KBEAR Cepheus- Dark Star

4⭐️

+ A somewhat dark and laid-back, yet engaging, U-shaped tuning

+ Nice sub-bass rumble and texture

+ Forward midrange puts vocals on full display

+ Inoffensive and non-fatiguing treble

+ Great choice for midrange enthusiasts or the treble-sensitive

+ Instrument timbre

- Not a particularly fun or exciting tuning

- Bass quantity might be too much for some

- Treble lacks extension and air

- Not a great all-rounder for me

- May not do enough to stand out in an increasingly competitive price bracket

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended

☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This product was provided to me by KeepHiFi in exchange for my impartial and honest review. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Non-affiliate link for those interested:

https://keephifi.com/products/kbear-cepheus-kb16-upgraded-2dd-6ba-hybird-drivers-hifi-in-ear-monitor-earphones-iem-for-audiophile-musician-dj-stage?

Gear used: 

●Samsung Galaxy s25 Ultra

●HiBy R3 II

●Various DAC/amps

Source:

●Listening was done using Amazon Music HD/Ultra HD and local FLAC files. 

Introduction: 

KBEAR is a Chinese audio company founded in 2014. They have primarily produced budget-tier IEMs and aftermarket cables until recently, with the release of the KB16 Cepheus, their most expensive set to date. This set features a hybrid configuration with two dynamic and six balanced armature drivers. Cepheus is a constellation in the northern sky, named after the king of Ethiopia in Greek mythology, who was forced to sacrifice his daughter, Andromeda. While the mythology may be somewhat heavy for audiophile lore, KBEAR chose this name for their first foray into the $200+ IEM market. Priced at $249, the Cepheus is available from KeepHiFi and other worldwide retailers. Let's break down this latest offering from KBEAR and see how it performs in an increasingly competitive market.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

The unboxing experience is pretty simple and straightforward. There is some nice eye-catching artwork on the front of the small box, but otherwise, there's not much here to unpack. The shells feature a full resin build, which feels both sturdy and lightweight. The faceplates feature the KBEAR logo and streaks of purple and black with silver glitter. This design is somewhat reminiscent of stars and constellations, which ties back into the name. The drivers can be visualized through the semi-translucent shells, which is pretty neat, but my one big nitpick is that the shade of purple on the faceplate doesn't match the shade of the body. The Cepheus is also available in a blue colorway as well. The size is a bit bigger than I anticipated, but not huge, though it is on the larger side of average. The fit is comfortable thanks to the semi-custom shape and slightly longer insertion depth. The nozzle is smooth and lacks a proper lip, but it measures 6.3 mm at the widest point where it just barely flares out to help hold tips in place. There is a single vent located just in front of the flat, two-pin connection that helps alleviate pressure buildup. The stock cable is made of four-core silver-plated copper. It has a decent weave and doesn't tangle, but it feels quite rubbery and frankly, generally cheap in hand. It's quite disappointing, considering KBEAR makes some fine-quality standalone cables. I switched out the stock cable for the ivipQ 530 cable. There are nine pairs of silicone tips included in three styles. I tested all three varieties, but none of them worked well for me. I settled on the TRI Clarion tips for a better seal and comfort. Like the cable, the zippered case is disappointing, and the build quality doesn't feel great. It features the KBEAR branding and is compact enough to be pocketable, but it's nothing to write home about. The only other accessory to note is a velcro cable tie. Overall, it's a pretty bare-bones accessory package and a little disappointing for the price.

