KBEAR Robin: Good, Decent Performing Birdie

Hello, mates and welcome to my another IEM review article and I have this product from KB EAR. This is actually my second product from them as I reviewed their previous item, The KB Ear KS1 which was a single DD set-up.

 

KB Ear is an audio company based on Shenzhen, Guangdong Province in China as we all know that place as one of the most technological hub and a manufacturing powerhouse in the world. They are part of Shenzhen Lingyin Technology Co., Ltd. which also handles another audio brand that caters the midrange and premium segment, TRI.

 

KB Ear recently gains some traction from audio enthusiasts due to their products that offers a decent quality for a price value. KB Ear BElieve and KB Ear Lark are one of those products that are still popular amongst the audio community. And now they release their latest product, The KB Ear Robin.

KB Ear Robin is somehow a successor of KB Ear Lark as part of their “Bird” series. Like its predecessor, it is also a hybrid driver set-up with a dynamic driver and  balanced armature. This IEM has 10mm dual-magnetic dynamic drivers for better bass response and 4 custom balanced armatures for mids and highs for better resolution and clarity.

 

 The materials of its shell are made of good quality translucent polycarbonate in the cavity base and zinc alloy on its faceplate in a blueish hue with debossed multi triangular-like fish scale pattern that aesthetically appealing as minimalist yet classy. It’s nozzle is made of aluminium alloy to ensure ear tips stability and rigidity. Another commendable decision of KB Ear is to implement their own  electronic crossover tech which they coined it as “4g electronic frequency” to handle better output signal quality to avoid some distortion. KB Ear Robin uses a proven 0.78mm 2-pin connector for stable and ease for cable replacement.

 

The fitting of this IEM is comfortable enough to fit into my lug holes but its a little bit loose on insertion due to just short to average nozzle length and quite wobbly whenever I do my daily routine which is brisk walking. The isolation is just average too as I hear 50% of the external noise from the outside environment but this is actually a good thing as it will just let you aware on what happen in your surroundings.

 

The packaging box of KB Ear is a medium-size one and of a blue colour as it really looks very elegant. It has a well-organised placing of the accessories and the pair of IEMs inside of its box.

The following included accessories are:

·        A pair of KB Ear Robin IEMs.

·        A three (3) pairs of black ear tips of different standard sizes.

·        A three (3) pairs of white ear tips of different standard sizes.

·        A four strands 4N OFC cable with a L-shaped 3.5mm termination plug.

·        A canvas zippered IEM case.

 

KB Ear Robin is notably very easy to drive as it can be powered directly to any decent sources like smartphone and laptop. They are already full sounding around 40%-50% of volume steps though it could also benefited from better sources such as DAP and desktop DAC/amps.

 

The tonality of this IEM is more on slightly  V-shape sounding as it has a more emphasis on bass and treble while slight a bit niche midrange. It has warmish sounding and yet with more smoother treble response.

Here are some of my observation on each section of audio frequency range:

 

LOWS/BASS:

The bass is pronounce in the audio here in KB Ear Robin, more on being borderline boomy, has a decent slam and cogent as I noted.

 

Sub bass performs sufficiently as I hear to those rumble but not somehow perform less depth reach compare to some dynamic drivers. In any case, It still deliver a cleaner resonating sound without interfering in other audio spectrum. Mid bass has more texture on this one as it gives more authoritative and thunderous sound of a bass kick, an added growl and raspingness of bass guitar, and lastly, a deep and guttural sound bass-baritones and other male type vocals.

In some tracks that I’ve played and listening to, a hint of bass bleeds is salient but not to the point of being bothersome. After all, I still admire its bass performance as I can distinctly the differentiate well between a bass kicks and bass guitar. For a bass I give it a good mark.

 

MIDS:

The mids has a good texture, warm and articulate but as a midcentric type of listener, I still find it as recessed in my liking especially on vocals.

 

Male vocals has good texture and well- bodied density as it gives off a more deep and fuller sounding. Female vocals sounds also more luxuriant but it is noticeable that it has less resolution and lacks a bit of energy to sound more open that makes more natural and pleasurable to listen those sweet female voices.

