Crosszone CZ-8A Over-The-Ear Closed Back 3-Driver Dynamic Headphones

Crosszone CZ-8A Enhanced ($1700): A Japanese masterpiece, which mimics our home setting

CZ-8A

Intro: Crosszone is not known by many outside of the Far East market, and then seemingly in smaller circles. There is another review out regarding the “Enhanced” version, which to my knowledge is the only other dedicated review. Others are sure to follow.

Crosszone was started by Robert Lai of Asia Optical (English translation), which focuses on 3D LIDAR tech, along with other optics. From this, “CROSSZONE was established in Japan in 2016 by Asia Optical, which has extensive experience in developing and manufacturing optical products, like the ones mentioned. CZ-1 is the pioneer product of CROSSZONE and has received very good evaluations from reviewers and customers since. We hope to carry forward the concept of CZ-1 and are committed to continue developing high-quality music equipment,” quoted from their site with my interpretations thrown in as well.

The CZ-1 was well respected in the top-tier market with its unique (or so it seems) technology. The CZ-10 is an “affordable” model, while the tested CZ-8A seemingly splits the difference. After some critique, the “Enhanced” versions of the two latter models came about. With finer-tuned bass response, the pair retail for the same price as their previous models. Consider this an evolution, instead of a replacement of the models.

The review samples were sent to me (with @Wiljen to follow) for review purposes. Both models are ours to keep, but may be asked back for at any time. We agree to provide an unbiased review, noting all for good or ill. Also included was the company’s 4.4mm bal cable for comparative purposes.

I reference my Headfonics reviews below for comparative purposes only, but this particular review is not associated with Headfonics and is known. This is for my independent blog, along with @Headpie & @wiljen’s site, and here on Head-Fi at the independent request of Crosszone.

If the initial listening is anything to be an entry into the review, I note that the CZ-8A is off to a good start.



Specs:



In The Box:

CZ-8A
3.5mm se 1.5m long cable
6.35mm se 3.5m long cable
Owner’s manual
Warranty card
Display case

4.4mm bal cable-sent for review purposes with both headphones



Gear used/compared:

MacBook Pro/iFi Diablo 2
MacBook Pro/EarMen Angel
MacBook Pro/DA-Art Aquila III
MacBook Pro/FiiO K9 Pro ESS
Shanling M6 Pro
Cayin N6ii mk2

Kennerton Rögnir ($3200)
Audeze LCD-3 ($2200)
ZMF Eikon ($1400)
Crosszone CZ-10 Enhanced ($1000)


Music used:

Tidal: Jazz, Daily Discovery (which varies)
Qobuz: Jazz, Pop, Rock


Unboxing:

The Crosszone comes in a box, much like ZMF has in the past, without a case. The black outer glossy enclosed paperboard exclosure includes a picture of the model on the front and the included items on the back. Understated, and I appreciate that the box does not become lavishly burdened with undue information.

Inside, the softer material, a clamshell-lidded box has a nice feel to it with “Crosszone” in gold gilding across the front. When opened, you are met with the instructions and warranty card in slots under the lid. Below, you find the velvet-like covered material set over a form-fitting medium-weight foam insert. The headphones lay flat inside the bottom portion of the box, and both cables are set into another cutout above. Elegantly simple, but no case other than the display case is included.

The CZ-8A is well protected.



Technology:

Truth be told, you could insert how a three-way speaker functions and get essentially the same methodology behind the CZ models. But of course, it isn’t that simple.

While traveling, Mr. Lai noted that most conventional headphones focused on the “inside the head” experience, losing what could be a better soundstage, if one mimics the two-channel home system. Using “Acoustic Resonance Technology” (ART) and “Acoustic Delay Chambers” (ADC) to achieve this natural and spatial sound field, “External Sound Localization” gives the user an out-of-head experience, mimicking that 2-channel experience. The CZ models function using the following technology.

Dual beryllium drivers (each with a brass ring for isolation and stabilization purposes) are used for each ear cup, with the 23mm dynamic driver focused on high frequencies; while the 40mm dynamic driver handles the low-end. Called direct channeling, this is no different from existing headphones. What adds to the technology is another 35mm beryllium cross-feed driver, which brings in the sound from the opposite ear cup, with a very slight delay.

The low-end driver for each side and the cross-driver have a small centered divot, acting like a lens. This further “delays” potential interferences, and is by design working in concert with the other technology. There are also four holes of equal size on the front curve of the driver, complete with two more sound wave control guides (baffles) acting like an acoustic focusing lens, which delays the sounds and adjusts the wavefront reaching the listener’s ear.

This is where it gets fun, with the ADC delaying the opposite channel sounds. The designed outer cover of the headphones is used for the ADC effect. The CZ-8A places ADC within that outer cover and wraps it with aluminum. The shielding effect of this cover reduces the effect of electromagnetic noise on the drivers and allows for purportedly a “clear and detailed playback of sounds.”

The shape of the ear pads in their triangular form allows those drivers to exercise their mettle, without becoming encumbered by the intrusiveness, which can happen sometimes with pads. There are also two “IV-like” tubes set into each ear pad, tucked under the padding; which act to guide the sound enhancing the spatial character of the sound.



A dual “baffle” system in front of the angled 23mm high-frequency driver (smaller closest, larger in back) also delays the signal a smidge, adding depth and extra soundstage. I will note that those baffles do rub on the mesh cover of the ear cup, and I was afraid my ear might rub on the baffles. They did not, but I do worry about the longevity of the mesh fabric.

There is also a smaller duct behind the two larger drivers (and tucked beneath the ear pad slightly), which also reflects sound, mimicking what a two-channel system might do when the sound waves bounce off a side or back wall. Another duct, just between each side’s dual drivers (and larger than the back duct) also directs sound for the opposite side, giving a broader soundstage, too.



