Knowledge Zenith (KZ) impressions thread

[iGmole]

Me too. I just ordered them.

Oh my these are bad. What little treble there is is rough and spiky, the mids are oddly wonky, the bass is plenty but somehow muddy.. well the tips seem alright. EDIT: the cable is nice too, and they included a microfibre cloth in the packaging, which is nice, but... WHY

Based on the 7hz Salnotes Zero2, Moondrop Chu2 and this one, I am going to stick with KZ when it comes to budget IEMs.

 

[dchen1109]

Oh my these are bad. What little treble there is is rough and spiky, the mids are oddly wonky, the bass is plenty but somehow muddy.. well the tips seem alright. EDIT: the cable is nice too, and they included a microfibre cloth in the packaging, which is nice, but... WHY

Based on the 7hz Salnotes Zero2, Moondrop Chu2 and this one, I am going to stick with KZ when it comes to budget IEMs.

I also have the worst experience with Juzear Clear since I used IEMs as main tools for music.

Firstly, out of the box, I got a pair of imbalanced IEMs.

Secondly, I broke the IEMs 1 hour after receiving them. I thought the imbalance may be caused by the tape protecting the faceplates (the glue from the tape may block the holes on the sides of the IEM), so I use a needle to open the holes. Yes, I corrected the imbalance, but I lost the bass.

Thirdly, the treble is way too much for me. Too bright.

Now they are in my drawer.

To be fair, The timbre of the IEMs is good.

 

[Thie]

This has been released under the table. But apparently there's a KZ AE01 PRO (BT 5.2) listed on Shopee Philippines. Says it's using Qualcomm S3 Gen 3.
Og price is listed at ~43$ but with vouchers it's ~34$ here.

It comes out too fast the tws products at kz at the moment and it is already available

https://is.gd/ocjn2T

 

[Fat Larry]

The best in terms of price power remains this one

https://www.aliexpress.com/article/1005006821792558.html

The Ka11 would be a great option with all that juice, but the cs43131 doesn't have mic support.

 

[r31ya]

This has been released under the table. But apparently there's a KZ AE01 PRO (BT 5.2) listed on Shopee Philippines. Says it's using Qualcomm S3 Gen 3.
Og price is listed at ~43$ but with vouchers it's ~34$ here.

qualcomm based, APTX adaptive budget bluetooth bearhook? i'm in.

i'll wait till its in my local market tough

not to mention, APTX-adaptive is the reason why the ol AZ09 pro sold very well

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Which budget KZ I can realy recommend? (balanced sound, good fit and isolation.)
- Saga bal if you want warmer tuning on low budget. Or ZVX Pro if you want more analytical sound. But if you have good source, go straight to
- PR2 - still most balanced and airy KZ planar, but flat soundstage.
- PRX - Graet bass, realistic vocals and so airy trebles. Very fun.
- ZS10 Pro 2 - Fun V-Shape
- ZS12 Pro X - Light U-Shape

(I personaly don´t recommend Zenith, because there is something weird in treble area and whole presentation is less dynamic. Alse isolation is weaker.)

Oh my these are bad. What little treble there is is rough and spiky, the mids are oddly wonky, the bass is plenty but somehow muddy.. well the tips seem alright. EDIT: the cable is nice too, and they included a microfibre cloth in the packaging, which is nice, but... WHY

Based on the 7hz Salnotes Zero2, Moondrop Chu2 and this one, I am going to stick with KZ when it comes to budget IEMs.

I also have the worst experience with Juzear Clear since I used IEMs as main tools for music.

Firstly, out of the box, I got a pair of imbalanced IEMs.

Secondly, I broke the IEMs 1 hour after receiving them. I thought the imbalance may be caused by the tape protecting the faceplates (the glue from the tape may block the holes on the sides of the IEM), so I use a needle to open the holes. Yes, I corrected the imbalance, but I lost the bass.

Thirdly, the treble is way too much for me. Too bright.

Now they are in my drawer.

To be fair, The timbre of the IEMs is good.

The Juzear Clear are terrible. Too much mid bass presence, and distant and wonky midrange. It's like down the street! Treble is good though, and with the right amount of extension to keep up with the bass bloom, but the mids are sad, so it's a wash.

 

[krenky]

Could anybody compare directly ZS10 Pro vs ZS12 Pro X?
Would like to know mainly how they compare in bass region.

The KZ10 Pro is special to me it was my first iem and its still great sounding and it put many great iems to shame really.

