KZ ZVX 10mm Dynamic Driver IEM

Introduction

The KZ ZVX is a recent budget model released by the company "Knowledge Zenith" (abbreviated as KZ) which implements their newest 10mm dual cavity DD and aims to compete in the sub $20 USD IEM market, with an estimated price of $18 USD.

Video Review here

If you wish to read this review in spanish, click here

Disclaimers:

• KZ kindly sent me this product to make an unbiased review. You can check the KZ ZVX here: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_opu0tVH (Aliexpress), https://www.kztws.com/products/kz-zvx?variant=44402385617147 (Official Website)
• I use stock accessories in my reviews to form a fair opinion about the product
• Review based in 2-4hs listening sessions each day across 5 days

A “little” inconvenience

This one won't start with my typical review format of "Unboxing, Build & Comfort," "Frequency Response Description" and "Subjective Sound Description." You may be wondering why, and here's the explanation.



I have tried other KZ products like the DQ6, which also came with a cheap cable but never caused me any issues. And here we have the ZVX, trying to compete with other cheap headphones in this range but neglecting an important matter: quality control.

The first day I started analyzing the sound of these headphones, I began by listening to Billie Eilish and then switched to Heavy Metal music like Iron Maiden and In Flames. EVERYTHING SOUNDED DIFFERENT. The guitars sounded distant, and the cymbals even more so in songs like "State of Slow Decay" and "Rime of the Ancient Mariner"; the bass overpowered all the other frequencies in songs like "All Good Girls Go to Hell." My initial feeling was one of distress because I imagined that the drivers were defective, and there was nothing I could do about it. A few minutes later, after testing the ZVX on different devices to make sure it wasn't my phone or PC's fault, I remembered that I had a 2-pin cable from my HZSound Heart Mirror that was compatible with my old DQ6, which incidentally had the same QDC connector as the ZVX. That's when I had the brilliant idea to give it a try…

BINGO, the drivers weren’t defective, it was the cable! All the songs returned to "normal." I haven't stated my verdict yet, but it's already a significant negative point that I wasn’t able to use the included cable to evaluate the performance of the ZVX.

Now, I'll return to a more structured writing format.


Unboxing, Build & Comfort

The ZVX comes in the typical small KZ box, which is to be expected for $18 USD. We can find the cable and 3 pairs of foam tips included.




The IEMs themselves have a surprisingly solid build considering their market value. Comparing them to the 7HZ Salnotes Zero that I recently reviewed, these feel much more premium with their full electroplated metal construction with small brand engravings. On the top and to the side, there is a protruding QDC-type connector. The ZVX is available in both black and silver colors.



The selection of tips felt a bit strange to me: only 3 pairs of foam tips. I don't think it's a bad idea to include them in the package, but it's odd that they are the only available tip selection with the ZVX. Something that crosses my mind is the longevity they will have since silicone tips tend to last a very long time if maintained occasionally. On the other hand, foam rubber is practically impossible to clean and usually has a limited lifespan.



The cable is a 2-pin type compatible with QDC connectors. I believe you already know my opinion about it...

The comfort is adequate once inserted into the ear canal. I didn't have to readjust them more than once or twice. However, the seal they provide to the ear is not exceptional. Using the smaller foam rubber tips, I achieved only average isolation.


Sound description (+ some comparisons with 7HZ Salnotes Zero)



It's no coincidence that I mentioned the Zero earlier. In addition to being in a very similar price range, both IEMs have a very similar tuning, as can be seen in the measurements.


Credits: Paul Wasabii

Bass

To test the bass, I listened to "Buried" by IMANU. This, like other songs in the EDM genre, pairs well with the amount of bass provided by the ZVX. The bass has a good sense of impact both in the drop and carrying the song's rhythm.

Continuing with "Gimme That Bounce" by Mau P, once again, the more visceral bass of these headphones stands out in this genre. The subbass also has good presence and authority here. Increasing the volume a bit makes the subbass feel chest-rattling and can be heard with good clarity.

In the two mentioned EDM songs, the Zero doesn't stand out as much in my opinion, which is why I see the ZVX as a good option for people seeking a tuning similar to the Zero but with more emphasis on bass.



Mids

In "Vivere" by Bocceli, I found a proper balance between the female and male vocals, with neither one standing out more than the other. However, the more pronounced V-shaped tuning places the vocals slightly behind in the song, alongside the cymbals and bass. Despite this, I had no trouble distinguishing each sound individually.

"Bury a Friend" by Billie Eilish emphasizes the mentioned point a bit more, as the sub-bass/bass and synthetic sounds overpower Billie's vocals at the 2:40 mark, causing her to lose the spotlight during the chorus.

After my listening sessions with the ZVX, I do miss the more present mids that the 7HZ provides with its more balanced/neutral tuning.



Treble

Listening to "Somebody To Love" by Queen, I noticed a good articulation between Freddie and his backing vocalists. They all sound correct. The point I want to emphasize here relies at the end of the song, where the drum cymbals are played multiple times. There, I found the treble peaks to create an extra sense of detail at the cost of some slightly piercing/sibilant passages.

In this aspect, I believe the KZ team has succeeded. I appreciate this additional detail that these IEMs offer me in genres like classical music, where I seek to analyze each particular sound more meticulously. I found this aspect particularly useful in "Swan Lake, Op. 20, TH. 12 / Act I: No. 2 Valse (Corps de Ballet)" by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, where I felt that the bells had greater clarity.



