Introduction​

BLON, a lesser-known Chinese company recognized primarily for their BL-03 IEM, has teamed up with the renowned IEM reviewer on YouTube, Hawaii Bad Boy (HBB). HBB has been collaborating with various brands at a prolific rate and shows no signs of slowing down. In addition to the BLON collaboration mentioned earlier, he has also partnered with KZ to develop the KZ PR2 IEM, which I have in my possession and will be reviewing soon. HBB's collaboration projects seem to be coming out left and right, and he is definitely on a roll.




If you're not interested in reading the entire review, let me sum up by saying that the Z300 IEMs are, in my opinion, one of the best options in terms of both sound quality and aesthetics at their price point; I personally feel that they can even compete with some IEMs that are priced at around $100. The exterior design is impressive, featuring a beautiful and heavy Zinc alloy construction with an 18K gold-plated dragon motif on the face plate that looks exquisite. While I view the weight of the Zinc alloy as a positive attribute that adds sturdiness to the overall build and does not cause me any discomfort or fit issues, it's important to note that those with smaller ears may experience a different outcome - if you don't get a good seal, these IEMs may fall out frequently.

Information​

Driver setup: 1 Dynamic Driver (DD)
Price: US$35.00
Connection: TFZ/NX7 0.78mm 2-pin
In Box:

• BLON X HBB Z300 IEM
• Copper 4 core braided cable with 3.5mm straight termination
• Cloth pouch
• 3x normal-bore white silicon tips
• 3x normal-bore black silicon tips
• Warranty card

Comfort and Fit: Fits well, no discomfort over long durations. Average isolation.
Tips used: Spinfit W1 (M); I recommend wide-bore tips for the Z300.
Source: Ifi Zen DAC v2, Tempotec E44

Case: You get a cloth pouch with the Z300. While I don't hate it, obviously it is not particularly impressive either. It is portable but not very protective. However, the sturdy exterior Zinc alloy construction of the IEMs may make up for the lack of protection offered by the pouch.



Cable: The cable is of excellent quality and feels really good in the hands. Despite their low price point of $35, they surpass the quality of many cables that come with IEMs that are priced above $300. The cable has a nice weight to it and is flexible without having any kinks. The quality of the cable is truly impressive, especially given its low price point. I am grateful that I don't have to spend a lot of time searching for a replacement cable with this unique pin connection. The only downside is the chin slider being a bit tight and hard to move but at least it feels secure.


Packaging & accessories: Packaging is minimalistic and meets the expectations of a typical IEM unboxing. It's not fancy, but it does come with two sets of ear tips and the excellent cable that I mentioned earlier.

Sound​

Squig​

Bass​

The bass on the Z300 IEMs is brilliant and has a physicality that can be felt. The bass has excellent extension and a linear decline into the mids. The sub bass has a strong rumble, while the mid bass has an impactful and speedy punch that is just enough to satisfy some bass heads. The Z300 easily outperforms many other more expensive IEMs in the lower frequencies with its authoritative yet controlled bass, while also delivering great texture and depth. The only downside is that there is some noticeable bass bleed, which can overshadow the rest of the frequencies and I foresee some people getting fatigued by the bass over long durations of listening.

Mids​

The midrange on the Z300 is average, offering quite clear and resolving instrumentals. Despite the mids being somewhat thick, it can sound awkward at times. The lower midrange instruments can sometimes be overshadowed and veiled by the powerful bass while the upper midrange is lackluster. Vocals were uncoloured with male vocals having more breath than female vocals due to the presence of the lower midrange but left female vocals sounding more evil than innocent. Overall, the midrange lacks the necessary sense of structure for it to be enjoyable for some mid-centric listeners, particularly myself and has a dark and wet presentation that can either be a hit or a miss for some. Overall, these IEMs may not be the best choice for those who value vocal quality and midrange clarity.

