oBravo Cupid

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by Bloom, Oct 19, 2019.

  1. Bloom

    Bloom MOT: Bloom Audio

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    We starting carrying the Cupid in our store yesterday and holy smoke, guys...this is a stupid great pair of IEMs for only $269. The FR is a bit weird and they don't compete with $1000+ pairs like Andro, but as a fun pair of IEMs at a ridiculously (comparatively) low price, the Cupid gets my top recommendation. I posted an impromptu video of my impressions yesterday as well if anyone's curious.
     
  2. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    In!!

    You totes had me at "The FR is a bit weird"

    LOL, jk. Pls dislike for shit post.
     
  3. netforce

    netforce MOT: Headphones.com

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    Always been a little weary of oBravo ever since I heard the HAMT-1. Saw the Cupids and heard good things so far so I am curious about it. Hopefully we get some measurements of them, they do look gorgeous.
     
  4. Bloom

    Bloom MOT: Bloom Audio

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    Yeah, I've never heard any of their other stuff. But the Cupid is might impressive for the price.
     
  5. TurbinoZ100000

    TurbinoZ100000 Acquaintance

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  6. netforce

    netforce MOT: Headphones.com

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    oBravo always seems like they have good ideas and then mixed implementation. The HAMT-1 was pretty and had cool tech with its AMT driver but then actually hearing it was pretty bad. HEDD has their own AMT headphone coming, its coming out thousands less then the oBravo and from all impressions so far seems to be actually well tuned.

    The Cupids again look gorgeous and had an interesting design of DD and planar for an IEM. The measurements are miles better than the HAMT-1 but the channel imbalances and the variations between units seems like its a lottery when getting a Cupid.
     
  7. Raadic

    Raadic New

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    They never managed to make the AMT and DD synergize in any Obravo headphone - except the new HAMT-3 Mark 2, according to Phil at Audio Concierge.
    He included the HAMT-3 Mark 2 in his Top 5 Headphone article: https://www.audioconcierge.co.uk/top-5-audiophile-headphones/

    Not that I have measured but I do not detect any channel imbalance in my Cupid. It sounds wonderful.

    The DD and Planar driver run parallell so there is no crossover in the Cupid, which does require some physical burn-in to synergize. They have to "find" each other at which point the sound tightens up and sounds more unified. Obviously there is mental burn-in as well.

    The Planar reaches further up into the highs and the DD fills in the bottom to give it slam of which there is plenty.

    The Cupid has a very punchy and tactile bass, it's a nigh-basshead iem for audiophiles who do not want to sacrifice clarity or high frequency extension. It's very impressive.
    The sound signature is slightly V shaped, but not too much. The mids are a little compressed but again, not too much. It has a peak at 4-4,5k which gives it a boost in clarity, but it avoids being shouty which is nice. There is virtually no grain to its sound and no weird BA timbre. The treble is a little elevated from 9k-11k but is perhaps missing a little energy from 6k-9k so it can stand to gain 1,5dB in that range.

    Cupid enjoys benefits of both DD and Planar.
    DD naturalness and Planar tactility in the bass,
    DD warmth and Planar detail in mids,
    DD wetness and Planar clean extension in the treble.

    Some have commented on a strange quality in the mids and I believe the issue is the fact that you're being fed information twice essentially, with the drivers running double duty. This makes the sound ever so slightly undefined, like barely seeing double, but aurally. This lends to a sound that is akin to a speaker presentation where there is a slight timing differential.
     
  8. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Thanks to @Bloom for the sale on these. I only got the Cupid due to I was curious (like @netforce), and if you read my Polaris II impressions, I wasn't the biggest fan of them and I want a good warm/fun IEM.

    A few things:

    * Sounds weird out of the box but after running through them for one hour it slowly started to open up the bass and the mids.
    * I don't like adapters, default cable is 2.5mm, but 3.5mm adapter is included, going to swap them out for something else.
    * Comes with basic silicon and Comply tips. ATM I'm using Compy tips, and they don't sound too bad on them. I'll try my other tips to see which one I like long term.
    * These I have to raise the volume on my ZX2 much higher than the Andros/Solaris.
    * Sounds like this is going to be a warm sounded IEM but not warmpoo ATM, which is cool.
    * So far these don't suck ATM, which is what I'm always thankful for.

    I'll have to use them for weeks before I can give my final review. If there's really any interest in this (most likely going to be really limited), I would be open to do a very limited loaner to the usual IEM suspects, and I would be ok with this being measured. However, I noticed the sound change a little depending on how deep the IEM is in your ear and what tip you are using. I guess @shotgunshane should take a listen to this so he can add another one on his list....eh...
     
  9. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    @YMO any additional thoughts on these? You said that you would use them a little bit more and i am a little curious.
     
