Today, we'll be discussing the KZ Vader, an IEM featuring three 8mm dynamic drivers and a crossover. It includes four switches to customize its sound signature; although the changes are minimal, they are still perceptible. The Vader is packaged in the typical KZ box, accompanied by starline tips and the same silver cable that comes with nearly all of their IEMs, with few exceptions.

The Vader's shell boasts an attractive design, and its construction quality is above average for its price point.
Be aware that this particular model does not have the typically enjoyable KZ house sound that many appreciate, yet it still maintains a respectable quality in its own right.

Bass:
Starting with the lower end, the bass can be described as clean with an almost neutral tone presentation.

When listening to the Vader, the Mid-Bass is more pronounced, while the Sub-Bass remains in the background, offering a subdued rumble that quickly fades away. Overall, the bass is characterized by its precision, superb speed, and control.
Mids:
The midrange on the Vader is transparent and clean, offering a neutral presentation with fine details. There is clear clarity and separation between instruments, yet the vocals lack fullness, coming across as somewhat thin and forward. While male vocals sound adequate, a bit more body and warmth would be beneficial. Female vocals are slightly more pronounced and brighter but not excessively loud or harsh at normal volumes.
Treble:
The highs exhibit a bright and expansive extension, replete with fine details and a sparkling quality. The Vader's highs are energetically executed, displaying well-controlled and almost natural presentation of instruments and effects.

Soundstage ETC:
The soundstage is expansive, though with limited height and depth. It's accurate in placement, which is beneficial for gaming, and it remains intact during busy recordings, unlike some others.


Afterthoughts.
The KZ Vader marks a departure from their usual signature, and while die-hard fans may not appreciate the shift from V-shaped and fun tuning, I believe its unique signature is well-suited to EDM and similar genres of music. It's a neutral-bright IEM with impressive technicalities and details, especially considering its all-dynamic driver configuration.

The packaging is straightforward and informative, which is typical of KZ products. It contains the device, its charging case, and ear tips. It's unclear whether a charging cable is included; mine did not come with one, but it seems to be acceptable. The translucent smoke colored faceplate reveals the internals when exposed to light, which is a cool feature. The overall design is characteristic of KZ IEMs, offering a comfortable fit and excellent isolation.

Currently listening to the KZ Xtra, I'm enjoying the well-balanced bass that has a deep sub-bass rumble without being too dominant. The midrange is warm, showcasing a nicely projected vocal presence. The mids are richer and denser than average, providing a satisfying smoothness. The treble extends naturally and relaxedly, offering sufficient airiness and sparkle, yet it remains smooth and not overly lively. Personally, I would have preferred a bit more treble, but it functions adequately as is.

The ANC effectively cancels out daily life noises, and the call quality is crisp, perfectly suited for everyday tasks. Features like High-Performance mode and passthrough make the XTRA a great value and a convenient tool to carry on trips.

Bass: It delivers a solid Sub-Bass punch; although it's not the quickest, it has a satisfactory decay, and the rumble is less intrusive than others. The Mid-Bass isn't as pronounced but still noticeable.

Midrange: The Mids carry a substantial note weight, allowing for discernment of various instruments in their distinct spaces. They are rich and smooth, exuding warmth and a natural tonality.

Treble: The Treble is laid-back and smooth, with reasonable extension and a natural delivery. Given that this is a single-driver, wireless setup, it performs admirably.

When comparing products, the KZ Xtra distinguishes itself from the TinBuds 1. The TinBuds have a notably more pronounced lower end but do not match the clarity provided by the Xtra. Given their price point of only $55, they compete favorably even with higher-priced TWS options from brands like Beats, Apple, and Samsung.


In conclusion, the KZ XTRA provides a pleasurable listening experience without the necessity for wires, an external DAC, or a dongle. It's a convenient product with a delightful sound signature, making it ideal for workouts and walks.

