First of all I’d like to thank Faith Audio (Lao Song) for sending me a review sample of the LZ A2.
I also want to thank my friend Tamal (@RedJohn456 ) for putting these on my radar and hooking me up to review it.
The LZ A2’s are available from here:
http://faith-audio.mybigcommerce.com/
I’m not in any way affiliated with Faith Audio.
Who doesn't love some personal touch?
About me:
I’m a 43 year old music and sound lover that changed my focus from speakers to headphones and IEM’s about five years ago. At that time I realized that it wasn’t realistic for me to have all the different setups that I wanted and still house a family of four children and a wife so my interest turned first to full sized headphones and later also IEM’s.
My preferences are towards full sized open headphones and I believe that also says something about what kind of sound signature I prefer (large soundstage in all directions, balanced and organic sound).
My music preferences are pretty much all over the place (only excluding classical music, jazz and really heavy metal). My all-time favorite band is Depeche Mode although I also listen to a lot of grunge/indie, singer/songwriter/acoustical stuff as well as the typical top 40 music.
I do not use EQ, ever.
I’m a sucker for value for money on most things in life Head-Fi related stuff is no exception.
Built and accessories:
The LZ A2 is a hybrid in ear monitor featuring two balance armature and one 10mm dynamic driver.
The cable has a straight 3.5 mm connector and although it seems pretty well built I’d preferred an angled solution.
The cable is round and flexible. There is some microphonics but it’s not a big problem. Wearing them over the ears or using the included shirt clip makes microphonics pretty much non-existing. The chin slider is also in place just the way I like it.
The build in general seem solid. The housings are all metal and have a very nice weight to them. Strain relief is in place on all the crucial points and the Y-split is also solid without being overly large.
Left/Right markings are quite hard to spot and should’ve been easier to see. Actually they’re located on the wrong side on the housing so when you’re putting them in your ear the L/R faces away from you.
The retail package is actually not a retail package but rather just a zippered case holding the IEM’s and accessories.
The accessories pack is ok at the price and includes the following:
3 pairs silicon tips (S,M,L)
1 pair bi-flange tips
1 pair of foam tips
1 pair of ear hooks
1 shirt clip
1 zippered case to store them in when not in use
The LZ A2’s are very easy to drive and worked very well with all the sources I’ve tried it with including cellphones. I don’t find them to benefit significantly from a more powerful amplifier but the do benefit from a clean source.
The specs:
Fit and ergonomics:
I find the LZ A2’s to be quite comfortable and got no problem wearing them for several hours. The housings are quite wide and a bit on the heavy side but they’re still easy to insert and get a good fit with (even for me with narrow ear canals). The included tips are ok but in the end I found out that I prefer them with tips that have a wider bore.
Isolation is about average, maybe slightly above. I’ve used them on a couple of shorter fligths without any issues.
Sound:
I’ve used them back and forward in the last two weeks and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
I’ve used them with my LG G3 phone as well as the CEntrance DACport Slim and the FiiO X3 and although they’ve worked very well with all of them.
As already mentioned I enjoy the LZ A2’s the most with wide bore tips.
Demo list:
Mark Knopfler – Sailing to Philadelphia
Røyksopp (Feat.Susanne Sundfør) – Save Me
Ane Brun – These Days
Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana
Metallica – Die Die My Darling
The Peter Malick Group – Immigrant
Eva Cassidy – Songbird
Thomas Dybdahl – A Lovestory
Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
Celldweller – Unshakeable
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Seinabo Sey – Younger (Kygo remix)
Dire Straits- So Far Away
Passenger – Let Her Go
Lupe Fiasco - Deliver
Morrissey – Earth Is the Loneliest Planet
The overall sound signature on the LZ A2 is what I’d describe as an L-shape with a full, warm and laid back presentation.
The sub-bass extension is amazing and quantity is very good. At first I thought that the sub-bass didn’t have good enough layering but after more use I realized the reason for that is because they reach really, really deep (probably the deepest I’ve ever heard in an IEM actually) and at those frequencies layering is almost impossible with an IEM. Mid-bass presence is slightly more than I ideally prefer but it still only get too much on a few recordings. The mid-bass texture is similar to that of the sub-bass slightly on the slow and relaxed side. I’ve got to admit that my biggest gripe with the A2’s is with the bass though, I kind of prefer the kind of bass that’s there when it’s called for but with the A2’s there’s a kind of ever presence of bass that gives them their full and warm signature. I find this kind of bass to be a bit tiresome with some music and absolutely amazing with other.
