Knowledge Zenith (KZ) impressions thread

[MightyBalzaq]

Why must I pay more for the bass versions?!?! Costs are the same.. It's discrimination against us bass heads and I won't stand for it anymore!

Bass heads deserve equal rights and to live a life free from sellers looking to take advantage of their preferences! We were born this way and there's nothing wrong with that. We don't harm anyone listening to our bassy iems, no one else can hear the music we're listening to! In fact it might be argued that we are the more pure form of an iem enthusiast given iems are a natural way to obtain deep sub bass extension from a listening device. Listen to an ear bud if you're not a bass head, they're cheaper and have even better price/performance ratios!

Bass heads deserve equal prices!

*if you're confused please note this rant is only semi serious.

 

[iGmole]

Imagine my surprise! That mysterious Shop*insertnumbers* that was brand new with zero feedback... sent me a KZ Decet that arrived faster than anything from Aliexpress ever before.

 

[Marrogwar]

Imagine my surprise! That mysterious Shop*insertnumbers* that was brand new with zero feedback... sent me a KZ Decet that arrived faster than anything from Aliexpress ever before.

Oh man we want to hear your first impression

 

[Jamsblast]

Imagine my surprise! That mysterious Shop*insertnumbers* that was brand new with zero feedback... sent me a KZ Decet that arrived faster than anything from Aliexpress ever before.

Omg... Looks very nice, and the package is not the usual KZ... X2 to hear your impressions

 

[iGmole]

Oh man we want to hear your first impression

I'll just add to this one trough edits to avoid spamming.

First, looks and feels nice. Quite large and very heavy. Big magnetism, collects nearby ferromagnetic objects (reminds me of the Vader).

Can't use silicone tips! Unvented construction? Impossible to equalize the pressure when I insert them with silicone tips, it's like putting an airtight piston into the cylinder that is my ear canal.

So, foams it is. The improved packaging means that the includes foams are, for the first time, in usable condition:



Isolation is considerably above average I think.

Sound wise, no immediate problema pop up, smooth treble, mids ay-okay and yes, yes, the bass boost does NOT make male vocals sound like boomy amateur podcasts, but it makes kick drums and bass instruments quite pronounced. I was expecting more of a treble boost to make a "smiley face EQ" to match the bass but honestly, above the bass boost, things sound quite balanced.

Edit: tried a few silicone tips, difficulties equalizing pressure with all of them. You have been warned.

Spatial cues are lost somewhere. The pulsating bass at the end of Time by Hans Zimmer just feels like it pans left and right, whereas with the PRX and ZVX Pro it seems to revolve around my head like in a movie theatre. Soundstage is narrowish I think it is called.

Edit2: okay, these wake up with that electronic humppa and polka people call dance music. The mids and treble are polite enough to keep the electric hihats and stuff from being too harsh. The bass boost does not muddy up the sound but makes the kick and bass line, how should I say this.. very enjoyable! The polite treble is good in this context for me, many (most all of them) producers have this weird perversion to make very sharp ugly treble boosts. So these are not at all hopeless, perhaps they just exist for a genre that is not really my turf.

Edit3: OH! I decided to try the included medium tips! I was able to get a good seal with them, which is a first. ALL my tips have been L size with all of my IEMs. Something to do with the nozzle size/shell shape, I have no idea. However the seal was "breakable" with ear lobe manipulation so I was able to listen to these with silicones.

I must rethink the whole IEM. I got the treble to match the bass, now, this is suddenly FUN!

 

[4ceratops]

I'll just add to this one trough edits to avoid spamming.

First, looks and feels nice. Quite large and very heavy. Big magnetism, collects nearby ferromagnetic objects (reminds me of the Vader).

Can't use silicone tips! Unvented construction? Impossible to equalize the pressure when I insert them with silicone tips, it's like putting an airtight piston into the cylinder that is my ear canal.

So, foams it is. The improved packaging means that the includes foams are, for the first time, in usable condition:



Isolation is considerably above average I think.

Sound wise, no immediate problema pop up, smooth treble, mids ay-okay and yes, yes, the bass boost does NOT make male vocals sound like boomy amateur podcasts, but it makes kick drums and bass instruments quite pronounced. I was expecting more of a treble boost to make a "smiley face EQ" to match the bass but honestly, above the bass boost, things sound quite balanced.

