******* ALERT *******
*******A G A I N *******
Could it be that KZ has been listening to us and has heeded our calls to re-release the ZS5 in it's original format? Hmmmmmmm........
mrmoto050, I think you may be on to something here and we shouldn't dismiss it. I still have the images (exploded views) of the original ZS5(i) and the subsequent ZS5(ii). When KZ changed the layout of the ZS5(i) drivers they issued new images of what we now call the ZS5(ii). It appears that the image has changed once again so mrmoto050 may be correct. We may actually be seeing the images of the ZS5(iii).
Follow along and try to keep up.
This is the original image of the ZS5(i) and note the two separate locations of the BA receivers
This is a better image of the ZS5(i).
Now note in this image the location of both BA receivers in the nozzle of the ZS5(ii).
This is another image of the ZS5(ii).
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Now look at the new images of the ZS5 and make no mistake, these are newly issued images. Compare the actual image that was initially published to this one and you can see that this is different.
If KZ has done what we all have been hoping they would do, which is go back to the original design, then there will be much to celebrate.
That's kind what I thought. I took that pic off of Amazon US, the description seemed different. I have the V1 versions so I bought another pair to see if anything is different then the ones I have. Aslo noticed a Grey pair of KS6's, it may be the newer version as I don't think they were ever released in Grey so I ordered them also. I have the black ones so I want to see if there is any difference. If they are all the same, I can keep them as spares or give them to my kid.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0725Q26XW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
First, for those of you that are unaware, although the ZS5(i) does have 2BAs and 2DDs and the driver housings have a similar shape to the ZS6, the ZS5 is in fact an IEM with different tuning.
The vents on the ZS5 were designed to be between the faceplate and the main body of the IEM. If you look at the very first image you will notice that the blue ZS5 seems to have an unusual gap between the faceplate and the main body of the housing. This gap is actually the ZS5's hidden vent designed right into the driver housing. The ZS6 has the vents directly on the faceplates.
Note the labeling of the DDs in the image above. Note which DD is responsible for low frequencies and which DD is responsible for bass and lower midrange frequencies. This was not so in the original ZS5(i) [see very last image for confirmation]. However, it is how the ZS6 was designed. In the ZS6 the 6mm DD is responsible for the sub-bass and the larger DD is responsible for the midrange and upper bass. This is why the ZS6 bass section is so tight and clean for such a full-bodied bass. There was a clear difference in the texture and control of the lower frequencies between the ZS5(i) and ZS6. The ZS5(i) bass is soft and broad while the ZS6 bass is tighter with clear delineation between the sub-bass and mid-bass. It looks like KZ is tuning the ZS5(iii) to inherit the ZS6's more focused bass. In addition, because the micro-driver (6mm) will now focus on mid-bass this means the larger driver focusing on midrange will not be forced into submission. I thought the midrange on the ZS5(i) was not as vivid as one would expect considering the midrange had a dedicated driver. In hindsight, it makes sense that the midrange was just overshadowed by the bass of the larger driver. This new configuration should give the vocals more presence.
I will definitely be buying a new ZS5(iii) because it will sound different than the ZS5(i).
The ZS5(iii) will likely contain a crossover resulting in the sound signature having an even more focused presentation.
KZ is certainly keeping us on our toes, though I wish they would offer the new configuration in two new colors (ZS2 blue resin and ZS1 coffee resin) or better yet aluminum housings that keep the ZS5's hidden side vents. If they do go with aluminum housings for the ZS5(iii)
then they can offer it to us in dark chocolate with brass screws and deep purple with brass screws. Can you imagine both of those colors with a satin sheen. Good GOD in heaven! I'll take both, please.
GIMME, GIMME, GIMME......PLEASE.
This is the configuration of the original ZS5(i)