A well-tuned, u-shaped sounding IEM! Very good tonal and technical balance in terms of quality! Bassy, U-shaped sound signature! Clean, subbass-elevated lows! Lush, open mids! Forward vocals! Non-fatiguing, smooth upper frequencies! Very good technical performance under 300 USD, particularly on separation and layering! Excellent fit, comfort, and isolation! Visually-pleasing IEM driver shell design! Easy to drive!
Cons:
Soundstage isn’t the largest in width that I have encountered under 300 USD. Accessories included, while practical, is quite underwhelming for the overall package’s retail price.
I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as earphones should be used.
Keephifi sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
======================================================================== My personal preferences, in terms of sound, methodology, and music of choice:
I prefer a “neutral/flat/balanced”, uncolored sound as much as possible.
I prioritize technical over tonal performance.
I listen to most genres existing on the internet.
I use the included stock eartips and cable as much as possible to put myself on a consumer’s perspective, unless stated otherwise.
======================================================================== Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.
Source/s used:
- Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- Tanchjim Space DAC
- Fosi Audio SK02 USB DAC
- Venture Electronics Odo USB DAC
- Venture Electronics Devastator USB DAC
- Venture Electronics Megatron USB DAC
- Snowsky Echo Mini DAP
- Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini DAC
- DDHiFi TC35M2 USB DAC
- Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- FiiO DM13 CD Player
- Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: Stock medium widebore eartips, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume.
The KBEAR Cepheus KB16 exhibits a clean, open, u-shaped sound signature to my ears, that also exhibits a slight forwardness of the vocals.
Lows:
Definitely far from being the sub 300-USD basshead’s dream, the Cepheus is rather light in punch in this region, and elevates the subbass a bit more, allowing it to rumble whenever the track calls for it. Attack and decay is impressively quick while not sounding lacking at all. This is also, in my opinion, quite refreshing since this isn't as bassy compared to the IEMs that I have heard and reviewed within 100-300 USD. Texture and layering are all on point and do not seem to exhibit any deal-breaking flaws, unless if you are a basshead that wants an earth-shaking bass.
Mids:
Despite not being forward in presentation, this region, in my opinion, is the highlight of the Cepheus. It is open, vivid, and impressively clean. I can't seem to hear any noticeable midbass bleed smearing on the lower mids. It isn't that warm either, but it does exhibit a good amount of smoothness to it without any compromise on the detail. Lower mids still exhibit a good amount of “as is” thickness, details, and texture. It isn't as thick compared to the warm sets that exhibit in this region, and this is definitely noticeable if you're coming from one. Upper mids are forward, open, airy, and has a very good amount of sparkle. I am genuinely impressed how KBEAR tuned the KB16 in this region, as it isn't fatiguing while keeping it well extended and airy. Driver quirks such as BA timbre are almost absent enough for me not to list it in cons because I haven't heard it here as much as the other IEMs that I have reviewed with driver quirks on sibilant prone and poorly recorded tracks. Do take note however, that the upper mids here on the Cepheus are still forward, particularly the vocals, and may sound ”too much” on those people who prefer dark-sounding sets. But for most people, the presentation and quality of the mids here in the KBEAR Cepheus will be a good treat, especially for those who want their vocals as present as ever.
Treble:
Just like its upper mids, the treble seems to exhibit the same aforementioned character. It is well extended, airy, and well-detailed. Some people can even call its treble “borderline bright” to their liking. To me personally, it isn't bright when compared to the sets that I have heard within and under 300 USD, as it still managed to sound smooth and easy on the ears without any fatigue or compromise to the quality. Detail retrieval is above average for this asking price and has no problem rendering any nuances present on the track. Overall, the treble here on the KBEAR Cepheus is my current favorite so far under 300 USD, as it manages to keep its open, detailed character, with little to no driver quirks or harshness.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation:
In a nutshell, the technical performance of the KBEAR Cepheus is above average in terms of quality for the most part. Everything is clean, precise, well-layered and snappy. If I were to nitpick, this isn't the widest in soundstage width that I have heard within and under 500USD, but it sure is quite tall and has a solid amount of depth to it. Don't get me wrong, the soundstage width is still spacious and more than enough for most people. Some can even claim that “the sound does not seem to have walls”, which was my first impression at first, it's just that I have heard something wider under and within 300 USD.
