[WhereAreMyEars]

and apparently uses 3d DLP printed bracket like CCA Trio

So does the regular AS16 Pro that I have, although they don't specifically mention resin - at the very least it's 3D printed.

 

[AdamPA1006]

If I have and LOVE Castor, is Trio really worth it?

 

[Nimweth]

If I have and LOVE Castor, is Trio really worth it?

Yes, it is. I have a comparison in my Trio review:
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/cca-trio.27028/reviews

 

[sistoz]

ok back in stock

 

[Nimweth]

AS16 Pro X. It's official.
https://kz-audio.com/kz-as16-pro-x.html

 

[Faye Tsang]

SALE ALERT! CCA Trio, only $29.99.
https://www.kztws.com/products/cca-trio-legendary-3dd-iem?variant=45178118242555
48 hours countdownDon’t miss this great opportunity.

 

[Nimweth]

I have been listening to the KZ Symphony via my Xduoo X20 DAP with Fedai 16 core 2.5mm cable. After a couple of weeks the mids have really begun to come through and the treble is nicely balanced while bass is tighter. These two pieces sound amazing:

 

[jbfps116]

I'm pretty new to this forum, so I am not sure the best place to post this... I recently did a sound comparison with all my earbuds and ranked them in a rudimentary way, and want to share my results here. They're mostly KZ, with 2 other ones thrown in because, well I was reviewing ALL my earbuds lol.

I was really into KZ back in the 20-teens but have not bought anything new since my much-loved light blue SKS wireless pair, that I recently gave to a friend. I recently got back into the KZ purchasing realm by getting the AZ20 Bluetooth adaptor, the EDX PRO X, and the Symphony. I also got the AZ09 in B-pin so it's compatible with my old buds.

I tested these earbuds in my iPhone 13 Pro using Amazon Music on the highest quality settings, and alternated using a wired connection and using the two AZ adaptors I have. Earbuds will be ranked from worst to best. I am only ranking the sound quality, not the comfort or other factors. Photos are taken from promotional images. Unless notes, all photos depict the color I have.
Overall rankings are X/10, and my three categories of sound quality are Clarity (which includes detail and soundstage,) Bass Response, and Vocal Performance. Those are ranked thusly: Underwhelming, Average, Great, Excellent, with a "+" added if they land somewhere between. I will then state if I am culling or keeping the sets.

Skullcandy Full Metal Jacket Earbuds. Purchased in 2013.
Rating: 2/10.
This is my first set of earbuds I got to enjoy better sound, under the influence of my audio-obsessed friend. I thought they were great back then, and the build quality is still amazing to this day.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Underwhelming. Bass: Excellent. Vocals: Underwhelming.
Summary: These sound like you have the subwoofer in your room, but the treble speakers in another room with the door closed! The treble is still smooth, but very recessed and not very detailed. CULL!

KZ RX. Purchased probably in 2016.
Rating: 3/10.
My First KZ. Compared to any other earbud I had heard, INCLUDING the [old] Bose Soundsport and any Klipsch [S4 I think?], these blew them out of the water and were way, way cheaper. I SOLD my Bose and Klipsch earbuds because I could not believe premium sound was to be had for like 20$.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Underwhelming+. Bass: Great. Vocals: Underwhelming+.
Summary: These were an improvement back in the day, but in 2024, they can't compete. Still love the beefy metal design of these though! CULL!

KZ ZS4. Purchased in 2019.
Rating: 5/10.
I bought these based on some recommendations, and for a long time I used them on my lunch breaks at work. I thought they sounded pretty good at the time based on my Amazon review!
Tone: Light, almost hollow, with BASS.
Clarity: Average. Bass: Great+. Vocals: Underwhelming+
Summary: Very comfy earbuds that I realize now just don't sound great overall. The vocals don't sound quite right compared to my other buds, despite the armature helping with the high end. It's just not tuned very well I guess? I also did not like the ES4, which has a similar driver configuration where the armature driver is in front of the dynamic. CULL!

KZ ZS10. Purchased in 2018.
Rating: 5/10.
This was my second 5-driver IEM and I was never too impressed with the comfort, or the sound quality, although at first I somewhat liked their more reference tuning.
Tone: Clear.
Clarity: Average+. Bass: Underwhelming. Vocals: Average+.
This feels like a very tame tuning compared to some sets higher on this list, and for that, I can't recommend them. Despite having 5 drivers, the treble here is not as detailed as some other KZ sets. CULL!

KZ EDX PRO X. Purchased in 2024.
Rating: 6/10.
I bought these for like $11 along with my AZ20 adaptors, hoping to get a fresh look at some cheap KZ IEMs. It seems I lost the gamble here based on what I hear about other cheap KZ sets!
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Average. Bass: Average+. Vocals: Average+.
Spoilers, I had already loved a previous version of this line, so I assumed this new model would be somehow better. I was wrong. They are fairly reference-tuned and in 2024, probably a very average-sounding earbud. Love the cyan color though! CULL.

