[wopossum]

Which ZS1 version do you have? What does the nozzle look like when you take the eartip off? Is there a brass metal piece with a hole in the center, or a stainless mesh covering the nozzle?

A basic mesh. Not the fancier version, I might suggest. I bought them in August 2016.

 

[Slater]

A basic mesh. Not the fancier version, I might suggest. I bought them in August 2016.

That’s the ZS1 v2. It was ok, but nowhere near as good as v1. So yeah, ZAX is going to be a big upgrade

 

[chinmie]

Well...this is embarassing. I was using my LG G7 to listen to the KZ ZAX and I completely forgot about the stupid impedance detection on it. I usually have something over 50ohms plugged in, never had any decent IEMs (monoprice mp80) before which are way less sensitivie than Sennheiser, Beyers, Hifimans

Put a 3.5mm extension on it to trick it into the line out mode, and voila. Much better. Also checked on some other sources, MOTU M4, JDS Atom, etc. and can confirm they're much better now. Bass is still a bit loose and undefined in those low mids, but it's listenable now without EQ and only really shows its ugly head on certain tracks.

The NM2+ looks like a good shout though. I was really tempted to spend more and go for the Starsea, Shouer Tape Pro, or Starfield. Decided to play it a little safer with the KZ to get an idea of fit and tuning. The MP80s I have are not a good standard to start with.

I will likely grab something a bit more high end if some good sales come up over Christmas and keep the ZAX as cheaper, fun, don't care if they **** up IEMs. Working from home has drove me to in ears. Clamp from the 58x and even the Beyers just unbearable for more than an hour, or my ears are sweating no matter what. IEMs a little uncomfy at first but then I forget they're in the rest of the day.

I think maybe the Starsea would pair well with the ZAX since I like classical. Just a little wary of spending a lot of $$$ when you have no idea if the fit will be good or not. It's completely different than on ears, where I can tell from weight, headband style, reviews what the fit will be like.

Cheers

haven't tried the other IEMs you listed, but i have the Tape Pro. quite good, good detail resolution and separation, though it still has that nasal sounding upper mids.
the recent purchase that impressed me was the LZ A7, but that's north of the 100usd range you mentioned

 

[kalo86]

I received my KZ ZAX with the Tripowin balanced cable QDC 4.4mm. I paired them to my iBasso DX220 with AMP8-EX.

In one word: wow!

I think they are stunning for the price, there is no competition!
Now I will let them in burn-in process and I will check again in a couple of days.

Thank you for the recommendation, very very appreciated!
The last KZ iem I tried was the ZS3. The evolution of KZ has been unbelievable!

 

[Nimweth]

After @Slater reminded me about the ZS7 I listened to this track. Perfect material for the ZS7!

 

[Slater]

.

After @Slater reminded me about the ZS7 I listened to this track. Perfect material for the ZS7!

Great track! Synth future wave goodness

 

[unifutomaki]

I received my KZ ZAX with the Tripowin balanced cable QDC 4.4mm. I paired them to my iBasso DX220 with AMP8-EX.



In one word: wow!

I think they are stunning for the price, there is no competition!
Now I will let them in burn-in process and I will check again in a couple of days.

Thank you for the recommendation, very very appreciated!
The last KZ iem I tried was the ZS3. The evolution of KZ has been unbelievable!

I'm glad you like them! They remain in my regular rotation and it always feels like coming back to a familiar friend.

 

[RONJA MESCO]

Flippin' eck if anyone will blind buy the CS16 after the KZ saga

facts...had the CA16, and sent them back...gonna wait before I head to CCA-land again...

 

[MacAttack7]

Flippin' eck if anyone will blind buy the CS16 after the KZ saga

I took one for the team and ordered the CS16 yesterday.
I probably shouldn't have done it, but they suckered me in with a sale price.

 

[alamnp]

I received my KZ ZAX with the Tripowin balanced cable QDC 4.4mm. I paired them to my iBasso DX220 with AMP8-EX.



In one word: wow!

I think they are stunning for the price, there is no competition!
Now I will let them in burn-in process and I will check again in a couple of days.

Thank you for the recommendation, very very appreciated!
The last KZ iem I tried was the ZS3. The evolution of KZ has been unbelievable!

btw ZAX is one of the IEM that does not need burn in... sounds good to start... under $100 I think... ZAX is in top 3

 

[voicemaster]

I took one for the team and ordered the CS16 yesterday.
I probably shouldn't have done it, but they suckered me in with a sale price.

Waiting for the DQ6 to be released and I will most likely order it. Meanwhile, Blon BL01 is coming.

 

[1clearhead]

KZ EDX - a must have on a budget!

The KZ EDX are stupid amazing with Silver cables! Forget about the copper or bright-copper cables they come with, they do an about face with Silver cables! Gone is the overly sibilance and harshness that comes with the brightness. In is a vivid more mature sound and clarity! They go from sounding like a C- to an A+ earphones.
For the KZ EDX, silver cables are the way to go!



-Clear

 

[astermk]

KZ EDX - a must have on a budget!

The KZ EDX are stupid amazing with Silver cables! Forget about the copper or bright-copper cables they come with, they do an about face with Silver cables! Gone is the overly sibilance and harshness that comes with the brightness. In is a vivid more mature sound and clarity! They go from sounding like a C- to an A+ earphones.
For the KZ EDX, silver cables are the way to go!



-Clear

The cheapest pure silver cables around are 3x more expensive than the KZ EDX itself. Not sure how many people would bother doing that.

 

[Barusu Lamperouge]

The cheapest pure silver cables around are 3x more expensive than the KZ EDX itself. Not sure how many people would bother doing that.

It is applicable to only those who have few cables lying around. Newbies will anyway like EDX OOTB.

 

[baskingshark]

KZ DQ6 is now available on Aliexpress, on multiple shops.

3 DD set, going at $27 USD.
Haha it seems even for DD they still wanna do a driver count nuclear race! Very unique driver config, any takers?