Soundstage & Imaging

"Hallowed Be Thy Name" by Iron Maiden (Live at Long Beach Arena), the bass, guitars, drums, and lead vocalist's voice are sounds that are easily distinguishable from each other and not difficult to locate on the stage (good imaging).

However, the tuning lacks air. In live concerts, I noticed little separation between the guitars on the left/right and the lead vocalist in the center. Overall, these headphones create a fairly compact three-dimensional soundstage and are the most "intimate" in-ears I have tried so far. The soundstage has small width (side-to-side distance) and depth (front-to-back distance).

I found that the Zeros have a slightly worse imaging but much better spatiality in terms of width and depth, making them more enjoyable for live performances.



Conclusion



Why not less than 3 stars if the cable comes faulty from the factory? Why not more than 3 stars if some aspects were better than the 7HZ Salnotes Zero, which you gave 5 stars? It's simple, the ZVX is an $18 USD pair of IEMs, so buying a new cable doesn't represent a significant expense. Having said that, I don't find it acceptable for the included cable to have these kinds of issues when I have already tried other products in this price range that didn't have any faults.

I can recommend the ZVX for its sonic characteristics to people looking for IEMs with impactful bass and a bit better treble definition compared to the Zeros. However, the overall package of the product left me a bit disappointed.

General/Build/Packaging/Comfort
KZ is a name that most in the Chi-Fi community should be familiar with. Today I have the ZVX as well as D-Fi with me. We will take a look at how it sounds below, but first, let's talk about the build and comfort.
Both ZVX and D-FI have metal build and they’re very solid to hold, ZVX weighs a little but you won’t really feel it when it’s in your ears. D-Fi however is slightly lighter and it is with tuning switches, both are really comfortable to wear for a long period of time. In terms of packaging, most KZ IEMs share the same packaging style, ZVX and D-Fi are no exception.

Gears used for this review

• Earmen Angel Dac/Amp
• Earmen ST-Amp
• Macbook Air M2 3.5 Out
• iPod Touch 5th Gen
• KZ ZVX, KZ D-Fi

Foreword
My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far



Sound Impression
KZ ZVX

• I have not listened to a KZ IEM for quite some time, my impression/experience with KZ back then was not good, particularly due to the notoriously sibilant highs, that was back then, fast forward to present, they have improved with due time of course
• I was surprised when i listened to ZVX, they are completely different from how they used to sound
• The tuning is rather neutral with a slight emphasis on the highs, (slightly), this is why i'm surprised
• Bass has adequate texture, sufficient quantity and good control as well, it is also quite speedy and handles Metallica’s track easily
• Mids are not recessed nor too forward, male vocal has good texture to it, the same can be said for female vocal as well
• Treble is never offensive, retains enough energy yet it is smooth at the same time, non sibilant for sure
• In terms of detail retrieval, they are actually very good for the asking price, maybe slightly punching above the price point but nothing more, quite impressive
• Soundstage has good depth and width, instruments can be pinpointed easily as well, separation is quite good as well
• Very good impression with the ZVX overall, recommended!

KZ D-Fi (DDDD)

• I settled with the DDDD config because it’s the default setting and also the most pleasant sounding to my ears
• The tonality on this config sounds quite neutral to my ears, bass quantity and quality is good, decent texture and good control, doesn’t bleed into the mids
• Mids are not recessed nor too forward, timbre is quite good
• Vocal has good texture for both male and female, instrument’s timbre in the mids sounds natural to my ears
• Treble is smooth and non offensive to my ears, non sibilant, detail retrieval is alright
• Soundstage has good width, and height, slightly lacking depth though, imaging and separation is good for the asking price
• The ability to taylor the tuning to your preference is a plus here, also making it a versatile unit

Driveability

• Both the D-Fi and ZVX is easy to drive
• Both does scale with source in terms of tonality and soundstage, doesn’t really benefit much from amping
• In fact, Apple Dongle is sufficient to drive both the D-Fi and ZVX to their potential

Final Thoughts
All in all, KZ seems to be heading in the right direction in terms of tuning, both the D-Fi and ZVX sound good and offer tremendous value for the performance they’re putting out. Both are easily recommended!

Both ZVX and D-FI are being sent out by KZ for the purpose of this review, I thank them for the opportunity.

Head over to the following link if you’re interested to get one yourself
Shopee Malaysia Link
KZ ZVX - Non affiliated
KZ D-Fi - Non affiliated

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - KZ ZVX

As with the last set of KZ IEMs that I reviewed, I am not very sure who sent me the KZ ZVX for review. This time I received an email from someone who had reached out to me in the past (not the same person/company who reached out last time) and asked if I would review the KZ Linglong. I mentioned that I had a rather large backlog of reviews but if they wanted to send them out then I would review them once I got a chance.

I didn’t hear anything else and a couple of weeks later I received the KZ ZVX. I am guessing that it is from the same person/company but I really don’t know. Therefore, I will share a link to the ZVX via the site of the person who contacted me about the Linglong, as I guess they just decided to send a different model? To see the link, visit this review published on my blog (link at the end f this review).

This obviously means that I have not received any requests from the person who sent these to me and the link is of course non-affiliate, as I am not even sure if I am linking the correct page.

To avoid being repetetive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews



Intro…

I don’t think KZ need any introduction, I have reviewed many of their models in the past and anyone who has ever looked at budget IEMs has heard of KZ.

In the case of the ZVX, they are a single dynamic set which use a 10mm and are stated as having a sensitivity of 109dB and an impedance of 25 Ohms. I have to say that they are very easy to drive and will work fine from any dongle or telephone with headphone output.