Thanks for sharing your impressions and I hope you continue to do so. And anyway, I hope that the conclusion about the uselessness of silicone tips turns out to be just a first impression. Surely you'll also try replacing them with others than just the ones included. In the event that unusability silicone tips because of the piston effect proves to be definitive, it would probably be a disqualifying moment for most users. Personally, I don't use foam tips because of their 'softening' effect on the character of the sound (loss of detail, liveliness and sharp edges) which I find unacceptable.

 

[iGmole]

Thanks for sharing your impressions and I hope you continue to do so. And anyway, I hope that the conclusion about the uselessness of silicone tips turns out to be just a first impression. Surely you'll also try replacing them with others than just the ones included. In the event that unusability silicone tips because of the piston effect proves to be definitive, it would probably be a disqualifying moment for most users. Personally, I don't use foam tips because of their 'softening' effect on the character of the sound (loss of detail, liveliness and sharp edges) which I find unacceptable.

I don't have too many silicone tips to try (Acoustune AET08, Moondrop, KZ and 7hz stock tips and some Sennheiser tips) and yeah, I had immense pain in my eardrum a couple of times inserting the IEM, and if I managed to equalize the pressure with earlobe pulling trickery, removing the IEM felt like my brains were being sucked trough my eardrums. OUCH!

I did not try all of my silicone tips, I hope you understand why!

So yeah.. not the best experience!

What a shame, I really liked the bass boost and I feel like these particular IEMs would have benefitted from the trebley nature of silicones.

 

[jbfps116]

Yea... I think the H20 will be a better buy for the price vs the decet, but who knows... I'd only consider the Decet if it's the Trio/Vader but better. [richer texture and tonality, better treble.]

 

[Carpet]

I'll just add to this one trough edits to avoid spamming.

First, looks and feels nice. Quite large and very heavy. Big magnetism, collects nearby ferromagnetic objects (reminds me of the Vader).

Can't use silicone tips! Unvented construction? Impossible to equalize the pressure when I insert them with silicone tips, it's like putting an airtight piston into the cylinder that is my ear canal.

So, foams it is. The improved packaging means that the includes foams are, for the first time, in usable condition:



Isolation is considerably above average I think.

Sound wise, no immediate problema pop up, smooth treble, mids ay-okay and yes, yes, the bass boost does NOT make male vocals sound like boomy amateur podcasts, but it makes kick drums and bass instruments quite pronounced. I was expecting more of a treble boost to make a "smiley face EQ" to match the bass but honestly, above the bass boost, things sound quite balanced.

Edit: tried a few silicone tips, difficulties equalizing pressure with all of them. You have been warned.

Spatial cues are lost somewhere. The pulsating bass at the end of Time by Hans Zimmer just feels like it pans left and right, whereas with the PRX and ZVX Pro it seems to revolve around my head like in a movie theatre. Soundstage is narrowish I think it is called.

Edit2: okay, these wake up with that electronic humppa and polka people call dance music. The mids and treble are polite enough to keep the electric hihats and stuff from being too harsh. The bass boost does not muddy up the sound but makes the kick and bass line, how should I say this.. very enjoyable! The polite treble is good in this context for me, many (most all of them) producers have this weird perversion to make very sharp ugly treble boosts. So these are not at all hopeless, perhaps they just exist for a genre that is not really my turf.

Try Tangzu Sancai tips, the textured surface seems to allow enough leakage to prevent pressure building up. Not as dampening of treble frequencies as foam tips.

 

[Fat Larry]

I'll just add to this one trough edits to avoid spamming.

First, looks and feels nice. Quite large and very heavy. Big magnetism, collects nearby ferromagnetic objects (reminds me of the Vader).

Can't use silicone tips! Unvented construction? Impossible to equalize the pressure when I insert them with silicone tips, it's like putting an airtight piston into the cylinder that is my ear canal.

So, foams it is. The improved packaging means that the includes foams are, for the first time, in usable condition:



Isolation is considerably above average I think.

