KBear, known for their high quality single DD IEMs around $100 was a lot more popular a couple of years ago. I can distinctly remember the hype and success around their Diamond. It was one of the most capable single DD IEMs around $100. Then I think a slump came, maybe because of the COVID pandemic, KBear down sized their operations, reduced the number of IEMs per year and kind of laid low with more budget offerings. But, recently, they have been making some high quality IEMs, especially in the $50+ price range. Earlier this year they introduced their KB16 Cepheus with two DD and 6BA drivers in each earpiece. What I have here with me is their latest single DD IEM, starting at at $100 ( I have the base Type C variant with CX31993 that starts at $112), Tourbillion Pro is using a 10mm dual magnetic, dual chamber dynamic driver (currently one of the most popular type of drivers in various price ranges) in each earpiece. Let’s find out if KBear is still the good ol DD champ or not. I will denote this IEM as TB pro from here on.
P.S. I would like to thank Keephifi for this unit.
Get one from these links:
UNBOXING AND ACCESSORIES:
TB pro comes in a larger than average box. Take the box out of the paper cover, lift the book styled upper cover and we have the earpieces stuffed in foam while the carry case is placed below it. 2 set of ear tips in S/M/L sizes (one set of Tri Clarion) can be found in the beautiful looking black carry case while the cable is placed in a separate compartment under the foam. A cleaning tool and cloth end the list of useful accessories out of the box.
BUILD AND ERGONOMICS:
TB pro comes in a zinc alloy metal shell and glass back with gear design giving it an aesthetically appealing appearance. These ear pieces are slightly on the heavier side but the weight is nicely balanced by the cable guides and eartips. It doesn’t slip out of the ears and that’s a relief. TB pro isn’t exactly ergonomically designed but has the curves at the right places for a comfortable fit and good stability. We have two vents on the body for the drivers to breathe. It has a reasonably deep nozzle and offers good leverage and helps with weight balance too.
CABLE:
KBear says they have used SPC cables (CX31993 integrated DAC/amp cable too) and it’s one of the best looking cables available under $100. As good as the VSA-V1. It does have a bit of memory and is slightly bouncy too but this 4 core cable doesn’t have any microphonics to worry about. Yes, this is a slightly heavy cable but doesn’t feel uncomfortable. The cable guides are a bit on the thicker side and are slightly aggressive with the clamping but offer good stability and weight distribution. KBear has used metal jackets for the connectors and Y splitter and has a cable slider too.
PAIRING WITH SOURCES:
Hmm.. now.. this is different. I didn’t got the analogue version but I did got the Aureus cable with 4.4mm termination along with the TB pro, I tried this combination with a handful of sources and I can state that Aureus helps TB pro to open up like a blooming flower, offering better balance, taller vocal notes and bigger stage too but the impact of different sources isn’t exactly big. This single DD IEM barely changes its base attributes but yes, it can reflect the attributes of the source being used. Pairing it with TC44 grip yields better accuracy and precision while pairing it with the warmer sounding Cayin RU3 results in a slightly more musical output. In short, I won’t be critical about the source with this IEM. It performs admirably with the cheaper CX31993 cable too so.. You can imagine.
SOUND QUALITY:
Okay, I usually don’t jump into imaging immediately but the best aspect of this IEM is it’s cue placement and imaging capabilities. It’s not like it’s lacking with anything but just an year ago, this kind of technical capabilities and clarity was hard to get from an IEM at this price. Recently, I was disappointed by the technical & imaging capabilities of the Ziigaat Luna and I will easily put the Tourbillion Pro over the Luna, at least in this discipline.
With the TB pro we are getting a well balanced, yet slightly W shaped signature with a clarity oriented presentation. It barely has any coloration or unwanted warmth. It has clean, dynamic bass, mids are slightly in the W where vocals have a little bit of pop while the highs are slightly forward too. Let’s break it down.
I am using stock Tri Clarion tips for this review.
BASS:
It’s obvious to expect high quality bass from DD based IEMs and TB pro out performs it’s price bracket, taking the overall performance to the next level. First thing that captured my attention is it’s control over the notes, putting it’s dynamics and technical abilities on display. It isn’t a bassy IEM, in fact TB pro is a nicely balanced IEM with an admirable bass response offering aptly tight notes while letting them precipitate when needed. It’s the range of notes it can effortlessly hit with accurate directional projection impressed me the most.
We are treated with fantastic sub-bass extension but unlike other IEMs, TB pro flexes it’s technical abilities by maintaining frequencies inbetween sub-bass and mid bass notes with ease. It offers very good rumbles too. Mid bass is similarly energetic as the subs, offering decent body, area of impact and weight behind the notes. Notes usually hit and move upward while offering excellent layers and contrast of back and foreground instruments. TB pro has one of the cleanest upper bass notes without any unwanted softness.
MID RANGE:
Yes, this IEM is slightly W shaped with a bit of pop to the vocals yet it sounds nicely balanced, thanks to it’s not so pronounced lows and nicely energized lower mids. It barely misses the micro details across the spectrum while maintaining very good transparency with the instruments, even the instruments around the vocals have very good resolution and definition to them. TB pro offers very good finishing energy and right amount energy at the peaks of the notes, staying neutral with both tonality and timber. If you are looking for a smooth, laid back and warm presentation, this isn’t the right option. Yes, vocals do have a bit more fullness to them yet they too aren’t in the spectrum of warm or smooth. Both male and female vocals have very good texture and height to them. Tuned for a bit more precision, it has shed a bit of grunt and thickness of male vocals while female vocals are fantastic with their attack and accuracy. Upper mids are a bit more energetic than usual but barely has any unwanted aggression or sharpness to worry about.
HIGHS:
This single DD IEM offers an agile, sparkly and slightly forward treble range with excellent extension and energy up till the end, no darkness to worry about. It retains the energy gained at the upper mids and I am loving this extra bit of energy with the highs, adding a bit more height and transparency. If you are looking for a smooth or relaxed sounding IEM, this might not be it. We get very good layering and separation with good amount of air between instruments. Z-axis depth isn’t the best, it doesn’t have well developed back and foreground separation but it has very good instrument placement which is clean, clear and accurate. It does cut off the decay immediately, giving it a slightly more cohesive presentation.
STAGE AND IMAGING:
This single DD IEM has a very well developed stage for just $100. It’s tall and wider than most but the Z-axis depth is slightly lacking. We get very good diagonal spacing too. Bass notes fire inward, most of the vocals stays in too while some mid range instruments and most of the treble notes find themselves out of the head. One interesting bit is, this IEM has as an aptly flexible stage which can expand a bit when asked for. We get very good sonics too, transient effects of background instruments is clean, clear and have good amount of subtlety to them.
COMPARISON:
VS Sivga Que UTG:
VS VSA V1:
CONCLUSION:
This single DD IEM easily punches well above its price range. I love it’s engaging capabilities, it’s not smooth but not harsh at any point, has the right amount of bite and slight bit of warmth to keep me entertained while delivering impressive resolution and transparency. Offering clean and nicely paced lows, aptly accurate mid range and detailed highs this is an easy to recommend IEM for just $100 and the Type C variants are the cherry on top for those looking for an IEM for on the go use.
ABOUT AUTHOR
Suman Sourav Meher