TFZ Balance 2M

The Fragrant Zither (TFZ) is a company that I am very fond of. I absolutely loved their previous flagship, the TFZ Series 5 and praised it with very high word. It became one of my most recommended IEMs for those who desired a heavy bass impact, tuned for an exciting listen. Upon requesting information on the TFZ Series 7, they reached out to me to graciously provide a sample of their next model, the TFZ Balance 2M. I was ecstatic -- I can say that overall, the B2M has met my expectations for a TFZ Product.

This review will mainly focus on my perception of the sound, as I believe that is what most matters. I can assure you, the unboxing experience was pleasant and definitely contributes to the overall feel of the IEM. It is very pleasing to see companies stepping up their packaging game (P1). However, I will do brief memory comparisons versus other IEMs I've had experience with. I believe sound signature comparisons are important in reviews for people who are hoping to purchase their next IEM, to have a reference as to what it may sound like.




The Balance 2M is a tank. The entire casing is made up of two pieces of very heavy metal. If you hand these to someone unfamiliar with IEMs, they might even think that they are solid pieces of metal rather than hollow casings for earphones. That's how heavy they are! Luckily, the over-the-ear fit pretty much makes them disappear in the ear, so the weight is not too much of a concern. It actually helps exude a feeling of quality to the Balance 2Ms. Apart from the weight, the only concern that some may find is the size of the housing. These things are big -- they are about the same size as the Series 5s. However, I have relatively small ears and they fit perfectly fine, not to mention that they are comfortable.

The cables disconnect and connect via MMCX. In my sample unit, there was a slight QC issue regarding the right MMCX slot not being solidly glued into the housing (opened it myself to fix). The Fragrant Zither acknowledged this and said that they would address the issue with their QC person, so hopefully this isn't an issue in the future. The Balance 2M comes with two cables -- one braided branded by TFZ, and another silvery-white braided cable that has no direct branding. I found myself a big fan of the spare silver cable, as it has memory wires that default to a 'hook' shape to wrap around the ear without issues. The default TFZ cable is definitely a little weird to me, in the regard that its 'memory' has it returning to a STRAIGHT position. Not entirely sure what this was about -- the cable has to be cinched up to your chin to keep the cables over your ears. Oh yeah, there IS a cable cinch!

The case that comes with the IEMs is very big -- you can probably fit any DAP imaginable in there. However, it is very spacious and contains all the accessories for the IEM. The zipper is smooth and never catches, so using the case is actually a pretty pleasant experience.



The bass extends very low -- this is possibly the most notable aspect of the Balance 2M's sound. The sub-bass extension is simply impressive, and rumbles with great thickness without being overly muddy. The tuning seems to focus on this linear bass extension, which is a trait that makes the overall sound relatively warm -- the mid-bass feels to be in line with the sub-bass. While most IEMs will have a large mid-bass hump, and a more rolled off approach to sub-bass, the TFZ Balance 2M feels to have a more flat presentation in the low end. There is still a slight mid-bass emphasis, but just enough to keep the low end from sounding mushy. In other words, the result is an extremely extended sub-bass that rumbles wonderfully, but might not have the mid-bass speed or seclusion that some may desire. The overall bass is still emphasized and in copious amounts, and works well for electronic and hip-hop genres.


The vocals of the Balance 2M are much improved over the TFZ Series 5. They have a presence in the overall frequency response, but they don't really come to the forefront of the sound. The lower mids fall in line cleanly transitioning from the mid-bass, without too much bleeding between the two, which tends to be a big issue in cheaper IEMs with a bassy signature. However, not everything is perfect here -- the very flat presentation of the Balance 2M feels to be a little too linear. The Balance 2's lower mids feel to be in a good spot, but the upper mids don't really have that hump that gives vocals a biting edge. As a result, I found vocals to be a tad bit veiled and dull. Male vocals with warm resonating notes sounded fine, but female vocals didn't have the same energy that the TFZ Series 5 did. On the other hand, the overall mids have a good quantity that lines up well with the rest of the spectrum -- not recessed, but not in the forefront of the signature.