Tangzu Wan'er S.G. Purchased in 2024.
Rating: 6.5/10.
Got these for just over 20$ and WOW I love how artistic and classy these things look. The packaging was leaps and bounds better than KZ, and they came with a bunch of eartips that I found useful for some of my other earbuds. GREAT bargain, in my opinion. The cable, though, was pretty bad. I used the KZ silver cable instead.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Average+. Bass: Average. Vocals: Average+
Summary: These are generally an above average earbud, and that is reflected in the ratings. There's really not as much bass as I would have expected, but that can change with the eartips... You really need a good seal on these, and some eartips are wider nozzle than others, which I guess changes the sound a little, but overall, they are lacking in subbass somewhat, ESPECIALLY compared to the upcoming Aiwa set. They're decently clear, and the mids opened up after breaking them in... new, they sounded really muddy. KEEP (for using at work, likely.)

KZ EDX. Purchased in 2020.
Rating: 7/10.
Can't remember why I bought these, but boy was I very impressed at the time! I got the GRAY color which I can't seem to find photos of. They are cheap and have amazing sound.
Tone: Clear, Warm.
Clarity: Great. Bass: Average+. Vocals: Great.
Summary: Newer doesn't always mean better, and the PRO X model is simply not an improvement. So far, the EDX is one of the best-sounding single DD earbuds I have ever heard. KEEP! EDIT: I changed a lot on the score for this one... I realized they are a lot more treble-focused than I had realized, and the Aiwa has better bass, so that got deducted a notch... but the vocals are very warm and present. I rate it about the same as the Aiwa despite them not sounding similar. I like the wonderful bass emphasis on the Aiwa, but the clarity of the EDX is very refreshing.

Aiwa Prodigy Air 2. Purchased in 2020.
Rating: 7/10.
These were my go-to wireless buds for quite a while. Note that the rating is ONLY for sound quality. I've had issues with these: Had a replacement send because the mics on my first pair didn't work (they sent a free replacement!), and the battery life on these degrades quickly. At this point, they have trouble holding a charge for more than a week or two.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Average. Bass: Great+. Vocals: Average+
Summary: These are among the best single DD earbuds I have heard so far. The vocals are warm and fairly life-like. There's enough bass and treble to back that up, and overall I was pleased with the sound. I wonder about some of the newer sets Aiwa is putting out, but have not felt the need to purchase any. KEEP (until the battery won't hold a charge!) EDIT: I realize that there's more bass here than I realized at first...just wow!

KZ ZS5. Purchased in 2017.
Rating: 8/10.
This is my third ever KZ purchase, and a vast improvement over the ZS1 that I loved. ( I don't remember giving those away but I can't find them now haha. They would rank between the RX and the ZS4.)
Tone: Warm and clear.
Clarity: Great. Bass: Average+. Vocals: Great.
Summary: I know these have cheap plastic body and that the sound has been highly criticized, but I listened to them quite a bit in my tests, and I simply enjoy the sound more than even I had remembered! KEEP!

KZ ZS6. Purchased sometime in 2017-2018. (Before the ZS10.)
Rating: 8.5/10.
I LOVE the green metal body of these buds, and when I got them they quickly replaced the ZS5. I know people droned on about how the high-end is too sibilant, but they are now my second-favorite earbud I've EVER tried.
Tone: Clear and light.
Clarity: Excellent. Bass: Great. Vocals: Excellent.
Summary: This is now my full-time "second set" that I listen to on the AZ09 adaptor. These are stellar earbuds that sound like a breath of fresh air, and still pack even punchier bass than the ZS5. KEEP!

KZ Symphony: Purchased in 2024.
Rating: 9.5/10.
This is my first experience hearing a planar driver, and after they broke in a little, I was simply blown away. Undeniably the best earbud or headphone (the Aiwa Arc-1 came close according to my memory) I have ever heard. Not a perfect score because I think the bass is just a BIT overdone on some songs, even though I LOVE bass lol.
Tone: Warm and Clear (the perfect combo!)
Clarity: Excellent+ (While the ZS6 has a more airy sound, the Symphony has better quality treble.) BASS: Excellent+ (cup running over bass!) Vocals: Excellent (While they are very clear and enunciated, some vocal can still get overshadowed a little by the booming bass.)

Summary: While there are many other highly rated newer KZ sets that I've not heard, (I'm very interested in the AS24,) I'm not sure I want or need anything more than the Symphony, running on the AZ20. I think I'm falling in love with planar drivers haha. They make everything sound more musical, even hard rock, a genre I generally don't enjoy. People scoff at the 6mm dynamic subwoofer, saying it's too small, but guys, have you HEARD the bass on this thing?! I wouldn't want any more! There's plenty of other name-brand earbuds, even high-end ones that are 6MM SINGLE DD, so size doesn't always matter. Would I recommend these? Absolutely unless you don't want so much bass. KEEPER!

 

[Nimweth]

I'm pretty new to this forum, so I am not sure the best place to post this... I recently did a sound comparison with all my earbuds and ranked them in a rudimentary way, and want to share my results here. They're mostly KZ, with 2 other ones thrown in because, well I was reviewing ALL my earbuds lol.

I was really into KZ back in the 20-teens but have not bought anything new since my much-loved light blue SKS wireless pair, that I recently gave to a friend. I recently got back into the KZ purchasing realm by getting the AZ20 Bluetooth adaptor, the EDX PRO X, and the Symphony. I also got the AZ09 in B-pin so it's compatible with my old buds.

