KB EAR Ormosia

KBEAR Ormosia Review - Playing it Safe

Disclaimer: Your mileage may vary.

Specifications:
Connector Type: MMCX
Driver Configuration: 1DD + 2BA
Frequency Range: 20Hz ~ 20kHz
Impedance: 16±2Ω
Sensitivity: 105 ± 3dB
Price: 4,771.22 PHP (HIFIGO)


Sources Used:
Zishan U1 ES9038Q2M
Sony NW-A55 (MrWalkman CFW)
Colorfly CDA M1

Introduction:
KBEAR is the budget oriented sub-brand of TRI Audio. This branch focuses more on the budget Chifi scene with IEM and cable releases. And this time we have the KBEAR Ormosia. This is the first time that I've had a KBEAR product. Most of the time I hear positive things about their releases, so I am excited to cover this IEM.

Build Quality:

The packaging theme is simple and sexy with a Cheongsam dress in front, this is a refreshing view given the abundance of plain designs and waifu designs.


Opening it will reveal the earpieces, 4 pairs of ear tips, and the case which contains the cable and its remaining accessories.


The 4 pairs of ear tips are not the only ones as inside the case there are another 2 pairs of ear tips. Totalling 6 pairs. The ones with red stems are normal bores and the others are wide bores.


The cable included with the Ormosia is rather basic considering its price. The cable of the Ormosia is similar to the BLON Z200, except that it has a metallic gun color, chin slider, and is detachable with MMCX connectors on the end.


Onto the earpieces, it reminds me of the BLON BL03. It's like a modified version of the shell of the BL03 and made it better. The nozzle is not recessed compared to the BL03 so it does not introduce shallow fit with any of the included ear tips. Due to the size and shape of the earpiece, it can be worn with the cable down or with the cable going over-the ear like a traditional IEM fit.


The case is similar to the MUSEHIFI POWER case except that it has a shiny natural-colored synthetic leather skin compared to the gray one that MUSEHIFI had.

Sound Quality:
At first listen I was not really impressed with the Ormosia as it kind of sounded boring and I have more exciting sets to listen to. But then I listened to Ormosia for a lengthy amount of time and it made me rethink the thought of thinking that it is boring, as it has a lot of great things to offer.

First thing is the bass sounds very mature, clean, and natural. It is slightly elevated with mid-bass being more dominant over the sub-bass. Well-textured with a tad bit slow decay that adapts well to the track being played if there is a fast bassline like in speedcore tracks. While it is not the basshead level of bass, I appreciate the refined bass that the Ormosia has.

To the vocals is another series of pleasure with a slight caveat, and that is the Ormosia is sibilant at times, only rarely though as I listen to my playlist that is mostly composed of tracks with Japanese female vocals. The recessed vocals that the Ormosia has is smooth and well-bodied for male and female vocals alike.

The treble plays on the safe playing field as it displays a smooth treble throughout my listening experience. Too safe for me as I thought that they could add more zing to the treble and it'll not make it any worse. Although this kind of treble is preferred by some who are sensitive to treble, for me it lacks sparkle and brilliance.

Soundstage is wide with very good imaging with instruments and vocal placements. Although at busy tracks the Ormosia might struggle with instruments as they sound narrower in busy tracks.

Conclusion:
The KBEAR Ormosia is a mature sounding piece that is inoffensive to the ears. I find it pleasant, and at the same time boring at times. With tracks that mostly have pop and EDM songs, the Ormosia is not for you. It is more suited for more people who listen to rather mature playlist and is sensitive to treble. If I wanted to listen to classical music, I'd definitely consider the KBEAR Ormosia as one of my choices. Thank you for reading.

KBEar Ormosia


TOTAL SCORE: 36.5 out of 50

PRICE: $93 (as of 07/10/22)

WHO IS THIS UNIT FOR:

• People who want a well-balanced sound signature
• People who enjoy a good midbass
• People who like options with how they fit their IEM
• People who like good inclusions (and packaging)
• People sensitive to too much bass or treble

WHO IS THIS UNIT ISN’T FOR:

• People who want a super rumbly bass
• People who want a super sparkly treble
• People who don’t like a shallower fit
• People who don’t like MMCX
• People who want an IEM for super-complex tracks

GENRES I RECOMMEND:

• Pop (in general)
• Rock (particularly slow rock)
• Jazz
• Funk
• JPOP

After a rather mellow release of the KBEar Ink, I felt KBEar was on a path of less-than-ideal releases. Ink’s build and accessories were swiftly overshadowed by a rather offensive tuning that only ears of steel could handle. This makes the Ormosia an even more intriguing release both in styling and form factor. An earbud-style with an MMCX connector and one of their most beautiful boxes to date. But will this just be another aesthetically pleasing but sonically poor sub $100 release from KBEar or will this change the landscape of not only the company but the market?

DISCLAIMERS: This unit was sent as a part of a touring group and provided by Keephifi and Mr. Eiji Romero. I am eternally grateful for this opportunity, but this does not in any way, shape, or form affect the quality of my review. This review will be based entirely on my experience with the IEM itself and I was not paid or told to say anything regarding the IEM. Lastly, I am only one reviewer; this is my personal experience with the unit. Many variables come to play to make everyone’s experience different and your mileage will vary depending on the circumstance.

SOURCES USED:
Zishan U1
Not-by-VE Abigail
VE Megatron
Poco M3

OTHER ACCESSORIES USED:
Final E in S & M
Newbee in S & M
Stock Widebore Tips in S & M
Stock Grey Tips in S & M
Stock Cable


TRACKS USED:
I used a mixture of DSD, Hi-Res Flac, CD, and MP3 for my songs. This is to widen the possible use case to as much people and would allow me to give my insight on lower fidelity bitrates.

Spotify Playlist:


Document explaining what to look for in each track:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oMa7GPLaqtpnnoR9tixvWI4aK-7tXMyTEZCJAVkIZx0/edit?usp=sharing

NOTES:
Two different fit configurations were used in this review. I personally wore the Ormosia earbuds style which I found to be the most comfortable. The sound difference between fits may vary from person to person, but I found the over-ear configuration to have a shallower fit than the earbud-style (using the stock wide bore tips) so as per, YMMV. I also used the stock wide bore tips as I found them to be both the most comfortable and most complimentary to the sound of the Ormosia, but it is highly recommended to tip roll on the Ormosia to your preferred tips (preferably longer tips).

INTRODUCTION:
KBEar is not alien to OB ODIO as they are the brand that has the most reviewed products on this page. On that note, they proved themselves to be capable of holding their own in the market. I found the KBEar Little Q to be a capable but fundamentally consumer-friendly bullet style IEM that is better for those without interest in audio while the Ink was a shrill and fatiguing IEM despite its sturdy and beautiful design, great inclusions, and comfortable fit. The Ormosia is quite the departure form-wise from their previous IEMs, but can it prove itself to be competitive or even start the movement of a different style of IEMs?

SPECIFICATIONS:
Brand Name: KBEAR
Style: In-ear
Vocalism Principle: Dynamic
Origin: Mainland China
Active Noise-Cancellation: No
Control Button: No
Communication: Wired
Volume Control: No
Plug Type: Line Type
Impedance Range: up to 32 Ω
Model Number: 6695 KBEAR Ormosia
Frequency Response Range: 20 - 20000Hz
Resistance: 16Ω
Sensitivity: 108dB
Connectors: 3.5mm

UNBOXING:



Before we look into the IEMs themselves, let’s take a look at the box and its contents.

Starting with the overall form factor of the box, it’s on the larger side of IEM boxes. The box comes at 16.5cm x 16.5cm x 4.5cm. The front of the box sports a beautiful and vibrant red and black colorway with a cheongsam dress printed on the very front.

It also has a very creatively implemented cardboard sleeve that keeps the box from being opened while adding character to the Ormosia. The sleeve is colored a similar red to the box with KBEAR’s name configured quite oddly (K/B/E/A/R) and a record-looking design that expands from the rectangular shape of the sleeve. In the middle are characters I am not familiar with. The left side of the sleeve has a white KBEar logo printed on it.