  10. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Give me time on them. Just got the JVC loaner yesterday so going to be doing a lot of impressions soon enough.
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2019
  11. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    @YMO If you’re offering a loaner I’d be interested, they just sound like something different.
     
  12. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Writing this on a whim before I go to bed.

    I'm going to be honest, seeing this thread was the reason on why I was curious on the Cupid. A Hybrid design with Planar and DD drivers. From reading all about it, Planar and DD drivers run parallel with each other. That was enough to spend the money and order a pair from @Bloom . Even with possible channel imbalance issues, I was like why not let me spend the money on these and see if these are interesting or they suck. I must say they do not suck, but they have some quirks that might prevent people from picking these up. I hope you like quirks you guys!

    Hardware: Modi 3 > THX AAA 789, Sony ZX2, Sony WM1A
    IEMs used with the Cupid: CA Solaris, CA Andro, CA Polaris II

    Fit/Built/Packaging: Packaging is basic, just the IEMs with its stock cable, silicon tips and Comply tips that are in blue, and basic paperwork. Quirk #1 is there’s no IEM case included with the Cupid. I just wish oBravo would just include a basic one for traveling, but too bad suckers.

    The IEMs themselves are bronzed plated or some crap like that. It feels smooth with a cold feeling of metal (but it isn’t really metal, hard to explain). The IEMs uses an over-ear loop cable system like the CA family of IEMs for the most part. Quirk #2 is the Cupid uses a proprietary MMCX connection system where the connectors are higher than usual. While this makes connecting the cables easy with a snap, YOU CAN’T USE ANY OTHER BASIC MMCX CABLES ON THIS. UGGGGGHHH COME ON OBRAVO SUCK IT. Look, I get why oBravo did this. In theory it is a good cable design. I just hate proprietary cable BS as a general rule. However, if you want to void your warranty, you can always shave down the gold shielding of the Cupid MMCX connectors in order to use regular MMCX connectors.

    The stock cable is nice. Feels similar to a Liz cable from CA line of IEMs. Since this is using oBravo proprietary MMCX connection system, these cables will only work on the Cupid (or I guess other oBravo products). However, Quirk #3 is the default cable is a 2.5mm balance connector. It does come with a 2.5mm > 3.5mm adapter. However, using this adapter that isn’t L-shaped just feels like I’m putting stress on my DAPs connectors when running in 3.5mm. Yes balance on DAPs and junk is a thing, but honestly I do believe the majority of people are going to use the Cupid for 3.5mm. I feel that using the included adapter for 3.5mm is dumb like the time I ate too much Fried Chicken to the point I was pooping on the toilet for hours. Yes yes balance is amazing all, but in reality we are a bunch of 3.5mm-1/4in connector motherfuckers. I have a feeling oBravo wants to sell you more of their cables so you can get the cable/connector that you want, errrr.

    The fit in my ear is quite nice by using the Medium Comply tips. I thought it feels better in my ear than the JVC HA-FDX1. However, Quirk #4 is when using the Comply tips when you put the IEM inside your ear, it feels like the Comply tip is making passing gas noise, quite funny.

    Burn In, Tips and Misc: Yes, they sucked when you starting to use them. They started to open up after an hour of use. After 30 hours, I feel that the drivers are already at their peak and blah blah blah. Since these aren’t sensitive IEMs, they require more amp driving in order to get them to a volume level you might like. At times I’m maxing out the volume of the ZX2 when using these, but on the same song the CA Andro and Solaris are loud at half the volume.

    The included Tips makes a major impact to the sound. The standard silicon tips made the drivers too close to my ears. This made it too bright for me. However, it does make the details more noticeable in your face. The Comply tips makes the drives go a little further back. This makes the sound more like this: Darkish Highs, good relaxed mids that has a warmish non-analytical tone, and good bass texture that has better sub-bass impact than the HA-FDX1. So with that you might know why I like the Cupid: Good for background music task, something to put on to chill, and you don’t want all the details to hit your ear at once asking for your attention. Quirk #5: You will be tip rolling like you do at the bar.

    I didn’t notice any channel imbalance on my unit. I also will admit that I don’t have golden ears, and I also can’t tell when someone is speaking Korean or Chinese when I’m hanging out with my friends. Don’t trust me for the best decisions!

    Note: As stated above these impressions were done using the Comply Tips. These sound impressions below will vary depending on the tip you are using.