Sensitivity:

With an impedance of 75 ohms and a sensitivity of only about 100dB/mW; the CZ-8A is a bit harder to drive. This could easily fall in with vintage higher-impedance headphones such as AKG models, which demand a large shot of voltage to drive if it had any higher impedance. The listening sources’ power aspects were adjusted accordingly to accommodate the higher impedance.


Build/Fit:

The first thing I noticed when taking the CZ-8A’s out of the box was the heft. They seemed to be on par with many Audeze headphones in weight. And as it turned out, feel as well. That’s a good thing. Made mostly of aluminum alloy, I get why it feels hefty but wears lightly.

I will also admit that I have never reviewed a headphone, which contains a hinge such as this on the stanchion. I fully understand why it is this way, with the spring-loaded design meant to put pressure in the right place.

The headphone strap allows for further adjusting, but the leather padded band under the headband never felt out of place. As George noted in his video review, this system affords the user the ability to wear the headphones with the ear cups higher or lower as needed, simply by adjusting the band.

The aluminum also carries “speckles” in the texture, which allows for a better grasp of the unit. The gold-colored rings around the outside of the cup almost made me miss the unequal-length vent slots (four of them on the cup’s backside) on the top portion of each cup.



The build quality is absolutely top tier, and warrants the level of flagship, were it not for the CZ-1. I liken this to Volkswagen several years ago making all of their interiors from the bottom Golf to the top Passat luxurious, because every driver deserves it. The same holds for these headphones.

The fit ended up being quite good, with little weight felt on top of my head in long 5–6-hour sessions, even while wearing a hat. Many manufacturers (I’m looking at you Sennheiser) could benefit from a design study of the Crosszone models.



Cable(s):

All three cables come as twisted OFC Litz wiring, with a see-thru woven mesh tube protecting the dual strands. You can get custom cables for differing 4.4 bal approaches, as well as XLR or different lengths. I will note that I was a bit skeptical of the feel of the cable until I attached each. There is absolutely no microphonics, which is wonderful. I cannot count the number of times while reviewing TOTL headphones when the house cable had microphonics, even a bit.

I am unsure of the wind or strand count per side, but the cable seems to be on the average size.



Sound:

All listening was done after 75+ hours of burn-in time. I occasionally checked, and will note up front that the sound seemed to open up after this time. Gone was a flatter response. I prefaced each check by listening to the LETSHUOER Cadenza 4 (also in for review) so that I had the same baseline of listening. I can confidently add that there was a difference.

Listening was done using my MBP tethered to the excellent iFi Diablo 2 (BT to my MBP and cabled), equally excellent EarMen Angel (tethered), and the Shanling M6 Pro along with the Cayin N6ii mk2.



Summary:

OOTB, I found the sound unusual, mimicking a small venue with vintage speakers in their repertoire. After burning the unit in, I found that the flatter response seemingly disappeared, opening up the soundstage as advertised.

Bass was a focal point of the “enhanced” version, and the lows came across as authoritative but controlled. The midrange lifted the soundstage, while the treble area filled the gaps. That small venue with vintage speakers sounded more enticing with each hour.


moar:

One of the main emphases of the Enhanced versions is getting the bass under control, without losing quantity. The bass hits fairly deep, with a good punch into the sub-bass level, but still lacks that overall authoritative grunt. That is actually OK, since reference headphones such as the Eikon have excellent control of the bass as well, without the grunt of say, an LCD-3. It is impactful, and detailed, which keeps it from bleeding into the midrange. Taken singularly, the bass is quite good, with good reach and a respectable impactful, punchy amount.

The midrange carries the uplift in sound signature, without becoming shouty or overshadowing. The tone stays natural but is also prone to a peak around the 1.5 kHz mark, without coloring, or impacting too much either male or female voices. I agree with George’s assessment that the mids carry forward. A bit too much for me, but since they are presented naturally; they do not become intimidating or impede my satisfaction. Well-defined note weight gives the midrange an authoritative sound, but without becoming too impactful; instead presenting the tonality through that weight as natural with a touch of “vibrant warmth.”



If I boiled the treble down to one word, it would be musical. I never felt it became grating or tedious, no matter what the source was, which can be a rarer trait in this range. I say that, because one of my all-time favorite headphones, the Kennerton Rögnir sounds fabulous to me, but can become tedious in the upper range on some songs. I never felt that way with the CZ-8A, as that accuracy of reach carried the musical tonality smoothly across the midrange.

Sometimes tying the ends to the middle can be cumbersome, but not here as other than the “a bit too forward for me” midrange, the melding of notes together gives good attack and decay for a proper weight of notes. I find I can raise the volume on songs, which while using other combinations I cannot. Especially for that intolerance, I have up top. This is a big deal to me.


Soundstage:

There is much ado about exactly what the Crosszone headphones do to the soundstage. Especially since they are marketed to replicate your two-channel system, and essentially the point of their methodology.

Meant to replicate your home system, with an all-encompassing soundstage; the angle and placement of the drivers and associated support mechanisms do a very good job of this. I found the width to be beyond my head, but not excessively. Too much width and you lose note definition, placement, and weight to me. In that regard, the CZ-8A does an admirable job. Height is flat-out excellent. Again, too much, and the layers become so stretched that notes become elongated vertically while maintaining their width. This can lead to excessively thin notes, even falsely. The CZ-8A presents a natural tendency to the height, which allows the notes to breathe organically, but with a good vibrant character; defining the space commendably.

