Obravo ERIB-2a Review by mark2410

[mark2410]

[size=12.0pt]Obravo ERIB-2a Review[/size]

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[size=12.0pt]Thanks to the UK Loaner Tour for the loan.[/size]

 

[size=12.0pt]TLDR? Try here http://www.head-fi.org/t/799583/obravo-erib-2a-review-by-mark2410#post_12372187[/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]First Impressions:  Erm what the, so there come with a case it seems, yet that’s gigantic.  Hmm I suppose if you’re to fit your dap in there too it might be of use but really???  I mean I know it’s no great bother to buy a case of eBay but for a premium product it’s a silly omission.  Okay and what is with the metal spike things????  I’m thinking maybe its little stands for the silicon tips to sit?  I realise I have a loaner set so I presume someone though to put them in little baggies instead but even so, if that’s what they are for what a stupid waste.  Maybe I’m missing something that really can’t be what they are for is it??? Maybe they are tools for aiding in the extraction of the buds?  Bugger me they aren’t wanting to come out are they?  Okay this case thing, I’m really not loving it at all, oh Jesus Christ you can’t even remove the foam insert, are you serious???  If this was mine I’d be cutting the elastic strap that’s fastening it to the case but as it’s a loaner, well I cant.  Seriously though who thought this was a good idea and then who approved it???[/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]So I’d say were off to a bad start aren’t we?  In the ears and oh god, the attached cables means the cable strain relief is huge.  So I can wear down, which I hate, or wear them up and look utterly ridiculous.  Again I’m thinking who decided this and then who okayed it?  Get those strain reliefs sorted ASAP.  [/size]

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[size=12.0pt]Okay so eventually in the ears.  Sound wise, hmm.  They are alright.  I’m running off the little 1G Shuffle so while powerful for an itty bitty portable it’s not mains powered.  It’s pretty nice, reminding me of the RE-0 but with soundstage.  It’s pleasant, a little subdued and unaggressive.  Hmm I’d expected uber amazeballs treble and a bit in your face.  Hmm rather mellow actually, flavourless.  Most curious indeed.[/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]Source: FiiO E7/E9 combo, Hisoundaudio Studio V 3^rd Anv., HiFiMAN HM-650, 1G Ipod Shuffle, Nexus 5, Lumia 735 and a Graham Slee Solo Ultra Linear.[/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]Lows:  With their relatively highly open nature for an IEM you expect certain things.  Like an open headphone the eternal struggle between open verses closed and that battle continues here somewhat.  You get the lows, clean, articulate but they only go so far down before falling off a cliff.  I don’t mind that, I’m on the whole somewhat who sides with the open camp.  Here though, I was expecting planar super agility, lightning responsiveness and it just isn’t.  it’s not that it sucks but I look at the price tag and think, hey you had better be awesome and it just is not.  I can’t help constantly feeling that it’s as though I’m not quite supplying it enough power, that’s what it sounds like.  However I don’t think that is the issue, you see when playing out the Studio, a relatively cool, dry course its better.  It then feels more nimble and has a bit of an impact to it yet that price tag…….. sure it’s pretty reasonable but no matter how much I think diminishing returns this thing is £550. That’s US$765 and that’s even with the current absolutely terrible £/US$ exchange rate.  [/size]

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[size=12.0pt]It is nice, it’s really rather good in absolute terms but all the things i reach for as comparable are mostly sitting around the £100 mark.  Sure its good but that price tag just sticks in my craw.[/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]Mids:  Nice.  Once more there is a certain expectation of lithe nimble agility that just isn’t there.  The mids are very nice, sweeping and mellow.  So much gentility it’s really very pleasant to listen to but it ever feels like there is a soft focus filter on.  Its rather odd as if you listen out you can detect lots and lots of detail but there is absolutely no immediacy to it.  I feel constantly there is something missing.  If your job is to listen to music all day every day and you need something that will be plainly accurate but very mild on the ear, these would work well.  However they are just so casually bland, so laidback they have no life to them.  Even with the Studio though they improve they still just sound so blandly mildly agreeable.  Pleasant and inoffensive.  I just cannot find any emotiveness in them.[/size]

