Knowledge Zenith (KZ) VXS

General Information

VXS__12.jpg

  • Brand Name: KZ
  • Style: In-ear
  • Vocalism Principle: Dynamic
  • Origin: CN(Origin)
  • Active Noise-Cancellation: Yes
  • Control Button: Yes
  • Communication: wireless
  • Volume Control: Yes
  • Certification: CE
  • Number Of Drivers: 2
  • Model Number: KZ VXS
  • Support Memory Card: No
  • Waterproof: No
  • Wireless Type: bluetooth
  • Package List: Charging case
  • Codecs: Apt-X
  • Driver Diameter: 10mm
  • Is wireless: Yes
  • Bluetooth Version: Other
  • Support APP: No
  • Function: For Internet Bar,Monitor Headphone,for Video Game,Common Headphone,For Mobile Phone,HiFi Headphone,Sport,Kids' Headphones,For Hearing Aid
  • With Microphone: Yes
  • Features: With Microphone,Active Noice Cancelling
  • Bluetooth version: 5.2

Latest reviews

XerusKun

100+ Head-Fier
KZ VXS: Atypical Masterclass Tuning
Pros: Clean yet Thumpy Bass Response
Smooth and Analog Sounding
Good Treble Extension
Well weighted Instrument Fundamentals
Wide Soundstage with Good Depth
Subwoofer like Bass Response
Non Fatiguing
----
Good Battery Life (can last about 4 days with case)
Excellent Connectivity
APTX Adaptive
Low Audio Delay with High Performance Mode
Cons: Boxy Vocals in Some Tracks
Mediocre Technicalities
Foggy Imaging
----
So-so Build Quality
Top Glass of the Case very easy to scratch
Very touchy touch panel
Standard KZ Packaging
Lack of any app support
Hello, how are you doing? Are you curious about this TWS, are you having a hard time deciding if it's the right TWS for you, or maybe you want more opinion about the VXS? Maybe my review can help you? What do you think?

VXS Pic.png

Disclaimer…
  • First, I’d like to thank KZ-san for providing me with a review unit of VXS. I am not obliged to say or biasly promote this IEM, statements written in this review are within my own experience and enjoyment with the VXS and nothing else.
  • Please and oh please read other reviews of the VXS, and consider this blob of text as another reference to solidify your splurging decisions.
  • YOUR MILEAGE WILL ALWAYS VARY, HOWEVER IF YOU ARE LISTENING TO A LIBRARY LIKE MINE. CHANCES ARE YOU MIGHT ALSO HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE AS ME.
Unlike my IEM reviews, I will not only talk about the sound in this review but also the features that the VXS can offer. Build quality, battery life and other features like gaming mode will be analyzed. This will be a long-ish review so buckle up.

I mostly listen to this artists/group of artists, arranged from frequently to least played:
ShibayanRecords, Mitsukiyo, Nagi Yanagi, Yorushika, Kenshi Yonezu, Yoasobi, Ito Kashitaro, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Sawano Hiroyuki, ChouCho, Weaver, Turnover, The Script and Hoyo-Mix.

I also love to listen to symphonic tracks or tracks with relaxing/magical/nostalgic vibe to it.
If you want to listen to my daily playlist just go to this link: XerusKun Music Recommendations
My target sound signature is Aster Hypocrisy as shown in the graph below. I hate IEMs that does not exhibit downward sloping upper treble or has a peak around 12kHz (e.g CRA, EDXU, SalZero, Chu) as it makes the overall soundscape artificial sounding and also forces harmonics even if I don’t want it. V-shaped or U-shaped will also work as long as there are sufficient technicalities. Congestion, bass bloat, glassiness and muddiness are a big no for me. Lastly, I value musicality/tonality over technicalities (I fudging hate IEMs that forces me to critically listen every single time I use it, looking at SalZero and EDXU)


Don’t want to read this full review? Here’s the TLDR
Non Audio Shorts:

VXS has an average build quality, it's all plastic like all other cheap TWS. Battery life is fantastic and the buds alone can play music up to 2-3 hrs, the case can extend the life of the buds by around 2 days. Connectivity is also flawless and I didn't encounter any issues with my almost 2 months of usage of them. The connection also remains stable within 10 m of distance, that bluetooth 5.0 really did the thing to stabilize the connection. Gaming mode or low latency mode is also fantastic. There is still a bit of delay compared to wired but the delay with the gunshots with FPS games is almost unnoticeable, I can also hear the footsteps quite clearly.
Audio Shorts:
I'm speechless really, the tuning isn't KZ at all. The sound is soft, analogish, extended and thumpy. It is really addicting the longer I listen to it. The bass is really good, I might even say that it's better than their recent IEM releases (Lyra, ESX, EDA Bal). It's clean and has proper slam and rumble while making the lower midrange spotless and free of any bloat. Midrange is also safe and there's no aggressiveness to all vocals, it's just lush and smooth, though a bit boxy in some tracks. The treble also avoids harshness while having proper extension making the harmonics of all instruments easily audible. Soundstage too is wider than average with good depth. Detail retrieval, resolution and layering however are mediocre.

If KZ can do this tuning but with better drivers, they literally have an endgame material here ready to fight the big guns.

What equipment did I use to listen to the VXS?
  • A Generic Android Phone (Samsung Galaxy Note 9 to be exact)
  • Stock Tips
  • Yeap that's it.
Build and Accessories
  • The case is okay, good build, good snap, and dense enough to feel premium. However the glass that shows the TWS is too easy to scratch, like I literally just put the case on my bag and it already has 3 major scratches… it’s making me regret removing the protective plastic layer out of the box. If you decide to buy them don’t remove the plastic protector.
  • Just my one cents, I think the VXS will look better without the glass, like making it all black like their old TWS. Not gonna lie the case looks like an IEM funeral..haha
  • The TWS itself is dense enough however it has this plasticky feel to them specially the touch panel. The material though makes the VXS lightweight and easy to wear for a long period of time, almost like I’m not wearing anything at all.
  • For people who are worried that VXS may fall in their cases, don’t worry, the magnet is very strong.I tried shaking them rigorously and the case didn’t open at all. The TWS is also easy to position in their cases due to the strong magnets.
  • Mediocre accessories, like KZ please just provide proper packaging with your current releases, like we are tired of this white box with nothing but the product itself, atleast make some effort here..the tips are generic as it can be and the inclusions are nothing special.
Battery Life
The table below shows my 1 week usage of them.
Day
Usage (hours)
Battery Life after Usage
Case Battery Indicator
1​
5​
4%​
Green​
2​
4​
10%​
Yellow​
3​
3.5​
25%​
Red​
4 (Charged)​
6​
0%​
Green​
5​
2​
53%​
Yellow​
6​
3​
30%​
Yellow​
7​
2​
49%​
Red​