The TinHiFi Tin-Buds-1 arrive in a simple yet robust box containing the earbuds, their charging case, a charging cable, and three sizes of ear tips. They sport a generic appearance with a tried-and-true design. The isolation and comfort I experienced were satisfactory. The call quality was decent, suitable for most environments, and the connection remained stable without signal loss up to 10 feet from the streaming source. The features are basic, lacking ANC or various modes, offering just a straightforward TWS earbud experience.

Sound:

In brief, the Tin Buds 1 deliver a playful, V-shaped sound profile with a pronounced lower end but little else. The mids are muddled and recessed, which is to be expected. The highs lack excitement, and the sub-bass is overshadowed by the significantly boosted mid-bass. While they are enjoyable, they don't compare to my KZ Xtra. Despite the 13mm drivers made from a composite PU+PEEK material, I anticipated a more balanced performance.

These are for the person who just wants a gym pair of earbuds that are fun I guess they are okay just not my cup of tea.

Product Description
Model:RA05

Dimensions :132*96*38mm

G.W.:120g

Driver:6mm

Cable:5N OFC

Frequeney response range:15-30KHz

Connector:Type-C/3.5mm

SPL Maximum SPL:125dB

Sensitivity:102dB/mW

lmpedance:16Q

Sound insulation:-24dB

Distortion:<1%

The NF RA05 stands out as a unique in-ear monitor, arriving in a beautifully decorated box accompanied by comprehensive documentation. It features a built-in USB-C cable that is not replaceable, equipped with DSP and an inline remote. The RA05 is so compact and lightweight that you could wear these IEMs and honestly forget they're in your ears. The cable quality is acceptable, and although a detachable design would have been preferable, it's reasonable for it to be fixed in this price bracket for the IEM. I appreciate the inclusion of high-quality tips as well.

Sound impressions:
Bass:
While the Sub and Mid Bass are not the focal points, they exhibit power and speed, leaning towards a neutral/balanced profile. This grants the RA05 a controlled, punchy, tight Mid-Bass and a deep, yet quick, roll-off in the Sub-Bass.
Mids:
The midrange delivers an impressive level of clarity with a touch of warmth; the timbre is outstanding, and the vocals possess a pleasing heft and placement. Considering its cost, this IEM's performance in the mids was a delightful surprise.
Treble:
The high frequencies, both lower and upper, are presented neutrally without any undue emphasis. They possess a good level of detail and sparkle, yet they never become harsh. I found that they have sufficient energy and openness to be enjoyable without causing fatigue.
Soundstage:
The soundstage is expansive, offering considerable depth, though perhaps not as extensive as its width. It boasts excellent imaging with well-defined layering and remarkable detail, making it ideal for gaming.

The unboxing offered a premium experience, complete with nicely arranged packaging, although it is exactly the same as everything in the NM / NA series.

Inside, the all-aluminum IEM shone beautifully, accompanied by a quality cable, two sets of ear tips in various sizes for Balanced and Bass types, an adapter, and a case that was aesthetically pleasing, albeit slightly small. The cable was well made and looks similar to the NM cable I have. In my opinion the best cable is from the NM2+

The comfort level was satisfactory, with decent isolation, although this might vary due to the short nozzles. The build quality significantly surpasses its price point.

Sound impressions:

Bass: It offers a balanced profile with a more pronounced Sub-Bass than Mids. The bass sounds natural, is of high quality, clean, and provides a respectable punch characterized by clarity and fine details. The bass is controlled and well-textured.

Mids: They are clear and well-defined, with an emphasis on the upper Mids and almost neutral lower Mids. The details are impressive, offering transparency that I found refreshing and enjoyable on most recordings, despite a few hot spots that did not significantly diminish my enjoyment. Both male and female vocals sounded natural, possessing a robust body and vibrant energy.

Treble: The treble is open and detailed, the sound is devoid of sibilance, featuring well-managed highs and a moderate level of sparkle. There is a nice natural tone to the treble and less heat than the NM2+ in the lower treble.

Soundstage: The soundstage is wide and natural, tapering off into the distance appropriately, with a slight, almost 3D effect. Excellent imaging and separation contribute to an outstanding overall presentation.

