Knowledge Zenith (KZ) impressions thread
Jan 3, 2018 at 6:51 AM Post #26,641 of 63,789
Good points.

What tips are those?

Also, if you swap the red nylon mesh with some stainless mesh (or just completely remove the red mesh and run open nozzles), you'll upgrade the sound of the ZS3 for cheap :)

I really don't remember where I got those tips from. I suspect they are the large tips from the Rock Zyrcons (which I don't really like).

Thank you for your suggestion, but I already tried to remove the mesh and run open nozzles before. It opened up the sound but after a while I started missing some punch in the subbass and I glued the mesh back on. Never tried the stainless steel ones though. Something like this? http://tiny.cc/4b1vpy
 
Jan 3, 2018 at 8:44 AM Post #26,642 of 63,789
I think (especially for those into Chi-Fi) it's like having a watch collection: everyday you pick a different one to take out.

Today I'm sporting the BGVP DX3........
 
Jan 3, 2018 at 9:53 AM Post #26,644 of 63,789
I received my ZST, ES3, ZS6 from GB, and currently breaking them in. I don't typically believe in "burn in" as such, but I did have an issue with the ZST.

The left side apparently, for lack of a better term, was stuck. The BA was supplying all the sound.

I put them into burn in mode on my tablet just to try, at the price, ot going to return them.

After about 8 hours, i remembered they were still in burn-in mode. Plugged them into my Note 5 and cmoy amp, and the sound was matched to the right side.

I switched to mono for a listen to various tracks, and all was good.
 
Jan 3, 2018 at 10:38 AM Post #26,645 of 63,789
I expect that it'll sound much like the ZS6, from mids through highs at least. I'm guessing the same xover with just one dynamic driver to fill in everything below instead of a pair like the ZS6. Its a shame because the initial ZS5 seemed like a step in a good sounding direction and subsequent steps have been for the worse.
Unfortunately that seems to be direction and atm I have to +1 this. For consumer market they make still very good IEMs but for "audiophiles" things seem to turn other way and some competitors starting to step on heels of KZ price vs. perf point.
 
Jan 3, 2018 at 12:47 PM Post #26,646 of 63,789
It's a fun-grade. Like sampling different coffees or wines to compare and contrast the different flavors...
It will definitely be "good" but we have only a pair of ears. We need to upgrade rather than side grade, imho
It's a fun-grade. Like sampling different coffees or wines to compare and contrast the different flavors...
 
Jan 3, 2018 at 1:12 PM Post #26,647 of 63,789
It's a fun-grade. Like sampling different coffees or wines to compare and contrast the different flavors...

It's a fun-grade. Like sampling different coffees or wines to compare and contrast the different flavors...
:L3000:

...and a hell of a lot cheaper than if you'd get a sampling of the "entry-level" of a bunch of the big names to sample their "house sound".....

after you get to a certain point in sound quality, the benefits of the next step up in sound quality usually increases the price greatly ($100 - 10x ?) for a negligible difference in sound quality.
 
Jan 3, 2018 at 1:28 PM Post #26,648 of 63,789
I expect that it'll sound much like the ZS6, from mids through highs at least. I'm guessing the same xover with just one dynamic driver to fill in everything below instead of a pair like the ZS6. Its a shame because the initial ZS5 seemed like a step in a good sounding direction and subsequent steps have been for the worse.
I don't think so. Messing with ZS6 BA's, with impedance or mods, don't affect mids on them.

If one of the two BA's on ZSR is tuned for mids, the sound will sure be different.
 
Jan 3, 2018 at 3:54 PM Post #26,649 of 63,789
Thank you for your suggestion, but I already tried to remove the mesh and run open nozzles before. It opened up the sound but after a while I started missing some punch in the subbass and I glued the mesh back on. Never tried the stainless steel ones though. Something like this? http://tiny.cc/4b1vpy

Yes, those are the ones. They come in a number of different sizes, and are very handy for modding IEMs (or for even when the stock screen gets lost, damaged, or clogged with ear gunk).

You are right though - the nylon screens (such as the red ones KZ uses) - DO generally increase the sub-bass. But it is usually at the expense of clarity, better mids, and better treble. The nylon also usually adds a veil to the sound, and the bass it does add can often be tubby and/or bloated.