The VXS with case can last me 4 days of average use, with almost 3-4 hrs of use per day. The standby battery life of the VXS is amazing really, after my week of testing I left them uncharged for 1 week and when I tried it, the case still has battery left to it (in red status), crazy..haha..Really reminds me of their T10 headphones and it's effortless 1 week battery life.

Gaming/Low Latency Mode

  • To activate low latency mode, the touch panel needs to be tapped three times, wait until it says that you are in high performance mode.
  • There’s a bit of delay in some games, for example Genshin Impact, combat voice lines are actually a bit delayed (maybe around 1-2 ms of delay) but tolerable in most parts. With FPS like ROS, the gunshots are actually audible and within a short time interval, but you can encounter a bit of delay when the gunshots are far away from you.
Bluetooth Connectivity
  • The connection is still stable around 10 m, with walls and other objects blocking its way. Farther than that VXS starts to disconnect but returns as soon as I get near the 10 m zone.
  • The connection is also free of any hiccups or jitter.
Ease of Use
  • The charging port is USB-C so yeah, modern ports for the win.
  • You can pause, skip or turn off the TWS using the dual ridges on the shell of the VXS. One tap to pause the music, two taps to skip, three taps to activate high performance mode, hold to turn on or off.
  • The touch panel is touchy, like my music starts to pause just with a light touch, like I always accidentally skips to the next track just by holding the TWS with my hand. I think this can be improved by implementing a physical button instead, not that it's bad, the touch panel is responsive (too responsive I might say), it's just that it's kinda annoying to use sometimes since you need to make sure that you're not touching the face plate in any way.
  • Again, like the KZ T10, this TWS is lacking app support, other players in the TWS market already included an app with their TWS. I think having an app makes this more enticing to common folks. Having an app also makes this TWS more EQ friendly and power user friendly. Flexibility is always a good thing isn’t it?
  • There should be no issues with comfort when using VXS, it's pretty light in the ears and I didn’t experience any physical fatigue when wearing them. The tips are also comfortable and soft, but tip rolling is somehow hard since you can’t use aftermarket tips like Kbear07 (TWS specialized eartips are okay though), since the TWS cannot be inserted properly in the case.
  • APTX support, yess, it's the adaptive version too. No jitters and I can’t detect audio degradation when using the VXS. More on the sound later..
Let us talk about the sound..
Thy Frequency Spectrum


VXS Axis.png

Bass: Fun, Clean and Spotless
The best part of this IEM, its thumpy and punchy yet remains tight and fast. There’s literally no bloat in the lower midrange, I can feel the rumble and slam but the lower mids remain flat and uncolored. It feels like there’s a separated subwoofer everytime the bass on most of my track kicks in. The bass has this huge presence, it sounds like it will overtake the midrange and treble but instead immediately glides subduing itself avoiding bloat and giving space to lower pitched vocals. The drum kicks feel very impactful, I can feel them not just hear them, bass guitar riffs are easy to catch, same with drums sticking. I really adore the bass response on these…I must even say that VXS has the best bass response I heard from KZ so far, overtaking the ESX. There’s also audible textures and definition with the bass but not on the level of RS1.

If I have to really nitpick here, the bass is not properly layered like the RS1 or AS16 Pro. Which is I think justifiable since this is just a one composite DD.

Hey KZ-san !
“Didn’t expect this bass response on a TWS, amazing job really, please can you apply this bass response to your upcoming hybrids.”

Regards,

One of the people who wants to see you improve..

Midrange: Smooth-ish Reverie
Lush and analog, a bit recessed but doesn’t sound bloated or muddy at all, male vocals sounded accurate, while female vocals lack a bit of energy. However the lack of energy really helps with hours of fatigue free listening. Actually there’s a bit of specific lushness with female vocals like the EDA Bal with VXS, I can actually feel the emotion when listening to my Nagi Yanagi tracks (entirely opposite of SalZero if you have them). There’s some tracks where female vocals are a bit boxy but that usually happens when the singer is hitting the high notes, otherwise it's pretty likeable and lush in most of my tracks. Instrument fundamentals are also properly weighted kinda like the Lyra but a bit leaner due to the subdued midbass.

Treble: Harshless Extension
Can’t find any cons in the treble really, KZ did a really nice job of removing harshness and retaining treble air. Harmonics and overtones are well represented in all of my tracks, there’s no missing info like what I experienced with Shimin Li. I didn’t also hear any bluntness when guitars, pianos and violins were playing (except for very complex tracks); they are actually rendered quite well. The treble response also enabled me to listen to the VXS for 4 hours straight..haha..if you think that VXS has the KZ edge, think again.. This is entirely a different treble approach by KZ. As I said earlier this isn’t a typical KZ tuned IEM, this is actually very reminiscent of some analog sounding IEMs like Heart Mirror.

Staging VXS.png

Technicalities (Resolution, Soundstage, Staging, Coherency)
  • Soundstage is wider than average, yeap wider than EDA Balanced and ESX, but it's lacking in the height department.
  • Staging is alright, very good for slow tracks, in some complex tracks however, the position of instruments are hard to track. Bass is also placed at the left and right side instead of at the back of my head.
  • Resolution is subpar, I think Lyra has better resolution when compared. Micro-nuances are most of the time hard to catch even with the excellent tuning.
  • Detail retrieval is also average at best, layering is non-existent; it feels like there’s a fog in each instrument, they are not transparent as I prefer them to be.
  • Driver speed is average, congestion occurs with very complex tracks, specially the bass starts to lose its tightness and control.
  • Coherency is excellent, of course it's a single DD…haha.. But what I wanted to point out here is how the bass remains connected to the rest of the spectrum even if it has a harman like bass-shelf. The transition of bass-mids-treble is very smooth and very hard to fault.
FR-kun Time!