Conclusion: This IEM is exceptionally well-crafted and fits comfortably. It is highly detailed and surprisingly enjoyable, even if the mids can be a bit intense at times. Designed for monitoring, it is likely one of the most affordable options in its category. It should appeal to those engaged in professional and critical listening rather than those seeking a casual listening experience with pop music. Hit or miss? I appreciate it for its qualities and find it refreshingly pleasant.

The RG15 fully leverages the Assassin's Creed brand to influence its design. The gold finish, patterns, and insignia are aesthetically appealing and thematically consistent with the setting of Mirage. It stands out in its price range, and this high quality extends to its fit. Despite the luxurious design, the physical shell is quite compact, making it comfortable for extended wear, although the weight may cause a slight tilt without properly sized ear tips.

The RG15 is equipped with a Type-C plug featuring built-in DSP tuning. It utilizes 5N oxygen-free copper wire for superior sound transmission quality. Crafted to enhance your gaming experience, it allows every note and sound effect to provide an enhanced experience when gaming.

The Bass on the RG15 is notably subdued. Unlike other gaming IEMs, you won't experience a bass response rich in texture and body, which may be disappointing. Nevertheless, the bass maintains a notable presence in the mix, subtly enhancing the sound signature. Specific sub-bass frequencies provide a robust foundation for effects. Although it seems quite distinct from the overall sound signature, this clear distinction may be advantageous for gaming. The RG15 still delivers an enjoyable rumble, albeit not as thick as one might expect from gaming earbuds.

Midrange:
The mids on the RG15 are exceptionally transparent, forward, and clear. The effects are detailed, and the separation is well-executed. The vocals are not excessively thin and possess a pleasing timbre. This provides a clear sense of the origins of footsteps and dialogue. However, the mid-treble is less stable, exhibiting some spiciness in some vocals.

The Treble:
The highs on the RG15 possess a considerable amount of sparkle and airiness, delivering very good detail. The effects, such as metal clashing against metal and the overall atmosphere, are presented naturally and effectively.

Soundstage: It is open, offering expansive detail with impressive depth and height. The layering is superb, and the imaging is precise, making it well-suited for gaming.


This IEM is well-crafted, whether for gaming or music listening, its capabilities are impressive. The onboard DSP and DAC make it very convenient for traveling and mobile gaming. I personally appreciate its design, and it performs admirably for RPG games and occasional music sessions.

The Truthear GATE is an affordable IEM that serves as a successor to the previously sold HOLA in their product lineup.
The Gate arrives in a simple box adorned with attractive artwork on the front. Inside, you'll find the Gate, the same cable as the Hola, two types of tips each with a different size bore, available in various sizes, and a pouch. I found the lightweight build of the gate to be comfortable using the medium tips, I experimented with wide and narrow boar tips finding I liked the latter of the bunch. While the transparent faceplate might not be traditionally attractive, I believe it has a certain cool appeal. Considering the cost, the build is decent, and at normal volumes, the isolation is found to be above average.

I evaluated the GATE across a wide range of devices, focusing on portable ones as they would serve well as travel IEM or a good spare. The equipment utilized comprised the Tempotec V6, Hidizs XO, Thruthear Shio, ifi Hip-Dac 3, and Fosi SK02.

My impressions of the sound:

Bass: I found the Bass to be lighter than the Hola, yet it still delivers a very good bass with control, excellent detail, and texture. The Mid-Bass delivers a quick impact, while the Sub-Bass provides a substantial rumble.

Midrange: The midrange delivers outstanding clarity and a nearly neutral performance, with a slight warmth in the lower mids and a subtle brightness in the upper midrange. The vocals possess a transparent quality and, although thinner than the Hola, they maintain a substantial presence in the notes with a pronounced forward position.

Treble: The highs are relaxed and not at all harsh, which makes the upper brightness of the mids less fatiguing and more enjoyable. The treble extends well and is reasonably detailed, although it lacks the energy I would prefer.

Soundstage and technicalities: It is noteworthy that the GATE features a wide yet not as deep stage. Nonetheless, it boasts commendable separation and detail, with imaging that is notably above average in terms of accuracy.