Treble​

Treble has a decent extension and air, it never sounded fatiguing to my ears because of how timid the lower treble is. As an individual who is treble sensitive, despite me appreciating the non-fatiguing treble, I felt that it lacked a bit of sparkle that could enhance the overall musical presentation. I perceived some very minimal sibilance, but I had to make a conscious effort to detect it. Overall, the treble is decent, but not outstanding and these are definitely not for treble heads. The treble are definitely not the main focus of this IEM, rather a complementary element to the powerful bass.

Technicalities​

The Z300's imaging, layering, and soundstage are subpar, resulting in a sound that feels cluttered and centered - everything just feels mashed and served to you. The IEM's main focus seems to be on flexibility rather than catering to a specific niche, as evidenced by the common and safe tuning. While it isn't particularly analytical, the Z300 performs slightly better than average when it comes to detail retrieval, allowing for the discernment of certain micro details within tracks. Additionally, the IEM has excellent timbre, with all of the instrumentals sounding very natural.

Personal​

As someone who values midrange and listens to punk rock, I find the Z300 IEMs to be a great fit for my music library. They have a dark warm V-shaped siganture that is versatile enough to work well with many modern genres like pop and hip hop. These IEMs are fun and deliver great tonality, especially for casual listeners and teenagers who enjoy bass and may be more sensitive to higher frequencies. For the price of $35, they offer impressive performance and are sure to end up in many school bags and on desktop setups. However, if you are an analytical listener, these may not be the best choice for you and you may want to save your money for something more suitable to your preferences or treat yourself to a nice meal. Despite the objectively low grading that the Z300 may receive by me, I personally find them to be excellent and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a budget-friendly and enjoyable listening experience.

Test Tracks​

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Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood​

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Hallelujah - Pentatonix​

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High Hopes - Kodaline​

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Everything Has Changed - Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran​

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Here to Stay - State Champs​

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Gee - Girls' Generation​

Conclusion​

I highly recommend the BLON Z300 for those who seek an affordable, yet enjoyable listening experience with a dark and bassy signature. You will definitely appreciate this set if that's your preferred sound profile. With the exception of the relaxed upper midrange and lower treble, there are no major flaws to speak of, making these a wise choice for anyone seeking an affordable option with excellent tonality, especially younger listeners who may appreciate the emphasis on bass and sensitivity in higher frequencies. However, if you're a more analytical listener or a treble head, these may not be the best choice for you. On the outside, the BLON Z300 features a fantastic cable and beautiful shells that are sure to turn heads. While the included case/pouch could be improved, this is easily remedied with a $5 aliexpress/taobao case. Overall, the BLON Z300 has become one of my favorite budget earphone sets, and I'm impressed with what BLON and HBB have accomplished with this set. I hope that BLON will continue to produce high-quality products in the future, as their IEMs seem to have fallen out of the spotlight recently.

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Introduction​

TangZu has a tradition of naming their IEMs after notable figures from ancient China, with a particular emphasis on the Tang Dynasty. Previous names have included Shimin Li, Wu Zetian, and Li Yuan, and now the latest addition to the lineup is the Wan'er IEM, which is named after the renowned Tang Dynasty poet and princess, 上官婉兒, Shàngguān Wǎn'ér.


I think the Wan'er is a wonderful name to call this IEM since Wan'er was an author of literature. The Wan'er IEM shares Wan'er's expressive spirit by delivering rich, immersive sound that captivates the listener's senses, much like the way her poetic verses probably captivated the reader's imagination.



TangZu has opted to use plastic as the material for Wan'er, which may not provide the most premium sensation, but it does offer an aesthetic appeal. The choice of plastic allows for the dynamic driver to be visible, adding an element of intrigue and interest to the design. Additionally, the faceplate design is both attractive and artistic, contributing to the overall appeal of Wan'er. Between the available color options of black and white, I find the white ones to be more visually appealing. Some retailers are even offering both colors in a single pair, one on each side. Additionally, TangZu seems to be capitalizing on the popularity of Wan'er by planning to release a green version with an upgraded cable in the near future.

