KEFINE ARNAR REVIEW

>>I am brazilian and I speak portuguese, so forgive my english, I’ll use translation tools to help<<

INTRO:

This IEM seems like it didn’t get the hype it deserved… but I can say, it’s already one of the best I’ve heard in the year 2026. It has a driver configuration that is quite unusual, but it worked very well: Planar Magnetic and Balanced Armature. Today we are going to review the KEFINE ARNAR. All the KEFINE products that I have heard to date have all been very good.

Price: $189 USD
Color: Black
Cable: 3.5mm & 4.4mm Bal

KEFINE REVIEWS: KLEAN, QUATIO, KLEAN SV.

KEFINE LINKS:

https://amzn.to/4w2LM3l (US)

https://amzn.to/4xeTE2M (UK)

https://amzn.to/4fEi3ci (DE)

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3YkV9DV (PC)

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4r0gkLd (APP)

SPECIFICATIONS:

Hybrid: 1+1 driver per side

• (1) 14.5mm Planar Magnetic Driver
• (1) BA Balanced Armature Knowles

– Frequency: 20Hz – 40kHz
– Effective frequency: 20Hz – 20kHz
– Impedance: 13Ω
– Sensitivity: 107dB±3dB
– Connectors: 2pin 0.78mm (detachable)
– Modular Cable Plug: 3.5mm & 4.4mm Bal (straight design)
– Cable size: 1.20m±0.2m
– Cable material: Silver plated Copper OFC
– Shell and Faceplate: Metal
– IEM weight: 7g (one side)(without eartips)
– Cable weight: 29.1g (3.5mm)
– Cable weight: 29.6g (4.4mm)
– Total weight (packaging, iems, etc): 307.7g
– Packaging size: 14.2cm [H] x 12cm [W] x 6.5cm [D]

UNBOXING:

PHYSICAL ASPECTS:

Construction:

• Great build quality, very robust.
• Shell and faceplate in metal (aviation aluminum).
• The nozzles are removable.
• The extra nozzles are like EQ filters.
• It has 2 vents per side.
• It seems to me to be open-back.
• Small holes on the faceplate.
• Great Case. Semi-rigid. Zipper. Elegant.

Eartips:

• 4 types of eartips: 2 white types and 2 gray types. Size S/M/L.
• Great number of eartips, although they are somewhat similar eartips.
• I was pleased that the eartips came with a thinner tube thickness.
• Standard size, if you wear M, then it is M.
• I don’t see the need to buy extra eartips (subjective).
• I did the review with the white eartips (all white) (Size M).

Cable:

• Great cable and excellent modular system.
• Easy and simple to change plugs.
• Good malleability.
• Light and thin.
• Doesn’t get tangled.
• Doesn’t get “memory” (creases).
• There was no microphonics.
• The Chin Slider doesn’t slip.
• The earhooks are also good.
• I don’t see the need for replacement (subjective).

Fit and comfort:

• Excellent fit and comfort. Great stability.
• Very comfortable IEM.
• Good format for all ear types.
• Good for long hours of use.
• 7g, I consider it light for a metal IEM.
• Medium insertion.
• Great isolation.

Earphone kit (accessories):

• ARNAR earphones.
• 6 pairs of White eartips (S/M/L).
• 7 pairs of Gray eartips (S/M/L).
• Modular cable
• Plugs 3.5mm and 4.4mm Bal.
• Carrying case.
• 3 pairs of extra nozzles (1 installed).
• User guide, and QC pass.

SOUND ASPECTS:

Sound:

• Natural, clean, “correct,” pleasant, and detailed sound.
• Balanced tuning. Mild V-shape.
• An all-rounder earphone; suits various musical genres.
• Emphasized bass, with linear mids and treble.
• The bass adds a touch of warmth and fun.
• Great resolution, speed, and detail.
• Technically very competent.
• Tonally well-executed, with no flaws.
• To me, “natural” always implies a bit more bass.
• I don’t consider it “musical” as the company describes, for me it’s “correct.”
• I think this could be a great studio monitoring earphone (though I’m no expert).
• It reminds me of the Letshuoer S12 Ultra (but with differences between them).
• I see the S12 Ultra as being a bit more energetic (by comparison).
• The Arnar is slightly more “refined” than the S12 Ultra.
• The S12 Ultra has a bit more bass and treble, and more recessed mids.
• The Arnar has slightly more forward mids and a bit less sub-bass.

