Knowledge Zenith (KZ) impressions thread
Dec 30, 2021 at 2:57 PM Post #58,021 of 64,373
Wouldn't it be grand if we could all draw a target on the graph, overlay the IEM's measurement, and then push a button and have the PEQ-Target automatically created, saved, and applied.
REW does that for you if you want to.
You need the target file and the measured iem.

1640894224105.png

200hz to 7500hz, under/above those area is better to do it manually.



This site can also help somewhat.
https://eq.spion.dev/#/frequency-response=&compensation=&tab=frequency-response
 
Dec 30, 2021 at 3:23 PM Post #58,022 of 64,373
Speaking of BA iems. Here is my modded BA10



It needs PEQ as well though.

Red line = BA10 + Tanchjim filter + PEQ (predicted output)
Blue line = my target
That is pretty much the peq, settings I use on my ba10's on poweramp, except I leave the midbass alone. I only found the peq settings on it recently, dunno how long it's been there. I love my ba10's
 
Dec 30, 2021 at 3:33 PM Post #58,023 of 64,373
That is pretty much the peq, settings I use on my ba10's on poweramp, except I leave the midbass alone. I only found the peq settings on it recently, dunno how long it's been there. I love my ba10's
Poweramp has had it for a while I believe.

Mid-bass reduction is needed to clean the mud up. Way too much if its kept on stock AND reduced treble.
 
Dec 30, 2021 at 8:05 PM Post #58,024 of 64,373
_DSC8960-Edit (75).jpg

The KZ CRN is a dramatic step forward for KZ, but the treble balance, timbre issues, and average technical performance keep the CRN from being an unqualified recommendation from me. These issues can be remedied with PEQ, but if you have access to PEQ the need for such a strong starting point in terms of base tuning is much less, and you might do better to pick something more technically proficient instead.

My full review, with measurements, a comparison with the Tanchjim Tanya, and additional images, is available on my blog:
https://medium.com/bedrock-reviews/kz-crn-zex-pro-review-27ec63c792a5
 
Dec 30, 2021 at 8:11 PM Post #58,025 of 64,373
Hi guys, I listen to pop mostly and have been using Blon bl03 for a year and love it but the housing was broken recently and now I'm looking for an upgrade. I love neutral sound with decent bass and smooth vocal, I mostly listen to female singers and want to avoid treble spike. I read a lot of reviews and thinking about buying IT00, looks like it has good reviews and will be a safe option, is there any better option in IT00's price range? Thanks a lot!
 
Dec 30, 2021 at 8:44 PM Post #58,026 of 64,373
Hi guys, I listen to pop mostly and have been using Blon bl03 for a year and love it but the housing was broken recently and now I'm looking for an upgrade. I love neutral sound with decent bass and smooth vocal, I mostly listen to female singers and want to avoid treble spike. I read a lot of reviews and thinking about buying IT00, looks like it has good reviews and will be a safe option, is there any better option in IT00's price range? Thanks a lot!
A lot of options now. Tinhifi t3 plus, Moondrop Aria, Blon BL07 and Tripowin Mele.
 
Dec 31, 2021 at 5:23 AM Post #58,027 of 64,373
I was curious about the Vex Pro and the tuning looked quite promising considering it is also a collaboration with Crinalce. I ordered it and it just arrived today.

1640945556901.png


Out of the box the stock tuning is too bright for me and has "timbre" issues. As stated by many, you need to remove the 8KHZ peak and increase 10KHZ. That already is a great base for further individual adjustments. I also removed the 16.5KHZ peak a bit and decreased the whole area above 1KHZ, I personally don't like borderlining on Crins preference curve. This is what I ended up with:

1640955111256.png


The black curve is my target. After the EQ adjustments the IEM is incredible for its price point and also fixes the "timbre" issues which I honstely just see as an issue resulted by the FR. I was really surprised. Detail retrieval is above my expectations, bass has some texture to it, it is not a "one-note-bass". Soundstage is also good. I expected a neutral-boring sound representation looking at its tuning before, but it is really exciting. The fit is very very good for me (I have bigger ears), they also weight next to nothing. A steal for the price point if you can EQ.

