[DocHoliday]

THX for the Stones Doc, I'm a fan and just got the clear vinyl Hot Rocks set to go with my Red vinyl Sticky Fingers Don't have the ANV's but I do have my MRings stashed somewhere, probably the same place I have the 11's or BrassBack 10's as I call them
That is my backup pair of 11's in the unopened shield The ZN1's are with my Die Cast collection, every once in a while I'll bring them out and test them with a new budget DAP but like Slaters pair I could tell they are delicate so i've really babied them. They really enhance the Mrobo C5, sounds more like my Benjie S5 with the Mini amp

Which did you like more the ED10 or ED11?

khighly, herein is the consummate and classic EDM track (featuring the inimitable Jan Johnston).
If this doesn't sound incredible on the IT03 then the IT03 at $260 is not for me. Check out that bass.

 

[Slater]

Awesome! I just got a pair of ZS6 yesterday and I easily solved this problem of "cymbal splashiness/sibilance". I just cut out a small strip of 3M micropore and place it over the nozzle before I mounted the tip (it's important to target on the center to tame the BAs).

(btw thanks slater for the high-res pic)

IEMs, in general, are a bit tricky to me. I just created my own SYMBIO BY MANDARINES ear tips now using 3M earplugs foam + leather belt hole puncher and punch the foam away and placing it inside the eartip. Wow, what a world of difference regarding bass and isolation compared to stock. If you think this is IEM has a weak sub-bass you should mod your tip and give it a try.

Great idea!

I assume you have to make sure the strip is going the correct direction, so that it passes on top of the BA drivers (and not a random direction)?

Like this photo:


If that is the case, I would think you would have to remove the nozzle mesh to determine the exact orientation of the BA drivers before placing the tape (otherwise, you could line it up wrong). And I have seen where the orientation varies from IEM to IEM, so you would have to check on an individual basis.

 

[SomeTechNoob]

I'd probably just put it under a light and line it up. Too much work removing the mesh lol.

 

[Mr.HiAudio]

A new method of narrowing the sound guide from Russian .
You need to cut off the nozzle as in the photo and insert it into the sound guide. And that's all!

 

[DocHoliday]

So I wanted to post a follow up to the recent ZS5 v2/ZS6 mods where Russian members (@WalterTorino and @HraD2) are making the nozzle artificially smaller in diameter via foam tip mods.

• https://www.head-fi.org/threads/kno...essions-thread.698148/page-1831#post-14002591
• https://www.head-fi.org/threads/kno...essions-thread.698148/page-1833#post-14003150

I did some more ZS6 testing tonight, and came up with some alternative methods for those interested in trying this out.

In a nutshell the mods aim to increase sub-bass and decrease the spikey treble of the ZS6 (and ZS5 v2).

The Russian mods both involve foam tips, and they are both fairly difficult to achieve because it takes an incredible amount of work to stretch 3mm foam tips on the 5mm nozzle (and in the 2nd link, to stretch tips onto the 5mm nozzle AND spare silicone sleeve.

Also, if you look at this photo, you'll notice that once stretched over the extra silicone sleeve, the OD of the foam tip gets stretched MUCH larger than before. This may affect the ear canal fitment, seal, and comfort level:



I wanted to come up with a few alternate mods that ended up with the same goal, but that could be used with any tip (and still retain the ease of fitting any tip on without stretching it out).

I came up with 2 slightly different mods, that ended up doing basically the same thing (bumping sub-bass and reducing the treble spike). Both of the mods were made to 100% stock ZS6, right out of the factory fresh box, using the stock Starline tips. No BA mods, such as plugging BA drivers or stuffing them with foam.

Mod #1:

I played around with multiple iterations of teabag mesh and desiccant packet material, and I didn't really like how they veiled the sound. A few even reduced the treble energy so much it wasn't even enjoyable (all of the life got sucked out of the IEM).

What I settled on was just sticking a nylon mesh screen on top of the stock mesh. I have yet to find a source to buy brand new nylon screens, so I save them when I remove them from other IEMs. I don't remember where this particular one came from, but it is basically identical to the red one KZ uses on a ton of IEMs (EDR1, EDR2, ZS3, etc etc). It's very simple, just peel and stick, takes 10 seconds, and the mod is 100% reversible.

Once done, reinstall whatever tips you want and you're ready to go. Because these mods reduce the treble spike, I didn't have to use foam tips to reduce the treble spike. I could finally ditch the foam tips and use silicone tips (my favorite are Starline tips).

