Disclaimer
KeepHifi reached out and kindly sent me the KBEAR Cepheus KB16 in exchange for my honest opinion. As always, you can only read my honest opinion, regardless of whether the product was gifted or loaned.
KeepHiFi and introduction
KeepHiFi is a Chinese budget IEM company, offering several models below $100 and even below $50. They own three brands: TRI, KBEAR and CCZ. Earlier this year they sent me the TRI I3 MK3, their flagship TRI model. This time we are having a look at the KBEAR flagship, the Cepheus K16 for $249.
Gear
The Cepheus sounds great on portable gear like my Cayin RU6, but I did most of my evaluation on my ZMF Aegis tube amplifier and Cyan 2 DAC.
Packaging, design, comfort
The Cepheus incorporates two dynamic drivers and six balanced armature drivers in each earpiece. This is rather generous and a very competitive construction for the asking price. The 10mm biodynamic driver is responsible for bass presentation, while the 6mm dynamic driver complements the other 6 BA drivers to deliver a smooth and lifelike sound in the mids and treble.
The IEMs are aimed at musician professionals, which can be recognised on their tuning. These IEMs would serve as great basic stage monitors for bands who are just starting out.
The shells are made of good quality resin and have great, partially transparent design. I love to be able to see the driver structure within. Comfort is fine; fairly ergonomic. Initially the IEMs feel comfortable, given you are able to find a good seal with the included ear tips. Unfortunately, the three types of included ear tips are very similar and feel rather low quality. However, if you use your own ear tips or find a good seal with the included tips, comfort is fine. I have to say, after two hours the Cepheus still started to feel uncomfortable in my ears. The TRI flagship certainly felt more comfortable even after a long period of time.
The KBEAR flagship also comes with a rather generic, thin cable. I like that it is thin and light, but the cable on the more affordable TRI MK3 felt like much higher quality.
Sound
So, how does the Cepheus sound with 16 drivers? I have to say, despite my highly critical attitude, I cannot find any major faults in the tuning. The sound is not harsh, not offensive and offers a decent technical performance, good soundstage and imaging for the price.
My first impression was, that these IEMS sound quite neutral. That was until I put my first bass heavy track on. Then the bass came alive, and the neutrality was gone. There is a bass emphasis, but it only comes alive on bassy tracks.
Mids are clean, quite neutral and have good texture. Treble is more emphasised than on the TRI MK3; where everything was too subdued and smoothed out.
Technicalities
In my opinion, these IEMs deliver what you would expect at the price point. There is adequate space, pretty good imaging and separation with decent stage depth. Macrodynamics are pretty great, while microdynamics lack a bit, but that is forgivable for the price.
When there is a bassy track, bass feels elevated and offers some warmth to the sound with great punch. Tracks without much bass, feel rather neutral; studio-like. Mids are present, have good texture but lack the warmth and 'breath of life' familiar from some more coloured or more natural sounding IEMs.
In general, technically these IEMs are fairly well-balanced. They are a little V-shaped, but not on all tracks. With bassy tracks the bass emphasis comes out, but otherwise they feel quite balanced. There is a dip in the lower mids, but an emphasis in the upper-mids. This helps vocals to stand out and be in the spotlight.
Treble is generally smooth and inoffensive, but there are some highlighted peaks which lend energy and presence to higher notes. Nothing is too offensive though.
Bass on the Cepheus is a lot of fun, but only when the recording calls for it. There is no unwanted bass presence, but there is plenty of bass when we need it. Bass never bleeds into the lower mids, it is quite well-separated and plenty. For the price I would say it is controlled and well-balanced. Mid-bass is a little stronger than sub-bass, but still there is enough sub-bass presence. I wouldn't say the Cepheus offers a neutral bass presentation, but it is also not the ultimate bass-head sound. Perhaps something in-between: well-balanced enough, but when your EDM track calls for it, there is punch and slam.
Mids on the KBEAR K16 are generally nicely presented. Upper mids are emphasised, while lower mids are subdued. This highlights vocals, lending them a good amount of clarity. Male vocals sometimes lack body and authority due to the recessed lower mids, but female vocals get a spotlight on the stage. For this mid/vocal highlight, I wouldn't really call the Cepheus V-shaped, more like W-shaped where the highlight on the mids is tilted towards the highs.
Treble on the Cepheus is well separated, clean and integral part of the whole. It is not as smooth as on the TRI I3 MK3 but offers more information, air and clarity. Treble on the TRI MK3 was super smooth, but very recessed and shadowed. The Cepheus also plays it safe, but it is less afraid of emphasising some treble frequencies which contribute to a more defined, cleaner sounding treble area in general.
Versus TRI I3 mk3 and Meze Alba
Since I am mostly a headphone guy, I don't have an awful lot of IEMs for comparison in this price range.
