KZ D-Fi with 4 tuning switch 1x10mm DD

kmmbd

500+ Head-Fier
Pros: Exceptionally well-built
– Switch-based tuning works well
– Sub-bass rumble
– Solid macrodynamic punch
– Stock accessories good enough to get you going
– A welcome departure from KZ house-sound
Cons: Mid-bass texture on the KZ D-Fi is lacking
– Upper-midrange glare
– Fairly strong mid-treble peak can get fatiguing
– Upper-treble extension is lacking
– Staging is average
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It’s been a while since I have last reviewed a pair of KZ IEMs. Almost three years, to be exact. I missed out on quite a few KZ models in that period but from a tuning perspective, they were mostly more of the same.

However, around the end of 2022, KZ began to churn out some interesting models in terms of tuning. That departure comes full-circle with the KZ D-Fi, which is aptly named in the sense that the tuning “defies” the typical KZ house-sound (V-shaped, in other words).

Now, this is not a radical departure for KZ and some of their “signature” sound characteristics still seep through the cracks. However, the 4-way switch is a novelty in the budget segment, and the dynamic driver promises performance beyond the price point.

That’s a promise I hear often, but very few manage to keep it. Can the D-Fi be the one to follow through?

Note: the ratings given will be subjective to the price tier. KZ provided the D-Fi for evaluation.
This review originally appeared on
Audioreviews.
Sources used: Questyle CMA Twelve Master
Price, while reviewed: $33. Can be bought from KZ’s official store.

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES

KZ rarely focuses on the packaging and presentation and in the budget segment I applaud this move. I do wish that less plastic was used in the packaging for environmental reasons.

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The stock accessories are good enough to get you going. The stock cable is an SPC affair that gets the job done. Stock tips are decent but tip-rolling may help in controlling the bass, for example.

BUILD QUALITY

Phenomenal, in one word. The metal shell is dense and I find the face-plate visually appealing. The review unit is the one with the tuning switches and I recommend getting this one because the price premium is absolutely worth it.

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The switches are somewhat fiddly to operate with the fingernails, so KZ supplies a SIM-card tool to make the task easier. There is one vent on the face-plate and one on the inner-side of the IEMs. The 2-pin ports stick out of the shell – a choice I am not a fan of, but it is what it is.

COMFORT, ISOLATION, AND FIT

While the shells are shaped ergonomically, the added weight can be a bit of a bother for long listening sessions. Other than that, no qualms with the comfort. Isolation is above-average and becomes drastically better with foam tips.

SOURCE AND EARTIPS

The D-Fi are very easy to drive and on my desktop Questyle CMA Twelve Master, I “over-drove” them when using standard gain, so I had to use low gain while testing them.

DRIVER SETUP

KZ D-Fi have a 10mm single dynamic driver with the usual “dual-cavity”, “dual magnetic circuit” bonanzas. The driver performs well for the price, but the most interesting part for me is the Zobel network-based crossover-circuit. I do not recall seeing such tuning methods in any of the IEMs in the past… decade?

From what I can gather, the Zobel network is used to “attenuate” the frequencies by approx. 5 dB. When all the switches are down (default position), the entire FR remains same but things go “quieter”. Flicking each of the first three switches (in conjunction with the other one) adds 1dB of sub-bass boost from 50Hz downward.

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When all four switches are engaged, the networks does not attenuate the frequencies anymore and you get a noticeable increase in loudness. A clever mechanism indeed. Keeping only switch four engaged, meanwhile, increases the loudness of the treble region by a couple dBs.

TONALITY AND TECHNICALITIES

KZ D-Fi have an upper-midrange forward tuning. The lower-mids still sound recessed but the focus on the upper-midrange is what you notice the most. The overall tuning is rather energetic.

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Sub-bass rumble is strong and noticeable even around 25Hz. Mid-bass texture is lacking though, so snare hits do not quite have the timbral characteristics you’d expect.

The mids are affected by the upper-midrange glare. It does not seem too much at the graph at first, but the upper-mids can get intense in soaring female vocals or while playing certain guitar riffs. As a side-effect, male vocals can sound somewhat “hollow” in some tracks.

Upper treble lacks airiness. Treble is mostly there due to a noticeable 8kHz peak. Then the treble rolls off past 13kHz or so. Given the budget nature, I think this performance is acceptable despite the hit on perceived “resolution”.

Despite the treble roll-off, initially, there is some “wow factor” due to the hyper-energetic tuning. Things can get fatiguing though if you are sensitive to boosted upper-mids.

Stage is narrow. Imaging is good for the price though some of the peers do it better. Macrodynamic punch is strong, while mIcrodynamics are lacking.

SELECT COMPARISONS

It’s a bit difficult to make “Apples vs Apples” comparisons when it comes to the D-Fi because, let’s face it – there isn’t another option in this price range that has tuning switches.

Putting the novelty aside and only focusing on the sound quality, Final E1000 are better tuned across the board, even though they lack the bass rumble of the D-Fi, and the build is nowhere near as reassuring.

The BLON BL-05S, meanwhile, have a gaudy color scheme that hides the overall great sound, which is better than the D-Fi in terms of tonality and technicalities. They need changing the cable and tips, however, and the price tag can go well beyond USD$50 after that fact.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

KZ D-Fi are the odd ones out in the budget segment. The tuning is closer to the current “trends” of boosting the upper-midrange and dialing down the bass, while the tuning switches can be novel enough for many to warrant a purchase. I am not a fan of the shoutiness, nor the lack of mid-bass texture and warmth. Then again, the pricing is fairly competitive.

I do wish KZ further tones down the upper-mids in the next release, and perhaps focus on making the sound slightly warmer and more inviting. Once that happens, I may finally have found a pair of KZ IEMs that can stay in the collection for future comparisons.
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baskingshark

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Solid build
Very comfortable
Decent accessories
Organic timbre
Pleasant tonality, non-fatiguing
Excellent price-to-performance ratio
Cons: Mediocre technicalities
Below average isolation
Tuning switches are mostly a gimmick
Second-rate stock cable
Hisses with some sources
DISCLAIMER

I would like to thank KZ for furnishing this unit. It can be gotten here: https://kz-audio.com/kz-d-fi.html (no affliate links).

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SPECIFICATIONS
  • Driver configuration: 10 mm dual-magnet dynamic driver
  • Impedance: 23.5 Ω (standard version), 29 Ω - 48 Ω (tuning switch version)
  • Frequency response: 7 Hz - 45 kHz
  • Sensitivity: 110
  • Cable: 3.5 mm, 0.75 mm 2-pin high-purity silver-plated cable
Two variants of the D-Fi are available during ordering - a cheaper non-tunable version (~ USD$25-30) and one with tuning switches for about $5 more. One can also opt for a mic or non-mic version.


ACCESSORIES

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Other than the IEM, the following are included:
  • 1 pair of foam tips
  • 3 pairs of wide-bore silicone ear tips
  • 3 pairs of narrow-bore silicone ear tips
  • Cable
  • Card pin
The accessories are acceptable for a budget-priced set, and I won’t nitpick on the lack of a carrying case.

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KZ's QC curse has come home to roost, with an odd number of silicone tips provided! The white narrow-bore tips boost bass at the expense of a compressed soundstage, whereas the wide-bore gray ones increase the higher-end and expand the soundstage. The foam tips give the best passive isolation, though these tame the treble.

Don’t lose the included card pin! It is essential for flicking the switches on the tunable D-Fi!


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The silver-plated stock cable is tangly and thin, with microphonics in abundance. It doesn’t even have a chin cinch! I guess this is expected for something this cheap, and it is no biggie sourcing aftermarket cables. The D-Fi utilize a 2-pin 0.75 mm connector instead of the more common 0.78 mm terminal, but these 0.78 mm aftermarket cables should still fit it.

To not add aftermarket confounders, which may affect the sound, I completed the following review with the stock wide-bore ear tips and stock cable.


BUILD/COMFORT

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The housings are teardrop shaped, with an elegant asymmetrical pattern on the faceplate, and are tasteful compared to the usual run-of-the-mill budget gear. We have the tuning switch board found on the sides of the IEM.


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Despite looking chunky, the D-Fi has superb ergonomics coupled with a light weight, without awkward protrusions. I have no issues using it for longer listening sessions.


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I did not find driver flex, but this may depend on the ear tips used and your ear anatomy. Isolation is below average because of the vented housing.


INTERNALS

The D-Fi employs a 10mm dual magnetic DD setup. KZ advertises that this generates a magnetic field of two magnets instead of the regular one, thus improving transients. A Zobel network circuit - only available in the tunable model of the D-Fi - is installed to nullify the effects of inductance and capacitance via a hub of resistor-capacitor networks.

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The tuning switches are the selling point of this IEM. The first three switches modify the bass, whereas the fourth handles the upper frequencies. Manipulating the switches is as easy as pie with the provided card pin; they lock with a satisfying click.


DRIVABILITY

I tested the KZ D-Fi with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Colorfly CDA M1 DAC/AMP dongle
- Creative Sound Blaster X5
- E1DA DAC/AMP dongle
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber 2022 DAP
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Khadas Tone Board -> Topping L30 amp
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW WM1A DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Smartphone

Depending on which switch setting is in play, the impedance changes. In general, the D-Fi is moderately easy to drive even on the higher impedance settings, though amplification is useful to scale. Due to its high sensitivity, the D-Fi may hiss with sources with poor noise floor control.


SOUND & TECHNICALITIES

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Graphs of the KZ D-Fi on various tuning switch settings. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.

The D-Fi has a tonality that is warm neutral with a sub-bass boost. It is more akin to a Moondrop FR - it is truly the antithesis of a run-of-the-mill KZ set! KZ enthusiasts may find the D-Fi undynamic and dull compared to the usual head-banging fun they are familiar with.

KZ’s marketing materials trumpet that the four tuning switches can provide sixteen contrasting permutations. The tuning switches make subtle differences at best, with only a 4 dB difference in bass between the most extreme of presentations and the rest of the profiles falling in between. The cheaper non-tunable version of the D-Fi corresponds to the “all switches down config” - i.e., the least bassy setting of the above graphs.

Timbral accuracy is very natural for vocals and acoustic instruments, in keeping with the D-Fi’s single DD roots.

The D-Fi is subpar when it comes to technical chops. Micro-detailing, instrument separation, imaging, and clarity are below average. The soundstage is intimate in all three dimensions, and music sounds congested and veiled when complex riffs come out to play. Thus, the D-Fi is for chilling and relaxing to music rather than critical listening.

The D-Fi is sub-bass focused, with moderate bass extension. Bass quantity is just north of neutral, depending on whether the bassiest or least bassy profile is activated. Having said that, the D-Fi is not a bona fide basshead IEM even with all switches flicked up. Bass is quite agile and textured on the bass-lite variations. On the flip side (no pun intended), once the bassiest configuration is in place, the bass becomes muddy and ponderous.