Specification
Driver: 10mm Dynamic Driver
Diaphragm Material: Carbon LCP Dome Composite Ultra-thin PU Diaphragm
Impedance: 28Ω±15%@1kHz
Sensitivity: 122dB/Vrms@1KHz
Total Harmonic Distortion: THD≤1%@1kHz (94dB)
Frequency Response Range: 10-45kHz (IEC61094, Free Field)
Effective Frequency Response Range: 20-20KHz (IEC60318-4, -3dB)



My final thoughts on the New Truthear GATE:

The Gate provides an excellent mix of technical prowess and enjoyment for under $20. With the inclusion of a pouch and cable, it represents great value and would serve well as a beginner IEM or as a spare for travel. Given its sound quality and comfort, it's difficult to find fault at this price point.

Here is my thoughts on this Tangzu X HBB Xuan NV

The Shell is a nice all resin design it is both attractive and comfortable with good isolation for me and they are light.
The tips are unique, and I must say I like them. The cable is not bad quality per say but is a very sticky kind of rubber that catches easily on my clothes and attracts lint, hairs, ETC. it comes with a kind of case pouch thingy like some of the Truethears.


The Xuan NV Sound:

It presents with a neutral-warm signature.
Bass: is punchy and Sub-Bass has a nice rumble and decay. Mid-Bass punches quickly and both are well tectured with excellent control.
Midrange: Mids offer a thick lush presentation with good vocals particularly male but that's not to say female dont sound good as well. vocals have a good potion and clarity this IEM in my opinion leans more towards a U shape tuning.
Treble: The highs offer an almost totally Neutral presentation with good sparkle and air but zero harshness. The highs are smooth and safely tuned so even treble sensitive should find them well tuned. Details are average and the smooth non fatiguing highs are not for treble heads.

Soundstage: The stage is accurate with good placement but less deep than it is wide. While not a technical wounder it does do a decent job for a dual dynamic IEM.

In a nutshell: The neutral-warm signature and relaxing nature of the Xuan NV make a perfect all-around everyday IEM for me I love the enjoyable and fun tone.

Specifications

Model: Kiwi Ears x Crinacle Singolo.
Driver: 11mm custom dynamic driver + KIWI Acoustic Resonance System (KARS).
Frequency response: 20Hz- 20kHz.
Sensitivity: 108dBSPL/mW.
Impedance: 32Ω.
Capsule material: Resin.
Cable length: 1.2 meters.
Connection interface: 0.78mm.
Plug type: 3.5mm SE.



The Kiwi Ears x Crinacle Singolo is another collaboration from Crinacle with his signature sound and an interesting innovative technology the (Kiwi Acoustic Resonance System).
The Medical grade resin is comfortable and despite the short nozzles I found the isolation good as well as the fit. The Singolo comes with the units, a cable and some tips. accessories are sparce and the silver-plated cable is just fine but nothing special. It does have those odd 7Hz style curved horn shaped two pin connectors. The Singolo has a 11mm custom LCP dynamic driver that was made in Japan for them.





Here are my impressions of the Kiwi ears Singolo:

Bass: is the subject of focus here. The 11mm driver and Helmholtz resonator give a clean and deep Bass response with Sub-Bass front and center with good depth and a healthy rumble, Bass in general is well textured and Mid-Bass has a speedy and notable impact but is not the most accurate.

Midrange: While not the most technical the Mids do have a natural tonality and present almost Neutral. There is a little recession in the lower Mids and a mild warmth, upper mids are transparent and neutral for the most part. body and vocal energy are above average.

Treble: The Highs are relaxed with a decent but lackluster amount of energy and sparkle, there is enough air and details but ultimately it is a smooth and relaxed extension.

Soundstage: Is decently Wide with less depth and good imaging and separation. this is not a technical IEM but it does good enough here.

Equipment Used:
I use a large variety of devices but mostly I used the Fosi SK02, Burson Funk, Tempotech V6, Pixel 8 pro, Pixel 7, the Questyle M15, ifi GoBar, Diablo-2 and Gryphon for most of this.