They are also marketed as being a “New flagship in single dynamic field” and come in at a price of 20€ at the time of writing this review, so they are certainly aiming at that entry level price point.



Presentation…

This is another section that really doesn’t need much context as 95% of KZ IEMs are presented and packaged in the same way and the ZVX are no exception.

They usual white box containing the IEMs, the usual KZ cable and 3 sizes of tips.

The only break from the norm in this case is that the tips included are actually foam tips, something that is not the usual case with KZ IEMs.



Build and aesthetics…

I have to give it to KZ, they do manage to keep innovating the aesthetics of their IEMs while managing to stick with a general shape that I find very comfortable.

In this case they have opted for a full alloy build, with a vent on the face plate, along with a rather large opening that is purely aesthetic but works well in my opinion.

I have many sets of KZ IEMs and while they don’t get used daily (I am always testing out new things so none of my IEMs really get used as much as they would in normal circumstances), I have ever had an issue with their build over the years. Obviously only time and use will tell but I can’t see any clear reason why the build of the ZVX would be any different.

The IEMs are available in black or silver, with or without mic, and I have to say that the black version I have looks rather good for a 20 set of IEMs. I don’t think KZ is ever going to win any awards for the best looking IEMs but, again, I think they deserve a lot of credit in the aesthetic department as they always manage to change things up slightly.



Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

As they included only foam tips with these, obviously those are the tips that they are thinking work the best with these IEMs, so that is what I have used for this review.

Let’s start with the usual comparison between the ZVX and my personal reference target:



Starting off in the lowest ranges, the ZVX has a decent amount of rumble although it is not quite as clean as other competing sets in this range. It doesn’t lose control too much but does give a sensation of things being just a little bit too loose in those lower notes of my usual test tracks.

The midbass is a little overly present for my preferences but is actually quite coherent and controlled in these ranges. My test with “Crazy" did not result in the reverb being overly bloated and, while it is a little too present, is quite listenable on the ZVX without me getting fatigued.

In the case of EDM, using “Shot Me Down” as an example, I found that these IEMs do quite a good job of being powerful in the lower ranges without losing focus of the other frequencies that are present in this song. The bass hits of this song are actually quite clean and don’t portray themselves as being too sloppy in these ranges. I can’t say it is the best I have heard in this regard but they are pretty good for a set of 20€ IEMs.

The mid range seems to be the better part of the IEMs, something that KZ seems to have been doing fairly well on all of the recent models that I have tried of theirs. There is a nice presence of vocals, with a decent instrument timbre, that climbs towards the upper mids in a way that matches my preferences very well. They are not the most detailed in the mid range but are very enjoyable and I found myself liking what I heard on multiple genres of music.

Moving into the upper ranges, things are not terrible either. Ok, they are not perfect, but they do a decent job of keeping things from being too harsh (in the case of Beth in “Don't You Worry Child”) and sibilance is not overly present either, with Partricia Barber being at a level that I would say is around normal (or maybe just a hint more) in “Code Cool”.

Treble is nothing great, with quite a bit of roll off and a sensation that air is lacking, yet, as the upper mids do a good job of being clean and well defined, the result is not as bad as it could be. Yes, there are a few peaks here and there but none that I found really irritating.

Details are not the strong point of the ZVX but they don’t sound overly blunted and I think that they do a job that is plenty good enough for general listening while out and about.

Soundstage is about on a par with average, maybe slightly above, and while details may not be spectacular and imaging is not millimetric, they again do a job that I really can’t find reason to complain about at this price level.



Isolation is not the best, especially in the lower ranges, but is around average and shouldn’t be too much of an issue while listening to music in normal surroundings. They aren’t going to give amazing isolation on planes, trains or automobiles, but should work well enough for most other things.



Conclusion…

I have already said it a hundred times but I will say it again, there are some very good options in the extreme budget market and that makes it difficult for many brands to be competitive.

In the case of the ZVX, I feel that KZ has done a pretty good job. No, they are not groundbreaking and something that suddenly jumps to the top of the budget rankings but they are still good and I think they could make a lot of people happy for a very small amount of money.

It wasn’t long ago that KZ were seemingly trying to add as many drivers, of as many types, as possible. Yet there is something to be said about simplicity, especially when focusing on the lower price bracket. By reducing the amount of parts, and the work needed to make those parts work together, it gives more budget and time to focus on doing one thing right. It seems that on this occasion they got it right, or they got lucky. Either way, the ZVX are a set of IEMs that I think are well worth their price.

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As always, this review is also available in Spanish both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

<small>All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

KZ ZVX ($18)​

Today I am reviewing one of the newest KZ iems, the KZ ZVX. I feel as though I review one KZ set after another and I’m okay with that. KZ has been upping the ante for all of the budget scenes for quite some time. I would almost say that KZ/CCA owns the budget space. They literally outdo themselves on a regular basis in the under $35 arena. Mobileaudiophile.com has reviewed a number of KZ/CCA iems and will continue to as long as they keep pushing them out. I want to thank KZ as well as Tyvan Lam for providing the ZVX in exchange for a feature on the website as well as a fair and honest review.

Once again KZ has stuck to their guns and kept the normal trend of naming their iems with random letters. I suppose it’s just something that we are going to always have to expect. I would like something a bit more personal and creative but, in the end it’s all about the music.