It is because of this that I think nozzle screens are a poor way to tune the bass/sub-bass of an IEM because of the negative way it affects the rest of the sound. A MUCH better solution is to use the stainless screens on the nozzle, and instead tune the bass/sub-bass by manipulating the size of the bass vent hole on the IEM shell. You can also fine tune it with different tips (usually with a smaller bore opening such as the KZ Starlines have).

I also usually save my screens when screen swapping on a new IEM - for example, if I remove the red screens from a new pair of KZs, I'll replace the screens with the stainless version. And where I peeled off the stainless screens from the plastic sheet, I will stick the red nylon ones in it's place. This way, I can reuse the red screens on something else if I need to. The nylon screens are also good for covering up the vent holes I may drill into an IEM shell or headphone cup for tuning (I will place the nylon screen over the hole on the inside to keep dust and dirt out). Many OEMs do this on IEMs and even full size headphones.
 
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Jan 3, 2018 at 5:57 PM Post #26,650 of 63,789
I have concluded that the ZS6 with foamies and EQ is indeed my jam, after being unhappy with the ZS5v1 and ZS6. ( initially )

Good thing too because I ordered 4 pair for christmas and only gifted away 1.
I'm now ready to give KZ money for a better cable ( One with silicone non-rigid memory wire ) and a comfier shell. Or a version with less highs.
 
Jan 3, 2018 at 6:10 PM Post #26,651 of 63,789
Yes, those are the ones. They come in a number of different sizes, and are very handy for modding IEMs (or for even when the stock screen gets lost, damaged, or clogged with ear gunk).

You are right though - the nylon screens (such as the red ones KZ uses) - DO generally increase the sub-bass. But it is usually at the expense of clarity, better mids, and better treble. The nylon also usually adds a veil to the sound, and the bass it does add can often be tubby and/or bloated.

It is because of this that I think nozzle screens are a poor way to tune the bass/sub-bass of an IEM because of the negative way it affects the rest of the sound. A MUCH better solution is to use the stainless screens on the nozzle, and instead tune the bass/sub-bass by manipulating the size of the bass vent hole on the IEM shell. You can also fine tune it with different tips (usually with a smaller bore opening such as the KZ Starlines have).

I also usually save my screens when screen swapping on a new IEM - for example, if I remove the red screens from a new pair of KZs, I'll replace the screens with the stainless version. And where I peeled off the stainless screens from the plastic sheet, I will stick the red nylon ones in it's place. This way, I can reuse the red screens on something else if I need to. The nylon screens are also good for covering up the vent holes I may drill into an IEM shell or headphone cup for tuning (I will place the nylon screen over the hole on the inside to keep dust and dirt out). Many OEMs do this on IEMs and even full size headphones.

Thank you so much! Gonna order them steel meshes and be back to you in a few weeks to report on my findings!
 
Jan 3, 2018 at 11:02 PM Post #26,652 of 63,789
I have concluded that the ZS6 with foamies and EQ is indeed my jam, after being unhappy with the ZS5v1 and ZS6. ( initially )

Good thing too because I ordered 4 pair for christmas and only gifted away 1.
I'm now ready to give KZ money for a better cable ( One with silicone non-rigid memory wire ) and a comfier shell. Or a version with less highs.

BTW those ZS5 v1 are like gold to a lot of HeadFiers - you could sell those within minutes on the classifieds board.
 
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Jan 4, 2018 at 3:15 AM Post #26,653 of 63,789
Finally picked up my ZS6 ordered from Aliexpress on 11.11 yesterday..

Initial impressions..

. The bass slam is quite impressive, doesn't muddy the other freqs at all

. Tweeter is a bit overdone, making for a 'ssss..' sound on tracks which accentuate that range on the spectrum

. Love the build quality

. Using an aftermarket cable, with stock tips

. Isolates well enough.

I really think it's more than worth what i paid for it..

Will burn in & update feedback.
 
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Jan 4, 2018 at 2:07 PM Post #26,655 of 63,789
I may be shooting in the dark here, but I'm wondering if there is anyone that owns/has owned KZ ZS3 and also owns/has owned the VSonic GR02 BE (Bass Edition)? Looking for a comparison of sound.

It's been years since I had mine, but those VSonic GR02 BE's have been my favorite IEMs sub $30. I really enjoy the V-shaped sound and the bass (especially the mid/lower end without being too muddy). They finally have started to crap out on me, so just looking at similar options.

Thanks in advance,

~ Im2bz2p :)
 

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