My final thoughts:
I like the enjoyable signature of the Singolo for Jazz and K-pop music, not that it didn't work on rock and Pop, but I think there are others in the price range that do a better job. that said the Bass is fantastic on these. I think they would be a good travel companion.

The KiwiEars Allegro is a simple and budget friendly Dongle-dac with a cool gamepad design. It is made well out of aluminum and has built in volume controls. I would have liked if the game controls worked some features, but they are just for show. The accessories are bare minimal. The included cable is however made well.
The Allegro utilizes the ES9028Q2M DAC chip, and it offers both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs, with High-resolution audio support: to handle PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD up to DSD256.


Sound opinion:
The Allegro is neutral dongle with good soundstage and details overall. Bass, Midrange, and Treble are all presented well and without elevation. It has low noise and drives sensitive IEM without hissing.
The Dongle is not the most powerful for sure but was able to drive my full-sized headphones to a comfortable level but defiantly not to their potential.



The KiwiEars Allegro is a good dongle for under $70, it may not have a lush signature, but it is true to the original recording and has respectable details.

The GO Bar Kensei is a portable DAC (digital-to-analog converter) it is designed to offer more power and clarity when compared to the stock output. My thanks for ifi lending a review unit.

Design and Build Quality:
The GO Bar Kensei is meticulously crafted, akin to a legendary sword forged for a Kensei (Kensei (Japanese: 剣聖, sometimes rendered in English as Kensai, Ken Sai, Kensei, or Kenshei) is a Japanese honorary title given to a warrior of legendary skill in swordsmanship. The literal translation of kensei is "sword saint".)

The Kensei is the heaviest dongle and size wise it's one of the biggest I've used but it's not unmanageable.
The GO Bar Kensei is the first Dongle-DAC to feature the renowned K2HD technology. K2HD enhances audio quality significantly and is a game changer in my opinion.
Power Supply and Clock Circuitry: Improved power supply and clock circuitry contribute to superior sonic performance. The Kensei surpasses the original GO Bar in audio quality, thanks to an enhanced clock and a more powerful 477mW power supply.
The GoBar Kensei offers a range of filters to tailor the sound to your preference giving the dongle a wide range of customization with features like IEMatch, Xbass, and Xspace. The price of this Dongle is high when compared to the competition like the original or the questyle M15

Sound opinions:
The ifi GoBar Kensei is a large improvement over the OG and many of its competitors. It has a big sound, everything I put on it sounds better, larger, and clearer.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a high-quality, portable DAC that delivers exceptional sound, and features the iFi Audio GO Bar Kensei is worth considering. It's made extremely well, sounds amazing and the only cons are the weight and cost.

Specifications:
Impedance: 25-28 Ω
Sensitivity: 108±3dB
Frequency: 20-40000Hz

In the Box
ZS10 Pro 2 IEM
Silver-plated copper cable
Metal witch tool.
1* pair of foam eartips
38 pairs of silicone eartips

The KZ ZS10 Pro 2 is the fourth-generation variant of the long-running ZS10 series. It features a 1DD+4BA hybrid driver configuration and comes with four tuning switches. Here are some key points from various reviews:

Design:
The shell design of the ZS10 Pro 2 is similar to its predecessor, the OG ZS10 Pro. It retains the aluminum faceplates with crisscross slits and a see-through resin housing, the four tuning switches on each earpiece allows for customization with a minor increase and decrease in Bass. Inside the small box is very simple accessories and the typical KZ cable and tips.

Sound impressions:
The new ZS10 is different from previous models that leaned toward a traditional V-shaped sound signature, the ZS10 Pro 2 is a more balanced and mature tuning.

Bass: Bass is well controlled and deep without stepping on the other frequencies, there is no bloat.
Mids: The midrange presents forward but not in your face vocals with good focus. Both Male and Female are well defined but, on some recordings, there is a little recession in the midrange in general.
Treble: The Highs are decently detailed with good air and without harshness or sibilance at normal volumes.
Overall, it provides an engaging sound across genres from EDM to jazz1.

