I want to drop a small recommendation for KZ fans who appreciate the ZST. Next time you're on an Aliexpress binge consider picking up the Vivo XE800. They are a bright sounding earphone with good soundstage and decent bass (sounds similar?). Basically imagine a ZST that is less harsh in the highs and has a more pleasing midrange.
The only "bad" characteristics I can point out about the Vivo is that it doesn't have as much strain relief as I'd like, the connector is straight rather than angled and after one journey with them on my motorcycle the cable's strain relief at the plug is already slightly tilted.
In terms of sound there is a dip somewhere in the high frequencies that can make some specific types of high frequencies sound more recessed (usually this occurs with cymbals) but female or male vocals sound very smooth and detailed.
They are very comfortable to wear and very small. They sit very flush inside your ear and can be used under a helmet. KZ's Starline tips work on them but be aware that their earphone tip is slimmer than most KZ so you need to buy a T300-sized or lower foam tip. T400 slip off it quite easily.
Funny, as I received my vivo today and still waiting on ZST. Don't know how the ZST is but thought they were very different regarding sound signature. But could be wrong as well.
Agree on the connector bit and the strain relief, those really could have been better.
The Vivo is quite bright and the bass is decent, but I think the bass should be a little bit deeper. The bass isn't really thumbing but is there, let's say recessed. Where I can really hear the bass-guitar strings being pulled with the senzer, it's harder with the vivo. Vocals are very clean indeed. Both male and female, bit of lifelike-effect.
I can say vivo is very detailed on par with the Senzer H1. These are both way above the ATR with the senzer being a bit of a upgrade of the ATR, similiar sound but a bit more thumbing bass and way better clarity over the spectrum. So if you like the ATR, you should check those out. The only thing I dislike is the straight connector. It has better strain relief than the vivo though.
The vivo compared to the ATR make the ATR very dark and the vivo very bright. But has to say, clarity and detail on vivo is very good.
They are very comfortable to wear too.
Senzer: Excells/emphasis in Lower range with great clarity
Vivo: Excells/emphasis in higher range with great clarity
ATR: Good lower range, but missing detail compared against these above. For the money, never had better sounding iems. But spending twice as much will give you a lot of SQ.
Question I would like to ask:
How does the HLSX808 sound?