The depth carries the goodies too, with very good depth, without becoming cavernous or removing the listener too far from the stage of the music. This affords placement of the instruments to be accurately located, and given the necessary space to breathe.

When taken together, layering and separation allow all involved instruments and notes to carry on without distraction, or bother. I won’t say that this is the best soundstage I have heard, but I will say that this is one of the best treatments given to promote the music equally well across the listening spectrum.



Pairings:

CZ-8A Enhanced & MBP/iFi Diablo 2 ($1299):

The Diablo2 is a beast. Not like the OG Black Label, but a tamer beast that provides plenty of power and connections. iFi chose to smooth the signature a bit from the OG Diablo while keeping the brighter aspects. What I heard was that the pairing allowed the mids to still stay prominent, while offering an added bit of emphasis down low. Slightly deeper in reach, along with a slight improvement in reach up top afforded a more open setting for the notes to breathe.

Running the pairing on high gain, I was able to attain respectable volume levels just below the ½-way mark. This allowed the CZ-8A to breathe a bit more freely than some pairings, without losing its weighted, open character. When called upon, I could raise the volume without straining my ears, or the sound emanating from the pairings. I found this agreeable, and an easy desktop setup.



CZ-8A Enahnced & MBP/FiiO K9 Pro ESS ($799):

The FiiO comes across as vibrant and technically savvy, what with the new ESS chip implementation. Compared to the warmer, richer signature of the K9 AKM, the ESS version promotes a vibrant tendency without losing detail retrieval. This additional level of clarity (between the FiiO models) played together well with the CZ-8A, losing a bit down low in the process. Running in high gain, I was comfortable between 1000-1300 volume-wise, song-dependent.

I cannot say that the FiiO added any more clarity to the, but allowed the positives of the CZ-8A to shine through without hindrance. Succinct piano notes and banjo notes on Chick Correa & Bela Fleck’s Remembrance still came across naturally, but with an added succinct tonality that showed the technical side of the CZ-8a’s performance. This was another positive pairing.


Image courtesy of zococity.es

CZ-8A Enhanced & YULONG DA-ART Aquila III ($999):

When I reviewed the Aquila III, I noted the added refinement from V2, but also added that the older model was still excellent. The Aquila III is a brilliant desktop DAC/Amp, providing gobs of power and clarity to back up the price.

The pairing added an openness that was lacking in the previous two pairings, but that comes down to the tune of each previous amplifier. Where the others went for richness or a vibrant tonality; the Aquila III goes for all-out clarity of that detail. But without losing note weight or a musicality of sound. This pairing was my favorite desktop setup, and I could happily listen to the Aquila III pull more clarity out of the CZ-8A. And do so without losing the low end.

You might think the clarity might make for a top end, which becomes strident or grating. This did not happen, even at ear-splitting levels. Even on my preferred “Slow” filter, the sound was rich with detail, and the vibrancy of the Crosszone’s midrange came across with alacrity.


Image courtesy of ngoshawksounds & Headfonics.com

CZ-8A Enhanced & EarMen Angel ($799):

I am a fan of EarMen products. The Sparrow and TR-AMP still see regular use in reviews and for personal listening. But the first one I reach for would be this, the Angel. It reminds me of my OG iFi micro–Black Label in its sheer power but with a better-refined character. Where Diablo 2 goes for vibrancy, the Angel goes for character-building authority. But with a bit added below, too. Running on high gain, I never had to go beyond the lower end of yellow on the volume wheel (equates to less than 50%).

The Diablo 2 paired with the CZ-8A has a more open sound, but the Angel focuses your attention more on the details of the song. This allows the magic of the Crosszone to work without bother, where the others add their own merits (which isn’t bad). A bit of soundstage is lost with this focus, but the sound was so sweet, I did not mind. Where the Diablo and FiiO provide additive bits and pieces, the Aquila III & Angel allow for the character of the CZ-8A to show through, with minimal additions.

To me, this was the closest pairing to the Aquila III, and my favorite “portable” pairing.


Image courtesy of Headfonics.com

CZ-8A Enhanced & Shanling M6 Pro ($759):

I will openly admit I am a Shanling fan. I own or have owned several, and still consider the M6 Pro a vital (vibrant?) part of my review repertoire. Not the most detailed, or newest, but I like it, and that is what matters.

The Shanling mimics the warmth of Diablo 2, but with a smoother texture to the notes. Running the Dual DAC, on “Turbo,” I found there was not a lack of power. I did have to run the volume, north of 50% to get the listening levels, where I thought the CZ-8A deserved to be. Going this route, the battery was the only impedance, dropping accordingly. But that was not the point.

What was the point, is that the pairing provided probably the smoothest character of any tested here. Yes, the Shanling lacks in micro-detail refinement, but I did not care, for the sweetness of sound emanating forth was very pleasant. And complimentary to the powerful Angel above.

As a true portable setup, this would do nicely, if you do not mind the lack of micro-details or clarity that a more refined setup can bring. I certainly didn’t.



CZ-8A Enhanced & Cayin N6ii mk2 ($1199):

I also keep this “relic” (four years old...) around because I have the A01, T01, and E01 motherboards. For pure sound, I use the E01; but for this purpose, I installed the A01 because it had a 4.4mm bal jack. The level of detail between the two is noticeable, making the A01 quite complimentary to the Crosszone, where the E01 would provide warmth (Shanling-like, but more detailed).

This was the most detailed of my true portable setups, and the only thing lacking was the true power needed to properly drive the CZ-8A. I find that regardless of the headphones being reviewed. What was present though, was micro-detail to almost make the Aquila III jealous. Providing detail in the gaps of the CZ-8A’s tuning made the pairing a good listen. I appreciated how the Cayin handled the top end, adding a bit of clarity without becoming strident. This made for a very complimentary pairing to a desktop (or even other DAP) setup, allowing the notes to reach their proper weight, and adding a bit of clarity as well.


