TFZ No.3

Intro (Overall Score: 7.6/10)


Disclaimer: The TFZ No.3 was graciously lent to us by mistereden from Carousell Singapore for review purposes. It currently retails at $125(SGD).

This is a review on the No.3 IEMs from a company called The Fragrant Zither, or more commonly known as TFZ. The No.3 sports an 11.4mm driver with a Diamond Diaphragm and a Tesla Magnetic Group. TFZ designs its own dynamic drivers and the No.3 is their single dynamic driver featuring the 3rd generation of TFZ Drivers.

Accessories (Score:5/10)

I don’t have any pictures to show as this is a borrowed set but it’s really the bare minimum in the >$100 range. You get a flimsy white pouch coupled with a few silicone tips. The tips are basic but decently comfortable and I didn’t find the need to switch out to third party tips.

Build Quality and Fit (Score: 7.5/10)

The Build Quality of the IEMs is very simple yet is an aesthetic that I really dig. It features an almost fully plastic build that some might say it feels cheap to the touch. However, the transparent housing is curved in the right places, making the earpieces look very elegant and functionally comfortable. I have no complaints and everything seems very sturdy and well-made. These earpieces just sit comfortably and disappear in the ear without having to fiddle with them at all. The earpieces have wide bores but I did not experience any trouble with fit. The main problem I have is with the cable. It’s a nightmare to manage and spoil the otherwise clean aesthetic.

Sound (Score: 7.4/10)

Sources Used

• Fiio μBTR
• Shanling M3s

Albums and Tracks tested with

• ABBA Gold
• The Lumineers – The Lumineers
• Panic! At The Disco – Death of a Bachelor
• Andy Gibb – The Very Best Of
• Capital Cities – In a Tidal Wave of Mystery
• Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra
• Grease Soundtrack
• NEEDTOBREATHE – Acoustic Live Vol. 1
• Post Modern Jukebox – The New Classics (Recorded Live!)

Bass (Score: 8.5/10)

There’s bass and then there’s BBBass with a triple B. The bass on the No.3s take center stage with no intention of sharing the spotlight. Yes, you heard me right, this is a bass lover’s dream. The bass extends deep and the richness of the sub-bass was really unique. If you’re more used to more balanced sounding earphones, the No.3 would take some getting used to. Listening to “Safe and Sound” by Capital Cities or “Death of a Bachelor” by Panic! At The Disco resulted in a satisfying session of head thumping bass.

Mids (Score: 6.5/10)

With such an overpowering response in the bass, it comes as little surprise that the mids would be compromised upon. They really take a back seat on the No.3s and at times even feel like they are being crushed by the weight and impact of the bass. On tracks by Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra, woodwind passages sound really muted and suppressed. Instruments like clarinet and saxophones would seem very distant. I sometimes find myself having to turn up the volume in these passages as it’s just too soft. In “The Gun Song” by The Lumineers, Wesley Schultz’s beautiful rich vocals become a tad too lifeless.

Treble (Score: 7/10)

Treble is not very well extended but does a decent job. That said, it’s nothing to scream about. In Panic! At The Disco’s “Crazy = Genius”, it struggles to maintain composure in the upper ranges, where the Hi-Hats and can be fatiguing if the volume is turned up too much. This was a bigger problem than I thought it would be due to me constantly turning up the volume to hear the mids.

Fortunately, the treble never really gets sibilant and, in my books, that is already a big step towards a decently tuned V-shape. The No.3 does well in keeping the treble natural sounding, without getting tinny or metallic, unlike many V-shaped chi-fi. This helps let the bass shine without a thorn in your side to spoil the experience.

Overall

The No.3 proudly flaunts its V sound signature and is unabashed about it. It does boast pretty good layering and separation, especially in the bass region, and these all add to a very engaging and fun-sounding earphone. The detail retrieval is not superb but not a big surprise or deal-breaker at this price point.



Conclusion

The bottom line, this sound signature is not my cup of tea, which may result in my scoring it significantly lower than someone who loves their bass. I do acknowledge that the No.3 doesn’t aim to do it all, but instead sets out to do one thing right - to satisfy bass heads. And it does that well with a decent amount of quality to back up that quantity.