Sound impressions:

I would describe the overall tuning of the Cepheus as a slightly dark V- or U-shaped sound signature with a good bass shelf, decent upper-midrange emphasis for vocals, and rolled-off treble. It's a musical and engaging style of tuning, but not particularly exciting or "fun." The note weight is a little thicker than average, which is better for my taste. The Cepheus is not a particularly hard set to drive and can be powered by a simple dongle, but pairing with the right source can be very beneficial. The detail retrieval is good—not the best in the price bracket, but there's still plenty of nuance and subtleties to be heard. The soundstage is impressive. It has nice width and depth with a spherical nature that encompasses the head. It's not the most expansive, mind you, but it's quite far from claustrophobic. The timbre is mostly natural, and I enjoy it a lot, but something sounds slightly off to my ear. It's almost as if there's a hint of extra sweetness or a slightly unnatural coloration, but it's hard to pinpoint. The imaging is accurate left to right but struggles a bit when denoting distance. The dynamics could be improved. It's not a particularly energetic tuning style, and it does tend to sound a little boring at lower volume levels. The separation and layering are decent, and it performs well enough in complex tracks, although it may lack some cohesiveness at times. Overall, the Cepheus's technical performance is decent, but it doesn't really excel or stand out in its price bracket.

While not the most source-sensitive set, this set does change depending on the pairing. I enjoy it with the Muse HiFi M5 Ultra in tube mode due to the added warmth, but it might be a bit too warm and dark even for me. The Questyle M18i is better for exttacting the best technical performance, but it loses some of its innate musicality in the process. The best synergy I found is with the Kiwi Ears Allegro, which adds a little airiness and extension to the rolled-off treble that I felt was missing from other pairings.

●Lows - The bass is definitely elevated but not overbearing, at least for me. It's more sub-bass focused and honestly a little mid-bass deficient for what I like but still good. Looking at the graph, it has a pretty steep mid-bass tuck just before the lower midrange, which helps stave off bass bleed, but it's a bit too aggressive and I would prefer a less severe decline. The sub-bass extension is pretty decent, and while I wouldn't quite call it bass-head level, it does rumble and reverberate well on bass-heavy tracks. The texture is fairly clean and pleasant, but not overly dry. The resolution is decent, and the decay is about average, which helps it sound more natural. The impact of things like kick drums is a little lackluster, which is due to the lack of mid-bass. The bass is fairly quick and notes are well-delineated and clear, but they don't have much of a visceral feel, which is quite noticeable in rock tracks. Overall, the bass is enjoyable, and I really like the sub-bass rumble, texture, and resolution; however, I would like more mid-bass quantity to help the low end sound more balanced and create a more complete bass response.

●Mids - The Cepheus' midrange is interesting. It has a steady rise from the edge of the mid-bass at 300 Hz to the upper midrange at 2 kHz, where it plateaus into the lower treble. This linear pinna gain rise combined with the elevated bass and rolled-off treble, creates a forward and prominent midrange. While the upper mids are not shouty, they are pushed forward, affecting the overall balance, which some may not prefer. As a vocal enthusiast, I enjoy it, but I wouldn't consider it a particularly well-balanced style of tuning. Vocals are generally smooth and pleasant, never shouty or thin; however, female artists are a little more prominent than males. Vocals aren't inherently energetic or exciting, but they are still engaging and somewhat emotive to my ear. One of the things I think the Celehus does best in the midrange is the tonality of instruments, especially guitars. I'm able to pick up more nuances here in the midrange due to the tuning style, and it's great hearing some minor things more clearly in familiar tracks that I'm not used to. Unfortunately, the lower midrange is quite recessed, which won't help cellos and other low reaching instruments, but trumpets, piano, woodwinds, and guitars all sound particularly great.

●Highs - The treble has a pretty smooth, rolled-off response, which I prefer over a bright or peaky top end. The lower treble has plenty of energy, but the air and extension could definitely be pushed further. This tuning style leads to a somewhat darker tilt, which isn't for everyone. While it has a good amount of sparkle and crispness for my personal taste, trebleheads will definitely not be satisfied with what's here. I don't find myself missing the air too much, but I'd be lying if I said there's enough to balance the big bass and forward midrange. The upside, though, is that it's non-fatiguing and easy to listen to for long periods. Also, there's no shrillness or troublesome "s" and "sh" sounds—really no sibilance at all. Cymbals and hi-hats have an appropriate amount of splash without being metallic or harsh; however, they also sound generally recessed and take a backseat in the frequency response. The same can be said of snares and claps. They have a certain snap, but they sound further away and recessed from what I expect. The Cepheus might be ideal for the extremely treble-sensitive, or for those who prefer a rolled-off and laid-back presentation, but the lack of air and energy is evident and hard to ignore. 