Turning the box around shows a plain background with text of the usual identifiers and specifications of the IEM along with their contact details and warning labels.

Swiftly removing the sleeve from the box and pulling the top part of the box reveals the contents. On the surface, these include the IEMs themselves on top, silicone tips spread out evenly around, and the standard KBEar/TRI case in the center. All of these are housed in a faux velvet/velour material which can be removed with a provided latch.



Pulling this latch then reveals the instruction manual and a rather spacious box.

• Laying out the contents, the Ormosia contains the following
• The drivers themselves
• 4 core, SPC grey MMCX cable
• 6 pairs of silicone tips (3 black wide-bore and 3 grey narrow-bore)
• Faux Leather Case
• Shirt clip

The tips are relatively comfortable and soft, but definitely feel a little cheaper than what came with the Ink which was their KBEar 07 tips. I really wasn’t a big fan of either tip, but I found the softness of the black wide-bore tips to be the most comfortable out of the two. The faux leather case is your standard TRI/KBEar pouch and is a very welcome addition as I’ve always been a big fan of their magnet pouches. It’s sizable enough to comfortably fit one IEM and some accessories like the shirt clip or some tips. I would say this is just about the perfect size for a pouch as I am able to pocket the pouch rather comfortably. I would have definitely preferred a carabiner-style pouch that I can hang either on my bag or my belt strap, but no complaints with the case at all. I would say though that the cleaning brush and cloth that came with the Ink would have definitely made the Ormosia feel more complete as a set.



Overall, the box is quite the beauty. The combination of an oriental theme with the vibrant red cheongsam dress and a pretty efficient space distribution between the contents allows for a very collectible and presentable box to display. The use of negative space to fill out the rest of the dress was a smart decision as it gives an almost minimalist yet stylish design to the box. The inclusion of a cardboard sleeve that acts as more than just a cover also adds character to the overall aesthetics of the box making it genuinely one of the best IEM boxes I’ve seen. It’s nice to see that companies are starting to take inspiration for their box designs outside of the Japanese/Anime inspired characters and expand to different cultures. In fairness, KBEar is a Chinese brand and it makes sense that they take inspiration from Chinese culture. But it’s just nice that they choose to embrace this style on the Ormosia and I can only hope that they keep this kind of unboxing experience for their future releases.

BUILD AND FIT: 7.5 out of 10

Cable:
Starting with the cable, it’s a relatively thin 4-core SPC cable. The gold-plated 3.5mm jack is housed in a cheap-feeling plastic L-shaped housing that tapers to a sectioned jack tail to the cable.

The cable then braids tightly to the plain black plastic y-split and chin cinch. This then splits the cable into two thin 2 core strands that lead to the plastic MMCX connector. The connector itself sports a golden accent around the base above where the plug itself is located and housed in a similar plain black plastic build as the y-split. As far as I know, KBEar does not offer a mic’d variant of the Ormosia.

Overall, I was quite disappointed with the cable of the Ormosia. On the good side, the cable is light and free of microphonics (when used in the cable over-ear fit). It wouldn’t feel like you’re lugging around a rope with the stock cable or produce sound every time it rubs on your shirt. The inclusion of the chin cinch is and will always be happily accepted. But coming from the tough, sturdy, and well build cable of the Ink, this was a steep downgrade. The jack feels cheap and easily breakable, you can still see manufacturing strands on the y-split and I would even say that some cables that cost $5 are better built than this. The chin cinch also feels largely ineffective as it slides way too easily (possibly due to the thickness of the cable). I found the chin cinch sliding over time during my usage of the Ormosia. The lack of an option for a mic may also turn some people down (particularly those who use their IEMs as their daily drivers for calls or who play games that need a mic. If you were to get yourself an Ormosia, I highly recommend changing the cable to something thicker and better built if you enjoy a more premium-feeling cable.



Drivers:
The shell of the Ormosia is made from a “five-axis CNC machined aluminum alloy”. The overall form factor of the drivers is unique to compared anything I’ve tried before. First and foremost, it fits two different ways. Cable down is similar to earbuds or bullet-style IEMs or the traditional cable around the ear.

Looking closer at the build, the Ormosia sports a rounder, and less traditional shape compared to its contemporaries. The shell can be separated into two sections. The outer part which includes the faceplate and the stem where the MMCX connector is located and the inner part with the nozzle.

The outer part is shaped on the smoother and rounder side with creases and grooves evenly spread out on the surface. KBEar’s name is also printed in white on the faceplate. A vent could be found near the stem about ~5mm from the base.

Moving to the inner section shows an almost round shape that surrounds the nozzle. A small recession in the shell is found halfway down the inner section to compensate for the natural curve of your inner ear and a vent is also located just right beside the nozzle. The nozzle itself is gold plated of ~5mm in length and width of ~5mm as well. The nozzle is a separate material and section from the shell itself. The nozzle is sectioned with ring-like protrusions, potentially to allow for shorter or wider bored tips to still fit without being loose. The filter of the Ormosia is what I would call the “bath drain” filter which is a chrome-like finish on thicker sections with larger space between each hole.

Looking at the specifications, the Ormosia has a 1DD + 2BA driver configuration. Information regarding the exact models of the drivers used is currently disclosed at the moment as far as I know



Overall, I was quite surprised with the form factor that KBEar used for the Ormosia. It would have definitely been cheaper if they took a similar shell like the Ink, Diamond, and Believe. But their choice of going for a semi-earbud/bullet style fit that can also fit like a traditional cable-over-ear was an interesting and welcome surprise that I have not seen any other company try to do in recent times. This sadly comes at the risk of a potentially shallow fit when used with the stock tips, but shouldn’t be too big of an issue for most people. Besides, you have two different fits that you can experiment with if one doesn’t work out for you. Driver flex is thankfully absent for me on the Ormosia, potentially thanks to the multiple vents situated around the shell. The aesthetics personally doesn’t attract me, but I can definitely see the inspiration for the form coming from the ormosia coccinea seed which is quite interesting to see. On a similar note, it’s also nice to see how KBEar is inspired by nature on many of their releases. Whether it’d be earth stones, plants, or animals. It’s quite refreshing to see compared to the robotic naming schemes that other companies use.

I’m not surprised by how well-built the Ormosia is as even KBEar’s budget offering offers quite a sturdy and confident build quality. The CNC aluminum alloy body feels premium without not too hefty or weighty on the ear. This is especially useful as the cable-down earbud-style configuration would have made the Ormosia’s fit quite heavy and potentially uncomfortable. The size is just about right as I never found me finicking with the fit all too much unless it’s to change the configuration. Even as someone who dislikes MMCX, the MMCX connection also doesn’t worry me like other IEMs or buds as I don’t feel the connector going loose over time. The cable snaps in rather satisfyingly but is quite difficult to remove.

SOUND: 29 out of 40

NOTES:
Of all the tips I tried, I stuck with the stock wide-bore black tips as they offered the best experience on the Ormosia for my tastes. The narrow grey tips definitely added more weight and midbass to the experience, but at the cost of almost sounding boomy and the treble sounding less desirable.

Sound Signature:
Balanced/U shaped with a hint of brightness

Driving Power:
Relatively easy to run but having a DAC can make the bass cleaner and less harsh treble. Note that the Ormosia produced an audible noise floor with the Megatron which may not be desirable for some.