Admittedly, the No.3s do not look that all fancy and may even look a little cheap when placed side by side with their lower-priced counterpart, the T2 Galaxy. However, it is still built sturdily and I have no doubts about its ruggedness. I would recommend the TFZ No.3s to anyone wanting to take a step into the hobby and looking for a bass-heavy IEM.

The Fragrant Zither (TFZ) has been making in-earphones for a few years now, however I have not actually had a chance to try any of them. Linsoul contacted me a couple months ago and sent me the newest TFZ, the No. 3 to try out and write a short review about, and so here I go.

The No. 3 comes in a rectangular long box and comes with a set of tips, a carrying fabric pouch, and 2-pin cables. The cable itself isn’t all that great, as it isn’t very easy to use, tangles, and just feels awkward. I opted to use my own cables to pair with the No. 3.

The shell of the TFZ No 3 looks a little large at first, but actually fits quite comfortably and does a good job of blocking out noise. The outside plate has a brushed metal look, however it’s just a decal, while the inner side of the shell is transparent showing off the driver and internals.

Sound

The TFZ No. 3 presents a V-Shaped sound signature which elevates bass and treble responses, while recessing mid-range. This typically is not a sound profile that I really like, but can tolerate when done coherently and not overly done, and for the most part the TFZ No. 3 does this well.

Bass response is the thing that sticks out the most on the No. 3. It has good sub-bass response, which is deep, impactful, rumbly, and boosted. It doesn’t feel muddy either, and sounds quite nice. The natural decay is clean and present.

Mid-range is coherent, though definitely behind the bass and treble in a typical V-sound. I found male vocals to be rich and full, while female vocals to be a little bit on the brighter side. The treble response is elevated and borders on harshness. While on most songs, I found the TFZ No. 3 to be on the good side of this fine line, there are occasional tracks where I found the treble boost to be a little fatiguing and bright.

TFZ’s only redeeming quality is its soundstage, which is wide and sometimes engulfing. The added treble boost, also gives the sound profile some air and this makes instruments sparkle a bit and give a sense of good forward details.

Comparisons



While I kept the main content a bit short, I’d like to give a quick set of comparisons here, as there is just so much out there right now in this price range that is of good quality that it’s hard to sift through it all.

TFZ No. 3 vs BGVP DMS and BGVP DMG



This the comparison I feel like people really want to know about. These three IEMs share very similar sound signatures. The DMS is open-back and will leak and let sound in. That said, I think it’s a very fun and coherent in-ear. The DMG is the same but in a closed-back form but just a little bit muddier and brighter than the DMS. Both, however, sound muddy and less resolving than the TFZ No. 3. In fact, I found the No. 3 to sound better across the board in terms of bass qualities, mid coherency than both BGVPs. I do still like the DMS for it's openness however.
TFZ No. 3 vs Moondrop Kanas Pro and Moondrop KXXS


The No. 3 has more apparent bass boost than both the Moondrop IEMs. Some may find it too much, and some may find it just right. I actually do like how much bass the TFZ presents, although I do not in any way shape or form consider myself a basshead. It’s just a fun, yet good sounding bass response at this price point. The Kanas pro and KXXS have more muted bass, but it’s clean, punchy and just enough warmth to make me happy. The Kanas Pro is a smoother overall sound than both the KXXS and No. 3 and I find the KXXS and No 3 to be equally on the brighter side of what I like, but both are just toned down enough to be overly distracting and fatiguing. I find the KXXS to actually be a little more bright than the No. 3.

TFZ vs Sony MH755


Finally, I find the TFZ No. 3 to be an improved Sony MH755 earphone. The MH755 is ultra-cheap yet very fun and sounds quite good for it’s offering price of free99, or $8 on eBay. The MH755 was a bit too bassy though, and the TFZ No. 3 has the right amount of bass reduction yet still is ever present, and also has a slightly tamer treble response and better resolution.


Overall
In the end, I find the TFZ No. 3 to be a good buy at $109 and can stack up against IEMs above it’s price range. For a V-shaped IEM, I’d take it over the BGVP series of DMS, DMG, as well as the DM6. I’d personally prefer the Moondrop Kanas Pro over it, but that’s a sound signature choice. I can definitely recommend the TFZ No. 3 as a good fun In-Ear.

