[courierdriver]

Head-Fi was a popular place to talk about DIY projects when it first began. Lots of people were making their own cmoy amps, back then.

Yup...totally true. And many decided to sell them on Ebay. I bought two PAV MK2 from Gary due to him being a headfier. Wish I still had one of his little amps. Don't know if he's still building these things. Loved them so much that I wanted my family members to experience them, so I gave both my amps away as gifts. With all the new brighter sounding iems out there these days, I wish I had one of his amps on hand now, to connect them to. The PA2V2 was killer!

 

[courierdriver]

Agree ZAX sounded good out of the box. But I did notice smoother treble (less 'metal' sounding) with use. Lots of use later and I don't think there is any "metal sounding tinge" to the treble...

Good to know; but I never had any of the issues others have reported about "metallic sounding treble" with either of my ZS10 PRO. I just enjoy their open, non fatiguing sound and great bass. For me, the sound just kinda washes over me. I don't need to be in "critical listening mode" to enjoy them. It just happens that sometimes I latch on to some song and I hear something that I didn't before. I prefer that kinda experience, as opposed to being in "evaluation mode".

 

[PhonoPhi]

...

Spoiler

I have everything ready for the swap when my black ASF arrives. I can't bring myself to do it on the blue/silver model. They're just too stately. I've been swamped at work so I won't get to swapping the nozzles until next week, anyway.
I'm hoping I don't destroy the new ones in the process. A slow pace and steady hand should result in a good fit and finish.

Glad to hear your feedback on the presentation. Looking forward to hearing the upgraded presentation on my ASF. I took my unmodified ASF with me while grocery shopping and the experience just confirmed my initial impression of them.
They are a bit too bassy for classical but they simply aced the following tracks.

Spoiler

Sounds rich, warm and natural. Forward midrange and no unpleasant peaks.


Again, rich, warm and natural. Centered midrange and no unpleasant peaks.
Not as bassy as some are led to believe but there is a great sense of weight in the notes and vocals.



The trumpet, sax, drums and vocals sound so natural here.
A virtual one on one performance to my ears.


and here I feel like I'm on site with Tina Dico and the boys.

The high resolution is definitely still present but the BAs have a more DD-type of presentation to me. The crisp leading edge of each instrument and voice that I have come to expect with balanced armatures is less present.

Does the timbre or tonality on your ASX change for the better or for the worse once modified ?

Thanks in advance.





It'll be cool comparing notes on the DQ6. I don't imagine they'd be released if they aren't perhaps at least a four star in-ear which I'm ok with but a four star plus 3DD
in-ear would be such a steal at $25. I'm really looking forward to them.

Congrats on the 1k milestone. It'll probably be a few years for me to hit that milestone.






My raison d'etre.






Great collection!

I'll have to post pictures of some of my favorite in-ears in the near future.

Actually, it would be helpful if everyone can post a photo of their favorite KZ/CCA with a statement of why it's favored over other KZ/CCA models. Maybe the discussions around those photos could inspire a healthy interest in models that some of us have lost sight of.

I think everybody knows my favorite KZ by now but this little unassuming $23 2+1 hybrid was quite an achievement considering its bang-for-buck ratio. The ZSR v1 is more fun but since that is no longer available this puppy is the next best thing if you can find one.



Plenty of "air" and definition.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/kz-ed16.23179/reviews

The tonality of ASX with the wide nozzles definitively improved - it does not feel after the mod that something is missing, especially between the bass and mids, and more extended but not harsh treble.

I can't swap the nozzles now, easily, since I force-fitted them instead of adjusting by filing to fit, as was smartly suggested, so I can't directly compare.

The physical restriction of the nozzle cuts the sound, filtering some frequencies more.
My thinking that as all previous designs with the sound guide (A10, AS12, AS16), the original development was for the wide nozzles and then at some point it was decided to fit it into this new TWS-like one.

The difference between wide-nozzled ASX and original one can be summarized as being similar to the difference between ZAX (wide nozzles) and CA16 (narrow nozzles).
In fact, the latter difference was the inspiration for this mod, and the work of Master @Slater on CA16. I hope he will chime in with the details on his mods and the sound impressions.

 

[Slater]

In fact, the latter difference was the inspiration for this mod, and the work of Master @Slater on CA16. I hope he will chime in with the details on his mods and the sound impressions.

I’m still working crazy hours at work due to covid, so I haven’t had any time for mods for months now

Modding the CA16 is at the top of my list for when things slow down.

 

[richario]

Haha, Wokei was a trip. I hope he’s been OK nowadays. Same with TwinACStacks.

And who can forget the Marshall Mode guy (in a KZ thread of all places)?

Good memories

Brings me back to when I first started following the KZ and original Chi-fi threads. I started with the Xiaomi Piston, then went through a few musicmaker items culminating in the TK13 following TwinACStacks - loved that unit but never got to try the legendary Shockwave III.

Kz have just turned out to be my go to since this time - tried lots of their early dynamic drivers - but fell in love with the ZS5v1. I've owned at least 20 different sets of KZ, highlights being ZS6v1, ZS7, AS10 and ASF - the last 5 are particular favourites.
I feel.like I owe a great deal to all the long term contributors on this thread, it will always feel like a familiar place.

 

[Podster]

Brings me back to when I first started following the KZ and original Chi-fi threads. I started with the Xiaomi Piston, then went through a few musicmaker items culminating in the TK13 following TwinACStacks - loved that unit but never got to try the legendary Shockwave III.

Kz have just turned out to be my go to since this time - tried lots of their early dynamic drivers - but fell in love with the ZS5v1. I've owned at least 20 different sets of KZ, highlights being ZS6v1, ZS7, AS10 and ASF - the last 5 are particular favourites.
I feel.like I owe a great deal to all the long term contributors on this thread, it will always feel like a familiar place.

