Kinera is a Chinese (aka ChiFi) earphone brand known for making visually stunning products. In today’s review, I’m checking out the Kinera BD005 Pro, The BD005 Pro is the updated version of the non-pro version and like its predecessor is a dual-driver hybrid IEM with one dynamic driver and one balanced armature driver.

HiFiGo official website: https://hifigo.com/

Disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own based on my experience with the product.

Kinera BD005 Pro

Specifications

• Sensitivity: 108+/-2db
• Impedance: 16ohm
• Frequency range: 20Hz-20kHz
• Interface: 0.78mm 2Pin
• Plug: 3.5mm
• Cable length: 1.2m

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Packaging & Accessories

BD005 Pro comes in a small hexagonal box. On the front of the box are some images showing the 3 available colour variations of the earphones. On the back of the box are some specifications, a frequency response graph and a clearer view of the 3 colours.

Inside the box are the Kinera BD005 Pro earphones, a detachable 2-pin cable, a round zipper clamshell case, 3 pairs of (tiny) silicone eartips and some documentation.

Design

Like all recent Kinera releases, the BD005 Pro has an elegant, striking design. It has 3D-printed resin shells and is available in 3 colours: red, blue and grey. On the faceplates is the Kinera logo in gold lettering which sits amidst a smattering of gold flakes inlay. It’s a relatively simple but impressive design that borrows from some of Kinera’s high-end models.

The build quality is excellent and especially good considering the entry-level price. A single vent sits on the top side of the housings, behind the 0.78mm 2-pin socket. The nozzle is aluminium and has a protective mesh cover. Internally, BD005 Pro contains a 9.2mm Beryllium dynamic driver and a custom 30095 balanced armature driver.

BD005 Pro has pseudo-custom styled shells that fit snug into my ears and I find them to be very comfortable. I have worn these for hours at a time on consecutive days without the slightest discomfort or irritation. Noise isolation is slightly above average and BD005 Pro blocks a good amount of outside noise. These are ideal for noisy public spaces and commuting.

Cable

The included cable is a 4-core braided type with black rubberised insulation. The 2-pin connector housings, Y-split and right-angled termination are all black aluminium. When it comes to handling, this cable performs well. It has minimal microphonics and drapes well. Furthermore, it’s also fairly resistant to tangling making it a good cable overall for an IEM in this price range.

Sound

Gear used for testing includes:

• Windows laptop -> Earmen Sparrow
• iPhone -> Shanling UP4
• Acoustic Research AR-M20

The Kinera BD005 Pro has a warm tonality with a light v-shaped signature and relaxed treble. It’s got a full-bodied bass and creamy midrange with a smooth overall presentation. Power requirements are minimal so you can drive the earphones sufficiently from any device including phones.

Bass

BD005 Pro has a healthy bass quantity that is not excessive but still provides a strong foundation for the rest of the frequency spectrum. The transition from sub-bass to mid-bass is fairly linear giving the bass fullness and body.

Leading edges are slightly blunted which increase bass impact. Bass decay is fairly long but the beryllium driver maintains good control so there’s no audible distortion to my ears. While it’s not the most textured bass, it has a good punch and thickness for some satisfying thumpy goodness.

Mids

The lower mids have a smooth character with a touch of added warmth. But for the most part, the mids are fairly neutral although they inherit some body from the bass. That’s not to say BD005 Pro mids are muffled or congested. In fact, the midrange has a surprising level of instrument separation and detail.

There’s ample midrange clarity that comes from the lift in the treble. An upper midrange lift also prevents the mids and vocals from becoming lugubrious or overly mellow.

Treble

BD005 Pro has a lift in the lower and core treble that adds definition, detail and precision. Those treble peaks are accompanied by a dip at around 6kHz which helps to prevent sibilance and brightness. For the most part, the treble is crisp and smooth, although it does start to fall off steadily after around 8kHz.

Despite the upper treble roll off, BD005 Pro still has sufficient air and a touch of sparkle. It’s predominantly a safe and non-fatiguing treble tuning but one that still shows signs of life to prevent things becoming dull.

Soundstage

The soundstage is reasonably large considering the warm tone of BD005 Pro. It’s slightly wider than it is deep. Stage positioning is neutral with the centre image being neither too intimate nor distant. Imaging is quite strong, a result of good instrument separation, resolution and clean midrange.

Comparisons

Tin Hifi T2 Plus ($59)

The Tin Hifi T2 Plus has a single 10mm dynamic driver and metal shells compared to the BD005 Pro which is a hybrid dual-driver with acrylic shells. Both of these earphones share a very similar frequency response which is probably why I like them both.

T2 Plus is slightly leaner in the bass and has just a little less low-frequency body than the BD005 Pro. T2 Plus’ mids are a bit more forward but both IEMs share similar instrument and vocal clarity.

In the treble, T2 Plus is more even, making it a tad softer which is great for treble-sensitive people but can lead to a lack of bite or grit. However, T2 Plus has more upper treble presence which makes it sound airier but its lower treble is less precise. Both IEMs have a fairly large and spacious soundstage.

Moondrop SSP ($39)

The Moondrop SSP has a single dynamic driver. Compared to BD005 Pro, SSP has faster and less prominent bass but it needs a more powerful source to perform at its best. SSP’s core mids are a tad more recessed due to its extra upper-midrange emphasis. This makes vocals pop more but can cause some shoutiness at high volume.

SSP has less lower treble presence, instead focusing more on the upper-mids and vocals. As a result of this the soundstage is more intimate and smaller in dimensions. BD005 Pro, in comparison, goes for a more traditional v-shape putting a bit less emphasis on upper-mids and pushing it further into the treble. This gives BD005 Pro an advantage in soundstage size and layering.

Conclusion

The Kinera BD005 Pro is a worthy successor to the original BD005. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more attractive IEM at this price not just in looks but in audio quality too. If you’re looking for a warm, resolving yet melodic earphone under $50, this one needs to be on your list of candidates.