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[size=12.0pt]Quantitatively they are over all rather flat, perhaps the most gentle of upside down U’s where the mids are a tiny touch ahead of the treble.  They are also somewhat more focused on the lower vocal ranges than the upper.  They can sound a little smooth and mellow.[/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]Highs:  Bland.  If you listen hard there is actually a ton of detail but its sooooo mildly gentle about its display.  So laidback, so lacksidasicle it’s boring.  God damn it I want to slap them in face to wake them up a bit.  It’s all just so mildly pleasant and inoffensive.  They really remind me of Spendor speakers.  Technically good but so unexciting they manage to suck the life out of everything.  I’m no treble head but these are so mildly bland.  Hmm I should really go fish out the SE420’s as compare.  I should but I’m not sure I can bring myself to.  Okay I did, and the 420 is much more middy.  Lol, it actually all sounds rather more excitable and active too.  Okay so the 2a has much more refinement in the treble, similar in quantity but lots more finesse.  [/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]Soundstage:  Okay here they begin to do better.  Their openness really makes them sound expansive.  There is a relative acoustic vista before you and then I spoil it by pulling out the IE8’s.  Yeah that price tag, ouchy.[/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]Fit:  They are an annoyance.  They pretty much are designed so you have to wear them down, which I hate, or up with giant antenna sticking up.  Seriously did no one try wearing a pair of there over at oBravo?[/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]Comfort:  They were fine so long as I didn’t move.  They like to sit shallow which is unusual but I’m fine with that, it’s their wearing down that means they are constantly pulled on by the cable and that makes you constantly aware of them in your ears.  Not painful or anything but it was rather irritating.[/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]Aesthetics:  Erm well usually I love bare metal but these, I mean they aren’t “ugly” but they really aren’t lookers.  The likes of the Finder X1 or T20 next to these and well, these are not in the same league.  Then there is the cable attachments to them, yeah these are not my favourites.[/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]Microphonics:  Despite their shape I wore them up and it was fine.  Even wearing down there essentially none, probably due to the massive strain relief but wherever it is it works.[/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]Amped/Unamped:  Weird.  Out of the big amps, they felt like there weren’t being driven properly, like there was some acoustic veil over them.  Then the Studio injected a tiny hint of life to them but then moving down to the phones they moved back to the veiled.   It would appear that actual power output just doesn’t matter a jot but what does is the relative warmth or coolness of the source.  Frankly I find that rather odd and I really expected that given their planar nature they would be power hungry beasts but that does not seem to be the case.  I mean the bass got a bit fuller with a big amp but that was really about it.  Very curious indeed.[/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]Isolation:  So so.  They are very upfront in letting you know they are open IEM’s and naturally isolation suffers.  That isn’t a bad thing per say, it’s a choice.  It’s really not something I would choose to use out and about, I mean you could but with music playing you might be “that guy” on the bus blasting out tsch tsch tsch tsch to all those nearby.  Of course for you with music going you won’t hear stuff, like traffic, so you’ll still need to use your eyes when walking.  Just this maybe isn’t one for using in the Library unless you want everyone near you to hate you.[/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]Cable:  It is removable so I hope that means someone will make a cable with loss ridiculously long strain reliefs.  Otherwise it’s a nice, woven cloth covered cable.  Oddly no neck synch but otherwise it’s a perfectly nice cable.[/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]Accessories:  Well you get the box / case whatever thing.  That’s essentially useless, it is massive and has a gigantic foam insert (that you do appear to be able to cut out but as this is loaner, I’m not finding out.  You get a bunch of tips, a couple of ear guide things, and a 6.25mm to 3.5mm adapter that actually looks fantastic.  Then there is the weird metal things.  I think they are just so the tips can sit on in the case/box but with this being a loaner, the tips were all bagged and separate.  If they have some other purpose I’ll be buggered as to what it might be.  If however I’m right then seriously??????  What a ridiculous and pointless thing to include.  However I cannot for the life of me think what else they might be fore.[/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]Value:  Erm, yeah but well, no.  [/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]Conclusion:  So I think it’s pretty clear that the ERIB-2a and I have not gotten along super well.  I get the impression there is so much potential in them, or maybe that’s my wishful thinking?  They have a planar driver in them for god sake!!!  These should be able to sing and dance on the head of a pin, they should move like lightning and be spectacular.  They however at present are none of those things.  It’s like oBravo have gone out of their way not to do the V shaped drama and have so mellowed them that they are so listless as to be practically comatose.  Could it be that its due to my having the middle one, the aluminium one rather than the “warm” wood version or the “cold” ceramic version?  I’d love to hear them both and see if they have mare sparkle and life to them because they should.[/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]It’s a sad thing really, I know that the driver in here is able to pull out top teir detail levels but it’s tuned to be so meek and bland.  Then that price tag, just no, I’m sorry but no.  I feel like a school teacher writing a report card, I know they can do so much better but they just aren’t trying.[/size]

