The $30 King of Bass

Kefine is riding an incredible wave of momentum, following with their legendary releases like the Klean SV, the Quatio, and one of my personal favourite IEMs of the year, the Arnar, the brand has firmly cemented its footing in portable audio. Renowned for delivering exceptional value, Kefine now sets its sights on the ultra-budget segment with the all-new Loric. Priced at just $29.99, and an enticing early-bird special of only $24.99, this single dynamic driver IEM promises to push performance-to-price ratios to new heights. But can the Loric truly stand out in this fiercely competitive bracket? Let’s find out.

A huge shout-out to the team of Kefine for the sample pair of the Loric for us to have an honest take. We are not affiliated nor taken any form of monetary exchange for this review and this review is solely an honest view of the product.

Functions & Specifications

Before we start the review, here are the specifications of the new Kefine Loric;

Driver Configuration	10mm PU + Titanium Dynamic Driver
Impedance	28 Ohms
Sensitivity	108 dB
Frequency Response	20 Hz to 20 kHz
Chassis Assembly	Zinc Alloy Faceplate with Screw-Reinforced Clear Shell
Stock Cable	160-Strand Silver-Plated Copper

The Kefine Loric can be purchased from a any Kefine official shop in various platforms worldwide;

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005012782866310.html

https://my.shp.ee/yXUhRUg1

https://s.lazada.com.my/s.ZXzpOA?c=v&t=p-iGK9BDu-s2GCU2Ge

Packaging & Accessories

Priced at a mere $29.99, the packaging here is basic as expected with 6 pairs of silicone eartips, a soft case and a high quality silver plated OFC cable. Pretty standard and decent especially with the high quality soft pouch inclusion.

Design

The design here is quite unique with a slightly tall CIEM design. Their build has a different approach with faceplates cast from zinc alloy for structural mass and resonance suppression with clear, UV-coated shells and despite using clear plastic, the quality here is actually commendable with a glossy, solid feel. The faceplates have a unique bump in the middle to make it more aesthetically pleasant and rather than using industrial glues that degrade over time, the Loric uses mechanical screws to secure the faceplate, improving durability. The Loric is available in matte silver or glossy black.

The entire earpiece weighs just 6 grams each, shaped around anatomical ear curves to distribute weight evenly and comfortable for most usage.

Driving the Loric is a bespoke 10mm dynamic driver, its PET diaphragm coated via Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) with nanometer-thin titanium that Kefine claims delivers clean, lightning-fast transient response and sharp high frequency detail without a hint of harshness or peakiness. Paired with a high-elasticity polyurethane surround that permits exceptionally linear, massive excursions, the system displaces generous air volumes to conjure bass that is profoundly extended, physically tactile, and remarkably elastic in its decay preventing bloat and staying controlled. The magnets used is a high-flux dual-magnet propulsion system N52+N42), generating a high magnetic field ensuring a tight response. The acoustic chamber utilizes a dual cavity structure setup that equalizes air pressure for a deeper sound effect.

There is a vent near the nozzle and is covered with tuning mesh for the dynamic driver as well as relieving pressure. No driver flex is present on the Loric.

The nozzle has a maximum of 5.5mm at the tip. The nozzle is covered with a unique metal mesh with a cloth type mesh beneath that prevents moisture and dust from entering.

The Loric has the standard flush 0.78mm 2 pin connection that is rather tight.

Cable here has a choice of 3.5mm with or without in-line microphone and USB C with in-line microphone variation. The cable is a silver plated oxygen free copper in 2 cores. The cable is quite thin and very flexible suited for outdoor usage. Though the cable is basic, the build is pretty good and given the ultra budget price, it is great but I do wish there is a 4.4mm variation.