    Highs: Darkish, not metallic. Sounds like it is kind-of rolled off a bit. I like it a lot because nothing in the highs is making me want to puke. However, it does make it lose some air in records like Donald Fagen - Kamakiriad, and Wes Montgomery – So Much Guitar! It can also make your percussion sounds dull at times. However, the trade off is something that’s easy to digest. So it is like drinking Whiskey that’s smooth without the burn. An earlier post stated these are lightly V-Shaped. I think my impressions is maybe, but I’m not too sure. These sound more Dark sounding than I thought with these Comply tips. These remind me slightly of the LCD2C that I had before. I love that the highs don’t screw out with me on these, even if I know at times I have to focus more in order to hear the details in these area. This is fine, because….

    Mids: With the Comply Tips they are more laid back then something like the HA-FDX1. So if you are looking for something that can help you relax when you are trying to go to bed, these will do. Going back to Donald Fagen - Kamakiriad, Donald’s voice isn’t as instinctive with these on than using the Andros. Depending on the recording, vocals can be a little more laid back than normal. Of course when using the silicon tips, it is more upfront. When listening to various musical instruments, you know it is a sax. Hey, you know on this Miles Davis recording that it really sounds like Miles’s Trumpet. But did you know if you were running on a different setup it can really sound like Miles’s Trumpet. In other words: it sounds like Mile’s Trumpet up to a certain point. Other setups will really make his Trump shine. Here they will just get the job done, like 80% done. Grace Jones recordings for the most part sound good, even if the mids aren’t fully upfront. Grace's voice does sound like Grace, but it's a little distance from my ears/heart.

    The music flows without a focus on details. Which I said these are good for background music or you just don’t want to be analytical on your music for a certain moment. If you focus a little more, you will be able to focus on the details if you choose to, or just use the Silicon tips.

    Lows: Ok, this is my favorite part right here. The bass detail and texture is good for a less than $300 IEM. What I really love is the plenty of sub-bass without feeling fat. It helps a lot on my various Grace Jones recordings from the 80s. The sub-bass impact really make the music shine in her recordings in my opinion. However, it isn’t V-Shaped overload like what’s on the CA Polaris II. I feel it gives more than enough so it is on the fun side without ruining the recording. So if you are bias for the bass area, you will feel quite at home here. Just be aware it isn’t natural sounding. With this turning the Lows works well with the Highs and Mids to give you a non-analytical listening experience.

    Soundstage: Smallish closer to the ears than anything else. Doesn’t fully sound like it is close, but at times it could be depending on the music. If classical, yeah the Cupid just won’t cut it if you want to be in a big concert call.

    Vs. JVC HA-FDX1: I’m not going to go too crazy here. I’ll say this: The HA-FDX1 is a much better value if you are looking for one IEM that can be a good all rounder. The three nozzles of the HA-FDX1 is like you have three different IEMs on your fingertips, and since it is using standard MMCX connectors, you can swap out cables unlike the Cupid (unless you want to void your warranty on the Cupid and shave the connectors down). Also, the HA-FDX1 with everything is $280 from Drop, and the Cupid with its proprietary MMCX cable system and no case is $269. The Cupid works better if you have a stable of IEMs in your collection and you want to value the Cupid’s interesting sound signature. I have the Andro and the Solaris, and I thought it goes well with those two in my collection. You have to be a really special person if you only want the Cupid as your single IEM. Unless you want to have relax time all day/night, then more power to you bro. I need my Andros/Solaris for my Steely Dan moments. Quirk #6: How much do you value -value-?

    Conclusion: I love the sound signature of the Cupid, but hate the Quirks. It made sense for me to get a pair since the sound signature was what I was hoping for. It plays nicely with my Andros/Solaris (the Polaris II is for my animu-weeb mode). However, the biggest negative of the Cupid is when I have to compare them to the JVC HA-FDX1. The JVC just is a better all-rounder if you are only looking for one IEM pair with a max budget of $300. If you want to own only one IEM, the Cupids are terrible value for that IMO. However, if you are IEM focused and you want to change to different IEMs here and there, the Cupid is really really good for that. Hell, I’m cozy with my cat on my computer desk typing up this long wall of text playing Grace Jones – Nightclubbing. Still, I can’t forgive oBravo for their MMCX cable BS.

    Personal Loaner: I will do a limited personal loaner tour of my pair soon. Most likely a month from now. If you have real interest in hearing this pair and you do buy IEMs, just keep your eyes on the Loaner Program posts.
     
  13. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    The proprietary cable makes me really annoyed. There is no reason for it, especially if they’re including a f'ing 2.5mm balanced connector. Based on your sound impressions I’m not sure I’d like these anyway.
     
  14. joeexp

    joeexp Don't ship this man FD-X1 ever

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    The proprietary cable works with oBravo IEMs as well as other MMCX IEMs.
    Very annoying. If you want to use other cables they are offering proprietary special oBravo MMCX plugs. Not a great solution.
     
  15. Bloom

    Bloom MOT: Bloom Audio

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    Freaking great write-up, @YMO!
     

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