[cottonbud]

Hi, thevortex, do not expose a mail "uncoded" cause it would be spamed !

This is public mail from KZ official site, so i guess they have spam filter.

 

[Otto Motor]

Hi everybody,

I'm indecided beetween these 3 model

ZS3
ES3
ZSR

Which has more bass and which is the more fun with warm suound 4 rock and electronic music? I'll prefer the ZS3 4 the low price, is it bassy enough? thx

The ZS3 has enough bass but is a somewhat redundant and superseded model that wasn't great. The ES3 comes in different flavours and is hit or miss: some people don't have bass and mine is a bass canon. The superb ZSR is the way to go...you get what you pay for. And if you want to go cheap, I'd recommend the KZ ATR but not the ZS3. Or the ZST. And then pack an EDR1 or EDR2 on top of that. $5 each.

 

[Otto Motor]

Final result: ZSR stock cable vs. the lower impedance KZ silver upgrade cable (black poles). There is a difference in tonality: the upgrade brightens the sound and removes depth. The stock cable has more kick (bass; drums), voices sound more natural (to me) and not pushed up. Soundstage remains the same.

Not sure which is more desirable. The question is: what did KZ have in mind when designing stock cable/upgrade cable.

What we learn: different cables of different impedance CAN make a difference in sound.

Consequence: when reviewing earphones, the cable used should be indicated.

Cables used:
DC resistance of KZ cables (read by DMMs), in ohms (left, right, and ground).
zst/es3/zsr type
Upgrade cable kz plated (4cords,w/transp,black rings)......................0.35/36/40 0.35/37/39 0.35/37/40
(08) kz zsr stock mic..........................................................0.64 0.64 0.88

 

[DocHoliday]

Final result: ZSR stock cable vs. the lower impedance KZ silver upgrade cable (black poles). There is a difference in tonality: the upgrade brightens the sound and removes depth. The stock cable has more kick (bass; drums), voices sound more natural (to me) and not pushed up. Soundstage remains the same.

Not sure which is more desirable. The question is: what did KZ have in mind when designing stock cable/upgrade cable.

What we learn: different cables of different impedance make a difference in sound.

Consequence: when reviewing earphones, the cable used should be indicated.

Cables used:
DC resistance of KZ cables (read by DMMs), in ohms (left, right, and ground).
zst/es3/zsr type
Upgrade cable kz plated (4cords,w/transp,black rings)......................0.35/36/40 0.35/37/39 0.35/37/40
(08) kz zsr stock mic..........................................................0.64 0.64 0.88

You hear what I hear. Now, we just need a graph plotting the ZSR's impedane response (waterline or not).

 

[Slater]

Final result: ZSR stock cable vs. the lower impedance KZ silver upgrade cable (black poles). There is a difference in tonality: the upgrade brightens the sound and removes depth. The stock cable has more kick (bass; drums), voices sound more natural (to me) and not pushed up. Soundstage remains the same.

Not sure which is more desirable. The question is: what did KZ have in mind when designing stock cable/upgrade cable.

What we learn: different cables of different impedance make a difference in sound.

Consequence: when reviewing earphones, the cable used should be indicated.

Cables used:
DC resistance of KZ cables (read by DMMs), in ohms (left, right, and ground).
zst/es3/zsr type
Upgrade cable kz plated (4cords,w/transp,black rings)......................0.35/36/40 0.35/37/39 0.35/37/40
(08) kz zsr stock mic..........................................................0.64 0.64 0.88

While cables changing the sonic characteristics is often a debated topic, I would assume we all agree that different tips/pads often make a significant difference in the sound. Yet most people fail to list what tips are installed when giving impressions.

So the most thorough approach would be to list not only the cables, but also the tips, source, amplifiers, and songs including their format/resolution.

 

[nicolanico]

The ZS3 has enough bass but is a somewhat redundant and superseded model that wasn't great. The ES3 comes in different flavours and is hit or miss: some people don't have bass and mine is a bass canon. The superb ZSR is the way to go...you get what you pay for. And if you want to go cheap, I'd recommend the KZ ATR but not the ZS3. Or the ZST. And then pack an EDR1 or EDR2 on top of that. $5 each.

Thanks 4 answer very bring into focus,

what are the differences between EDR1 and EDR2, only colour or also in sound? Thx

 

[theintroprose]

I second the ZSR.. I think it's KZ's best model yet. ZS6 is technically superior in some ways but the comfort issues at least for me make it hard to recommend over the ZSR.

 

[zazaboy]

After month of waiting my ZS6 has finally arrived.

Spoiler: Large photos

do you have kz zs6 v2 ??? and which are the kz zs6 v2... how can we check it when we have it ... from the box ?