The Balance 2M has a nice presentation of the lower treble. It's never going to be sibilant (also a byproduct of its sloping upper mids), and will never have you cringing from high pitched treble blasts. The treble has a slightly laid-back position, so the signature is conclusively a relaxed sound. I could listen to this IEM for hours without treble fatigue, but this is not without its downsides. Some may desire a more prominent treble peak -- those who love the energy of the TFZ Series 5, the Balance 2M has a bit less. It's a non-fatiguing listen, but also not very engaging. Now, the upper treble. This is where I feel the Balance 2M has its weakest link, similar to the Series 5. The upper treble seems to fall off a cliff, resulting in a 'small', boxed-in sound. The treble isn't as airy as I would like, as it doesn't extend far enough to get those unheard details. So yes, the TFZ Balance 2M has sufficient details and energy in its treble, but it's definitely not a detail monster. It is the type of treble that will envelop you, but it won't really take you for an exciting trip if the music calls for it.



The Balance 2M seems to be a very slightly downward sloping frequency response, characterized mainly by its thick resonating bass and relaxed high notes. It's a a very warm sound, and might have a slight dark veil to the overall sound due to its laid-back upper mids and treble. Once again, vocals are not the primary focus of the sound signature (unfortunately). This is where personal taste kicks in, as I know many people love this type of signature.

I personally enjoy the Balance 2M a lot and think that the original Balance 2 (non-detachable cable) is a fair value at the recent $119 on Massdrop. I think the $70 price difference between the non-detachable and detachable cables is a little steep, but I haven't felt the B2 to really say much on how the build quality is different. The major gripe I have with the Balance 2M is the lack of treble extension, which I really hope is addressed in the B4 and B6. If treble is more extended, this IEM would be more competitive.

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Mee Pinnacle P1: The Pinnacle P1 comes in at the same price range as the TFZ Balance 2M, but the two couldn't sound any more different. The Balance 2M has a much more visceral rumble to the subbass, and a harder midbass punch. However, the P1 has a cleaner low-end and sounds faster in decay. Vocals sound a lot more isolated and separated on the P1, which will make the Balance 2M sound veiled in comparison. The P1 is brighter and more up to par in treble than the Balance 2M (a good thing), and enhances that with a fantastically detailed top-end extension that sounds airier. The Balance 2M's treble feels a bit suffocated in this regard.

TFZ Series 5: These two are similar sounding IEMs at great entry level prices. The S5 has a cleaner mid-bass with similar subbass extension, but can definitely be more punchy than that of the B2M. The B2M has a more linear bass response, so the less emphasized midbass may actually highlight the subbass extension. However, lower mids on the B2M are more 'forward' to the S5 in terms of quantity. Vocals on the S5 sound more detailed and less veiled due to the upper mid hump that is missing on the B2M. Treble is more or less the same in terms of extension, but the S5 does have some cases of sibilance/harshness. If you love the TFZ 5 signature but wanted something more tamed and laid back, this could be a very good choice for you.

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TFZ (The Fragrant Zither) is somewhat of a newcomer in the IEM world but this Chinese company has already established themselves as a serious contender with their iconic SERIES series. Here's some information from their website:
 
"TFZ not only manufactures high-end audio-video products, it is also a unique lifestyle which represents personalized courage, insight and exquisite trendiness. TFZ has been striving to redefine the pure audio-video leisure method and developing it into a heart-stirring leisure activity full of fun and worthy of enthusiastic discussions."
 
Today I'll be reviewing the TFZ Balance 2M, a single dynamic with detachable MMCX cable. Let's do this.
 

Disclaimer:

 
This product was sent to me for the purpose of this review. I have no affiliation with the company and all opinions and observations here are my own, based on my experience with the product. I'd like to thank TFZ and Zhou for the opportunity to test the TFZ Balance 2M.
 
TFZ website: http://www.tfzither.com/
 
The Balance 2m can be found on AliExpress, Lend Me UR ears and various other retailers. Current pricing is around $185-$199.
 

Specifications:

 
Sensitivity: 108Db/mW
Impedance: 16 ohm
Frequency Response: 6-40 Hz
Speaker Unit: 12MM(N52)
Plug Diameter:3.5mm
Cable Length: 1.2M
 

Package and accessories:

 
Unboxing the Balance 2M was a real treat, like a fine meal that reveals its individual layers of flavor one by one and combines them all in a culinary delight.
These come in a simple black box with the TFZ logo and Balance 2M on the front. I love this kind of plain but sophisticated presentation. It doesn't try to amaze you with a bunch of marketing hyperbole, rather it lets the product speak for itself.
 