The ZVX comes in at around $18 and brings with it some newer tech with an all new “electric modulation technology”. I will explain more later but it’s pretty cool to see something new, especially in a set that almost anyone can purchase. I guess this is the beauty of a brand like KZ who brings affordable iems that truly compete at a high level in their respective price points. Another amazing quality of this set is the build quality and design, but I’m getting ahead of myself and will certainly cover everything later. So, without further ado… The KZ ZVX…

Full Review can be found HERE​

Gear Used ​

–Ifi Go Blu
–Moondrop Dawn 4.4
–iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2
–Shanling M6 Ultra

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Packaging​

The packaging is completely utilitarian in all ways and only serves the function of transporting the ZVX from A-to-B. Really, KZ never has gone strong on their accessories game or their unboxing game. The box is quite literally the same ultra-budget box we’ve seen forever from KZ. This is not a complaint at all either. I love the fact that KZ decides that the money should all be put into the earphones themselves. With that said I suppose I can enlighten you on what you will receive upon purchasing the ZVX.

The box cover (sleeve) simply has a printed picture of the ZVX, as though it was hand drawn. There is some verbiage speaking about nanoscale tech and a few sentences in Chinese. Nothing to write home about. Take off the sleeve and you are met with the ZVX earphones sitting nicely in a couple cardboard cut-outs. Also in the box is another box which contains the 2-pin cable and the eartips. That’s about it, nothing too crazy to report.

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Cable​

The cable provided is the same KZ cable which comes with every set that you get from them. It has a QDC style 2 pin connection with a right angle 3.5 single ended jack. The cable itself is a high purity OFC (Oxygen Free Copper) cable. My unit does not have a mic and control button, but you can purchase this set with a mic’d up cable. Supposedly you can completely control playback using it. I wouldn’t know as I never use mics. The cable isn’t bad, it works, sounds fine. However, I did swap cables for my balanced sources to a Youkamoo 8 core silver plated copper cable. I will cover this later, but I do think it pays to add more power to the ZVX and a balanced cable was able to provide that.

Eartips​

Oddly enough, KZ went and added three pairs of foam tips with the packaging, and that’s it. Very strange. In my opinion the foam tips do not do this set justice. They are of decent quality and can be used for other earphones. I actually decided to use KBear 07 tips after I went through many other sets trying to find what tips best suited my preference. I think the 07 tips did a wonderful job of bringing the upper midrange a titch more forward and the bass seemed to hit with a little more slam.

Build / Design / Internals / Fit​

Build ​

It used to be unheard of to see an all alloy iem under $100. Well, now we are seeing this type of build material for under $50 quite regularly. I say that but rarely do you see an all-metal build of this quality under $20. That is what KZ did with the ZVX. The ZVX is a decently heavy lil guy as there is some weight to this solid feeling iem. The entire Shell is die-cast, CNC, grinded, polished, electroplated and lasered to clean up any of the rough stuff. This thing is a tough set at this price or any price. It’s a beast.

You will also notice the QDC style 2 pin connectors are actually angled in so to help with fit and to more naturally sit in one’s ear. All things considered it seems that KZ thinks of most everything anymore and it is cool to see the little stuff being added to make the consumer happier.

Design ​

The design is pretty cool as the shell takes on a normal iem shape, but KZ added a notch cut-out on the shell area which gives the ZVX an odd but also pretty slick look. The ZVX comes in either silver or black, obviously the set I was provided is all black version. The ZVX has a semi-open back structure with three parallel slots can be seen which are covered in metal mesh. The only thing I wish they wouldn’t have done was add writing on the Faceplate. KZ added “KZ Acoustics” and “Dynamic Tech” which I find a bit cheesy. Just leave it plain, leave it simple. You don’t have to add little messages on our earphones. Without the writing this is a very modern looking and slick looking set. I suppose I can get over it.

Internals​

The ZVX shells house a 10mm Dynamic Driver with what KZ refers to as a 4.8-micron thick diaphragm. This is said to improve vibration sensitivity without losing any finer details. I suppose that makes sense in theory. The ZVX does not use typical damping for the tuning of this set. Instead, they went with their new electronic frequency modulation technology, commonly referred to as a “Zobel Network” which helps the ZVX to not lose sensitivity due to typical tuning using dampers. KZ can fully control and adjust the output of the full frequency band. You see they are using an actual electronic circuitry which alters the impedance of the dynamic driver and thus tunes the entire full frequency. I don’t completely understand it and haven’t dived deep on the understanding of it, but I know it works… Very cool. KZ is doing some great things with even their most entry level iems.

Fit​

The fit is absolutely perfect for me. The design and build is very ergonomic. It was almost as if the design was done using my ears. The truth is, I have zero idea if this set will fit you at all but as for me it is wonderful. Of course, I find very few iems don’t fit me well. As far as isolation goes, it’s about the norm. It’s not like a Shure brand set or something similar which is designed for stage use and needs to attenuate outside noise. There are some sounds squeezing through and there is some sound leakage as well. I don’t think it’s so bad to annoy anyone unless they are quite literally right next to you.

Drivability ​

The ZVX can be easily driven from most any source. I was able to bring them to good volume simply from my IPad 6th gen. I wouldn’t call that ideal as it’s not a very great sounding unit, but I was able to. It’s best to actually reach for a decent Dongle Dac to power this set. I used my Moondrop Dawn 4.4, and it sounds fantastic with the ZVX, like it was built for it. Whatever source I used; I found the ZVX to have pretty good synergy with most of those sources.