Image courtesy of cayin.com

Comparisons:

Crosszone CZ-8A Enhanced ($1700) v Kennerton Rögnir ($3200):

I am in love with the Rögnir and its sound. Yes, I know the bashing it has received for its “improper tuning” according to graphs, etc. I don’t care, because ultimately it is what the user likes, not some graph that points out discrepancies.

The detail coming out of the Rögnir compared to the Crosszone makes for an interesting comparison. The Rögnir provides a more vibrant signature, which highlights the midrange detail better while also giving the user a very good, tight low end. Where the Crosszone adds a bit better sub-bass reach to me, the Kennerton adds accuracy. Comparing the soundstage, the Kennerton can hold its own (except for width), due to the closed-back cup tuning (in my opinion), but this is where I do have an issue with the tuning. That added emphasis in the upper midrange and lower treble can give me trouble when I raise the volume. This is not the case with the CZ-8A, which handles large volume increases more handily.

But, when a song such as Hugh Laurie’s St. James Infirmary comes on, I relish the Kennerton, which can carry the piano notes with soul.



Crosszone CZ-8A Enhanced ($1700) v Audeze LCD-3 ($2200, at the time):

My favorite open-backed headphone is the LCD-3. The tuning fits my listening as well as the Rögnir. The two complement each other perfectly. The planar technology provides a good platform of comparison since both of these headphones take an approach, which may take a bit of getting used to. The legendary “Audeze bass” cannot be matched by the Crosszone in either depth or quality. But that does not mean the CZ-8A is lacking. It simply means that the LCD-3 does it better for my tastes.

Where the Audeze is a hard fit comfort-wise, the CZ-8A sits comfortably. The larger pad openings on the LCD-3 mean you can attain an excellent fit, but the weight is felt more, regardless. The midrange on the LCD-3 comes across smoother and more to my liking, with enough detail to keep me interested. And does so, without being elevated like the Crosszone.

The top end of both comes across as a bit different, too. Where the Audeze goes for a slight rounding, without losing extension or detail (really it does to me), the Crosszone comes across with a bit more vibrancy and a slightly better reach, while still being somewhat polite. Where the Audeze seems fuller in sound, the Crosszone allows each aspect to function on its own merits.

The Crosszone almost feels like it will fall off when I put it on right after the Audeze, but I know that is just coming from the sheer mass of the LCD-3. It is heavy but wears extremely well. The Crosszone allows the fit to come across as softer, but without bother.


Imgae courtesy of ngoshawksounds & Headfonics.com

Crosszone CZ-8A Enhanced ($1700) v ZMF Eikon ($1400):

The Eikon makes an appearance in my line-up after purchasing another second-hand model. I foolishly sold my previous pair. Using the LQi XLR cable for comparative purposes, the Eikon presents a full, deep-reaching signature with a better low-end grunt than the CZ-8A. Where the Crosszone goes for accuracy, the Eikon goes for emotion and depth. Some do report a slight bleed into the mids, but I find this part of the warm character of the closed-back ZMF.

Harder to drive than the CZ-8A, you need a quality source such as the Aquila III to drive it properly. As such, I noted a 10dB difference in the volume needed to attain the level by my seat-of-the-pants assessment. The midrange is a bit more frontal than the Crosszone, but not lifted. Treble reach is glorious, with enough vibrant quality to satisfy my liking. I do appreciate that while the reach is good, it does not become strident like the Rögnir when I raise the volume.

The soundstage of the Eikon is surprisingly good for a closed-back, but Zack & CO know a thing or two about tuning signatures to get the most out of the beautiful wood cups. Where the Crosszone provides the two-channel effect, the Eikon provides the emotion. Where the CZ-8A provides the emphasis on a smooth overall signature, the Eikon provides for your sensory inputs. Again, the fit of the Eikon while good, makes me realize just how good the CZ-8A fits, without bother. I can wear both for long periods, but the Crosszone melts away more.


Crosszone CZ-8A Enhanced ($1700) v Crosszone CZ-10 Enhanced ($1000):

With much of the same technology, except for the baffle on the lower driver, the tuning is similar but different. Where the CZ-8A goes for two-channel levels of detail while allowing the signature to breathe, the CZ-10 leans more towards the Eikon’s emotive responses. I find the bass reaches almost as low as the Eikon, but with less authority. This plays well into the tuning since it does not hinder the midrange.

The CZ-8A is tuned more towards the accuracy of the overall signature, whereas the CZ-10 is tuned for what I will call an immersive “fun” sound. For a $1k headphone, the sound is very, very good and in my upcoming review will make further judgments about it.

Suffice to say, the two provide a complementary approach for the company. Where the CZ-8A goes for accuracy of placement and making sure the listener gets the absolute most out of the soundstage, the CZ-10 Enhanced goes for a more engaging signature, with a bit of flair.

This is not a slight on either signature either, just a way the company goes about tuning to different levels of their models.


Image courtesy of ZMF Headphones

finale:

The CZ-8AE is the middle child of the Crosszone lineup. The calm, thinking model, taming the younger sibling while grounding the more expensive, older sibling. Mediator, negotiator, and easygoing are traits of the middle child along with innovation, independence, and self-motivation to drive all of that. When thought of that way, the CZ-8AE works quite well as the calming effect of the family. Taking the best of both ends and melding the signature into a smooth, detailed presentation is quite a trick, and does so well in the Enhanced model.

The details come across as succinct but not short or analytic. Instead, they come across with an exactness that presents the music in a manner, that pleases the senses of detail while calming the smoothness of a well-aired single-malt in the evening. A rare case of doing its job with alacrity and precision but without presence and soul beyond the emotive response.