I have paired ZS10 Pro recently with KZ AZ20 and what a amazing combo this is. I have also tried ZS10 Pro X it is very nicely sounding but in bass departure it was simply behind the original ZS10 Pro (bass was way less prominent even with cable). So I sold ZS10 Pro X and waiting for ZS12 Pro X. I will share my views on these very soon.

 

[Thie]

The Ka11 would be a great option with all that juice, but the cs43131 doesn't have mic support.

I don’t know for the mic but It will still work with less power but it will not be at its maximum potential. Of course you shouldn't see that the PRX when you choose a dongle

The Juzear Clear are terrible. Too much mid bass presence, and distant and wonky midrange. It's like down the street! Treble is good though, and with the right amount of extension to keep up with the bass bloom, but the mids are sad, so it's a wash.

The clear is one of the best budget iem for basshead

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

I don’t know for the mic but It will still work with less power but it will not be at its maximum potential. Of course you shouldn't see that the PRX when you choose a dongle


The clear is one of the best budget iem for basshead

Agree to disagree. Want the best budget basshead IEM? KZ Decet. PERIOD. The Clear couldn't carry the Decet's jock. The mids are too scooped.

 

[iGmole]

Agree to disagree. Want the best budget basshead IEM? KZ Decet. PERIOD. The Clear couldn't carry the Decet's jock. The mids are too scooped.

I have to say that yes the Decet, despite it's fit/pressure issues, is much better and actually fun. There is no mud or wonky mids and the treble is fine, altough, because I am forced to foams with it, the treble is a bit low, however it is pleasant quality-wise. Oh and the isolation! It is remarkable.

I actually prefee the KZ Dawn over the Juzear Clear - the Dawn is like a cup of coffee money.

 

[Thie]

Agree to disagree. Want the best budget basshead IEM? KZ Decet. PERIOD. The Clear couldn't carry the Decet's jock. The mids are too scooped.

Maybe… i don’t listent Decet but it’s 50 here and clear is around 25. Not the same budget, at 50/60 white tiger or shell

 

[dchen1109]

I also have the worst experience with Juzear Clear since I used IEMs as main tools for music.

Firstly, out of the box, I got a pair of imbalanced IEMs.

Secondly, I broke the IEMs 1 hour after receiving them. I thought the imbalance may be caused by the tape protecting the faceplates (the glue from the tape may block the holes on the sides of the IEM), so I use a needle to open the holes. Yes, I corrected the imbalance, but I lost the bass.

Thirdly, the treble is way too much for me. Too bright.

Now they are in my drawer.

To be fair, The timbre of the IEMs is good.

Not everything was bad that day. I got my first tube amp, Boaleco PX2. It is small and cheap, but I find myself love tube sound. I use my FIIO K7 as DAC, link to PX2 through RCA, then Zenith. Listen to Diana Krall's album "Wallflower", such wonderful voice.

 

[KCrownRoyal816]

Since some of yall talking about the Decet, here's a store link for an early bird special I used a few hours ago.

https://shorturl.at/PQlQ4

 

[audioaura]

I have to say that yes the Decet, despite it's fit/pressure issues, is much better and actually fun. There is no mud or wonky mids and the treble is fine, altough, because I am forced to foams with it, the treble is a bit low, however it is pleasant quality-wise. Oh and the isolation! It is remarkable.

I actually prefee the KZ Dawn over the Juzear Clear - the Dawn is like a cup of coffee money.

Glad to hear you're enjoying the Decet despite its quirks! Sometimes, even with a few fit issues, a great tuning can really shine through. And hey, if foam tips are the price to pay for a solid treble and that remarkable isolation, I'd say it's a fair trade-off. Also, totally with you on the KZ Dawn, great sound for that price? That’s a no-brainer.

 

[iGmole]

Glad to hear you're enjoying the Decet despite its quirks! Sometimes, even with a few fit issues, a great tuning can really shine through. And hey, if foam tips are the price to pay for a solid treble and that remarkable isolation, I'd say it's a fair trade-off. Also, totally with you on the KZ Dawn, great sound for that price? That’s a no-brainer.

Functionally I don't mind foam tips by the way, they're quite comfortable for me and when they have expanded into the ear they will not budge. I would just like the use of foams or silicones to be a choice to fine tune them sonics But yeah, I do find use for it, if I feel like having a private techno rave inside my head Kick on fourths, hihat in between middle and some lovely lady singing silly lyrics!

Erika Vikman - Ich Komme is a great Decet song. Google the music video at your own risk!