VXS Graph.png

Music Analysis
While writing this section, I am listening thoroughly to the tracks that are mentioned, there will be sometimes where I will say coped statements and will be too lazy to explain anything.

1. Light Prayer by Nagi Yanagi
Plain amazing with VXS, that drums maan so thumpy yet clean at the same time. I can also follow the bass riffs and drums sticking without any effort at all. The fundamentals of guitars, cymbals and bass guitars are properly represented as well, the said instruments aren’t muffled at all even with the thumpy bass response. The sound stage also has this studio feel similar to CCA Lyra but with bass properly separated on the soundstage. Nagi's voice is a bit boxy and lacking the sparkle but it has this lushness that I kept on coming back, its kinda addicting to be honest, this track has been on repeat for days due to that..haha
Replay Rating: Excellent

2. Eironeia by mamenoi feat Nagi Yanagi
Surprisingly, the soundstage here is wider than my RS1, Nagi’s voice at the start feels very emotive and spot on. The atmospheric isn’t that impactful or immersive like the Lyra, but the separation of instruments makes up for it. Moreover the bass drop at 1:44 arghh, so clean and textured I really adore this bass response. Almost all the bass drop of this track makes my ears go into -gasm mode with VXS, just beautiful man, nothing to say really. It isn’t that detailed like my IEMs but man that specialty with the bass just keeps pulling me in.haha
Replay Rating: Excellent

3. Paprika by Kenshi Yonezu
The immersion of this track with the VXS is unreal man, the bass drops, Kenshi voice, the atmospherics swaying back and forth around my headspace, the wide soundscape..so good. The chorus literally flexes..ahemm..I mean highlights how the bass rumbles and slams while the instruments remain clean and tranparent in the background. The replay of this track is more mesmerizing to me than the EDA Balanced and Lyra, just pure enjoyment here.
Replay Rating: Beautiful

4. Growing Up by Macklemore feat Ed Sheeran
Full on studio sound here we go..Macklemore voice is lush and well articulated here. The drums sticking and guitars in the background are just replayed in harmony while there’s tasteful slam and rumble teasing my ears. I would like more energy with Ed Sheeran voice in the chorus, but how the VXS renders this track is just full on studio sound..haha..? helpmm.
Replay Rating: Beautiful

Comparison
This comparative analysis is highly biased on my library, so please don’t take this as a unified guide on what should you buy or not. :)
VXS vs EDA Balanced
VXS has a more satisfying bass shelf, an enjoyable organic and fatigue free sound, wider soundstage. EDA Balanced sounds more energetic, digitalish, detailed and has better sparkly female vocals. VXS wins for me, sorry EDA Bal Cult.

VXS vs Lyra (Modded)
VXS and Lyra actually have the same analog/studio-ish approach to sound with VXS secretly holding this specialty with bass response. VXS wins..but I still adore how the Lyra sounds, especially if I want more details with my music, but for pure enjoyment I’ll take the VXS anytime.

VXS vs Heart Mirror
Heart Mirror has more details, sounds airier, spacious, bass shy. VXS flexes its bass response while retaining the quality of its midrange and treble, while also having this spacious approach to music. Sorry Heart Mirror simps but I’ll give the win to VXS, I need the bass man, my library needs it.

VXS vs RS1 (Modded)
No contest..haha..RS1 takes the VXS formula, twists it, flexes it back and forth, until the presence of VXS disappears. RS1 has better resolution, staging, bass response, vocals, treble, sounds more realistic. VXS only wins here is the bass shelf (I really love that bass shelf) but all in all areas RS1 takes the win.

Eartips Rolling
I don't actually have a proper TWS eartips to try with the VXS, and all eartips that I have is incomptable with the case..soo yeah stock eartips will do the job.

Equalization
Equalize this IEM? No no no..hahaha..this is KZ peak tuning no need to adjust anything.

Recommend Tracks/Genres
All tracks except Classical and Very Complex Tracks

Non-affliated Shop Links:
https://www.kztws.com/products/kz-vxs

Overall Rating
S- (Yes S- just below the RS1, this is peak KZ tuning, changed my mind.)
Highly Recommended~~
(Whenever I make my coworkers try this IEM they are always saying "is this 8D music?", "the bass is so separated" haha..)

My Ranking Listo!
Asterhythmist

Final Words
This took me over 2 months to review due to how good they are I just can't remove them in my ears, really. And even if I already have a very technically capable RS1, I'm still seeking for that VXS tuning, that's how good it is. Call me a shill, but this is legit amazing, I just hope that KZ can apply this to their hybrids.

Suggestions for the Next Releases
  • App Support
  • More understated look, the case looks better without the glass part in my opinion.
  • Maybe apply the tuning in a Hybrid?
  • Make the feel more premium, the case more snappier.
  • KZ-san you already have an excellent tuning here, just improve the tech a bit more.
Last edited:
AmericanSpirit
AmericanSpirit
Wow, very nice detailed review, KZ-kun will be proud. Good to know VKX supports aptX adaptive, I was considering trying some KZ’s latest TWS as their SKS was one of good hit from them. Great review! I like yanagi-nagi, yorushika’s suis, dazbee’s crystal clear voice as well, this review helps.

Ceeluh7

500+ Head-Fier
KZ VXS (TWS) Big, Bold & Fun
Pros: -Sound Quality for a budget True Wireless
-Clean & Clear presentation (for a tws)
-Smooth & Relaxed tuning
-Big & controlled low end (for a tws)
-Male Vocals
-Decent extension up top
-Nice looking case/iems
-Low impedance mode
-Gaming / Movies are great (Gaming mode)
-Passive noise isolation
Cons: -Lacks shimmer in female vocals (1-3K dip)
-Mid-range a bit recessed (subjective)
-Instrument Separation
-Bass can drown out other areas
-Battery Life is only 5 hours at best
-No volume controls
-Case is a bit bulky
-Lacks features
-Phone Calls could be better (serviceable)
-Tiny Nozzle (for tip-swapping)
-No App
KZ VXS Review




Full Review: https://mobileaudiophile.com/kz-vxs/
20220912_183344.jpg



KZ VSX ($55)


I’ll just get this out of the way before I dig deep into this review. I am a fan of anything which can replay my music. Many of our buddies in the hobby raise their noses at the thought of true wireless earphones. I hear it often and it is a worthy judgment. However, I have noticed, the audio is getting better as the tech evolves. True Wireless is obviously not at the level of their wired counterparts, as a whole. Though there are some standout TWS iems out there.