Compared to the TRI3 MK3, the Cepheus sounds less smooth, more neutral with bigger space and better separation, imaging. Macrodynamics are better on the KBEAR and I can understand why KeepHiFi recommends them for stage monitoring. I would say, the Cepheus is a great budget stage monitor: it represents instruments clear enough. The Cepheus is not the most engaging, most enjoyable sound for the price, but it is precise enough and the W shape of emphasised and recessed areas are relatively well-selected.
My Meze Alba still sounds more coherent and better balanced, despite having only one pair of dynamic drivers. I find it more engaging. That said, the Cepheus staging is better and while resolution and micro-details are lacking a bit, it is forgivable at this asking price.
Music
Heilung - Traust: good instrument separation, fun, satisfying bass emphasis. This is how the track should sound.
Symbolico - I Am Free: good separation and imaging, solid bass but not overwhelming. Great treble clarity, although treble energy feels a bit overwhelming at times.
Sync24 - Deep Sea Meditaion Experience: my test track for fine details. At the beginning of the track there is rain in the background that only sounds natural on high-end gear. The Cepheus doesn't quite render this in a lifelike manner, but for the price this is forgivable.
Billie Eilish - Bad Guy: plenty of good bass on the track, especially when it comes to mid bass quantity. Sub-bass rolls off a little bit, but that is forgivable at this price pint.
Alice Phoebe Lou - Orbit: nice, clean, smooth vocal but could use a bit of warmth to lend more lifelikeness to Alice's voice.
Vini Vici - Free Tibet: that's how bass should sound on this track: satisfying. The rest of the track is clear enough, although human voices could sound a bit warmer, more lifelike.
Conclusion
I was not expecting much from the Cepheus, I thought it will be just another budget IEM from China. Similarly to the TRI I3 MK3, they surprised me at build quality and comfort. (I still find the TRI MK3 more comfortable.)
These IEMs sound clear and have good macrodynamics, airy, deep enough staging and separation for the price point with adequate layering. These could be used as budget stage monitors.
Bass is plenty when the recording calls for it, and bassy tracks offer some warmth.
Otherwise mids and treble feel quite neutral; studio-like. Nothing is offensive in this sound, once you know what you are getting you can be pretty happy with it.
While I enjoyed the smoothness of the TRI MK3 more, I have to admit that the Cepheus is a better balanced and technically more capable offering from KeepHiFi.
KeepHifi reached out and kindly sent me the KBEAR Cepheus KB16 in exchange for my honest opinion. As always, you can only read my honest opinion, regardless of whether the product was gifted or loaned.
KeepHiFi and introduction
KeepHiFi is a Chinese budget IEM company, offering several models below $100 and even below $50. They own three brands: TRI, KBEAR and CCZ. Earlier this year they sent me the TRI I3 MK3, their flagship TRI model. This time we are having a look at the KBEAR flagship, the Cepheus K16 for $249.
Gear
The Cepheus sounds great on portable gear like my Cayin RU6, but I did most of my evaluation on my ZMF Aegis tube amplifier and Cyan 2 DAC.
Packaging, design, comfort
The Cepheus incorporates two dynamic drivers and six balanced armature drivers in each earpiece. This is rather generous and a very competitive construction for the asking price. The 10mm biodynamic driver is responsible for bass presentation, while the 6mm dynamic driver complements the other 6 BA drivers to deliver a smooth and lifelike sound in the mids and treble.
The IEMs are aimed at musician professionals, which can be recognised on their tuning. These IEMs would serve as great basic stage monitors for bands who are just starting out.
The shells are made of good quality resin and have great, partially transparent design. I love to be able to see the driver structure within. Comfort is fine; fairly ergonomic. Initially the IEMs feel comfortable, given you are able to find a good seal with the included ear tips. Unfortunately, the three types of included ear tips are very similar and feel rather low quality. However, if you use your own ear tips or find a good seal with the included tips, comfort is fine. I have to say, after two hours the Cepheus still started to feel uncomfortable in my ears. The TRI flagship certainly felt more comfortable even after a long period of time.
The KBEAR flagship also comes with a rather generic, thin cable. I like that it is thin and light, but the cable on the more affordable TRI MK3 felt like much higher quality.
Sound
So, how does the Cepheus sound with 16 drivers? I have to say, despite my highly critical attitude, I cannot find any major faults in the tuning. The sound is not harsh, not offensive and offers a decent technical performance, good soundstage and imaging for the price.
My first impression was, that these IEMS sound quite neutral. That was until I put my first bass heavy track on. Then the bass came alive, and the neutrality was gone. There is a bass emphasis, but it only comes alive on bassy tracks.
Mids are clean, quite neutral and have good texture. Treble is more emphasised than on the TRI MK3; where everything was too subdued and smoothed out.
