Preamble:
Knowledge Zenith, in short “KZ”, is a Chinese manufacturer of very inexpensive in-ears and headphones that usually offer a really good value, sound and build quality for the little money they cost. Sure, you can’t expect the sound of $100 headphones from earphones that usually cost around $10, but many of the KZ earphones offer a sound (and build) quality that can compete with $30-$50 headphones easily (I have also heard some worse $30-50 IEMs than most $10 KZ’s).
After I had already bought many models of the KZ range from the KZ Official Flagship Store (http://aliexpress.com/store/1358152), they kindly provided me with a sample of the ED3c (http://de.aliexpress.com/store/product/KZ-ED3-Metal-Micro-Moving-Coil-Unit-In-Ear-Stereo-HiFi-Music-Earphone-Headphones-For-Samsung/1358152_32302313401.html, ~ $10) for review.
Please note that (as always) I am not affiliated with Knowledge Zenith or any of their stores in any way and that this review reflects my actual thoughts on the product. (As always,) I don’t gain any financial benefits from writing this review.
Technical Specifications:
Drivers: dynamic, single-driver (6.8 mm), 16 Ohms
Impedance: 16 Ohms
Sensitivity: 108 dB
Colours: multiple colours
Delivery Content:
My evaluation sample arrived only in a plastic bag with additional silicone tips, but I guess the retail version comes with the shield-shaped plastic box which is typical for KZ.
Looks, Feels, Build Quality:
The ED3c have got the coloured cable which is typical for KZ, very flexible and has got ideal strain relief on every transition – it is really good and something other manufacturers could learn from. Though, also typically for KZ, the cable has no chin-slider.
The in-ear bodies are made of metal, seem indestructible and are painted (red in my case). The plastic faceplate says “ED3 The acme”, the bodies feature black “HIFI Acoustics” lettering. In the front section is “kz :ed3 .00 1 54.02” engraved.
Comfort, Isolation:
The IEMs can be worn both with the cables straight down or around the ears. The latter is generally my preferred method, as it improves fit as well as comfort and clearly reduces microphonics. As a chin slider is missing, the cable unfortunately moves when I tilt my head backwards or lean to the sides.
The ED3c sit comfortably in my ears, but I wouldn’t mind if the nozzle was a bit longer.
Noise isolation is definitely upper mediocrity.
Sound:
The sound was mainly evaluated with the iBasso DX80, DX90 and the LH Labs Geek Out IEM 100. The music files were stored in FLAC format, but I also used some MP3s. I used the application “Sine Gen” as sine generator on the computer (with the Geek Out as DAC/Amp).
(Just in case,) the in-ears were burnt in for at least 50 hours before I started listening.
The sound was evaluated with the large, black stock silicone tips.
Tonality:
The ED3c have got an emphasis of around 7 dB in the area between 40 and 300 Hz, wherefore they sound bassy, but not bass-heavy. The sub-bass rolls only slightly off. The mids are tonally correct (which is unfortunately something not many IEMs have in the low budget sector, but almost all KZ IEMs joyfully do) and neither over- nor under-present. The treble is just spot-on as well, with a slight, gently rising emphasis of the upper highs – there are no peaks or dips, which is quite nice.
Resolution:
Just like actually all KZ IEMs, the ED3c offer a good resolution for the price. Keeping the price in mind, the overall resolution of these IEMs is definitely among the better Knowledge Zenith in-ears. The mids are detailed, precise and natural.
The lows are actually neither spongy nor lack differentiation, though they could be a bit more arid and also seem a bit blunt at times (just like the ATE). The treble sounds detailed, but could be a tad more differentiated with complex music – still, both attributes (the slightly blunt bass and the highs that could sound minimally more differentiated with complex tracks) are things that can be forgiven to ~ $10 earphones and in my personal experience, the ED3c could even cost triple the money and would still be worth it.
Soundstage:
I perceive these in-ears’ soundstage as marginally wider than average, while having a depth that consists of about 50-60% of the width, so yeah, they “can do” spatial depth. Instrument separation and –placement are good, but they could be even a tad more precise (although there are many more expensive in-ears that sound foggier). All in all, the soundstage (with these in-ears that could easily cost $30) is still quite decent.
Conclusion:
The ED3c in-ears offer a good build quality with a nice and sonically correct midrange as well as a resolution that is easily above the price range. Though, the lows seem a bit blunt at times and the treble loses differentiation with complex music.
These things are however no deal-breakers and for a price of just $10, these in-ears are no-brainers and get 4.5 out of 5 stars with ease.
