KBEAR Robin Review – Round Robin

Pros

Nice build and good comfort.
Above average isolation.
Good timbre for a BA containing hybrid.
Non fatiguing tuning, good for treble sensitive folk.
2 pin connector, better lifespan than MMCX in general.
Adequate accessories at this price bracket.
Easy to drive.

Cons

Midbass bleed.
Limited upper treble extension with lack of air
Not the best in technicalities.
Recessed vocals.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The KBEAR Robin is a smooth and non fatiguing set. It doesn’t have the best technicalities, and it is not tuned to be an analytical set, but it is very suited for chilling back and enjoying the music for what it is. Treble sensitive folk will be quite at home with the tuning.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Driver configuration: 10mm dual-magnetic circuit DD + 4 customised balanced armature (BA) drivers
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20kHz
• Impedance: 18 Ω
• Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW
• Cable: 2 Pin (0.78mm), 4N oxygen-free copper cable.
• Tested at $54 USD

ACCESSORIES

Other than the IEM, the KBEAR Robin packaging comes with:

• Silicone tips – One set of eartips are wide bore, the other set are narrower bore.
• Cable – The cable provided is quite well braided and is a 4N oxygen free copper cable. It has minimal microphonics and is very usable. 
• Semi rigid case

The accessories provided and the packaging are very similar to the older KBEAR Lark. I find it very adequate at this price range, no complaints on my part, as I’ve definitely seen similar priced competitors with worse accessories.

YMMV, as we have different ear anatomies, but regarding the eartips, the narrow bore ones boost the bass, whereas the wider bore ones boost the higher frequencies. It is a nice touch that KBEAR provided 2 different sets of eartips so that one can tiproll to see what suits your sonic preferences.

I liked that the KBEAR Robin’s cable featured a 2 pin connector, I had my fair share of mishaps with MMCX type connectors after switching cables once too often, they ended up like spinning windvanes.

For the purposes of this review, the stock tips and stock cables were used, so as not to change the sound signature with aftermarket gear.

BUILD/COMFORT

The KBEAR Robin’s shell appears externally similar in shape to the KBEAR Lark, but the Robin is heavier and sturdier. Comfort is good, I have used the Robin for hours at a time with no discomfort. I received the blue coloured version and it has a quite unique hue that stands out from the usual silvery/blackish shelled CHIFI IEMs.

I didn’t have driver flex with the KBEAR Robin, but this is a YMMV situation, as driver flex is partially related to the eartips we use and our ear anatomy.

ISOLATION

Isolation is above average, and is quite acceptable considering it is a vented set, it can be used outdoors for sure.

DRIVABILITY

I tested the KBEAR Robin with a Khadas Tone Board -> Topping L30 amp, Sony NW A-55 DAP (Midnight v2 Plus v2 Mr Walkman Mod), smartphone, Shanling Q1 DAP, Tempotec Sonata HD Pro, E1DA 9038D, and a Khadas Tone Board -> Fiio A3 Amp.

At a sensitivity of 110 dB/mW, the KBEAR Robin is easily drivable from a lower powered source, amping is not really compulsory.

SOUND & TECHNICALITIES

The KBEAR Robin is a warm and bassy V shaped set. Tuning is towards laid back and non fatiguing. It kinda reminds me of the CCZ Plume and BGVP DMG in terms of tuning, if you have heard them before. The KBEAR Robin keep the same midbass focused tonality as these 2 sets, but have weaker technicalities than them.

Bass on the KBEAR Robin is midbass focused. The subbass extends quite well for a DD bass, with good rumble, but the midbass is still the predominant frequency. The midbass quantity is quite north of neutral, but it isn’t a true basshead set per se. The midbass speed is on the slower side, texturing is below average, and the midbass does bleed a bit, and encroaches into the lower mids.

For non bassheads or those who want a fast and tight bass, the bass amounts can be tamed to some extent with wider bore ear tips or tightened slightly with amping, but even so, the midbass is still on the boomy side even when amped.

