Today we will take a look at three products. TRI x HBB KAI IEM, KB EAR Storm IEM and KB EAR Chord cable.
Disclaimer: I am not paid to make this review or offer any specific opinions about this product. All thoughts expressed in this review are solely my own.
I will start this review with TRI x HBB KAI IEM. It is a collaboration between TRI Audio and Hawaiian Bad Boy. The IEM features a 9.8mm 3rd-gen Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) dynamic driver. And is coupled with aviation-grade aluminum alloy shells, and a detachable cable. Its design, accented with gold and blue finishes, immediately captures attention.
The packaging of the TRI x HBB KAI is simple, yet elegant. Inside the box, we find the IEMs, a detachable 0.78mm 2-pin silver-plated OFC cable, three pairs of wide-bore silicone ear tips, three pairs of narrow-bore silicone ear tips, a cleaning brush, a cleaning cloth, and a stylish leatherette carrying case.
Design and build
KAI has a quite distinctive look with its gold and blue accents. The shells are made from aviation grade aluminum. They are highly polished and have a delicate surface. The gold finish is shiny.
The shells consist of two parts which as far as I can tell are glued to each other. The faceplate is ⅔ blue and ⅓ gold. There is a TRI logo on the blue part of the faceplate and HBB logo and model name on the gold part of the faceplate.
There are two vent holes – one on the inner part of the shell near the nozzle and the other one is close to the connector socket. The nozzles are metal too, they are average in length and thickness.There is a metal mesh at the end of the nozzle and a small lip that helps with ear tips retainment
Overall I liked the build quality of this IEM and I must admit, the gold and blue combination looks marvelous.
Fit and comfort
The shells are medium in size, and have an ergonomic shape. The shells are made from metal, but there are no sharp edges here which is good and when inserted in the ear, they have a very natural feel.
The nozzles are average in length, the fit is shallow and it took me some time to find a good fit and a good seal with stock ear tips. I’ve been using this pair for extended periods of time and the IEMs are comfortable
TRI x HBB sound impressions
The TRI x HBB KAI IEM has a U-shaped sound signature with warm tonality, offering a good amount of bass and smooth yet detailed treble. The bass response is solid, with excellent sub-bass extension and control, making it suitable for various genres. While the midrange is slightly recessed, it maintains a natural and transparent sound, particularly complementing female vocals. The treble is smooth, laid-back, and non-fatiguing, perfect for extended listening sessions.
Sound stage and imaging are satisfactory, with above-average width and decent depth, allowing for an immersive music experience. The instrument separation aligns with the price range, and the resolution, while not the highest in its bracket, remains adequate.
Pros
- Good design and build quality
- Comfortable fit with good passive isolation
- Punchy and well-rounded bass with excellent sub-bass extension
- Organic and warm tonality
- Relaxed treble, suitable for extended listening
- Stylish carrying case
Cons
- Treble may not appeal to treble heads
- Average detail retrieval
In conclusion, the TRI x HBB KAI IEM is an good performer with an engaging sound signature and commendable technical abilities for its price range. Its solid build, comfortable fit, and warm tonality make it an ideal daily driver for music enthusiasts seeking engaging and fun sounding pair of IEM.
Found this review useful? Read more IEM reviews here
Now let’s move to the next item from the package
The KB EAR Storm is an ultra-budget IEM with a V-shaped tuning, and it delivers fun audio performance at an affordable price point. It features 10mm dynamic driver with a composite diaphragm, light plastic shells and detachable cable.
Packaged in a simple carton box, the Storm features a transparent design, allowing a glimpse of the driver configuration. The package includes the IEMs, a detachable 0.78mm cable, three pairs of wide-bore silicone ear tips, three pairs of narrow-bore silicone ear tips, and a user manual.
The light and ergonomic plastic shells provide a comfortable fit, making long listening sessions a breeze. The metal nozzles with a lip ensure secure ear tip retention, and the inclusion of a 1.2-meter 4-core cable with an angled 3.5mm connector and pre-molded ear hooks adds to the convenience of daily use.
KB EAR STORM Sound signature
The KB EAR Storm has a V-shaped sound signature with warm tonality, emphasizing the low-end and a smooth treble response. Its bass response is solid and well-rounded, suitable for a wide range of musical genres. The midrange is slightly recessed, impacting vocal clarity, but upper mids shine with better definition, lending a natural and organic presentation of female vocals. The smooth and laid-back treble complements the warm V-shaped tuning, ensuring a fatigue-free listening experience, particularly with poorly mixed recordings.
While the soundstage width is below average, the Storm offers a decent depth, satisfactory imaging and a coherent musical presentation.
Pros
- Budget-friendly price
- Light shells with good comfort
- Engaging V-shaped sound signature
- Deep and well-rounded bass response
- Excellent performance per dollar ratio
Cons
- Recessed midrange lacks clarity and definition
- Below-average soundstage width and depth
- Technical performance falls below the standard of this price category.
In conclusion KB EAR Storm stands as a solid contender in the ultra-budget IEM segment, providing an engaging and fun sound signature coupled with excellent technical abilities for its price. While it may not excel in certain areas, its powerful bass, warm tonality, and affordable price-to-performance ratio make it a compelling choice for bass enthusiasts seeking a daily driver without breaking the bank.
And finally let’s check the last item from KB EAR package, the KB EAR Chord Cable
The KB EAR Chord is a 6N Graphene + 4N OFC silver-plated cable with a mixed braid. Available in multiple variations, this cable offers compatibility with various IEM models and connector types, making it a versatile option for audiophiles seeking an upgrade.
The minimalist packaging complements the cable’s focus on functionality. My sample is a 2-Pin terminating into a 3.5mm connector variant, with glossy silver finish and clear blue/red dots for channel indication.
Ergonomics and performance
I used this cable with a variety of my IEMs, and I think Chord cable complimented a lot of pairs really well, both comfort and design wise.
The soft pre-molded ear hooks add a lot of flexibility to IEM placement in your ear and despite being a bit on a heavier side (which I bet a lot of people will appreciate), the cable still feels comfortable.
In addition it’s really low in microphonics which is a plus too.
I wouldn’t comment much regarding the sound quality and changes in sound. Personally for myself, the replacement cable should serve three main purposes: improve comfort, increase durability and have good connectors installed. In this regard KB EAR Chord definitely checks all the three boxes.
Pros
- Stylish and durable build quality
- Comfortable and flexible design
- Enhanced audio performance with cleaner signal transmission
- Wide range of compatibility options
- Affordable price
Cons
- Nothing at this price
In conclusion, Chord is surprisingly well-built cable for its price, especially taking into consideration it’s frequently on sale too. It’s quite thick, has a tidy braid, looks great and compliments a lot of IEMs. In addition the cable feels great too and it has improved comfort for a number of my IEMs too.
Overall it’s hard to overlook the design and build of Chord cable and I can easily recommend it to anyone looking for a good replacement cable at a reasonable price, especially if you are new to IEM cables.
I hope this review has been helpful and if you’d like to see more content like this, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel for future updates. Thank you for joining me, and until next time, goodbye!
** As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the links in my reviews are affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, I will make a small commission if you click them and make a qualifying purchase.
