CCA CSN

INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER:​

The CCA CSN is a hybrid in-ear monitor (IEM) using a 10mm dynamic driver and a 30095-pattern balanced armature in each housing. The CSN was provided to me by the Hifivo storefront on Amazon, where it is currently available for just under $22.

SOURCES:​

I evaluated the CCA CSN with the Hidizs S9 and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to.

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES:​

The CCA CSN comes in a small rectangular white box. The box pictures the CSN on the front and provides CCA’s contact information and technical specifications for the CSN on the back. Inside the box are the IEMs, a detachable .75mm 2-pin cable, 3 pairs of silicone eartips (S, M, L), a user manual, and a warranty card. The CSN does not come with a carry bag or case.

BUILD QUALITY AND DESIGN:​

The CCA CSN has clear acrylic housings with metal faceplates. The housings have a pseudo-custom fit. The faceplate has a small vertical mesh slit on the bottom corner, but covering this vent does not appear to impact the sound of the IEM. There is a single pinprick-shaped vent on the inner housing face above the dynamic driver. The metal nozzles have small lips for securing eartips.

The included 2-pin cable is typical of a KZ-type IEM, which is to say it is tangle-prone and infuriating to use. The cable uses QDC-style extruded connectors. “L” and “R” indicators are faintly embossed on the 2-pin connectors, but the connectors must be held up to a light source to see which connector goes to which channel. The cable has chunky rubber hardware at the Y-split and 3.5 mm jack with substantial strain relief. The cable has pre-formed earguides without memory wire. There is no chin adjustment slider.

COMFORT, FIT, AND ISOLATION:​

The CCA CSN is intended to be worn cable up. The CSN is relatively comfortable but the nozzle angle is not ideal for my ears. Your experience may differ. I did not experience driver flex with the CSN. Isolation is slightly above average.

MEASUREMENTS:​

Measurements of the CCA CSN can be found on my expanding squig.link database:

CCA CSN — Squiglink by Bedrock Reviews

My measurements are conducted with a Dayton iMM-6 microphone using a vinyl tubing coupler and a calibrated USB sound interface. The measurements use a compensation file derived from relating my raw measurements to published measurements from Crinacle and Antdroid. There is a resonant peak at 8k. Measurements above 10 kHz are not reliable.

SOUND:​

The CCA CSN has a U-shaped sound signature. It has a moderate mid-bass hump, a recessed lower midrange, a robust amount of pinna gain followed by a presence peak, an energetic but controlled lower treble region, and limited upper treble extension.

The CSN’s bass response is surprisingly resolving, with good speed and articulation. Bass texture is also impressive for the price. There is satisfying low-end impact and little in the way of mid-bass bleed, but note weight is on the lighter side more often than not. Sub-bass extension is average.

The CSN has a cool midrange with a dry, faintly metallic timbre. Midrange clarity is somewhat poor, and vocal intelligibility is lacking. Male vocals sound muffled, as do female vocals to some extent. The midrange as a whole lacks warmth and body. The presence region peak does not introduce harshness so much as it introduces distortion. The midrange shot through with grain, which combines poorly with distorted electric guitars, which sound like buzzsaws.

The CSN has an energetic treble region with a moderate amount of sparkle but little air. The treble is well-controlled overall and is not harsh to my ears. Detail retrieval is adequate for a $20–30 IEM. Soundstage width is limited but instrument separation is very good. Imaging is average.

SOURCE PAIRING:​

The CCA CSN is very easy to drive. I did not notice hiss during my listening.

CLOSING WORDS:​

The CCA CSN is a modern KZ-style budget hybrid, for better or worse. With more coherently tuned competitors like the Tanchjim Tanya and Moondrop Quarks available at lower price points, I don’t think this kind of IEM has much appeal to anyone looking for mature sound.

The CCA CSN can be purchased below:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Z8G2314/

If you enjoyed this review, please consider checking out my blog at: https://medium.com/bedrock-reviews/

Cca csn




Good value

Great isolation and comfort

Good build, decent cable

Bass is deep slow and powerful

Mid bass has punch

Upper mids slightly elevated

Clean and clear mids and vocals

Slight V shape with neutral upper treble

Good details for the price range safe tuning

fun to listen to

Slightly above neutral lower treble +1 but airy and safe with good detail

Soundstage is wide and natural

One of the better low cost hybrids especially for treble sensitive

1dd and 1ba

2 pin detach cable

Spc

Let me start by saying these bring back memories of the good old ZST and ZSN from years past and while they are more refined than the other two there is some nostalgia with a low budget IEM that performs so well .

The box is typical CCA as are the cable and tips , not bad just average for its price. The build is lightweight and looks like the DQ6 but is very different, inside the CSN contains a 10mm dual magnetic dynamic and Customized 30095 balanced armature.
The CSN not to be confused with the IEM of the same name from CVJ is very pretty in its looks with zinc backplate and blue resin body , I found the color quite eye catching. Comfort for me was just fine and I could use them without issue.

Sound:

We will start from the bottom
BASS: Bass was powerful but a little slow compared to my new favorite CCS CKX but that is much more expensive, the Deepness and power are well defined on the CSN and while Mid-Bass is more pronounced the Sub-Bass stull has a good amount of bite to it. It does color the Mids with some bleed into them on heavy Bass songs but is far from muddy .

MIDS: The Mids are clear and forward placing instruments in front of the Bass and vocals as well this all but negated the mild recession with most Vshaped IEMs, Surprisingly upper Mids came off brighter than I expected as the lower Mids had warmth this really stood out to me and I liked what I heard.

HIGHS: Treble was open and airy with a great amount of details and some well done sparkle, the treble was tuned just north of a polite tuning and harshness was not heard even on some poor recordings.

Soundstage:
The soundstage was natural and kind of medium in its Width, Depth and Hight and above average in my opinion, it had far better than average imaging in this price range but its not a detail giant.

Conclusion:
The CCA CSN is another good value in an already very crowded segment, but does provide details and clarity with some slamming base, overall this is a balanced IEM with Mids Bass lift and an enjoyable safe signature.





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