I used the IFi Go Blu for an entire day out and about and I was in bliss with this set up. The slight warmth and dynamism of the Go Blu with the open sound of the ZVX struck a perfect symbiotic harmony that was great. Using the AK4493SEQ dac chip and the powerful amp circuit of the Shanling M6 Ultra however was once again the best way for me to listen. Something about those velvet chips with that undeniable amazing resolution I just felt like I was listening to a much more expensive set of iems.

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Quick Sound Impressions​

So you are all aware, I did burn the ZVX in for about four days of straight pink & white noise as well as different tones and I am pretty positive it helped quite a bit. I would recommend doing so. Of course, I half question whether it is just in my head as I was reviewing other sets in the meantime. Anyways, it never hurts.

The ZVX is a more open sounding Harmanish style tuning iem with nice energy throughout the spectrum and great balance across the spectrum. In fact, I am quite surprised to hear a KZ with such nice balance. What I found with the ZVX is fantastic timbre for a set which costs under $20 US. The bass is pretty tight with a nice attack while there is an atmospheric decay which is neither fast nor slow. The midrange comes across forward and melodic and not artificial at all. Note weight and clarity are really nice in instruments, as well as male and female vocals. The treble region is not too forward yet still having enough liveliness to lighten up the entire spectrum with good extension past 8k. I am very surprised at what I am hearing. A very well-tuned set that certainly trumps most any other set in the price point in my opinion.

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Bass Region​

The bass region of the KZ ZVX is certainly pronounced, and most of that emphasis is centered in the sub-bass. What I hear is a tight and transient quick sound down low with moderately definite note edges. Definitely not pillowy or hollow. The attack edge is slightly softened but still represents a great presence and natural energy. Surface texture is there with decent layering down low as well.

Sub-bass ​

The lowest of the lows comes across rumbly and colored but not to any detriment at all. I perceive the sub-bass as pretty quick, with a very realistic timbre and a deep enough rumble to represent most genres very well. Songs like “Groove” by Ray Wylie Hubbard is one track that I use to simply hear that guttural haptic buzz down low. Thankfully the ZVX doesn’t disappoint and gives the rolling bass riff a wonderful playback to my ears. It’s deep, it’s agile with great pacing as the transient attack/decay/sustain seem to keep stride and stay organic while doing it. The best part is the timbre is great and not overblown but still robust and weighty enough to give a good substance to the song.

Mid-bass​

The mid-bass is less elevated than the sub-bass with a pretty kempt, tight and clean slam while also providing only slight warmth to the midrange which in turn keeps the mids clean. Nothing is overdone on the ZVX, and this includes the mid-bass as the slam here has a moderate oomph to it. The mid-bass is nothing even close to basshead levels, yet it still provides enough of a robust sound to replay songs like “Heatwaves” by the Glass Animals. The bass drop comes quick and thus whatever you are listening with must entertain the speed or else the sound simply won’t be right and not nearly as satisfying. Good news because the ZVX does a fantastic job of rendering the bass here. There is a depth to the sound and some meat to it which is nice to hear.

The low end is not the most inordinately colossal in its quantity, yet it isn’t bass anemic either. It isn’t the most authoritative or boomy but in the same breath it isn’t wooly, pillowy or soft either. What it does have is a very nice timbre which comes across naturally with enough concrete texture and rumble while not cloaking the rest of the mix in mud. This is a well-tuned bass.

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Midrange​

The midrange on the ZVX is very well composed for a set costing under $20 US. What we have is a compelling liveliness that has a natural note weight and tonal structure. I’m not saying it’s the best thing I’ve ever heard but I am saying it’s pretty darn good when you pan out and look at the ZVX as a whole. The Mids are clean, resolution is great, and the imaging is spot on.

Low-mids​

The lower midrange is where the majority of male vocals are located in the frequency spectrum. For the most part males are forward in their presence and well-articulated. Vocal weight sounds correct to me, and timbre comes across organic and lifelike. “I’ll With Want” by The Avett Brothers comes across stark in transparency and cleanliness as the lead singer’s tenor sound shows off with good resolution listening with the ZVX. No weird timbrel issues and nothing metallic or Grainy. His voice has a soft crispness. Yes, those are two opposite descriptive words but is true, nonetheless.

Slightly deeper lead singers like the lead in The Steel Woods in a song like “Run on Ahead” comes across with textured imagery. His grizzly voice has an organic density to it while note weight is again… natural sounding. His voice can easily sound grainy and not very tailored around the rest if the instruments around him, but the ZVX seems to nail this.

High-mids​

The upper midrange comes across, you guessed it, naturally. There is sufficient weight yet at the same time there is a nice resolution that permeates this region. Females have a smidgen of shimmer to them as the sound is mostly neutral with just a pinch of luster. The sound is lush and smooth and very structured in its attack and release for an ultra-budget iem.

“High” by Caitlin Smith shows off the versatility of the ZVX as her voice is soft and subtle to begin the song but moves into a ballad type performance in the chorus section. The ZVX does this woman’s amazing voice great justice. What I found awesome was that the ZVX was able to keep up with the chaos in this chorus section and it didn’t just melt down into a veiled and blurry mess like most budget sets. “Everyone at this Party” by Camila Cabello is another that shows the transparent nature of this area. Her voice has that velvety rasp which actually comes across very smooth with note definition which is edgy and crisp. The emotion in her voice is captured nicely all the while keeping that neutral and organic sound.

Instrumentation within the mids​

Instrumentation and voices seem to have nice separation within a decent sized stage for this price point. Strings may sound a hint thin at times, but they are still nicely textured. Percussion such as snares have that pointed pang yet may also come across a hint thinner than perfectly natural. The fundamental meat within a cymbal strike has nice enough body but may sound a hint splashy. However, all things considered I have to remember that this set costs $18 and for that price it has a silly good performance. If I could add or take away anything I would like to see a bit more shine in the upper midrange. Not that the ZVX is lacking at all, however in a perfect world I’d like a hair more pep.