======================================================================== Other IEM Comparisons!
Kiwi Ears Septet
The Kiwi Ears Septet is a more technical, neutral-bright sounding IEM when compared to the KBEAR Cepheus. The Cepheus will definitely favor a wider due to its excellent balance of technical and tonal performance, compared to the Septet’s “specialist” incisive, technical character. The Cepheus exhibits its vocals a little bit more forward compared to the Septet, and does seem to exhibit less driver quirks (nearly zero actually) when compared to the Septet. Personally, I prefer the Septet most of the time between the two because I prefer highly technical sets, but I also prefer the Cepheus when doing my day job and running down on errands because it is lighter on the ear and does not seem to distract me on what I am doing while keeping the technical chops satisfactory to me preferences.
EarAcoustic Audio SPA Hi-End Ultra
The EarAcoustic Audio SPA Hi-End Ultra aims for a more classic, V-shaped sound, while the KBEAR Cepheus KB16 does things in a U-shaped, vocal-forward manner. The bass quantity is definitely better in quantity on the SPA Hi-End Ultra, but the Cepheus is a bit better on the quality, particularly on the texture and layering. It is also a bit cleaner in presentation. The mids are overall better on the Cepheus because it is more open, forward, and vivid compared to the SPA Hi-End Ultra. Upper frequencies are also more open and smooth on the Cepheus, while the SPA Hi-End Ultra has more sparkle but does also exhibit some mild peaks here and there. Technical chops are a bit cleaner and incisive on the Cepheus, while the SPA hi-End Ultra has a bit more soundstage width when compared.
Hidizs MK12 Turris (stock preinstalled filter)
Right out of the bat, the Hidizs MK12 Turris has a larger and more immersive soundstage when compared to the KBEAR Cepheus KB16. The MK12 Turris seems to have a more relaxed, safer upper frequencies when compared. It is also warmer in sound as well. Both IEMs do not exhibit any peaks or harshness, but the Cepheus has airier and more forward vocals. The Cepheus is also noticeably more snappier and less softer in its overall sound when compared to the MK12 Turris.
DUNU DK3001BD Brain Dance
Just like what I said on my review for the Kiwi Ears Septet, the gap between the sub 300 and 500 USD sets are getting thinner. I can also say the same here in the KBEAR Cepheus KB16. I can confidently say that the Cephus can go toe-to-toe with the BrainDance. It’s just that the BrainDance is noticeably more expansive in stage and a bit more refined in sound. It also sounds thicker and subbass dominant compared to the Cepheus. Both exhibit excellent mids in terms of quality, but the BrainDance seems to exhibit a bit airier and thicker mids. Vocals are more forward on the Cepheus and it also exhibits less driver quirks/timbre compared to the BrainDance. Separation, layering, and imaging are more or less the same on both sets in terms of quality.
KBEAR has been under the radar lately, but that remark probably will change here in the KBEAR Cepheus KB16. It definitely manages to compete and hold on its own in the market by the time that I write and publish this review, in terms of its overall sound quality. It is by far the “cleanest” u-shaped sounding set I have heard within the sub-300 USD range. I personally love how forward and present the vocals on this set without sacrificing the technical chops. Of course, the Cepheus is far from perfect - the accessories and cable included could be better for its asking price, but as for the overall sound and tuning implementation, the KBEAR Cepheus KB16 is definitely a solid treat for those people that likes their vocals subjectively clean, present, and “perfect” under 300 USD. This is currently my personal vocal king, KBEAR!
Source:The KBEAR Cepheus KB16 is easy to drive. You do not need to use this IEM with a balanced 4.4mm connection. For good measure, use a USB DAC/source with at least 2VRMs of power, preferably with a warmer sound character as well.
Eartips:There are 3 sets of eartips included here in the Cepheus. All of them does not seem to hinder the overall sound of the IEM. My personal favorite among the 3 sets are the ones that are black in color. You may still use your preferred eartips.
Cable:The cable gets the job done and is decent. However, this cable is quite “basic” for sub 300 USD in today’s standards. No offense, but in my own opinion, the cable seems to be stuck within the 2020s aesthetic. Even their own KBEAR Aurora, in matte grey colorway, has better cable than the one included here in the Cepheus.