The KZ ZS10 Pro 2 delivers energetic, engaging sound with very good technical performance for the cost.
It features impactful bass, energetic treble, wide staging, and above average detail separation for a budget hybrid In Ear.
In summary, the KZ ZS10 Pro 2 offers excellent value for its price, its a good choice for a fun and engaging IEM that is not too expensive or harsh.

Tigerism Octave in-ear monitors (IEMs). These IEMs are part of the exciting new brand called Tigerism, which specializes in high-fidelity audio gear. Here are the key features of the Tigerism Octave:

The Octave features a 10mm dynamic driver that delivers clarity in every note. Whether you’re listening to music or enjoying other audio content, this driver aims to provide an exciting and detailed sound experience.
The Octave has a very smooth mid-range with good separation and clarity. This means vocals and instruments in this frequency range should sound natural and pleasant. The Midrange isn't overly thick or thin, perhaps they are just right with the upper Mids being bright and minor warmth in the lower.
Despite being naturally detailed, the highs of the Octave are relaxed but with good energy. This suggests that it won’t be overly bright or fatiguing, making it suitable for extended listening sessions at normal volumes.
Build quality is superb as the shell is made from anodized aluminum, the Octave is both lightweight and durable. It weighs just 6 grams (0.21 ounces), providing a comfortable wearing experience without compromising on durability and good looks. The included accessories are not plentiful but of good quality.
Soundstage and technicalities are slightly above average but good none the less. Placement is accurate and a non-congested wide field make it enjoyable.

The Octave is a unique looking IEM with a combination of details and control making a good everyday IEM with style.

The Rose Technics QuietSea is a IEM that has a excellent build quality, its accessories are good, but more tips would have been appreciated. The box was simple and contained the basic information. Inside one finds the QuietSea , a nice cloth square case, a set of tips in various sizes and the thick twisted braid on the cloth cable that looks amazing.
The unit is made of magnesium with some resin.



Sound Characteristics:

The QuietSea offers a relaxing and warm sound with a balanced tuning.
Its treble is smooth and laid-back, contributing to a very pleasant and relaxing listening experience.
The midrange is warm, coherent, and has good layering with very good note weight.
Bass is warm and fuller sounding. The Mid-Bass is the focus here with good impact and texture, Sub-Bass is there but further in the background, it is more of a neutral presentation compared to the Mid-Bass.
The technical performance is only slightly above average, with soundstage being decently wide and average placement.

In summary: the Rose Technics QuietSea offers a warmish relaxed and satisfying sound that most audio enthusiasts will appreciate. Whether you're enjoying rock or classical, the sea offers an enjoyable listening session without harshness.

The Quiet Sea with EPZ Q1 pro: the sea is more relaxed and mid-bass focused while the Q1 pro is more fun and sub-bass elevated. Both offer a good price to performance and are much different in presentation. Equipment used the ifi Diablo-2 , GoBar Kensei, questyle M15 and Tempotec V6

The Letshuoer Cadenza 4 is an intriguing set of hybrid in-ear monitors (IEMs). Let’s dive into its specifications and features:

Price: The Cadenza 4 is priced at $229.
Design and Unboxing Experience:
The unboxing experience is classy, reminiscent of the more expensive S15 model.
The earphones come in a multi-level box with a magnetic clasp.
Inside, you’ll find a plastic travel case, a high-quality cable (made of high-purity silver-plated monocrystalline copper), and various eartips.
The earphones themselves are made of 3D printed resin with a CNC-milled aluminum faceplate, finished in a matte texture.
The design ensures a comfortable fit for the average human ear.
Sound Quality:
The Cadenza 4 aims for a non-reference / non-offensive sound with a deep but balanced sub-bass rumble, tame neutral Mid-Bass and smoothly detailed highs with a fair extension. The Midrange is unique as it has a forward but centered placement and while not the most detailed it has a very neat response with a thinner than average note weight but still has a nice warm and rich sound I find pleasant.
Soundstage is slightly above average in size and has decent but average imaging.
It uses a four-driver array for its frequency response.
Drivers:
10mm beryllium-coated dynamic driver (DD): Provides natural sound and spacious low-frequency reproduction.
1 Sonion balanced armature (BA): Contributes to the overall sound signature.
2 Knowles balanced armatures (BA): Enhance clarity and detail2.