1640955202151.png


For APO EQ:

Channel: all
Preamp: -7.6 dB
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 1400.0 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 1.00
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 2500.0 Hz Gain -1 dB Q 0.50
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 5550.0 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 0.60
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 7400.0 Hz Gain -7.5 dB Q 3.00
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 9700.0 Hz Gain 2.5 dB Q 1.00
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 11000.0 Hz Gain 8.0 dB Q 3.00
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 15500.0 Hz Gain -4 dB Q 1.00

Edit: The fit is not so good as first mentioned. After some time the elevations on the shell unfortunately create some presure on your ear.
 
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Dec 31, 2021 at 8:54 AM Post #58,028 of 64,373
I was curious about the Vex Pro so I ordered it and it arrived today:

1640945556901.png

The stock tuning is too bright for me and has "timbre" issues. As stated by many, you need to remove the 8KHZ peak and increase 10KHZ. That already is a great base for further individual adjustments. I also removed the 16.5KHZ peak a bit and decreased the whole area around above 1KHZ, I don't like the borderlining on Crins preference curve. This is what I ended up:

1640955111256.png

The black curve is my target. After the EQ adjustments the IEM is incredible for its price point and also fixes the "timbre" issues which I honstely just see as an issue resulted by the FR. I was really surprised. Detail retrieval is above my expectations, bass has some texture to it, it is not a "one-note-bass". Soundstage is also good. I expected a neutral-boring sound representation looking at its tuning before, but it is really exciting. The fit is very very good for me (I have bigger ears), they also weight next to nothing. A steal for the price point if you can EQ.

1640955202151.png

For APO EQ:

Filter 2: ON PK Fc 1400.0 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 1.00
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 2500.0 Hz Gain -1 dB Q 0.50
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 5550.0 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 0.60
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 7400.0 Hz Gain -7.5 dB Q 3.00
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 9700.0 Hz Gain 2.5 dB Q 1.00
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 11000.0 Hz Gain 8.0 dB Q 3.00
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 15500.0 Hz Gain -4 dB Q 1.00
What app did you use mr ato
 
Dec 31, 2021 at 10:55 AM Post #58,030 of 64,373
Teaser for upcoming review.

BA10 (modded) > Bravery/DT600
:smirk:
 
Dec 31, 2021 at 6:03 PM Post #58,031 of 64,373
Jan 1, 2022 at 4:29 AM Post #58,033 of 64,373
... At this point I wonder if owners of the ZEX Pro consider its teble worse than the Jade Audio EA3.
After good burn in and a TRi Through 4.4 mm cable +Spiral Dot's + HiBy R5 4.4 balanced, the treble on my ZEX Pro is ameliorated and smoothed out considerably. I have been giving them lots of use and enjoy them much more after burn in. They do respond to burn in.
 
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Jan 1, 2022 at 5:50 AM Post #58,034 of 64,373
Among the various crash cymbals of the gods, a big 17" Paiste was used by Mick Fleetwood on the immortal song Dreams. Rumor has it that they had to track that crash separately to get it just right, because it was too loud in the mix when recorded live. It makes itself known in the first bar of the song. The decay lingers in the mix, holding the door open, summoning the listener deeper into the track. It's a simple and brilliant bit of percussion work.

On the ZEX Pro, this old friend is as perfect as I've ever heard it. Epic bottom end, vocals, backup vocals, that warbled and nuanced guitar work, and Mick's drumming are all fantastic.

I'm using an old KZ brown copper cable, the white starlines, and tethered btr3k in FLAC mode.
 
Jan 1, 2022 at 8:24 AM Post #58,035 of 64,373
After good burn in and a TRi Through 4.4 mm cable +Spiral Dot's + HiBy R5 4.4 balanced, the treble on my ZEX Pro is ameliorated and smoothed out considerably. I have been giving them lots of use and enjoy them much more after burn in. They do respond to burn in.
Yeah that's about what i did as well. Changed the tips and upgraded the cable.

ZEX Pro is my go to IEM. I've probably put about a 100 hours on them so far.

I honestly don't know why people are complaining about them. Build quality seems excellent as well.
 

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