​

Treble Region​

The treble comes across lifted and transparent with nicely manicured note outlines that are as snappy as they are smooth. Perhaps a bit thin but not without very nice pacing and timing. Transient attack edges are mostly clean and crisp as they seem to decay nicely as well. A lot depends on the recording of course, as well as the source but using the Shanling M6 Ultra I find the treble delivery very high in resolution with a nicely smooth yet still very detailed presentation.

For the most part the ZVX is a pretty non-offensive up top. Basically, you won’t get any of those really harsh peaks which have shown up regularly in the past. Times have changed and so has KZ as they have really begun to dial in what they put on market. The ZVX seems like the culmination of many years and many attempts by KZ to try to perfect their budget single DD treble areas. They strike a nice balance between lifted and airy treble as well as smoothly structured and forgiving treble. I have yet to hear anything that was grating or stinging to my ears on the ZVX. Possibly some may want a bit more of an analytical and dry treble with a bit more luster but in my opinion, I think that KZ did a fantastic job when I look at the sound all together.

​

Technicalities​

Soundstage​

The stage size is about average to me. Left to right is panning is appropriately wide, as well as nice dimensions in height, but nothing colossal. Depth is nice and a bit better than most at this price. I look at the stage as a whole and what I get is a nicely presented stage that paints a nice mental picture. So, it isn’t some massive coliseum but seriously folks, these are iems. Very few iems give me that grand impression in stage size. Also, those iems are typically more expensive. What I absolutely need is a stage that makes sense and doesn’t feel cramped or lopsided as it has to sound appropriate to the recording. You can rest assured that the KZ ZVX doesn’t feel small or cramped at all and replays my music library very well.

Separation ​

One bright spot with the ZVX’s sound is its ability to partition off elements of the stage. Separation of instruments and voices is very well done using my gear. Many times, while listening I can pick out most everything within a track. The only issue I find the ZVX having is in very congested tracks, and I do mean VERY CONGESTED. Bad recordings can be an issue as well here. Other than that, separation of instruments and voices is great.

Imaging​

As far as imaging goes… the ZVX nails it. Left to right pans the sound image very well and the same goes for front to back. The stage may not be enormous, but the structure of the sound field is legit good for the price. I suppose we can chalk this up to the nice transient behavior with a speedier sounding driver as well as the more balanced neutral tuning etc. All in all, the ZVX does a nice job at creating a psycho-acoustic image that doesn’t take away from my listening sessions.

Details​

That balanced tuning which comes across cleaner and that warmish-neutral sound coloration does a good job leveling the playing field throughout the frequencies to illuminate some of the minutiae. Now, is the ZVX a detail king? The answer is no. I say that, but I am impressed at the ZVX’s ability to take a dynamic and fun sound and still bring some of the small stuff to the surface. I certainly wouldn’t say the ZVX is detail deficient. Let’s put it this way, I do think one of the “Pros” of the ZVX is its ability to render details. In fact, it’s probably better in this regard than most iems under $20. Still, there are some big hitters in this price point that specialize in their detailed performance.

Comparisons​

Note: Due to time restraints I was only able to complete one comparison at this time. I will add a few more in the coming days. Please forgive me. I will add the QKZ X-HBB as well as the 7HZ Salnotes Zero.

CCA Lyra​

The CCA Lyra was one of the pioneers within KZ/CCA’s voyage to really dial in their budget tunings. The Lyra is a single Dynamic Driver ultra-budget set that is easy on the eyes and tuned very well. I would say it is one of my favorites in this budget range. However, does it stack up to the ZVX?

Low-end​

Beginning with the bass, the Lyra and the ZVX have about the same emphasis in this region. To my ears it sounds as though the Lyra has a bit more of a sharp attack edge and just a small amount less in sub-bass haptic buzz. The Lyra offers the slightest bit harder slam as well. The ZVX is a pinch smoother in this area but really these two don’t sound much different from one another.

Midrange​

Both sets offer midrange performances that come across cleanly, but the ZVX does have the better resolution. I would say it’s a more refined version of almost the same exact tuning. There really isn’t much more to say about the midrange. If anything, I would say note weight is ever so slightly thicker on the ZVX and the Lyra has a bit more shimmer in the upper midrange. The ZVX has better note definition while the Lyra comes across a little Grainier. Please don’t confuse me, I am not saying that the Lyra is necessarily grainy either.

Treble​

As far as the highs go, the Lyra has a little more elevation in this area plus a hair better extension to my ears. The ZVX just sounds much cleaner overall with better body to instrumentation in the treble area. The ZVX is smoother and again it has better note definition. There isn’t some monumental difference, but the ZVX simply sounds like a proper upgrade which comes across very subtle. However, in the world of audio that might as well be a mile apart. Details do come across a bit better on the Lyra but again we are talking about miniscule discrepancies.

​

Ratings (0-10) ​

*All ratings are judged by the price point as well as design style (bullet, hybrid, singleDD) listed above and all are very much subjective to my taste. Please keep in mind that a “5.0” is exactly average per the price point. In the case of the ZVX, the price point ranges from ($10-$25).

