[Griffith]

Another thing I will add while I'm at it. Why can't KZ make the silver cable with in-line controls? The rubbery, sticky, microphonic cable is the biggest weakness of their IEMs. I really hate it and don't understand why this is not something they would address.

That's one of the reasons I tend to prefer MMCX cables, you have a lot more options with mic or not and, in general, they are very affordable. 2-pin connector cables are more limited in supply and types. I don't even know where or if I can buy original replacement cables for a TFZ earphone which has the same connector.

 

[Philip-DD]

I detach my iem's from the cable & store them, I just grabbed a cable & stuck them on quick for a pic lol.

I had the ZSE come last week had bad channel imbalance only one side worked Gearbest sent another unit out, hope these ES3's are without defect.

Same problem here. ZSE from GB. Right side not working. First experience with an IEM not working (DOA). Didn't ask for another ZSE. Money was refunded and I bought my first of two ES3s (blue/aquamarine).

 

[Fox2twenty]

I'm kinda bummed because I ordered the ES3 on the 24th of August already, and according to the tracking number it's still "pre-advised". So basically my ES3 is still lying in some GB warehouse while it's being sold for quite a bit less at this moment. Oh well.

One thing I know for sure is I'm probably not gonna resist getting the ZS6, but will restrain myself and wait for a sale to pop up

Lol, I probably will not resist the Zs6 either.

 

[maxxevv]

Has anyone seen the metal shells confirmed in a Aliexpress listing yet? I was looking closely at the pictures and they still look plastic to my eyes - could be completely wrong but none of the listing seem to mention the shell material.

Your question answered. Got this off one of the Facebook group postings.

 

[Holypal]

I measured my ZS5's impedance. Both left and right are 4.0 ohm. It's much lower than the specs on penonaudio.

I'm not sure my pair is defective or the specs are wrong. It sounds good though.

 

[Griffith]

Your question answered. Got this off one of the Facebook group postings.

Which Facebook group would this be?

 

[vladstef]

Your question answered. Got this off one of the Facebook group postings.

This confirms a few things: Metal shells (no idea about the nozzle but even that might be metal according to the first photo), no crossover, there is a tube that goes from micro DD (if this improves mid range, I am buying them!), one of the screws is just for looks but other 2 are functional and practical for anyone who'd open them (very good thing imho), 3 openings are fully used and front vent is smaller than before.
This honestly looks like KZ has decided to change BA position and add this tube for micro DD just to satisfy people who believed that only 2 drivers provided sound in ZS5, but maybe it's just an evolution that would happen regardless. Love it how internal chamber that holds the tube and one DD has a squared opening where previous BA was.
They should've kept that silver natural look from the first photo and just polish it to give it a shine. This way we could bedazzle the people on the streets while we enjoyed our music.

 

[Marc Lian]

God damn I just got the ZS5 and I think I'm going to have to buy the ZS6 too.

 

[Slater]

This confirms a few things: Metal shells (no idea about the nozzle but even that might be metal according to the first photo), no crossover, there is a tube that goes from micro DD (if this improves mid range, I am buying them!), one of the screws is just for looks but other 2 are functional and practical for anyone who'd open them (very good thing imho), 3 openings are fully used and front vent is smaller than before.
This honestly looks like KZ has decided to change BA position and add this tube for micro DD just to satisfy people who believed that only 2 drivers provided sound in ZS5, but maybe it's just an evolution that would happen regardless. Love it how internal chamber that holds the tube and one DD has a squared opening where previous BA was.
They should've kept that silver natural look from the first photo and just polish it to give it a shine. This way we could bedazzle the people on the streets while we enjoyed our music.

Interesting photos.

A few points:

1. The nozzle is definitely cnc aluminum.

2. On the short 'nonfunctional' screw, it bites into the side of the shell (you can see a small curved indent cut out of the side of the case where the screw threads will bite).