I have owned too many TWS to count at this point. I’ve seen most of the best TWS iems and have seen some of the worst. I’ve watched the tech grow from damn near unlistenable to where we are today… taking on even our wired versions of iems. I’m not laughing either. We’ve come a long way. Of course, there are still drawbacks in fidelity like raw dynamic expression and extension or soundstage in general etc. For me personally, I will always place my greatest interests in the wired side of the hobby, but I enjoy TWS quite a lot as well, obviously when out-n-about this style of listening makes the most sense. Of course, if you are reading this then you likely have an inclination towards this ultra-convenient technology as well. Let’s take a look at KZ’s newest set of TWS iems… the “KZ VSX”.



First off, I’d like to thank KZ for sending this unit out for a fair and honest review. It’s good to see companies trusting their product. I hate that I even have to say this, but I have to. I’ll always share exactly my thoughts no matter what and I say what I hear and nothing more. That said, receiving the VXS from KZ was very generous and I appreciate it tremendously.


KZ had created quite a few tws iems at this point and by all metrics they seem to be getting better. Let’s jump into this review so I can share my thoughts on a special budget tws iem.
Full Review: https://mobileaudiophile.com/kz-vxs/
20220911_131702.jpg


Sources
-Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus
-Samsung Galaxy Z-Fold 4
Ibasso DX240
-IPad 2018

p

20220918_095026.jpg
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ with the KZ VXS
Later Comparisons
Soundpeats Mini ProTribit Flybuds C1Soundpeats H1AKG N-400NC

Notes: Real quick I want to mention that I did not use EQ at all for the review. I listen mainly on my Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ using Apt-x. I use UAPP on bit perfect as my audio player on Android. Or I use Poweramp without EQ. BTW, Poweramp is my ultimate recommendation for listening to Bluetooth (not for wired), it is just better, louder, more dynamic. Uapp simply has my entire library at the moment. I also tip-rolled using some Cambridge Melomania Touch Ear-tips as they are very firm and very shallow and can fit in the VXS Case well.

20220911_124544.jpg

Packaging/Accessories​

The packaging and accessories are very bare boned with the VXS. For $55 I wouldn’t really expect very much. In the mail I received a small white box with a clear plastic circle on top so I could see the case and earbuds within. Inside the box I got three pairs of ear-tips and a USB Type-C small cord. Not much going on as far as accessories but that’s okay.

20220912_185852.jpg
20220912_183521.jpg
20220912_190059.jpg
20220912_185941-1.jpg
20220912_190033.jpg
KZ VXS Packaging

KZ VXS Driver Configuration

The KZ VXS is a Single Dynamic Driver TWS iem which sports a very impressive sound. It is a 10mm customized Composite Molecular Diaphragm Single Dynamic to be exact. I’m not quite sure if this Driver has been used by KZ in the past but it has a great sound to it and replays the entire spectrum very nicely.

kz-vxs-s2-01.webp
kz-vxs-s3-01.webp
kz-vxs-s7-01.webp

Look

The VXS have a very “IEM’ish” type look… which I totally dig. We are beginning to see this more often of late. The VXS have a similar shape to the KZ ZAS or DQ6 for example. They are quite big but also very ergonomic and hug my ear perfectly. I like that KZ added the logo, as well as some raised lines on the Faceplate to add texture for touch controls. Somehow it helps in tapping the correct area, so you are not getting any ghost taps. Anyways, the look is slick and the way they sit in my ear doesn’t protrude like I’m freaking Frankenstein or something. They are well designed aesthetically.

Case

As for the case, I am not really a fan of the bulky style. You’ll see in my pictures that it is a bit larger and not as pocket friendly as most TWS iem cases. I do like the look of the case a lot, however. I love that you can see the buds chilling through the clear plastic. Still, I don’t really like it for the simple reason that it is just a hair too large. I still bring it out with me, but I’d like it if it were a bit smaller.

20220911_124711.jpg
20220911_124544-1.jpg
20220911_124726.jpg

Features

SOC Chip

The KZ VXS features Bluetooth 5.2 using Qualcomm’s QCC3040 chip. There are many chips within the wireless world and this one is nice as it supports Apt-X, AAC as well as SBC audio codecs. Obviously Apt-X is the way to go here with its 320 KBS. Apt-X audio codec supports 16- or 24-bit audio with sampling rates up to 48Khz. If you are an IOS user (Apple), the AAC transmission is actually very nice on this set as well. I briefly used an iPad 2018 to test out the AAC and everything sounded great.

Battery Life

Battery life on the VXS is less than desirable. Especially when considering that these batteries have a shelf life. You will most likely begin to see some deterioration/degradation of the batteries within 2 years. This set is rated at around 5 hrs. Kz also says that you can achieve 25 hours in total using the case. Depending on what volume you listen at, or if you use low latency mode, or full power mode (High Gain) the battery will dip a bit. If using any of those modes, I’d expect closer to 3.5-4 hrs.

Granted, I don’t know how many people will jam out that long and not put the earbuds back in their case. I’ve owned roughly one hundred tws and I’ve never needed any more than that. That said, this is low. This is 2022!! Listen, I can live with 5 hours but I’m not happy about it. That’s not just low, that’s low-low. Anyways, I haven’t run the battery down yet, so I guess it doesn’t affect me that bad. However, sets like the Edifier Tws1 Pro for example can get 13 hours on a charge and cost $10 less. This is one example of about 50 in the top of my head right now which achieve better results. That said, the 25 hours using the case is pretty nice to have.