Let me give you a couple of examples: Listening to Jack Johnson – Better Together or Lorde – Royals the mid-bass really comes out on the A2’s and overshadows the midrange way more than I enjoy. Put on Celldweller - Unshakable, Lupe Fiasco – Deliver or The Dark Knight OST on the other hand and audio nirvana is close.
The midrange is well in line with the rest of the frequencies and although it’s not very often overwhelmed by the mid and upper bass it does happen occasionally. The presentation feels nice and full in its character and they’re not recessed at all. Male vocals and string instruments sound really amazing with a nice organic sound to it as well as great timbre and weight.
The treble is pretty well extended but still rolls off earlier than I’d appreciate. There’s certainly a positive effect of this as well, being a very smooth presentation without any hint of sibilance. I personally enjoy a better extension and a bit more bite and details in the top end. I’m sure that a lot of people will prefer the presentation of the A2’s but to me they’re a bit too smooth.
Clarity and micro details are about average for an IEM at this price point and good taking the full and warm signature into consideration. They still lose out on both of these parameters not only to the hyper detailed VE Duke but also to the ATH-CKR9/10’s. Soundstage width is average but depth, separation and 3D feeling is very good.
All in all the LZ A2 offers a very fun and non-fatiguing listening experience and delivers bass-head quantity bass of good quality while still remaining clarity and details on a good level as well as a mid-range that doesn’t sound recessed.
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
These comparisons were done listening from my laptop through the Geek Out720.
Audio-Technica CKR10 vs LZ A2:
Compared to the A2’s the CKR10’s sub-bass doesn’t reach as low but offers a faster pace and a less laid back feeling. Switching from the A2’s to the CKR10’S the latter actually feels thin in comparison but also more forward in its general presentation. Although the mid-bass hit equally hard on both the A2’s has more presence while the midrange on the CKR’s are fuller. The treble on the CKR10’s is fuller and reaches higher. Both male and female voices sound more natural to me with the CKR’s. They both have great depth and timbre in their presentation. In all the CKR10’s are the most balanced of the two.
I find them both equally comfortable.
They LZ A2’s are slightly easier to drive.
Isolation is also quite similar.
Vsonic GR07BE vs LZ A2:
Compared to the A2’s the BE’s has a more airy presentation with a lot less bass presence. The sub-bass on the A2’s goes deeper but the BE’s bass is faster. The midrange is actually quite similar on the two but a bit fuller on the A2’s and vocals is a bit more forward on the BE’s. The treble on the BE’s much more pronounced compared to the A2’s and extension is also noticeable better but also more prone to sibilance while the A2’s treble I fuller. The BE’s has a better soundstage width while the A2’s has a much better depth. The BE’s also has better clarity while details are similar.
I find them to be equally comfortable.
The A2’s easier to drive.
Isolation is better on the A2’s.
Trinity Audio Delta (gold filter, tape mod) vs LZ A2’s:
I’ve already got a few questions about how the A2’s compares to the Delta’s and since they’re both hybrids in a similar price range that’s quite natural. I’m not a big fan of the Delta’s in its stock configuration due to their overwhelming (for my taste) mid-bass but I enjoy them very much with an easy modification that simply is putting a piece of tape over the back vent and poking a tiny hole in it with a needle. Since I really like them with this mod and the gold filters installed I think it’s fair to compare them to the A2’s in this form (for the record: in stock form I’d prefer the A2’s easily over the Delta’s).
Compared to the A2’s the Delta’s has a more airy presentation with better soundstage width while the A2's has better depth. The A2’s has deeper sub-bass and overall more bass presence but also more boomy mid-bass. The overall signature of the Delta’s brighter while the A2’s are fuller as a result of the mentioned bass presence. The Delta’s has a clearer midrange and neither of them has a midrange that feels recessed. The A2’s has thicker treble while the Delta’s has better extension but are also a bit sharper in the top. Details are similar on both while the Delta’s has better clarity.
The built of the housing are very similar on these two, short and wide, but the A2’s has a slightly longer nozzle which is enough for me to find them more comfortable.
The A2’s are easier to drive.
Isolation is better on the A2’s.
Summary:
I feel that I’ve been quite hard on the LZ A2’s but that’s just because they can handle it.
In the comparison section above I’ve put them up against some very highly regarded competitors and the truth is that even though they lose out to them all in some ways they still hold their own against all of them in total despite some of the others being a lot more expensive.
The LZ A2’s a fantastic IEM to use when out and about with easy fit, very easy to drive and a fun and non-fatiguing sound with a lot of bass presence. Although they may not be ideal for critical home listening they’re still a great offering that sound good with all music and fantastic with some.
I also want to thank my friend Tamal (@RedJohn456 ) for putting these on my radar and hooking me up to review it.
