KBear KB02

A Dynamic IEM Enhanced by Bone Conduction

The KBear KB02 is a budget-friendly IEM priced at just $40, yet offers something remarkable at this price. Combining a dynamic driver with a bone conductor for enhanced bass, the KB02 delivers a clean, bass-heavy sound signature while maintaining comfort and ease of use.

After using the KBear KB02 for several weeks, I can confidently say it punches well above its price point in terms of bass performance, maybe I should say it “kicks” well above its price point. I also love that the Bone conductor performs well both subjectively and objectively (in the measurements).

Read on for a detailed breakdown.

Unboxing Experience

The KB02 arrives in nice packaging, befitting its $40 price tag:

On the back we get the usual specifications:

Removing the outer packaging reveals in the internal box:

Opening this up reveals the KB02:

Taking everything out of internal box you see you get a generous amount of IEM eartips:

The cable is not great but fine in this price range, here are all the contents:

So you’ll find:

• The IEMs themselves, featuring a lightweight and hollow-feeling shell.
• A set of three pairs of eartips (small, medium, and large).
• A detachable cable with a standard 2-pin connector.
• A basic user manual.

The included eartip selection is good, and the cable, while functional, could be improved in terms of quality and feel.

I mainly used the larger white eartips for my subjective listening:

Design, Build Quality, and Comfort

The KBear KB02 features an extremely lightweight plastic shell with a comfortable ergonomic shape.

I did find it interesting that the shell both very light and sounds ‘hollow’ when you tap it which I believe is related to the bone conduction driver. As you will see in the measurements section later the conduction seems to vibrate at around 200Hz, so possible having a super light shell helps the nozzle vibrate in your ear giving that physical sense of sub-bass.

Here is a little video showing the shell from all angles:

Subjectively I found that the bone conduction driver adds a little bit of “oomph” to bass heavy tracks which I think is great as that is all you expect a small IEM to do, especially at this price.

The nozzle is large so might be concern to users with smaller ears:

Here are the measurements of the nozzle:

The vent is clearly visible near the 2-pin connection:

But overall the lightweight nature of the IEM ensures minimal fatigue during long listening sessions.

Cable

The included cable is acceptable for the price but nothing exceptional. It’s functional, mostly tangle-free with standard 2-pin connectors, allowing for easy upgrades if desired.

Sound Impressions

The KBear KB02 delivers a clean, enjoyable sound signature with excellent bass performance thanks to its unique combination of a dynamic driver and a bone conductor. The bone conductor adds subtle vibrations that enhance the bass response, making it stand out in this price range.

Bass

The bass is the highlight of the KB02. It extends beautifully into the sub-bass regions, providing a deep and impactful low end without overwhelming the rest of the frequency spectrum. The addition of the bone conductor enhances the tactile sensation of the bass, adding a level of immersion typically not found at this price point.

Test Tracks:

• “Billie Eilish – Bad Guy”: The sub-bass hits are clean and punchy with excellent depth.
• “Hans Zimmer – Mountains” (Interstellar Soundtrack): The rumble in the lower frequencies is immersive and well-controlled.

Midrange

The midrange is superb, offering a clean and natural tonality. Vocals and instruments come through clearly if slightly forward in the mix, without being overshadowed by the bass. The lower mids are warm and full, while the upper mids remain smooth, avoiding harshness.

Test Tracks:

• “Adele – Someone Like You”: Adele’s vocals are rich and emotional, with no signs of sibilance.
• “Fleetwood Mac – Dreams”: The layering of instruments and vocals is excellent, providing a balanced listening experience.

Treble

The treble is good for an IEM in this price range but not exceptional. It provides adequate detail and sparkle without becoming overly bright or fatiguing. However, those who prefer a more extended treble might find it slightly lacking.

Test Tracks:

• “Vivaldi – Four Seasons: Spring”: The violins are clear but lack a bit of airiness and sparkle.
• “Daft Punk – Contact”: The high-frequency details are present but not particularly sharp.

Soundstage and Imaging

The KB02 offers a decently wide soundstage for an IEM in this price range, though it doesn’t compete with higher-end designs. Imaging is accurate, with clear instrument separation, making it suitable for genres like classical and acoustic music.

Specifications and Measurements

Measurements:

All Pragmatic Audio measurements are done with my KB501X soft ear pinna with a 711 clone coupler and are available here

Frequency Response

The frequency response measurements show excellent bass extension into the sub-bass, with a slight increase in the upper mids and a smooth mostly treble roll-off:

It is also nice to see the measured frequency response closely matches the one published by KBear:

The bone conductor’s contribution is visible in the bass region, but here is a non-smoothed measurement which clear shows a dramatic effect of the bone conductor:

If you have ever used a ‘711’ coupler you will now that a little ’tap’ on an IEM shell during the measurement will cause a similar ‘bounce’ in the frequency response, so effectively you see what the Bone Conductor is doing, it is ’tapping’ or ‘vibrating’ in your ear when it get some 200Hz bass giving that ‘rumble’ effect you should expect from a Bone Conduction driver.

Distortion

Distortion is well controlled even when playing at over 100dbSPL:

And even as a percentage there is nothing to be concerned about:

Again I think it is interesting to see the Bone Conductor causing a little bit of 3rd Order Harmonic distortion.

Other similar IEMs

So I really like the sound signature of the KB02 as a midrange forward IEM with good bass (as well as that little bone conduction ‘rumble’) though the treble might seem a little dark to some people.

Here are 3 other midrange forward IEMs but the KB02 has the best bass extension of these though it also has the darkest treble and a slightly more elevated 4K region:

Rating

I have given the KBear KB02 a top pragmatic score of 5 stars mainly because at this price you are getting something unique with its bone conduction driver that both subjectively and objectively affect the bass quality. The IEM shell is also super lightweight and therefore very comfortable. The treble isn’t the best but at this price I don’t think anyone should complain.

Conclusion

The KBear KB02 is an excellent IEM for $40, offering a unique combination at this price point of dynamic drivers and bone conduction technology that enhances the bass response. While the treble may not be the strongest point, the overall sound signature is clean and very enjoyable. With its lightweight and comfortable design, the KB02 is a great choice for those looking for a budget-friendly IEM that doesn’t skimp on sound quality.

If you’re new to the world of IEMs or simply want to add a bone conducting IEMs to your collection then the KBear KB02 is worth considering.