Technicalities
In my opinion, these IEMs deliver what you would expect at the price point. There is adequate space, pretty good imaging and separation with decent stage depth. Macrodynamics are pretty great, while microdynamics lack a bit, but that is forgivable for the price.
When there is a bassy track, bass feels elevated and offers some warmth to the sound with great punch. Tracks without much bass, feel rather neutral; studio-like. Mids are present, have good texture but lack the warmth and 'breath of life' familiar from some more coloured or more natural sounding IEMs.
In general, technically these IEMs are fairly well-balanced. They are a little V-shaped, but not on all tracks. With bassy tracks the bass emphasis comes out, but otherwise they feel quite balanced. There is a dip in the lower mids, but an emphasis in the upper-mids. This helps vocals to stand out and be in the spotlight.
Treble is generally smooth and inoffensive, but there are some highlighted peaks which lend energy and presence to higher notes. Nothing is too offensive though.
Bass on the Cepheus is a lot of fun, but only when the recording calls for it. There is no unwanted bass presence, but there is plenty of bass when we need it. Bass never bleeds into the lower mids, it is quite well-separated and plenty. For the price I would say it is controlled and well-balanced. Mid-bass is a little stronger than sub-bass, but still there is enough sub-bass presence. I wouldn't say the Cepheus offers a neutral bass presentation, but it is also not the ultimate bass-head sound. Perhaps something in-between: well-balanced enough, but when your EDM track calls for it, there is punch and slam.
Mids on the KBEAR K16 are generally nicely presented. Upper mids are emphasised, while lower mids are subdued. This highlights vocals, lending them a good amount of clarity. Male vocals sometimes lack body and authority due to the recessed lower mids, but female vocals get a spotlight on the stage. For this mid/vocal highlight, I wouldn't really call the Cepheus V-shaped, more like W-shaped where the highlight on the mids is tilted towards the highs.
Treble on the Cepheus is well separated, clean and integral part of the whole. It is not as smooth as on the TRI I3 MK3 but offers more information, air and clarity. Treble on the TRI MK3 was super smooth, but very recessed and shadowed. The Cepheus also plays it safe, but it is less afraid of emphasising some treble frequencies which contribute to a more defined, cleaner sounding treble area in general.
Versus TRI I3 mk3 and Meze Alba
Since I am mostly a headphone guy, I don't have an awful lot of IEMs for comparison in this price range.
Compared to the TRI3 MK3, the Cepheus sounds less smooth, more neutral with bigger space and better separation, imaging. Macrodynamics are better on the KBEAR and I can understand why KeepHiFi recommends them for stage monitoring. I would say, the Cepheus is a great budget stage monitor: it represents instruments clear enough. The Cepheus is not the most engaging, most enjoyable sound for the price, but it is precise enough and the W shape of emphasised and recessed areas are relatively well-selected.
My Meze Alba still sounds more coherent and better balanced, despite having only one pair of dynamic drivers. I find it more engaging. That said, the Cepheus staging is better and while resolution and micro-details are lacking a bit, it is forgivable at this asking price.
Music
Heilung - Traust: good instrument separation, fun, satisfying bass emphasis. This is how the track should sound. Symbolico - I Am Free: good separation and imaging, solid bass but not overwhelming. Great treble clarity, although treble energy feels a bit overwhelming at times. Sync24 - Deep Sea Meditaion Experience: my test track for fine details. At the beginning of the track there is rain in the background that only sounds natural on high-end gear. The Cepheus doesn't quite render this in a lifelike manner, but for the price this is forgivable. Billie Eilish - Bad Guy: plenty of good bass on the track, especially when it comes to mid bass quantity. Sub-bass rolls off a little bit, but that is forgivable at this price pint. Alice Phoebe Lou - Orbit: nice, clean, smooth vocal but could use a bit of warmth to lend more lifelikeness to Alice's voice. Vini Vici - Free Tibet: that's how bass should sound on this track: satisfying. The rest of the track is clear enough, although human voices could sound a bit warmer, more lifelike.Conclusion
I was not expecting much from the Cepheus, I thought it will be just another budget IEM from China. Similarly to the TRI I3 MK3, they surprised me at build quality and comfort. (I still find the TRI MK3 more comfortable.)
These IEMs sound clear and have good macrodynamics, airy, deep enough staging and separation for the price point with adequate layering. These could be used as budget stage monitors.
Bass is plenty when the recording calls for it, and bassy tracks offer some warmth.
Otherwise mids and treble feel quite neutral; studio-like. Nothing is offensive in this sound, once you know what you are getting you can be pretty happy with it.
While I enjoyed the smoothness of the TRI MK3 more, I have to admit that the Cepheus is a better balanced and technically more capable offering from KeepHiFi.