[maxxevv]

lol ...

In audio, its extremely dependent on the sound signature one prefers and its also highly dependent on the sound perception of the individual.

Can't really say which is really better as some really like the SE215. But those are really long in the tooth already. The last time I tried one was maybe 5 years ago, so my memory is a little vague at best.
The isolation as far as I remember for them were excellent.

But the ZS5 is definitely more capable in the retrieval of detail and cleaniness and tightness of its bass output. Heck, I may say my US$20/- CI880's sound better to my ears than the SE215, well, as least what my memory serves me and my preferences in sound signature prioritizes.

Its how things have progressed over the past 5 years or more when it comes to portable hi-fi.

I'm quite sure highly rated ones ( regardless of brand) that cost under US$60/- now would easily have crossed the US$250/- mark just 4 years or so ago from the established names.

 

[poklu]

This one is said to be for ZST, but other head-fi users use it also on the ZS5.

Okay I ordered this one. Thanks so much for the help.

How about the eartips for ZS5/ZS6, are the original ones good or should I get some other ones?

 

[Holypal]

Nice cables! How's the build quality like? Is the plastic strain relief on the 3.5mm plug well made?

The plastic strain relief on the 3.5mm plug is strong enough. About the quality, it looks OK, but I heard that they will turn green in a few months.

 

[Holypal]

I have this cable on order as well. Is the jack a combination 3.5mm / 2.5mm? If not, I will need to find mine!

The jack is a 3-pole 3.5mm plug.

 

[Shadowsora]

Oh no, QC issues again it seems.
Crossed fingers that my ZS6 is good, I was really hyped that it would be my top currently owned IEM.
So far Hybrid urbanfuns take the spot.

On another note, I am kinda getting used to my ZS5 but! Cymbals still pierce my brain and sometimes vocals sound artificial, when it comes to classical music or anything with no cymbals involved they are actually really good, great soundstage.

 

[vector84]

On another note, I am kinda getting used to my ZS5 but! Cymbals still pierce my brain and sometimes vocals sound artificial, when it comes to classical music or anything with no cymbals involved they are actually really good, great soundstage.

If tampering is your style, my experience was that Viber's mod recessed cymbal presence by a ton:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/kno...essions-thread.698148/page-1411#post-13715111

 

[TheWongWrong]

@-sandro- , Bumpity bump bump bump LOL Sorry man just messin' wit ya. The ZSE is a nice warm iem, if I could call it my term would be crisp and even. Think the three little bears here, not too bright and not too warm (or bassy) but just about right for all genre's

How do you find the Benjies? Thinking of getting one

 

[Saoshyant]

ZS6 is already for sale with Prime shipping? Almost regret the gearbest purchase.

 

[WeixinLou]

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum, though have been reading for the last... 8 years?

anyway, I wanted to post here to ask for advice on EQ for the KZ ZS5.

I picked up the ZS3, ZST Pro, and ZS5 recently, and found the ZS5 the hardest to EQ. I'm thinking that the 2×BA drivers don't respond very well to EQ corrections, and it's a broad band of frequencies that bother me.

I use an iPod Touch 6th Gen 32gb, running the Golden Ears Accudio Pro app (unfortunately it's been pulled from the store and GoldenEars hasn't been functioning for a while... I'm quite out of date), no external amping.

My main earpiece previously was the TTPod T2, and so far the most balanced budget earphone I've had so far is the SoundMagic E30, which I consider relatively flat with a warm low end and a tad bit too long an LF decay.

my adjustments on the TTPod T2:

Gain | Bandwidth | Frequency
-6.0 | 0.15 | 8350
-5.0 | 0.15 | 3000
-3.0 | 0.15 | 770
-4.0 | 3.60 | 200
-4.0 | 3.60 | 20

I don't aim for true Hi-Fi flatness, just want to pull our offending frequencies that are overpowering. I generally don't venture past 80USD as a price point for earphones, so I'd say I'm a Budget-Fi Guy. Hence, KZ.

Anyway, so I've read posts on the measurement graphs of the ZS5 and have tried several adjustments, but eventually ended up just going with:

Gain | Bandwidth | Frequency
-3.0 | 5.0 | 16000
-10.0 | 0.5 | 10700

this works for now, but when checking against my soundcheck songs, I do still get high-hat sounds that cut through terribly.

does anyone else find the BA drivers to be too sibilant and overly bright? I was confused because I read other reviews and opinions that said the ZS5 improved the sibilance from the ZSTs, which can't be right. A/Bing the two, I cannot help but find the ZS5 to be almost offensively bright without EQ.