The LZ A2’s are available from here:
http://faith-audio.mybigcommerce.com/
I’m not in any way affiliated with Faith Audio.
Who doesn't love some personal touch?
About me:
I’m a 43 year old music and sound lover that changed my focus from speakers to headphones and IEM’s about five years ago. At that time I realized that it wasn’t realistic for me to have all the different setups that I wanted and still house a family of four children and a wife so my interest turned first to full sized headphones and later also IEM’s.
My preferences are towards full sized open headphones and I believe that also says something about what kind of sound signature I prefer (large soundstage in all directions, balanced and organic sound).
My music preferences are pretty much all over the place (only excluding classical music, jazz and really heavy metal). My all-time favorite band is Depeche Mode although I also listen to a lot of grunge/indie, singer/songwriter/acoustical stuff as well as the typical top 40 music.
I do not use EQ, ever.
I’m a sucker for value for money on most things in life Head-Fi related stuff is no exception.
Built and accessories:
The LZ A2 is a hybrid in ear monitor featuring two balance armature and one 10mm dynamic driver.
The cable has a straight 3.5 mm connector and although it seems pretty well built I’d preferred an angled solution.
The cable is round and flexible. There is some microphonics but it’s not a big problem. Wearing them over the ears or using the included shirt clip makes microphonics pretty much non-existing. The chin slider is also in place just the way I like it.
The build in general seem solid. The housings are all metal and have a very nice weight to them. Strain relief is in place on all the crucial points and the Y-split is also solid without being overly large.
Left/Right markings are quite hard to spot and should’ve been easier to see. Actually they’re located on the wrong side on the housing so when you’re putting them in your ear the L/R faces away from you.
The retail package is actually not a retail package but rather just a zippered case holding the IEM’s and accessories.
The accessories pack is ok at the price and includes the following:
3 pairs silicon tips (S,M,L)
1 pair bi-flange tips
1 pair of foam tips
1 pair of ear hooks
1 shirt clip
1 zippered case to store them in when not in use
The LZ A2’s are very easy to drive and worked very well with all the sources I’ve tried it with including cellphones. I don’t find them to benefit significantly from a more powerful amplifier but the do benefit from a clean source.
The specs:
Housing | Metal |
Driver Unit | 2 BA, 1 Dynamic |
Frequenzy range | 2Hz-24KHz |
Sensitivity | 120dB |
Impedance | 16 Ohms |
Weight | 7 g |
Cable lenght | 1.2m |
Fit and ergonomics:
I find the LZ A2’s to be quite comfortable and got no problem wearing them for several hours. The housings are quite wide and a bit on the heavy side but they’re still easy to insert and get a good fit with (even for me with narrow ear canals). The included tips are ok but in the end I found out that I prefer them with tips that have a wider bore.
Isolation is about average, maybe slightly above. I’ve used them on a couple of shorter fligths without any issues.
Sound:
I’ve used them back and forward in the last two weeks and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
I’ve used them with my LG G3 phone as well as the CEntrance DACport Slim and the FiiO X3 and although they’ve worked very well with all of them.
As already mentioned I enjoy the LZ A2’s the most with wide bore tips.
Demo list:
Mark Knopfler – Sailing to Philadelphia
Røyksopp (Feat.Susanne Sundfør) – Save Me
Ane Brun – These Days
Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana
Metallica – Die Die My Darling
The Peter Malick Group – Immigrant
Eva Cassidy – Songbird
Thomas Dybdahl – A Lovestory
Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
Celldweller – Unshakeable
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Seinabo Sey – Younger (Kygo remix)
Dire Straits- So Far Away
Passenger – Let Her Go
Lupe Fiasco - Deliver
Morrissey – Earth Is the Loneliest Planet
The overall sound signature on the LZ A2 is what I’d describe as an L-shape with a full, warm and laid back presentation.
The sub-bass extension is amazing and quantity is very good. At first I thought that the sub-bass didn’t have good enough layering but after more use I realized the reason for that is because they reach really, really deep (probably the deepest I’ve ever heard in an IEM actually) and at those frequencies layering is almost impossible with an IEM. Mid-bass presence is slightly more than I ideally prefer but it still only get too much on a few recordings. The mid-bass texture is similar to that of the sub-bass slightly on the slow and relaxed side. I’ve got to admit that my biggest gripe with the A2’s is with the bass though, I kind of prefer the kind of bass that’s there when it’s called for but with the A2’s there’s a kind of ever presence of bass that gives them their full and warm signature. I find this kind of bass to be a bit tiresome with some music and absolutely amazing with other.
Let me give you a couple of examples: Listening to Jack Johnson – Better Together or Lorde – Royals the mid-bass really comes out on the A2’s and overshadows the midrange way more than I enjoy. Put on Celldweller - Unshakable, Lupe Fiasco – Deliver or The Dark Knight OST on the other hand and audio nirvana is close.
