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Sen-Fi's 2023 IEM Tier List

Before the year ends I created this tier list for fun and wanted to categorize the IEMs I reviewed, auditioned, and owned. DISCLAIMER: Anything on this tier list is subjective. You can refer below to how I logically categorize some of the IEMs on this list This list is not the "one true tier list" or the "gospel". Geez, I'm not that much of an expert and what's good for you may not be good for others, vice versa. I'm basically doing this for fun, I currently have an issue on my right ear so I won't be doing some reviews for a while. Everything on the list is tried and tested, I won't include anything I haven't tested. I won't put description on every IEMs on the list unless I have to justify it. Just have fun reading my tier list, no need to be too serious. Sen-Fi 2023 Tier List GOD Tier  (not in my official Tier List. These are basically revered being in God Tier because of their paramount price, only a selected few can own it, and it ha
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KBEAR Ormosia : Warmth You Might Need


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. 



Pros :

  • Warm, and lush sound signature
  • Good, dynamic bass
  • Smooth relaxing mids
  • Inoffensive and well-tuned treble
  • Comfortable to wear
  • Generous packaging 


Cons : 

  • Overall technicalities are average
  • Fit might not be for everybody due to its shallow stem
  • Cable (Personal take)


/ packaging /


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

KBEAR Ormosia inside the box

4-Core MMCX Cable

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 Opal 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.

FINAL RATING



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.

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