Comparisons: Credit to boizoff for the graphs. 

● Kiwi Ears Astral ($300) - Here we have two hybrids with very similar driver configurations: 2DD, 6BA in the Cepheus versus 1DD, 6BA in the Astral. When it comes to accessories, the Astral has a better-quality modular cable, while the Cepheus offers more tip options. Both have cheaper-feeling zipper cases that could be better. As for the build, both sets have resin shells that are very similar in quality, shape, and size, though the Astral has a metal nozzle. The Astral's nozzle is also angled a bit better for my ears and is the more comfortable of the two. As for aesthetics, I like the purple design of the Cepheus, but slightly prefer the sparkly blue faceplate of the Astral. I would describe both sets as having a U-shaped tuning style, but the Cepheus has more midrange emphasis, while the Astral is almost meta-tuned, with a slightly flatter overall frequency response. In the bass, both sets are more sub-bass focused, but the Astral has less bass quantity overall. It's also a little more impactful and better balanced, to my ear, thanks to the less severe mid-bass tuck. The Astral's bass is a little cleaner-sounding, but the Cepheus has slightly more rumble, fullness, and a deeper extension. In the midrange, the Astral is more balanced and even-keeled, which is more in line with the meta-tuning style. The Cepheus has a richer, more forward, and slightly more energetic vocal presentation, while the Astral is better balanced, airier, and a bit more natural-sounding. It also lends more weight to lower midrange instruments, which I like. As for the treble, these two are quite different. The Cepheus puts all its proverbial eggs in the lower and middle treble baskets, making it sound devoid of air. The Astral actually has a small dip in the lower treble, with quite a lot more air, leading to a more natural-sounding top end. It can get a bit spicy on some tracks, whereas the Cepheus never sounds bright or peaky. When it comes to the technical performance, the Astral has better detail retrieval, imaging, separation, and layering. The Cepheus has better timbre, dynamics, note weight, and a slightly bigger soundstage. This matchup essentially comes down to overall tuning philosophy and which works better for your music library. The Astral is much better balanced but a little less musical-sounding and can sound a bit clinical at times. It performs better in some areas but can also be a little peaky in the treble. The Cepheus, while definitely not the most balanced set, has more of a musical quality, and its big bass shelf and midrange-forward tuning lend themselves well to certain genres. My choice here is the one that makes for a better all-rounder, and has a more balanced tuning that doesn't sound particularly deficient in any one area.