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In the box we find
 

1.  braided cable
2. silicone ear-hooks
3. cleaning cloth
4. 6.35mm adapter
5. 2 pin airplane adapter
6. x4 wide bore silicone tips
7. x4 narrow bore silicone tips
8. x1 double flange silicone tips
9. x1 foam tips
10. shirt clip
11. carry case

 
Was that a mouthful? It should be. This is a great package and I thoroughly enjoyed myself discovering all the separate accessories.
 

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The provided cable is classy and its dark bronze color is a perfect match for the gold of the earphones. It feels strong and has decent strain reliefs in all the usual areas. There's a cable cinch just above the Y-splitter to keep things in place if that's your preference. The cable terminates in a rather large L-shaped plug which can cause some difficulty when trying to plug into a phone if it has a case but fortunately was not an issue with any of the DAPs or DACs that I tested with.
 

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The case is the nicest I've seen with any IEM to date. It's large and luxuriously soft pleather feels (and even smells) great, like a nice wallet. It's too large to fit most pockets but perfect to keep in your bag. There's enough room for several IEMs or it can comfortably fit your earphones along with a DAP/portable amplifier and some extra accessories. It's a nice touch and tops off the bundle nicely.
 

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Build, comfort and isolation:

 
These things are built like a tank and are the heaviest earphones I've seen to date but because they're worn over-ear it doesn't pose any problem whatsoever. It gives you an feeling of solidity and ruggedness wrapped in a luxurious shell. The housings are made of a magnesium alloy and have smooth, rounded edges with a ridged pattern on the outer side. The nozzles are a standard width so if you're a tip-roller they should be compatible with most types. The housings are quite large but don't protrude out of your ears and so have a fairly low profile when being worn. I found the best fit with the shallow, wide bore tips that allow me to fit the whole housing inside my outer ear and get a good seal at the same time.
 
Isolation is pretty good, as you might expect having a large chunk of magnesium alloy in your ear.
 

Sound:

 
Equipment used for testing:
 

1. JRiver media player > Micca OriGen+
2. JRiver media player > Arcam irDAC-II
3. FiiO X1 II > Shinrico E11
4. NiNTAUS X10

 
Music tested:
 

1. Utada Hikaru - Deep River album [flac]
2. Arne Domnerus Group - Jazz at the Pawnshop 2cd album [flac]
3. iamthemorning - Lighthouse album [flac]
4. Katatonia - The Fall of Hearts album [flac]
5. Hilltop Hoods - Drinking From the Sun album [flac]

 
If you look at the frequency response graph of the B2M you might think that these have a very flat and analytical presentation but that's far from what these offer. What they do offer is a balanced sound with slightly boosted mid-bass and impressive sub-bass. This is accompanied by some fantastic mids and smooth treble. These don't really need amping to sound good in my opinion and they play well from just about anything.
 

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Bass on the B2m can be meaty with impact when called for but close to neutral for the most part. On bass heavy tracks these things can really rumble with a sub-bass that digs deep. I'd say the mid-bass is close to flat but sub-bass seems to be elevated which for me is never a problem as I like to get my feathers ruffled by some shake now and them. Even with hip-hop tracks the bass is just part of the whole rather than trying to be the star of the show but when tracks have sub-bass in them you'll most definitely notice.
The B2M has some of the nicest mids and vocals I've heard from an IEM. Female vocals really shine, are rendered beautifully and sound so clear and vibrant. Even Utada Hikaru's  "Traveling" is a breeze to listen to with the B2M. In "Lighthouse" by iamthemorning, Marjana Semkina's vocals are soft and airy and later in the track Mariusz Duda's deep tones are perfectly rendered alongside hers.
 
High notes are smooth and non-fatiguing but still carry loads of detail to give things a lift. The high hats and cymbals in "Final Thing on My Mind" by The Pineapple Thief don't have any hint of artificial accentuation and the B2M lets me fully enjoy Gavin Harrison's great skill. These have a relaxed presentation of high notes which I can comfortably listen to for hours on end.
 
Soundstage on these is wider than it is deep and imaging is above average giving a good indication of placement and direction. Separation and detail is superb which isn't an easy thing to achieve with such a smooth high end.
 