Bass: 7.5 out of 10

• Punchy and engaging bass response
• Midbass emphasis over sub-bass
• Subbass is on the leaner side compared to midbass but provides enough rumble to give bass depth
• Well-controlled, textured, and detailed midbass without intruding
• Balanced overall bass presentation with midbass edging the sub only by a small margin

The bass presentation of the Ormosia leans on a midbass-centric presentation with a lot of punch and texture without the compromise of an unengaging midsection. Subbass definitely takes a backseat compared to the midbass on this set, but not by a big margin. Low bass rumbles are present, but not elevated for you to really feel the super low frequencies. Midbass is definitely the star of the show as the control, speed, and detail are all very well done and the transition from midbass to lower mids sounds articulate and organic. The overall bass speed is on the average side with more emphasis on a cleaner but textured presentation on the low end. I wouldn’t say the bass is tight, but it is loose enough to be fun. Tracks with a hefty amount of midbass are engaging and well-represented but not overbearing to the point where it muffles out the rest of the frequency. Lower register string and air have great body while still being able to hear the micro nuances of the instrument. Personally, it lacks the certain aggression that I seek for a bass of this quality as this lives in that smooth but well-done territory and presents midbass in a forward but clean manner. But this by no means makes it boring as it brings out bass nuances in a natural but articulate way to make instruments sound very engaging.

Mids: 7 out of 10

• Slightly recessed but by no means unengaging
• Male vocals are well-bodied but can occasionally compete with instruments for emphasis
• Lower registers of string instruments and pianos have good detail and texture but may sound disjointed from the mix in busy tracks
• Female vocals and males on higher register sound smooth and natural without any shoutiness
• Pianos, electric guitars, and violins sound natural but occasionally pulled back in the mix depending on the track
• Overall vocals are properly placed but may sound disconnected for mid centric people

The mids of the Ormosia are rather smooth and natural sounding for being a somewhat u-shape sound signature. Decent body and texture bring out the tiny nuances on instruments and vocals of the lower registers while a natural elevation in the upper mids gives female vocals a sense of forwardness that doesn’t sound detached or overly forward from the rest mix. The problem comes with the lower mids being quite a spot of contention for vocals and instruments that their overall coherency occasionally gets jumbled and pushed back instead of highlighting their details. On vocal or instrument-centric tracks, however, the Ormosia’s mids bring a wonderful experience with a lot of detail and body. Upper mids are slightly pulled back but sound pleasant even for long listening sessions. The distance of the vocals presented in the mix offers a natural-sounding quality that I prefer over some mid-centric IEMs. This may, however, sound overall too distant to those that prefer a more intimate vocal presentation. Overall, I find the mids to be quite satisfactory for most genres and can represent both vocals and instruments in a very natural manner, but the lower mids competing with instruments and a recessed presentation may leave a lot to be desired for those who want a vocal-centric IEM.

Treble: 7.5 out of 10

• Well extended with a good clarity and sparkle
• Lower treble is properly placed but can occasionally sound lean compared to the rest of the treble region
• Nuances in female vocals are very well represented without sounding harsh
• Middle treble sounds quite forward with just the right amount of spice but bordering sibilant
• Air region is tastefully extended but can be a bit lacking instrumental hiss
• Microdetails are well represented but can get lost in busy tracks

The treble region is quite tasteful in presentation as a treble head like myself found the Ormosia to be pleasantly well extended. The lower treble, carrying over from the upper mids, transitions smoothly without having a metallic-sounding spectrum like some BAs do. Nuances in female vocals and air instruments sound well-represented and pleasing. I would have definitely preferred a more forward-sounding lower treble to make female vocals sound more engaging but that could potentially lead to a shouty vocal presentation due to the elevation in the mid-treble. Speaking of which, the BA truly kicks in around the mid-treble as I found myself to be pleasantly surprised with the amount of detail in percussion instruments in this region. It’s not treble-head level of sparkle, but a satisfying amount to bring those instruments out of the mix even on busier tracks. This however becomes dangerously close to sibilant and some may find it so. This however is not the case on well-mastered tracks as I found no sibilance on tracks such as Earth Wind and Fire’s “Raise!” album which I found the Ormosia to provide the right amount of sparkle. Air region definitely adds to the Ormosia’s already spicy treble presentation as I found the small details in vocals and instruments to be present and lingering in the air region. It lingers long enough to be satisfactory to the overall mix but not too long to ring in your ear. It, unfortunately, does not have the hiss that I enjoy on some brighter IEMs that give an extra layer in the air region. Headroom however seems to be on the more claustrophobic side as I never felt like the Ormosia gave an out-of-head experience in the air region. Overall, I find Ormosia’s treble presentation to be very well done with enough sparkle to make a treble head smile but not too much to be annoying. A leaner-sounding lower treble makes it desirable for longer listening sessions but may sound stale in comparison to the well-elevated mid-treble. It’s a treble that most people would find satisfactory, I would say.

Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: 7 out 10

• Good overall headroom but width is a little bit cramped
• Imaging is precise but struggles in busy/midbass heavy tracks, particularly on bassier instruments
• Separation is good across the frequency but struggles on busy tracks as stated above

I was pleasantly surprised with how technically capable the Ormosia is for most genres that I threw at it. It offered a decent 3D experience with less complex genres and I am able to highlight and pinpoint instruments in the room. The problem starts again due to its struggle to separate instruments in busy tracks that somewhat muddies up the presentation, but is more than capable to make up for it with its treble air that gives some instruments their own spot in the mix. Having a more midbass-centric sound also makes its bass depth narrower than I personally like but it doesn’t sound claustrophobic. Headroom definitely becomes the most impressive thing about the Ormosia as instruments have the tendency to feel quite 3D sounding on less complex tracks. Overall, its technical capabilities impressed me with my particular music taste. But those with genres like metal, EDM, and other electronic music may not find the Ormosia to be all that impressive

GAMING: ✪✪✪✰✰
The overall experience I had gaming with the Ormosia is quite pleasing, to say the least. A hefty bump in the midbass allows footsteps to be emphasized and a leaner upper mids allow for gunshots to not sound as harsh. Separating sounds during heated gunfights are also quite impressively laid out as I am able to turn my attention to an enemy. This aspect of the Ormosia is the weakest as there are definitely instances I am unable to hear flanks due to the emphasized lower section that overemphasizes certain sounds over others. Due to the below-average isolation, the Ormosia is not very ideal to use in noisier environments as I had issues with the TV being too loud or the kids shouting in the background and making it difficult to focus on the game sounds due to the noise. The lack of a mic may also be an issue for those that rely on their inline mic to communicate with their teammates. It’s not perfect, but the Ormosia is able to provide a comfortable and articulate gaming experience without a big sacrifice in the clarity of sounds.

MULTIMEDIA: ✪✪✪✰✰
Watching films on the Ormosia is about what you’d expect when using IEMs for films. The stage is not the most immersive but the details in sound design are well represented. Rumble in explosions definitely doesn’t sound as massive but is saved by the fact that the lingering sound creates a layered experience when watching films or shows. Dialogue sounds alright but struggles with films with tougher-to-hear dialog such as Interstellar or Ford v Ferrari. Micronuances in sound design, particularly with Wes Anderson or Edgar Wright’s films definitely shine with the Ormosia as you can really feel the detail. Overall, Ormosia is still just about decent when watching films. I never felt like I was in a cinema but the details definitely made me appreciate the film's sound design more.


COMPARISONS:

vs BQEYZ Topaz ($89)

• Topaz is more L-shaped while Ormosia is U shaped
• Bass is better on Topaz but meddles with the mids just a bit too much compared to Ormosia
• Mids sound more coherent and pleasing on the Ormosia, but less bodied compared to Topaz
• Treble sounds better on the Ormosia with better extension and presentation of female vocals and instruments
  Topaz has better depth and stage than Ormosia, but Ormosia has better micro details and air
• Fit is better on Ormosia on both configurations, but isolation is better on Topaz

vs Intime Sora 2 ($69)

• Similar tuning on both sets
• Bass is leaner on the Sora with better texture on Ormosia but cleaner on Sora 2
• Mids sound spicier on the Sora 2 while Ormosia sounds smoother and more bodied
• Treble is equally as satisfying on both sets, but Sora 2 is spicier and more to my taste
• Staging is wider on the Ormosia by a small margin, but Sora 2 sounds better separated
• Fit is equally good but more versatile on the Sora 2

vs KBEar Ink ($69)

• Agressive V-Shape sound signature on the Ink while a more balanced U-shape on Ormosia
• Bass is better controlled on Ormosia but quantity of sub bass is more on Ink
• Mids are WAY better on the Ormosia compared to the Ink in every regard
• Treble and microdetail retrieval are better on the Ink, but also harsher compared to the Ormosia
• Staging width is better on the Ormosia, but slightly better depth on Ink.
• Overall separation is better on the Ormosia, but better treble separation on Ink
• Ink oddly has better inclusions than the Ormosia (cleaning brush, cleaning cloth, better tips)

VERDICT:



The KBEar Ormosia proves itself to be a very competitive option in the current market. I was a little worried for KBEar with the Ink as despite its technical capabilities, it seemed to be quite harsh in presentation with only its build and accessories making it truly worth it to get. But they took that great build (with the exception of the cable) and accessories and implemented it on a unique form factor and sound quality.