The lower midrange is neutral. This region is pretty transparent on the least bassy switch, though the bassier options add mid-bass bleed, which may encroach into the mids. The upper mids are just a tinge forwards, with a 9 dB pinna gain ensuring vocals are in front without being overly shouty.

Treble rolls off early in the D-Fi, even on the least bassy permutation. This is a far cry from the garden variety KZ steroid-infused treble, and treble-sensitive folk should be quite at home with this tuning choice. Sibilance is minimal, with a smooth higher end. This is a double-edged sword, as there is a lack of air, clarity, and sparkle, which may not be a treblehead’s cup of tea.


COMPARISONS

Comparisons were made against other budget DD types that are tunable. Planars, hybrids, and pure BA IEMs are omitted, as the different transducers have their own pros and cons.

The comparisons below are made with the D-Fi on the least bassy switch setting.


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Simgot EA500

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Graph of the Simgot EA500 on various nozzles. 8 kHz is a coupler peak.

The EA500 operates via two screw-on tuning nozzles instead of switches. With the black nozzle installed, the EA500 has a neutral bright lilt, whereas there's a warmer Harman-like tone on the red one.

The EA500 has a slightly thinner note weight and sound more metallic in timbre. The EA500 has more air and sparkle, with a greater treble extension on both tuning nozzles.

The EA500 boasts superior technicalities, with a wider soundstage, better imaging, micro-detailing, instrument separation, and micro-details.



TRI Star River

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Graph of the TRI Star River on various nozzles. 8 kHz is a coupler peak.

The Star River also incorporates tuning switches. Like the D-Fi, these switches are somewhat duplicitous - out of four promised signatures, there are only two on independent graphs, with both sporting an old-school V-shaped profile. I also encountered QC defects on my Star River - one side’s switches were stuck, requiring considerable force just to toggle them.

The Star River is shoutier and more fatiguing, sounding quite unrefined in the upper midrange and treble. Timbre is also less natural, with a thinner note weight. The Star River has slightly better technical prowess, with improved soundstage, micro-detailing, clarity, instrument separation, and imaging. However, the bar is low, as other DD-type transducers easily beat the Star River in this department.


CONCLUSIONS

The D-Fi defies expectations of KZ tuning. No pun intended.

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It is a different kettle of fish from KZ’s customary V-shaped beasts, sounding refined and neutral with a sub-bass boost. Indeed, the D-Fi would not be out-of-place if packaged in a Tanchjim or Moondrop box with a waifu gracing the front.

The D-Fi is non-fatiguing, smooth, and laid-back, with a natural timbre. Ergonomics, build, and accessories are acceptable for an IEM retailing at around USD$30.

Regrettably, the sixteen potential tuning permutations are more marketing than reality, with only a 4 dB difference in bass amongst these configurations. As such, you can probably save a few bucks to get the non-tunable variant of the D-Fi.

The D-Fi is glaringly lackluster in technicalities, and its tuning lies on the dark side of the equation - detail freaks best consider other options. Additionally, there is hiss with some sources.

KZ has markedly revamped its tuning philosophy in recent times, with tonally solid IEMs such as this, the Krila and Ling Long. Perhaps for its next release, the engineers could consider implementing a set with more audible differences with the tuning switches to bestow legitimate versatility. And now that the tonality is down, perhaps they can focus on getting good technical chops in.

All things considered, the D-Fi is cheap as chips and can claim a stellar price-to-performance ratio. It is a suitable IEM for those new to the hobby, though, for ChiFI collectors who already have more IEMs than ears, it might be wiser to save up for a more substantial upgrade down the line.
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Ceeluh7
Ceeluh7
Nice review, the D-Fi is a nice budget offering no doubt. It was a good read

Kingnubian

New Head-Fier
Moving in the Right Direction (Tunable Version)
Pros: Great build quality
Quality bass reproduction
Clean balanced sound
Decent accessories
Tuning switches that make a difference
Good vocals
Clean extended treble
Cons: Switches can degrade bass quality if not used judiciously
QDC Connector
Not for Bassheads (Not really a con IMHO)
DISCLAIMER

I would like to thank Knowledge Zenith for providing this review unit.

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NOTES:

The KZ D-Fi is an interesting release from the long-standing manufacturer of earphones and other portable audio devices. It is noteworthy for a few reasons of which two stand out. One is their implementation of tuning switches which is actually straightforward. The other is the overall tuning which is a pleasant surprise and a contrast to most past KZ parts.

There are two different versions of the D-Fi available, one with tuning switches and one without. Each has the identical 10mm dynamic driver with the tunable version driven through a Zobel Network circuit design. The tuning of the version void of switches corresponds to all switches down (Off) of the tunable version. Tech aside we all know that it is the sound that matters and here this “budget” KZ is a departure from the typical aggressive V-Shaped tuning of past offerings. The D-Fi is satisfyingly neutral with if anything a slight sub-bass boost.

The D-Fi is a very attractive iem with a solid all metal build. On the version with tuning switches, they are implemented as per many other earphones. Small dip switches with two distinct positions per switch. A tool to manipulate these switches is provided.

The D-fi is relatively easy to drive but the bass quality in particular and clarity to a lesser extent does benefit from being driven by capable amplification.

Overall, the I found the D-Fi pleasant to listen to with a nicely detailed bass and an organic sound. Not a technical champ, the D-fi excels when casual listening and just enjoying the music.

Read on the find out the details.

SPECS:

· Drivers: 10mm dual-magnet dynamic driver

Impedance (Ohm): 23.5Ω (standard version), 29Ω – 48Ω (tuning switch version)

Sensitivity (dB): 110

Frequency Response (Hz): 7Hz – 45kHz

Removable Cable: Y

Cable: high-purity silver-plated cable

Source Plug: 3.5 mm

Cup/Shell Plug: 0.75 mm 2-pin



EQUIPMENT:

EIDA 9038SG3 (Stock Filter)

Xduoo MT-602

Shanling UA2

Tempotek Sonata E44

Ifi Hip-Dac

Topping a50s Amplifier

SMSL Sanskrit 10th MkII DAC

Tips: BGVP W07, Final Audio E

Cable: Stock 4.4mm Balanced Cable

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BUILD, FIT & QUALITY

The KZ D-Fi is a nice looking iem with an all metal body that is of apparent good build quality. The haptics are very reassuring here and the D-fi has pleasing weight but not to an extent that will have a negative impact on comfort.

The included accessories are somewhat sparse. The D-Fi came with foam tips installed but a few sets of different tips were also included in the box. Nothing over the top but an improvement over many past KZ budget releases.

As for the included cable, it is the typical wire included with budget KZ earphones. Not inspiring and to be honest I prefer not to use it. It gets tangled easily and the haptics are not noteworthy.

Fit was excellent and I found that it was easy to achieve a snug position in my ears without fatigue, even after long listening sessions.

Still in the end it’s all about the sound quality. Read on.

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SOUND:

BASS

Bass goes deep and is taught, fast and detailed. The first three tuning switches each raise the bass shelf by 3db individually. Even with the switch 1,2 & 3 engaged, the D-Fi cannot be considered a basshead iem. I found that bass quality did suffer somewhat when all three bass switches were engaged simultaneously. At most, I listened with two switches engaged or with none as per the out of box experience.

The bass was the first thing that stood out when first listening to the D-fi. It was taught, fast and musical. “Circumstance” by Wayman Tisdale sounded crisp with good control in the low end. “Intelligent Hoodlum” by Manix has very solid and dynamic bass. The D-Fi kept everything under control.

The acoustic bass on “No Worries” by the Robert Glasper trio was easy to discern and enjoy on this fantastic track that gets seriously busy.

I found the low end a pleasant surprise when I remembered my past experiences with past KZ’s in this price range. The bass of the D-Fi stands in great contrast to those KZ’s of not so long ago which more often than not favored quantity over quality. With the D-fi the tables have been turned. Here the bass does serve as a solid foundation to the rest of the frequency range while not drawing undue attention.



MIDRANGE

The midrange of the Knowledge Zenith D-Fi has good clarity. These are more of a macrodetail focus than microdetails. Lower mids have a natural presentation heard on “Tenderhearted Lover” by John Stoddart, with the upper mids bring more accentuated yet remaining clean with harshness. Female vocals do tend to sound more forward due to this upper midrange boost, yet again without sounding harsh or sibilant. Layering and separation are ok. On “No Worries” by Robert Glasper the individual instruments were distinct and I found it relatively easy to focus in on each separately.

On “Beautiful Lie” by Vic lavender, a track that many iem reduce to a wall of sound, the D-fi performed well even though not being class leading. It was able to keep each musical element in their place as opposed to combining them into a less than homogenous mess.

The midrange is quite pleasant and a more suited for casual listening as opposed critical listening. It is not offensive and can provide a very pleasant listening experience when not being overly critical.

The midrange has a surprisingly organic quality which honestly, I found surprising. This made it easy to manage long listening sessions. Timbre is also ok if not class leading and lends itself well to an overall satisfying musical experience. If I were to nitpick, in particular at its price, the D-fi may have been lacking a small measure of the organic playback I find so alluring.

TREBLE:

Treble is somewhat elevated and relatively well extended with ample air and sparkle. It mirrors the general nature of the midrange with macro over micro details but combined with a smooth delivery that at very rare times can have some minor peaks.

There is no harshness noted here and listening fatigue was not present either. Again, as in the midrange, the treble is suited for casual listening as opposed to razor focused critical listening. It’s will not offend with its smooth delivery and being articulate enough to maintain interest.

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IMAGING & SOUNDSTAGE:

The KZ D-Fi offers up a moderate sized soundstage with good width and to a lesser extent depth and height. Imaging is also accurate and it is easy to discern the position of instruments. The D-fi also holds up well on more complex tracks.
The D-Fi is not class leading on any of these metrics but with its mix and balance of capabilities it does offer up a pleasant atmosphere.

CONCLUSION:

The KZ D-Fi is a pleasant surprise on a few levels. It offers a pleasant balanced sound and not the typical aggressive v-shaped tunings heard in many of KZ’s more budget offerings.
I found the D-fi to be very easy to listen to and admittedly really enjoyed my time with it. If this is the direction that KZ is moving to with respect to tuning, I am all for it.
The build quality combined with the switches, which do not get in the way, are a plus but the real star here is the sound quality.
At an asking price of under $30usd for the tunable version, I believe that KZ has a winner on their hands.

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K othic

New Head-Fier
KZ D-FI: versatility at a fair price
Pros: Build quality surpasses many models below $50 USD
Good variety of sound signatures for different genres
The most generous accessory package offered by KZ in their budget models
DDUU (favorite tuning): Decent subbass extension. Good-textured bass that doesn't interfere with other frequencies. Natural mids.
Cons: Some tunings are only slightly different
Still waiting for a good cable from KZ
Imaging and details are only average
Some configurations have an unnatural timbre (subjective)
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Introduction
Every year, new trends emerge in the in-ear monitor market, and in the first part of 2023, we witnessed several brands delving into the world of earphones with switches that allow for sound signature customization. Today, I bring you how KZ sought to introduce an IEM with adjustable tunings to the market at an affordable price of less than $30 USD. Let's check KZ D-FI out!
Video Review here
If you wish to read this review in spanish, click here

Disclaimers:


Unboxing, Build & Comfort

Despite costing nearly double the price of the ZVX, they come in practically the same box, only with a different image. Inside, you can find the pair of IEMs, 7 pairs of tips and the cable.