And here is where the CZ-8AE bridges the gap between entry-level and flagship models presenting the listener with a distinct character not wrought from mainstream headphones. Another company’s opinion on what a quality headphone should sound like, and Crosszone succeeds in my book without question.

I mentioned in the CZ-10E that I had a preference, but would not tell you. I still do, but that gap seems to shrink every time I listen to the duo back-to-back and that is a good thing for it bodes well on Crosszone’s offerings.

I thank Crosszone for the opportunity to review two of their models, they were well worth the effort and pleasure while listening.


Cheers.

Crosszone CZ-8A Hifi Headphones - Speaker Sound, Closed Back



Crosszone CZ-8A is the latest headphone made by Crosszone, with 3 drivers, all of them dynamic, and in multiple sizes and are priced roughly 1700 USD, and mostly available on the Japanese and Asian markets. Those are some high-end over-the-ear flagship headphones with ingenious design, so they will be compared to other flagships, like Kennerton Thror (3000 USD), Rosson RAD-0 (2200 USD), Spirit Torino SuperLeggera (2000 USD), Crosszone CZ-1 (2000 USD), HIFIMAN Arya Stealth (1600 USD), and Audeze LCD-XC 2021 (1800 USD). I will also include pairings with Cyrus One Cast (2000 USD), Astell & Kern SE180 (1500 USD), Lotto PAW 6000 (1200 USD), and iBasso DX240 (950 USD).

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Introduction

We have reviewed many headphones here at audiophile-heaven, but nothing compares to Japanese headphones in general, as they tend to have that quality we often associate with the artisanal way of producing everything, and the principle that everything should be masteried until it becomes an art. This is exactly how it feels reviewing Crosszone Headphones, and those are a statement in both design, engineering and overall build quality, always. The best part about the company is that you know you're going to get some high-end products when you purchase from them, but this comes at the disadvantage of having to purchase from Japan directly, or through less known shops / sellers. In fact, CZ-8A is not yet quite widely available, although I have only good things to say about MuSon Project, the main distributors that help Crosszone reach their target markets, and who help spread the word about those awesome headphones. You are sure to find reliable support, and even though this is that one pair of headphones I don't ever expect to break on you, it is always reassuring to know you can rely on the company to support their products.



You don't have to worry about the company not speaking English either, as they are good with communication, which is quite refreshing compared to having to order from AliExpress and having extremely poor communication, as it often happens to me when I do shopping there. Crosszone will happily help with all your needs, but most of the purchase process is usually handled elsewhere as they don't sell directly to customers anywhere.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Crosszone, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. I'd like to thank Crosszone for providing the sample for this review. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it. The purpose of this review is to help those interested in Crosszone CZ-8A find their next music companion.



Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:





You know the unboxing is going to be lit when you see Crosszone in the title, as they always deliver in terms of package. The presentation of CZ-8A is fit for a high-end headphone at this price, with a nice default cable, and they are also selling optional balanced cables for their headphones.



Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

I am really happy to repoirt that the new CZ-8A is like a child between CZ-10 and CZ-1, having the best of both, and becoming the ultimate headphone made by Crosszone so far. Starting with the build quality, we can see magnesium alloys all around, with a solid metallic frame, high quality soft earpads, and thick padding for the headband, but a low weight and no wearing fatigue. Despite the headphones being smaller now, with the cups having the ideal amount of space for my ears, they are not less comfortable than CZ-1, and in fact I would be willing to say that they are just as comfortable as the big ones.



The earpads in particular are great, they are thick, soft, and cover my entire ear, despite not being as large as those found on the original Crosszone CZ-1. We have the awesome Crosszone Cables again, with 4 poles for each ear, but with a 3.5mm Single Ended connector at the plug level. You could theoretically cut it and get it to run balanced, but Crosszone also makes balanced cables if you want to invest in one. This technology feeds both signals into each ear, the crossover circuits cutting the signal into what you ear in each ear. In theory, this means that both ears receive a stereo signal, so assuming that the crossover is of good quality, the final sound should be superior to the traditional approach to headphones of having each channel fed into each ear, especially if you want a huge soundstage.



The technology used in CZ-8A is named Natural Sound field, and it achieves the External Sound Localization effect with original technologies patented by Crosszone. They employ both Acoustic Resonance Technology or ART and Acoustic Delay Chambers or ADCs to achieve the natural space that you usually get when using speakers rather than headphones. Evolving from previous Crosszone releases, CZ-8A uses the new Wave Front Control Tech that employs 3 Drivers for each ear, and places them in a triangular shape with rounded corners, in such a way that the acoustic plate creates an acoustic lens effect and delays the sound coming from the back driver (35mm), enough to emulate a speaker setup in an open room.

We have a main channel that is fed just the correct signal, and has two dynamic drivers, one bass driver of 40mm, for lows, and one 23mm driver for highs. There is a 35mm crossfeed driver that is fed the signal from the opposite channel, and which helps contour the crossfeed effect physically rather than using DSP (as you can when using Foobar2000 and other software based players). Each driver is a full high-end driver with Beryllium coating, and each has a brass ring attached to eliminate vibration and increase the overall strength.



Although the cables look really basic in aesthetics, they are OFC cables, one 1.5 meters in length, and one 3 meters in length. The shorter cable is ended in a 3.5mm jack, while the longer cable is ended in a 6.3mm jack. Each cable has 8 separate wires, 4 wires or 2 sets.

