[TLDRonin]

Wow, those cables look great

I already have a silver one for my ZS6 so I dont need it.... But its only $10....

 

[nxnje]

first 8core cables below $11! and 0.75/0.78mm choice is welcome.
i've tried some 8core cables and there are big differences in total thickness, and quality of materials (wire, plugs and solders). my favs under $30 are the newest at nicehck, number 53 (brown copper version) in my list, which arrived today, and number 52 (silver plated version). my list.


yes zs6 is a huge step up from zsa, despite of the treble peak (easily eq'ed, if needed), in terms of resolution, details, separation, and treble extension. but zsa is ok, tiny cute, and no need of eq at all (although some may want to tame mid-bass a bit).

Thanks a lot! Just another little question: could the TRN v80 cable work with the ZS6?
As i have a broken v80 i was thinkin about picking the cable and putting it into my incoming ZS6. It is the same connector? Or is it different?

 

[parthabhatta]

The USB-C cable has indeed a DAC, and improves SQ in most embedded smartphone DACs/amps. I believe this should not be valid for some flagship or music-designed smartphones, but for midrange smartphones such as mine, the difference is notorious. I can get the same amplitude with the KZ cable at 1/3 volume, as the 3.5 standard jack at full volume. As for the quality, the improvement is very satisfying. I could not get the ZS5 (v1) rocking with the standard jack. Sound would get easily congested and dull. With the KZ cable, there is much more detail, better bass extension and control (in fact the bass gets this very satisfying "snappyness"), much better mids and instrument placement. It amounts for a better sonic experience overall. One interesting thing is that I could not get the KZ to play more than 96KHz, although it is featured in the technical details that it goes up to 192.
I also got recently the Hidizs Sonata USB-C dongle, and it is not very different form this KZ. It has a better DAC but with slightly less volume. It is a more hifi/audiophile experience, with even more detail and forward mids, compared to the KZ cable. The Sonata has the option to change firmware (in a PC) to 3 options. One of those options allows you to bypass all system sounds and lock to music only, and it only goes up to 192KHz in this mode using apps that allow to lock a DAC in bit-perfect transfer mode. Another curious thing about the Sonata is that the USB-C plug with the DAC chip in it is metal and it gets hot.
These dongles don't seem to drain more battery from the smartphone than a Bluetooth connection.

I fully agree to this. Infact the KZ USB C DAC cable coupled with UAPP app has dramatically improved the sound in my mediocre Leagoo KIICAA MIX phone. I had never imagined that my device could give such a mind blowing audio output from this phone. Loud (has to turn down vol considerably) , crisp and entertaining sound. Battery consumption is miniscule.
Further, this cable has grown my interest on USB C DAC and I have ordered Odyssey and Sonata.
Regards

 

[Mellowship]

I fully agree to this. Infact the KZ USB C DAC cable coupled with UAPP app has dramatically improved the sound in my mediocre Leagoo KIICAA MIX phone. I had never imagined that my device could give such a mind blowing audio output from this phone. Loud (has to turn down vol considerably) , crisp and entertaining sound. Battery consumption is miniscule.
Further, this cable has grown my interest on USB C DAC and I have ordered Odyssey and Sonata.
Regards

In fact, this cable didn't improve the sound on your Leagoo smartphone, for your device is simply acting as a transport for digital files. The DAC in the cable does it all!
These kind of solutions really makes you realize the 3.5 jack is not as important to keep in many devices as many people wished. If the price to keep 3.5 jacks is lowering the quality of the physical jack itself to a point its springs wear down and it isn't capable of clipping the male jack satisfactorily, and/or the inboard DAC of the smartphone/tablet/whatever is underpowered and unable to drive even the least demanding of earphones, I don't mind to use a usb-c dongle, or to have this KZ cable around with me.
My Honor 8 is a hell of a device, and I still love it for its design, quality of construction, speed, camera, etc. But its audio abilities, the low quality female 3.5 plug, the unsatisfactory inboard DAC, the absence of FM radio, and even the outdated bluetooth capabilities, makes this a no-go smartphone for those who want to use it as a main audio device. I never bought it with that in mind, but in the summer I was getting tired of having to carry a DAP in the few pocket space summer clothes have. This cable changes it!
The Sonata is even better.
@parthabhatta , post your impressions on the Odyssey, please, when you receive it!

 

[parthabhatta]

In fact, this cable didn't improve the sound on your Leagoo smartphone, for your device is simply acting as a transport for digital files. The DAC in the cable does it all!
These kind of solutions really makes you realize the 3.5 jack is not as important to keep in many devices as many people wished. If the price to keep 3.5 jacks is lowering the quality of the physical jack itself to a point its springs wear down and it isn't capable of clipping the male jack satisfactorily, and/or the inboard DAC of the smartphone/tablet/whatever is underpowered and unable to drive even the least demanding of earphones, I don't mind to use a usb-c dongle, or to have this KZ cable around with me.
My Honor 8 is a hell of a device, and I still love it for its design, quality of construction, speed, camera, etc. But its audio abilities, the low quality female 3.5 plug, the unsatisfactory inboard DAC, the absence of FM radio, and even the outdated bluetooth capabilities, makes this a no-go smartphone for those who want to use it as a main audio device. I never bought it with that in mind, but in the summer I was getting tired of having to carry a DAP in the few pocket space summer clothes have. This cable changes it!
The Sonata is even better.
@parthabhatta , post your impressions on the Odyssey, please, when you receive it!

Yeah I understood. My phone is simply acting as transport. This KZ does a stupendous job and as per your experience the Sonata is supposed to do it better. I will definitely post my experience of Odyssey once I receive and use that successfully.
In fact thanks to these cables, i can now choose any moderate USB C type phone instead of running after LG audiocentric mobiles once I decide to replace my LG V20.