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Starting with the D-FI, these come with the new dual magnetic circuit dynamic driver with dual cavity from KZ. Their housing is made of polished shiny metal and has a slightly triangular shape. On the top, you can find different switches that, along with this tool, allow you to adjust the bass frequencies to change the sound signature. Finally, on the sides, we see the QDC-type 2-pin connectors. I have to tip my hat to the build quality of these earphones.

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According to their website, the cable is described as a "professional" cable plated with high-purity silver. The truth is, it's the typical cheap KZ cable with QDC 2-pin connectors.

The quantity of ear tips was a surprise coming from the ZVX. The D-FI comes with 6 different pairs of wide-bore silicone tips and a pair of foam tips. The foam tips are size M, just so you know. Personally, they didn't fit me very comfortably, so I decided to use the regular silicone tips (size M).

The comfort of these headphones is better than average in my experience. They are slightly heavier due to their construction, but it didn't bother me when using them for several hours, and I never had to readjust them after inserting them correctly into the ear canal. With the right tips, the isolation provided by the D-FI is more than decent and will be useful for users who need to use them in noisy environments


Sound Description

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This is the difficult part because KZ claims that the D-FI can offer up to 16 different tunings. What the company states is true, but the problem lies in the fact that certain configurations have sound signatures that are very similar to others, as the bass frequencies only increase or decrease by 1dB, without resulting in a significant change. That's why I focused on 3 specific configurations (D = switch facing down, U = switch facing up): a very neutral one (DDDU) that reminds me of the HZSound Heart Mirror but with better bass and less sibilance, the one which had the most subbass available to test this frequency range (UUUD), and my preferred tuning, which, to my ears, sounds the most balanced (DDUU).

I decided to test these 3 configurations with a variety of songs that are quite different one from the other, so you can get a good idea of what you can expect thanks to the versatility of D-FI's tuning.

General Summary

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Credits: Ian Fann

  • DDDU: similar tuning to IEF Neutral, where the switches decrease the bass to allow the mids and highs to stand out. Very good for genres like heavy metal, soul pop, or others where the vocals are prominent.
  • UUUD: The tuning that highlights the sub-bass the most. It doesn't reach basshead levels, and I found it useful for making EDM and Dubstep songs more “fun”.
  • DDUU: The tuning where I found the best balance across all frequencies. It may not seem like much, but those 1-2dB difference from UUUD are noticeable, and they make a difference. Sub-bass with good extension and character, along with bass that doesn't disrupt the transition to the midrange. This is the tuning that best adapts to the different genres where I tested these IEMs.

Songs
"Aces High" - Iron Maiden (Live After Death)

DDDU
: By reducing the amount of bass, the presence of the guitars and the lead singer increases (at the same volume level). The bass doesn't suddenly disappear and can still be heard, but it's overshadowed by the aforementioned sounds (vocals and instruments forward). I also feel that the cymbals have taken on a more significant role. The constant percussion that accompanies the entire song becomes more prominent and sounds clearer in this configuration. Lastly, the backing vocalists accompanying Bruce are better heard here too. I really liked it for heavy metal as it gives an extra sense of texture to each note played by the electric guitars.

UUUD: The guitars and lead vocals almost become equal to the bassist in volume, and at certain parts, the bass even seems like the star of the song. Around the 2:10 mark, the guitar solos begin, and supposedly the bass only plays on the background, but it is much more emphasized with this configuration, perhaps intruding a bit too much on the solo. It's not something I love, but it's a strange yet fun way to listen to this song that I've heard so many times.

DDUU: The most accurate configuration of the three tested. It doesn't overemphasize anything. You can always hear the bass and guitars clearly, with the guitars never interfering with each other and standing out on each side when they should. There is proper articulation during Bruce Dickinson's vocals along with his accompanying guitarists. The cymbals never sound aggressive to my ears. The bass is present and follows with good sense of presence, but never intruding into the higher frequencies.


"Miss You" - Adele

DDDU
: It's evident that Adele is the protagonist of the song. The tambourines can still be heard clearly, although I lose a bit of the presence that the drums have during the chorus. Bright details like cymbals or small bells are well distinguishable during the chorus, but the female voice takes the most prominence in the mix.

UUUD: Adele's voice is much more in the background. This is not a song with a lot of bass, but the drums manage to be very close (and sometimes overpowering) to Adele's voice in terms of volume (especially during the chorus where it seems like the lead singer is distant for this reason). The details in the high frequencies are not lost too much but remain slightly more hidden.

DDUU: In this configuration, I find the balanced harmony that I expect from this song: Adele's voice has excellent clarity during the chorus, and it sounds smooth and silky. Meanwhile, the drums are positioned slightly behind her, providing punch that distinguishes their sound. The small bells in these moments are perceived gently without getting lost if one concentrates a bit on their location.


"Like Wooh Wooh" - Rnbstylerz

DDDU
: In this tuning, it's uncertain which sounds should stand out since the majority of them occupy the bass and subbass frequencies. As a result, the "claps" and the bass frequencies closer to the midrange (midbass) try to stand out or match the volume level at which the deeper bass is playing.

UUUD: The sub-bass takes an even more authoritative character during the song, sounding visceral, and bassline’s presence occupies most of our attention. Despite this, and to my surprise, I never lost those "claps" that follow the drop (compared to other mentioned songs where this tuning concealed other frequencies).

DDUU: There isn't much difference from the previous configuration since "Like Wooh Wooh" is a song primarily based on subbass frequencies. The tuning sounds slightly less "fun" than UUUD configuration because the subbass has a bit less strength, allowing for better control of this frequency and bringing out the synthetic sounds of the drop.


"Luck be a Lady" - Frank Sinatra (Live at Carnegie Hall)

DDDU
: It's beautiful to hear Sinatra stand out in this song. The reverberation in the hall is clear, and he is the most present on that stage. His voice sounds organic and somewhat "forward" in the mix. Without being too far behind, I can hear the trumpeters who shine in the "strong" parts of the chorus and in a solo they perform around the 4:00 mark. The cymbals also stand out without being overly bright. I really enjoyed this tuning for this type of songs.

UUUD: Going from the previous configuration to this one is like listening to a different song. Upon replaying it, I can notice that a bassist emerges who was very hidden in the other tuning and now becomes more present. The voice and trumpets remain stronger since this bass is in the background, but their volume has diminished. The cymbals undergo something similar, but in my experience, they don't lose as much character. I didn't find it to be an ideal tuning for this type of song; the significant boost in bass attenuates the mids too much, and the song sounds hollow.

DDUU: In comparison to the previous two, this tuning comes across as inoffensive. The trumpets are much less aggressive than in DDDU, and I can hear the bassist without any issues. However, the reverberations presented in DDDU are not as crisp here, and I slightly prefer the greater authority that the latter gives to Sinatra. For this reason, I favor the DDDU tuning for this particular song (although overall, I believe that DDUU has a better balance in its frequencies).


Winter: I. Allegro non Molto" - Vivaldi (performed by Fabio Biondi)

DDDU
: The principal violinist stands out in this configuration, but only slightly more than usual. There is a nice sensation with the plucking of each string. Overall, the violins, despite their authority, do not become extremely bright and are enjoyable for long listening sessions. On the other hand, the double basses and cellos lose some impact during their playback.

UUUD: The double basses have much more weight. The violins (including the principal violinist) lose some presence. When the principal violin plays solo, it sounds a bit muted, and the cellos and double basses emerge, remaining just slightly behind it.

DDUU: The violins have a more faithful reproduction, with a more natural timbre to my ears compared to DDDU. However, I feel that they lack a bit more weight in each note. The double basses and cellos don't get lost in the mix.


"Don't You Worry Child" - Swedish House Mafia

DDDU
: The bass is set far back in this song (in which is required to shine like in most EDM songs). The lead singer's voice is clear and occupies the forefront of the song along with the cymbals and synthetic sounds. The guitar accompanying the singer sounds a bit strange to me, with notes having an artificial/metallic tinge.

UUUD: In the build-up to the drop, it's evident how enhanced the subbass is. When the drop plays, it seems like two different melodies are playing: on one hand, we have the cheerful synthetic sounds, and at the same level but "separated" we have strong sub-bass/bass notes marking the rhythm with their characteristic thump. As I explain, these don't sound like they're coming from different places but rather feel like they lack harmony between them. Particularly with this EDM song, I didn't enjoy the heavy bass as it alters the sound balance too much.

DDUU: Of the three configurations, this one sounds the most natural (particularly in this song, I can tell how it "should sound" since it has been my favorite song since 2015 and still is. I must have played it hundreds of times). There's good weight in each note of the guitar accompanying John Martin before the drop. During the drop, there's an excellent balance between the bass and mid frequencies that sound together. In my opinion, it demonstrates that this configuration is the most "accurate" for a user seeking a tuning with sub-bass with decent extension, bass with sufficient presence and texture but allowing the mids to have their important role in the sound with enough details for $35 USD.


Soundstage, Imaging & Details
Testing live performances from the album I most commonly listen to "Live After Death", I noticed a decent soundstage in several configurations. The width of the stage was adequate, but I found it a bit compressed in terms of depth.

Regarding imaging, the D-FI didn't surpass the average in this price range. I encountered a few songs where it was challenging to locate and separate certain sounds, as I mentioned with Adele, where I had to concentrate to find those bells. However, overall, they perform adequately.

The level of detail the D-FI brings out is comparable to other IEMs below $50 USD. I can appreciate certain details, even though its tuning aims to avoid sibilance and doesn't overly emphasize the treble based on my experience.


Conclusion

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Just as not everything that glitters is gold, not everything KZ releases to the market is average, and the D-FI is proof of that. To this day, this model is available at a very good price, around $20 to $25 USD. If you're a user looking for IEMs that can provide different sound signatures for enjoying your music, along with excellent build quality and a coherent driver, I sincerely recommend D-FI.

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Ceeluh7

500+ Head-Fier
KZ D-Fi (Tunable Version) Review
Pros: -Build is great at this price
-Design is nice
-Nice choice of tips for a budget KZ
-Working tuning switches
-Reacts well to different sources
-Scales with additional output power
-Mostly neutral in tonality or “Off-Neutral”
-Good imaging
-Nicely laid out staging
-Textured note definition and nice note weight
-Clean and quality bass
-Midrange is great for vocals
-Nice extension up top
-Non-Offensive treble without any crazy peaks
-Technicalities
Cons: -Same KZ cable they use in ultra-budget sets
-The D-Fi may be a hair too heavy for some
-Won’t satisfy bass heads
-Not for warm or dark lovers
-Can be a hint peaky for some (not for me)
-Nothing else at this price
KZ D-Fi (Tuning Version) Review
KZ D-Fi
KZ DFI

KZ D-FI (Tuning Version)

Intro

Another day, another KZ budget set to review and today I review the KZ D-Fi. The KZ D-Fi is KZ’s latest single DD iem that just so happens to come with tuning switches, or you can purchase the D-fi without the switches. One is called the “Standard” model and the other is the “Tuning” version. The KZ D-Fi “standard” version is simply the KZ D-Fi without tuning switches and obviously the KZ D-Fi “tuning” version has the four switches so to better dial in the sound to one’s preference. I have to thank Tyvan Lam and the good people at KZ for providing the D-Fi “Tuning” version in exchange for a fair and honest review.

