[ThanosD]

Only used the ZS4 for a moment but it was immediately apparent that it was a quality earphone with massive bass, enough for me to go and order one the same night (long wait for it to ship to Canada ensues...). Can't directly compare it to the ZSR and V80 yet as such.

ZSR vs. V80? I like the ZSR more. Sub-bass is more powerful, mid-range is thicker, and treble isn't quite as hot. Both have a v-shaped sig, though the V80 does balance out a bit at higher volumes. ZSR should be more stable than the V80 for gym use given the shape and light weight, though the V80 would be fine too.

On another note, if you're mainly buying for gym use, save yourself some bucks and get these: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Ori...43.html?spm=2114.13010208.99999999.264.SvX0G3

I reviewed them ages ago when they were under the brand YHC. The bass is ridiculous, really comfortable, and cheap as chips.

Oh, I forgot to ask. If you still have them, or remember how they sounded (the fg002), how does the bass on the ZSR compare to this dirty cheap pair? In your review you mentioned that these even surpassed the XB50, which are considered to be very good.

 

[pashhtk27]

I also enjoy my T2 a lot. Looking at how they are slightly old now (by Chinese market standard), is there any new model that offers similar neutral tuning in the under $50 range? Maybe something slightly warmer.

 

[perfecious]

Hey. Um... I'm trying to decide which IEM to upgrade to from the TinAudio T2's (looking the DMGs. Tenhz p4 pro, DM6), and I would really like to know how they compare to the T2s? The T2s are really my favorite IEM I've tried so far. To me it's Mids and Treble are simply perfect, but I would like (slightly) more "body/low-end" (and potentially better overall detail/layering/separation/less-over-saturation, although I have hard time imagining what could really beat the T2s in some of these regards). Many people claim, that the BGVP DMGs are a "step-up" from the T2s/ TRN V80. I agree about the TRN, because to me they sound really out of line with their treble (basically, larry piencenaves's review describes EXACTLY what my problems with the V80s are). But the T2s? Yeah.... I wanna know where exactly do they fall behind next to the DMGs, and if the DMGs would be something that I would like (every review I've seen has people completely contradicting/differing experiences). And if you guys have other IEM recommendations based on what I like (the T2s, neutral/reference signature), they are welcome. Or I should just get the T2 Pro... My budged is $150 max (and I'm waiting for the 11.11 ali sales) Thanks.

 

[SSakul]

If u have good dap ( preferably with balanced 2.5mm output ) Check out Whizzer A15 Pro . They have insane performance on acoustics / classics etc . They are bit dry for Rock / metal . But u will be shocked how clean and detailed can DD sound . They sux from phone though , despite 16 ohm .. aparently berillium need quite a lot of juice and balanced give them extra body .

But when they get good pairing , they are insanely good , kinda budget Prophile 8 .

 

[monitoringsound70]

Been with the C630 for a couple of hours now, and considering the price they're pretty fine so far...... If a tad bass shy

I ditched the inclded tips and settled on a Sony hybrid, (Great for wide bores) much better isolation and more comfortable.

These to me are almost a carbon copy in sound to the RE0, albeit much better fitting with a nice clean audio especially in the mids and a very respectable treble.
I think the mids are definitely the high point with these, really nice and up front and almost liquid.
The treble can so far on occasion sound a bit.... Well metallic, kind of too mechanical at times but even so still great.

The only part of the spectrum where these fall down at the moment is the bass, it's there but not quite where it should be, rather like the aforementioned RE0, it's just not enough and yes I have a great seal.

However for the price I got them in the lightning deal I'm certainly not complaining really, I mean what can you expect for just over £6!
Well actually scrub that as my QKZ QK2 were under £2.57 and are incredible lol.

So at the moment I'm definitely pleased with the deal, just wish that bass had a bit more punch.

 

[Bartig]

Thanks a lot for the comparisson between the ZSR and the V80. Another sign that points towards ZSR. My dilemma now is Memt X5 with the earhooks that another memeber suggested, or the ZSR. I am leaning more to the ZSR, because of the removable cable, and the fact that my experience with KZ is very good so far (ATE, ZS3), also, if I don't like (or get bored of) the shape, I can always take the 3 drivers and put them in a custom shell. As far as your recommendation goes, I am not really looking for a "scrap" (I already have my ATEs) but just something that can be used without problems in a situation like this. It will go to the wishlist though, as a pair to consider in the future, along with the Plextone X41M. Thanks a lot for the help

You love the ATE and ZS3? Get the ZSR already - I loved those two too and thought the ZSR were a huge improvement. A way bigger soundstage, fatter bass and more details in the highs. Still a lovely IEM, maybe even my favorite KZ.