Here's what it looks like (click for larger view):

ZS6 nozzle mod (nylon mesh on top of stock mesh)


Mod #2:

The inspiration for this idea came from what KZ did on the ZS1 v1, where they inserted a small diameter brass ring in the nozzle to artificially narrow the diameter. This is one of the reasons why the ZS1 v1 is the "basshead king" of the KZ lineup. Check it out:



To duplicate this I used stainless steel DIN125-1A M2 (ie 2mm) washers. They fit the ZS6 nozzle perfectly, and match the dimensions of the ZS1 v1 brass nozzle. The washers were bought from Grainger, and cost $0.40 for a package of (50) washers - yes, you read that right - $0.008 per washer LOL. The Grainger part # is 22UH25. There was no shipping cost because I picked them up from my local Grainger store. You don't need a business account to order stuff from Grainger - just tell them it's a "will call taxable purchase" that you'll be paying cash for when you pick it up.

To install them, you remove the stock mesh with a sewing needle. Then you use tweezers to drop 1 washer into each nozzle. Be prepared to lose a few washers into the nether regions of your house - they are ridiculously small (but at $0.008 each it really doesn't matter). Anyways, there is a recessed lip on the ZS6 nozzle that allows the washer to fit right down into the nozzle. You affix the washer in place with a few micro drops of epoxy or LaserBond UV glue (applied with the sewing needle around the EDGE of the nozzle and washer seam, not UNDER the washer).

Once it's dry, reinstall whatever tips you want and you're ready to go. Because these mods reduce the treble spike, I didn't have to use foam tips to reduce the treble spike. I could finally ditch the foam tips and use silicone tips (my favorite are Starline tips).

You'll need to be a little careful with this mod, as there is no mesh to prevent earwax and debris from falling into the nozzle. However, the hole in the center is very small, and the edges of the washer will act like a block to catch debris before it gets into the hole in the center. This is exactly like the ZS1 v1 was, and that IEM had no issue with earwax and debris falling into the nozzle hole.

Here's photos of the washers and the mod (click for larger views):

Specs of the stainless washers:


The modded nozzle:


Modded nozzle vs stock nozzle:


As far as sound, both mods really do make a definite difference if you are looking for 1. More sub-bass punch, and 2. Less spikey treble. They both still allow plenty of treble brightness; they just knock down that peaky spike. Note that neither mod eliminates the cymbal splashiness/sibilance on some tracks, but it does dull it down slightly.

One method isn't necessarily superior to the other. Just pick whichever one is easiest/cheapest or whichever one you have the materials for. They are both reversible in case you don't like the sound changes, so I encourage you to try both methods and see which one you like more.

I actually did the first mod way back in October.

Used the ZS3 red nylons.

 

[djmakemynight]

Awesome graphs!

Pretty consistent with how I hear them. Nice to see all 3 compared.

Yeah, quite in line with what I am hearing as well. Just love the sub bass resonance from the CM5.

 

[DocHoliday]

Awesome! I just got a pair of ZS6 yesterday and I easily solved this problem of "cymbal splashiness/sibilance". I just cut out a small strip of 3M micropore and place it over the nozzle before I mounted the tip (it's important to target on the center to tame the BAs).

(btw thanks slater for the high-res pic)

IEMs, in general, are a bit tricky to me. I just created my own SYMBIO BY MANDARINES ear tips now using 3M earplugs foam + leather belt hole puncher and punch the foam away so just placing it inside the eartip to finish. Wow, what a world of difference regarding bass and isolation compared to stock. If you think this is IEM has a weak sub-bass you should mod your tip and give it a try.

You'll get something really similar to this:

Knowledge Zenith should be producing those since Sony is no longer doing it. People like me have scoured the www for over a year trying to obtain them.

Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Slater]

I'd probably just put it under a light and line it up. Too much work removing the mesh lol.

Easier on the ZS5. Near impossible on the ZS6 because the nozzle screen is polished and the light reflects back into your eyes.

 

[kukkurovaca]

Easier on the ZS5. Near impossible on the ZS6 because the nozzle screen is polished and the light reflects back into your eyes.

What if you black out the screen with a sharpie or something?

 

[Slater]

Knowledge Zenith should be producing those since Sony is no longer doing it. People like me have scoured the WWW for over a year trying to obtain them.

Thanks for the reminder.

I think that's why they made Symbios (they saw a niche). Too bad they are so expensive...

 

[Slater]

What if you black out the screen with a sharpie or something?

Yeah, that might work. Give it a try and let us know if that method works.

 

[durwood]

A transparent diffuser of sorts. Easy to try, thanks.

 

[HungryPanda]

 

[Podster]

I have to say, I think your on to something here, khighly!

============================

"I may buy another ZS6 in a few weeks when everyone blows through
some current stock so I can get the new ones."

I was going to suggest this to you but I didn't want to be presumptuous. The ZS6 is just too good an IEM to not have in your collection. I still think maybe one of these days you can find a matching earpiece from a community member in the future. Just a matter of time.

****************************

"IMO, IT03's have the better sound signature, but the IT03's don't have the
low extension and don't have the bass response to really carry EDM.
Sub bass is definitely up 3-5dB on the ZS5's which makes for a good amount
of lows while not really overpowering anything."