Crosszone takes great pride in their 3D Ear pads, and for good reason. CZ-8A is physically about the same size as the CZ-10 which I reviewed, and this is much smaller than Sennheiser HD800S, Audeze LCD-MX4 or Crosszone's own Cz-1, but my ears have a comfort that's comparable to the big boys in those new pads. They have different thickness for the front and the back of the ear, following a natural head shape, and the headphone cups swivel in every direction, to allow adjustments in any way necessary for a perfect comfort. The earpads achieve a perfect seal and you get a delightful low-end presentation, plus the lateral swivel mechanism is found above the earcup, leading to a much more even clamping mechanism than with most headphones. I am working on reviewing HIFIMAN Ananda at the same moment as CZ-8A, and with Ananda, they clamp my head at the base of my ears, where CZ-8A has a perfectly even applied clamping force all across the head and the ear.



In fact, the headband has thick padding as well, and both the earpads and the headband have a high-end memory foam filling, both of them leading to a perfect comfort with CZ-8A. The cable is not microphonic, having a slightly soft feeling to it, which is pretty effective at absorbing sounds that would normally travel through it. The impedance of CZ-8A is rather high, at 75 OHMs, while their SPL is average at 100dB / mW, which means that you will need a slightly stronger source to drive them.



The outer cup is made of aluminum, and it has the ADC or Acoustic Delay chamber on the inside, the aluminum construction providing both excellent overall structural integrity, but also sonic performance for CZ-8A. More so than most headphones, the construction of the inner part of CZ-8A protects the drivers from electromagnetic interference, leading the the most pure and perfect sound that you could achieve with a headphone. This leads to a slightly increased weight for CZ-8A, and at 435 grams, they are not the lightest headphone ever created, but they are really comfortable for me, and wearing them feels like wearing a soft pillow, while hearing them feels like hearing a high-end speaker setup in an open room.



Sound Quality

The sound of CZ-8A is really open, dynamic, punchy, and has a surprisingly good low end. I have used mostly high-end sources to drive CZ-8A, including Astell & Kern SE180, Astell & Kern SP2000T, iBasso DX240, iBasso DX220, Lotoo PAW6000, Dethonray DTR1+ Prelude, and Cyrus One Cast. All of those provide an excellent sound, and they are all fully capable of driving CZ-8A rather well, but so will be more affordable sources like Pro-Ject Head Box DS, iFi hip-dac2, and Burson Funk. I always use volume matching using a SPL meter when taking the sonic impressions, as well as comparisons for my reviews, and all sonic notes are taken over a period of 3-4 weeks to provide reliable and honest impressions, and as little bias as possible (which could be caused by fatigue, or initial impressions that are different from follow-up notes). CZ-8A is one of the very few headphones where I feel like burn-in helped a lot, and their sound changed a lot with further usage, evolving from being fairly mid-forward and lean, to being rich, smooth, full and resolute.



Crosszone CZ-8A sounds exactly as you'd imagine a dream headphone to sound. They are extremely wide, holographic, yet the midrange is forward and you feel fairly close to the lead vocals and the foreground instruments. Like all Crosszone models released recently, the bass is smooth, full and rich, deep and impactful, while the treble is smooth, fatigue-free, and the whole headphone has what I would be willing to call the lowest distortion I heard in a headphone so far. The best way to measure distortion is trying to increase the volume, and the louder you can go before the sound starts distorting, the better a headphone is. With CZ-8A, my head starts to rumble, and the walls of my ears will start resonating before I am able to hear any distortion, so this is that headphone to get if you want a purely detailed sound with zero distortion for any volume. The midrange forwardness of CZ-8A, which I will mention a bit, is similar to an Etymotic kind of midrange, but CZ-8A is really smooth, also very rich, and full, so it is just that tendency to bring the voices and forward instruments closer to the listener that can be compared to Etymotic.



The bass of Crosszone became a central element of their sound with the release of their latest models, including CZ-10, and CZ-8A, this model having a beautifully detailed sound, with tons of impact and depth. The best part about their bass is that it is not intrusive, yet it is rich, full and deep, CZ-8A having virtually no roll-off, but having extreme speed, layering and impact. The bass of CZ-8A is fun for both Jazz, Classical, but also Pop, EDM, and Dubstep music. At the end of the day, my favorite music styles to listen to with CZ-8A are Dubstep, Electronic, Pop and Commercial music, thanks to its richness and fullness in the bass. The bass has a hard character if the song calls for it, so you don't have to expect a bland and lifeless or bloated bass, CZ-8A is able to really render a punch realistic when called for. On songs like Virtual Riot - Touhou Ridin, you can hear a really clean presentation for all instruments, but the bass presentation is truly special, CZ-8A being able to render the kind of bass that fills your ears, and your heart. The bass is rich, deep, and can help CZ-8A massage your head with bass notes, a distortion-free, smooth and rich experience that's rare with headphones and without investing thousands in a high-end subwoofer. CZ-8A defines the foreground instruments, and leave space for background effects and synth patterns quite nicely, helping define a huge, but natural stage.



The midrange of CZ-8A is exactly what you'd expect after reading about all of the technologies the company included in this headphone, and the most obvious part about the mids is the stage. CZ-8A can extend wider than HD800S and HD800, but they will keep the forward instruments / voices quite close to the listener, so both midrange lovers and those who want a huge stage will be happy with CZ-8A. The tonality is natural, but also dominated by a peak around 1-2 kHz, which doesn't really color the tonality of either male or female voices, but does bring them closer to the listener. Background instruments play further in the back, well separated, and CZ-8A has proper separation for a flagship headphone, with extreme levels of detail and clarity, and a full, rich midrange too.

