[rad7]

  I recently got the Somics, also I have the zst, zs3 and a few others KZs(ATE and ED9) for a few months now. My favorite KZs are the ZST and the ZS3 (in that order).
 
Now that I've been using the Somics V4 for a few days, and after some burn in, I have to say the in fact they're overall (SQ only) superior than the ZST, but actually not by that much,oh and a big little thing (for me), the bass in the Somic v4 is a little bit recessed for my tastes, I already tried a few eartips to get a better seal, wich helped with the lower frequencies, but they still lack some bass (again, for my tastes), this can be solved with a little EQ, but the thing is that the signatures of the zst and zs3 didn't need any EQ to be pleasant for me.

Thank you! Yes, I heard that the Somic V4s are not for bassheads. I am not a basshead, but I do like deep, punchy bass as I listen to a lot of chillout trance, liquid dnb, etc. I hope the EQ would help a little. Bass is one thing that I like with my ZST, ZS3 & especially with the MEMT X5. I guess it is difficult to find a budget IEM around $25 that ticks all the right boxes as far as my preferred sound signature is concerned. 

 

[ahmadairfan]

   
Which tuning tube do you use with the ED9? The shiny gold one or the dull brass one?
 
If you use the dull brass one, then you have basically heard what's really close to the ZST.
 
If you dislike the dull brass one (because it's too bright), and you prefer the shiny gold one more (because of the deeper bass), then get the ZS3 instead of the ZST.
 

Hard to describe my likings lol. I really like the mids and treble of my ED9, and with the gold filter they do sound very natural (rock music). Bass guitar, drums and vocals sounded just awesome. But the bass on more popular nowadays songs, yes it is boomy (gold filter). I need the bass quality, not quantity. Does ZST have more bass than brass-filtered ED9? And hows the drums sounds on ZS3? Is it just enough to reproduce any parts of the drums?

   
I remember ED9 having a much sharper treble and more boomy bass.
ZST is better in terms of a more refined sound and a bigger soundstage. Can't really go wrong with it.

Does that mean ZST have tighter or shaped bass? I like tight sub-bass and a little bass emphasis.

 

[rendyG]

Some experience with metal/rock with KZ/Somics? I had the first Xiaomi Hybrids back then, they could handle fast tracks nicely (probably due to the multiple drivers??), but something was off in the midrange.
I would like to try another dual/triple dfivers any tips?

 

[VinceHill24]

Just in case anyone might be interested, i talked a little with KZ on QQ earlier today. For the promised 5 drivers ZSR, it seems no any news on it yet and they say they don't have any confirmation regarding the status from their factory/ R&D yet.

However here comes a piece of good news as they told me that about end of this month or earlier next month, they'll be launching a 4 drivers (2DD + 2BA) IEM and the estimated retail pricing at China is set around 199yuan RMB (like less than freaking 30$ ?!). They refused to provide me anymore details like picture or whatsoever technical information besides just telling me the driver configuration will be 2DD + 2BA each side so i say better take my word with a grain of salt.

 

[ricemanhk]

Oh man...the buying cycle begins!  Did they say if it's MMCX or still the 2 pin?  I really don't like their proprietary 2 pin housing design...

 

[svil3]

Some experience with metal/rock with KZ/Somics? I had the first Xiaomi Hybrids back then, they could handle fast tracks nicely (probably due to the multiple drivers??), but something was off in the midrange.
I would like to try another duals/triples

any tips?

90% of my music library is Metal & Rock of all flavors, and I really like how the ZSTs perform in those genres, but with some styles with more bassy beats, like industrial metal or even modern recordings of some bands, the ZS3 are just pure fun to listen, but the ideal sound signature for any music genre is always matter of personal tastes.
 
About the eartips, well this topic is even more personal (even physiological), I prefer the foam tips and thats what I use with these two models.

 

[VinceHill24]

Oh man...the buying cycle begins!  Did they say if it's MMCX or still the 2 pin?  I really don't like their proprietary 2 pin housing design...

They didn't tell me anything more than that but i think it's definitely gonna be their proprietary 2-pin. I mean in a business perspective, they could sell more of their cables that way so feel it's very likely still their 2-pin. Nothing's confirm anyway, probably another week or 2 to find out.

 

[Keller1]

Just in case anyone might be interested, i talked a little with KZ on QQ earlier today. For the promised 5 drivers ZSR, it seems no any news on it yet and they say they don't have any confirmation regarding the status from their factory/ R&D yet.