 

[Slater]

Been with the C630 for a couple of hours now, and considering the price they're pretty fine so far...... If a tad bass shy

I ditched the inclded tips and settled on a Sony hybrid, (Great for wide bores) much better isolation and more comfortable.

These to me are almost a carbon copy in sound to the RE0, albeit much better fitting with a nice clean audio especially in the mids and a very respectable treble.
I think the mids are definitely the high point with these, really nice and up front and almost liquid.
The treble can so far on occasion sound a bit.... Well metallic, kind of too mechanical at times but even so still great.

The only part of the spectrum where these fall down at the moment is the bass, it's there but not quite where it should be, rather like the aforementioned RE0, it's just not enough and yes I have a great seal.

However for the price I got them in the lightning deal I'm certainly not complaining really, I mean what can you expect for just over £6!
Well actually scrub that as my QKZ QK2 were under £2.57 and are incredible lol.

So at the moment I'm definitely pleased with the deal, just wish that bass had a bit more punch.

Did you peel off the black fabric filters?

 

[ThanosD]

You love the ATE and ZS3? Get the ZSR already - I loved those two too and thought the ZSR were a huge improvement. A way bigger soundstage, fatter bass and more details in the highs. Still a lovely IEM, maybe even my favorite KZ.

I definitely like them a lot, especially the ZS3. Good to hear another opinion, especially from someone that even has the ATEs to compare them to the others. Another sign pointing the ZSR. I think I made up my mind. Thanks a lot

 

[monitoringsound70]

Did you peel off the black fabric filters?

No. What does that do to the sound

 

[DocHoliday]

I definitely like them a lot, especially the ZS3. Good to hear another opinion, especially from someone that even has the ATEs to compare them to the others. Another sign pointing the ZSR. I think I made up my mind. Thanks a lot

If the choice is between the MEMT X5 and the ZSR the ZSR wins, hands down. There really is no contest between the two.

The ZSR has much more definition from top to bottom, the midrange is more natural and has better presence but more importantly the ZSR's detachable cables make them the long term champions. The MEMT X5 comes with a mic that "will" fail at some point and when they do you will be out of luck.

Get the ZSR!


I posted this about a week ago regarding the ZSR:

So, good news and great news.

Good news:

Yesterday I had errands to run from noon until well after sundown and I spent the entire day with my ZSR.



I have to say that the ZSR was an excellent companion. My fatigue-free session was more than nine hours and I absolutely loved every minute of it.

There was more than enough micro-detail on tracks that I am thoroughly familiar with. Serving up all the micro-detail one can handle on the go with zero fatigue is impressive enough but to simultaneously deliver a rich midrange with defined and authoritative bass in equal measure is what makes the ZSR so special to me. I had an excellent seal throughout the day using the eartips that came with my BGVP DM5. The isolation wasn't as impressive as the ZS3's isolation but few IEMs isolate that well. I'd say the ZSR has about 85% of the ZS3's isolation for my ears.

The ZS6 has been my favorite IEM for the last year but my ZS6 will never be led outdoors because while they are a ton of fun they are also a more analytical listen due to the voluminous amount of detail across the frequency spectrum.

All in all, I stand by my original review of the ZSR. It's a very, very good IEM at it's ridiculously low $28 price tag. Just do yourself a favor and move past the stock cables.

These should suffice at $11 (disregard the MMCX portion of the picture)




Bottom line:

The ZSR is my go-to IEM for the great outdoors.


The great news:

The BA10 is in the house!




I spent three hours with them and I'll be spending the next few days pouring over different genres to report back as accurate as is humanly possible (for my ears). My ears are on the larger size so I had zero discomfort, even after three hours with a rectangular shaped IEM. I haven't even pulled out the memory wire so I can install my silicone earhooks yet so that's a good sign for those of you that like the memory wire or for those of you with larger ears.

First impressions are as follows:

If you liked the sound signature of the original matte black ZS3 and you have larger ears then you will like the BA10. Initial impressions are that it sounds like a more refined "original" ZS3.

Indeed, I pulled out my matte ZS3 for comparison purposes (though this is a photo of the glossy ZS3). Be aware that the original ZS3 was shipped with "NO" foam in the nozzle. The foam makes the ZS3 boomy and muffled.




Took me about two hours of playtime to place the sound signature. Then I pulled out my ZS3's and boom......there it was. Then I searched for FR graphs and.....voila!


I'm not necessarily a big follower of "The Phonograph.net", but their graphs coincide with what I am hearing.






The midrange and bass are on equal footing. Bass is full-on and midrange is rich.
Note that the treble trails off in similar fashion to the ZS3. This is also how I hear it.


This next FR graph is AntDroid's and it is close to what I am hearing, although, to my ears the red line should be where the green line is because, again, the bass and midrange are on equal footing. That would also mean that the AS10 midrange would still climb higher (all things being equal) and the AS10 would have more midrange presence than the BA10 (B9 can probably confirm or deny my hypothesis since he owns both IEMs).