If you are interested, please check out the product at Linsoul.com or on the LSR-Direct store on Amazon. The links below are direct to product links:

• https://www.linsoul.com/product-page/tfz-no3-no3ti-iem
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Linsoul-Generation-Earphone-Dynamic-Detachable/dp/B07SJZJW8B

Disclaimer: I bought this IEM at my own expense and am not affliated to any company.

Hi this is my 3rd review on this forum.

Out of the box, my initial impressions were not very favourable, I found the bass over boomy and the mids recessed, with some harsh treble, but having burnt it in and listened more extensively, I am really really loving this IEM. So in the future, I have learnt not to make any firm impressions of any audio gear till more extensive listening.
The TFZ No. 3 is quite a fun set that will appeal to bassheads (like me).





Specifications:
- Driver: 11.4mm Double magnetism, double cavity, double voice coil, tesla magnetic group
- Diaphragm: Diamond diaphragm
- Frequency Response: 5Hz-40000Hz
- Impedence: 20ohms
- Sensitivity:108dB
- Cable: 0.78mm 2 pin detachable cable


Build:
It is made of plastic, but is extremely light.

The stock cable is detachable and quite thick and of good quality with no microphonics. I tried a few different cables, such as the NICEHCK 8 braided cable, but decided to stick with the stock one in the end, due to the sound signature and fit. The stock cable has no chin clinch though.
Apparently some Headfiers have fedback that the cable connector is similar to some other TFZ models, and certain aftermarket cables may not fit the TFZ No. 3. You can still use a standard 2 pin cable but it sticks out of the IEM somewhat. (From what I know KZ para C type cables will not fit the TFZ No. 3, more info can be obtained from the forums on which cables won't fit the TFZ No. 3).

It comes with many stock tips and after tip rolling a bit, I still found the stock ones to still suit me better.

Isolation/comfort:
These are one of the more comfortable IEMs I have ever used. I can wear it for hours with no issues. It is extremely light and ergonomic.
The isolation is also excellent. I have used it in the subway or crowded areas with above average isolation. I did not find any driver flex on it.

Sound:
This IEM is easily drivable from smart phones, and doesn't really need any amping. I tested this with a desktop -> Khadas Tone board -> Fiio A3 and android -> Tempotec Sonata HD. There is a hiss with smartphones/PC but this resolves when the music is playing. The hiss can be fixed with a simple inline volume controller, impedance mismatch device, or even a DAC or AMP.

My initial impressions was that this was a V shaped tuning, but after extensive listening, it is more of a U shape, with mildly recessed lower mids (and boosted bass and slightly boosted lower treble/higher mids).
For a single DD set up, the imaging, instrument separation, clarity and details are very good. Most of the details in the music can still be heard, but IMHO as a single DD Driver, it loses out to some other multi BA drivers in this area. Among the pure DD setups I own, it is one of the better ones in the area of technicalities.

Bass:
Excellent bass (midbass and subbass) quantities. Subbass extends very well with great quantity, and will be suitable for bassheads. The timbre is spot on and has a decay typical of DD bass. It has a midbass bleed, but some may prefer this for an added warmth in the lower registers. It may be on the slightly bloated side in terms of quality. The bass is the most emphasized of the entire frequency spectrum, but I never found it overpowering other frequencies so far (having said that I'm a basshead). The bass is definitely my most favourite aspect of this IEM and it is just one level short of jaw rattling bass.

Mids:
It has slightly recessed lower mids, but a boost in the higher mids. As such, male voices sound softer than female ones to me. Vocals and instrument tonality/timbre is superb and make me feel like I am listening to singing from the first row of a stage. The upper mids can occasionally get fatiguing with longer listening sessions with female vocals.

Treble:
Lower treble is slightly boosted. I find sometimes horn and trumpet instruments may sound a bit harsh as there is a treble peak on the TFZ No. 3 at around the 8kHZ region. Otherwise the rest of the treble is non fatiguing, with minimal silibance. There is a slight roll off in the higher frequencies, so maybe treble heads may not appreciate it. But nevertheless, most of the details are there.

Soundstage:
Average.

Conclusions:
I initially wasn't impressed with TFZ No.3 out of the box, but after listening for almost a week, it has steadily grown on me and I love it now. The excellent bass and comfortable fit, and fun sounding signature make this a keeper set for me. The upper mids/lower treble can get occasionally fatiguing with longer listening sessions, but otherwise bassheads will like it for the great sub and midbass.