Knowledge Zenith (KZ) impressions thread
- Thread starter bhazard
- Start date
Aparker2005
100+ Head-Fier
I like those CS16s based off the design alone. May wait though for reviews. Don't need another iem but they look great!
Nimweth
Headphoneus Supremus
Hmm. That looks like 5 per side. 1 x 22955, 1x29689, 2x31736 and 1x30017. It's the CS10!Friends, the CCA CS16 has just been released on Aliexpress on multiple stores at $90 USD before coupons.
Just search "CCA CS16", some stores do a click bait and lump it with cheaper cables and other KZ/CCA pokemons to generate a "cheaper" price when searching, but I think it is $89 - 90 USD on most stores.
Achtung: the treble roll off (assuming the store graph is legit) is a bit worrisome. Well I'll wait for reviews, but any brave first adopters?
Last edited:
PhonoPhi
1000+ Head-Fier
They are tiny drivers in pairs, but there are 2×2 31736 and 2 × 30017.Hmm. That looks like 5 per side. 1 x 22955, 1x29689, 2x31736 and 1x30017. It's the CS10!
About a buck a piece each judging by the difference in price with ASX.
So CS16 just have 2 × 30017 less compared to ASX, and the treble is as demonstratively rolled off in their fairy tale graphs...
paulwasabii
100+ Head-Fier
I would save some money and go with the 4 core KBEAR Limpid and maybe 2 pin if you plan to buy other iems in the future
are you able to hear a diffrecnce between a silver platen and pure silver cable
im going to be using them with asf and probabbly with other iems in the future
also is AK audiostore a safe place to buy?
hocus sonus
New Head-Fier
Thanks! Ordered!I don't have the ASX, but that is a common issue in highly sensitive multi driver IEMs, they do pick up hiss. The ASX has a reported sensitivity of 106 dB/mW, that would be considered quite high sensitivity and I wouldn't be surprised that hiss occurs. It is not the impedance value but the high sensitivity that may cause hiss.
There's a few ways to remove the hiss:
1) use an in line volume controller
2) use an impedance adapter
3) use a high quality DAC/AMP as a source. I'm haven't used the SMSL AD18 FDA amp but it seems to be quite a basic amp and doesn't have the best reviews for sound quality and background noise on ASMR: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...w-and-measurements-of-smsl-ad18-dac-amp.7325/
There's some cheap and good DAC/AMP dongles u can try, that ain't expensive, like the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro, about $30 USD, very clean and neutralish sound, very transparent with no hiss even on very high sensitivity IEMs. It doesn't get warm too and has volume controller on it. Very good measurements and low output impedance. That's my go to when I go out, I just plug it into my smartphone when I want zero hiss on my multi driver high sensitivity type IEMs.

Nimweth
Headphoneus Supremus
One positive feature is that there are no BAs in the nozzle.They are tiny drivers in pairs, but there are 2×2 31736 and 2 × 30017.
About a buck a piece each judging by the difference in price with ASX.
So CS16 just have 2 × 30017 less compared to ASX, and the treble is as demonstratively rolled off in their fairy tale graphs...
I would just order from the KBear store - I've had good luck with them. Those are good choices, I'm a big fan of their cables.
are you able to hear a diffrecnce between a silver platen and pure silver cable
im going to be using them with asf and probabbly with other iems in the future
also is AK audiostore a safe place to buy?
Thanks im buying from kbear store thenI would just order from the KBear store - I've had good luck with them. Those are good choices, I'm a big fan of their cables.
Is the limpid cable better than the normal silver cable?
IEMusic
Headphoneus Supremus
With KBEAR, AFAIK, the Limpid cables are their only pure silver cables, though there is now the Limpid (4 core) and Limpid Pro (8 core) cables.Thanks im buying from kbear store then
Is the limpid cable better than the normal silver cable?
I saw those nylon covered ones, too. They're single crystal copper and I'm intrigued.With KBEAR, AFAIK, the Limpid cables are their only pure silver cables, though there is now the Limpid (4 core) and Limpid Pro (8 core) cables.
Viber
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2008
- Messages
- 806
- Reaction score
- 590
Could it be that each year KZ has containers of "To be released" IEMS just waiting to be announced and sold?
They are churning those out like ice cream flavors!
They are churning those out like ice cream flavors!
IEMusic
Headphoneus Supremus
Do you mean the KBEAR UPOCC cables like this?I saw those nylon covered ones, too. They're single crystal copper and I'm intrigued.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000348454062.html
I have this cable, and use it with my MEST. It works great.
Yes, that's the one. Is it more flexible than it looks? That was my only concern. The current sale is pretty good. I have a bunch of their 16 core ones, they're built very well and have good sound.Do you mean the KBEAR UPOCC cables like this?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000348454062.html
I have this cable, and use it with my MEST. It works great.
trumpethead
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2016
- Messages
- 520
- Reaction score
- 462
With all the recent ba10 talk im tempted to get one at 42 usd... Is it still worth getting this "old" set with so much new stuff out.. Fit is a bit worrisome but sound quality seems right up my alley for an all ba... Let's Go!