In this article, I’m checking out the KBEAR Pecker budget IEM. The Pecker has 1DD+1BA and comes with acrylic shells and metal faceplates. It’s priced at $30-35.
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by KBEAR for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own based on my experience with the product.
KBEAR Pecker

Design
Pecker’s shells are clear acrylic with aluminium faceplates. The faceplates have a perforated outline and a small indent to add some visual flair. Pecker has 0.75mm 2-pin connectors and an aluminium nozzle.
The comfort is good – quite similar to the KBEAR KS2 but a bit wider. The included cable is a standard silver-plated copper. It gets tangled pretty easily but it has a chin slider and doesn’t suffer from microphonics.

Sound
Gear used for testing includes the iFi UNO, xDuoo Link2 Bal and Shanling M5s. Pecker is an efficient IEM and can be easily driven with any source including smartphones.
The Pecker has a dynamic V-shaped signature with elevated bass and treble and a clear but recessed midrange. It’s energetic and articulate but the large treble peak will be divisive.

Bass
The KBEAR Pecker IEMs have a strong and well-extended bass response that produces deep, booming sub-bass rumbles. The midbass is punchy and has a good mix of weight and speed. It’s well above neutral in quantity and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Pecker to bassheads.
Midrange
The midrange and vocals on the KBEAR Pecker IEMs are recessed, meaning they don’t stand out as much in the overall mix compared to the bass and treble. While the IEMs are able to retrieve micro-details well, there is also a considerable amount of sibilance. Male vocals lack power and the overall midrange lacks intimacy.

Treble
The KBEAR Pecker is tuned for treble enthusiasts, with an abundance of energetic highs. But the treble can oftentimes be harsh, particularly with crash cymbals. The 8kHz peak causes sibilance, in addition to making musical notes sound thin. The treble has a tendency to sizzle and the timbre isn’t quite right.
Soundstage & Technical Performance
Pecker’s soundstage is large and wide but has little layering. The stage position is pushed back, making it seem as though you are sitting far away from the front of the stage. The detail retrieval is excellent but the overall resolution struggles during complex tracks.

Verdict
The KBEAR Pecker is an affordable in-ear monitor that boasts a dual-driver configuration. Its bass tuning is both powerful and enjoyable, and it excels at reproducing fine details. Nonetheless, some listeners will be put off by its recessed midrange, pronounced treble peak, and resulting sibilance.