LZ-A4 Impressions and Discussion Thread
For people into Coldplay/Snow Patrol style guitar and piano bands, I can recommend the new Walking On Cars album. Not usually the biggest fan of that genre, but listening at the moment with red backs and black fronts and it's another style of music that the A4 aces.
SeeSax - very interested to read the comparison with the JVCs. They have always been a series of IEMs I've wanted to hear, but unfortunately they are pretty hard to get hold of over here in the UK (new or used). Interested to know how they stack up!
SeeSax - very interested to read the comparison with the JVCs. They have always been a series of IEMs I've wanted to hear, but unfortunately they are pretty hard to get hold of over here in the UK (new or used). Interested to know how they stack up!
Asspirin
500+ Head-Fier
Nooo delivery failed because my doorbell is broken. Will post my impressions tomorrow
My house is so small when the doorbell rings I stick my head out the window and say "Ding!"
Completely understandable. But don't say that too loud. Those hormones will get you every time
1TrickPony
Headphoneus Supremus
+1 on that.
The only reason why I'm holding onto my fx750 is because of my brief experience with the Shanling M2 DAP (vivid mid forward sound). Basically had the richest mids I'd ever heard. Weezer's blue album sounded like a total beast with them.
1TrickPony
Headphoneus Supremus
Dhl'd it. Left instructions to leave in a special bag. They did on Xmas eve. I can only imagine your pain lol
Grayson73
Headphoneus Supremus
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Grayson73
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2006
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Massdrop is back, $185:
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/lz-a4-iem
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/lz-a4-iem
ebrian
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2013
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Hey guys, so a little update on my LZ-A4, kind of a fun story to share and some initial impressions.
For those living in Ontario, Canada, I ordered from Penon on a Monday morning and they were delivered a week later Monday. There were no duties on it. Penon did a great job of writing the right things on the front to ensure I wouldn't have to pay more. The reason I skipped the Massdrop was due to fear of paying duties.
Here's the funny part, tho not so fun for me. We have one of those community box style of mailboxes. I opened up ours and immediately saw the large bubbled envelope for the LZ-A4. But much to my chagrin and frustration, the size of the box was slightly larger than the opening of my mailbox! I couldn't get it out! I tried everything but it wouldn't come out -- there was like a 1cm difference between the size of my mail slot and the mailbox opening. Dejected, I went home and wrote a note to the mailman and then went back and taped it to the package to inform them that I needed it to be moved to one of the 'larger parcel' mailboxes.
Fast forward a day later, they had moved it and I was able to begin listening last night.
These are early impressions pre-burn-in. Like everyone else, the A4 came with black-b/blue-f. I wore them up, and listened to some of my favorite songs.. immediately I could tell the difference. Please keep in mind that my previous goto iem's are both under $80CAD. (Havi B3, Zero Audio Tenore).
Early notes:
- the detail of A4 are significantly better than my previous faves; by comparison the Tenore sounds rolled off on everything. Havi sounds less bright.
- the soundstage of the A4 isn't as expansive as the B3; the way I would describe it would be the sound is all around my head, but closer and more intimate than with B3.
- I thought I might find the blue-f too bright but they were fine. Not fatiguing at all, no sibilance (I am usually sensitive to highs)
- A4 have no driver flex at all. I swapped tips to Spiral Dots and later when i swapped from blue-f to red-f.
- the cable feels great, I've never had cables like these. Those of you with budget iems like me would be impressed I think.
- maybe burn-in will make difference but i enjoy male vocals more on the A4 than female. Females shine more on the Havi and Tenore.
- one thing that really stood out to me was the quality of quiet listening. the baby monitor on my desk lit up halfway through my listening so I had to turn the music down to see what's up. All the detail, bass, soundstage, etc all remained. I'm amazed by that; the budget iem's typically sound better the louder it is. With A4, not much difference loud or quiet are equally good.
That's all I have for now. They are at home getting the 24 hours of white noise as instructed.
For those living in Ontario, Canada, I ordered from Penon on a Monday morning and they were delivered a week later Monday. There were no duties on it. Penon did a great job of writing the right things on the front to ensure I wouldn't have to pay more. The reason I skipped the Massdrop was due to fear of paying duties.
Here's the funny part, tho not so fun for me. We have one of those community box style of mailboxes. I opened up ours and immediately saw the large bubbled envelope for the LZ-A4. But much to my chagrin and frustration, the size of the box was slightly larger than the opening of my mailbox! I couldn't get it out! I tried everything but it wouldn't come out -- there was like a 1cm difference between the size of my mail slot and the mailbox opening. Dejected, I went home and wrote a note to the mailman and then went back and taped it to the package to inform them that I needed it to be moved to one of the 'larger parcel' mailboxes.