I tested these earbuds in my iPhone 13 Pro using Amazon Music on the highest quality settings, and alternated using a wired connection and using the two AZ adaptors I have. Earbuds will be ranked from worst to best. I am only ranking the sound quality, not the comfort or other factors. Photos are taken from promotional images. Unless notes, all photos depict the color I have.
Overall rankings are X/10, and my three categories of sound quality are Clarity (which includes detail and soundstage,) Bass Response, and Vocal Performance. Those are ranked thusly: Underwhelming, Average, Great, Excellent, with a "+" added if they land somewhere between. I will then state if I am culling or keeping the sets.




Skullcandy Full Metal Jacket Earbuds. Purchased in 2013.
Rating: 2/10.
This is my first set of earbuds I got to enjoy better sound, under the influence of my audio-obsessed friend. I thought they were great back then, and the build quality is still amazing to this day.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Underwhelming. Bass: Excellent. Vocals: Underwhelming.
Summary: These sound like you have the subwoofer in your room, but the treble speakers in another room with the door closed! The treble is still smooth, but very recessed and not very detailed. CULL!


KZ RX. Purchased probably in 2016.
Rating: 3/10.
My First KZ. Compared to any other earbud I had heard, INCLUDING the [old] Bose Soundsport and any Klipsch [S4 I think?], these blew them out of the water and were way, way cheaper. I SOLD my Bose and Klipsch earbuds because I could not believe premium sound was to be had for like 20$.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Underwhelming+. Bass: Great. Vocals: Underwhelming+.
Summary: These were an improvement back in the day, but in 2024, they can't compete. Still love the beefy metal design of these though! CULL!


KZ ZS4. Purchased in 2019.
Rating: 5/10.
I bought these based on some recommendations, and for a long time I used them on my lunch breaks at work. I thought they sounded pretty good at the time based on my Amazon review!
Tone: Light, almost hollow, with BASS.
Clarity: Average. Bass: Great+. Vocals: Underwhelming+
Summary: Very comfy earbuds that I realize now just don't sound great overall. The vocals don't sound quite right compared to my other buds, despite the armature helping with the high end. It's just not tuned very well I guess? I also did not like the ES4, which has a similar driver configuration where the armature driver is in front of the dynamic. CULL!


KZ ZS10. Purchased in 2018.
Rating: 5/10.
This was my second 5-driver IEM and I was never too impressed with the comfort, or the sound quality, although at first I somewhat liked their more reference tuning.
Tone: Clear.
Clarity: Average+. Bass: Underwhelming. Vocals: Average+.
This feels like a very tame tuning compared to some sets higher on this list, and for that, I can't recommend them. Despite having 5 drivers, the treble here is not as detailed as some other KZ sets. CULL!


KZ EDX PRO X. Purchased in 2024.
Rating: 6/10.
I bought these for like $11 along with my AZ20 adaptors, hoping to get a fresh look at some cheap KZ IEMs. It seems I lost the gamble here based on what I hear about other cheap KZ sets!
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Average. Bass: Average+. Vocals: Average+.
Spoilers, I had already loved a previous version of this line, so I assumed this new model would be somehow better. I was wrong. They are fairly reference-tuned and in 2024, probably a very average-sounding earbud. Love the cyan color though! CULL.


KZ EDX. Purchased in 2020.
Rating: 6.5/10.
Can't remember why I bought these, but boy was I very impressed at the time! I got the GRAY color which I can't seem to find photos of. They are cheap and have amazing sound.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Average+. Bass: Great. Vocals: Average+.
Summary: Newer doesn't always mean better, and the PRO X model is simply not an improvement. So far, the EDX is one of the best-sounding single DD earbuds I have ever heard. KEEP!


Aiwa Prodigy Air 2. Purchased in 2020.
Rating: 7/10.
These were my go-to wireless buds for quite a while. Note that the rating is ONLY for sound quality. I've had issues with these: Had a replacement send because the mics on my first pair didn't work (they sent a free replacement!), and the battery life on these degrades quickly. At this point, they have trouble holding a charge for more than a week or two.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Average. Bass: Great+. Vocals: Great.
Summary: These are the best single DD earbuds I have heard so far. The vocals are simply present and life-like. There's enough bass and treble to back that up, and overall I was pleased with the sound. I wonder about some of the newer sets Aiwa is putting out, but have not felt the need to purchase any. KEEP (until the battery won't hold a charge!)


KZ ZS5. Purchased in 2017.
Rating: 8/10.
This is my third ever KZ purchase, and a vast improvement over the ZS1 that I loved. ( I don't remember giving those away but I can't find them now haha. They would rank between the RX and the ZS4.)
Tone: Warm and clear.
Clarity: Great. Bass: Average+. Vocals: Great.
Summary: I know these have cheap plastic body and that the sound has been highly criticized, but I listened to them quite a bit in my tests, and I simply enjoy the sound more than even I had remembered! KEEP!


KZ ZS6. Purchased sometime in 2017-2018. (Before the ZS10.)
Rating: 8.5/10.
I LOVE the green metal body of these buds, and when I got them they quickly replaced the ZS5. I know people droned on about how the high-end is too sibilant, but they are now my second-favorite earbud I've EVER tried.
Tone: Clear and light.
Clarity: Excellent. Bass: Great. Vocals: Excellent.
Summary: This is now my full-time "second set" that I listen to on the AZ09 adaptor. These are stellar earbuds that sound like a breath of fresh air, and still pack even punchier bass than the ZS5. KEEP!