Bass:

– Quantitative:

• Moderately elevated.
• Not for bassheads.
• Sub-bass and mid-bass have good presence.
• Linear response, with no frequency overlap.
• I like bass, and I enjoyed the bass on the Arnar.

– Qualitative:

• The bass is clean, fast, dynamic, and with good extension.
• Great texture and physicality.
• The definition is great too.
• The impact is physical, controlled, and “tight.”
• They don’t invade the mids.
• They bring a slight touch of warmth, without heating up the presentation.
• Beats on a bass drum are clean and defined.
• Double basses are fast and have great texture.

Mids:

– Quantitative and qualitative:

• Slightly forward mids.
• Pinna gain with a touch of emphasis, without being aggressive.
• Excellent definition and detail.
• Excellent airiness, clarity, and transparency.
• The filter I chose for the review makes a difference here.
• I experienced no fatigue in the upper-mids.
• Well-resolved both tonally and technically.
• The S12 Ultra is slightly more recessed and warmer than the Arnar (in the mids).
• I notice that the Arnar’s mids have a cold side timbre.
• Trumpets steal the show in the presentation.
• Vocals have exuberance and airiness.
• Percussive instruments come alive in the mix.

Voices:

• Great for both types of voices (low or high).
• Great versatility for vocals.
• A major plus for these IEM.
• A good dose of warmth and texture for deep-toned voices.
• Good airiness and detail for high-pitched voices.
• Excellent for whispered vocals.

Treble:

– Quantitative:

• Moderate treble.
• Not for trebleheads.
• The treble is lower than the upper-mids.
• I didn’t experience any treble fatigue.
• Recommended for those with sensitivity.
• The treble is very “flat”.

– Qualitative:

• Well-defined, controlled, accurate, and well-extended treble.
• Natural, smooth parkle.
• Excellent detail and airiness.
• They are not strident, sharp, or harsh.
• I didn’t heard sibilance, peaks, or coloration.
• Recommended for those who enjoy neutral treble.
• The treble faithfully follow the recordings.
• The filter I used is the one that most emphasizes the treble.
• The S12 Ultra is slightly more energetic in this region.
• Hi-hats have good resolution without sounding aggressive.
• Ride cymbals sound accurate.
• Acoustic guitar strings are rendered with great detail.

Soundstage:

• Great soundstage.
• It has a good sense of space.
• Excellent in height and width, good in depth.
• Mild / V-shaped IEMs tend to be more spacious (isn’t a rule).

Imaging:

• Excellent instrument separation. Positive point.
• The stereo imaging is also very good.
• The good level of detail really helps with the imaging.
• Easy to pinpoint the position of the instruments.
• It feels like the drum cymbals are positioned above your head.

Filters (removable nozzles):

• I reviewed the Arnar with the silver nozzle.
• I noticed a slight difference between the nozzles (filters).
• I admit that the difference resulted in a degradation of the sound (subjectively speaking).
• In my opinion, the silver nozzle is the best of the three filters.
• The silver nozzle offers the most airiness and detail.
• The gold nozzle attenuates the treble, resulting in a loss of detail.
• The black nozzle attenuates the upper-mids and treble, reducing detail and airiness.

Driver flex test:

• Planar magnetic drivers and BAs doesn’t show driver flex characteristics.

Amplification:

• Easy to drive.
• It doesn’t require a powerful amplifier.
• A DAC/AMP dongle is sufficient.
• I review the Arnar with the FiiO KA11.
• KA11 set to 25% (out of 100 in Windows 10).
• I also tested it with the FiiO QX13 using the 4.4mm balanced output.
• It is common for a more powerful AMP to yield better results.
• You don’t need to worry if you don’t have a more powerful DAC/AMP.

PROS AND CONS:

GRAPHS BY PRACTIPHILE:

Thank you so much for being here!

Follow us on Instagram to get all the news!

We are on Reddit too.

• Instagram
• Telegram
• Youtube
• Spotify
• Reddit
• TikTok