High Gain

Tap the left earbud three times and what you get is called “Full Power Mode” or in other words… High Gain. Using this does bring battery life down a bit but there is a very audible bump in dynamics and stage. It sounds as though all areas of the spectrum just get a bump. If anyone owns the KZ AZ09 Pro, then you may know what I mean as it is similar to that bump in power. It is a nice feature with only very few tws sporting it. One other was the Nura Nuratrue. Of course, that costs around $200.

20220912_185527.jpg

Latency

Another feature which is very useful is the “Gaming Mode” or low latency mode… same thing. KZ says the VXS can go as low as 40ms of latency using this mode. FYI, the human eye can’t see 40ms and I haven’t noticed any lip-syncing issues during my usage. Again, at the expense of battery life you can enjoy fantastic latency. I can’t spot any lag at all while watching movies or shows. Whether it’s on YouTube using 1080p HD videos or watching Netflix there is no lag. One other note…even without this mode I can’t spot a difference for videos. Apt-X is known for great latency and this set is no different.

How about for gaming?

As far as gaming goes, so long as you are playing more casual games and as long as everything isn’t too crazy you will not experience lag. Obviously, Gaming will be best suited with the “Gaming Mode” turned on. Doing so will help tremendously for latency in your gaming session. There is the slightest delay at times in first person shooter games, but I could see how one could play for a while and not be bothered by it. It isn’t all the time either. I do notice it at times though, so it has to be mentioned. I will say this though, not many TWS can keep up with huge 1st person shooter games like Call of Duty types.

Other Notable Features

A couple other features worth mentioning is CVC noise reduction for use in phone calls. I have to admit that I didn’t think that phones calls were that great on the VXS. They are usable and serviceable but just not crystal clear. CVC noise reduction is supposed to attenuate outside noises and center in on the phone call. Truly though, every tws on earth (I’m kind of joking) has this feature, however some implement it better than others. In fact, some specialize in this feature. Not KZ on this set.

KZ states that you can go about 15 meters between the earbuds and the device before loss of transmission. I have a few floors to my house, and I can go from the upstairs to my basement… almost. Honestly though for the most part I always have my phone on me, so this isn’t ever really a problem.


Long press for 2 seconds to activate your phones digital assistant. I’ve never used this really except when driving but… it’s there. I know that this is a must for many people who are used to using their digital assistant.

Where’s the App KZ?

This next one is a lack of a notable feature. Unfortunately, KZ did not create an app for this set. I love an app to firmware upgrade, EQ to the buds themselves, change button layout etc. So that would have been great. Many other tws which cost less have an app. Not a deal breaker but still it would have been cool to see.

20220911_124827.jpg

Button Layout / Controls

The Tap controls have pretty much everything you need. Play/pause, last track and skip, digital assistant, high gain and gaming mode. These are all from the buds themselves. There is a big “BUT” coming though… But… what absolutely stinks is the fact that KZ chose to leave out volume controls. So, all volume will have to be performed on your device. Not the worst thing but it’s something I always desire in a TWS.

The controls are sensitive and react pretty well to taps on the Faceplate. A few times I’ve had to re-think where I am tapping but the raised lines on the Faceplate do help to hit the mark of the touch sensor. No real issue with controls as they are very reactive and normally interpret my touches correctly.

20220912_185538.jpg

Sound Impressions

The VXS have a clean warmth to them which took me back a bit. I’ve had other KZ models along with a plethora of other TWS over the years and I gotta say… this set competes with the best in the price point… without the shadow of a doubt. In fact, I will confidently go a step further and state that the VXS compete with sets in higher price points fairly easily. Only with other V-shaped TWS iems though.

Like I said, I hear a V-shaped sound with an emphasis in the low-end and in the treble area. The Midrange is nice as there is a recession, but it isn’t too drastic. The mid-bass seems to take its dive before it too harshly effects the Mids. The treble has good extension for a TWS at this price as well. All in all, this is a warm replay with some air to it (for a TWS). It isn’t cramped and congested too badly and really does well against the competition.

The VXS are Loud!

One more observation, these are some of the loudest TWS that I’ve ever tried. This is normally a huge gripe for me. I get very irritated when TWS iems have a very low volume. I want headroom and headroom is what you get here. Especially in high gain, yet even without using high gain they are still some of the loudest I’ve tested. Also, the sound doesn’t distort like most TWS iems at higher volumes. Granted I never took them to 100%. I applaud KZ for not skimping on volume level, well done!

20220912_183318.jpg

Bass

Sub-Bass

The sub-bass is pretty darn deep. Yet not deep like most mass produced tws. I hear actual texture and the transient response here is actually quicker than it is slow, with a nice atmospheric decay for a thicker bass region. The sound can get pretty guttural and can really give good haptic feedback in this region. “Paradigm” by The Head & the Heart is always one of my go-to deep bass tracks because the bass line begins instantly, which is great for testing. Anyways, the bass reaches almost eyeball tickling levels while remaining tight enough and not becoming flabby.

Mid-Bass

The Mid-bass slams. Simple as that. It hits hard and with very good impact. There is also texture and tactile imagery when listening on this set. There isn’t any hollow or pillowy bass here. KZ knows what they are doing when tuning a tws set. Give it some bass. However, a lot of bass doesn’t have to mean sloppy bass. Also, I don’t hear too much encroachment into the midrange. No bloat or too much coloration of the lower midrange. I haven’t looked at the frequency graph, but this is a nice tuning.

Bass as a whole

This is the type of bass is what I like, especially when working, or out at the store, working out etc. It’s warm, it’s tight enough and it has good enough texture. I am writing this in the mindset of TWS here people. I guess we should all temper our expectations. That said, for a TWS the bass is dynamic and not overkill. That’s a huge plus. It’s just enough and you may even want to EQ the mid-bass down a couple DBs. Not the most articulate of bass regions but for a $57 tws iem the bass is very nice. If there is a gripe at all it may be that the bass can slightly cover other areas of the spectrum on certain bass dominant tracks. This is not a neutral lovers set, let’s just get that straight. It does happen though.

20220911_124536.jpg

Midrange

Lower Mids

The midrange is recessed a bit in typical V-shaped fashion. The low end doesn’t Intrude very much into the lower mids however. I hear a pretty clear sounding male vocal. There is decent weight to males in this region which is something that I look for. Details aren’t exactly mind blowing but I didn’t expect them to be. Anyways, males sound nice for a TWS and sound hair colored from the low end but nothing which is an issue.