KZ Symphony: Purchased in 2024.
Rating: 9.5/10.
This is my first experience hearing a planar driver, and after they broke in a little, I was simply blown away. Undeniably the best earbud or headphone (the Aiwa Arc-1 came close according to my memory) I have ever heard. Not a perfect score because I think the bass is just a BIT overdone on some songs, even though I LOVE bass lol.
Tone: Warm and Clear (the perfect combo!)
Clarity: Excellent+ (While the ZS6 has a more airy sound, the Symphony has better quality treble.) BASS: Excellent+ (cup running over bass!) Vocals: Excellent+.

Summary: While there are many other highly rated newer KZ sets that I've not heard, (I'm very interested in the AS24,) I'm not sure I want or need anything more than the Symphony, running on the AZ20. I think I'm falling in love with planar drivers haha. They make everything sound more musical, even hard rock, a genre I generally don't enjoy. People scoff at the 6mm dynamic subwoofer, saying it's too small, but guys, have you HEARD the bass on this thing?! I wouldn't want any more! There's plenty of other name-brand earbuds, even high-end ones that are 6MM SINGLE DD, so size doesn't always matter. Would I recommend these? Absolutely unless you don't want so much bass. KEEPER!

The more I hear the Symphony the more I like it. There is so much colour and life in the music with vibrant dynamics and wonderful clarity especially in the treble. I agree everything sounds musical and the different timbre of the two drivers I heard to begin with seems to have evened itself out (brain burn in, perhaps?). I do think they need a long burn in though ( if you believe in that!).

 

[Okcerg]

I'm pretty new to this forum, so I am not sure the best place to post this... I recently did a sound comparison with all my earbuds and ranked them in a rudimentary way, and want to share my results here. They're mostly KZ, with 2 other ones thrown in because, well I was reviewing ALL my earbuds lol.

I was really into KZ back in the 20-teens but have not bought anything new since my much-loved light blue SKS wireless pair, that I recently gave to a friend. I recently got back into the KZ purchasing realm by getting the AZ20 Bluetooth adaptor, the EDX PRO X, and the Symphony. I also got the AZ09 in B-pin so it's compatible with my old buds.

I tested these earbuds in my iPhone 13 Pro using Amazon Music on the highest quality settings, and alternated using a wired connection and using the two AZ adaptors I have. Earbuds will be ranked from worst to best. I am only ranking the sound quality, not the comfort or other factors. Photos are taken from promotional images. Unless notes, all photos depict the color I have.
Overall rankings are X/10, and my three categories of sound quality are Clarity (which includes detail and soundstage,) Bass Response, and Vocal Performance. Those are ranked thusly: Underwhelming, Average, Great, Excellent, with a "+" added if they land somewhere between. I will then state if I am culling or keeping the sets.




Skullcandy Full Metal Jacket Earbuds. Purchased in 2013.
Rating: 2/10.
This is my first set of earbuds I got to enjoy better sound, under the influence of my audio-obsessed friend. I thought they were great back then, and the build quality is still amazing to this day.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Underwhelming. Bass: Excellent. Vocals: Underwhelming.
Summary: These sound like you have the subwoofer in your room, but the treble speakers in another room with the door closed! The treble is still smooth, but very recessed and not very detailed. CULL!


KZ RX. Purchased probably in 2016.
Rating: 3/10.
My First KZ. Compared to any other earbud I had heard, INCLUDING the [old] Bose Soundsport and any Klipsch [S4 I think?], these blew them out of the water and were way, way cheaper. I SOLD my Bose and Klipsch earbuds because I could not believe premium sound was to be had for like 20$.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Underwhelming+. Bass: Great. Vocals: Underwhelming+.
Summary: These were an improvement back in the day, but in 2024, they can't compete. Still love the beefy metal design of these though! CULL!


KZ ZS4. Purchased in 2019.
Rating: 5/10.
I bought these based on some recommendations, and for a long time I used them on my lunch breaks at work. I thought they sounded pretty good at the time based on my Amazon review!
Tone: Light, almost hollow, with BASS.
Clarity: Average. Bass: Great+. Vocals: Underwhelming+
Summary: Very comfy earbuds that I realize now just don't sound great overall. The vocals don't sound quite right compared to my other buds, despite the armature helping with the high end. It's just not tuned very well I guess? I also did not like the ES4, which has a similar driver configuration where the armature driver is in front of the dynamic. CULL!


KZ ZS10. Purchased in 2018.
Rating: 5/10.
This was my second 5-driver IEM and I was never too impressed with the comfort, or the sound quality, although at first I somewhat liked their more reference tuning.
Tone: Clear.
Clarity: Average+. Bass: Underwhelming. Vocals: Average+.
This feels like a very tame tuning compared to some sets higher on this list, and for that, I can't recommend them. Despite having 5 drivers, the treble here is not as detailed as some other KZ sets. CULL!


KZ EDX PRO X. Purchased in 2024.
Rating: 6/10.
I bought these for like $11 along with my AZ20 adaptors, hoping to get a fresh look at some cheap KZ IEMs. It seems I lost the gamble here based on what I hear about other cheap KZ sets!
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Average. Bass: Average+. Vocals: Average+.
Spoilers, I had already loved a previous version of this line, so I assumed this new model would be somehow better. I was wrong. They are fairly reference-tuned and in 2024, probably a very average-sounding earbud. Love the cyan color though! CULL.