They never rest

KZ/CCA is doing what KZ/CCA does my friends. They must never rest because every week it seems they have developed a new set for the market. I’ve been impressed with this company for some time now and have had great experiences with their budget iems. I’ve reviewed quite a few from KZ and CCA. Recently I’ve reviewed the KZ ZVX which I personally consider as one of the best sets in its price point… hands down! I reviewed the Ling Long, the EDCX, the KZ PR1 Hifi, the CCA CRA+ and even some tws iems like the KZ VXS. Another fantastic set that I reviewed last year was one of my favorites, the KZ AS16 Pro. They are all very well-conceived and well implemented iems that all compete well in their respective price brackets. The key words are “in their price brackets”.

Budget Kings

Other companies come out with nice competitive sets, then KZ just ups the ante and makes something better. I swear they take that budget crown more seriously than anything else, and I’m glad they do. I do believe that the majority of hobbyists across the world can really only afford budget sector iems and audio gears, and so I can understand KZ/CCA’s line of thinking. What is most surprising is that KZ seems to always one-up themselves with every new release. With that said, let’s see just how well KZ has done with their latest budget sector iem. Is the D-Fi a budget success or a dud, we shall see….

Purchase link: KZ D-Fi Tunable Version

KZ-D-Fi-Review-Pic-55.jpg


20230510_210800.jpg
Gear Used: Fiio UTWS5 / Shanling M6 Ultra / Moondrop Dawn 4.4 / iBasso DX240 / Ifi Go Blu

Gear Used for this review

-Fiio UTWS5
-Ifi Go Blu
-Moondrop Dawn 4.4
-iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2
-Shanling M6 Ultra

Full Review HERE

KZ DFI
KZ D-Fi with a Fedai balanced cable attached

Packaging

The KZ D-Fi arrived at my door in a simple packaging not much unlike any KZ budget product. Nothing fancy and never over the top. KZ is not trying to wow the buyer with the unboxing experience, and I am more than fine with this. Listen folks, at this price I would much-much rather that KZ or any budget iem maker put the extra cost into the earphones themselves than into the graphics on the cardboard box.

So yes, it isn’t some grand and amazing unboxing but… yes but… When you open the box and you see those beautifully made D-Fi iems staring back at you, please trust me the unboxing cares go right out the window. Underneath the earphones you’ll find the cable and eartips as well as a “micro sd pin” for the tuning switches. That’s it, good enough for me. Moving on…

KZ D-Fi Packaging
KZ D-Fi Packaging
KZ D-Fi Packaging

Eartips

KZ D-Fi Eartips

KZ went a bit out of the norm with the D-fi and added seven pairs of eartips. The D-fi themselves came with a pair of medium sized foam tips which are of nice quality. They also added three pairs (L, M, S) of a wide bore white set which are also of great quality. I like the firmer flange which helps in sealing. The other set is remarkably similar to Tennmak Whirlwind eartips which are fantastic tips that are so very well structured, and firm and they too are a wide bore set of eartips. Really a great job by KZ with the tips alone. I will use each of these pairs of tips on… something.

However, I actually went with my tried-and-true KBear 07 Large tips. Honestly, I actually do think that KZ really stepped up their tip game for the packaging with the D-Fi. In fact, it is strange because you don’t see them doing that often. Every now and again KZ will add a accessory that they don’t usually package, kind of like the carrying case provided with the Ling Long. Same thing here. All tips are very usable and a good thing to have in a collection. I use the KBear 07 tips simply for fit reasons and because they do add a certain punch and dynamics to most earphones. Normally the bass region will see a slight boost along with the upper midrange, but that is a case-by-case thing for the most part.

Cable

DFI Cable

Okay so the cable is kind of a downer. I of course wasn’t expecting something fabulous and beefy, but I also would’ve liked to see a different cable than the one we always see with KZ/CCA’s earphones. Same QDC style OFC 2-pin cable which ends with a 3.5 single ended jack and the opaque rubber material covering. Not a bad cable at all but also not that great. I listen mainly on balanced and so I did swap cables to a brass colored 8 core Fedai SPC Cable, it looks fantastic meshed with the silver of the D-fi and sounds fantastic with it. Balanced listening does add some life to the sound, but I will explain more on that later.


KZ DFI

Build / Design / Internals / Fit / Drivability

Build

KZ went with a very durable and hefty all metal alloy build which is very nicely put together at this price point. Ya know, KZ also created a fine built set in the ZVX as well. They are really dialing it in lately with these metal shelled budget iems that far exceed what we are used to at these prices. Now, it is not unheard of to see alloy shells under $30 but the quality is what sets the D-Fi apart in my opinion. The faceplate area has a wavy pattern to it with a good-sized vent hole near the rear.

Due to the all metal build, there is the possibility that this set may be a bit too heavy for some. I could certainly see the comfort being a problem for some folks. Now, it doesn’t bug me even in the slightest, but I know a lot of my friends in the community may have a difficult time keeping the weight distribution in check. Basically, the D-Fi may find its way out of your ears with movements or with different eartips due to the weight. Don’t get me wrong there are much heavier sets out there, but I do think it’s worth noting.

KZ DFI Build
KZ DFI Build
KZ DFI Build
KZ DFI Build

Tuning Switches

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The tuning switches are on the very back of the D-fi perfectly seated without any imperfections (which I expected to see). You’ll notice an on & off markings labeled above each switch pad as well as 1-2-3-4 labeled at each localized frequency changing switch. All switches can either be flipped up (with the needle tool) for “on” or left down for “off”. The first three tuning switches each affect the low end by adding one decibel increases to the bass region while the last switch affects the entire frequency band. For the purpose of this review, I will call down “D” and up “U”. My favorite switch orientation is either UDDU or UUDD. For this review I am mostly using UUDD.

Not a huge difference

There is a slightly audible difference in the switch changes which gives credence to even having them in the first place. The switches have to work friends, who’da thunk it? Now, please don’t get me confused here, it isn’t exactly like the switches make huge differences. I don’t feel like I have 16 different earphones in one. It has been advertised as well as promoted from certain audio personalities as well as KZ themselves that you can get 16 different and unique tuning options. This is not the case my friends. Yes, there is an audible boost in the bass area but not really a huge change in the overall sound.

For instance, raising the first switch to “on” will bump up the bass region one db. Raising the 1st & 2nd switches to “on” will now bump up the bass two dbs. The 3rd switch will also add one more db and so the difference is not very large. Turning on the last switch takes the entire frequency up four db’s across the board. So, it is an odd switch arrangement that KZ chose but not bad by any means. The switches really only focus on the bass region which concurrently affects the overall sound in subtle ways.

Anyways, we have seen an onslaught of tuning switches of late in the budget sector. Of course, you used to have to pay quite a bit for switch arrangements like we are seeing now. The switches work exactly as they have in the past where they will need something small enough to push the switches. Again, KZ added a micro-sd card pin within the packaging, but you can also use a paperclip or something similar. I actually have a toothpick at my bedside to switch it up and that works perfectly fine.

Design

This set does not look or feel like it costs. Not even close! If this means anything at all to you, then you are in luck with the D-Fi. The design is truly fantastic with a very highly polished exterior in a mirror type fashion. The D-Fi looks confident, clean and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. It’s quite amazing to me that a premium look can be sold and purchased at budget prices, yet we are seeing this more and more lately. They have a wavy pattern on the faceplates which breaks up the monotony of an otherwise utilitarian design and actually creates a look that is fresh and somehow modern looking. I think KZ really knocked this one out of the park in terms of looks.

I should add that this high-polished look also will capture every little fingerprint and may scratch easily as well. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest, but it should be noted. I know there are those sticklers out there that may be put-off by this.

Internals

KZ chose to use a 10mm Dual-Magnet Dynamic Driver which rests in a Dual-Cavity. KZ highlights the dual-magnetic structure in their advertising saying… Ya know what, I’ll let them tell you themselves…. [“KZ D-Fi adopts the exclusive custom dual-magnet & dual-cavity dynamic driver. Dual magnetic means a dual magnetic circuit whose magnetic field is enhanced by superimposing the magnetic force of 2 magnets to achieve energy efficiency and stronger transient performance.”] – KZ Promo.

The other highlight is the implementation of the “Zobel Network” which is a departure from traditional tuning methods that use dampers and different tuning mesh among other tricks to get the desired tuning result. The Zobel Network is actually a network of resistors that can be tuned to cancel out the effects of capacitance and inductance. Basically, the Zobel Network compensates the rising impedance of a driver in the upper frequencies due to inductance in the voice coil. I hope that makes sense because I am not going any further with the explanation which “may” or “may not” be due to my ignorance in the subject. I suppose it’s a good thing that I’m not reviewing Zobel Networks.

Fit / Isolation

I still have zero idea why I add this section into any review? However, I will keep writing about it whether it makes sense or not. I can only speak on how the fit relates to my ears so I don’t know how helpful this will be to anyone else. For me personally, the fit is pretty nice. I do have to fiddle around a bit, but once I get that nice seal the D-Fi does very well for me. Isolation is about average, not unlike any earphone short of something meant for stage use. There isn’t any real sound leakage either, at least not to a degree that you should be concerned about.

Drivability

The D-Fi is not a difficult earphone to drive but it can certainly benefit from extra output power. Rated at 29-48 ohms with a sensitivity of 113+-3 dbs the D-Fi can be driven fairly easily from most any source. I used the D-Fi quite a lot with the Fiio UTWS5 which only has a Max output of around 50mw @ 32ohms. Not exactly a powerhouse but fantastic for more sensitive iems. I found this to be a perfect mobile pairing only if I have the fourth switch turned on (which decreases the impedance). The warmth and organic nature of the UTWS5 created a lovely synergy.

Another great mobile solution is the IFi Go Blu bluetooth amp/dac. The Go Blue really adds some muscle for such a small device. Listening on 4.4 balanced there is this dynamism, which is an obvious improvement and again, great synergy friends. The Go Blu has the popular CS43131 dac onboard and the D-Fi really responds well to it. The warmth of the Go Blu seems to counter the more neutral sound of the D-Fi which makes it a good mobile bluetooth option.

Dongle Dacs

One of my absolute favorite dongle dacs of any that I’ve ever tried is the Moondrop Dawn 4.4. People, if you have $69 laying around and are in need of a solid option for on the go listening, please trust me, get the Dawn 4.4. The D-Fi again reacts well and doesn’t get too bright or sharp but rather the Dawn emphasizes the D-Fi’s strengths. The Dawn 4.4 also uses the CS43131 dac but the tuning is what sets this pairing over the top.