 

 

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[size=12.0pt]So would I buy one?  Nope.  With their present price tag they need to be something special and they aren’t.  They may have great potential but as is, the 2a version I have is competent and capable for sure, it’s also in absolute terms got VERY high audio quality.  However so do others and they are a damn sight cheaper.  A nice effort for sure from oBravo but next time, must do better.[/size]

 

[mark2410]

[size=12.0pt]Obravo ERIB-2a Quick Review[/size]

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[size=12.0pt]Thanks to the UK Loaner Tour for the loan.[/size]

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[size=12.0pt]Brief:  Itty bitty Planar magnetic / Dynamic hybrid IEM’s[/size]

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[size=12.0pt]Price:  £549 or about US$765 (that includes UK tax though)[/size]

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[size=12.0pt]Specifications:  Frequency Response: 20Hz~35KHz, Tweeter: 8mm Planar Magnetic Tweeter, Dynamic Driver: 10mm Neodymium Driver, Impedance: 16 ohm, Sensibility in dB: 102dB, Weight: 35g[/size]

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[size=12.0pt]Accessories:  Giant case thing, a 6.25mm to 3.5mm adapter, 2 pairs of ear guide things, 6 pairs of silicon tips and I think 3 pairs of Comply’s.  [/size]

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[size=12.0pt]Build Quality:  It seems rather good, the buds are all metal, the cable seems fine and they are replaceable with very large strain reliefs.  [/size]

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[size=12.0pt]Isolation:  So so.  They are rather open backed so isolation suffers but then you get a nice airy soundstage so swings vs roundabouts.  It’s not really great for on a bus or out and about but with music on you’ll be fine.  However you’ll really want to use these somewhere more quiet and where you won’t disturb others.  You probably won’t notice traffic creeping up behind you so remember to use your eyes when using.[/size]

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[size=12.0pt]Aesthetics:  These in my eyes aren’t particular lookers.  That giant strain relief on the cable near the buds doesn’t look super either.[/size]

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[size=12.0pt]Sound:  Highly gently pleasant.  The sound is nice, mellow and soft and so unhurried.  You can just melt away into its gentle detail.  They are pretty wide ranging, the bass boing full and for something open reaches nicely low.  It’s also rather cleanly articulate.  The treble too is all very proficient and unaggressive.  Mids are nice, a little on the warm, lower frequency focused.  No spikes nor shouts, the exact opposite of sibilant.  It’s all, err, very pleasant.  However there is something about them, they for some reason I can’t quite put my finger on they feel slightly veiled.  They are detailed but it’s so gently presented it could sail right by you without your noticing, noticing that were was even anything there to begin with.  I am not normally one for wanting more edge, aggressiveness or brutality but…. these are just so laid back as to be near comatose.  They haven’t any life nor soul, I want them to wake the hell up.  Even pairing with the relatively crisp Studio they are still just so benign.  Don’t get me wrong they aren’t “bad” just so tepid.  [/size]