My pick: Astral

● Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite ($250) - This matchup features the Orchestra Lite's 8 BA configuration versus the Cepheus's 2DD, 6BA configuration. These two have pretty comparable unboxing experiences and accessories. Both come with zippered cases and cables that feel somewhat cheap and a bit disappointing for their price. At least each comes with a decent selection of tips. They also have similar build quality; both sets have shells made of solid resin, although the Lite is much larger. They are about even when it comes to fit and comfort, though the Lite isn't vented, so there can be some pressure buildup. I'm not particularly sensitive to it, but for some, it could be a nonstarter. While these two don't measure super similarly outside the midrange, they both have what I would characterize as U-shaped tunings, with a focus on the midrange. The Lite has less sub-bass and more mid-bass, making its bass response better balanced to my ear. It also has a slightly quicker attack, shorter decay, better texture, and a little more impact. This cleaner bass response is somewhat expected due to the implementation of BAs; however, the Cepheus has deeper sub-bass extension, more rumble, and an overall more visceral feeling that the Lite's BA drivers simply cannot replicate. In the midrange, the Lite is a little more energetic and exciting, while the Cepheus sounds a bit more relaxed in comparison. The Lite also has less of a mid-bass dip, which really helps to add weight to instruments in the lower midrange. Vocals and instruments on the Cepheus sound a little cleaner and better separated, and there's more of a sense of depth, but the Lite has a certain warmth and engagement factor that I really enjoy. The Lite definitely comes across as the brighter of the two, but it's still far from harsh or sibilant. The extension and air are better, leading to a better-balanced treble response. The Cepheus sounds a bit devoid of air, and the energy could be increased; however, its darker tilt means fewer troublesome notes for those who are treble-sensitive. On the technical front, the Cepheus has a more expansive soundstage, better layering and separation, and more note weight, whereas the Lite has better dynamics, a more natural timbre, and slightly better detail retrieval and imaging. Overall, I feel these two aim for a similar midrange-focused sound signature but approach it differently. The Cepheus' sub-bass rumble is enjoyable, but its lack of mid-bass is quite noticeable. The Lite has a better-balanced low end, and the slight amount of mid-bass warmth helps do more justice to vocals. The Cepheus might appeal to those seeking a deeper-reaching sub-bass emphasis, but in my opinion, the Lite is simply the better-executed tuning, and I don't find myself missing the extra rumble all that much.

My pick: Orchestra Lite 

● AFUL Performer 5+2 ($240) - This matchup pits the 2DD, 6BA hybrid configuration of the Cepheus against the 5+2's 2DD, 4BA, 1 micro planar driver setup. When it comes to accessories, both sets are a bit of a letdown in my opinion. I prefer the KBEAR zipper case over the AFUL metal puck case, but neither option is great for the price. The 5+2 does have a better-quality cable and tips, though not by a huge margin. The build quality of these two is very similar. Both have lightweight full resin shells, but the 5+2 are a little smaller and have a slightly more comfortable fit for my ears. The designs are quite different, and I much prefer the black and green color combination of the 5+2 over the purple Cepheus. When it comes to the overall tuning, these two graph pretty similarly, except the 5+2 is more mildly U-shaped with less of a lower midrange dip and a little more treble extension. In the bass, the Cepheus has more emphasis on the sub-bass region, while the 5+2 has a better balance with more midbass that eases into a smaller dip. In this case, a more linear bass style is more to my liking, and the extra mid-bass adds warmth, which helps to balance the added treble air. The Cepheus, however, has a deeper rumble that is more satisfying in sub-bass-heavy music, and it's better separated from the midrange, leading to a slightly cleaner presentation. I actually prefer the bass texture of the Cepheus, but more mid-bass quantity is usually better for me. In the lower midrange, the 5+2 has more weight for instruments, which helps in classical and orchestral arrangements. Both have fairly emphasized upper midranges, which ensure vocals stand out, but on the Cepheus, they sometimes take a backseat to the big bass. They have a bit more energy and musicality on the 5+2, which is my preference. In the treble, neither set is particularly bright or airy, but the 5+2 has better extension and more sparkle. It's better balanced with the bass and has a more complete-sounding frequency response; however, the Cepheus is a little darker, making it a safer choice for treble-sensitive listeners. As for technicalities, the Performer 5+2 has better imaging, detail retrieval, dynamics, timbre, and a more expansive soundstage, while the Cepheus has more note weight and better separation and layering. For me, this matchup comes down to the warmer tonality and better balanced bass offered by the 5+2. The Cepheus has a satisfying bass rumble for certain genres, but the 5+2 is better balanced across the frequency response, making it better suited for my library. Personally, think the 5+2 simply offers a better tuning, although I could see some preferring the slightly darker and bassier Cepheus.