Daps

Moving onto the iBasso DX240, with its ES9038Pro chip or the Shanling M6 Ultra with its AK4493SEQ chip. The slightly more analytical yet dynamically expressive sound of the DX240 using iBasso Amp8 MK2 module with the D-Fi gives off a clean yet punchy sound that sounds nicely airy with great note definition. The downside is that it can become too sharp in the upper mids on rare occasions. Turning to the M6 Ultra, it has a slightly warmer, more lush, more beefy sound yet still remaining airy and resolute. I found the D-Fi is much more to my liking with this pairing. Almost as though there was better control in the upper parts of the frequency whereas with the DX240 I do hear a touch more of a loose note definition.

Very quickly, when the fourth switch is turned off the D-Fi is a bit harder to drive. Lower powered sources will have a harder time properly bringing the D-Fi to a good fidelity. For instance, I decided to use my iPad 6th gen just to see how well it pushed the D-Fi with the fourth switch off and the sound was pretty bland without any real dynamism or vivacity. In the same vein, when all are turned on, the D-Fi is generally much easier to drive to that spirited and full-bodied sound. This of course makes complete sense, but I did want to spell that out for the readers here. What that boils down to is, try to get a nicely powered dongle dac and you’ll have more than enough to properly drive this set to enjoyment.

KZ DFI

Pint Sized Sound Impressions

I won’t go too crazy into detail here, but I will quickly outline each of the three main areas of the frequency response (Bass, Mids, Treble). The D-Fi can go from almost neutral (slightly colored) to warmer in its tonal coloring depending on switch orientation. We have seen this movement back to neutrality of late and it’s had a nice reaction from hobbyists. The D-Fi walk that neutral line for the most part with subtle coloration occurring in each switch orientation. Remember, the D-Fi switches don’t make the biggest difference in the world, but they are differences nonetheless and they do slightly affect the airiness, crispness, openness of the stage and obviously low-end emphasis among other attributes.

To me (using UUDD) the D-Fi is more of a U-shaped sound, maybe a very slight V-shape. The D-Fi has a nice symmetry in its frequency response, or a nice equilibrium, which seems to have a coherent uniformity of sound in each 3rd of the mix. What I hear is a warmish-neutral sounding set with a good dynamic balance, the D-Fi is mostly natural and organic, depending on what your idea of natural and organic is. Transient attack & release is perceivably quicker on attack with a slightly less quick release, for the most part.

The frequencies

The bass region is on the lighter side and doesn’t give me that robust sound like I hear on most KZ sets. It isn’t absent from slam but it certainly isn’t super beefy. The sub-bass can growl and represent pretty well and has a moderately effective haptic vibration. The mid bass has just enough impact for genres like hip-hop, EDM etc. The midrange is presented more forward but definitely not “in your face” or shouty. There is a smooth nature to the mids which have only okay resolution for the price with a more natural sound. The treble has nice energy and decent extension into the highest of highs. I hear a transparent, smooth, high fidelity type treble which adds nice details. The soundstage is above average in every direction and the D-Fi has a technically astute sound for a single DD under $30.

KZ DFI

Bass Region

The bass of the D-Fi is not at all close to basshead levels. Bass Bois will likely not find the D-Fi too enjoyable. Those who will enjoy this bass region are those people who embrace a more even bass that isn’t pushy or exaggerated, basically more mature in sound. The bass is emphasized to a slight degree while leaving room for the other frequencies. I would call this a quality bass, or a controlled bass. Perhaps a bit soft in attack yet still has moderate density. I don’t think the bass is the strong suit of the D-Fi while in the same breath it also isn’t it’s achilles heel either. The bass is simply a nicely tuned part of a whole, an instrumental cog in the machine which offers support to the overarching sound. Don’t get it twisted though, It doesn’t lack either, as I still get a good and satisfying rumble and thump when called upon to do so.

Sub-bass

The sub-bass is moderately deep. I would certainly say that the focus of the low-end on the D-Fi is more in the sub-bass. There is evident texture and a haptic feel in the lowest of lows with good extension, especially when you give this set a good amount of juice. So, don’t be afraid to add power, she likes it friends. While it isn’t the world’s deepest sub-bass, it is clean and dense enough. I don’t hear that statically fuzzy note definition or pillow-like leading edge. There is just enough abrasive texture to give a bite. Not perfect… but satisfying. In “Rich Off Pain” by Lil Baby & Lil Durk the bass drops a few seconds into the track, and I notice it isn’t the most concrete in its solidity, but the sub-bass still represents the region well.

In spite of that last sentence, other tracks like “Jealous” by Nick Jonas does have a bit more sub-bass tactility and more of a concrete sound. So a lot depends on the track, source, output and switch setting. I suppose you truly get back what you give this set. It isn’t over emphasized and is more faithful to the recording than some budget iems. There are other sets in this price point which can bring a bit more of a hard edged delivery yet they can have other issues arise as well.

Mid-bass

The mid-bass has some slam to it. Still, like the sub-bass I will almost repeat myself as the mid-bass isn’t over emphasized at all while still giving enough heft in this area to replay those gratifying thump tracks. There is nice surface texture with a very tidy and kempt mid-bass boom, which has just enough of a rise to playback the bass guitar pretty darn nicely.

The song “John Wayne” by Whiskey Myers has an abrasive bass guitar riff that is a bit dirty and really gets my head moving to the groove and the D-Fi is able to replay it satisfactorily. I wouldn’t call it the most robust or gritty sounding, but the D-Fi manages good texture that I can enjoy with enough emphasis in this region for my tastes. I can say for sure that we don’t hear anything akin to a mid-bass tuck which will nuder some of that bass guitar growl.

Kick drums also across rounded, bouncy, boomy yet never over accentuated. The natural texture is nice in the song “Billie Jean” by Weezer (Michael Jackson cover). The speed of the attack and decay comes across with each kick of the drum. Very slightly soft in attack yet also speedy and stout, with an organic fullness that is quality for a set at this price. Not the best I’ve heard in the price point but far from the worst. Again, it sounds as though it is a part of a whole and comes across clean, well defined, and adequately sonorous and boomy. This song is great for testing kick-drum texture and I enjoy how the D-Fi handles it.

I dig it!

I have begun to really enjoy the bass of the D-Fi. It has a richness to the bass which isn’t going to devour anything else. It’s clean and with nice clarity and texture which also adds in better-than-okay layering, depending on the track I’m listening to. No, it isn’t that deep vibration with a mega boom type slam, but in all honesty, I can find that for $15 at Walmart if I need that. Those sets are a dime a dozen. KZ tuned the D-Fi to sound airier down low, better separation and not congested or muddy or over accentuated. I could use a touch more clean bass but all in all… I dig it.

KZ DFI

Midrange

The mids are presented in a musical manner, with an earthy and mostly undebased organic timbre which sounds close to neutral across the breadth of the midrange, which is saying a lot for an budget priced single dynamic driver. I love a good midrange that has a hint of forwardness without coming across too thin, or shouty, or a handful of other less desirable characteristics. Anyone who has been in this hobby long enough knows there is a balance which has to take place for single DD’s. Basically, this is a musical midrange with hints of color.

The D-Fi’s ability to acquaint my ears with the coarseness of a Chris Stapleton song, or the soft eloquence of Gabrielle Aplin’s singer songwriter originality is nice to hear. Not 100% accurate but nicely rendered. The D-Fi costs very little in the world of iems, yet it has a refined nature to it which begs the question… “How much more does a person actually need?” or “How much more does one really need to spend?” No doubt about it, if I was stuck on a deserted island with only the D-Fi and my dap (with endless battery life of course) I would be perfectly content and happy.

Lower-midrange

Getting on with my actual thoughts about the mids. I hear male vocals which can (based upon your switch settings) either sound slightly hefty, lusher and warmer, or they can be edgier and leaner yet always transparent and melodic to my ears. I am going with “UUDU” in this portion of the review and so male vocals have an ever so slight bit of warmth and aren’t overly thick in note weight but there is still good density. Males sound solid, not fuzzy and they have a nice edge to the sound.

Take a voice like Zach Williams in the track “Lookin’ For You“. The fundamental meat of his voice has nice body to it with an edgier and grizzled note texture but not warm with heft on the D-Fi. Nothing sounds accentuated or forced but rather he comes across organic in body. Or the track “Plain to the Plainsman” by Colter Wall. His voice is extremely deep with a certain resonance to it and is rugged and jagged. Listening with the D-Fi he sounds firm and controlled. Which just so happens to be exactly how he is supposed to sound. Not hefty or super rich in sound but natural and with a clean resolution. It is easy for a set to screw up his voice but the D-Fi sound nice.

Upper-Midrange

Females come across loud and clear with a neutral hue to the area. Definitely this is a more lustrous and shimmery type upper-midrange experience. Females really do sound illuminated and can even subtly cross into a piercing and edgy sound on some tracks. Be that as it may, for the most part this area sounds very clean, detailed, uplifted and with a focused resolution.

Camila Cabello in “Never Be The Same” is a track that just douses you in her sensual and saucy inflections to her emotionally scratchy voice. The D-Fi catches every piece of grain within the rasp of her voice as it cuts through the melody with this aching and ardent yearning. I feel the D-Fi does this track justice. Yes, it’s a bit grating which is partially caused by her voice alone, but it’s also fitting as the song has this urgency and pining, almost a pleading within her voice. I suppose we must suffer those sharper articulations with her. The nice thing is she comes through crystal clear and rich enough.

Another song is “Whispering Waltz” by Sierra Ferrell. This is a singer songwriter type old school style folk country track which is absolutely beautiful in both instrumentation as well as her angelic voice. Her voice shimmers with elegance and a soft sheen listening with the D-Fi. Another emotionally centered song with her voice sounding so cherubic and harmonious as the Ukulele and Acoustic Guitar perfectly comes across with great separation and detail. She ahs a good and uplifted energy to her voice even in the more somber sonb. In fact, most females sound really nicely energetic, fully present and forward with this budget set.

Instrumentation

Instruments benefit greatly from this mostly neutral and tighter type replay. Strings sound a hair thinned out but not in a frail way. More like thin in a tighter way, because there is good substance and solidity to plucks from a guitar and the harmonics that trail off from there. The tight transient response keeps a more kempt and taut sound from strings which is very nice for this price point. Percussion of all types has a punch with good body within the midrange. Flute and violin both come across organic and pleasing to the ear.

Are they really issues?

I don’t hear any glaring issues but not everyone is a fan of a more neutral midrange. Some yearn for a more warm, syrupy, or even dark sounding midrange with a robust thickness. Certainly, the D-Fi is not that.

Also, there are very small instances of timbre issues in the upper mids. I hear a metallic or nasally sound at times. However, I only really heard this on a couple tracks. One being “Look At You” by Rebecca Black. I know reading the words “metallic” or “nasally” are keywords to avoid but this can be changed using the switches to a small degree. This is the reason as to why I went with the UUDD configuration. Before that I was more than happy listening with the UDDU settings. So that’s really it, some very slight timbre issues that to me aren’t even real issues.

