RikudouGoku
Member of the Trade: RikuBuds
Tin Hifi ( they changed their audio into Hifi) is more neutral-bright rather than V-shaped with KZ. Have not heard TRN iems.
Knowledge Zenith (KZ) impressions thread
- Thread starter bhazard
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PhonoPhi
Headphoneus Supremus
While their IEMs seem to be competitive by sound, there are quite a bit of problems with QC.
I personally have problems both with the IEM and cables not to try them further.
Get the TRN V90, you'll like it. I know many people and most agree on this sound.
The V90s are really very good and the BA5s are among the best in their price range.
TRN products are more popular and appreciated today than KZ.
I have the V90 and I prefer the ZSX to it by a lot. Only thing the TRN is better at is comfort, IMHO.
Maybe if you could let us know your answers for these questions, then the community can finetune their recommendations better:
1) What is your preferred sound signature - V shaped, neutral, basshead, treblehead, midcentric etc
2) What is your preferred music genres?
3) Budget?
4) Do u need isolation? - will this set be used at home or on the go?
If from your initial post, u like more bass in a KZ, then maybe u can consider the KZ ZSX (terminator) and KZ ZS10 Pro (the former is a succesor of sorts to the ZS10 Pro and has better timbre and technicalities, though fit may be worse than the ZS10 Pro).
TBH, KZ were the pioneers in the CHIFI game, and they are still one of the better CHIFI below $50 USD, but if you are buying CHIFI around the $100 USD mark, there are better brands out there. KZ lately seems to be pushing their development down the wireless rabbithole, haven't had any wired releases since the KZ ZSX.
voicemaster
Headphoneus Supremus
Still enjoying KZ ZSX after all this time.
DynamicEars
Headphoneus Supremus
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ZSX and V90 are my picks on sub $50 IEM, they performing great both and have very great value. They are side grade to each other, just come down to personal preferences, if you are into V shaped with more sub-mid bass, go for V90, if you like more balance presentation go with ZSX, technicalities are on par more or less. Aside from that on sub $50 you may check on TRN BA5, BLON BL-03, BQEYZ KB100, Jade Audio EA3. I can easily recommend those IEMs and still enjoying them.
caprimulgus
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Me too!
Anyone using a balanced cable on their ZSX? Is ZSX actually going to benefit from more power over balanced (using BTR5), or is it really much of a muchness?
they're on par or even better (more a matter of taste, thus side-grade, rather than better - but it could be better)
take a look at the TRN V90 (4 BA + DD), BA5 (5 BA-driver), ST1 (DD + BA)
Nimweth
Headphoneus Supremus
As some others have written, the KZ ZSX and TRN V90 would be good choices, but don't forget the KZ ZS7 as well, superb bass!
The better overall and in terms of neutral sound and better definition between KZ AS06, KZ ZSN and KZ ZS10 Pro?
I already own a KZ ES3 and I'm quite satisfied except for an excessive bright and harsh mid-treble.
I listen primarly metal, EDM, Outrun/Synthwave, Trance, Classical, Rock, Acid Jazz, Fusion on smartphone and PC.
I already own a KZ ES3 and I'm quite satisfied except for an excessive bright and harsh mid-treble.
I listen primarly metal, EDM, Outrun/Synthwave, Trance, Classical, Rock, Acid Jazz, Fusion on smartphone and PC.
I have my ZSXs on balanced from both the ES100 and more often from my R5. I think they benefit from more power, it helps with the soundstage and instrument separation. I can only get to about 40 volume on high gain on the R5, I think high-gain has better dynamics than low-gain. But that's just my take -- I have everything on balanced other than a couple of pairs of hard-wired IEMs and cans that can't do balanced without modification.Me too!
Anyone using a balanced cable on their ZSX? Is ZSX actually going to benefit from more power over balanced (using BTR5), or is it really much of a muchness?
jeromeaparis
100+ Head-Fier
# For me ES3 is not well tuned, mediums do not sound natural (ES4 sounds very natural)
# I do have AS10 (all BA) very good overall detailed sound, bass very pure and of good level, trebles a bit low level for me, but probably good for young people
# ZSN very very good for a two drivers. bass has good punch, trebles good, mediums a bit backward but ok
# C12 (nearly idem as ZSX) bass have more punch than AS10. Mediums have a good level, trebles too, lot of details everywhere, the best I have.
I would preffer
AS10 for classical, but very good for everything else
C12 better for electronic music for the punchy bass and C12 better than ZS10pro and nearly same price.
ZSN best of all at this price, but less details than multi drivers
C12 for all your kinds of music
Podster
Headphoneus Supremus
Ditto with the exception I only use mine balanced thru my ES100's and balanced DAP's
Most of my iem's cases have both cables inside them these days at least the ones I deem worthy of having both
@jeromeaparis I like your breakout however mine is with BA10, ZSX and ZS6's! You know we all hear them a little differently but for my ears these three KZ's pretty much match your descriptions verbatim
No matter how you look at any of these they all fall under the Affordable Luxury category