3. On the "squared opening where previous BA was", CNC machine time is money so I do not believe they would waste extra machining time to make that for no reason. My hunch? It was either for tuning tests (ie 1 BA in the cutout + 1 BA in the nozzle vs 0 in the cutout + 2 in the nozzle), or it is there to be populated by a BA driver in a future model without the need for retooling (perhaps the long-awaited 5 driver IEM that used to be referred to as the ZSR Pro).

 

[Octave0]

I connected the KZ ES3's "correctly" the cable is same as the KZ ZST cable apart from the top where there is black plastic which you can bend in shape over & around your ears like the KZ ZS3' cable, I have a problem though, the right side seals perfectly can even feel the suction using the biggest tips provided but the left side keeps popping out no matter how I adjust it, got a lil discomfort & pain now lol, will try other tips later just left music playing on them for now, not comfortable as KZ ZST & KZ ZS3 for me atleast, will experiment more later, with a brief listen when I had a good seal momentarily the mids where dancing away, a lot of detail too, i don't know why the left side keeps coming out wasn't a problem with the ZST's quite frustrating.

 

[vladstef]

Interesting photos.

A few points:

1. The nozzle is definitely cnc aluminum.

2. On the short 'nonfunctional' screw, it bites into the side of the shell (you can see a small curved indent cut out of the side of the case where the screw threads will bite).

3. On the "squared opening where previous BA was", CNC machine time is money so I do not believe they would waste extra machining time to make that for no reason. My hunch? It was either for tuning tests (ie 1 BA in the cutout + 1 BA in the nozzle vs 0 in the cutout + 2 in the nozzle), or it is there to be populated by a BA driver in a future model without the need for retooling (perhaps the long-awaited 5 driver IEM that used to be referred to as the ZSR Pro).

I doubt that they can make it precise enough for a screw to hold only by it's side (it would require some amazingly small margin of error), but that screw looks longer than it needs to be, so, who knows.
That square is probably where BA was in the ZS5 v1 and they obviously intended ZS6 to inherit the same structure as ZS5 v1. It appears that the change happened quite late in the development and they only ended up plugging that hole on the underside that we can't see (this can be seen on some ZS5 v2 renders). ZSR will have 1DD+2BA and ZS10 will be the previously rumored ZSR with 1DD+4BA (here)

Spoiler: ZS5 2 versions - comparison of internal chambers

 

[Fox2twenty]

Wait a minute... No crossovers? I missed that.. So, kz peeps, does this, mean all 4 drivers are full spectrum??

 

[Fox2twenty]

Wait a minute... No crossovers? I missed that.. So, kz peeps, does this, mean all 4 drivers are full spectrum??

@slaterlovesspam et al.. Are all kz products full spectrum??

 

[Ynot1]

I connected the KZ ES3's "correctly" the cable is same as the KZ ZST cable apart from the top where there is black plastic which you can bend in shape over & around your ears like the KZ ZS3' cable, I have a problem though, the right side seals perfectly can even feel the suction using the biggest tips provided but the left side keeps popping out no matter how I adjust it, got a lil discomfort & pain now lol, will try other tips later just left music playing on them for now, not comfortable as KZ ZST & KZ ZS3 for me atleast, will experiment more later, with a brief listen when I had a good seal momentarily the mids where dancing away, a lot of detail too, i don't know why the left side keeps coming out wasn't a problem with the ZST's quite frustrating.

I'm hesitant to post in this thread. I'm not saying their not related, you know email getting clogged big time.

So after all those feedback about memory wire, they brought it back. And QC is starting on shakey footing.
Is it fair to say maybe next year? And it's only preseason ending right now. No Superbowl ring on ES3 coat tail.

 

[jant71]

I see the structure has the rounded areas where the DD sit and fit then the square off to the side. The 10mm DD sits in the cradled on top and has little to do with the square. The square should be for the 5 drivers extra driver. They probably made one piece to use in both phones instead of designing/making another piece. Think it is an ABS piece and not CNC. The pic has CNC sides of the shell and the nozzle but not the "Cradle". Both for price and weight there is little chance that piece is CNC'd.