[oyobass]

Well I have an un-trackable tracking number for my ZS6

In the mean time my ZS5's with upgrade cables are lying dormant while I've really been liking the new and improved ZST SP cable



Waiting to see what they come out with for the ZS6

Nice!

How are you liking the new cable? They look a lot more high-end than the silver replacement cable.

 

[Podster]

It is and for $7.53 it's is way better

 

[westsenkovec]

What you don't like and normally search ?

I doubt the price is a problem, drops are normal, especially on Gearbest. I found them a lot source and EQ sensitive, on the warm side, without sibilance, more congested than more expensive KZ models ( if we can say that ) and with a very microphonic cable. For the price they have a good potential, try messing with the EQ.

You mean like the cheaper/more expensive they are, the better/worse they sound or something?

I'm not sure I follow.

No, I bought them on pre sale/flash sale when they were initially released. The price was too good to pass, especially considering it was a dual driver and that the prices go up once the earphones are released.

I have the first gen ATEs and Zircons.
The ATE was a huge surprise considering that it was my first Chinese IEM. For that price you could only get junk at the local store. They had a strong bass but then I read that they come from the factory with glue on the breathing holes and that they sound much better if you remove it. After struggling to remove the soft glue from the holes, the sound changed so much that I thought I damaged the driver. Almost zero bass and much more "airy" with a bigger sound stage.

The Zircons are my go to IEM. Great price and build quality, good sound insolation but they can be too bassy at times.

Now the ZSE..
I was watching a movie with them and I just couldn't take it. During a driving scene the engine noise and bass were close while the voices were recessed and distant to the point that I couldn't make out what they were saying.
Same thing with music. They sound dark. The bass is strong, not too precise, vocals way behind, probably outside in the yard behind the shed.
I did burn them in and I used only them for a couple of days. They are not terrible, you can get used to them and they don't sound too bad, but when I switch to the other two it's night and day difference. The ZSE sound cheap compared to them. That's why I asked if that's price related.

One more thing, I've read that they are airy because they have an open back, but mine don't feel like that and they don't leak sound. Could it be that they also glued shut? lol

 

[-sandro-]

No, I bought them on pre sale/flash sale when they were initially released. The price was too good to pass, especially considering it was a dual driver and that the prices go up once the earphones are released.

I have the first gen ATEs and Zircons.
The ATE was a huge surprise considering that it was my first Chinese IEM. For that price you could only get junk at the local store. They had a strong bass but then I read that they come from the factory with glue on the breathing holes and that they sound much better if you remove it. After struggling to remove the soft glue from the holes, the sound changed so much that I thought I damaged the driver. Almost zero bass and much more "airy" with a bigger sound stage.

The Zircons are my go to IEM. Great price and build quality, good sound insolation but they can be too bassy at times.

Now the ZSE..
I was watching a movie with them and I just couldn't take it. During a driving scene the engine noise and bass were close while the voices were recessed and distant to the point that I couldn't make out what they were saying.
Same thing with music. They sound dark. The bass is strong, not too precise, vocals way behind, probably outside in the yard behind the shed.
I did burn them in and I used only them for a couple of days. They are not terrible, you can get used to them and they don't sound too bad, but when I switch to the other two it's night and day difference. The ZSE sound cheap compared to them. That's why I asked if that's price related.

One more thing, I've read that they are airy because they have an open back, but mine don't feel like that and they don't leak sound. Could it be that they also glued shut? lol

Your description could resemble the ATR a bit.

 

[Fox2twenty]

Your description could resemble the ATR a bit.

That's what I thought. Atr

 

[-sandro-]

Can someone appreciate the ATR? I just can't, they lack details in the mids they sound weird. Maybe they're just low quality...

 

[Saoshyant]

You've been on Head-Fi for 6 years. You should remember what $5 could get you back then, I know I do. The ATR would murder any other $5 offering from back then.