Fast forward a day later, they had moved it and I was able to begin listening last night.
These are early impressions pre-burn-in. Like everyone else, the A4 came with black-b/blue-f. I wore them up, and listened to some of my favorite songs.. immediately I could tell the difference. Please keep in mind that my previous goto iem's are both under $80CAD. (Havi B3, Zero Audio Tenore).
Early notes:
- the detail of A4 are significantly better than my previous faves; by comparison the Tenore sounds rolled off on everything. Havi sounds less bright.
- the soundstage of the A4 isn't as expansive as the B3; the way I would describe it would be the sound is all around my head, but closer and more intimate than with B3.
- I thought I might find the blue-f too bright but they were fine. Not fatiguing at all, no sibilance (I am usually sensitive to highs)
- A4 have no driver flex at all. I swapped tips to Spiral Dots and later when i swapped from blue-f to red-f.
- the cable feels great, I've never had cables like these. Those of you with budget iems like me would be impressed I think.
- maybe burn-in will make difference but i enjoy male vocals more on the A4 than female. Females shine more on the Havi and Tenore.
- one thing that really stood out to me was the quality of quiet listening. the baby monitor on my desk lit up halfway through my listening so I had to turn the music down to see what's up. All the detail, bass, soundstage, etc all remained. I'm amazed by that; the budget iem's typically sound better the louder it is. With A4, not much difference loud or quiet are equally good.
That's all I have for now. They are at home getting the 24 hours of white noise as instructed.
It's been a while since my last post on here, but here are some measurements. These are not really accurate sub 300Hz as the seating of the coupler determines the bass response greatly.
I'm using the Dayton IMM-6 mic with a DIY coupler and AudioTool Android, similar to this set-up: http://www.head-fi.org/t/830062/crinacles-fr-measurement-database-150-iems-measured
Another thing. Don't take these measurements literally. These measurements are nowhere near IEC711 stuff. This is for comparision only.
For reference here's my test measurement of the Trinity Phantom Master 4 compared to earfonia:
Anyway towards the A4. The scaling (dB) is very wierd, due to AudioTool being finicky. I will adjust the graphs later down the strech, after my measurements are more refined.
Black(b)-Blue(f)
Black(b)-Black(f)
Black(b)-Green(f)
First you might notice the bass response, and how it is greatly different even though Black(B) was the only filter used. Generally speaking, insertion depth and (in this case) covering the front port has great effects on everything sub 350Hz. This is why some of you have different opinions on low-end quantity. I found Black to be very sufficient in quantity, although YMMV.
The midrange (in particular around 2-4kHz) is quite interesting to look at. Black(f) is the most recessed, where as Green and Blue both are more elevated around 2kHz. In case you are interested, the amount of "pores" covered on Green and Blue are identical. I presume the thickness of the filter itself is different, hence the extra little boost in the treble with the Blue(F)'s.
I prefer the FLC8s overall compared to the A4 due to the slightly more linear treble response. There is a rather large dip after 4kHz, which goes up again around 6.5kHz, down and up again at 9k. Blue(F) and Black(F) are rather similar in that regard, although the former is more extended. Green(f) has a bigger dip after 4kHz.
Have fun with it. Ask right away, in case you guys have questions.
I'm using the Dayton IMM-6 mic with a DIY coupler and AudioTool Android, similar to this set-up: http://www.head-fi.org/t/830062/crinacles-fr-measurement-database-150-iems-measured
Another thing. Don't take these measurements literally. These measurements are nowhere near IEC711 stuff. This is for comparision only.
For reference here's my test measurement of the Trinity Phantom Master 4 compared to earfonia:
Anyway towards the A4. The scaling (dB) is very wierd, due to AudioTool being finicky. I will adjust the graphs later down the strech, after my measurements are more refined.
Black(b)-Blue(f)
Black(b)-Black(f)
Black(b)-Green(f)
First you might notice the bass response, and how it is greatly different even though Black(B) was the only filter used. Generally speaking, insertion depth and (in this case) covering the front port has great effects on everything sub 350Hz. This is why some of you have different opinions on low-end quantity. I found Black to be very sufficient in quantity, although YMMV.
The midrange (in particular around 2-4kHz) is quite interesting to look at. Black(f) is the most recessed, where as Green and Blue both are more elevated around 2kHz. In case you are interested, the amount of "pores" covered on Green and Blue are identical. I presume the thickness of the filter itself is different, hence the extra little boost in the treble with the Blue(F)'s.
I prefer the FLC8s overall compared to the A4 due to the slightly more linear treble response. There is a rather large dip after 4kHz, which goes up again around 6.5kHz, down and up again at 9k. Blue(F) and Black(F) are rather similar in that regard, although the former is more extended. Green(f) has a bigger dip after 4kHz.