KZ EDX. Purchased in 2020.
Rating: 6.5/10.
Can't remember why I bought these, but boy was I very impressed at the time! I got the GRAY color which I can't seem to find photos of. They are cheap and have amazing sound.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Average+. Bass: Great. Vocals: Average+.
Summary: Newer doesn't always mean better, and the PRO X model is simply not an improvement. So far, the EDX is one of the best-sounding single DD earbuds I have ever heard. KEEP!


Aiwa Prodigy Air 2. Purchased in 2020.
Rating: 7/10.
These were my go-to wireless buds for quite a while. Note that the rating is ONLY for sound quality. I've had issues with these: Had a replacement send because the mics on my first pair didn't work (they sent a free replacement!), and the battery life on these degrades quickly. At this point, they have trouble holding a charge for more than a week or two.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Average. Bass: Great+. Vocals: Great.
Summary: These are the best single DD earbuds I have heard so far. The vocals are simply present and life-like. There's enough bass and treble to back that up, and overall I was pleased with the sound. I wonder about some of the newer sets Aiwa is putting out, but have not felt the need to purchase any. KEEP (until the battery won't hold a charge!)


KZ ZS5. Purchased in 2017.
Rating: 8/10.
This is my third ever KZ purchase, and a vast improvement over the ZS1 that I loved. ( I don't remember giving those away but I can't find them now haha. They would rank between the RX and the ZS4.)
Tone: Warm and clear.
Clarity: Great. Bass: Average+. Vocals: Great.
Summary: I know these have cheap plastic body and that the sound has been highly criticized, but I listened to them quite a bit in my tests, and I simply enjoy the sound more than even I had remembered! KEEP!


KZ ZS6. Purchased sometime in 2017-2018. (Before the ZS10.)
Rating: 8.5/10.
I LOVE the green metal body of these buds, and when I got them they quickly replaced the ZS5. I know people droned on about how the high-end is too sibilant, but they are now my second-favorite earbud I've EVER tried.
Tone: Clear and light.
Clarity: Excellent. Bass: Great. Vocals: Excellent.
Summary: This is now my full-time "second set" that I listen to on the AZ09 adaptor. These are stellar earbuds that sound like a breath of fresh air, and still pack even punchier bass than the ZS5. KEEP!


KZ Symphony: Purchased in 2024.
Rating: 9.5/10.
This is my first experience hearing a planar driver, and after they broke in a little, I was simply blown away. Undeniably the best earbud or headphone (the Aiwa Arc-1 came close according to my memory) I have ever heard. Not a perfect score because I think the bass is just a BIT overdone on some songs, even though I LOVE bass lol.
Tone: Warm and Clear (the perfect combo!)
Clarity: Excellent+ (While the ZS6 has a more airy sound, the Symphony has better quality treble.) BASS: Excellent+ (cup running over bass!) Vocals: Excellent+.

Summary: While there are many other highly rated newer KZ sets that I've not heard, (I'm very interested in the AS24,) I'm not sure I want or need anything more than the Symphony, running on the AZ20. I think I'm falling in love with planar drivers haha. They make everything sound more musical, even hard rock, a genre I generally don't enjoy. People scoff at the 6mm dynamic subwoofer, saying it's too small, but guys, have you HEARD the bass on this thing?! I wouldn't want any more! There's plenty of other name-brand earbuds, even high-end ones that are 6MM SINGLE DD, so size doesn't always matter. Would I recommend these? Absolutely unless you don't want so much bass. KEEPER!

That was a fun read, very good post!
Had to pull out my old ZS6, but nope, unfortunately still too sibilant for me. Love that green colour, I got the boring black ones.

 

[worms]

I'm pretty new to this forum, so I am not sure the best place to post this... I recently did a sound comparison with all my earbuds and ranked them in a rudimentary way, and want to share my results here. They're mostly KZ, with 2 other ones thrown in because, well I was reviewing ALL my earbuds lol.

I was really into KZ back in the 20-teens but have not bought anything new since my much-loved light blue SKS wireless pair, that I recently gave to a friend. I recently got back into the KZ purchasing realm by getting the AZ20 Bluetooth adaptor, the EDX PRO X, and the Symphony. I also got the AZ09 in B-pin so it's compatible with my old buds.

I tested these earbuds in my iPhone 13 Pro using Amazon Music on the highest quality settings, and alternated using a wired connection and using the two AZ adaptors I have. Earbuds will be ranked from worst to best. I am only ranking the sound quality, not the comfort or other factors. Photos are taken from promotional images. Unless notes, all photos depict the color I have.
Overall rankings are X/10, and my three categories of sound quality are Clarity (which includes detail and soundstage,) Bass Response, and Vocal Performance. Those are ranked thusly: Underwhelming, Average, Great, Excellent, with a "+" added if they land somewhere between. I will then state if I am culling or keeping the sets.




Skullcandy Full Metal Jacket Earbuds. Purchased in 2013.
Rating: 2/10.
This is my first set of earbuds I got to enjoy better sound, under the influence of my audio-obsessed friend. I thought they were great back then, and the build quality is still amazing to this day.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Underwhelming. Bass: Excellent. Vocals: Underwhelming.
Summary: These sound like you have the subwoofer in your room, but the treble speakers in another room with the door closed! The treble is still smooth, but very recessed and not very detailed. CULL!