Information​

Driver setup: 1 Dynamic Driver (DD)
Price: US$19.00
Connection: QDC 0.78mm 2-pin
In Box:

• TangZu Wan'er S.G IEM
• White 4 core braided cable with 3.5mm straight termination
• 3x narrow-bore black silicon tips
• 4x wide-bore white silicon tips
• Cleaning cloth

Comfort and Fit: Good fit with decent isolation - no discomfort after long sessions.
Tips used: Spinfit CP145 (M)
Source: Ifi Zen DAC v2, Tempotec E44

Case: There is no case, enjoy a picture of the Wan'er instead.


Cable: The cable is nothing special, it tends to tangle easily and develop creases over time. It is however very light and braided well. Reminds me of KZ cables.


Packaging & accessories: Despite its price of $20, the IEM comes with an impressive packaging that includes a cleaning cloth and two different sets of ear tips: wide bore tips that provide enhanced treble energy and soundstage, or narrow bore tips that emphasize bass but narrow the soundstage. The packaging is beautifully presented, featuring a stunning box cover art that adds to the overall appeal of the Wan'er.

Sound​

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Bass​

Definitely not for bass-heads, the bass here feels very daring yet fragile - shallow rumbling and punches but lacks control. The Wan'er has a focus on the mid bass more that works well enough to give the whole presentation a dark energy. However, it lacks the technicalities that brings life to tracks, and I partly believe its due to the physical ability of the dynamic driver not being able to handle the tuning that TangZu has given it. While there is some texturing and bass bleed present, it is not the worst in this price range. Nonetheless, for a $20 set, the Wan'er offers a unique and daring approach to bass compared to other IEMs, and TangZu deserves credit for pushing boundaries and delivering a product that stands out in its price bracket.

Mids​

The mids on the Wan'er IEM are close to meeting my personal preference, with sufficient thickness to satisfy my needs. Although they are slightly recessed, they never feel missing, and the mid-bass emphasis contributes to a weighty note presentation. The upper mids are also pleasant, being slightly forward without becoming overly pronounced or overwhelming. Both male and female vocals are similarly powerful, providing enough energy and clarity to make tracks sound lush.

Treble​

As someone who is sensitive to overly bright treble, I am happy to report that the Wan'er IEM does not suffer from excessive brightness. However, I find the higher frequencies to be lacking in density and somewhat unbalanced with the lower frequencies. While some individuals may find the treble acceptable and sufficient, I personally feel that it lacks extension and air. Nevertheless, given the affordable price of only $20, it's hard to complain about these minor shortcomings. Overall, I find the Wan'er to be laid back and well-suited for those who are not treble enthusiasts, and they work well enough for my own preferences.

Technicalities​

The Wan'er IEM offers a decent amount of details and imaging, but its soundstage is somewhat narrow. Nonetheless, the overall presentation is warm and captivating. TangZu has clearly pushed the limits of a dynamic driver, and this effort shows in the daring tonality. However, there are some trade-offs in terms of technical aspects. Despite this, I believe that the Wan'er is definitely worth the investment, given its exceptional price-to-performance ratio.

Personal​

In conclusion, I would highly recommend the Wan'er IEMs to anyone on a tight budget or simply looking for an affordable set of earphones. These IEMs offer a wonderful mild V-shaped tuning at a very reasonable price, and they are well built too. They offer a fun and enjoyable sound without being annoying or fatiguing in any way. As someone who listens casually, I find these earphones to be amazing, and I believe that they will be a hit among casual listeners as well. Kudos to TangZu for creating such a fantastic product; I like these earphones even more than the 7Hz Zero, which has a more neutral tuning.

Test Tracks​

Background instrumentals seem faint while Justin and Khalid's voice comes in with sufficient heft and clarity. Bass punches and rumbles well in this track, but at times it overpowers the higher frequencies, resulting in an imbalance in the overall tonality. Generally well replayed but there is an imbalance here in terms of tonality.

