Knowledge Zenith (KZ) impressions thread

[iGmole]

I have been weirdly much enjoying the Decet with the Weird Reverse Hybrid tips today, coupled with the AN01 hooks. I removed the filter mesh from the tips to allow just a little bit more treble. I don't know if it actually did anything, but in the middle of noisy renovations at work, the great isolation and big bass makes pop/rock pretty good stuff. And EDM or course, it is fantastic, like being at a festival, complete bass overload.

I am still not sensing the big soundstage? Am I broken?

 

[r31ya]

I have been weirdly much enjoying the Decet with the Weird Reverse Hybrid tips today, coupled with the AN01 hooks. I removed the filter mesh from the tips to allow just a little bit more treble. I don't know if it actually did anything, but in the middle of noisy renovations at work, the great isolation and big bass makes pop/rock pretty good stuff. And EDM or course, it is fantastic, like being at a festival, complete bass overload.

I am still not sensing the big soundstage? Am I broken?

soundstage is quite eartip dependent
FreeWheel got his soundstage as he is doing tip rolling with mostly widebore eartips that might emphasize bigger soundstage (and reign in the bass abit).

also need to be noted, if i recalled it right KZ AN01 basically also function as 15 ohm impedance adapter that might affect the iem sounds.
whether it give more bass body, smoothing out treble and such. each iem will react differently depend how they are wired.

 

[iGmole]

soundstage is quite eartip dependent
FreeWheel got his soundstage as he is doing tip rolling with mostly widebore eartips that might emphasize bigger soundstage.

also need to be noted, if i recalled it right KZ AN01 basically also function as 15 ohm impedance adapter that might affect the iem sounds.
whether it give more bass body, smoothing out treble and such. each iem will react differently depend how they are wired.

Oh, I did not know that the AN01 output impedance is so high. If the impedance curve of the IEM is very crooked it can most certainly be audible then.

 

[Marrogwar]

I am still not sensing the big soundstage?

I am not sensing it as well, was using penon liquer tips, moondrop spring tips and divinus.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

I have been weirdly much enjoying the Decet with the Weird Reverse Hybrid tips today, coupled with the AN01 hooks. I removed the filter mesh from the tips to allow just a little bit more treble. I don't know if it actually did anything, but in the middle of noisy renovations at work, the great isolation and big bass makes pop/rock pretty good stuff. And EDM or course, it is fantastic, like being at a festival, complete bass overload.

I am still not sensing the big soundstage? Am I broken?

Yes, because I've had the Flipears Legion in my ears, and they have a massive stage, and the Decet is right there with them. Not as refined, but still impressive.

Also, for you two saying you don't sense the stage, what are your sources? It's not just the IEM or tips that can affect stage, but the presentation of your source. If I use a Sony DAP, or my phone, the stage is going to sound a bit more intimate, but if I use the iFi GLM, DCE, or the DX170, the stage is going to be cavernous.

 

[Marrogwar]

Also, for you two saying you don't sense the stage, what are your sources?

Hidizs ap80 pro x, truthear shio and fiio k3 (ess based). Maybe stage is more noticeable on louder volume, then yeah, i will not sense it.

 

[r31ya]

Yes, because I've had the Flipears Legion in my ears, and they have a massive stage, and the Decet is right there with them. Not as refined, but still impressive.

Also, for you two saying you don't sense the stage, what are your sources? It's not just the IEM or tips that can affect stage, but the presentation of your source. If I use a Sony DAP, or my phone, the stage is going to sound a bit more intimate, but if I use the iFi GLM, DCE, or the DX170, the stage is going to be cavernous.

ah yes, sources matters.

my puny DFR or BTR5 will not have the same stage presence to something with bigger OP-AMP like XD05-series or so.

 

[iGmole]

My sources are quite humble, at home an assortment of dongles: Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro, Fiio BTR13, Jcally JM20Max and a bunch of less powerful dongles and audio interfaces.

On the go I sometimes use KZ Earhooks but I am aware they are not very hi-fi.

Mind you though, no problems with other IEMs or full size cans, except maybe the PRX is too insensitive for the earhooks.

 

[r31ya]

My sources are quite humble, at home an assortment of dongles: Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro, Fiio BTR13, Jcally JM20Max and a bunch of less powerful dongles and audio interfaces.

On the go I sometimes use KZ Earhooks but I am aware they are not very hi-fi.

Mind you though, no problems with other IEMs or full size cans, except maybe the PRX is too insensitive for the earhooks.

I also have mostly simple DAC Dongle Dragonfly red and Bluetooth DAC/AMP BTR15.
its powerful enough to power things like KZ PR2, but it won't have the crazy stage presence of something with more advanced OP-AMP.

considering i use my iem and DAC during commute, i often refrain from buying beyond those as i afraid that it might not survive my commute.
Hence, my preference on KZ stuff. its sound good enough to be enjoyable, it often have varied releases to keep my interest, and not expensive enough to make me worried about its longevity.

 

[Thie]

For those who want to upgrade their PRX I received the shozy p20. Better finish and we find this very soft side sound of the prx. The p20 is much easier to drive. For the prx I use the fosi sk02, the p20 passes well on the onix alpha, colorfly, tempotec bhd pro

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Euw23Ou

 

[SVAR777]

Hello! Could anyone give the review about ND planet and Saga Bass and Castor Bass? I am looking for bass, bass punch force, subbase, which is the best of them in it? What is the resolution and purity of other frequencies? Which of them are dependent on the power of the source, which are not?
I am planning to buy Vader Bal and also one of these: ND planet, Saga bass, Castor bass (not pro) to replace my old and damaged KZ ZAX. Thank you!

 

[Marrogwar]

Hello! Could anyone give the review about ND planet and Saga Bass and Castor Bass? I am looking for bass, bass punch force, subbase, which is the best of them in it? What is the resolution and purity of other frequencies? Which of them are dependent on the power of the source, which are not?
I am planning to buy Vader Bal and also one of these: ND planet, Saga bass, Castor bass (not pro) to replace my old and damaged KZ ZAX. Thank you!

Try to ask in discovery thread. Better chances to get your answer

 

[mojorisin35]

Asking your rec for just one:

PRX v Zenith

Currently my preferred tuning is the ZVX Pro. Nearly was all-in with the Zenith as it appears to be the presumptive 1DD choice (after zvx pro, Libra x).

So, after a few months to digest on both by the headfi hivemind, what say you know ?

To add-on to this, note:
* where I'm at its a 12usd premium to the Zenith (30 vs 42)
* will be powered by balanced 43131 / 43198 somewhat low powered dongles;

Thanks!

I have both and for me the Zenith absolutely hits the mark and is worth the premium, The PRX Is nice but for my listening preference I will always reach for the Zenith. The PRX needs a lot of power to shine so unless you have a powerful amp/dongle you will not get it at its best.

 

[xxAMAROKxx]

Don't know if you noticed that the KZ ZVS Pro deserved to be on https://www.kztws.com/products/kz-zvx-pro
Description is still a big mess

 

[dimapro]

Hello! Could anyone give the review about ND planet and Saga Bass and Castor Bass? I am looking for bass, bass punch force, subbase, which is the best of them in it? What is the resolution and purity of other frequencies? Which of them are dependent on the power of the source, which are not?
I am planning to buy Vader Bal and also one of these: ND planet, Saga bass, Castor bass (not pro) to replace my old and damaged KZ ZAX. Thank you!

TBH I wouldn't recommend ND Planet. They sound terrible with that treble roll off. You can find graphs on squig showing this. I literally threw my pair away in the garbage.
On the other hand, Castor Bass is awesome in comparison.