By going for an earbud-style form factor that allows for two different fits, it allows the Ormosia to cater to more people’s ears. And a more balanced, slightly U-Shaped tuning makes it sound natural and well-balanced and puts it above many of not only KBEar’s own releases but also in the price bracket it lives in. It may not be for those that prefer elevated sub-bass or a more intimate midrange, but I found this to be fitting for most genres I threw at it.

The 1DD complements the 2BA configuration and avoided a metallic or plasticky tonality and was overall a very coherent presentation. The biggest issues come at the micro aspects of the IEM such as separation, staging, and a more comfortable fit. If they would continue to explore and improve this style and sound and maybe put it in the sub $50 region, I would argue that it would become a very competitive choice. Until then, I believe that the Ormosia could become the seed to success to become at the top of the competition.

If you would like to get a unit for yourself, please refer yourself to the non-affiliated link to Keephifi down below.
https://keephifi.com/products/kbear-ormosia

Thank you for taking the time to read my review! Please consider liking and following facebook my page if you want to see more audio review content from me.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OB.ODIO

DISCLAIMER

I would like to thank Ann from KEEPHIFI for providing this review unit. The KBEAR Ormosia can be gotten here (no affiliate links): https://keephifi.com/products/kbear-ormosia





SPECIFICATIONS

• Driver configuration: 10 mm composite dynamic driver + composite BA
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20000 Hz
• Impedance: 16 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 108 dB (no units provided)
• Cable: MMCX, 4 core silver-plated copper (SPC)
• Tested at $93 USD

ACCESSORIES

Other than the IEM, these are included:

- Cable
- 6 pairs of eartips
- Cable clip
- Leatherette case

The outer packaging features a red/black motif with a traditional Chinese cheong sam dress. This is pretty unique and cool, compared to the hackneyed waifus (cough cough looking at you Moondrop and Tanchjim).




For an IEM close to 100 bucks, the accessories are about par for the course.



KBEAR's usual brown leatherette case is included, which is a very nice touch.

The stock cable is a 4 core SPC cable, it is a bit tangly and on the thinner side, with slight microphonics, but it is quite usable from a haptic point of view. Using the shirt clip or wearing the Ormosia over-ears can reduce the microphonics to some extent.




2 variants of eartips are included. The grey ones have a narrower bore and boost the bass, whereas the black ones have a wider bore and boost the upper frequencies and widen the soundstage. Do play with the eartips and see what suits you best.



The rest of the review was done with the stock bass eartips and stock cable, with no aftermarket gear, so as not to add confounders to the sound.


BUILD/COMFORT

The Ormosia is made of aluminum alloy and is very sturdy and ergonomic. Comfort is top-notch. It can be used cable down or over-ears, so this increases the fitting options for the Ormosia. In fact, there aren't many cable down IEMs around $100ish USD, so I'm very happy that the Ormosia allows this option.

While I'm not a fan of MMCX connectors for budget IEMs - as they tend to become loose with repeated cable changes - the MMCX connectors on my set seemed sturdy enough, locking with a good snap and unlocking with ease.



I didn’t find any driver flex during usage, YMMV once more, as this is dependent on ear anatomy and type of tips used.


ISOLATION

Isolation is below average as the Ormosia is vented. Nevertheless, it is perfectly usable outdoors, but don't be expecting unvented BA type isolation.


DRIVABILITY

I tested the KBEAR Ormosia with:
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Khadas Tone Board -> Topping L30 amp
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- E1DA DAC/AMP dongle
- Colorfly CDA M1 DAC/AMP dongle
- Tempotec Sonata HD Pro dongle (BHD firmware)
- Smartphone

The Ormosia is quite easy to drive, amplification is not 100% essential. The Ormosia can be driven off a weak laptop/phone DAC, but amplification may tighten the bass and increase dynamics.


SOUND & TECHNICALITIES

The KBEAR Ormosia sports a U-shaped signature.


Frequency response graph of the KBEAR Ormosia via IEC711 compliant coupler. The 7/8 kHz area is a coupler artefact peak.

The Ormosia's bass is mid-bass focused. The bass quantity is slightly north of neutral, but not at basshead levels. Sub-bass extension is a bit lacking though - on bass heavy tracks there is a noticeable lack of rumble. In terms of quality, bass texturing is above average, with moderate speed and just a tinge of mid-bass bleed.

In keeping with the U-shaped tuning, the midrange is slightly recessed. The lower mids are warmed by the aforementioned mid-bass bleed, with a slight boost in the upper mids. With a less than 10 dB pinna gain, the upper midrange is smooth and non-shouty.

There's a mini spike around the lower treble at the 4 kHz region, but the treble on the Ormosia would be considered to be on the smoother side. Treble extension, air and sparkle is a bit limited, so treble sensitive folk would be at home with the tuning, but trebleheads might not be pleased. Sibilance is mild to minimal, and cymbals and high-hats sound very natural.

The Ormosia has note weight on the slightly thicker side, with just a slight colouration of BA timbre for the upper frequencies settled by the BA, for acoustic instruments.

In the technicalities department, the KBEAR Ormosia is bang average for a close to $100 USD hybrid. Micro-detailing, soundstage, imaging, instrument separation and clarity are nothing to write home about. There are other hybrids around the same price bracket (which we will discuss below) that beat the Ormosia in this department. Note edges are blunted with a lack of edge definition and imaging is fuzzy. This adds an analoguish sheen to music, which actually makes the Ormosia well-suited for longer listening sessions, to just chill to music and not to overly analyze the music or do critical listening.

Unlike some hybrids that may suffer incoherency (eg different speeds between DD and BA), the Ormosia's coherency is pretty good and some might even mistake it for a single DD in terms of coherency.

So in a nutshell, the Ormosia boasts a very organic and mature tonality; it isn't the last word in technicalities, but the Ormosia has great coherency among the drivers, with a very pleasant and fatigue-free tuning. Personally, I'd take excellent tonal balance over an IEM with outright great technicalities but tonal flaws, and that's where I really appreciate the tuning of the Ormosia.



COMPARISONS

Comparisons were made with similarly priced single hybrids. Pure BAs and single DDs and planars were left out of the equation as the different transducers have their pros and cons.


TRI Starsea

The Starsea has 4 tuning options - it can be tuned to a V-shaped or U-shaped or neutralish signature, and is hence more versatile.

The Starsea is better accessorized, and has better isolation, although some consumers have reported driver flex or a sensation of pressure when using it.

The Starsea has a thinner note weight and a less organic timbre, but it has better technicalities - in clarity, imaging, micro-details, soundstage and instrument separation.


TRN VX Pro

The VX Pro is a V-shaped set. The VX Pro is more fatiguing in the treble with worse sibilance. Mid-bass hits harder on the VX Pro, but the bass is less controlled, with mid-bass bleed in spades. The VX Pro has incoherency present among the drivers, with the bass being much slower than the BAs.

The VX Pro has a good build but suffers from driver flex. In technical performance, the VX Pro is better, but it is also tuned more aggressively, with in your-face details, and can be very tiring to listen to for longer sessions.


TRI Meteor

The Meteor is a warm U-shaped set with a thicker note weight than the Ormosia. The Meteor is better accessorized, though it has driver flex.

