Today I've received two pairs of IEMs ordered on Gearbest: I've bought them after the many good reviews read here on Head-Fi in relation to their very small price:
- KZ ZS3
- KZ ZS5
Packaging
The first impressions seeing the packages (both identical except for the number of the model) is been more than good: KZ guys certainly want to give the feeling of having in front of your eyes a much higher quality product than the price at which it is sold.
The package is small and stylish; In either case it contains:
- IEMs, of course! And two medium silicone earplugs already installed.
- Intro manual, with tips for proper initial running (5 minutes at medium volume) and technical notes on the use of IEMs and safety.
- Other Two pairs of silicone earplugs, one larger and one smaller than the one already installed.
- Rubber cable, pretty cheap. The ZS3 also features a microphone with attached commands (I would have preferred it not like the ZS5, but when I buy it, there is no option available).
I left an half-hourly each IEM "running" with random music at medium volume and then I tried to compare them with a pair of Apple earbuds (those with the iphone 6s I own).
Source
I used my 4th gen Ipod with 320 kbs mp3 file, no equalization (flat) and no volume limit.
Volume setted: 75-85%
Tracklist
- Some Chopin Nocturnes.
- Sandy Danny - Late November.
- John Frusciante - all "Curtains".
- Explosions in the Sky - It's Natural to Be Afraid, So Long, Lonesome, The Wilderness.
- Godspeed you Black Emperor - The Dead Flag Blues, Moya.
- Interpol - Pioner To The Falls, Obstacle 1, Evil, The New.
- Radiohead - Reckoner, Nude, Let Down, Daydreaming.
- Nick Drake - Pink Moon, Which Will, Northern Sky.
- Billy Holiday - I'm a fool to love you, Fine & mellow.
- Chet Baker - Almost Blue, My Funny Valentine, But Not For Me.
Comparison
The first obvious thing is the enormous isolation difference between KZs and Apple earphones: on the one hand I obviously expected a difference between the two in-ears and the simple earbuds, on the other I had not imagined that it would have changed the listening experience so much.
KZ ZS3
These IEMs are very comfortable from the first time i put them on! Clearly marked on low-mid frequencies (sometimes too much), they give an higher costructional strength than the sister ZS 5 , perhaps cause of the plastic used for the second one that looks cheaper and feels less refined to the touch.
These are the most punchy of all contenders, enter more in the stomach and, with the same volume setted on my Ipod, have much more volume and seem to be more sensitive to dynamics changes during all the song tested (for instance, it's evident in classical Chopin and Instrumentals by Explosions or Godspeed You ..).
Unfortunately, often, the low frequencies are too intrusive and poorly managed, up to knead all the sound.
The scene is very concentrated and, despite the strong presence of bass in the foreground, solo parts or voices are placed fairly in front of the listener (Nick Drake, Sandy Danny, Frusciante).
I think with a proper equalization these IEMs could be really enjoyable and versatile.
KZ ZS5
Slightly less comfortable to my ears than the ZS3, but still comfortable. They are clearly more "Hi-Fi", the most neutral among all three ones. Good Mid frequencies, balanced bass. However, I have found some uncertainty about the highs: it has often happened that more acute sounds (Frusciante's voice on "Your Warning", Paul Banks in "The New" or some more insistent note of Baker's trumpet) were some distorted. They have less volume than the sister ZS3 , but probably with a more capable player than my Ipod, they would definitely do much better!
In general, I found a hair knackered and quite flat, in the worst sense of the term. Little grit, much less sensitive to dynamic changes in the course of the songs respect of the ZS3.
The scene, here, is wider, also because of the greater preponderance of medium and high frequencies.
I have to test them more because, for now, the ZS3 seems to me to be more engaging, exciting in terms of experience and immersion, regardless of the greater amount of bass frequencies.
Apple Ear Buds (iphone 6s)
It's been difficult to compare these earbuds (NOT IN EAR) to KZs: listening volume, great for the ZS3, very good in the case of the ZS5, was often inadequate with the Apple ones to appreciate their quality, immersion and details.
By raising the volume of my ipod to 100% things change significantly: they are no doubt the earphones with more mid-high frequencies, a bit like the ZS5, but tend to be more nasal.
The scene is very wide and I think (perhaps because of the lower volume, I don't know ...) they are the most detailed and defined of all three: the instruments are better distinguished, they hardly confuse with each other; the single notes are more appreciable (especially in the parts with lower dynamics - in crescendo) ... however too little engaging and usable in comparison to the other two, on the go, in noisy and / or crowded places, like trains, flights or subway stations.
Conclusions
To a very preliminary analysis, carried out by a noob just like me, with a poor equipment and files not of the highest quality, the ZS3 wins among the contenders: they are not perfect IEMs, but I paid them less than 10 euro, shipping included, and I think that, with some work on equalization to smooth out a bit low frequencies, could give big satisfactions to their users.
I am convinced, at the same time, that the ZS5 needs higher time of use to fully test their qualities and gives the best with higher quality DAPs and/or external headphones amp.
Ferdi
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