Upper Mids

Females don’t have quite the shimmer I’d like. They aren’t completely lacking as they are forward enough but slightly lack the shine to a female vocal. I hear a warm and slightly relaxed female vocal. I would maybe like a couple more Db’s around 1.5-3k. That said, there is very nice clarity in female voices, and they do have good energy. Females note weight is full as they aren’t thin sounding at all as they do have good emotional presence to them. They simply lack a bit of sparkle but honestly for what the VXS are for, I really don’t mind this area. You don’t have the sparkle, but the energy is true enough while not sounding all together bland. Females sound nice actually.

Instruments sound as they should to the degree that we can expect from the Apt-X audio codec and a fairly well tuned tws. Separation isn’t the greatest, but I’ll cover more in that later. I hear no shout or piercing in the Midrange. I don’t hear any BA timbre and I don’t hear any sibilance. All in all, the Midrange does have an open enough feel for a tws and especially at the price point. Not bad at all.

20220912_183304.jpg

Treble

The treble region is actually quite nice for me. There is a nice extension up top with notable small dips and spikes. The treble adds some levity yet still renders itself warmer in tonality. Some details do come out in this area as it isn’t so congested and is pretty resolute and with good clarity for what the VXS are.

Instruments come through clear and vivid and with ample weight to add some believability to the replay. Cymbals have a good enough body to show representation. They don’t sound “tisky” and sheened out like many do. Of course, a lot depends on the emphasis of this area within the recording. For instance, in “In Bloom” by Nirvana the cymbals replayed within the 1st twenty seconds are clear, clean and give a solid chisk to the sound. Then I put on “Wild Blue” by John Mayer and the cymbals are withdrawn a bit, lighter and with less body. Another point to make is cymbals don’t always replay only in the treble region. Cymbal body can be found in the Midrange as well depending on the recording.


The presence region isn’t overly elevated but still has life there. Also, the air region in the upper treble makes a nice showing to me. For a tws there is more extension than many at the price point and even price points above the VXS. I can say without the shadow of a doubt that the treble is forward enough to give a boost in brightness while sounding decently detailed. These are not tuned to be detail monsters yet are sufficient at illuminating some macro details to the surface. Also, these are still True Wireless which is already a knock-on detail and hopefully that doesn’t get lost on you as you read this.



20220912_183521-1.jpg
20220912_183257.jpg

Sound-stage/Separation/Imaging/Details


Sound-stage

The stage is not the largest out there, even as far as TWS is concerned. There is a slightly cramped feeling at times. Possibly a bit below average width, average height and decent depth. Casually listening I don’t think many will take notice but if you are a sound-stage freak, well, what are you listening to TWS for? I’m kidding obviously, as there are some TWS with nice big stages. As a whole the sound-stage is not what I would call lacking or lop-sided or anything close to a negative, again, unless of course you are a… sound-stage freak. In that case these won’t be for you. The stage makes sense however, it just isn’t an expansive coliseum.

Separation

Separation really isn’t too noticeably bad but in tracks with a lot of commotion and congestion there is some slight blending of sounds. Again, casual listening or listening while running or cleaning etc. I don’t think this will be noticeable.

Imaging

I can mostly pick apart where elements of a stage are pretty easily. In fact, I’d say that the VXS is a bit better at partitioning off instruments and voices than most true wireless iems. KZ has been at this true wireless game for some time now and it shows with the KZ VXS. Imaging is pretty much on point. Like I said, the only time things get a bit mashed up is in heavily congested tracks.

Details

Details across the board are above average. Some areas shine brighter than others, namely the treble area. The VXS does a commendable job for a true wireless at illuminating smaller details. Not the best I’ve heard but very far from the worst. True wireless iems are at an immediate disadvantage against their wired counterparts due to codec limitations yet still I’ve heard some very detailed replays from some very nice sounding TWS iems, so it can be done. As far as the VXS is concerned, they rate high in my book against TWS in their price point.



20220911_131324.jpg
Left to Right: AKG N-400C, Soundpeats H1, Tribit Flybuds C1, Soundpeats Mini Pro, KZ VXS


Comparisons

Soundpeats Mini Pro ($53)

20220911_131634.jpg

The Soundpeats Mini Pro is a standout set of TWS which regularly is sold at a discount. In fact, I purchased these for $25. The SMP has a single 10mm Bio-compound diaphragm Driver. They have great Hybrid ANC reducing noise to 36db, a decent Transparency Mode as well. It runs on Qualcomm QCC3040 and uses up to Apt-X Adaptive (Fluctuates bitrate up to 470kbs) which trumps the regular Apt-X of the VXS. It has CVC 8.0 for much better phone calls. Also, it has better battery life of 7 hours and 5 hours with ANC turned on. The SMP has a great app as well. The SMP is loaded with features for cheap.

I am here for sound however, and when it comes to how these two sound against each other the VXS is simply better in my opinion. The SMP has a V-shaped sound profile with emphasis in the mid bass as well as upper-mids and lower-treble. Even with the emphasis the VXS straight demolishes the SMP as far as extension, authority, texture and clarity. Not even close.


The midrange has better resolution on the VXS. Also I hear weightier notes with better dynamic oomph. I’d say the SMP has a more 2D sound which isn’t a good thing. Treble is more controlled on the VXS as well. Timbre on the SMP is less natural with a metallic sheen at times. I’ll be honest the VXS is simply better to my ears all the way around and frankly it’s not even close. The VXS sound way closer to a wired set than the SMP. Truthfully the SMP are actually considered pretty darn good for cheaper TWS iems. That statement alone should give you a grasp on how nice the VXS sound… it’s not close.

I like the fit of both but prefer the monitor shape of the VXS more. Truthfully the VXS almost cancels out the same amount of noise as well, simply with its passive noise isolation. The SMP is still better in that regard however, pertaining to isolation. Calls are much better on the SMP and having an app is such a huge benefit in my eyes. Build, looks, durability all go to the VXS. This goes to the VXS for me as I care almost solely on Sound Quality.