In technicalities, the Ormosia is better, with improved imaging, instrument separation, clarity, micro-details and soundstage.


CONCLUSIONS



The KBEAR Ormosia is a very maturely tuned U-shaped set with an organic, non-fatiguing tonality. While technicalities are not class-leading, the Ormosia has a very coherent tuning between the BA and DD drivers, and this set can be used for hours on end to just relax to music.

The icing on the cake is that it can be worn cable down or over-ears, this increases fit options, and the comfort and ergonomics on this pair is quite good. Indeed, there are not many cable-down type IEMs at this price range.

Horses for courses, some might want better technicalities in their IEMs, and the Ormosia may lose to some other rival hybrids at this price bracket for technicalities; however, some of these competitors may have tonal or coherency flaws, and I'd take a natural tonality and timbre over outright aggressive technicalities any day. The Ormosia is probably average or just above average in today's context, though it might face tough competition against rivals.

Disclaimers​

This Hobby is very subjective, and we have different tastes and likes for our sound.
I want to thank KEEPHIFI and Sir Eiji Romero. for arranging this tour and allowing me to test this unit.
We have different hearing ranges, so expect different outcomes.
I don't consider myself a professional but a casual guy who likes his Hobby.

Introduction​

Hello everyone, welcome to my IEM review; I will review a product from KBEAR, and it's called the Ormosia. So without further ado, let us start.
It was my third time experiencing their products; the first was the Larks, and the second was the INK. Now, this is the third one, which is the Ormosia.

Background about me and personal taste in music.​

I am a student and, currently, a hobbyist in the audio world. My sound library Comprises more anime songs and Jpop artists (but not all artists). To all my fellow anime fans, even otaku or weeb, expect me to put anime references in my reviews.

Personal Sound Preference​

I am more balanced-neutral to mid-centric. Sometimes I also listen to U-Shape sounding.

Build Design and Cable.​

The KBEAR Ormosia reminds me of the AKG earbuds from the Samsung S10 freebie. The design and feel are similar. Still, I like the Ormosia more because it's more light in my ears. The Ormosia has a metallic silver finish to its body. The KBEAR Ormosia has a very sturdy build. Everything is pure metal.

This pair has a connector of MMCX, and for its price, I guess it is the first to have an MMCX connector.
The cable is average; it reminds me of the old cables of KZ, and the cable type is SPC. The term for it is a silver-plated cable. It has an L-Shaped style connection of 3.5mm.

Packaging​

KBEAR is a company that is generous since they give a lot of accessories. Inside the box are the following.

• A pair of KB Ear Ormosia IEMs.
• A 4-core SPC cable with an L-shape 3.5mm termination plug.
• A hard-bound brown IEM leather case is somewhat significant for me.
• Five pairs of ear tips in different standard sizes and bore sizes, and these are high-quality ear tips.
• A cloth clipper.
• A basic instruction manual.

Fit and comfort​

In my ears, it is very comfortable, and I didn't find it to be irritating in my ears. But some ears might be uncomfortable since this has a narrow stem. At first, it was confusing to put it in the ears, but it's now fine after adjusting.

Drivability and Driver setup​

it is effortless to drive. In my Abigail Dac, my setup is only 15-18; on my Es-Pro 9318, my setup is only 16-20. It is a hybrid setup consisting of one Balanced Amature and one Dynamic Driver. In short, it is 1DD+1BA.

Sound Signature​

According to my hearing and ears, This has a mild U-Shape and is warm sounding. It is one of my favorites if more casual and fun without damaging your ears. It's not source dependent but if you have a better start, use it since this will improve its sound.

Setup Configuration​

Before I describe the sound components of the KBEAR Ormosia, here is my setup for this review.

• Abigail Dac - 15-20%
• ES-Pro 9318- 16-22%
• Roon Music Player-Exclusive Mode
• Kbear-07 ear tips
• Stock cable

Regarding sound enhancers or EQ, I don't use them in my reviews since it alters the authentic sound of the IEM and makes it saturated. Now, let's dissect the Bass, Mids, Treble, and Technicalities.

Bass​

It's very prominent but more on the average side. If you're looking for the thump, it's average. It's not that very focused. The sub-bass is not that deep it's audible but weak. Midbass has decent texture but tends to bleed but not too much; it's minimal. In general, the bass elevation is balanced.

Mids​

As mentioned earlier, its gentle U-shape has a slight recession to the mids. As mentioned earlier, Both vocals and instruments benefit from the warm and lush texture this pair gives. Violin is one of my favorite instruments. And I have experienced playing this instrument. Now, if I were to ask if the Violin sounds good in this pair, my answer would be it sounds good. I gave it a good marking because it has the quality of being soft and calm. Even though it sounds smooth and relaxed, it still has that lush emotion I want in a violin. For casual and Anime music, this is good. In general, the mids of this pair remind me of the battle between Queen and Kurumi from the date a bullet spinoff. With my personal preferences and is passable for me.

Treble.​

I like what KBEAR did in this section. It has a significant presence but not too much, making it transition from peak to smooth. As mentioned about the peak, it's not that fatiguing and very controlled. It has no sibilance, and I can confirm it because it's very evident in the track.

Overall Technicalities​

The soundstage is average, but regarding how wide the soundstage is, it's above average for me. For me, I gave it above average because it lacks depth; it has depth but still lacks for my liking. When it comes to imaging, it is decent. It's passable for my taste. I can somewhat locate the instruments but not that precise. Detail retrieval is average; I find it lacking for my taste. In general, the details of this pair are decent but weak.

Conclusion​

If I want to chill and be EXCITE, this will be one of my go-to pairs, but it may differ for some ears since we have different hearing and perceptions of sound.

Final Ratings: ​

My ratings are more on Anime and Kamen rider series I have already watched.

Bass: 4/5​

It has a vibe of Kamen rider opening, which is Climax Jump. The bass has a climactic entrance but not that engaging form like deep sub-bass and textured mid-bass.

Mids: 4.2/5​

This one reminds me of the Kamen rider Build opening: Be the one. Mids has a slight recession. My only issue is that Violin sounds soft and calm. But even though it's like that, it still has the elements of the Violin I want, which is emotion.

Treble: 4/5​

No references this time; it is safe for casual listeners and those sensitive to treble. I recommend adding a bit of air, but overall, it's terrific. And job well done, KBEAR, for controlling the treble.

Overall Technicalities:3/5​

No, references this time for this price range. This pair has proper technicalities, but if we compare it to the meta, this can somewhat compete but is not that dominant.

SPECIFICATION:​

IMPEDANCE: 16Ω
SENSITIVITY: 105dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 20KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M
PIN TYPE: MMCX CONNECTOR
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER + (1) BALANCED ARMATURE DRIVER

Test Tracks​

• chikichikibanban-Queendom[Hi-Res]
• The Queen of white- Date a bullet music [CD-Quality]
• infermata-Spotlight kids[HI-Res]
• Villian Vibes-Amalee and mori calliope. [CD-Quality]
• cha la head cha la- cover by amalee[CD-Quality]
• Gimme X Gimme-Hachioji-P and Giga-P.{Cd-quality]
• Inner Urge-Sumire Uesaka[CD-Quality]
• Round and Round-Merm4id[Hi-Res]
• Life Will Change-Cover by Amalee[CD-Quality]
• Yona Yona Journey / TAKU INOUE & Mori Calliope[Hi-Res]
• Tribes by Victory Worship[CD-Quality]
• For your Purpose by Victory worship, Lee Simon Brown[CD-Quality]
• Steep by Lauren Christy[CD-Quality]
• The color of the Night by Lauren Christy[CD-Quality]
• Dragon Night by SEKAI NO OWARI[Hi-Res]

​

I am going to review another product from KBEAR, their latest hybrid unit, the KBEAR Ormosia. Ormosia sits in the sub-$100 range, making it another entry-level IEM. It is housed in an aluminum shell, and KBEAR used an MMCX-connector on this unit, which is different from their usual standard 2-pin connector.

