Knowledge Zenith (KZ) impressions thread

[LaughMoreDaily]

zsn stock cable is made by kz, isn't it?
compared with other kz stock cables (made by kz), this kz zsn stock cable uses better wire, so it had the chance to be the most conductive from kz stock cables (made by kz),

I can tell by appearance the purple ZSN copper cable is better but is the dark wired cable better as well?

 

[LaughMoreDaily]

All this positive outcome from the ZSN makes me want to buy the Black on Black! ...Then, I'll have all three color ZSN's!
This is surely for me a bad habit.

I think you mean, "a bad idea."

 

[1clearhead]

The ZSN is that good? All three colors... wow.

Yea, one for the gym, one for casual use, the other to lounge around the house...

 

[voicemaster]

Just received my silver/purple ZSN. I can say the cable is nicer than my black/black ZSN. The bass for some reason is a little bit tighter than the black one when I first listened to it. And also less sibilance than the black one (first listening). I even use the original silicone tip right now instead of foam tips that I usually use. I don't know if the cable makes these little differences or not, but I am loving the build and sound quality of both the IEM and cable.

 

[1clearhead]

I can tell by appearance the purple ZSN copper cable is better but is the dark wired cable better as well?

With the darker cable the ZSN sounds slightly warmer with more bass providing more of a v-shape signature. The lighter copper cable sounds more balanced.

 

[blur.png]

i just read someone said that the es4 is dry, no sub bass not detailed, but it felt detailed to me and pretty bassy (zs6 bass loses to this, while keeping the highs detailed without the piercing)
ive read that some says the ZSA sounds better than es4 but some also says its sibilant and piercing at times
also about the AS10 and BA10, i've heard some says that the BA10 the best tuned kz but some says is super bright & sibilant while some says the AS10 is a better tuned & warmer one
and the ZSN cable thing, dark cable - bass/V shaped, brighter cable - balanced, can anyone proof this ?

now im confused which one is correct as everyone says different things about the iems

 

[KevDzn]

For the ZSN, I think the difference between the black/cyan and the purple ones are more than the cable. The purple ones has 'aluminium alloy' nozzle and the black/cyan has 'metal copper' nozzle.

 

[Le Stef]

Foam tips will, in many cases, lower the air pressure upon insertion.

A better alternative to avoid driver flex is to get a AS10, BA10...

The most flex-prone IEM I have is a AWEI ES600i. It is a fun-sounding immitation of some SoundMagic. Nice flat cable, great silky sound signature. But the flex is strong with that one. Even when inserted, if I touch it just a little bit to adjust, the membrane will crackle wildly!

Edit: the real reason I spent 4 euros on that AWEI was to get the best earphone pouch ever! They now have it for sale on AE. This wonder zipped pouch has a pocket where a Benjie s5 fits snuggly and on the inside I can easilly put a ZS5. Highly recommended. Thank me later.

LOL, nice move for the pouch! I must say though, AWEI is a highly underrated company and some of their IEMs sound fantastic; before I bought the KZ-ES4, I was using the AWEI ES900i (way better than ES600i in my opinion) and I must say, once I got the ES4 I was expecting better sound from the newer KZ hybrid vs the old Awei single DD, but the Awei, even though less detailed, seems to sound overall better. Maybe it is because the ES900i are easier to drive and I listened to them mainly on a portable device. I have to A/B them again, but I find the ES900i really good and with their aluminum casing and flat cable they are almost indestructible (3 years of daily, rough use and still running perfectly); and they cost $8-10 shipping included.
The ES4 is the first KZ I've tried so far, I have since then purchased a pair of ZSR and AS10. I hope they are both way better than the ES4. The wait is long!

 

[LaughMoreDaily]

Just received my silver/purple ZSN. I can say the cable is nicer than my black/black ZSN. I don't know if the cable makes these little differences or not, but I am loving the build and sound quality of both the IEM and cable.

I think KZ is trying to put its expensive iems out of business so people buy the cheap ZSN.

 

[LaughMoreDaily]

The ES4 is the first KZ I've tried so far, I have since then purchased a pair of ZSR and AS10. I hope they are both way better than the ES4. The wait is long!

The ZSR and AS10 better be better than the lowly ES4... it's cheap. I think I paid $12.75 for mine during 11/11 a year ago.

 

[TechnoidFR]

i just read someone said that the es4 is dry, no sub bass not detailed, but it felt detailed to me and pretty bassy (zs6 bass loses to this, while keeping the highs detailed without the piercing)
ive read that some says the ZSA sounds better than es4 but some also says its sibilant and piercing at times
also about the AS10 and BA10, i've heard some says that the BA10 the best tuned kz but some says is super bright & sibilant while some says the AS10 is a better tuned & warmer one
and the ZSN cable thing, dark cable - bass/V shaped, brighter cable - balanced, can anyone proof this ?

now im confused which one is correct as everyone says different things about the iems

The problem is that the audio is rather subjective. With different tips, different ears etc can sometimes give different results.

 

[LaughMoreDaily]

The problem is that the audio is rather subjective. With different tips, different ears etc can sometimes give different results.

True. I hope people give us feedback on the different tips they'll be using for the ZSN. I have Spinfits and Zircon tips and am awaiting Newbee foam tips and can do those when my ZSN arrive.

 

[CoiL]

I used to use silicone tips, but after using foam tips for awhile, I find silicone tips can have quite air pressure on my ear and over time it become uncomfortable. That's why I mostly use foam tips as it doesn't have quite as much air pressure as silicone tips.

Air pressure? Your IEM doesn`t have air port holes? most KZ`s have and no issues with driver flex.
Or You mean by air pressure too strong pressure against ear-canal walls? Then switch to 1 size smaller tips.

measured dc resistance (mΩ) of ZSN stock cable (with mic). copper color.
L:395 R:1013 LGnd:401 RGnd:647
except Right measurement, it's the most conductive cable from KZ stock ones.
i wonder about 0.6Ω difference between left and right. bad solder?
will measure other units when they arrive.

Wow, thats big difference. I hope my purple ZSN won`t have it. Will measure when I get mine and report back.

FYI the graph from Phonograph is "raw" and the one I posted was compensated.

Here is a raw L/R graph of KZ ZSN

I lately like to have a look @ rather RAW graphs than different compensations with different gear etc. Gives more perspective imo.

With the darker cable the ZSN sounds slightly warmer with more bass providing more of a v-shape signature. The lighter copper cable sounds more balanced.

Then darker cable should have higher impedance than copper one.

 

[CardigdanWalk]

I ordered a MMCX and a 2-pin version of the TRN BT20. Will report back on one of these head-fi threads about it. Probably be the Discovery thread or the sub-$100 one since I dont even listen to KZ IEMs much.

Would be very interested to hear how it compares to the ES100 too, if you have the chance!

 

[CoiL]

If I get my wife setup and like ZSN... I might be getting cyan ZSN too for daily workhorse... but I`ll probably take copper cable for myself and give black one to wife to "save her hearing"