In the midrange, the texture is smooth and CZ-8A is the kind of headphone I can keep on my head and enjoy for more than five hours without having any hearing fatigue, and it has all the details that other flagships have, but present those smoothly. You should keep in mind, all of this is with a really forward midrange. At low volumes, the midrange can take over the bass, and the amount of bass can be lower, especially for rock and post-hardcore songs, so CZ-8A can be said to reveal exactly how a song was recorded. If the song has tons of bass, CZ-8A will happily deliver, but it won't add bass that was never there. On songs like REOL - 'Boy', the main bassline takes a forward position in the song, while Reol's voice is sweet, presented also fairly forward, with the background voices being really well defined from the voice and the bass. There's a really good sense of dynamics and CZ-8A has perfect timing for a quick song.



The treble of CZ-8A follows through and reveals a musical, smooth and enjoyable top end, with a rich and fun treble, smooth and lightweight presentation. CZ-8A is not dark nor bassy, or rolled off, rather, the treble is presented slightly further away from the listener, and it is never fatiguing or annoying, but a smooth, fun experience, with rich, smooth and clean overtones. There's a certain sense in CZ-8A of no distortion, which helps a lot when I am listening to fatiguing songs. This is the headphone to purchase if you want to hear everything through a large window, that colors music in a truly beautiful color and brings all the richness, smoothness and detail music has to offer right to your ears. The CZ-8A presents dynamics within the soundstage, so especially at first they can sbound less than planar alternatives, though they are more planar than all dynamic competitors like HD800S and Beyerdynamic T1.



All in all, CZ-8A is exactly what it promises to be, a headphone that sounds better than most high-end systems will in a good room, and you have to spend more than 20.000 USD on a stereo to be even close to the stage and detail that CZ-8A is capable to offer for less than 2000 USD. I have a fear that these headphones will turn speaker and hifi guys to headphones and they won't even try to go back. CZ-8A has top of the line instrument separation and layering, and they are great at highlighting tiny details and revealing that certain sounds that can be akin to random noise, are actually parts of background effects, synths, pianos and such. The guitar on songs like Shiki - Purgatory State Of Mind is spot on when it comes to tonality, and accuracy, but the voice is well separated form it, and the background drum pattern. Bass is rich and deep on this song.



Comparisons



Crosszone CZ-8A versus Kennerton Thror (1700 USD vs 3000 USD) - The first comparison enters the scene hard, and theoretically Thror has better comfort since it is more configurable, but the weight distribution system works better on CZ-8A which sits better for longer periods of time. CZ-8A creates a much much better seal and that helps a lot with the bass depth and impact. The sound is more neutral on Thror, but this also means that the sound is more harsh and sharp, though between the two CZ-8A is more detailed, and has better depth, more width to the stage, and brings the midrange closer, all while having less distortions at extremely high volumes than Thror. All in all, the sound is also smoother, richer, fuller and more pleasing, more musical on the CZ-8A which is tuned to sound closer to a hifi setup. Thror remains quite cold and brighter, which helps a lot for rock and systems, where CZ-8A might be a bit too smooth for some, or a bit too mid forward, but the fullness and richness makes it so enjoyable that I feel like blasting some EDM and Dubstep on CZ-8A, while Thror is mostly for Classical, Orchestral and some Jazz.

Crosszone CZ-8A versus Spirit Torino SuperLeggera (1700 USD vs 2000 USD) - I know those two headphones that very few reviewers cover, so I try to cover everything that everyone else misses as much as I can. The comfort is better on the CZ-8A, thanks to thicker ear padding, and more ergonomic design. The overall presentation is more forward, more dynamic and more colorful in the midrange on Spirit Torino Super Leggera. The biggest difference is in the bass, where Super Leggera has less bass quantity, but slightly faster speed, a more dry character and more quick bass impact. The CZ-8A has more bass, better depth, sound fuller, smoother, wider, deeper and has more overall detail than Super Leggera. The midrange has a more tube-like character on Super Leggera, while it sounds more analogue, more similar to tape and Magnetic Recordings or Vinyls on CZ-8A. Both are clearly aimed at hifi guys who know their setups and who are looking to go from full sized speakers to headphones, and want to make this transition as fun as possible, reproducing a full speaker sound, while costing less than 10%.

Crosszone CZ-8A versus Rosson RAD-0 (1700 USD vs 2200 USD) - We have two rich and full sounding headphone here, so let's start by saying that the comfort is better on CZ-8A, which is lighter, but also has thicker headband padding that helps spread the weight more evenly, and which helps with the overall wearing fatigue. The sound is much bassier, darker and fuller on RAD-0, while it is much wider, deeper, and more midrange forward on CZ-8A. RAD-0 sounds darker, and has more roll-off in the treble, where CZ-8A has a natural extension with great dynamics and resolution, giving better highlight to micro details, and making it much easier to understand what symbols and background instruments are. If you want the maximum smoothness, fullness and overall depth, RAD-0 is unparalleled, but if you're looking for a more balanced listen, with more forwardness in the midrange, also with better overall soundstage, in both width and depth, with more treble extension and less roll-off, then CZ-8A is more recommended and should serve you well.

Crosszone CZ-8A versus Crosszone CZ-1 (1700 USD vs 2000 USD) - The original CZ-1 has much larger earcups, so better comfort, but the bass on the original is leaner, and the whole sound is much more lean and gentle. The sound of CZ-8A is richer, fuller, more dynamic, punchier, and more detailed. It is ironic, but where the original is really smooth and detailed, CZ-8A refines the Crosszone sound a lot and presents music with far more detail, more impact, more edge and the midrange is brought even more forward. Guys used to speakers will love both, but the bass of CZ-8A will feel much closer to what you get from a high-end stereo system with a high-end subwoofer, where CZ-1 is leaner and better suited for Jazz and Room Music, CZ-8A being perfect for virtually any music style, but being especially great for Pop, EDM, Electronic, Dubstep.