Have fun with it. Ask right away, in case you guys have questions.
1TrickPony
Headphoneus Supremus
The fx750 barely gets any love at this point. It's funny because the only way they would get ear time is when I got to audition them with the M2 DAP.
I had somehow misplaced my spiral dots so I'll have to tip roll them. Let me get back to you. New toy syndrome aside, the A4 gives plenty, and I mean PLENTY of mileage. I remember the Fx750 portraying good cymbal timbre and decay but I'd rather sit down and compare them head to head.
It's been a while since my last post on here, but here are some measurements. These are not really accurate sub 300Hz as the seating of the coupler determines the bass response greatly.
I'm using the Dayton IMM-6 mic with a DIY coupler and AudioTool Android, similar to this set-up: http://www.head-fi.org/t/830062/crinacles-fr-measurement-database-150-iems-measured
Another thing. Don't take these measurements literally. These measurements are nowhere near IEC711 stuff. This is for comparision only.
For reference here's my test measurement of the Trinity Phantom Master 4 compared to @earfonia:
Anyway towards the A4. The scaling (dB) is very wierd, due to AudioTool being finicky. I will adjust the graphs later down the strech, after my measurements are more refined.
Black(b)-Blue(f)
Black(b)-Black(f)
Black(b)-Green(f)
First you might notice the bass response, and how it is greatly different even though Black(B) was the only filter used. Generally speaking, insertion depth and (in this case) covering the front port has great effects on everything sub 350Hz. This is why some of you have different opinions on low-end quantity. I found Black to be very sufficient in quantity, although YMMV.
The midrange (in particular around 2-4kHz) is quite interesting to look at. Black(f) is the most recessed, where as Green and Blue both are more elevated around 2kHz. In case you are interested, the amount of "pores" covered on Green and Blue are identical. I presume the thickness of the filter itself is different, hence the extra little boost in the treble with the Blue(F)'s.
I prefer the FLC8s overall compared to the A4 due to the slightly more linear treble response. There is a rather large dip after 4kHz, which goes up again around 6.5kHz, down and up again at 9k. Blue(F) and Black(F) are rather similar in that regard, although the former is more extended. Green(f) has a bigger dip after 4kHz.
Have fun with it. Ask right away, in case you guys have questions.
I use almost the same setup! How long is your coupler tube from the tip of the dayton? Thanks!
Around 3cm.
The average distance from outer ear to eardrum is around the same. You can leave it slightly longer, though. What matters is the distance from the earphone itself.
1TrickPony
Headphoneus Supremus
It's been a while since my last post on here, but here are some measurements. These are not really accurate sub 300Hz as the seating of the coupler determines the bass response greatly.
I'm using the Dayton IMM-6 mic with a DIY coupler and AudioTool Android, similar to this set-up: http://www.head-fi.org/t/830062/crinacles-fr-measurement-database-150-iems-measured
Another thing. Don't take these measurements literally. These measurements are nowhere near IEC711 stuff. This is for comparision only.
For reference here's my test measurement of the Trinity Phantom Master 4 compared to earfonia:
Anyway towards the A4. The scaling (dB) is very wierd, due to AudioTool being finicky. I will adjust the graphs later down the strech, after my measurements are more refined.
Black(b)-Blue(f)
Black(b)-Black(f)
Black(b)-Green(f)
First you might notice the bass response, and how it is greatly different even though Black(B) was the only filter used. Generally speaking, insertion depth and (in this case) covering the front port has great effects on everything sub 350Hz. This is why some of you have different opinions on low-end quantity. I found Black to be very sufficient in quantity, although YMMV.
The midrange (in particular around 2-4kHz) is quite interesting to look at. Black(f) is the most recessed, where as Green and Blue both are more elevated around 2kHz. In case you are interested, the amount of "pores" covered on Green and Blue are identical. I presume the thickness of the filter itself is different, hence the extra little boost in the treble with the Blue(F)'s.
I prefer the FLC8s overall compared to the A4 due to the slightly more linear treble response. There is a rather large dip after 4kHz, which goes up again around 6.5kHz, down and up again at 9k. Blue(F) and Black(F) are rather similar in that regard, although the former is more extended. Green(f) has a bigger dip after 4kHz.
Have fun with it. Ask right away, in case you guys have questions.
5k usually emphasizes snare skins and rim shots and snap on drums, which leads me to believe that the Dunu Dn2000 is probably the best iem for drum dynamics (more so than the 2000j). I hear more refinement for piano with the A4 with its specific tuning in the mids. I totally dig the black/black filters graph - sounds exactly like I'd imagine upon hearing - good even level with a slight emphasis on the highs for cymbals to shine! Though the lower highs on the flc8s are hard to beat.
What tips were you using?
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