Sound wise, no immediate problema pop up, smooth treble, mids ay-okay and yes, yes, the bass boost does NOT make male vocals sound like boomy amateur podcasts, but it makes kick drums and bass instruments quite pronounced. I was expecting more of a treble boost to make a "smiley face EQ" to match the bass but honestly, above the bass boost, things sound quite balanced.

Edit: tried a few silicone tips, difficulties equalizing pressure with all of them. You have been warned.

Spatial cues are lost somewhere. The pulsating bass at the end of Time by Hans Zimmer just feels like it pans left and right, whereas with the PRX and ZVX Pro it seems to revolve around my head like in a movie theatre. Soundstage is narrowish I think it is called.

Edit2: okay, these wake up with that electronic humppa and polka people call dance music. The mids and treble are polite enough to keep the electric hihats and stuff from being too harsh. The bass boost does not muddy up the sound but makes the kick and bass line, how should I say this.. very enjoyable! The polite treble is good in this context for me, many (most all of them) producers have this weird perversion to make very sharp ugly treble boosts. So these are not at all hopeless, perhaps they just exist for a genre that is not really my turf.

Im currently waiting on a Vader set. Would be keen to know how they compare to the Decet.

 

[iGmole]

Im currently waiting on a Vader set. Would be keen to know how they compare to the Decet.

I have both Vadersv but can't really draw comparisons due to the tip situation. I've always used silicone tips with the Vaders and the Decet requires foams which change high mids and treble quite substantially.

The bass tuning means that most vocals and melodic insruments will be more mid oriented on the Decet. At least the Vader Balanced has more of that fundamental note weight.

If, listening to a Vader Balanced (which I assume you have coming) you find the note weight upper pass low mid area too much, the Decet might fit the bill. That is, if you like foams and a very polite upper mid/treble.

 

[cplus44]

What’s an upgrade from the zs12 pro x? I didn’t like the trio if that helps.

 

[xxAMAROKxx]

What’s an upgrade from the zs12 pro x? I didn’t like the trio if that helps.

Actualy if you are not aware of KZ's push on "S", the ZSX Pro should not be a bad choice. It has the best soundstage, great mids and bass and trebles peaking at arround 3kHz, then slowly falling. It needs some brain burn-in and rather warmer source.

 

[MightyBalzaq]

Actualy if you are not aware of KZ's push on "S", the ZSX Pro should not be a bad choice. It has the best soundstage, great mids and bass and trebles peaking at arround 3kHz, then slowly falling. It needs some brain burn-in and rather warmer source.

Just out of curiosity, how would the ZSX Pro compare to the PRX?

Sounds like it would pair well with my FiiO KA11.

 

[AIME]

Just out of curiosity, how would the ZSX Pro compare to the PRX?

Sounds like it would pair well with my FiiO KA11.

I had the (loaned until two weeks ago) PRX and still own the ZSX Pro, listened through KA13 4.4mm high gain, and ZSX Pro is easier to drive. ZSX Pro has a brighter and "drier" sound. For me, it's less musical and more technical in its sound. It is also more bass-light than the PRX, but the ZSX Pro still has the bass extension for that rumble and resolution, but it is controlled, not even close to visceral. I wished though that I could feel the DD pushing air, which PRX does somewhat with its planar.
I was tempted to say that the ZSX is basically the PR3 hybrid, but I found it to be less sibilant, more smooth, and less airy, while still having the wide, 2D soundstage. If anything, the PR3 as a hybrid would be the TRN V90 Pro, but that topic is for another day, if someone does ask.
The ZSX Pro is technically superior in the sense that the upper midrange, treble, and microdetails are elevated to grab your attention. Unlike the PRX, which attracts you on all fronts, serving lush mids, encompassing bass, and intimate vocals, having noticeably less air, while somehow not sounding warm and scalable to the max to my ears (I have huge planar bias),
the ZSX Pro gives the treble the spotlight, and the bass spreading itself translucently in the stage without losing its resolution, the mids sounding thin, but not harsh or shrieky, the vocals nuanced and bright, losing composure in high-max volumes, above average splashiness for cymbals and similar elements and slightly sibilant.

Kind of wished there was a ZSX Pro Bass or something like that.