My Impressions of KBear Xuanwu or I’m Going to Wait To Hold My Pecker First
Yeah, KBear is a meme that’s going to keep giving with that one, but still. I got the Xuanwu and before it becomes completely forgotten, thanks to the Pecker, let’s pop this one off.
THE SOUND
This is budget Harman-y sounding with plenty of bass boost. It’s not great, but as a budget beater with enough thump, this would be good enough. As I usually say, it comes down to flavor: Wan’er is more vocal-forward, Cadenza is balanced and more energetic in the upper-midrange. QKZxHBB was sub-bass focused and mellow in the treble. SGOR Venus is midbass focused and energetic in the early-mid treble.
Xuanwu is a bit of a mix between Cadenza and Venus to the ear: It’s sub-bass focused like Cadenza, but with more treble energy like Venus. Some will like that the vocals aren’t too forward, but others may find them too recessed. I appreciate the treble increase for clarity but that could be too harsh for others. It’s a give-take thing, all in all.
THE GOOD
- This build quality is off the charts. It’s got the same kind of shell as the $200 Wu Zetian Heyday, but it’s a better shell to me. It’s a little weightier but it feels so premium for $20-25
- Tuned competitively in the budget sector, depending on taste
- If you like a good V-shape that’s bass/treble focused, this is very good
THE BAD
- Weight of the set could be fatiguing to some
- This is more energetic than the laid-back treble type will like
- Some will find this fatiguing or harsh in that treble area
- Can be a little janky in the upper-mids for rock, with a touch of grain/harshness
- Too bassy for neutral-heads
- Vocal-focused listeners will disapprove
- Female vocals suffer more than male, but neither are going to check the box
- As usual: If you already are good at the sub-$50 bracket, it’s passable. We’re not reinventing the wheel here
WHO IS THIS SET FOR?
- Non-critical listeners who want sub-bass and 5-10k treble focus
- Someone who wants to feel like they own an expensive IEM but paid significantly less
WHO IS THIS SET NOT FOR?
- Vocal-centric listeners
- Mid-centric listeners in general as well
- People who need less treble elevation for preference or comfort
- Someone who already feels satisfied with their budget options
What Does It All Mean?
This is another competent enough budget choice. This one is for general non-critical listening if you like sub-bass/treble focus. I’d probably call this the spiritual upgrade to the OG CCA CRA fans. Better build, probably a little easier in the treble but with that kind of energy. The biggest selling point is the shell. This is THE NICEST shell at the price point. If you want something that looks good, at a cheap price, this is the one. That’s it for this one and I’ll see you next time.
Grade for KBear Xuanwu: B-
Grade With Personal Bias: B-
Grade As a Food: Fast-Food French Fries