 

[TheWongWrong]

ZS6 is indeed heavier however not really noticeable (well, I don't really have issues with my Audeze LCD-X's weight though, so individual people's mileage may vary - nonetheless I highly doubt that anyone will have issues with the ZS6's weight.). The metal shells feel a lot more premium though and are quite excellent when it comes to build quality.
Although the shape seems to be similar, the ZS6's shells feel a bit "sharper" and edgier in one's ears (not that its corners are any sharper than the ZS5's, but the shape is just more noticeable to me).

Cannot comment about the "new" ZS5, but have the "old" one on hand. ZS6's upper treble spike aside, its midrange linearity has somewhat improved (as you can also see on the comparative FR measurement). Bass seems a tad tighter and a bit more defined (quantity is the same). Not a large difference at all though, which also goes for the midrange that seems to resolve just slightly better.

I have to say, what is it that intrigues you to purchase something so low down the price bracket when you sport a pair of LCD-Xs?

 

[HungryPanda]

I also have a pair of LCD-X's but love my chi-fi

 

[vector84]

Anyway, so I've read posts on the measurement graphs of the ZS5 and have tried several adjustments, but eventually ended up just going with:

Gain | Bandwidth | Frequency
-3.0 | 5.0 | 16000
-10.0 | 0.5 | 10700

this works for now, but when checking against my soundcheck songs, I do still get high-hat sounds that cut through terribly.

So I'm just an amateur as far as EQ goes but here's a few thoughts:

Stuff going on that high tends to relate more to overtones than fundamentals - try adding some shifts in fundamental ranges too.
I would tend to think to look around 3-5kHz for high hats and 5-8kHz for sibilance.
Based on the TTPod T2 comments, I would guess you might want to try messing around in the 5kHz range.

 

[Podster]

How do you find the Benjies? Thinking of getting one

First let me apologize for any fat finger typos that appear! Obviously on my iPhone at 5:00AM or maybe not!

The T6 and S5 are so close in SS it is very hard discerning which is better, S5 is smaller and lighter but does not offer gapless but then again it's only half the price of the T6 but to answer your question I really like both my S5 and T6. Battery life rocks as well. Cheers

 

[Viber]

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum, though have been reading for the last... 8 years?

anyway, I wanted to post here to ask for advice on EQ for the KZ ZS5.

I picked up the ZS3, ZST Pro, and ZS5 recently, and found the ZS5 the hardest to EQ. I'm thinking that the 2×BA drivers don't respond very well to EQ corrections, and it's a broad band of frequencies that bother me.

I use an iPod Touch 6th Gen 32gb, running the Golden Ears Accudio Pro app (unfortunately it's been pulled from the store and GoldenEars hasn't been functioning for a while... I'm quite out of date), no external amping.

My main earpiece previously was the TTPod T2, and so far the most balanced budget earphone I've had so far is the SoundMagic E30, which I consider relatively flat with a warm low end and a tad bit too long an LF decay.

my adjustments on the TTPod T2:

Gain | Bandwidth | Frequency
-6.0 | 0.15 | 8350
-5.0 | 0.15 | 3000
-3.0 | 0.15 | 770
-4.0 | 3.60 | 200
-4.0 | 3.60 | 20

I don't aim for true Hi-Fi flatness, just want to pull our offending frequencies that are overpowering. I generally don't venture past 80USD as a price point for earphones, so I'd say I'm a Budget-Fi Guy. Hence, KZ.

Anyway, so I've read posts on the measurement graphs of the ZS5 and have tried several adjustments, but eventually ended up just going with:

Gain | Bandwidth | Frequency
-3.0 | 5.0 | 16000
-10.0 | 0.5 | 10700

this works for now, but when checking against my soundcheck songs, I do still get high-hat sounds that cut through terribly.

does anyone else find the BA drivers to be too sibilant and overly bright? I was confused because I read other reviews and opinions that said the ZS5 improved the sibilance from the ZSTs, which can't be right. A/Bing the two, I cannot help but find the ZS5 to be almost offensively bright without EQ.

From my experience, modding the ZS5 is far more efficient than EQ'ing it.

 

[WeixinLou]

From my experience, modding the ZS5 is far more efficient than EQ'ing it.

what're the usual means of modding the ZS5? the unit that I have doesnt seem to have much leeway except for ripping it apart. that being said, I'm not too keen on taking a real jab at it.