Unholy (feat. Kim Petras) - Sam Smith, Kim Petras​

The bass is strong and deep, providing a powerful rumble. The vocals of both Sam Smith and Kim Petras are clear and forceful, and even the background cow bell can be distinctly heard. Apart from the lack of details, the track is reproduced without any notable flaws.




The Wan'er offers an overall pleasant replay with WeiBird's vocals delivering an emotional impact. The instrumentals exhibit impressive separation, complementing the vocals well. The track maintains a smooth sound due to the lack of a bass. However, the limited resolution leaves something to be desired.




The Wan'er performs well even in busy tracks without sounding cluttered or thin. However, the overall reproduction lacked a certain "fun" factor and the vocals were somewhat drowned out by the background instruments. Nonetheless, the playback was still decent overall.





This song is free from the piercing or fatiguing sounds that are common on brighter IEMs. The tonal balance is well-executed with no significant flaws. In fact, I found the replay of this song on the Wan'er to be particularly enjoyable, likely due to its darker treble signature.





The Wan'er performs well with my preferred genre. Although there is some noticeable mid-bass bleed, the bass is impactful, and the instrumentals have enough energy. The vocals still feel distant and lack technicalities. Overall, the Wan'er executes this song wonderfully.

Conclusion​

There are no major criticisms to be made about the TangZu Wan'er S.G, especially considering their price of just $20! If you're in the market for a fun and budget-friendly set of earphones, these are a fantastic option. With an eye-catching design and warm tonality, they are sure to be a hit among casual listeners, being a decently fun IEM. It's fitting that they're named after a Chinese poet, as they truly capture the essence of her name.

Introduction​

By the time of writing, you should have known about this 300 units limited edition monster of an IEM. If you still don't, let me do you the honours by introducing you to this beauty, the Dunu X Z Reviews SA6 Ultra. Dunu has collaborated with youtube audiophile enthusiast - Z Reviews to make a limited run of a retuned (original) Dunu SA6. With all the hype that the original Dunu SA6 boasted previously, this retuned version (will call it the SA6 ultra from now onwards) had gained much attention, with Dunu managing to sell all of its 300 units in 2-3 days, which was no surprise to anyone including myself. Luckily for me, I managed to snag a pair of the SA6 Ultra on the second day of release, grabbing the 243rd set.

As you can tell from the images taken by yours truly, mine came with the blue faceplates on both sides as requested (although I kind of wished I had gotten the "Both Red" option instead).

Information​

Driver setup: 6 Balanced Armature (BA)
Price: US$599.99
Connection: 0.78mm 2-pin
In Box:

• Blue "DUNU" carrying case
• DUNU SA6 Ultra IEMs
• DUNU Hulk Pro mini modular cable + 2.5mm, 3.5mm, 4.4mm L-shaped interchangeable head
• 4x DUNU blue silicon tips
• 3x DUNU white silicon tips
• 4x DUNU S&S tips
• 3x Dekoni foam tips
• 3.5mm-6.35mm adaptor
• Cleaning brush (weird since lacking in nozzle grill)
• Certificate and a manual

Comfort and Fit: Fits well, not painful over long sessions and great isolation
Tips used: Spinfit CP100 (M)
Source: Ifi Zen DAC v2, Tempotec E44

Case: Fits in one hand completely, made out of leather. Zip keeps getting caught on the inner sleeve and a bit stiff. Gets a 7/10 from me for the case.


Cable: The included DUNU Hulk Pro Mini cable is really nice, feels light, strong and durable. My only nitpick would be the L-shaped termination as I prefer straight termination, but other than that, no complains. Gets a 9/10 from me for the cable.


Packaging & accessories: Despite the underwhelming unboxing experience, I highly rate the packaging of the SA6 Ultra - small, compact and filled with a bunch of tips (14 tips!), I am spoilt for choices but I will be sticking true to my roots by going back to the spinfits as always. Not only that, its small carbon footprint packaging gets a green thumbs up from me. They even included a 3.5mm-6.35mm adaptor. Gets a 10/10 from me. Good job DUNU!