Crosszone CZ-8A versus HIFIMAN Arya Stealth (1700 USD vs 1600 USD) - You probably know that Arya is one of my favorite headphones so far, but the construction quality difference is noticeable, the frame and earcups of CZ-8A feeling better made and like they will last a longer time. This being said, Arya has an easier to replace default cable, and they are slightly lighter, plus they have a much larger earcup, so folks with larger ears will find comfort easier. The sound of the two headphones has similar dynamics and punchiness, but the overall presentation is much more midrange forward in CZ-8A, with more presence to both male and female voices, but also a wider and deeper soundstage, and more bass quantity. Arya Stealth sounds lighter, more balanced, is slightly more dynamic, where CZ-8A highlights micro details more, and has lower distortion, especially at extremely loud volumes. Both are recommended purchases with wide soundstage and deep bass, I would recommend Arya more if you're looking for a balanced signature, and CZ-8A more if you're looking for a rich, full, deep, smooth and midrange forward presentation with a huge and deep stage.

Crosszone CZ-8A versus Audeze LCD-XC 2021 (1700 USD vs 1800 USD) - This comparison is hard, because both headphones have good value, and good build quality. LCD-XC is a bit heavier than CZ-8A, but the earpads are thicker, and most of the weight sits at the top of the head, where CZ-8A has better weight distribution thanks to the thick headband padding. The cable quality is a bit better on LCD-XC. The overall sonics of CZ-8A are much wider, with considerably more bass and impact, better dynamics and overall instrument separation than LCD-XC. LCD-XC has slightly more resolution and overall detail, but the presentation is far sharper, with a stronger treble, and less bass quantity. CZ-8A has more forward midrange, and this brings the voices of your artists closer to you, all while creating more width and depth for the song to play. LCD-XC is better for studio work if you need to make sure of how your mix sounds, while CZ-8A is a true hifi headphone that sounds as beautiful, musical, rich and smooth as it can, all while being mid forward.



Pairings



Crosszone CZ-8A + Cyrus One Cast (1700 USD + 2000 USD) - One Cast is a unique situation, it has an excellent headphone driving part, which is rare for desktop units made mainly to drive speakers. The pairing has excellent overall dynamics, punchiness and resolution, while One Cast gives CZ-8A one of the most V-Shaped and fun tunings, and since they are a bit midrange forward, this pairing can sound the most natural and balanced, especially for a well priced pairing that will combine with speakers too.

Crosszone CZ-8A + Lotto PAW 6000 (1700 USD + 1200 USD) - You can have the most gentle and refined sound from this pairing, plus PAW6K has good USB DAC function, along with a nice ergonomic body, and tons of power to drive CZ-8A. The overall sound is deep, wide, but also natural and soft in the mids, the kind of sound that you really want to hear when listening to pretty much any music style. The pairing also has excellent resolution, and despite the softer presentation, PAW6000 does not take any information away from music when driving CZ-8A.

Crosszone CZ-8A + iBasso DX240 (1700 USD + 950 USD) - This is a pairing I love a lot for its forwardness and liveliness, along with the overall dynamics and impact it provides. The DX240 provides a really quick and punchy bass, with a really good sub-bass rumble and impact. The overall dynamics are insanely good, and the detail is top notch. The pairing also works as a USB DAC from my PC, and DX240 has easy support for any streaming app you can dream of.

Crosszone CZ-8A + Astell & Kern SE180 (1700 USD + 1500 USD) - This is actually the pairing I have been using the most for my review on CZ-8A. The main reason is that I can easily connect SE180 as the dAC/AMp for my PC, and it provides a really clean, detailed and dynamic sound. The bass in particular is a bit better when using Astell & Kern DAPs for Crosszone Headphones, and they provide the best overall depth, impact and bass quantity, along with the highest amount of body and depth to music. The overall treble is also clean, yet detailed, while the midrange is slightly forward, but also clean and fatigue-free, allowing you to hear voices clear and well articulated, along with guitars, and pianos. The stage is about the deepest with SE180, from all the pairings I have tried.



Value and Conclusion

At the end of the day, especially after having gone through so many comparisons and notes over the past weeks, I think that the verdict is called, and Crosszone CZ-8A is a delightful headphone with an especially beautiful sound, deep bass, wide soundstage, deep sound, and excellent value. They do fight in the big boys arena, and their little brother, the CZ-10 is also very good in value, but Crosszone never fails to amaze when you hear their headphones, plus the overall build quality made by the Japanese company is something else entirely. They make art out of making headphones, rather than producing those en-masse.



The package of CZ-8A includes two cables, so you'll be able to use them with a portable source, or plug them in your favorite desktop DAC/AMP, along with your favorite music and Streaming services, plus they are comfortable both portably, and if you're sitting at your desk, regardless whether you're using them for less than an hour, or many hours in a row. Crosszone made sure that they are compatible with virtually any user, designing the clamping mechanism in such a way that they sit comfortably on everyone, without clamping too hard, yet able to get a perfect seal and a beautiful bass / sound.



Before giving the final word on them, I will be adding Crosszone CZ-8A to Audiophile-Heaven's Hall Of Fame as one of my favorite headphones, with a great build quality, very detailed, wide and natural sound, plus excellent value and drive factor.



At the end of the day, if you want to listen to full sized high-end speakers, in a well designed room, but simply can't, and if you don't want to argue with your loved ones, but still can't scratch your itch with your everyday headphones, Crosszone designed the CZ-8A just for you, a headphone that's perfect for every music lover who's used to a wide stage and who wants to hear that, but portably and in their own intimacy.