However here comes a piece of good news as they told me that about end of this month or earlier next month, they'll be launching a 4 drivers (2DD + 2BA) IEM and the estimated retail pricing at China is set around 199yuan RMB (like less than freaking 30$ ?!). They refused to provide me anymore details like picture or whatsoever technical information besides just telling me the driver configuration will be 2DD + 2BA each side so i say better take my word with a grain of salt.

 


End of this month / start of next? Convert from KZ time to real time and we get ... Maybe December?

 

[rendyG]

90% of my music library is Metal & Rock of all flavors, and I really like how the ZSTs perform in those genres, but with some styles with more bassy beats, like industrial metal or even modern recordings of some bands, the ZS3 are just pure fun to listen, but the ideal sound signature for any music genre is always matter of personal tastes.

About the eartips, well this topic is even more personal (even physiological), I prefer the foam tips and thats what I use with these two models.

Thank you for your impressions, I may try them later.
However I expressed myself badly, by duals /triples I meant number of drivers in earphone nvm

 

[SpiderNhan]

Having experienced my first MMCX IEM (Magaosi K3 Pro) I'm hoping the new KZ is 2-pin. Whether it's the cable or the ear piece I'm not sure but I get frequent disconnections and spend just as much time fiddling around with the connector as I do trying to listen to music. Either way I'm probably gonna buy it. I've got the KZ bug and there is no cure. Only the temporary relief that comes from ordering more.

 

[ricemanhk]

They didn't tell me anything more than that but i think it's definitely gonna be their proprietary 2-pin. I mean in a business perspective, they could sell more of their cables that way so feel it's very likely still their 2-pin. Nothing's confirm anyway, probably another week or 2 to find out.

Well their ZS3 and ZST use the same 0.75mm UE pins but the housing is different, so they have different wires even for those 2. I agree with your comment in general, but Chinese OEMs don't always work logically (and at least I HOPE they will change to MMCX).  If they keep the 2-pin format, then at least make it either the UE housing or sennheiser one so it's easier to get replacement cables, e.g. bluetooth ones.  The link shared here before, that uses the UE housing so while it'll fit the ZS3/ZST, it won't be tight.  Reading the HKEPC forum, seems the guy actually got 0.78mm pins so it gives a tight fit to his ZS3 but permanently enlarges the housing.  
 
Actually if KZ does change to MMCX, they will sell WAY more cables that people will buy for their shures and other IEMs. 

 
BTW I checked their official taobao site, still nothing.  Nor are the new BT headphones LP5 on sale yet.

 

[smy1]

Still having hard time picking either urbanfun or zst....

 

[To.M]

As much as I like ZST, I would pick Urbanfun over them, each time I would have to choose one pair. To my ears, UF are are just technically better in every aspect and I just love them.

 

[VinceHill24]

Just in case anyone might be interested, i talked a little with KZ on QQ earlier today. For the promised 5 drivers ZSR, it seems no any news on it yet and they say they don't have any confirmation regarding the status from their factory/ R&D yet.



However here comes a piece of good news as they told me that about end of this month or earlier next month, they'll be launching a 4 drivers (2DD + 2BA) IEM and the estimated retail pricing at China is set around 199yuan RMB (like less than freaking 30$ ?!). They refused to provide me anymore details like picture or whatsoever technical information besides just telling me the driver configuration will be 2DD + 2BA each side so i say better take my word with a grain of salt.

 


End of this month / start of next? Convert from KZ time to real time and we get ... Maybe December?

Haha, i like this. It's been too long of a wait since last year. Well at least this is not like the case Trinity preorder coz we're not paying anything to wait for it like forever.

 

[VinceHill24]

Well their ZS3 and ZST use the same 0.75mm UE pins but the housing is different, so they have different wires even for those 2. I agree with your comment in general, but Chinese OEMs don't always work logically (and at least I HOPE they will change to MMCX).  If they keep the 2-pin format, then at least make it either the UE housing or sennheiser one so it's easier to get replacement cables, e.g. bluetooth ones.  The link shared here before, that uses the UE housing so while it'll fit the ZS3/ZST, it won't be tight.  Reading the HKEPC forum, seems the guy actually got 0.78mm pins so it gives a tight fit to his ZS3 but permanently enlarges the housing.  

Actually if KZ does change to MMCX, they will sell WAY more cables that people will buy for their shures and other IEMs. 

BTW I checked their official taobao site, still nothing.  Nor are the new BT headphones LP5 on sale yet.

I do agree with you about the cables. I really do hope they will use the more common MMCX connection as well for their future models then it will be easier to seek for aftermarket upgrade cables as well.