It may seem odd, but it struck me today while listening to my lower gear that I could be happy with Hidizs AP80/Zishan Z3 and the lowly CCA CA4, or the ZS7 or CCA16 if something happened and I had to get rid of all my high end stuff.
Knowledge Zenith (KZ) impressions thread
- Thread starter bhazard
- Start date
Slater
Headphoneus Supremus
Of course it’s BS. Some people like to stir the pot. That’s all I’ll say on the matter.
Slater
Headphoneus Supremus
Agreed. Every time I think my phone can somehow replace a proper DAP, I run into exactly what I ran into today.
Sure, streaming Bluetooth from a phone is ok for background music (working out, yard work, etc), but for serious listening it just doesn’t cut it. At least not for another 5-10 years.
moisespr123
100+ Head-Fier
Got the KZ HD Bluetooth cable. The bad version sounds bad. It sounds like there's a lot of bass. This is what other reviewers on AliExpress also mentions. I'll contact KZ and see if this will be eventually fixed.
khighly
100+ Head-Fier
Yeah KZ's are fine for me. I doubt anything can get better than this to be honest. My IT03's while perfectly fine, aren't really worth $200 more than any KZ I own. I can live fine on KZ's.
khighly
100+ Head-Fier
Just got both of these. Will provide some reviews in 24-48 hours. aptX HD cable antenna is fixed, however they sound like they're doing 8Khz/channel audio as if it's not becoming an audio sink, instead just a normal phone headset. Also says "power off" when you turn it on. aptX HD confirmed, but my debug log on linux doesn't really show me anything out of the ordinary for what could be wrong. Hoping KZ sends another.
Slater
Headphoneus Supremus
That’s the thing.
Some of these really good budget IEMs will get you “90%” of the way to a high end sound.
Where the bigger money starts coming into play is chasing those last few %.
You spend $100, or $200, or $400, you get some small incremental improvements, but still not at that high end sound.
You spend $1000, you get some more small incremental improvements, but still not at that high end sound.
You spend $2000, $2500, now you’re getting really close to those last few % of the high end sound. What about $3000? $4000?
How much are those last few % worth to the average person?
Oh, and don’t forget that you can’t take full advantage of that $3000 high end sound without an equally high end cable. And a high end source too. And maybe an amp. So add all the extra cash for that too.
You’re chasing those tiny fractions of a % with more and more dollars. As you spend more money you get lesser and lesser gains. Like the difference between 99.9%, 99.99%, and 99.999%. Those small fractional gains get incrementally more and more expensive.
It can be never ending.
That’s why some people are perfectly happy with some good budget gear, and calling it a day.
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BadReligionPunk
Headphoneus Supremus
I was listening to Belly's newest album Dove today using $7 RY4s UE on my Axon 7m and life couldn't have been better.
I think my current ranking for KZ (price and performance being factors) is:
1. ZS10 Pro
2. ZSN
3. AS10
4. ZS7
5. ZSN Pro
Of those, I actually only like the first two and really only the first one, since ZSN is more of a price to performance bonus.
Hoping to try out the AS16 soon.
1. ZS10 Pro
2. ZSN
3. AS10
4. ZS7
5. ZSN Pro
Of those, I actually only like the first two and really only the first one, since ZSN is more of a price to performance bonus.
Hoping to try out the AS16 soon.
Slater
Headphoneus Supremus
My list is very similar. I don’t own the AS10, so I can’t rank it.
My KZ list (of what I own and like the signature of) would go:
1. ZS10 Pro
2. ZS7
3. ZS6 (yes, the ZS6)
4. ZSN
5. ZS1 v1
I’d love to mod 1 of my ZS1 v1 with one of the more current and badass KZ dynamic drivers, but I’m afraid I’ll botch it up somehow. It’s too good and too rare to risk screwing it up, when it sounds really good as it is.
I ordered some Knowles BAs to upgrade the ZSN, so at least I’m looking forward to giving that a nice little upgrade
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khighly
100+ Head-Fier
1. ZS10 Pro (Pending, Possibly)
2. ZS7
3. ZS6
4. ZSN Pro (Sparkle!)
5. AS10
Spinfits never seal in exactly 1 ear on any of my IEM's. Which ear differs.
Slater
Headphoneus Supremus
Dang, you folks are really making me regret not having the AS10. Maybe I’ll knab a pair of they have good prices during 11.11.
I do have the C16, which I assume is somewhat similar perhaps?
Also, the ZS6 has been a bargain lately. During the Aliexpress anniversary sale a few months ago, I ran a across 1 seller that was asking $20. And that included an additional KZ 8-wire flat braided SPC cable! That cable alone runs $7-$9, so that was a crazy good deal! No coupons or hoops to jump through either. Just $20 and that’s it. They only had 1 color though, but I didn’t care.
I do have the C16, which I assume is somewhat similar perhaps?
Also, the ZS6 has been a bargain lately. During the Aliexpress anniversary sale a few months ago, I ran a across 1 seller that was asking $20. And that included an additional KZ 8-wire flat braided SPC cable! That cable alone runs $7-$9, so that was a crazy good deal! No coupons or hoops to jump through either. Just $20 and that’s it. They only had 1 color though, but I didn’t care.
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Here's proof of my liking of the KZ ZS10 Pro sound sig.
I like the Campfire Solaris, and I like the BGVP DM7. Both have some small little quirks that arent deal killers -- CFA Solaris has a drop in the upper mids, which does provide it's spacious sound, and the DM7 could use a little more upper treble.... well the ZS10 Pro.. is the hybrid of the two.
It's just not as detailed and as technical.
I like the Campfire Solaris, and I like the BGVP DM7. Both have some small little quirks that arent deal killers -- CFA Solaris has a drop in the upper mids, which does provide it's spacious sound, and the DM7 could use a little more upper treble.... well the ZS10 Pro.. is the hybrid of the two.
It's just not as detailed and as technical.
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TooPoorForHiFi
Previously known as MidNighTempest
Are these the Tips you're referring to? https://www.radioshack.com/products/auvio-silicone-replace-tips-large
1 ZS7
2 10 Pro
3 As10
I think the C16 is better than AS10...I found it flat and boring
2 10 Pro
3 As10
I think the C16 is better than AS10...I found it flat and boring