[size=12.0pt]Acoustically they are technically good, competent, detailed, on paper they are highly accomplished they just aren’t very exciting.[/size]

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[size=12.0pt]Value:  Erm these are frighteningly expensive, not bad sounding but that’s some serious wallet ouch.[/size]

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[size=12.0pt]Pro’s:  Super inoffensive acoustically.  Nicely open sounding[/size]

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[size=12.0pt]Con’s:  Tepid.  Seriously wallet ouchy price tag.[/size]

 

[james444]

 
  [size=12.0pt]They really remind me of Spendor speakers.  Technically good but so unexciting they manage to suck the life out of everything.[/size]

 
LOL, I think we have a dream IEM here for you @zachgraz! 

 
Thanks for your writeup, Mark. Highly informative and entertaining, as always.

 

 

[zachgraz]

   
LOL, I think we have a dream IEM here for you @zachgraz! 

 

OK... erm, did you know it's my birthday next Wednesday, so....

 

[ClieOS]

I listened to a couple of oBravo's hybrid (inlcuding their ToTL AMT+dynamic) on CanJam Singapore and my overall impression mirrors that of Mark's. Not bad sounding at all but if you consider the price they are going for, grass is definitely greener on the other side.

 

[Duncan]

I wonder (and will find out hopefully later today) if this is the comply effect at work, I have found a new love for silicon tips (extra especially the Sony hybrid ones) which do a fair amount to open things up...

Then again, reading the sales material, it seems almost like these were designed to work with comply tips...

Keeping an open mind

 

[gikigill]

Sounds like in-ear HD650s.

 

[glassmonkey]

I'll get to hear these things later, but the one thing I took away from the review is that oBravo should sell that 3.5mm to 6.5mm adaptor. Sexy adaptors like that are hard to come by. 

 

[mark2410]

I wonder (and will find out hopefully later today) if this is the comply effect at work, I have found a new love for silicon tips (extra especially the Sony hybrid ones) which do a fair amount to open things up...

Then again, reading the sales material, it seems almost like these were designed to work with comply tips...

Keeping an open mind

well if they didnt want us using Complys then they maybe shoundt have included a set for each loan person.  oh and they should come for you tomorow.  i managed to miss the post yesterday so ill post special delivary with a saturday delivery withch is extra, becauese "nextday" apparently really means next weekday.  grrrr royal mail and i are not best of friends.

 

[PhilW]

I find they should be used with Comply tips as this does give the best idea of the oBravo earphones. I found wearing them up changes the sound quite a bit for some bizarre reason rather wear the cable downwards.

 

[mark2410]

  I find they should be used with Comply tips as this does give the best idea of the oBravo earphones. I found wearing them up changes the sound quite a bit for some bizarre reason rather wear the cable downwards.

well i used Comply's tbh i pretty much always do, when reviewing tehre can be much ear swapping at times and silicons make a little too tight a seal sometimes, the pressure then suction on the ear gets super tiring,  foam based tips dont cause that problem.

 

[Duncan]

I'm disappointed that my favourite tips (Sony Hybrid) pop off, so am going with comply only...

I can already ascertain some things from the hour or so I've had these plugged in, but - as said in the other thread, I'll keep schtum for now - very rare my initial impressions are wrong though...

 

[Max Choiral]

Mark2410, nice review, thank you. Looks like it's an analogy of HE-1000, at least, nearly the same.

 

[Duncan]

Strangely, they remind me a lot of the Shure SRH1840, not a dissimilar sound...

 

[kiler]

I think he refered more about the Hype and being kinda "overpriced"