When it comes to fitting, the KBEAR Ormosia is quite comfortable and versatile when it comes to how you want to wear it. I tried wearing the cable behind my ears and the usual cable suspended all the way down, as it should be worn intuitively.

DISCLAIMER : Before we start this review, as usual, this will be an honest and unbiased review. I have no affiliation with KBEAR and this unit was provided by Keephifi for this review. Thank you so much! I received no monetary compensation for the review.



PACKAGING :
As usual, KBEAR is generous when it comes to accessories. The box is quite large and has a beautiful and attractive design.






Here are the included accessories inside of KB Ear Ormosia:

• KB Ear Ormosia IEMs.
• 4-core L-shape 3.5mm SPC cable
• 5 pairs of eartips
• Leather case
• Cloth clipper
• Manual

SOUND :
The KBEAR Ormosia has a warm, and lush sound signature paired with a very comfortable shell design. It is a perfect earphone for those who want a comfortable and warm IEM. If you prefer neutral sound, these earphones might not be for you.

The Ormosia can be driven easily on smartphones and does not require much driving power. I still recommend they use these with a decent source like a DAP or a phone with a dedicated DAC to have the best listening experience. Anyhow, let's describe how the Ormosia sounds in more detail.

LOWS : The Ormosia has a good amount of bass. Elevation is balanced between the sub-bass and mid-bass. Sub-bass and mid-bass are balanced without one dominating the other. Sub-bass doesn't go as deep as some enthusiasts prefer it to be, but mid-bass has enough thump and kicks to make it more energetic and engaging to listen to.

MIDS : The mids have good warmth and lushness on vocals and instruments. Male vocals sound rich, mature, and powerful, while female vocals sound engaging, emotional, and intimate. One thing I observed is that the mids suffer greatly from poor audio quality.

HIGHS : The treble region is safely tuned and sounds inoffensive. Treble has a subtle and balanced presentation and is extended with a good amount of air and clarity. It is free from any form of harshness or sibilance, which is wonderful for those who are treble-sensitive. The Ormosia takes good advantage of the thickness of the lower region and the lushness of the midrange to create an overall relaxing sound.

SOUNDSTAGE AND IMAGING : The soundstage is quite average; it's got good width and space enough to make it sound spacious but nothing more than that. Imaging is decent enough to point out the location of instruments and has an average separation. Overall, it is satisfactory. I really don't expect many technicalities on a warm sounding IEM. For me, the essence of a warm-sounding IEM is to deliver a relaxing, lush, and accurate sound. However, for a hybrid-configured earphone, the technicalities fall quite short of what I expected them to be.

COMPARISONS:

IKKO OH2

Both compete in the sub-$100 price point, with Ikko Opal being a cheaper option than Ormosia. Both earphones have an MMCX connection, a warm overall signature, a nitpicky fit, and a small form factor. Personally, I think Ikko OH2 has a better overall sound than Ormosia; the bass has better dynamics, and the midrange is more engaging. From the treble region, I think they are on par at least.






KBEAR INK

Imagine the INK being Ormosia's athletic older brother. With a larger, robust build and a much more aggressive and energetic V-sound, INK is the polar opposite to the low-profile and warm, fun Ormosia.









To conclude this review, I personally would like the Ormosia if it was much cheaper than its retail price. I could recommend this pair to a casual consumer who wants a lively, energetic bass, rich vocals, and subtle treble. Definitely not recommended for an enthusiast who aims for an articulate and technical earphone and for those who like a neutral sound signature. Once again, KBEAR has made another earphone appealing to a casual listener, and that's a good thing since they can definitely hook up more consumers if they appeal to the mass majority compared to the more sophisticated minority.

General Info (Build/Comfort/Packaging)
KBear is on some frenzy mode hitting the market IEM after IEM, i have the Ormosia with me and it is a hybrid config which sports 1 dd and 1 ba, except they are using mmcx this time instead of 2 pin. I personally have no issue with mmcx as I have never broken any or have one failed on me before. The fitting is very comfortable to me, it feels like an earbud/in ear hybrid (comfort of earbud and fitting of in ear monitor) and fit snugly on my ears, i did not feel any discomfort over the period when i was using them.

As for the packaging, you would probably know by now if you owned KBear/TRI’s product at this price point, premium looking and decent bundled accessories, except for the cable which i had higher expectations of but kinda disappointed by it. Not really a deal breaker as I have other mmcx cables, but i do hope they include a better one especially at this price point.



Source
Macbook Air M2 Tidal/Apple Music -> iFi iDSD Nano Black Label -> Ormosia
Macbook Air M2 Tidal/Apple Music -> Ormosia (Straight from MBA’s audio jack)
Tempotec V6 (Tidal/Apple Music/Offline Musics) -> Ormosia


Sound
To my ears, Ormosia sounds a little U shaped, hence there will be some slight recession on the mids, in terms of tonality, they are slightly warm with good enough note weight and texture. They are certainly not for basshead. I do notice a slight BA timbre, but not so much that it will ruin your experience.

The sub bass does its job when it’s called for, average quantity but having good control. The mid bass is slightly prominent and produces more thump and gives the perception of more impact. Speed and control is good, it does well on metal tracks but occasionally it will bleed into the mids, but not to the point where it starts to bother you. Negligible, but if you feed it with a little power, it has got more control and the speed is a little faster, hence it doesn’t bleed into the mids.

As for the mids, as mentioned earlier being a u shaped sounding iem, there is a slight recess to it but it is still lush sounding and has decent texture to it, both male and female vocal sounds good and have good texture, never once i find them thin sounding at all.

Treble is smooth and never harsh. Nothing much to say about this, pleasant to listen to.

Soundstage is good, slightly out of your head but nothing too much, lacking a little height and depth but other than that, it’s good for the price. Imaging is average, it suffers a little on complex tracks such as Slipknot’s People = crap, but other than that, it will do just fine.


Driveability
Very easy to drive and does benefit a little from amping to have a better control on the bass and speed, but other than that, it will do just fine on almost any source.

Final Thoughts
So where does Ormosia stand in such a competitive market? I believe every product released by any company does have a specific target audience. For Ormosia, I believe it is for those who are looking for a set that’s warm and musical and with good enough technicalities, definitely not for a purist. If you are looking for a neutral set and seeking to hear every detail in the track, Ormosia is not for you.

*Ormosia is sent over by KBEAR F.O.C in exchange for my review. I received no monetary compensation nor am I under any influence to produce this review.

If you are interested in purchasing a set, head over to KBEAR’s store to get one
KBear Ormosia - Non Affiliated

First of all, I would like to thank Keephifi for sending in a pair of this newly revealed KB Ear Ormosia for my honest review. I am not in any way affiliated with Keephifi, and you can find the link below for the review unit on their website below if you would like to give a support on this new product by KB Ear.

Product link:
https://keephifi.com/products/kbear-ormosia



Packaging/Design:
Starting with its packaging, we will find a huge Cheongsam logo with a Chinese word - 红豆, which basically means 'Red Bean'. Obviously, the overall earphone design is based on the button of a Cheongsam (a dress style typically worn by Chinese women during Chinese New Year festival, etc). It comes with two brilliant color, Red & Grey, but the unit I received is Grey, which is not a bad choice either. It also comes with a premium high quality Leather Case to store the earphone unit. The stock cable is a MMCX type 4 Core braided silver plated copper cable but is easily tangled. The overall size is not too big and fits easily and comfortably inside the ear without causing pain and pressure after prolonged use.