Comparisons:

 
*At the moment I don't have any other single dynamics valued at over $50 so I don't think any comparisons would be fair at this point. I don't plan on getting any soon either but if I do then I will update this section. I do have some hybrids in this price range so I could possibly do that. If anyone specifically wants a comparison feel free to PM me or leave a comment below.
 

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Conclusion:

 
The TFZ Balance 2M has a clean, balanced sound with smooth highs, great mids and slightly elevated sub-bass. It comes with a wonderful kit of accessories, is well built and very durable, not to mention the detachable MMCX cable. It's not cheap at around the $200 mark but I do think it's still a good value IEM. It's like a good sounding piece of jewelry but may be physically heavy for some (although they're worn over ear so maybe not). Personally I really like the sound signature - smooth highs, velvety vocals and punchy bass in that warm, analog, dynamic presentation. Highly recommended.

Packaging:
The box is actually quite large, mostly due to the big leather case it comes with. There is also a felt pouch that most people will probably end up using. If you want to travel though and bring most of your accessories with you (including a small amplifier) the big case is really handy. I’ve managed to fit in my Fiio Q1, some extra tips and adapters, and a usb cable. The case feels solid and looks premium and is probably the best looking case I’ve seen come with an IEM, although it’s not waterproof.
There are two sets of single flange tips in 4 sizes, 1 large double flange, and 1 medium foam tips. I tried them all out and go into the differences in sound below. There’s also a shirt clip and ear guides. The ear guides may be necessary for some, as the memory part of the stock cable doesn’t hold that well. I didn’t need the ear guides.
Two important notes:
I don’t have any really neutral IEMs. My reference for what is neutral is a STAX Lambda Pro.
This was a review copy provided by TFZ.
Build
Im going to start with the cable because it was my favorite. It has a cool, rope like texture, and is just the right length. It doesn’t tangle, and it’s extremely light. The right angle is a bit bulky for my liking. It happens to be the same size and oval shape as the connector on my phone case, but I could see this not fitting most phone cases because it has such a wide oval shape. The covering of the angled connector has the TFZ logo in red on the black cable. You can actually see through the big L connect and see that there is a normal sized connect under it. They didn’t need to make it any bigger, really.
The build of the actual earphone is hit and miss. They’re quite large and heavy. This makes them feel really good quality. So they’re large, they’re heavy, and they’re covered in gold paint. I don’t like how the gold looks. It’s shiny, and it chips easily. Using paint has caused problems with a lot of IEMs and it’s probably the only real flaw I can find with the build. Aside from the look, it’s not going to hold up.
TFZ also included their upgrade cable. This thing is awesome. It’s light, pliable, doesn’t tangle, has a heavy duty right angle connector and the memory wire comes basically preset to the perfect angle. This thing retails for $50 and I recommend it to anyone who needs a cable and doesn’t mind a giant connection.
Sound:
 
The Balance 2M is part of a new reference line-up intended to have a flat FR. I think at some point it’s important that they recognized their previous IEMs were heavily V shaped. Something I’ve seen from many over seas IEM manufacturers is they all claim their IEM is either ‘big bass’ or ‘reference’ regardless of the actual sound. I’m going to first outline the differences between the tips, then go into the sound signature overall with the tips that I think gave it the most ‘balanced’.
 