My pick: Performer 5+2

● Ziigaat Arete ($250) - Here's another matchup between two hybrids with different driver counts: the Arete's 1DD, 4BA versus the 2DD, 6BA in the Cepheus. Both sets have pretty comparable accessories. Neither has a particularly great cable or case so they are both equally disappointing, though the Cepheus does have a few more tip options. The build qualities are also very similar. Both are made of resin but the Cepheus is a little bigger and has a more semi-custom shaped shell. As for fit, they're both comfortable enough for me to wear for extended periods. Design and aesthetics are always subjective, but I slightly prefer the purple shell of the Cepheus because it's a little more standout and unique compared to the Arete's more common black shell and sparkly faceplate combination. These two have some similarities in their tuning, but they do sound quite different in ear. The Cepheus is closer to a V-shaped tuning with rolled-off treble, while the Arete is a little more traditionally U-shaped with better treble extension. The Cepheus's bass has more quantity and sounds fuller, with a deeper rumble and reverberation. The Arete is slightly better balanced between sub- and mid-bass but is still a little mid-bass shy for me. The Cepheus' decay is slower, which I prefer, and it has a slightly better texture, while the Arete's bass is quicker and more resolving. In the midrange, the Cepheus is much more forward, putting vocals front and center, but it's also more deficient in the lower midrange, where some instruments lack weight or representation. The Arete's midrange is a little better balanced, but vocals are still pushed forward, just not quite to the degree that the Cepheus does. The Arete also lacks a little engagement in the midrange and comes across as slightly boring in comparison. The treble is where these two deviate most. The Arete has much more air and better extension, which will be a big improvement for treble aficionados. Cymbals, claps, and snares all sound crisper and more correct. Even though the Cepheus' treble is quite rolled off, I personally prefer it because it ensures there's zero harshness or sibilance. As for technical performance, the Arete has better imaging, detail retrieval, layering, and a slightly wider soundstage, whereas the Cepheus has better dynamics, separation, timbre, note weight, and a deeper soundstage. For me, this matchup essentially comes down to musicality versus a clean and balanced sound. If you're looking for an engaging tuning with emphasis on the sub-bass and upper midrange, the Cepheus is the better choice. However, if you value balance and a cleaner, somewhat more clinical-sounding tuning, even if a little boring, the Arete is the way to go. The Cepheus simply cannot be considered well-balanced due to the mid-bass tuck, recessed lower midrange, and treble air deficiency, but for me, it's definitely the more engaging and emotive of the two. However, when going back and forth, the imbalances of its tuning become even more glaringly obvious, and the Arete clearly makes for the better all-rounder. My choice probably depends on the genre and my mood at the time, but at the time of this writing, I would pick the more musical of the two.

My pick: Cepheus

In conclusion:

The Cepheus is KBEAR's first foray into the increasingly competitive $200–$300 price bracket, and I think they delivered a pretty decent product. The sub-bass-focused low end has a satisfying rumble, the midrange is front and center, emphasizing vocals well, and the treble is free of fatigue. For me, I found the tuning best suited to soft rock, singer-songwriter, folk, acoustic, and instrumental genres, where the midrange presentation is allowed to shine. It's also serviceable for pop, rock, EDM, and dance, but could benefit from more treble energy and excitement. Unfortunately, the accessory package is mostly forgettable and underwhelming, and the mid-bass/lower midrange dip is a bit extreme for my preferences. I'm not usually one to utilize EQ, but I did find the Cepheus takes to it well, and a little goes a long way in helping me enjoy it more. A simple 2–3 decibel boost at around 250–300 Hz adds enough warmth to help balance the forward upper mids and fully leans into the more musical tuning style. Ultimately, I do enjoy what the Cepheus is aiming for, and while it's less balanced that I would have hoped, I can still recommend it to those looking for an engaging and musical tuning that puts vocals on full display without any treble fatigue. While it doesn't overtake some of my favorite sets under $300, I think the Cepheus is a solid contender in today's market. It's great to see what KBEAR is capable of when they move up into the mid-fi tier, and I'll definitely keep an eye on them to see what's next on the horizon.