In summary, the Letshuoer Cadenza 4 offers an enjoyable and safe sound quality, with very good accessories at a reasonably accessible price point, making it a strong contender in its category as it is a safe tuned IEM that goes well with multiple genres of music.

Gear used for the review are the ifi Diablo-2 and ifi Gobar Kensei , the Surfans F28, and Tempotec V6

The QKZ-HBB Hades comes in a very cool graffiti style box, inside is the Hades, a little white plastic case, a cable, a set of tips and a commemorative medallion. The build is good a soft resin with a wavy resin faceplate that changes from blue to tan depending on the light, it's a nice-looking set for sure. I found them very comfortable. Good isolation and good looks round of the qualities of the shell design. The tips and cable are adequate and nothing too special about them.

Sound impressions: The QKZ Hades is a bass centered IEM warm thick Bass extends outward with an almost stereo Sub kind of feeling to it. Sub-Bass is warm and there is bleed into the midrange but for Bass lovers it's a really fun set.
The Mids are as expected recessed. Midrange and treble are more towards a balanced tunning. Mids practically the lower are thick and warm but not overly so. they still are very nice and pleasant with male vocals sounding full.
Treble has enough sparkle and details but could have more energy.
Soundstage is decent it's not the most detailed and open but fits well in the fun mix of the hades, it's not intimate there is some width there it's just so much bass here technicalities sit in the back seat.
Overall, the QKZ-HBB Hades is super fun with Pop ,Hip-hop, Rock and Kpop and any bass driven music. I wouldn't recommend metal with this though.

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐬
Model:KZ Symphony
Impedance:18Ω
Sensitivity:95dB
Frequency:20-40000Hz
Plug type:3,5mm
Pin type:0.75mm
Cable type:Silver-plated cable
Cable length:120±5cm

The new KZ Symphony is an in-ear monitor consisting of a 13.2mm Planar Driver + 6mm Dynamic. It is on the larger size and may not fit all ears well, that said it was not a problem for me. I found it reasonably comfortable, and isolation was decent. Build quality is good as expected of the Black box flagships from KZ. I do wish they included one of their better cables instead of the classic silver dual one that basically is in every box. I really liked the one that came with the ZAR. Look wise the Symphony is very modern looking with its angled grill. The smoked resin back allowing you to see the planar in a certain light. Included in the box is the typical cable and tips.



Sound wise:
The Symphony is a decent performer with Bass and mids are of course recessed, the vocals are clear and have sufficient weight and details but are far from focused upon this area and treble hits and rolls off quickly. there is a wide soundstage with good placement and air. This is by far not the worst IEM i have heard but I rally was hoping for them to level-up from the amazing Rhapsody. Instead, what we got is an IEM that has a fun signature that for casual listening is fine. Many will of course not like the midrange because its lacking. It also should be noted that this is a fickle IEM and on certain sources it sounds much better than others and fuller and less scooped. on the Gryphon it was much more enjoyable than on the M15 dongle. its not a power thing because it doesn't need much power. I think there will be a split between those that hate it and those that will enjoy its non-serious nature.
All and all its not as bad as many have said, it's fun and can be enjoyable with certain types of music. I personally like the D-Fi better.

https://www.kztws.com/products/cca-trio-legendary-3dd-iem




Specs:
Impedance: 15-20 ohms
sensitivity: 101-103dB
20-40kHz
3.5mm
0.75mm QDC two pin
Silver plated cable 120cm

Equipment used to test:
ifi Diablo-2 , ifi Gryphon, TempoTec V6, Questyle M15, Hidizs S9 pro +, Fosi DS1, Simgot DEW4X, ETC.