KZ RX. Purchased probably in 2016.
Rating: 3/10.
My First KZ. Compared to any other earbud I had heard, INCLUDING the [old] Bose Soundsport and any Klipsch [S4 I think?], these blew them out of the water and were way, way cheaper. I SOLD my Bose and Klipsch earbuds because I could not believe premium sound was to be had for like 20$.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Underwhelming+. Bass: Great. Vocals: Underwhelming+.
Summary: These were an improvement back in the day, but in 2024, they can't compete. Still love the beefy metal design of these though! CULL!


KZ ZS4. Purchased in 2019.
Rating: 5/10.
I bought these based on some recommendations, and for a long time I used them on my lunch breaks at work. I thought they sounded pretty good at the time based on my Amazon review!
Tone: Light, almost hollow, with BASS.
Clarity: Average. Bass: Great+. Vocals: Underwhelming+
Summary: Very comfy earbuds that I realize now just don't sound great overall. The vocals don't sound quite right compared to my other buds, despite the armature helping with the high end. It's just not tuned very well I guess? I also did not like the ES4, which has a similar driver configuration where the armature driver is in front of the dynamic. CULL!


KZ ZS10. Purchased in 2018.
Rating: 5/10.
This was my second 5-driver IEM and I was never too impressed with the comfort, or the sound quality, although at first I somewhat liked their more reference tuning.
Tone: Clear.
Clarity: Average+. Bass: Underwhelming. Vocals: Average+.
This feels like a very tame tuning compared to some sets higher on this list, and for that, I can't recommend them. Despite having 5 drivers, the treble here is not as detailed as some other KZ sets. CULL!


KZ EDX PRO X. Purchased in 2024.
Rating: 6/10.
I bought these for like $11 along with my AZ20 adaptors, hoping to get a fresh look at some cheap KZ IEMs. It seems I lost the gamble here based on what I hear about other cheap KZ sets!
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Average. Bass: Average+. Vocals: Average+.
Spoilers, I had already loved a previous version of this line, so I assumed this new model would be somehow better. I was wrong. They are fairly reference-tuned and in 2024, probably a very average-sounding earbud. Love the cyan color though! CULL.


KZ EDX. Purchased in 2020.
Rating: 6.5/10.
Can't remember why I bought these, but boy was I very impressed at the time! I got the GRAY color which I can't seem to find photos of. They are cheap and have amazing sound.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Average+. Bass: Great. Vocals: Average+.
Summary: Newer doesn't always mean better, and the PRO X model is simply not an improvement. So far, the EDX is one of the best-sounding single DD earbuds I have ever heard. KEEP!


Aiwa Prodigy Air 2. Purchased in 2020.
Rating: 7/10.
These were my go-to wireless buds for quite a while. Note that the rating is ONLY for sound quality. I've had issues with these: Had a replacement send because the mics on my first pair didn't work (they sent a free replacement!), and the battery life on these degrades quickly. At this point, they have trouble holding a charge for more than a week or two.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Average. Bass: Great+. Vocals: Great.
Summary: These are the best single DD earbuds I have heard so far. The vocals are simply present and life-like. There's enough bass and treble to back that up, and overall I was pleased with the sound. I wonder about some of the newer sets Aiwa is putting out, but have not felt the need to purchase any. KEEP (until the battery won't hold a charge!)


KZ ZS5. Purchased in 2017.
Rating: 8/10.
This is my third ever KZ purchase, and a vast improvement over the ZS1 that I loved. ( I don't remember giving those away but I can't find them now haha. They would rank between the RX and the ZS4.)
Tone: Warm and clear.
Clarity: Great. Bass: Average+. Vocals: Great.
Summary: I know these have cheap plastic body and that the sound has been highly criticized, but I listened to them quite a bit in my tests, and I simply enjoy the sound more than even I had remembered! KEEP!


KZ ZS6. Purchased sometime in 2017-2018. (Before the ZS10.)
Rating: 8.5/10.
I LOVE the green metal body of these buds, and when I got them they quickly replaced the ZS5. I know people droned on about how the high-end is too sibilant, but they are now my second-favorite earbud I've EVER tried.
Tone: Clear and light.
Clarity: Excellent. Bass: Great. Vocals: Excellent.
Summary: This is now my full-time "second set" that I listen to on the AZ09 adaptor. These are stellar earbuds that sound like a breath of fresh air, and still pack even punchier bass than the ZS5. KEEP!


KZ Symphony: Purchased in 2024.
Rating: 9.5/10.
This is my first experience hearing a planar driver, and after they broke in a little, I was simply blown away. Undeniably the best earbud or headphone (the Aiwa Arc-1 came close according to my memory) I have ever heard. Not a perfect score because I think the bass is just a BIT overdone on some songs, even though I LOVE bass lol.
Tone: Warm and Clear (the perfect combo!)
Clarity: Excellent+ (While the ZS6 has a more airy sound, the Symphony has better quality treble.) BASS: Excellent+ (cup running over bass!) Vocals: Excellent+.

Summary: While there are many other highly rated newer KZ sets that I've not heard, (I'm very interested in the AS24,) I'm not sure I want or need anything more than the Symphony, running on the AZ20. I think I'm falling in love with planar drivers haha. They make everything sound more musical, even hard rock, a genre I generally don't enjoy. People scoff at the 6mm dynamic subwoofer, saying it's too small, but guys, have you HEARD the bass on this thing?! I wouldn't want any more! There's plenty of other name-brand earbuds, even high-end ones that are 6MM SINGLE DD, so size doesn't always matter. Would I recommend these? Absolutely unless you don't want so much bass. KEEPER!