Again, color me surprised, but so be it! This serves as a reminder that multiple reviews are necessary to gain a clearer picture. Every other review says the bass is one of the defining characteristics of the IT03 giving me the impression that the IT03 borders on being a basshead IEM. I'm glad you weighed in with an opposing voice if it's not what your hearing, especially if your not hearing that bass when the IT03 is coupled to your Magni 3.

****************************

"I also find the soundstage surprisingly narrow and lackluster compared
to the ZS5's. I also notice everything in the soundstage is backwards and
I've noticed this on serveral KZ IEM's. Things that flow to the left in the ZS5's,
flow to the right in the IT03's. The IT03's have what seems to be the more
accurate 3D placement due to my previous sentence, but it's just not as wide
or big as the ZS5's."

That's the most interesting thing I've heard this year (reversed soundstage/imaging). I'll have to go through my collection because I've never picked up on this before. You've definitely piqued my interest here.

****************************

"IT03's have finer details, but most of what you hear is compression artifacts
on absolutely everything except lossless formats."

So it appears that the IT03 is very transparent, though I don't want to put words in your mouth.

****************************

"Fit: Keep in mind I'm a female, so YMMV. IT03 is poor with fit, providing really poor quality tips that are simply unacceptable for $259. I had one slip off the nozzle and get stuck in my ear earlier. I had to get a friend to pull it out with tweezers at work. They don't fit on the nozzle and they aren't great in the ear."

Ya know.....I have to say that this is where the rubber meets the road and why I am a self-proclaimed fan of Knowledge Zenith. KZ screws up or p****s me off from time to time, but there is no question that they offer huge value for my money. HUGE! At $260 the IT03 should not be skimping on $1 eartips and $15 cables. Every $12.99 detachable cable available for the KZ lineup is better than the detachable cables included with the IT03. That speaks volumes about how iBasso views their target customer. For crying out loud "good IEMs with crappy cables and crappy eartips" is how many of us would describe Chi-Fi in the sub-$20 realm. I know the whole "pricing tier" thing, but there is no way to justify crappy eartips and cables when they could have easily sourced decent eartips from sellers who "LIST" decent cables and eartips for 99 cents and $12.99, respectively,
AND THE SELLER STILL HAS HIS PROFIT BUILT IN TO THAT PRICE.
Shameful, just shameful.

****************************

"Value on these IT03's is absolutely embarrassing. KZ can give me a better quality cable and tips for $27, including the IEM's. I wouldn't pay more than $79.99 for them and I feel like that's a steep asking when KZ can provide similar IEM's made of metal with an extra DD for $45. If this is what the audiophile world looks like - subpar sound that's only made good by marketing and class status, I'm going to keep buying the cheap chi-fi IEM's that sound just as good.

Here, here.......all in favor say Aye!

AYE!

****************************

I bet the big [predatory marketing] companies feel really threatened by KZ.

*Disclaimer: I am not paid by KZ or iBasso, I have never received any IEM's for free or for review. All were bought with personal money and these are the opinions of myself.

Still finishing my final review on my website, will have it up by Monday/Tuesday.

Good girl (don't mean that in a condescending way)
Good input
Food for thought when considering what to buy and weighing what one gets.

For less than $100 you can obtain the following and be very, very happy.





'Nuff said .......drops the mic.....walks away.

Love that cable Doc As seen in pics I have plenty of those cases with the KZ brand on them, perfect size for larger shelled iem's. I'll update you on the Pewter ZS6 once I've had a chance to burn them for 40-50 hours plus A/B with my Red/Blacks And to finish off on KZ at first I did not think the ED11 was any better than the 10's other than the brass back was a more solid look but after some time and switching around the 11 did have a cleaner signature for me especially with higher end high res DAPS. I've read and do realize everyone did not hear what I now hear but with most portable gear period ones MMV!

Let's jump track for a minute and get into expectation, for my $250 the MD NobleX was a let down compared to my MD Mee PX's at less than half the price (Never went for the IT01's so I can't be in that convo) but IMO Noble really went bare bones on the "X" and once again in this old man's opinion for 250 Bones Noble should have put a better cable in them and tips they know enhance a bottom basement offering But I can say I own a pair of Noble's and the Classic Universal casing

Liking you and the Panda's EDM guys When I say I'm old this was EDM of my youth



I don't want to hear any smirking or laughing from you young bucks/buckette's (Did not want to leave @khighly out)

Now with that said I danced with many a beautiful German women when I got stationed in Germany AF/76 (And after 6 or 7 liter's some that may been a little less beautiful)

Of course back them it was referred to more as Electronica or Synthwave, here's a couple bands that I really liked and usered in a whole new bunch of artist come the 80's!




R.I.P. to the late great Edgar Frose

 

[HungryPanda]

I was in my final year of high school when that was a hit