Packaging:
The CCA Trio came in pretty Lunar New Years wrapping paper.
Inside was the simple box that we are used to from KZ products. Documentation was excellent.
Inside is the unit, their standard silver-plated cable, foam tips and Starline tips in three sizes.
Contruction:
The Trio is made well the body is on the chunkier side like the rhapsody, made from resin and with a nice-looking metal faceplate. I found them comfortable, but I can't say they will fit smaller ears well. I switched from the default foam tips to the medium Starline as I like them better myself. Isolation was very good and above average for its price. The Trio uses three 8mm legendary dynamic drivers with two being housed inside a black holder and one near to the nozzle. It has 4 switches that mildly change the bass and mids but it's not as noticeable as other models.

Sound Impressions:
The Bass: The Bass on the Trio is not as deep as others from the company but has a good, controlled impact, there is a nice rumble when called upon but is by no way a Bass-head IEM, I found the Sub-Bass less prominent than the Mid-Bass that had a nice slam with good speed and more than adequate texture. Bass in general is well balanced and natural sounding.
The Midrange: The Mids present nicely, there is a mild warmth and texture to them. The vocals both male and female are forward and smooth with no shouty or peaky spikes. I found them pleasant, and they had good clarity and decent separation. While not as technical as the Rhapsody the Mids here sound very pleasant to the ear.
The Treble: The Highs on the Trio are excellent on various levels of enjoyability. They are extended to a safe level, have a mile sparkle and air to their presentation and are not peaky at all. while not the most details they do sound organic and open.
Soundstage: The Trio has a nice open sound to it while not huge its big and organic sounding, placement is very good and defiantly could work for casual gaming.

In Conclusion:
I like the Trio, its made well looks very good and has a natural and pleasant, and without harshness, U-shaped signature, it is not as technical as the Rhapsody and yet sounds amazing. I think KZ/CCA are heading in a good direction with their latest creations and the Trio is a enjoyable well-balanced IEM.

Technical Details
DAC Chip: Dual CS43198
Decoding specifications:
- PCM: 384 kHz/32 bit
- DSD: Dop 128/Native 256
Body material: Aluminum alloy sandblasting oxidation black
Interchangeable Line Design: YES
Cable material: High quality OFC wrapped shielding layer
Connector: Type-c
Output plug: 3.5mm, 4.4mm



The Simgot DEW4X is a successor to the DEW line of dongles not very well known by Simgot. The package is silver and shiny with good documentation on it. Inside is a manual, cable and A- to- C adapter. controls are simple two buttons on the side control volume, high and low gain and gaming mode.

Build quality is superb, it's made entirely of aluminum and so small, making it easy to fit in your IEM case. I like the large easy to see and feel buttons.


Performance:
The DEW4X performs quite well, a fine almost Neutral performance with good dynamics and resolution. The dongle has a little warmth and excellent details throughout. Volume is a noticeable upgrade as well as better clarity and the DEW4X has good staging too.
This sounds very good to me, and it's become one of my favorites.

Lets talk about the "improved" zero. The new Zero two comes in a simple box, inside is a new designed cable, its much thinner than the original the connector says salnotes while the little round logo on the splitter says 7hz, the two-pin connector has a weird bend to it but it doesn't hinder performance or comfort. It's the same look wise as the OG, the shape is an angled shape resembling a marshmallow peep to me. plastic is thick with a large seam being shown, look wise it's not impressive at all and ugly in my opinion. Still it seems to be made okay for the cost.

Performance:
The lower end on the Zero2 is well emphasized with both the sub and mid being prominent. Bass is warm and thick with just okay speed and control. This is not the worst Bass, but it is not the best I've heard, and I honestly think while the quantity went up the quality went down. Bass is enjoyable for casual listening though.
The Midrange has decent weight and okay separation, surprisingly male vocals are just okay while female vocals sounded more energetic. Positioning of the vocals are good with female being more forward but not shouty at all.
The treble is more safely tuned and while it is enjoyable it could really use more energy.
The Soundstage is tight and while it has average imaging it can fall apart with busy recordings.

Afterthoughts:
The ZERO2 is a pleasant and affordable Harman like tunning with nothing to boring and a safe tunning it is sure to be a hit with everyone but that said I'm not too impressed. I think it's good but I much rather like the EW400 better.