Thank you for this comparison, it was very fun to read and great that you evaluated it all to your ear.
I'm a little sorry that the AS16, and AS24 did not appear in the comparison. The former I own, and the latter I would like to buy someday, The ones that won also attract me. I'm waiting for some promos.

 

[ScrofulousBinturong]

That was a fun read, very good post!
Had to pull out my old ZS6, but nope, unfortunately still too sibilant for me. Love that green colour, I got the boring black ones.

Lmk if you're selling those!

 

[XerusKun]

I'm pretty new to this forum, so I am not sure the best place to post this... I recently did a sound comparison with all my earbuds and ranked them in a rudimentary way, and want to share my results here. They're mostly KZ, with 2 other ones thrown in because, well I was reviewing ALL my earbuds lol.

I was really into KZ back in the 20-teens but have not bought anything new since my much-loved light blue SKS wireless pair, that I recently gave to a friend. I recently got back into the KZ purchasing realm by getting the AZ20 Bluetooth adaptor, the EDX PRO X, and the Symphony. I also got the AZ09 in B-pin so it's compatible with my old buds.

I tested these earbuds in my iPhone 13 Pro using Amazon Music on the highest quality settings, and alternated using a wired connection and using the two AZ adaptors I have. Earbuds will be ranked from worst to best. I am only ranking the sound quality, not the comfort or other factors. Photos are taken from promotional images. Unless notes, all photos depict the color I have.
Overall rankings are X/10, and my three categories of sound quality are Clarity (which includes detail and soundstage,) Bass Response, and Vocal Performance. Those are ranked thusly: Underwhelming, Average, Great, Excellent, with a "+" added if they land somewhere between. I will then state if I am culling or keeping the sets.




Skullcandy Full Metal Jacket Earbuds. Purchased in 2013.
Rating: 2/10.
This is my first set of earbuds I got to enjoy better sound, under the influence of my audio-obsessed friend. I thought they were great back then, and the build quality is still amazing to this day.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Underwhelming. Bass: Excellent. Vocals: Underwhelming.
Summary: These sound like you have the subwoofer in your room, but the treble speakers in another room with the door closed! The treble is still smooth, but very recessed and not very detailed. CULL!


KZ RX. Purchased probably in 2016.
Rating: 3/10.
My First KZ. Compared to any other earbud I had heard, INCLUDING the [old] Bose Soundsport and any Klipsch [S4 I think?], these blew them out of the water and were way, way cheaper. I SOLD my Bose and Klipsch earbuds because I could not believe premium sound was to be had for like 20$.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Underwhelming+. Bass: Great. Vocals: Underwhelming+.
Summary: These were an improvement back in the day, but in 2024, they can't compete. Still love the beefy metal design of these though! CULL!


KZ ZS4. Purchased in 2019.
Rating: 5/10.
I bought these based on some recommendations, and for a long time I used them on my lunch breaks at work. I thought they sounded pretty good at the time based on my Amazon review!
Tone: Light, almost hollow, with BASS.
Clarity: Average. Bass: Great+. Vocals: Underwhelming+
Summary: Very comfy earbuds that I realize now just don't sound great overall. The vocals don't sound quite right compared to my other buds, despite the armature helping with the high end. It's just not tuned very well I guess? I also did not like the ES4, which has a similar driver configuration where the armature driver is in front of the dynamic. CULL!


KZ ZS10. Purchased in 2018.
Rating: 5/10.
This was my second 5-driver IEM and I was never too impressed with the comfort, or the sound quality, although at first I somewhat liked their more reference tuning.
Tone: Clear.
Clarity: Average+. Bass: Underwhelming. Vocals: Average+.
This feels like a very tame tuning compared to some sets higher on this list, and for that, I can't recommend them. Despite having 5 drivers, the treble here is not as detailed as some other KZ sets. CULL!


KZ EDX PRO X. Purchased in 2024.
Rating: 6/10.
I bought these for like $11 along with my AZ20 adaptors, hoping to get a fresh look at some cheap KZ IEMs. It seems I lost the gamble here based on what I hear about other cheap KZ sets!
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Average. Bass: Average+. Vocals: Average+.
Spoilers, I had already loved a previous version of this line, so I assumed this new model would be somehow better. I was wrong. They are fairly reference-tuned and in 2024, probably a very average-sounding earbud. Love the cyan color though! CULL.


KZ EDX. Purchased in 2020.
Rating: 6.5/10.
Can't remember why I bought these, but boy was I very impressed at the time! I got the GRAY color which I can't seem to find photos of. They are cheap and have amazing sound.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Average+. Bass: Great. Vocals: Average+.
Summary: Newer doesn't always mean better, and the PRO X model is simply not an improvement. So far, the EDX is one of the best-sounding single DD earbuds I have ever heard. KEEP!


Aiwa Prodigy Air 2. Purchased in 2020.
Rating: 7/10.
These were my go-to wireless buds for quite a while. Note that the rating is ONLY for sound quality. I've had issues with these: Had a replacement send because the mics on my first pair didn't work (they sent a free replacement!), and the battery life on these degrades quickly. At this point, they have trouble holding a charge for more than a week or two.
Tone: Warm.
Clarity: Average. Bass: Great+. Vocals: Great.
Summary: These are the best single DD earbuds I have heard so far. The vocals are simply present and life-like. There's enough bass and treble to back that up, and overall I was pleased with the sound. I wonder about some of the newer sets Aiwa is putting out, but have not felt the need to purchase any. KEEP (until the battery won't hold a charge!)