You for sure need to add that BA10 to your KZ foundation As far as Keith (TwinAC) he finally found what he liked in the iSines and was for sure ready to get off the merry-go-round/Rabbit Hole and just kick back and listen And if you can find a pair the SWIII is the fashizzle

I gave my SWIII's to one of my besties several years ago and he still loves & covets them to this day (I do miss that ear drum crushing bass now and then though)!

You know another of my fave KZ's (still one of the best fitting iem's I own) and the best I believe final rendition of this series was the ZS4, as you can see I bought both colors to have that proper right & left. The right tips and cable along with the fit truly makes these a giant killer in some respects of course ymmv since we all do here them just a little differently

 

[Podster]

That change and especially tips goes double for these babies since so many have fitment issues but they can be overcome. I needed just a hair more length in my nozzles to get the perfect depth and seal as seen in the photo 2 showing the black tip sleeve I cut for my extension that did the trick 4 me.

'

And just one more cause their so damn good lookin

By the way @richario I let two different members on here have my 5v1's even though they were better than the v2's I much preferred the 6's and had red, green, black and the bass leaning gray ones however I've gifted the red's and greens away once I got ahold of my 7's and as I've mentioned before the 7 was the final and best iteration of that shell design imo of course everyone's mileage is going to vary/differ The 7's blew me and my 4 pair of 6's away as I initially thought the 6 was the bees knees

Here's my old blue v1's with both the colorful's and Carbon ZST's

And along comes Mr. 7 like the old spider

 

[BigErik]

Out of your list (and given your hesitation with all-BAs) - just get ZAX. TRN is yet to change its image of quality control gamble/lacking.
ZAX will be a very good IEM to appreciate and then either enjoy it forever or go from there down the infamous rabbit hole

Quite a bit of opinions above, about "the best IEM".
My sentiments now - we are all different (ear canals, sound preferences, etc.), and the recordings are different, so for some one IEM may be preferable, for others - different ones.

So I definitely do not believe in one "perfect one" - it is a journey not destination.

Right now I very much enjoy my modified ASX, it is amazing how more open it can sound. I also got S...r MT300 - very interesting "tape-like" sound, really like it as well, so I am reexploring a lot of music with them

I also just got the mt300. Friend of mine's store he was selling it not as cheap as it is on AliExpress but I got it for a hundred bucks.I must tell you I was scared that there would be no bass and too much highs but I agree with you exactly it's very tape like. There's more than enough bass. And it's a clean controlled punchy base. I'm impressed so far I got to tell you.Obviously the presentation was out of control. Freaking awesome isn't it. The case is kind of cheesy but all the goodies holy cow I love that cable. Wow best of luck Erik

 

[TheVortex]

I also just got the mt300. Friend of mine's store he was selling it not as cheap as it is on AliExpress but I got it for a hundred bucks.I must tell you I was scared that there would be no bass and too much highs but I agree with you exactly it's very tape like. There's more than enough bass. And it's a clean controlled punchy base. I'm impressed so far I got to tell you.Obviously the presentation was out of control. Freaking awesome isn't it. The case is kind of cheesy but all the goodies holy cow I love that cable. Wow best of luck Erik

The MT300 is great and especially for £50 and easily beats similarly priced KZ's.
I still need to try the KZ AS16 and BA10.

 

[PhonoPhi]

The MT300 is great and especially for £50 and easily beats similarly priced KZ's.
I still need to try the KZ AS16 and BA10.

MT300 is great, easily $100 great.
But what are the other similarly priced KZ?
Only AS16 and ASX come to mind. ZAX is noticeably less. All those 4 come close to my ears, as well as C16 and NX7 pro (I did modify ASX so it comes first for me).

 

[TheVortex]

MT300 is great, easily $100 great.
But what are the other similarly priced KZ?
Only AS16 and ASX come to mind. ZAX is noticeably less. All those 4 come close to my ears, as well as C16 and NX7 pro (I did modify ASX so it comes first for me).

ASX, ASF and some from CCA.

 

[BigErik]

The MT300 is great and especially for £50 and easily beats similarly priced KZ's.
I still need to try the KZ AS16 and BA10.

I hear you isn't it funny how there's always something we want to test out you got to love it best of luck Erik

 

[BigErik]

MT300 is great, easily $100 great.
But what are the other similarly priced KZ?
Only AS16 and ASX come to mind. ZAX is noticeably less. All those 4 come close to my ears, as well as C16 and NX7 pro (I did modify ASX so it comes first for me).

Well for me what's important believe it or not is accessories still like tips and such and whatnot. I'm trying to get like some nice cases to have like on my table or whatever you know what I mean with some stuff in it maybe nice.I definitely could use the earbuds again I'm poor so I kind of look for the overall value too. And plus it's my friend's store so and he's a reviewer so helps him out. He's always good to me so. But yeah thanks for the feedback take care Erik

 

[trumpethead]

I have been fully refunded by Ebay for my two orders of the zs10 pro from the Aussie scammer.. I have been extremely lucky with orders from AliEx but its nice to have money back Guarentees from Ebay and Amazon for most issues... I guess it was truly too good to be true! Happy Holidays!!

 

[BigErik]

The MT300 is great and especially for £50 and easily beats similarly priced KZ's.
I still need to try the KZ AS16 and BA10.

again I've mentioned before that I'm not well off so it's like an overall value thing for me still getting tips and such and couple of cases to maybe have some nice on my table or something you know. Plus it's my friend's store and he's a reviewer also so he's good to me but thank you for the feedback take care Erik