IEMusic
Headphoneus Supremus
Yep, that’s what I figured. Poor material, and possibly poor manufacturing technique (heating/cooling).So KZ/CCA paragraph C pin housing cracks just because of the poor plastic used.
Yep, that’s what I figured. Poor material, and possibly poor manufacturing technique (heating/cooling).So KZ/CCA paragraph C pin housing cracks just because of the poor plastic used.
I have several KBear cables, and many from other manufacturers. I am a big fan of KBear over the others in similar price ranges, and would highly recommend them. Solid build, quality, and SQ.I'm looking for some cables to go with my KZ's (and my KBEAR Lark which is on it's way) and I was looking around on Ali due to 11/11 as it has some very tempting discounts on some KBEAR cables.
They look good but
A: I've never shopped on Ali
B: I'm not that familiar with the brand
So my question is should get some or pass?
So, from the impressions on the ASX and ASF so far i gather their performance is somewhere between excellent and atrocious.
Thanks for providing some song samples.There are some other tracks but the majority is covered in that playlist. I'll pick an example here: Colbie Caillat's Magic. For comparison I've picked the Cat Ears Mia. It's not a multi-BA IEM but it's a V-shaped single-dynamic setup so the vocals are also recessed like the ASF.
The vocals are muffled as the upper-registers of the vocals aren't extended at all. Also this track in particular showcases the bloated bass. On the Cat Ears, despite its V-shaped signature, the bass stays under control and doesn't overshadow the lower-mids. The bass bloom was very evident during the 35 second mark on the ASF. The soundstage/imaging is also very weird on the ASF. Left/right separation is good but everything in between just sounds too central.
In terms of male vocals, Dashboard Confessional's Vindicated, or if you're into more singer/songwriter genre: Colin Hay's I Just Don't Think I'll Get Over You - displays the nasal/honky sound as I mentioned.
Another issue is with rock songs. My playlist has a lot of rock/metal songs and the ASF just gets too congested too quickly in such genres. Guitar riffs esp are too blunted to be enjoyable. Breaking Benjamin's Diary of Jane is an example.
I fractured my original KZ ZS10 PRO C connector QDC raised housing on the left earpiece, which caused it to quit working. I subbed out cables many times with that set; from the original, single ended brown cable that shipped with it, to a JCally balanced 8 core, to a regular Nicehck 2 pin balanced, to a Tripowin Zonie balanced. All except the original cable included in the box, was a 0.78 2 pin. All the cables I used fit well and were snug. They never came loose or fell off. I don't associate the failure of the earphone with using a 0.78 2 pin; I think the blame lies with the raised Paragraph C connection method they have been incorporating into their newer models. While there is something to be said about the ability of this connector to help prevent the pins from breaking inside the connector ports (if accidentally violently pulled on), I don't think this was ever designed in a way to facilitate multiple cable swaps or removals. We have to remember that, in order to give the consumer a great sound at a lower cost, some build sacrifices have to be made.There were theories that using the 0.78mm plugs in the 0.75mm sockets, especially if repeatedly inserting and removing the cable, was responsible for all of the fractures that appear over time on the qdc sockets. I have my doubts about it.
Just got my KZ ASX delivered. Decided to use the stock cable and large tips to test. Listening to my Tidal, Headphone Testing playlist via USB Audio Player Pro and my Fiio BTR5 connected via USB-C.
Very happy. Extremely detailed sound and I'm hearing a few things I've not noticed in my other IEMs.
They exist “where love and hate collide”.So, from the impressions on the ASX and ASF so far i gather their performance is somewhere between excellent and atrocious.
As a bloke who works in plastic mouldings for 20 odd years I'd guess it's acrylic which is a brittle material. And yes my zs10pro earpieces are slightly cracked, but still usable. Should have used abs, polycarbonate or acetal. Those are more costly however I think. I don't order the material, and am not going to bother looking it up, but I'm pretty sure that's correct. I'd use pc personally. Would likely increase the cost by about £1 per 50 iems, if that. I don't hold it against them though.Yep, that’s what I figured. Poor material, and possibly poor manufacturing technique (heating/cooling).
So, here is my video about KZ ASF. It's really fun to see such polar opinions for this model, but in my opinion, everything is simple. KZ created another "anti-audiophiliac" model. Some people projected their expectation for a "5/10 balanced armatures model" to those IEMs and were disappointed that they aren't super neutral mega natural, etc, and got disappointment. Those, who've expected KZ signature sound will get it: fun, bassy, energetic, and will love it
Are the CP145's (5-6 mm) a little too large for the ASF nozzles?I also ditched the supplied ear tips. They are very flimsy, often turning inside out (I’ve never had tips do this previously). And because they sit flush with the tip of metal nozzles, they do not enter the earth very far making it hard to get a good seal. Currently I’m using a pair of Spin Fits (CP 145). These tips extend further into the ear and fit well.
So, here is my video about KZ ASF. It's really fun to see such polar opinions for this model, but in my opinion, everything is simple. KZ created another "anti-audiophiliac" model. Some people projected their expectation for a "5/10 balanced armatures model" to those IEMs and were disappointed that they aren't super neutral mega natural, etc, and got disappointment. Those, who've expected KZ signature sound will get it: fun, bassy, energetic, and will love it