Tribit Flybuds C1 ($59-$70)

20220911_131539.jpg

The Tribit Flybuds C1 are something of an unsung tws iem. Granted there is an endless sea of tws on the market making it easy to get lost in. Within the TWS community however the C1s are well known for their great sound quality. The C1s do lack many features as Tribit though. These are stem style with good looks decorated with a tough looking red faux grill on the back, shorter stem and durable hard plastic. Tribit uses a single 6mm Dynamic Driver that I do not know the material of. They have Apt-X, AAC and SBC as their on board codec. CVC 8.0 for phone calls as well. They have Bluetooth 5.2 along with a Qualcomm QCC3040 chip. Connection is fantastic, calls are fantastic, looks are pretty nice and they are durable feeling. Oh, and they also have an app for EQ changes, Firmware updates etc.

How do they compare to the KZ VXS sonically? If there was one set which I figured would give the VXS a run for its money, in my mind this is one of them. With their V-shaped profile, tight but nice bass and decent extension up top they were lauded for their sound quality amongst reviewers as well as myself.

The VXS has a much deeper bass with better texture. The C1 has less of an emphasis in the low end as they are a bit tighter and speedier. The VXS simply have more oomph and slam and do so in a more authoritative manner. Really the VXS are more dynamic across the board. Again, note weight is more realistic and emotional where the C1 are drier in places and thin in delivery and come across more analytical. Vocals on the VXS stand out more and they come across cleaner. Soundstage is more authentic on the VXS with a more realistic and dynamic harmonic expression. The VXS are also better as far as details are concerned as well.

The C1s outdo the VXS on phone calls and battery life by a country mile. The C1 gets 12 hours per charge and 50 hours in total using the case. Also, the C1s don’t sound bad by any stretch but they are simply outclassed by the VXS. Latency is good on both sets, but gaming is much better on the VXS using low latency gaming mode. For me, the VXS are the better TWS iem.



Soundpeats H1 ($79)

20220911_131459.jpg

The Soundpeats H1 have been well received pretty much across the board for their good sound quality as well as great battery life. The H1 are a Dual Driver Hybrid with a matte finish, black shell and tan/silver Faceplates using a nice soft rubber material and are shaped much like an iem. They are slick looking but not slick to the touch as the rubber finish does well to help me hold onto the H1 without dropping. I’d take the build of the H1 any day over the VXS.

So yes, the H1 features one 8.6mm single Dynamic Driver along with a single Knowles Balanced Armature Driver. The H1 incorporates a Qualcomm QCC3040 chipset running Bluetooth 5.2. They have fantastic Battery life at 10 hours on a full charge and 40 hours in total using the case. H1 uses Apt-X Adaptive, Apt-X, AAC and SBC as their onboard audio codecs. They have four mics using CVC 8.0 noise cancellation for phone calls. They also have a great game mode for low latency gaming and feature wireless charging. One more thing, the H1 has a nice app to change custom EQ settings or you can use different Soundpeats preset EQ settings. The app has an adaptive EQ as well which goes by the listeners hearing abilities.


I still hear a deeper and more robust low end on the VXS but texture and layering of this area is about on par with the H1. Sub bass has a more tactile haptic vibration on the VXS but I do think the H1 has a cleaner low-end. Also please dont confuse me, the H1 has an awesome and deep bass which sounds absolutely fantastic with nice separation in this area. As far as the mid-range goes, note weight goes to the VXS in the lower mids, clarity and a more natural timbre goes to the VXS.

Details however come through a bit better in my opinion on the H1. Both are not so recessed to sound far off or distant and neither sound veiled. Females sound more natural on the H1 and a bit more forward. Note weight still remains heavier on the VXS. Both sets have nice extensions up top with the VXS having a bit more shimmer while the H1 do have a hair better control of the treble region.

The H1 is a hint more warm of a replay and both sound open and dynamic. Details are illuminated well enough on both sets but I’d probably say the H1 brings them to the surface only slightly better, but I am splitting hairs. The difference is minimal at best. These are both very nice in the sound quality department. If I had to choose one, simply in terms of sound quality I would actually go with the VXS. I may take this statement back later. The replay is a tad more emotional and weighted with a more dynamic expression to the sound. I simply hear more oomph with a more robust and weightier sound throughout the entire mix.

The H1 wins out in every other regard. Battery doubles (10 hrs), calls are much better and the H1 has an app which is fantastic. If I were to choose an everyday bud, between these two the H1 are simply a better set all-around. Build quality is top notch on the H1 (Both cases aren’t built all that great), and they can go as long as the listener can without completely draining the battery.



AKG N-400NC ($149)

20220911_131419.jpg

This is a little unfair of me to do, but I’m doing it anyway. I’m only writing this as if price didn’t matter and just in terms of sound quality. The AKG N-400NC is a beast of a set which are absolutely loaded with features and built extremely well with a premium feel. Originally these were $300 on the AKG website, however that was a couple years ago.

The N400 sports a single 8.6 High Sensitivity Dynamic Driver sitting in an all-metal acoustic chamber. They have very good ANC even against today’s standards. The N400 are completely waterproof, have wireless charging, fast charging, an awesome Ambient Mode as well as Talk-Through Mode, full touch controls and full custom EQ and EQ presets which are all available in the app. There is too much to jot down here about AKG’s app but it has everything you’d ever want in an app.

The only place where the N400 lacks is in the audio codec dept. The N400 only offers AAC and SBC codecs. This is where I would normally go through my speech as to why codecs rarely ever matter as it’s more important that the drivers and tech within the buds are implemented well and the iems are tuned well. I will spare you all of that. Just know that the AAC on the N400 sounds fantastic. Oh yeah and the battery life is only 6 hours, with only an additional 6 hours using the case. That is not that much…at all.


Concerning sound quality, these two are closer in general sound quality than they're further apart. The N400 adopts an almost perfectly represented Harman curve versus the V-shaped tuning of the VXS. Straight up, the VXS has a deeper and fuller low-end yet slightly lacks the refinement which you’ll find on the N400. I enjoy the slam of the N400, but it just doesn’t hit as hard or as deep. Vocals sound better to me on the N400 with a more lifelike timbre and better control. Midrange on the N400 has more shimmer and sparkle without any fatigue which adds an airiness that the VXS cannot match. The treble region has great extension on both sets but there is a bit more shine on the N400 with a proper slope through the upper regions. Details come through about the same in this area, but I still hear better control and clarity on the N400.

