Knowledge Zenith (KZ) impressions thread
Dec 16, 2018 at 11:39 AM Post #39,661 of 63,885
Thanks for your fast response.
I think I prefer a V shape sound, buy I don't care if the IEMs are all-terrain, and play a little with the equalizer. I want good IEM for a long time and try to hear things I never heard before with my actual ear/headphones.
I was thinking in the latest KZ ZS10 but if ES4 or ZSN are good enough for me, I have no problem buying them. Also maybe I need a better cable and tips

EDIT: I'll use iPhone Xs Max as source and I prefer BT module for most of the time

if you like to hear everything that you never heard with the ZS3 id say go with the trn V80, its non-kz but its a very good iem that is very sensitive & detailed with its stock cable, its a bit expensive compared to the es4 & zsn but its worth it, the iem feels like it adjust itself to the music, though if you're used to v-shaped it will sound weird when you use it for the first time.

now im not sure if this applies to everyone but the es4 gives me a bit of asmr feeling the first month im using it, because some music sounds so close/intimate or playing just behind me that it makes me feel weirdly good, id say its a "relaxing" iem to listen, compared to the zsn at least, it sounds more balanced & laid back making all sounds feel on the same level apart from a small treble boost.

i need some time to appreciate the zsn because im not a huge fan of forward signature, but now that it has settled, its a very vocal focused iem, makes you feel intimate to the singer or the lead instrument though high volume listening might hurt your ears a bit

and since you prefer to use a BT module, i recommend get the trn bt20 module,its expensive but its also TWS & works well for either kz or trn models (or anything with 2x0.75mm pin)
 
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Dec 16, 2018 at 12:43 PM Post #39,662 of 63,885
IMG_20181216_122056~01.jpg I bought a few pairs of starline tips and they are slightly different from the original ones (that came with older KZs like ZS3)
The new tips are darker and made of the more common silicone material, while the originals have a lighter grey color and are slightly softer.
The shape, size, design, bore size, everything else is the same.

I haven't tested them but they sound sound the same.

I remember a discussion about the difference in tips sometime ago, so maybe this will help.
 
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Dec 16, 2018 at 2:35 PM Post #39,665 of 63,885
I would agree with that, the V80 is an excellent IEM. It's better than any KZ model I have tried, including the ES3, ZST, ZS10.
I don't like to hear this. :frowning2: Is the ZS10 the only newest KZ you've heard? Those others are old. I think I'm done with KZ for a while. Still waiting for ZSNx2, AS10, ZS10, ZSA and might buy ZS4. I think this will help me figure out what I prefer. However, it sounds like the TRN v80 should be bought before ZS4.

Do KZ's have a resale value? 50%?
 
Dec 16, 2018 at 2:39 PM Post #39,666 of 63,885
The TRN 8 core balanced 2.5mm cable (bigger, the black & silver color) cost= 8$, that sounds well on AS10 and ZS6, better sounding than the KZ 2.5 note I do have too the trn yellow & silver color cable and it sounds too bright, even with the ES4
You're saying both 8 core TRN cables sound different? I assumed they would sound the same. I thought the color was different but if the sound is different too that benefits everyone and TRN will sell more cables.
 
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Dec 16, 2018 at 2:40 PM Post #39,667 of 63,885
Yes, I think that my AS10 is better than my ZS6, highs are softer and better overall sound & details.
I do use them and ZSN only with 2.5 balanced cable on my dap Pioneer XDP-30R
I use 2 kind of 2.5 cables:
The KZ silver plated 2.5 balanced cable (thin & silver color) cost= 7 $, that sounds well on ZSN & ED16
The TRN 8 core balanced 2.5mm cable (bigger, the black & silver color) cost= 8$, that sounds well on AS10 and ZS6, better sounding than the KZ 2.5
note I do have too the trn yellow & silver color cable and it sounds too bright, even with the ES4

you'll find them easily on Aliexpress as:

https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/TRN-MMCX-2Pin-Connecteur-3-5-2-5-quilibr-8-Core-Cuivre-Argent-Mixte-C-ble/32945443691.html

https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/KZ-3-5mm-2-5mm-quilibr-e-Argent-Plaqu-Mise-Niveau-C-ble-KZ-2pin-Argent/32896414780.html



on .

