Knowledge Zenith (KZ) impressions thread

[requal]

i forgot the timeline and which one comes first,
but is EDXS is a failed attempt on doing Linlong but in IEMs form?



that spike difference,
the linglong is pretty highly praised, EDXS.. don't hear much from it.

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There weren't any similarities between them. Ling long was much better tuned. Edxs were dark, but with hard spike at 5khz, and after that there was almost nothing..

 

[r31ya]

 

[dharmasteve]

I will be getting my KZ Castor Bass version in a few days as they are in the UK now. I am getting quite excited to listen to them. I use the KZ AS16 Pro as my daily driver from my PC and I can't fault them. Although I have some pretty good IEMs, like the amazing Penon 10th Anniversary, I am always stunned at how KZ make such value IEMs, which sound good.....and make them a profit. Over the years I have bought a good few KZs and only once received a bad pair. I watched the Akros review which gives me some excitement to hear them. I'll re-cable with a balanced cable (for my HiBy R6 III), put some large silicones in (I've got oversized earholes) and realize that these cost me about £12. How the heck can they do that and make a profit?

 

[greymousetaxi]

Can you explain how you did that and what you used?

i just used some spare krila filters and stacked it on the stock filter, then poked a hole with a fine needle and applied it to the nozzle.

 

[DynamicEars]

i need to re-buy faeeal hibiscus,
my Faeeal Hibiscus 2.5mm jack broke when it was pressed against my car door in unfortunate moment.
i'll update once i bought it.

currently using budget KBEAR 16core copper 2.5mm cable.
while this might be placebo, but i think hibiscus sound fuller.

I have that kbear copper and kbear rhyme (mixed copper silver) Ive been A B ing the kbear rhyme and Faeall hibiscus, the hibiscus sounded smoother (not peaky) but fuller and have better note weight with bigger soundstage and air at the same time.

 

[DynamicEars]

i tried the filter stack mod with the vent hole and holy crap they do sound better, peaks are controlled and sound less "plasticky" and the bass sounds more "airy" with extra thump. thats it for this iem hahah.

Right, the stack filter is tame the 2khz until 8khz area, and most affected are 2-4khz area. Peaks on those frequencies are smoothen, while less plasticky because of the reduced pinna gain so the gap between lower mids and high mids aren't that big, make them sounded more weighty and not so thin compared to the original.

If you just use double stacked without hole, this will make the bass DD driver won't have good airflow, therefore bass will sounded bloated because of lot of air trapped inside.
Pinch tiny hole is enough to let the air come out on bass transient attack, make the bass tighter while having more air moving feeling at the same time.

Enjoy!

Can you explain how you did that and what you used?

Back to few pages about my castor impressions and mods, you'll find there with the pictures I attached.

the current phase of KZ being the more neutral one, is somewhat weird and interesting



trying to find similar FR as i think i have seen something similar,



but yeah, 1DD vs 1DD+8BA would sound very different.

Oh crap, light bass, bright sounding and literally no extension past 8khz. Bad tuning KZ, not gonna jump in..

Next....

 

[PhonoPhi]

I have that kbear copper and kbear rhyme (mixed copper silver) Ive been A B ing the kbear rhyme and Faeall hibiscus, the hibiscus sounded smoother (not peaky) but fuller and have better note weight with bigger soundstage and air at the same time.

Did cable A/B tests worked the same blind?
My experience is that the better coloured or fancier knobbed cables typically sound fuller, more musical, more expressive, provide a better dynamic range, accentuates the positives snd even improves the taste of food/drinks...

While testing blind - only notably higher resistance of cables can be picked up (in my case).

I started to use "cable perception" as one of the decisive criteria for evaluating reviews. The moment, any cable difference, especially of the copper/silver type is mentioned - done for good (and with very good post correlation/validation).

 

[DynamicEars]

Did cable A/B tests worked the same blind?
My experience is that the better coloured or fancier knobbed cables typically sound fuller, more musical, more expressive, provide a better dynamic range, accentuates the positives snd even improves the taste of food/drinks...

While testing blind - only notably higher resistance of cables can be picked up (in my case).

I started to use this as one of the decisive criteria for evaluating reviews. The moment, any cable difference, especially of the copper/silver type mentioned - done for good (and with very good post correlation/valudation).

Not going to start a war, I didn't but if I did in blind test though, im sure its very audible
In fact Im listening while closing my eyes to concentrate but I open my eyes when changing cable so I was aware using which cable, put away bias feeling and it was audible and easy to differentiate them. However they just like changing characteristic not day and night differences. Similar like changing from warm DAP to colder, analytical DAP kind of thing within same level.
I'm sorry i know that you're against cable thingy Sir, not going to lead this to bigger arguments, of course with respect.

 

[dharmasteve]

I have that kbear copper and kbear rhyme (mixed copper silver) Ive been A B ing the kbear rhyme and Faeall hibiscus, the hibiscus sounded smoother (not peaky) but fuller and have better note weight with bigger soundstage and air at the same time.

I had the same experience. The Kbear Rhyme did not sound as full or thick as the Faeal Cable.

 

[Nimweth]

what cable do you use? if you have the Faeall Hibiscus cable, give it a shot, it is a full copper that lush and have weight while giving extra space on other end. Not a fancy and expensive cable but IMHO the one of the best budget cable I ever had. I even bought the spare for it and nice pairing with Castor

I have just tried the Castor Harman Edition with the Faaeal Hibiscus cable. The treble is now smoother and not as prominent and the bass is warmer in tonality. Switches are set 1100. I like this combination.

 

[Podster]

Man, looking at some old photos I thought I'd post this classic as I've not bought a KZ in forever it seems now but reading several of the last few pages you guys are staying with and up with them. That ZAT seems miles and miles from any of these! Keep up the good work

 

[DaveLT]

I actually do enjoy the ling long a lot now that I have a good cable on it!

 

[Hung Tuan]

i imagine they use similar BAs too. new gen bellsings but with different crossover boards and moar drivers

no way... I don't want to have hope . Already enjoy my PR2 atm. The most detailed, relax IEM in my collection rn.

 

[DynamicEars]

no way... I don't want to have hope . Already enjoy my PR2 atm. The most detailed, relax IEM in my collection rn.

Hope is crashed, literally no extension past 8khz, krila and castor have better tuning than the ZAT, what a waste of BAs

Enjoy your PR2

 

[countryboyhk]

My Castor Bass arrived, and my first impression, I should get the standard ver. instead at first. The default 0011 makes it sounds really V shaped to me. The 0000 setting makes the bass bleeding become noticeable, and a bit uncomfortable. I am using 0010 setting now. The bass qty is not really massive like the ZAS, but the impact is harder than I thought. Lets wait and see after some burn in.