My super quick take on the iBasso IT01 vs the KZ VS6(i). No comparison. Easy to tell the $100 product from the $25 (what I paid) one. Smoother sound across the board. No spikes in frequency response especially not in the highs. Controlled bass and sub bass if perhaps a slight amount less. Not saying that the ZS6 is bad. But the IT01 is just much better.
Comparing it to the ZS6, the IT01 sounds more thick and realistic. Instruments, vocals have more oomph/presence whereas the ZS6 sounds thinner. I feel like music with lots of stuff going on, effects, etc. - the IT01 translates those passages better. Maybe this is what people refer to as coherency. Soundstage on the ZS6 is much wider, maybe too wide for some recordings.
I still find the ZS6 and the ZST pleasant as well as a tad bit more comfortable than the IT01. But for critical immersive listening, I'll probably stick to the IT01 and use the KZ's as well as the CM5 for commuting or other activities.
FWIW, I'm using triple flange tips, LG V30+ in Aux Mode (high impedance cable trick <- ignore this please since there is no strike through font available) and Neutron with FLAC files ripped from CDs @ 16 bit/44.1 kHz.
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