KZ DFI

Treble Region

The upper parts of the frequency have a very nice transition from the midrange. Perhaps the timbre could be a bit more natural, but we are talking about a budget iem here. The D-Fi’s treble region does have some crunch and punch to it. Listening to the fast-paced treble deluge from the song “Bishop School” by Yusef Lateef, the D-Fi shows off its pretty good detail chops as well as its nice extension. Also depending on the switch arrangements this song can absolutely tinge the senses in trebly delight. The D-Fi shows off good separation and imaging of each instrument. I would have thought that I’d hear some smearing, but the D-Fi are proving to be a pretty mature set.

Mostly non-offensive affair

Like I stated, the D-Fi has nice extension into the upper parts of the frequency. I get nothing piercing or shrill. I also don’t hear anything really metallic or bothersome. It seems that KZ tuned this set to be listenable and non-offensive. Like I said, I hear nothing shrill with instrumentation. Instead, I hear nicely diminishing harmonics from cymbal strikes that don’t sound splashy to me.

For instance, “In Bloom” by Nirvana has a lot of treble activity to begin this track. On a treble lifted set, this song can sound almost pain inducing. The D-Fi is able to cut out the cymbals amongst the chaos jamming out around them. Most sets I will hear some masking going on and there is some of that to a degree on the D-Fi, but the balanced tuning does help. Perhaps they sound a bit tinselly and not perfectly natural, but they don’t come across weirdly splashy. If that makes sense?

Good for instruments up top

Now, instruments with their fundamental frequency and body of the sound within the treble region, I like what I am hearing from a $30 iem. Flute, Sax, Electric Guitar & Violin are a few which take center stage in some tracks within my library of music. Like I said, the treble has a okay punch to it, slightly crunchy, slightly smooth and never offensive.

No, it isn’t perfect, but it is very well accomplished for the asking price and does very well to round out the entire mix adding a nicely controlled luminance, and NOT to a fault. This bodes well for instrumentation in the treble region. Some may argue that the timbre may not be spot on, and I can understand that, but the amount of pickiness that it must take to declare that a “con” is pretty ridiculous. At $23-30!? I hear nothing that is wonky, tizzy or tinny or too dry or too sheened out in glare or shrillness. I hear a nicely airy presentation with a nice lift which makes for a decently good replay for instruments in my library.

KZ DFI
KZ D-Fi with a Fedai balanced cable attached to the Moondrop Dawn 4.4

Technicalities

Soundstage

I feel like this review already sounds like the hype train is boarding. I am giving you my word that this is not the case. The D-Fi is a very well-tuned set, this is only true, of course, if this tuning agrees with you…by the way, it agrees with me. I prefaced with that to say… The soundstage has nice width and openness to it with a sense of space to the sound. Still, height is above average against the crop of similarly priced iems and depth is there to add a sense of 3D. Anyways, to check for soundstage, my notes include a hit from the nineties called “Hook” by Blues Traveler. The recording alone sounds wide and will easily show you how vast of a stage your earphones can get you. There are a number of tracks which are good for this but this is simply in my notes. Again, the D-Fi sounds above average and stretches past my ears in width.

Not a concert hall

Just like any set of iems, you shouldn’t be expecting a concert hall type of listening experience. This just won’t happen. In spite of that, some iems can stretch the psychoacoustic stage and a lot has to do with the tuning among other things. Anyways, the D-Fi does a decent job at helping me to perceive an appropriately sized stage for my musical library. You will not be taken aback at the vastness on this set but also, nothing stands out as congested either. There isn’t any closed in feeling at all. We should expect an average stage size at the very least and I’d say that you get better than that from this set. The nice thing I hear is the depth and the relative accuracy of the image created with nice space in between elements of a stage.

Separation / Imaging

Separation is good. As with most single DDs there can be a bit of masking and smearing in chaotic and congested tracks with a lot of commotion happening. Still, the D-Fi actually fares okay in these situations. Not perfect by any means but not bad either. Anything less than a very chaotic song and the D-Fi separates very well with localized and partitioned elements of a stage. Imaging is also nicely rendered. The imaging is great left to right as well as forward and backward. Again, in more congested tracks things do muddy up a bit and you’ll lose some of the perceived imaging but all in all, I think the D-Fi do very well in these two categories. In fact, I’d say it’s one of the D-Fi’s strong suits.

Details

The D-Fi offers a reasonably well-done detail experience. Certainly not detail kings but very good against similarly priced iems. Which, by the way, is the only really good stick to measure these against. How do they fare against others in the price point? I can say that there are sets which bring the subtleties to the surface better and for cheaper. Sets like the 7Hz Zero and a few others are tuned to elevate details. That being said, the D-Fi has other attributes that it offers which are much more important to the overall listening experience. Now, with that also being said, the D-Fi has a cleaner sound with a good transient response and an uplifted, non-veiled, and open sounding approach and so details naturally aren’t bad at all. You aren’t missing much my friends.

Full Review HERE

KZ-D-Fi-Review-Pic-16.jpg
Comparisons: Kiwi Ears Cadenza / KZ D-Fi / KZ ZVX

Comparisons

Note: I want to preface these comparisons with a few underlying notes. First, I mainly use the “UUDD” setting on my D-Fi which is my favored way of listening. Also, I compared all sets using a balanced cable on my Shanling M6 Ultra. Another thing, this is not a duel to the death, the only reason I even compare iems is to better explain the set I am reviewing, and these will be very generic explanations to quickly describe some differences without going too in depth.

KZ ZVX ($18)

KZ-D-Fi-Review-Pic-12.jpg

The KZ ZVX is a bona-fide STUD my friends. I adore its tuning, truly. I would have never imagined you could get such a well-tuned iem at this price yet here we are. Is the D-Fi a true upgrade? I suppose we shall see. The ZVX is another amazingly built tank of an iem which is offered at a ridiculously low price and outperforms sets which double it or more. No joke. The ZVX also uses a 10mm Dynamic Driver and also uses the Zobel Network, like the D-Fi. I gave this set great marks and have zero issues rating it in my top three in the ultra-budget space. Possibly number one. Check out my review of the ZVX HERE.

Bass Region

Between the two of these sets, I can plainly see that the ZVX has more of a low-end emphasis and a bit more rumble and slam. In fact, I’d probably say that this is one area where the ZVX sounds a bit more fun to me. Of course, I enjoy a healthy dose of quality bass. That said, the difference is pretty minimal, which by the way is something you will have to get used to hearing in these comparisons. The D-Fi however has a smidgen better clarity to my ears as well as better texture to this area based on the tracks I used for testing. I’m sure this is debatable. What it comes down to is, they both sound very much alike with roughly a 5db boost in the sub-bass through the mid-bass on the ZVX. This of course depends on which switch setting you decide to use in the D-Fi.

Midrange

The D-Fi sounds more neutral than the warmish neutral ZVX. The ZVX renders male vocals a hair thicker and more pronounced. Not necessarily more forward but slightly lusher I suppose. However, the D-Fi has that sharp inflection in a male’s voice that just gives vocals that last bit of clarity. Neither is really triumphant over the other, honestly it is really just a question of preference. The ZVX is smoother in the whole of the midrange while the D-Fi is the cleaner, more resolute and more detailed of the two. The D-Fi draws female voices ever so slightly more forward with a more neutral and organic timbre. Less color I should say. With that said, the ZVX sound very natural in their own right and also sound nicely detailed yet only a little more smoothed over.

Instrumentation has an airier quality listening on the D-Fi, a bit better detailed with a better transient attack and decay in the midrange. There is a snappiness to the sound while not coming across sharp. I would say the ZVX is very similar yet with a slightly warmer hue. To my ears the D-Fi have a bit more energy with a more vibrant display of instrumentation. However, to my ears I do like strings on the ZVX a bit more, while I like percussion a bit more on the D-Fi.

Treble region

I find both of these sets to have a mostly non-offensive sound, and both have good energy up top. Certainly, both of these iems have enough presence up top to elevate the entire spectrum. Definitely not the most elevated or extended but both are nice. Between the two I think the D-Fi stays a hair more in control, but man is it a slight difference. As far as actual treble quantity, the ZVX does have a little bit more of an emphasis with a more forward treble region. Both sets have a softer attack, and both bring upon details relatively nicely.

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Graph courtesy of Ian Fann, thank you

Kiwi Ears Cadenza ($35)

Kiwi Ears Cadenza

Oh, sweet Cadenza, you are an alluring and beautiful iem. I reviewed the Cadenza in January of this year HERE. I was nothing short of impressed with this set. The Cadenza is outfitted with a single 10mm Beryllium coated Dynamic Driver and it is a fantastic all-rounder type of set that quite easily sits in many best under $50 lists. It is a striking iem which offers a slightly different tuning then the D-Fi but does punch above it’s price in my opinion.

Bass Region

As far as differences go… in the UUDU configuration the D-Fi has a bit less in the bass department. This isn’t some colossal difference, yet it is a difference nonetheless. The D-Fi has a bit softer of an impact as well. Now, I can put that third switch up and then this is a different conversation. In that case the D-Fi gets a bit warmer and heartier in the bass region and sounds about the same as far as quantity is concerned. One thing remains is the leading edge of attack is still a bit softer on the D-Fi than the beryllium Cadenza. Both sets offer a very nice bass region that sounds clean and textured. I would say the Cadenza has a bit more of a snappiness to the sound but again, miniscule differences here.

Midrange

Both of these sets hover around neutral in tonal color with the Cadenza leaning slightly more to the left with a touch more warmth to my ears. I think the D-Fi has a cleaner sounding male and female vocal and is slightly more detailed. However, I will have to keep repeating myself, the differences are very minimal. With the Cadenza, males carry a slightly heftier note weight with a smoother and lusher delivery while the D-Fi is more tidy, sharper. Both sound great. Females offer the same differences. The one thing I’ll say is females seem to be a bit more laid back on the Cadenza, but please don’t confuse me, they aren’t laid back in general, only in comparison. The D-Fi replays female voices a hair more forward and shimmery.

Treble Region

The D-Fi also has the more detail focused sound up top. It has a pinch more treble punch where the Cadenza is a bit smoother and less vivacious in the treble region. The D-Fi seems to offer a slight bit more of a rise in the treble despite how closely aligned the graphs are. I would assume the D-Fi’s last little peak around 9-10k does add some luminance and that last little bit of vibrancy but in truth these two sets are very similar. That says a lot about the pedigree of the D-fi if it can hang with a set like the Cadenza which was almost universally praised. Extension on the D-Fi into the highest of highs is about the same to my ears. They are basically hand in hand in that regard.