Specification:
Name: KB Ear Ormosia
Interface/Connector：MMCX
Plug type: 3.5MM
Impedance: 16±2Ω
Sensitivity: 108dB±3DB
Frequency response: 20hz-20khz
Driver unit: Hybrid ф10 dynamic driver+2pcs balanced armatures
Cavity material: Aluminum alloy
Cable material: 4 core silver-plated
Whether the cable can be replaced: Yes

Sound Performance:
KB Ear Ormosia comes with a 10mm Dynamic Composite Diaphragm and two Composite Balanced Armature driver on each sides which produces incredible sound. The overall sound signature is U-Shaped which is quite balanced and smooth. KB Ear Ormosia produces neutral bass which are not deep and strong and not suitable for pure bassheads, but it is sufficient and decent enough for listening to music as the bass is accurate and punchy. The mids produced are quite smooth, clean and recessed. Male and female vocals are clear, sometimes there will be an echo in the voice of the artist in the middle range, but in most cases it is pleasant to listen to. The highs are extended and is considered average. Overall treble is on the fast, smooth, airy and bright side, and will not causing fatigue. The soundstage is considered huge and just the right amount.

Conclusion:
Overall a fairly decent earphone from KB Ear which performs well and is also quite affordable starting at roughly $93, good job! You won't regret owning a pair of this unique product.

Ormosia is a type of legume plant which is endemic to East Asia and it has many sub variants forms from large shrubs to a full grown tree. Here in my country, we have a native Ormosia tree and with its fruits and leaves, we use it as some sort of folk medicine.


We are all familiar with the KB Ear's naming convention on their product based on gemstones or birds but this time they choose a name from a tree or shrub.

What I have here is a new product from KB Ear and its model name is a namesake connected to the tree that I mentioned at the start. This is KB Ear Ormosia, it is a hybrid driver set-up IEM consisting of a single dynamic driver and a custom balanced armature driver. It is housed in an aluminium alloy to provide a better built and protection to its inner components. KB Ear decided to uses a MMCX-connector on this unit which is quite different compared to their usual recessed 2-pin connector probably due to a very unconventional contour of its shell. The design of the shell is so versatile that you can wear them in either a falling cable earbud style or an in ear style which cable is situated behind in your ears.



Fitting seems decent that it sits well into my lug holes but it is more on a shallow side. Passive sound isolation doesn't block well the external noise coming from the outside surroundings. Comfortability is good as I don't feel any soreness and pressure to my lug holes.



As expected for a KB Ear , I usually give high praise to them on how they generously gives some included accessories on their packaging on their products. The box is medium-sized with a red Cheongsam dress in the black background printed at the front.


Here some included accessories inside of KB Ear Ormosia:

• A pair of KB Ear Ormosia IEMs.
• A 4-core SPC cable with an L-shape 3.5mm termination plug.
• A hard bound brown IEM leatherette case.
• 5 pairs of eartips in different standard sizes and bore sizes.
• A cloth clipper.
• A basic instruction manual.

KB Ear Ormosia is an easy to drive set as it already amplifies well on decent sources but putting them in a very good source with better DAC/amps seems to further improve the overall sound quality on this set. Most of my sources are of good quality that I don't see a problem to properly power up these sets.



As for tonality, KB is a mild U-shaped sounding with an ample warmness in both bass and mids with smooth transition through treble region to make it more engaging sounding.




LOWS/BASS:

Bass seems to be prominent on KB Ear Ormosia,definitely not an authoritative and deep one but it has a sufficient thump and impact. It's bass region is almost equally distributed in both sub bass and mid bass but later seems to be more elevated as I discerningly hearing those rumbles but mid bass has an ample texture that it doesn't sound lean.

Bass kicks have enough thudding but are still a bit softer to be resonant, bass guitar has that somber and yet mellow sound and bass-baritones vocals seem to have a rasping and gruff but still lacking that depth that I want.

I also sense some occasional bass bleed on mids due to prominence of a midbass. Furthermore, it remains to deliver a decent bass quality response.



MIDRANGE:

Since it is a mild U-shaped sounding IEM, It has a slight recession on the overall presentation. It has warmth and dense texture to add lushness on vocals and instruments. Both male and female vocals appears to benefit from a dense note texture that gives a substantial gruff and guttural on male voice then a feathery and sweet sounding on females voices in all types of vocal range.

Instruments like strings seem to be more on warmer sounding especially on acoustic guitar sounds more on between being dark to "buttery". Violins have this sound on being more solemn and lustrous. As for percussive like snares and field drums shares almost same sound characteristic of being shuffling and less hard hitting and somber. Horns sound being mellow and a tad muffled one. And lastly, pianos sounds a luscious and warmer tone.

Overall, the quality of mids on this one are passable enough to my midcentric bias ears.


HIGHS/TREBLE:

The treble register on this set seems to have a very smooth and pleasant one. Upper mid to presence treble have those lucid transitions of peaks and scoops to deliver a non-sibilant and strident sound. Clarity is just decent but nothing spectacular. But still, Good job on this one, KB Ear.


Cymbal strikes appears to have a sufficient shimmer and crispness but extension seems to be more of average, I wish that there are some more to add more air and harmonics.



SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

Overall soundstage appears to be decently proportionate on its spatial sound field, average to above average on wideness, has a decent height and average depth. Imaging is decent as I can pinpoint the location of instruments in a typical binaural, stereo manner but not the most accurate one as I find it a bit indistinct to my finical ears. Separation and layering is quite satifactory has an enough gap spacing and a distinction of each frequency profile is noticeable and define its arrangement.

Detail retrieval and clarity aspect is on more transparent sounding rather than being a detailed one. Coherency of drivers performs decently, transients speed more on moderate pace rather than being speedy and it still delivers a very cohesive delivery without being sound "out of phase". Timbre is definitely on a warmer side given the overall tonal quality on how it was tuned.



PEER COMPARISONS:


KB EAR ROBIN

• Both cousins have the same driver set-up, but KB Ear Robin has more BA drivers and yet way more cheaper. Shells of Robin is more of an standard Chi-fi UIEM design in a 2-pin connector compare to a more circular and rounded shell Ormosia (this is actually reminds me of a BLON 03 but eay better fitting) and uses a MMCX connector.
• Here is a category where both IEMs respective tuning is way different on one another, Robin is a way more v-shaped sounding compared to a u-shaped sound type of Ormosia. And Robin has a more noticeable sibilance and somehow a bit more textured.
• Technicalities seems to be similar on both Robin and Ormosia ranging from soundstage to timbre quality.

AMBIENT DYNAMICS LYNDALE

• Both have identical set-up, a single Dynamic driver and one balanced armature driver. The materials of both IEMs are different as Ormosia is of a metal build , circular IEM housing while Lyndale is made of high quality resin shell. Fitting and comfort is superior on Lyndale as it is one of the best IEM in my collection when it comes to fitting. Connection choices of both IEMs is contrasting, MMCX connector on Ormosia and 2-pin connector on Lyndale. Surely that Lyndale has better inclusions than Ormosia but it is way more expensive.
• As for tonality, both displayed a warm U-shape tuning but Lyndale is a bit better tuning set. From a cleaner and punchy bass response to a treble extension, Lyndale takes it all.
• Technical aspects of both device perform similarly. Above average soundstage, decent imaging and separation but Lyndale somehow has a better detail retrieval.

As I conclude my review in KB Ear Ormosia, to whom will I recommend this set? Not for more experienced audio enthusiast who want a more "audiophile" quality tuning as KB Ear Ormosia doesn't fit its requirements. Definitely not for neutral heads as it was way too warm and coloured on their hearing perception. I can certainly recommending this set to a more casual listener who wants a more fun, engaging and lively with a very balanced sounding one.


KB Ear Ormosia is now available to all e-commerce platform and for the best delivery service, you can check it out on Keephifi with the link here.


KB Ear Ormosia pricing is currently around US$93/£81.





SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: KB EAR ORMOSIA

IMPEDANCE: 16Ω

SENSITIVITY: 105dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 20KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M

PIN TYPE: MMCX CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm

DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER + (1) BALANCED ARMATURE DRIVER


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

Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
Lauren Christy – Steep *


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 KEEPHIFI for providing this review unit, I truly appreciate on their generosity towards me and other reviewers.