For me, wide-bore shallow depth silicone eartips worked best. The wide-bore may assist in the bass having a more diffuse presentation allowing the midrange to come slightly more forward than you see in the above graph. Again, to my ears, the bass and midrange are on equal footing. With narrow-bore silicone eartips the upper-midrange became borderline strident on occasion.

My matte black ZS3 sounds clear; the midrange is just as prominent and clean as the slammin' bass. The BA10 sounds like a cleaner, smoother ZS3 a few tiers up in timbre while displaying much higher resolution.

And that bass......
thus far, it sounds like a very clean dynamic driver that takes no prisoners.
Again, this is with wide-bore silicone eartips and the BA10 coupled to my bright-leaning ZuneHD. Next I'll use the more powerful Fiio X3(i) and note any nuances that may or may not exist.


I'm still not a fan of the red and gold. I'll wait until the price drops then I'll pick up the BA10 in black/red. I'll swap the faceplates and the end result will be one completely red BA10 that I can use white or copper cables with and one black BA10 with a gold faceplate that I can use a black cable with.

If anyone has a link to the black KZ cable with the 90°+/- angle please share it. They seemed to have disappeared almost as quickly as they appeared.








https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.aliexpress.com/item/32899379734.html


I know about Kinboofi and other black cables but their round connector heads coupled to a box-like receptacle will bug me to no end......even if said cables are superior.


In the end I'll likely use the BA10's laid back sound signature for chillout sessions.

Spoiler

Zero 7 - Home


Lilac Wine (Album Leaf Remix)


Tiesto - Close To You


Try (SweetWesty Remix)

Just an FYI, I still use the silicone ear hooks with my ZSR.


https://www.amazon.com/Cosmos-Remov...e+Earhooks&dpPl=1&dpID=418Ntw5XMcL&ref=plSrch

 

[Slater]

If the choice is between the MEMT X5 and the ZSR the ZSR wins, hands down. There really is no contest between the two.

The ZSR has much more definition from top to bottom, the midrange is more natural and has better presence but more importantly the ZSR's detachable cables make them the long term champions. The MEMT X5 comes with a mic that "will" fail at some point and when they do you will be out of luck.

Get the ZSR!


I posted this about a week ago regarding the ZSR:





Just an FYI, I still use the silicone ear hooks with my ZSR.


https://www.amazon.com/Cosmos-Remov...e+Earhooks&dpPl=1&dpID=418Ntw5XMcL&ref=plSrch

+1

No contest.

 

[ThanosD]

If the choice is between the MEMT X5 and the ZSR the ZSR wins, hands down. There really is no contest between the two.

The ZSR has much more definition from top to bottom, the midrange is more natural and has better presence but more importantly the ZSR's detachable cables make them the long term champions. The MEMT X5 comes with a mic that "will" fail at some point and when they do you will be out of luck.

Get the ZSR!


I posted this about a week ago regarding the ZSR:





Just an FYI, I still use the silicone ear hooks with my ZSR.


https://www.amazon.com/Cosmos-Remov...e+Earhooks&dpPl=1&dpID=418Ntw5XMcL&ref=plSrch

+1

No contest.

Ok ok I am convinced, I will go with the ZSR . Great comparison btw. Thanks a lot guys!

 

[loomisjohnson]

If the choice is between the MEMT X5 and the ZSR the ZSR wins, hands down. There really is no contest between the two.

The ZSR has much more definition from top to bottom, the midrange is more natural and has better presence but more importantly the ZSR's detachable cables make them the long term champions. The MEMT X5 comes with a mic that "will" fail at some point and when they do you will be out of luck.

Get the ZSR!


I posted this about a week ago regarding the ZSR:





Just an FYI, I still use the silicone ear hooks with my ZSR.


https://www.amazon.com/Cosmos-Remov...e+Earhooks&dpPl=1&dpID=418Ntw5XMcL&ref=plSrch

the zsr is the better sounding phone, but i still think the memt is an optimal "gym phone"--bassy, good isolating and very comfortable--the zsr is bulkier and i find it needs to be re-fitted often, a problem i don't have with the trn v80.

 

[Slater]

the zsr is the better sounding phone, but i still think the memt is an optimal "gym phone"--bassy, good isolating and very comfortable--the zsr is bulkier and i find it needs to be re-fitted often, a problem i don't have with the trn v80.

I have to agree with this. The ZSRs bulk can be cumbersome at the gym. That’s why I like the EDR1 at the gym.

 

[audio123]

BQEYZ KB100 review on my site & Head-Fi.
I feel this is the best under 50 USD IEM I have tried so far. YMMV. Enjoy reading!