Two dope sets

So, like I mentioned, the detail retrieval of the D-Fi is certainly better to my ears between the two sets. Now, the Cadenza wasn’t exactly praised for its ability to bring to life the tiny minutia within a track. In the same breath I don’t think that detail retrieval is the D-Fi’s strength either. That said, both sets aren’t bad by any stretch. Soundstage is about the same on both sets, roughly average and not different enough to point out. I’d like to note that just because I have stated that one seems better in one area then the other does not mean it is inherently “better”. This leaves out all of the nuance and intangibles that each set offers. Truth be told, I couldn’t pick which one I like better.

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Graph courtesy of Ian Fann, thank you


KZ DFI

Is it worth the asking price?

Is this a trick question that I’m asking myself? Um…Yeah, this set is most certainly worth the asking price. Listen, the build is really exceptional at this price. Where in the world are you going to find an all-metal shell that is this well put together, this seamless, this slick looking, with tuning switches and is actually a maturely tuned iem…all for $30!? I’ll answer this for you…you don’t see that…anywhere.

The D-Fi is the newest attempt by KZ to capture the budget crown and by most accounts I’d say that they may have done so. Obviously, this all depends on what type of sound signature that you enjoy. I really shouldn’t speak in generalities like that but… c’mon folks! The D-Fi is very well balanced and very musical. No, it isn’t going to out-duel $100 iems, but it most certainly will have a huge advantage against anything in its price bracket, and maybe a price bracket higher.

Not for everyone

The D-Fi will be the exact opposite of those sentiments to anyone who enjoys a very thick and rich and warm experience. Yes, it is true, not everything is meant for everyone. There will be those who don’t appreciate this “close to neutral” style tuning and that is understandable. For those who dig a bigger and deeper bass region I’d say that you should look elsewhere. Even trebleheads may want to look past this set as well. For everyone else I’d say that it is hard to go wrong here for the money. I am thrilled that everyone has a chance to get really good fidelity at almost every price. Scratch that, you CAN find good earphones at every price point and the D-Fi is a shining example of that. So yes, the KZ D-Fi (Tuning Version) is most definitely worth the asking price.

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Ratings (0-10)

Note: all ratings are based upon my subjective judgment. These ratings are garnered against either similarly priced sets or with similar driver implementations or styles. In the case of the D-Fi, that would be any iem in the $15-$35 price point.

Aesthetic

-Build Quality: 10.0

-Design: 9.9

-Accessories: 8.8

Overall: 9.6

Sound Rating

-Timbre: 9.7

-Bass: 9.7

-Midrange: 9.3

-Treble: 8.9

-Technicalities: 9.0

-P2P: 10.0 (Price to Performance)

Overall: 9.4



KZ-D-Fi-Review-Pic-49.jpg

Conclusion

First things first, I have to again share my gratitude to the good people at KZ as well as Tyvan Lam for providing the KZ D-Fi for a fair and completely impartial review. I can respect any company willing to subject their product to the scrutiny of a review. Know this, KZ has never once even slightly uttered a word to me about what they would like me to say or how they’d like their products presented. Never. They live with the end result. Also, if a company did ask me to skew my words than that would be the last time I ever deal with them. So that is worth mentioning. Thank you, KZ.

Please, seek out other thoughts on any product that you may be interested in. We are all very much different friends. We have different hearing abilities, different sources and gear, different likes and dislikes, different music libraries and we all haven’t been down the same audio journey (probably the most important). Listen to, watch, or read other opinions as it will help you to gauge these devices better. With that, I finally want to thank you, the reader. It means a lot to me that you would click the link to this review, and I do hope it has helped. Thank you and please take care.
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K
kanett
When people say kz now has mature sounding, what department do they mean? Technical, tone or everything? And does it mean that kz now has hit the tuning that is above maybe moondrop aria level?

suicideup

New Head-Fier
KZ D-Fi (Tunable version) Review!
Pros: Once again, the current best KZ yet (subjective).

Versatile, all rounder sound signature.

Scales well with different pairings and sources.

Offers 16 different possible tuning configurations.

Very good sound quality even on stock configuration (0000).

Has the most “neutral” sound signature among all KZ IEMs (0001).

Agile bass response.

Natural, well-placed mids.

Non-fatiguing upper frequencies.

Very good technical performance on certain configurations for its price.

Excellent build quality Polished metal!

Very good fit and comfort.

For the first time, a KZ with 2 sets of silicone eartips!
Cons: Despite having 16 possible tuning configurations, most of them exhibit only slight differences in overall sound.

The right driver’s tuning switch interface is upside down compared to its right driver, which may cause confusion to some.

Just like the EDA Balanced, this IEM isn’t tuned to be a basshead’s dream (still subjective).

There are no manuals included on how to operate the tuning switches, or a guide on which configuration sounds which.

Despite being an excellent performer in the tonal department, its imaging is just average on certain configurations.

There are some mild peaks on certain configurations with the stock eartips paired.

Fit is a bit tight on the stock cable.

QDC connection is cumbersome and visually ruins the overall visual aesthetic (subjective).

IEM may be a bit bulky and/or heavy on some ears.

A pouch or a case would’ve been a great treat for everybody due to its amount of included accessories.
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KZ D-Fi (Tunable Version) Review!

Good day! After 7 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the KZ D-Fi (tunable version). KZ’s Magnum Opus!

Disclaimer:
  • I don’t read and read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as how earphones should be used.
  • KZ sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
  • The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
  • No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
  • Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Special Note/s here:
  • Throughout this review, I will be using the KZ on its default config (0000)(0 means down, 1 means up), then compare the other configuration from there.
Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 7 days.

Source/s used:
  • -Hiby R3 Pro Saber
  • -Fosi Audio DS1
  • -Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), Laptop.
  • -Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: stock large eartips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, low gain and high gain,with and without extra amplification.

=====================================================================================================
Sound signature:
  • On default configuration (0000), the KZ D-Fi has a "fairly neutral" sound signature, which can be interpreted as u-shaped by some, but to me I prefer to call it "neutral-warm," as it is warm yet does not have any perceivable recession of the midrange region.
Lows:
  • The lows are present and are mildly elevated. It is more midbass dominant than subbass, but there are still a good amount of sub bass here to cater most EDM and bass heavy tracks you listen to your heart’s content. Attack and decay are quite quick most of the time but it never badly lacked on any genre that I threw at it. This makes the D-Fi able to deliver clean, punchy lows, without smearing too much in the mids.
Mids:
  • As for the mids, it is "naturally" placed; It is not too forward nor too recessed, but may sometimes sound "laid back" in certain configurations. Lower mids exhibit good thickness and depth, delivering good texture and detail on male vocals and instruments present in the region. Upper mids are slightly elevated in this configuration and may elevate or tone down depending on the configuration you prefer. There are also no peaks, harshness, or sibilance present in this configuration while delivering very good quality in clarity, air, and sparkle.
Highs:
  • Moving on to the highs, it is slightly elevated, well-extended, and free from any harshness and/or fatigue. It also elevates and recesses depending on the configuration you set it in. Detail retrieval is average and can pick up most details in a track.
Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:
  • In a nutshell, the technical performance of the D-Fi falls in the average to above-average category under 100 USD. It is nothing to write home about, but it definitely did nothing bad at all. Soundstage width, depth, and height are average; separation is good enough and can cater to heavy passages fairly easily; imaging is fairly precise and will render instrument and vocal positioning easily.
Other tuning configurations:

LEGEND: 1 = UP, 0 = DOWN

  • - 0000 - The default tuning of the D-Fi. Neutral warm, mild u-shaped warm.
  • - 0001 - The U-shaped bright/Neutral bright sound configuration. Lessens the warmth and elevates the upper frequencies. My preferred tuning configuration.
  • - 0010 - Increases the midbass quantity and makes the mids a bit warmer.
  • - 0011 - Sounds like the usual Harman target curve, with more upper mids-treble elevation and sparkle.
  • - 0100 - Adds more depth to its overall sound, adds more lows, and lessens upper frequency quantity. On some tracks, the mids may sound recessed. Loses a bit of air in return.
  • - 0101 - Vocals become forward, making things sound a bit more intimate than usual. Lows are also elevated, particularly its midbass.
  • - 0110 - Almost the same as what you would get with the 0101 config, but is less bright and less intimate.
  • - 0111 - Sounds more v-shaped than u-shaped to my ears. Upper frequencies are definitely more elevated and bright.
  • - 1000 - Nearly the same as what the 0000 config sound, but with more subbass presence. It is still not a sub bass monster though.
  • - 1001 - Sounds U-shaped bright to my ears. It is noticeably airy, especially on the vocals, but may sound hollow at times.
  • - 1010 - Almost the same as the 0000 tuning, but with more subbass quantity. Still, it does not dig that deep.
  • - 1011 - This is the better 0101 configuration, due to its noticeable added sound thickness.
  • - 1100 - This sounds L-shaped to my ears. Bass is elevated.
  • - 1101 - Sounds like the 0111 config but less aggressive when compared.
  • - 1110 - Probably the most "bassy" configuration next to the 0000 config.
  • - 1111 - Nearly the same sound as the 1110, but with more upper frequency presence.
=====================================================================================================
Comparisons! (VS D-Fi on default config (0000))

VS TRN MT1 Max on “balanced” config:
  • The overall sound of the D-Fi is definitely on the lighter side when compared, and also leans on the “neutral” sound signature more than the MT1 Max. Peaks, harshness, and sibilance are also almost absent on the D-Fi when compared to the latter. Technical performance is more or less the same. Fit, build quality, and comfort is definitely better on the D-Fi, as it should be.

=====================================================================================================
Pros:

  • Once again, the current best KZ yet (subjective).
  • Versatile, all rounder sound signature.
  • Scales well with different pairings and sources.
  • Offers 16 different possible tuning configurations.
  • Very good sound quality even on stock configuration (0000).
  • Has the most “neutral” sound signature among all KZ IEMs (0001).
  • Agile bass response.
  • Natural, well-placed mids.
  • Non-fatiguing upper frequencies.
  • Very good technical performance on certain configurations for its price.
  • Excellent build quality Polished metal!
  • Very good fit and comfort.
  • For the first time, a KZ with 2 sets of silicone eartips!
Cons:
  • Despite having 16 possible tuning configurations, most of them exhibit only slight differences in overall sound.
  • The right driver’s tuning switch interface is upside down compared to its right driver, which may cause confusion to some.
  • Just like the EDA Balanced, this IEM isn’t tuned to be a basshead’s dream (still subjective).
  • There are no manuals included on how to operate the tuning switches, or a guide on which configuration sounds which.
  • Despite being an excellent performer in the tonal department, its imaging is just average on certain configurations.
  • There are some mild peaks on certain configurations with the stock eartips paired.
  • Fit is a bit tight on the stock cable.
  • QDC connection is cumbersome and visually ruins the overall visual aesthetic (subjective).
  • IEM may be a bit bulky and/or heavy on some ears.
  • A pouch or a case would’ve been a great treat for everybody due to its amount of included accessories.