 

[Slater]

do you have kz zs6 v2 ??? and which are the kz zs6 v2... how can we check it when we have it ... from the box ?

FYI, the existence of a ZS6 v2 has not been proven. There is only speculation. Gearbest asked KZ directly, and KZ said that there are NO new revisions at this time. And remember, KZ makes exclusive models just for Gearbest, so Gearbest definitely has access to the proper people at KZ. Were they telling the truth? No one knows (at least not yet).

The packaging is not a reliable way to tell either (at least yet). KZ changes their packaging all of the time. The bluetooth cables were shipped in at least 3 different boxes. The ZS5 has at least 3 different boxes (maybe even 4).

And finally, a few revised marketing images is reliable proof as well. For all we know, someone with Photoshop at Gearbest made those revised marketing images, and the only reason they've changed is that they were interpreting Chinese language to (broken) English.

Even the few people that swear it "sounds different" isn't reliable proof. The mind can play tricks on you, especially with audio products, based on 'expectation bias' and other influences.

I would honestly wait a little bit longer for more people to receive the "extra bass" model. Someone will do a thorough/scientific evaluation to get to the bottom of it. Only when FR measurements are taken, or a complete teardown has been peformed (where we can all see the exact BA drivers used plus any changes to the crossover or wiring) will we know for sure.

Like this:



It will happen in due time. Patience is required in the mean time, to prevent wasting money based on rumors and speculation.

Unless you are volunteering to be a guinea pig, buy one of the "extra bass" models, and perform a teardown like above?

 

[Slater]

Thanks 4 answer very bring into focus,

what are the differences between EDR1 and EDR2, only colour or also in sound? Thx

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/kno...essions-thread.698148/page-1899#post-14064001
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/kno...essions-thread.698148/page-1899#post-14064031
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/kno...essions-thread.698148/page-1903#post-14066527
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/kno...essions-thread.698148/page-1903#post-14066628
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/kno...essions-thread.698148/page-1903#post-14066662

 

[zazaboy]

I have ordered the red version of kz zs6 hope its a v2 man

 

[Otto Motor]

While cables changing the sonic characteristics is often a debated topic, I would assume we all agree that different tips/pads often make a significant difference in the sound. Yet most people fail to list what tips are installed when giving impressions.

So the most thorough approach would be to list not only the cables, but also the tips, source, amplifiers, and songs including their format/resolution.

Yes!

And I am presently learning from Hifi Chris behind the scenes. Output impedance of the player appears to be important and the cable is part of it; for example, Coil reported, he has optimized his setup for the KZ5. The ZS6 reportedly sound much different on different sources.

Tips: allegedly it is the bore width that makes the biggest difference: narrow bores tame the treble. Foam has less bass in my experience (I don't use foams as I don't like them in my ear). The KZ starline tips are just fine for me.

Apparently, cables change the sonic characteristics under certain circumstances, i.e. with the iem's impedance response...I am certain, Hifi Chris will jump in here soon and give us the small print (I don't want to steal too much of his knowledge). But, at the same time, the different tonality of cables is not related to their price, just to their basic construction...that's why cheap monoprice cables are so great for both wallet and sound.
I reverted in all cases to the stock cables.

A friend just dropped me this on impedance : http://nwavguy.blogspot.ca/2011/02/headphone-amp-impedance.html

 

[Slater]

I have ordered the red version of kz zs6 hope its a v2 man

The main one that started the speculation is the grey one, since it has its own separate marketing page on Gearbest, is more expensive than the other colors, and is the only one that has a unique "extra bass" designation.

The belief is that when KZ discontinued the green ZS6 and replaced it with the grey one, they used it as an opportunity to tweak the tuning.

But like I said, it is all guessing and speculation at this point.

If there IS a ZS6 v2, it could only be the grey one, or it could be all 4 colors, or it could not exist at all.

Regardless, the ZS6 (any color) is a great IEM and the overwhelming majority of people like it. So I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Even if you are one of the people who find it's treble much too sharp, there's lots you can do to address the issue. Burning it in, using foam tips, impedance adapters, different cables, numerous different foam mods, BA driver mods, numerous different nozzle mods, nozzle filters, etc.

 

[Otto Motor]

Thanks 4 answer very bring into focus,

what are the differences between EDR1 and EDR2, only colour or also in sound? Thx

A second, quick answer:
1. Both are almost identical in sound
2. The EDR1 are less bassy and slightly heavier/more substantial to handle
3. At $4-5 each, buy them both and train your comparison skills
4. Both are well worth their money and a steal
5. If I could only afford one, I'd go with the EDR1
6. I recommend the version with mic

 

[Saoshyant]

This thread is starting to remind me of the Xiaomi Piston thread with all the version obsession. That thread became pretty unpleasant. Just wait until there's actual evidence of a change before fixating.