 

[Fox2twenty]

You've been on Head-Fi for 6 years. You should remember what $5 could get you back then, I know I do. The ATR would murder any other $5 offering from back then.

Good point... I don't have an ATR, but my ES3 and ZS5 are far superior to the $60 dual dynamic I got from brainwavZ 5 years ago.....

 

[Fox2twenty]

BTW, Gearbest sale is going on for ZST Colorful...

 

[Superluc]

The Zircons are my go to IEM. Great price and build quality, good sound insolation but they can be too bassy at times.

Now the ZSE..
I was watching a movie with them and I just couldn't take it. During a driving scene the engine noise and bass were close while the voices were recessed and distant to the point that I couldn't make out what they were saying.
Same thing with music. They sound dark. The bass is strong, not too precise, vocals way behind, probably outside in the yard behind the shed.
I did burn them in and I used only them for a couple of days. They are not terrible, you can get used to them and they don't sound too bad, but when I switch to the other two it's night and day difference. The ZSE sound cheap compared to them. That's why I asked if that's price related.

One more thing, I've read that they are airy because they have an open back, but mine don't feel like that and they don't leak sound. Could it be that they also glued shut? lol

Don't leak sound ?!? Very strange, my pair leak, and i have buy them from the official KZ store on Aliexpress.

I also have a pair of Zircons. With my source and it's own tips ( normal silicon - starline KZ on ZSE ), they are more dark than my ZSE, the bass overblown too much and sometimes they are sibilant.
ZSE are overall better to me, with a better soundstage, and more details. They lack something on vocals, but can also gain something good from EQ, where Zircons became harsher.

Maybe your pair have some malfunctions.

 

[groucho69]

I have a favor to ask. Can you guys try these EQ setting on the ZS5 and tell if they sound good to you? I used foobar through my ZuperDAC. Anything not mentioned is flat zero.
220= -2
311 = -1
440 = - .5
622 = -2
880 = -1
1.2 = -1
1.8 = -2
2.5 = -.5
3.5 = -1
5 = -1.5
7 = -2.5
10 = -2.5
14 = -2.5
20 = -2.5

Ya ya I know, there goes the brightness....TIA.

 

[SomeTechNoob]

Which equalizer is this? I use "Graphic Equalizer" and there's not enough options.

 

[peskypesky]

I explained it hundreds of pages ago in this thread, but it's just easier to give you the short story:

- I only used the short filters because the long ones stick out of my ear uncomfortably
- I find that the treble is very boosted and sibilant. It's especially bad with Mac Demarco's guitars
- The bass is fun, but also very boomy. It's fatiguing on deep house music
- The mids are weird. Vocals sound thin. Music sounds thin
- Soundstage is really good, but that's due to the boosted treble

The general impression is of an overly bright earphone that sounds thin and has boomy bass. It is the most fatiguing listening experience ever.

mine sound great

 

[westsenkovec]

Don't leak sound ?!? Very strange, my pair leak, and i have buy them from the official KZ store on Aliexpress.

I also have a pair of Zircons. With my source and it's own tips ( normal silicon - starline KZ on ZSE ), they are more dark than my ZSE, the bass overblown too much and sometimes they are sibilant.
ZSE are overall better to me, with a better soundstage, and more details. They lack something on vocals, but can also gain something good from EQ, where Zircons became harsher.

Maybe your pair have some malfunctions.

Yes. I have to turn the volume to max and bring them close to my ear in order to hear leaking sound.
I got the first batch from gearbest. I don't want to spend time trying to open them in order to see what's going on inside.

 

[Viber]

A 15$ deal for the ZS5 on GB:

2017/9/22 16:00 Beijing UTC +8 Time Zone

KZ ZS5 Detachable HiFi Earphones

https://www.gearbest.com/earbud-headphones/pp_641227.html?lkid=10690141

14.99 $ with the code: 11nov024

200Pcs for promo

I checked it now and it works.