The KBEAR Robin’s lower mids are thickened and warmed by the aforementioned midbass bleed. This may cause some loss of transparency and clarity in the lower mids, and give a bit of a veil. It adds to some lushness in the lower mids, but I understand it is a love it or hate it kind of issue as such.

Upper mids on this set are tamed, nothing shouty like a classic V shaped CHIFI set, so it isn’t fatiguing. Though as a consequence, vocals may not cut thru sometimes, and may sound recessed. Mid lovers will need to look elsewhere for their vocal fix.

The lower treble on the KBEAR Robin continues on from the safe upper mids, it is very relaxed and smooth. Treble borders on dark, sibiliance is minimal and upper treble doesn’t extend that well, and hence there is some loss of sparkle and microdetails. Honestly trebleheads will not be pleased with the resolution of this set, but this is a set that will make treble sensitive folk feel at home.

Technicalities are below average at the $50ish USD price range. Instrument separation, imaging, microdetails and clarity are hazy as mentioned, contributed in part by the midbass bleed encroaching into the mids. Soundstage is also not the best at this price bracket and music could sound congested in complex tracks.

Timbre is actually quite good for a hybrid containing BA drivers, there’s a very slight hint of BA timbre for acoustic instruments for the higher frequencies, but nothing deal breaking in my book. In fact, timbral accuracy is better than quite a lot of similar priced hybrids.

COMPARISONS

I have compared the KBEAR Robin with a few other hybrids. Single DD types were left out of the comparisons as they have different pros and cons among the different transducer types.

KZ ZS10 Pro

The venerable KZ ZS10 Pro has a deeper V shaped tuning, and has a thinner note weight, with slightly better technicalities than the KBEAR Robin. The ZS10 pro is much more aggressive and in your face, compared to the laid back and smoother KBEAR Robin.

The ZS10 Pro can be more fatiguing in the upper mids and lower treble and also has a more artificial timbre for acoustic instruments.

KBEAR Lark

Accessories, build, comfort and even looks are similar between the 2 sets. Even though both sets are named after birds, I wouldn’t call the KBEAR Robin a successor to the older KBEAR Lark, as they are tuned to be very different beasts.

The KBEAR Lark is a neutralish bright set with better technicalities and resolution. Clarity and micro details are better in the Lark, though the Lark has a thinner note weight and can be fatiguing for treble sensitive folk in view of the more pronounced treble quantities. The Lark also has more sibilance than the laid back KBEAR Robin.

The KBEAR Robin on the other hand is a bassier and warmer V shaped set with a smoother and less fatiguing upper mids/treble, with less air and a thicker note weight than the KBEAR Lark.

BGVP DMG

The BGVP DMG has a similar tuning (midbass focused V shaped) as the KBEAR Robin, but it has better technicalities and soundstage than the Robin. I had a poorer fit and less isolation with the BGVP DMG.

The BGVP DMG has some tuning nozzles to change the sound signature , but they are bordering on gimmicky, as the changes are very subtle. Think of the KBEAR Robin as being a baby BGVP DMG.

CONCLUSIONS

The KBEAR Robin is a smooth and non fatiguing set. Build and comfort are good, and the timbral accuracy on this set is quite authentic for a BA containing hybrid. The Robin doesn’t have the best technicalities, and it is not tuned to be an analytical set. It is very suited for chilling back and enjoying the music for what it is.

Trebleheads and midlovers might need to consider alternative options, but treble sensitive folk will like this set. I would have preferred less midbass amounts (so as to give less bleed and a tighter bass), but the KBEAR Robin is a decent set with a unique tuning at this price bracket, in the sea of CHIFI with hyper boosted upper frequencies. In fact, the Robin is sort of a baby BGVP DMG, without the tuning filters.

Contact us!

You find an INDEX of all our earphone reviews HERE.

DISCLAIMER

I would like to thank KBEAR for providing this review unit. It can be gotten at https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002995847825.html

Our generic standard disclaimer.

You find an INDEX of our most relevant technical articles HERE.