Gears Used for Comparisons

Songs list

Tone and Presentation

The overall sound here is a warm, mildly boosted bass presentation that has emphasis on the midrange to the lower region and they are a smooth, inoffensive set that excels in immersiveness. These are a set of IEM that is well suited for modern genres such as EDM and though being bassy, the amount here is natural and in no way overpowering. The tone does tilt slightly towards the dark side with a warm sound but retains a good degree of details and clarity all around. The sound is smooth, clear and resolving, a pure musical sound signature but not for purists that yearn for a highly clinical sound. These aren’t suitable for monitoring as they aren’t a dead neutral set, instead suited for casual listening and their fatigue free nature suited for an extended listening session.

Soundstage

The soundstage here is intimate and quite average in width and height but worthy of their price, instead, the Loric excels in their accuracy with an immersive, 3D holographic spatial soundstage which makes it perfect for gaming and movies as the sound placements are accurate and sound directions are easy to distinguish. The soundstage presents a near field type of sound field that gives an intimate, direct sound path while possessing a decent headroom that isn’t boxy or closed in by any means.

Separation and Timbre

Separation here is superb and they have a wide stereo sound that has no crosstalk issues and they do perform better with balanced setup, The tuning here is well executed with a cohesive sound that sounds full which is typical of a good single dynamic driver setup. Timbre here is accurate with a warm, organic and breathy signature which has a natural sound that is smooth and inoffensive.

Drivability

Rated at 28 ohms with a 107db sensitivity, they are easily driven by any source as they don’t need much power to sound great with adequate amount of loudness. They do not tend to pick up noise for their lower sensitivity making them a good pair for casual usage like streaming or gaming. Scalability here is average and will sound great nonetheless. These aren’t a revealing set and they are not able to show flaws in the recording, therefore a great casual IEM but certainly not for monitoring. The comfortable fit and good passive isolation alongside their smooth sound actually makes the Loric a good IEM for stage use especially for drummers and bassists.

The Bass (Low)

The bass is the creme de la creme of the Loric with an emphatically dominant, north-of-neutral signature that produces a deep, meaty, authoritative, and impressively controlled sound. The mid-bass lift provides punchy, tight slam, while textured resolution keeps the low end clean and bloat-free. Though transparency is just average, the bass remains natural and detailed, with a nimble, elastic quality derived from the ultra flexible PU suspension that tracks fast passages easily. There’s zero bleed into the lower midrange, and the sub-bass has the immersive rumble that blends seamlessly for a full-bodied lows. Its rumble extends deeply, delivering an airy, big-room ambiance that mimics a subwoofer. These IEMs are a delicacy for bassheads, offering one of the best lows, both in quality and quantity, in the sub-$50 bracket.

The Mids

The midrange is warm and forward, focusing on the lower mids with an intimate, luscious, and velvety feel. The body here has a decent thickness that yields a full-bodied, intimate yet surprisingly spacious midrange. Details are strong, with great macro but rather average micro-details and the mids as a whole sounds clean and clear. The upper midrange features a smooth, inoffensive peak but they tend to lack brilliance that adds vocal liveliness. On the other hand, these smooth upper mids do prevent a harsh midrange, though it may come off as polite or lacking bite. Some coloration is present but acceptable, not compromising naturalness, though not for sterility purists. Overall, the mids articulate well with vivid resolution and decent transparency, rendering vocals sweet and velvety smooth, suiting male and some female voices, albeit lacking a touch of top-end brilliance.

The Highs

The high range adopts a neutral, flat presentation giving a smooth and inoffensive, yet present highs with a mild 8kHz peak. Clarity is decent, delivering sparkly highs with a mild crisp, gentle decay. Their rather laid-back tuning ensures fatigue-free listening across genres from metal to EDM, with minimal harshness or sibilance but they do tend to lack bite. Treble-heads may find it too polite and dull, but treble-sensitive users will appreciate its smoothness and it incurs literally zero fatigue. Timbre is natural, accurate, and breathy, typical of a dynamic driver, while the overall treble balances a relaxed intensity with enough clarity to keep things open and engaging.