Thanks a lot for the info about balanced cables, that will help me a lot.

Edit: I want to purchase the cable on amazon.fr but the only ones i can find are:

https://www.amazon.fr/Cuivre-Écouteurs-équilibré-connecteur-0-78pin/dp/B07KHP5B2M ( doesn't seem balanced even though the title says so )

and : https://www.amazon.fr/Ridecle-Accessoires-Écouteurs-Lecteur-MP3-8-Strand/dp/B07JC1JTB9 but i I cant find the proper one from the load of option to chose from, could you help me out?

Désolé du dérangement.
 
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Dec 16, 2018 at 2:51 PM Post #39,668 of 63,885
I don't like to hear this. :frowning2: Is the ZS10 the only newest KZ you've heard? Those others are old. I think I'm done with KZ for a while. Still waiting for ZSNx2, AS10, ZS10, ZSA and might buy ZS4. I think this will help me figure out what I prefer. However, it sounds like the TRN v80 should be bought before ZS4.

Do KZ's have a resale value? 50%?
Yes, the ZS10 is the latest KZ I have. I have the ZS4 coming soon. I don't know the resale value, but with such low prices available online I imagine it would not be very much!
 
Dec 16, 2018 at 3:16 PM Post #39,669 of 63,885
Thanks a lot for the info about balanced cables, that will help me a lot.

Edit: I want to purchase the cable on amazon.fr but the only ones i can find are:

https://www.amazon.fr/Cuivre-Écouteurs-équilibré-connecteur-0-78pin/dp/B07KHP5B2M ( doesn't seem balanced even though the title says so )

and : https://www.amazon.fr/Ridecle-Accessoires-Écouteurs-Lecteur-MP3-8-Strand/dp/B07JC1JTB9 but i I cant find the proper one from the load of option to chose from, could you help me out?

Désolé du dérangement.

Yes, you can get it here:
https://www.amazon.fr/Ridecle-Accessoires-Écouteurs-Lecteur-MP3-8-Strand/dp/B07JBJGNM1?th=1

https://www.amazon.fr/gp/offer-listing/B07JBJGNM1/ref=olp_twister_child?ie=UTF8&mv_color_name=0 10,47€ shipment included

choose the right one for balanced KZ earphone, it is "0.75mm + 2.5mm plug"
beware the seller is in China, for chrismas presents, if you order with France destination, it takes usualy 2 or 3 weeks to arrive, maybe more at christmas time.

On Aliexpress, you can find sellers who accept paypal, those do:
https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/KZ-ZS10-ZST-AS10-2-5mm-jack-quilibr-e-c-ble-argent-plaqu-Casque-fil-de/32871535021.html
 
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Dec 16, 2018 at 4:59 PM Post #39,671 of 63,885
Hey...congrats on 5000 posts!! Hey do you guys know how to cure stuttering Bluetooth?
When I use Spotify on my android phone or ipad I get intermittent stuttering and it won’t go away no matter how many background apps, location services etc I turn off. Its fine for awhile then starts up again...what does it any idea??
HELP!
Ty
ed

What bluetooth adapter are you using? If it's a KZ, that's a known issue. The TRNs have a better reputation. I've used both before and had similar experience with what's reported as stated earlier.

If you want the best bluetooth experience, I'd recommend the TFZ 2 pin for 50 bucks and/or the Sony MUC-M2BT1 with mmcx to 2 pin adapters if money is no object. Both have transformed my audio experience. I rarely use my wires anymore.

Some folks here have tried the TRN BT20 which is the first I've heard off truly wireless bluetooth for 2 pins. Has good reviews mostly. Haven't tried it myself. Maybe it's a wait and see thing for me.

