Preamble:
Before I start with my review, I would like to thank Andy Ho from Zorloo for the nice conversation and for sending me a sample of the Z:ero in-ears (http://www.zorloo.com/#!zbudd/c1yf2) for my honest evaluation.
The Chinese start-up company Zorloo has designed the world’s first digital in-ear with the Z:ero. Instead of a 3.5 mm connector, it uses a micro-USB plug for connection. The special thing about the in-ears is that they have got an integrated DAC and headphone amplifier which adds many possible benefits, i.e. that they sound identical on every source they are plugged into, that the volume limitation can be avoided and that the developers can directly take influence on the in-ears’ sound signature and add DSPs to correct the drivers’ flaws.
Is this possibly the future of consumer electronic products? Probably, as there are already patents from well-known smartphone manufacturers that include a digital connection of the in-ears through a flat digital connector. The biggest opponent however will be Bluetooth.
This version of the Z:ero has got a micro USB connector and is meant to be used with Android devices, however an iOS version with lightning connector is in the plans.
Technical Specifications:
MSRP: $39
Drivers: dynamic
SNR: 96 dB
THD: 0.02%
Impedance: 32 Ohms
Output: 27 mW max
Delivery Content:
The in-ears arrive in a compact black retail package that lists the compatible Android devices on the back (though more devices can me made working with third-party apps like the USB Audio Player Pro, but the IEMs work with computers and iOS devices as well, but more about that in the specific section further below).
Opening the box, one will find the in-ears, a warranty card, a quick-start guide, a nice carrying pouch which offers enough space for the in-ears and is quite protective and sturdy, three pairs of very nice hybrid silicone tips and last but not least a USB adapter for the use with a computer.
Looks, Feels, Build Quality:
The in-ear bodies are made of black and golden metal and seem very sturdy. The y-split is very large and doesn’t only contain the remote control, but also the DAC and Amp chip; a chin-slider or strain-relief is unfortunately not present.
The cable is sturdy and reminds me of the one that is used by Knowledge Zenith for their in-ears.
Comfort, Isolation:
Wearing the in-ears with the cables straight down, microphonics are very present, but disappear almost entirely when the cables are guided over the ears (which I by the way recommend for all in-ears, as this reduces microphonics and improves the fit). Though, the y-split could have been located a bit higher.
Isolation is a bit better than just mediocre.
Connection, remote control:
PC: After plugging the in-ears into the computer with the help of the included adapter, the drivers are automatically installed and the Z:ero can be selected in the system settings. Then, two independent volume controls are possible in the Windows sound mixer and through the in-ears’ remote.
iPhone: Yes, that’s right, the Z:ero in-ears (Android version) can be used with iOS devices as well if the Apple CCK (Camera Connection Kit) is being used. A separate version with lightning connector is supposed to follow.
Two independent volume controls as on the PC are not possible, but the volume is controlled through the remote control, which works very well and the lowest possible volume is also not too loud, which is important for people who listen at rather low volume levels.
The remote control with integrated playback controls worked very well with both devices. However, a microphone is not included.
Sound:
Just in case, the in-ears were burnt in before I started with my listening tests, for which the Z:ero was connected to my Windows 7 laptop and to my iPhone 4 by using the Apple CCK, which worked perfectly and without any restrictions. During the time of testing, I did not have access to a compatible Android device, but the in-ears worked without any problems with my PC and iPhone.
Tonality:
“Warm, bassy, mellow and dark” comes into my mind when I am about to describe the in-ears’ sound signature.
The lows are very rich with a thick emphasis of about 10 dB, but include a wide range and reach up into the upper ground-tone, wherefore they seem coherent, but mighty.
The ground-tone emphasis starts to evenly roll off from the upper bass up to the lower mids where it stops. Sub-bass rolls only very slightly off.
Mids are on the warm, dark and mellow side, treble is somewhat recessed and only adds a little sparkle because of a peak at 5 kHz, which helps the sound not to become too dark.
Logically, voices are therefore on the full and warm side and the treble is non-fatiguing and cosy, but also somewhat unnatural.
Resolution:
The resolution is neither superb nor bad for the price, but one could get the same or even more performance from cheaper (passive) in-ears.
The lows are quite soft and rather on the slow side, seem a bit blunt and not overly detailed, though control is acceptable. Lows soften towards sub-bass.
Mids are decently resolving, but seem a bit veiled at the same time.
Treble resolution is actually quite good in comparison to the mids and lows, but it could be a bit better as well.
Overall resolution is not too bad and better than some well-known brands’ models in this price range.
Soundstage:
The soundstage is actually very small for vented in-ears, only barely present and seems quite narrow in all dimensions. Though, instrument placement is okay for the given circumstances.
Spatial depth is present; however single layers are not really perceptible, although there is definitely some depth.
Conclusion:
The build quality is actually very decent. The remote control is also very neat, works flawlessly and offers a good range for low-level listeners as well as for people who like to get “the full blast”. Although the in-ears don’t sound particularly bad for the price, one could get the same sonic performance for less money. The consumer-oriented signature is not bad (the tonality doesn’t affect my evaluation anyway), but it is also not outstanding for the price – it is just that the costs for the DAC/Amp module can be seen in the price and I think that it would only be valuable with a better driver.
However, what the Z:ero in-ears show, is how headphones could develop in the future. With better drivers, there could also be a possible improvement in the sonic value. The concept of an included DAC/Amp could really have a benefit for driving multi-driver in-ears by adding the ability to choose the crossover frequency and transition steepness and would allow for correcting non-linearities and adding other features like digital crossfeed and other things. Who knows, maybe Zorloo might go a few steps further, use the technical benefits of the integrated digital DAC/Amp better and develop something like that in the future.