Sound​

Bass​

Bass is the category that the SA6 Ultra does not compete well in. Having an all BA configuration, there will not be the punch, slam or rumble that you might want if you are a basshead or someone who prefers a bit more bass. However, the texture and cleanliness of the bass is well executed by the SA6 Ultra. As you know, the SA6 Ultra also has a switch to increase the bass region by +1-2db when in the "ON" position. In my opinion, the switch hardly made any difference, making the bass frequency of the SA6 Ultra a bit louder and more boomy. For me to even feel somewhat satisfied, I had to turn on the "TRUEBASS" on the ifi zen dac v2 and turn the switch to the "ON" position. Only then did I start to experience the rumble on certain tracks.

Mids​

Mids are so well done on the SA6 Ultra having a little warmth to its presentation. Any track that I listen to is just so captivating and immersive, though it does sound a TINY bit artificial at times. Instrumentals just bring so much liveliness and makes me feel passionate about playing instruments again. Vocals are well presented on both male and female, being forward, rich and detailed without sounding harsh or peaky. Just absolutely amazing.

Treble​

The highs are also full of quality. Airy, detailed, and just pure effortless. No weird peaks. No harshness. No sibilance. Everything is well represented and it is not fatiguing compared to something like the Sennheiser IE600 or LetShuoer S12.

Technicalities​

Nothing exceptional but nothing poorly done. Everything is above average from soundstage, imaging, details and dynamics. Just overall really well done. If I were to pick an attribute that stood out, detail retrieval would probably be the one that shines when listening to the SA6 Ultra. This can be both a pro and a con however, as poorly recorded and mixed songs are torn apart by the SA6 Ultra, making them very obvious.

Personal​

I pick up the SA6 Ultra when I am looking for something quiet, when I want to play some background music while studying, or when I am feeling emotional (ahem, Taylor Swift). Subjectively, with a neutral and not so fun presentation, I don't see myself picking the SA6 Ultra as often as I'd like. Objectively, these are really well tuned and executed. Again, well done DUNU! I look forward to listening to more IEMs from you guys in the future.

Test Tracks​

At 0:48 to the end of the song, when Justin or Khalid starts singing with the thumping bass, it does feel a bit lacking and I wish there was more punch and authority in the bass. However, Justin's and Khalid's harmonious voice comes out cleanly and the instrumental sounds well represented.





Everything comes off very cleanly except for the bass, again, it lacks the strength to give this song the impact it was intended to have. Billie's vocals are really smooth and clear though.






The piano, the flute, the harp, the cello, the violin, EVERYTHING is just so well replayed. Well mixed and it just makes me want to cry. Makes me feel like playing this song on the piano now...



Again, just a very clean replay. Immersive and cohesive. I just want to cry...Oops, I cried. The SA6 Ultra just excels in acoustic, soft, and calm music and it just brings life to them. Yes, I am Chinese, let me just listen to my Chinese songs.



Honestly thought that this IEM would not have played this song well, but here it comes to surprise me again. Male vocals come off so cleanly, the scream at 0:35 is just so well done. Chorus doesn't sound messy despite having so much going on.



The SA6 Ultra didn't execute this song very well. Generally, I would dance to this fun and groovy song but due to the lack of power that the bass has, it really doesn't allow this song to shine with its amazing bassline throughout the track.

Conclusion​

Is this the best IEM that $600 can buy? Well, it is definitely up there in its price bracket, facing against IEMs like the Sennheiser IE600s, Xenns Mangird Top and Moondrop Variations. Despite being not the most fun or exciting IEM, with its focus on a neutral, detailed tuning, it really allows acoustic, quiet songs to shine. However, poorly recorded songs or fun songs generally become dull and misinterpreted. However, this is a must try or must buy (if you get the chance). For me, it will definitely stay relevant in my collection for a long time for sure.