Picked up the Zeros today, drove to the postoffice to get them while wearing the 808s , got the package, ripped it open, put me favorite large sennheiser double flanges onto the zeros and popped them in , Ill begin by pointing out that the Zeros are the first that I've wanted to keep in my ears longer than 10 minutes since the 808s arrived, the IE80s DIY although sounding close to the real thing , the Easy M2s, the Tenmark Pros, UE custom DIY and even the Fidue A83s have taken a back seat to the 808s due to them being more fiddly than the 808s to get on and off despite offering slightly brighter and more descriptive sound.. yet the shozy zeros remain in my ears all day.. took them off to compare with the 808s then popped the Zeros back in again.
OK so initial impressions of the Shozy Zeros without burn in by a newbie (and rather fussy) 40 something music dependent guy using just a Note 4 with Neutron player? They are Good! They currently have a darker fuller and richer sound compared to the HLSX 808s with more body and timber, everything is there, nothing recessed, nothing I can really pick on except perhaps a slight lack of detail , but that bass!... it has a fullness and body like nothing else I've heard so far! not even the original IE80s bass sounds this good to my ears , I cant get enough of it ! and even without burn in! However.. they do sound slightly muddied compared the 808s which has more detail ,separation and a more airy descriptive sound which I like with a bit of sparkle.
But this is early days and first impressions.. and a somewhat inexperienced IMO. Shozy have said the Zeros need 100+ hours or so to really find their legs , if this is the case then whatever voodoo the Shozy engineers have done to this tiny wooden IEM it may well surpass even the 808s as the most comfortable and enjoyable listen I've come across so far in the sub $100USD IEMs!
I have not heard any Westone products but from the comments and reviews of others in these forums Id imagine the Tone and sound quality of the Shozys is similar? They have the smallest housing Ive seen and have in my collection and are the most comfortable to wear for extended periods as they are so light they feel non existent in ear which makes it feel almost paradoxical with their rich and full sound and soundstage, the sound isnt out of head like the Fidues but in head and thick like molasses!
I like this flavor and want more! If the 808s are a refreshing Cold Corona with a slice of Lemon after a hot summers day then the Shozy Zeros are a pint of air temperature Guinness with a hint of chocolate and coffee and a perfect head of froth after a cold winters day in a cosy London pub!
The Zeros offer a completely different listen and quality than the Fidues and 808s and those two have exposed every weakness of the other IEMs in my growing collection so far including the original IE80s.. The Zeros are what I was hoping the Easy M2s would sound like.
I don't bother to burn in, am too undisciplined, impatient and busy , so the Zeros will burn in while in my ears and Ill enjoy them every step of way!
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), so You can compare them to your 808's and let us get an unbiased opinion? PM me if you are interested.
TWIN
