Knowledge Zenith (KZ) impressions thread
Jun 24, 2021 at 6:00 PM Post #55,741 of 66,005
I still haven't hit the purchase button for the AST yet... I really worry there is too much bass and too little treble - too early roll-off. It is USD90 with coupon and I just bought 3 cheap IEMs (one of them is GREAT!) and the Variations. Do I need one more pair...?
What was the cheap great one?
 
Jun 24, 2021 at 6:06 PM Post #55,743 of 66,005
I think all measurements are similar. They all use the same IEC711 coupler which I also have one. I am not sure if it is just me or the characteristics of using pick noise to measure SPL, insertion depth, cable, source, etc. don't really affect the measurements. I can always get tepated results and I always use 15 times averaging so the measurements are even more reliable. Anyway, too save my time thinking I just bought a black AST... going to go back to normal price after a day and a half. Hope this can stop me buying too many IEMs...
That's nice for you but I have other plans which I intend to stick to.
 
Jun 24, 2021 at 6:39 PM Post #55,744 of 66,005
Don't have spinfit tips.
I don't have the AST, but my experience with spinfits is that they tend to drop bass performance a bit compared to other options, which may be a desireable outcome given how the AST are tuned.
 
Jun 24, 2021 at 6:57 PM Post #55,745 of 66,005
I don't have the AST, but my experience with spinfits is that they tend to drop bass performance a bit compared to other options, which may be a desireable outcome given how the AST are tuned.
The bass is not bothering me now. Either my ears have adjusted to it or the bass itself changed. The bass is pretty tight now and can push some air for BA drivers. I notice that I can hear and feel the bass guitar better on the AST where my CKX is you notice the bass guitar is there, but rarely no impact.
 
Jun 24, 2021 at 7:48 PM Post #55,746 of 66,005
I don't have the AST, but my experience with spinfits is that they tend to drop bass performance a bit compared to other options, which may be a desireable outcome given how the AST are tuned.
I have replaced stock KZ startips with Spinfit CP145 on my KZ ZSX and I feel the bass improved but I believe that's due to a much better seal.

I have been using Spinfit CP360 (which is basically a shorter lenght CP145) but didn't A/B against the stock tips that came stock with the KZ AST.
 
Jun 24, 2021 at 8:59 PM Post #55,748 of 66,005
I have replaced stock KZ startips with Spinfit CP145 on my KZ ZSX and I feel the bass improved but I believe that's due to a much better seal.

I have been using Spinfit CP360 (which is basically a shorter lenght CP145) but didn't A/B against the stock tips that came stock with the KZ AST.
I only have this spinfit tips that I forgot came with what IEM. Seems to reduce the bass a tiny bit and bring out the mid and high abit more forward.
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Jun 25, 2021 at 10:23 AM Post #55,749 of 66,005
Just FYI:
KZ-C style (covered pin like AST) pin has standard polarity just like other 0.78mm pins, but when you ordering cables with “qdc” finish, you may contact seller about polarity. If you use a qdc connector to KZ-C, negative polarity still produces sound but the the center of image may get blurred, which I happened to notice with my qdc cable.

If you find the original tuning too forward/sound pressure is too high, using qdc-pin may work as pressure-relief though. (not for AST at least)


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Jun 25, 2021 at 10:30 AM Post #55,750 of 66,005
I have replaced stock KZ startips with Spinfit CP145 on my KZ ZSX and I feel the bass improved but I believe that's due to a much better seal.

I have been using Spinfit CP360 (which is basically a shorter lenght CP145) but didn't A/B against the stock tips that came stock with the KZ AST.
I tried both CP360(my default go-to tip for multi-BAs) and other CP series, both CP360 /CP100+ worked great👍 If you want to nerf the bass a bit and boost vocal, CP100+ (only available from Amazon Japan) is an option but it costs $14+14(intl shipping)😅
 
Jun 25, 2021 at 10:42 AM Post #55,752 of 66,005
I tried both CP360(my default go-to tip for multi-BAs) and other CP series, both CP360 /CP100+ worked great👍 If you want to nerf the bass a bit and boost vocal, CP100+ (only available from Amazon Japan) is an option but it costs $14+14(intl shipping)😅
CP100+ is available on Amazon US for $13.49 (2 pairs) sold by SpinFit, shipped by Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Z7RBSNS/
 
Jun 25, 2021 at 10:45 AM Post #55,753 of 66,005
New KZ earphone? KZ-ZAS? (1 DD + 7BA) x 2 ...
What the heck? It is a ZAX + black BAs and XUN?
Weird looking DD

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....graph looks absolutely horrible though..
 
Jun 25, 2021 at 10:45 AM Post #55,754 of 66,005
New KZ earphone? KZ-ZAS? (1 DD + 7BA) x 2 ...
What the heck? It is a ZAX + black BAs and XUN?
That looks pretty sweet, and $61 seems like a pretty good price.
Makes the ASX and AST seem overpriced in comparison.
I don't even see that product anywhere else. Strange. It's like a hidden KZ suprise!
 
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