The midrange is well in line with the rest of the frequencies and although it’s not very often overwhelmed by the mid and upper bass it does happen occasionally. The presentation feels nice and full in its character and they’re not recessed at all. Male vocals and string instruments sound really amazing with a nice organic sound to it as well as great timbre and weight.
The treble is pretty well extended but still rolls off earlier than I’d appreciate. There’s certainly a positive effect of this as well, being a very smooth presentation without any hint of sibilance. I personally enjoy a better extension and a bit more bite and details in the top end. I’m sure that a lot of people will prefer the presentation of the A2’s but to me they’re a bit too smooth.
Clarity and micro details are about average for an IEM at this price point and good taking the full and warm signature into consideration. They still lose out on both of these parameters not only to the hyper detailed VE Duke but also to the ATH-CKR9/10’s. Soundstage width is average but depth, separation and 3D feeling is very good.
All in all the LZ A2 offers a very fun and non-fatiguing listening experience and delivers bass-head quantity bass of good quality while still remaining clarity and details on a good level as well as a mid-range that doesn’t sound recessed.
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
These comparisons were done listening from my laptop through the Geek Out720.
Audio-Technica CKR10 vs LZ A2:
Compared to the A2’s the CKR10’s sub-bass doesn’t reach as low but offers a faster pace and a less laid back feeling. Switching from the A2’s to the CKR10’S the latter actually feels thin in comparison but also more forward in its general presentation. Although the mid-bass hit equally hard on both the A2’s has more presence while the midrange on the CKR’s are fuller. The treble on the CKR10’s is fuller and reaches higher. Both male and female voices sound more natural to me with the CKR’s. They both have great depth and timbre in their presentation. In all the CKR10’s are the most balanced of the two.
I find them both equally comfortable.
They LZ A2’s are slightly easier to drive.
Isolation is also quite similar.
Vsonic GR07BE vs LZ A2:
Compared to the A2’s the BE’s has a more airy presentation with a lot less bass presence. The sub-bass on the A2’s goes deeper but the BE’s bass is faster. The midrange is actually quite similar on the two but a bit fuller on the A2’s and vocals is a bit more forward on the BE’s. The treble on the BE’s much more pronounced compared to the A2’s and extension is also noticeable better but also more prone to sibilance while the A2’s treble I fuller. The BE’s has a better soundstage width while the A2’s has a much better depth. The BE’s also has better clarity while details are similar.
I find them to be equally comfortable.
The A2’s easier to drive.
Isolation is better on the A2’s.
Trinity Audio Delta (gold filter, tape mod) vs LZ A2’s:
I’ve already got a few questions about how the A2’s compares to the Delta’s and since they’re both hybrids in a similar price range that’s quite natural. I’m not a big fan of the Delta’s in its stock configuration due to their overwhelming (for my taste) mid-bass but I enjoy them very much with an easy modification that simply is putting a piece of tape over the back vent and poking a tiny hole in it with a needle. Since I really like them with this mod and the gold filters installed I think it’s fair to compare them to the A2’s in this form (for the record: in stock form I’d prefer the A2’s easily over the Delta’s).
Compared to the A2’s the Delta’s has a more airy presentation with better soundstage width while the A2's has better depth. The A2’s has deeper sub-bass and overall more bass presence but also more boomy mid-bass. The overall signature of the Delta’s brighter while the A2’s are fuller as a result of the mentioned bass presence. The Delta’s has a clearer midrange and neither of them has a midrange that feels recessed. The A2’s has thicker treble while the Delta’s has better extension but are also a bit sharper in the top. Details are similar on both while the Delta’s has better clarity.
The built of the housing are very similar on these two, short and wide, but the A2’s has a slightly longer nozzle which is enough for me to find them more comfortable.
The A2’s are easier to drive.
Isolation is better on the A2’s.
Summary:
I feel that I’ve been quite hard on the LZ A2’s but that’s just because they can handle it.
In the comparison section above I’ve put them up against some very highly regarded competitors and the truth is that even though they lose out to them all in some ways they still hold their own against all of them in total despite some of the others being a lot more expensive.
The LZ A2’s a fantastic IEM to use when out and about with easy fit, very easy to drive and a fun and non-fatiguing sound with a lot of bass presence. Although they may not be ideal for critical home listening they’re still a great offering that sound good with all music and fantastic with some.
Also the mids on the ckr10 can be harsh but they still sound beautiful. Is there any way to keep the high pitch from tickling or hurting me ears?
Ive tried eq, and .irs files. Still hurts.