Inside the beautiful box is the KBear Ormosia , the unit comes in a gunmetal gray that is very sharp and a super-hot red color. The unit has a very well-designed shape, and it is comfortable and provides good isolation with the stock tips. The cable is well made but is a little on the thin side. Build quality and comfort are above average.

Sound:

Bass:
Bass is mildly elevated; the Sub and Mid-Bass are almost equal they both have good speed and impact and are well controlled and has a north of neutral and detailed presentation.
Mids:
Are lush and warm with some recording having a mild recession, still vocals sound fantastic and have good body and weight.
Treble:
The highs are open and airy, they have good details and a well-done extension. No harshness was detected even at higher volumes.

Soundstage:
The soundstage is of a natural and equal width and depth, it feels organic and real. Separation and layering are excellent.

Conclusion: The Ormosia is a rare IEM possessing detail, clarity and excellent technicalities, it is great for all types of music and should appeal to a large number of audiophiles looking for something good in this price range.

(total 1-3 mins read)

KBEar Ormosia is KBEar's latest hybrid 1DD+2BA IEM. It retails for $99usd and comes in either red or gray (Red one is super super sexy!). Packaging is really well done and comes with countless eartips + KBEar's Pleather Case.

In terms of fit, these fit almost exactly like the BL03—but with a longer nozzle. In fact, the shell looks so much like the BL03, I am convinced that the shape of the shell is inspired by the BLON BL03. Nevertheless, the fit fine in my ears. I prefer to wear them over-ear instead of cable down though. To do that, I just invert the cables (fit cable L to IEM R side, cable R to IEM L side) and wear the cables over-ear. Now they fit just like the BLO3!

In terms of sound, I think this is what you'd expect from KBEar nowadays, as the Ormosia fits right into what I'd describe as "KBEar's house sound". With a "Warm Harman"-ish kind of tuning, the sound here is overall just fun, warm, engaging, and smooth. Bass is full, punchy, and bouncy, midrange is lush and warm, and treble is smooth.

In terms of technicalities, I think these are good for $99usd, but nothing mind blowing. Detail retrieval is ok, imaging is slightly fuzzy, soundstage is decent (just right around your head), timbre is good in most cases with occasional metallic BA timbre at times, and coherency is pretty good too. These do benefit from amping/high gain though— especially the dynamic driver for the low end. After amping, bass is tighter & faster. If driven with too little power, bass can come off as a bit slow which bleeds into the mids and affects its coherency.

As for areas of improvement, I think KBEar could definitely improve on the included cable and eartips. I find them cheap—especially for a $99usd product. I think a higher quality cable would do the Ormosia justice. As for eartips, I personally find the Softears UC Eartips to sound and fit best with the Ormosia, but YMMV.

In conclusion, if you have a budget of $100usd and you are in the market for a warm, smooth sounding hybrid, KB EAR Ormosia is a safe buy and you won't go wrong.

Thanks for reading


Interested in getting one? Check it out on Keephifi:
Keephifi - https://keephifi.com/products/kbear-ormosia

Disclaimer/s:

• Keephifi sent this unit to me in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will be free from any bias/es as much as possible.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:

• Hidizs AP80
• VE MEGATRON USB DAC
• Zishan U1 USB DAC (AKM Variant)
• Cyberdrive Feather DAC
• Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i, Samsung Galaxy On7)
• Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: Stock medium preinstalled grey eartips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, both high and low gain, with and without extra amplification.

Sound signature:

• Despite its “retro” look, the KBEAR Ormosia exhibits an all-rounder, mild-v-shaped sound signature. What makes it stand out on its own in the 100$ IEMs I’ve personally heard is its technical performance. It is up to par with the NF Audio NM2 in terms of technical performance.

Lows:

• The Ormosia exhibits a good amount of elevated bass. It isn’t a bass heavy IEM but it is sure to be present whenever the track needs it. Both midbass and subbass have an almost equal elevation with a bit of midbass dominance which makes the bass punchy and impactful. It decays quickly in terms of attack and decay, resulting in cleaner, well-controlled lows. This IEM isn’t a basshead’s dream, but may entice them due to its clean, textured, and controlled quality.

Mids:

• The thickness of the lows are also carried here in the mids. There is a tolerable midbass bleed here for the lower mids to sound fuller, but it did not made anything muddy or too distant. Male vocals such as Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith’s voices sound rich and lush here in Ormosia which also exhibits emotion and character. Upper mids here are elevated, clear and crisp. It greatly avoided any harshness or sibilance. The upper mids leans to a more intimate approach, which may make female vocals sound closer. However, this also in return reveals poorly mastered tracks. Adele’s “Chasing Pavements” for example, sounds compressed and veiled due to its poor mastering or recording. This experience is what I also experienced with my pricier sets - the BQEYZ Autumn and the Astrotec AM850MK2. It isn’t a negative for me to be honest because I enjoy hearing good and bad recordings on my test tracks, but some people might find it as an “achilles heel” of this IEM. Nevertheless, the mids of the Ormosia sounds really good and articulate for me. This made me conclude that this is also one of those mild-v-shaped IEMs well done in terms of tuning.

Highs:

• Just like the upper mids, the treble here has almost the same amount of elevation. It is “naturally” extended and has a good amount of air and clarity; it is also free from any pierce or harshness. The detail retrieval here made me rate it above average because just like its mids, it can pick up nuances easily.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• The soundstage here is average in terms of size and has average expansion depending on the track’s rendition. It isn’t too cramped or narrow by any means, but could be a little bit wider. The soundstage size here is just below the NF Audio NM2 in my collection. In return, it showed a good amount of height and depth though, making it an “almost” immersive set. Now, this is the part where it shines the most - its separation and layering. Out of the box it just “wowed” me how well separated and layered the instruments and vocals in Aimer’s “AM2:00” and YOASOBI’s “Gunjou”. It is really clean, audible and well separated, which I am a fan of as I always find the quality of these aspects in every IEM I review. Imaging here is also very precise and will present vocal and instrument position clearly. Overall, this is where the KBEAR Ormosia really shine the most as very good or capable technicalities aren’t seen or heard that often in IEMs under 100 USD.

Pros:

• Smooth, all rounder sound.
• Thick, lush sound presentation.
• Well-controlled, chunky lows.
• Smooth, articulate mids
• Elevated, sparkly treble.
• Very good resolution.
• Excellent technical performance for its price, particularly on the layering and separation.
• Almost immersive soundstage.
• Excellent fit and comfort.
• Sturdy build quality.
• Decent accessories.
• “Unique” packaging and motif (subjective)

Cons:

• This IEM is not forgiving on poorly recorded/mastered tracks.
• Soundstage is far from being cramped or narrow, but could be better.
• This IEM will sound better with a USB DAC/Dongle/DAP.
• A cable winder would be a treat for everybody (my nitpick).

The KBEAR Ormosia was quite unexpected in terms of how it sounds and it looks, at least for me. Even its name is also unexpected to me and it did fit the “East Asian cultural” motif of this IEM with its Cheongsam themed packaging and its red colorway. As for its sound, it really did surprise me because I really seek for a very good technical performance in every IEM I review, and this sure delivers! This just proves again, that having a v-shaped sound signature isn’t bad at all, as long as it is well tuned and has very good technical performance. I highly recommend this IEM for everyone who has a decent, fairly powerful source, and wants an all-rounder, technically-competent sound and is willing to spend 100USD for their next IEMs!


Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: The Ormosia will sound good on a smartphone, but I recommend using a dongle (at least has 2vrms) for it as it will improve the dynamics of the sound, control the lows more, and makes the sound really clean particularly on its separation and layering.
• Eartips: The stock eartips are more than enough for most of the time and very comfortable. However, you can always use your preferred aftermarket eartips.
• Cable: The cable is also fine and more than enough, but some people may find it on the thinner side. I don’t have any problems with it because it keeps the whole fit and comfort light to the ears, but you can always change the cable whenever you want to.

Thank you for reading!

Non-affiliated link here!: https://keephifi.com/products/kbear-ormosia?_pos=24&_sid=9566d9c89&_ss=r

Additional Photos: