KEFINE x Angelears Delci AE

The KEFINE x Angelears Delci AE represents an exciting collaboration upgrade to one of the most beloved budget IEMs of recent years. Building on the massive success of the original KEFINE Delci, the Delci AE (Angelears Edition) delivers refined tuning, enhanced build quality, and added versatility, making it a standout choice in the competitive budget in-ear monitors under $100 category.

The Story Of KEFINE DELCI AE

In the vibrant arena of budget audio, where countless in-ear monitors vie for attention with promises of balance and musicality, the KEFINE Delci burst onto the scene in early 2024 like a warm, inviting embrace. This unassuming single dynamic driver IEM, armed with a 10mm dual-cavity DLC + PU diaphragm, delivered an unexpectedly rich and cohesive experience at an ultra-affordable price — offering deep, textured bass, lush and weighted mids, and a smooth, non-fatiguing treble that made it an instant favorite among enthusiasts seeking an easy-listening, musical signature without harsh edges or analytical coldness.

It wasn't revolutionary in tech, but in execution: the Delci captured that elusive "fun yet refined" sweet spot, with bulbous yet controlled low-end rumble, forward and intimate vocals, and a cozy warmth that wrapped around genres like pop, R&B, hip-hop, and even casual gaming sessions. It punched far above its weight class, quickly earning a cult following and frequent spots on "best budget IEM under $100" lists for its natural timbre, excellent note weight, and fatigue-free listening that felt premium despite the modest cost.

Yet even crowd-pleasers have room for polish. While many adored the Delci's enveloping warmth and bass-forward charm, some listeners noted the treble could feel slightly subdued or rolled-off in the upper extension, limiting airiness and sparkle on brighter tracks, and a desire for just a touch more clarity, separation, and versatility to suit varied moods or competitive listening like gaming where detail matters.

Angelears recognized the Delci's potential as more than a hit, it was a foundation worth elevating. Approaching KEFINE with a shared vision, we sought to honor the original's soulful, musical core while introducing thoughtful refinements drawn from community feedback. The outcome: the KEFINE x Angelears Delci AE, a collaborative special that keeps the same beloved 10mm driver but evolves the experience with innovative detachable dual-tone tuning nozzles — silver for a smoother, richer, more organic warmth with deeper bass texture, and gold for added treble energy, resolution, transparency, and lively sparkle — allowing users to dial in their preferred flavor without compromise.

Physical upgrades followed suit: a premium silver-plated modular cable for better conductivity and swappable plugs, striking silver CNC-machined aluminum shells for a fresh, premium aesthetic, and subtle ergonomic tweaks for even greater comfort. The result preserves the Delci's signature warmth and musicality. Its thick note weight, controlled yet impactful bass, and easygoing flow, while gaining polish in clarity, air, detail retrieval, and adaptability for everything from relaxed daily drives to more analytical sessions.

A collaboration of KEFINE and Angelears

Delci AE Tuning Nozzles: Dual-Sound Versatility

The Kefine Delci AE features interchangeable screw-on tuning nozzles in silver and gold, letting you switch sound profiles effortlessly. The silver nozzle provides a warmer, smoother signature with enhanced bass texture, thicker mids, and relaxed treble for musical, fatigue-free listening. The gold nozzle adds brightness, clarity, and treble extension for greater detail and airiness, offering a livelier, more analytical option in the same IEM, perfect for versatile everyday use.

10mm DLC+PU Diaphragm

The 10mm DLC+PU diaphragm dynamic driver combines a rigid Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) dome for fast, detailed highs and clear resolution with a flexible PU suspension for strong, impactful bass and smooth mids, creating a balanced, high-performance sound signature.

Low-profile design

The Kefine Delci AE is just 5.3g per earpiece, roughly half the weight of many metal injection molded (MIM) IEMs. Each shell is precision-crafted from a single block of high-grade aluminum alloy using advanced CNC machining, resulting in one of the lightest metal-bodied in-ear monitors available. This combination of minimal mass, ergonomic shaping, and durable yet feather-light construction delivers exceptional all-day comfort with no fatigue, even during extended listening sessions, while maintaining a premium, robust feel.

0.78mm 2-pin Litz Cable

The Kefine Delci AE comes with an upgraded, high-purity detachable cable that's a notable step up from the original Delci. It features a dual-wire hybrid design with a total of 164 strands—combining 72 strands of 0.05mm oxygen-free copper (OFC) for warmth and solidity with 92 strands of 0.06mm silver-plated copper (SPC) for added clarity and transparency—arranged in a supple, clear dual-strand litz configuration.

Specifications

Driver: 10mm dual-cavity dynamic driver with DLC+PU composite diaphragm (Diamond-Like Carbon dome + polyurethane suspension)

Impedance: 28Ω ±15%

Sensitivity: 108dB ±3dB

Frequency Response: 20Hz–20kHz

Housing: CNC-machined from a single block of aluminum alloy (silver finish)

Weight: 5.3g per earpiece

Tuning Nozzles: Interchangeable screw-on nozzles (silver for warmer/smoother sound, gold for brighter/more detailed)

Cable: Detachable high-purity hybrid (72 strands 0.05mm OFC + 92 strands 0.06mm SPC), dual-strand litz design, ~1.2m length, 0.78mm 2-pin connectors

Termination Options: 3.5mm single-ended or 4.4mm balanced (selected at purchase)

FAQ

Is the Delci AE easy to drive, and does it need an amp or DAC?

Yes, with 28Ω impedance and 108dB sensitivity, it's very easy to drive straight from phones, laptops, or dongles. It performs well on low-power sources, though a clean DAC/amp can unlock slightly better dynamics and clarity—no powerful amp required.

How does the Delci AE compare to the original Delci?

The AE edition improves on the original with interchangeable tuning nozzles for versatility, an upgraded hybrid cable, refined driver tuning for better clarity and balance, and the same lightweight aluminum build. It retains the warm, fun character but offers more technical performance and options without losing musicality.

What do the silver and gold tuning nozzles do differently?

The silver nozzle delivers a warmer, smoother sound signature with richer bass texture, thicker mids, and more relaxed treble for a musical, fatigue-free experience. The gold nozzle adds brightness, enhanced resolution, treble energy, and airiness for a livelier, more detailed, and analytical presentation—allowing you to switch profiles easily on the same IEM.

KEFINE Delci AE Reviews

Check out these detailed reviews from users and audio enthusiasts on the Kefine Delci AE—they offer a clearer picture of its real-world performance, strengths, and the best sources/amps to pair it with.

Youtube video review by Gizaudio

Youtube Review Video by Fresh Reviews

Community feedbacks & review extracts

"KEFINE Delci AE is a strong-performing, budget-friendly earphone that should make a lot of people happy... Good detail and clarity in the mids and treble." — Headfonics review

"The Delci AE has excellent clarity, one of the best balance and definition under $100. It still has a bit of W shaped signature but it's barely pronounced... Detailed yet fun!!" — The Headphone List

"Powerful controlled bass, crisp, detailed treble, good midrange clarity, impressive soundstage... The Kefine Delci AE builds on the original model and makes it even better." — Prime Audio Reviews

"The Delci AE is incredibly easy to drive and performs impressively well whether it's plugged into a dedicated DAC or straight from a source... Very wide soundstage in all three axes. Solid, fun, precise sub-bass and bass. Clear, present, and layered mids." — Head-Fi community reviewer

"With improved resolution, smoother highs and some subtle physical upgrades, Delci AE positions itself as one of the best sub-$100 IEMs money can buy... Great price-to-performance, one of the best design/aesthetic IEMs within the price point, very comfortable and lightweight set." — Mobile Audiophile review

"Top of class timbre... Bass: quality meets quantity... Warm, rich, musical midrange... Non-offensive treble that fits the tuning perfectly." — Mobile Audiophile TL;DR summary