And finally, sometimes it can be the source especially if your device is older. I just upgraded to Samsung Note 9 from the 4 and my range has improved a bit. Plus, LDAC is alot of fun but you need the Sony MUC-M2BT1 take advantage of that.

One final thing, I notice if I'm on the street downtown walking to work or lunch. The bluetooth can be sketchy on occasion due to interference from other wireless sources. That should be easily diagnose though.

Good luck!
 
Dec 16, 2018 at 5:53 PM Post #39,672 of 63,885
Yes, you can get it here:
https://www.amazon.fr/Ridecle-Accessoires-Écouteurs-Lecteur-MP3-8-Strand/dp/B07JBJGNM1?th=1

https://www.amazon.fr/gp/offer-listing/B07JBJGNM1/ref=olp_twister_child?ie=UTF8&mv_color_name=0 10,47€ shipment included

choose the right one for balanced KZ earphone, it is "0.75mm + 2.5mm plug"
beware the seller is in China, for chrismas presents, if you order with France destination, it takes usualy 2 or 3 weeks to arrive, maybe more at christmas time.

On Aliexpress, you can find sellers who accept paypal, those do:
https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/KZ-ZS10-ZST-AS10-2-5mm-jack-quilibr-e-c-ble-argent-plaqu-Casque-fil-de/32871535021.html

Thanks again, and thank you guys for helping me with my demands.

I'll most likely go for the AS10 and tell you guys what I think about it. But I'll also keep an open ear for other iems that could be complementary with that one and cover a wider use and taste to chose from.

I wish you all good holidays!
 
Dec 16, 2018 at 6:23 PM Post #39,673 of 63,885
I bought a few pairs of starline tips and they are slightly different from the original ones (that came with older KZs like ZS3)
The new tips are darker and made of the more common silicone material, while the originals have a lighter grey color and are slightly softer.
The shape, size, design, bore size, everything else is the same.

I haven't tested them but they sound sound the same.

I remember a discussion about the difference in tips sometime ago, so maybe this will help.

There’s actually 3 different Starline tips:

- the original grey ones (the most stiff)
- the original black ones (medium stiffness)
- a 2nd black one (the softest out of all 3)
 
Dec 16, 2018 at 6:46 PM Post #39,674 of 63,885
if you like to hear everything that you never heard with the ZS3 id say go with the trn V80, its non-kz but its a very good iem that is very sensitive & detailed with its stock cable, its a bit expensive compared to the es4 & zsn but its worth it, the iem feels like it adjust itself to the music, though if you're used to v-shaped it will sound weird when you use it for the first time.

now im not sure if this applies to everyone but the es4 gives me a bit of asmr feeling the first month im using it, because some music sounds so close/intimate or playing just behind me that it makes me feel weirdly good, id say its a "relaxing" iem to listen, compared to the zsn at least, it sounds more balanced & laid back making all sounds feel on the same level apart from a small treble boost.

i need some time to appreciate the zsn because im not a huge fan of forward signature, but now that it has settled, its a very vocal focused iem, makes you feel intimate to the singer or the lead instrument though high volume listening might hurt your ears a bit

and since you prefer to use a BT module, i recommend get the trn bt20 module,its expensive but its also TWS & works well for either kz or trn models (or anything with 2x0.75mm pin)

Thanks a lot for that helpful information.
I’m not very familiar with sound vocabulary but I think I understood you.
Now I’m between ES4 and TRN V80, I have to read more (job doesn’t let me search for more info)
 
Dec 16, 2018 at 7:07 PM Post #39,675 of 63,885
Thanks again, and thank you guys for helping me with my demands.

I'll most likely go for the AS10 and tell you guys what I think about it. I wish you all good holidays!
That's a very good safe choice, I hear. I'm waiting for mine as well. You might as well start with the best model(s) and stick with it so you don't waste money like the rest of us buying every (other) low priced model. Have a delicious holiday this season!
 

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