KZ ZS5. Purchased in 2017.
Rating: 8/10.
This is my third ever KZ purchase, and a vast improvement over the ZS1 that I loved. ( I don't remember giving those away but I can't find them now haha. They would rank between the RX and the ZS4.)
Tone: Warm and clear.
Clarity: Great. Bass: Average+. Vocals: Great.
Summary: I know these have cheap plastic body and that the sound has been highly criticized, but I listened to them quite a bit in my tests, and I simply enjoy the sound more than even I had remembered! KEEP!


KZ ZS6. Purchased sometime in 2017-2018. (Before the ZS10.)
Rating: 8.5/10.
I LOVE the green metal body of these buds, and when I got them they quickly replaced the ZS5. I know people droned on about how the high-end is too sibilant, but they are now my second-favorite earbud I've EVER tried.
Tone: Clear and light.
Clarity: Excellent. Bass: Great. Vocals: Excellent.
Summary: This is now my full-time "second set" that I listen to on the AZ09 adaptor. These are stellar earbuds that sound like a breath of fresh air, and still pack even punchier bass than the ZS5. KEEP!


KZ Symphony: Purchased in 2024.
Rating: 9.5/10.
This is my first experience hearing a planar driver, and after they broke in a little, I was simply blown away. Undeniably the best earbud or headphone (the Aiwa Arc-1 came close according to my memory) I have ever heard. Not a perfect score because I think the bass is just a BIT overdone on some songs, even though I LOVE bass lol.
Tone: Warm and Clear (the perfect combo!)
Clarity: Excellent+ (While the ZS6 has a more airy sound, the Symphony has better quality treble.) BASS: Excellent+ (cup running over bass!) Vocals: Excellent+.

Summary: While there are many other highly rated newer KZ sets that I've not heard, (I'm very interested in the AS24,) I'm not sure I want or need anything more than the Symphony, running on the AZ20. I think I'm falling in love with planar drivers haha. They make everything sound more musical, even hard rock, a genre I generally don't enjoy. People scoff at the 6mm dynamic subwoofer, saying it's too small, but guys, have you HEARD the bass on this thing?! I wouldn't want any more! There's plenty of other name-brand earbuds, even high-end ones that are 6MM SINGLE DD, so size doesn't always matter. Would I recommend these? Absolutely unless you don't want so much bass. KEEPER!

Nice views. This takes me back to a time where I'm simply stunned by one of KZ's single DD IEMs. That IEM is the EDA Series (specifically the Balanced one), first time hearing the EDA Balanced I was speechless, I cannot take them of my ears due to how clear they sound and how female vocals pops, plus the bass has this "fast rumble" to it that is quite addicting in some of my fav bossa nova tracks. I kept listening to it for more than 3 hours, going back and forth to the all tracks in my library. If I remember it right the EDA Balanced sounds like a perfected CCA CRA but it has more midbass and the upper treble isn't that piercing. Unfortunately, I lost them when I'm travelling (yes they became my daily drivers for a year), one of the side just fell off while I'm commuting.

I have tried many IEMs before EDA Balanced, like Hzsound Heart Mirror, CCA C12, Blon 03, EDX, Tanya but those IEMs never gave me the magic I had when I listened to the EDA Balanced. Some people in the community also recommend me to try the SeeAudio Yume Midnight, which is an upgrade "they say", but when I listened to it, it sounds lifeless, its smooth sounding yes, but you know I need that "sparkle" to keep me engaged in my music. Some people also told me to try Acoustune RS1, telling me that it has better "bass quality", when I tried it, it sounds harsh and bloated at the same time (immediately sold them). After that I decided to not trust the hype "things" in the community and rather assess them through my own with the use measurements and smart guesses. Fortunately I came by the Quarks DSP, which is right in my preference for "neutrality" and has lesser bass than EDA but less energetic treble, its sounds entirely different to EDA, but man.. I still miss the EDA Balanced signature even if it sounds bloated to me now...That magic that I felt with EDA is also the reason why I'm still following KZ/CCA till this date (even if they are somehow became a clownshow for some), they are the ones that made me realize that I can feel that "audiophile magic" without expending tons of cash.

[ Dear KZ, I'm still waiting for you to reuse the magnetostat driver that you had with ZEX/ZES but in a CCA Trio tuning, those drivers has this uniqueness to them, it has this wispyness that's quite enjoyable compared to BA drivers. Or go all out and add a vibrator..i mean bone conduction to CCA Trio. That would be also nice. ]

 

[Okcerg]

Lmk if you're selling those!

I'm keeping them til when I get older and no longer hear the treble lol.

 

[Marrogwar]

Just got my Trio and Edx pro x.

Edx pro x is no-brainer, i paid smth like 6$ for them. Ideal option for gym, if it is gonna die because of sweat - i can just buy one more set.

Trio. Im impressed. 1010 is the setting im using right now. Nice bass, clean mids, non fatiguing treble so far. Considering its only 30$ - no-brainer as well and can be endgame iem for some people. In my opinion(or for my ears) this is better than Rhapsody, especially in terms of bass, which is better controlled and not boomy on Trio

edit:typo