Knowledge Zenith, in short “KZ”, is a Chinese manufacturer of very inexpensive in-ears and headphones that usually offer a really good value, sound and build quality for the little money they cost. Sure, you can’t expect the sound of $100 headphones from earphones that usually cost around $10, but many of the KZ earphones offer a sound (and build) quality that can compete with $30-$50 headphones easily (I have also heard some worse $30-50 IEMs than most $10 KZ’s).
After I had already bought many models of the KZ range from the KZ Official Flagship Store (http://aliexpress.com/store/1358152), they kindly provided me with a sample of the ED3c (http://de.aliexpress.com/store/product/KZ-ED3-Metal-Micro-Moving-Coil-Unit-In-Ear-Stereo-HiFi-Music-Earphone-Headphones-For-Samsung/1358152_32302313401.html, ~ $10) for review.
Please note that (as always) I am not affiliated with Knowledge Zenith or any of their stores in any way and that this review reflects my actual thoughts on the product. (As always,) I don’t gain any financial benefits from writing this review.
Technical Specifications:
Drivers: dynamic, single-driver (6.8 mm), 16 Ohms
Impedance: 16 Ohms
Sensitivity: 108 dB
Colours: multiple colours
Delivery Content:
My evaluation sample arrived only in a plastic bag with additional silicone tips, but I guess the retail version comes with the shield-shaped plastic box which is typical for KZ.
Looks, Feels, Build Quality:
The ED3c have got the coloured cable which is typical for KZ, very flexible and has got ideal strain relief on every transition – it is really good and something other manufacturers could learn from. Though, also typically for KZ, the cable has no chin-slider.
The in-ear bodies are made of metal, seem indestructible and are painted (red in my case). The plastic faceplate says “ED3 The acme”, the bodies feature black “HIFI Acoustics” lettering. In the front section is “kz :ed3 .00 1 54.02” engraved.
Comfort, Isolation:
The IEMs can be worn both with the cables straight down or around the ears. The latter is generally my preferred method, as it improves fit as well as comfort and clearly reduces microphonics. As a chin slider is missing, the cable unfortunately moves when I tilt my head backwards or lean to the sides.
The ED3c sit comfortably in my ears, but I wouldn’t mind if the nozzle was a bit longer.
Noise isolation is definitely upper mediocrity.
Sound:
The sound was mainly evaluated with the iBasso DX80, DX90 and the LH Labs Geek Out IEM 100. The music files were stored in FLAC format, but I also used some MP3s. I used the application “Sine Gen” as sine generator on the computer (with the Geek Out as DAC/Amp).
(Just in case,) the in-ears were burnt in for at least 50 hours before I started listening.
The sound was evaluated with the large, black stock silicone tips.
Tonality:
The ED3c have got an emphasis of around 7 dB in the area between 40 and 300 Hz, wherefore they sound bassy, but not bass-heavy. The sub-bass rolls only slightly off. The mids are tonally correct (which is unfortunately something not many IEMs have in the low budget sector, but almost all KZ IEMs joyfully do) and neither over- nor under-present. The treble is just spot-on as well, with a slight, gently rising emphasis of the upper highs – there are no peaks or dips, which is quite nice.
Resolution:
Just like actually all KZ IEMs, the ED3c offer a good resolution for the price. Keeping the price in mind, the overall resolution of these IEMs is definitely among the better Knowledge Zenith in-ears. The mids are detailed, precise and natural.
The lows are actually neither spongy nor lack differentiation, though they could be a bit more arid and also seem a bit blunt at times (just like the ATE). The treble sounds detailed, but could be a tad more differentiated with complex music – still, both attributes (the slightly blunt bass and the highs that could sound minimally more differentiated with complex tracks) are things that can be forgiven to ~ $10 earphones and in my personal experience, the ED3c could even cost triple the money and would still be worth it.
Soundstage:
I perceive these in-ears’ soundstage as marginally wider than average, while having a depth that consists of about 50-60% of the width, so yeah, they “can do” spatial depth. Instrument separation and –placement are good, but they could be even a tad more precise (although there are many more expensive in-ears that sound foggier). All in all, the soundstage (with these in-ears that could easily cost $30) is still quite decent.
Conclusion:
The ED3c in-ears offer a good build quality with a nice and sonically correct midrange as well as a resolution that is easily above the price range. Though, the lows seem a bit blunt at times and the treble loses differentiation with complex music.
These things are however no deal-breakers and for a price of just $10, these in-ears are no-brainers and get 4.5 out of 5 stars with ease.
I'm very interested in them.. I just want to know how they stack up against audio technica ath clr100 and the xiamio piston 3(this was my daily driver for last 5 months n i lost it.. ).
Thanks