@mgunin
 
Thanks!
 
In contrast to Shozy's rep., I personally didn't find it much source-dependent at all. But yes, it plays well with both iBasso DAPs.

That's really good, hopefully will have a good synergy with DX50 (a bit bright and bass-light to my taste) as well.
 
Speaking of isolation, some comment it to be even better with third-party tips like JVC Spiral Dots and Havi Foam, but this is probably depends on ears and worth some experiments.

Isolation isn't bad actually. While it slightly lacks behind strongly isolating closed in-ears, it is clearly in the upper half. Wasn't clear enough in my review, gotta change that.

No problem, your point is quite clear, just tried to clarify some details.

Why do these keep being touted as $50 USD earphones when Penon and Shenzen have them for $60, only eBay they are $49.99

@Lurk650
 
I think it's because it is the MSRP and Penon is including the shipping and handling costs in their price.

Gotcha! Makes sense. 

Great review HiFiChris.

Thanks for the detailed review. Although this will definitely stay on my wishlist, I'm not as desperate to buy it now and will hold off my purchase for a while after comments like "It fares well against other excellent budget offerings, even being somewhat better in some places". Due to the title of the Zero thread I was probably initially expecting waaay too much from these and likely would have been a bit disappointed had I bought them. Now I think my expectations will be much more realistic. In the meantime I can enjoy my VJJB K4s which sound quite similar to the zero descriptions.

Thanks for the review! intrigued with all of your entry lvl gear comparison... If you say, compare it with <$100 single BA driver that you own/ ever heard of, do you think it compete well?

@Sp12er3
 
Ough, that's a difficult question as I don't feel comfortable comparing dynamic driver to BA in-ears - both driver types are just too different in their specific "character" for me.
 
The Zero will have the better treble extension and also more bass than those single BA in-ears. It might also have the better sub-bass extension (but not necessarily - some single-BAs also go really low to 20 Hz).
The best sub $100 single-BA in-ear I heard would be HiSoundAudio HA-2 that has got really good value as well (somewhat better than single-BA in-ears like the MEE A151, UE600, Phonak Audéo PFE 1xx, but inferior to the ER-4S and Fostex TE-07).
Yes, I would say the HA-2 would be comparable. As a BA in-ear it has got the somewhat better speech intelligibility. Other than that, I would say both are about on-par. The Zero is of different tonal nature though and audibly fuller and bassier - the HA-2 is much more balanced with less bass quantity. Where I would see the HA-2 as being superior would be soundstage size - the HiSoundAudio has got a really nice, wide and deep stage.
 
But other than that, I fear I won't be able to objectively assist you on that topic - BA vs. dynamic driver vs. hybrid is nothing where I feel comfortable doing a good comparison because their specific "characters" are just too different for me to be objective.
 
---------
 
@crabdog
 
Yeah, the thread title should be changed, to "Shozy Zero: $50 IEMs with real rosewood, taking on the $200 big boys!", as @H20Fidelity suggested. I am sure though that it could sound better or at least more or less comparable compared to some overpriced dynamic in-ears around $500. Whatever. It is a good in-ear if one is looking for an inexpensive, well sounding model that is more on the bassy side, but once again, it doesn't blow the other budget offerings I compared it to.
There is no wizardry and when blocking out the hype-train nerves in one's brain, it is just another really good budget in-ear that is identical to the other good budget models but doesn't do anything better than them except for if someone is looking for some more bass.

anybody can compare it to Soundmagic e80? is it an upgrade?

@fairx 
 
I would say the E80 is about on the same level as the Brainwavz M3 but differently sounding (more v-shaped). The Zero has got more bass quantity than the E80 but less treble - E80's upper treble spike is stronger and can be too much for some. For a more safe yet still slightly bright upper treble tuning, the Zero is probably the better way to go.
Soundstage is about similar with both in-ears.
In terms of resolution, I would say the Zero is a bit better. Not by much, but it has got the quicker, more arid bass and somewhat better control overall with fast music.

I wouldn't call the E80 V-shaped. Personally I found it pretty neutral, boring and non engaging. Gave it to my fiend and he enjoys it. I heard the music but I didnt really enjoy it.

(Talking about the E80) Well, the bass is somewhat north of neutral (not much but it is if one's familiar with really neutral in-ears). With the narrow bore tips though, the bass gets boosted (especially in the sub-bass). But in the upper treble, there is a narrow spike. Audible with music, sine sweeps and on measurements. On a German tour of the E80 (another unit, not mine), most users said basically the same.

Hey @HiFiChris. Great review. Especially the part where you compared the zero with the te02. I have the te02 and theyre a fantastic piece of gear. I got mine for a ridiculous price of $9, slapped spinfit tips on them and they have accompanied the noble 4 I have terrifically. However, I am curious about the zeros. It obviously sounds different from the te02 as your review pointed out but I'm wondering if theyre much of an upgrade from the te02 in technical terms. Is it worth paying $60 bucks for? Or would I just be pouring my money into another iem with a different tuning?    

@mohdkhamsya
 
Thank you!
 
I would say the technical difference is small enough to be negligible. I find the TE-02's upper treble decays a little too fast, but that's all. The Fostex is indeed incredible value for the price.
If you want to try something that's on the bassy side, the Zero could be something for you. For something that's relatively balanced with some warmth in the root, the B3 Pro I would be a good choice. For something that's a bright v-shape, the DUNU Titan 1/FiiO EX1 would be a good way to go. Just to name a few.
It's just a matter of preference and if you don't want to give up the neutral sound, you should stick with the TE-02.

@HiFiChris Thank you. Considering both the iems I have right now are kind of neutral, I guess the zero would be a great option. The other option would be tunable iems. Have you tried any? The Trinity Audio iems look interesting. 

@mohdkhamsya
 
Yep, as a bassy alternative, the Zero would be a good option.
 
Tuneable IEMs - sure, I've heard many. KZ ED9, Ostry KC06A (different sound-shaping eartips included), Sennheiser IE 80, LEAR LHF-AE1d, Phonak Auéo PFE132, Shure SE846, RHA T20, FLC Technology FLC8s (3 filter groups for up to 36 tuning possibilities), Echobox Finder X1, DUNU DN-2000J (sub-bass ring), LEAR NS-U1 (w/ NSC-03 cable), KZ ZN1. Could be slightly more, but I think those were all.
 
I've actually pre-ordered the Trinity Audio Engineering Delta V-II and Vyrus (that seems to get three tuning filters as well, if the new info on their product page is correct), but the first hasn't shown up yet (probably got lost on its way, but they'll send another one if it doesn't arrive soon) and the Vyrus is yet to be shipped.

Oh wow @HiFiChris thanks. I've actually tried most of those tunable iems. Really like the FLC8 but then I'll have to let my noble 4 go for that. Will see how it goes. I'll also wait for the Delta V-II reviews before I decide on whether I'll get the Zeros. I emailed Shozy and it's still 2 weeks before they release the retail version. So plenty of time there.