All in all, I come to a rating of 70% or 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Before I start with my review, I would like to thank Andy Ho from Zorloo for the nice conversation and for sending me a sample of the Z:ero in-ears (http://www.zorloo.com/#!zbudd/c1yf2) for my honest evaluation.
The Chinese start-up company Zorloo has designed the world’s first digital in-ear with the Z:ero. Instead of a 3.5 mm connector, it uses a micro-USB plug for connection. The special thing about the in-ears is that they have got an integrated DAC and headphone amplifier which adds many possible benefits, i.e. that they sound identical on every source they are plugged into, that the volume limitation can be avoided and that the developers can directly take influence on the in-ears’ sound signature and add DSPs to correct the drivers’ flaws.
Is this possibly the future of consumer electronic products? Probably, as there are already patents from well-known smartphone manufacturers that include a digital connection of the in-ears through a flat digital connector. The biggest opponent however will be Bluetooth.
This version of the Z:ero has got a micro USB connector and is meant to be used with Android devices, however an iOS version with lightning connector is in the plans.
Technical Specifications:
MSRP: $39
Drivers: dynamic
SNR: 96 dB
THD: 0.02%
Impedance: 32 Ohms
Output: 27 mW max
Delivery Content:
The in-ears arrive in a compact black retail package that lists the compatible Android devices on the back (though more devices can me made working with third-party apps like the USB Audio Player Pro, but the IEMs work with computers and iOS devices as well, but more about that in the specific section further below).
Opening the box, one will find the in-ears, a warranty card, a quick-start guide, a nice carrying pouch which offers enough space for the in-ears and is quite protective and sturdy, three pairs of very nice hybrid silicone tips and last but not least a USB adapter for the use with a computer.
Looks, Feels, Build Quality:
The in-ear bodies are made of black and golden metal and seem very sturdy. The y-split is very large and doesn’t only contain the remote control, but also the DAC and Amp chip; a chin-slider or strain-relief is unfortunately not present.
The cable is sturdy and reminds me of the one that is used by Knowledge Zenith for their in-ears.
Comfort, Isolation:
Wearing the in-ears with the cables straight down, microphonics are very present, but disappear almost entirely when the cables are guided over the ears (which I by the way recommend for all in-ears, as this reduces microphonics and improves the fit). Though, the y-split could have been located a bit higher.
Isolation is a bit better than just mediocre.
Connection, remote control:
PC: After plugging the in-ears into the computer with the help of the included adapter, the drivers are automatically installed and the Z:ero can be selected in the system settings. Then, two independent volume controls are possible in the Windows sound mixer and through the in-ears’ remote.
iPhone: Yes, that’s right, the Z:ero in-ears (Android version) can be used with iOS devices as well if the Apple CCK (Camera Connection Kit) is being used. A separate version with lightning connector is supposed to follow.
Two independent volume controls as on the PC are not possible, but the volume is controlled through the remote control, which works very well and the lowest possible volume is also not too loud, which is important for people who listen at rather low volume levels.
The remote control with integrated playback controls worked very well with both devices. However, a microphone is not included.
Sound:
Just in case, the in-ears were burnt in before I started with my listening tests, for which the Z:ero was connected to my Windows 7 laptop and to my iPhone 4 by using the Apple CCK, which worked perfectly and without any restrictions. During the time of testing, I did not have access to a compatible Android device, but the in-ears worked without any problems with my PC and iPhone.
Tonality:
“Warm, bassy, mellow and dark” comes into my mind when I am about to describe the in-ears’ sound signature.
The lows are very rich with a thick emphasis of about 10 dB, but include a wide range and reach up into the upper ground-tone, wherefore they seem coherent, but mighty.
The ground-tone emphasis starts to evenly roll off from the upper bass up to the lower mids where it stops. Sub-bass rolls only very slightly off.
Mids are on the warm, dark and mellow side, treble is somewhat recessed and only adds a little sparkle because of a peak at 5 kHz, which helps the sound not to become too dark.
Logically, voices are therefore on the full and warm side and the treble is non-fatiguing and cosy, but also somewhat unnatural.
Resolution:
The resolution is neither superb nor bad for the price, but one could get the same or even more performance from cheaper (passive) in-ears.
The lows are quite soft and rather on the slow side, seem a bit blunt and not overly detailed, though control is acceptable. Lows soften towards sub-bass.
Mids are decently resolving, but seem a bit veiled at the same time.
Treble resolution is actually quite good in comparison to the mids and lows, but it could be a bit better as well.
Overall resolution is not too bad and better than some well-known brands’ models in this price range.
Soundstage:
The soundstage is actually very small for vented in-ears, only barely present and seems quite narrow in all dimensions. Though, instrument placement is okay for the given circumstances.
Spatial depth is present; however single layers are not really perceptible, although there is definitely some depth.
Conclusion:
The build quality is actually very decent. The remote control is also very neat, works flawlessly and offers a good range for low-level listeners as well as for people who like to get “the full blast”. Although the in-ears don’t sound particularly bad for the price, one could get the same sonic performance for less money. The consumer-oriented signature is not bad (the tonality doesn’t affect my evaluation anyway), but it is also not outstanding for the price – it is just that the costs for the DAC/Amp module can be seen in the price and I think that it would only be valuable with a better driver.
However, what the Z:ero in-ears show, is how headphones could develop in the future. With better drivers, there could also be a possible improvement in the sonic value. The concept of an included DAC/Amp could really have a benefit for driving multi-driver in-ears by adding the ability to choose the crossover frequency and transition steepness and would allow for correcting non-linearities and adding other features like digital crossfeed and other things. Who knows, maybe Zorloo might go a few steps further, use the technical benefits of the integrated digital DAC/Amp better and develop something like that in the future.
All in all, I come to a rating of 70% or 3.5 out of 5 stars.
