well balanced.
• Balanced, rich and informative midrange.
• Excellent ergonomics.
• Remarkable design and construction.
• Good set of accessories, including cable and zipped case.

Cons

• Micro detail and medium technical skill.

Purchase Link

https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005006681430613.html

Link to the Store

https://es.aliexpress.com/store/1103185504

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 (54×2 + 28×2). 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 (54×2 + 28×2). 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.