Verdict
The KZ D-Fi (tunable version) is KZ’s Magnum Opus, in my opinion. In this Chi-Fi market era where tuning switches became relevant once again, the KZ D-Fi managed to be one of the well-known among all of those that exist, mainly because of its competitive price-to-performance ratio. Even in stock form, it managed to go toe-to-toe with some of the IEMs that existed under 100 USD in terms of its tonal performance. To me, the KZ D-Fi is an easy recommendation for anyone who wants an IEM that can be tuned according to their liking. With that being said, I wonder what the non-tunable version sounds like. I'll probably let the other hobbyists answer that question.


Pairing recommendation/s:
  • Source: This IEM is easy to be driven to its full potential. However, pairing it with a warmer source makes things a bit thicker.
  • Eartips: Eartips included are alright, but could be better in terms of fit and isolation. I recommend KBEAR 07 or Final E eartips for this one.
  • Cable: Cable is as good but the ear hooks are quite stiff and affects the fit of this IEM to my ears..

Thank you for reading!

Additional Photos Here:


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littlenezt

100+ Head-Fier
16 Different Flavors IEM
Pros: + Tunable Bass
+ Flexible Tonality
+ LOTS of Customization Possibilities
+ BUILD QUALITY
Cons: - MEH Cable
- No Included Pouch
- Not the most technical prowess in the class
KZ D-Fi
1DD, 4 Tuning Switch
Price : $26-$33


Hi there, before I even begin this review, please forgive my weird English and grammatical mistakes.
Thanks KZ for sending me the D-Fi to make this review happens, but rest assured, this whole review is 100% my subjective opinion.

just in case you're interested after reading this review, you can purchase the D-Fi on links below

Official Website Purchase:https://www.kztws.com/products/kz-d-fi
Lazada KZ Store:https://www.lazada.com.ph/shop/kz16...43fr0UO4Q&itemId=3615896965&channelSource=pdp
Lazada D-Fi:https://www.lazada.co.id/products/i...4863640.table_online_product.1.114f4edfrnvpmt

IMO just get the tunable switch version for LOTS of customization.

let's start with the Unboxing
the overall Unboxing experience is typical minimalist KZ box without anything fancy
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weird, the tuning switch is upside down on one earpiece
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what you get in the box :
  • IEM
  • Pin for Switch
  • KZ Whirlwind Eartips (SML), Generic Eartips (SML), Foam Eartips (M)
  • Cable
  • Warranty Card & ManualIMG_0839.JPGIMG_0844(1).JPG

BUILD Quality
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The Build of the IEM itself is actually pretty good for the price. Its made from metal and NOT as heavy as the ZVX, though its glossy, meaning it will be a fingerprint magnet

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as for the Cable, it's functional, nothing much to say but it looks like "Bihun"
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now for the Fitting

Personally myself can't get a decent fit with the stock eartips except the Foamies, but I don't like the feel of the Foam so I use aftermarket eartips the Acoustune AET08 for the best fit possible

IMG_0997.jpgIMG_1007.jpg

SOUND
Sound is tested using Apple Dongle and Luxury Precision W2-131, Music Source is mostly from Apple Music Lossless, Acoustune AET08 Eartips, Stock Cable

Genre : J-Pop, J-Rock, Rap, RnB, Metal, Jazz


Tonality in general, the D-Fi is very coherent, lean sounding, with tunable bass, and smooth treble

My Favorite Tuning :
D =
Down
U = Up
  • DDDU : It sounds almost Diffuse Field-ish albeit not True DF and not the most accurate sounding, it can still be used for audio works (Reminds me a bit of Blessing 2)
  • DUDU : The bass presentation sounds like Truthear Hexa, it almost sounds like you're listening a budget Hexa with 1DD configurations, it has decent sub bass boost with very good midbass - mid transition.
  • UUUD : The bassiest configurations, it sounds like your typical harman with extra midbass (Starfield, Aria, HOLA)

BASS : There is 16 different tuning for the bass, for the switch itself #1-3 is for bass boost, and #4 is for reducing the bass.
I do found the bass switch tuning is mostly affecting around 80hz and below.

The bass is very flexible, it can be made to sound like Hexa, Blessing 2, or even your typical Harman with extra midbass tuning like the Starfield, Hola, Zvx, Aria

As for the bass quantity, with the bassiest tuning used, it's NOT on a basshead level quantity, so if you're a basshead, this IEM is probably not for you.

Bass speed on the D-Fi is very nimble, it can be used for track with lots of double pedal (Metal) and you can still hear every notes with the D-Fi

MID : Overall mid presentation is lean, but not thin, vocal is forward but not shouty, free from sibilance, instruments do sound a bit on the leaner side like the vocal.
I found the mid can be made a bit thicker by using the bassiest configurations.
With the bassiest configurations, the mid sounds thicker, or probably getting a bit masked by the bass so it sounds thicker and denser.

Treble : Airy, Smooth, NOT sounding metallic, 0 Piercing treble

Timbre : Sounds natural, I cannot find anything wrong with D-Fi timbre.

Technicalities :

Detail Retrieval :
Average, not the best detail extractor on its price bracket, but it has some decent detail, it's good enough for its price.

Stage : Sadly it's on the smaller side, and it doesn't have exact wall placement, it sounds like you're listening on a small void of space.

Imaging : Above average, its decent for it's price, it can images sounds pretty well compared to other IEM on its price.

Positioning & Separation : Also above average from its price category, it's even better if you use the DDDU configurations, there is ZERO overlapping on the sound, and its very easy to find sound source from your music and even footsteps for gaming.

Comparison :
Moondrop CHU :
Moondrop CHU has even leaner sound compared to the D-Fi, it also sounds metallic and the timbre is somewhat wrong, though, CHU has better technicalities if compared to the D-Fi.

Truthear HOLA : HOLA Build quality if compared directly to the D-Fi feels like its very cheap and fragile, Sound on HOLA is more punchy, more thicker and denser, but sadly I found the HOLA to be a bit metallic sounding on its treble.
As for technicalities, HOLA is better on the Stage Size compared to D-Fi, but for tonality personally myself still prefer the D-Fi.

KZ ZVX : Build is very good on both IEM, but ZVX is VERY HEAVY and somewhat because of that its not comfortable for long session. As for the sounds, ZVX has more bass, more dense and thicker midrange, and more sparkle on its treble.
IMO, the D-Fi is more balanced sounding if compared directly to the ZVX, while the ZVX is more on the "Fun Side"

Conclusion :

The KZ D-Fi is Recommended if :

  • You're on a budget and want an IEM that has a very coherent tonality
  • You want an IEM with 16 different tuning
  • You love customization
  • Want an IEM that can be used for Fun but also for audio works
The KZ D-Fi is NOT so Recommended if :
  • You don't want to spend extra money for tuning switch
  • You don't want to spend extra money for eartips just in case you don't get decent fit with the stock one
  • You want a BASSHEAD IEMs
  • Want the most technical prowess with minimal cost as possible
Just in case you're Indonesian OR understand Bahasa Indonesia, you can watch the video review below


thats all from me for now, sorry for my weird English, I literally wrote this after waking up from sleep, lol
I probably will edit this later to edit my weird English.

thanks for reading this far,



-littlenezt
Last edited:

eagleowl

New Head-Fier
KZ D-Fi with 4 Tunable Switch for Bass Boost 10mm DD
Pros: Lean Mean Fast and Clean Bass with 4 bass boost switch
Organic and natural Mid Vocal, clean and clear
Treble details, imaging and micro details and instrument separation are adequate
Metal alloy built IEM quite sturdy
4 switch to play with for up to 4dB of each increment of 1dB bass boost
Cons: 3K peak might be sibilant for some, and some tracks, at higher volume
Soundstage is not widest, 3D holographic or spacious enough as preferred
Disclaimer: Thank you and kudos to KZ for arranging this review unit, all herewith are based on own observation with no affiliation nor obligation, noob observation - please enjoy.

Packaging / Presentation :

Packaging in KZ small white box. IEMs are well built sturdy metal alloy. Comes with 1 black foam tip, 2 set x 3 pairs of white and grey in S M and L. Cable is the white flat cable.


Equipment used / Music choices :

ASUS Laptop WIN 11 with Spotify Connect to

  • ifi UNO DAC to FSA Beyond HD Amplifier 6.35SE and Supplier HD Linear Supply
  • Topping DX3PRO DAC to Topping Amplifier L30 6.35SE
  • ifi Zen Dac v2.0 interconnected to ifi Zen Can 3.5SE/4.4BAL
Sony walkman A55 with Fiio A5 Portable Amplifier 3.5SE
LG G7+ 3.5mm SE with Shangling UP5 2.5bal/3.5SE/4.4bal BT via LDAC

Music Tracks - variety of EDM, pop, rock, jazz, country, instrumental, classical, audiophile male/female, chinese / cantonese favourites.

Some of tracks used -
4x4=12 – Deadmau5
Need you tonight - INXS,
Jack and Diane - John Mellencamp,
I'm Good - David Guetta and Bebe Rexha,
Dancing in the Dark – Eddie Berman,
Snow Throwing – Lose Again,
IntroOooOoo – Kidkanevil, Daisuke Tanabe,
Brydshot and Bye - Dimlite,
Mushroom Picker Dance - Floex,
Bubbles – Yosi Horikawa,
Ageispolis – Aphex Twin,
Original remastered – Leftfield,
Virtual Reality and Acoustic Guitar Guy – Instrumental only, etc..

Sound Impression :

Lean Mean Cold Linear Sounding

Overall Tonality and Timbre
– Sound Signature is bright. Intimate with Good Weight Tone and Good Clarity. Overall is Well Balanced tuned set, organic and natural, clean and clear.

Bass – Probably the feature of this set. With 4 switch at 1 dB boost of Bass each. Bass transient speed is fast and snappy and clean, on the leaner side, well controlled and accurate, kick drum and strikes are precise.

Mids – Male and Female vocals are organic natural sounding, forward sounding with good weight tone and clarity, not in the face overly though.

Treble - Instruments separation and imaging are clear and concise, accurate and precise, cymbals and high hats are good, have adequate micro details, it is only 1DD covering the full range spectrum, decent.

Soundstage is not the widest in width, depth and height that I heard. Not 3D holographic or spacious enough for those that might prefer though there is an open vent on the top faceplate.

All testing are done using the stock tips and cable.

KZ D-Fi with 4 switch [USD33.74 currently]

Comparison to

Moondrop SSP [USD39.99]

My first initial listening impression of the KZ D-Fi makes me think of my Moondrop SSP due to the tuning. This set sound signature is quite alike those set of my bright DD coated, graphene Reecho SG01, titanium SG03 or beryllium SSP. The similar characteristics of all these coated DDs sets all have good clean clear sound, especially in the mid vocals, and the high treble region on the instrumentals. Good imaging and separation with adequate resolution and micro details. SSP is relatively more difficult to drive, needs a good amplifier for sure.


Final Thoughts

Personally I am not a big fan of IEM with tunable option, though is appreciated if provided with very great difference on each of the tunable option, which I do not know if it is possible? Will be pleased if the set offer good value over performance, well built IEM, with decent tips and cable provided and of course good tuning and sound performance utmost importance in the least.
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