Aesthetic​

Build: 9.5 Build Quality per the price point

Design/Style: 9.0 Cosmetic/Aesthetic look & appeal

Overall: 9.3


Sonics

Timbre: 9.5 Timbre & tonality

Bass: 8.5 Bass quality per the price point

Midrange: 9.0 Midrange replay as a whole

Treble: 8.8 Treble replay as a whole

Technicalities: 8.5 Stage/details/Imaging/separation

P2P: 10.0 Price to performance

Overall: 9.0​

Is it worth the asking price?

The ZVX is certainly worth the $18 that KZ is asking for. In my opinion, up to this point, with the KZ sets that I’ve heard, I do believe the ZVX is one of the best sounding they’ve made. It is also built like a tank, durable, looks pretty cool and is comfortable. This is a no brainer for anyone who is in the market for a balanced and natural sounding iem who simply doesn’t have enough to go to the next price point.

I think KZ is on an upswing and trending in the right direction. Now, we don’t want to hype this product, but I must say that it is very well tuned, well composed and really a great value at only $18. I am not exaggerating when I say that I am impressed with the sound and have reached for the ZVX simply for the joy of hearing it in leisurely listening. Which is saying something. A very well imagined and well created ultra-budget iem that sits easily in the top of its class.

​

Conclusion​

To conclude I have to thank KZ and Tyvan Lam for providing the KZ ZVX for a fair and honest review. I have to also say that receiving a product from a company in no way diminishes my integrity and my review will be exactly my own thoughts, nothing more and nothing less. I will always give a big kudos to any company brave enough to subject their products to the scrutiny of a review. It simply means that they believe in their product, and I think that’s great. So, thank you KZ.

Well, there you have it. Another KZ iem, another ultra-budget banger and another review is in the books. Please take in other thoughts about the ZVX from other reviewers with possibly other perspectives. I realize that $18 is cheap for most but in the same breath $18 could be the only gift one can purchase for an entire year. These are the people I want to help to get things right. They too should be able to hear the best audio possible for their dollars. Listen to, read or watch other reviews because not everyone likes what I like, has the same music library, has the same gear and not everyone has been down the same path I’ve been down in audio. We are all different and the more perspectives the better. With that I want to thank the reader for visiting the website. Each click of the link to our site means a lot to us. Please be safe and take good care.

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.

Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:

• -Hiby R3 Pro Saber
• -Fosi Audio DS1
• -Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96 Samsung), Laptop.
• -Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: stock small foam 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:

• U-shaped or mild-V-shaped is where the KZ ZVX is at. However, this IEM is quite different from the usual “fun-sounding” sound quality. This sounds clean, and is a midbass-focused IEM.

Lows:

• The bass characteristics of the ZVX are snappy and clean. It's definitely elevated, but it's punchier than rumbly in comparison to their previous offerings. Attack and decay are both quick and above average. Bassheads may find it lacking due to its less rumbly subbass, but for the majority of people, it is adequate and will handle EDM tracks well.

Mids:

• The mids are well-placed, with minor recession on some pairings and tracks. However, because the bass never bled into the mids, it never sounded too distant or drowned out. Lower mids are sufficiently thick and textured. The upper mids are more elevated than the lower mids, with excellent clarity, air, and sparkle. The upper mids may sound "too much" to some, but they never sounded sibilant or harsh to me during my listening sessions.

Highs:

• Moving on to the highs, it is also well extended, elevated, and sparkly. There are still no instances of peaks and pierce being found here. Detail retrieval is average and managed to pick up most details needed.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• Everything about the ZVX's technical performance is average. The soundstage is not narrow or cramped, but it is significantly smaller in terms of expansion than the KZ Ling Long. Separation and layering are above average, as it was able to render very busy tracks reasonably well. Imaging is also average.

Pros:

• One of the cleanest-sounding KZ I have encountered.
• Clean, snappy, all-rounder, overall sound quality.
• Punchy, clean midbass.
• Clean, well-placed mids.
• Elevated, clear treble.
• Above average technical performance, particularly on the separation and imaging department.
• Excellent build quality for its price. Literally heavy metal!
• Very good fit and comfort.
• Easy to be driven to its full potential.

Cons:

• Upper frequencies may be “too much” for some people, especially those people who are sensitive to upper frequencies.
• Subbass enjoyers may find its subbass not rumbly enough.
• Soundstage is a bit smaller and/or “in-your-head” in terms of width and expansion, when compared to the KZ Ling Long.
• Foam tips aren’t the best option for daily usage in terms of longevity (nitpick, subjective).
• Barebone accessories. A pouch or a cable winder would’ve been a great treat for everybody.

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The KZ ZVX is one of those IEMs made by KZ that I find somewhat unique, along with the AS16 Pro. Along with the AS16 Pro, they are by far the cleanest sounding KZs I have encountered. If you are not sensitive to treble and you’re looking for an all-rounder, clean sound, consider the KZ ZVX to be one of your choices.


Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: This IEM is easy to be driven to its full potential. However, pairing it with a warmer source make things a bit smoother.
• Eartips: I don’t prefer using foam tips on this one, use your preferred silicone eartips.
• Cable: Cable is as good as it gets, but you may always use your preferred cable.

Thank you for reading!