Double Flange: You only get one set of double flange tips, and they’re likely a large. These fit really well for me and were really quick and easy to put in and out. Their deeper insertion made it so I couldn’t feel the heavy IEM at all, and regardless of really how I sat the cable, they fit great. These sounded really similar to the narrow bore single flange that I’ll mention later, with the exception of the treble, which had some really hot spots. I’m not normally susceptible to lots of treble, and I don’t think I’ve ever had to stop listening to a headphone or earphone due to treble spikes, but after twenty minutes with these tips I couldn’t stand most songs I previously really enjoyed and was ready to stop listening, but first I had to try the other tips.
Foam:  Again, you get one size, and they happen to fit me. These elevated the bass and lower mids and smoothed out the treble. The treble was almost perfect at this point, but the bass was elevated far above neutral. It wasn’t really my thing, it was a dark leaning IEM and created what I can only imagine as downward slope for the frequency response. Fit and comfort were great, and bassheads may like these, but I sure didn’t.
Wide boar single flange: Flimsy and didn’t fit right, wasn’t a fan, didn’t listen too much
Narrow boar single flange: This IEM was clearly tuned for these tips, and I will describe the sound below as heard using these.
Bass: Unlike with the foam tips, which had far too much bass, and unlike many other Chinese IEMs I’ve heard, the TFZ Balance M2 have bass that extends low and isn’t overpowering. It’s a refreshing change from something like the A73, which has bass that also extends low, but is clearly elevated far above neutral and creates a V shaped signature. The subbass is probably 1 or 2 dB south of neutral, while the bass into the mids remain quite neutral.
The bass on this is better in terms of texture, detail, and is more balanced when compared to Gr07, Noble 3, and Fidue A73.
Mids : They exist. There is no mid-bass hump, and they aren’t the best I’ve ever heard, but there isn’t really anything wrong with them.
Highs: Detailed. Equally detailed to GR07. It’s smooth, and I could listen to this for a very long period of time without being fatigued. There’s no sparkle or pop to the treble that I’ve heard in many V shaped IEMs that give you that sense of detail, but when compared to those IEMs , the detail is still there in these without an artificial sparkle often found.
Soundstage:  Tall, wide, but not as deep as I’d like. It’s probably exactly what you’d expect from a $200 IEM. The separation is there, and the instruments are clear and easy to pick out detail between different instruments, however the distance between these instruments isn’t as great as I’d like. I think the best example are the drums in Gibralter, by Beirut. The beginning of this song on some headphones and earphones provides a huge sense of distance and space between every note. Here, although there is clearly distance and separation, and it actually sounds quite crisp, the sense of space isn’t up to par with some higher end headphones and IEMs.
 
Quick and dirty comparisons
Gr07: The TFZ is more comfortable, but heavier and the paint chips. The bass goes deeper. They’re both pretty flat but the GR07 has more peaks in the treble. I’d say the GR07 is similar to the TFZ with the double flange tips
A73:  I consider this IEM to be a really solid budget performer. The TFZ has a way better cable, that’s actually removable, and is more comfortable.
They’re about equal in terms of detail but the A73 is very clearly V shaped. Soundstage might be a bit deeper in A73 than in the TFZ.  Separation, though equal, had a bit more distance in A73.
For long periods of listening, and for a wider variety of genres, and for increased comfort and a removable cable, the nod goes to the TFZ
 
GR07:  I didn’t like shape or build of the GR07. Housing is poor, cables aren’t removable, and I could never find the proper direction with the adjustable nozzle. Bass is better in TFZ, without straying from a neutral profile. The GR07 is unique in that it has a large soundstage and a really nice tonal signature. I think it competes with much more expensive IEMs for these two reasons, and even though I rarely listen to it due to comfort, it’s still a great IEM.
 
Noble 3:  This thing was a disappointment. It had a good build and was comfortable, but came with a poor selection of tips I actually wanted to use, and didn’t do anything really well. Poor soundstage, mediocre bass, and some decent detail up top. The TFZ is better at half the cost.
 
AKG N40: I heard this for a couple hours last week.  I don’t have it right here, but from what I remember this is the closest match to the TFZ. The TFZ lacked a little sparkle found in the N40, and I’m not sure that why the N40 had more detail. The N40 had better build, and is smaller. It also is better looking. I’m a huge fan of this IEM.
 
FAD 1: The FAD is smaller, pretty comfortable, and also comes with a really solid cable. The FAD has an even more intimate soundstage, less extension in the highs, but with similar detail. The fad had boosted mids and sucked out bass that lacked detail and wasn’t very exciting.  The TFZ beats it in almost every category related to sound.
Conclusion: There some really great IEMs coming out in the $200 range, and this TFZ is no exception. If you’re looking for a detailed IEM that’s flat, exceedingly picky about tips and seems durable and well made and you don’t mind paint chips, the weight, or an intimate soundstage, this is a solid IEM. Competition is fierce at this price range and TFZ has a real competitor. I wouldn’t call this fun, hyper analytical, a basshead IEM, or even a giant killer, but it is a great value for those who aren’t looking for a V shaped or bassheavy earphone.  
I often look at my headphone purchases in terms of value, and I've had some poor value headphones and some really good value ones. This is up there as something that comes as a very good value. Lots of accessories, a great presentation, I really enjoy the sound signature, and the level of detail is fantastic. My only hope for the 4m and 6M is a little more seperation and a better paint job
 
 

 

 

 

 

 
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