I’d say the N400 won all the way through, except in one metric, and it’s an important one. The VXS slays the N400 in all around dynamics. There is such a fun and full and feet tapping sound to the VXS that it’s hard for me to deny them. It has a bigger low end with deeper basses which growl meaner, are more guttural and sonorous in replay. I hear better note weight on the VXS across the mix which adds a certain life to voices and instruments which the N400s just can’t replicate. There is simply more raw power in the VXS sound. Also, there is much better volume out the gate on the VXS.

For the most part however, the N400 is just better. The N400 kills the VXS in build quality. Both the buds and the case on the N400 are so very premium and well-constructed that it isn’t really even a competition. They bludgeon the VXS in features and raw tuning. Yet still the VXS hold their own if you are looking for the more fun iem. Battery life isnt a crazy win for the N400 with only an hour difference between the two. I think for everyday use it isn’t very close however as the N400 can simply do more.

20220911_131859.jpg

Conclusion

To wrap up this very long and drawn-out review I have to again thank Tyvan Lam and KZ for supplying me with this very nice set of true wireless iems. I truly had no idea I would like them as much as I have. The KZ VXS does not have the perfect tuning, but it still has nice energy and a very dynamic expression. What they do have is a more vivacious and powerful sound which is rarely seen in TWS under $200. To be honest the VXS is actually inching closer to a wired sound considering the power within its delivery. Please do not confuse that last sentence, I did not say that the KZ VXS is comparable, but it is inching closer. At this budget price the VXS are very nice indeed.

I have to say that anyone who doesn’t need all the bells and whistles and extra tech or an app, but instead you simply care about great sound quality at a budget price, then I recommend the KZ VXS. If a V-shaped tuning with plumped up bass which doesn’t overshadow the rest of the spectrum is your bag…well then…this is a set for you. The VXS isn’t perfectly tuned, and I seriously hope that none of you were under the impression that I would report such a thing. What I can report is a very well done TWS set which most certainly punches above its price point as far as sound quality is concerned.

I want to ask anyone reading to please check out other reviews and seek out other opinions about the KZ VXS. We are all different. Our devices may have differences, our ears are different, our likes and dislikes may be different among many other variables. It’s always good to read or watch other viewpoints.

Okay friends, the review of the KZ VXS is complete. I want to thank anyone who has read this far. I truly hope that my review of this set helps some of you with a purchasing decision. Please take good care.
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Colin5619 and Viber
Colin5619
Colin5619
Great and detailed review. I have the Pro version with upgraded Bluetooth. I had bought maybe 6-10 different TWS looking for one that I could actually listen to for hours. Also one that didn’t drop out when I walked in certain areas and one I didn’t have to reset a lot. The KZ VXS Pro has never dropped its signal , sounds amazing for the price and is my favourite TWS. Have you listened to the Pro version?
Ceeluh7
Ceeluh7
@Colin5619 i have wanted to check out the Pro version. I'm not lying when I say I've tested probably a hundred tws over the years and I'm not kidding when I say that the VXS is one of the best "sounding" tws I've heard. It quite easily compares to sets five times the price and there are only a few of those that best it. So yes I want to check out the pro version and I will soon hopefully. I'd love to compare. Also, thank you for the kind words.

Brionced

New Head-Fier
KZ VXS Aptx !!
Pros: Great fun sounding TWS
2 modes feature
Bass so 👍 👍 👍
Stable connect
Long connection strength
Cons: Battery life is just 4-4.5 hours
Case is not visually appealing and may be a bit big for some
Size may be a bit big for some
KZ VXS is a new TWS offering from KZ audio, a well known Chifi Audio company that produces good consumer sounding iems and tws'. VXS is their recent TWS offering.

Product Specifications
Bluetooth Version:5.2
Bluetooth Chip:QCC3040
Earphones battery life:About 5 hours
Earphones battery capacity: 35mAh
Charging case battery capacity: 400mAh ( about 22-25 hours additional juice)
Charges in the charging case: About 4 times
Charging port: Type-C ( can do 2Watts charging)
Transmission distance:about 15 meters ( but can go for 25 meters tops)

inbound2656804183293491913.jpg


Connectivity:
The KZ VXS offers a modern 5.2 BT connection capability, but 5.3 is already out 🥳.
With the Qualcomm 3040 chip the vxs is capable to provide aptx connectivity. This entails more stability, data transmission speeds and accuracy. In paper KZ mentioned it can do 15 meters, but it can go beyond that around 25 meters for connectivity provided there are no walls nor hindrances.
In terms its features, the VXS can provide a gaming mode producing 40ms of latency. In gaming mode you can feel almost no lags nor hiccups in sound quality.
There is also a high performance mode, in which the VXS can fully maximize the QC3040 chip, able to provide CD-level audio decoding, supporting 16bit and 24bit audio, and can provide the highest sampling rate up to 48kHz.


inbound1110593904052995437.jpg


Build Quality
Build is somewhat ok, the case and the TWS are made from plastic, not that elegant but very light weight and have a decent quality.

inbound4417501770270088437.jpg

The case cover is prone to scratches.

Sound Quality
I love how the VXS sounds especially in its performance mode. It fully utilized the QC3040's power and efficiency. The bass is well textured, thumpy and fun. EDM lovers will be loving this. The mids are clean, yet a bit recessed. The highs are clear and clean sounding, no hotness nor sibilance were heard. Imaging is average.

Strength of the VXS is its game mode and the performance mode, it really is one of the few TWS out there that can offer a very decent low latency experience in both games (pc and mobile) as well as video streaming (mobile).
Should you get it, well yeah of you're a gamer or always on a streaming app for mobile.
The price may be an issue for some, but if gaming or streaming is your preference this is a good buy!
inbound5061671600272634090.jpg

Attachments

  • inbound379171750111100395.jpg
    inbound379171750111100395.jpg
    1.6 MB · Views: 0

Comments

There are no comments to display.
Back
Top