Non-affiliated link here:https://kz-audio.com/kz-zvx.html

Additional Photos here:

Hi there, first of all sorry for my weird English and Grammatical mistakes,
the KZ ZVX is provided for me directly by KZ in exchange for my honest opinion

KZ ZVX is a 1DD IEM priced at $19USD

Just in case you're interested on buying this IEM after reading this review, here is the link below

Lazada：https://www.lazada.co.id/shop/kz-of...1bczRaHBw&itemId=7320678853&channelSource=pdp
AliExpress：https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005272380128.html
Official Website Purchase： https://www.kztws.com/products/kz-zvx
Official Website Code：ZVXOFF




lets start with Unboxing and Build Quality

FITTING
SOUND
is tested using Redmi Note 9 Pro, Moondrop Click, iPhone Dongle, LP W2-131, Stock Cable, Stock Foamies and $1USD Sony Hybrid Eartip from local Indonesian marketplace.

Music is mostly from Apple Music and Offline FLAC files (J-Pop, J-Rock, Anisong, Rap, RnB, EDM, Metal, Jazz)

Tonality in general its like KZ's take on harman midbass tuning (like the Aria, SF, KXXS, Kato, HOLA)

BASS is weighty, has good body, dense, and the decay is kinda long. In my opinion, the bass tuning is not very well suited for fast bass track such as double pedal / metal, but very good for EDM, Rap, RnB, POP
tested with tracks such as Trivium - Throes of Perdition, the bass felt flabby, but other than metal tracks, bass is actually very satisfying (J-Pop, Anisong, Rap, RnB)

Mids positioning is rather forward, not too forward that it becomes shouty, but just right.
Though with the stock provided foam, at least on my ears the vocal is somewhat felt a bit edgy, so I decided to change tips to Sony Hybrid from local Indonesian market for around $1USD each to fix that edginess, vocal and instrument also have good note weight to it (on the thicker side).

Treble is smooth with decent air, again, with stock provided foam, it felt rather harsh, and the harshness is fixed by changing to the Sony Hybrid tips.

Timbre is fine, nothing weirds can be found after changing the eartips to Sony Hybrid

Technicalities

Stage is average, nothing special, not wide, not cramped or claustrophobic, just average, not having exact wall placement, the width and depth is symmetrical in size

Imaging is kinda decent for the price, not felt just like 2D sound passing thanks to the properly weighted and musical sound presentation

Separation and Positioning on songs like nZk - Cage is free from overlapping, tested with lots of Plini song is decent, though the bass is again felt a bit flabby, though I must say separation and positioning on ZVX is rather interesting, its very dependant on what source the ZVX is plugged in. From phone its just meh, from proper dongle such as LP W2-131, positioning and separation is actually mindblowing for the price, its well separated and well positioned and very easy to search which direction and what sound is actually playing.

Detail Retrieval is the same case with separation and positioning, its very source dependent, with decent source you get good micro details, while plugged only to phone its just meh

Scalability the ZVX is very source dependent, it scales really well with proper source, as for pairing, just choose according to your taste bruh.

Comparison

Truthear HOLA : Probably the main target why ZVX is released. Hola has thinner note weight and more sparkle compared to the ZVX. HOLA is more allrounder compared to ZVX (HOLA bass speed is speedy enough for double pedal / metal), but then again its up to you, do you like your bass to be weighty and dense or speedy like HOLA, also it depends on your playlist if you choose between the ZVX and HOLA.
Technicality on HOLA is also has the same case with ZVX, very source dependent.
as for built, HOLA is very light with plastic body and metal? faceplate and the ZVX is casted iron.
I think ZVX is better in terms of longevity.

Moondrop CHU : Chu is even more thinner and even more sparkly than both HOLA and ZVX.
Technicalities on CHU if plugged in only to phone is better than HOLA and ZVX, while HOLA and ZVX is very source dependent.
Chu cable is non detachable, so be careful when using it.
Chu is more suited for person who wants neutral - bright presentation.


Conclusion :

The KZ ZVX is recommended if :

• You want a weighty dense bit bassy IEMs on budget
• You want the most TANKiest IEMs on budget
• You like smooth treble presentation

The KZ ZVX is not so recommended if :

• You want the most technicalities from your IEMs plugged directly to your phone
• You dislike heavy IEMs dangling on your ears

thanks for reading this far, that's all from me for now,


-littlenezt

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 3 black foam tips in S M and L. Cable is the new brown 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 :

Overall Tonality and Timbre – This is an Intimate, Good Weight Tone, Good Clarity and Well Balanced tuned set, organic and natural.

Bass –Bass transient speed is fast and snappy and clean, on the leaner side, well controlled and accurate, kick drum and strikes are precise.

Mids – Female and Male vocals are organic natural and forward sounding with good weight tone and clarity.

Treble - instruments separation and imaging are clear and concise, accurate and precise, cymbals and high hats are good, have adequate micro details.

Soundstage is not wide in width, depth and height. Not 3D holographic or spacious enough for those that might prefer.

All testing are done using the stock tips and cable.

KZ ZVX [USD19.90] Comparison to

KZ Ling Long [USD15] – handle low sub bass best of the 3 sets, sounds a little more spacious, fixed cable [minus for some], bonus nice iem case [plus for some].

KZ DQS [USD13] – better low sub bass, a little boomy, less clarity, sounds a little more spacious, interchangeable cable [vs LingLong].

Final Thoughts

KZ releases 3 sets of 1 DD in recent times, first is the KZ DQS, which is with low sub bass, but suffer bass bleed and less clarity. Secondly, the KZ LingLong also with low sub bass but with fixed cable at a lower price point though.

KZ ZVX is probably the most well balanced tuned set of the 3 sets, clean and fast snappy bass, mid vocal that are clean and clear with good weight tone, and best clarity of the 3 sets, considering this is a only 1 DD set which handle the full range, I am quite impressed with the overall sound impression and delivery, will recommend this set at this price point without any doubts.