 

[Mellowship]

Yeah I understood. My phone is simply acting as transport. This KZ does a stupendous job and as per your experience the Sonata is supposed to do it better. I will definitely post my experience of Odyssey once I receive and use that successfully.
In fact thanks to these cables, i can now choose any moderate USB C type phone instead of running after LG audiocentric mobiles once I decide to replace my LG V20.

Yes! No more dependence on niche audiocentric smartphones! Considering what is coming from Huawei in the next few weeks, the boundaries are being pushed!

 

[loomisjohnson]

spent some more ear time with the zs4--from the standpoint of sound quality, i'm placing them a bit below the zs5/zsr/ed16 on my kz pantheon, altho the zs4 does bass better than the others. i remain impressed with the fit (bested only by the zst) and world-class isolation.

 

[Mellowship]

spent some more ear time with the zs4--from the standpoint of sound quality, i'm placing them a bit below the zs5/zsr/ed16 on my kz pantheon, altho the zs4 does bass better than the others. i remain impressed with the fit (bested only by the zst) and world-class isolation.

For my tastings, I place then below ZS5 and marginally above ZST concerning sound quality. They indeed do bass better then ZST, and just as good as the ZS5, but slightly different as ZS4 have a more present subbass but ZS5 has a better bass imaging.
With foam tips, the treble is just a little less controlled compared to ZS5 v1, a little more splashy, which is not good for the soundstage. With silicone tips, it gets in the way too much.
If they had just a little more resolving midrange (i.e. a little less V-shaped), they would rule!

 

[loomisjohnson]

For my tastings, I place then below ZS5 and marginally above ZST concerning sound quality. They indeed do bass better then ZST, and just as good as the ZS5, but slightly different as ZS4 have a more present subbass but ZS5 has a better bass imaging.
With foam tips, the treble is just a little less controlled compared to ZS5 v1, a little more splashy, which is not good for the soundstage. With silicone tips, it gets in the way too much.
If they had just a little more resolving midrange (i.e. a little less V-shaped), they would rule!

i actually hear the bass on the zs4 as a little more sculpted than that on the zs5, tho i'm otherwise in accord--i'm also struggling to find the correct tips, since as you note neither foams nor stock silicons tame that unruly treble--anyone have suggestions?

 

[hakuzen]

Thanks a lot! Just another little question: could the TRN v80 cable work with the ZS6?
As i have a broken v80 i was thinkin about picking the cable and putting it into my incoming ZS6. It is the same connector? Or is it different?

guess it will work (both 0.75mm 2pins, i think), but haven't tried. anyway, why would yo do that? trn v80 stock cable is as bad or even worse than zs6's. the new cheap trn cable could be an affordable upgrade instead.

 

[Mellowship]

i actually hear the bass on the zs4 as a little more sculpted than that on the zs5, tho i'm otherwise in accord--i'm also struggling to find the correct tips, since as you note neither foams nor stock silicons tame that unruly treble--anyone have suggestions?

You'll just have to roll the dices... I mean, the tips. But if foam doesn't cut it for you...

What I rolled so far, before sticking to medium size T-400 foam tips:
- stock starlines (L): run away. Splashy-splash.
- Sony hybrids (L, light blue bore): lowers the treble but yet without controlling enough. Bloats the bass as it would be expected from Sony hybrids.
- Rock Zyrcon tips (L): love these on the ZS3. The wide bore and the light steeped arch give a sort of airyness to the muffle-natured ZS3 and open the midrange. In the ZS4, splashy-splash.
- old KZ translucent dome tips (L): same as starlines but tend to be less comfortable, more prone to unplug from the ear canal. Soundwise, nothing to write home about.
- Radiopaq Jazz tips (M): they don't have a slit, so they don't hold very well on the nozzle lip. Bass is controlled but does nothing to the treble. Deep insertion. Still splashy
- memory foam faux-comply rubber nozzled T-400 tips (L): same sound as described in the last posts, but the large size, which I usually sport on every other IEM, make these, as well as the ZS3, impossible to fit, as this kind of shell needs to rotate upon inserting. Too much drag.

Maybe the spinfits or the jvc? Can't discuss them, don't have any.

Good luck!

 

[Delta32]

How do the zs4 and zsr compare with regards to sound quality and isolation?

 

[DocHoliday]

Anyone interested in getting an AS10 or ZS6 cheap should listen up.

GearBest flash sale right now until they're gone.

AS10 @ $40
https://m.gearbest.com/earphones/pp_009119292742.html?wid=1433363

KZ Case @ $1
https://m.gearbest.com/headphone-accessories/pp_009510486007.html?wid=1433363

KZ ZS6 @ $35 (black only)
https://m.gearbest.com/earbud-headphones/pp_770863.html?wid=1101231

Better cable @ $7
https://m.gearbest.com/headphone-accessories/pp_009383076703.html?wid=1433363

Pick up KZ's best cheap on GearBest then order your TRN cables on AliExpress @ $10.49 a set. Wait for your stuff to arrive and your golden for $50+/- for an entire set-up (IEM, cable & case).

TRN cables @ $10.49
https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32931...&terminal_id=cbb64a9d5f47470389347423475ddb52

 

[hakuzen]

tempted to try another as10, to check coherence with my unit, which is too midbassy. dunno if it is due to QC, given the reviews i've read/watch lately..

 

[mbwilson111]

tempted to try another as10, to check coherence with my unit, which is too midbassy. dunno if it is due to QC, given the reviews i've read/watch lately..

What tips have you tried?