Comparisons

VS Twistura Delta ($32.99)

The rather new brand that is up and coming, Twistura, with their latest ultra budget IEM with a single DLC dynamic driver price at almost the same with the Loric. Build of the Delta is more robust due to their all zinc alloy build but the Loric is lighter in weight. Both share a similar bass boosted profile with a smooth, inoffensive overall sound.

• Bass amount on the Delta is slightly bigger on the sub-bass region
  
• Bass texture on the Loric is better alongside more accuracy and it is cleaner
  
• Midrange on both are similar with a warm tuning but the Loric has a touch more clarity while the Delta sounds more intimate
  
• Transparency on the Loric is slightly better while resolution on both are similar
  
• High range on both are flat and smooth but the Delta sparkle is slightly more lively
  
• Treble on the Delta is a touch more intense
  
• Soundstage on Loric is a tad wider
  

Vs ZiiGaat Rumba ($35)

The most recent release and the first ultra budget IEM from the premium IEM maker, ZiiGaat. Priced at slightly more than the Loric, it is made from high quality resin and co-tuned alongside Vivir Digital to give a soulful, immersive sound that is suited for a wide range of genres. Equipped with a graphene plated dynamic driver, they have a more balanced overall sound with a touch of mid bass lift.

• Bass of the Loric has bigger presence especially on the sub-bass region and they are tighter with a cleaner decay
  
• Midrange on the Rumba is thick but slightly thinner and they have a more forward sound
  
• Details and clarity is slightly better on the Loric with the Rumba having an analogue mids approach
  
• Transparency and resolution is quite similar on both sets
  
• High range on the Loric is smoother while the Rumba is a tad livelier
  
• Treble amount is similar but the Loric sounds more laid-back
  
• Timbre on both are organic and punchy
  
• Soundstage on Rumba is a touch wider and airier albeit both are intimate
  

Synergy

Good synergy: Neutral bright and balanced sources

Examples: 7HZ Artemis39, Qudelix T71, Hidizs S8 Pro, Questyle M15, VE Devastator series, FiiO KA15, Surfans X10

Not so good synergy: Bassy, warm sources

Examples: EPZ TP35 pro, FiiO Q15, Hiby FC6, Cayin RU7

Power requirements: Easily driven with average scalability

Who Is It For?

Suitable genres: EDM, jazz, hip-hop, classicals, pop, rock, metal

Suitable usage: Gaming, movies, casual listeners, bassheads, drummers, bassists

Not suitable genres: Acoustics(female), ACG

Not so suitable usage: Monitoring, critical listening, purists

Final words

For a bass-lover on a budget, the Kefine Loric is an absolute steal. The bass here is in my opinion the best in the sub $50 bracket with its deep, controlled low-end and warm, fatigue-free tuning making it a joy for casual listening, gaming, and movies, though purists seeking a neutral monitor should look elsewhere. With a robust zinc-alloy build and a holographic soundstage with superb separation that punches well above its $30 price, it’s an effortless, no-brainer recommendation.

4½ stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Pros

• Decent technicalities 
• Solid UV coated plastic body with simple yet premium design
• Ergonomic fit and nice finishing
• Warm, punchy, energetic sound
• Bass boosted tuning done right
• Great separation, imaging with a wide dynamic range
• Rich, dense and organic timbre
• High musicalities and immersive
• Decent overall clarity and details
• Nicely boosted, textured, clean and super deep bass
• Nimble, airy bass impact
• Smooth, inoffensive highs
• Laid-back treble that is fatigue free 
• Easy to drive 
• perfect for bassheads
• Price, value
• Inclusion of a soft pouch

Cons

• Not for critical or Monitoring 
• Bass can be overwhelmed with bassy sources
• Upper mids lack bite
• High range sparkle on the soft side
• Not a conventional, neutral sound 
• Coloured mids
• Treble a little too laid-back