Instrument-wise, they perform well as intended as they sound at least more organic into my lug holes. Acoustics guitar has that “woody” and mellow sound that articulately enough just hear those plucking, a more warm and mellow sound of a piano tone, a brassy sound of wind woods and the finally, most stand-out and the prominent instrument that pays my attention is it snare drum quality. I’m quite astonished on how snare strikes sounds really good on this one, I feel those good groovy beats with its penetrating, precision and shuffling (try John Bonham's or Neil Peart's drumming tracks).

 

Certainly that I have some reservations on recessed and niche mids but snares really pleasant and intoxicating to listen.

 

HIGHS/TREBLE:

 The treble quality of this one is approaching on being smooth in delivery, absence of harshness and decent detail resolving.

The upper mids and lower treble are somehow has just some elevation a bit as presence of sibilance is almost minimal to none and not a hint of strident sounding. Notwithstanding, the airiness and the treble extension of KB Ear Robin is a bit too lacking and inadequate in my bias on wanting a well-defined and crisp treble, as it seems that whenever a cymbals strikes on most tracks, It has sounds less shimmer in my preference.

 

Overall, despite of some lacking aspects on its treble, it still manage to sound at least a decent with above average on projecting some resolution.

 

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

As I pointing out its perceive dimensions on its overall proportion of its soundstage or sound field, it has an average to above average size on its width, good depth reach and average height. Imagine that you are in a medium-size pub, that’s how I imagine the perceive spaciousness of its size.

Imaging performs decently as I can locate  the positions and placement of instruments on its ascertain spatial points but not the most accurate one as I perceived it in more indistinct manner. The capability of its separation and layering of instrument performs satisfactory, not bad nor exemplary, they have just an ample spacing and gaps to gives to give any given distance axes. Timbre quality is more on a natural and broader texture.

Transients speed of drivers are a bit on side between slow and moderate pacing that gives off a more lollygagging decay or roll-off.

 

  As I conclude my assessment on this IEM, All I can say that KB Ear Robin performs very well on its given price point as it delivers a warm tuning, pleasant and relaxing for long listening session and well-balanced set for both casual listener and audio enthusiasts.

 

Despite of some deficiencies in some points, It does really do represent well on its strong points as it outweighs those drawbacks.

 

The KB Bear Robin is currently cost at US$55.00/£41.00 and it is available to all e-commerce sites.

 

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: KB EAR ROBIN

IMPEDANCE: 18Ω

SENSITIVITY: 110dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE:  20Hz - 20KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.25M

PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm

DRIVER UNITS: One (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER + Four (4) BALANCED ARMATURE DRIVERS

 

PROS:

·        Very competitive pricing value for a hybrid set with multi-BAs.

·        Sufficient bass quality.

·        Well-balanced, warm-sounding one.

·        Smooth and relaxing tuning.

·        That snares drums that drummers who wants an affordable drum monitoring IEM for snare focus will probably like it due to its well-detail sound and penetrating.

·        Decent technicalities

 

 

CONS:

·        Recessed mids.

·        Perceptibly some hint of bass bleeds in some tracks especially on bassy tracks due to a bit sluggish performance on its DD.

·        Wishing for better stock cable.

 

Some Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)

 

Alison Krauss- A Living Prayer *

Debbie Gibson- Foolish  Beat *'*

Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks *'*

Santana - Europa *

Europe - Final Countdown *

Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*

Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'

Barry White - Never, Never Ever Give You Up

Pearl Jam - Daughter **

Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *

Agent Steel - Bleed for the Godz*

Metallica- Fade to Black **

Camouflage - The Great Commandment *

Queen - Killer Queen **

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean *

Bad Manners - Just a Feeling *

Riot- Warrior *

Mariah Carey- Love Takes Time *

Layla Kaylif - Shakespeare in Love *

Stone Temple Pilots - Plush *

David Bowie - Heroes **

Prince - When the Doves Cry *

Exodus - Metal Command *

Marduk - Blond Beast *

P. Diddy - Last Night *

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony- The Crossroads*

 

P.S.

I am not affiliated to KB EAR nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.

 

 Once again, I would like to thank Wendy Li of KB Ear for providing this review unit, I truly appreciate on her generosity towards me and other reviewers.

 

If you are interested this IEM product from KB Ear, Just check out the link below:

Ali Express: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002995847825.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.607d4c4djAjUtG